Film Research -- Target Audience

 The coming of age genre centers around the universal experience of growing into adulthood. Relatable struggles of friendship, insecurity, and more can resonate with all types of audiences. The great thing about this genre is viewers can easily pick and choose the themes that have related to them or not. But lets think about who is the target audience for this genre:

Teenagers (13-21 years old)

Young adults and teenagers are the main demographic for coming of age films as it targets a point in their life that they're currently experiencing. 

I've spoken on the relatability this genre offers before, but that's because I can't stress this idea enough. These films allow teenagers to feel seen when it comes to major points in their lives. For example, the common theme of the different social dynamics often comes into play. The 2023 film, Bottoms, follows two unpopular queer girls in high school who are trying to impress a group of cheerleaders. 

All these dynamics create a sense of "I'm not alone" to the audience that is validating to teenage audiences. Plus, these movies are a perfect Friday night movie that teenagers can throw on and enjoy popcorn and candy with.

The coming-of-age sub-genre also encourages its teenage audience to overcome challenges. While something may seem to be life-altering, these films provide a model for teenage audiences to better their lives. 

Parents (30+ years old)

While life is much more complicated than it was back then, these movies offer older individuals a sense of nostalgia. Personally, while it may seem like my mom is just some lady who knows everything, I have to remind myself that she was once a high schooler, too. She once was all giddy over her first kiss and had to learn how to drive a car like she was learning to do addition.

These films act as time machines for these older generations who miss when times were simpler. The teenage stage, although different for everyone, still occurred. Even for your grandpa, who is too old to remember his childhood neighbor.

Many coming-of-age films are set in the past. For example, Dear God its me Margret can trigger memories of what it was like to be a teenager in the the 1970's to 1990's. Seeing characters go through their own challenges can spark forgotten memories.

Reflection

After conducting research on the target audience of the coming of age genre I was more sure of myself. This genre can be enjoyed by anyone and is always helpful when it comes to sparking emotions. Moreover, by involving parental figures in films, parents could also feel seen when it comes to dealing with a teenager. 

Source: Bottoms 

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Research -- Premier Pro

Research

 During my time in this class I've grown more familiar with the editing software Premier Pro. Besides the projects I've worked on in this class using it, I've also used it on my own time to create personal projects of my own. While at first I was puzzled as to how to work the platform, with a few tutorials I got the hang of it rather quickly. 

Audio

The use L & J cuts has been very helpful when it applies to me having to mesh audios together. I like how it makes clips flow together rather then come off as choppy. At first I had a bit of trouble learning to import my sounds into Premier Pro and pick which sound I wanted to mute, and sounds I wanted to showcase. 

Another helpful tool was the Pen Tool, which allowed me to lower certain points of the audio and heighten other ones. In terms of my film opening, this tool will be very effective when I want to clean up ambient noise that could be distracting to the viewer. The sound bridges were also very seamless as I lowered the audio at some points and brought it back up again.

Clip formation

When deciding to create this personal project to help me get more adjusted to the software, I wanted to make things as easy as possible for me. When it came to importing my clips into my Mac, I made a separate folder so that all my clips were in the same place. This also made the process of importing them into Premier Pro easier. 

After importing my clips, I had a good idea of how I wanted them to fit with my video. The razor tool was a great help when it came to wanting to cut down unnecessary pauses between my videos. My clips had various people in them, and I didn't want them to be too long, as I had various other clips to try to fit into a 2-minute song audio. 

As shown above, I have the same clip labeled 'sam' yet its cut into two segments. This was done because I had two people in the video but there was a pause between the time to get the camera on one to another.

A game changer was the Magnet Tool. I could go on and on about how useful it was when it came to not having gaps between my clips. The last thing I needed was gaps between them and this tool helped a lot. 

Text

While I didn't experiment with text in this personal project its something I look forward to doing in my film opening. In doing some research on youtube, theres a feature that you could put a title behind a character which could be very helpful. Plus, I went through the fonts provided and they have very diverse fonts which could fit for any theme. 

Responsive Design

Yet another feature I did not get the chance to explore was responsive design. This feature allows for graphics and visuals to automatically adapt to changes in the duration of the video. This could be helpful when it comes to adding overlays and pining specific graphics. 

