KANYE READ MY BLOG!!!! *NOT CLICKBAIT*

          After our group discussion and evaluating the opinions I received, I decided to find an intro to a movie to watch that had some of the same aspects I wanted to implement into my opening scene. I went on Google and decided to search ‘teen drama movies’ in order to see what type of movies would come up. Furthermore, I wasn’t surprised to find numerous amounts of movies about teen love. I watched a total of 3 opening scenes starting with:

• Paper Towns- Begins with an establishing shot of a town with a voice over introducing the two main characters. It then switches to a young kid discovering a new girl is moving close to him (the voice over is still going) and the scene ends as the kid drops the ball he was holding in awe of this new girl and a song begins to play in at the same time. A stroke of genius.
• The Fault in Our Stars- After watching this opening scene I remembered it was another one of John Green's famous works. I will not lie I actually cried the first time I watched this movie. The opening scene begins with a close up shot of a woman (voice over as well) as she lays in the grass and remembers beautiful times she had with what seemed to be a special boy that used to give her kisses, signaling something bad happened to them. In other words the girl was reminiscing the good old times.
• The Edge of Seventeen- I decided to watch a third one in order to have more credibility if I decided to judge teen dramas later on in my blog. However, this one did not start out disappointing. It began with intense music as a girl power walked to a teachers office were she announced she was going to kill herself, and he laughs in her face. The shots were good, acting was good, no voice over, intriguing content, it has potential. I decided to let it roll a bit longer to find out the next scene had all the same elements as the first opening scene: young kids, voice over, etc. Once again I'll stick to the sophisticated movies I watch (just kidding last weekend I watched Hotel Transylvania 3 and it wasn’t even that bad it was pretty entertaining).

           “Maybe all the teen drama movies in the world start out the same way?” I thought to myself. Well self I have something important to share with you, there must be a reason why they do this. Answer: to be continued like & subscribe if you like my content and would like to see more checkout my previous blogs. I will be posting more each week as requested so comment down below what you guys want to read!

Gang Session

      WHAT IS UP BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE?

      Earlier this week we had our first interaction with other groups were we could share our ideas in order to gain some thoughts on our projects. At first I was very skeptical on how this meeting could work to our benefit so early into our project. But regardless I went in ready to take in any form of criticism or opinion that could work in my benefit. As I have mentioned before my partner and I want to create a film opening for a movie, specifically focusing on the drama category. After some discussion we decided upon a film opening were the main cast is mostly teenagers since it works to our advantage. Although this may seem very obvious we felt like trying to create an opening for any other genre or movie type would look less professional and could lower the art of the film opening.

       After I shared my broad idea with my peers I was able to receive some useful opinions on what they thought I could expand on and what they liked. For example, one of my peers pointed out that the music I implement to my opening has to represent the mood of the movie and the character development of the main character. Since it is a teenage movie it has a high focus on character development and how they grow or change throughout the film. They made sure to make me realize that I need to have a clear set up of what needs to be in the opening in order for it to make sense. We discussed a lot on how I should approach my blog and what to post about but for now they suggested I did more research and started to sketch out a storyboard. 

       Overall this activity did work to my advantage, however it will be more useful later on. What helped me the most about it was seeing the enthusiasm and dedication going to these projects. It shows that the environment around me is proactive and that what they shared with me was done in order to help me.

Types of Conflicts

                 Conflicts are essential to development of a story, whether it be internal or external. There can be many conflicts in one film but there's usually a main one in which the story builds on. In dramas there are many different types of conflicts so understanding why they matter and how to introduce them in our genre will help us in many aspects of our story development. In my earlier post I discussed how character development is crucial in drama films. Moreover, in movies there's usually a conflict taking place at the same time. While characters begin to grow or unfold it is usually while they're trying to deal with the conflict. In order to build a connection, the audience has to see the character(s) go through different conflicts, for example:


Man vs. Himself (Internal): in the mind, decisions, emotions, feelings.


Man vs. Man, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Society, etc. (External): opposing ideas, other people, surroundings, outside force.


             Listed above there’s examples of the broad categories of conflicts. There’s two types internal and external. Internal is the struggle that takes place in a character's mind, usually in movies with internal conflicts they are more focused on one character. This makes it easier to manifest the emotions taking place in the character’s head. External conflict is when the the conflict is between character(s) and outside forces.Both of these conflicts are very useful and can be critical to have a strong plot because they create tension, stakes, and (drum roll please) character development. The tension makes the audience grip their seat and wonder what is gonna unfold in front of their eyes in the next hour or two.The stakes will help create the best-scenario and worst-scenario that could occur. And I already discussed character development.


