Let’s talk inspo aka “My So-Called Life” and target audience!!

 Hey hey hey!!

As I am working on my storyboard, I will be talking about the target audience and sort of the vibe I want for my piece!! 

For one of the media analysis practices, we watched an excerpt from pilot of the TV show, “My So Called Life,” starring a young Claire Danes and Jared Leto. What I found interesting was that my teacher had mentioned that when this show aired in the 90s, it was revolutionary and ended up being cut short of its potential, as it was cancelled within its first season. Although it was short, something else discussed in my class was that it paved the way for shows made with and for teenagers, such as the controversial “Euphoria” to discuss difficult topics lived during the teenage years, and to even exist. 

What I loved about the short excerpt I watched was how personal the show felt, as in, how close one as a viewer feels to the main character. In the opening scene, we see a handheld shot, on what seems like a personal camera, recording the main character and her friend just being themselves (teenagers). Through that short part of the excerpt, we were able to identify their dynamics, a bit of their personality, and generally what they may be like through the mise-en-scene element of costuming. I truly loved how real, authentic, and natural it felt. With this being said, I really see myself inspired by it as I do want to make it feel that a teenager made it and it is for them :)

Sooooo, this means that my target audience would be teenagers. My film (opening) would aim to building that connection with them, while also giving space for silliness and a serious topic, and finally, not media that seems to intense or graphic for the eyes. As of now, and based on the media I see that is meant for us teenagers, most of the time it tends to be graphic or very heavy. Although it may be true that at this age we are a bit more “mature,” I believe that there should be space for the silliness and simple scenes like the one above, for teens. By practicing this idea, as a creator, I would hope that it could move and change the way media is created and set out to teens, just like “My So Called Life” once did.

Beginning of something new

 Hey hey hey!! Me again!

Remember I told you about this totally great idea that I loved and was excited about, well… 

That idea had to sink a bit, as the image I had of it was not so clear and I really did not see any further and proper development of what I like to call the “in betweens.” Obviously this is part of the “experience” or generally just the starting phase of any type of projects, which then means that I have to either scrap or redirect the idea, in which I decided to redirect it. 

In order to redirect that idea, I had to work with what I had, my original vision. I had “spread” all the words I had relating to my original idea and mixed it with the new idea. Honestly, it did cost me a lot to make up and sketch almost and entire new idea from scratch, but I was able to. I just kept writing and writing, erasing, and adding new ideas. This process truly made me realize more than ever, how much intention and care there is to any project out on the market. I had all of my ideas in my head and could visualize it, but I needed to correctly spread it out and make each step somehow align to the next. Here’s my “word spilling” document so you get what I mean.

It is a bit messy, I can admit, but it is somewhere I can start and jump off of, as I do also admit that the collection of my thoughts and ideas have been probably the greatest issue to tackle to this point. 

Well, that’s it for me (for now). See you soon!!

Planning for next week!

 Hey hey hey!!!

As I am still trying to collect my thoughts and ideas on the concrete and official outline for my film opening, I might as well begin to use my time efficiently and begin to think about how I am going to organize myself during the next week!!

Next week I plan on finally finalizing and setting my idea straight. As of now I have a general (somewhat) idea of what I want to do, as I have mentioned in previous posts, but it is not as clear, so I will take this post and gear it to my plan for next week and what follows after that. I will begin by making a, brainstorming google doc, which basically is a google doc were I add in all sorts of ideas. Whether it is shots, angles, a possible order of these shots, elements and color schemes, I really enjoy putting all sorts of random information in one specfic place, so that, A. I won’t forget my thought process, and B. give myself an opportunity to eliminate a majority of possibilities and know whats essential and what is not.  I tend to do this often, especially on big projects of all sort, as it truly has helped me to focus and keep my eye on the prize. Here’s a recent example of on of these types of docs!

