Creative Critical Reflection Questions

 

Creative Critical Reflection

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions AND how does it represent social groups or issues? 

My project definitely challenges convections. In some ways, it does use them. In fact, the point and theme of my music video was to use a convention to get my message across!

As far as music videos go, I’d say mine is pretty conventional. It could potentially happen in real life, and the message is one that can be portrayed in every day life. My music video starts with my friend and I laying in bed. We are just on the phone, laying down, doing whatever in bed. Specifically, the first shot shows my friend laying in bed. She looks very sad, and this adds contrast to my music video. I will go into detail about this in my next question. The other conventional scene was of me, also laying in bed. These two scenes are meant to be conventional and boring, in order to show how big of an effect the “haters” have on us. The reason that this is conventional is because of the fact that it happens in real life. Although this moment was only represented in seconds, these “sad” stages due to bullying have lasted months for me, and years for others. I felt it was important to include this, even if it was short-lived.

The next scene includes a phone call between me and my friend who appears in the music video. This is a conventional conversation, as it can happen and HAS happened in one of my phone calls with friends. I recorded myself dialing the numbers on my phone, and the phone ringing. I recorded my friend and I speaking, and contributed that to the music video. The only thing that I would say is non-conventional are the subtitles. I know this may sound silly and a bit obvious, but there are no subtitles on phone calls in real life. There are exceptions, such as recorded news reports that include the subtitles at the bottom of the screen for viewers, but in simple conversations, there are no subtitles. 

The last part of my music video is the most unconventional in my opinion. The first 15 seconds of my music video is spent with only conventional background noise. The bedrooms are quiet, and the phone conversation was static-y. However, after 15 seconds, my song begins to fade in the background and my friend and I begin to lip-synch. People do not break out into songs while driving or dance while in parking lots. Wait… let me rephrase that. People don't ALWAYS do these unconventional things. Sure, people dance to music every day, and sing songs while driving all the time. However, there is no speaker that blasts all over the world where everyone can film and edit themselves singing. 

My point is, my music video ITSELF is very conventional. Normal car, normal outfits, and even a few conventional scenes without music. Even so, the concept of my music video is not conventional, as my friend and I suddenly burst out singing in a random parking lot. The question asked whether or not my music video used OR challenged conventions, but if asked this question, I would have to state the fact that my music video both uses and challenges conventions.

As far as social groups go, my music video represents all! Many music video’s take place in specific places. My music video takes place in an ordinary parking lot! I guess, if we are being specific, my music video represents kids from ages pre-k through college. These kids, like myself, attend school and may suffer from bullies as I do. My music video can reach anyone, adults included, however at the end of the day, it was really meant to help inspire kids who may feel the same way I do, and how a simple friend, dance break, or nice drive out can effect how they feel. Adults have a certain level of maturity, where they aren't as effected by select “bullies” as we may be, but they still have feelings, and I hope to reach them!! 

Once again, like I stated before, the social issue represented by my music video is bullying. The first scenes are super short, but if you pay close attention to detail, you may discover that the “acting” is representing the larger group of society that gets upset, depressed, or even suicidal when bullied. To also reinforce, I hope that my music video is a sign of inspiration. After all, my friend and I are just two normal girls. If we can do it, and rise above others, so can you!

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

 

I would say, in general, that music videos attract a larger audience than most videos. If an audience, generally younger, had to chose between a documentary, and a fun music video, I think the majority of kids would pick the music video. I also believe that kids in my generation are more attracted to upbeat and fast songs. When given the choice between slower songs, and fast rap song, the later also wins over the majority. I would say it is more popular for kids to listen to my music video rather than a slow, ballroom song. In also think that I hold an advantage because my song happens to be written by a famous youtuber. This youtuber, Larray, also happens to be someone who produces child-friendly content. He is very well-known, as he has over 1million subscribers on all of his platforms. He produces music, that is very upbeat and fast paced, which explains why they are all so successful. Those types of songs attract a larger audience. I used this song because it happens to portray a message.

 It can engage with them because it is just two regular teenagers trying to send a message. In the first aspect, I’d say my music video guarantees attraction and engagement with younger audiences, and kids up to the age of about 18. I also think that, if my Music Video is shown to parents, or others who may view it, it can be used for other purposes, bringing me to my second question.

