Upcoming Assignment

 This week I learned that I will have to do a preliminary task. I'm nervous, but excited! I get to test my filmmaking skills and play around with editing, as well as work with sound. Everything that I've been preparing for her. 

With this preliminary task, I will be able to prepare myself for the REAL opening. The question is what should the preliminary task be about? I think I'm going to start of with something simple, involving my precious dog... maybe? I want to play around the the voiceover spectrum. I want do a voiceover because for "What's Eating the Runaways?", I plan to have Gianni perform a monologue but through a voiceover. Let me not get ahead of myself, I need to come up with ideas first and then decide the way to film. 

I also plan to work with lighting, different camera angles. I'm most scared about the editing process, but I won't stress too much about it. This is just a dip in the water. 

The Setting

I’m sure now and from the survey results that the film should take place in the 90s. I always wanted the film to take place in the 90s so now I’m planning on researching the vibe of the 90s so I can incorporate it in the film. 

This includes clothing and more importantly the room. I want to film a part of the movie in the Gianni's room. I plan to FaceTime one of my close guy friends and ask him for a quick tour of his room to see what I got myself into or I might even ask him if I could use his room for the film, and just add 90s elements.

I also plan to research 90s room inspiration and buy posters and other elements to really get that 90s aura. 

I'm actually researching 90s grunge bedrooms right now. A lot teens use posters of their favorite bands in their room. The posters are put up on the walls, in a collage fashion giving it a messy look. White and black is heavily used, which is funny because the dark black and the white clearly juxtaposes each other. Some teens even have a poster of their favorite actor at the time. Other rooms incorporate larger than life patterns and bright colors. 

These are some pictures I found online that I'm drawing inspiration. Enjoy.

References: 

https://i-d.vice.com/en_us/article/zmxdz5/what-these-iconic-photos-of-90s-teens-in-their-bedrooms-can-teach-us-about-being-young-today

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/334462709806090105/

https://weheartit.com/entry/270924788

https://www.papermag.com/check-out-these-tk-90s-bedrooms-1725778885.html

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/171910910751082824/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/570127634070173034/

I heart the 90s

I found out that what I have to do. Basically I have to find the publisher or owner of the song. To do that, I used this website.

And then, I had to fill out this form:

For the "All Apologies" Nirvana song I had to fill out this form:

Bad news about "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac though. I could not find the publisher. I'll keep trying to find but it's unlikely.

The reason why I'm trying to get licensing for these two songs is because I'm trying to see if I can licensed for either songs. If they don't accept me for "All Apologies", I still have "Tomorrow Never Knows" and vice versa. I'm only going to use 1 song for the film though, just to clarify. 

For now, the songs I chose are pretty popular with pretty popular bands so I don’t know if I’ll get the rights for it soon. If I don’t get it by the end of December or beginning of January I’ll have to choose different songs. Crossing my fingers! 

Grunge is not dead

The film is going to take place in the 90s. In addition, in my survey my demographic said that if the movie was to take place in the 90s, than 90s grunge music should be used. So I’m listening to a BUNCH of 90s songs and bands. My main focus is Nirvana, Green Day, Blink-182. I really want a song that was played in the 90s era. See my plan is that while the opening of the movie title/credits a 90s grunge song would roll in. 

These are some of the songs that I'm liking right now because it goes with the tone of my film.

"All Apologies" by Nirvana 

"Tomorrow Never Knows" by Our Lady Peace 

"Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac

I know this song was released in the 70s, but it really goes with the vibe of my film and I think it's a good song for the opening of the credits. It's not grunge but it does have soft rock elements.

I really have to figure out how I’m going to get the licensing and the rights for it. I’m going to do some research now. 

She finally makes a decision

So the story I’m choosing *drum roll please*.......

"What's Eating the Runaways?"

Yes, yes hold your applause please. Now, who’s here for some teen angsts!? 

I’m still waiting on some results from the survey to help me with the components of the film. One of the main reasons I chose this idea is because it's definitely a challenge. I don't know how I'm going to put all the elements together. Hmmm, I don't know maybe I like giving myself a hard time? No, I'm just kidding. 

I already have ideas in my head on storyboarding and shot list. All in all, I'm more excited about "What's Eating the Runaways?", than the other story I was thinking about. I also have actors who want to participate in the film.

