Representation

A group that I may want to represent within my project is teenagers in high school. There are many different types of ways in which teenagers are presented in films due to stereotypes. For example, the smart and quiet teens are stereotyped as a nerd,  cheerleaders as popular or cool, and athletic guys as jock. Most of these stereotypes take place in high school, which to many is the hardest cycle in being a teenager. High school is a place where many have trouble fitting in due to the fact that they don't meet specific standards. This is why many teenagers begin to change who they are and start hanging out with the wrong group of friends. It's always about fitting in.

For example, films like The Duff is a perfect example of how teenagers are represented nowadays. The main character, Bianca who is not like most girls because she only has 3 friends, dresses different, and is really smart, has a crush on her next door neighbor, Wesley who is a popular jock. Bianca thinks that there is no chance Wesley would ever see her in that way as she is not the prettiest girl in the school and is considered a loser. The popular girl in the film, Madison is of course the mean cheerleader who is dating Wesley, since they are both the most popular kids in schools. What's good about this movie is that it shows how stereotypes can be broken because at the end Bianca, the loser, ends up with Wesley, instead of Madison the popular cheerleader. Another example, is the film, A Cinderella Story. This film is about a girl named Sam, who has never really had a good high school experience , as all she does is study and work. Ever since Sam’s dad died, she has been forced to live with her evil stepmother and evil stepsisters, who make her work all day at their diner. Sam is also considered a loser, since she only has one friend named Carter, does not really talk to anyone, and studies all day. Sam seems to have a crush on the most popular guy in school named Austin, but Austin doesn't even know she exists until Sam goes to a ball dressed completely different, almost like Cinderella. Austin did not know that it was Sam because it was a masquerade ball and also because Sam refused to tell him who she was because she thought that someone as great and as cool as him would not want to be with such a loser like her.  Like all love stories, Austin ends up finding out it was Sam and chooses to accept her because different clothes doesn't change who she is. And they end up falling in love and living happily ever after.

I do not think that it is fair the way high school teenagers are represented. Not all teenagers are the same and this just causes them to want to change who they are just to fit in. Why can’t cheerleaders be nice? Why can't nerds be popular? Why can't jocks date losers? The representation for teenagers is just not correct as not all cheerleaders are dumb and mean and not all nerds are losers. I wouldn’t really retain any of the representations for teenagers because these stereotypes are what cause many problems for many in high school. I would want to challenge all the representations, but if I had to pick one, I would pick the one where someone different and smart is considered a loser. I believe that being like everyone else is boring which is why being different actually makes you stand out, which I would see as more of a good thing than bad because why would you want to be like everyone else? Finally, I think that being smart and having one or two real friends is way better than being dumb and having hundreds of friends because at least you have true friends and have a bright future ahead.

