Location Scouting

 Uh so finding a location was actually a lot easier than I thought it would be.. it kind of just happened on "accident."

The two main scenes I need to film are split between a gym, wrestling room (or just mats), any sidewalk (but preferably the exit of said training facilities), and then another set of mats (in a gym or something). Initially I was just planning on asking my coaches for permission to set up our mats in the gym and film there and then use our schools weight room for extra workout scenes.. but then I found something even better BY CHANCE!!

May I present to you, Southwest Miami Senior High School (aka my holy grail). (uh also what does senior high school even mean..) 

When I tell you this school has the most amazing (highschool) wrestling room I have ever seen, I mean it. Their mats are so nice and comfortable and I love the eagles (their school mascot) decorations. Plus, the tons of trophies and medals they have decorating the room definitely add "character" to say the least. Their weight room is also conveniently right next to said room and has so much high quality equipment. I was in heaven.

Cypress Bay, my high school, does have a pretty good weight room.. but it's very dark in there so that could have been an issue even with the help of lights. And the walls are painted yellow, which respectfully isn't cute and isn't the look I'd want if I had a choice. The main issue however would have been the mats/mat room. Unfortunately, we don't have a wrestling room, well kinda.. we just got one but it's a work in progress. What we do for practice is just set up in the cafeteria.. which isn't very aesthetically pleasing. This is why I'm very happy I found somewhere with a real practice room, as most schools have.

( I unfortunately didn't think to take my own pictures when I was there but here are ones I found online)

facebook page

After reading this far, I'm sure you're wondering how exactly I stumbled upon this magical place. It's actually a funny story because, I wasn't even looking. I had settled on the idea of just setting up in the gym and filming there. What happened though is on Saturday (3/16) I was at Southwest for a Wrestling Clinic led by Jordan Oliver, super cool event. 

As I was here, I was in genuine awe of this room. It was so cool to me since we don't have a room at Cypress.  At the end of the clinic, I thought to myself "hey what are the odds I'd be able to film here... never hurts to ask right?" And that's exactly what I did. I put myself out there and introduced myself to the head coach. Here's how the conversation went: (obviously not word for word)

"Hi Coach, thanks so much for hosting today it was great. I do tv production/film at my school and I noticed how beautiful your guys' room is. I'm working on a project and I was wondering if there's anyone I could talk to about possible filming here?"

"Oh that's so cool! Yeah I'm the head coach here, let me get your contact information and we can work something out!"

"Thank you so much!!"

"Wait so you know how to do editing right? You think you'd be able to do something like this?"

source + (I couldn't find something exactly like what he showed but this is close enough)

"Yeah I can do something like that."

"Perfect! I'll be in contact!"

"Sounds good thank you so much!"

That's like a triple win... I found a nice place to film, networked with a coach in the sport I play (the kind of community you want to have connections in), and might have even found a way to practice editing and make commision on it! This experience just goes to show how making connections is worth it, even if it's as simple as introducing yourself to someone! My coaches and TV teacher preach this all the time, I'm glad I listened :)

Genre Research

Sports Drama

Overview

Sports drama is a subgenre of sports, generally focusing on a conflict (internal or external) surrounding an athlete or team. Often times, this genre highlights conflicts within the sports industry like racism, mental health, eating disorders, and sexism. This genre also often tells historical stories of athletes or teams. 

Genre Conventions

The main elements of a sports film are as following:

1) The film's narrative world has an idealistic view that anybody who works hard will succeed (claiming that the athlete being highlighted deserves to succeed, which can be unrealistic when compared to real life experiences)

2) A resemblance to the real world, meaning the sports/athletes portrayed imitate those in real life. Often times this means telling the story of a real athlete in history.

Examples

Here are some films within this genre I am looking into/taking inspiration from:

In a Psychological analysis on I, Tonya , the movie is described as "a movie about Tonya Harding who survived and went through abuse, mental trauma, and years of hard work and pain to get where she was," much like the protagonist of Runner Up. This film, like many other sports dramas, is based on a real life athlete in history.  

The Wrestler on the other hand follows the retirement of a fictional character, Randy "The Ram" Robinson, who was a professional wrestler (WWE not ACTUAL wrestling lol). In this film, he discovers how to live a life beyond his now finished career, just like the protagonist of Runner Up has to do.

Common Techniques

1. Training Montages: These are dynamic sequences showcasing intense workouts and preparation set to motivational/hype music (usually rap or metal.)

  

2. Underdog Narrative: A story of resilience, perseverance, and determination as underdogs defy the odds to achieve success in their sport. Plus who doesn't want to root for an underdog? Characters in sports dramas usually have a hard time achieving their goal.

