Research on anxiety

Hi blog! So, for today's blog post, I have decided to do some research on anxiety as it is a very real thing, and I want to make sure that the character is portrayed realistically while still being respectful!!

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To begin with, what is anxiety?

According to, Anxiety.org "Anxiety is a physiological and psychological response that occurs when the mind and body encounter stressful, dangerous, or unfamiliar situations. It manifests as a feeling of discomfort, distress, or apprehension before a significant event." While anxiety is mostly common, people with anxiety disorders experience these feelings not only more often, but also more intensely. According to What is anxiety disorder? and Generalized Anxiety Disorder, a common type is Generalized Anxiety disorder, and it is where a person constantly is worrying about everyday situations. Another common type is Social Anxiety Disorder, which is when someone feels extreme fear of being judged in social situations. One more type is called panic disorder which involves sudden panic attacks.

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I also need to know the basic psychological and physical symptoms so when I am creating my character, I can make sure to portray anxiety correctly.

Psychological symptoms:

• Feeling overwhelmed easily
• Constant worrying (overthinking)
• Difficult time concentrating
• Fear of social situations
• Idea that something bad will happen

Physical symptoms:

• Sweating
• Shaking
• Fast heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Feeling dizzy

Symptoms & Causes

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Now, because the character that will be having anxiety is going to be a teenager, I need to do specific research on anxiety in teenagers because it could be very different from anxiety in adults.

Anxiety in teenagers:

According to GAD in children & teens, anxiety is very common among teenagers because adolescence is a time when people experience social expectations, academic pressure, and identity development. School environments are known to increase anxiety because of pressure to succeed socially and academically.

Teenagers with anxiety often avoid speaking in class, isolate themselves from friends, heavily fear of being judged or embarrassed, and overthink conversations.

Brainstorming

 Hey blog! It's officially time to decide what I want my story to be about. Meeting with Mrs. Stoklosa really helped me get the basic idea of what I want my portfolio project to be about, but I was not able to actually get the full idea. ... Ok I wrote that like 10 minutes ago and I just sat here in class and completely changed my story... yay!

So, because I am creating two trailers, I first need to create an outline for the actual film. This is the part that I struggle with the most because unlike the distribution project we did, I actually have to create the outline and idea of the film, and then from there, I create the trailers.

Sooo, let's start with what we know...

The film (trailers) will mainly focus on a girl that suffers from severe anxiety. I really want to do some sort of animation for when she is having these anxiety moments/attacks, but my problem is, I have NO IDEA how to do animations!!! I am going to have to do a tonnnn of research if I really want to execute this. 

An example of this would be the girl sitting at a desk and she is tapping her foot non-stop, fidgeting with her pen, and breathing heavily. There would be animations surrounding her that basically describe what is going on in her brain

Here is a picture I drew to represent the vision that I have!! 

Sooo that's my idea but I obviously have to add much more to it in order to make this idea become actually entertaining. I also need to have some sort of plot to it. It can't just be about a girl with anxiety. It has to have a deep meaning and message. So, what will that message be?                        

Social Media Research

 Media text: 

To All the Boys I've Loved Before

Social media tool:

Instagram

Description of types of posts:

The posts for @toalltheboysuvelovedbefore revolve around visuals tied to the To All the Boys fandom. For example, there are fan edits + art, scene screenshots, behind the scenes reels + pictures, and posts that focus on a specific character. The Instagram account uses hashtags like #alwaysandforever and #psistillloveyou because there are 3 different To All the Boys films. This helps the audience know what posts are focused on which film. The account also posted the soundtrack that lists all the popular songs that the film used. The caption says, "the soundtrack is finally now streaming on all streaming platforms! which song is your fav?" 

Description of how branding is developed (or not):

The branding is heavily fandom-driven, focusing on emotional, nostalgic, and romantic elements from the To All the Boys franchise. The branding stays consistent with the use of visuals, character names, and series hashtags. The use of all that builds an identity that aligns with the actual film, and it all as a whole strengthens audience engagement.

