Midterm Project - New Beginnings

For our Media Studies midterm, we were tasked with creating the opening sequence of an original fiction film. The final product needed to be between one and two minutes long and include opening titles that follow the institutional conventions of commercial cinema. All visuals and text had to be fully original, and while dialogue and atmospheric sound were required to be student‑produced, we were allowed to incorporate music from acknowledged sources.

The project emphasized intentional filmmaking, requiring us to plan each shot with purpose and incorporate a wide range of technical elements. These included camera techniques (such as framing, movement, and shot types), sound design (including diegetic and non‑diegetic audio, sound bridges, and mixing), mise‑en‑scène (location, lighting, costume, props), and editing techniques (continuity systems, transitions, and time manipulation).

During the planning stage, we were responsible for producing a storyboard, script, and filming schedule. Each group member was expected to contribute equally. Production required multiple takes of every shot and began immediately after planning. Post‑production involved editing in Adobe Premiere Pro, adding titles, transitions, and effects, and regularly showing progress in class.

This project was our first real experience with filming, and it taught us how important it is to choose group members who communicate well and share responsibility. I worked with Anna and Annabelle, and although we collaborated effectively at times, we also faced challenges. One group member struggled with flexibility in scheduling and missed several days of school, which resulted in the rest of the team taking on additional work to keep the project on track.

Despite these difficulties, the experience was extremely valuable. It helped us understand what we need to improve for our final film, especially in terms of planning, communication, and dividing responsibilities more evenly. The midterm project ultimately gave us a clearer sense of how we want to approach our next production and what changes will help us work more efficiently as a team.

The link to our film is attached below:

New Beginnings