3. Game Sequences: Climactic moments of intense sports action portrayed through dynamic camera work and sound effects.

4. Flashbacks: Insights into characters' pasts and motivations (or failures) through glimpses of significant events. (HINT HINT RUNNER UP)

5. Coach-Player Dynamics: Exploration of mentorship, conflict, inspiration, or even toxicity between coaches and athletes. 

6. Emotional Storylines: Stirring narratives that delve into themes of redemption, teamwork, and the "triumph of the human spirit."

7. Soundtrack: Carefully selected music that heightens the emotional impact and sets the tone for key moments. These include but are not limited to:

• Motivational Anthems
• Epic Orchestral Scores
• Iconic Theme Songs
• Integration of Diegetic Sound
• Emotional Ballads

8. Character Arcs: Personal growth and transformation experienced by protagonists throughout the film.

9. Cinematography: Visual techniques capturing the energy and physicality of sports through dynamic camerawork and framing. These include but are limited to:

• Handheld Cameras
• Slow Motion Shots
• Tracking Shots
• Extreme Close-ups
• Aerial Shots

10. Realism vs. Dramatization: Balancing authenticity with dramatic storytelling to engage audiences while honoring the essence of the sport.

Marketing

In the realm of marketing for sports drama films, there's a clear shift towards digital platforms and targeted engagement. Social media campaigns, collaborations with athletes, and partnerships with streaming services are key strategies. Personalized tactics and multi-channel approaches ensure maximum impact and resonance with audiences. For example, a sports drama film might partner with a professional sports league to release exclusive content on their official social media channels, capitalizing on the league's large fan base to generate excitement and anticipation. Additionally, the film could collaborate with streaming platforms to offer behind-the-scenes documentaries or virtual watch parties, creating immersive experiences for audiences and driving subscriptions.

Side Note - As much as I would love to make Runner Up tell the story of a female in the predominantly male sport that is wrestling, one that I personally relate to, in terms of resources it is more accessible for me to find two high level male wrestlers to act. This is because apart from myself, there are no women on our school's wrestling team, and I can't exactly act and direct at the same time (I am very picky when directing). I have already begun to find some (male) people to act, it would just be more tedious to find two women, and regardless this story is about the mental aspect of being an athlete and therefore has nothing to do with gender (as that's another story).

Sources - 

Course Hero. (2022, May 2). A Psychological Analysis of I, Tonya. Portland.

IMDb.com. (2018a, January 19). I, Tonya. IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5580036/

Wikepedia Contributors. (2024, February 11). Sports film. Wikipedia.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_film

Encyclopedia.com. (2024, March 14). Sports Films. Encyclopedia.com. https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/sports-films

 

How do you actually make a film opening?

 I realized I was getting ahead of myself.. I'm so invested in my actual story that I realized I don't actually know how to make a film opening.

I think the best way for me to fully understand how I can develop MY project, is to break it down and check out some examples; you know, how they differ across genres and whatnot. 

After reading about how to create a memorable opening scene in a film I've concluded there are certain things that just won't just won't work for Runner Up (I need to start addressing it by name.. see if the title sticks ya know). 

1)The first suggestion given is to start with an action scene, like a heist or some disaster to introduce the protagonist. The reason I don't know if this would fit Runner Up is because well... a big part of the character is that they keep dwelling on the PAST. There's no current action, if the story was taking place in the time of the big match then this technique would make more sense. 

2)Second thing mentioned is a hook. This would mean to open the film with an event or instance that would raise a question to get the audience's attention. An example of a film that does this, is The Matrix. I watched the scene on YouTube, and I can tell right off the bat this won't work either.

As most already know, The Matrix is a pretty strange movie.. the opening shows eerie computer graphics and then throws you right into some crime scene, making it an example of a HOOK film opening. Runner Up is a sports drama, focusing more on the psychological aspects of the character, I don't need to hook a character I need to build one. I want to develop the story around him, I think I should introduce him and spark curiosity more about his past rather than hook with an event, as done in The Matrix

3) Another way to open a film, is to establish mood. This means to set the overall vibe of the film (genre, mood, tone, etc) through technical elements. Lighting and sound are two main things I have a vision for when I picture this. I like the idea of a more yellow toned environment. I did some more research on why I wanted this and found out it's because of color theory, something we've learned about in class. According to this Article on Color Theory , yellow generally represents "obsession," exactly what this opening is about. I want to be able to write more about this so I'll save some facts for my upcoming blogs. For now, I think I am associating it with the vibe I get in this scene of Foxcatcher, a wrestling movie telling the story of John Du Pont and David Schultz.