Horror

1. Genre: Horror
2. Horror films are definitely one of the oldest and most popular film genres. Not to mention that this type of genre is also one of the hardest to produce due to the fact that it has to contain a specific amount of suspense while still following a story. There are no limits to horror film as they can be just about anything from fiction to nonfiction. In most films there is always a villain which can be characters such as aliens, monsters, demons, or spirits, but of course when there is a villain, there is always a hero which in many cases is the main character of the film. These films usually try to use realistic human problems so that the audience is even more frightened because they can relate to it. Overall, the main purpose of horror films is to create a feeling of terror for for the entire audience, which is not easy because what some people might find scary, others don't.
3. There are numerous techniques involved in horror films which all aid in storytelling. Some of these techniques are mise-en-scenes, such as lighting, set design, location, and costume design. These mise-en-scenes all play a specific role, but all have the same aim which is to create suspense and make the audience nervous. The location of these films are usually in an isolated area which lets the audience know that there is no way for the characters to call for help or are able to escape. The type of lighting used in these films is usually low key lighting as horror movies are supposed to be dark and frightening. This sort of lighting is commonly used when the villain appears on screen or to show when the characters are feeling sad or scared. The costume and make-up design is also an important factor as it gives the audience a sense of who the characters are. For example, its common to see the hero in nice bright clothes vs. seeing a villain in dark raggy clothes due to stereotypes. The most common colors in these film of course  are dark, such as grey and black to create a sort of spooky mood and the color red which symbolizes blood. Props such as guns, knives, and chainsaws are used in these films because they give a sense of danger, and obviously are deadly. Sounds such as diegetic sounds are probably one of the most important techniques in these films as they can be used for all sorts of things like, creaking, breathing, footsteps, and screams. Camera angles such as low angles are used to point out the characters in a moment of weakness and high anges are used to point out their moment of power and strength.
4. Horror films are usually marketed by posters, magazines, talk shows, and of course, trailers. It's easy to say, that trailers are probably the most popular way that these horror films are advertised. Cliff hangers such as “Omg did she die?” or “Who is the killer?”  are left at the end on purpose to make the audience crazy about not knowing what happened which makes them want to watch it. These trailers show just the right amount of information to catch the audience's attention, but does not give away the entire movie. The target audience for horror films ranges from ages 16-30, as age 16 is the common age where teens are mostly interested in horror movies and past age 30 is when many adults don't find these movies scary or entertaining anymore . Most of the covers advertising horror films, include the main character or victim, the villain, and the location of where it takes place. Talk shows are also used to have some of the cast members answer some questions about the film which gives the audience a taste of what they are in for.
5. Would You Rather (2013) - This film is a perfect example of horror film conventions. The film is about a woman named Iris, who has been taking care of her seriously ill brother for as long as she can remember. Iris’s brother, Raleigh,  is in desperate need for a bone marrow transplant which is why Iris was willing to do just about anything to get money. Iris decided to accept an offer from a wealthy philanthropist who just tells her that she can win a lot of money if she simply goes over for dinner, but little did she know the catch. The location of this film like many horror films is in a isolated house, which is owned by the philanthropist. In the film, you can find the philanthropist and all his servants wearing dark colors like black and grey suits which gives the audience a sense of authority and power. The lighting plays a big role in this film as well because as Iris enters the dining table, low key lighting is used to show suspense. Basically what is happening at dinner is that the philanthropist is making them play a game, called “Would you Rather” which is when you have to pick between 2 dares. This sort of game was different because if the guest did not complete the dare they would die and the winner at the end, unlike them would receive a huge amount of money. Most props used in this film play a crucial role in storytelling as they are how many guests die. Some of these props include an electric shock operator, a gun, a timer, a whip, a knife, and barrel. For example, the timer is used to show the audience that the characters have a certain time limit to complete their dare and the barrel was used to show how Iris had to dunk her head in a barrel full of water for 2 minutes, which is really hard to do, but she did it. Lastly, close ups are used many times in these films to show how each character is feeling during the time of their dare.
6. Truth or Dare (2018) - This film is about a group of teenagers who go on vacation to Mexico and end up playing a game in a abandoned house.The setting of the abandoned house is once again in an isolated area to give a sense of terror. This film is about the teenagers having to complete their dare or else the spirit of the game takes possession of their body and it kills them. The game is called truth or dare and even though the teenagers returned to their hometown from vacation, the game followed them. This is a different type of truth or dare as the spirit pushes the teenagers to reveal all their deepest secrets. The main prop used in this film is a computer as in order for the teenagers to stop playing, they have to get other people to play, which is why they take a video of themselves and posted it for everyone to see. The usual lighting that is used for horror films, which is low key lighting is used in this film when the spirit takes over someone's body. The close up shots also play a crucial role in showing the audience when the spirit has taken over, since the spirit has a sort of demonic look.

http://iconicpictures.weebly.com/conventions-of-horror.html

https://www.scribd.com/document/170085799/Target-Audience

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

1. Genre: Drama

2. Drama films are without a doubt, one of the largest film genres as it can be applied to a wide range of sub genres. A dramatic film mostly relies on in-depth character development, interaction, and highly emotional themes. The reason for this is to keep the audience entertained and on their feet at all times. A Dramatic film is more of a serious film that shows us human beings at not just our best, but our worst. These films aim to make a connection with the audience, so that they can feel involved and relate to what is happening. Making the audience feel as if they have some sort of connection to the film gives a more likely chance that they will enjoy the film, and come back for more.

3. In order to make successful films, Dramatic films like all films, use many types of production techniques. The mise-en-scenes, such as lighting, set design, costume designs, and location contribute tremendously in telling these types of films. For example, the costume design plays a huge role in letting the audience know more about the characters and their historical period. For example, if a women character is wearing an old dress with a different type of pattern or material that covers almost her entire body, the audience can better infer that the story took place a while ago as many women in the past, did not show a lot of skin. Lighting is also important for setting the mood in these films. There are all sorts of lighting that can be used in dramatic films like for instance, the most commonly used, high key lighting and low key lighting. High key lighting is used when something happy or exciting is happening and of course, low key lighting which can be used when there is a plot twist and something goes wrong. Not to mention, that soft lighting can also be used to set a romantic mood. The set design and props that are in dramatic films really help in telling the story as it gives it a sense of realism. Dramatic films know that in order to really catch the audience's attention, it has to use props that relate to everyday life, such as alcohol, phones, and knives. Making the film seem as real as possible is what makes the audience want to come back for more. Another major technique is the location of these films as it helps the audience better understand the geography, culture, and once again, historical period. Camera shots and angles are critical in dramatic storytelling as it helps make the audience feel what the character is feeling. For example, high and low angles of close up shots are used a lot to show when a character is either vulnerable or really passionate about something. Lastly, color in dramatic films is significant as it also helps create the mood. For example, during a romantic scene, cool hues like violet, blue, and white might be used, but during a crisis, warm hues like red and orange are used.

