As of now, I'd like my project to be about an experience that I can relate to, as I believe that I would be able to vividly convey it to an audience. My short film will most likely be based on teenage hood and the issues that come with it. I am not sure on what specific aspect I want to focus on, but It could most likely be about moving into a new country and have a huge clash of cultures, making it hard for the main character to adapt.
"Mean Girls" (2004) being one of the most iconic high school movies, represents teenagers in a way that is not favorable or real (in my opinion). Although it is entertaining, "The Plastics" do not exist in real life, at least not that exaggerated version. I feel like what many teen movies do, is that they use something that they've seen in high school, create a stereotype out of it and emphasize every single characteristic, to almost make it seem fake. In films, teenagers can seem either evil and manipulative rebels, lazy and unmotivated, spoiled brats, or anti-social nerds. There is often no in between. In classic romantic high school comedy, "She's All That" (1999) the main character, Laney, a nerdy outcast, is portrayed as an introverted art student who wears glasses and has her hair tied up 24/7 (because apparently it is what all quiet art students look like). Throughout the movie she "flourishes" into a "beautiful" girl and couples up the most popular guy in school, Zach, which does not happen in real life whatsoever. (This turned into a rant lol)
In my opinion, films are doing a notable progress in portraying teenage characters. Even though the previous examples are not accurate, as of lately, I believe that representation in the media is improving. For example, the film Ladybird (2017), did a great job representing the main character, and I could very deeply personally relate to her, as well as her relationship with her mother, which I thought seemed very real. The whole aesthetic of the film also created a big impact for me because it seemed simple and homemade, as the director stated in a video about the production of the film, she wanted to make the shots seem like photographs.
For my project, I would do as much as I can to make it seem real and create an impact in the audience. My goal is to break as many stereotypes as I can when it comes to teenagers, making them be an "in between" of stereotypical characteristics of teenagers shown in movies. One of the factors I would retain, which I feel is not represented that badly is the whole "worrying about the future" thing. It is often a dominating factor in teenage films, which is also a dominating factor in real lives of real teenagers.
Wednesday, December 5, 2018
Genre Research #2
SCIENCE FICTION
Content conventions:
Production techniques conventions:
Film sample #1:
The Matrix (1999)
Plot:
Neo believes that Morpheus, an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question -- What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by, a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.
Being a classic, this film embodies science fiction as it involves the whole concept of life being a simulation, in a setting with advanced technology. Through use of a complicated and twisted plot, the characters end up doing unexpected things, making the film even more intriguing. The film also involves inhuman creatures interacting with humans, which is a big element in science fiction films.
Film Sample #2:
Inception (2010)
Plot:
Dom Cobb is a thief with the rare ability to enter people's dreams and steal their secrets from their subconscious. His skill has made him a hot commodity in the world of corporate espionage but has also cost him everything he loves. Cobb gets a chance at redemption when he is offered a seemingly impossible task: Plant an idea in someone's mind. If he succeeds, it will be the perfect crime, but a dangerous enemy anticipates Cobb's every move.
This film embodies science fiction as it focuses on dreams and alternate worlds in one's mind. Christopher Nolan's films usually embody films related to time, also creating soundtracks to emphasize tension in scenes like this one. The theme of dreams and past, relates to a more personal level towards the audience, unlike any other sci-fi movie. The main character, Dom, shows his issues with his past and his wife, while trying to commit crimes by planting an idea in someone's mind.
More science fiction films:
Content conventions:
- Complex and somewhat hard to understand plots
- Setting is usually in: space, alternate versions of earth, other universes
- Occurs in futuristic settings, often with advanced technology
- Shows conflict between good and evil
- Plot usually focus on big world issues, without explicitly stating them, but vividly implying them
Production techniques conventions:
- Use of CGI and special effects
- Large cast and crew
- Makeup, costume and set design are big production factors
- Use of dynamic shots with a lot of equipment
Film sample #1:
The Matrix (1999)
Plot:
Neo believes that Morpheus, an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question -- What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by, a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life.
Being a classic, this film embodies science fiction as it involves the whole concept of life being a simulation, in a setting with advanced technology. Through use of a complicated and twisted plot, the characters end up doing unexpected things, making the film even more intriguing. The film also involves inhuman creatures interacting with humans, which is a big element in science fiction films.
Film Sample #2:
Inception (2010)
Plot:
Dom Cobb is a thief with the rare ability to enter people's dreams and steal their secrets from their subconscious. His skill has made him a hot commodity in the world of corporate espionage but has also cost him everything he loves. Cobb gets a chance at redemption when he is offered a seemingly impossible task: Plant an idea in someone's mind. If he succeeds, it will be the perfect crime, but a dangerous enemy anticipates Cobb's every move.
This film embodies science fiction as it focuses on dreams and alternate worlds in one's mind. Christopher Nolan's films usually embody films related to time, also creating soundtracks to emphasize tension in scenes like this one. The theme of dreams and past, relates to a more personal level towards the audience, unlike any other sci-fi movie. The main character, Dom, shows his issues with his past and his wife, while trying to commit crimes by planting an idea in someone's mind.
More science fiction films:
Monday, November 12, 2018
Genre Database
COMING OF AGE
Content conventions:
- Story relating to growth of a person
- Ordinary setting that can be adaptable to tone of the film
- Everyday situations
- Could be sentimental at some point
- Life lesson is taught (occasionally)
- Personal approach
- Involve the past
- Simple plot, not difficult to understand
- usually promoted in a non-flashy way
Production techniques conventions:
- No flashy editing or stunts
- Simplistic
- "homemade" feel
- If based on a different era, aim is to make it seem as authentic as possible
- ^this is done through the use of set modifications as well as costume
- and also focusing on colors and editing frames to fit a vintage image
Institutional conventions:
- Promoted in a non flashy way; no merchandise, no big trailers
- Soundtrack is usually an important part and is well thought out
- Usually includes acoustic, soft music to emphasize homemade feel
Film sample #1
Submarine (2010) dir. by Richard Ayoade
A brief synopsis:
Oliver is a Welsh teen who has some things on his mind.
