Genre Research: A Star Is Born

In this film there are many close up angles to help capture the intensity of the actors feelings. in the film “A Star Is Born” many emotions are portrayed as anxiousness and hurt. The camera movement was to help capture the scene as if it was a real life experience for the audience. The camera moves throughout the setting to make the audience feel the inspiration and emotions of the atmosphere created in the scenes. Since this movie is about a couple who goes through the years together, there are many two shots involved. This brings the best emotion out so that the audience could experience the feeling they have for each other.
The costumes used in this film are worn by average Americans. From using jeans and t shirts to drag queen dress, the costumes are used to make the movie as real as possible. The main point to the movie is the journey to stardom and the actors have to start off with a basis of regular clothing to show that they started off not having that much money. Through out the movie, the actors still wear jeans and t shirts to show every day wear. For this film, lighting was used all around the setting. The lighting was made to create the mood of the setting. In one example where the protagonist is dressed in drag, the lighting shines with a pink and red glow to create the mood of love and emotion. Other lighting fixtures in the movie come with both protagonists singing on stage and hitting them through your the songs they sing together. The lighting in this movie was to create the appeal of love and troubles. A Star Is Born has won recognition for the talent used in the film especially the acting. The actors have used their own personal experiences to create their character and the emotion shown on the screen. Their emotion captivates the audience makes them feel what they actors feel. Many troubling times were shown in the movie, and the real life experience was captivated through out every scene the actors did. There was many scenes where different makeup had to be done to create the emotion to the character. The actors were dressed in drag and had that type of makeup done. other times they had to look dirty and flushed out because of the hardships they face throughout the film. Most of the makeup in the film looks like street makeup and everyday makeup for the atmosphere of the real life experience. The props used in this film were ones of music and dance. They had many instruments and some were drugs and alcohol that were used heavily throughout the film. The setting is placed in modern america where the actors are playing on stages and in front of big audiences. The setting creates the mood of how the actor came to be a star and how she rose to become one of the most famous singers in the film.
The editing of the movie was set as a flashbacks at the end. It created the tone of memory and heart ache when the protagonist sings for her late loved one in the last scene of the movie. The movies showed true emotion and brought awareness to what many people go through. The main themes of the movie were depression and love.

Genre research: Titanic

There's a plethora of camera movements, shots, and angles in this dramatic film. For instance, high angles, over the shoulder, and dutch. In this film, they use these different shots and angles to emphasize different characters emotions and reactions. To add on, the film includes two and three shots including different subjects engaging in conversation, etc. For example, there was a scene of Jack holding Rose on the boat, standing behind her.  The director also used zoom and tilt movements on subjects to enhance the emotion of the scene. There were also many eye line matches between the lovers making it romantic and heart warming for the viewers. Jack and Rose were in love so many scenes involved eye contact. The director uses these techniques to make the viewers feel connected to the film. He also uses them to make the movie feel more realistic and natural.
Common costumes in this film was more conservative and rustic. Characters wore skirts, long dresses, and leather apparel that isn't as common today. The lighting in this movie for the most part was natural and key lighting. The setting of the movie was on a huge boat so the outside environment was perfect for film makers. The acting involved between characters was very dramatic and exaggerated. It captured the emotion of the scene often causing viewers to feel sad and sympathetic for the characters. An example of this was when the boat was sinking and people began to drown and die. The makeup used was very light and soft. Most characters were of a lighter skin tone, so much of the makeup was similar and brought out their skin. The setting of the film was under water in a submarine. They found the titanic sunken at the bottom of the ocean establishing what happened to the boat and what the movie is about.
Editing that was commonly used in the film was jump cuts and cross cutting. The film would go from one scene to the next. The film also included a multitude of different sounds. For instance, there was a lot of diegetic sound and dialogue. There were things that characters could naturally hear in their environment. Many of the sounds were also very dramatic touching the hearts of the viewers. I enjoyed the drama of the film and how relatable it was in the sense of loving somebody. Nobody wants to lose someone they love so it was depressing to see characters die. It also made me think that life isn't guaranteed and anything can happen, so don't take anything for granted.

