Genre Research: Gone Girl

    Camera angles play an important role in this film. The main characters Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy (Rosamund Pike) are shown as two completely different people, very subtly, based on the angles and shots. For example, Nick is shown as little, and almost submissive throughout the movie using a series of wide and long shots. However, towards the end of the movie, when a resolution has been come to, he appears closer to the camera signifying his dominance. On the other hand, Amy is shown as the dominant one throughout the majority of the movie with a collection of close-ups and extreme close-ups. Lighting plays an even bigger role in this movie than camera angles. The director uses light to show dominance and chemistry between the two characters. At the beginning of the film, Nick is showcased using dim lighting and a lot of shadows as he hides from his own demons. However, towards the end, he is shown brighter and more confident in himself now that the story has resolved. In Amy's case, she is foreshadowed as an evil character using the dim lighting and shadows upon her face in the last two acts of the movie. For the scenes themselves, practical lighting is used a lot, such as the scene where the town hosts a memorial for a character. The actors are all holding candles and the only other light is the moon and a few pavilions that can be seen in the shots.

    Sound is low and ominous in the movie. The suspense of scenes is built up using rising music and little to no ambient sound. There is music in the movie as well. Special effects don't seem to be too present throughout the movie. Instead, the editors decided to use more practical effects like the use of the classic corn syrup mix for blood. Scenes were most likely enhanced in the editing studio for changes with lighting a such, however, nothing too major seemed to be done with the original shots. Moreover, the addition of music was used to enhance the scenes and make the viewers more attached to the film. As for elements of the "thriller" genre throughout Gone Girl, it seems to stick to the conventions of using little to no sound in a lot of the scenes to make the shots more suspenseful and gripping. Also, the importance of lighting in the film showed how they wanted to make the movie suspenseful and to fall in line with the "thriller" genre.

    I liked the use of little sound in a lot of the scenes, as well as the rising score to cause the scenes to make you worry for the characters. That is exactly what I was doing throughout this movie. I would be rooting for one character in one scene, but in the next, I would be rooting for another one. There wasn't much that I didn't like about the movie, in fact, it was probably one of the best movies I watched in 2014.

 

Genre Research: Pitch Genre

    My pitch definitely falls under the thriller/horror genre. My movie revolves around a group of teens signing up to be part of an "experiment" and not knowing what they are about to get into. Just based on the summary, it should leave people wondering what the "experiment" is and what will happen to the group of friends. The horror element will come into play later in the two minutes we are given for the final. I really enjoy these kinds of movies and that's why I initially chose this genre to be used for my final project. I feel because I know the genre so well, I should be able to do a better job creating a movie using it myself. I am excited to do this project and work with friends of mine to make something truly gripping.

Genre Research: Other Genres

    In my PowerPoint, used in the previous blog, I researched conventions of horror films. I gathered different camera angles, movements, props, and other aspects of that genre that you could find in most horror movies. In addition, I looked at more further generalities of that genre, but in more detail. For example, I found the common sounds and costumes used in the horror genre and its films. After reviewing that PowerPoint and finally coming up with my pitch for the final project, I decided that I should research other genres outside of horror to get a better idea of how it compares to different films.

    The first genre I decided to further research was the "action" genre. The action genre uses a lot of tracking and moving shots. Mainly, these are used to follow characters running or car driving, for example. Additionally, lighting plays an important role in action movies, as it showcases the setting for scenes like any other genre would. CGI and special effects are common in action movies, as many of the stunts in these movies cannot be done by a person. Additionally, special effects may be used for explosions or other shots other than those including an actor. High angled shots may be used to emphasize the power of a character, and most of the time, that character is the protagonist. Props in action movies may include cars, handguns, knives, and other "gadgets".   Common sounds in action movies are really limited to what the character doesn't hear, but what the audience does, like a soundtrack for the film. However, the sounds of cars running or explosions may be prominent in action movies as well. Some examples of good action films include the Indiana Jones series, Die Hard, Terminator, and Lethal Weapon. My favorite element of an action movie is the feeling it gives when you watch it. Good action movies are able to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat and make them feel as if they are in the scene with the protagonist.

