Another major section of the portfolio component is the Creative Critical Reflection, or CCR. As the name implies, the CCR is an opportunity to discuss our film opening while expressing the progress we've made along the way. The CCR is divided into four questions, but we'll only be focusing on one today.
The question is as follows:
"How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social groups or issues?"
Earlier in my posts, I actually take a moment to discuss the typical conventions in a sports drama, but I primarily focused on the visual elements seen in film. This is a good opportunity to delve into the storytelling elements of a sports drama.
According to The Script Lab, a sports drama "incorporates dramatic elements into a sports storyline. These films tend to examine the more gritty and intense aspects of the sporting world" (Buffam, 2011). A prime example of this is Sylvester Stallone's Rocky, which depicts the ups and downs of the titular Rocky Balboa. I actually researched this film when reviewing the inclusion of credits in an opening sequence.My film opening most definitely utilizes these conventions. The entire premise of the plot is built around the struggle of my protagonist, who battles a terminal illness while seeking to defy the odds.
The next part of the question is actually one I overlooked when writing opening's story: how the film represents social groups or issues. Ryan, of course, is ostracized by his condition; he is forced to dedicate extensive time and effort just to live healthily. As a result, his life falls into monotony, as his need to stay fit overshadows his desire for excitement and adventure in his life. According to National Library of Medicine, muscular dystrophy affects roughly 1 in 5000 people worldwide (LaPelusa et al., 2024). Initially, Ryan's condition was only a springboard to establish an ongoing conflict and motivation for the protagonist. I didn't put much thought into seeing Ryan as a member of a severe minority group. On a broader scale, Ryan represents the constant struggle those with MD undergo. In many cases, muscular dystrophy can lead to degeneration of myocardium, causing heart complications in patients. Ryan is an example that his condition, no matter how severe, does not define who he is as a person.
Researching this question really made me consider how characters can act as a representation for entire groups. While I did research the condition, I failed to study up on how it affects people on an emotional level. I hope to represent those with MD as persistent, overcoming a constant struggle.
That's all for now - check out my CCR later to see how I answered this question.
References
Buffam, N. (2011, March 26). Sports. The Script Lab. https://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/991-sports/
LaPelusa, A. (2024, February 26). Muscular dystrophy. StatPearls [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560582/