Right now though, I’m going to focus deeper on the story and storyboarding and the shot list. Who knows? Maybe I’ll continue the film when I’m a big time filmmaker. Let us see what the future has in stored for me. 

Finally, some ideas

 I have two ideas on what I want my film to be about. 

(What's Eating the Runaways?)

Gianni and Lucas both live tumultuous lives with their parents who always seem to have arguments about every little thing. Gianni is in his senior year of high school. Gianni never felt like he fit in, in his small town. He never related to the people of his small town or both his parents. All he knows is that he loves his little brother Lucas. He wants to leave the small town he's living in and experience the world. Gianni soon finds out that the man he's been calling "dad" this whole time is not his biological father. It turns out his real dad is living in New York. Shocked by this revelation, he and Lucas go on a road trip to New York to find Gianni's long lost dad. Along the way, they meet two girls and discover things about themselves they never knew. Will Gianni find his long lost dad? Will he be disappointed? Will that void he feels finally be filled? 

I was initially having trouble with the title of the film it was between "Consuming Adolescence", "Gianni & Lucas" or "What's Eating the Runaways?". In the survey, the majority of my peers liked the title "Consuming Adolescence", but in my heart I know the title should be "What's Eating the Runaways?". 

I already asked two of my close friends from my theatre class, Jonathan and Alejandro, if they would like to participate and they said yes! I've worked with them before and they have some background in acting. Both very talented people! I hope they don’t change their minds because their parts are crucial in the film. I still have some components and elements I need to incorporate for the film so I can’t wait to plan for that. It’s going to be difficult but I’m excited. 

(I don't know what the title should be)

The second idea I have is a film which will focus on two female leads who fall in love. I don't want it to be about their trials and tribulations. I don't want audiences to focus on that it is two women falling in love. I just want it to be shown as a true love story, with heart break. I got this idea while doing an assignment for theatre. It played out all through my head. I even wrote a little script about it! The beginning of the film would take place in the mall and it would include a love at first sight scene with a perfect song in the background. 

I was also inspired by my friends who were in love at some point but slowly fell off. That's what time and growing up does to you. It doesn't last forever, but all you can do is remember the love you have for that person(one of the themes that would go hand in hand in the film). I can communicate with those two past lovebirds because I want to represent the LGBTQ community as truthful as I can. I do not want any cliches. 

Acquiring ideas

So, I've kind of developed an idea for the film but I don't know, I kind of need some push. I need help with the components of the film, so it was suggested to make a survey to find what my demographic is interested in watching. My peers would certainly want to help. Only 10 people have filled it out so far so I’ll try to send it to people I know to get more responses. I’ll keep you updated. 

 Here is a link to go to the survey

So far 80% of those 10 people watch film often and 50% said their favorite genre are coming-of-age films. 

100% said that they are interested in the story I'm thinking about for my film, but 80% want the protagonist to be female. 

It is a tie between if the setting should be in the present or in the 1990's. 

Although, 30% said that if it were to be set in the 90s, the soundtrack should be 90s grunge music. 

60% said that they do look for gender and racial representation in film. 

70% said I should start off the scene with a monologue from the main character while 30% said a dialogue between two characters. 

This survey really helped me rack my brain for ideas and have an insight as to what my target demographic are looking for when watching a film. 

So far, she doesn't know what she's doing

I actually have no idea yet what I want the film to be about, but I plan to draw inspiration from music and movies that I watched. I also plan to draw inspiration from my friends because I want real teenage experiences to be included. Short blog post today, but I really want to focus on the premise of my film. I promise next blog post, will have more details than ever about what I want my film to portray. 

Oh oh my teen angst is showing

I am doing a coming-of-age film, so for that reason there has to be some dramatics in it. There has to be a character who is willing to show us the emotional aspect of being a teenager and act out for us. For one thing though, if my character is rebelling, he/she is going to have a valid reason behind it. Impulsive decisions are to be made, it's inevitable. But hopefully, I plan to create a character that brings some realism on what being a teenager is really like. 

I would really want to have an adult presence in there. On the other hand, I really want to portray how adults look at teens. As a teenager I absolutely detest when adults say "You're a young adult now, you need to start making decisions for yourself" but then they say "You're still a child, you can't make choices for yourself." This is why teens have a big confusion on what to do and why when we're at a crossroads we have difficulty making a decision. Adults need to learn and not look at teens in a negative light. I want adults to relate to my film and see why teenagers are the way they are. We are special. Let us make our own decisions, but also guide us positively towards the horizon. 