            So, what am I going to do with this information? I will be further clarifying with my partener what is it that we want our character to deal with. We have to start asking ourselves questions such as how do we want him to be introduced to our audience. We also have to try and say more about our character through their clothes, accessories, surroundings. Everything must have a purpose.






https://www.nownovel.com/blog/difference-external-internal-conflict-writing/

Character Development

                My partner and I have decided to go a different route and explore the drama genre. Drama is huge genre category that spreads out to many branches. There are a variety of subcategories under drama, but for the sake of our project I will be focusing on the key elements that each of these subcategories posses that classifies them to be under drama. Usually drama films revolve around a character(s) that are in conflict “at a crucial time in their life” (AllMovie). Drama movies tend to try and connect with their audience by developing stories that will touch on people’s emotions. It is mostly about creating a connection with the audience in order to deliver the story more efficiently. Drama’s focus highly on character development throughout the whole film. Movies are not about telling a story, they’re about telling a story through character(s). Every role must have a purpose, a specific reason on why it must be on the character. According to The Guardian one technique many screenplay writers use is they ask themselves some questions when building their cast:


Who am I? Answer: what type are person are you, shown through what drives your actions.


Where am I? Answer: It can be a literal and rhetorical question. Location, emotionally, etc.


When is it? Answer: time, season, day, etc.


Where have I just come from? Answer: what were they doing before you introduced them.


What do I want? Answer: their goal.


                 There are many more questions but I just wanted to give a few examples that show the extensive amount of work that goes into creation any role, even the most simple ones. There's constant analyzing of every aspect of the character at all points of the story. What are their strengths and weaknesses, how do they play a role, IT IS SO MUCH AHHHH!!! But when executed right it can create some beautiful roles that can revolutionize the film industry such as Forest Gump, Jack Sparrow, Doc Brown, Han Solo, James Bond, etc.


https://www.scriptmag.com/character-development


https://www.ceros.com/originals/4-character-development-tips-from-film/


https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/may/09/character-building-great-actor


https://www.filmbug.com/dictionary/drama-movies.php


https://www.allmovie.com/genre/drama-d649





https://stephenfollows.com/genre-trends-global-film-production/

Music Marketing Presentation Analysis

Hello! I"m back more ready than ever to share my experience presenting a marketing pitch influenced by the music industry. Lets rock and roll!
My partner and I were assigned a music marketing project based on the song You Are by Punch Brothers. We decided to create a new band based on the song called Younger. Younger is an indie oriented band that focuses their songs on the good old times. We shot a music video for the song we were assigned, and it came out very professional. My partner used an editing program called Premiere that helped him edit very precise and  came out professional as well. We had to prepare a presentation to present in class and it could not exceed 20 minutes. My partner and I were focused on keeping our ideas achievable and affordable. Since the project is based on an upcoming band we wouldn’t have a huge budget to work off. Therefore, it would need to be approached in the most creative way while keeping our expenses limited and realistic.
Before designing our marketing plans we had to get a deeper insight of the music industry, especially our genre. We conducted two case studies based on our genre of music in order to see what they did and if there were any patterns between both of their success. We also analyzed the record company that signed both of these bands in order to get an idea of what actual companies do. This helped us approach the project in a business perspective that would help us give a business presentation. We were giving a presentation on our business and we wanted to make sure we focused on that perspective primarily.
We decided to use platforms that anyone trying to gain exposure would use. For example, we started by building a website using Wix which already had a prototype for us that made it easy to just add information and upload some pictures. During our presentation we also discussed our use of social media but only showed our Instagram prototype since we believed it was more important to explain our reasoning behind our use of the platforms. This allowed us to expand on why we decided to use the platforms instead of showing our prototype accounts. I believe this was a risky move but when we decided to pitch our ideas we valued more the why behind it then a visualization. We didn’t have a lot of time to include everything so we stuck with the most important stuff. Below are links to our website and you-tube account.
This project helped me gain a lot of experience in preparing myself during a business like presentation. What must be done and what pace must be kept throughout the whole presentation. But, what really stuck with me the most this presentation is that my teacher later shared with us that we must have had reasoning on why we are presenting our information in a certain order. Although very obvious to some people I believe it is an important element most people forget when presenting. I will be using this knowledge in all my other presentations, essays, projects, whatever it may be because it adds value to anything. I also learned a lot about the specific uses of platforms and how artists should plan out every move carefully like it may lead to their breakthrough. It is simply about taking it slow and evaluating every move before making it.

Links:

Music video in Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kAS9nnIkOw&feature=youtu.be

Website made in Wix: https://raulpassarini1.wixsite.com/younger

Case Studies made before building a plan: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17f7FVSwxz22MjcE9iU8M1DCoMhX_P8gd9xulTLRUcU0/edit?usp=sharing

Below are some images from the music video. We actually shot these during a field trip to Gainsville with our school.

Representation: Robbers

In my final project I want to represent robbers. Robbers are usually represented as highly intellectual and extremely cautious with every move they make. Robbers either usually represented as non-violent individuals who are looking for a way to make fast and large amounts of money, or as extremely violent and their only goal is to make a lot of money. However, I want to focus on the nonviolent and more strategic group. When it’s a group of robbers each one has a role assigned and there is a definite leader running the whole production, usually the brains. Robbers in movies are shown as usually men and when women are involved their main role is to seduce someone in order for the plan to move smoothly. In the movie Ocean’s Eleven theres a group of men, and each one has a unique characteristic that without them the operation would never work.Robbers are usually shown as fearless or without anything to lose.The violent robbers usually do it out of revenge and with intentions to make someone pay for their past. With the exception of some movies robbers are portrayed as criminals and delinquents that deserve to go to jail.

