Analyzing Credit Sequences

All credits to ME!

A major element in movie openings is the credit sequence where all the people that worked to put the film together are acknowledge. This includes but is not limited to the writer, producer, director, cinematographer, editor and major actors. 

I am not sure if I should incorporate the credits in small writing on mise-en-scene objects or if I should include a credit sequence where the writing is the most important thing on the screen. I am going to conduct research to make my decision and get inspiration on how to include the credits in my production. I decided to take a look at a few credit sequences from existing romantic comedy productions in order to do my research. 

Spanglish 

The opening scene of this movie is longer than 2 minutes and the credits are scattered throughout the opening. They are not the main focus of each scene as context is being given by the protagonist's daughter's college essay. While she begins explaining why her mother was the most influential person in her life the credits appear in the lower half of the screen with a delicate font, similar to this one:  

The font matches the initial vibe of the film and it is not distracting from the scenes taking place. I like this way of showing the credits because for my portfolio project, I only have 2 minutes and I don't want the credit scene to take time away from my opening, therefore I think incorporating them while the scenes are happening is a good idea. 

Just Go With It

This opening scene does not include as many credits as I would like to include as it only shows the production studios. The opening focuses more on the context that is being explained than the credits. As I was watching I was expecting more credits to show up on the screen but they did not, it is a simple detail I would not have noticed before taking this class but now I felt like it was missing.  Nonetheless, the few credits and the title were in a font similar to this one:

I definetly plan to include more credits than just the producer since I think it my opening would be incomplete without them. I will have to find a font that matches the aesthetic of my opening, so I will keep that in mind during the planning and production process. 

The Proposal

In contrast to the previous opening, this one includes numerous credits. These appear on all different parts of the screen and they fade out as the next one is fading in. This was a little overwhelming as there were also scenes going on but I liked that the font was easy to read and if I was not watching it intentionally focusing on the credits I would not have been overly distracted by them. 

For my opening, I think I will be showing the credits at the same time as the scenes and I will try to make them noticeable without distracting the viewer from the scenes happening at the same time as I feel this is the most appropriate approach for my chosen genre. 

Schedule

Time Management 

This is definetly the biggest project I have had to work on so far and there is so much going into it that it feels a little overwhelming, therefore I thought making a schedule would help me organize myself and ensure I stay on track. 

To Do List

• Research
• Plot Development 
• Opening Planning 
• Filming
• Editing
• Revising
• Critical Creative Reflection 

Schedule

Week 1 (2/3-2/9)

• Research Film Openings and Credit Sequences
• Plot Development
• Research Target Audience
• Character Development and Representation

Week 2 (2/10-2/16)

• Storyboard
• Script 
• Casting Actors
• Set place, date and time for filming
• Possibly film over the weekend

Week 3 (2/17-2/23) 

Note: Dance competition over the weekend

• Filming scenes
• Sound (foley and edited) 
• Editing clips 

Week 4 (2/24-3/2) 

Note: Dance cometition over the weekend

• Revising clips
• Choosing best version 
• Research for Critical Creative Reflection

Week 5 (3/3-3/9)

• Critical Creative Reflection

Week 6 (3/10-3/16)  

Note: School musical daily rehearsals & night shows. Dance competition over the weekend

• Buffer week 

Week 7 (3/17-3/25)

• Buffer week 

I will try my best to stick to this schedule and start filming as early as possible since the second to last week I will be very busy and I probably won't have time to work on the project as much as the other weeks. I left that week and the week after that as buffer weeks in case I need more time for the critical creative reflection or the revision of the film opening. Maybe 2 buffer weeks seem like too much but I would rather finish ahead of time than be on a time crunch, especially in those two weeks that I know will be stressful for me. I am confident I can do this if I stay organized and stick to this schedule. 

Analyzing Film Openings

Getting Inspiration!

I have decided on a genre for my film opening: romantic comedy! I decided to take this route because I think I will have fun with it, plus it still allows me to incorporate the elements of teen drama that I wanted to include the most. I am excited to create a playful story that represents teenagers from my perspective. 

I have some ideas for the plot of my story but I thought taking a look at several film openings in this genre could help me solidify my choices and inspire me in the creation of my opening:

10 Things I Hate About You

The film opens with the credits sequence with a cartoony font that gives off a juvenile feel, the song playing also alludes to teenagers in the late 90s, when the movie takes place. It then shows the title and the scenery of the calm and residential town where the movie is going to place. The main character Kat is introduced by showing how different she is from girls her age. Lastly, the film opening shows her high school and how she walks in with a negative attitude.

