MY BACKGROUND AND IDEA
It’s the final module and I’m happy that I’ve managed to get this far. After receiving my results for last term, I did feel a bit crushed about my feedback and my marks which were the lowest so far and although the feedback itself was delivered in a really positive and encouraging way, I couldn’t help but get caught up in the things that I know I need to improve upon, one of the remarks was that my work was style over substance.
Initially, I felt a bit crushed about this comment as I felt I had worked hard on my projects, but on reflection there was a lot of truth in this and it’s something I would like to try and change for this topic. I don’t deal very well with constructive criticism, and this is something I need to change in order to grow and improve but I realised I had spent a lot of time last term trying to prove myself and pretending to be something that I’m not. I tried to make my style of writing more academic but on reflection I think in doing so I lost a lot of my personality that came with the conversational style I started off with. Also, I think I spent a lot of time attempting to make my work look aesthetically and stylistically different, but in the end, this didn’t work out as I neglected the actual content and substance. I have also been grappling a lot with my sense of identity. It was suggested recently that I may be neurodivergent which could be making things more difficult for me. I often struggle with making human connections and relationships and I struggle with communicating depth in my work. I think this is partly due to the flattening/blunting effect I feel with my condition.
This term I would like to try and communicate a narrative better, with more emotion, depth and clarity. I’d been struggling with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness and a disconnection from life in general and I had been questioning why others have such different interests, desires mindsets and why a lot of people on the course had chosen topics that were socially conscious/environmentally aware and that had an impact, there was a genuine sincerity in wanting to do these projects whereas I felt my choices often stemmed from almost (selfish?) personal experiences but on reflection I’ve realised that people are different and that different things drive and motivate, ultimately, everyone’s personal experiences in some way guide and influence their decisions and motives and I’ve realised that my experiences in life have taken me down this path and for this term I would just like to be unapologetically me, sincere, raw and vulnerable.
This may all sound like meaningless waffle, but I wanted to channel this disconnect I was feeling into something more positive. I have always had issues with both flat effect/emotional blunting from my condition and medication but also quite a lot of the time I also struggle with sensory overload where sounds, smells and unfamiliarity can cause intense anxiety but also the opposite. My friend suggested that I could be neurodivergent which comes with its difficulties but also suggested that a lot of the time these strong emotions we feel can be channeled into amazing things and this is what I wanted to do with this project. I wanted to channel these feelings into my project.
Although I often feel a strong disconnect with people and making connections and I struggle to understand feelings and emotions regarding other people, I do still feel emotions intensely myself and my way of coping has always been to do something creative or sensory, to design or to get lost in music or a film. But for this topic, I wanted to focus mainly on film because I’ve realised that it’s something that has been significant in helping me better understand emotion and human connection. I wanted to focus on how graphic design/ film can help with disconnection in mental health/neurodivergence and how it can create a sense of connection, empathy and compassion. In addition to this I wanted to delve into how film and the different elements of graphic design can evoke strong emotions and help people to understand and connect with an experience or story on an emotional level. I have also felt very connected to films that involve emotional depth and I’ve always felt a strong connection to the people and their experiences when shown in film. I wanted to explore whether other people with mental health/neuro divergent conditions feel the same way.
This week I spent a bit of time looking over previous projects. For this topic I knew I wanted to build on my previous work related to the film industry. My previous projects included pitch deck productions- a business plan relating to a business in the film industry that sells pitch decks and key art for films. This project was something that I was interested in at the time. I currently work as a graphic designer in the entertainment industry making pitch decks and key art for films so I thought a business plan for my own independent business was an appropriate route to go down. My project involved creating a company that offered pre-made pitch decks to customers, a bit like canva for the movie pitch deck industry. It seemed like a novel idea at the time but I don’t think I communicated my idea very well. When I actually started looking into the logistics of having my own company, including the legalities, documentation, taxes and other factors, it brought on a strong sense of unease and apprehension and made me question whether it was feasible with my lack of experience and skills in this area. Although it was eye opening and educational discovering the different components involved in creating your own business, this project made me realise it wasn’t a direction that I wanted to go in and that I would rather work under the safety net of having a reliable pay package and less stress! I decided I didn’t want to continue this project on as I’m already currently working in the pitch deck business in film and although I love what I’m doing, my dream is to make title sequences and work in motion design in the future. I just felt that this topic didn’t excite or challenge me enough.
