The Opening and the CCR's

The Movie Opening: The Hollow Point Opening

Creative Critical Reflection Questions 1 and 2: CCR Questions 1 and 2 

Creative Critical Reflection Questions 3 and 4: CCR Questions 3 and 4

Final Reflection on the Project.

This is the second‑to‑last blog I’ll write about this project, and all I can say is that it has truly been a journey. From creating the storyboard to filming the opening and editing everything together, it has been a wild ride. I’d first like to thank my partners, Kai and Christian, for helping create our movie opening Hollow Point. We spent around two months brainstorming how the opening would work, how we would execute it, and who would assist us. My partners worked extremely hard in helping me carry out this opening in an organized and effective way.

Next, I would like to thank my instructor, Ms. Stoklosa, for helping not only me but everyone in the class feel more confident and less nervous when filming. She taught me everything I needed to know about using Blogger, Canva, and Clipchamp, and I’m truly grateful for her guidance.

Although writing 3–5 blogs every week became irritating at the beginning of the project, the purpose of this assignment is to create a movie opening, complete a creative critical reflection, and document our progress how we did it and how we felt throughout the process.

Editing the CCR's

I finally finished editing both of my CCRs, and honestly, it felt like it took a long time for no real reason. I edit on Clipchamp, and my computer isn’t very strong when it comes to video editing. It lags a lot and buffers excessively. Even videos that should take no more than 15 minutes to edit end up taking me almost an hour because of all the lag and buffering.

The easier CCR to edit was Questions 3–4, which used the presentation format. That part was pretty simple because all I needed to do was fix the background audio, make the audio clearer, and combine the clips since Questions 3 and 4 were recorded separately. This should have taken around 5–10 minutes, but instead it took me about 30 minutes because of my computer. Other than that, Questions 3–4 were very easy to edit since it was just a presentation. I also added some fade‑ins and fade‑outs to make it look cleaner.

Questions 1–2, however, were not as easy as I expected. Since we used two phones to record our perspectives, I had to match up the audio and the exact moments we spoke so everything looked perfectly in sync. Unfortunately, this took a lot of time—around two hours to fully complete. After finally syncing the audio and video, I still had to add the extra elements I created to make it feel like a real talk show, such as an intro and a small trademark in the bottom-left corner. I also added the sources at the end as well.

The Filming Process of CCR's

This week, I finished filming my CCRs for Questions 1–4. Some parts were harder to film especially Questions 1 and 2 while others were much easier. For both CCR videos, I had to make a few adjustments because certain things didn’t go as planned. For example, in CCR Questions 1 and 2, I ended up filming from a different angle than I originally intended. I was supposed to record these CCRs much earlier, but allergies affected my whole family and delayed the process by about 3–4 days. Fortunately, I had scripts prepared for both videos, so I already knew exactly what I was going to say.

For Questions 1 and 2, I used a talk‑show format where I was the guest, and my mother was the host. Luckily, she has some experience with this type of setup, so she handled it without many issues. We also dressed appropriately for the scene. To capture both perspectives the host and the guest we filmed using two cameras.

For Questions 3 and 4, I used a presentation format and included slides to support what I was explaining. These slides featured bullet points and images to help guide the viewer. I also spoke over the presentation to make everything clearer and ensure the information flowed in a way that made sense.

Question #4 Research and Script

#4 How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?

Slide 7: (Continuation from Last Question)

I used Clipchamp as my main editing software. I’ve been using it since the start of the school year, so I already knew the basics, but this project helped me use it in a more organized way. Since my computer is slow, I edited a lot on my partners’ computer, and working with Kai and Christian helped me learn new things while we edited together.

Slide 8:

I also used Canva to create visuals for my presentation and Blogger to post all my updates and CCR answers. These tools helped me stay organized and keep track of my progress.

Slide 9

For hardware, I used my partner’s camera to record all the scenes. I also used a tripod to keep the shots steady and make the footage look cleaner.

Slide 10:

To create the bright light coming out of the bag during the trance moment, we used our phones as flashlights and aimed the light inside the bag. This simple effect made the scene look more dramatic and helped sell the idea of the trance starting.

Slide 11: (removed)

I used online tools like Blogger to publish my work and websites like YouTube and Canva guide videos  to learn more about filming and production techniques. These resources helped me understand how real media creators plan and structure their projects.