Genre Research: The decision

Choosing between Thriller and Drama was a very tough decision for me. Both genres provide a creative platform with endless opportunities for me to produce a successful film. While thinking it over, I finally came to a consensus. I decided to go with drama, because I believe it perfectly fits my film. I want the viewers to feel my film, and be connected as if they were in it. It was also more convenient for me, because of how accessible a drama film is. I can film anywhere at anytime of the day, and not have to be worried on how I'm going to figure things out. Also, adding sound effects and editing won't be as difficult as a thriller, because of how time consuming editing a thriller film is.

Continuing Genre Research

Drama

Common types of camera angles and movements in this genre are zoom, pan, tilt, dolly etc. They use different types of shots to give a different effect to different scenes. For instance, to dramatize a situation directors will often zoom in on the subjects to get a clear view of their reaction. Also, to get a view of what the subject is doing, film makers will use a tracking shot adding effect to the scene. Furthermore, common shots used in this genre are long shots, medium shots, and close up shots. Depending on the situation of the scene, the shot will differentiate. For example, capturing two people dramatically arguing could either be long shots or medium shots, depending on the authors choice.

Common costumes in this genre is depending on what the movie is about. In movies like Romeo and Juliet the actors would wear something more conservative and older. Common lighting in this genre is natural light and key light. Film makers use natural light to make the scene more realistic and natural. They also use key light to highlight the main subject in the scene pointing out its importance. Acting in this genre is very exaggerated. Actors blow things out of proportion to make the film entertaining and exciting to watch. The actors to have completely buy into their role to make the movie dramatic. Makeup is also very common in drama. Actors wear makeup to enhance their look in the film. and to resemble their character. Additionally, any kind of props could be used in a drama film; from couches, to lamps, to even cellphones, can all be used in drama movies. The setting of drama movies is often where the movie takes place. It establishes the environment, and usually the types of people or creatures around it.

The types of editing in this genre is endless. There's cuts, cross cutting, cutaway, fades, iris in, iris out, jump cuts, etc. Editors edit drama films to make scenes more dramatic and capture viewers attention. They also include different types of sound in drama films. Editors will usually include suspenseful music and sounds. Examples of this are: diegetic sound, non-diegetic sound, natural sound, and dialogue. They include these different sounds to enhance the film and make it more entertaining. Examples of drama films are: The Godfather, Boogie Nights, and 12 Angry Men.

Thriller

Common camera movements and angles used in this movie genre are pans, zooms, tilts, tracking shots, etc. If the situation is intense, the angle will be focusing on the subject while zooming in on the subjects reaction. Common shots that are used in these films are closeups, extreme closeups and long shots. Directors will use closeups and extreme closeups to capture the reaction of the subject, while making it suspenseful.

Common lighting found in thriller movies is low lighting because of how suspenseful and exciting of a feeling the lighting makes. Sound that is heard in thrillers would be diegetic, where a character can hear whatever is in its surroundings. Costumes for thrillers all depend on the type of movie it is. When the film is about a killer they will be dressed in something suspicious, like a mask or a hoodie. Thrillers are usually real life situation that could happen, causing people to be nervous while watching. Regular clothing would be worn, but if the actors get harmed in any way, their makeup and clothes will definitely show it. Actors have to buy into their character, and pretend they are going through the situation themselves as if it were reality.

Some elements that come from thrillers are when the movies create a suspenseful feeling to the audience, giving the anticipation of what is going to happen next. Examples of this are movies that keep you guessing, and you don't know what's going to happen next. Audiences want to be entertained, and kept on the edge of their seats. It gives them a reason to continue watching the movie to see the final outcome of the situation. Although, thriller movies are amazing, they have a downside, because of predictable they can be. On the other hand, thriller movies can have very surprising endings. These can leave the audience jaw dropped and is a perfect example of irony.

