CCR Question #1 Draft

   The first convention we used when making our film was the use of jump cuts to signify time passing. This is commonly done in movies because it eliminates the need for transitions between the characters' activities, thereby shortening the screen time but still maintaining the feeling of passing time. We used it to make Giovanne's wait in the movie feel longer by jumping between scenes of him doing different things like pacing back and forth and checking his teeth.

    Another convention we used when filming was the use of shot-reverse shots during the phone call between Giovanne and Alto. Shot reverse shots are often used when two characters are talking on the phone to show each one during their speaking part. Since conversations are back and forth, the shots mimic that so we can see each character when they are speaking. We used this technique during Giovanne and Alto's phone call before the deal takes place because we wanted each character's expressions to be seen when they are talking, rather than keeping the focus on one of them.
 
   Additionally, we used incidental hip hop music when Giovanne drives to the deal spot. Hip hop music is typically used in modern films targeted at younger audiences to seem more in touch with the viewers and to make the film more entertaining. We used this music because of its popularity with our young target audience, and its association with drugs and other illegal activities that our movie incorporates.

    Finally, another convention we used was dim overhead lighting. In dramatic movies with illegal themes, suspicious meetings like drug deals usually take place in dimly lit areas with a single light source. This is to create a sense of darkness that mimics the immorality of what is taking place. In our movie, we filmed at a quiet park at night that was only lit by a single street lamp. This lamp cast the majority of the light on our characters, which made their faces darker and more hidden from the camera. This technique was used to give an ominous mood that foreshadowed the antagonists appearance.

    In our film, we used three different social groups: kingpins, underdogs, and consumers. My character, Giovanne, represents the underdog because he is a novice drug dealer with little experience but high aspirations. He is presented as naive and cowardly at the beginning of the film to show his transformation when he achieves power later in the movie. Carmela represents kingpins because she has control over her area and is too powerful to challenge. She is presented as haughty and intimidating to show her superiority and ruthless nature. Finally, Alto represents consumers because he is an essential bystander that will side with whoever provides better products. He is portrayed as a turncoat when he buys from Carmella instead of Giovanne to show that consumers care about their interests over loyalty to their provider.