Slide 12:

Overall, I integrated technology by combining software for editing, hardware for filming and effects, and online tools for research and posting. Using all three made the project easier to manage and helped me create a more polished final product.

(All Done in Canva, Around 2 and 1/2 minutes to speak)

My research for this project mainly came from what my teacher taught us about using software, hardware, and online tools in media production. We also completed small class assignments that helped me understand how editing programs, filming techniques, and online platforms work together. This made it easier for me to choose the right tools and use them correctly during the project.

Question #3 Research and Script

#3. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Slide 1:

Throughout this project, my production skills improved a lot. At the beginning, I originally fully understand how much planning and organization mattered, but as I worked through each stage, I started to see how every decision affected the final product.

Slide 2: 

My planning skills developed first. My partner creating the storyboard helped me think ahead and picture what each scene should look like. This made filming easier because I already knew what shots I needed and how they would fit together.

Slide 3: 

My filming skills also improved. I learned how to use angles, lighting, and framing to make my shots look clearer and more intentional. I also got better at using simple tools like my phone and a flashlight to control the mood and situation of the scene.

Slide 4: 

Editing was where I grew the most. At first, I only knew how to make basic cuts, but I learned how to adjust timing, fix audio, and create smoother transitions. I also realized how important pacing is because even small changes can affect how the scene feels.

Slide 5

Overall, this project helped me become more confident with the entire production process. I learned how to plan better, film with more purpose, and edit in a way that makes the final product look more polished.

(Around 2 Minutes to Speak, All done on Canva)

For this project, most of my understanding of production came from using Clipchamp throughout the school year. I have been editing on Clipchamp since the start of the class and used it for several projects, so I already had experience with the basics. I also learned a lot from working with my partners, Kai and Christian, because they helped teach me new things and showed me how to work faster. Since my computer is slow, I often edited on their computer, which made the process easier and helped me learn by watching them

Question #2 Research and Script

#2 How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

HOST: Now let’s talk distribution. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

SEBASTIEN: It would start on streaming platforms, since that’s where most people our age watch short‑form and experimental content. Streaming makes it easy for the audience to discover it on their own time. Then I’d use social media to build interest. Short clips, teasers, and behind‑the‑scenes moments help people connect with the project and share it around. And honestly, the algorithm does a lot once people start interacting with it. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube push content that gets engagement, so the project can spread naturally without needing a huge marketing budget.

HOST: So you’re basically letting the internet do half the work.

SEBASTIEN: Pretty much. It’s efficient. And it doesn’t complain.

HOST: Sebastien, thanks for being here. Your project has a really strong identity, and it feels like something that could genuinely find an audience today.

SEBASTIEN: Thanks. I appreciate that.

HOST: That wraps up today’s Spotlight Session. See you next time.

(About 1 1/2 to 2 minutes) 

  Suspense increases viewer attention and emotional investment. Smith, T. J. (2012). “The Attentional Theory of Cinematic Continuity.” Projections. (Explains how withholding information increases engagement.) Inducing narrative tension in the viewer through suspense, surprise, and curiosity - ScienceDirect

 Chion, M. (1994). “Audio‑Vision: Sound on Screen.” (Foundational research on how sound creates tension and guides viewer focus.) Audio-Vision: Sound on Screen | Columbia University Press

My teacher taught me and my class a lot about how media products connect with audiences and how real films get distributed. We completed multiple research assignments, including PowerPoints, essays, and written reflections, and all of this helped me understand the topic better and make stronger decisions for my own project.

 

Planning for CCR Production Ideas.

I’ve already planned how I’m going to answer Questions #1–4 for my CCR. For Questions #1 and #2, I’m using a talk‑show format featuring my mother as the host and me as the guest. The segment will start with her introducing me onto the show, followed by some casual conversation about my day and how I felt about creating my film opening. After that warm‑up, she’ll transition into the actual CCR questions. The first question she’ll ask is, “How does your product use or challenge conventions, and how does it represent social groups or issues?” The second will be, “How does your product engage with audiences, and how would it be distributed as a real media text?”

To make the talk show more engaging, I’m planning to include photos that support what I’m talking about, along with background music to avoid awkward silence. Since some of my responses will be humorous, I also want to add a laugh track at certain moments. Below is the table where my mother and I will be performing the talk‑show scene.