For another previous project I worked on a stop motion film about alcoholism and the benefits system called fractured realities. Although I was happy with how my film looked, in the end the message I wanted to get across wasn’t communicated due to my lack of skills in storytelling. This is something I want to improve on and annoyingly this topic was really close to my heart and something that I felt needed addressing but it just wasn’t conveyed properly. The script was really weak and not descriptive enough, in addition to this the graphic elements I picked for my film just didn’t work or reflect the subject matter strongly enough. I had big ideas for this project, I just didn’t execute it well. This project however did give me inspiration for the current project as I knew I wanted to choose something that was personal to me and that I had experienced. I find I’m more passionate working on projects where my interests lie or that I can relate to. Also my interests lie in the film industry and so I wanted to go down this route.
Another project I want to quickly talk about is my cinema for social change subscription box, this box was based on films that combines the power of stories and experiential elements to help people experience empathy, connect with others, and make a positive social impact.
Subscribers would receive a selected movie along with objects and immersive experiences that would immerse them in the world of films and social awareness. The box was intended to address the need for more empathy and understanding in society it also filled a gap in the market for important and interesting movie merchandise. Through the cinema for social change Subscription Box, movie lovers could do their part to contribute to the creation of a more compassionate and tolerant society. I really enjoyed this project and it was something I was really interested in and seemed like quite a novel idea. It also felt more worthwhile as it had a social impact and the possibility to create change in society . This project inspired my idea for my current project and I knew I still wanted to pursue something to do with film. For this project I was thinking my research question will be along the lines of "How do the design, including title sequences, and cinematic elements in films encourage and impact emotional connections, particularly for individuals with mental health conditions who experience flattening or emotional blunting. How can these aspects be optimized to enhance emotional engagement and foster emotional connections?"
I was also thinking for my final piece I will do a series of title sequences included as part of a subscription box that includes sensory items such as scents and tangible items such as a dvd & artwork that reflect the movie’s theme and that gives the person a sensory almost 4d experience at home, intended to help enhance and heighten emotions and sentiments. I chose this project as a continuation from my cinema for social change subscription box project although this time the subject matter relates to personal experiences.
RESEARCH METHODS
Literature Review:
I would thoroughly examine the existing literature on film theory, graphic design principles, emotional engagement in media, and mental health conditions such as flattening or emotional blunting. Delve into the fascinating world of film design and the evolution of title sequences, gaining insight into their powerful ability to evoke emotions.
Case Studies:.
I would also analyse specific films that are known for their emotional resonance and films that have had an impact on me with particular emphasis on films that have been studied in the context of emotional engagement. I would select films with diverse genres and styles to capture a broad range of design techniques and emotional experiences.
Audience Surveys and Interviews:
Conduct surveys and interviews with individuals who identify as having mental health issues and have experienced flattening or emotional blunting. I would delve into perceptions and reactions to various film elements, such as title sequences, cinematography, sound design, and narrative structure. Gain valuable insights into the design elements that have the greatest impact on evoking emotional responses.
Experimental Studies:
Create experimental studies that involve participants with mental health conditions and expose them to various versions of film excerpts with different design elements. Utilise physiological indicators such as heart rate, skin conductance, and facial expressions, in addition to self-report measures, to gauge their emotional responses. This is speculative.
Data Analysis:
Examine the data gathered from surveys, interviews, and experimental studies to uncover patterns, correlations, and trends in the way design elements affect emotional connections for individuals with mental health conditions who experience emotional blunting.
