Blog Post #2

Within media, women are often represented as the ones who clean the house and care for the kids
or as sex objects. This has been an everlasting stereotype that has carried on for ages. Whether it’sthrough the eye of a magazine editor, director, the audience themselves, or anyone apart of society,
it is clear that women are“supposed to” fit these standards.

Media does it’s best to convince people of the way women should be, but time has shown how much
females have evolved from what they once were. Women have proven to be much more than the ones
who stay home and clean the house. Some of the greatest actors, doctors, artists, leaders, etc are in fact,
women. These include Marilyn Monroe, Frida Kahlo, Harriet Tubman, and many more.

As far as being seen as sexual objects, women are shown in magazines as a way to draw men in for
marketing. Although the media may see this to be a perfect marketing technique, this can lead to serious
mental illnesses for other women who feel the need to match these standards. A lot of pressure is put on
women to have the best body and the prettiest face in order for society to accept them.

Although time has changed and the media has improved on their representation of women not being so
prominent, it still is a big issue that affects and angers people all around the world. There may not be a
way to completely destroy these standards but there are definitely plenty of ways to prove them wrong!

1. Genre
1. Comedy
2. Genre Conventions
1. Content
1. “Idiotic” characters often used in contrast with “normal” people
2. Sarcastic tone within the dialogue of the characters
3. An element designed to make the audience laugh
4. Characteristics of characters exaggerated for amusement purposes
3. Genre Conventions
1. Production
1. The setting is almost always bright and in a location that involves a lot of people.
2. Naturalistic camera work is used to show as if the characters are better than everyone.
3. Diegetic sound is necessary so that the audience can hear and is able to laugh
4. Bright or natural lighting is used to make the film seem realistic
5. In some comedies, props that are intended to hurt the characters are used to create humor
4. Film Sample #1
1. Life of the Party https://youtu.be/T1B1CxmAXLk
1. This film embodies the comedy genre in several different ways. The main character is seen as “idiotic” and uses props that are intended to hurt her, like fire. The film is not always shot in a bright light but the majority of it is. Sarcasm is used by the characters for amusement purposes as well.
5. Film Sample #2
1. Night School https://youtu.be/t9QtXGirWf0
1. This film uses different techniques in order to embody the comedy genre. The main character, Kevin Hart, uses sarcasm as a way of being humorous as well as getting injured by props that are intended to do so. The settings and camera work make the film seem realistic which appeals to the audience as well.
6. Other Film Examples
1. Crazy Rich Asians  https://youtu.be/ZQ-YX-5bAs0
2. Incredibles 2  https://youtu.be/i5qOzqD9Rms
3. Tag  https://youtu.be/kjC1zmZo30U
4. Love, Simon https://youtu.be/E0cbWdlQg_8

Hotel Transylvania 3  https://youtu.be/Ku52zNnft8k

Genre Research Activity

1. Genre
1. Horror
2. Genre conventions:
1. Content
1. Element involving death
2. Monster/evil that main characters have to face/defeat
3. Lots of blood present
4. An element designed to frighten/unsettle the audience
5. Cliffhanger ending
3. Genre conventions:
1. Production
1. Props such as a knife, chainsaw, machetes, firearms, etc.
2. Dark colors to portray a sinister feel
3. Low lighting to create a dark atmosphere
4. Masks and dark colors within costumes
4. Institutional conventions:
1. Marketing
1. Mysterious and non-revealing trailers
2. Few characters are shown
3. Audience testimonials broadcasted
5. Film sample #1:
1. https://youtu.be/pzD9zGcUNrw
1. The Nun embodies the horror genre in many aspects.
2. It contains a main element involving death, the nun, which is also designed to frighten/unsettle the audience.
3. As far as production, low lighting is present throughout most of the film as well as dark colors within the costume.
4. The trailer contains a dark atmosphere and the presence of not many characters.
6. Film sample #2:
1. https://youtu.be/aMCLVSlk1Tk
1. In Halloween there is one evil main character present that is used to unsettle the audience in some way.
2. As far as production goes, the costume is revolved around dark colors and involves a mask.
3. Weapons are also used throughout the film.
7. Other horror film examples:
1. A Quiet Place https://youtu.be/rqEnM25BsNQ
2. The First Purge https://youtu.be/UL29y0ah92w
3. The Strangers: Prey at Night https://youtu.be/4_geUW08phI
4. Insidious: The Last Key https://youtu.be/acQyrwQyCOk

v. Unfriended: Dark Web https://youtu.be/4DJAWGXkvq8

Hi! My name is Alexis Laurens, but I usually go by Lexi. I'm 16 years old, born and raised in south Florida by my two parents along with my older brother. I love creative writing and learning about film and what it contains. My purpose for this blog is to post my best work and share my thought process while creating these projects.  I hope to advance my knowledge of film production so that I can create successful short films myself and be able to entertain others with my work. This blog will bring you along that journey with me!