Credit Sequencing

 Credits! Credits! Credits!

In this blog, I will be discussing credits with you. In your head, you may be thinking "pttf credits are the boring part of the opening that just tell you who's in the movie, BORING". But no credits are actually more than just the characters/actors, and they can actually help develop the film. The credits also include key cast and crew members, typically highlighting the production companies, major stars, director, writers, and producers. See! Credits are more than just a list; they are HONORABLE MENTIONS. Now I'm going to talk to you about my research on credits and the different techniques that filmmakers use to include their credits in their films.

Napoleon Dynamite (2004) 

Napoleon Dynamite is a very funny comedy coming-of-age film that was released in 2004. It is about a teenage boy named Napoleon who is just a nerdy teen trying to live life and deal with all the bullies at school while living with his grandmother and having a technology addicted bother. This film has a very interesting yet one of the most creative ways of integrating its credits into its opening.

As you can see, the producer used food plates, highschool ID's, and library book slips as a way to include their credits, which is such a fun and smart way to do it, as the objects help to build that nerdy, funny tone of the movie itself. As I stated in my previous blog, including the credits on a blank screen wastes seconds, although this doesn't quite introduce the characters on provide dialouge it is useful bc it sets a comedic tone. This may not be exactly how I would integrate my credits into the opening; however, I still feel this is an honorable mention of the creativity of the producers. 

MAMA (2013)

Mama is a supernatural horror movie that is about two young sisters found feral in a cabin after being abandoned for five years. The girls are adopted by their uncle and his girlfriend, but they bring with them a vengeful, protective spirit they call "Mama". Within the opening scene, the credits are displayed in a way that provides some context for the movie itself. 

As you can see from the opening, the credits are displayed over what looks to be children's drawings; they are not happy drawings. These drawings of what seem to be little girls provide context for what these little sisters may have encountered. This is used to provide context while also including credits in a way that doesn't seem wasteful of the 2 minutes my partner and I have to make our own film opening. This is a great example of a way that I may include in my film opening if our idea aligns and it goes well with the plot or theme of my opening. 

Analyzing Opening Scenes

 Finding The Right One

As my partner Jake and I are doing our research on many openings of the two genres, we are both considering them as our official opening. We both agreed to break it down into two individual openings of Thriller and Horror that really stood out to us in terms of inspiration and eye-catching. After constructing some ideas for an opening following will be the openings that stuck out to us, and I will be explaining why they stood out to me in the sense that this could have some inspiration on our opening. 

Fear (1996) 

Fear is a psychological thriller film that is based on a wealthy family known as the Walkers, who have a daughter named Nicole. Nicole begins to date a boy her age by the name of David McCall; however, he is not who they think he is. The character of David is meant to be a charming, good-looking teenage boy, but he is really a violent, manipulative sociopath. However, within the opening scene, it establishes the background and introduces the two main characters. Here is the opening.

  

After reviewing the opening scene and analyzing it, I noticed techniques that I would like to integrate into my own opening, but there was one thing that I did not like, and I will talk about why later. In the opening, the credits were placed at the beginning on a black screen, which I believe to be boring and a waste of seconds that could be used to actually have towards the scene itself. Nevertheless, a little later in the scene, the producer did incorporate the credits into the scene, which is what I would prefer to do with my own. Following the credits, the scene begins with what looks to be an overview drone shot of the city and the forest where the Walkers live. I really like this idea because it builds the character's background and where they live. I also find this smart because an idea my partner Jake and I are considering is to potentially build off of a dark forest setting. Now, for the one thing I didn't like within the opening scene. Throughout the scene, it just shows the characters of the daughter in the shower and the father running, which the father running could develop his character or even been foreshadowing of a time he might need to be running from danger, but there is no scene of danger or anxiety within the opening. Within my opening, I would like it to be sorta thrilling from the start. I want it to be nerve-racking in a way that draws people in due to their curiosity about what could happen next or throughout the rest of the film. 

Friday the 13th (1980)

Friday the 13th is about a camp in 1958 where an unidentified killer stalks within the premises; however, the campers and counselors are completely oblivious. Two counselors sneak away to make love when the stalker finds them and, unaware that this stalker is a killer, they begin to attempt to explain themselves before the killer takes both of their lives. Fast forward, there is a group of teen counselors awaiting incoming campers after being warned about the camp's past, they do not listen, and the murders continue. Here is the opening. 