Dance Genre Research

The final pitches

After bringing all my pitches together I know I had to narrow my pitches down to two. I decided to keep my pitches about Basketball, and a kid being separated from his mother in a city. I thought these two were the most creative and exciting ideas out of the three. The third pitch was very cliche and average in my opinion. I see tons of movies and films about kids being bullied in school and other places. The pitch about Basketball seem very interesting to me, because of the versatility of the idea. I can add so much intensity and suspense to the film with a great story line. To add on, the idea of a kid lost in a city is very versatile also. I can film all the natural things around him and all the obstacles he faces. Both are very good pitches so it was easy to narrow these two down to my final options.
My first pitch about Basketball is an amazing option for this assignment because of the dozens of ways I can make this film. A story line about a young teen losing someone he loves and playing a basketball game soon after. He goes through multiple memories between him and his loved one. Without a doubt, this idea is different from many of the other ideas I've seen and have been hearing about. I plan on both filming and acting in this film so this may be tedious. On the other hand, I will have assistance from one of my friends so at least I won't be alone. My plan is to include a flashback of a memory of the him and the person he's just lost. He'll be emotional, but can't be sulking forever, because he has a basketball game. The game is going to be close so the film will be eye grabbing and suspenseful for the audience. It'll include both sad and dramatic effects to help portray the emotion of the film.
My second pitch is also a great option which is about a kid who's separated from his mom in a city, and has to find his way back to her. This a fantastic option for this assignment, because it wouldn't need a lot of props or items for me to use. I could just go to a local city and film. Everything would be as realistic as it gets, there would be tons of natural lighting and diegetic sounds that would compliment the film. The only downside is that I would need other actors to act in my film, because of the story line. Also, when and where will drastically affect how the film comes out. The circumstances have to be almost perfect for the film to come out the way I want it to. All together this pitch is one of my favorites out of all the ones I came up with.
In retrospect, I have came to the consensus of one final pitch that I've decided on. All in all, I believe that the Basketball pitch is the best fit for me and this assignment. It represents who I am as a person, while providing an exciting film to watch. This is by far, the most I've been excited for an assignment, and I can't wait to see how my final result comes out.

Start of the final task

Hello my name is Angelo, I'm fifteen years old and I attend Fort Lauderdale High School. I'm in the Cambridge Program which is a program that consist of various difficult college level classes that prepare me for the next level. If I complete the program by passing seven AICE classes and getting my AICE diploma I will receive a Bright Futures Scholarship. This year I am taking 3 AICE classes. I take AICE English Language, AICE Media Studies, and AICE European History. These courses are extremely vigorous and time consuming. I have to spend a lot of time and effort studying and doing work for these classes. In the end i'm hoping it will pay off, and help me pay for my college expenses. Besides academics I play Basketball for my school. Balancing academics and sports is extremely challenging, but so far it's been working out. My grades are where I want them to be, even though I want to do better, and I'm performing relatively well in Basketball.
In my AICE Media Studies class, I've learned a multitude of information about film and film making. I've never known how intricate the film industry actually is. There's a plethora of fascinating things I didn't know about filming such as camera angles, shots, techniques, etc. Creating videos and movies is a lot harder than just holding a camera at people talking. You actually have to edit your footage, plan, and an abundance of other things just to get the final product. All of the techniques and information I've learned in this class is going to be extremely helpful for my final task, and I'm extremely excited to use what I've learned. I plan on using tons of different camera angles, shots, and editing. I also plan on adding different sound effects and music to enhance my final product. The class has taught me how to efficiently plan my project and execute what I have planned. My goal is to have a perfect final project using all the knowledge I've obtained.
A Pitch is a short verbal presentation describing your film to someone that you need support from. For instance, a producer, a director, or a financial aid. I brain stormed three pitch ideas. The initial pitch is about a young teen basketball player, who just recently lost someone who he dearly loves. He has a basketball game, and decides to dedicate his entire game to the person he's lost. My second pitch is about a young kid who's been getting bullied and gets peer pressured into doing the wrong things. He goes down a bad path leading to horrific experiences, and how he deals with them. My last pitch is about a kid who separated from his mother in the middle of the city. He roams the city looking for his mom and he goes through a lot just to see her again.