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      Through all of my research on the Horror genre, my interests in other genres were peaked as well. I decided to delve deeper into the world of genre by researching the film genre of action.

1. Action Genre
2. The conventions in terms of the content seen in action revolve around a number of different things. The content of an action film usually revolves around a person or hero who is trying to accomplish a goal or attain something but is faced with challenges along the way. The journey of the person or hero to accomplish their goal involves constant movement and intensity throughout the scenes that give the audience the anxiety-filled action-packed scenes they crave. In addition, the content in action films often times revolves around violence and conflict.
3. The conventions in terms of production techniques in action revolve around a number of different things as well. In terms of the production techniques used in action films, there is often times sequences packed with stunts, explosions, and other iconic action film occurrences. The use of these over the top stunts, car chases, races, fights, and explosions are to create intensity within the film. Often times these effects such as explosions and stunts are put in place to emphasize the danger the hero is going through to accomplish their goal. In addition to these aspects seen in the production of action films, there is also a specific type of music used in action films. The music in action films usually follows what is occurring in the visual such as the crescendo of the song during the climax of the film or action-packed scene, and the calmness of the music in the more mild and relaxed scenes. In addition, the camera scenes, transitions, and composition in the action genre are often fast-paced to add intensity to the story. Lastly, the action genre is filled with sound effects to fully convey what is occurring in the visual such as a race or shoot out.
4. The first film in the action genre I choose to analyze in terms of embodying genre conventions is the Fast and Furious films. The Fast and Furious films all have key characteristics which make it a viable action film. This can be seen through the conflict and solution set up of the beginning of the film revolving around a mission or objective and the end of the film is them accomplishing this with their group. However, throughout the entire film, there are stunts, explosions, shootouts, races, fights, and the list goes on. The Fast and Furious films also use hype music which gets the audience further into the visual on the screen. Also, the Fast and Furious films are all based on a rapid plot that has action scene after action scene that allows for the development of the story along with sheer entertainment.
5. The other film I choose which encompasses the action genre is Wonder Woman. Wonder Women’s plot is the basic action genre plot involving a threat which must be stopped, and Diana (Wonder Woman) believes she can be the one to stop the threat. The film also consists of stunts, action-packed scenes, explosions, and fights as Diana fights alongside men to end all of the wars. In addition, the film ends with all of the challenges she went through leading to her discovering her true power and destiny, this self-discovery is also often seen in action films. Furthermore, the costume design seen in Wonder Women embodies action films as well due to the outfits being armor and specific to the journey and challenges Wonder Women is facing.
6. Avengers Infinity War

Black Panther

Mission Impossible

Venom

Kill Bill

The Terminator

Hello bloggers and blogettes!

In my project, I will soon create I want to include the representation of the stereotypical teenager within my film. In media, teenagers are often represented in a negative light. In film and TV teenagers are often seen as hormonal, unpredictable, and difficult to deal with. According to The Guardian, teenagers are often seen as “antisocial hoody-clad riot-mongers” in media, instead of how they actually are. Movies and TV shows such as Juno, The Kissing Booth, and 13 Reasons Why often portray teens far from how they actually are.

    In media, teens are often portrayed in a unfair light. This is because often times teenagers are seen as crazy party animals in films shows such as Blue Mountain State when in reality many teenagers are keen to volunteering and focus greatly on academics. In addition, in media teens are often seen as extremely rebellious through sexual and dangerous acts with drugs and alcohol but it is not all like that. According to The Washington Post, “Today’s teens are less likely than earlier generations to smoke, drink or have sex.” In addition to these representations characteristics not being fair, also the conflicts seen with teenagers is not realistic as well. There are no showdowns between girl clicks in real high school or the extreme nerdy teen with overalls and glasses on either.

    Often times media exaggerates their representation of teenagers giving them a negative light in society. However, there are some characteristics I would retain when it comes to how teenagers are represented in media. In media teenagers are often seen fighting with their parents often, which sadly, is a all too true reality. Even though the media may exaggerate the arguments for dramatic effect, fighting with parents at a teenage age is a common occurrence. In addition to the fighting with parental figures being accurate, so is some of the clicky stereotypes seen in film. In teenagers lives, there is a popular group in high school and they can often time be mean to others and the nerdy group can often times be more socially awkward. Even though there is some truth to this, the media once again does exaggerate on it greatly and often times spin it in a unrealistic manner.

Hey!
    Its Larissa again, the second post already... can you believe it? Well, I did some research regarding the genre I want to do for my short film, I think I am sure now that I want to do horror. My research is below in the form of a Data Base Entry.

1. Data Base Entry
1. Horror
2. Horror conventions- Regarding the horror genre’s content, there are many specific conventions. In horror movies, there is often grim elements in the plot such as a death, murder, or a ghost presence. There is also often times a form of evil or a monster which the character must encounter. Furthermore, there is also a lot of blood or gruesome visuals which is meant to unsettle the viewer. In addition to these conventions, there is often jumpscares which are used to frighten the audience. Horror films often times take place in rather isolated environments or old places which often times have spirits. During the film itself, there are often characters who are either victims or protagonists. The target audience for the horror genre’s content is is those ages 15-25. This is because typically the young adult and teenage generation enjoy thriller films that excite.
3. Horror conventions- Regarding the horror genre’s production techniques, there are often props which are associated with specific characters such as a chainsaw or machete. In the horror genre often times dark colors are used to give a sinister feeling as well as reds to remind of blood. Also, low and dim lighting techniques are used in horror to give the piece a dark evil feel. The costumes in horror tend to be dark to represent evil but often times white can be used to represent the good person or innocence. Often times the costumes themselves create a sense of fear from what the person is wearing or what special effects makeup they may have on. A few common features seen in the horror genre in regards to its production is weapons and masks. In horror films, many monsters and religious symbols are used as well depending on the plot of the film.
4. Institutional conventions- Regarding the horror genre’s techniques in terms of marketing the posters and magazines for the film primarily have the main character or monster as the main focus. Also, the colors of the marketing whether it be ads or posters tend to be dark to keep in the traditional conventions of horror. Also, the horror movie trailers focus on using mystery to create intrigue and this can be done by showing a few of the characters and not revealing the entire story. Other marketing strategies which are used for horror movies are using social media to create hype to the release of the film. Also, horror films use marketing techniques such as bringing the spookiness to real life which was seen to advertise the movie “IT” where red balloons were left in sewers to advertise the movie.
5. Film sample- One sample of a film which exemplifies the horror genre is “IT.” This film encompasses everything about a horror genre due to its grim elements which are used to scare the viewer such as Pennywise the clown. Elements such as these are used to scare the viewer. In addition to characters instilling fear in the viewer, jump scares do as well which once again establish the horror genre for the film. Also, the use of dark and scary Mise En Sine establishes further its horror genre.
6. Film sample- Another film which encompasses the horror genre is “The Human Centipede.” This movie focuses on the more gruesome aspects of horror used to disgust the viewer. The film uses a monster who is the main character who commits harm against his victims which once again reestablishes the horror genre. Also, the setting of the characters house being in an isolated desolate forest shows the genre characteristics of horror as well. Another aspect is the violence shown in the film and the general idea behind it being about harm.
7. Additional examples:

It follows

Get out

Scream

The Shinning

The Conjuring

The Exorcist

Opening Post

Hello everyone!
    My name is Larissa Sallowicz I am a senior student from Cypress Bay High School. I have always had a passion for media which led me to take the AICE Media Studies course offered at Cypress Bay High. I have now created a blog to be able to document my process as I work to complete my final portfolio project of a horror short film.
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Larissa Sallowicz