Coming-of-Age Target Audience

 Coming-of-Age Target Audience

Since I'm creating a film production in the coming-of-age genre, I need to research who I'm trying to target my film to. 

When talking about coming-of-age films, the target audience typically consists of teenagers and young adults (12-19). Since the content usually focuses on the transition from childhood to adulthood. Also many of the films within the genre relate to most teens and young adults. This creates an appeal and liking to the production. The target audience usually faces similar problems and struggles that the protagonists of a coming-of-age film faces.

The genre relies a lot on high-school settings and includes themes that relate to rebellion, heartbreak, or friendship. Coming-of-age productions are seen to target more to females, although they are targeted to any gender. 

The regular target audience for these types of films like to reminisce. Also many people watching this genre seek nostalgia and reflect on the experience of growing older.

I myself feel like I'm a target to the coming-of-age genre. I love to watch films that have that deeper meaning and include themes of maturing, finding you're own identity, and taking on social and emotional challenges. 

Here are some examples of coming-of-age productions:

Euphoria - (2019)

Superbad - (2007)

Call Me By Your Name - (2017)

Analyzing Film Credits

 Analyzing Film Credits

Waves - (2019)

The film opening I'm producing with my classmate was heavily based off the film Waves. The full 360 rotation of Tyler and Emily vibing in the car is the mood and tone I want to create within my opening. The credit sequence within Waves appears throughout the opening. That is what my classmate and I will carry out within our film opening.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower produces its credit sequence before the film opening its self.  While the credits are showing up on the screen the background shows multiple roads at night. The lighting is also dim, which matches the opening and the meaning of the film.

Incoming - (2024)

The credit sequence for Incoming is mainly shown at the end. In the opening of the film, only the production label is viewed before a scene occurs. At the end, all actors and people who helped to produce the film are mentioned. This is different to the other 2 films, the actors and directors were stated in the beginning before or during the opening.

Analyzing Film Openings

 Analyzing Film Openings

The genre I chose for my project was the coming-of-age genre. The coming-of-age genre represents a characters life from childhood to adulthood. Many times this genre includes an awakening or a loss of innocence in the character. For this post I will be analyzing different film openings that take part in the coming-of-age genre.

Waves - (2019)

In the beginning, it opens to a girl riding her bike through woods. The sun is up but the light is still dim. The title appears and then transitions to the next scene. 

Both main characters are seen in the car driving with windows down, and music blasting. It's a sunny day and the vibes are good near the beach. This quickly brings a bright, fun feeling to begin the opening. 

After the car ride it transitions to one of the protagonists, Tyler, wrestling. The tone turns more competitive, and rough. The lighting isn't as bright but isn't completely dim. The scene is shaky and the camera stays on Tyler throughout the scene.

Cutting to Tyler, his school and social life is previewed. He is serious about wrestling and shows commitment by keeping up with practice and workouts. He is also serious about his girlfriend, Emily, which is also viewed in the opening.

It leads to the end of the opening and to the next scene through Tyler walking in the locker room.

                                

The Perks of Being a Wildflower - (2012)

The opening starts with the main character, Charlie, writing a letter to someone else. The tone feels deep, heavy, and sad. Its night time and the only light is his lamp, which helps to create that feeling.

It cuts to Charlie in his living room talking about his family. The lighting is warm toned contributing to the same feeling earlier. Charlie's dialogue also really gets at the troubling vibe. Such as, "Please don't try to figure out who I am, I don't want you to do that." and "Tomorrow is my first day of high school ever. And I need to turn things around."

The vibe switches as Charlie talks about imagining his last day of senior year. This represents how uneager and excited he is for school to start, and how quickly he wants it to be over. The lighting is well-lit, and brighter colors are shown.  

Transitioning to his real first day at school, upperclassmen are trolling and making fun of the underclassmen. New characters are introduced and each one is seen t be embarrassed of Charlie by not saying hi back, or not letting him sit with them. Except this one senior who's goal was to make a class full of freshmen feel better. 

In Charlies advanced English class, his teacher asks a question that no one knows the answer to except, Charlie. Although he knew the answer he didn't say it out loud which would've prevented them from taking a pop quiz. This shows how Charlie is shy and would rather have taken a quiz then speak out loud. This happens again with another question. His teacher talks to him after class asking him why he didn't participate. They talk and the end of the opening occurs.

Incoming  - (2024)

 

The opening of Incoming includes Benji, the main character, saying romantic, meaningful words to, what is thought, someone else. With the camera close-up to his face, he leans in to "kiss someone". It then cuts to a long shot of him leaning in and practicing kissing his mirror. 

