My first group meeting... things got real!

Dear Amazing Readers,

Hope your doing well, I am. I recently did my first group meeting for the film opening project. I got with other fellow classmates who are also working on their own film projects. Everyone brought their own cool interesting ideas regarding how what they are thinking about their projects. I got to work with a lot of classmates who are interested in sports genre  type movies which I thought was interesting. I am first going to discuss the feedback I got regarding my own project and the ideas I should consider.

For context, if you are reading this blog you know that I want to create a mystery film opening. My plot revolves on the disappearance of  a person and a detective finding clues and hints to what happen. I am hoping that later down in my plot, the detective slowly realizes that they are entangled in this disappearance as well. Showcasing my idea for my plot here's some of the feedback I got back

My Project Feedback/ Discussion

• Incorporate a reason for the disappearance, in this case alleged drug abuse  could be a good reason for the disappearance

• Pick a time-period that this mystery could take place with the resources I have. I decided late 90's to early 2000's. I need to research this so my mise-en-scene elements are accurate and look realistic.

• Mise-en-scene props I could use, case files and missing people posters!

• Use sound effects like camera shutters if I use a camera in opening.

• Research the film opening for "Black Phone". A horror movie about who is kidnapped my a masked killer. The opening uses different props that could be used in a mystery setting.

My Classmates Projects!

In my group project, I ended up working with 4 different people. They all brought their own unique ideas to the conversation. Here's some highlights from our conversations.

Sameera Project

https://aicemediaperiod7aug30.blogspot.com/

-Based on brothers baseball games
-Inspired sandlot, a sports comedy
-Two young boys come together to play a game of baseball to win

We recommended she used bright yellow/orange hue filter and worked on figuring out the two main characters relationship/character dynamics. I recommend watching movies like "School of Rock" or "Goonies".

Vanessa Project

https://sighnessa08.blogspot.com/
-black phone and scream inspiration in film openings
-mise-en-scene elements to 90s
-Main character wears scrubs (college student male), Dental assistant or nurse practitioner. Hates his peers, once doctors approval

We recommended she used different shots like over the shoulder and four squares to depict four different scenes.

Arianna Project
https://avaa26047.blogspot.com/
-Sports drama
-Gymnastics something happens to her
-gymnastics falling and breaking her leg as a little girl

We recommended for her to flesh out her story more and to work on her characters.

Will Project

theblogger8821.blogspot.com

-Sports comedies 

-happy Gilmore inspired

-tournament or girl (his motive)

-he does sports (golf) to impress girls (plot)

-He(main character) not good at golf

We recommended for him to make the main character primary motive to be to impress a girl instead of a tournament due to the filming resources he has.

Mystery Credit Sequences...spooky

 Hello Dear Readers,
Hope you are doing well. Continuing my research on film opening I would like to discuss credit sequences in mystery films! I will be analyzing all factors that come into play when creating these sequences. All these films are either films in the mystery genre or films that have strong mystery elements in the plot/storyline! Lets go!!

(A Simple Favor, 2018)

A Simple Favor stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively and is about Stephanie who is a vlogger and Emily who has a successful career and rich lifestyle. Emily mysteriously disappears so Stephanie tries to find her and launches an investigation finding hidden secrets about Emily's life along the way. The opening uses the song "Ca' c'est arrange" and looks like a slideshow of different images and objects from the story. The images are shown and quickly go off-screen, it includes all the major names(people who worked on the project) needed in the opening. I personally like the different colors and how the song matches the fast pace of the slideshow. It sets the tone of the movie pretty well.

(Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleased)

Scooby Doo is a beloved mystery series that needs no introduction. The series in the early 2000's was rebooted into live-action movies. This is the sequel to the first live-action movie. Personally not a big fan of the movie, but I can appreciate the impact Scooby Doo has on the mystery genre. This credit sequence goes with the spooky theme of the film itself and is a sequence of a monster flying through the city, the sequence follows the monster which I think is pretty cool. The font also stands out from the night sky and continues the spooky theme of the movie. The opening sequence perfectly sets up the mood/ tone the movie wants the audience to feel.

https://youtu.be/AuMu4Hmk_s8?si=JyHVEaOTwCIgzdu-

(silence of the lambs)

Silence of the Lambs is about an FBI agent who has to work with a canniabal killer in order to catch a serial killer on the loose. The Opening title sequences uses big bold letters and dark ominous music. Setting the tone of the mystery that’s about to come.

