Researching Names

 Researching our character's names

As a group, we all decided to do research on our own to find different options for the names we would give our characters. The two most important characters (the two sisters) have very opposite personalities and we want that to be captured within their names, while the remaining character (the big sister's friend) can have any name. All characters shown in the 2 minutes are girls. I am also pretty sure we have the perfect actors for the sisters, this is something I thought might be an issue since they have to look alike in some way. It would be me and a close friend of mine, and coincidentally enough we are told that we look alike. 

Older Sister

For this character, I envision a perfect girl, the lucky one. I really think she should have a name that fits that persona well. I decided to look up girl names that have the meaning of luck. I found a list of names I thought were appropriate, shown below.

Some of my favorites were Destiny, Felicity, Kiara, and Iris. All these somehow share the meaning of luck or something similar to it.

Younger Sister

Now for the younger sister, who tragically took her life, her name has to have a sad connotation. I found names that have meanings of despair, loneliness, sorrow, bad luck, and misfortune. This character, in the short amount of time she is shown, will visibly be in some dilemma or overly stressful situation. Below I will insert some names I really like for this character.

Now that I have some names in mind, that fit the personalities and the ideas we have in our heads for our characters, my next task is to talk with my group about them. I know they also researched names that contrast, just like the sisters do. I hope we can pick the perfect names that match our characters. I will be back on here soon with our decisions, see you all soon!

Plot and Outline

 Plot Explanation & Outline

Plot Details

As a group, we have fully decided on a detailed plot. With our coming-of-age genre, we wanted to go for a more serious plot. In our plot, Character A is our main character, she has a little sister, who is Character B. There is also another character, a very close friend of Character A, who is Character C. It is important to mention that names are still to be decided, I most likely will be making a blog about the name decisions. In our opening, the approach is to introduce our characters. In the 2 minutes, Character B takes her own life due to a situation in which she is being blackmailed. This is something no one that surrounds her is aware of, not even her own sister. The rest of the film, that we are not capturing, will be about Character A's discovery of what really happened with Character B. 

Our Story Outline

In class, we decided to also draw out our story, as a way to better understand our ideas. This also is going to be really helpful in our planning because we will know if we need people outside of our group to act. I believe this is one of the most important steps in developing our opening, as well as storyboarding which I will have a blog on as well to further explain our ideas. I will include the actual notes below, excuse the mess. 

Planning it out on just one piece was very hectic and we kept switching ideas but I am glad we were able to put our ideas together and decide. In this paper, we have included all the things occurring in our opening and some of the locations we plan on using. We also felt it was important to write down the ideas we had on the music or sounds we were adding.

I will be back soon to discuss the naming of our characters, show the storyboard, and explain every action in more detail. See you all soon!

Schedule

Our Schedule

Our team has been assigned a project that involves creating an opening scene for a movie. We've had several brainstorming sessions and discussions to decide on the genre that we wanted to choose, and we decided on coming of age. We are now working towards developing the plot further, we have the basic idea done. However, we have realized that to ensure the successful completion of this project and to reduce stress, it is really important to have a solid schedule in place. We understand the significance of having a well-made plan, especially for a project of this importance and value.

We believe that scheduling our project will help us stay organized and focused, and also make sure that we have enough time to complete the work that we need and that we are proud of. Our teacher has recommended a plan that we will follow throughout our project, which can be accessed through the following URL: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1T867K2L128zJKjqXqVWEv3h8VsbcmMg3/view?usp=sharing. 

We know that this plan may and will most likely change as we progress, but we believe that it's a good example to follow. Overall, we are set to complete this project successfully and to the best of our abilities. We believe that having a solid plan in place will help us achieve our goals and deliver a fantastic opening scene. Personally, I am super excited to keep going with this project and to be able to update you guys on here as well. I will be back soon with more information, see you soon!

Movie Opening Samples

Coming of age Openings

Once my team and I identified the specific genre we wanted to focus on, we began the process of searching for movies within that genre, which is coming of age. This is a very important step in our process as it allows us to get a better understanding of the genre and potential themes that are commonly associated with it. By analyzing these movie openings we can draw inspiration from when developing our own opening scene. I choose to look into the opening scenes for the following films: Lady Bird (2017) and The Virgin Suicides (1999). Both of these being very popular movies in the coming-of-age genre.

