Addressing Representation

     I have not noticed too many films targeted toward myself, about similar situations that I experience daily, but as I perceive some of these films, I don't believe they are an equal representation of myself or my ideas. Within my project, I think I will discuss youth and teen culture in today’s environment and maturing into early adulthood. I also hope to establish a comedy aspect to the film whether through the irony of all the characters or just the equal distribution of jokes to the characters. Comedic films such as Airplane, let all of the characters receive and play tricks on each other. But comedic films today as I have noticed, tend to focus on picking on a specific character for comedic relief; 21 Jump Street is a good example of this as the majority of the film is based on making jokes toward Jonah Hills’s character and not other characters as profoundly.

     One film that does discuss the topic of maturing into adulthood greatly in depth is Boyhood and I believe it is a solid representation of youth and growing up, especially showing the “rawness” of the situations. However often there are many more films that “powder up” a situation to try to make it more meaningful like A Fault in Our Stars. I don't feel that the representation of these scenarios is fair and the same as my own experiences. In my personal experiences, I find the irony in life as very comedic and I want to express that in my own way as I don't believe it is very common anymore in films and also within my family and friends, we all equally joke around and mess with everyone.

     Of these common representations in today’s films, I know I would want to bring my personal experiences to light in the true ways that it had happened, and not fluffing up the situation. I would want to bring irony and comedy into the story and use references to older films or parody parts of other types of genres. I believe that all creator such as myself should have the freedom to reshape how specific issues or people are represented in our own light.

Genre Research Activity #2

Comedy

Genre Conventions- content- I have often realized that in most cases in comedic films, the humor is at the expense of usually one specific character. Making jokes only toward one person or group of people and not as much of an “equal playing field” in regards to who executes and who receives the jokes and comedic situations. Great script writing is very critical in moving the story through and still appealing to audiences and keeping them laughing even in slow quiet scenes meant to be serious to relieve a strong comedic tension.

Genre Conventions- production- Usually comedies are low budget as they main sell to the audience isn't the production design or stunts, etc. but it's rather the jokes and script that sell the film. Also, having common name comedians (Adam Sandler, Will Farrell, and Zac Galifianakis), occurring in many comedies in a year or within a few years is very common practice. In marketing and promoting comedy films, it is normal to see the main characters of the film on the cover to promote the film to a large audience who a majority may like the popular main character.


Film sample #1 – Blazing Saddles (1974)-Since first watching “Blazing Saddles” it has been set as my favorite comedy film of all time by far, and possibly one of my favorite films in general. Having big name comedic actors such as Gene Wilder and Cleavon Little and Mel Brooks star in the film really attracts to their target audience and having those actors appear on the film poster also helps to quickly share with the viewers, that all these comedy stars are in one film. I believe that the endless jokes whether bold or subtle are key components of how the film flows from scene to scene. This film was released in the 1970s just after the Civil-Rights movement and Vietnam, and director Mel Brooks is known for making bold statements in unorthodox ways. The film was of a strong interracial friendship and Brooks makes sure all groups and characters receive jokes and nobody and no one is left out.


Film sample #2 – Airplane! (1980)- I am personally a strong fan of witty comedy and those films who quietly mock other films; both Blazing Saddles and Airplane! are examples of these. I can easily see intermittent parts of other genres of films put into “Airplane!” such as melodramas, and other disaster films, or other common airplane dramas. One of the stars of Airplane Leslie Nealson is a popular comedic and parody actor who is the star of The Naked Gun series. There are other household names who appeared in the film such as NBA start Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. This film had a surprisingly low budget of $3.5 million with no elaborate set but rather focusing on the actors, and story. “Airplane!” was written and directed by three friends from the University of Wisconsin, David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and, Jerry Zucker. The story for the film is based on “Zero Hour” which shares a similar plot and message but is a parody to make fun of similar movies. In my opinion, this film works to reference all different genres and subjects and tries to make jokes and parody them with great writing and actors and actresses.