4. Dramatic films like most films are marketed by trailers, posters, magazines, and talk shows. Trailers are probably the most popular ways that these dramatic films are advertised as it lets people see some sneak peaks of the movie by not completely spoiling it. Trailers are meant to let the viewers get a taste of what the film is about, but leaving them curious enough to wonder what happened next. Most of the covers advertising dramatic films, include the main characters and location. These sorts of films aim to have popular celebrities starring in them, so that when the film puts them on the front cover of a poster or magazine, the celebrities’ fans will be dying to see it. Talk shows are also used to have some of the cast members give their opinions about the film and tell the audience a little bit more about the film. Since there is a broad range of sub-genres, there really isn’t a main target audience, but for the more girly films, it is mostly women between ages 17-50, as it is easier to make an emotional attachment.

5. The Notebook (2004) - The Notebook is an epic love story about two people, Allie Nelson and Noah Calhoun, who as young teenagers, fell in love. What makes this film so interesting is that it goes back and forth to what is happening in the present and to what happened in the past. This allows the audience to have a better understanding of not just the character development, but the story development. The costume and setting design in this film like all drama films, plays a crucial role in telling the story, as it lets the audience know which parts of the movie took place a while ago and what took place in the present. The main character Noah can be found a white shirt with suspenders, and trousers that teenagers in the past usually wore. The other main character, Allie, can be found wearing a blue dress that covers her shoulder and knees, as it was common to wear that as a teenage girl. The props in the film, like the letters also help as this was the main way people in the past communicated, unlike today where they use phones. The lighting and color in this movie changes many times, to show the different moods of the story. For instance, in the beginning when Allie and Noah are experiencing their happy moments, high key lighting and bright colors are used, but towards the middle when they fight and break up, low key lighting and dark colors are used. The location of the film is important as it was Noah and Allie’s childhood town where they fell in love. The extreme close ups in this film are essential as it shows the characters at their most vulnerable moments, like for instance, when Noah was telling Allie that it was her life and her choice.

6. Charlie St. Cloud (2010) -  The film Charlie St. Cloud is a perfect example of a dramatic film. This film takes place in a small town in Vancouver, where Charlie and his brother, Sam, grew up. The location is important in this film as it is where Charlie got in the car accident that killed his brother. The props in this film, like the baseball and the baseball gloves are crucial as they are what keep Charlie and Sam connected. Everyday Charlie and Sam, meet at a specific time in the woods, to play baseball, as it is the only time Charlie can see his dead brother, Sam. The costume design plays a huge part in storytelling as it gives the audience more information about the characters, like for example, the clothes they wear suggests that this movie did not take a place a while ago, since the characters are wearing clothes you would see nowadays. Also, Charlie changes clothes everyday, unlike Sam who wears the same clothes he had on the night of the accident, reminding the audience that Sam is dead. The lighting and color in this film also changes as the plot advances. For instance, in the beginning when Charlie and Sam get into the car accident, low key lighting and dark colors are used, but when they meet everyday to play baseball as if nothing happened, high key lighting and bright colors are used. Shots and angles in this film are significant as well. A numerous amount of long shots and close ups are used in this film, like for example when Charlie and Sam are playing baseball and talking about their day. Lastly, high angles are used a lot towards the end to show Charlie in a vulnerable moment, as he has to pick between his brother and his girlfriend.


7.

Buffam, N. (2011, March 15). Drama. Retrieved from https://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/952-drama/

By. (n.d.). Symbolic Use of Props in Film. Retrieved from https://thedramateacher.com/symbolic-use-of-props-in-film/

(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.filmsite.org/dramafilms.html

HI EVERYONE! I’m really excited about telling you guys all about my new blog. First, let me introduce myself. My name is Sophia and as you guys can see, I am kind of new at this whole new blog thing, but who said I said I don’t love a challenge? When my aice media teacher told me about this project, I couldn’t wait to get started. From the beginning I already knew which genre I would chose as it has always caught my attention. My genre is …  just kidding!! It’s a surprise, so you’re gonna have to wait and find out for yourself later on. To break the ice, let me tell you a little something about myself.

-I’ve been playing soccer since I was 4 years old

- I’m was born in the United States, but was raised in Colombia

-I have 2 dogs, a French Bulldog and Yorkshire Terrier, named Ramon and Manuela

-I have a brother and sister that are twins

-I am a junior at Cypress Bay High School

Enough about me, let our adventure begin!