Reflection 

Thanks to creating my own video for fun, I've grown more comfortable with using Premiere Pro. I plan on experimenting with this project and using text in my film opening and incorporating different tools. The software is suitable for projects of long lengths and has plenty of features to dip your toes in. 

Film Research -- Film Openings

 

Research:

Now that I'm officially planning how I want my film to open I'm looking into the 2 minute openings of popular coming of age movies in the past 5 years. This will give me further incite as to how to direct my film after getting inspiration from well done films. 

Licorice Pizza (2021)

   This film is an American coming of age drama where a high school boy falls for a woman 10 years older than him. While my film opening is going to be nowhere near this type of storyline, I think its good to analyze the different approaches taken to portray a coming of age film. It also centers in the 1970's, which includes different aspects of mise-en-scene, however it does fit in with the genre as it centers around first love. 

Scene 1: The introduction bathroom scene

  The first scene shows a mid-shot of the main character (Gary Valentine) in the bathroom grooming his hair with his fellow high school peers. This shot captures not only the setting but also dialogue between characters. In particular, the boys are well dressed and seem to care for their appearance which makes the audience curious as to why. 

Scene 2: The first encounter

A tracking shot is used to show the love interest (Alana Kane) holding a mirror up for Gary. This shot allows for the audience to move with the characters and gain a better concept as to the plot leading up. 

   Not only is a tracking shot used to show movement but also a two shot which allows the audience to get a sense of the characters relationship. You could tell that Alana is trying to keep her distance from Gary while he seems very persistent. 

Lighting

  Its clear that the lighting is set to look very natural which fits with the coming of age sub-genre. It dose not try to hard and looks like a afternoon in California. It also ties into the slight yellowish amber hue that most teenage films use to depict a sense of nostalgia. 

Camera height

     The camera is placed at a lower angle throughout the opening to relay the idea that the main character is a 15 year old boy. This placement makes Gary seem more commanding and draws attention to both his behaviors and character. 

Bones and All (2022)

  The second movie I decided to analyze to give me a greater grasp of the opening of the coming of age sub-genre was Bones and All which stars popular actors: Taylor Russel and Timothee Chalamet. This film ties into some aspects of what I want to do with my film as the first 2 minutes depicts two girls. 

Scene: The Sleepover

   This scene came across as very helpful, as it shows a close-up two-person shot of two girls who are best friends. The main character, Maren, and her friend paint their nails and share a cute girly time at her friend's house. A close-up shot is used to show the intimacy shared between Maren and her friend, and how Maren's eyes continually direct her gaze to her friend's fingers. Moreover, they chose to use a low-angle shot to create a sense of groundedness as they lie down. 

Editing

 The first 2 minutes are very slow paced and there is not a lot of cuts either. This creates a domestic scene as the scenes aren't filled with energy and come across as 'natural'. The scenes flow together and makes the viewer feel as if they're in the scene too. 

Lighting

   Another aspect I wanted to touch on that comes up as recurring is the soft lighting used. They used amber lighting to highlight characters, and all the shadows come across as a maroonish-brown. It makes the scene cozy yet cuts off any outside factors. 

Source: Licorice Pizza Introduction

Gary & Alana Scene 

Bones and All opening scene

Maren and friend scene 

Film Research -- Lighting

 Research

A key component of film includes specific lighting chosen to depict emotions in specific scenes. Certain lights can help reveal a character's inner feelings or even give viewers an idea as to where the storyline is progressing. Audiences typically see dark lighting when the story takes a dramatic shift and more light when showing a positive switch. In terms of coming-of-age films, it's common to see natural or soft lighting, which is what I'll be focusing on in my film.

Natural light

Coming of age films focus on the raw side of characters teenage years as they transition into adulthood. Natural light isn't as polish and precise as you would see in other genres like action. 

It also creates a sense of realness that comes off as comfortable. For example, the scene above from 'Incoming', released in 2024, shows a scene of the main characters outside in their school courtyard. This is a place that is visually nostalgic, as audiences can relate. Yellow hues are also seen in coming of age films as it depicts 'better times'. 

The importance of Golden Hour

"Golden Hour" is the period that comes right before or after the sun rises or sets. This period not only acts as a pretty glow but it represents childhood in its all entirty.