Lady Bird (2017)

The opening scene of "Lady Bird" is a remarkable display of filmmaking that immerses the audience in the complex relationship between Lady Bird and her mother, laying the emotional foundation for the rest of the film. It captures the essence of Lady Bird's rebellious spirit and her strained relationship with her mother, foreshadowing the challenges she will face as she navigates the transition to adulthood. The conversation between Lady Bird and her mother highlights the generational differences in their perspectives, reflecting the broader theme of the evolving parent-child dynamic. The main approach for this opening is conflict, the conflict being that Lady Bird wants to go to college on the East Coast while her mother does not want her to mainly due to financial issues. This approach is one that my team and I were planning to go for too. 

One aspect that could serve as a source of inspiration for our project is the simplicity of the credits and title used in the movie. The credits are displayed towards the end of the scene with a relatively small font size, which does not take away from the focus on Lady Bird at her school mass. This approach allows the audience to remain engaged in the moment without any distractions. When the title "Lady Bird" appears on the screen, the use of big, fancy font makes it stand out and creates an impact. It is a subtle yet effective way to introduce the movie's title and leave a lasting impression on the viewers.

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

The opening sequence of "The Virgin Suicides," directed by Sofia Coppola and released in 1999, is a wonderful introduction that sets the tone for the entire film, meaning that is its direct approach. The cinematography in this sequence creates a dreamlike atmosphere. This opening shows the approach of the film's tone and introduces the sisters as central characters, while also introducing the setting where these sisters reside. The Lisbon family residence, featured in this scene very strongly, takes on a character of its own which shows the importance of it very well. 

This opening has an amazing soundtrack, which not only complements the visuals but also plays an important role in establishing the emotion in the narration. It is a noteworthy element that I find worthy of considering for our own project since it can really enhance the viewer's engagement.

This opening relies a lot on narration. The narration comes from the commentary of a group of neighborhood boys who were captivated by the Lisbon sisters. This perspective adds a layer of reflection, framing the events through the lens of other people who are on the same page as the audience. I really like the use of keeping even some characters confused, to me that means people will pay attention more to detail. Something that leads to more engagement which is just what an opening should do. This technique shows the balance of offering content without fully revealing everything, keeping the audience intrigued and curious.

Lastly, I think my favorite part of this opening scene is the title. It is such a wonderful take on an artistic and unique title. It also really resonates with those who watch coming-of-age films, something like "silly doodles" makes it more relatable. That title slide makes the audience remember the film and plot better since it captivates them.

Researching My Genre

Coming-of-age

Here I have included some well-known coming-of-age movies.

First things first, I have decided to work in a team with my two close friends Alex and Lucia, this is something I am very excited about. As a team, we have been putting a lot of thought into our upcoming project, which is a 2-minute opening scene. After much contemplation and discussion, we have decided that the coming-of-age genre would be the perfect fit for what we have in mind. Our decision to choose this genre was based on our collective experience and knowledge of the genre. As a team, we have watched many movies belonging to this category, and we believe that our understanding of the genre can be put to good use in this project. 

We are fully aware of the current popularity of coming-of-age films worldwide, and we are confident that this particular genre will resonate well with teenagers like us. Coming-of-age movies typically revolve around the themes of youth, growing up, and maturing, with a strong focus on a central character arc. The genre often explores the emotional and psychological challenges that these characters must overcome to reach the next stage of their lives.

In these movies, a protagonist is usually a young person who is facing the first major event of their life, such as leaving home or starting college. The protagonists in these films are typically relatable and engaging, and their transformative journey toward adulthood can be both entertaining and inspiring. Coming-of-age films are a popular genre that captures the emotional turmoil, challenges, and transitions that young people face while growing up. 

These movies often incorporate a mix of dramatic, comedic, and musical elements, occasionally blending in other genres like action or horror, although this is relatively uncommon. While most coming-of-age films include a degree of romance, which often depicts the protagonist's first romantic experience, there are exceptions to this. 

The genre delves deep into the complexities of teenage life, portraying the protagonist's journey as they navigate their way through this challenging phase of life. The common themes and pacing of coming-of-age films lend themselves well to slice-of-life narratives and highly personal stories, making them a compelling and realistic portrayal of teenage life. 

Many coming-of-age films take on an autobiographical or semi-autobiographical nature, using the writer or director's own life and experiences as the basis for the protagonist's journey. For instance, the critically acclaimed film Booksmart is a perfect example of a coming-of-age film that explores the personal experiences of the writer and director. As a result, it offers a highly relatable and realistic portrayal of teenage life, making it a must-watch for fans of the genre.

