jongjongen

[jongjongen]

The Audio

“Sometimes, the sound of silence is the most deafening sound of all."  — K.L. Toth

We all know how much music is loved by so many people. That is something we cannot deny. Whether we're at a concert, listening to the radio, or singing in the shower, music has the ability to generate a spectrum of emotions in us.

I mean, who among us has not yet experienced a similar experience with an emotionally gripping song? Like how people cried when Taylor Swift's "Teardrops in my guitar" is being played on the radio; like how some would automatically groove their body when Sarah Geronimo's "Tala" is on, and like how the UE Red Warriors jump to the beat when Silent Sanctuary played "Ikaw Lamang" last POWHIRI 2019.

My Instagram Story last September 24, 2019, during the POWHIRI IX at SFC Quadrangle, University of the East, Manila.

Music has varied degrees of characters that might affect one's mood. It can raise someone's mood, get them excited, or make them calm and relaxed. Most importantly, music also allows us to feel nearly or possibly all emotions that we experience in our lives.

However, when it comes to news and current affairs, as well as other pre-recorded content (e.g. podcasts and films), only a few people pay attention to audio.

"Music is the soul of life and gives immense peace to us."  —  Toppr

I used to be a great fan of world music. Since 2010, I've been keeping up with new releases by big international singers like Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, and my personal favorite, Lady Gaga — and I'm quite particular about their song lyrics. It only changed in 2016 when one day I realized that music from international (and even local) does not excite me anymore. I get more fascinated with instrumental, cultural, religious, and trap kinds of music.

Some of my friends might call me Jurassic for not keeping up with the new music, but my new music tastes are kind of beneficial for me, and it helped me pave my way to show interest in becoming meticulous to audio.

Since Junior High School, when we join the mass dance and cheer dance competitions at school versus other grade levels, our Batch would always rely on me when it comes to editing our music for the dance. I don't know why, but the least I know is not many of them show interest in this field — or let's say, they don't know how to edit one.

To cut the story short, my fondness for audio also made me pursue a media course in college.

"Pataka lang ang baccla" — Pataka means "unsubstantiated" in Bisaya. I used this caption because this is my first time editing a full-blown radio news production. Hence, my knowledge on how to formulate one is not substantial enough. I used Acoustica Audio Mixer as my editing platform. You can listen to the whole radio production here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AGUy3sloxY&t=142s

"Audio or sound is important in a production."  — MILNE Library

In the broadcasting program, we were thought that audio or sound is an important element in every production. That is why our professors describe different aspects of audio and sound production for pre-recorded content and examine the necessary technical skills of audio and its implication for a pre-recorded media genre or form.

A good storyline and cinematography are not the only elements that could make a film a good one — audio is one, too. A bad sound could make a video frustrating even if it is the most entertaining film of all. When sound production is most successful, you are not thinking about the quality of the sound at all — you are also feeling it.

That is why audio is important in productions, you are pulled into the story and living in the world of film or news and public affairs.

Audio alone, when synced to background music and sound effects, is inadequate to make a piece of news reporting appealing. It also necessitates high-quality audio from the broadcaster or reporter in order for the audience to understand the news. That is to say, the recording procedure and equipment employed by broadcasting productions should be clear and effective.

Radio Broadcasting is one of the last activities Dr. Zafra assigned to us before our Christmas break in 2019. Headed by Vianca Robles, we named our production Radio Silangan. This was submitted last December 16, 2019.

"Sound is the perfect complement to the visuals in a film."  — A. Rothstein

A film's sound is the ideal accompaniment to its visuals. The sound designer, in addition to the boom operator, can overlay music, speech, and sound effects on the audio recording to create an immersive experience, aid in storytelling, and elicit an emotional response. The viewer would be left with just the pictures and no context for what they are seeing if a film did not have music.