                                                             

After this very special google doc, I will most likely move onto storyboarding. In my personal opinion, I believe this is the most tedious part, as new ideas may surface and you have to constantly be editing and revising to eventually reach your final destination. For example, in the last project we did in class, the Music Marketing project, my group and I had worked on the storyboard by first opening up that strange doc activity I normally do (with the help of some convincing), and then actually drawing it. Between those two activities, we were constantly in contact whether it be because one of us got a good idea and in a pattern of erasing and adding drawings or different aspects into our storyboard. Even in production, was the storyboarding changing, which for this project I believe will be no exception.

Towards the end of next week I also plan on scheduling filming date(s). Based on my rough sketch of an idea that I have at the moment, alongside the storyboard that should come this week, I feel like I have an idea of the person or people that can participate in this production. I have asked them this past week, which may get me a step ahead in setting a date on when to film. By having that somewhat, technically arranged, I can earn some time in the other aspects of pre-production of this project!

Well, that’s it for now!! See you soon!!

Let’s talk about color schemes/lighting/tone (or just everything)

 Hey Hey Hey!! Did you miss me?

Today I will be talking about color schemes. As for my film opening, the idea I have now is a story about a young girl that gets unalived (making it PG) (we won’t see how though so you can take that off your list of concerns), and a “harsh” transition to a investigator’s office or space. I really do want to emphasize that hard shift in tone, as I will first start out with a bright, young, and well-spirited girl and move onto a table with evidence correlating to her unaliving case. I am still working on some possible “in-between” shots to fluff up and add a little bit of grip to the introduction, but that mystery and vagueness is what would probably make me personally continue to watch the film and search for answers.

A way I can show a shift in tone is through color. With the help of bright lighting of course, I would want to show my subject under a bright lighting, as well as with possibly white clothes to represent her youthful spirit, innocence, and naiveté. An example of that light and airy concept I want to reach (I would adjust the costuming), is Avicii’s music video for “Wake Me Up”

I love the technique about this music video because it tends to “shed light” on these girls, as well as the costuming manages to finish the job of establishing that purity and “small town girl” energy they have. Later on in the video, we see how the older girl (in the picture) wears darker clothes and is caught up in a music festival, demonstrating a strong shift in tone and her persona. My film opening would be inspired in that contrast as in the (hopefully next scene), audiences will able to see an evidence board like the one below.

I plan on setting down this board on a black table, with a bright (almost hospital-y) light (with the purpose of using lighting as a shift in tone as well), a right after the sequence of ethreal type shots of the young and bright subject to roughly build a wall and impact in the film opening. The shift from white to black has been used, even outside of film, to establish the good vs evil, positive vs negative etc. etc. If in any case I would want to add in the possible suspect, whether it be through the photo and then in an actual shot, I could have them wearing gray to also establish their connection between the white (young girl) and the black (death, crime). 

With this being said, and what was said in the blog post after this, it is highly valuable to have actions, and even colors speak for the story in my story. The contrasts and juxtapositions place with intention are meant for the viewer to come to their own conclusion and feel that strong feeling of wanting to be there for the young girl and her case. 

Well, that’s it for now!! toodles

How will I incorporate pieces of the coming-of-age/drama/horror genres in my portfolio project?

 Hey Hey Hey!! Let’s begin pre-production of my portfolio project (I’m scared)!!

The genre I want to dive into, as I previously mentioned in my last blog post, is horror (with a mix of coming of age and drama). I really do enjoy the coming of age genre and the flicks under its wing such as, but not limited to, “The Princess Diaries,” “Easy A,” “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” but want to mix in a bit of the thriller/horror genre such as “The Miracle Season.” Although “The Miracle Season” is based on a true story, and my project will be fictional, I feel inspired by some of the components of the way the emotions are driven and interpreted in the film. If you were waiting for me to speak on the horror, yes it would be present, but as in “The Miracle Season.” So audiences would see and feel a sense of nostalgia and then we would see a component that drastically changes the course of what we have seen and what we will see.