This is what I will do for my film opening, set the rest up for the story and stylistic choices I plan to make. 

4-6) The next few points talk about establishing theme and showcasing the protagonists early world.

Overall, what I am talking from this, is that in the case of Runner Up I should focus on setting the mood by showing the protagonists ordinary life. I can do this through stylistic lighting choices and sound to establish my genre.

my inspiration + the beginning of an actual idea

 So I'm a mess right now. I'm a little (a lot) behind on my blogs. My season ends this upcoming week so that will make managing my work a lot easier. I truly am excited to work on this project, honestly I find myself thinking about it pretty often. I have an idea, it's actually one that I've been wanting to act on for a while. 

So, as I've mentioned (a LOT), I'm an athlete. I always have been, I've played some kind of sport all my life. It's just a part of me. And whether it's in media or just my morals or whatever, it clearly inspires me a ton. Right now, I am a wrestler. I've been super fortunate to be surrounded by people who inspire me everyday. Anyways, I've had the idea for a while but a coach of mine gave me a title. 

The idea was always super rough but I wanted to do a story about an athlete who lets their sport consume them, to a point where their mental health is determined by their performance, which inevitably destroys them. 

My inspiration for the title came from a coach of mine, Matt. He was a wrestler at our school a few years ago and was just naturally good, didn't really need to put much effort. He waited 2 weeks from states of his senior year to actually take it serious, and after one hell of a highschool career he got 2nd. He was the #1 ranked wrestler (at 220 lbs) in the state of Florida and ended his career with a loss he could have avoided had he started putting in effort earlier on. That's where I got the idea for the title, "Runner Up."

The actual "plot" however doesn't come from his story. I want to do a story about someone a bit more dedicated (no offense to Coach Matt lol). I've seen what passion can do to someone, how hard work will ALWAYS beat "talent." You can be a natural athlete or violin prodigy but not practicing or putting effort into your hobby is just a waste. I see this in myself to be honest. When I am passionate about something, it becomes my everything. I eat, sleep, breathe whatever it is that I'm fixated on. I sometimes have unintentionally cut ties to other aspects or people in my life when this happens, it's almost like I become addicted. I want this film intro to be the beginning of a story about someone who pours their entire life into their sport, and how despite all that work it isn't enough, their high school career ends with a loss. It ends with them being 2nd best. 

In terms of the actual PROJECT I think doing the story about a wrestler (as opposed to another sport, which was an idea I was open to) would be easiest as the resources are more accessible. We have a mat room I'm sure my coaches would let me use to film in, and I bet I could even get someone on the team to act in it. Although upon really considering it... I might have to search for people who can ACTUALLY act. I haven't written a script/storyboarded just yet but I like the idea of doing a training montage with flashback scenes to the match the main character lost. 

I'm currently trying to use youtube to find an example of the montage + flashback combo I'm imagining.. it's hard to search for exactly what I want. In my search, I recalled on director Jean-Marc Vallée's use of flashbacks in Big Little Lies. I was trying to refresh my mind on the style when I found this video essay reflection about season 1. (I'll insert the link below; it looked weird when I tried to embed it.)

-> Big Little Lies: Video Essay

While I knew this prior to watching the video, I can't use this kind of flashback for my own project. 

For starters, Big Little Lies is a show.. giving it a LOT more time to develop characters. In the video essay, it mentions a lot about how "these kinds of scenes are normally cut" from other shows due to run time. The kinds of flashbacks often used in this series are very slow paced and are all about the character's thoughts on an event. Like in the first example the video talks about, (Celeste having flashbacks in her car about her husband Perry abusing her), the character is literally just sitting there. Reflection is a huge part of these characters, the director makes it seem almost relatable in the way he shows characters replaying moments in their mind, like how you might replay an argument after the fact in the shower. Valee uses literal mirrors to show the characters reflecting back on events.

When I imagine how I want to do my flashbacks however, they're much more abrupt. I want to make the audience feel the regret that the main character does when looking back on their loss. Like they're stuck with a constant loop of every mistake they made in the back of your mind. It isn't really a moment of reflection like "oh this just happened how do I feel," its more harsh than that.. more like "why did I do that," "how'd I let that happen," "I'm such a failure." The character replays that final match, that final loss, over and over and over and over again. All their plans ruined over one match. Funny enough, most would think 2nd place is something to be proud of; trust me.. it's not that good. It's pretty horrible actually, like just shoving in your face " you're good!.. just not good ENOUGH." Constantly pushing yourself to an insane standard of being good enough, just to fall short when it matters most. THAT is the feeling I want to express, I want the audience to feel the self-hatred the main character has for themself.  