Within the opening scene, I saw a lot of techniques I really liked, and I felt they really made an impact on the development of the film. To begin with, the setting being nighttime really developed that dangerous feeling or that sense/initial thought that bad things always happen at night. Then the scene cuts to a point of view shot of a figure who is seen to be walking into a cabin where the camp childern sleeping. This not only builds suspense, but the use of the point of view shot allows the audience to understand that this is a stalker or someone the camp is unaware of. Then, following the scene, the stalker is creeping up on the two counselors who snuck off into a barn, and the point of view of the figure is still used. Then the murder occurs, and I find the first murders occurring in the opening very valuable to the film as a whole because it establishes the plot while also building curiosity about the next murders. These are all great techniques and ways I would like to include in my own film opening. 

Scheduling of Portfolio Project

 MY SCHEDULE 

One thing I've learned from 10 years of schooling, especially the two years of high school, is that scheduling and time management are very important. Between outside of school hobbies and also having other classes that I might need to complete homework and study, and having an agenda to keep track of every class, the homework, and when upcoming tests and events are scheduled, is what works best for me. So with that being said im going to show you and explain how I'm planning to complete this project within my agenda. 

This my agenda I use! It is a weekly agenda because that's what works best for me, but it also works best for my project since I need to post weekly blogs, and I can schedule accordingly for the days my partner and I will film. 

Here is also a more in-depth weekly timeline of everything we will be doing throughout classes and the duration of the weeks. (Week one is already done, so this is currently week 2)

Week 2:

• Work on blogs 
• Brainstorm initial thoughts about opening (what genre, what concept, etc.)
• Ask Mrs. Stoklosa any questions if necessary 

Week 3:

• Have the genre chosen 
• Watch and analyze very well-made openings of that chosen genre. 
• At least have some ideas for potential opening stories
• Have storyboard and script done
• Make sure all blogs assigned for week 3 are completed

Week 4:  

• Discussion with partner characters for the film 
• Discuss settings and plot
• Have almost everything written down to conclude ideas 
• Find sounds or songs if necessary, or come up with foley sounds to create

Week 5:

• Begin filming 
• Do some revision if needed 
• Be sure to film behind the scenes of filming the actual opening 
• Finish filming (hopefully, if not finish first thing week 6)

Week 6: 

• Finish filming if hadnt already 
• Begin editing 
• Film editing to include in blogs 
• Hopefully finish editing and make sure everything is smooth and intriguing
• Begin CCR question 

Week 7: 

•  Finish all CCR questions 
• Finish all of those blogs 

Week 8: FINAL WEEK 

• Make sure EVERYTHING is done, finalized, and looks great. 
• Submit links 
• All done, send it to Cambridge!!!!!

Transitioning into Portfolio

Introduction to beginning my Portfolio

Created by: Selena Anciso

Hellooo Cambridge! Moving forward, my blog postings will focus on my production and research for my official Cambridge AICE Media Studies AS Final. These blogs will also consist of the behind-the-scenes production of mine and my partner's film opening, along with our whole thought process throughout the duration of the 7 weeks. I'm so excited to begin this huge project, and it's so crazy to think about the school year being almost over, along with this course. Without further ado, let's transition to the project!!!! Utilizing the knowledge I’ve learned, I feel as if I can put together a great film opening. To start this project, my teacher provided us with a lecture on film openings and the importance of creating a clear purpose from the beginning, while also not telling the full story and drawing people in. Here are some of the notes I took throughout the lecture: 

One of the purposes I would like to use for my film opening would be to develop characters. I feel this is a good purpose because when developing your character, you have total freedom and lots of ways to allow your creativity to let loose. Also, when developing a character, I can utilize techniques I've learned previously throughout the course to help me. Such as mine-en-scene, mise-en-scene is the use of costume design, make-up, props, and setting, like a character's room, to help develop that character. Dialogue is another technique that can be fun to mess around with when it comes to developing a character. You have the total freedom to decide how you want your character to talk, or the words used to develop them (the character). This is why I believe this purpose can be used very creatively to create a well-done film opening. 

Another purpose I would like to use would be to establish a background. Establishing a background is another great purpose that allows lots of freedom and lots of creativity. When establishing a background, you can use scene elements such as a TV or radio to help provide context, or also stated previosuly mise-en-scene can also help develop background even without relying on heavy dialogue. However, some short dialogue or even a voice-over (short meaning no more than 30 seconds) can also help build context or develop story/character background. With all that has been said about both purposes, I feel as if my partner and I have lots of freedom and lots of room for development, creativity, and just overall have a fun time working on it! 

Portfolio Project Genre #2

 Horror and Supernatural Horror

What is Horror and Supernatural Horror?

