Character Development

 

Hello!

Today's research is based on character development. This can work in either direction- a change for the worst or for the best. A character's initial values are usually evident throughout the beginning of any story or film, and the way they change by the end of it defines the development of their personality and moral values. 

Google defines character development as "how a character has changed throughout the story", and there are apparently 5 types of it: honesty, responsibility, learning, reflection, and experiencing. By this logic, character development is only a shift in personality from "bad" to "good." However, I have my own definition of it. 

I consider character development to be more like timeline throughout a person's life. They have low points and they have high points, but their life overall is a straight line. Regardless, in life a character moves forward despite the challenges ahead of them, and their stories all end regardless of good or bad choices. The way they end their stories is the true judgement of their combined experiences. True character development is the combination of every action despite fluctuations in behavior, and what a character does with the things they learned throughout the timeline of their story. 

That's why I agree with this depiction in particular, specifically how the character is said to have changed "for better or for worse." I like the idea that a character's story arc is not linear, and that there is no way to go throughout your life without making any mistakes.

Mise-en-scene: set

 

Hello!

My film opening will contain two different backgrounds. They are fairly simple, but there are a few variants of locations I can choose from. I am planning on shooting around Weston Town Center. There are many back alleyways behind different shops and in between the parking lots that I can use, which will look good lighting-wise too.

I'm not planning on using any outside lighting for a more realistic look. I also will be filming along the road wherever there are few cars, either around my neighborhood or by the playground near my house. The official setting will likely be decided day of, since I'm unsure on the rules on filming around different public places and I am looking for a low populated area. I am trying to pick a location that is generally deserted to add to my themes of isolation and rejection.        

         

"Outgrown" Storyboard

Hello! 

I've just finalized my vision for "Outgrown" in a storyboard. Most dialogue and movements will likely be improved, but at least this way I have a solid foundation for my cinematographer- one of my friends who owes me a favor and has a good camera. The only things left to map out are my company logo and filming date, which will be in a blog post of their own. Here is my blueprint down below. See you later!

Media Theory

 

Hello!

The media theory I am looking to integrate into my project is Roland Barthes's symbolic code. I absolutely love the use of symbolism through objects in film, and I love having to pay attention so closely to the small details in order to figure it out. Here are some of my favorite examples of this:

In Coraline, the contrast between the real world and the "Other World" is hugely represented not only through the button eyes of Coraline's other parents, but also by the color palete, difference in soundtrack, and overall mood. By depicting Coraline's real room in dull, gray colors, it automatically looks worse in comparison to her lively, purple, warm-lit room in the "Other world." Matching the other room to Coraline's brightly-colored palete as well, the Other World is made to seem like she fits into it more than she does in her true reality. This manipulation is genuis because it convinces even the audience that despite an undertone of uncertainty, the Other World makes Coraline happier and feel more accepted than hers does.

The Devil Wears Prada serves as an amazing example of symbolic code through costuming and character design. In the begining of the film, the main character Andy is very awkward and out of touch with her femininity. She has not explored any forms of self-expression and seems comfortable in her familliar lifestyle. She sticks to the same sweaters and unflattering silhouettes and doesn't "care about fashion." However, after getting a secretary job at Vogue by attempting to expand on her journalism degree, she begins to self-reflect and undergo a series of changes in order to adapt to the style and expectations of her new enviornment. Throughout the film, it's evident that the more dedicated Andy is to her career, the more out of touch she becomes with the girl she used to be. This juxtaposition through costuming represents Andy trading in her old lifestyle and morals to fit into a more confident, career-driven persona. This also spikes a large debate of whether Andy lost or found herself when comparing her confidence VS her happiness at each end of the film. (Unrelated but this look LIVES in my head.)

My take on it: The overall message of my opening is to show what happens when a kid tries to grow up too fast. Besides me looking young, I also plan on collecting a costume that looks like someone trying to seem older than they are- small dress, makeup, etc. The item in particular that I'm seeking out is specifically high heels that are too big for my foot (which shouldn't be hard since I'm a size 5.) I'm trying to make my character look like she literally and figuratively has not grown into herself yet. Putting a close up on my heels will symbolize the space between where my character is and where she wants to be. This physical depiction of forced maturity acts as a metaphor for the loss of childhood innocence and the dangers of growing up too fast. Through these high heels, I plan to tell a lot about the character, and how she is desperately trying to fill a role she is not yet ready for.

