Project Self-Evaluation

1. Describe your project in detail.

My project consisted of many facets of movie-making; I wrote, budgeted, fundraised,
cast, and thoroughly planned to create a full-fledged short film (20 minutes long, after
realizing how much more time film took up than I originally expected). For my actual senior
project, I produced a trailer for the film (almost 3 minutes long) using the same equipment
and ideology that will go into the actual film. This project is complete, but the film is still a
work in progress. This time-intensive project was incredibly fulfilling and promoted growth
in my social and creative skills, my planning and financial competency, and my technical
ability.
I started out by writing a treatment, or a story that details a screenplay before it is
developed. This was like writing a very detailed short story, which the story of Mandy was
originally (less than a page, actually). I searched for music to put in my film, and found an
intriguing Indie band who gave me permission to legally use their songs in my project as it
was for educational purposes.
Probably the most difficult part of my senior project was the fundraising. I aimed to raise
$1,325--which I budgeted out more carefully after my proposal was written, which was one
of the reasons why this was so difficult. After a long time of intense fundraising and
advertising, the fundraiser made about $200 more than was originally aimed for! An extra
$80 was able to be donated to the Carson Performing Arts, which was promised in the
Kickstarter advertisement video. The video was the second most time-consuming part of the
Kickstarter page, after the budgeting research. It was a different kind of editing than cinema,
as I incorporated graphics and cute transitions. Needless to say, it took longer than
anticipated, as everything in this project did. I did not cut corners.
I wrote the outline for the script while fundraising, and finished just before casting. I used
sections of the treatment and the outline to develop casting material. Those who auditioned
were notified via the Mandy Facebook page and in the school drama room. So many people
auditioned without further advertising that I decided not to make announcements or flyers. I
collaborated with one of my volunteer makeup artists to cast the film, and thus the film
started taking a physical form.
I began writing the script, but realized that there was absolutely no way to film the entire
movie with the schedules that my actors had. So, I limited the project to a trailer, which only
needed two actors and a single person behind the camera, plus the head makeup artist, Julia
Brown. After writing the trailer script, a day of spring break was dedicated to gathering props
while the actors rehearsed the segments we would film in the afternoon. The filming was
incredibly fun and fulfilling, but it was indeed hard workand there was more to be done.
After the film was gathered (which I made with a camera my mentor loaned meit made
my project much better than it would have been without it) it was time to edit. The editing
did not take as long as I anticipated, which was the only step in the senior project process that
took less than I originally thought. My Kickstarter page had helped me edit quicker, and
soon, the visuals were complete.
Vocal dubbing in my studio (located in my closet for soundproofing) was the third
greatest challenge of this project. It took a very long time for seemingly little results.

However, the effect on the project was astoundingly professional. A few touch-ups and the
trailer was finishedas was my project.
2. Explain how this project is a learning stretch for you.
I had never done anything remotely this complicated in my past videography career.
Although I had edited short bits of media for music videos and promos for people who had asked
me, I never made my own film with fundraising and casting. My synergy skills were tested
thoroughly. Before this, I was in the dark about crowdfunding concepts. My Kickstarter was a
successful crowdfunding endeavor, but making the complex profile (strict budgets, donor perks,
video commercial, etc.) took much longer than expected. However, it was such a learning
experience! I pitched my Kickstarter to the Adams Hub, a local business incubator. They gave
me a few tips on future crowdfunding expertise, but overall it improved my speaking and selling
abilities, as well as my organizational processes. The money aspect of the project forced me to
do in-depth research for prop and set costs, as well as production and shipping costs. I could not
afford to under-budget, so this was time-intensive and difficult. I eventually overcame my
ignorance and did the necessary research to complete a successful campaign.
Next, I had never written a screenplay. Essays and stories were all I was accustomed too.
So, the actual outline and trailer scripts were foreign to me. However, with some additional
research, concepts began clearing up for me. They were more of instruction manuals rather than
paintings. The treatment would serve as the beautiful writing while the outline and scripts were
bare-bone and concise. Being long-winded, this was a challenge for me.
My ability to judge the amount of time everything would take was challenged with this
project. I assumed the entire film would take 107 hours to make, start to finish. In the end, the
trailer itself took about 80 (I neglected to record 10-15 minute increments of writing, prop
fetching, and other bits). Everything in the world of film takes timeit is like a currency. I have
learned this just in time to make the film over the early summer.
Lastly, technical filming and working with actors was a learning stretch that I did
anticipate. I had worked with a photography camera, but video cameras that I borrowed from my
mentor and all of the tripod and microphone work associated with that was cumbersome. I
eventually took to it after a half hour of fumbling, and eventually got it to function decently. The
actors were hard workers, but I had to convey exactly what I wanted for them to deliver lines
accurately. Working with them towards this was a challenge, but in the end, it all settled out into
a viable final product.