An element I love about coming-of-age/drama films is how in some cases we see an ethreal version of the person through what seems a scene dedicated to just them. I truly enjoy those medium and even close up shots where audiences can be literally and figuratively near the character, so much so that we feel that we know them. This proximity to the character even goes as far as causing some type of emotional attatchment from the audience, that if the case comes where something happens to them, they feel strong emotions kick in, towards their “beloved” character, whether it may be good or for bad. An example of this is the very iconic “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” tunnel scene that I will be attatching below.

Just as Emma Watson was able to contribute to the admiration of the character through her acting, and the creators of the film were able to use techniques to further enhance that feeling, I sense that my film would be greatly inspired by that concept as I would want to capture that vision and admiration towards my character in order for audiences to understand and grow empathy for the character that will sooner or later be affected.

As of the horror part of my film, it would come straight after this divine admiration concept, as more of a sudden plot twist and the reason why the film is being created. The scene would most likely take place in a police investugation unit surrounded with evidence about the young girl and the possible suspect. In order to follow through with this, the proper use and placement of mise-en-scene elements such as props would be needed, as well as sound effects or stings, if necessary. During this scene(s) I would wish that context would be the one explaining rather than dialogue, as I believe that the best horror films are those that let audiences figure what is going on themselevs. In order to complete this task I would truly have to emphasize and use props that speak for themselves, as well as sound effects or stings to further establish and settle the tone. An example of what I mean in terms of props and sound effects in horror films will be attatched below, even though we all may have an example at the top of our heads :)

These are the main two ideas from the genre(s) I want to mold my portfolio project into. With the research I have conducted as well as the puzzling of pieces together, I feel that I have gained a clearer understanding of what it is that I must add in to the mix I have coming in. I now know that I have to focus on camera shots and angles and arrange them in a way where audiences can feel close and connected to the character. The next thing I will have to work on is finding the proper props, placing them strategically, and finding the perfect sound effects for what I need and the placement of the stings.

I hope I didn’t bore ya! See you soon!!

Transition to Portfolio

 It’s official! We have entered portfolio project season!! 

I have been hearing about this project for a decent amount of time (one would hope so) and the time to begin has come. If I am being quite honest, I am nervous as this is something that would allow me to think and put myself outside of the box. I love media and studying all parts of it, but I have never put myself out there to create my very own piece (talk about being nerv-xcited).

As of now, as I previously mentioned, I feel like a fish in new water, but I feel like I can find my way to my destination, being the completion of this project. I have an idea I want to execute (no pun intended), and it happens to be the total opposite of what I would imagine it would be. As I previously may have hinted in my blog, I am big on rom-coms and animation and personally consider myself a colorful person, completely and polarly opposite to anything dark, such as the horror genre. As of now my horror idea is just a thought, but I kind of really like my idea so far so I’ll be sharing what approaches I may take into consideration when taking my project into action. 

I would love to establish setting. I would love my first piece to show off an amazing city during broad sunlight to then further develop context and character. I would use a place that somehow manages to describe the character, whether it be a colorful place or a bright and beautiful city to resemble the divine beauty and aura of the character, as I would want her to be a bright and beaming person. That idea would also carry onto the context, as it would later show the images of this young woman to be just a memory and develop that feeling of longing for that brilliant and truly missed individual.

To end the clip, I would want to create a mystery, through maybe a sting and most definitely mise-en-scene elements such as props to further bridge and connect both pieces together and raise a question of “what happened?” I really want to create that shift in tone and establish that deep confusion and evoking of deep setiments, due to the attatchment to the charcter, in the viewer in those first two minutes so that they can use that emotion to further drive them to wanting to continue to watch my film!!

As of now I feel that I am surface level and still need to dive a bit deeper, especially considering the fact that I am very very new to this genre. I’d reccommend to my fellow readers, as well as myself, to take this as a sketch of my “masterpiece.” 

So long for now!! I’ll see you next week!

Music Marketing Part 2

 Hey Hey Hey!!

As I’ve now culminated my music marketing project, I want to reflect on my journey on one of the best projects I’ve completed, even more so as I had the help of amazing partners to create it with.

