Research on Titles and Credits

One of a film opening's most important detail is to include the title and the credits, so I did some research to find out the best way to incorporate this into my production. The purpose of the opening credits are to acknowledge the work that everyone has put into the film; however, only major roles like the director and lead actors are shown in the opening sequence.

Picture #1

A big part of the credits and title is the font and the size of the text. Using legible fonts are the most ideal, but it's also more eye-catching if the font relates to the film's theme in one way or another. For example, in a horror film, a scarier font might be chosen to set the mood from the beginning of the film (example on picture #1). To make the text legible, contrast must also be included. This makes sure that the text isn't blending into the background, making it hard to read. I think another important factor on credits is the timing, each credit should be shown on screen for the equal amount of time. The placement should also vary, but it should ideally stick to the sides of the screen.

Planning

To fully make use of all the time I have to create the best piece of film opening I can, I was recommended to create a schedule to plan out all my tasks in a timeline. This helps me manage my time well so I don't overwork or underwork. My schedule will be based on a guided timeline my teacher has gracefully provided me with. Let me break it down for you. 

JANUARY
Week 4 (16th - 23rd)
- When we are introduced to the portfolio project.
- Exploring and discussing ideas.
- Researching genre choices.

Week 5 (26th - 1st)
- Brainstorm ideas based on the chosen genre.
- Begin discussing the three credit sequences.
- Research on formatting and order of credits. 
- Analyse film openings for inspiration. 

FEBRUARY
Week 1 (2nd - 8th)
- Draft storyboard and script.
- Research about one media theory to integrate into the project. 
- Major inspiration for the project. 
- Reflection on group meeting. 
- Gather information on resources that might be needed. 
- Find the best editing softwares and main editing techniques planned to be used.

Week 2 (9th - 15th)
- Character development, determining mise-en-scene elements. 
- Gathering resources for costume, props, set. 
- Location scouting (if needed).
- Researching audio elements to incorporate into project. 
- Start filming over the weekend.

Week 3 (16th - 22nd)
- Research about fonts to use for credits and title. 
- Creation of production company logo. 
- Complete filming of at least the first minute and a half of the opening by the end of the week. 
- Reflection on filming processes. 
- Foley sound and costume creation.

Week 4 (23rd - 1st)
- Complete filming by the 27th (Friday.)
- Reflection on the shooting process. 
- Begin editing the film over the weekend. 
- Research Q#1 for CCR post. 

MARCH
Week 1 (2nd - 8th)
- Continue editing process (if not finished) 
- Research Q#2, Q#3, and Q#4, for CCR post. 
- Brainstorm and discuss CCR production ideas. 

Week 2 (9th - 17th) 
- Production of CCRs (most likely a slideshow with voiceovers)
- Editing of the CCRs with reflection. 
- Final reflection on the project
- Link both CCR and film opening to the blog. 

This schedule will probably change throughout this project, but I will try my best to stick to it. I'll post updates if anything does change. I think creating this schedule will really help me set deadlines for myself and make sure I meet them to ensure quality production. I've separated each task into their own mini-project and created a timeline on the app/website Notion, here's the link if you would like to take a look! 
CLICK HERE.

Portfolio Project Genre #2

The next genre I would like to explore is this science fiction genre. This genre is generally based on a world that involves technological advancements that seem impossible in modern day. Mentions of another species from a different world or dimension is also commonly seen. Sci-fi has caught my eye because of the many interesting concept that can be derived from the genre, one sub-genre that I'm particularly interested in is the dystopian fiction. What I love about this genre category is that there is a lot of freedom to what I can create for my project, and I'm excited to share what I've learned so far. 

According to Vivian Sobchack, a British cinema and media theorist and cultural critic: Science fiction film is a film genre which emphasizes actual, extrapolative, or 2.0 speculative science and the empirical method, interacting in a social context with the lesser emphasized, but still present, transcendentalism of magic and religion, in an attempt to reconcile man with the unknown (Vivian Carol Sobchack, p. 63.) This tells us that sci-fi is based on the concept of the supernatural world merging with the natural one. This genre typically targets an older generation of tech-savvy audiences, often appealing to adults aged 35-50. However, sci-fi has evolved to attract a younger audience with a strong 18-24 demographic seeking engaging and thought provoking films. 

