1. Critical Reflection
By: Cody Hughes

2. How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?
Our video uses traditional conventions in creating a depressing, somber scene, such as low-key lighting and high angle shots to establish the mood. We also used high key and low angle to transition the mood to more joyous towards the end of the video. Our music video represents the issues of depression and loneliness that many people suffer from. However, it also shows that it can be overcome with the help of a few good friends. This is shown in the final scene where the lonely teens meet each other while waiting on a bench.
Low key lighting and high angle to give the shot a depressing and isolated feel.
The subjects meet at a bench with high-key lighting and a low angle to show that they are happier and stronger together.

3. How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text?
Our product engages with audiences by targeting young adults who are struggling with loneliness or depression. The song itself tries to identify with those who feel alone and without help or friends, so we tried to make the video convey the same feeling. We also tried to demonstrate that loneliness is not forever, and happiness is possible as shown by the subjects meeting at the end of the video. Our product would be distributed on YouTube and available for purchase or rental on iTunes, Amazon, etc. We would also release it on CD with the rest of the album once it was completed. This is similar to many artist distribution because, like them, we would want as many people as possible to experience our product.
Our product attempts to relate with those who struggle with loneliness and feel hopeless about their future.

4. How did your production skills develop throughout this product?
My production skills developed immensely through the production process of our video. I learned how to convey certain moods, such as sadness or joy. I also learned of the powerful tone one can create through contrasting certain moods against each other. In addition, I learned to visualize what I wanted from a scene before filming it. Essentially, I played the role of co-director and learned of the challenges and how to succeed in that role. One of the challenges of playing director was choosing the setting for shots. My group and I labored over the right location for each part of our video. I also played the role of actor which brought additional challenges and education opportunities. I learned how to display certain emotions through my face, whether it be happiness, frustration, or hopelessness.
Playing both actor and director brought new interesting challenges such as location selection.

5. How did you integrate technologies in the project?
Technology was heavily integrated behind the scenes in our video, for example, we used a Canon Vixia HF M40 HD camera to film. The camera included a Dynamic SuperRange OIS which allowed us a full range of motion while filming. In addition, we used Instagram’s location feature to pinpoint viable locations around downtown West Palm to shoot at. This technology allowed us to discover rather hidden locations such as the theater that provided us with the mural of the skull in the hand. To edit we utilized iMovie and Adobe After Effects. These editing software allowed us to achieve our desired tone for the video.
iMovie and Adobe After Effects allowed us to make edits such as lowering the light level and add graphic overlays such as the graffiti shown above.