The first part we tackled was the research. As we all did not have a clear idea or vision as to what bluegrass was, we first researched it ourselves to get a sense and feel of it and then dived into researching companies that produced these artists as well as the artists themselves. When we really got that true sense of what it was, as we are 4, we decided to split into 2 groups of 2 in order to research two record labels, their history and the artists/groups they represent. Information such as when they were founded, what type of music they produce, awards etc. were put on the history side in order to later remind ourselves what the company is made of. Next to the history column, as previously mentioned, we added some of the artists they represent and a couple of recognitions they received as well. Here’s a bit of my partner and I’s chart on Rounder Records so you get an idea of how it was organized.

Besides that planning, we went ahead with tackling one of the bigger pieces of the project, the music video. If I am being quite honest, although we did our research and chose the best song that we felt that would best represent bluegrass and would reel in audiences into the genre, it was a bit hard to think of a concept that would best represent the song. My partners and I  had a couple of ideas here and there, in fact we had a ton, but it was mainly random ideas that were making us fall out of what the song was and meant. After brainstorming that whirlwind of ideas, we all came to the conclusion that we wanted for the song to have a nostalgic or intimate to life feel and really represent what the song talks about, reaching for something different in life.

Once we got our idea we got storyboarding. Initially I had a concept and my partners, and I had agreed on it, but one of them told me to hand my storyboard over and let her make a few changes. Of course, I trusted her and what she ended up doing was magic. They ended up changing a decent amount of my idea to something much better. For our music video we decided to follow through with the idea of an aspiring actor being forced to continue on with the average life, knowing very well he dreams about something bigger. After we solidified our idea, we began to look for someone that truly understood and felt that they wanted to be on-board with the project. Just so you guys get a feel of our artistic direction, I’ll give you a sneak peek of a draft of our storyboard!!

Next up, the actual production, my 3 partners and I got together at one of our houses and began to shoot for around 4 hours. They were tedious as we had to play a bit with the lighting, techniques, and mise-en-scene elements we wanted to include and further establish in our music video. The best part was our actor, as he let us creatively direct and do our thing and even provided some suggestions. As we really had this idea thought out and discussed throughly the night before the shoot, production felt pretty straightforward, unless one of us felt the need to change an element such as lighting or a prop. 

As of post-production, we decided to split. We had discussed again what we all wanted to see in this music video, and finally left it to the pros, our two beloved and great partners. While they ran off to show off their talent, my other partner and I decided to tackle a decent part of the presentation. We did start it during our brainstorming time and really just splattered our ideas on a Canva presentation, but now meant business. We sat together during and after class to meticulously create ways in which we could attract fans or audiences into our next big thing. We made sure not only did we make sure our “clients” would be able to grasp the big picture of our strategy, but also that we put enough detail into it so that they could also “unlock” that extra intention we added behind each strategy. In the presentation, we made sure we had constant and similar themes, colors, and strategies to create that very much needed brand for our artist. 

Finally, for our presentation, we went for voiceovers for each slide to make sure that not only we all had an equal chance at speaking up, but, that we were able to have time to speak up about each slide’s idea in detail. We wanted to ensure that all ideas were brought up in their complete nature and intention to further persuade our “clients” on why our artist and their single can become the next big thing.

Most definitely, this project has left me a mark. I learned how everything in the music industry has intention behind it, and how important it is for it to be there. I also learned how valuable it is to research ahead of time about your client, even if you may think you know what they’re about. From what I was able to pick up on, when comparing and contrasting with other peers of mine that did have genres they felt they knew about, you still have to reach the very bottom of it and understand it completely to then further meticulously line up a plan to make it work. Aspects I feel that will help me in my incoming portfolio project are the pre, during, and post production parts. Although I only really took part of pre and during the production, and was monitoring the post, I was really able to take in all sides and stages to a project and had an idea of how extensive and detailed every moment of that is as well. Overall, I was really capable of taking in how detailed everything is, how throughly you have to think about it, and how it takes up steps (multiple I should say).