List of 5-7 other film examples within the genre-


)Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/?ref_=nv_sr_

Animal House (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077975/?ref_=kw_li_tt )

Hangover (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1119646/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 )

Dumb and Dumber (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109686/?ref_=nv_sr_1 )

Get Smart (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425061/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1)

Caddyshack (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080487/?ref_=nv_sr_1)

Genre Research Activity - Post #1

1. Drama
2. Genre Conventions (content)- Drama films are often a representation of serious social issues or life events, experiences or problems and concerns. The message of the film is often bold and meaningful to the public and mentioned throughout the film. The main focus of most dramatic films is character development through their experiences, setting, and story. There are many sub-genres of Dramatic films such as love-dramas, historical dramas, crime dramas, and melodramas. The general theme of dramas from what I have learned is to show the human element throughout life, in the character's best or worst times.
3. Genre Conventions (production techniques)- There are not many strong characteristics of production techniques in Drama films. One technique, however, that I learned is common among the drama genre is that a score is usually created specifically for the emotionally tense films themselves. The main characteristic of dramatic films is the progression of the story through the characters development of emotions through situations established in the story. Most or nearly all films within the drama genre or subgenres share qualities of realism films when dealing with strong emotions human issues that occur in our everyday lives. A key production technique used in many drama films are close-ups as it adds much more emotion from the actors to the audience. Another common filming technique is to use prolonged shots with not much action as it forces the viewers to analyze the scene further and become more emotionally engaged with the film.
4. Institutional Conventions- Most dramatic films are marketed toward the middle age or older audience rather than the younger or youth audiences. A common technique to market drama films is to show the stars of the film in the trailers, especially if they are known actors or actresses because most people will see them and therefore discuss the movie that is coming out because they are familiar with the actor or actress. This technique can be shown by the marketing and trailers for “La La Land” by Summit Pictures, and “Fences” by Paramount Pictures. In “Fences” the poster is of the main actors, Denzel Washington, and Viola Davis and the trailer primarily shows that they are the main characters within the film to attract fans of the popular actors and actresses.
5. Film Sample Analysis #1- One of my personal favorite films over the past few years has been the drama of growing up in Miami in the film “Moonlight” by director Barry Jenkins. The whole plot line and the basis of the film is to follow the progression from childhood to young adulthood while growing up in a rougher end of Miami as a gay African American. It highlights on the emotions struggles highlighted in key events through the main characters life. The poster of the film is a close up of an edited photograph of the main character through stages in life, as a child, teen, and young adult signifying that the main focus of the film is that main character. The film is emotionally suspenseful constantly and revolves around the main character’s struggles. A serious issue discussed in this film, like many other drama films, is the way homosexuality is interpreted throughout someone’s life with factors such as their environment and friends or family. There are a few strong messages throughout this piece to give to the viewer regarding self-love and acceptance and regarding the path, you take through life is meaningful.
6. Film Sample Analysis #2- “A Bronx Tale” is a dramatic film focusing on the maturation of the main character growing up in New York during the mob era. It is considered a Crime-Drama because, within the film, it does portray the gangster crime acts and motives, but in order to progress the story from the main character, Calogero’s, point of view. The film highlights the tough decisions he must make as he grows up by his conservative father’s ways during the day, but mob ways at night. Techniques used within this film are close-ups of the main character’s facial expressions and long shots to make the scene more emotional. As well as, the poster of the film is a profile shot of two of the main characters who are also big name actors at the time in 1993, Robert De Niro and  Chazz Palminteri. “A Bronx Tale” is one of my most favorite films because of how emotionally enticing it is, and how it lets me believe I am there and experiencing the same things as the main character. I am able to watch this film endlessly and still be engaged with the character throughout the film.
7. 5-7 more examples-
1. “Titanic” (https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0120338/).
2. “The Help” (https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/).
3. “Forrest Gump” (https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/).
4. “Life Is Beautiful” ( https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118799/?ref_=nv_sr_1 ).
5. “12 Years A Slave” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024544/?ref_=nv_sr_2 ).
6. “Fences” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2671706/).
7. “Schindler’s List” (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/?ref_=adv_li_tt).

                         

My Blog Introduction

My name is Alex Greenberg and I am in 11th grade and not sure how to approach this blog. The purpose of which, however, is to document my procedures within my Aice Media Studies Class as I undergo my final project as I have selected to complete the film opening. I will be recording my research, planning, and thought process as I progress through the class, as well as my experiences in completing my film opening. I am unsure and slightly timid in deciding what to discuss on this blog, but I am expecting to be taken out of my comfort zone during this whole project. I am excited to be creating a full-fledged film opening by myself, but of course the help of others, with all the new techniques and skills I have learned through this class so far. I have always enjoyed studying and learning about cinematography and the digital medium, and I have really enjoyed working on all of the previous projects so far in this class which has helped make my passion grow. I hope I enjoy this project and can look back upon it and learn how to become better throughout different situations, regarding school or life.

I am very excited to share my experience throughout my creative process in creating my film opening with you all and hope you return to my blog for updates on my project and process!