3.

Discuss three problems that you encountered with your project. How did you solve these
problems?

Time projection was my primary problem in this project. I assumed that it would take less
time to produce the movie than it actually did. Thusly, I accommodated to this new information
and adjusted my schedule to fit the time it took to produce a viable short film.
Another problem I found was how difficult it is to film outsidethe sun, wind, and other
elements make filming outside unlike any controlled environment a filmmaker could run into
indoors. Due to its unpredictable nature, slippery ground, random breezes, and often-changing
light sources, filming outdoors is quite a tricky thing to pull off. However, I worked with the

conditions I had (which were still nice, sunny, and only moderately breezy) to get the trailer
filmed in time to present.
Lastly, working with the actors was quite a challenge. They are hard workers, but sometimes
what they would produce with their voices and faces were not what I had originally imagined nor
intended. By voicing my opinion in a concise and friendly manner, change occurred rapidly and
effectively. I was pleased to see how my directing changed and developed throughout the filming
session, and I feel I am now a much more competent director.
4. If you could redo your project, what would you do differently?
I would just aim to fulfill the trailer requirement for the senior project rather than the entire
film, if I could do it again. However, I am satisfied with my work up until this point. Plus, I have
a summer project that extends well past my senior yearthis has turned into more of a life
project, really. All in all, the changes that had to happen to my project out of necessity made it all
the more enjoyable.
5. How do you feel after having finished your project?
I definitely feel like a competent Jack of All Trades. Not only did I bring forth skill in writing
and photography, my passions, but I incorporated the necessities of finance and saleswomanship
in a way that I did not know I could. This project was fulfilling and fun, and has improved my
confidence immensely. I am proud of my work and that onlookers will appreciate and respect my
final product, whether or not they enjoy the dark comedy within.
6. Explain three things you learned about yourself through this process.
Firstly, I learned that I could cooperate with other people in a leadership position and help
create a successful product. This will be important in my future, no matter what I do. Working
with others successfully is an invaluable skill that I will utilize time and time again. Influencing
peers in a positive manner can prove to be handy in school, the workplace, and in business
(which I intend on pursuing).
I also learned that, although being right is good, it is not always what is right. When I first
projected my timing and budgets, I thought they would be solid until the end of my project.
However, I am a different, more educated person about this topic due to the research I performed
throughout the project. If I had not grown and taught myself throughout the processif I had
been completely correct from the startI would not have enjoyed the growing process as much.
There is always room for improvement, and being perfect on any first try is almost impossible
and not necessarily wanted.
Lastly, I learned that I like completing things. I do not stand for unfinished tasks. They bother
me. I like this trait in myself, as the feeling of completion is overwhelmingly good for me. It was
an important discovery about myself that the project spurred on.

7. Discuss three things you now know after having finished your project.
I now know how to direct, fundraise, and organize. Directing other people in a gentle and
thoughtful way is difficult, but it is a skill that has been thoroughly developed throughout the
processduring makeup application, filming, and vocal dubbing. Fundraising is a massive skill
that people dedicate a lot of time and expertise into. Although I am no expert, I feel competent to
help others with future fundraisers and crowdfunding projects through some of the failures that I
met within the greater success. Lastly, organization was crucial to this project. Without it, scripts
and audition videos and random props would be flying everywhere. By remaining organized, I
learned that life can be much easier. Some situations in this project, such as the actual filming
day, would have not happened if I had not been absolutely prepared.
8. In at least fifty words, discuss the grade you should receive for your project. Describe what
you did in order to insure that your project was the best it could be. Include at least three
specific examples or reasons to defend your position.
I believe that I deserve an A. Although I have no proof that mine is better than anyone elses
project, I know that I put forth more effort into this project than I have put into many other things
in my life. Although I do enjoy class and extracurriculars, this project was an extension of
myself. I put my best face forward, worked a ton, spent a lot of time perfecting it, and in the end
I am immensely proud of my final product. It is not even finished, either. Not only did I work
hard and create a product worth being proud of, I am able to extend this project past the speech
date and into my future. I am proud of this accomplishment, and think that my grade should
reflect my work.