This project is definitely one for the books!!

Music Marketing Part 1

 Hey hey hey!!

Most recently in my media course, we have started a music marketing/brand development project. The project consists of collecting a range of information relating to a music genre, in my group’s case, Bluegrass, and applying it to a music marketing portfolio and music video to promote the song we choose. 

The first thing we got started on was the research. Immediately after we got our genre, Bluegrass, we began to investigate some record labels that have become home to bluegrass artists, and began with our case studies! Between my group of four, a pair of us took over RCA records and another pair took over Rounder Records, and we all individually investigated the top artists and their marketing techniques, from what digital platforms they used to how they brand themselves, in order to start off our dive into the genre, the right way. 

The next thing we got working on was the music video, what we thought was what the most tedious part, as it would tie in the rest together, we believe is the most creative part of the project. We started off by storyboarding our idea, but before that, we started brainstorming our ideas and putting it on paper, or on a google doc to be more specific. Let me attatch it so you get what I mean.

Through this spilling of words, we were able to have a place to bounce ideas of an eventually reach a more final version of a storyboard. 

As of now, we are working on the presentation/marketing pitch. This has become the most tedious part, because we have come to realize that there is a reason behind every detail, even the most minimal one, behind the marketing and artistic choices of everything in the music industry. Even with the research and the music video part almost down, which did help us, this presentation has been probably the most meticulous and thought out thing we all have done in a while, as it requires even more research and well-thought out organization to make everything align harmoniously. The next step in this step, is to create tactics, a brand, and campaign that perfectly captures the essence of our artist (no pressure right?)

I’ll most definitely update through the course of what we get done on this blog, so stay tuned!

Semester One Reflection

             She’s Back! Here’s my reflection on what my media class has taught me this past semester!!

Once I found out that this media studies class existed and was available for me to take, I was ready for the new year to roll in so that I finally put one of my passions to work. This past semester I’ve expanded my knowledge inmensley about the media and what it consists of. I was able to understand the “why” behind certain moves or strategies of production companies, everything from the shots and angles to the marketing of the content. Due to that close investigation of the media, I feel like this past semester I was able to strengthen my capacity of analyzing, not just in media but in general. Although it may ruin a movie for me, having that capacity to analyze and break down the reasoning behind everything, has become a skill that I truly can see helping me out in anything I set my mind to.

A skill I need to further develop in, is the ability to properly condense, analyze, and output the content I have just consumed. Yes, I may have talked about how I have learned and love the ability to analyze, but sometimes, even when I watch content that does not require me to do an analysis, I can sense the importance and significance of a scene, but I do not know what are the relevant takeaways for me to fully appreciate the content that I am watching. If I were to learn how to compartmentalize and organize the constant and numerous significant pieces that add up to make that content I am watching, I would better digest and truly understand what it is that I am taking in.

As of my film pitch project, I thought my group and I did excellent. We were truly satisfied with what we were able to bring up. What we did need to improve was our creative side. Although you can’t really practice or perfect creativity, I felt that we needed to roam around the genre we were going for, romantic comedies, in order to boost any possibility of a different idea or approach that was needed within these films. Something we learned was not only how to organize a project and focus on what is necessary, but also the components and formulas that make a genre work the way they do. As per romantic comedies, as well as the other genres we learned about during that time, there are elements or even whole formulas that signal to an audience what it is that they are going in to. For example, for our genre, you typically need a character a and b, some type of conflict, and a resolution. With these elements, audiences will be able to get the “gist” of what message us creators want to convey. I personally thought that that part of creating was absolutely great and can see myself lining up those pieces to create something bigger in future projects.

