Timeline

To stay on track, I’ve assigned specific tasks to each week leading up to the final submission.

Week 1 (1/27 - 2/2)

• Research film openings and movie plot examples.
• Start developing my movie plot.
• Think about possible filming locations.
• Consider potential actors.

Week 2 (2/3 - 2/9)

• Finalize the script.
• Complete the storyboard.
• Decide on and secure filming locations.
• Confirm cast and set filming dates.
• If possible, begin filming.

Week 3 (2/10 - 2/16)

• Continue filming.
• Record voiceovers (if needed).
• Start recording foley (if needed).

Week 4 (2/17 - 2/23)

• Assemble the first rough cut of the film.
• Incorporate any necessary foley or voiceovers.

Week 5 (2/24 - 3/1)

• Review and analyze the first cut.
• Re-edit if necessary, exploring alternative approaches.

Week 6 (3/2 - 3/8)

• Finalize edits and revisions.
• Research and write the Critical Creative Reflection (CCR).
• Edit and review the CCR.

Week 7 (3/9 - 3/16) - Buffer Week

• Use this week for any last-minute adjustments or unexpected delays.

Opening Credit Sequences in Coming-of-Age Films

Opening credits establish the setting and the mood for a film. In coming-of-age movies, they show the main characters's emotions, the theme of the film, and the overall tone. Three films I used for the research of the opening credit sequences:

1. Eighth Grade (2018)

• The credits use a plain, modern font that feels minimalistic and casual, matching the awkward and realistic feel of the movie.
• The text appears in small, subtle letters at the bottom corner of the screen, not drawing too much attention away from the scenes.
• No flashy effects—just simple fades that keep the focus on the character’s experience.
• The director’s name and production credits appear early, followed by the main cast.
• The simple credits make the film feel more authentic, like we’re watching real life unfold rather than a polished Hollywood story.

 

2. Booksmart (2019)

• The font is bold and fun, with bright colors that contrast against the background. It show the film’s high-energy, modern feel.
• The credits are separated throughout the opening, appearing at different moments in a playful and natural way.
• The text sometimes moves slightly or appears with a quick pop, keeping up with the film’s fast-paced and comedic style.
• The lead actors’ names show up first, followed by the creative team.
• The colorful and dynamic credits make it clear that this film will be upbeat and full of personality.

3. Call Me by Your Name (2017)

• The film uses a handwritten-style script font, adding an artistic and nostalgic touch.
• The credits are centered on the screen but do not distract from the beautiful visuals of the Italian countryside.
• The text gently fades in and out, making it feel smooth and timeless.
• The film title is introduced first, followed by the cast and crew in a traditional order.
• The elegant and slow-moving credits set a dreamy, romantic tone that fits the film’s story of love and self-discovery.

Final Thoughts

All of these films use different credit sequences to match their themes. Eighth Grade is simple and realistic, Booksmart is bright and playful, and Call Me by Your Name has a more elegant, nostalgic approach.

For my own project, I need to decide whether I want my credits to be subtle and understated or bold and eye-catching. The tone of the story will help determine what fits best.

Film Openings Analysis

Film openings set the tone for the story, introduce key characters, and establish themes. In the coming-of-age genre, openings often focus on the main character's world and hint at the personal growth they will experience. I researched these next films based on their openings.

Clueless (1995): The film opens with a montage of Cher's luxurious Beverly Hills lifestyle set to the song Kids in America. Her voiceover presents her personality, high school viewpoint, and privilege. In addition to hinting at Cher's future character development, the film's funny, lighthearted tone is immediately established by its vibrant colors, quick editing, and lively soundtrack.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) Charlie narrates his thoughts while writing a letter in the opening. The tone, which is serious and reflective, establishes his loneliness and presents the story's main themes of connection and acknowledgment

Lady Bird (2017): The film opens with Lady Bird and her mother listening to an audiobook of The Grapes of Wrath in their car. Lady Bird suddenly loses her temper and throws herself out of the moving car following an intense argument. The humor, drama, and main theme of the movie—her fight for independence—are all captured in this scene.

Choosing a Genre for My Project

For my portfolio project, I’m deciding between two genres: coming-of-age and mystery. Here’s what I’ve learned about each one.

Coming-of-Age

This genre centers on a young character's development or a significant life lesson. Usually, the plot revolves around friendships, change, or personal struggles.

My project might be about a character going through a significant transition, such as changing schools, navigating friendships, or making a significant decision, if I choose this genre. To convey feelings, I would use close-ups and warm tones.

Mystery

Mystery films focus on finding the truth, solving a mystery, or revealing secrets. They typically contain shocks, suspense, and hints.

If I decide on this genre, my project might have a character attempting to solve a minor puzzle, uncovering a secret message, or learning something surprising. To create tension, I would employ close-ups and darker lighting.

There is good storytelling potential in both genres. Whereas mystery is about solving a problem and keeping the audience guessing, coming-of-age is more about characters and feelings. I'll choose the best possible option for my project shortly. 

Watch the site for updates!

Starting My Cambridge Portfolio Project

As we begin the Cambridge Portfolio Project, I’m thinking about ideas and how I want to approach it. This project will take planning, creativity, and a good understanding of film to make a strong final piece.

Right now, I’m deciding on my story and what genre will work best. I want my project to be interesting but also realistic with the resources I have. I’m choosing between coming-of-age and mystery, two genres that tell very different types of stories.

Next, I’ll focus on planning my idea, researching genre rules, and thinking about locations, props, and how I’ll film. In my next post, I’ll go over both genres and how they could shape my project.

Music Marketing #2

Behind the Scenes of The Man Music Video

Hey everyone! Welcome back to our Music Marketing blog. For this post, we’re doing something special: instead of just writing about our project, we’ve made a behind-the-scenes vlog of us filming the The Man music video! 🎥

What’s in the Video?

We wanted to take you behind the camera and show you how we filmed the The Man music video. From setting up shots to working out the details, you’ll get to see how the video came together.

Here’s what you’ll see:

• The Team at Work: You’ll meet everyone in the group and see us working on different parts of the video.
• Filming in Action: Watch as we set up scenes and experiment with different ideas
• Funny Bloopers: We couldn’t leave out some of the outtakes! There’s a bit of chaos and many laughs behind the scenes.

Music Marketing Project

For this project, my group and I were assigned the alternative genre. To begin our research for a marketing campaign for a new artist, we explored the strategies used by successful alternative artists such as Billie Eilish, Glass Animals, Imagine Dragons, and The Cure. This research gave us valuable insights and inspiration for how we could effectively pitch our new artist: The Blueprint.

Once we completed the research, we started planning how to tackle the task of creating a comprehensive marketing campaign. We divided the workload and set our own due dates for specific parts of the project. For example, Gaby and Simona worked on the storyboard during class, while Roman and I focused on conducting additional research.

Today in class, we began filming the video and documenting behind-the-scenes footage of the production. We plan to continue filming on Wednesday and have the final edits completed by December 16th at the latest.

My role in this project is to research other marketing and distribution practices for our artist. This includes identifying creative ways to promote the artist beyond social media and traditional platforms, exploring partnerships or sponsorships, and finding innovative methods to connect with our target audience.

Overall, we believe we have divided the work in a way that allows everyone to contribute significantly and evenly. We plan to share all parts of our research with one another so we are all aware of every aspect of the campaign, ensuring it feels cohesive.

Today in class, we began filming the video and documenting behind-the-scenes footage of the production. We plan to continue filming on Wednesday and have the final edits completed by December 16th at the latest.