Representation

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.

Genre Research #2

SCIENCE FICTION

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:

• Star Wars 
• Interstellar 
• Minority Report
• Blade Runner
• Avatar