The End!

This is officially the end... I am sad to finish this journey, but excited to share the final products!

Film Opening:

Film Opening Link

CCR #1 Questions 1+2:

CCR #1 Link

CCR #2 Questions 3+4:

CCR #2 Link

A Bittersweet Ending to an Unforgettable Journey: Reflection

This is almost the end, and honestly, it’s kind of bittersweet. At first, I just wanted this project to be OVER. Filming was something I’d never done before, and this class was my first real introduction to it. Before this, I was the type of student who stuck to academic subjects and avoided stepping out of my comfort zone. But this class gave me an opportunity to try something completely new, and it allowed me to experience the creative process through the lens of a filmmaker.

Even though we were taught the essentials before starting this project, I feel like I’ve learned so much more over the past eight weeks. From doing in-depth research for my project to filming the actual opening and diving headfirst into the editing process, every stage was a learning curve. Writing blog posts four times a week created a routine that instilled discipline in me. I’m not usually someone who plans ahead—I tend to procrastinate! But this experience taught me how powerful careful planning can be, and it’s a lesson I’ll take with me, not just in filmmaking but in other areas of life.

I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for the people who bring films to life—directors, filmmakers, bloggers, editors, and everyone else involved in creating the entertainment we enjoy. Before this class, I had never even heard of certain terms, but now concepts like camera shots, sound editing, and mise-en-scene have become second nature. Thinking about how much effort and thought goes into large-scale projects like this is genuinely awe-inspiring.

The CCRs, paired with the blogging process, gave me space to analyze my work with a magnifying glass, which was absolutely necessary. The creative aspects of the CCRs, in particular, pushed me to think deeper and truly understand my film better rather than just “saying words” and pressing record. They allowed me to reflect on my project from every angle, making the final product even more meaningful to me.

This journey may be coming to an end, but I feel incredibly grateful for the immersive opportunity I’ve had over the last eight weeks. Thanks to the guidance of my teacher, Ms. Stoklosa, I’ve grown not only as a filmmaker but also as a student and creative thinker. It’s been an unforgettable experience, and though it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished.

Cut, Clip, and Crash: My Editing Journey

CCR Editing Blog: The Final Stretch

Okay, I’m back after hibernating in my room for the past two days. I am not exaggerating! Spring break started on the 21st, and today’s the 23rd, and I have been editing non-stop! I think it’s fair to say this was a bit of a painful experience—but at least I made it through (kind of)!

Editing the film opening was definitely easier. It was more about stitching clips together and keeping everything cohesive. But when it came to editing the CCRs? That was a whole different beast. I had to add clips, audio, animations at specific timestamps—it’s a level of precision that tested me since I’m not exactly an Adobe Premiere Pro expert.

Spring break!!!

Software used to edit the CCRs.

The Struggles of an Aspiring Editor

Let me take you back for a second: in freshman year, I took a class called Information Technology. We learned editing on this really old program called Movie Maker, which, unfortunately, didn’t support the ambitious vision I had for my CCR (yes, I tried it). That’s when I decided to tackle Adobe Premiere Pro.

The software I tried to use, but was not efficient enough for editing the CCR :(

So, here’s what I did: I created separate folders for CCR #1 and CCR #2. Every video, image, and piece of footage I wanted to use was organized neatly. This one step saved me countless headaches because it meant I wasn’t constantly searching for files! Then, I opened Premiere and got to work.

One of the most frustrating parts was aligning images/videos with the exact words I was saying. I had to pause the footage repeatedly to insert images at the correct logical timing, and it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Oh, and let’s talk audio—BIG mistake on my part! I didn’t use any external microphone while filming, so I had to amplify the audio and use Adobe’s Essential Sound feature to reduce background noise. It worked, but it wasn’t fun.

Fixing Mistakes and Staying Creative

Another mistake I made was filming everything in separate clips instead of one continuous video. Editing these fragmented parts made the transitions noticeable, which wasn’t great. To fix this, I tried adding images, videos, or switching up angles to make the changes less obvious. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked well enough.

