Research/Analyze/Discuss three credit sequences

One thing a director needs to establish is the tone in their film. With credit sequences it helps the viewers connect with the film, which gives the audience this emotional impression of what is coming. The credits starts off the mood and themes of the story before the plot even begins. Movies like Call Me by Your Name, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and once again Lala Land will help better understand.

In this film called Call Me by your Name. The opening credits for this film shows classical artwork and statues, with soft piano music playing in the back. The visuals in this are a sense of calming and almost reflective in a way, with this slow pace.This credit sequence shows us a quiet, intimate vibe. When they use classical art and soft music it shows us themes of beauty, and a feel of self discovery which makes this emotional. The slow pacing kinda gives us the way this romance film is developed, which is natural and artfully. With this opening the film focuses on emotion and development.

This film is called Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.

With this film its opening credits are blended into the first scenes of the film. It shows the main character going through his daily routine. The visuals in the start of this film feel slightly off in a way, with dull colors sets this feel that something is wrong type of tone. This sequence makes me notice that this romance will be unusual. When mixing credits with the story, it's setting this theme of memory and reality. This gives us a reflection of the film’s focus, which is on love, loss, and memory.

Once again we talk about the film Lala Land. La La Land decides to opens with a musical number on a very crowded freeway in Los Angeles. The opening credits however appear during and after the performance. They use bright colors, energetic movement dances, and this upbeat music to create the tone.The credit sequence right away shows this hopeful and dream like tone. The music and choreography give the vibe of ambition, passion, and a reach of possibility. Even before the main characters are introduced,you kinda understand the film will focus on dreams, love, and the challenges that come with wanting your goals.

Research/Analyze/Discuss three film openings

 The genre I’ve decided to finally choose is Romance. Romance such a beautiful genre I feel people should really get into. Romance has its unique ways of showing itself in films. Being a huge fan of romance tv shows and movies, I’ve learned a few things. In my own opinion, In order to find that right sense of love people are longing for, you need to discover who you are to truly love someone who will understand you, acknowledge what makes you you, doesn’t try to dim your light but  makes it stronger, and makes you become and also feel this endless amount of love, comfort, this desire to fight, and desire to go and reach for things. Just outstanding movies like La La Land, The Notebook, Anora, People We Meet on Vacation, and oh gosh don’t get me started on the serious Bridgerton. These beautiful films representing different types of romance. Characters being able to show these connections truly make a film come to life. But the main feeling I'm trying to show in my film is this feeling of what you think should happen, not happening, not going the way you would hope. These types of romantic stories are the most hurtful, yet the best romance films. It almost grows the connection the characters are having in your eyes. Understanding and feeling the connection there acting you feel as if you feel what they are both feeling. Love has its power in many ways and with films it's expressed so beautifully.

I want to start off with the film, Lala Land. Oh where do I begin, Lala Land is such an extremely hurtful and beautiful love story because it's just so real. Lala land is a classic, directed by Damien Chazelle. Being about two dreamers chasing success in this land of stars. Hence the name being Lala Land. Characters, Sebastion a devoted jazz player, and Mia being an aspiring actress from Nevada. As their lives meet in this city of stars they fall in love, but that love is tested in many ways.  

Lala Land is like a love letter to classic musicals in Hollywood. The choreography and the amazing instrumental, almost every detail is perfect with establishing a tone. Even the colors in Lala Land are deeply expressive, colors setting the zone they wanted, being red, yellow, and blue helps express that desire and growth. However what sets aside lala land from other romantic movies is its final moments. The message I received was that the people who shape us, are sometimes the greatest gift of love, the one that helps you grow. Beautiful yet devastating but real.

Next I wanna express this unique love film Anora. Directed by Sean Baker. This film surprised me in many ways. In the beginning of this film it did feel too good to be true, finding someone to spend countless of time together with, then it shifts into this reckless dynamic of a love story. The story is about Ani, working at a strip club not knowing what would be next in her life but then she meets Vanya, this reckless, unorganized, just a mess of a son. This story unfolded the truth about how Ani is because of how natural it is to be this object in a way. Toward the end she unfolds and crumbles herself, realizing she has been used.

Anora won five Oscars, which was best picture, best director, and best actress. The film Anora expresses many emotions, dark comedy, steamy content, drama and romance. The film opens with Ani’s natural flow in her world. Anora is described as this “gritty Cinderella” story but just with extreme content. Every little detail in Anora is very well written, with the sharp writing, the story telling and the compelling acting. The light almost vibrant color almost gives off a sense of a strong passion. Once again Anora isn’t like any romance movie. No happy ending was presented but there was an understanding of one's character. This fairy tail allusion crushed completely. 

Lastly, I wanna talk about the film, The Notebook. This was actually the first film that truly got me so interested in romance. The way this was written and directed, even the characters acting is just so worth watching over and over again. Directed by Nick Cassavetes and main actors being Ryan Gosling, and Rachel McAdams. This film does have a beautiful romantic ending. The film is mostly about the feeling of yearning for a loved one. When watching this you connect with the characters emotions of waiting for this loved one who has fully moved on. The way Ryan acted in this film made me feel like that yearning for love myself was finally closed when Rachel found him toward the end of the movie and even that feeling of remembering him at the end.

