Fernal Ferlm Gernrer Rerserch

In our prior three films, XTCStudios has dabbled in drama and comedy, with the former being the genre of our first two films (Retrospect, Clarity) and the latter being that of our most recent film (Play for Keeps). In this, our last hurrah as a creative filmmaking unit, we (at least at the moment) aim to make a dramatic comedy film. A fresh and innovative approach, we know.

We intend for our upcoming film to be primarily a drama with some comedic and romantic undertones. At the moment, we have decided it will center on the ups and downs of a teenage relationship, with more emphasis on the psychologies of the two as opposed to highlighting the romance between them. Essentially, it will be mostly drama, less comedy, and least romantic.

Some films of similar genres to which we will refer as models include...

50/50 (2011)

50/50 depicts a young man's struggle with being diagnosed with cancer. Like the film we intend to make, this film is a drama, comedy, and romance in one. The proportions of genre used in this film and that we hope to make are similar; it is primarily a drama, with comedic elements and a romantic backbone.

The Godfather (1972)

While we don't intend for our film to be in any way a gangster movie, we are influenced by the characterization of the titular character, played by Marlon Brando. We aim to have our mentor maintain a presence similar to that of the godfather -- powerful, charismatic, and mysterious, yet wise and a leader.

Breaking Bad (2008-2013)

Breaking Bad centers on a former chemistry teacher and one of his former students parlaying their knowledge into producing and selling meth. We are taking influence from the relationship between mentor and protege for our film, as the protagonist in our film is to be mentored by an elder in the art of women.

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In drama films, the central focus is usually a social or societal problem; the film reveals the filmmakers' perspectives regarding the issue as the characters within the film solve their problem. Usually the problem is present as an under-the-surface theme that is manifested in the conflict of the film. The characters of drama films are hugely varying; they can be anyone that the filmmaker needs or wants them to be. Their journey to solve the conflict and thus the societal problem of the film is the main focus of the film. The acting style employed in the portrayals of drama characters is that which fits to the emotion and the degree of importance of the societal problem they are facing. Notably, drama films are very emotional in nature, meaning actors must be capable of displaying a range of emotions in drama films.

As with the characters, the settings (and, accordingly, the production design and lighting) of drama films vary immensely. Every single setting is intended to play a key role within the narrative. The production design is manipulated so as to give the audience clues regarding the lifestyles of the characters that inhabit the settings; whatever is present in the setting characterizes the characters. The lighting typically is mid key, so as to allow the audience to see everything necessary for emotional impact; in low key lighting, the intention is usually to create a sense of sorrow, as opposed to fear or mystery as in other genres. 

The cinematography of drama films relies very, very heavily on the close-up. Close-ups are the most intimate type of shot, allowing for the most emotion to be revealed; this is understandable, considering the importance of emotion in drama films. Decidedly unorthodox shot types like revolution shots or Dutch angles can be used when great, shocking revelations have been made. 

Finally, there is light emphasis on sound design; the score usually serves as less of a highlight to the film and more as a means of amplifying the emotional impact of a given scene. Leitmotifs are common for films that frequently carry the same emotion in numerous instances.

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LOGLINE: A young man and his longtime mentor clash over the young man's new girlfriend.