Project Links

Film Opening - https://youtu.be/xyIQFPT4yZQ

CCR 1 - https://youtu.be/G6Lvu19eak0

CCR 2 - https://youtu.be/gT7fAt13hcM

FINAL REFLECTION

 So... These past couple of months 4 blog posts a week dedicated to the planning, production, and finishing touches to this film opening are finally coming to an end... I am very proud of how consistent I've been and even more proud of the final product. All the pieces of the puzzle came together and I executed the vision I had from the beginning. This has been a great experience and I enjoyed pushing my creative and artistic limits with this project It has sparked an interest to do more things like this so I am planning to in the future. Overall I'm grateful for this experience and I had fun during the process. The last thing I want to say is that I am greatly thankful for my wonderful teacher Mrs. Stoklosa who walked me through and helped me and provided all the resources needed throughout the entire process for me and my peers to excel in the process of creating this film opening. 

Benjamin Marchan signing off....:((((

Post Production of CCRs

I filmed and edited both of my CCRs on the same day, which helped me keep the same style and stay organized. I chose a format for the first CCR that looks like a "behind-the-scenes" video, similar to the extra content you might find on a DVD. Because of this choice, the editing was pretty simple. Most of the work was just adding text on top of the behind-the-scenes clips I filmed during production.

I also included a few scenes from my actual film opening. These clips fit well with the behind-the-scenes style and helped give the feeling that the viewer is watching bonus content that shows both the making of the project and parts of the final film. I think this choice worked well because it matched the theme I wanted.

I did all of my editing in Adobe Premiere Pro. I used simple tools like adding text, cutting clips, and using smooth transitions to make the video flow well and look interesting. In the end, I think the editing process was quick and helped me create a project that answers the CCR questions while keeping the same style as my film.

Production of CCRs

To get ready for filming the behind-the-scenes CCR, I wanted to find a background that would look like a behind-the-scenes area on a movie set. I didn’t want it to look too perfect or staged, but more like a casual space where someone might sit and talk about a project. I looked around and decided that my backyard would be a great spot. The greenery in the background gave it a natural, simple feel that fit the look I was going for.

Once I picked the location, I set up my tripod and placed my phone on it. Then, I grabbed a chair to sit in while I filmed. I kept everything simple to match the style of a behind-the-scenes interview, and I think it worked well for creating that “bonus feature” look I wanted. Combined with the clips of the film opening cut up through it makes it look even better.

For the second CCR video, I decided to keep it simple by making it look like a press junket interview. I thought the best background for this would be something clean and plain, so I chose a blank white wall in my house. It gave the video a simple and professional look, just like you’d see in a real interview setting.

To make the lighting feel more like an actual interview setup, I opened the curtains to let in more natural sunlight. Then, I used some adjustable lights and pointed them toward me to make sure my face was well-lit. This helped create a bright and balanced look on camera, which matched the press junket style I was aiming for. I made sure to also film myself walking into the interview and sitting down like a real-life one would.

Group Meeting Summary 2

 During a class, we had a group meeting and I was in a group with Keyla, Bella, Santiago, and my buddy William. 

Keylas film opening is about A lobotomized girl in the 1900s who runs through a park with her diary, watching clouds. She finds her twin’s old dress. The scene feels like a child’s memory, with bright colors. A hidden noose under her earrings hints at danger. She filmed at Markham Park.

Bellas is about A woman who sets up dinner while getting strange messages from men. She kills men on dates that aren’t perfect. It starts with a record player and slowly gets creepy. Dark lighting and flashbacks show her past murders. It feels like a slow, scary thriller. Bella is using pretty advanced lighting techniques to enhance her horror theme as well as using props like fake blood.

Santiago was about a man getting kidnapped over and over again and he showed pretty impressive makeup his mom did for him to show that he was "beat" he focused on lowkey lighting and he's filming in his garage.

Wills film opening is about a kid who works at a golf course and it starts off showing him being late to work then he sees a pretty girl which motivates him to change up his life and start improving himself. He will be filming at a golf course and has been practicing due to clips of him golfing will be included.