Sound is an effective technique for narrative and helps the audience to fully appreciate the film's impact. The sound may propel a tale forward or halt it in its tracks. The music in the film is effective in evoking emotion and setting a tone. The music can help the audience experience what is going on screen and develop the necessary suspense for forthcoming action, whether it be a love interlude or an action scenario.

Oppo Reno 2F is the subject of our first long television commercial. The product was not introduced in the first three minutes of the commercial. We use a horror theme to pique our audience's interest in what this ad is about. We used scary background music to make our audience curious so that they will watch the ad until the end.

WATCH OTHER FILMS HERE:

CRESCENDO PRODUCTIONS, PACION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoSSN80aULk

"Podcasts allow you to share knowledge with the relevant audience."  — Akriti Galav

A podcast is an episodic collection of spoken-word digital audio recordings that may be downloaded and listened to on a personal device. It's generally available on Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, and a variety of other platforms. You can reach your target audience, who is fascinated by your material, in this manner.

This is me during my podcast-type vlog, sharing my experience as an online class sophomore. Watch the vlog here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6Q0U35rNuo&t=251s

Simply put, a podcast is a new way to entertain, educate, and humor people. They are all sound, with no distraction coming from how people look or dress like you might get from watching a TV show or film. Most podcasts begin as a series and are then split down into episodes, much like a television show. It is originally called "audio blogging".

People were recording and sharing using this manner, despite the fact that they were not built to the same standard or design. The origins of audio blogging may be attributed mostly to the music industry. People recorded an MP3 with their voice or music to share songs and the newest buzz.

To create audio content for listeners, podcasters only need a computer, microphone, headphones, and recording software. In reality, you most likely already have some of the necessary tools to start a podcast. However, reaching your target audience is more difficult.

In ABC_2103 (Development Broadcasting), we created a solo or monologue podcast entry pondering on socio-political pressing issues and concerns — where I highlighted the government incompetence and inconsistency. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK4wXNucY8w&t=6s

For our ABC_2204 (Political Economy of Broadcasting, Interactive, and Emerging Media), we are tasked to make a podcast about a certain framework of our choice, where I chose Capitalism. In this podcast, I highlighted the capitalistic approach of private learning institutions. Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIHSl15d29Q&t=72s

LISTEN TO MY OTHER PODCASTS:

COMMUNICATION MODELS AND THEORIES - SYNTHESIZING PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcBla39wk-k&t=181s

WRITING DRAMATIC MATERIALS FOR BROADCASTING, INTERACTIVE, AND EMERGING MEDIA - SPOKEN POETRY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Goe0HO52Cg&t=194s

PRODUCING PRE-RECORDED CONTENT FOR BROADCASTING, INTERACTIVE, AND EMERGING MEDIA - TALKSHOW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7p7cKR67_4&t=74s

Sound elicits emotion and helps people connect with what they are witnessing. It underpins each image and cut, as well as defines the overall mood and tone of your story.

Language, sound effects, music, and even silence, when used correctly, can drastically improve your movie. Sound, on the other hand, can completely wreck any video or animation. Despite this, audio is frequently overlooked during post-production, which is absurd because no amount of editing magic can compensate for poor sound.

"Audio is arguably more crucial than video quality."  — TopLine Film

[jongjongen]

The Camera

"Photography is an art of teleporting the past into the future." — Mehmet Murat Ildan

Photographs play an important role in everyone’s life – they connect us to our past, they remind us of people, places, feelings, and stories. They can help us to know who we are. Printed photographs are extremely valuable because they allow us to not only record a certain moment in time but also to preserve it for future generations, allowing us to relive the beautiful memory or experience over and over. Even more, printed photos are easily shared with others and serve to authenticate our important past.

This is me around 2002. My mother was thrilled since this is the first time I had stood up by myself without the aid of a walker, so she took a photograph

We live in a world where everyone has endless access to a camera and pictures are constantly being taken. The camera is one of the most essential instruments used in every production. It captures photographs and videos.  It is a powerful storytelling tool a filmmaker and photographer has, that is why it represents the audience's eyes. Whenever we wanted to draw viewers into this world, we swung the camera around. We could move the camera closure if we wanted the audience to feel more connected to a character.