Then came the credits scene, which was surprisingly easier. I turned back to my old friend, Movie Maker, for this part since Premiere’s rolling credits feature confused me. Honestly, Movie Maker did the trick, and I’m glad I didn’t waste more time on it. The biggest hurdle was the number of times Premiere crashed—it was stressful, but I blame my ancient computer for that one.

Canva

While editing, I also added some personalized Canva elements to make my CCRs visually engaging. For CCR #1, I used two Canva edits to fit the theme of the director's commentary. The first was designed like the opening of a film, giving it that cinematic vibe to set the tone. The second was a title card that clearly introduced the segment as a "behind-the-scenes review," helping the audience understand the focus right away. For CCR #2, I created an animation on Canva with the words "Dear Diary" in cursive. It overlays the screen in a soft pink color, which perfectly matches the cozy, reflective vibe of the diary theme. These small touches made both CCRs feel more polished and creative!

This is the intro for my first CCR #1. I felt like the cinematic vibe was perfect for a director's commentary.

This is the short animation I used to clearly tell the audience for CCR #1 that this is a director's commentary.

Outro for CCR #2 which follows the diary theme.

Elevator Music Saves the Day

And finally, let’s talk about music. I picked the most basic elevator-type music—you know, soft background tunes that don’t demand attention—but shockingly, it fit perfectly with my footage. It gave the videos a polished feel while keeping the focus on my narration.

Looking Forward

Now that editing is officially DONE, I’m just glad it’s over. As tough as it was, I’m excited to present my film opening and the CCRs. Despite the challenges, this process taught me so much about editing, problem-solving, and staying creative under pressure. It was worth it, and now I can’t wait to share my work with the world!

The Diary of a Filmmaker: My CCR Production

So, here’s the thing—I actually kind of changed my CCRs midway through! Well, not the scripts—they stayed the same—but the overall concept shifted a bit. Originally, I had planned to do the “answering the web’s most asked questions” idea, which is super popular right now. But as I was brainstorming, I started wondering how I could make it more creative and unique to me.

Then it hit me—reflection! I was literally sitting there reflecting, and the idea of tying that into a diary theme just clicked. It felt like such a natural fit, especially since teenage girls (which I am, of course) are so often stereotyped as being diary writers. Not that this was why I chose the idea, but it definitely added to the charm. Once the idea struck, I knew I had to do it.

Production Challenges (and Wins!)

Now, let’s talk about actually producing the CCRs. Honestly? It was a process—and I mean that in the most dramatic way possible. I’m such a perfectionist, so I retook shots so many times. It wasn’t the most fun part of the journey, but hey, it had to be done.

Truely showcases the suffering my phone experienced from all the refilming!

CCR #1: Director’s Commentary

For my first CCR, I stuck with the director’s commentary idea. I wanted the focus to be on me as the director, so I chose a very neutral and clean setup. The location? My living room. After moving some things around, I created a simple, distraction-free background. I felt this neutral look was key to keeping the audience’s attention on what I was saying—essential for a director’s commentary.  

My updated living room for my CCR. I moved a lot of furniture around to achieve this look.

 

But, of course, there was a problem (yay…not really). I had planned some side-profile shots to make the video more dynamic—because, let’s face it, I didn’t want the entire video to just be me staring straight into the camera. My original setup was on the right side of the living room, but…not great. I realized it just looked awkward—a door and my yellow walls weren’t exactly visually appealing. So, I quickly changed and switched to the left side of the living room. This way, I could incorporate the other couch, which added depth and worked way better as a background.

Original side profile shots background. However, I didn't really like it.

Updated side profile shots background!

Then came the outfit decision. Knowing how important mise-en-scene is, I chose a black shirt—it’s neutral, doesn’t distract from the beige and yellow background, and helps keep the focus on me. Three hours later (yes, THREE HOURS), CCR #1 was finally done. Between trying not to repeat myself, memorizing the script, and adjusting the setup, it was a lot of work. Totally worth it, though!

