GENRE RESEARCH REALISTIC DRAMA Created by Sadie Kopelman

GENRE RESEARCH (REALISTIC DRAMA) Created by Sadie Kopelman

MOVIE GENRE QUESTIONNAIRE (BLANK)

MOVIE GENRE QUESTIONNAIRE (RESULTS)

ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS • When looking at the relationship between genre and gender, it seems as though the female gender preferred genres such as romance, while the male gender preferred films that are full of action (sci-fi, thriller). Not only is this pattern seen in choices of genres, but also applies to areas outside of the film industry, such as in literature and music. • Additionally, the age group plays a large part in what the participants chose as their favorite genre; those who circled that they are 45 years of age or older chose topics that deal with “old- fashioned” filming techniques without the use of special effects, such as mystery. Those who circled that they are ages 13 -24 chose topics that deal with modern filming techniques and genres, such as action.

ANALYSIS OF QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS • When observing the hand written responses of the participants, I came to the realization that audiences want to see a film in their favorite genre that directly begins with an event that clearly expresses that genre of the film. For example, the participants that chose the romance genre, wrote that they wanted to see a film in this genre that begins with showing two people in love through their stories or current relationship status. The participant who chose the sci-fi genre expressed how they wanted to see an establishing shot of what the world would look like in the future as the opening scene.

SOUL SURFER OPENING SCENE • Scene starts out with a flashback lens, filmed from point-of-view (handheld shot) perspective. The filer on the lens is changed to represent times in the past. The pictures fade from one to another as titles appear next to them in block format with a black background. The main character speaks while the video plays. • Screen widens and filming from the point of view (handheld) lens is made more modernized to represent changing times in the more recent years. All colors are very vibrant. • Diegetic sounds -laughing, screaming, waves, the guitar- are always present. There is soft, acoustic, non-diegetic music playing in the background as well. • Towards the end of the opening scene, the lens is completely clear to represent the present time. The music is much more motivational. • Ends with an ariel shot of the Hawaii mountain ranges.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD OPENING SCENE • Scene starts off with a cut-in of a child lifting the top off of a toy box. Non-diegetic sounds include soft music, and diegetic sounds includes child humming and clock ticking. • Camera slowly zooms in on the items in the toy box. • Close-up pans of the items laying on the table appears frequently with jump cuts from item to item. • Pans are used to show movement of rolling objects, such as a marble. • Scene ends with a tilt of the child’s drawing.

SCHINDLER’S LIST OPENING SCENE • Scene begins with a cut in close-up of a man lighting a candle. The shot fades to show a mid six shot of men surrounding a table, praying. • The diegetic sound of a man praying is present throughout the entire opening scene. • Fades to show the close up of the profile of a young boy. • Transition- fades to empty room, to candles, to a close-up shot of the candles. • Last candle is then shown burning out until the end of the scene.

CONCLUSION OF FILM OPENINGS • After observing the opening scenes of three films that are in the genre of realistic drama, I have come to gather the conclusion that the opening of any film- not just of this genre- must be unique. Each opening scene I watched, as well as the other opening scenes that I have researched as well for additional knowledge, are unique in the way that the camera angles are set up, the diegetic and non-diegetic sounds, as well as the stories portrayed with just two to three minutes within pressing the play button. Camera angles and the special effects used on the lenses are key to creating the “vibe” that the director wants to give off to the audience watching and understanding the film.

INFLUENTIAL FILM • Out of the three films to recreate, I must say that if I were to choose one, it would be Soul Surfer. Watching the opening scene was just so lovely and heart warming. The main character growing up in front of a camera lens was intriguing, her life story being portrayed to the audience in just three minutes time. The special effects of the camera definitely helped fuel the “good feeling” of the scene, as well as the music and diegetic sounds. The opening scene also brought a true sense of reality to the moment, making the genre of realistic genre seem ever- so real. The message of dealing with a real life circumstance is also very inspirational in regards to recreating it. This film’s opening scene has always tugged at my heart strings and has made me feel good ever since I first watched it, and that will probably never change.

FILM COMPANY DECISION • If I were to choose a film company to help me create my movie based off of the realistic drama genre, I would use Universal Pictures. When researching Universal Studios, I came across major motion pictures that fell under the realistic genre category, which included Les Miserables and Mamma Mia. Both extremely different, but both involving real problems displayed in unique ways. The company is also very popular, as it owns Focus Features and Comcast NBC, which would make distributing the film a lot easier.