Photo shot for Kabataan ni San Jose Facebook page during Chapel Visit on August 21, 2021, at Brgy. Pangobilian, Brooke's Point, Palawan. See the full album here: https://www.facebook.com/YMBrookesPoint/photos/a.6367232930017179/6367226173351188

"The importance of the camera is not in the device itself, but in what it produces." — Patrisha Kichline

Ever since I was a kid, I always love taking photographs. As a memory hoarder, I once filled my Instagram with more than 2,000 pictures before I archived three-quarters of them. My Instagram account was created in May of 2014. Even though I don't have high-end camera equipment yet — yeah, I only use my smartphone to take images — I have practiced my photography skills there.

This is one of my first landscape photography using a Cherry Mobile Flare S2 smartphone. A photo was taken last October 26, 2014, at the boat on the way to El Nido, Palawan. I added this experience in my core memory since this is very unexpected as the Augustinian Recollect Sisters from our sister school in Liminangcong, Taytay, Palawan treated us on a trip to El Nido, Palawan. See here: https://www.instagram.com/p/uncICvjURj/

This photo was taken last December 14, 2016, at Brooke's Point Port using my Lenovo A5000 smartphone. I captured this as a requirement for our photography class in MAPEH. I remembered that the security guard almost did not let us enter the port because we are still wearing our school uniform. We were lucky enough because my uncle, who is working for that port, saw us and he himself asked the security guard to let us come through. See here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BN-dZgNh4qn/

My humble and beloved Sacred Heart of Jesus High School of Palawan, Inc. I took this photo last March 16, 2017, using my iPhone 4s, at the top of the Parish's bell tower. It seems weird to study in a school adjacent to the sea, but I must say that spending my 6 years in this institution is one of the best experiences of all. Don't worry, the sea never bothered us. See here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BRs_UsugJwW/

I'm not sure why, but I truly enjoy documenting my daily activities; unfortunately, technological devices like smartphones, cameras, and laptops were not permitted at my previous school. But that doesn't stop me from pursuing my passion for photography. I established the Official Facebook page of my alma mater with the agreement of our principal and my student council adviser so that I could easily bring my camera to capture events at school. Some even refer to me as our school's "official photographer." Furthermore, my initiative benefits not only me, but it also helps other students in having their images displayed because, once again, they are not permitted to have their electronic devices with them.

Some of my random photographs at Sacred Heart of Jesus High School.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking photograph I captured — my classmate, Leo's death.  Seeing my classmates crying in front of our late friend's coffin while taking this picture is an unexplainable feeling. Leo lives in a different municipality. As one family, our school initiated a Holy Mass for him. This day was the last day for some to see him. See here: https://www.facebook.com/SHJHSBrksPtPal/photos/1546957568744182

I enrolled in the Broadcasting program because I wanted to work in the media industry, or perhaps because I appreciated my previous duty at my former school. My peers generally appreciate my efforts and enthusiasm; however, our hobbies are dissimilar, as they like mathematics, science, and physical sports, which I find agonizing. I chose to seek a profession in media because I enjoy documenting, whereas others choose to pursue jobs in medicine, engineering, or teaching.

This is my first picture of my University right after I took the College Entrance Test and officially enrolled as a freshman. Look here; https://www.instagram.com/p/BykICGRFZOT/

"Camera movement, following the action, adds a sense of forward momentum, adds pace & energy, and allows the viewer to participate in the action." —  Matt of On Point Video Productions

As I progressed through college, I met a number of excellent people who shared my interests. To be honest, I was initially disappointed in myself because I recognized that what I had studied in high school was insufficient. I mean, I could know something, but I'm a little sluggish because I don't know much about camera basics. Thankfully, our professors provide opportunities for us to experiment with the camera. This is where I first learned how to use a digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera and make a video. My first experience is the Freshmen Film Festival: Take 4 (FFF4), where we, Kalyteros Productions' Oculi Peccatum, got various awards, including the Best Picture.