Analysis of how you will use this to develop your own social media presence:

I can use the @toalltheboysivelovedbefore Instagram by using similar consistent visuals that are on theme, as well as relevant hashtags that directly tie to my content's theme. By posting content that resonates with a specific audience, I can build emotional connection. For example, audience-focused captions and engaging visuals.

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 Media text: 

Eternity

Social media tool: 

Instagram

Description of types of posts:

The posts for @eternitymov are mainly promotional based content that is tied directly to the Eternity movie. For example, character highlights, release announcements, cast photos, reeks from promotional videos, and captions about the film's theme and narrative moments. The posts also include scenes from the film and interactive questions to followers. An example is, "Which Eternity would you choose?"

Description of how branding is developed (or not):

The branding for the Eternity Instagram page is professional. It uses high-quality visuals, a consistent tone, and promotional materials (posters and movie clips). The account reinforces the film's theme of love, the afterlife, and making decisions.

Analysis of how you will use this to develop your own social media presence:

I can use the "professional promotional strategy" that @eternitymov used when I am creating my own social media page. I will do this by releasing behind the scenes photos, character introductions, and because I am creating trailers as my project, I can release teasers! I will also use consistent visuals just like the account for Eternity did by using on-theme colors, logos, and taglines.

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 Media text:

Stranger Things

Social media tool:

Instagram

Description of types of posts:

The posts on @strangerthings.things are overall just show-related content. There is a wide variety of content like images, fan edits, clips from the show, polls, merch, etc. Overall, the account posts content regularly, and it all appeals to the fans of the Stranger Things series. 

Description of how branding is developed (or not):

The branding is very consistent and highly recognizable. Every single post on @strangerthings.things relates back to the Stranger Things universe. The accounts' visual style leans into 80s style vibes and creepy suspense. A common branding technique that the account does is interactive content. This engages the audience and attracts a large crowd to the show.

Analysis of how you will use this to develop your own social media presence:

I will use this account when making my own social media page by creating a clear theme for my Instagram. I can do this by consistently posting visuals and interactive content that directly relates to my project's identity (the scenes, characters, & behind the scenes clips). Overall, I will just stay very consistent with a specific theme the same way the Stranger Things Instagram does.

Romantic Comedies Research #3

 Romantic comedy trailers use specific visual techniques and editing styles to communicate the genre to audiences. These techniques often highlight both romantic and comedic moments to attract viewers.

The trailer for To All the Boys I've Loved Before illustrates a lighthearted and youthful tone through bright colors and playful editing. Key techniques include: 

• Montage editing showing both romantic and humorous moments
• Pop music soundtrack to create an upbeat mood
• Close-ups that highlight the characters' emotional reactions

The fake relationship idea is also clearly introduced in the trailer to establish the main storyline.

You've Got Mail focuses more on emotional connection and romantic tension. The trailer highlights the relationship developing through anonymous online messages. Techniques used include:

• Establishing shots of New York City to create a romantic setting
• Dialogue clips that reveal the characters' personalities
• Slower pacing to emphasize the emotional storyline

Both trailers show common rom-com visual elements like warm lighting, comedic & romantic scenes, and music that reflects the lighthearted tone.

In my own trailer, I plan to use similar techniques such as upbeat music, montage editing, and close-up shots to highlight emotional reactions.

Romantic Comedies Research #2

 Romantic comedies often use recognizable character traits to make the story easy for audiences to follow. These characters help create romantic tension, humor, and emotional development. 

In She's the Man, the protagonist Viola disguises herself as her brother Sebastion in order to play soccer at his school. This creates comedic situations and romantic complications. Key character traits include: 

• The determined protagonist (Viola) who challenges gender expectations
• The confident love interest (Duke) who initially sees Viola as a friend
• The rival character who creates obstacles

13 Going on 30 uses slightly different character traits: the innocent protagonist navigating adulthood. Jenna wakes up as her 30-year-old self after wishing to be older. The characters represent familiar rom com roles: 

• The naive but kind protagonist (Jenna)
• The supportive childhood friend turned love interest (Matt)
• Social rivals who create tension

From these films, common rom com character types include:

• A relatable main character
•  A charming or contrasting love interest
• A comedic best friend of side character
• A rival or obstacle

The contrast between characters helps create both emotional and comedic moments.

