Introduction: 

This first semester of entertainment video has been quite the journey. I have definitely learned a lot more about people than I have about making entertainment films, but that is still something I have grown in. I am very knowledgible with how to use a DSLR, as well as all the other equipment needed to make a film. I learned the majority of what I needed to know back in freshman and sophomore year, so I was able to use that knowledge to create and produce films. I have become more famIlier with music programs though this year, like Logic X, which is awesome because that’s what I’m passionate about.

 PSA:

 
For our first project, we had to make a public service announcement. We chose the topic of water, which a couple messages could be found within like water conservation or just the topic of people do not have clean water. This took about three weeks, from pre production to post. Our main challenge was that the topic of our film kept changing because we were not sure if our original idea was enough of "water conservation" as we first thought. I learned to really plan in pre production before you start to film because it will help with filming because you will know what you are doing. We were given the feedback to make sure the shots are in focus and to make sure the music fits. We tried to change some of the shots. I liked this project, I wish it would have turned out differently, but it was a nice experience.

Short Film:

Our next project was to make a short film. This took about 4-ish weeks. Some of the challenges happened in post production when our editor went against our wishes on almost everything and edited it very sloppily. I learned to be careful who you give editing to because that person can make or break the film. Some feedback was to not cut the scenes short and to be careful with audio. We tried to reedit it but it was too late by then. I love the concept and the majority of the shots in this, but the end product is hard to watch and I don't really like to think about it.

Feature Film:

This is an on going project - our feature film. We started it in November I believe and it will continue until April. Some of the challenges I have faced are that I have worked pretty hard on this feature film and its development and I feel pretty unappreciated for it. I have been meaning to talk to the teacher about it and I will. I was there since the beginning developing characters and story lines in order to make this film a compelling movie. I was in charge of writing the first act which I did and as proud of yet the original writer came in and deleted all of my work and wrote his own. Also, I feel pretty out of place as a second AD because I do not really see the point of a second AD on a smaller film like this. I do most of the busy work the first AD doesn't want to do and I don't really get any appreciation for it. I have learned to speak up for myself though, and I hope things will go better in the future.

Time in Class:

I think I have used my time in class pretty well. From the beginning of the feature film, I was the one up there at the board mapping out ideas. I have also been able to write a script in class and started a YouTube channel with Addie Zoll. I have also had the awesome opportunity to begin making music with Alex Manriquez! Making music is a passion of mine and it's awesome to work with someone as talented as him. I have a file of one of my demo songs if you want to check it out.

If my boss gave me 8 hours for a project that only takes 7 I would use the extra hour to gain feedback from my coworkers or peers. After that I would also research and look at other examples over the topic and see if I can make any improvements. 

Outside of class I watch a lot of films. I try to watch a lot from different areas, so I can look at different techniques. Also, when I have time, I like to watch youtube videos about filmmaking, especially for beginners because I always learn something new.

Strengths:

A strength of mine is that I always have new ideas. I am constantly looking for something new to create and a new way of saying an old message. You can see that in my songs, I use old words and ideas but I make them personal. I have tons of ideas and I have the passion and drive to produce them. I also am a person who works very well with others and I know what I have to do in order to be successful. 

Weaknesses:

I need to improve upon speaking up for myself. I have opinions and they should be heard. I also need to work on executing my work because there are a lot of ideas ai just abandoned because I didn't think they were good enough to be put out into the world.

Guest Speakers:

I learned a lot about film in the real world. I learned that you do not get a lot of time with projects. But I also learned that people love when people have style and something that makes their art their own. It was very encouraging to know that it is possible to make it in the film industry even when it doesn't look how you imagine it to look.

4XMD:

I learned from our field trip that there more ways to experience film and to push the limits. It was a cool experience and I love seeing people change the world's view of ordinary things, like how someone views a film. It inspired me a lot to be creative and rethink things and think about how can I make things new and exciting and get people out to the movie theaters. 

Summary:

I loved developing the short film in the beginning as well as creating music. I just love writing and producing music, it is a childhood dream of home. I would probably have gone with different groups for the PSA and short film, I worked well with the majority, but they didn't come out as good as I hope they would have. My overall takeaway was just the idea to rethink old ideas and concepts, as well as pushing the limits to what we know now. I have learned its okay to think outside the box and really go all out in ideas. I want to make a short film I am proud of, that is my one goal for next year. my final thought is I have had a good run and grown a lot, and I am ready to make films and music I am proud of.