By having characters highlighted in the light of the sun, it creates a sense of nostalgic beauty that can only be reminisced on. You often see this type of lighting used at the end of a coming age film to close out the film or even when the main character is getting their first kiss. It sparks a sense of intimacy and a pivotal point in the character's plotline. 

The following example from the 2022 film Aftersun depicts the golden hue of the sun is depicted on the characters. Moreover, the two-person shot evokes a sense of intimacy between the characters, which can give viewers a sense of their relationship. Golden hour is heavily used in this genre to create a dreamlike fantasy. 

Conclusion

Lighting is hard to get, and I want all aspects of my film opening to be delivered correctly. Therefore, I am settling for natural lighting as it is one of the most common used techniques for the coming of age genre and still evokes nostalgia to the audience. 

Source: Incoming

Aftersun 

Film Research: The 2000's

 Film Research: The 2000's 

   Something that I definitely want to include in my film opening is the incorporation of the 2000's. After doing a bit of research on coming of age films, I've recognized a pattern that some of the most referenced ones are from the early 2000's. This time was very divergent when it came to media, as cellphones and other devices were the 'new thing' at the time.

  Not only have I been inspired by films produced in the 2000's, but also by my personal connections who grew up in that era. I was speaking with my sister about her nostalgic high school days, and I couldn't help but compare them to my experience now. One thing that really stuck with me was her words on what was in style at the time. Back then, there were divisions on who you hung out with: the emos, cheerleaders, jocks, and smart kids. Despite the social divisions placed, there was a common rotation of skinny low-rise jeans, chunky sneakers, and layered accessories.

Research

    To create a successful piece, I am going to be analyzing the fashion choices in 2000's movies and reading articles that give me a better view of highschool life during that time. Also asking questions to my siblings that we're in highschool during the early 2000's will be a big help. While fashion differed for both men and women, I am focusing my piece around 2 girls. Knowing for sure that I am having 2 girls in the main role, I will only have to do research on the trends in female fashion. The 2000's were very big on indie sleaze, Mcbling, and Emo/Scene. 

Indie Sleaze

    Indie Sleaze served a gritty and after-party look that combined different colored pieces that often had no intention of mixing, but still looked good. It wasn't about looking good but rather looking like you just came back from a good time. This style combined 1990s grunge with random pieces that you often forgot where you got them from. From thrifted flannels to ballet flats and leather jackets to a random metallic camisole: indie sleaze is considered unique.

  A big style icon of this aesthetic was model Kate Moss. She had her own 'rockstar girlfriend' aura that wasn't afraid to experiment with her messy and low-effort outfits that somehow still looked good. Her relationship with Pete Doherty during 2005-2007 opened her to the world of British rock and only pushed her Indie Sleaze aesthetic. Indie Sleaze is considered to be the last living fashion era till social media platform Instagram took over. 

Source: Kate Moss and Pete Doherty 

McBling

  The McBling aesthetic of the early 2000s focused on a more dramatic and couture look. In girls, there was a heavy inclusion of the color pink as it expressed girlhood and being in with femininity. Everything followers of this aesthetic wore had to be considered 'in'. Going to the grocery store didn't include an old t-shirt and jeans, but rather a matching color sweatsuit and hoop earrings.

    Brands like Juicy Couture, PINK, Juicy Phat, and Ed Hardy had a special place in the hearts of rich girls during this time period. Slogans on t-shirts and sweatsuits were all the heat as they were sassy. Layering accessories also played a big part in a girl's outfit. Wrists decked out in chunky bracelets and stomachs adorned with a pretty piercing were all the norm. Personally, this is one of my favorite aesthetics of the time as it incorporates all types of colors and layering techniques. 

Source: Paris Hilton 

Emo/Scene 

From 2003-2008, the online chatting website MySpace took off and sparked the internet-centric style of Emo/Scene. This fashion sense was all about taking an alternative approach to what is deemed as 'normal'. It got to the degree that it wasnt about the clothes anymore, but the persona you took along with it.

   Hair played a big part in depicting whether you were dedicated. Teased side-swooped hair was common--sometimes with dyed ends that looked like a raccoon. The color palette wasn't specific, as some went for the all-black look while others took a neon and graphic approach. One thing was for sure: skinny jeans were a mandatory staple.

   Bands like My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy were on the playlist of all true emos, as they truly understood how they felt. These bands were also a common talking point when it came to making friends with other emo kids who dressed similarly with skinny jeans, chokers, and side-swept hair. 

