Critical Reflection

 CCR 

 

My short film (Are The Cameras Still Rolling?) was about a group of teenagers who are actors. After filming Ameila, one of the actors, poses the question: Do you ever wonder if were still being recorded? The group dismisses the idea but later finds out she was right. My film mildly addresses the issue of the privacy of celebrities and well-known people. People have always idolized celebrities and over time it has gotten worse with the advancement of technology, the internet, and social media. Videos and pictures are shared between people and what someone records can easily end up online for all to see. My short film represents “famous” individuals and allows audiences to understand that these people see things differently than them and it can be uncomfortable. 

For my short film I created a website, post card, and Instagram to promote and give updates on the film. To fit the theme of being recorded and watched through a device, every element has the color scheme of TV static. The inspiration came from dropping or breaking a TV or phone. The colors created are green, purple, orange, blue, and black among some other colors. Since the end of the film leads back to someone watching on a computer it made sense. The post cards square shape along with the curved inside references to the computer at the end of the film. The background is the color pallet of the static but instead of it being jarring it blends into the next color. The font used to display the tittle “Are The Cameras Still Rolling?” looks as if it is glitching and has hints of purple and blue. The back follows the same pattern. The website follows this theme in terms of the color scheme and fonts. A few of the fonts look distorted to match the glitching/TV static affect. The first thing on the website is a video of the teenagers circling looking for the camera. It gives a sneak peek into the film because the audience doesn’t know that is what is happening. It is incentive to watch. Although the film, postcard, and website are three different things, they work together the create a common idea and overall brand. 

My short film engages with audiences by creating a world of comedy and suspense while also bringing awareness. When someone sits to watch my film, it is nothing to be afraid of. The beginning is meant to give a good laugh and hook the audience to the story. Falling in love with the characters and the acting. One might even find themselves resonating with a character they see. It may be Ameila because she questions the things no one else seems to notice or even Willa for having a vibrant demeanor, finding positivity in any situation. After watching, the audience is left with shock because of the ending. No one expects that the teens are actually being watched and not just recorded. It raises the questions: what’s next? Or why? Recently, social media has become an important way audiences interact with films. I can look up cast interviews, comment on their post and feel like I am actually apart of the show. In a way creating a community. The Instagram for “Are The Cameras Still Rolling” gives incite to behind-the-scenes photos and videos as well as updates and cast interviews. This is a great way for audiences to express their love and other feelings for the film. The postcard was another element I made for the film. When the post card is mailed out, those who received it can learn that there is a film, the showtimes, and scan the QR code that leads to the website. The post card is the first thing that someone who has no idea what the film is about sees. The goal is for them to become interested and then view the website for more information. Each element of the post card, described before, helps enhance the feeling of the film. The website is more personal. Most shows and movies don’t have websites; however, websites are important for those who don’t have social media. The website for my film gives the audience information on what “Are The Cameras Still Rolling” is about, where it can be watched, and reviews. I feel as though reviews are the most important part because as humans, we naturally value others' opinions. The positive interviews on the website give more reason for a potential audience to watch. This film shares light on how excessive fans can be for a celebrity. Even though this is an exaggerated scenario, it still applies. When you idolize someone, you most likely don’t act the same way you do with another person. That may include following, taking pictures when you see them, making assumptions, as well as other things. This can be uncomfortable and allows fans to realize this and adjust their behavior. 

 

When doing research for my film, I looked for two things: comedy and thriller. It is not common to see the two mixed together, and in some cases, it isn’t well achieved. The goal is for it to not seem forced, and I think I somewhat achieved that. To mix the two simultaneously requires more time and a complex story line. With my film, “Are The Cameras Still Rolling?” I didn’t have those two things, so the film shows a progression. It starts off with comedy and then gradually switches to thriller as the suspense builds. When doing my research for comedies I had something specific in mind. I wanted to have the niesh Disney Channel original series energy. That includes the “enhanced” acting and tone when the characters speak. For a part of my research process, I looked at TikTok, and a few of the videos had a part where the nerdy kid says something along the lines of “passing the mother board” and “hacking into the mainframe”. I knew from there that that needed to be included in my film. I didn’t only do research for the acting and script, I also did for the editing and finished product. That included the Disney Channel series laughing track. I also had to make sure to I included that inside. As the film progresses into the suspenseful portion a few things change. The transitions become more abrupt and at some points glitchy. When doing research for thrillers, common conventions are low lighting, cliff hangers, tension music. My film both uses and challenges conventions in these departments. When it comes to the low lighting, my film didn’t have that. It was filmed at the mall where the lighting is very bright. During editing I did have the opportunity to change that, but I felt that the natural lighting of the mall enhanced the reality of the situation. Even though I didn’t have that, I did have the cliff hanger and tension music. The music started when the “stalker” was recording. That set the tone for the change in situation. This is when we find out Ameila was right the entire time. Then the cliff hanger reveals that its more than just them being recorded, they are also being watched by someone.