The key component of a sci-fi film would be world-building. Establishing the setting and the rules of the universe is essential to creating an alternate place that audience's can comprehend. Just like drama, relatable emotions and characters must be presented so that viewers can feel a connection to the content. In a dystopian film, conventions with techniques could include the dark lighting, flicking light, and symbols of decay, showing the damaged society. It's especially important that dystopian fiction includes dramatic complications with relationships, which adds to character development and growth. Dystopian fiction often critiques current trends, societal norms, or political systems through exaggerated worst-case scenarios. 

An example of a sci-fi film would be the 2005 production of The War of the Worlds, based on a sci-fi novel by H.G. Wells. The alien invasion element of this movie identifies it as a sci-fi film, with fictional speculation. The plot revolves around a father and her daughter who are desperate to escape the wipe of humans by an unknown invading force. The film also features advanced technology, yet another essential trait in the sci-fi genre. The sci-fi elements of this film was captured through the expression of a technologically superior race of species attacking Earth and humanity's struggle for survival. 

The 2012 movie series of The Hunger Games is a prime example of the dystopian fiction genre. The world of The Hunger Games is based off of an oppressive society, highlighting the key element to building a dystopian world. The social inequality that is shown between the poor districts and the wealthy Capitol, paired with the totalitarian control of the government. continues to exemplify the key components of the genre. This book-based movie shows themes of distrust in the government and society, as well as class discrimination, rebellion, and the ethics of entertainment, which are all important to the narrative, highlighting its dystopian nature.

Portfolio Project Genre #1

For my portfolio project, I started researching different genres that I could use in my film opening. The first one I wanted to learn more about was the Drama genre. The previous genre I researched was musicals. However, a film opening based on that genre would be quite difficult to create. However, a big part of musical/theatre is drama. The two genres are similar in the way that they both either tell a story of tragedy or comedy. 

A typical target audience for this genre is broad, often including both men and women in the 15-29 age range. For more romantic and emotional drama films, the target audience tends to lean towards women. If I were to use this genre for my project, I would for sure incorporate heavy emotions to draw in the audiences' attention. Drama often represents realistic characters, dialogues, setting, and plots so that the audience can relate and reflect on the content. Films in this genre are usually representations or stories of realistic characters facing conflict with themselves, others, or forces of nature. Some common themes might include human nature and societal issues. The most common theme would most likely be relationships, since this genre relies heavily on how a character interacts with other characters in their world. There's usually a showcase of both external and internal conflict, which adds to the emotions of the film. 

The genre emphasises realistic dialogue and interactions. There is a heavy focus on character development, especially in the sub-genre of coming-of-age. Dramas usually build emotional tension rather than relying on actions. They show a character, or multiple main characters personal journey and developments as they navigate through the narrative world. 

An example of a production is the 2018 drama/romance movie of A Star is Born. The film primary targets adults age 18-45, attracting music lovers and fans of romance. This particular movie is considered a musical/romantic drama since it has emphasis on music elements and love themes. A Star is Born showcases the emotional journey of the main characters, a critical part of this genre. The themes surrounding love, relationships, and sacrifices attracts the audience by providing an interesting story that has authentic details. 

One popular sub-genre of the drama is medical drama, where the plot and storyline follows the complicated lives and challenges of medical professions. An example of a medical drama production would be Grey's Anatomy. The show primarily targets young adults aged 18-35, containing more mature themes. There are heavy themes of tangled relationships and personal growth within the lives of the characters, drawing the audiences' attention. The realistic storytelling of this show reflects the characteristics of the drama genre. As viewers continue to binge through the seasons, it's clear that the characters evolve through personal growth arcs. 

Introducing the Portfolio Project!

 This post marks the beginning of the portfolio project where a film opening is supposed to be created. The film opening has to capture a specific genre, have a specific purpose, and hook the audience to continue watching the rest of the film. Another important element of a film opening are the credits. Recognition and appreciation for the people who contributed to the makings of the film is needed. 

Throughout this project, I will be sharing my thought process, planning, and production through this blog! I'll try my best to be consistent with the updates, but I'm not the best at managing my time. I'm very excited to get started so allow me to share my initial plans. 

Foremost, I need to choose a genre, this will be the first piece of information that will help me start planning my film opening. After knowing the genre I want to do (through research), I'll start working on the plot of the film and how I'm going to produce my film opening. There's so much creative freedom in this project, and I'm a bit overwhelmed at all the possibilities. I'm not the most decisive person, and I think deciding on an idea for my film will be the most challenging. But after that, things should run smoothly in turns of preparing. There will be a lot of challenges with the filming and production process, but I'll share more about that when we get to that step. That's all from me for now.