Genre Research- Campaign Portfolio

 How to Drama?

To be frank, this week has been extremely chaotic in the sense of balancing life with school. I was sure that by the time this presentation came through, I would be ready. Who knew that after studying all these film techniques, that an opening film idea would be so difficult? 

Many of the ideas I came up with revolved around drama. It felt as though, no matter how hard I try to think of something else, I was firmly infatuated with the drama concept. If I think about the Arabian or Turkish films that I have watched growing up, they all incorporated emotional conflict between family or romantic relationships. I have also noticed that these films are followed by a serious or comedic outlook.

After contemplating over the concepts, I believe the best way to approach my dilemma is to understand the genre on a deeper level. 

The Prestige - Opening Scene HD- A phenomenal piece, with an overly dramatic opening of rivalry magicians. 

Observations:

- The film began with symbolism. There were top hats scattered on autumn leaves, which instills viewers with inquiry. 

- The sound of quiet leaves felt loud. The moment of silence was broken apart when a sudden firm sound of a man, possible character or narrator. The lighting was also dull. Both sound and mise en scene techniques are meant to make the audience look closely. That is why, when the man breaks this tension, he asks “Are you watching closely?”

- After a voice was introduced, a black scene was introduced. Then appeared the voiceover man, indicating he is an important character within the film. The transition from nondigetic to digetic sound evidently presents dramatic content.

-The beginning is subtle, but then there is meticulous selection of jump cuts or cross cuts of different people and scenes. The voiceover man is referencing a general introduction of the plot and the editing techniques are meant to associate the two fragments. 

-Chaotic scenes such as men fighting= shaky cameras (handheld) 

-The jump cut scenes that the voiceover man is referencing is about a man. This man hold characteristic’s of a magician through his costuming design like white/black suite and a stage. This is not enough to determine he is a magician however. Future scenes are meant to showcase the story.

-Music played a key role in the dramatic scenes. The instrumental sound augments when the magician is shown. 

Key takeaways from Drama film: 

-Sound: Transition from subtle to dramatic voluminous sounds (can use nondigetic-digetic)

-Editing: Handheld chaotic scenes/Cross-cutting 

-Mise-en-scene: Dull lighting/earth tones

I like the elements used because they maintain an audiences attention. The sudden elements were mostly presented in the sound, editing, and mise-en-scene techniques. I would like to use music to provide the contrast in my film, whether it happens to be a romantic or family drama. Once I establish my idea, I believe I will begin to understand how I want to incorporate subtle to chaotic segments.