    The second genre I chose to research was the "thriller" genre. A thriller film is one that uses suspense to keep the viewer wondering what is going to happen next. For the most part, thrillers often have a horror or crime theme to them as well. Common camera angles in thriller films include tilt shots as they attempt to create discomfort in the viewer. Additionally, close-ups and extreme close-ups are used to highlight the main protagonist in important scenes or sequences. High angle shots of the protagonist are also used to show dominance over the antagonist of the film. For sound, slow and eerie music may be used to create uncertainty and suspense in a scene. Moreover, silence plays a big role in the thriller drama to heighten the suspense of sequences. Violence, blood, and such are used in this genre as almost a character in itself. Violence is almost always used within the thriller genre. Low-key/dim lighting is used to make a scene more gloomy and mysterious. Some examples of thriller movies include Silence of the Lambs, Psycho, and The Birds. I really enjoy thrillers, because of the horror aspect to them. I love not knowing what will happen next in a film and being surprised with the effect of a scene.

Genre Research: Powerpoint

   

    In this powerpoint I discussed many aspects of common conventions in the horror movie genre. This powerpoint, that I actually completed a couple months ago, will actually benefit me in many ways for the final we have to create. I discuss common sounds and lighting used in most horror movies. Additionally, I talked about camera movements and angles used commonly in horror films. I will be sure to come back and look at this powerpoint as a reference for my own film for the final, as I am doing a horror inspired film. 

Pitches Blog

    After much consideration, especially without the help of other groupmates, as I am working alone on this final project, I have narrowed my pitches down to two final choices. I was able to work through these as they will most likely be easier to create and use for the final. They fit better into the grading rubric in my opinion and they seem to be easier to film. Additionally, the casting process will be much easier. Also, creating a script will be more engaging for me and I think I will be able to create a more wholesome production out of these two final pitches. Now my final job is to narrow these down to only one pitch that I will use for my final project. My first pitch is the beginning of a film, which is a suspense/drama; it revolves around a group of teens who are put to the test when they take part in an "experiment", unknowingly realizing the true goal after they find the ad for it on a new part-time job app. My second pitch is a slasher/horror film centered in the suburbs of Los Angeles, which we follow a boy tormented by his friends and family. He eventually decides to take action and get revenge on anyone who ruined his past by taking each one out one-by-one using various sadistic traps.

    After reviewing these two pitches, I am leaning more towards my first pitch. This idea seems to be more inventive and I really think I could make this production very gripping. By the end of it, viewers will want more. I believe I'll be able to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with this one. Also, this idea will require fewer props and more dialogue and inventiveness. For that reason, I think it will get the attention of the viewer more than a common slasher flick may. I think this pitch is somewhat original, but that will be more of a challenge for me. In fact, I will have to try harder in making this project, as I will want to make it better than any other movie that is similar to it. It may be challenging to grip the viewers within the first two minutes, but I believe if I make the storyline and dialogue good enough, I can keep viewers wanting more by the end of the first two minutes.

    My second pitch is similar as it is more of a horror movie-inspired film, as opposed to something out of the action/adventure genre. However, the "slasher" aspect moves away from the more suspenseful/drama idea of my first pitch. This film would jump into the action quicker and put the viewers almost in the shoes of the killer. The viewers would begin watching knowing that characters would meet an untimely fate within the first couple minutes. This idea is even more original than my first pitch and even could be considered cliche to some. This project would be similar to a movie like Halloween or Friday the 13th, for example, as it follows a killer that became what he is because of his past. I don't like this pitch as much as my first, as it would require more props. Additionally, I feel as it would be harder to create a start to the film, as it would have to jump right into the action, instead of leaving the first two minutes with a cliffhanger like the first pitch would.

    With all being said, I will be using my first pitch for my final project. I am very excited to begin the production of this film. The casting for the film will involve friends of mine, outside of my class, to star as characters in the film. I think this pitch will be easier and more fun to work with for my final project. One challenge I believe I will face is the editing process, as I am working alone. However, like I've said before, I think I work more efficiently when I work alone, so hopefully, I will succeed in all areas of the production.