Source: 2000s Emo kids

Reflection

In doing this research, I was able to get a clearer perspective of the social divides at the time. Personality was heavily expressed through clothing pieces and was a way to make friends with like minded traits. After exploring each aesthetic, I want my characters to embody a Mcbling aesthetic, as our society today still reminisces on it. 

Film Research -- Finding Inspo

  One thing I definitely do best is making a mood board. A mood board is an arrangement of images or text that convey a central theme or goal. In making one, I find it much clearer to lay out my ideas on a project and stick to my main goal. The perfect thing about creating a mood board is its always subject to change, in so, the one I'm creating doesn't need to be in the same realm as my final project but it helps me generate ideas. 

      So far I'm planning to base my film opening on the connection of two girls who are navigating through pre-adulthood together. A true bond between two girls is something that doesn't come often and being a teenage girl myself, this project would be something that comes naturally. 

  A recent film I watched, 'Skate Kitchen' has been inspirational when it comes to picking bits and pieces from different films to add to the overall vibe that I want to give off. This movie comes off as very raw as it is based in New York and navigates through an 18 year old finding herself. Camille, the main character is shy at first but is easily welcomed into a group of girls who have her back. 

  Another thing I want to take advantage of when doing my 2-minute film opening is the incorporation of certain camera shots. After doing some research and looking at visual examples, there is lots of mid-shots and close up shots in the coming of age genre. The mid-shot is perfect for showing body language between two characters and let the audience know if theres tension between the characters or not. They can also use this angle to also show members of a friend group interacting. The close up shots are most important as they can tell a lot about an individual character. Its easy to tell if the character is nervous or going through a period of excitement. 

The more I research, the more excited I get to film. Movies have been a big part of my life and creating something as short as a 2 minute opening is going to be both a long process, yet exciting. 

Sources: https://www.anothermag.com/art-photography/16061/lauren-greenfield-eimear-lynch-interview-social-studies-tv-show-girlhood
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/10-almost-famous-quotes-probably-173316609.html
https://thebrainscramble.com/divine-feminine/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMCSuikm6zs

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/09/movies/skate-kitchen-review.html

https://screencrush.com/lady-bird-illustrated-essay-pairs/

https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/mid90s

Film Research -- Diving into sub-genres

  In coming up with 3 genres I want my film to be about, (horror, romance, teen) I was informed that there is more to just picking a genre. While the basis of a film may be romance for example, there's different subcategories that romance films contain. I have an idea of the sub-genres I want to do for my film opening as these are the the plots of my most favorited films. 

Teen - Coming of Age

    Coming of age movies will always have a place in my heart for the emotions they draw out of me. These films navigate through pivotal moments of a young adults life. Simply, a kid is suddenly faced with adult issues and now they have to figure out how to deal with them. The amazing thing of this sub-genre is you can take bits and pieces from the characters experience and relate it to your own. In having such a deep interest in these films, I would be able to have a better grasp as to how I want my film opening to be directed and portrayed. 

.       
 

Sources: DiDi poster

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl poster

Romance - Comedies

   After watching one or two romance comedies you could pretty much infer that the two main characters always end up together in the end. Its pretty generic but people go wild for it. The comedic aspect in these films can make them enjoyable to the degree that people don't mind watching them one, two, maybe even three times. Plenty are considered 'classics' for the films iconic cast or comedic lines. 

 More times than not, the relationship between the two characters is challenged by an event or conflict--this could be the 1 bed trope, or needing a fake date. The list goes on and on. There is always one supporting character or best friend that eggs the two on or makes one of the characters realize what they're missing out on. Overall, these characters will have a 'light bulb' moment and realize how they truly feel. 

    If you ask me, I really enjoy those romance comedies that include a female character that comes across as very strong willed and ends up falling for the guy. I enjoy how this goes against the norms that the guy in romance movies has to be the douche bag and not recognize what he is missing out on. 

Sources: The Proposal

Romance - Gothic 

  Gothic Romance movies are always visually appealing, especially if you're into the dark academia aesthetic. A key aspect of the sub-genre is the victorian style of dressing, locations, and makeup. The atmosphere of these films are always gloomy and can make the audience feel a sense of suspense. Everything in these movies are unhinged from the typical romantic movie you see playing in the theater. The toxic and mysterious allure of it all brings the film together. 

