Lights, Camera… Pixels? The Visual & Audio Magic of Interlude

 A film isn’t just about the shots and story, it’s also about the little things that make it feel real. Here’s a shoutout to all the visuals and audios that brought Interlude and my CCR's to life.

1. Movie opening:

~ Opening audio

~ Tension

~ Women scream

2. CCR #1

~ News opening

~ Background music

~ The Others movie clip

~se7en movie clip

~The Sixth Sense clip

~ Pixabay screen recording

3. CCR #2

~ Background music

It’s Over… I’m Free… But at What Cost?

 And just like that, the blogs, the film, the CCRs, t’s all done. It feels weird. I’ve spent so much time on this project that I don’t even know what to do with myself now. (Maybe sleep? Touch grass? Who knows.)

Anyway, here are the links to my work. Enjoy the chaos.

Movie opening- Movie Opening Film

CCR 1- CCR#1

CCR 2- CCR #2

Final Reflection: The End of an Era

 And just like that… it’s over. Cue dramatic music. After weeks (months???) of brainstorming, filming, editing, and questioning my life choices, my film opening is finally done. It’s crazy to think about how much effort went into these two little minutes of storytelling. I mean, I basically lived in Premiere Pro, got even closer to my phone (didn’t think that one could ever happen) and might have cried over editing and music choices  a few times (let’s not talk about it). It’s funny how excited I was for this project going around asking everybody what they wanted to do and now i’m asking to see final results, time really does fly by. 

Looking back, I feel like I really grew throughout this project. I learned how to turn an idea into something visual, how to make people feel something without saying a word, and most importantly, how to survive the stress of filmmaking. The creative process was full of highs and lows, but somehow, the chaos came together into something I’m actually really proud of.

Would I do this again? Absolutely. But better. Now that I know what works (and what definitely doesn’t), I’d love to take on another film project with full creative control. This one was a learning experience, but next time? It’s personal. So, while I’m beyond relieved that this chapter is closing, I know I’ll be back for more. Because, let’s be real, the grind never really stops. Especially when it comes to film making! I’m really going to miss you guys we became so close over these 9 weeks but on to the next! 

Post Production of CCR's: We Did It!!

 If the editing phase was chaotic, the CCR process was just straight-up unhinged. At this point, I had fully lost it, I didn’t just make a CCR, I became multiple people for it. That’s right. I went full news anchor mode, playing different characters in different costumes, reporting on my own filmmaking process like I was covering the biggest story of the year. If that doesn’t scream dedication I don’t know what does.

Originally, for my other CCR I wanted to do a future me vs. past me conversation, but let’s just say… my editing skills were not built for that level of time travel. So, I switched it up and re-filmed it but by editing it a different way. I wanted to film it with a friend instead but realized I didn't have time, and just with reshooting it still turned out really good!

Now that everything is done, I can confidently say that this was one of the most challenging but rewarding projects I’ve ever worked on. The long hours of editing, the technical struggles, the multiple existential crises, it was all worth it. And now, I can finally breathe. Im so happy I was able to be part of this experience, making a whole film opening and 2 CCR's, Im going to miss it :(

Well… until the next project.

 

CCR Chaos: When Time Travel Fails

 So, I had a vision. A genius idea. A cinematic masterpiece in the making. I was going to do a future me vs. past me conversation, using editing tricks to make it look like I was talking to myself in the same shot, basically cloning myself through the magic of filmmaking. I watched a tutorial on how to do it, felt super confident, and thought, yeah, this is gonna be so cool.

Spoiler alert: It was not cool.

Some shots lined up perfectly, like, for a moment, I really thought I had cracked the code of time travel. But the rest? A disaster. A complete mess. Future me kept cutting off past me at the wrong times, the eye lines weren’t matching, and at one point, it looked like I was having a conversation with the ghost of myself instead of an actual person. It was bad. Like laughably bad. 

At that point, I had two choices: spend hours trying to fix it or accept defeat and refilm. Considering the fact that I had no time left by this point to find a way to fix it, I decided to just redo it in the easiest way possible, separating the shots instead of forcing them into the same frame.  In other words filming again.. Is it a little more boring? Yes. But did it work? Also yes. And at this point, that’s all that mattered. I used two parts of my room that pointed at each other so it looked like both past and future me were talking to each other. Here is how it looked:

- Don't mind the messy room and my friend!

Editing was very easy after that. I threw in some background music to make it feel less bland, cut out unnecessary parts and boom, done. Simple, effective, and actually watchable.

