AICE Media Studies

After finishing the final cut, we wanted another opinion just in case. I had a mutual friend from our group watch the film. I wanted to see how it felt to someone who was not involved in filming or editing. I watched their reactions to notice which parts were engaging and which felt slower. They said the story was suspenseful and held their attention. They liked the phone call scenes the most and said those parts created tension. They suggested one scene could be shorter to keep the pacing strong. They also said one transition felt abrupt and could be smoother. Their feedback gave me clear ideas to improve the film. I took notes on their suggestions and thought about which changes would help. Even small adjustments, like trimming a scene or changing a pause, could make a difference. I also considered the parts that were already working well. This review showed me how valuable multiple perspectives are. Each viewer notices different things. Getting another opinion helped me see areas I ...

After finishing the final cut, I had my older sister watch the film. I wanted to see how it felt to someone who wasn’t involved in filming or editing. I paid attention to where she seemed engaged and where her attention drifted. She said the story was interesting and suspenseful. She especially liked the phone call scenes and said they kept her curious about what would happen next. She mentioned that one scene felt a bit slow and suggested trimming it to keep the tension strong. She also noticed one transition that felt abrupt and could be smoother. I took notes on her feedback and thought about how to improve pacing and suspense. Even small suggestions, like adjusting the timing of a line or a pause, could make a difference. I also reflected on the parts of the film that were already working well. This review taught me the value of getting an outsider’s perspective. My sister’s feedback helped me see the film through fresh eyes and consider improvements I might have missed. It reminde...

  After reviewing the rough cut and the voiceover, I focused on giving input for the final cut. I watched the entire film several times and took notes on pacing, tension, and clarity. Even though I wasn’t the one editing the clips, I suggested where scenes could be trimmed or extended to make the story flow better. I also pointed out transitions that felt abrupt and recommended ways to smooth them out. I paid attention to how dialogue and reactions matched the suspense. I suggested minor adjustments in timing to make important moments feel more natural. I also made notes on which shots should stay or be removed to keep the audience engaged. My input focused on improving pacing, emotion, and overall storytelling without changing the content. Providing feedback on the final cut taught me how much observation and planning matter in editing. Even without using the software, my suggestions shaped the flow and tension of the film. By the end, the final version felt tighter, clearer, and ...

After the rough cut was ready, I focused on giving input for the voiceover and overall pacing. I watched all the clips carefully and made notes on where narration could help clarify the story or increase suspense. Once Justin recorded the voiceover and sent it in the chat, I listened to every clip. I suggested small changes in timing and volume so it fit the visuals naturally. I also considered how the voiceover would work with dialogue and sound effects. I marked where pauses could add tension and where narration should not interrupt key moments. I suggested moving a few lines to different parts of the scene to improve flow. Even though I didn’t insert the clips myself, my input guided how the voiceover was used. While reviewing the rough cut with narration, I noticed moments where scenes could be slightly shorter or longer. I recommended trimming some parts and extending others to keep the pacing strong. I also suggested aligning reactions and dialogue with narration to enhance suspe...

After sending the footage for the rough cut, I focused on giving input for sound and suspense. I watched all the clips carefully and made notes on where dialogue needed to be clearer or louder. I also noted sections where background noise was distracting, like traffic or footsteps. Even though I wasn’t adjusting audio myself, I suggested which sounds should be emphasized or lowered to make the scenes feel more intense. I thought carefully about silence and timing. Pauses can build tension, so I recommended where to leave them for maximum effect. I also made notes on how sound effects, like phone vibrations, should be balanced with dialogue. My suggestions helped ensure the audience could focus on the story without being distracted. While reviewing the rough cut, I noticed parts where pacing could improve through sound adjustments. I suggested trimming or slightly extending certain scenes to maintain suspense. I also provided guidance on how music or subtle background tones could enhanc...

For the final scene, the original plan was to film at Chick-fil-A. However, I was not able to go all the way there. Instead, I chose to film at a food spot near the school. Even though it was not the exact location I planned, it still worked for the scene. The setting provided a casual atmosphere that fit the tone. I focused on capturing the emotional conclusion rather than the specific brand of location. Since this was the last scene, I wanted it to feel complete. I paid attention to pacing and delivery. The conversation needed to feel natural and grounded. Background noise was something I had to manage carefully. I chose camera angles that minimized distractions. I also reviewed each take to make sure the emotion felt consistent. Filming near the school was convenient, which allowed me to focus more on performance and framing. I realized that location is important, but storytelling matters more. If the emotion is believable, the setting becomes secondary. This filming day felt meanin...