CCR Question 4 Script

 I mentioned the theme of it in my last blog post

PRESS JUNKET INTERVIEW SCRIPT

INTERVIEWER:
How did you integrate technologies software, hardware, and online tools in this project?

DIRECTOR:
For hardware, used an iPhone we were looking for that sharp, cinematic look, especially during wide sports sequences and close-ups in the locker room.

DIRECTOR:
On the software side, we used iMovie for editing it allowed me to cut between action and emotional beats smoothly. We also used color grading to get that warm, nostalgic tone.

DIRECTOR:
Online platforms also played a big role. We shared production updates and teasers on social media, which helped us engage our audience early. We also used cloud tools like Google Drive to organize scripts, and shot lists, and share footage with the team remotely.

INTERVIEWER:
Sounds like you really focused on technology for this one!

DIRECTOR:
Absolutely. It helped us deliver a polished, professional product and kept the entire production efficient.

End with the project’s logo

CCR Question 3 Script

For CCR questions three and four my idea is to make them like a modern-day promo with a dark background in a hotel room.

PRESS JUNKET INTERVIEW SCRIPT

INTERVIEWER:
How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

DIRECTOR:
This project really pushed me as a director. At first, I knew how to handle basic shoots, but taking on a sports drama meant managing bigger setups multiple cameras, choreographing action scenes, and coordinating character movement, especially during those intense training sequences.

Cut to BTS footage of the director setting up football scenes, and guiding during drills.

DIRECTOR:
I improved my ability to pre-visualize. I learned to think ahead, designing shots that not only captured the action but also told the emotional story underneath. It wasn’t just about showing training it was about showing the relationships on and off the field.

Cut back to DIRECTOR at the junket.

DIRECTOR:
I also developed a sharper eye for lighting and color. We used warmer tones to make the character’s personal moments feel intimate, and cooler shades for the tension during competitive scenes. Before this project, I didn’t fully appreciate how much color palettes can affect tone.

DIRECTOR:
And honestly sounds. I dove deeper into how background noise, like breath control, weights, and contact with the field adds to the realism of a sports film. It became clear how vital sound design is in elevating the audience’s immersion.

DIRECTOR:
I came out of this more confident, more collaborative, and more prepared for complex projects. It’s been the biggest step in my filmmaking journey so far.

CCR Question 2 Script

For the first 2 questions, my idea is to make them like a behind the scenes on a DVD.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES FEATURETTE SCRIPT

NARRATOR:
In this behind-the-scenes look, we’ll show how our film connects with audiences and how it’s ready to be released as a real media text.

1. Engaging Audiences

Cut to DIRECTOR Interview

DIRECTOR:
It starts with telling a story people can relate to. Sports films have this universal appeal you don’t have to be an athlete to connect with themes like teamwork, pressure, and brotherhood.

Clips of characters during training and opening up during quiet moments.

NARRATOR:
We engage audiences by balancing the adrenaline of sports with real emotional depth. The audience will see these 2 athletes not just as athletes but as young people dealing with friendships, self-doubt, and wellness.

ACTOR 1:
We’re showing characters who might be tough on the field but are vulnerable behind the scenes. That’s something people really connect with seeing both sides the strength and the softness.

2. Distribution as a Real Media Text

Director:
We built this film to be versatile. It’s cinematic, so it works in festivals and indie theatres, but the character-driven storytelling also makes it perfect for streaming platforms.

Footage of a mock film festival laurel graphic, followed by a Netflix-style interface showing the film under New Releases.

NARRATOR:
The emotional core of the story helps it stand out in a crowded sports genre. It can reach diverse audiences on platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, or even sports-oriented networks like ESPN Films or HBO Sports.

DIRECTOR:
It has that "behind-the-scenes of sports" vibe people love, like what you see in The Iron Claw or Friday Night Lights. But it’s also grounded in real friendships and mental health awareness, which widens its appeal.

Clips of mock marketing, social media posts, teaser trailers

NARRATOR:
The film would also use a digital-first marketing strategy: Instagram reels, behind-the-scenes clips, and player profiles to build hype and engage viewers online before release.

3. Conclusion

DIRECTOR:
We’re giving audiences something more than just another sports movie.