Representation in the Media: Encanto

                                                                            Encanto

                                A film that heals a hispanic kids’ inner child

Growing up as a hispanic girl, more specifically Colombian-American, in a country so diverse, I had thought I was able to see myself identified and even celebrated by the media being put out. Unfortunately, the media, at the time of my upbringing, the closest representation I had was through shows like “Maya and Miguel,” “Dora the Explorer,” and “George Lopez.” Of course, I watched them over and over again, and they became favorites of my parents given the fact that I was exposed to individuals with last names like mine, the language I spoke at home, and the core values I was brought up with. But, of course, although I did felt identified by these shows and characters to a certain extent, what kept me back from feeling the divine idenfitication to them was the stereotypical brightly colored everything, the background of these characters always being Mexican, and even the heavily colorful and passionate personalities that would always draw the attention of anyone, anywhere they went. So, as a little girl, I would always try to take the good side of it, or basically settling to what was given to me, but I deep down I knew that I was being misrepresented. My house didn’t look like that, I am not of Mexican heritage, nor am I the most extroverted human being of the face of the planet, so when I found out about “Encanto” during D23, a convention held by the creators, Disney, I rushed to my mom like a little girl because I just couldn’t hold back at the excitement of finally being represented.

From just hearing the sounds I grew up with, and hearing that loud “Colombia” from the infamous anthem , “Colombia Tierra Querida”  in the teaser of a possible blockbuster film made by the one and only, Walt Disney Studios, even now looking back at it, I get the chills of thinking how exciting it is for young girls like I once was, to see themselves as I wasn’t able to. Through this excitement, I just kept on searching for more trailers and “Encanto”-related content, because I just couldn’t believe it. Once the trailer came in, you could just tell how dedicated and precise everything is. From the colonial-spanish styled home, to the candles (a nod to the tradition of “Dia de las Velitas”), to the family members looking like mine (of all colors, personalities, and sizes), to the yellow butterflies representing the beautiful fauna of Colombia while nodding to our very own Nobel-Prize winner, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the arepas, and hearing the voice of one of the musicians that molded my childhood, Carlos Vives, it was clear to see that this movie was going to hit every important mark.

Now, as of the movie, as a whole, you can tell the clear nod there is to a characteristic of Colombian literature, that of magic realism, and I’d dare to say, a nod to Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novel, “A Hundred Years of Solitude,” as it covers a giant and magical family living in a magical town somewhere in Colombia. Besides the magic of it all, I really enjoyed how this film managed to take on very important topics, to not just Colombians, but hispanics in general. Two of the main messages I realized were being brought up, were that of the unfortunate internal conflicts lived in Latin-American countries and that of generational traumas. Both are very strong topics generally, but more so in hispanic families. Although as a community we have been able to surpass certain aspects of these hardships, the ability to approach them has become a hardship itself, and Disney has managed to unpack it. 

Another huge part of the film was the diversity in the characters. The matriarch, or simply just “Abuela,” played by the one and only, Maria Cecilia Botero, manages to show how the head of the household is not just a man or a fatherly figure. Her still being the head, while living with her kids, despite them being grown and with kids of their own, represents a typical custom of us Hispanics. In addition, the family members being of all types of colors, sizes, shapes, and personalities, represented how diverse our community and are families are. Normally, in hispanic families on other TV shows or films, the creators stick to the same color palettes, as in everyone is of the same skin tone, wears similar colors and textures, as well as has similar personalities. As shown in the family tree below, the characters are different of one another in several different aspects, and if you watch the film, you notice that each and every character is remarkably unique in their own ways, making it most definitely representative of the usual Hispanic family.

Overall, Walt Disney Studios has done it again. The attention to detail and really tackling each and every one made me not only feel represented, but pride of my culture. As I previously mentioned, growing up, although I may not have come to the conclusion of it, I was not properly represented. There was no piece or form of media I could find some type of similarity to, but “Encanto” comes around and changes that. When watching the movie, I felt like that little girl again, but this time, being able to relate and share something with a character or film that was being put out across the world. It truly felt like a full circle moment, where I was able to really heal my inner child and realize how anyone, nor myself, has to settle for what the media sets out and deems as representative. 

Differences should be celebrated!!

Let’s Talk About Rom-Coms: Genre Research

                                             Romantic Comedies: Are they always THAT cheesy?

