Group Meeting #1

Group Meeting #1:

Hey guys!! Today is now week three of my portfolio project, and our teacher put us in groups with other students in the class to get feedback and more planning time. 

The classmates in my group are Sam, Selena, Christian, Trisha, Ethan, Meilyah, and Sonakshi. This group was full of unique great ideas leaving me with a clearer view on my own project. First off, Sam has a small idea and seems a but unsure on his full plan. What he does have and know is the equipment, mise-en-scene, and setting. He stated how he wants to do a thriller and have it based in the medical field. It sounds difficult, but he has the resources because of a parent. His blogs don't have a lot of information on the full plan because he is unsure. 

Selena on the other hand, seems to be pretty strong on her idea but not to sure on the genre. She says that she really wants to film a horror because she loves it, but it is pretty difficult to capture. Due to our group we told her if she has a passion and really believes that she can do the genre justice then to do it. She said that a girl would be running/chased by something by herself that is not identified in the opening. She seems to like the idea of a treehouse in the setting. Based off other work she seemed to really succeed in a action horror music video!

Dark and unsettling effect Selena wants to give. 

Then, Christian seems to have the main idea of the story but no small ideas, he proceeds to tell us that it is a group of people. The setting is outside of the car when the group discovers a bag and something is inside of it and almost puts a trance on them. He then told us that him and his partner are still deciding if there for sure set on the trance idea. Our group then told him he could keep it very mysterious in the bag and undeciphered so it grabs viewers in and making it more of the thriller genre like he wants to have.

Meyliah has a very good grasp on what she wants to do. She really wants to schizophrenia but is trying to avoid that because it is a very common film opening. She began by saying it would be a psychological thriller, but throughout her telling us her plan we told her it sounds more like a drama. The beginning setting would be at the beach in a long flowy dress with a someone, she then gets home to be laying in the bed and her mom comes in saying something implying that the person she was just with isn't actually there. We even recommended to not fully discuss or discover within the opening if its schizophrenia, a ghost, imagination, a dream, ect. She really wanted to include a mental health problem in the film.

Ethan had his opening pretty planned out and even had two options. He is doing a sci-fi stop motion film based on astronauts in space. His first option he said needed more professional lighting and he said that might be a slight problem because the light would need to be moved around which he has never done before, but i personally think based on his experience he can. In the second there would be two astronauts on basically a space-cation. He said the lighting would be much easier because it would just stay in one place, rather than in the first option where the ship would be crashing. The group told him to challenge himself and do the first option and the lighting would be mastered as he was doing it. I thought this idea was pretty diverse and cool on what i've heard others were doing.

As well as Trisha she seems to have hers pretty planned out and just need input on the smaller details. She is going to do a thriller where the technology in her whole house turns on her and is basically evil. I thought this was so cool and something I would love to watch. The setting would be in the characters bedroom. Selena pitched a great idea where the ring or the Alexa can say something to imply that the technology is fully the problem. Trisha said she really wanted to do something with technology due to technology being so advanced and how we basically rely on all our devices. Can't wait to see how everyone executes their films!

Finally, the feedback on my film was great and very helpful. When I pitched my idea everyone loved it! I then told them that my partner and I were a little stuck on the credit scene and when to put the title. They told me that I can incorporate the credits in the beginning during the basketball and cheerleader practice. They told me that I should keep in the dynamic between her and the guy to add to the plot. Im so happy i got to hear other ideas and get feedback on mine!!

 The film 'Baby Driver' credit sequence blends action and thriller still ends with the music driven style, using an upbeat visual flashes from the story. Although a thriller, it keeps the audience emotionally attched to the romantic character dynamic between Baby(miles) and Debra. The choice of this relationships softens the film and makes it differ from another thriller films. 

