Horror and Coming of Age Genre Research

 

    

    Coming of Age Research

    This week we started to learn about our film opening portfolio projects. I am choosing to do a coming of age film. One of my absolute favorite genres is coming of age I love everything about the movies and it reminds me of a "comfort movie". When I was from the ages 10-14 I would always watch a coming of age film because I love the concept and also during this time the coming of age genre was relatable. I feel like there is a lot of room to work with in the creativity aspect when doing a coming of age film.

A coming of age movie is usually centered around the themes of youth, growing up, and maturing with a strong focus on a central character arc. Coming of age films follow a singular protagonist as they are coming of age which ranges from 12-20 years old. The elements of a coming of age film includes a young character, adolescent teenager. The character often goes from innocence to self-discovery and they character comes upon emotional journeys trying to figure who they are as a person and what they want to do/be. In this genre there is three coming of age characteristics that are always in this genre, focused on the arc of the protagonist, typically young character right before adulthood, and centered around major life changes and milestones.

        Some coming of age films that interact with their audience the same way that I would like to plan to are, "The Edge of Seventeen" by Kelly Fremon, "Perks of Being a Wildflower" by Stephen Chbosky, " "Parent Trap" by Nancy Meyers and "Clueless" by Jane Austen. I want to try and portray in my film the nostalgic, upbeat, and maturing feeling and a little bit of comedy pieces in the film.

    Analysis 

    Clueless is a film that was made in 1995 it is known as a iconic teen comedy/coming of age film. Clueless has the same plots/ themes as Jane Austen's novel Emma. This particular film is the perfect inspiration especially in the mise-en-scene and character development aspect. I am going to get most of my inspiration from the certain clips that match the vibe and ideas that I have for my film opening. 

    Parent trap is a film that was made in 1998 and also fits into the coming of age genre. The Parent Trap is about two sisters who separate at birth and later reunite. The Parent Trap is very lighthearted film about identifying who they are as a person, new relationships ,while also facing the challenges of growing up. I choose this as one of my films to research because I would like my film opening to incorporate the challenges of growing up, self discovery and also have the happy lighthearted moments as well.

    Horror Research

    I choose to do a horror film because you can express what the story is and the message in so many ways. Horror is a genre of literature, film, and television that is meant to scare, startle, and shock the audiences. The key focus in a horror film or horror novel is to elicit a sense of dread in the reader through jump-scares, images, themes, and situations. What characterizes the horror genre is it should scare, unsettle, or should horrify its viewers. The quiet place reflects all of these characteristics. In this film they are in a apocalyptic world where deadly creatures hunt by sound. A family of five must live in complete silence in order to survive.

What makes a horror film good?

The best horror films create a sense of unease throughout the entire film.This can be achieved by having the right lighting, sounds, and setting. Tension is one of the big key factors to making a horror movie a horror movie, jump-scares work best when used sparingly and when theres a sense of overall slow-burn dread. Sound plays a big role in horror films " A Quiet Place" thrives because the absence of the sound is almost as terrifying as the presence of it. 

Audiences love films that are just like the flim "A Quiet Place" because the absence of the sound and the fact that if they characters do make a sound they might die keeps the audience engaged and on their toes. I would like to have my film opening to keep the audience engaged and intrigued of what's going to come next.