What is your position in relation to your chosen area of research and how will this project benefit you?
I currently work in the film industry, creating pitch decks and key art for films. It has always been my lifelong dream to work in the world of film, and I am slowly but surely making progress towards achieving that dream. I am highly passionate about graphic design and film, and my ultimate goal is to specialise in motion design, particularly in creating captivating title sequences. I have also faced challenges with disconnection, apathy, and a significant emotional blunting as a result of my diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, depression, and anxiety.
Although the emotional blunting presents challenges, I have found ways to channel it into positive initiatives, such as this project. I find that engaging in creative or sensory activities helps me to temporarily escape the emotional numbness that I often experience. I have a heightened sensitivity to smells, sounds, and unfamiliar experiences, but I find great joy in immersive experiences like 4D and sensory experiences. They truly deepen my connection with the subject matter.
I have always been deeply passionate about film and its ability to connect with the essence of life and evoke powerful emotions. Experiencing a sense of numbness and detachment from life can be incredibly isolating. However, film has consistently provided me with an outlet to experience powerful emotions that I would not have otherwise experienced. I am highly motivated to undertake this project as I am eager to make a valuable contribution to the field of film, design, and emotional engagement. I believe that this project has the potential to enhance my knowledge and insight into the fascinating connection between design, film, and psychology.
Who is it for? Define your audience.
This research is relevant to a wide range of peple, including scholars and practitioners in film studies, graphic design, psychology, and related disciplines. It also appeals to filmmakers and designers who are eager to create content that is more emotionally engaging. In addition, the findings could be valuable for individuals with mental health conditions and professionals in the mental health or entertainment industries who want to gain a deeper understanding of and cater to diverse emotional experiences in the media.
Develop a clear research question with aims, objectives, purpose and audience that form a catalyst for your enquiry
Research Question:
How can design elements in film, such as title sequences and cinematic techniques, impact emotional connections for individuals with mental health conditions who experience flattening or emotional blunting? How can these elements be improved to increase emotional engagement and create more inclusive cinematic experiences?
Objectives:
To explore the effects of design elements, like title sequences and cinematic techniques, on emotional connections in film.
My aim is to investigate how individuals without neurological conditions perceive and interact with emotional content in films.
To explore ways to improve design elements and create more engaging and inclusive cinematic experiences.
Goals:
Perform an extensive literature review to analyse current understanding of film design, emotional engagement, and mental health conditions.
Conduct surveys and interviews with individuals who have mental health conditions to gain insights into their experiences and preferences regarding emotional engagement in film.
Examine chosen films to pinpoint particular design elements and cinematic techniques that evoke emotional reactions.
Create experimental studies to evaluate the impact of various design strategies on emotional engagement in individuals with mental health conditions.
Create recommendations for filmmakers and designers to enhance the inclusivity and emotional impact of their cinematic experiences.
Objective:
This research aims to enhance my comprehension of the impact of design elements on emotional connections in film, specifically for individuals withmental health conditions who may experience a reduction in emotional responsiveness. This research seeks to provide valuable insights for filmmakers, designers, and industry professionals on optimizing design elements to create inclusive and emotionally engaging cinematic experiences.
My positioning for this research stems from a personal experience of emotional blunting, serving as a catalyst for exploring the intersection of design, emotion, and film. My research is driven by a strong interest in film and its power to create emotional connections. The goal is to explore how design elements in cinema can heighten emotional engagement, especially for individuals facing similar challenges. The method combines findings from film studies, graphic design, psychology, and neuroscience to enhance understanding and provide practical solutions for creating cinematic experiences that evoke strong emotions. I will include various research methods such as a literature review, surveys, interviews, film analysis, and experimental studies. This approach aims to gather both theoretical insights and real-life experiences, demonstrating a dedication to thorough investigation. This research aims to make a valuable contribution to the discussion on emotion in film. It provides insights and strategies that can benefit individuals with emotional blunting, filmmakers, designers, and scholars.