Spotify Playlist!

 I did this with my last project so I feel that it is fitting that I do it again. I made a Spotify playlist! For this one, I wanted to capture more of a 'vibe' and less of a story. I also made a mood board which is the "album cover" of my makeshift album for the film. The songs are subject to change, but like last time, the order is important. So if you want to give it a listen, I suggest in order, but the songs are all good so either way works. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/55qidQJaaNIs0jGbWJnLWo?si=tq_FZO_IT-anEGZ5FSkvbA

Split Trailers

 Continuing my research, a friend reminded me of the film Split (2016), where three girls are kidnapped by this one man with 26 distinct personalities. While I have yet to watch the movie - it is definitely on my bucket list now, even more than before - I think the trailer might also give insight on what to do for my project.

Split (2016)

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan

One of the main differences between Split and Room is who the focus really is on. In Split, the focus is the kidnapper himself, and less on the victims. This is heavily portrayed in the trailer as the scenes that are not of the kidnapped and the man are about therapists and DID experts discussing his condition. Additionally, more is revealed about the man than of the girls. Since I am tasked with two trailers, reviewing this one gave me the idea of having two distinct trailers with distinct focuses: one focused on the kidnapper and one focused on the kidnapped girl.

Another difference I saw between this trailer and Room's trailer was that Split's trailer seemed to give more footage from the beginning and middle of the film, and less of the end. This is more of a conventional choice, as I mentioned in my last post. Another option for my project would be to have one trailer focused on the aftermath and one focused on the beginning and middle. However, since there is not really an escape in my story or clear aftermath, I do think that this option is much less likely. For now, the working plan is to have one trailer focused more on each of the characters. 

Room Research

 As I mentioned last time, the idea for "Teddy" came just as I rewatched Room the other day, so I think it is fitting to segway into more research regarding this specific genre and beginning with Room.

Room (2015)

Directed by Lenny Abrahamson

Focusing mainly on the trailer for this post, I would like to point out a few features that I found interesting. Typically trailers feature footage from the beginning and middle, and very rarely from the end. However, this trailer really focused on the aftermath of what happened and showed fewer clips of their experience in "Room". I think this is mainly to create the suspense of what actually happened while the main character, Joy, was kidnapped. I also noticed that the trailer initiates with a short monologue coming directly from a portion of the film and the footage shown was extremely unclear and shaky. Once again, I think this is to create the feeling of suspense but also of isolation and confusion that the characters most likely felt when they were trying to escape. 

Since my film does not end in escape and freedom, I do think that my trailer will focus mainly on the conditions of the kidnapping and less on the aftermath. Similar to how this trailer created suspense, I plan to include a variety of shots, some much less clear than others, to create a similar feeling. Additionally, I loved that the trailer began with the voiceover of a short monologue, so I think I will incorporate that into my trailers as well. 

I'm Conflicted Again!

I know I said I would post my finalized idea for my piece but in between publishing my last posts and beginning to write this one, I came up with another idea!

First, I'll introduce my initial idea that I alluded to in my last post.

Faeth

Genre: Fantasy

Summary: Mason's home-life was never easy, stable, or comfortable. He never wanted to be home, where he would constantly be subjected to the yelling between his arguments or those directed to him, and his place of solace was deep in his backyard. Mason never really went deep into the backyard, heeding hr advice of his mother to always stay close to home, but after a rough day, he was fed up and delved deeper into the wood than he usually does. He cries near this majestically strong and tall tree, to the point that he rests his head on his backpack and takes an untimely nap. He wakes up from the soft noises of fluttering and giggling circling around him, only to awake in a panic that the sun had begun to set. Consumed by the anxiety of getting home, he rushes to collect his belongings and bumps into the source of the sounds, a fairy named Ria. Ria is in awe of Mason, but her curiosity stalls Mason's trek home. To calm him, Ria offers her knowledge of the forest to help Mason get home in exchange for information about humanity. The rest of the story follows their journey back to Mason's home, as they encounter magical obstacles and grow their friendship.

My thoughts: I initially revolved this idea around the possibility of doing fun fantastical makeup on either myself or another, and the possibility of filming in Markham Park, a massive nature park near my home. However, my doubts stem from my inability to create special effects (an integral part of making the world realistic and the fantasy genre) and having to film with others during the pandemic. While the trailers would only revolve around the two characters, and them being outside most of the time, I am constantly trying to limit my own exposure to others for the safety of myself, my friends, and my family.

Teddy

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Summary: A teenage Jane Doe has been kidnapped and put in an isolated bedroom she does not recognize. To console her, her kidnapper gifts her a visibly old and used stuffed bear she names Teddy. Stuck in isolation, she goes crazy and begins to revert to a childlike state as she plays with Teddy, acting as if it was real, similar to how children have imaginary friends. However, one day when she tries to escape, her captor catches her and punishes her by cutting her ankle ligaments. She wakes up from the pain of her injuries to find that Teddy was mutilated in a similar fashion to her, and she has a breakdown. Jane Doe begins to try to befriend her captor, thinking that it is futile to escape, speaking through the speaker and microphone set up in her room. During unsuspectedly informative conversation, it is revealed that the kidnapper's motivation revolves around the passing of his daughter, who he is futiliy trying to replace. Teddy used to be her stuffed animal, hence the signs of use, and has been a gift from him to each of his captors. To test her loyalty, the captor enters her room and asks if she would like to stay and get new room or escape without punishment. Jane Doe admits that she wants to leave, believing his promise, but is ultimately murdered as the captor feels betrayed by his "daughter". The film ends with the image of another girl in the same room, being gifted Teddy once again.

