Portfolio Project Genre #1

                                   Mystery

I have chosen the genre of mystery for one of my genre blogs as part of my portfolio project for several reasons. One of the reasons I chose mystery is that when making a mystery film, it is character-driven storytelling. It lets my group and me have a deep character development, and you can give a character a little secret. And the mystery genre is very flexible because you can do different things with mystery, like comedy or sci-fi. Mystery is the type of genre make "pizzly story" that invites the audience to play a detective while watching the film. Mystery is also a good genre for my portfolio project because it gives a lot of chances to show my group's skills in writing tight scripts, using visual techniques, and cuts.

The target audience for mystery appeals to a wide range of people but is usually more popular among 15-year-olds to around 30s who love to figure out things. The target audience is also the people who love to watch films that have murder, kidnapping, and disappearance. Mysteries in now todays have to have a lot of plot twists to keep the audience's attention. Also, people who love watching mystery films are the ones who want or wanted to be a detective in their future. Another part of the audience that would love to watch a mystery film is the people who love solving puzzles, psychological and emotional depth plots. The audience is also drawn into films like "Knives Out" that create a sense of justice and closure in a crazy world.

What makes mystery so iconic and interesting is all the film's trailers, posters, and campaigns, even before the film is actually out. For example, the poster focusses of the murder weapon or an object that is important in the story, rather than showing faces or using lines like "Who did it" or "Everyone is a suspect". The people who market the mystery films try to create puzzle trailers, so the people who watch the trailers want to watch the whole film. They love to use withholding key information, and they also create character-centric trailers. Doing this gets the people wanting to watch the films

The genre of mystery is identified by its skills to showcase cryptic problems that the people watching feel compelled to solve, the problem or the mystery of why something happened. The mystery genre is filled with recognizable conventions, but it is also flexible enough to give different themes of mystery, from dark impulses to social issues. There are different conventions of the mystery genre, with content films like unknown events, investigation process, mysterious villain, dystopian setting, and unexpected twists in the story. All of these different conventions of the mystery genre, with content films, make great mystery films. Knowing this helps me a lot with my portfolio project. 

The mystery film genre uses particular techniques and conventions to make the viewers feel a sense of suspense and intrigue while watching the film or trailers. The techniques and conventions used are setting, protagonist, camera work, music, plot structure, and character development that help create a compelling mystery film that stays with the audience and will challenge the traditional norms of today. This helps my group and me to know what we have to focus on when filming the opening of our films.

The two mystery films that stand out are Knives Out and Sherlock. These two films have a lot of mystery, plot twists, and unknown events. For example, Knives Out is a modern masterpiece of a film that use the "Whodunit" sub-genre. It has uncommon suspects and it brilliant, individual detective to overturn the traditional class dynamics while having "fair play" clue-dropping rule. These films represent the mystery genre very well.

With all of this information about the mystery genre, it helps me want to film a two-minute opening because it makes me want to make my own mystery. I would love to work with setting, music, and know how to create a good plot structure. So, I'm probably creating a mystery two-minute opening for my portfolio project.

                                                                  References

Audiences of murder mystery films. (2025). SlideShare; Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/audiences-of-murder-mystery-films/42582757

Codes and conventions of the mystery genre. (2016). SlideShare; Slideshare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/codes-and-conventions-of-the-mystery-genre-68585986/68585986

Games, F. N. (2024, April 4). Mystery Riddles: Unlocking the Enigma of Fun and Challenge - Fun Night Games. Fun Night Games. https://funnightgames.com/mystery-riddles/

MasterClass. (2020). What Is the Mystery Genre? Learn About Mystery and Crime Fiction, Plus 6 Tips for Writing a Mystery Novel - 2024 - MasterClass. MasterClass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-the-mystery-genre

Mystery Genre Conventions. (2001). Prezi.com. https://prezi.com/5mzjb19lq2rf/mystery-genre-conventions/

Ranker Streaming. (2024, March 4). The 40+ Best Mystery Movies On Prime Video. Ranker. https://www.ranker.com/list/best-thriller-mystery-movies-on-amazon-prime/ranker-streaming

Blog Posting - Music Marketing #2

 

 

                            Music Marketing #1

      

        For our Music Marketing project, our teacher assigned us to organize and complete research on marketing and distribution practices within the genre of music we were given. Genre of music we were given was bluegrass. For the research project, we were put into groups of 4 to 5 people. Each person had to fill out a one chart, choosing a music production company and 2 artists that are represented by the company, which related to our bluegrass genre. The two artists must have made and posted music in the last 5 years in order to collect valid and updated information about the company as well as the artists.
        