This film's opening focuses mostly on character development and establishing the setting determining that these two are key aspects of the plot. In this case, music is utilized to show context and most importantly to show that Kat is not a conventional girl like her peers. The contrast between the four girls in the bright blue convertible singing together to One Week by the Barenaked Ladies in their pretty outfits and full faces of makeup with Kat in her red Dodge Dart listening to the rock song Bad Reputation by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts all by herself, judging the other girls shows that her personality being different from the stereotypical one is a key element to the plot. 

I like the way the music is used to showcase Kat's personality and how it works together with the credit's font to create a juvenile vibe. I would like to incorporate music in my film opening as I feel it is very effective at setting the tone and can also aid in developing key aspects of the plot. I would also like to focus my film opening on character development as it fits the genre and is important for the plot. 

Anyone But You

The film starts with the main character Bea speed-walking through the streets of Boston, trying to find a bathroom. She walks into a coffee shop where they tell her the bathroom is only for paying customers and the line to pay is extremely long. Then, the guy who is about to order notices what is happening and pretends she is his wife and buys her something to drink and bread to make grilled cheese sandwiches so that she can have the key to the restroom. She thanks him and they hit it off with conversation. 

This film's opening focuses on character development by showcasing the first interaction between the two main characters. It is shown how immediately they are drawn to each other and their personalities also show through the situation, with Bea being fiery with the coffee shop worker and Ben being charismatic and quick thinking by helping Bea without even knowing her. Their reactions to each other indicate their attraction and instant chemistry which opens the door to their upcoming complicated love story. 

I like the idea of the characters meeting in the opening scene because it sets the tone for their romantic relationship to start developing. Once again, I would like to focus on character development in my opening and now I would like to incorporate the first encounter with the love interest in the opening too. I think I am leaning more towards two characters who do not immediately like each other or meet in a situation that causes them to get annoyed at each other instead of them immediately hitting it off like in this opening, but I will be taking inspiration from this premise. 

500 Days of Summer

This movie's opening is a little different than the other two since there is a narrator's voice explaining who the characters are and their beliefs about love. The very first scene is the two main characters sitting on a bench visibly in love with each other, there is even a shot of the woman's hand with a ring. Then the narrator offers context by talking about the two character's childhoods and says that Tom has always wanted to find true love like the one in the movies while Summer did not believe in love because of her parents' divorce.

This opening focuses on character development as well as giving context and background information. Showing the contrasting personalities of both characters opens the question of how do they end up together, especially since they have opposing views about love. The narrator creates mystery with its last line before the credits seuqence being "but, this is not a love story." 

I am not the biggest fan of the narrator for the opening because even though it is well done in this film I think it is very hard to get it right without making it corny, what I am choosing to take away from this opening is the importance of focusing on character development and introducing both love interests in the opening instead of only focusing on one. 

Exploring genres for portfolio project

Genre Research 

The first step for my portfolio project is to choose the genre of the film opening. The genre will drive most of the choices in this project, as there are characteristics and conventions specific to each genre. I have not developed a clear story yet, but I have been brainstorming and found myself with two different ideas; a romantic comedy or a teen drama. One thing I am sure of is that I want my story to focus on teenagers as it is an age I can relate to and would like to represent from my perspective. Therefore, I decided to research and get a deeper understanding of each genre, so that I am sure which type of story I want to explore and tell.  

Romantic Comedy

In simple terms, a romantic story told in a comedic way that tends to focus on dating, marriage, break-ups, or finding true love. These are the types of love stories that make me laugh more than cry (but let's face it, I will always cry at the end of any romantic movie). There are various rom-com troupes but the ones that I enjoy the most and am interested in exploring in my portfolio project are when two characters meet by accident and an immediate spark creates, or when two very opposite characters are attracted to each other, or even when a misunderstanding causes them to spend time together until they like each other. 

Some of my favorite rom-coms are:

1. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

This romantic comedy focuses on Andie who is a writer for a magazine whose next assignment is to write an article on "how to lose a guy in 10 days" and she takes it upon herself to make an experiment and try losing a guy in 10 days. Meanwhile, her love interest Ben is confident he can make anyone fall in love with him in less than 10 days. Once they meet, their plans get in each other's way. 

I love this movie because it is not only funny but it also tells the story of two people who managed to fall in love with each other when all the odds were against them. 

2. Anyone but You

This movie is about Bea and Ben who meet in a coffee shop and spend a night together, the morning after Bea freaks out and walks out on him, when she realizes what she has done and tries to go back she overhears Ben talking badly about her to his friend Pete, so she decides to leave. Sometime after that, they reunite in Sydney because Bea's sister Halle is marrying Ben's childhood best friend Claudia, and they have to put their differences aside to not ruin the wedding. 

I enjoy this movie because it is lighthearted and fun. The main characters' contrasting personalities and their constant bickering never fail to make me laugh, and the love story is heartwarming and cute. Things go wrong for them repeatedly and they have to work together to get through it.

