Portfolio Approach

 Hello Cambridge! From now on, I will document the entire process of developing my Final Project. This past week, we reviewed film openings and were introduced to this project. I can't wait to see the final outcome! However, when my teacher explained the project, I was intimidated, but I know things will turn out well thanks to all the tips and techniques I have learned in class. Now let's transition into the project.

 I have to create a two minute film opening of any genre, as long as it is fiction. I began pondering possible ideas and I am pretty set on doing something related to gymnastics since I coach gymnastics and competed competitively for seven years. I am still debating on what genre I will do but I'm sure I will figure it out soon. I asked my manager for permission to film in the egym and she said yes! My friend who I did gymnastics with also said she would help out and be one if not the only actor! 

Here are some notes I took in class:

 

 As for the approach I'd take for the film opening, one that I am considering is developing context and background. Using this approach, I would use Mise-en scene details to help create context without heavily relying on dialogue. In addition, this would work with many different kinds of genres since I am still figuring out which one to pursue. Another approach I am still thinking about is developing character, perhaps if I do a coming-of-age film it would fit in well. I'd us dialogue primarily, with things like tone, accents, register, etc, to create context, Mise-en scene elements, and of course interaction with other characters. I want to be as creative as possible in my film opening and developing a character enables me to have all the right tools in my hand. Both of these approaches would tie in well with the premise of the project, and alow me to create a clear, exciting, film opening. Overall, my objective is to create a piece that engages audiences and keeps them wanting to watch more and I can't wait to see the final result!

Music Maketing #2

 Here is the behind-the-scenes of my Music Marketing Project. Here's the link to the Google Drive.

drive.google.com

Music Marketing #1

   Hello Blog!

   In my Aice Media class, we were assigned a Music Marketing Project. t is worth half of our mid-term and 500 points in our grades. Our class got to choose our own partners this time too!

Here is a brief introduction to the objectives of the project: 

  Our project involves creating a full-scale marketing campaign to introduce a new rock artist by merging creativity and strategic planning. We began with research on subgenres of rock, considering Cage the Elephant, Coldplay, Paramore, and Tool to determine an overall understanding of marketing/distribution trends within our given genre. In our research, we included some brief information about record companies, such as RCA Records. We each picked one band/artist to do our research on and included the following: brief history/information about the brand/artist, the band's/artist's target audience, and their method of distribution and marketing online, as well as offline. This allowed us to gain insight into what worked well and the key elements needed to build a rock artist brand.

  We choose "The Righteous Ones" from The Owllers for the debut single of our artist, reflecting the edgy and diverse qualities of rock subgenres. The campaign will need to have a dynamic social media strategy, professional online presence, innovative distribution plans, and engaging performance ideas to connect with the target audience. A very important part of our project is producing a 1:30 music video for the song, supported by a 20-slide storyboard to ensure a cohesive vision. Moreover, we document behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the process of blending creativity with teamwork in bringing our artist's brand to life.

Our teacher instructed us to create a plan to ensure we stay organized and on task.

Here is the overview:

My partners are: Juan V, Sergio H, and Nico P

  First, we made a group chat. Then we reviewed the project's due date, December 17th, and planned how many in-class days we had to work. On the first day, Juan and I completed the storyboard for the music video, while Nico and Sergio worked on campaign research.

Resistance is a band that's meant to mean rebellion and non-conformity, created by four friends: Ace, Archer, Ryker, and Axel, coming out of high school in Utah. This conservative setting has channeled frustration into music that critiques societal norms and encourages young people to embrace individuality and freedom.

This identity is reflected in the music video. It follows a rebellious girl who sneaks out at night to tag graffiti, narrowly avoiding getting caught by a police car and a passerby before speeding off in her car, embodying the adrenaline and defiance central to Resistance's philosophy.

Next class, on 12/9, we’ll finish campaign research, and begin transporting the information to our PowerPoint. On 12/11, we’ll work on the PowerPoint and film the music video after school, which is already storyboarded and ready to go.

