Portfolio Project Genre #2

Coming-of-Age!

Coming-of-Age is a genre that focuses on a character growing up and learning something important. It portrays real-life situations. I chose to research this genre because it's relatable and easy to film with typical settings like school.

Typical Target Audience: 
Most Coming-of-Age films are made for teens and young adults from ages 12-25. The audience is split between males and females because the themes are enjoyable for both. People enjoy watching this genre because its personal, and the characters go through relatable things. 

 
Content Conventions: 
Coming-of-Age films usually follow a character who is dealing with a personal problem. They have a teen protagonist, personal problem, friendships changing or ending, family tension, and a turning point for the character. 

 
Technique Conventions: 

 

Typical camera shots:  
- Close-ups to show emotion

- Medium shots during conversations

- Natural lighting to make scenes realistic

- Wide shots of everyday location (bedrooms, hallways, parks)
 
Editing: 
- Slower pacing to match the emotional moments

- Cross-cutting between characters to show relationships

- Flashbacks or memory-style shots in some films

Sound: 
- Soft background music

- Indie or acoustic songs

- Silent scenes to increase the tension or awkwardness
 
Mise-en-scene: 
- Everyday clothing

- Realistic settings (schools, homes, cars)

- Personal items to show their personality (posters, journals, photos)
 
Institutional Conventions: 
 
Narrative Image: Coming-of-Age posters usually include the main character alone or with a friend, a simple background, soft colors, and soft lighting. 

 
Marketing: Studios market these films by highlighting the emotional moments, character relationships, relatable situations, and popular songs from the soundtrack. 
 
Distribution: These films usually premiere at festivals, but they also do well on streaming platforms since audiences enjoy watching story-based films at home. 
 
Here's a few examples with the movies The Edge of Seventeen and Call Me By Your Name:

The Edge of Seventeen | Official Trailer | Own it Now on Digital HD, Blu-ray™ & DVD

STX Entertainment. (2016). The Edge of Seventeen – Official Trailer [Video]. YouTube.

Sony Pictures Classics. (2017). Call Me By Your Name [Movie poster].

 
Examples of Films: 
 
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): 
This is a very popular Coming-of-Age movie. It follows Charlie, who's a shy freshman dealing with trauma, friendship, and finding his place in high school. The movie uses soft lighting, close-ups, and emotional music to portray his feelings. 

Chbosky, S. (Director). (2012). The Perks of Being a Wallflower [Film still]. Summit Entertainment. 
 
Lady Bird (2017): 
This movie focuses on a teenage girl who is trying to figure out who she is. She has to juggle fights with her mom, school, and friendships. The film uses natural lighting, everyday settings, and realistic dialogue to make everything feel authentic. 

Gerwig, G. (Director). (2017). Lady Bird [Film still]. A24. 

  
Reflection: 
I chose Coming-of-Age as one of my genres to research because it's very realistic and personal. I like how it focuses on the small moments because for my project I would be able to mimic it. If I use this genre, it'll be hard to make the script well but I'm excited try out the other techniques like lighting to convey the character's feelings. All in all, that's why I chose to research Coming-of-Age.

Portfolio Project Genre #1

ACTION!

Action is a very exciting genre that always grabs people's attention. It focuses on a lot of movement and tension in the scenes. I immediately thought of Action for my portfolio project, because I knew I could use a lot of different shots, angles, and sound to make it realistic. I also liked how it's super visual and there's not a lot of dialogue.

Typical Target Audience: 
Most action films are made for teens and young adults from about 13-35 years old. Usually, the main audience is males but recently that's been changing. It appeals to people who like fast-pacing and heavy stakes in films. It also does well internationally because the scripts don't use a lot of dialogue but instead body language. 
 
Content Conventions: 
Action films all have a super similar plot. They have a main protagonist, an antagonist/threat, a main goal, and lots of high stakes. 
 
Technique Conventions: Action differs a lot from other genres with its shots and editing. These techniques are all very easy to recreate on my own for this project. 
 
Typical camera shots:  
- Tracking shots to follow characters movements 
- Handheld shots during fights to make things feel more chaotic 
- Low angles to make certain characters look more powerful 
- Wide shots to show the setting during a chase or etc. 
 
Editing: 
- Quick cuts between the intense scenes 
- Cross-cutting between the hero and villain 
- Fast to slow to fast again pacing 
 
Sound: 
- Sharp falling sounds 
- Rising music during build ups 
- Silence before a big hit or plot twist 
 
Mise-en-scene: 
- Weapons, vehicles, and more gear 
- An urban setting 
- High-contrast lighting 
 
Institutional Conventions: 
 
Narrative Image: Action posters usually include the protagonist centered in the middle with explosions or the city behind them, as well as a lot of bold colors used. 
 
Marketing: Studios make sure to highlight the big stunts during the trailers and social media posts. The behind-the-scenes stunt videos are also a huge part of their marketing. It lets audiences see how the effects are done which is really interesting. 
 
Distribution: Action films get global releases since they do well internationally. They are released in IMAX and Dolby theaters since the film's play better with larger screens and loud sounds. 
 
Here's a few examples with the link to Avatar's trailer and Top Gun's movie poster:  
 
20th Century Studios. (2009). Avatar – Official Trailer [Video]. YouTube. 
Avatar | Official Trailer (HD) | 20th Century FOX
 
Paramount Pictures. (1986). Top Gun [Movie poster]. 
 
 
 
 
Examples of Films: 
 
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018): 
This movie uses a lot of modern action techniques. The helicopter chase, rooftop run, and motorcycle parts all rely on stunts. The editing keeps the setting known even when it gets chaotic and intense. 
 
 
 
McQuarrie, C. (Director). (2018). Mission: Impossible – Fallout [Film still]. Paramount Pictures. 
 
Avengers: Endgame (2019): 
This is a superhero film and an action one. The final battle is a really good example of the action choreography. It's very large with numerous characters, constant movement, and lots of different fights happening simultaneously. The film also uses cross-cutting to help the audience follow what's happening between all the different characters.  
 
 
 
Russo, A., & Russo, J. (Directors). (2019). Avengers: Endgame [Film still]. Marvel Studios. 
 
Reflection: 
So, I chose Action as one of my genres to research because it has so many different techniques to use. I like how the editing can completely change how a scene feels. Even someone getting chased down a hallway can be made very chaotic with the shots and angles. All in all, that's why Action stood out to me.