For my own trailer, I plan to include a main character who experiences a personal challenge and a contrasting love interest who helps drive the narrative. I will also include side characters who contribute comedic moments.

Romantic Comedies Research #1

 Now that I've done some research on the rom com genre, it's time to look into more examples of specific genre conventions so I get an idea of what I want to create!

To begin with, romantic comedies usually follow a recognizable narrative structure that combines romance with humor (like I mentioned in my most recent genre research blog post *click here for link*) Rom coms often introduce 2 characters who initially experience obstacles before eventually developing romantic feelings. This pattern is very common in rom com trailers, as well as rom coms in general.

10 Things I Hate About You follows the classic "enemies to lovers" narrative, which is a common idea in romantic comedies. The film focuses on Kat, who dislikes dating and Patrick, who is paid to take her out. The 10 Things I Hate About You trailer establishes the following genre conventions:

• Strong initial conflict between the romantic leads
• Humorous situations caused by misunderstandings
• Development of feelings between the 2 characters

Similarly, 27 Dresses follows another popular rom com storyline: the unexpected love story between 2 characters who initially clash. Jane is a bridesmaid who believes in love but struggles to find it herself. She meets Kevin, a journalist who writes wedding articles. The 27 Dresses trailer establishes the following genre conventions:

• Relatable protagonist searching for love
• Situational comedy; Jane trying on all 27 bridesmaid dresses
• A romantic realization toward end of film

In my own rom com trailer, I plan to include a similar structure by introducing the characters and their initial conflict before hinting at the development of a romantic relationship. I will also include comedic moments to maintain a lighthearted, humorous tone.

Genre Research

Hey blog! It's a new week so that means it's time to dive deeper into my portfolio project... yayy!

Today, we're going to be talking about genre research. Soooo... slight problem... I am not 100% sure that I will be sticking with this genre because I haven't had the time to just sit and brainstorm but for now... my chosen genre issssssss... (drum-roll pleaseee) ...............

ROM-COMS!

If you remember some of my blog posts from last year, I briefly talked about how rom coms are my favorite movie genre! I have never created anything under the rom-com genre so having this much creative freedom finally allows me to make something that I have a lotttt of knowledge about! 

Because romcoms are my favorite genre, I know a lot about them! First off, what are rom coms?

Romantic comedies, (or in other words rom coms) are sub genres that focus on the romantic relationship between the main characters. The target audience ranges from teenage girls to young women. There is always a mix of both lighthearted cute moments, and silly situations that occur. There is also almost always a "meet-cute" which is the exact moment the two main characters meet. It is often in an unusual or "cute" way. Some other things that almost always occurs in rom coms are conflict and humor. These are both things that make a romantic comedy a rom com!

Meet Cute

An example of a meet cute is in the movie, The Wedding Planner. In this film, the two characters meet when Jennifer Lopez's character, Mary is walking across the street, and her shoe gets stuck in between the cracks of a sewer. While this is happening, an elderly guy bumps his car into a dumpster causing it to roll down the street heading towards Mary. Matthew McConaughey's character, Steve, sees this happening and jumps to Mary's rescue by pushing her out of the way to not get hit by the dumpster. This was their meet cute. 

Conflict & Humor

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is the perfect example of a rom com with both conflict and humor! Funny enough, this one stars Matthew McConaughey yet again as Ben, as well as Kate Hudson as Andie. In this film, Andie is a writer for a magazine and bets that she can make a man fall in love with her and then drive him away. She acts clingy, jealous, and over-the-top all to sabotage the relationship. At the same time, Ben, an advertising executive, makes a bet with his bosses that he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days to win a big diamond account. As the two characters create this relationship all for a bet, it creates conflict. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is filled with humorous moments like for example, when Andie brings her dog to Ben's work and her dog pees on Ben's table.