It’s Cambridge time!

Hey everyone! 

As I begin my Cambridge Final Project (crazy right), my blog posts will now focus on documenting my progress, challenges, and ideas as I work through this exciting (but slightly nerve-wracking) journey. It feels kind of surreal that we’re finally at this stage.  I’ve done so much research and practice leading up to this; from learning how to edit my first ever video to learning how storyboards work and researching about different genres; now it’s time to put everything I’ve learned to actually put it into action!

Right now, I’m still in the early brainstorming phase, figuring out exactly what direction I want my film opening to take. I know that I want to create something that connects with people emotionally, whether that’s through the story, visuals, or tone. Since the opening of a film sets the entire mood, I want to make sure I draw the audience in right away. I’m also thinking about how I can make my film look polished and professional while working within the limitations of time, budget, and resources. This means making intentional decisions about lighting, framing, and sound design to create the most impact. I’m still playing around with different ideas, but I can’t wait to see how this all comes together. Stay tuned for updates! 

~PT

Music Marketing Project Behind The Scenes

 

Music Marketing Project Behind The Scenes!! - YouTube

Click the link to watch the video :))

Music Marketing Research Reflection

  

Over the past week we were assigned a group project called Music marketing campaign. The objective of this project is to Create a marketing campaign for a new music artist/group. We are to build the brand from the bottom up and use this marketing campaign to introduce your musician(s) to the public. However, prior to starting the actual project and creating a band; we were tasked to do a research portion about the music genre my group and I were assigned, which in our case was, alternative. I started off with listening to their music to get an idea of what alternative music sounds like as I wasn’t familiar with the genre. 

Researching well-known bands and performers in the alternative genre was the next step. I investigated musicians who have maintained a strong online and offline presence and have released noteworthy music in the last five years. The Foo Fighters struck a chord with me during this process because of their long-standing influence in the rock and alternative genres. They were an interesting and pertinent topic for my research because of their recent activities, which included the publication of their 2023 album. 

I started my research on the Foo Fighters by thoroughly examining their past across sites like Britannica and their Instagram page. After Kurt Cobain passed away in 1994, I discovered more about their beginnings and how Dave Grohl went from being the drummer for Nirvana to becoming the leader of the Foo Fighters. The band's name, which was based on UFO encounters during World War II, gave them a fascinating new aspect. 

The most interesting part of my research involved studying the Foo Fighters’ marketing and distribution techniques. I examined their use of digital platforms like social media, streaming services, and their official website, which serve as key tools for fan engagement. Projects like Sonic Highways exemplified their innovative cross-media approach, blending music production with cultural storytelling through an accompanying HBO documentary. 

Throughout the research process, I took detailed notes on how the Foo Fighters’ branding and marketing could inform our group’s campaign strategy. By dissecting their techniques, I gained insights into how a successful alternative artist can build and sustain their brand, both digitally and traditionally. As we transition into the creative phase of the project, I feel well-prepared to apply these lessons to our own campaign. 

Genre Research Blog Activity

How is Fantasy?

The fantasy genre has always pulled in audiences by letting them escape into worlds full of magic, mythical creatures, and epic adventures. Most fantasy films follow a “hero’s journey” storyline, where characters go on exciting quests, face powerful forces, and grow stronger through tough challenges. Many fantasy films include themes like ancient prophecies, royal families, and battles between good and evil. They often take place in kingdoms, forests, or magical lands that are very different from the real world. Fantasy movies bring to life a place where wizards, dragons, elves, and talking animals exist, making everything feel enchanted and almost possible, even if it’s just for a little while.

Fantasy movies wouldn’t be the same without amazing production techniques that make these worlds look real. CGI (computer-generated imagery) is used a lot to create magical environments, spell effects, and creatures that look realistic. Detailed sets and costumes also help audiences feel like they’re stepping into a different world. Lighting and color are chosen carefully, with darker tones for villains and warm colors for heroes or magic moments. Big orchestral soundtracks add emotion and energy to the story, while wide-angle shots show off the incredible fantasy landscapes. With close-up shots, the movie can make intense moments even more exciting, bringing audiences into every part of the adventure.

Marketing for fantasy films is also dramatic and designed to hook audiences early. Trailers usually show exciting scenes with magical creatures, mysterious lands, and hints of the main story. Big franchises go beyond movies with books, video games, merchandise, and even theme parks, so fans can interact with the world even more. Posters often feature the main characters in their costumes, hinting at their journeys. Social media is full of sneak peeks and fun content to keep fans excited. Some franchises even have exclusive premieres or fan events, letting people experience the magic before the movie even hits theaters.

Ex. 1 Lord of the Rings: The fellowship of the Ring

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, directed by Peter Jackson, is a great example of the fantasy genre because of its detailed world-building, magical elements, and classic “hero’s journey” storyline. The movie, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, follows a group of heroes—hobbits, wizards, elves, and men—on a mission to destroy a powerful ring that could cause the end of their world. The characters each have unique abilities and personalities, which add depth to the story and make their journey exciting. The main theme is a classic battle between good and evil, with the heroes trying to keep the ring away from dark forces. This theme is common in fantasy stories, where characters face powerful enemies and rely on teamwork and courage to overcome them.