Me with my black shirt.

CCR #2: Dear Diary

Now, let me just say—I had way more fun with CCR #2! This one followed the diary concept, where I reflect on my film in the form of writing in a journal. The vibe was cozy and thoughtful, so I leaned into that for the setup.

I actually filmed this one at night. Why? Because I wanted to mimic the idea that people typically write in their diaries at the end of the day, in a quiet, cozy atmosphere. To bring that warmth into the scene, I used a lamp as my soft lighting source. It added such a beautiful, warm touch to the entire video, and I was so happy with how it looked.

Image of the set up I had.

The lighting source which created an effect of warmth in all my scenes.

For my outfit, I went with a pink top and sweatpants. The pink top was inspired, I think, by Mean Girls—you know, the whole diary/vibes thing. Even if it was subconscious, I couldn’t resist the connection! Plus, the pink popped on camera, especially in the mid and wide shots I used. This CCR definitely felt more dynamic because I incorporated different camera angles, and I even got help from my mom for some of the shots.

CCR #2 Outfit.

Conclusion

Filming everything took two days (I did one CCR each day), and overall, it was such a blast. It felt so much more creative and personal, and I can’t wait to start editing everything together!

Looking back, I’m so glad I allowed myself to rethink and refine my ideas. The diary concept added a special, creative twist that made CCR #2 feel uniquely me. Now it’s time to bring it all together in post-production. Let the editing begin!

CCR #3 Planning

Alright, same as usual just scripting for all the reflecting I am doing about my project! So, this question is actually really interesting since it forces you to think about your OWN production skills. So, rather than the production itself, your kind of reflecting on your own milestones. I feel like this question was the EASIEST to answer for me personally.

For the first two questions I am doing a celebrity (me) answering the "Web's most asked questions". HOWEVER, for the third and fourth question I am thinking of doing a directors commentary since I feel like it's going to help me talk about my film in more detail! 

For the third question I am going to add it as the last question I answer since I want to reflect on my progress over the last few weeks. So, to put my ideas onto paper, I made a script!

Here is the question I had in mind when writing the script: How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Script: 

The Journey to Now

I started with small projects like the One Word film and a music video. Those were my first steps, and I remember being so nervous—I didn’t fully understand shots or angles back then. But with each project, I picked up new skills. I started getting the hang of things like shots, sound, and mise-en-scene, and that foundation helped so much when I started planning A New Beginning.

Cuts: A few clips from my One Word Film and then finally blog post that I made about Mis-en-Scene to show mt understanding.

Planning the Film

For this project, my co producer and I wanted to approach things strategically. We spent weeks brainstorming, sketching out storyboards, and scripting each scene in detail. We would sit through class periods just rethinking the story, asking our teacher for feedback, and figuring out how to make everything work. The concept shifted a lot—it started as a thriller, turned into horror, and then finally evolved into the rom-com you see now.

Research was a big part of this process. We watched classics like Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Sixteen Candles. These movies inspired us to build a rom-com world that felt both nostalgic and fresh.

Cuts: I am going to include picture of my storyboard and then I might stage a scene of me and my partner "working" on the project later this week.

Facing the Challenges

Of course, filming came with its challenges. My partner had to leave for India for two weeks, which really threw off our schedule. But we stayed in constant communication and worked double-time when they got back.

Lighting also became an issue—there were times we filmed too close to dusk and had to adjust quickly to get the shots. We learned so much about adapting and problem-solving.

Cuts: Texts showing my friend out of town and then finally clip showing the lighting clearly changing.

Final Reflection

Looking back, this project completely changed my perspective on filmmaking. I used to think it was just about following a script and pressing record. Now I see how much thought, planning, and flexibility go into every little detail. The challenges made me better, and I’m so proud of what we’ve created.