 For my research, I researched the Bluegrass genre. The company that I researched was Round Records and two different artists, Sierra Ferrel and Ruston Kelly. I studied the company's history, the artist's history, their target audience, brand identity, and the ways they utilize digital marketing and distribution, as well as their non-digital marketing and distribution strategies. I found the different ways that Sierre Ferrel and Ruston Kelly promote their music, like on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X. We were urged to consider the choices the artist or company made in regard to the outcome of a product/production. Analyzing the artist's social media presence or how they take advantage of technology during this generation.

We added as much detail as possible to help us understand the purpose and the genre of Bluegrass Music production in the atmosphere of the media. Overall, the first part of our Music Marketing project with the research will help us dive deeper into the production company and the variety of artists within the specific genre we were assigned.

 

                             Mise-en-scene

My goal for the activity was to create a good character description that would be rich enough to inspire choices across all categories (physical appearance, setting, and audio), offering a clear internal conflict, a unique profession, or a distinct environment that the group can immediately begin to visualize and develop into a compelling multimedia experience. After, we have a character, we can then dive into brainstorming the "Music or Stings" or any other category you'd like to tackle first. 

Bill is a 65-year-old, highly decorated former firefighter from Sacramento, California. His 40-year career, which began after a wildfire tragically claimed his fiancé and home, was fueled by a vow to fight fire. A recognized hero, he earned the Medal of Valor for saving seven lives in the 1991 Courthouse fire. Now widowed and retired, Bill lives in a small apartment, devoting his time to volunteering at a local animal shelter and visiting his daughter and grandchildren. 

I created a 3d animal shelter that my character works at after retirement, created things that symbolize him, and created a mood board to show how the character is.  I was able to organize all elements in my character station because I created different parts of my character, like the first part of the station, where I put the animal shelter, when my character works, because he loves animals and he is a caring person. The second station was the mood board that shows part of the character in different parts of his life. The third station is where I put symbols of him, like his wedding ring, hero coin, and his old firefighter badge. I developed my character by adding why he became a firefighter, how he got his hero coin because of saving people, and adding his family. I also added his favorite color.  I showed how character is not just a retired firefighter who loves animals.  I tried not to stay in the stereotype of a Firefighter. I also use contrition and de-centered to help develop the character's visual and look that people are looking at my project know they are seeing, and what they need to know. And his story of being a firefighter. I tried to make him not like other firefighters.  I developed a story of the character who goes around with the characters that I was given by my teacher. 

My group's process for creating all elements and the outcome was hard in the beginning because we had many ideas, but we decided step by step together. We wanted to develop different parts of the character, like before becoming a firefighter, during being a firefighter, and after retirement. The outcome was great; we were able to create a good station to show all of the character elements.  I would love to do this project again.

Media Studies Mise-en-scene

Adventure

 

                                 Adventure

The Adventure Genre is defined by a charismatic Hero on a Quest—often a treasure hunt—that forces travel to Exotic and Uncharted Settings and involves grand stakes for a Triumphant Resolution. 

The genre's content is centered on the Quest Narrative, where a resourceful hero pursues a MacGuffin, across Exotic Settings like ancient ruins or distant worlds. The journey provides the setting for physical challenges, conflict with human or supernatural part, and the hero's personal growth, with the stakes often involving the fate of the world. 

Adventure films point up through high budgets. They used Location Shooting to emphasize the grandeur of the settings and employ extensive VFX/SFX for action and mythical elements. Cinema, using wide shots and aerials, captures the vast scale, while an Epic Orchestral Score provides the crucial sense of wonder and heroism. 

Marketing positions these films as massive, must-see theatrical events that guarantee escapism. Strategies include trailers showcasing expensive Set-Pieces, leveraging Star Power of the charismatic lead, and promoting the film as a highly profitable Franchise installment. Extensive Merchandising and Brand Tie-ins are used to extend the film's market presence. 