After finishing filming, I organized all of the footage carefully. I reviewed each clip to make sure everything was usable. Once everything was sorted, I sent the footage to my teammate to begin editing. Even though I was not the one physically putting the clips together at first, I was still involved in the editing decisions. Before sending the files, I labeled and arranged them clearly so the editing process would be easier. This helped keep everything organized and efficient. While the rough cut was being assembled, I reviewed the clips again on my own. I paid attention to pacing and thought about which moments should feel slower or faster. I communicated which scenes needed to build more suspense. I also explained which shots were most important to include. When I saw the first edited version, I carefully watched the entire film. I took notes on areas that felt too long or slightly rushed. I suggested trimming certain pauses to keep the tension strong. I also pointed out where tran...

Since filming at the actual mall did not work out, I had to find another solution. After school, I walked to a nearby thrift store to film the scene there instead. Even though it was not originally planned, the location ended up working well. The store had enough movement and background detail to feel realistic. I focused on choosing angles that would make the space look larger. Framing became very important so the audience would not question the setting. I used tighter shots to avoid showing too much of the store layout. This helped maintain the illusion of a mall environment. Lighting inside the thrift store was slightly dim, so I adjusted positioning to keep the footage clear. I also made sure dialogue pacing felt natural. This scene is important because it shows skepticism and conversation. I focused on making reactions believable and not overly dramatic. Filming after school meant I had limited time. Because of that, I had to work efficiently. I reviewed shots quickly to ensure th...

For the second filming day, things did not go as originally planned. I was out of town when filming took place, so I was not physically present. The scene was supposed to be filmed at the mall, but that did not happen. Instead, the footage was filmed at the park. When I reviewed the clips later, I immediately noticed that they were not as strong as I hoped. The framing was inconsistent, and some shots did not match the tone I wanted. The lighting also did not look how I envisioned it. After carefully watching everything, I realized the footage would not work for the final product. It did not match the suspenseful mood I had been building. Rather than trying to force it to work, I made the decision to redo the entire scene. Even though that meant more time and effort, I knew quality was more important. This situation taught me how important it is to review footage critically. Just because something is filmed does not mean it is usable. Re-filming allowed me to approach the scene with cl...

My first major filming day took place at Holiday Park. This location was important because it introduces the tone of my film. I chose this park because it feels open and quiet, which helps create a sense of isolation. When I arrived, I immediately noticed how natural lighting would affect my shots. The sun kept shifting behind clouds, which made brightness inconsistent. Because of that, I had to adjust my camera angle multiple times. I became more aware of how important lighting is to continuity. While filming the walking scene, I focused on keeping the pacing realistic. I did not want it to look rushed or overly dramatic. I filmed several takes to make sure the movement felt natural. I also experimented with wider shots to show more empty space around the character. That empty space helps build subtle tension. For the phone call moment, I used closer shots to capture facial expressions clearly. Small reactions like confusion and hesitation were important to show. Sound became a challe...

  Location: Holiday Park Demi (walking, muttering) “It’s so quiet today…” Demi (phone buzzes, answers) “Hello?” Unknown Caller “I’d step to your right if I were you.” Demi (confused) “What? Who is this?” Demi (looking behind her) “There’s… no one here…” Demi (startled as someone bumps her left shoulder) “Whoa! What just happened?” Location: Galleria Mall Demi “…someone bumped my left shoulder. I looked around—nobody was there.” Ezra (skeptical) “Demi… maybe it was an accident. You’re overthinking it.” Demi (glancing at phone) “Ugh… another message.” Ezra “You don’t think someone’s following you?” Demi (clutching her bag) “I… I don’t know…” Demi (answers phone, low) “hello?” Unknown Caller  “Count to three. One.” (a shopper stiffens) Unknown Caller “Two.” (shopper grabs clothes) Unknown Caller  “Three.” (shopper bolts. Hangers crash.) Store Employee “Hey! Stop!” Demi (quiet) “…you planned that.” Location: Chick-fil-A Demi (sitting, fidgeting) “I can’t believe this… first t...

 Production Schedule 1/27/26 – 1/31/26 We will finalize our concept and genre choice for the thriller opening sequence. During this time, we will plan the storyline, assign roles, and create a storyboard outlining each shot, including camera angles, sound cues, and pacing to build suspense. 2/1/26 – 2/3/26 We will meet virtually and communicate throughout the week to refine plot details. This includes strengthening dialogue, planning the timing of the phone calls and voice notes, and deciding how tension will develop throughout the opening sequence. 2/13/26 – 2/16/26 Filming will take place over this weekend. We will record all scenes set in locations such as a bedroom and school hallways, focusing on reaction shots, close-ups, and audio recordings of the unknown phone calls. 2/17/26 – 2/22/26 Editing will begin immediately after filming. All footage will be uploaded into the editing software, where scenes will be arranged and sound effects, voice notes, background music, and trans...