Mise-en- scene

 The Mise-en-scene project was really great and fun. We had to make a multimedia character station in our classroom with interactive features to present a character. The station had to have things that help people understand our character in a visual, audio and a tactile way. Each station will have have 3-4 computers and headphones along with them. We were also allowed to bring in objects to represent our character. The station was required to have a character description, a mood for the character, a representation of the chosen setting, audio that connected with the character and some tactile representations as well. We were allowed to go above and beyond these requirements and incorporate the elements above in any way that we wanted to. On the day of the project we had 15 minutes to set up and then we had to go around and analyze others projects as well. 

The character my group received was a retired firefighter who now works at an animal shelter. James Johnson, our character, was in the NYFD and was one of the many firemen who rushed to the chaos of the twin towers on 9/11/2001. While he was rescuing those in danger, the north tower collapsed and he was buried under the rubble, surrounded by concrete, glass and metal. After being pulled out and taken to the hospital he got a life changing piece of info. Unfortunately, he lost a leg and had a lot of trauma about the event. He was forced to retire because he could no longer do the things he could do before. The retirement was more of a way to get away from the reminder of the event he would have to face everyday. Later, he took up volunteering at the animal shelter to get his mind off the PTSD and trauma, little did he know he would end up growing an unconditional love for these animals. James found a therapy to his trauma which helps him to cope. (Image of full character description and background below) 

My group and I created a character description which lets the readers know all about his background and gives a deep description about his life. We created a mood board, which helped represent him and showed his likings and some characteristics of his life. The group also made an audio project with many layered sounds to represent an animal shelter with sounds of him playing with them representing how much he loves them and how it helps him. The tactile representations that we brought were dog treats and a squeaky dog toy which many people liked.  We had 4 computers at the character station, one had the character description, the second had the mood board, the 3rd had the animal shelter sound project and the 4th had a Spotify playlist with songs that represented his life. The props were placed at the station for people to understand as well. We also had an activity where you had to dress up the guy with instructions on what to dress him for. The other groups who were reviewing our station had to view every computer, look and play with the props and do the activity organized. 

At first when we started developing the character we could not really think of what to do but we soon figured out what to do. We first went over the stereotypes of a firefighter and wet thought about the type of clothing they wear, what are their likes and dislikes and what really represents them. Then we used the strategy de-centered to come up with the story of the 9/11 to make it more emotional and heartfelt. We also thought that the 9/11 story would actually represent the character and show him as brave but also soft hearted. We also used construction in an audio way to represent the sounds of the animal shelter and his soft and playful voice. The process of our group was great, everyone contributed really well and did a splendid job. We were a bit stressed out in the beginning but got over that obstacle. We got feedback that many people liked our project and found it interesting which means that the project was a success.

Genre Research

 The Crime & Gangster genre focuses on the world of organized crime, power struggles, and moral corruption. The world of organised crime, power battles, and moral corruption are the main topics of the Crime & Gangster genre. These films frequently show law-breaking criminals while exploring into darker human beings like ambition, greed, loyalty, and betrayal. Usually, the genre looks at how people gain power illegally and then fall from grace due to their own flaws. It displays the darker side of human nature while emphasising the dangerous balance between prosperity and violence.

Crime and gangster films are famous for their gloomy stories set in urban settings, frequently presenting the criminal underworld of places like Miami, Chicago, or New York. Usually, the main characters are corrupt law enforcement officers, hitmen, or mobsters motivated by survival, revenge, or wealth. These films show crime as both attractive and devastating, investigating the inner struggle between power and ethics. The rise and collapse of a criminal empire, gang member loyalty and betrayal, and a search for authority at all costs are common elements of the plot. The story gains emotional and moral depth from the prominent themes of respect, family ties, and the high cost of success. 

The crime and gangster genre produces a tense, intimidating atmosphere through the use of attractive visual and audio elements. To create mystery and tension, filmmakers employ low lighting, deep shadows, and low colour tones, which represent the characters' unclear morals. Long tracking shots follow characters as they explore their criminal world, while close-ups are frequently used in shooting to emphasise emotion and dramatic intensity. The music usually reflects the scene and heightens the suspense, such as jazz, orchestral, or sad hip-hop pieces. A rhythm that reflects the unpredictable nature of criminal life is created by combining slow-paced, lengthy scenes with fast-cut montages in between shootouts or sudden outbreaks of violence. Money, fancy automobiles, cigars, and firearms are common props used to symbolize wealth, power, greed and control. 

Crime and gangster films are mostly aimed at adults who like intense stories, tension, and morally complex stories. In order to express the stress of the criminal world, trailers often include scenes of murder, treachery, and power. They also frequently use dramatic speech and fast cuts. In order to emphasise the story's danger and excitement, posters usually show the main character standing in shadow or holding a gun, often surrounded by cityscape imagery such as city lights or crime scenes. These films are typically produced by studios like Warner Bros., Universal Pictures, and Paramount Pictures, which frequently use well-known actors and directors to reel in viewers.

Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather, one of the most important gangster films ever made, is an outstanding example of the genre's principles. The narrative focusses on the Italian-American mafia empire Corleone family as they attempt to find a balance between family, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power. The film highlights the characters' mental and emotional diversity with extended takes, calm tension, and dark lighting. The film analyses the price of power and the resulting moral decline through Michael Corleone's journey from reluctant son to brutal boss. Famous instances that illustrate the connection between violence and family honour include the baptism massacre and the "offer he can't refuse." Its portrayal of organized crime as both elegant and brutal redefined the genre and set a standard for future films. 

Another classic of the gangster genre is Scarface, which was directed by Brian De Palma and follows Tony Montana, a Cuban immigrant who becomes a major player in Miami's cocaine trade. The movie shows how power promotes self-destruction by capturing the spirit of ambition, greed, and excess. De Palma depicts the chaotic, flashy world of drug empires with spectacular visuals, vivid neon lighting, and a blend of fancy imagery and deadly realities. There are many famous lines in the movie's dialogue, including Tony Montana's "Say hello to my little friend!" which ends up representing ultimate disregard and failure. With mansions, pricey outfits, and gold-plated firearms, the production design emphasises luxury and wealth—visual signals that further emphasise the distorting power of greed.Scarface is a timeless representation of the gangster lifestyle because of its extreme brutality and psychological tension, which perfectly demonstrates the tragedy and attraction of living beyond the law. 

he crime and gangster genre has inspired countless unforgettable movies that each bring something unique to the world of organized crime stories. One of the most famous is Goodfellas (1990), which gives a fast-paced and exciting look into the daily life of mobsters, showing both the thrill and the downfall that comes with their choices. The Irishman (2019) takes a slower, more emotional approach, reflecting on loyalty, regret, and the cost of a lifetime in crime. Pulp Fiction (1994) breaks the usual rules of storytelling with its mix of dark humor, unexpected violence, and stylish dialogue that made it a cultural phenomenon. The Departed (2006) delivers intense suspense through its story of double lives and betrayal between cops and criminals. American Gangster (2007) highlights the rise of Frank Lucas and how he built an empire while challenging the system, while Casino (1995) explores greed and corruption within the glitz of Las Vegas. Finally, Heat (1995) dives deep into the personal lives of both a career criminal and the detective chasing him, showing that the line between good and bad isn’t always clear. Together, these films show just how powerful, emotional, and thought-provoking the crime and gangster genre can be — filled with characters chasing power, struggling with loyalty, and facing the heavy consequences of their choices. 

    

 

Sound Projects

 During our sound lesson and the assigned videos, I learned how important sound is in TV production. Sound isn’t just about hearing dialogue — it helps set the mood, build tension, and make a scene feel real. I learned about the three main types of sound we use in production, dialogue, music and sound effects. The videos showed how sound can completely change how a viewer feels about a scene and how editors mix and balance different audio layers to make everything blend smoothly. For sound project #1 we had to visualize a scene and make audio for the scene using sound effects and foley sounds. During brainstorming my partner and I thought of doing many things and looked at sounds for many ideas. We narrowed it down to coffee shop but then realized it was too boring and to make it more interesting we did sounds of a medieval war scene. The outline helped us because it gave us an understanding of where and when each sound would play, where the sounds would be better, helped keep the project organized and made the editing easier. We used Microsoft Clipchamp to edit and piece our sounds together. I believe we edited the project well, the sounds were pieced together nicely and it sounded like an actual war scene. The foley sounds that we made were also great and sound very realistic. We could have made the ending better and finished it off strong. For Sound Project #2 we had to put sounds that fit our one word film project. My idea was to make the sound match the action perfectly — so every movement, background noise, and effect felt real. I watched my clip several times and made a list of every sound I needed to include, like footsteps, dialogue, and environmental sounds. I used my outline as a shot-by-shot guide. It helped me keep track of what sounds went where and what order to layer them in. This made the editing process smoother and kept everything synced with the visuals. We used microsoft Clipchamp to sync the audios as well. I think my sound effects matched the visuals really well. I’d like to improve on cleaning up background noise and making the dialogue sound more natural next time. 

Sound Project #1: https://browardcountyschools-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/r/personal/0617012706_my_browardschools_com/Documents/NayyarMelita_soundscape_period1%20-%20Made%20with%20Clipchamp.mp4?csf=1&web=1&e=qUqPNT&nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJTdHJlYW1XZWJBcHAiLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJTaGFyZURpYWxvZy1MaW5rIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXcifX0%3D

Sound Project #2: https://browardcountyschools-my.sharepoint.com/:v:/g/personal/0619081443_my_browardschools_com/EUMLhqNXEqRGnX4X_8YY1Y8Bvd5-LV3KbPFASuwkGKpg2w?nav=eyJyZWZlcnJhbEluZm8iOnsicmVmZXJyYWxBcHAiOiJTdHJlYW1XZWJBcHAiLCJyZWZlcnJhbFZpZXciOiJTaGFyZURpYWxvZy1MaW5rIiwicmVmZXJyYWxBcHBQbGF0Zm9ybSI6IldlYiIsInJlZmVycmFsTW9kZSI6InZpZXcifX0%3D&e=eHJOal