Cuts: A closing montage—Lilly in the garden, Ethan walking under golden hour lighting, and laughing on set. The screen fades to the title: A New Beginning.

Wrapping this up, I feel like I’ve grown so much as a creator. From that shaky One Word film to where I am now, the difference is massive. This entire process has taught me that every project (no matter how chaotic or stressful) helps you get better. The key is embracing the challenges and using them to improve your own skills!

CCR #4 Planning

Hey blog! Let’s get into one of the most important aspects of this project: technology! From planning to filming to editing, every step was supported by a mix of hardware, software, and online tools that brought A New Beginning to life.

Like I was saying in the previous blog, question 3 and 4 will be in the same video. I will be doing a director commentary. Question 4 will be answered first, followed by question 3. So, all that's left is to script out question #4!! Also, for this part I'm going to be using music to make the CCR video more engaging.

Here's the question I'm focusing on: How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project?

Script:

Welcome to the Director’s Commentary for A New Beginning! I am your director Sarojini Deb who will share the incredible journey, filled with creativity, learning, and, let’s be honest, a few unexpected challenges along the way. In this section, I’m diving into the heart of the process, reflecting on how this project came together from start to finish, and sharing the lessons I’ve learned as a filmmaker. So, let’s get started!

Hardware: The Essentials

For hardware, we kept things straightforward but efficient. We used a tripod to stabilize our shots, which was key for the steady, elegant vibe we wanted in Lilly’s scenes, especially in her home and garden. 

Lighting was another major focus. For outdoor shots, natural lighting during golden hour was our go-to—it gave those scenes a warm, dreamy look that perfectly complemented the romantic tone of the story. Indoors, we positioned lights strategically, using soft sources to make the rooms feel cozy and intimate without being overly dramatic.

Software: The Backbone

Now onto software, which was absolutely essential at every stage of the project. To start with planning, we used a shot-list website that allowed us to visually map out every single scene. This tool kept us organized and let us make clear decisions about angles, framing, and timing before we even started shooting. It was a lifesaver.

Of course, Blogger.com became my literal treasure for documenting this entire journey. Having a space to reflect on our progress helped me stay focused and gave me a chance to actively visit ideas and challenges as the project evolved.

The real magic, though, happened in Adobe Premiere. This software let us elevate the raw footage into something cohesive and stunning. We focused heavily on color grading here—adjusting tones, saturation, and brightness to make the 70s aesthetic come alive. Adding the vintage filter was a critical step that pulled everything together. Adobe Premiere also helped us fine-tune transitions and sound layering to make sure the final edit was polished and professional. At some parts we needed to make the sound higher, so this came into clutch. 

How We Used Technology to Bring It Together

Each piece of technology played its part in bringing this story to life. For instance, natural lighting in the garden scenes worked beautifully with the vintage filter in post-production to amplify the 70s vibe we were aiming for. The shot-list website ensured we didn’t waste time on set, and Adobe Premiere allowed us to seamlessly blend visual and audio elements into a unified final product.

Sources

• SANDMARC. (n.d.). Tripod - iPhone. https://www.sandmarc.com/products/iphone-tripod

CCR #2 Planning

The first CCR video I'm going to be making will be answering the following questions:

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?'
2. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

BUT, for today I'm just going to be focusing on: How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?

As we know its always good practice to SCRIPT!!! So, today I created a script that's basically going to make my life easier when I'm filming the CCR since I know what to say.

Script:

Hey! I'm Sarojini Deb and I’m here to answer some of the Web’s Most Searched Questions about my film, A New Beginning. I’m excited to peel back these questions—literally—and give you all the behind-the-scenes info. Let’s get into it!

Question 1: Who did you make this film for?

Answer: Our target audience is young adults to early 30s. I wanted the story to relate with people rediscovering the nostalgia of the 70s or experiencing that vibe for the first time. But honestly, it’s not just about the aesthetics—this is also a love story.