Another thriller film, 'Gone Girl' that truly kept me drawn in the whole movie and a mind twister. The use of the same shot in the first clip of the movie being used in the last clip of the movie was ironic because of how much the two characters lives change through the film because of her. The expression changes though in the first clip she has a very concerned look, and in the last she has a look of victory. One of the best villains in all of films in my opinion. One of many thrillers where the bad guy wins and you have to guess that the danger, manipulation, and psychological games continue kinda leaving viewers in shock or uneasy.

Lastly, the movie 'Drive' uses very tense and moody music even after the story ends there is there is still lots of threats and moral ambiguity that went unfinished. This does not resolve the situation, which  intensifies the sense of psychological tension created in the movie and implys that there is even more danger out there. The music and slowness help the viewers take in the violence without losing the tension of suspense that is characteristic of thriller genre.

 My partner and I decided we wanted to film the thriller genre. 

One of a very popular thriller movie, Scream 1, an iconic loved film that keeps an audience at the edge of their seat with just the opening. In the opening scene, it escalates very quickly starting off with a very chill vibe and ending with a girl getting killed brutally. The reason for this is to sustain suspense for the audience. The use of mis-en-scene  in this opening is crucial, the lowkey lighting which gives a creepy mysterious vibe. The close-ups to display her emotions and the wide shots to show dramatic irony. 

The opening for the thriller 'Jaws' creates a suspenseful and terror while revealing a shark, relying more on the anticipation rather than the visuals. The underwater pov shot is used in almost every shark attack movie. Wanting to jump through the screen and help her. The use of sound in the opening scene was a primary part. Using it for tension and making it lower and higher during underwater scenes and stopping it right when she gets killed. The character being isolated although there is someone just feet away that is not able to help, fills viewers with anxiety as if they are going through the same thing. The strategic planing of all the sound and timing defining the opening of Jaws. 

Lastly, an absolute classic 1960s 'Psycho' unlike the other two thrillers mentioned, the opening rather than beginning with a kill scene it gets to know the character on emotional conflict creating more suspense for the character herself. The music is sharp and un-canny and this helps to create the feeling that something bad may happen at any time. Using focus on anticipation, secrets, and uneasiness, the opening proves that thrillers can be scary without action being displayed right in beginning. 

Week 1:

-Three blog posts

-Start thinking of ideas

-Create schedule

-Create deep analysis of details we want for our opening

Week 2:

-Four blog postings

-Finalize overall idea and approaches for film opening

-Research techniques and similar film openings to correctly execute genre 

-Confirm permission to film in cheer practices/confirm with the planned actors

Week 3:

-Four blog postings

-Begin writing script

-Finalize what mise-en-scene, lighting, and sound elements we want to implement

-Go through a couple of possible media theories

-Start storyboard

Week 4:

-Four blog postings

-Look for possible audios that are available

-Begin filming (specifically the one on one scenes)

-Gather all filming resources like camera, stabilizer, tripod, editing software

Week 5:

-Four blog postings

-Finish filming

-Begin editing

Week 6:

-Four blog posts

-Finish editing

-Review, edit, and add anything that needs to be

-Begin CCR

Week 7:

-Complete CCR

-Confirm that everything is completed and ready to be submitted

Main Planning:

confirming film plot and idea, finding actors, get filming equipment, write script, create storyboard, find audio/mise-en-scene element, confirm filming locations

Production:

• film scenes
• film foley audio (if needed)

Editing:

• edit actual film opening together
• add in title and credits
• add in any audio

Revisions:

• meet with teacher to re-analyze film opening
• make edits or re-edit some clips
• rewatch project to confirm everything is correct

CCR:

• do research with information relating to topic
• make the reflection
• edit and review CCR

Next step: Find props and be fully prepared to begin filming

Aice Media Portfolio Blog

 

Portfolio Project Genre #2

A second genre that I am considering is Drama. Another very dramatic and strategic genre. A drama is a is a film that focuses on realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. I think this genre would be great to work with because of the use of shots and how it would be easy to convey emotions with certain shots. 