The genre of Horror is made to provoke fear, suspense, and emotional discomfort (made to make you feel fearful). It often portrays themes like danger, the unknown, death, and terror. Horror can take many forms: slasher, psychological, creature-based, supernatural, and more. The sub-genre of Supernatural Horror is used to demonstrate horror while including characters, creatures, or elements from beyond the natural world. 

What is the target audience?

Research shows that horror seems more intriguing to younger demographics, especially Gen Z, who studies have shown rank horror as one of their top preferred genres. A Deloitte study found that 28% of Gen Z list horror as one of their favorite genres. The primary target audience for horror is teenagers and adults, reflecting the genre’s themes, intensity, and rating restrictions.

Genre Conventions with Content:

Horror aims to evoke fear, suspense, and emotional discomfort. Its conventions often revolve around danger, vulnerability, and the unknown. Most common themes are: fear of death or the unknown, isolation or entrapment, loss of control, human evil or moral corruption, survival against an overwhelming threat. However, supernatural horror uses conventions previously listed but also includes elements that involve forces beyond the natural world. For example, their most common themes are: life after death, spiritual or religious fear, possession, curses, or hauntings, fate vs. free will, and the unseen or unknowable.

Genre Conventions with Techniques:

Handheld camera to create instability and realism, close-ups on terrified faces or disturbing details, slow zooms to build dread, point-of-view shots to align the audience with the victim or the monster, are all ways techniques are used to create that feeling of unease or suspense. Although supernatural horror is a form of horror and uses a lot of the same techniques, there are some techniques that are not used in horror to help to convey that supernatural presence. Such as, slow creeping camera movement to mimic a ghostly presence, floating or gliding shots to suggest supernatural point-of-view, sudden whip-pans to reveal apparitions, and distorted lenses to create an unnatural atmosphere.

Institutional Conventions of Horror and Supernatural Horror:

Many of these conventions that will be listed apply to the horror genre as a whole, regardless of subgenre. Dark or desaturated color palettes (black, red, grey), a central frightening figure (monster, masked killer, distorted face), isolated victims or silhouettes, sharp contrasts and shadows, typography with jagged, distressed, or blood-like fonts. Although many of the listed imagery are also used in Supernatural horror, the following listed imagery focuses on the unseen or otherworldly: ghostly figures, shadows, or silhouettes, possessed characters with unnatural eyes or expressions, haunted houses or cursed objects, mist, fog, or ethereal lighting, and blue and green color palettes to suggest coldness or death.

It (2017) is one of the most popular and highest-grossing horror movies of all time. It is a great movie that demonstrates all the techniques previously listed.  

A Quiet Place (2018) is a amazing movie that demonstates supernatural horrors due to the paranormal deaf creatures that are invloved within the plot. 

Portfolio Project Genre #1

 Romance & Rom-Com 

What is Romance & Rom-Com?

Romance is a genre that includes the subgenre Rom-Com (romantic comedy) that focuses on lighthearted, humorous tales of love, balancing comedic situations with the emotional journey of a relationship.

What is the target audience?

The target audience for romance and rom-coms is predominantly women, often ages 18-44, seeking emotional connection, escapism, and satisfying relationship journeys.

Genre Conventions with Content:

Romance and rom-coms center on a developing love story with emotional tension and an optimistic, satisfying ending, but rom-coms add heavy humor, lighthearted themes, and comedic situations, while traditional romance focuses more intensely on the love aspect of it. Such as internal emotional journeys, deep character conflict, and specific "obligatory" scenes like the first meeting and intimacy rituals, using tropes (opposites attract, enemies-to-lovers) and supporting or opposing characters (helpers/harmers, rivals) to drive the plot towards commitment.

Genre Conventions with Techniques:

Romance genres center on a central love story leading to an emotionally satisfying, optimistic ending, emphasizing character-driven plots, internal and/or external conflicts, and palpable chemistry, while Rom-Coms layer comedy and light-hearted themes onto these conventions, using witty banter, situational humor, and meet-cutes for an uplifting tone, often involving opposites-attract tropes and comical obstacles.

Institutional conventions (narrative image, marketing, etc) of Romance and Rom-Com:

Institutional conventions in romance and romantic comedy genres are established narrative patterns and marketing strategies that create a shared language between creators and audiences. These conventions shape audience expectations and the commercial presentation of the content.

The Notebook (2004) 

is a classic movie that is

a great example of the 

Romance genre. 

Ten Things I Hate About You (1999)

is a Rom-Com that is a classic and still 

very popular, even over 2 decades later