Summary of our personal due dates: 

Music Video- Sunday, December 15th

Storyboard- Friday, December 6th

Campaign Research- Tuesday, December 10th

Presentation- Monday, December 16th

I look forward to filming the music video and seeing this whole campaign come to life! 

Genre Research on Musicals

Musicals

What is a Musical? 

A musical is a film genre that includes characters singing within the narrative to help tell the story. Musicals combine dancing, singing, and dialogue to create an emotional experience, allowing characters to express themselves in a way that traditional dialogue cannot. The performances within musicals are often uplifting and energetic, filmed in bigger-than-life settings, giving the audience a dream-like feeling. Whether romance, ambition, or overcoming hardships, musicals provide entertainment that attracts the visual and auditory senses. 

Genre Conventions- Content

Several key conventions define content in musicals: songs are a main storytelling device; characters sing to reveal their inner thoughts and feelings. In such a way, in The Sound of Music, Maria sings "The Hills Are Alive" to express her elation and yearning for freedom. Another essential characteristic is dance: staged song and dance numbers heighten the emotional impact and often help to drive the plot. Apart from this, love, self-realization, and conflict reconciliation themes have also been very captivating for the audience and truly motivating.

Character Archetypes 

Character archetypes are also present in musicals: the dreamer who hopes for a change in life; the comic companion who helps to lighten things up, and the love interest. Through music and dance, such characters overcome the obstacles that are confronted with them, thus depicting the message that any obstacles you face in your life can be converted into art.

Genre Conventions- Production Techniques

The most crucial aspect of the production techniques in musicals is how they can be perceived to give an entertaining experience to the audience. The cameras usually capture musicals in bright colors and with fluid camera movement. For example, La La Land uses sweeping footage alongside sharp colors to represent the allure of Los Angeles City and to achieve prestige. Similarly, choreography is also another production factor within musicals since the proper implementation of dancing in storytelling demands long years of planning and performance skills for producing engulfing rhythm and flow in the film.  

Editing

Editing also provides the energy of the musical numbers; fast cuts and fluidity make dance sequences more exciting. Equally important, set design and costuming also establish the film's tone and period, placing audiences in the world where the characters are.

Institutional Conventions – How is Genre Marketed

Most musicals would appeal to the general public because their target audience could include families and any person who likes stories of good feelings with matching songs. Trailers and publicity campaigns generally show hit musical sequences in the movie. Posters use colorful pictures of lead characters striking dynamic poses that depict the movie's energy.

The music itself is a strong marketing tool; singles aside from the soundtrack are often released well in advance of the film's debut to create interest and build anticipation. In addition, theatrical versions of popular musicals often enjoy a crossover appeal, with fans of stage productions heading out to see the film version.

Film Sample #1: The Sound of Music (1965)

The Sound of Music is a classic musical that narrates the story of Maria, a free-spirited nun who assumes the role of governess for the children of von Trapp. It embodies the genre with its unforgettable numbers, such as "Do-Re-Mi" and "My Favorite Things," pivotal in developing characters and advancing plot action. The choreography in scenes such as the "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" waltz adds much to the romantic tension between characters. Lush cinematography captures the stunning landscapes of Austria, truly making the setting one of the vivid characters in the film.

Film Sample #2: La La Land (2016)

La La Land is a modern musical that narrates the love story between ambitious actress Mia and jazz musician Sebastian. Music travels with the characters through their dreams and disillusions. For example, "City of Stars" is iconic and truly embodies the hopes and ambitions of its characters. This opening number, "Another Day of Sun," is a vibrant celebration of Los Angeles and the pursuit of dreams through its choreography. Color and light use the musical sequences of this film to create an enchanting atmosphere that absolutely draws the audience into the character's journey.

Musicals to Consider: 

West Side Story (1961)

Grease (1978)

Chicago (2002)

 Mamma Mia! (2008)

The Greatest Showman (2017)

High School Musical (2006)