How My Production Skills Took a Time-Travel Journey from Beginner to Pro CCR #2

 I am back guys! I find it crazy I only have one last task left, and that is make this CCR. Everything has flown so quickly and the progress I've made is crazy. When I first started this film project, I couldn’t even figure out how to cut a video without making it look like a chaotic mess. I mean, I was totally clueless about all the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making a film look clean. Fast forward to now, and I’m here thinking, did I really just make a whole cinematic thriller opening, all while learning how to direct, edit, and tell a story with suspense? Because I did. And honestly? I’m still shocked at the amount of growth I’ve had in such a short amount of time. That’s why I wanted to make this blog, and my "Time Travel Documentary" skit, because it really shows the before and after of my filmmaking journey. 

Past Fabi (cue the messy room, one chaotic notebook, and zero clue what Premiere Pro is): “Ugh, how do I even edit a movie?? The software looks like a spaceship’s control panel!”

Future Fabi (In the other side of the room): “Relax. You’ll learn how to use Premiere Pro, and you’ll get better with every edit you make. It’s all about cutting for suspense, not just chopping randomly. Trust me, you’ve got this.”

By setting up this “time-travel” skit, I got to visualize my growth in a funny but accurate way. Past Fabi had no idea what she was doing, everything was trial and error. I had to learn things like how to use certain focus shots to create a dramatic effect, how color grading changes the vibe of a scene, and how to manipulate sound to add that extra bit of tension (shout out to Premiere Pro for making me look like a pro!).

But the biggest change? The confidence. I went from staring blankly at Premiere Pro, wondering why my footage looked like something out of a nightmare, to actually thinking critically about each shot. Like, who knew something as simple as a close-up could completely change how a viewer feels about a scene? Future Fabi has learned all about framing shots, creating suspense, and making sure every cut has a purpose. And honestly? It feels amazing. 

Never mind I choose to nominate my own personal self growth as the biggest change. Throughout this project, I've learned how to manage my time better and break down tasks more easily. I used to get overwhelmed by everything that needed to be done, but now I can approach each part of the process with a clear plan. Whether it's editing or planning shots, I've become better at analyzing what needs to be done and tackling it step by step. It’s also helped me stay calm under pressure and adapt when things don’t go as expected. I feel like I’ve grown a lot and know this will help me in future projects and in real life scenarios too! I also discovered  I love film making, the process of watching my piece unfold from start to finish makes me feel good, motivates me for more and the creativity involved too is awesome in my opinion. I really see myself doing something like this for my future. Let's pretend editing does not exist in this fantasy world of mine. But enough yapping here is my script!!

Script for "Time Travel Documentary: Past vs. Future Fabi"

[Scene 1: Past Fabi in a messy room, clearly overwhelmed.]

Past Fabi (looking stressed and disorganized): “Ugh, how do I even film a movie? Like, where do I even start? Every editing software looks like a spaceship’s control panel! What if I just like pay someone to do it ”

[Cut to: Past Fabi:  She sighs dramatically.]

Future Fabi (smiling and laying in the bed): “Relax, Fabi. You’re going to use Premiere Pro for your editing, and at first, yeah, it’ll be confusing. But eventually, you’ll get the hang of it. Editing isn’t just about cutting everything. You’ve got to think about pacing, suspense, and how your shots come together to tell the story. You’ll learn tricks like using certain focus shots to emphasize emotions and tweaking the colors for mood. And soon enough, you’ll realize, editing is an art form.”

Future Fabi (confidently): “Trust me, you’ll look back and be amazed at how much you’ve grown. You’re going to cut for suspense, frame shots with intention, and manipulate sound to enhance tension. It’s not just about the technical skills, it’s about thinking like a filmmaker.”

[Past Fabiana, now wide-eyed, staring at future Fabi.]: :Who are you?  Wait... you are me, but how is this even possible, you're not real.

Future Fabi: "I am you but from the future, I came to give you some advice and show you how far you have come along this whole process." 

[Future Fabi leans back confidently in the bed pointing at a film project on the screen.]

Past Fabiana (looking blown away): “Whoa, I really did all that?”

Future Fabiana chuckles and gives a thumbs-up.

Future Fabiana: “Yep, you did. And I’m telling you, this journey’s just beginning. Oh, and don't forget how your phone filmed everything, no fancy cameras needed! You've got this down.

Past Fabi (grinning): "Wait... my phone filmed it? You’re telling me this whole time I thought I needed fancy cameras, but I’ve been using my phone? That's genius."