For Questions 3 and 4, I am planning to create a slideshow presentation to answer them. I think a presentation works better for these questions because it lets me show more information to the people watching. For Question 3, which asks how my production skills developed throughout the project, the presentation helps me organize my growth step by step using pictures. It lets me show my progress visually, and I can include screenshots of my editing and planning.

For Question 4, which asks how I integrated technologies such as software, hardware, and online tools, a presentation allows me to include screenshots of the technology I used, like cameras, flashlights, and phones. I can also show behind‑the‑scenes photos, tripod setups, and other examples of my process. This format makes it easier to highlight my workflow visually. I will be creating the presentation on Canva.

The Foley Production Process

When planning for our movie opening, me and my partners wanted to create uniqueness in our story by implementing one thing, foley sounds. Foley sounds are the art of creating and recording everyday sounds effects to replace or enhance sounds that were captured on set. We made these sounds, so they are performed in sync and make the opening feel natural, detailed and immersive.

We created simple but effective sounds such as regular walking, a zipper noise, car doors and getting out of cars. My partner Kai created these sounds for us fortunately and even sent us drafts that we can observe to see if it's well or not. He created this simply being in a slight hollow room (bathroom) and used a variety of items to create sounds. For example, for walking, he grabbed two shoes and simply created the walking motion by slapping them on the ground repetitive. For the zipper, he simply just opened a duffel bag from a zipper.

If you want to see the examples of the foley sounds of how they were created, look at the some of videos below. (Click the Link)

Foley Sounds - Google Drive

One of the Edits for our Sound.

When planning, me and my partners wanted to play music when the car was pulling into the parking lot. We brainstormed a lot for this and when filming attempted different stunts of how we were going to implement this. We tried from music playing in the car, but it sounded poor with the sound and music out the car but it sounded unrealistic. We came to the conclusion of editing our sound in using Adobe Premiere Pro with adjusting the sound effects.

Me and my partners had to search up a video on how to perform this but all we had to do was add an equalizer to the music audio and adjust the effect controls of it . With a few tweaks, we were able to the get music/audio to sound like it was coming from a car successfully.

About Our Editing.

This weekend, me and my team will begin to edit our video, and I want to give some background on our experience with the program we’ll be using. We’ll be editing in Clipchamp, which is a simple and efficient video‑editing software that makes it easy to organize and create projects. My teammates and I have used Clipchamp before, so we already are familiar of how it works, which should make the editing process much smoother. One of the times we used it was for our Music Marketing Project, where we created a two‑minute music video for a chosen genre. We earned a good grade on that assignment, and we’re hoping to reach the same level of quality again.

When recording footage for this project, the files were automatically arranged in the order they were filmed, which makes importing everything into Clipchamp much easier. Since Clipchamp and OneDrive are owned by the same company, we can import our videos directly from OneDrive, which saves time and keeps everything organized. Clipchamp also allows multiple people to work on the same project. By clicking the share button and inviting teammates through their email, everyone can edit on the same timeline together.

A difficulty we had last time while editing in Clipchamp was that the app’s performance depends heavily on your computer. My computer isn’t very strong, so when I was editing the Music Marketing Project, the video kept buffering and lagging. It got so bad that one of my partners eventually had to take over and finish the editing. Another issue we ran into was importing files. Sometimes Clipchamp doesn't let you import a whole folder of videos at once if the total storage size is too large, so you have to upload each file one at a time instead.

CCR Question #1

HOST: Welcome back to The Spotlight Session. Today we’re talking with Sebastien, the creator behind a new short psychological film that’s already getting people curious. Thank you for being here. 

SEBASTIEN: Thanks for having me. I’m still trying to figure out if these lights are supposed to be this bright. 

HOST: Its fine, it's part of the broadcast. Anyways, Question #1 How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues? 

SEBASTIEN: The opening is designed to pull people in through tension and uncertainty. Instead of explaining everything, it lets the audience experience the moment the same way the character does. The closeups, the sound design, and the slow reveal of the object all build curiosity. People relate to the themes too. The story deals with pressure, influence, and how easy it is to lose control without realizing it. Those ideas feel familiar, especially for younger audiences, so even though the situation is exaggerated, the emotions behind it feel real. 

HOST: It has that “something’s off but you can’t look away” energy. 

SEBASTIEN: That’s exactly what I was going for. The kind of moment where you’re not sure what’s happening, but you want to keep watching to figure it out. 