Target Audience

Drama targets very mature audiences, so mostly adults. Although it would mostly reach adults, some younger people who are very emotionally mature and really enjoy the genre and type of films. It can also be a very heavy topic, but have a very clear message and can stay with the audience forever.

Genre Conventions with Content

In each drama film they focus on one major problem such as family, friendships, health, and identity. By keeping one focus it makes the message easier to understand. Also using realistic situations and true stories make the films even heavier because this is real life. Even causing motivations to help people like this and making an impact on peoples lives just because of a movie. 

Genre Conventions with Techniques

Capturing emotions from close ups is a major techniques in the genre. Any shot is crucial in any film, but this one in particular is very important, by capturing small movements and raw emotion is so major in movies. Songs used in films make people very emotional so that really contributes as well. 

Aice Media Portfolio Blog

 

Transitioning into the Cambridge Portfolio Project

All of my blog post from here on out are gonna be dedicated to my Cambridge Final Exam. From what i've learned in this course I feel very confident on the topics needed to complete this project. My partner and I have brainstormed a couple ideas to kick off the film opening. 

Me and my partner both thought it was a good idea to establish the main details and point of the opening so then we can do the smaller details as we go. When a small detail comes to mind we do jot it down in my notes app so we don't forget.

Small details we thought of so far

The main idea of this opening is to have two completely different vibes from the start than the end. So the viewers can continue to guess what exactly is going on. Also including little small details to give more info and make the film more complex. Making the characters seem simple from the start and as you go on, even though u get such little information you see that they are not so simple. 

My original plan was good, but with my partners input on wanting to include substance abuse really advanced the film and created a better plan and a stronger opening. We really created a good idea by combing ideas. 

The character dynamic between our two actors is truly up to the viewers perception of what they see in the 2 minutes of the film. That why the little things matter such as lighting, mannerisms, and looks. 

Using a very high quality camera and the knowledge we know about angles/cuts/movements/shots it will help with the look of the film. 

We are extremely and excited to start this journey of this project together!!

Aice Media Portfolio Blog

Portfolio Project Genre #1

 For the portfolio coming up, I am thinking of doing a thriller. 

A thriller is a movie with an exciting plot that usually involve crime or government spying. Keeping viewers on the edge of their seats and keeps them drawn in from finish to end. A thriller will get confused with horror, but both actually create completely different feelings. Horror makes audiences feel fear, while a horror gives an excitement. Thats exactly why I want to work with this genre, while keeping that suspenseful feel, it can also create different emotions. 

Target Audience

With a pretty gender balanced audience, thrillers do seem to target adults to young adults. The age range being 15-30 usually liking more fast paced films and staying more entertained. People who are considered "adrenaline junkies" and having not as fast attention span will love this genre. It as a very loved genre by many because of the emotions and natural high it give you.

Genre Conventions with Content

In every single thriller certain information will be held from viewers to keep them guessing and watching. Also including a character being followed, chased, hiding, getting kidnapped while being alone. Also leading the audience to believe other things and allowing deep thinking and own understanding of the film. Although a thriller seems as if it is only about keeping viewers on the edge of their seat and entertaining, it also always relays a message in some sort of way. Like in the film "The Truman Show" has funny and scary moments it shows that media invades privacy, and the character realizes reality is fake. 

Genre Conventions with Techniques

This genre would be nothing without the techniques. Keeping a slower paced movements and POV shots making viewers feel like their in the film. Using darker lighting to keep it mysterious, using foreshadowing with objects and even lighting. 

Institutional Conventions

Usually beginning film with the production logo and very serious tone to set the feel on the film. In order to keep the movie in the age range instead of beginning the film with violence it implies the dangers. When its advertised and in trailers they have to keep it even more vague and mysterious than the movie.

Two Film/TV Productions That Represent The Genre   

This close-up from the thriller film Get Out displays the pure fear of this characters expression.