Senior Capstone Final Reflection

 Five Guarantees of eCommunication

    The eCommunication program taught me very valuable things beyond the digital media creation the academy focuses on. While I worked on projects that taught me the technical skills that are important for me to use in my future career in filmmaking, I also learned soft skills that can be applied to life in general. The challenges that come with working in groups also taught me how to work more effectively in group settings. I learned how to communicate, collaborate, and lead all thanks to the project-based learning eCommunication provided. Project management was at the forefront of these lessons. I will utilize these skills for the rest of my life and cherish the opportunity eCommunication provided me to learn them. This academy truly helped make me a better person.

    This program has helped me discover my strengths that lie in video production, while helping me improve my weaknesses that lie elsewhere. As a freshman, I was hesitant to work in a group setting. The experience I gained from the projects and the confidence they gave me helped me become a better peer. My technical knowledge of all aspects of filmmaking have drastically improved as well. I also continue to use the basic skills of Photoshop and Illustrator I learned in sophomore graphic design frequently. I don't think anyone is ever above learning more, and I hope to continue to build on these skills in College and beyond.

    I plan to make a career out of the art I have begun to learn over the last four years. Filmmaking is what I truly am passionate about, and I know I will feel fulfilled and content in a career in the industry.

    The only thing I would change about my experience in eComm would be to have more of it. I look back with regret on all the opportunities I missed that relate to video production. I also wish I did more outside of class on my own to improve my filmmaking skills. I never got past and still struggle with the concept of perfectionism. I believe the best way to improve at filmmaking is to do as much of it as you can, but I get in my own way when it comes to wanting to make it perfect or not at all.

    In conclusion, eCommunication was the highlight of my high school education. I learned extensively about art and about myself. I also made friends I hope to keep beyond high school.

Projects

Connect the Dots

    My favorite project I have made is actually a recent one. My final film reel feels like a suitable "cap" on my high school film projects. I think it is my best work because it showcases what I have learned as an individual on a technical level. My cinematography, my editing, and my idea. While showcasing my capabilities as a cinematographer and editor, it still keeps the spirit of a group effort because all of the shots came from different projects that many hands have touched and many minds collaborated on. It also resonates with me on a personal level, with the song and the statement I was trying to make with it about growing up and learning to make your own way in life. This reel was made in two late nights. I spent the first night getting an idea together and some of the sequencing down, all while staying up until 2 AM. It was the first time I had stayed up that late for a project, and I loved it so much that I stayed up until 3 AM the night it was due to make it the best I could. I haven't ever felt that passionate about something I have created before, and it was rewarding to finish it. The biggest challenge was finding the clip I wanted to start with a bang on, JP punching Thomas. I wanted to set the tone from the beginning and Kellan uploaded it for me to use, thankfully. The feedback I received was mostly positive, I was afraid people would hate the song as it was definitely a bold choice, but I did receive a compliment about my song choice and the way I edited to it. I also received feedback on the subtitles I added to emphasize certain lyrics. I thought about changing it, but ultimately I want to keep them so I have not changed it. Overall, I am entirely content with this project.

Can't Take My Eyes Off You

    My next favorite project actually comes from my Junior year, a music video for Franki Valli and The Four Seasons's Can't Take My Eyes Off You. I am very proud of the cinematography and lighting in this project. It took us probably about two weeks overall to plan, film, and edit. We forgot to get one shot at a location we rented, thankfully they let us come back for that one pickup. I learned a lot from the Seniors I worked with, especially Aiden. He taught me a lot about the camera and how it can be used in the story in grand ways, like our long take of the dance. We received positive feedback overall for this project and won the Pixel for best music video. Looking back, I think the scene in the Mustang is presented in a bit of a strange way. I think the presentation of that scene is the only thing I would change about that project. We haven't changed the project, but if we could go back to theoretically I would. I am very happy with this project as well.

Cursed

        My third favorite project I have worked on is the feature film Cursed. I am proud of my effort as a part of a large team to create this, which is why it is in this list. It took us months of planning, shooting, and editing to complete. We faced many challenges, from technical to scheduling. I learned a lot about cinematography from Garrett and project management from the crew. We were given lots of feedback both good and bad. Our rough cut had some slow pacing, and Kellan took that and tightened the final cut that premiered. We also received positive feedback about the film, lots of people thought it was fun. My overall opinions on Cursed are mixed, but I am proud of what we were able to create together.

Conclusion

    I regret how I used my time outside of class, I wish I created more projects on my own. I did work on some photography outside of class, which improved my knowledge of the camera. I also watched lots of movies and tutorials that helped immerse me in ideas and creativity. I also worked on the set of a feature film directed by an eComm alum last summer.

    My strengths as a person are my knowledge and my drive to work hard and do things the best I can. I tried to utilize these the best I could in every project I worked on. My weaknesses are time management and motivation. I hope to continue to improve these and I believe I will because they are in a much better place than where they were at the start of the year.

    In Cursed, I worked as 1st Assistant Camera. I helped our Director of Photography plan, operate, and execute his vision that was his storyboards. I came to class willing to help in any way I could, while also showing up to every single shooting day to ensure the camera department did the best we could.

    This year in eComm, I am happiest with everything I have learned and experienced. I loved just doing what I love to with other people who share that same love for creating films. If I could go back, I would just apply myself the extra little bit to make my projects that much better. I learned a lot about filmmaking and learned soft skills that apply beyond the film industry. My goal after high school is to make a career out of filmmaking. I want to eventually direct my own film and have full creative control over it. I want to tell stories. I want Mrs. Smith and all my academy instructors to know that I am thankful for all the knowledge and opportunities they provided for me.