Planning

In a couple of my earlier posts, I researched genre types, specifically fantasy and drama, as a start to developing my film opening. Just based on personal interests and films I've enjoyed, I felt like the film opening I'd be creating would be from one of those dramas. However, those selections are quite broad, and I have even been considering doing a film opening for a thriller. As for the actual topic of the film, I've come up with a list of options for the subjects.

One of my choices would be something involving mental illness, whether that be some form of psychosis or perhaps something like depression. I think that either of these options would take the form of a drama, and with proper execution, I may find a way to make the opening thought-provoking in some manner, although I'd have to find out how to pull that off.

Another option I'm considering is something involving some type of crime, which could become either a drama or thriller. This film would likely relate to a theme of drugs or violence in some manner, but this is also the option that I feel less compelled to make, so it may end up being ruled out. I just feel like the idea may be too complex or the execution of it too elaborate, being that I am relatively new to film-making. I don't want to take on too much, and finding everything that I'd need (actors, setting, props, etc) may become too much. Despite all this, I still want to leave it open as an option until I've come up with a clearer vision.

The third option I have would contain aspects of both thriller and fantasy. I think that this would also be a lot of work, but I find it might be more my style and directed toward what I could pull off. The film opening would be creepy and suspenseful, likely with the use of some type of red or dark/lowkey lighting. I would stray away from a horror theme because that goes beyond my interests, and I feel like creating something of the horror genre that actually instills fear, even just for the opening, would be too difficult to properly achieve.

My final option is to do something of the fantasy genre, presenting an opening that would be described as mystical or airy, with bright neon or highkey lighting. The subject would probably relate to some kind of mythological creature, but considering that, it may also be beyond my beginning level of film-making.

Research Reflection

In class on Thursday 2/21, there was a lesson and discussion about the foundation portfolio product, as well as the blog posts that go along with it. I learned more about what I should put into the project and posts, alongside things I should take into consideration, such as simple things like making sure the font I use is legible, to more in-depth aspects like clearly reflecting my full thought processes in these blog postings (i.e. including "why" I made a choice and "how" I plan on incorporating it,"not just "what" the choice is). I also had the opportunity to take a look at final products and blogs of previous AICE Media Studies students to give me an idea of what I should be working toward. Since it's still early on in the project, I'm not too sure exactly where I want to go with it. I have so many ideas, which I will address in a future post, that I am honestly quite overwhelmed. I also know that at some point soon I want to edit the look of this blog to match whatever my final product would be, but I'm waiting until I've finalized, or somewhat established, what my subject/theme for the film opening will be to make that change.