Planning For My CCR

Planning My Creative Critical Reflection Essay

• How do your products represent social groups or issues?

My short film I'm creating, The Shocking Shell, plays with some stereotypes and modern issues here and there like social media obsession and a bit of overprotective parenting. The Influencer Babysitter shows how some people care more about clout than responsibility or a job, while the Military Vet Babysitter exaggerates discipline and paranoia. Ms. Burns represents extreme attachment to her turtle, and Lucy is the relatable, down-to-earth character in the whole film. The story challenges those first impressions that are supposed to be simple and on top of that, plays with expectations in a fun way that I feel everyone will enjoy.

• How do the elements of your production work together to create a sense of ‘branding’?

The film I'm making I feel mixes a lot of suspense and comedy, using multiple different camera angles, music, and unexpected twists to keep things interesting and the audience attached. The structured interviews introduce the weird characters, and the contrast between mysterious tension and humor keeps the film’s tone unique and not like all films people may see. The big reveal of Ms. Burns' “angel” being a wild turtle adds more to its absurd yet memorable branding of the film.

• How do your products engage with the audience?

The film keeps viewers hooked by setting up expectations in their heads and then completely flipping them. Suspenseful sounds and sudden chaos, like the turtle’s escape, creates a good amount of tension, while Lucy’s reactions makes it fun. The mix of modern and formal dialogue styles adds humor, and fast-paced editing makes the action feel more ongoing.

• How did your research inform your products and the way they use or challenge conventions?

I looked into some films like Napoleon Dynamite or Juno to balance tension and humor. I also studied character stereotypes, which helped shape the babysitters into exaggerated but recognizable figures and add a bit of weird yet funiness to the film. I made the unexpected “monster” a turtle, turning a classic babysitting scenario into something fresh and funny that isn't seen very often.