     

One of the sub-genres in film considered most “comforting” and a favorite for many including myself is the romantic comedy sub-genre, also further known as a rom-com. Rom-coms are films made to lighten oneself and to believe in the fantasy of a happily ever after in real life. It is typically a sub-genre that seems overlooked, overdone, or cheesy as there is a specific formula to it that works everytime and seems to be used every time by filmmakers. Classic rom-coms like Rob Reiner’s “When Harry Met Sally” and Gary Marshall’s “Pretty Woman” have marked a before and after in the sub-genre, leaving 21st century filmmakers to the challenge of perfecting the rom-com scheme!

What most of these films have in common and is a prime characteristic, if not, the formula to these rom-coms, is a humor or comedy oriented movie with a side of romance. At first we see a very lighthearted movie, filled with lines to make one laugh like there is no tomorrow, after that or even during, we see two individuals that meet, cue the meet cute, one of the staples to these movies. Then after they meet, we the audience then follow a series of events that make these two characters come upon an event that then drives them away from each other for a period of time. After that, we then later see how a turning point allows for them to get back together, and voila, they are back together again! But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves shall we?

Content:

As I’ve previously mentioned, the “meet cute” is a staple and a huge part of these films, as they foreshadow or even introduce the relationship between character A and B or simply the protagonists of the film. Most of the time, these “meet cutes” occur during accidental encounters that lead two characters into misunderstandings, a good laugh, or even love at first sight. In films we have seen “meet cutes” such as the young American superstar walking into a small, local bookstore in England and casually meeting a young man like seen in “Notting Hill” or the rushed wedding planner being saved by a pediatrician who is of her interest as seen in “The Wedding Planner.” During this moment, we see through a series of either close-ups, medium shots, or shot-reverse shots, the obvious attraction between both characters, which then leads us to begin this story.

(Ex: In Peter Chelsom’s 2001, “Serendipity,” audiences see how both characters come forward and eventually encounter each other through the simple “need” to buy the same (and convienently) pair of black gloves in one of the biggest department stores in the city. From this medium shot, audiences can see how the young woman seems content at what can be inferred to be due to what the young man may have said to her.)

During the film and after a series of events, there is a bump in the road that tends to divide the characters for some time and tests whether their relationship is going to be worth fighting for. This small bump, typically is not so small, as during this time we find out about some hidden secret, betrayal, or factor that leads to character A and B not being able to be with each other. Within this time, viewers are able to see disussions between both characters and a series of shots demonstrating their feelings of frustration, confusion, and sadness that was caused by that disruption in their relationship.

(Ex: In Wayne Wang’s 2002 “Maid In Manhattan,” when the young man on the right recognizes the woman (other protagonist in the story) on the streets of the city, they both enter into some type of confrontation due to indifferences between the two.)

As the end of any dreamy and ethreal fairytale, the story not only comes to a close, but has to wrap it up with a happily ever after. Typically during this period of the film, acts of love for one another, whether it may be confessing feelings, or simple forgiveness, the ending of rom-coms typically end on a good note. More recently are we starting to see films that don’t end on a “happily ever after” trope such as “(500) Days of Summer,” but films that stay true to that “happily ever after” trope are the ones that audiences go back to, even 20-30 years after their initial release.

(Ex: Although the 2004 film, “Ella Enchanted”, is not considered a “rom-com,” it does have elements within it, like those mentioned previously, that make it somewhat similar to one. In the ending of the film (sorry for the spoilers!), we see how the lovely couple gets their happily ever after, as they are captured happy and in the midst of their wedding day.)

Production Techniques:

Most of these romantic comedies, if not, all of them rely on four key pieces of production. A well structured storyline, thought out dialogue, great camera techniques, and editing. For starters, romantic comedies do not always go from romance to comedy and vice versa, a good amount of times, we truly need to understand a character to understand where their actions may come from. An example of a well thought out storyline is from “My Best Friend’s Wedding,” where we meet a character A and B and see how their story develops. After having this whole romantic comedy scheme be executed and audiences may feel happy for the couple, we meet a character C, that eventually has audiences debating whether they are thinking in the place of a good or bad person, as that character C causes for the storyline to diverge into an unexpected outcome. By the filmmaker giving us the point of view of both characters, we then further understand why both of them would do what they would resort to in times of anger and frustration in the film and we are left to our own judgment who is the good or bad person in this film.