Teen Representation

 How are teens represented in the media? 

Teens are often misrepresented in the media. Teenagers are presented as over dramatic, emotional, immature, and who don't make the best decisions. Especially in movies and countless TV shows, I see teens partying every weekend and going out. For example in the TV show Gossip Girl, teens are seen going out all the time attending high fashion events.  

Not all teens are like that. Some are extremely cautious of what they do and know the consequences and how it will affect their future. The media almost never shows the side where teens are busy studying for the upcoming math test, SAT's or college applications. 

Yes, teens are often expressed as rebellious individuals but they usually have a reason behind it, whether it be because of their pasts or some sort of catalyst that slowly caused them to act out. Adults are never involved in the characters lives. They almost seem nonexistent and let the teens do what they want. Let bring the TV show Gossip Girl again. The characters always seem to be in a pickle with adult-like situations, making adult-like decisions. 

Society looks at teens negatively. All society see is sex, drugs and alcohol. People who are very emotional and are unable to make decisions for themselves. What society doesn't see are those teens who need to grow up quickly and take on the world, one obstacle at a time. The media needs to start portraying those teens who are studying everyday for a higher education and see those teens who reach for the stars. 

References

https://princetonsummerjournal.com/2014/08/11/teens-arent-fairly-portrayed-in-media/

The way Latinos are represented in the media

   I recently read an article about the representation of the Latino community in the media. There is definitely an underrepresentation and misrepresentation of Latinos, especially in film and TV. According to the article, it said that the Media, Diversity, and Social Change Initiative's 2014 Report stated that Latinos made up only 4.9% of characters in film. 

   Latino women are more likely to be shown nude or partially unclothed. Latino women are portrayed very sensual in movies. For example, Salma Hayek's character in the film "From Dusk Till Dawn" (directed by Robert Rodriguez) is shown dancing erotically, with only her undergarments on. 

   Not only Latino women, but also Latino men. Latino men are also dressed in tight or revealing clothing to accentuate their bodies. Diego Luna in "Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights" (directed by Guy Ferland) plays a young man from Cuba, who dances exceptionally almost every time wearing a tight tank top.  

   Latino men and women are not only portrayed very sexually, but given negative portrayals as well. Latino characters are consistently given negative portrayals. Some are portrayed as gardeners like the character Sam in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" (directed by Raja Gosnell), played by Manolo Cardona. He also wears tight clothing.

   Another stereotypically negative role, is the role of maids. Jennifer Lopez plays a young woman struck of the hardships of being a maid for a big top hotel in "Maid in Manhattan"(directed by Wayne Wang). 

   In addition, Latinos are mostly given criminal roles too. Al Pacino in "Scarface"(directed by Brian De Palma) depicts a Cuban immigrant who's trying to make it big in America by selling drugs and doing crime, becoming a huge drug lord. 

   These negative portrayals and stereotypes shape the opinions and attitudes that the media has of the Latino community. Non-Latinos start to consider that those stereotypes are true. This is why there is an upset amount of misrepresentation in the media of  Latinos. 

   It is pivotal to start avoiding these and many other negative stereotypes, so that the entertainment media can have true and honest portrayals of Latino characters.

References: 

https://www.panoramas.pitt.edu/art-and-culture/misrepresentation-latinos-media

https://www.chicano.ucla.edu/files/news/NHMCLatinoDecisionsReport.pdf

Image of Salma Hayek in "From Dusk Till Dawn" (directed by Robert Rodriguez) from

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116367/characters/nm0000161?ref_=tt_mv_close

Image of Diego Luna and Romola Garai in "Dirty Dancing Havana Nights" (directed by Guy Ferland) from

https://weheartit.com/entry/7796252

Image of Manolo Cardona in "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" (directed by Raja Gosnell) from

https://www.popsugar.co.uk/entertainment/photo-gallery/45717497/image/45717419/Beverly-Hills-Chihuahua

Image of Jennifer Lopez in "Maid in Manhattan" (directed byWayne Wang) from

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/12/185168/latina-maid-in-manhattan-housekeeper-racist-stereotype

Image of Al Pacino in "Scarface" (directed by Brian De Palma) from

bc.net.au/news/2020-06-02/al-pacino-in-scarface-1983-film/12305476?nw=0