Creative Critical Reflection

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

My project used many conventions of the cosmetic industry as well as somewhat challenged them. In producing this commercial, I've done things I've previously seen like filming in the bathroom, in front of the mirror, and using vibrant eye makeup to avert attention to the eyes. In editing, I also got a closeup of the product and dropped in a slow motion shot. To challenge conventions, I didn't have on a full face of makeup, to show that no one is perfect and I showed myself going to the beauty supply store (something I did not see commonly). This represents issues in the teenage age group in which 'perfection' is something people want to achieve in their own ways. When I showed myself going out of my way to get eyelashes because I felt incomplete is an exaggeration of how many teens go through this process when getting ready. Some would cancel their plans if they don't like something little, like their outfit or shoes.

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

If I were to distribute this commercial as a real media text, I would probably distribute it a YouTube ad. I say this because many teens watch videos on this platform. I know that I, as a teen, do not see any ads of people who look like me and are of my age group. So, I think it would be best to put it on this platform where teenagers can see someone without a clear face and hair extensions. Teens all go through this struggle of making themselves look however they want themselves to be perceived.

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

This first project was undoubtedly a learning experience. I came into this project with little to no prior knowledge film production. Before, I never heard of the concept of storyboarding and when I finally did my own storyboard, it was a rewarding process. It is good to have a set plan for each scene you shoot, before you film it. I've learned how to film in a way where you don't always have to hold a camera (in this case, a phone) vertically. My editing skills also have improved greatly and I have a greater sense of how to edit smoothly. In the end, I've learned about the process of storyboarding, filming, and editing.

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

 In this project I used my phone, computer, and an iPad to film and edit this project. When I shot all my takes on my Phone, I constantly took breaks to send the videos to my iPad for storage reasons. Then, I filtered through all of my takes on the iPad and dumped them onto my computer. While I was originally going to use iMovie to edit, I found an easier/more advanced alternative, which was VideoShop Pro. Finally, I downloaded the video onto YouTube and shared it to Google Blogger. 

See you in the next one!