Lilly lives in this sheltered, luxury-filled world, and Ethan is someone who’s had to hustle his whole life. Their romance is this beautiful collision of two completely different worlds. Throughout the film, they teach each other so much—she learns about the rawness of life, and he discovers that dreaming big is okay, even when life hasn’t been kind.

Cut: Lilly gazing out at the garden, followed by Ethan working. Also, a clip for Crazy Rich Asians (2018) which shows two characters from different backgrounds who fall in love.

Question 2: How were production choices used to tell the story?

Answer: So, production choices were huge for bringing this film to life. First, let’s talk wardrobe. We really wanted Lilly and Ethan’s styles to reflect their worlds. Lilly’s outfit is elegant and vibrant—think yellows and vibrant red with cute jeans. For Ethan, we kept it simple and grounded—denim, muted tones, and worn-in textures that tell you he’s had a tougher life.

Then there’s the shots we used. We did a lot of wide-angle shots for Lilly, especially in her big house, to show how she’s kind of lost in her own bubble. For Ethan, we used tighter, handheld shots to emphasize the intimacy and grit of his life.

Golden hour—thank god! Most of the key scenes, like the garden shots, were filmed during golden hour to bring this dreamy glow that perfectly complements their story.

Cut: Show Ethan walking through the garden during golden hour to show his outfit, clip showing Lilly's outfit, and a clip from To All the Boys I've Loved Before to show merged in while I'm speaking.

Question 3: How does the film visually keep people engaged?

We went all-in on the 70s aesthetic. The props, costumes, and set design were carefully chosen to create that immersive retro vibe. And let’s not forget about the vintage filter we added during editing—it really ties the look together.

But beyond that, it’s about the emotion in the visuals. The chemistry between Lilly and Ethan? You feel it in their glances, the way they occupy a space together. The visuals aren’t just pretty—they tell the story, and that’s what keeps people watching.

Cut: Lilly and Ethan exchanging a glance in the living room, followed by a clip from La La Land (2016). 

Question 4: How would you distribute it?

Peel off question: How would you distribute it?”

Okay, here’s the plan: I’d kick things off by submitting it to film festivals, like the Miami Film Festival. It’s a great way to get initial buzz and feedback. Then, I’d leverage connections through my school, Cypress Bay High School, to set up screenings—imagine it being shown in media classes to highlight production techniques.

And for broader distribution? Platforms like YouTube and Vimeo are perfect starting points for indie creators like me. They give you the exposure you need without the pressure of traditional studios. It’s all about building momentum and reaching the right audience, step by step.

Cut: A mock YouTube thumbnail of A New Beginning, followed by visuals of the Miami Film Festival logo and a classroom setting.

And that’s a wrap on this question! Working on A New Beginning has been a wild mix of stress and creativity. Honestly, just being part of something like this has been so rewarding. Who knows—maybe one day you’ll see it in your Netflix recommendations! But that's it for today!

Sources

• 1) Snider, E. D. (2019, January 12). REVIEW: Rom-Com Tropes Slightly Elevated in Crazy Rich Asians — Crooked Marquee. Crooked Marquee. https://crookedmarquee.com/review-crazy-rich-asians/
• 2) Armknecht, O., & Armknecht, O. (2018, August 16). To all the boys I’ve loved before | Film-Rezensionen.de. Film-Rezensionen.de | Popcornkino Und Independent. https://www.film-rezensionen.de/2018/08/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before/
• 3) YouTube Logo maker | Online Logo maker | Placeit. (n.d.). https://placeit.net/logo-maker/youtube?msclkid=c2572475adb01966713743a2f0fd3cc8&utm_campaign=placeit_bing_mu_en_us_dsa_page_feeds&utm_content=lg_dsa_page_feeds&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=bing&utm_term=Logos
• 4) Gesenhues, A. (2021, September 8). Vimeo launches its first live-streaming product & announces plan to acquire Livestream. MarTech. https://martech.org/vimeo-enters-live-video-market-announcing-plans-acquire-livestream-launching-first-live-streaming-product/