For example, Bram Strokers Dracula of 1992 completely embodies what a gothic film is about. While the movie is called 'flawed' it took risks and the costumes in it were delightful to the goth aesthetic. Plus, its hard to describe the film as great plot wise as it competes with the other films in the Dracula franchise.

Sources: Crimson Peak scene 

The Phantom of the Opera scene

Horror - Supernatural 

  Geez do these films give me the creeps! I have to reiterate that I'm not the biggest fan of horror but the super natural sub-genre of horror can be an exciting watch. These films often rely on relgious undertones, the after life, or the difference between good and evil. Its hard to say where the plot goes with these films as part of the 'supernatural' is being unpredictable. 

  The horror genre utilizes the incorporation of sound heavily to incite fear amongst its viewers. I think thats one of the main factors that distinguishes it from other genres. The subtle shifts in the music already leave a bone chilling experience. The plots are so scattered that it can be enjoyed by any age range.

 

Sources: Black Phone poster

Freaky poster

    The way I researched these sub-genres was doing a quick discussion with my classmates of their favorite films in the 3 genres I picked. After hearing their feedback I went on to research the sub-genres contained in those particular films. This gave me a greater idea as to what sub-genre brings more excitement out of people. After doing extensive research on these 3 genres and their sub-genres I decided to go with Teen Coming of Age. Not only do I want my film opening to be about what I enjoy, but also something that can come across as relatable to people in my age range. 

Genre Research -- Picking my Genre

     In deciding what genre I want to pursue for my film opening, I knew one thing for sure is I wanted to choose one that I personally enjoy. As an avid movie go-er, I definitely know what keeps me engaged and what doesn't. I'm not one for horror movies but if pushed enough by my friends, I'll endure it. After debating a few genres I finally concluded that I want to do a film opening of one of the following: teen, romance, horror, action. While i could name a few movies from each genre, I decided to do further research on each genre. 

Teen

The teen genre is very self explanatory. These films are targeted to a teenage audience and often involves a plot line that can be relatable to many who are growing into adulthood. Popular themes include first love, teen angst, rebellion, and attempting to fit in. Personally, when done right they easily become part of my favorite film collection. Being a teenager myself, these films portray scenes that are relatable and have some sense of emotional depth to them. The teen genre often takes a different approach compared to other genres that have the same plots and characters. 

                                                             

Sources: Juno poster

Ferris Buller's Day Off poster

The Edge of Seventeen poster

super bad poster

Romance

The romance genre is targeted to themes of intimacy, attachment, and connection between characters. Romantic plots in movies are often very to the book and don't stray much in terms of creativity. However, producers may add different perspectives to the main plot line or focus on the relationships of two or more groups. The appealing thing about these movies is they tend to excite the audience to feel a mutual longing for the same connection showed on screen. Romance films are like a rollercoaster but more times than not its common knowledge that the two characters get together in the end. These films can either evoke viewers on a path of nostalgia or enhance feelings of love. This genre is very popular during the month of love, February. 

On a personal level, I don't mind the romance genre however its not my first pick. If I do end up going for a romance film I go for the ones with an independent female lead with a comedic subgenre. 

                                   

                      

Sources: How to Lose A Guy in 10 Days poster

500 Days of Summer poster

SUBMARINE poster

Lost In Translation poster

Horror

What makes horror different from other genres is its continuous shock factor involved with it. Its no secret that horror movies can be interpreted in many different ways and story lines. For example, the movie franchise "Evil Dead" is a horror fan favorite because of how dated and awful the plotline is. Even bad horror films can be interpreted as great. While it is not my favorite genre because of how scared I get, I do have to give credit where its due. Horror films take such a different approach its hard to tell where the plot line is going and who ends up surviving at the end. The goal for producers is to engage fear without actually inflicting danger and keep their audiences engaged.           

                       

Sources: Evil Dead 2 poster

The Thing poster

30 Days of Night poster

Hellraiser poster 

The way I searched for these genres was evaluating movies that I personally enjoy and doing further research as to what that genre entails. By taking a look at my personal film favorites I was able to further indulge myself in the genre and give myself a clear image of what my own film opening would be about if I did pick one of the three genres.