As of when this is published, I have reached roughly the midpoint of this class. I have conducted a lot of research to prepare me for creating a film-opening and I have recently began with the production of it, working out things like the plot synopsis and the budget. But at this crossroads of sorts, it is important that I look back and reflect upon the lessons that have ended up reshaping how I view media and films forever. Things that I never would have noticed in a film will now be as obvious as the sun in the sky. This is because in media, it is the little things that make these films and movies special and shoot through the ceiling of storytelling. Creators and directors use tools and a variety of conventions from the genre their work is placed in. They also use annotation and connotation to produce wordless storytelling. They use semiotics to provide the audience with quick exposition. Mise-en-scene is the perfect example of how big of an impact little things can make. Mise-en-scene covers the details of what is in the frame including everything from lighting and sound design to costumes and set design.
With everything I have learned, I will now see films and television differently. Now when I watch a new drama series on Netflix, I'll expect to see close-up shots of the characters to highlight the array of emotions they are feeling. This is because these close-up shots are conventional in dramas. As I listen to the soundtrack in "Guardians of the Galaxy," I'll pick up on the deeper meaning of the songs that were included, as they give audiences a view into deeper emotions that the protagonist is feeling. There was once a movie that I hated due to its use of Dutch-tilts, as it made me dizzy and disoriented. However, after learning that those tilts are supposed to make the audience feel that way, I will need to see the film again and in turn I will probably enjoy it more. In one of my favorite movies, "Bohemian Rhapsody," the marketing and promotional material all featured the color purple, which I now know was an intentional choice, as purple conveys royalty, which in the context of the film refers to the band, "Queen." All of these details I mentioned may be very minor, but they all provide another layer of depth to their story.
As I continue to work on the production of my film-opening, I will continue to keep all of these conventions, semiotics, and elements of mise-en-scene in mind. That is why in the film-opening my brother and I have made, we will use a messy room as a sign that the protagonist is stressed out, rather than saying it outright. We will use a font for the credits that appropriately matches the tone and genre of our film. And with all of that being said, I am confident that I will come out of this class with a greater appreciation of the little things in films, as that is what media is all about.
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