Final CCR

 Carlineissa Jean Francois

Creative Critical Reflection 

 Depression is an issue that affects roughly 3.8 percent of the world's population. There are also many skewed misconceptions about depression and how it affects people. Society tends to assume that struggling with depression only includes sadness. However, it is more than that and consists of poor concentration, mood changes, lack of energy, and often a sense of guilt. That is what people feel when they are experiencing depression. 

"The Pain Youn Don't See" is a film that discusses the topic of depression and how it can affect particular individuals. The film represents youth and young adults struggling with mental health and voices their opinions. I chose this film topic because I wanted my audience to feel as if they have had their voices heard. In addition, I wanted it to be as relatable as possible and facilitate a conversation about mental health.

I wanted people to notice those around them and see their struggle. While my film addresses those battling depression, it helps those around them identify the signs. My product is an ideal representation of advocacy toward mental health. Mental health issues play a significant role in other underlying negative behaviors and are one of the most critical social issues in the modern world. 

The characters in the movie are very different in their gender and how they relate to the topic. There is a common misconception that men and women don't experience the same struggle. This idea is false; men and women can both experience mental health issues, but they may appear differently. 

My film recognizes these differences and seeks to educate my targeted audience. While creating the movie, I picked African American actors, a minority where the conversation of mental health is little to none. The actors I chose represent the black community and shine a light on the Stigma that they are strong people. 

Society believes that people in the black community can handle anything that comes there and doesn't acknowledge their struggles. My film considers this double standard of care and highlights African Americans as a critical focus group.

The focus surrounding my film was to create a somber tone and a sense of hopelessness. The branding included Mise-en-scene: sound, edits, lighting, and composition. When creating my, I wanted to make sure the feeling I was trying to convey was clearly expressed.

 I started by utilizing color theory throughout my recording and edits. The color blue symbolizes an emotional depth and a somber tone. Therefore, I used at least one element of the color, whether it be blue or black. Black alludes to depression and adds weight to the film. There is also a means of sophistication when utilizing the color black. 

Black also portrays the bleakness that the character feels at the moment. The music I used was also gloomy. I wanted the film to be shown as very sad, and my music choices set the brand. My house style is also attributed to my branding. 

I used bold, white, and black text to emphasize my quotes and titles. The film also shows similar things for each character. This includes their environment and how they look at the world around them. These elements are consistent. 

My product engages with your audience by using consistent symbols throughout the film. For example, I wanted to use Semiotics to represent high school students' mental health struggles. To convey this message, all actors dress in respective retro uniforms. The uniforms are considered a signifier and affirm who my audience is. 

In addition, the voice-over made my audience feel connected because of the uses and gratification theory. Finally, the dialogue gives the audience insight into the character's first-person perspective on depression. This makes the film more relatable and adds an element of self-reflection for the audience.

 My film also uses social grade theory to appeal to my audience. The relatability of my movie captured the attention of my audience. From how old my characters were to how they thought and presented themselves to the audience. It is all reminiscent of a typical high school teenager. 

The final way my product engages with my audience is through the active audience theory. My product actively encourages my audience to spread the message behind my film. This is because I included quotes discussing what it is like to have a friend struggling with depression. I also discuss the effects of depression and how it might appear in people around them that they might notice. 

The first draft of my film did not accurately reflect, and it might have confused my audience more than anything. However, after taking in their feedback and reworking my movie, my audience reacted how I wanted them to. They understood the message I was trying to portray. 

A key component for creating my film was the research and trying to create elements that would make the message behind my movie clear. I incorporated the actors in my posts or at least parts of their faces on my social media page. A closer look at the characters and giving them a close-up in the posts makes them more human. It also makes them appear more vulnerable, as if they are laying everything on the table, and the audience notices and senses the impact of doing this. 

The second post that impacted my audience is the black-and-white empty hallway. The hallway adds a sense of loneliness to what the audience sees. However, it also feels very bare and hollow. I believe this clearly represents how my characters think and accurately portrays the feeling of depression. 

In terms of conventions, overall, I kept the traditional aspect of a film and traditions such as characters, themes, and plot lines, but how my movie is presented is different. I decided to turn my film into a PSA rather than a traditional film that follows through with smooth transitions and active dialogue. I focused more on informing my audience on the topic instead. As a result, my movie includes a lot of cuts and quotes. It's more so an insight into individual perspectives over a complete look.