My Music Video has a message behind it. I talked about it in my last few paragraphs, but the main message I was trying to portray, as simple as it sounds, is just to have fun! Not to let people bring you down! In just this week, I’ve dealt with some pretty rough experiences. For me, I struggle with depressive episodes. So, when I get upset, I get really upset. Other people may brush hurtful words off their shoulders like it’s nothing. I, however, take them to heart. It has its benefits, and its harm. When someone compliments me, it means the world, and I’ll think about it for days and days. If someone hurts me, it hurts my world, and I will think about that insult for days and days. It is crazy the impact your words can have on one person. That is what I would want my Music Video to be displayed as if it were to be displayed as a real media text. I would want it to be a sign, or a symbol. A sign that it does get better. Most days, it drained me emotionally to do one simple task, such as get out of bed, or brush my teeth. If given the opportunity, I would want this to be distributed as an anti-bullying sign. Not one of those videos that say “dont be a bystander” or “report them to the bully box”. No. My video wont PREPARE you for bullying, nor will it persuade you to have unrealistic views as far as overcoming those tough feelings. My video will simply show you that things always get better. Sometimes, things have to get worse before they get better. This week? I had some of my biggest insecurities thrown right back at me. By somebody I trusted too. But this weekend? Things will get better. I will be ok. I have other friends and family that will help me feel ok. With this back story, I think that my video can help so many.

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

When I was little, my sister’s and I used to film videos. I would take out my phone, we would dress up, and film some clips. By the time I was 12, I learned how to install editing software to edit these videos. I have all sorts of videos loaded in a guest browser, and I love looking through them to see how my editing skills have changed, and improved. My point is, when I was instructed to put together a commercial or music video , I didn't expect my production skills to improve. In my head, I had already learned how to edit, cut clips, add filters, and sound effects. What more did I need?? When I was first assigned the last project, I had to film my sister at the park. I had just completed a powerpoint on different types of shots, angles, lighting, sound, and costumes. Well, I found myself using them without even realizing it! My sister looked at me like I was crazy when I would back all the way up, in order to capture the whole park setting. She would ask me what I was filming, as I was too far away to even see her. I would yell back “an establishing shot, duh!” like it was common knowledge. The same applied for closeups, and lighting, and cropping, and even the music. I kept using or mimicking things that I had presented about, without even knowing I was doing so. I also saw similar patterns when filming my music video. I worked with my friend on this, who goes to a different school and does not take AICE media. When I would prop my phone up to film at a strange angle, she would question me. At the time, I didn't understand her confusion. She edits pictures and videos too, so I figured she must know about the different types of angles. However, I didn't realize I was applying this knowledge until I was asked to reflect on it. This helped my production skills, as I was able to not only produce amazing scenes, but understand them as well. Over the next few weeks, I found myself making mental notes whenever I watched movies or show. “Thats a close-up shot”. “That’s asynchronous sound”. I didn't realize it, but those little mental notes along with genuinely understanding what I was producing, helped to develop my production skills.

Another way my production skills developed was by expanding my creativity. If I was asked to record some form of media in 30 seconds, a commercial or music video would probably be the last thing that came to mind. I would most likely film a short video of my sister and I, or something to that effect. While filming my Music Video, I found that when I was filming and editing, there were certain things that I did not know how to do. This concept could have frustrated me, but in the end, not only did I love it, but it helped me grow. I love it because I always love to learn new things that I can contribute to my content. I looked up countless amounts of things, and watched numerous youtube video for inspiration for transitions, filters, and overall editing advice. I learned how to make my clips cleaner, my transitions stronger, and any thing I didn't like? I learned how to minimize it. I believe that this Music Video caused me to reach and think outside of the box, where I was tested to use different editing forms, filters, and back stories. I have never had a a back story in any of my projects before, and having one for this video gave me a sense of comfort and direction, as it kept me on the right track to displaying my message!

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

I integrated technology, software, and online platforms into my project in many different ways. The first way I used technology online was through the social media platform Youtube. That is wear I originally found my song. I remember re-watching the singer’s old video, “First Place”, thinking about what song I should use for my project. I looked right in front of me, and bam. That was it. I knew that my friend and I would have the best time filming it, so I started to journal and write down ideas as to how I would incorporate this song into a Music Video.

One way I integrated software into my project was by using and downloading a platform to edit my Music Video on. My app that I used to edit pics and videos before could not be converted into an mp4, and left a huge water mark in the middle of the screen. After conducting some research and gathering some opinions from friends, I found that iMovie was my solution to all these problems. This is one way my production skills did improve. I was a bit nervous at first, seeing that I only ever used one editing software in my life, but after about an hour of messing with the site, I felt comfortable enough to use it and edit my Music Video in it. It took me a few tries to get everything right, but in the end, I am confidently able to say I edited my Music video by integrating the iMovie software only my computer.

The last thing I would like to answer is how I integrated different forms of technology into my project. Aside from using different social media platforms and software, I physically used different pieces of technology. I used my phone to record, as it has better quality than my computer, Once I was done, I converted all my videos into one file, and transported that onto my computer. In this entire project, I used two forms of technology. This may sound like a very low amount, but when you are trying to convert twenty minutes worth of film into one minute, it takes all the time in the world.