It is that time, to start my CCR. I am done with my opening film, now I need to start planning the CCRs and done! I cannot believe I am that far and that is almost over. But now, I will focus specifically on the first question of the CCR. Which is:
How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?
What this question is asking is to discuss the genre characteristics in my film and discuss representation, which refers to the choices made in how individuals, groups, events and issues are illustrated within my production.
I will be using the Blog Posts where I did research on my genre which is coming-of-age. The way I will do this CCR and CCR #2 is doing an interview. I will work on my script. I still do not know how it will be done.
Conventions: genre characteristics
Today I was started working on my CCR, I plan on doing something basic for this one. Answering the question while providing a lot of visuals. But today I focused on the script and some research. This is what I have done.
Hello, I am Sara Perez and I am the director and creator of Nueva Vida. I made the film out of my own experience of moving from Colombia to the United States 6 years ago. The opening focuses on the protagonist’s current life showing her about to graduate, her friends are shown, as well as her little siblings. The protagonist is narrating, and showing her personality and growth as well. The final part of the opening go back in time, six years ago, when Paula and her mother are packing to move to another country, an unknown place.
How does your product use or challenge conventions?
Nueva Vida falls into coming of age genre. Throughout the film, Paula’s internal and external conflicts are shown. The story is about how her life changed drastically and her journey starting over. The coming of age genre is defined by being centered around the themes of youth, growing up, and maturation with a strong focus on the main character. The protagonist is typically a teen who is going through a major conflict or dilemma in their life. Some conventions used in Nueva Vida are how Paula’s journey of growth is shown throughout the film. Her self-discovery is notorious when she realizes that she is the only one that can change her future and that having a positive mindset would change her surroundings. As screenwriter and author Blake Snyder said “the only thing that can save the hero is turning flailing inward and realizing that he must change, not the world around him” which means that in a story, the individual’s biggest challenge isn’t the outside world—it’s themselves. Instead of trying to change everything around them, they must look inward, face their flaws, and grow as a person. In the coming-of-age genre, there can be an adult like a parent, that can be shown supporting the protagonist or even overcoming their own problems. In my film, the story is centered in Paula, but her mother is constantly shown, since both of them are starting a new life, her mother is shown struggling as well. Nueva Vida shows the relationships developed as well and how they serve as support and guidance to the Paula.
How does it represent social groups or issues?
One of the strongest and most emotional elements in my films is Paula’s relationship with her little siblings. Her love for them is emphasized. As an older sister, Paula feels love, responsibility and a strong sense of protection towards them. How her emotions and vulnerability are shown, it can connect with the audiences emotions.
A key aspect of Paula’s story is her experience as an immigrant. The emotions and props used such as the Polaroid photos and the memory box transmit a sense of nostalgia and emotional struggle, along with her feelings of uncertainty. Many immigrants feel a loss of identity when moving to a new country, which is shown through Paula. But the message of the film is embracing our present, life gets difficult and there will be challenges but you are the one that can change everything. Also not forgetting where you are from, that home is not just a place, it’s the people and the memories we carry with us.
Youtube videos and websites for my research:
- Sammie. (2020, October 31). What Makes a Good Coming-of-Age Story || Let’s Talk Bookish. The Bookwyrm’s Den. https://thebookwyrmsden.com/2020/10/31/what-makes-a-good-coming-of-age-story/
- Kench, S. (2023, September 24). What is a Coming of Age Movie — Examples and Characteristics. StudioBinder. https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-coming-of-age-movie-definition/
- https://youtu.be/uT1e6GITCs0?si=MzR5Z3E02MpwiXRM
- https://youtu.be/MzS3Yx1OnKw?si=Lb68AWqy_rdCws_n
- https://youtu.be/NA_2zEKGWi4?si=xZpfQjGCspNcgKwB
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