Future Fabi (smiling, nodding): "You did it all with what you had. And now, you’ve got the confidence to tackle any project, big or small. You’ll keep pushing forward with new tools and ideas. Trust me, that’s how you’re going to keep improving."

Past Fabi: "Ugh, I have no idea how I’m going to get people to see my film though. I don’t even know where to start with distribution!

Future Fabi (glances up from her laptop, smiling): "Relax, I’ve got you covered. You’re going to get this film out there in the best way. First off, you’re going to use platforms like YouTube and TikTok to showcase it. Trust me, your target audience, those into thrillers and drama—are all over those sites."

Past Fabi (raising an eyebrow): "But how do I even get views? Isn’t it hard to get noticed?"

Future Fabi: "You’ll need to work on building an online presence. Start with social media, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok—post teasers, behind-the-scenes clips, and engage with potential viewers. You’ll create buzz around your film. And don’t forget about using film festivals too. Even if it's a short film, festivals are a great way to get noticed. They’re perfect for showing off your skills and gaining exposure."

Past Fabi: (leaning forward, impressed): "Wait, social media and film festivals? That’s actually a smart idea. So, it’s all about getting people to see it, right?"

Future Fabi: "Exactly. And here’s another thing: You’ll have to keep improving. As you continue making more projects, your audience will start recognizing your work. The key is consistency and building up your profile."

Past Fabi: (nodding slowly, a little mind-blown) "Whoa... I can’t believe I’m going to be that organized and on top of things. But, hold up, how did I even get the skills to pull all this off?"

Future Fabi (laughs): "That’s where your growth comes in. "

Past Fabi (pauses, then grins): "Okay, this is seriously starting to sound like a whole career. I had no idea I could do all this. I’m so ready for this journey now."

Future Fabi (laughs, putting a hand on her shoulder)

"See? Told you it wasn’t as hard as you thought. You’ve come a long way, and you’ve got what it takes. Keep pushing forward, and the world’s going to notice you. All that matters is you keep believing in yourself."

Why is the cutest thing I have ever done, I'm sitting here writing a stupid script and I love it. I hope you guys can too. That's a wrap for today I will see you guys next time!

Who Even Watches This? (A Look at Audience & Distribution) CCR#2

 So, here’s the thing, making a film isn’t just about filming cool shots and calling it a day. If no one actually watches it, then… what was the point? That’s why I had to think about who my audience was and how this could actually be distributed like a real movie.

Who’s Watching This?

My film, Interlude, is a psychological thriller that plays with memory, perception, and the eerie idea of not realizing you're dead. Basically, it's the kind of thing that makes you rethink your whole life. So, who’s into that?

~ Teenagers & Young Adults (15-24) – People who love mystery, twists, and analyzing every little detail.

~ Fans of Thrillers Like The Sixth Sense & Black Mirror – They like that creepy, unsettling vibe and stories that leave you questioning everything. Including me!!

~ People Who Love Symbolism & Hidden Meanings – If they spend hours watching “ENDING EXPLAINED” videos on YouTube, they’d be all over this. (Im afraid I fall into this category as well... wait no it all depends on the movie)

How Would I Actually Get This Out to People?

If Interlude were a real, professionally made film, it wouldn’t just sit on my laptop. Here’s how I’d get it out there: 

~  Film Festivals

1. festival.sundance.org- Why not dream big?

2. Tribecafilm.com – They love creative indie projects.

3. Screamfestla.com- More horror/thriller-focused, perfect for the eerie vibe.

~ These are all well known Short film festivals I researched that I took interest in. Even just getting in would mean exposure to real industry people.

~ YouTube & Short Film Platforms

Let’s be real, most short films blow up online. I’d put it on:

1. Youtube.com– Free, easy to share, and searchable.

2. Shortoftheweek.com – A site specifically for short films.

~ Social Media & TikTok (Because It’s 2025)

People discover films through clips, teasers, and behind-the-scenes content. Especially now on tiktok. I’d use:

1. TikTok & Instagram Reels – Posting clips with suspenseful captions or music to get audiences intrigued 

2. Interactive posts – Letting people guess the ending or notice small details.

- Picture credit

Editing CCR #1 – A Mini Project in Itself

 1, 2, 3 Action!!

Filming: A Little Extra Effort Goes a Long Way

Originally, I planned to just film everything at home. But I realized, I needed one more shot to really sell the scene. I had to go back to the original coffee shop location to film the TV news reporter scene. Luckily, my uncle lives super close, so it wasn’t a big deal. And honestly? That little extra effort made a huge difference.