As he continues and gets really into kissing his mirror, Benji's sister barges in and he bangs his nose against the mirror. Benji's sister quickly realizes what he was doing and makes fun of him. This opening scene shows how chaotic and comedic the film will be.

Project Completion Schedule

 

              Timeline & break down

Week 1 (1/26-2/1)

-Researching the coming-of-age genre

-Developing plot

-Finalizing approach

-scheduling

Week 2 (2/2-2/8)

-Storyboard

-Begin script

-Find props

-find actors

-get permission for song, if not, research uncopyrighted song

Week 3 (2/9-2/15)

-research things that would correlate for mise-en-scene

-find ways to record a 360

-get a camera

-finalize song

-start filming

Week 4 (2/16-2/22)

-continue filming

-record foley sounds

-develop production company

Week 5 (2/23-3/1)

- Put clips together

- make production company logo/animation

- Add transitions and editing

-sync audio

Week 6 (3/2-3/8)

-Develop CCR

-Finalize CCR

Week 7 (3/9-3/17)

-Week in case of any new ideas or issues

This is my schedule for my final portfolio project. I'm expecting to stick to the schedule and focus on what I'm working on in the moment to create the best piece I can.

Transitioning into Cambridge Portfolio

                    Transitioning into Cambridge Portfolio

Hello Cambridge, moving forward all my blog posts will be focused on the process and development of my final portfolio project. All previous projects and assignments have lead and shaped my knowledge to create the best productions I can. Transitioning into this final project can be a little overwhelming, but with time and focus I believe my group and I will do a great job. Information that I have obtained has helped me to establish what approach to have for this project. 

An approach I considered is to develop context and background. Comedy films could use this technique to bring context to humorous situations that occur later on. On the other hand, horror films tend to utilize this technique. This happens because it raises suspense and questions to the audience. Flashbacks are usually used in horror productions to create context for the audience.

Another approach I'm also thinking to utilize is developing character, mood, and tone. This approach works to execute that certain feeling to the audience. Throughout a comedy production, the mood and tone is shown in discreet ways. Such as, upbeat music, bright lighting, and light tones. In horror openings, mood and tone is developed through dark lighting, stings, and fast-cuts. All these factors work together to bring the audience suspense and fear. 

Portfolio Project Genre #2

 Comedy Genre

• Typical target audience of the genre

The typical target audience for comedies are all age groups. Comedy productions are usually family-friendly. Although many seem to be family-friendly, there are some sub-genres that differ. Rom‑coms → mostly teens and adults Dark comedies → adults Slapstick → children, families, general audiences

• Genre conventions with content

In comedies, characters tend to have that bubbly, and quirky personality. Situations could be built around humor, or misunderstandings. Scenes are chaotic or random. Many themes for comedies include, awkwardness, love, friendship, and work.

• Genre conventions with techniques

Comedy productions are set in warmer, brighter lightings. Upbeat tones are played. During chaotic shots, fast-paced or reaction shots are utilized. Witty, or stupid lines are said by characters for humor. As well as, sarcasm. Characters exaggerate face and body movements for dramatic effect.

• Institutional conventions – narrative image, marketing, etc.

During trailers, the funniest, or most chaotic scenes are highlighted. On posters, the main character could be seen smiling while being accompanied with bright colors behind them. Bold and simples fonts are used for taglines. The taglines usually consists of jokes or something humorous. 

• Two film/tv productions that represent the genre

1. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013- 2021)

2. White Chicks (2004)

Portfolio Project Genre #1

 Horror Genre

• Typical target audience of the genre

The typical target audience for the horror genre are young adults to adults. This consists of individuals n the age group (16-35). The typical target audience also enjoys thrill, suspense, and fear.

• Genre conventions with content

Horror conventions with content usually consists of a threat to characters. These characters are typically put in scenes where they are alone, or in danger. There is a big use of fear and adrenaline in horror movies. Themes of death, the uncanny, and trauma are represented.

• Genre conventions with techniques

Techniques for horror movies include low-key lighting, shadows, jump scares, stings, unsettling whispers, or silence. Distorted camera angles are incorporated to make the audience uneasy. Also utilized is, fast-paced cuts and scenes.

• Institutional conventions – narrative image, marketing, etc.

Many movies in the horror genre like to represent the main threat or even the victim in posters. There is high-contrast imagery and taglines represent fear.

• Two film/tv productions that represent the genre

 1. Talk to Me (2023)

2. Hereditary (2018)