Major Inspiration + Idea for Portfolio Proj

Hello!

This is what sparked my idea for my film opening- walking scenes. Whether it's down a hallway, street, or flight of stairs, these iconic scenes give great insight into the character, as you see the way they act in their enviornment, the clothes that they wear, and the way they interact with the people around them. Because of this, I decided that the best opening for a film should do all of these things, and it serves as the best introduction to my character and her narrative world.

My idea for my project is heavily inspired by these scenes. My main character is a young girl (most likely played by me.) She is shown getting kicked out of somewhere, either a club or bar or something of that type because she is too young. As she stumbles through the streets, she attempts to find her way home intoxicated, dropping things along the way- a high heel, a cigarette, dollar bills. Exhausted, the credits end as she drops to the ground with the title above her head. There will be one clip after the title of her waking up the next morning, miraculously home to act as continuation of the story. 

I am looking forward to filming and will make a storyboard in my next post. Stay tuned!

Group Meeting Reflection #1

Hello!

Today we had our first group meeting in class. My idea is somewhat finalized, but they helped me discuss and consider some other elements of my project that I would not have on my own. These are some notes I have taken regarding what I could include in this opening:

• Outfit/heels should be a little too big- not grown into herself yet
• Think about title ideas (Youth, Grown Up too Fast, Hand Me Down, etc.)
• Could have a cool effect with voiceover/music
• Search a thrift store for costuming
• Handheld camera/shaky camerawork to look unstable or drunk
• Could add something with a phone- call a ride home (?)
• Stumbling through road
• Amplify the high heels as she walks
• Muffled party music in the beginning
• Sketchy area sounds- sirens/yelling in the background
• Consider font choice and coloring
• Watch "Trainspotting" film opening (I was told it was a similar idea)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LuxOYIpu-I

I do like a lot of these ideas and I will try to integrate them into my final storyboard. I will look for the final pieces for my costume and research movies with similar aesthetics to get inspiration. Until next time!

                                          

Drama Credit Sequences

 

Hello!

My next area of research is relating to the credit sequences in popular drama films. 

Waves is my absolute favorite movie ever, but I don't ever wanna watch it again. I do consider this a drama as well as a romance, since it navigates the struggles of adolescence and domestic violence. With political commentary on the anti-abortion protests and teen pregnancy as well, I think this is a film that everyone should watch at least once in their life. The credits roll as we follow a high school senior boy through moments in his life. As he drives with his girlfriend, the camera spins in a 360 direction, mimicking the euphoric, careless feeling of young love in it's prime. The boy wrestles and goes to the gym, highlighting the toxic masculinity often pushed onto the youth. Shown in tight shots, he is shown under a lot of preassure. This sequence is one of my favorites because in the first 3 minutes alone, every future conflict is touched upon just by following through his daily life, highlighting its fragility.

Although this movie is technically a biopic/crime drama, Catch Me If You Can has a very creative title sequence that I am a huge fan of. With sleuth-y, mystery jazz music in the background, animations of a black suited figure are shown darting around airports, countries, and banks. Highlighting Frank Abagnale Jr.'s whereabouts throughout his years as a con artist, the plot of the movie is entirely given through a different medium. I love how the sneakiness of his character is displayed through movement and sound alone, as the drawing is generally expressionless, almost like his shadow, as the FBI continually let him slip through their fingers. I would not choose this kind of illustrated medium to immitate myself, but I do appreciate how it embodies the energy of the film while also leaving the exact events a mystery.

One of my favorite credit sequences is in Jojo Rabbit. It's a period piece, taking place in Nazi Germany during World War II, and it follows a boy as he runs to a Nazi program for training young soilders. As he races down the street, "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles plays in German, cutting to several montages of Hitler's rallies. I love the usage of music in this sequence and it makes me really want to find a good song to use for my own. Finding something I like that's not copyrighted will be difficult, but it makes all the difference. Especially when considering this film, it clearly affects the mood of the movie right from the start, and it paints this time period in the positive light that this innocent boy sees it as.