Creative critical reflection plan

    Regarding the creative critical reflection, I have decided I need to make a script to condense all my research and ideas in a way that answers all four questions adequately (my plan for the first two questions which I have worked on for today underneath this). For the actual presentation of the CCR, I want it to be more serious, almost like an interview, inspired by the director's and actors' commentary at the end of Euphoria season two episodes.

    The script will likely not be word for word in the CCR as I can not be actually reading it but will rather review it several times before filming. I want the lighting to be bright and plan to sit in a well-lit area of my cousin's house in Mexico where I am staying at. My person will likely be sitting on either the right or left third and two phones will film facing me at different angles to avoid one continuous shot of myself. Editing the questions in one of the fonts utilized in my film opening will also aid in adding dimension to my CCR.

CCR Script (part 1):

Hello, my name is Paulina and this is the process of how my film opening came to be.

Question 1: How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?

The genre of my film opening is coming of age, such films, according to the Princeton Buffer, focus on a main character’s personal growth whether it be mental, emotional, or romantic. These types of films often revolve around a big change or decision such as graduating high school or young love. It is also common for coming-of-age films to be semi-autobiographical and occur during the teenage years. Most films are dialogue heavy and or utilize narration to portray the shift in the main character's emotions. 

In regards to the setting, it is everyday ike so the audience can relate; for example, clueless is set in a high school where learning, gossip, and fun emerge, an experience everyone can connect with.  

In my film opening, we chose to challenge the romance that is typically linked with the coming of age genre. Although the ending may hint that the main character is off to see someone, the film opening does not show a special someone that is part of her life. She exists in a world independent of others and romance, making her personality and emotions the main focus.

The lack of dialogue and narration gives a more raw insight into Berkley’s private life. The audience gets to see her simply exist in the bounds of herself.  As a young teenager, she still holds on to some childish traits; she is the center of her own world, she is content with just being herself and doing ‘dumb’ girly things like taking her time getting ready or meticulously picking out an outfit. Her youthfulness also hinders her ability to properly understand and respond to the situation around her which has grown to be a major crisis much bigger than her as a person.

In contrast to popular coming-of-age films like clueless, Berkeley is not filthy rich. There is no outfit generator housing millions of pairs of denim, skirts, and dresses. She is part of an average middle-class family, representing both the creators and the population at large. Additionally, since she is Hispanic, the character steps outside the typical blonde American teen like Regina Geroge in Mean Girls. 

Most coming-of-age films follow the typical white girl with meaningless issues and fail to experiment outside such bonds. The conflicts teenagers face are often cast aside due to their young age, but despite them being hidden behind a young face they are still as real and valid as problems adults face. 

Question 2: How does your product engage with audiences and how will it be distributed as a real media text?

According to the Independent Cinema Office, coming-of-age films have a target audience of teenagers between the ages of 12 to 18 due to the current sense of reliability the audience shares with the characters. 

According to the guardian, such audience consumes media that is easily available and fast, commonly on the internet. A combination of social media sites such as Instagram, Twitter, Google, and Youtube are go-to resources. 

The global pandemic issue within our film opening engages with our target audience as it is an issue that they too have faced. The audience can relate to being a different person pre-pandemic and having to adapt and even grow up in the face of a pandemic. The sense of bliss established at the start of the film opening mirrors the ignorance and naiveness that teens were once part of. With time and maturity, material things like a new shirt or a pair of boots become detached, one's needs shift to things that actually matter which is what the film opening eludes to at the end. The very foundation of the plot addresses a real issue that has dramatically changed lives and altered the meaning of being a teenager and as one I can attest to this.

Since we are amateur filmmakers, it is realistic for us to distribute our media opening through resources such as Youtube and Instagram given their easiness and availability for creators paired with their already established presence in the daily use of our target audience.