StudioBinder. (2020). What is sound design in film? Definition & examples. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-sound-design-in-film/

No Film School. (2019). How sound design can change the way you feel about a scene. https://nofilmschool.com/sound-design-change-feelings

Group Meeting Experience #2

Today, students were assigned to share our film ideas and project progress with 6–7 classmates that my instructor grouped us with. I did something similar earlier in Group Meeting Experience #2, when we had just started the project and were still brainstorming ideas. Now, most people in my class have a clearer sense of their concept and how their project is going so far. Out of the six people I spoke with in class, I chose the three that I found the most interesting.

"Calling Card" by Marat and Andres was a interesting one in my opinion. Most because they changed their idea and I was unaware of it. Their opening follows a thief called Shade (antagonist) who steals random objects. Shade leaves a single clue in an envelope/"calling card". These envelopes hints at where Shade plans to attack creating a trail of mystery for the protagonists to follow. The protagonists are Oliver and Matthew, two detectives hired to take on the case. They work together to track Shade's movements and piece together the meaning behind the objects he steals and the clues he leaves behind. Their issues were that they didn't film as much this week, their main problem their facing is their lack of problems so their focusing on building the setting, setting up the headline and gathering the items needed for the film.  Marat and Andres have an idea of the CCR answering 2 different questions with 2 different media activities. I enjoy the thief's eerie calling card creating a suspenseful trail that pulls people deeper into the mystery. I would like to see opening a lot.

Original Title Unknown by Ava is a story about a protagonist who discovers she is pregnant and, feeling scared and overwhelmed, decides to run away blaming her boyfriend for the situation. This whole situation creates an emotional suspense in the opening. One of the obstacles she faces is that Ava originally planned for the protagonist to escape on a bike, but since she no longer has one, she is forced to use a car which confuse viewers as they wonder whose car she will take and how she will get it.

"Cadence" by Sofia L. follows a runner who participates in long-distance track running while facing mental issues. The story shifts between scenes of him running and moments where he breaks own emotionally, highlighting the mental pressure he faces. One challenge Sofia faces is that she ponders on how the breakdown/mental issue film will be seen since it will have a powerful effect on the opening and is central idea of it. Sofia also has an idea of the CCR answering 2 different questions with 2 different media activities.

I didn’t receive much feedback during this group experience, but it was still enjoyable to hear everyone’s film‑opening ideas and learn how they plan to film their projects.

The Difficulties of Our Filming Process

While filming, we realized there was a major issue in our story that we should have planned for but didn’t. One of my partners arrived a bit late to the filming location, which meant the sun was already going down. Because of this, viewers will be able to see a noticeable change in lighting, which might cause some confusion. We filmed on a Friday at 5:30 PM, about two to three hours after school. In the future, we should have scheduled our filming earlier in the day, especially if we knew someone might arrive late.

At the Start:

Towards the End:

Another difficulty we had was that cars were going in and out the parking lot when we were filming. This difficulty was not as bad, but it did cause annoyance as we had to wait for a few minutes for them to leave again.

The last difficulty we faced during filming was that our original helper, who was supposed to help us on set, was unable to come. The original actor was meant to act as a substitute for Nicolas, but that plan fell through. Fortunately, Teo (who plays Nicolas) arrived with an electric car, while the original actor drives a gas‑powered one. The electric car made almost no noise during filming, which actually helped us keep the audio clean and avoid the unwanted car background sound.

Finished the Filming Process

Just yesterday, we finished filming our opening scene. In total, we recorded around 100 different clips, and the entire process took about three hours. We faced a few obstacles such as lighting issues and cars passing through the shot, but overall everything went smoothly. One of my partners, Kai, brought the main production equipment, including two cameras (one for filming and one for behind the scenes), as well as lighting and stands.

One of the most interesting scenes to film was the bag scene, where the characters fall into a trance. This moment is the central point of our story, so it needed to be executed perfectly. For this shot, we placed a light inside the bag so that when Ethan opens it, a bright glow appears, hinting that something inside is taking control of him. We used a low angle shot to capture Ethan’s facial expressions and build suspense as he opens the bag.

After filming, we now have to edit around 100 clips for our movie opening. In my opinion, the editing stage is the hardest part after filming, and I will definitely need the help of my partners.

The Casting for the Opening.

For our movie opening project, we had one director/actor , one cinematographer (me) and three actors. Two of the actors are members of my production group, while the other two are friends we invited to participate, one of them being a group member’s sibling. Choosing our group members and assigning character names didn’t take long at all, since we already had strong connections and received great suggestions from others. Below are the names and pictures of everyone involved.