In addition to a well thought out storyline goes dialogue. Dialogue help enhance the storyline and further explain the plot more than body language, costume, setting, or even context can do so. Without dialogue, and the drama within it, audiences wouldn’t be able to appreciate or immerse themselves in the fiery feelings that either character may be feeling at the time. 

(Ex: In Donald Petrie’s 2003 film, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” the use of this scene filled with dialogue between both characters, allows for viewers to completely comprehend their anger yet humor when brought together.)

Lastly, camera techniques and editing are another pair that go hand-in-hand when carrying out the story of any romantic comedy. Close-ups and medium shots are constantly used as this sub-genre is carried through by emotions, may it be of happiness, heartbreak, or even pettiness. Throughout close-ups, audiences can see and analyze the facial expressions of characters. Through medium shots, audiences can also analyze the body language of characters and determine if they feel nervous or confident in that scene. Besides camera shots, editing is also a very important part of making these films, as how they tend to be very dialogue heavy, the use of techniques like shot reverse shots, are needed for continuity and for viewers to completely engage in what is going on.

Marketing:

One of the main marketing strategies that characterizes a good and even classic romantic comedy are the movie posters. Although due to the lack of movie posters of any kind as the world is modernizing and gearing towards streaming services instead of theatres, the romantic comedies that millions enjoy even years after they were released, share unique posters that become part of their memories. In addition, due to the popularity of these films, the genre, trope, and typically the actors casted for these roles, that entire scheme allows for marketers to not have to reach above and beyond to sell a romantic comedy. Typically, a clever and memorable poster, alongside a star studded cast/protagonists allow for these movies to sell.

(Ex: The 2006 film, “Failure to Launch,” was marketed by both schemes mentioned above. With the help of the casting of Academy Award winning actor, Matthew McConaughey and icon for many, Sarah Jessica Parker,  hence their names standing out, allows for people to be attracted to his romantic comedy. In addition, the clever way in which Parker attempts to “launch” McConaughey, adds cleverness into the first impression towards the film.)

Samples of great romantic comedies:

“When Harry Met Sally”

“When Harry Met Sally” begins when Harry meets Sally way back when in college in order to go on a car ride from Chicago to New York. Within that extensive car ride, they get to know each other but eventually go their own ways. From that point to the next ten years, their relationship contains multiple of those bumps I mentioned earlier, which also puts it to the test. During these years, we see how they run into each other in different parts in their lives, as if they were to have multiple “meet cutes,” how they come across bumps along the road, and reach a happy ending. Not only does that make it a classic rom com, but it stars both Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, two outstanding actors, who would have contributed to the success of the film in its moment.

“Pretty Woman”

“Pretty Woman” was a modern day Cinderella-like story in its time. When businessman Edward look for extra company on the streets of Hollywood, Vivian appears into his life. After Vivian agrees to Edward’s proposal for her to stay with him during the weekend, they both come to find out their similarities and differences, and from there is history and a happily ever after, of course! What works well and makes this film fit in perfectly into the glass slipper of romantic comedies (no pun intended), is the Cinderella trope it follows. The protagonists being from two differentt worlds, one being in a bad situation and the other being the prince charming to save her, is what makes this film such an archetype within this sub-genre. Alongside the iconic poster that perfectly describes the dynamic between both characters, the ongoing and fluid dialogue between them both throughout the film, and the protagonists consisting of the one and only, Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, allows for this film to be a classic in the romantic comedy field.

Rom-Com Reccommendations:

“Sleepless In Seattle”

“While You Were Sleeping”

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”

“Fools Rush In”

“Father of the Bride”

… and all the ones I have mentioned above :)