My Project Schedule!

 Hello dear readers!

Since we have already started working on the project and discussing and researching the potential genre for the film opening I have decided to create a schedule for the film opening. Here's my filming schedule all the way until the deadline of the project. 

Me and my Partner both collaborated on this schedule together! Thank you Samia!! Excited to start working on this project.

Week One (2/3-2/9) Brainstorming Period

-Work On Blog Posts

-Decide the Genre!!

-Have some story/plot ideas in mine (write down in notes)

-Research and watch mystery films from different types of subgenres

Week Two (2/10-2/16) Writing Period

-Work On Blog Posts

-Work on script and storyboard (VERY IMPORTANT)

-Discuss key mise-en-scene elements 

Week Three (2/17-2/23)

-Work On Blog Posts

-Finish up script and storyboard

-Work on mise-en-scene elements 

-Work on characters elements

-Focus on audio planning

-Dicuss and decide filming locations and actors

Week Four (2/24-3/2) Start filming by early March Filming Period 

-Work On Blog Posts

-Have a final shot list (IMPORTANT!)

- Start filming establishing shots

Week Five (3/3-3/9)

-Work On Blog Posts

-Film key scenes

-Record Foley and voiceovers 

-Start editing if possible!

Week Six (3/10-3/16) Editing Period!!

-Work On Blog Posts

-Finish filming by now! Reshoot anything if needed 

-Work on the first cut of the opening 

Week Seven (3/17-3/25) Last week of Work!

-Revise/re-edit the opening if needed

-Draft/Review and finish working on CCR

-Work On Blog Posts

I am excited to start the writing phase of the project soon! I will update you guys soon on how that goes! Bye :)

Mystery: The Genre⋆˙⟡♡

 Dear Readers,
Me and my partner have decided to do mystery as the genre for our film opening. Mystery films usually revolve around a problem or solution to a mystery which can either be a crime case, investigation, or a problem that is affecting the characters and their environment. Most horror films can have mystery elements like for example Nosfuratu is a movie with a lot of mystery elements and plot points.

Target audience of these films are usually for true-crime enthusiasts. Mystery films allow for the target audience to try and use logic and create a solution for the mystery and problem at hand with the limited information the story gives them. It's like one big visual puzzle for the viewer.

Common tropes in Mystery Films:

-Usually revolves or has a detective character

-Lots of files or crime bulletin board with possible subjects

-Usually revolves the death or disappearance of a character or multiple characters.

-Some characters do not believe in the mystery or think it's a hoax

-A chase scene (car or running)

-PLOT TWISTS!

Mystery films or films with mystery elements always or most of the time subvert expectations with the viewer. Plot twists are a common element in these stories. Executing plot twists can be difficult and create possible plot holes within the story. It's important that while I am planning my film opening to include me already knowing how the rest of the story and film would plan out. I need this in order to add bits of foreshadowing here and there in the opening.

Fun Fact: Edgar Allen Poe had an involvement in the creation of mystery through his literary works!

Mystery films also rely on music and non-diegetic sound to create the tone and mood of the scene. You can see this a lot in film openings like Knives Out and Clue. Music is very important and choosing the wrong music can break the tone and feeling of the scene all together.

Citations:

https://dailybruin.com/2022/05/22/cinematic-culture-mysteries-let-audiences-find-logic-and-security-in-a-confused-world

What Genre are we choosing? It's a mystery... (literally)

 Hello dear readers,

It's time to chose my genre for my film opening. To be honest, I wasn't able to decide between both of them. I think they are both two good genres I am very interested in exploring, but all roads lead to a decision and in this case, I have mine. In order to compromise with both of my options and decided to do Mystery Drama! Mystery films have always interested me and I am willing to explore more regarding this genre. So what are some good mystery film openings...

One good mystery film that I enjoy is Knives Out (I am very excited for the spinoff that comes out this year). Knives out is a mystery crime movie which revolves around the Thrombey and the death of there grandfather. I honestly enjoyed this film way more then I expected (not my top four though, Letterboxd users know). One of the things I really enjoy about this film is the use of foreshadowing, this movie allows for viewers to quickly catch on onto the clues and hints of who the killer might be, but allows for the viewer to still be shocked about the outcome. 