Editing: Turning Clips into a TV Broadcast

Editing was where the magic happened. I had to make it actually look like a news broadcast. Here’s what I used:

~ Canva: Found templates for news, this included the text bars on the screen you typically see on the lowers third of the screen and a very nice background. This was the one I chose:

And with a little editing I managed to do this!

That was just the first scene of my CCR, after that came the fun part where I got to dress up as different people and here is one as an expert analyst breaking down the conventions used in my film: 

I went over a few scenes in my opening while comparing it to traditionally known Thriller movies, I made sure to include clips from both to really give a side by side comparison. And also include exclusive behind the scenes footage. 

This was basically a mini movie as I took the same steps I did to make my opening for this. I browsed on pixabay.com for audios that could work as the news opening and simply some background audio that really helped elevate my video. 

And finally! Premiere Pro, the real MVP. I used it to:

~ Add transitions (smooth cuts between Anchor & Analyst) This helped make it look less awkward just switching back from each person and more clean when adding clips from each film. 

~ Adjusting audio so it sounds polished, this helped me play around with the level you could hear each clip and balance it out with the music so they could be heard equally but have the dialogue be perfectly clear. 

Editing took about 2 days, this is due to how behind I was. I wanted to move fast so I can go ahead and still have enough time to film CCR 2 and help my friend film both of hers, which btw turned out so funny and cool. Overall, it felt like I made a mini project inside my project. It wasn’t just answering questions, it was storytelling, which is what I love doing anyway. It turned out so cute Im really proud of my product and I cant wait for you guys to see it, time for the second!

Researching My CCR #1 (once again..)

You know that feeling when you think you’re done with a project, and then… nope, there’s more? Yeah, that was me with my CCR #1. I wanted it to be way more than just me talking, looking back I wanted to answer the questions for it in an interview format. I was going to make either my dad or a friend interview me on the experience. But after realizing it, everyone was doing that. I needed a whole experience, something that would make me different. That’s how I ended up turning it into a full-on TV news investigation. I decided to answer these two questions because they went well together when dealing with challenges.

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

-How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online in this project?

The Research Phase: Piecing It All Together

First, I had to figure out how my film used and challenged conventions and how it represented social themes. I knew my movie played with thriller elements, but I needed actual proof, so I went back to some of my favorite psychological thrillers (The Sixth Sense, Se7en, The Others) and studied how they used shots, lighting, and misdirection.

I noticed something interesting:

• The Sixth Sense used normal settings to hide the twist. Just like mine!
• Se7en relied on close ups of objects to make the audience look for clues. I had something similar with Joseph’s lack of attention and the magazine.
• The Others built tension by making the characters question reality, exactly what happens in my film.

Once I had those examples, I could explain my choices better. Instead of just saying "I made Joseph look confused," I could say "I used misdirection like in The Others to make the audience feel what Joseph felt." Way more effective. 

 Bringing It to Life

I didn’t want my CCR to just be me sitting there, listing facts. Boring. So, I went full creative mode. I made it a TV news broadcast where an Anchor (me) introduces an investigation into my film. I took inspiration from the movie Barbie where everyone is the same person just in different ways.

I even added an Expert Analyst (also me) to break down the movie, comparing shots and explaining how I used technology. The best part? The transitions made it feel like an actual news segment.

I wanted to keep it engaging, so I threw in:

- Side-by-side shots of my film vs. famous thriller movies

- Music to build tension 

- different costuming and characters

And just like that, my first CCR was born! I didn't use a specific script, I recently helped my friend film her CCR and it was an interview, when remembering the script it felt so forced and like we couldn't both express our personalities. That's when we decided to ditch it and just speak whatever came to mind. In the end, this helped my CCR because I just wrote down points in a word document I wanted to mention. Next step? Filming and editing

Group meeting #2

Today, we had our second group meeting, and it was a bit of a wake-up call! In the first meeting, we were mostly going around saying our story ideas and helping each other out with feedback. But today, we focused on progress, like where everyone was with their films and how things were going. Some people were almost done editing, while other still had half their scenes left to film, yikes! (I am sadly part of this boat). It was kind of crazy to hear how much further along some people were, but it’s all part of the process, right?