"News that is broadcast on TV or streamed online requires pictures and sound to tell a story." —  Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Another instance where I explored the camera was when we produced a full-blown news package. To be honest, I have no idea how to make one, but my groupmate does. However, because they had never used a camera before, I took over and handled the videography of our news.

Christine Manalo, Sentro Balita's news anchor. This was filmed at the University's Media Center. Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ZUwp74AoY&t=160s

Nicole Espinoza, Sentro Balita's sports correspondent. This was filmed at the University's Gym. Watch the full video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61ZUwp74AoY&t=160s

"Vlogging is designed to share experiences, thoughts, and ideas with an audience. It is a form of communication which is used to engage an audience in a personal fashion." — Amy Baker

Who'd have guessed that someone like me, who used to despise vloggers, would be vlogging in the future? Yes, I recently established my YouTube channel. Our field trip for the Readings in Philippine History course in Cavite, Philippines was the first video I posted on my channel. The vlogging portion came as a complete surprise. I selected a few decent shots, tweaked them, and then published them. In this vlog, I described the entire day of historical site visits in a three-minute video. One hilarious part is that my students were unaware that I was filming videos throughout our field trip. They were amazed to see that I had already posted it on my YouTube channel.

I only enjoyed vlogging in this pandemic. Currently, there is a total of 26 vlogs that I uploaded on my YouTube channel. It was all started when my cousin, Ate Rhea, invited me to do a vlog to ease our boredom during the lockdown. Many of our friends liked it and asked for more, so we'll keep vlogging because it is a great way for me to improve my filmmaking, editing, and speaking in front of the camera abilities.

This is the playlist of all of my vlog episodes. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adj1FZLDkYU&list=PLqdUGCjUeRDk2koujFDd5FvgdT-Cw1gm6

We also experiment and do a music video during the quarantine. Dannah, my sister, featured on this music video entitled "Hindi Para Sayo". Watch the whole MV here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJienaqQN2Q

“Video submissions are widely-used in Online Classes”

Because the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines is still large, the government has no choice but to move classes over the internet. This is to say, no physical classes and lectures were transferred into virtual classrooms. As a result, video submissions are on the rise. The majority of the students learned how to withstand one-man productions. No one was spared from the preparation of the scripts, the setup of the set and camera, and the editing. The use of ultra key was also utilized frequently.

My camera-manipulation adventure is not based on my responsibilities as a media student. I also volunteer at our church, St. Joseph, the Husband of Mary Parish, and at Sacred Heart of Jesus High School of Palawan, Inc., where I graduated high school.

That is to say, anytime they require manpower, they always turn to me for assistance, primarily in the areas of documentation and video production. Even if it is stressful to be a student in an online class, it is beneficial to me since every time I volunteer, I learn new experiences.

The ARSC student council of SY: 2020 - 2021 invited me to help them produce their promotional video. I helped them by conceptualizing and creating the script, directing and filming them, voice-over for the narration, and editing this whole video. Watch the whole video on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xTXVzA7Y0M

I'm enabling myself to grow and help others with my average skills because learning is a never-ending process. A photographer and videographer's journey is never over since this field is a vast domain. Knowing them all will take time. As per Henri Cartier-Bresson, "To photograph: it is to put on the same line of sight the head, the eye, and the heart". An excellent photograph must elicit an emotional reaction from the viewer. Photography is a form of art, not only a representation of reality.

Years of study and practice are required to become a professional camera user. I'm not even in the middle of being one. Each photographer's journey will be different and the journey will never be over. There will never be a shortage of fresh things to learn. At the end of the day, photography is a form of art. It necessitates the use of your eyes, heart, and soul. Because art is subjective, there is no such thing as a perfect photo.