In terms of the actual montage+flashback scene, I think I can use quick cuts in the middle of a training scene to show the feeling thats fueling the intense pace being pushed. I need to rewatch again to make sure I'm remembering it properly, but I think something like the training montage in Halle Bailey's Bruised could work.

                                                                                                 

Initial Approach

 Before I actually start my research on the genre and specifics of my film opening, I wanted to briefly discuss my general ideas. 

Per recommendation in class, I have been watching the show Big Little Lies on HBO Max. While I am only a few episodes in, I find myself being super inspired by the style of the show. My favorite parts are how beautifully scored, the color-grading, and just overall pacing. I think the pacing style will play a role in inspiring how I pace my own film opening. 

On another note, I generally take inspiration from the "tortured artist trope." Movies like Whiplash, Black Swan, Bruised, and Fox Catcher are pretty good representation of this. I think for my film opening, I might want to make it about a story that falls under this trope. Specifically an athlete, I've always been interested in how people can become addicted to their interests - how they'll do anything for it; particularly in sports. 

The Beginning of the Portfolio Project + Blog Makeover :)

Transition to CPP

Today in class (2/8) Mrs. Stoklosa gave us a lesson or "walk-through" for the Cambridge Portfolio Project. It was mentioned in the beginning of the year and now that I have a better idea of what the assignment itself is, I'm excited to start. There was a huge emphasis put on documenting the entire project on this blog.

From here on out, my posts will solely be regarding my creative process for this project.

Blog Makeover

Also, after getting a more in-depth look at blogs, I realize I haven't been having too much fun with them. I want to make an effort in changing the face of my blog, after all it reflects my project. Before next week it will be brand new, like a makeover :) I think this has also helped me get more comfortable with my writing. I do enjoy writing as a whole and used to do it frequently for fun, I hope my blogs become like that too. You know, where it just kind of flows? I'll check back soon to see how that goes, but I'm feeling hopeful for the rest of my year in AICE Media AS. 

Genre Research

 Romantic comedies fall under the category of comedy. These films explore the mix of romance and humor and dive  into themes like love, friendship and personal growth. Typically there are two characters—a single man or woman or a pair of opposite genders—who embark on a journey filled with romantic encounters and funny situations. The focus is on how their relationship develops, using dialogue and humor to captivate the audience. When it comes to production techniques in comedies, expect vibrant cinematography that captures romantic moments through soft lighting and bright colors. Music plays a role in creating emotional scenes and establishing a “playful atmosphere .” Editing smoothly transitions between romantic and humorous moments. Physical comedy and clever dialogue are often incorporated into these films. In terms of marketing, romantic comedies target an audience spanning from teenagers to middle aged viewers. Marketing campaigns primarily highlight the chemistry between lead actors while emphasizing their interactions and funny encounters. Movie posters and trailers show images of the main characters to express their dynamic relationships and set the tone for an enjoyable experience. Advertisements also aim to capture that heartwarming and entertaining feeling, targeting viewers who crave an emotionally engaging experience. 

Film Example #1; "When Harry Met Sally"(1989)- 

"When Harry Met Sally" is a comedy that dives into the complications of friendship and love. The movie portrays the evolution of Harry and Sallys relationship by incorporating clever humor and authentic moments that resonate with audiences. Its witty dialogue and realistic display of love and friendship have made classic go to within this genre. 

Film Example #2; "500 Days of Summer" (2009)-

 "500 Days of Summer" explores both the highs and lows experienced in a relationship between Tom and Summer. It combines humor with depth and captivates its viewers with a unique storytelling approach and relatable characters. 

Other Films within the Genre;

 1. "Notting Hill" (1999). A l romantic comedy that dives into the dynamic between a bookstore owner and a renowned actress. 

2. "Bridget Joness Diary" (2001). Follows Bridget Jones, a woman, in her 30s as she navigates through love career aspirations and personal growth. 

3. The movie "Crazy, Stupid, Love" from 2011 revolves around a mans quest to rediscover love and his self worth with the assistance of a bachelor. 

4. "The Proposal" released in 2009 is a comedy that tells the story of a Canadian executive and her assistant who pretend to be engaged for immigration reasons but end up finding unexpected romance along the way. 

5. "10 Things I Hate About You " is a high school romantic comedy from 1999. This film explores love, friendship, and teenage relationships making it especially appealing to teenagers. 

These movies showcase the variety of plots and characters found within the romantic comedy genre. By blending humor with romance, the genre is a popular movie when searching for a lighthearted film.