The Notebooks did win some awards like the teen choice awards and MTV movies choice awards for best kiss. The symbol of two different people having different lifestyles falling in love in the summer. The dialogue, the costuming, the acting all shapes the purpose of this film. With colors feeling this hope feeling. Such a beautiful film with a sad but happy ending worth watching.

Portfolio Project Genre #2: Drama (Character vs. Self)

-Genre Drama

The genre I am choosing for my second portfolio project is Drama, mainly  a character vs. self. This film will focus on an internal conflict rather than external conflict. The story will show a woman preparing for a very extremely important dinner which will represent everything she has worked toward in her life. Every detail will be carefully planned, showing how much this moment matters to her.

-Target Audience

The target audience for this film is men and women ages 18–24 and older, mainly those who relate to self growth, pressure, and personal goals or achievements. This type of audience  connects with stories about identity, independence, and a finding of self worth. Character driven dramas would be this film which are important for this age group because they reflect real life struggles and the internal battles that are being faced.

-Genre Conventions: Content

Character vs. self dramas usually focus on inner conflict, self reflection, and personal growth. This film will show conventions by showing the characters struggle through visuals rather than words or dialogue. There isn’t an antagonist in a way but instead, the conflict will show with in the character herself when she balances perfection, pressure, and this need off self acceptance.

The dinner will not be shown directly, which is another common dramatic convention. By leaving this scene unseen, the focus will stay on the characters emotional preparation rather than the event she is going to.

-Genre Conventions: Techniques

Mise-en-scène will be shown to communicate her control and success. The clean house, very clean appearance, and a carefully chosen setting outside showing a sense of  discipline and hard work. This will show how much effort the character puts into presenting herself.

Costuming and makeup will focus on the idea of perfection. When the cigarette scene breaks that image, in a little way it reveals almost like humanity in her. This hopefully helps the audience understand that she is not perfect, but she accepts herself as she is.

Sound design will be small, almost quiet moments to feel that meaningful feeling. The calm setting will help the tone of the film.

-Institutional Conventions

Dramas like this are often independent and character focused rather than large scale productions. This film fits institutional conventions of an independent drama through its small dialogue, strong visual storytelling, and emotional realism.

The narrative image of this is based on strength, vulnerability, and self acceptance, engaging to audiences who value this authenticity.

-  https://blog.celtx.com/what-is-internal-conflict-screenwriting/

-  https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-drama-genre/ 

- Representations of the Genre

Black Swan (2010) – Shows inner conflict, pressure, and identity.

Lady Bird (2017) – Focuses on self discovery and internal growth through this character driven storytelling.

Portfolio Project Genre #1- Romance

-Genre Romance

The genre I am choosing for my first portfolio project blog post is Romance, specifically a romantic drama which is focused on loss, grief, and mostly longing for something once had. The film would be titled Lost, which explores love after death and how memories can feel more comforting than the reality. The story will show a boyfriend who dreams of being with his deceased girlfriend, however only to wake up to this painful truth that she is gone. He is unable to process this and go on with reality, he chooses to fall back asleep to relive the moments they once shared, having him choosing this mental state rather than facing life without her.

-Typical Target Audience

The typical target audience for this project is men and women ages 18–24 and older, mainly those who have experienced this emotional loss or that feeling of longing. This audience is connected strongly with the feel of love, memory, and mental escape. Usually Romantic dramas work with this age group because they connect with the realistic emotional struggles rather than a ideal relationships.

-Genre Conventions - Content

Romantic dramas usually focus on emotional pain, love that will continue even when someone is gone, and has internal struggles. This film will follow those conventions by focusing the story on grief rather than a typical romantic storyline. The girlfriend’s absence is one of the most important parts of the film, as it shows love through what is missing instead of what is physically present.

Dreams and memories are commonly used in romance films that deal with loss. In my film, the dream becomes the only place where love still exists, which creates this type of contrast between the comfort of the dream and the reality of waking up to life. 

- Genre Conventions - Techniques

Mise-en-scène is an important technique that is being used in communicating the emotion. The apartment will appear cluttered and unorganized, which symbolizing the grief and his inability to move forward. Hoever the dream will construct this perfect life style hes longing for.

Costuming will be different between reality and dreams. In reality, the character may wear worn out, dirty clothing, while in dreams the colors are lighter. This will symbolize comfort and emotional peace.

Props like a framed photo of the couple, showing as physical reminders of love and loss. Also adding little props of items belonging to her. These objects give this idea that the past still controls the present.

Sound design plays a key role. There will be an alarm that acts as a sadly harsh transition from dream to reality. There will also be many sounds in his memories, symbolizing peace and comfort.

-Institutional Conventions

Romantic dramas are usually shown as personal, character to drive stories rather than a big, action based productions. In my film this will fit the institutional conventions showing independent romance films because it would be marketed through emotional music, and strong visuals symbolizing how he feels. The narrative image of the film mainly focuses on realism and vulnerability, which will draw to audiences who value a feel of emotional authenticism.

- Representations of the Genre

Blue Valentine (2010) Known for its raw scenes of love and emotional breakdown.

After Life (2019, TV series) Shows grief memory and the inability to let go of a loved one.