I know what you're thinking, "Sasha why are you blogging on your birthday?"
Well, I wanted to put the finishing touches on my project today and finalize it.
First, I used Adobe's caption library to add titles and captions.
Here's a list of credits I added in the beginning:
Director: Sasha Osnovsky
Producer: Sasha Osnovsky
Cinematography: Sasha Osnovsky
Starring: Dave Vezina
And... Ta daaaa, I finished my project!
Honestly, I feel like this is an amazing birthday gift to myself because I am truly proud of this piece. It's crazy that I started this back at the beginning of February and here I am now, finally done. It took a lot of hard work and I am very proud of myself. Don't worry, you'll see it very soon. Just stay tuned for my post to see the final product!
To be more inspired, I watched some projects from the past years. After watching a few, I realized that I wanted to make a specific logo for my production company. I used Adobe Illustrator to make a logo. It was a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. However, I really enjoyed making it (once I learned how to use it) and I'm very happy with my finished product.
After I finished my logo, I transferred it to Canva to make a complete page, which I put as the first clip of my opening.
I'm honestly so proud of myself for finishing the logo and not bailing on it. I have a pattern of just giving up but I didn't even though it really was not easy to make from scratch, without any templates.
Post-production was where I realized I needed to add extra background sound. Background sound will allow me to add a more dramatic effect. I searched for tons of different websites on Google. I browsed through tons and tons of sounds to find the perfect one. Websites that were helpful included pixabay.com and freesound.org.
The sound files I needed were birds chirping and a heart beating for my opening. For my CCR, I wanted to add sound effects such as crickets and a loud tone. I put the birds chirping sound over the establishing long shot which is the first shot in my opening. I used the heart beating when the action started. I decided to use this to show anxiety and tension. TO make my CCR entertaining, I used crickets to show stressful moments in my production process. I used a loud tone every time I made a mistake.
Today, we had our first group meeting. I actually really enjoyed it. It was cool to hear about other people's projects and how different and creative each one is. In our meeting, we listened to each member's idea and then gave some advice or help if they asked. Some advice I gave was about music and transition choices.
The advice I asked for was if I should do the burning effect for my title page and if I should use background music. Avice I was given was to not do the burning effect for the letters. Members added that it will look cheesy and may take away from the seriousness that I'm trying to create. They also told me that instead of adding background music, I can add stings to it. They said that using by stings instead of music, it will keep the serious feeling that I am trying to establish. I appreciate all the advice they gave me. It really helped!
Today, I was able to go to a different fire station and film there. I got permission from the captain to film inside, outside, and in the truck. All the firefighters were extremely helpful and pulled out the truck as many times as I needed with lights and sirens. I was able to get the majority of my shots today. I filmed while it was light outside, so I was able to get a clear establishing long shot.
Yesterday, while I was filming I ran into a few issues. It was difficult for me to hold the camera straight without my hands shaking. To solve this problem, I went to Amazon and found a stabilizer. I ordered the one below. It came this morning and it was super easy to learn to use. I tried a couple test shots with it and now I wish I bought it earlier!
To film, I've been using my iPhone 12 Pro. I found that this is the easiest way for me to be able to upload the videos straight to my computer. Using my phone is also super convenient. I'm able to manipulate the lens as much as I want quickly and easily. A professional video camera would probably have better resolution, but using my phone is the best option for me.
Today I went to my dad's fire station to start mapping out where I was going to film. Since I've never been there, I started by thinking of how I can film inside with the station's lighting. I also took some establishing long shots that would be the first shot of the opening. The show I'm going to use is of the flag in front of the station blowing in the wind. I think this will set the scene and establish that it is calm and quiet at the beginning. This will be important because I want my opening to change from calm to adrenaline-filled in seconds. Like 0-100 almost immediately.
We also took out the trucks and turned on the lights and sirens and realized that it would look better if it was dark outside. The issue is that the establishing shot of the flag would only be used if it was taken when it is light outside. If I do one with light outside and one in that dark it won't look cohesive so I have to use the shot of the sirens that are taken outside.
Works Cited:
“Fire Station 112 (Southwest Ranches).” Davie, FL, www.davie-fl.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Fire-Station-112-Southwest-Ranches-44.
To edit, I will use Adobe's Premiere Pro and After Effects. I don't have very much experience using these editing softwares but these will allow me to make the best content I can. I have been researching and watching Youtube videos to learn how to create unique effects. I also have been researching how to use the tools that are already available for me to create transitions. Transitions will be important in my opening so it is critical I know how to use them.
This video is a tutorial I watched on how to make a burning effect for the text in After Effect. I will use this for my title slide. Since my opening is about a firefighter going to a fire, I thought it would be cool to add a fire effect.
This video is a tutorial I watched on how to make the burning text effect using Premiere Pro.
This video that I watched explained 10 ways to use the tools available in Premiere Pro to create transitions. It explained that there are simple ways to create effective transitions without having to use different programs or downloads. The biggest thing that I learned from this is that everything you need is available and accessible for free in the program.
Sources:
tunnelviziontv. “After Effects Tutorial Burning Titles For Motion Graphics.” YouTube, YouTube, 10 May 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ump4UfvG_RE.
BPAQuickTips. “How to Create Your Own Title Using Text On Fire in Adobe Premiere Pro.” YouTube, YouTube, 29 Aug. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4UcUukqHBo.
colorgradingcentral. “The Top 10 Premiere Pro Transitions You Get For FREE.” YouTube, YouTube, 24 Apr. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCQxvl_YmTw.
Lucky for me, the costumes are already pre-set. Since firefighters already have a uniform that they need to wear I don't have to give them specific instuctions on what to wear. For the majority of the opening, the actor will wear his normal uniform. This is a gray shirt and navy pants. The shirt has the words "Davie Fire Rescue" on the back. Every firefighter has a uniform that they wear with their station's name on the back of it. At the end of the opening, the actor will put on his bunker gear. The bunker gear consists of the boots, pants, jacket, and helmet.
Costume is extemely impotant for my opening because they help show a transformation, as well as represent the character. Costumes show a transformation happening because there will be a costume change inmy opening. The actor will put on his bynker gear which will show that there wil be a change of scene and action. Putting on bunker gear represents that a firefighter is preparing to fight a fire. Costumes also represent charachter, because when you see a firefighter in bunker gear, they are seen as courageous and fearless, something that I want to portray for the actor.
After going to the station, I realized that that one doesn't have a garage for the vehicles. My storyboard and outline featured the idea that the men get geared up in the garage, so either I have to change it to be outside or film at a different station. I was really set on the idea of filming inside and then changing to outside with a transition that includes the light and sirens. This is important to me because I wanted to keep it traditional with the use of the garage and a big firehouse.
The best way to solve this would be to change the location. This will be difficult because my dad is assigned to his station for the rest of the month. I want to film at Station 91, which was recently built so it will look better than the location that I chose before. I will have to go there on the days that I am allowed to.
