Filming

Yesterday, October 24th, 2019 was my first filming day.  Before my partner Katie and I could do anything we needed to sign out the equipment.  The equipment consisted of; a camera, tripod, sd card, as well as a hall pass.  After gathering all the essentials we were all set and ready to film.  Previous to yesterday, the night of the 23rd of October, Katie and myself discussed what we needed and who was going to bring it.  We made a list of things and short reminders; this so we do not forget the next morning to bring. I decided to take one for the team and arrive late so that we may have our Dunkin Donut (DD) products fresh for the time we needed it.  With both our DD products and film equipment we were ready to begin.

First things first, Katie and I decided that it would be best if we worked backwards to front.  The reasoning for this, is because we knew people would be in the area where our beginning shots would be filmed.  Therefore instead of wasting time, why not go backwards and knockout all that we can.   When planning it was discussed and agreed upon that Katie would be the face of the film and I would take the lead in recording.  At first it was funny trying to operate the camera and figuring out how to set up a tripod.  Turns out our tripod was broken.   We had to hold the camera as well as maneuver the tripod to way we wanted.  Overall the filming was not ideal but we think  we got some shots with elevated production quality.

When filming I did low shot (LS), extreme close-up, pan, and a variety of other ones as well.  If I do say so myself, filming is more about just holding a camera and pressing buttons.  When you film you have to try your absolute hardest to make sure everything is perfect.  If not, for the shot, you’ll have to keep doing it.  Having to repeat the same scene over and over again is very time consuming and expensive in the actual world of film.  Katie and I experienced this with two of our scenes. Thus in the end we had to hurriedly dump our SD card and still sign back in everything when it was time to go. 

Storyboard

Today in class we worked on our storyboard for the Dunkin Donuts (DD) commercial. I analyzed and confirmed with Katie on which way we wanted to go about the film. The first step was having a group discussion and talking out the whole commercial and editing out ideas that we felt were not cohesive. Originally, we were going to have a simple end card but, as we researched we realized that most coffee commercials stress the importance of coffee coming from a bean. We concluded we wanted a pouring bean scene then the final end card that promotes the new products. We then brainstormed with a rough draft of the storyboard that was an electronic note sketch. We then needed to transfer it to the paper square format. Lastly, we needed to finalize it and make sure this is what we wanted to bring our vision alive.
I started off with the basics of drawing the actor and the setting. Throughout the course of the commercial, you will see a transition in time. The beginning scene displays a girl sleeping.  Time changes and now she is up and out to start her day, but is poorly dressed as if she just rolled out of bed. This is before Dunkin Donuts’ new Fall coffee. Fast forward a bit, and you'll see the girl walking into the school still looking drowsy. Low maintenance sort of speak.  The scene afterwards the girl finally gets her burst of happiness when she intakes the DD coffee and now her wardrobe has changed. 
We realized that it would not be a coffee commercial if we did not add the iconic coffee beans. It truly shows that coffee is a delicacy that derives from a natural bean. Thus we added the signature shot of the beans being poured into the cup. We also decided that we should have both versions of the coffee. This shows the versatility of the pumpkin flavoring that you can find at Dunkin Donuts for everyone. The hot cup of coffee as well as the iced version just to emphasize how equally good both are. We wrapped up our commercial with the all-time infamous slogan, “America runs on Dunkin”. This will remind people that they need to include Dunkin Donuts in their daily morning routine.

Editing Blog Lesson

Today October 14th, 2019, I learned the functions of editing and the proper usage of a camera as well as what comes along with the camera.  I was taught by one of my instructors what comes along with the camera and the steps we must go through.  I also was taught the three major key points that I must use for editing which are:dump, import, and export.  Beginning with the camera, we have a sign-in and sign out form that must be completed prior to receiving any tech equipment.  We spoke briefly about the SD card and how it is recommended to purchase your own to be on the safe side of everything.  We were taught on how were the tripod is inputted at and how to maneuver it.  The camera and the parts that come alongside it are one of the most important parts.

Next, after filming with the camera I was taught how to dump all  the footage from the camera on to the computer that I will be using. To me the dumping process is the most important because if you miss something then it is a possibility you ruined your entire commercial. We were told it is best to use to Pinnacle Studios to go about the editing process so that we get used to it and its an easier process.  I for one have no idea what to do when you go into details about editing so this part was very important to me.  I have not gotten the hang of it yet, but hopefully with practice I will be able to.