NARRATOR:
Through emotional storytelling and a great distribution plan, this project is ready to reach audiences who want sports with heart.

[End on film’s logo with “COMING TO STREAMING AND FESTIVALS SOON.”]

CCR Question 1 Script

 I will be honest and admit I am not the best at writing scripts and most of the time it is hard for me to stick to them so instead I've kind of cooked up an outline of the video which is more or less the same type of thing. 

"How Does Your Product Use or Challenge Conventions and Represent Social Groups or Issues?"

1. Introduction

• Opening Scene: Show some action shots of gym or football training, and players working together. Explain that this video will talk about how the film follows or changes the usual sports film rules and how it shows different social groups or problems. Mention that the video will cover both sticking to sports movie rules and doing something different.

2. Genre Conventions in Sports Films

• Explain Sports Genre Rules:Talk about what’s common in sports movies: training scenes, games, underdog stories, teamwork, and growth. Mention famous sports movies like Rocky. Discuss how these movies usually show people overcoming hard times and winning.
• Visuals to Include: Show clips of famous sports movies with training or winning moments.

3. How Your Film Uses and Changes Conventions

• Using Conventions: Talk about how your film uses some of the usual sports movie ideas like training, teamwork, and big games.
• Changing Conventions: Explain how your film doesn’t do the usual “underdog wins” story. Focus on a team that’s already good and focuses on self-reflection and self-wellness within a friendship.
• Visuals to Include: Show clips of characters having brotherly moments instead of just winning.

4. Conclusion

• Wrap-Up: Recap how the film uses and changes sports movie rules. Remind viewers that showing diversity and relationships in sports films is important.
• Closing Thoughts: mention how the film shows a more real view of athletes, showing both their wins and what happens behind them.
• Visuals to Include: Show final scenes of the friends supporting each other.

Post-production process 2

Choosing the right font for the credits and title in the opening is important for setting the vibe of the film. The font should match the style and mood of the movie while also being easy to read.

For a sports football gym thing, I'm leaning towards picking a bold, simple font that shows strength. A clean, simpler font works well because it looks classic and strong. I'm trying to avoid fonts that are too fancy or hard to read since they can distract from the action.

For the title, I'm using a font that feels sporty, something that matches the gym setting. The credits could use the same font but a simpler version so they don’t draw too much attention.

The font placement is also important. If the opening is full of action, the credits should be placed where they won’t cover important parts of the scene. Using colors that stand out, like white text on a darker background, helps make the text easy to see without interrupting the action while also displaying an eye-pleasing contrast. It should fit in with the look and feel of the rest of the film.

I know the font I'm going to use but I still don't know where to do the title drop.

Post-production process 1

I sorted all my clips into groups like wide shots, close-ups, and action shots. Then, I put together a rough cut, picking the best moments and making sure the pace was okay.

Sound is really important, so some foley sounds I made of weights clanging, running on grass, and shoes squeaking to make it feel real. I also chose music that matches the energy, it's an instrumental cover of New Year's Day by U2.

Color Schemes

 For the lighting/color scheme, I'm using warm yellow lighting with a light grain filter rather than opting for darker greys and blues like most sports movies use. I love the vibe it gives off in the film The Iron Claw (2023) and it inspired me to use it in my own project. 

To make my film look warm and rich, highlighted to bring out warmth without making the colors too strong. I'm also adding a light-grain effect to mimic old film, giving the visuals a soft, nostalgic/memory feel.

Shadows should be dark but not too dark, so you can still see the details. Highlights can't become too bright, especially in scenes with strong lighting. Instead of making the shadows completely black, I made them softer.

Production Process Three

On Day 3 of filming, we decided to head to the gym to capture more intense scenes. We focused on getting multiple shots of us pushing each other while working out hard. From lifting weights to motivating each other, I wanted to show effort, friendship, and determination in every shot. The gym provided a great backdrop for these high-energy moments, and we made sure to film from different angles to really highlight the intensity of our workout and the effort that was being given.

We still need to shoot at the football fields, and my next blogs will cover that process. So far, this is where the real stuff starts to pick up, and I'm excited to see my vision start to come together. Every day of filming brings me closer to the final project, and I can't wait to see it.