We also talked a lot about our CCR ideas. A lot of my classmates were throwing out podcast or interview-style ideas, which I thought were super cool and creative and one I wanted to do as I mentioned on my previous blog. It was also really interesting to work with a bunch of new people who I haven’t worked with before. Everyone had their own unique spin on things, and I got to hear all their different ideas, which gave me a fresh perspective on my own. They were super open about their ideas, and it made me feel a lot more confident in sharing my own. It’s definitely been a learning experience, and I’m excited to see how we all manage to wrap things up! Time management definitely seemed to be a common struggle for everyone, this was either by editing, filming or even remaking props. Something that never occurred to me could be an obstacle. Everyone's problems helped me now keep a look out for things in the way that could pop up, but with this talk I'm ready to know how to solve them! I’m excited to see how we all manage to pull it off in the end! Here is everyone's blog I was lucky to be able to work with.

~ https://leelasblogaicemedia.blogspot.com/

~ https://hgyrvbnijnmkjgvtcfrdchbhjbhjgvt.blogspot.com/

~ https://clemsechoes.blogspot.com/

CCR #1 !

For my first CCR I had to answer the following question:

- How does your project use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues? 

After all the filming, editing, and hard work, I’m finally ready to answer some of the big questions for my Creative Critical Reflection (CCR). I wanted to do this in a interview perspective for a few reasons, mainly because it feels more casual and gives me a chance to really explain everything I’ve been working on. and, I can easily film this from the comfort of my own home. Now that everything’s nearly done, I’m excited to break down how my film opening uses and challenges conventions, and how it touches on some deeper social issues. I mainly got inspiration from late night talking shows such as Late Night with Jimmy Fallon his interviews are always fun, laid-back, and never feel too scripted. He keeps things flowing, asks interesting questions, and makes his guests feel comfortable while still getting good answers out of them. Like when he plays games or throws in jokes to keep things engaging. I wanted that same vibe, something natural and easy to listen to, so that’s why I chose this format. Now, let’s get into how my film opening uses and challenges conventions and what it says about social is Let’s get into it!

Interview Script:

Host:

Alright, Fabiana, lets dive right in, the fans are waiting for answers. First off, how does your film opening use or challenge conventions?

Me:

Great question! My film opening challenges the usual conventions of supernatural thrillers. Instead of going for the typical ghost story where there's some obvious supernatural force, I focus on something a bit different. The protagonist, Joseph, doesn’t realize he’s dead. So, rather than jumping into a bunch of creepy stuff right away, I use small, subtle shifts in reality, like people ignoring him and strange things happening around him. It’s all about him questioning what's real. It’s not the usual “boo!” factor you’d expect in this kind of genre. I really wanted to make the audience feel the confusion and unease Joseph feels as he starts to notice these things.

Host:

That’s interesting. So you’re really focusing more on the emotional side rather than just the supernatural, right?

Me:

Exactly! It’s more about the emotional and psychological experience. Instead of just focusing on scares, it’s about how Joseph’s mind is starting to unravel. It’s almost like a mystery where the audience is piecing together the truth, just like him. So, I’d say the film challenges the conventions by shifting the focus from external spooky elements to the internal confusion and isolation he’s feeling.

Host:

Speaking of isolation, does your film represent any social groups or issues?

Me:

Yes, definitely. One of the major themes in my film is isolation. Joseph feels invisible, like no one around him sees him or acknowledges his presence. This really represents how many people feel disconnected from the world or ignored by society. It’s a theme a lot of people can relate to, whether it’s feeling overlooked in day-to-day life or feeling like you don’t belong. On top of that, it touches on identity, Joseph doesn’t even know who he really is anymore. The whole movie kind of asks the question, “Who am I, and do I matter?” It speaks to those emotional and mental struggles that a lot of people go through.

Host:

So, it’s not just about being dead...it’s about what happens in that space in between, right?

Me:

Exactly! Joseph is stuck in this weird, in-between space, he’s not alive, but he’s not fully gone either. And that’s where I think the film touches on the difficulty of accepting reality, especially when it comes to loss. It’s kind of like the struggle many people face when they’re grieving or trying to come to terms with something big. Joseph’s journey is about him coming to grips with what’s happened, and I hope it makes people think about how they cope with big changes in their own lives, too.

Host:

That sounds like a really powerful and emotional journey. I’m sure people will relate to that! Thanks for breaking it down, Fabiana. On to the next question!

Me:

No problem! Thanks for asking. I hope people can connect to the deeper themes of isolation and identity and maybe even see a bit of themselves in Joseph’s story. And bring it on!

- Thriller-genre-definition