After all, we believe that a genre all about younger people is our best bet in what we want to create. It is a genre that me and my team feel like we understand very well. I am excited to dive deeper into this project and tell you all about it. I will be here soon again to tell you more about my project. 

Transition Blog Post

Hi everyone! I am excited to share that today, February 9th, I have started working on my portfolio project which I will be documenting through my upcoming blog posts until April. The highlight of this project is a two-minute-long film opening that I have to create as a part of my AICE exam. I'm looking forward to the challenge and can't wait to share my progress with you all. Every week I will be coming on here and explaining my process, giving updates, and sharing my decisions.

For now, the approaches I am looking to take include tone and character. I will be approaching tone with the use of colors. A great and easy example of this is having this very melancholy and sad character while having a blue tint shown on screen. When this character can expand and grow to a better version of themselves there will be more colors shown. The difference in colors and brightness shows the change in mood. A change in saturation could also be used in this example.

A different approach I would take involves the development of a character. To achieve this, I plan to utilize a variety of mise-en-scene elements such as costumes and settings. By using these elements, I can show the growth and development of a character. Going off the same example I used from the tone approach, I could show the character's growth in costume and setting changes. In the beginning, the character could be shown with dark and baggy clothes but ends in fitting brighter clothes that correlate with their personality. Also, the change in the character's room is a great way to show someone's growth. 

I hope that my project goes well and that I can achieve all my goals for my portfolio. I know that I will have to stay focused and keep pushing forward, even when encountering obstacles along the way. I am confident that I can make great progress and achieve the success that I am hoping for.

Music Marketing Blog Post #2

My Marketing Campaign

    As part of our project, we were given the task of creating a campaign for a pop artist and a music video, and we chose the song "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)" by Adele. As a group, we conducted research on the pop genre to gain a better understanding of its trends, popular artists, and successful companies. This research was crucial in helping us come up with effective strategies for our campaign. We drew inspiration from Adele, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Harry Styles to create a plan.

    We started by brainstorming the brand and music video's look, which we wanted to have a feminine touch. Since the song is about a guy who can't commit, we decided to depict a relationship ruined by his immaturity. The small storyline part of the video showed our artist, Rayn, finding out about her ex's new girlfriend and making her think about how he treated her. The video ends with her knowing her worth and knowing what she deserves. We faced some challenges in coming up with a coherent concept, but we overcame them by creating a storyboard to help us organize our ideas.

    Our primary goal was to develop a presentation that would resonate with our target audience. This was the most challenging aspect of the project since we had to develop ideas that made sense and connected everything. We wanted our marketing strategies to be well thought out and make sense for our target audience. We aimed to create a unique brand that would appeal to our specific audience. I really believe we were able to show and explain everything just how we wanted in our presentation.

    During the video production process, we encountered several challenges, with the most significant being scheduling a day that worked for everyone. Coordinating everyone's availability was a bit frustrating, but we were able to figure it out. Despite that, we managed to wrap up filming in just one day. We knew exactly what we needed, and we were able to get more than enough shots to create a mix of promotional content and storytelling. We chose to focus more on the promotional aspect of the video since we believed it would complement our artist, Rayn, better. We wanted to highlight Rayn's DIY approach to music videos, and we thought a home-video vibe would be the perfect way to achieve this. Here I will include some behind-the-scenes of our filming. 

    During our project, we found that editing was definitely easier than other tasks, except when having to line up the song with our video. One strategy that worked particularly well for us was to upload the clips into our editing program as we filmed. By doing so, we were able to keep track of what scenes needed to be re-filmed and what was missing from the final project. This approach provided us with a clear idea of what we needed to do to improve the quality of our work and helped us to stay on top of the editing process from start to finish.

    I had a great time working on this project, even though it was stressful at times. I learned a lot from it, like the steps involved in creating a successful campaign or music video. Working in a group also taught me the importance of communication, which was crucial for our project to work out. It was eye-opening to learn about how artists establish themselves and make a name in the industry. I realized that it's not as easy as it seems, but it's definitely possible. I also learned the significance of planning, which played a key role in the successful completion of this project. In my  Cambridge portfolio, I know that I need to focus on planning and giving myself specific deadlines and steps to follow. I hope I can fully focus on my portfolio with appropriate time management.