For my Creative Critical Evaluation, I have used a website called Wix to display all four of my CCE answers. Using Wix has allowed me to experiment with simple html coding and I also learnt how to build a short website. Additionally, it has enabled me to creatively display my responses, without using Prezis or Slideshares, which I have used numerous times in the past.

I have sent out a Google Docs survey to make sure I knew how my film opening would be interpreted my different people. Each person's response will also aid me with my Critical Evaluation.

Previously, I had some issues with uploading my film opening on YouTube, because it made shortened the sides of the video. I did not like this because my opening sequence uses a letterbox, and the fact that the video got cropped on YouTube, made the clip appear smaller than it actually is.

Now that I have come to the end of post-production, I decided to create a questionnaire to send to some people on Facebook and get feedback for my opening sequence. I thought that this would be very useful as their responses will help me with my Critical Evaluation later on.

Gender representation is vital for setting up context in the story line. The representations  of men and women usually allow the audience to figure out who the protagonists and antagonists are.

Sound plays an important role in psychological thriller as it is used to heighten tension and suspense for the audience, because without it psychological thrillers would not have the same effect on its viewers. As well as this, music helps to exemplify specific fragments of the film and make a scene stand out from the others. Since my film opening is going to be psychological thriller, it is going to rely heavily on sound clips.

Before choosing sounds to go for my film opening, I did some research on common sounds used in psychological thrillers. Silence is commonly used as the contrast creates a more intense atmosphere for the audience and the feeling of suspense and the unknown.

Lots of diegetic sounds are used in psychological thrillers, but this is totally dependent on the narrative. Additionally, diegetic sounds are used to show tension and emotion, and this is essential when I make my opening sequence as it creates an eerie atmosphere. Furthermore, I plan to add non-diegetic sound to add to the mysterious and sinister atmosphere.

DIEGETIC	NON-DIEGETIC
• Sobbing • Screaming • Whispering • Banging • Footsteps •  Gunshots	• High-pitched violins • High-pitched string percussion • Low-pitched string percussion • Fast paced music • Slow piano • Drone

When approaching the sound for Reflection, some factors had to be considered. Would the soundtrack compliment my opening sequence, and would it convey any emotions? After looking through countless "scary sound effects" playlists on YouTube, I came across three soundtracks that I will be using for my film opening:





I decided to use these sound clips in my film opening, because the first time I listened to them it gave me goosebumps and I knew these were the perfect choice because it will create a very eerie and ominous atmosphere. Additionally, it was a learning process to know how to properly fit the sound effects; such as a pencil drop, or to clean up audio to making it match for the final cut of the video clip. Below is a (zoomed out) view of the audio timeline section of my second draft. This is to give an overview of how much sound has been used in this film opening:


Since my film opening is a psychological thriller, the small bits of sound are vital in creating the atmosphere and portraying what is going on. Whispering, pencils drops, pencil scratches - they all help add and intensify the atmosphere, further carried by the theme used. To record the diegetic sound, I borrowed a shotgun microphone from class and attached it onto my camera. I thought that by adding the sound of the pencil drop, turning pages and the book abruptly closing, it would add more depth into my opening sequence.

Initially, I wanted to add a voice-over of the female character, but I now think the soundtrack is much more effective and greatly contributes in sending a particular message across to the audience.

Actor: Sabrina, Ali B, Shahryar

Location/s: House (2373/3) - bedroom

The software that I will be using to edit is Adobe Premier Pro, as I am familiar with it since I have used it before. I do not have all the clips yet, but since I was unable to film today (because my actors had to go to Doha), I decided to edit the clips I have so far.

I thought that putting all the clips were quite easy because simple cuts are used between each shot (except for the one-shot clip, where I follow to the back of the female character's head). I also played around with the brightness and contrast of all the clips so that it would match the following shots. This is because I had to place the lamp at different points of the room to get similar lighting to all the shots - they were not the same throughout because they were filmed at different angles. Additionally, the lamp cord is quite short and so I had to make do with the three switch around the room that were all far apart.

Furthermore, I added applied a letterbox to all the clips by simply adding a letterbox overlay above the clips on the timeline. I think this is really effective because is allows me to re-size and re-position any clips that are underneath the letterbox. As well as this, I really like the use a letterbox because it gives my film opening a more cinematic feel, and also makes it looks more professional.


One my first post-production attempt, I managed to put together all the clips very quickly as I had my storyboard to help me know which order the clips go in. For the next time I film, I will need to find a way to stabilise the clip (shown above), because it is a one-take and it is very shaky. Additionally, I need to film the clips of Sabrina and her male counterpart so I can finish putting together all the clips, then add in the credits afterwards.

Here are some improvements and changes I have made:

• I have finally put up the "torn" and distressed wallpaper

 BEFORE

AFTER
© 2015 RICAANGELICAADARLO

I made sure to stick on some white strips of paper onto the "torn" parts of the wallpaper to give an illusion that not all of the paper has come off. Also, I will be scattering some torn white paper on the floor. The thinner tears from the wallpaper illustrates the "claw marks" of the female character.

• I have found a way to do a smooth pan for the shot that shows the wallpaper (as shown above)

Instead of keeping the camera locked-off, I panned to the right to show all of the torn wallpaper so it does not seem as if it is only in one section. This did not really require a dolly, but I simply placed my camera on a sheet of paper to act as a makeshift dolly to easily slide across the floor.

Actor: Sabrina

Location/s: House (2373/3) - bedroom

Yesterday, I started filming with my main actress, Sabrina, and we managed to get all of the shots done in this shooting session, except for the ones including the male counterpart.