 

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

This high-fantasy and adventure film embodies the genre with the classic quest to destroy the MacGuffin (the One Ring). Protagonist Frodo Baggins leaves The Shire for the Uncharted Settings of Middle-earth (Moria, Rivendell). Its production was defined by revolutionary CGI for creatures and armies, paired with sweeping New Zealand location shooting to achieve its epic scale and sense of wonder. 

This film is a perfect archaeological adventure, following the roguish Hero Rick O'Connell on a treasure hunt for the Book of the Dead (MacGuffin) in the ancient, Exotic Setting of Hamunaptra. Its production is a masterclass in modern techniques, with a fast-paced style, elaborate stunt work, and pioneering early CGI for the supernatural antagonist and large-scale plagues. 

  The genre’s history is rich with quests: King Kong (1933) established the remote, mysterious island adventure; The Wizard of Oz (1939) is a fantasy journey down a perilous road; The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) is a classic swashbuckler; the space opera Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) is fundamentally a galactic rescue quest; Jurassic Park (1993) uses high-end VFX for a survival adventure on an isolated island; and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) revitalized the supernatural high-seas treasure hunt. 

 

Sound Projects 1 and 2

                                                                   

                                             Sound Projects

      During the sound lesson and assigned video in Mrs. Stoklosa's class, I learn the different ways people who make movies, TV shows, or music videos use sounds like Diegetic sounds, nondiegetic, and how they do Voiceover.

       The sound project 1, the directions were to make a soundscape storytelling challenge requiring you to create a short, school-appropriate narrative using only sound effects and auditory techniques, with a strict limit of seven spoken words total. The process is broken into three main stages: first, Brainstorm and Plan a 1–2 minute scene and outline its sound effects in a "Soundscape Planning Outline"; second, Record and Edit a 1–2 minute audio file that skillfully blends sounds from online databases with at least four original "foley" sound effects that you personally create using everyday objects; finally, Document and Submit three files: the final soundscape audio, a video showing the creation of your four foley sounds, and 1–2 images of your editing timeline. 

The Sound Project 2 Directions were to collaborate with your partner on the One Word Film (OWF) project, which requires designing a soundscape to enhance the emotion of your film's assigned word. You must first brainstorm the full range of sounds needed—including ambient noise, simultaneous effects, layering techniques, and added music/stings to set the tone—and then create a detailed sound outline. Finally, you will collect and record sounds, including creating original Foley effects, and each member will individually edit their soundscape into the video. 

The sound project 1, during brainstorming, my partner and me had to think where a place is with a lot of sound, we thought of a cafeteria. Then we thought of a way to make the cafeteria louder, so we thought of make a fight scene. So, make a scene in the cafeteria when a fight breaks out. My outline helps me in many ways like told what sound I had to make in foley and what sound to find online. When the sound would start play in the project. My partner and I use Clipchamp.
 

The sound project 2, during brainstorming, my partner and me had to think what sound are made during boy playing basketball, how to film the sounds, and what sounds to add to the film to make more show our word we got on the OWF project. My outline helps me in many ways like told what sound I had to make in foley and what sound to find online. When the sound would start play in the project. Me and my partner use Clipchamp.

OWFSound_RabachuteCrepaldiFinial.mp4 

FernandezRabachute_soundscape_per4.mp4

One Word Film

 

                                                                 The One Word Film

                The direction I had for the One Word Film project. I am to brainstorm ways to show the word I got to an audience. I couldn't use any sound elements at all.  My job was to develop a story that clearly illustrates your assigned word.  My story should be something that could actually occur within 60-90 seconds of real time.  Everything will be filmed in the school setting.

                     

                                                                                                                                                                     

                     During the brainstorming part of my project, my partner and I thought about what could happen in 90 seconds or less.  Then we need to think about how to make the scene go perfectly together and to make our words be shown in the best way. My storyboard helped me pre-visualize my project because it helps me take less time thinking about what I was going to do, and it gave me more time to film things. My storyboard also helped me create a good story. I use Adobe Premiere Pro is the editing resource did I utilize.

                 The things I did well on the project are the brainstorming and storyboarding. I believe this because my partner and I created a great story that shows our word of the film. The brainstorming went well because we were able to show all the ideas that we had and think about new ideas that we couldn't have if we didn't brainstorm. Also, the storyboarding went well, too, because it beautifully shows our scene in the film. The part I would like to improve is the filming part and the editing, because I believe I could have filmed the videos better and edited them together better.

OWF Briggs Crepaldi.mp4 - Google Drive