(Knives Out Opening Scene)

One of the things that I enjoy about this film opening is how it quickly introduces the mystery of the story. The array of shots of different objects around the house also hints and slightly foreshadows some elements of the story and mystery that will be integral later in the movie like for example, the coffee mug with "My House, My Rules, My Coffee" which is used at the ending when Marta gains the Thrombey estate. Also, important thing to note is that the music is integral to setting up the mood/tone of the mystery.

                                                                  (Enola Holmes Film Opening)

Enola Holmes is also a good mystery film that revolves around the sister of Sherlock Holmes. While the film opening in this film doesn't immediately reveal the mystery of the story, it does set up crucial background information about Enola's character and her family. For example, the film opening reveals that Enola's mother likes word games and puzzles, which is a crucial detail and plot point we see later on in the mystery of the film and the disappearance of Enola mother.

(Clue Film Opening)

Clue is another mystery film with a film opening that creates the tone of the story. The music again is another key element which builds the tone of the film. It's also important to note that the opening uses an establishing shot of mansion which is the setting in which the mystery takes place. The butler is also introduced which gives the reader the impression that he is an important character to the upcoming mystery.

Mystery V.S. Teen Drama. Who will win?!

 Hello Readers!
Currently, I am researching genres that I could use in my film opening. Picking the genre is a good starting point since it's specific enough to allow me to start working yet broad enough to allow me to make future decisions. There are many genres to choose from, but I chose two genres that I would be interested in exploring for my film opening. I am always open to other options, but for now, these are the ones that catch my eye the most.

Teen Drama!

      

The teen drama genre usually depicts coming-of-age stories about the teen protagonist going through a character arc finding themselves or going through a huge change (usually lifestyle, like moving or dealing with loss). It basically depicts challenges and turning points in a teen's life. I really enjoy teen dramas like Lady Bird I think they can offer a mature take on adolescence while also being fun and offering a realistic take on adolescence. Teen dramas can focus on serious sometimes niche topics like Teen pregnancies and underage drinking/substance abuse.

If I were to do a teen drama as my genre for my film opening or something similar I would definitely explore/introduce a conflict where the protagonist feels different maybe visually, but figuratively it being socially.

Mystery!

           

Mystery movies usually revolve around a conflict that involves solving a case or crime. The protagonists are usually the detectives or witnesses who hear about the crime or are involved in the crime in someway. These film's climax centers on the protagonist solving the mystery or crime and punishing the murderer in some way. Films like these sometimes leave clues and hints and use major foreshadowing of the events that will take place during the first few scenes/first act. Mystery films need to engage the audience to keep them to try and solve the mystery before the movie reveals it itself. These movies are quest-driven and reveal the plot/conflict as soon as possible.

My Last Thoughts...

These two genres definitely interest me and are both things I would be willing to explore and later pursue in my film openings. For now, I am gonna continue to watch and analyze different films from these genres and use this as an excuse to watch Lady Bird. Goodbye!

The beginning of the end... The Portfolio Project!!

 Hello Readers!!
After one big semester of learning everything from genres, and camera angles, and practicing the written part of the AICE Media Studies exam, we are finally ready to start the portfolio part of the exam. To sum up what the portfolio project entails we basically have to make a 2-minute film opening that is new fiction film. In class, we learned all the specific details and requirements that come with this project. Before learning about this project we had a lesson on film openings and all the factors that come into play when making an opening. Here's one of my favorite film openings. I think it executes all the factors that are needed to make a good film opening pretty well.

I want to approach my ideas and planning for the film project with an important consideration for each detail and each decision I will be making. I need inspiration to help create some ideas for what potential genres and direction I will be taking with my film opening. The best way for me to get inspiration is to watch movies from genres I enjoy and films that I enjoy in general and dissect their title sequences. For example, in the "Coraline" title sequence, I reason I enjoy it, is because the title sequence gives us insight into what will happen later on, which in this case is Coraline receiving that doll.

Throughout the next couple of days, I will be finding ways to brainstorm some ideas and possible genres for my film opening. See ya soon