Start Of Final Task

    Hi, I'm Aidan, a 12th grader at Fort Lauderdale High School in the Broward County school district. I am 18 years old and ready to graduate from high school. I hope to move onto university in the Fall of 2020. I plan on majoring in either Criminology or Business. Additionally, I am thinking about minoring in Film Production on the side, mainly because of the experiences I've had in this class so far. I find the process of filming and editing different productions very interesting, and I want to learn more about it. I hope to attend school at FSU (Florida State University), as this is my first choice for college. However, my fall back option is FAU (Florida Atlantic University), as I've already been accepted there. For the final task, I am working by myself. I decided this is a better option for me as I believe I work more efficiently on my own. Additionally, I can concentrate better and have a greater range of options on what I want to film as my final project.

    In this class, I have been able to learn so much, in such a short amount of time. To name a few things, I have learned how to properly cut and replace clips in editing software. I've learned how to add music/score to a compilation of shots that I previously filmed. I now know how to add text into the background of a shot, for example, a timestamp in a movie to show when a shot was supposed to occur. I have also learned how to fade shots in and out of each other, and how to fade them either in and out to black. All these things help a project's finished product look more smooth and more like a real film, music video, commercial, etc. Real filmmakers and producers have to go through these steps every day, however, they do it on a much larger scale. While we may have had two or three people working on a project at a given time, real directors and producers may have a team of over
100 workers, performing different tasks to ensure that everything is done right. However, either way, most filmmakers use these basics in almost all productions. I am so excited to create this final project, and I'm most excited to use the skills I've acquired to create a beautiful film in the end. Although the final is only about 2 minutes long, I want it to really keep the viewer engaged and on the edge of their seats.

    A pitch is a Hollywood term to describe an idea where a film is encapsulated in 25 words or less. It is usually with one sentence. My first pitch is a suspense/drama that revolves around a group of friends that are put to the test when they are selected to take part in an unknown "experiment" that they found on a new part-time job app. My second pitch is a horror/slasher revolving around a boy who is tormented by his family to the point that he decides to gain revenge on them and anyone else in his path, through a series of sadistic pranks and traps. Finally, my third pitch is an adventure/coming of age about a teen and his friend who want to leave their current lives for more opportunity and adventure; little do they know, it will be much harder than they thought.

Editing Blog

    The editing process for my music video flowed a lot smoother than it did for the commercial I filmed. This is most likely because, it being the second time around, I was comfortable with most of the editing tools and the software in general. Also, editing the music video seemed to be a lot more fun, because I had a greater variety of effects to choose from. This was important as the conventions for my genre of music uses a lot of special effects in its videos. Initially, after filming, I dumped all my footage into the software we use for editing. Next, I pasted the clips I wanted to use onto the corresponding track for film. Some of the clips I kept, I eventually ruled out using because they were either too shaky, or they just didn’t fit with the final production that I envisioned. I wanted to make sure that all my shots flowed nicely throughout the video as this was part of the rubric. I started cutting clips to fit the allotted one minute and fifteen second time we were given for our video. Once this was done, it was time to add the music into the editing software.

    I was able to find the entire song on YouTube. Once I found it, I copied the link and pasted it into a mp3 converter. This allowed me to use it in the software more easily. Once this was done, I transferred it into the program. From there, I matched up the music with the footage. This was difficult initially, as I needed to figure out where to start the music so it would sync with my moving lips in the footage. However, once I figured that out, I was able to play around with the clips and cut them to fit the video more seamlessly. Also, I was able to add some effect at this point as well. For example, at one part of the video, I am driving in my car, and I added a motion blur to the shot, just for a couple of seconds. This gave the video a little extra spice to it!!

    Next, I added a few titles to the beginning of the music video. These were standard, such as the song name appearing at the very beginning, with the artist’s name included. Also, I put in “video directed by Aidan Trybus”, to give credit to myself and make it look more realistic. That part faded into when the music starts in the beginning of the video. Overall, this project was interesting to edit, with it being a little bit more challenging. Unlike the last project, I was working on my own, so I had to work at a more diligent rate. But, because I worked on my own, I was able to make easier decisions to where the video would head towards. Also, I could stay more concentrated as I didn’t have anyone else chiming in about what to add or remove. I would say the hardest part of the editing process was definitely syncing the music up with the video, as it had to play perfectly with my lip-syncing. I’m excited to put the final touches on the video and see how it turned out!