My thoughts: I think that this idea came to me through a culmination of my love for the film Room, the psychological thriller genre, and for the need of an idea that would allow me to work solely by myself. The only obstacle I could think of, however, with this idea, would be either making my room appear completely empty and cold as I had envisioned the set of my film, or finding a place to film it. 

In the end, I think I am going to settle on the film "Teddy" as it is something I can achieve more safely and without the anxiety of the pandemic. I also think that this would allow me to play with gore-y special effects makeup, something I would love to practice and incorporate into my mise-en-scene. My next step would be analyzing the conventions of the psychological thriller genre when it comes to trailers and understanding their social media marketing. While this was not a genre I initially considered, I am content with this decision. I hope I can do this idea justice and create what I have envisioned. 'Till next time!

Maybe I Don't Hate Breakout Rooms

Typically I hate breakout rooms. In my experience, it is really hard to start conversations and get productive in these rooms because of how tempting it is to work alone. I understand their purpose, but groups are really not the same anymore. However, today was one of my only good experiences.

As I mentioned in my last post, in this class I was put into smaller groups with my classmates to discuss our individual progress with our projects. My main issue with going forward, which I expressed to my peers, was feeling extremely indecisive and uninspired when it came to this year's project. Last year, we were able to see each other progress in person, show each other certain aspects of our projects face to face, and be in an overall creative environment. I, and my classmates, are finding it difficult to find creativity and inspiration when we are stuck in our homes all day, every day.

Despite these challenges, we shared a lot of ideas for moving forward. While it can't beat being in person, hearing about my classmate's ideas for their own projects was inspiring and refreshing. 

Two of the people who were in the group with me had chosen the documentary package and have each chosen extremely interesting topics. One person is planning to do a docuseries similar to Cheer, but with the University of Miami dance team, and have been able to get in touch with the coach to possibly make this idea into reality. The other person plans to do a docuseries on international drinks that have made their way to America, with their portion focusing on matcha.

The two others in the group with us had chosen to do the short film for their projects and were in similar positions as I am as they had yet to decide on a single story. It was so refreshing to see that I was not the only one racking my brain tirelessly with no luck in deciding on an idea for my film. Because of our similar positions, we were able to bounce our ideas off of each other, even though we did have completely different genres in mind. 

This experience truly helped me feel inspired and I already have a few ideas for my film. By my next posting I hope to finalize an idea. Till next time!

Genre? Again? Yes.

As I mentioned in my previous post, I plan on going with the film promotion package for my portfolio project this year. The second hardest part is now developing the story I want to use. I'm going to stick with my tried and true process from last year: working broad to narrow. Meaning, I will start with choosing the genre (broad) first and working on developing any story ideas I have from there.

This year I want to do something different. The science-fiction idea from last year was a blast, and I was extremely proud of my concept. However, this year I want to challenge myself a little more.

Option 1: Romance

One genre I typically do not seek is the Romance genre. I don't really have a reason for it, I don't hate romance, and I'll definitely sit down to watch a romance film if it's put in front of me. When it comes to romance trailers, I think the tropes are perfectly embodied in the trailer for The Notebook (2004), since it is the most "romance-y" romance film.

Tropes for this genre include: narration, slow "romantic" music, grand gestures, introduction to a plot trope (love triangle in this case), and little to no footage from the conclusion of the film.

I think a significant perk of choosing a romance genre is that the trailers seem almost formula-like, and the conventions are not hard to spot out and differentiate from others. 

Option 2: Fantasy

I loved fantasy films growing up, not as much as science-fiction, but I found that the idea of completely new worlds was so entertaining. I would get entranced in these worlds, like Bridge to Teribithia, and even create playground games based off of these worlds with my friends. Another reason I am gravitating towards this genre is because of how much more creativity I feel like I would be able to have. One of my hobbies is playing around with makeup, and this is something I wasn't able to incorporate in my last project, so being able to work with that in this medium would also be fun.

Tropes for this genre include: voiceover narration, special effects, suspenseful music, a high focus on intriguing color palettes, a magical villain, and text to further the narrative.

My main obstacle and reasoning for not settling with this genre is the use of special effects, which are integral to creating these fantasy worlds to look realistic.

Next class, I will be talking within smaller groups of my peers to get their feedback and hear about their progress; perhaps they will have some insight in to what would be best for me.

Long Time No See...

 Hello again!

It's been so long since I've posted on this blog, but I'm very excited to start again. Now that I am continuing on to the A level for this course, I am moving on to a new project.

With how indecisive I can be, the hardest part of this process is going to be choosing just what category I want to do. Last year it was clear and simple, make the opening to a film. This year I actually have choices! For this project I am able to choose between:

1. Music promotion package - music video, social media, digipack
2. Film promotion package - two trailers, social media, poster
3. Documentary package - 5-minute extract from a docuseries, social media, magazine article
4. Short film package - short film, social media, postcard advertisement

I think the reason that I am so stuck is that I really would like to do all of them at some point. During class, we have done similar projects on a much smaller scale which much less time given, and I always felt that with more time I could have made something amazing. Sadly, however, I can only choose one.

The most recent project we did in class was a distribution project in which we were given a film idea from an outside person, and my group and I had to create a teaser, trailer, and distribution plan for that film. I thoroughly enjoyed that project, and I feel that since I have much more recent experience with this topic, the best idea, for now, would be to go with the film promotion package. 

The major difference between this project and the last is that I have to create the film idea. That's an issue for future me.