 In the movie Fast and the Furious 5 the members of the group all have separate reasons for their actions. Like Ocean’s Eleven each person has different qualities that make them useful and unique to the team. They are also looking for an easy way to make money, and have thought out every possibility to the very end. They usually try to avoid all meanings of violence but from time to time there will be a fist fight, although rarely any deaths in these movies. I think the representation of this group is very pleasant. In real life most robbers are not as careful when it comes to carrying out their tasks. They usually resolve to violence when they panic, and could cost the lives of many people. Robbers in real life don’t have the qualities to allow them to make their missions so flawlessly. And usually have to fall back on fear and blackmail in order to obtain what they are looking for. Most robbers work alone and usually don’t rob millions of dollars, they usually stick to cash registers or purses.

                 I would retain the aspects of the intelligence behind these masterminds. I would like to add a little more suspense to it as well as a touch of darkness. But for the most part their knowledge is very extensive and it helps them make decisions that lower their chances of getting caught. For the most part the way they are portrayed is very nice, they are usually made so smart that they don’t have to resolve to violence to get away with what they have done. I would like to maintain that but also add a touch of suspense and insanity that will add a twist to the usual representation. I would do this by making their costumes dark and the shots being much tighter and showing very little of their body at once. Almost like keeping a distance because that won’t allow the audience to create a connection but rather wonder who this mysterious individual is.

Sources:

https://www.albany.edu/scj/jcjpc/vol10is2/dowler.html  

http://time.com/4895598/the-25-best-heist-movies/

1. Drama

1. Drama films are usually a realistic representation with a setting or a situation that show realistic characters in conflict with either others, nature, or themselves. A drama film shows the characters at their best, worst, and in between both. Each specific drama has a subject-matter theme with various kinds of dramatic plots. Drama films usually include current problems, concerns or injustices such as drug addiction or poverty. Drama films usually have a more serious tone compared to other genres.For example, crime drama is a drama built around character development based on themes involving criminals, law enforcement and the legal system. These films use popular interests to draw attention. Drama films portray journeys of character development.

1. Drama films work together with visual and oral techniques in order to support the way the director wants to interpret the writer's idea. Drama films have a steady build up with tension and determined climaxes that keep the audience hooked. One big technique used by drama film directors is dramatic irony. This technique is very effective since the audience can feel the tension starting to rise because they are aware of everything going on, while the protagonist isn't. The purpose of a drama film is to impact the audience emotionally. One way they achieve this is by creating a connection between the audience and the protagonist in some kind of way. When the connection is established it is easier to transmit the emotions the protagonist would be feeling in specific situations. Most dramas use the camera technique two shot in order to show intimacy between two characters. Directors usually try to end drama films with an emotional scene that leaves an impression on the audience.

1. Titanic (1997)- Titanic is a drama film mixed with romance. The movie is based around two different characters, one women from a high class and a poor boy who fall in love in a ship. Even Though their love is frowned upon the two young individuals continue to spend more and more time with each other. The audience can relate and connect with them since love is an emotion easy to interpret. As they begin to continue their relationship in different ways they are met with certain difficult circumstances when the boy is framed. Furthermore, as the film progresses it shows the conditions they are in as well as the outside problems such as the boat heading straight to an iceberg. The characters are not aware of the iceberg until last minute when the captain spots it. This movie has both character conflicts and nature conflicts. It creates a bond that impacts the emotions the audience feel as they see a young couple in love fighting against everything to be together. Towards the end the boy sacrifices himself to let the girl live which after hours of character development can impact the audience tremendously.

1. The Help (2011)- This movie takes place around the civil rights era, and focuses on an upcoming writer looking for a story to publish. The writer chooses to write about the injustices towards the black maid workers. The movie is closely focused on specific characters that are shown going through one of the harshest times for black women. The movie shows character development between most of the characters, as the black women begin to trust more and more the writer. The movie first begins by creating an attachment between the audience and the protagonist as she struggles to find someone to help her begin her story. It uses scenery to show the different living arrangements between the poor and the right people they work for. It uses very emotionally impacting scenes to make the audience relate swerve emotionally too.

1. 1) 12 Years of Slave (2013)- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2024544/ 2) Boyhood (2014)- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1065073/ 3) Schindler’s List (1993)- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/ 4) Whiplash (2014)- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/ 5)Birdman (2014)- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT9eWGjLv6s

Sources:

https://www.filmsite.org/dramafilms.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drama_(film_and_television)

http://www.studyit.org.nz/subjects/english/english3/2/subjectcontent/dramaproduction.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic_(1997_film)#Plot

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic_(1997_film)#Plot