CCR

Click the link to watch my Creative Critical Reflection :)

My CCR

Final Film Opening

Here it is, me and Kiana's movie introduction, Miseria. We had a few setbacks and changes to the film due to the whole coronavirus pandemic but I'm super proud of the finished product! enjoy!

MISERIA

New Storyboard

Unfortunately, due to the Corona virus outbreak, me and my partner decided it would be the most responsible decision to not meet up to film. And because we had no actors to film anymore, we had to change the story and plot of our film to accommodate the circumstances.  It is still a coming of age drama, but now its about a girl, going through major life changes and struggles to keep up. The film starts with her mom sending her a message that something has happened with her brother while she is at a friends house. Her mom tells her to sit tight, but she rushes out. Therefore this is our new, updated storyboard.

Music

Some good news! My partner (Kiana) just texted me and told me that we were okayed by a licensing company to use the song PPP by Beach House for our film opening! It’s such a good song and I’m so glad we don’t have to use any generic music.

Title Font

The font for Miseria that will appear on screen at the title cut will look as such:

I really like the look and casual yet intriguing tones it gives off. I think it’s a really good representation of our film.

Setbacks and changes

Because of the global pandemic regarding the coronavirus, my partner and I were kind of lost on how to approach filming our opening. Schools are shut down and we are supposed to abide by social distancing and avoid contact with people so neither one of us are allowed to meet up, nevertheless actors. So we decided to change how our opening is seen. Same concept, but no actors, only shots of their surroundings, and later we can edit and add sounds and such to really sell the film. Not our first choice but we will work with what we can.

Final Storyboard

Coronavirus

So, a little update, the spread of COVID-19 has shut down schools until March 23. I'm not sure how this will affect us since it is too early to tell. Hopefully, it resolves soon and we can get back on schedule with filming and such.

Storyboard Draft

This is the first draft of the storyboard for Miseria.

Title of the Film

Here is the grand reveal of the title of our film.....

MISERIA

My partner and I wanted something uncommon and vague, but you can still get an idea of the tone of the film. We liked "Trials and Tribulations" as an options, but then we decided it was too long and professional and sounded boring. We liked the meaning behind that name, though, so once we discovered that "tribulation" converts to "Miseria" in Latin, we immediately knew we found out title.

Target Audience

Our target audience for this film, would probably be towards a younger demographic. Adolescent teenagers the same age as the main character will probably be able to relate and connect most with the film. Although, the film will be watchable by anybody of any age, of course.

Mise en Scene

For mise en scene, my partner and I are going to focus a lot on props, including the video game, the cell phone, and the bike. I also want to make sure we have a say in how the actors represent themselves, regarding their appearance and their clothes, to show their status quietly. We are still deciding on the lighting in the film to go from warm to cool to show a change in tone.

Location Scouting

Me and my partner both decided that we disliked the look of Miramar for the film, since it all looks a little to suburban-y. We wanted more of that South Floridian feel with the beach, palm trees, buildings, lights, even the projects. So we probably will film all outside shots in Miami, and interior scenes in one of our houses.

Film Opening Concept

The idea that me and my partner had for a film opening was a drama surrounding an adolescent teenager. It would open with said teenage boy and his friend playing video games, until he receives a phone call. He answers t he phone hesitantly, and hears about an emergency. He races out of his friends house and rushes on his bicycle to his home. As he is riding, he begins to cry, which then cuts to the title screen.

Representation in Drama

Regarding the genre of Drama, representation is usually recognizable, considering that the plot usually follows a minority character going through a certain life struggle. However, I still want to show a lot of diversity in the characters of our film from all angles, including: race, gender, sexuality, and personal quirks.

My Inspiration

What inspired me to create a Drama film for this project was that every well executed drama left me thinking about the movie well after it had ended. Comedies, romance, and horror, many times seem to all follow the same type of formula, and while may leave you satisfied, will most likely leave you without any lasting impression. I love how each drama is so unique in its own way and really engages the audience with true to life stories.

Examples

Rain Man

Rain Man is a film about a man, Charlie, who discovers he has an autistic brother who has acquired the wealth of his late father. Throughout the movie he tries taking advantage of his brother Raymond, for his fortune but grows to love him and accept him as a brother.

Lion

Lion follows a man, Saroo, in hunting down his birth family after being separated from them as a child, and using clues to find his way back.

Drama Genre Research

Drama

Drama films are realistic presentations and stories with veristic life situations that show true to life three dimensional characters facing problems with either themselves, other people, or forces of nature. They show human beings as realistically as possible, being neither good nor bad people, yet still having their peaks and their downfalls.

A drama films target audience is usually towards young adults and adults of both genders due to strong scripts they usually have.

Conventions of the Story Line

• They portray real life situations and have believable characters in realistic settings. The character should be relatable enough for the audience to sympathize or empathize with them. Fixed increase of tension with set climaxes and anticlimaxes to keep audience engaged.The main point of the Drama is some form of conflict; Struggles either mental, physical, or emotional. The goal of the picture is to move the watchers emotionally. Therefore, the ending is usually hard-hitting to leave a lasting impression on its audience.

Production Techniques

• Overcast and natural lighting used to create either a dark or realistic dramatic tone of the scenes.Most shots are eye level. Low and High angles to emphasize dominance or being small.Editing is done to seem smooth and natural. No wacky editing or sounds for comedic effect.

Institutional Conventions

• Trailers, movie posters, and talk shows

Examples

• Million Dollar Baby

Million Dollar Baby is the story of a woman who trains to be a boxer while in her 30s and becomes successful. The story is serious and a very realistic hypothetical of an extremely talented female boxer. The script pulls on emotions and leaves the viewers still thinking about the film. It meets all the criteria as a drama film.

• Blackklansman

Blackkklansman is the story of an African American police officer infiltrating the Klu Klux Klan to prevent attacks. The story is very true to life in highlighting the racism in the country during the 1970’s and portraying it in a realistic way, without sugar coating or using comedic relief. The ending is impactful and leaves an ongoing impression on the watcher.

More Examples

• The Pianist (2002)

• Room (2015)

• Titanic (1997)

Citations

• Drama Films, www.filmsite.org/dramafilms.html.
• Burton, Nikki. “Conventions of Drama Genre.” Conventions of Drama Genre, 1 Jan. 1970, bca2media2013group14.blogspot.com/2012/09/conventions-of-drama-genre.html.
• WonderHowTo. “How to Make a Dramatic Film.” WonderHowTo, WonderHowTo, 6 Apr. 2010, film-producing.wonderhowto.com/how-to/make-dramatic-film-333238/.

Who I’m Working With

So for this project of directing a film opening, I will be working with my good friend, Kiana Kohut. We usually work together for other things so it just seemed natural. I’m very excited to see what we will create