Genre Research: Waves

Common CAMS in the movie

Common camera angles within the film include eye level angle, bird’s eye view, tracking shot, POV shot, establishing shot, over the shoulder shot, medium shot, medium close up shot, two shot and three shot. An example of the two shot and the medium close up shot is when Travis and Alexis are in the car arguing and when they are at the beach talking. An example of the bird’s eye view angle would be the shots of the landscape, like the beach throughout the film. 

Common CLAMPS in the movie

Costumes in the film are simple and are not notable at all. The clothes the characters wear are modern, such as a t-shirt and shorts, or a jacket and jeans. There are scenes wear the characters wear more formal clothing, such as when Travis and his family go to church.

The lighting in the film include natural light from the sun, dusk lighting from when the sun had just set when Travis and Alexis were at the beach, and lots of artificial lighting, like the neon lighting of shop signs. Again, the lighting and costumes are not the most notable things about this film. The focus is more so on the acting of the actors and actresses.

The acting of the characters is amazing. The characters truly utilize the storylines and background given to the audience to perfectly represent how each character reacts and handles certain situations, such as when Travis and Alexis are arguing about whether or not Alexis should get an abortion. Travis is under immense pressure, which forces him to pressure Alexis into getting an abortion. Meanwhile, Alexis is scared and she doesn’t feel supported by Travis at all. This is a traumatic and serious situation for the two, and she feels as though she cannot get an abortion, creating even more tension between the two. Notable acting performances also come from Travis’s sister and father. The second half of the film is seen from her point of view and both the father and the sister do a phenomenal job at demonstrating how traumatic and painful a situation like Travis’s is, and the importance of family during a difficult time like so. 

Makeup in the film was not notable. Makeup looks for the characters were very simple, if makeup was utilized at all for the characters during certain scenes.

Props in the film include sports and workout equipment that Travis’ team and his dad use, Travis’ car, the bible and books used in church, medical supplies for when Travis suffers a physical injury when playing and the characters’ cellphones. 

Sets in the film include spots Travis and Alexis frequent, such as their school, the school’s locker room, the beach, the park, the church Travis attends with his family, restaurants that Travis attends with his family and Alexis, as well as Travis’ family without him when he is arrested.

Common Sound in the movie

The common sounds used in the film include sound bridge, dialogue, soundtrack and ambient sound. An example of the soundtrack would be the songs “Seigfried” and “Endless” by Frank Ocean. An example of dialogue would be when Travis’s dad and sister are at the park and are speaking about Travis and his incarceration. 

Common Editing in the movie

Common editing in this film used are tilt, eyeline match, reverse shot, tracking shot, cutaway shot, fading in and fading out, cross cutting, jump cut and action match. An example of a tracking shot would be during the argument that Travis and Alexis have, where the camera follows Alexis getting out the car and her and Travis screaming at each other. 

Elements of the genre in the movie

The elements of drama that were used in this film include mood, atmosphere, dramatic tension and character relationships. 

What elements of the genre did the movie have that you like?

I enjoyed all of the elements the film included, I believe the film utilized these elements in a beautiful way. The elements were used to tell a tragic story in a beautiful way.

What elements of the genre did the movie have that do not appeal to you?

There were no elements that did not appeal to me, I throughly enjoyed every element that was used in the film.