Creative Critical Reflection

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

In the music video, I used many common conventions I saw in my research. For one, I used black/white and vintage filters that I'd seen in my research. Another convention being the multiple close ups taken as well as the simplicity of the video. In the video, I made sure to keep it as simple as possible (meaning the amount of people and wardrobe), to signify the lonely feel of the video. However, I did challenge some conventions I saw in my research. I refrained from shooting in multiple locations, something I saw often done in the indie/alternative genre. I also kept the video somewhat "dark" in the lighting aspect, something I saw that would contrast the common lightness/happiness found in this genre. For many teenagers converting to young adults, it is hard to navigate what they really want for themselves. As children, kids are asked "What is your dream job?" and "What college do you want to go to?" and they come up with a quick answer on the spot. Not really thinking about the many steps they'd have to get in between their 20s and 30s to get there. So, when they become teenagers and start to feel the weight of adulthood on their shoulders, their vision that they'd created as a kid, the lines can begin to get blurred. Plans change and that is okay. It can be rough and lonely, figuring out what you want to do/who you want to be in life, but trouble doesn't always last. 

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

My music video engages with audiences by showing, through lyrics/actions, the true uneasiness that someone of any age can go through. Everyone goes through their own "silent battles." The fear of feeling lost and being able to see your future, but not knowing how to get there, can be tough. Because, it feels like you dreams are so clear in front of you, but there is so many obstacles in the way of you getting there. So close and so far away at the same time. If, I could, I'd distribute it onto YouTube and even TikTok. Since, it is under a minute, it should be easy for people to sit through and reflect on. People could be able to relate to the song, in any aspect, as I did the first I heard the song.

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

I feel that my production skills have improved significantly. As a practice storyboarding, I think that I am getting better at writing/drawing what I have in my head, on paper. Also, I'm learning how to manage my time better because in this project, compared to my last one, I stuck to my schedule plan almost perfectly. In the filming process, I am realizing that not everything has to be filmed chronologically and the importance of making sure I have enough storage on whatever I am filming on. Lastly, my editing skills are slowly but surely becoming decent. I'm learning how to navigate through editing software as well as making my videos more organized and fluid. Comparatively, I have had an overall easier experience with producing this project than my previous one.

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

In this project, I used my computer to research conventions on YouTube, Apple Music, and other music orientated websites. To edit and film my music video, I utilized two iPhones and a computer. After filming on the two phones, I dumped that footage onto my computer. Then, I sifted through all of my footage and put all of the shots in the order I planned. I used VideoShop Pro. to edit and then I used Splice to overlay the music. Finally, I downloaded the video onto YouTube shared it to Google Blogger.