Oliver is a Welsh teen who has some things on his mind.
First is losing his virginity before his 16th birthday. He sets out to woo his feisty classmate Jordana.
Then Oliver focuses on holding his family together.
His father, a depressed marine biologist, seems unequal to the task of preventing
Oliver's mother from succumbing to the dubious charms of a spiritual guru from down the road.
Then Oliver focuses on holding his family together.
His father, a depressed marine biologist, seems unequal to the task of preventing
Oliver's mother from succumbing to the dubious charms of a spiritual guru from down the road.
Why this is one of my all time favorite films:
- Beautiful soundtrack performed by Alex Turner
- Quirky, dry humor
- Based on a really good book
- Very peculiar characters
- Includes a bunch of cliches, but manages to make them work
How this film embodies my genre:
This film documents the troubles of Oliver Tate in terms of education, love, and family.
This film documents the troubles of Oliver Tate in terms of education, love, and family.
It involves a personal approach to which many people can relate to,
even if they have already grown out of their teenage years. Besides being sentimental,
the audience still manages to get a good laugh from it.
even if they have already grown out of their teenage years. Besides being sentimental,
the audience still manages to get a good laugh from it.
Review:
Film sample #2
Ladybird (2017) dir. by Greta Gerwig
A brief synopsis:
Christine "Lady Bird" MacPherson is a high school senior from the "wrong side of the tracks." She longs for adventure, sophistication, and opportunity, but finds none of that in her Sacramento Catholic high school. LADY BIRD follows the title character's senior year in high school, including her first romance, her participation in the school play, and most importantly, her applying for college.
How this film embodies my genre:
The overall lesson of the film embodies the idea that there is no place like home. “Lady Bird” aspires to come out of her shell and explore what is beyond the city of Sacramento, California, where she attends a Catholic high school. Despite her constant arguments with her mother, it all goes back to unconditional love. Once she arrives to New York for her career, she realizes that the place where she most wanted to be was good old Sacramento.
Sidenote:
I watched this film when it first came out, which was about three months after I moved from Lima to Weston, and being able to connect to the main character was a beautiful thing. This is something that only a good coming of age film manages to do in my opinion.
Here’s a really good video about the realization of Lady Bird. It shows the director’s ideas and point of view, as well as insight on the actors and their characters, production techniques used, and the work put into the score.
More Coming-of-Age examples:
- Dazed and Confused (1993) by Richard Linklater
- Empire Records (1995) by Alan Moyle
- The Breakfast Club (1985) by John Hughes
- Heathers (1989) by Michael Lehman
- Dead Poets Society (1989) by Peter Weir
- Call Me By Your Name (2017) by Luca Guadagnino
- Stand By Me (1986) by Rod Reiner
- The Edge of Seventeen (2016) by Kelly Fremon Craig
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Genre Research: Coming of Age
I decided to research about a genre I hold very close to my heart: Coming of age. No genre of film creates a personal connection with the audience as well as a good coming of age film does.
What made me gain even more interest in Coming of Age films and made me appreciate them more was this video
Coming of age is defined as: a genre of literature and film that focuses on the growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. Coming-of-age stories tend to emphasize dialogue or internal monologue over action, and are often set in the past.
In terms of the target audience, it may vary. However, in general, Coming of age stories are based on teenagers growing up into adulthood, due to the fact that this stage (being very important in life) is recognized as the one where an individual is going through the process of finding itself.
Conventions of a coming of age film:
What made me gain even more interest in Coming of Age films and made me appreciate them more was this video
Coming of age is defined as: a genre of literature and film that focuses on the growth of a protagonist from youth to adulthood. Coming-of-age stories tend to emphasize dialogue or internal monologue over action, and are often set in the past.
In terms of the target audience, it may vary. However, in general, Coming of age stories are based on teenagers growing up into adulthood, due to the fact that this stage (being very important in life) is recognized as the one where an individual is going through the process of finding itself.
Conventions of a coming of age film:
- Story relating to growth of a person
- Ordinary setting that can be adaptable to tone of the film
- Everyday situations
- Could be sentimental at some point
- Life lesson is taught
- Filmed with simple techniques; no flashy cinematography
- Personal approach
- Involve the past
- Simple plot, not difficult to understand
- usually promoted in a non-flashy way
Film examples:
- Submarine (2010) by Richard Ayoade
- Ladybird (2017) by Greta Gerwig
- Dazed and Confused (1993) by Richard Linklater
- Empire Records (1995) by Alan Moyle
- The Breakfast Club (1985) by John Hughes
- Heathers (1989) by Michael Lehman
- Dead Poets Society (1989) by Peter Weir
- Call Me By Your Name (2017) by Luca Guadagnino
- Stand By Me (1986) by Rod Reiner
- The Edge of Seventeen (2016) by Kelly Fremon Craig
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I decided to research about a genre I hold very close to my heart: Coming of age. No genre of film creates a personal connection with the a...
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My eyes are dry my back hurts i am going crazy and I feel like I've got a sunburn for sitting in the computer for five hours straight...
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As soon as I was done filming last night, I started editing. Here's a few screen recordings on what I did while editing my project in ...