I really enjoy these types of stories and would love to create one myself! Other romantic comedies I enjoy are: Spanglish, 10 Things I Hate About You, Blended, The Switch, and Clueless. 

Teen Drama  

Teen dramas are relatable stories about the universal experience of adolescence. Characters navigate their coming-of-age journey by trying to find their place in the world, experiencing love for the first time, overcoming peer pressure or other personal struggles. The characters tend to be believable and genuine as they represent such a key part of everyone's self-discovery journey. This genre is extremely popular because the internal conflicts about identity, self-doubt, personal relationships, and the transition between childhood and adulthood are relatable to teenagers and adults who remember their struggles as they were growing up too. 

1. The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This teen drama focuses on the life of Charlie, a freshman in high school, who has never had many friends. He writes letters to an unknown friend where he shares his troubles and mostly everybody else's as he is more of an observer than a talker. The story explores his mental health journey and his relationships with his family, teachers, and new found friends. 

I love this story, since I read the book and watched the movie it has stuck with me. It navigates various topics that I resonate with and even though Charlie is someone who felt alone, he made me feel like I was not alone. Teen dramas have the power to connect with their audience and leave an impact on them. 

2. The Fallout

This movie navigates the story of Vada and Mia, two high schoolers who get trapped in a bathroom stall together during a school shooting. It explores the different ways teens cope with such a traumatic event, the trauma-based friendship between the two girls, and the impact the event has on them, their classmates, their families, and their community as a whole. 

The topic of school shootings is avoided most of the time but it is a real, contemporary issue in the United States and I think it should not be overlooked. I thought it was interesting to see how different people can react so differently to the same experience. Teenager's minds are fragile as they are still developing and a traumatic experience like a school shooting can have a lasting impact on them for the rest of their lives.

I would like to create a teen drama for my portfolio project as I would love the opportunity to explore overlooked issues that teenagers struggle with daily. Other teen dramas I enjoy are Five Feet Apart, All the Bright Places, Turtles All the Way Down, Mean Girls, and Easy A. 

Sources:

https://nofilmschool.com/romantic-comedy-definition#

https://glcoverage.com/2024/06/24/teen-drama-writing/

Transitioning to Final Portfolio Project

 The time has finally come!

From now on I will be focusing on my portfolio project for Cambridge, the two-minute film opening. I am a little nervous to start this process as it is the biggest (and most important) project I have had to create so far, and it feels a little overwhelming. However, I feel prepared to tackle it. All the activities and projects we have done in class so far,  have taught me about different genre conventions, camera shots and angles, representation patterns, mis-en-scene elements, sound elements, and editing techniques. As long as I apply all this knowledge to my portfolio project, the outcome is bound to be great. 

In the past two weeks we have learned about the different types of openings and the different approaches we can take. I learned that film openings can focus on different things like tone, character development, background, context, setting, conflict development, or even creating mystery. I am not sure exaclty what route I will take for my film opening, but the ones that I am considering the most are character or conflict conflict development.

One of the approaches I am considering taking is character development, as it can be a great way to start any genre of film since it introduces the main character and the personality traits that will be the most relevant to the plot. It can be explored through mise-en-scene elements that represent the characters' traits, their accent and register when they talk, and the interactions they have with others and the environment. I anticipate character development is going to be one of my favorite parts of this project as I enjoy creating characters and their unique personality traits and backgrounds. 

I am also considering conflict development because it dives right into the story and foreshadows the major plot event that the movie will be about. There are various routes I can take with this like character vs. society character vs. character or many others. 

I might decide to do a combination of these two but, it is going to depend on what genre and plot I end up going with. Nonetheless, I cannot wait for this project to slowly come together!

Music Marketing Project Part 2

Music Marketing Project Part 1

During the last few weeks in class, we have been working with music marketing and researching to develop a deeper understanding of the media world. We were assigned a group project to research an artist's marketing techniques and brand identity of an assigned genre. My group was assigned country music and I decided to research Carrie Underwood. 

I learned about her marketing techniques and how she takes advantage of technological convergence by utilizing a website, being present on social media, and even developing a fitness app to reinforce her brand's identity further. This gave me and my group a clear idea of how artists create their brands to stand out and attract their target audience.

The second part of the project consists of creating a new artist, their brand, and a music video for their first song. My group and I chose the song "Cold" by Chris Stapleton and renamed it "Shattered" which is sung by our new artist Noah Ryan. We brainstormed ideas and decided to create a storytelling-type music video and we used a story board to help organize our ideas for the music video. 

The song is about heartbreak and one person in the relationship deeply hurting the other, therefore we decided to tell the story of a relationship ending because of cheating. 

We established the target audience and overall message of Noah Ryan's brand and we created a plan for marketing and distribution, focusing on platforms like Youtube, Instagram, and Spotify and also creating a website.