Sebastien Nicolas( Cinematographer) 

Sebastian (Group Member)

Nicolas

Ethan

Chris (Group Member, Director)

The Process of Creating our Logo.

The process of creating the name for our logo was not as difficult as it may seem. My group and I wanted a company name that included all of our initials and still sounded good. We decided on SMR Productions, the S representing my first name (Sebastien), the M representing my partner’s middle name (Matias), and the R representing my other partner’s last name (Rader).

We are aware about the creation of the name itself is simple, but we feel it sounds clean and serves its purpose well. The logo, however, was much more challenging to create than the name. Designing it took a few hours because we wanted something visually appealing and professional. We chose the color green because it’s a favorite shared by everyone in the group. We also made several improvements to the logo, which I will show in the photo below.

   Beginning

   Middle (Apologies for the poor quality)                                   Finale

As shown in the photo, our logo went through several small changes, mainly involving color adjustments, icon updates, and text positioning. We aimed for a minimalistic design that looked formal and resembled the style of a real movie production company. We also added animations to our logo, which you will see below. Since we don’t have the same resources or budget that professional studios have for their logo transitions or openings, we worked with what was available and created the best production logo we could. 

If the video above is not working, try this link instead. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vY4HW-vKiPyj7Q39dh432qadFOkkDAyn/view?usp=sharing. 

Sound in the Movie Opening

Sound will help our movie opening by building tension and setting the mood before anything major happens. Quiet background noise can make the park feel empty, and small sounds like footsteps or wind can make the scene feel more suspenseful. As the boys get closer to the strange situation, the sound can slowly change to make the audience feel something is wrong. 

Me and my team discussed that we will be using a variety of sounds, including foley and diegetic sound. We already picked the royalty‑free music that will play in the beginning to avoid copyright. This first track will create a calm mood while the boys are in the car, and we chose something that feels like they are coming back from a party.

As the story starts to build suspense, the audio will slowly fade out and a darker, more unsettling track will fade in. The bag in the scene will also have its own sound that feels “attracting” to both the characters and the audience. Some of the sounds in the opening will be created through foley, like the car door opening or the sound of footsteps. The trance moment is the main part of the sound design. When a character falls into a trance, a specific sound will play so the audience knows it is happening. Each time another character gets pulled in, the attracting sound from the bag will grow stronger.

When the fourth friend arrives in the car, most of the audio will lower or fade out to show something is off. Once he notices the others are gone, the sound will slowly fade back in. When he sees their belongings on the ground next to the car, the audio will rise again to build tension and lead into the mystery.

Character Development in the Story

As we started planning our opening, we realized that the boys’ personalities needed to come through even before we show them the suspension of the bag. Unfortunantely, they do not have official names yet, but we focused on how each one behaves and reacts at the moment. Every action shows who is confident, who is quieter, and who tends to follow the group.

Once they arrive at the park, their reactions begin to separate. One boy is more curious and willing to explore, another is unsure and hangs back, and another tries to act brave even though he is clearly nervous. These differences help shape their identities without needing dialogue. The tension in the scene comes from how each boy responds to something they do not understand, and those reactions reveal more about them than anything they could say.

The fourth friend’s moment is important because it shows how he feels about the group. When he arrives and realizes something is wrong, his confusion and worry help the audience connect with him. He becomes the emotional link between the boys and the viewer. His reaction shows how close they all are and sets the tone for the mystery that follows. Even though the characters are not named yet, their personalities come through clearly through their behavior and the way they handle the situation.

The Outfits in the Movie Opening

In our film opening, the actors will subtly show that they’ve just come back from a party. Instead of directly showing the event, we plan to use cues like the music they’re listening to, their energetic vibe, and the overall energy they bring into the scene. These details help the audience understand what happened before the camera starts rolling.

During our brainstorming session, my group agreed that the actors should wear casual clothing that realistically matches what teenagers look like after leaving a party. Clothes like graphic tees, ripped jeans and joggers (carefree appearance) help explain their hyper energy and make the moment feel more believable. Their clothing, combined with the music and their behavior, reinforces the idea that they’ve been out having fun.

To assist in this, I will provide several examples of outfit styles the actors could wear. These examples will help guide our wardrobe choices and make sure the characters visually match the tone and context of the scene.