Planning

    On Wednesday October 9th, Katie and I set out to experience Dunkin Donuts (DD) as a customer, rather than a student viewing it as a project. We sat down and brainstormed what exactly we want our commercial premise to be. After taking time out to watch YouTube (YT) videos online and observing the DD atmosphere we pondered on some important questions. For example, “What can we do to get our point across, but still stand out from others?” and “What will make our commercial different?” We decided we wanted a concise plot with an easy and fun message to understand. We planned to take inspiration from a 2018 DD coffee commercial and make it specific to the new Fall products they have available. Filming would consist of few props, seasonal costumes, and a short and memorable script. This commercial should convey the Autumn festivities and highlight the new coffee products.
     Our commercial should be split up into three parts: the morning (before coffee), experiencing the coffee, and information on new products. Our first section will feature pajamas as costumes because it will display how awful it is to wake up early in the morning after a long night. Props will include pillows and different bed accessories. This section will consist of strictly video, music, and sound effects. It will ideally be filmed on and by the senior patio tables and benches. The following scene will be a transition into a delightful mood  due to the new DD pumpkin flavored coffee she just drank. It will transform her outfit and attitude to an Autumn vibe and style. This costume will consist of warm tone and cozy knit wear.  The props will be consisting of a DD coffee cup. Music will still be playing from the first scene. This scene should be outside and happy so it will be filmed on the softball field behind building 17. Lastly, the final section will be our promotional information, logo, and slogan slide. It will contain a graphic of the coffee advertised and manipulated with ice pouring, coffee beans piled, etc. At the end, it will feature the DD logo and state “America runs on Dunkin” to close the scene. The script will describe the new and exciting fall products coming to DD. This last scene will be filmed on a table as it is simple and only need pans of the products.
     After drafting our ideas, visual design, and filming arrangements we decided to establish a schedule and set back up plans if anything goes wrong. Our first class period we will finalize the script and costumes.  Making sure that everything goes as planned, and if not, what is another way to go about it.  The following class period we will film all material needed for the commercial. Whether that be, the coffee itself, the products, or the actress.The final class period we will edit, retouch, and add sound effects/music to the final copy. If any outside location is under inclement weather we will migrate to the building 5 back stairway for our “first section”. The main media stairs for our “second section”.

Research, Conventions, & Codes

    Katie and I began on our Dunkin Donuts (DD) coffee commercial with research. We started off with viewing all past DD commercials. The first one was from 1994 with its warm-toned lighting and graphics. It displayed a friendly man pouring hot brewed cups of coffee to a grumpy line of people. They all took a sip and instantly are satisfied by the rich and bold taste. The next commercial was from a year ago with colorful graphics following a cheerful man walking down the street as he sipped from his morning coffee. The people all around him seem confused at his joy until he spots a woman also drinking DD coffee. They end up both being happy together as it cuts into a montage of the coffee.
I notice in both commercials that they dramatize pouring the coffee into a cup as it hits the ice in some cases. They also zoomed in on the dark color of the coffee and talk about how striking and smooth the taste was. In addition, both commercials are set in the morning and “the start of their day”. This makes sense as many Americans start their day with coffee for breakfast.
We feel that we could also similarly start in the morning with upbeat music. We wanted to emphasize coffee as being part of someone's daily routine. In these commercials, they always try to show all aspects of the coffee without just letting it sit there.  They manipulate the coffee by pouring it on ice or out of the pot into a cup. They also show the versatility of the coffee by switching the toppings; like foam for hot and ice and straw for cold through editing. Some modern coffee commercials have visual illusions stressing that coffee is natural and comes from the coffee bean. They do this by pouring beans into a cup and then tilting the cup and watching coffee pour out. We think that it adds a subconscious sustainable/nature-y effect on the brand.
In the end, all Dunkin Donut coffee advertisements close with a solid colored background or a freeze-frame on what the camera was viewing before with the logo centered on the screen. Usually, the slogan is also said and written on the bottom of the screen. I think this is very effective because it is the final thing the audience will see and should remember from the commercial. I’ve noticed them highlight their branding colors, pink and orange, to not confuse Dunkin’s coffee with competitors. We were also going to match the traditional closing of DD commercials as to not confuse our audience with brands. That should keep it true to the Dunkin Donut coffee experience.

Introdutory

     Hi, my name is Nyaira, but I prefer Nyah for short.  I am currently a senior attending Fort Lauderdale High School.  Personally I would consider myself creative, hard-working, and passionate.  I would say that I have a love-hate relationship with the camera.  On some days I can be seen as very photogenic; and them on other days, not so much.  I have a passion for law as well as dance.  I am currently working on scholarships to get into the colleges of my choosing, such as FIU, NYU, Chicago University, and Julliard. I will be using this blog site, to keep track of  my progress for my AICE Media  Studies class.  I can't wait to see how far I will go with this class.
     I strongly believe this class will help me to be a better performing in case I am staring in someone's production.  It will help me to present and angle my  body in certain ways that compliments the shot and myself as well.  I can take into an account Mis en Scene, when I enter the infamous show business world.  I can only imagine that there are numerous people that would love to make it on the big screen and create a name for themselves.  Taking this class will give me one foot in the door.  By being able to walk in and already know some if not most camera angles, editing, sound, and Mis en Scene, to help make the lives of those filming much easier. 
     Adding on, I would say this class with help me to do no more than elevate in knowledge.  Learning something new that will help me succeed in what is yet to come is always a plus.  So far I have learned the angles, editing, sound, Mis en Scene.  As I take in movies, television shows, and clips of all kind; I notice myself listing out what is what and actually applying what I have learned to my everyday life and I have to say.  It is pretty cool.  I really take keen to the camera angles and the editing; my favorite being the drone shots, reaction shots, jump cut, and shot reverse shot.  I find that these four stick out to me, because it takes a lot more in my opinion to capture it, it a specific way to your liking. 

Lights, Camera, and ACTION!
-Nyah