Reflection

Hi, blog!

It’s so crazy to think that this project is officially done. Looking back, it’s been a wild ride full of ups, downs, and so many lessons. From brainstorming my film opening to filming my baking show CCR, I honestly think I've grown so much as a creator. I want to take this post to reflect on everything I’ve learned, not just from making my CCR, but also from my entire film opening project. Let’s start with the film opening. Creating it was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but also one of the most rewarding. My film focuses on a teenage gymnast named Gianna, who struggles to balance school, family expectations, and her passion for gymnastics. I really wanted to create something that felt real, something that other teenagers especially student-athletes could relate to. Writing the story and planning the scenes took me and my team mates a lot of thought. I had to think about how to show Gianna’s struggles without just saying it all in dialogue. For example, I filmed scenes that showed her doing homework late at night, wrapping her bruised knee , and getting frustrated after a bad gymnastics practice. Little details like those were really important because they helped bring her story to life.

Filming was a mix of fun and stress. I had to think about camera angles, lighting, and how to make each shot look natural. I also learned how important it is to have a plan. There were times when I didn’t storyboard a scene, and it ended up taking way longer than it should have. After that, I made sure to sketch out my ideas before filming anything else. Editing was another huge part of this process. My team mates  used jump cuts to keep the pacing fast. Watching the film come together during editing was such an amazing feeling. I realized how much power editing has to tell a story it’s not just about cutting clips, it’s about creating a mood and connecting with your audience.

Now, let’s talk about the CCR. For my creative critical reflection, I decided to make a fun baking show where I talked about the project while making cinnamon sugar muffins. Honestly, I chose the baking show idea because I wanted to do something creative and a little different. It was such a fun way to reflect on the project, even though filming it was harder than I thought. I had to make sure my explanations about the project were clear while also showing the steps for the muffins. It took a few tries to get it right, but I’m proud of how it turned out. In post-production for the CCR, I kept things super simple. I didn’t use any filters, transitions, or music, I just cut the clips so everything flowed naturally. I wanted the focus to be on what I was saying and the muffins I was baking. Even though it was simple, I think it worked really well because it felt personal and real.

Reflecting on the whole project, I’ve learned so much. I’ve learned about storytelling, planning, and time management. I’ve learned how to use editing to create emotion and how to bring characters to life through small details. I’ve also learned how to step out of my comfort zone, whether it’s filming a baking show or trying to represent something as complicated as teenage struggles in a short film opening. More than anything, I’m proud of how much effort I put into this project. From the film opening to the CCR, I worked really hard to make something meaningful, and I think that shows. Even though there were times when I felt stuck or overwhelmed, I kept pushing forward.

 It’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them. By the end, you’ll feel so proud of what you’ve accomplished. Thanks for sticking with me on this journey. I can’t wait to see what creative adventures come next!

Until next time,

Arianna <3