The production of  used groundbreaking CGI to create creatures like trolls, Balrogs, and more, which made the fantasy world feel real and larger-than-life. Filming in New Zealand gave the movie’s setting of Middle-earth beautiful, sweeping landscapes that looked untouched and ancient, helping audiences believe in this fictional world. The marketing for the film was huge, with trailers showcasing epic battles, iconic characters like Gandalf and Frodo, and the fantasy atmosphere that the film promised. Merchandise such as toys, clothing, and a board game allowed fans to engage with the world of Middle-earth even more. The movie’s successful marketing campaign and memorable story elements made it a standout example of how powerful fantasy films can connect with audiences worldwide.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/

Ex. 2 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, directed by Chris Columbus, is a classic fantasy film that introduces viewers to the magical world of Hogwarts. The story follows a young wizard, Harry, as he discovers his powers, makes new friends, and learns about his place in a world filled with magic. The movie includes many classic fantasy elements, like spells, enchanted objects, mythical creatures (such as the three-headed dog, Fluffy), and the classic battle between good and dark magic. Hogwarts itself feels like a character in the story, filled with moving staircases, talking paintings, and secret passages. These magical touches add to the sense of wonder and mystery that makes the world of Harry Potter so unforgettable.

The production of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone used both practical effects and CGI to bring the magic to life, like the flying broomsticks during Quidditch matches and the spells cast by students and teachers. The Hogwarts set was designed with incredible attention to detail, from the Great Hall with its floating candles to the dark, twisting corridors, making the school feel like a real place. John Williams’ iconic score adds to the atmosphere, highlighting both the exciting and the mysterious parts of the story. Warner Bros. marketed the movie by focusing on these magical scenes in trailers, appealing to young audiences who could see themselves in characters like Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The launch of the film also came with a huge wave of merchandise, including wands, school supplies, costumes, and toys that allowed fans to immerse themselves further into the wizarding world.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241527/

Additional Fantasy Films:

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363771/

Stardust 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/

Pan’s Labyrinth 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0457430/

Alice in Wonderland 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/

Maleficent 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587310/

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814255/

One Word Film Project

For our second big project in my media class, we were given a specific word and told to make a 60-90 second video with no dialogue  that would be able to develop a story that clearly illustrates our assigned word in pairs. It was an exercise that pushed our limits in visual storytelling, using only actions, expressions, and editing techniques to convey a dramatic theme.

My approach to this project was simple yet intense. I aimed to portray cruelty in a way that is both relatable and deeply emotional. For this, I chose to depict the story of a girl and her dog. The plot revolves around a young girl happily walking her pet until a black car pulls up, snatching the dog away in an instant. From there, the video transitions to a dark depiction of the robber mistreating the dog, showing true cruelty through actions like kicking, injecting, and hitting.

During brainstorming, I wanted to explore various aspects of cruelty before narrowing it down to the concept of pet abuse. I worked with a brainstorming sheet, where I outlined potential story ideas, characters, and visual elements that could represent "cruelty" without the use of words. A visual representation of my brainstorming helped me think through different possibilities and ultimately settle on the story I felt would be most

The storyboard played an essential role in pre-visualizing my project. Each panel represented a key moment, from the girl’s peaceful walk with her dog to the shocking abduction, the mistreatment of the dog, and finally, the girl's determination to find her pet. The storyboard gave me a concrete idea of how to shoot each scene, the progression of the story, and how I wanted the camera angles and cuts to convey the mood of each moment. It served as a clear guide during the filming process, ensuring that each frame contributed effectively to the overall narrative.

In post-production, I utilized crosscutting to build tension between the girl searching for her dog and the scenes of the robber's cruelty. This editing technique made the two timelines converge in a way that highlighted the contrasting emotions: hope and helplessness versus cruelty and violence. I used a mix of quick cuts to keep the viewer on edge and longer shots to emphasize the girl’s desperate search.

One aspect I believe went well was the emotional impact of the story. Despite the short duration, the visual storytelling successfully conveyed the theme of cruelty in a way that was relatable and moving. The use of crosscutting was a key part of this success, as it allowed viewers to experience both the girl's desperation and the dog's suffering at the same time, enhancing the emotional effect. However, there are some areas I’d like to improve next time. The lighting during some of the indoor scenes was not as effective as I had hoped. It could have been better managed to reflect the intensity of the situation, adding more visual depth.

Overall, working on this project was a great way to learn about the expressive power of images and the range of emotions that can be expressed without using words.

 Hello! 

My name is Paula, and I am excited to begin my blogger journey on this platform. I have always been into taking photos and interested in the film world so here I am starting what I believe can lead to my future career. Here I will share my latest projects and films so make sure to stay up to date! Hope you enjoy this as much as I will.