Questions #1 and #2

Research

I have gotten some inspiration not from any interviews that I have seen, but some pretty well known music artists those being Daft Punk and Marshmellow. Both of these artists have found much success with the way they present themselves and I feel like this approach could also be taken into movie taking abilities. Obviously this might never happen, but it is pretty cool to see how these artists have grown really big fan bases while remaining basically anonymous.

So.... there was a bit of a plan change for what I ended up doing for my first two questions. I did not have the area I wanted to use since my mother was taking care of doing a lot of things in the kitchen. I resorted to use my bedroom for this interview. To make this unique and make it creative I incorporated a mask into this. This would not be any regular interview since it had a foreign person or my mother asking my these questions. To make it easier on her I made her ask a question to sit down the camera so it would be easier to film the questions. I found this to be pretty unique because I wanted to make it seem like the director wanted to remain a bit anonymous. I have many props that would additionally help make this connection to the movie.

Question # 1 

How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues? 

Interviewer:  Hi are you by any chance the director of Defiance? I have heard many things about this movie and wanted to ask some questions. I have come from a foreign country just to see why people have mentioned many things about this movie.  How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues? 

Me: Oh hello sorry wasn’t expecting visitors today. Welcome to one of my offices, this is one of my personal ones, I am assuming one of my colleagues allowed you into my office. I have a lot of interests and would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Me: So my first movie Defiance plays around with sports drama but also steps away from a more introspective character study. Most underdog sports movies explain the underdog's story from the outside in in through competition or external struggle. But all of this is internal. The journal is largest narrative device, showing Ryan's thinking. Rather than most sports drama, the viewer sees him grapple in his habits, the way he writes down everything, the way his workout routines are laid out is all for a sole purpose which is for his very own survival which I find to be interesting and hope every viewer as well. 

Interviewer: Thats pretty cool, what about representation? 

Me: One of the key things we’re representing is the mental and physical toll of self-improvement, especially for people dealing with medical conditions. Ryan isn’t just lifting weights because he wants to be strong he quite literally has to. That’s what sets him apart from the typical ‘just work harder’ message in fitness films. He’s doing this because he has to. 
 
And in society, we see a lot of representation for sports and fitness culture, but not necessarily for people who must train because they need to survive, because they have medical conditions or other personal issues which is not really talked about or shown in other media forms. The film is about showing yourself that you can overcome barriers ones you didn't even choose to have. 

 

Question #2 

How does your product engage with audiences and how would it be distributed as a real media text? 

Ryan: How this movie is connected with the viewer is that it is more than a gym a psychological battleground where people battle their own inner self doubt, personal demons, and challenges. Be it overcoming abuse in the past, overcoming adversity, or even simply trying to improve, most people can relate to Ryan's situation. The flashbacks give the audience a better understanding of why he was motivated, and the journal is a platform where the audience can react to what he thinks in a one to one manner. 
 
In terms of distribution, this film will be compatible with digital media where it can be viewed by multiple audiences specifically, fitness enthusiasts or fans of character films. Social media would be a huge resource in promoting the film, using trailers and clips to build up interest. Film festivals could also be a viable way of exposing the project to more potential viewers, so that it can gain traction among those who appreciate both fitness culture and stories of personal achievement. 

References

Staff, Mixmag. “Daft Punk to Release ‘Drumless Edition’ of ‘Random Access Memories.’” Mixmag, 29 Sept. 2023, mixmag.net/read/daft-punk-random-access-memories-drumless-edition-10-years-anniversary-news.

Staff, NFS. “Make Marshmellow’s New Music Video and Win $10K from Adobe.” No Film School, No Film School, 8 May 2020, nofilmschool.com/adobe-be-kind-marshmellow-music-video.