CCR Question #2

 Creative Critical Reflection: Audience Engagement and Distribution

Our film opening aims to engage with audiences by tapping into universal themes of insecurity, bullying, and hidden struggles, aiming to make it a highly relatable experience for a teenage and young adult demographic. Our main character, a high school bully, has many struggles and aggression problems that stem from his home and personal life. He is not a one-dimensional antagonist, but rather a complex character that provokes an emotional audience reaction. By presenting him and his story using intimate camera choices, color scheming, and sound design we immerse the audience in his emotional turmoil, creating a deeper connection to the story.

Inspiration + Production Connections

To ensure full audience engagement, we drew our inspiration from many coming of age films, with one example being The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012). The film is able to depict realistic teenage distress through naturalistic effects, and in depth storytelling. We hope to follow in their lead, with use of handheld shots and close ups to capture the personal, relatable nature of the protagonist and his emotions. Our development of the color scheme shifting from cold desaturated tones at school, back to darker more shadowed hues at home reinforces the characters internal conflicts. Sound design is also vital, with the quick switches between the chaotic school sounds, over to the eerie home sounds, and ramped back up with the furious parents.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Opening Scene. Connects feelings of isolation.

Distribution Strategies

Given our project's independent creation, we would need to be realistic when creating our distribution strategy. Initially, we will release the project on YouTube and Vimeo, while leveraging social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to push forward clips and behind the scenes content. Additionally, we would enter film festivals such as the All American High School Film Festival, as well as the Sundance Ignite program, hoping to gain recognition and exposure in the industry.