Tuesday 18th December 2012

Today, my group and I decided to split the music video up into 3 sections to edit separately; the beginning, middle and end. We did this to cut the editing process down, making it easier than editing the whole thing around one computer. We will be doing a collaborate editing session, when all of the sections are completes, to put them together and make changes, towards the end of the project. 

Monday 17th December 2012

Today, we did the same as we did with the band shots; we looked at all of the filming together so that we could see all of the clips. We then gave each other all of our clips by memory sticks so that we can all use them.

Wednesday 12th + Thursday 13th December 2012

On wednesday we did a shot list of all the clips we have to film for the narrative. For the rest of wednesday's lesson and thursday's lesson, we made sketches of all the shots that we will be filming. We did this so that we do not waste anytime thinking about what camera shots we need to use while filming.

Tuesday 11th December 2012

Today in our lesson, we looked at all of our footage from each of our cameras. We gave each other our clips by memory sticks so that we will all be able to use them. This took the whole hour lesson at school.

Equipment and Props List

Equipment - 

Band Filming:
- Canon SLR Camera x2
- Video Camera
- Camera Tripod x2
- Light Box- Cables ( Jack to Jack x2, XLR to Jack/XLR x 2)
- Amp x3


Narrative Filming:
- Canon SLR Camera x2
- Video Camera
- Camera Tripod x1
- Party Lights

Props - 

Band Filming:
- Bass
- Drum Set
- Electric Guitar
- Microphone x2
- Microphone Stand x2
- Drum Sticks

Narrative Filming:
- My Car
- Party Cups (Red and Yellow)
- Shot Glasses
- Alcohol Bottles/Cans
- Mobile Phones
- Balloons, Streamers, etc.
- Nerd Book
- Pretend Cigarette
- Take Away Pizza and Box

This is a props and equipment list I made to note down everything we needed so that when we film we wont forget anything. 

Friday 7th December 2012

Today we filmed the band shots for our music video. 

These are some screenshots of the filming we did; 

We also took photographs to use for our digipak cover, website and digipak advert poster. We got them to wear the same outfits for both the filming and photos. This was for consistancy, and we also did a varied amount of camera angles. We even used some of the instruments as props. 

These are some of the images; 

Photoshoot Planning Document

(made by Sarah White)

Here, I have made a document containing the plans for our band photo-shoot. I have sure to note the costumes, lighting, props and contact details  to make sure  that everyone knows what to bring , wear and do. 

Risk Assessment

Here, my group and I have filled out a risk assessment sheet, answering the questions provided. We have done this to ensure the safety of our cast as well as ourselves and to make sure we have carefully thought out what could go wrong. 

Location Permission Sought

Permission to use the school's main hall

 Permission to use our friends house

(written and made by Sarah White)

Here, I have screenshot-ed the emails I sent to both my Head Teacher to ask permission to use the main hall for the band filming and to our friend to ask permission to use her house for the party as it is spacious. They both replied and gave us permission to use these locations on these dates.

Song Permission Sought

(email made by Stephen Airey)

For copyright purposes, we sent an email to Hopeless Records (who own the song) to ask permission to you it in our music video. We explained that it is for educational purposes only with not profit making coming from it at all. 

Filming Schedule

Blue = Filming

Green = Editing

Red= Holidays

(made by Sarah White)

This is a filming schedule I made to keep us on track of when we would be filming and editing.  I have only gone up to January as we do not know how long the process will take. 

Treatment

Our music video is going to promote the We Are The In Crowd single; 'Rumor Mill'. We are going to create our video around the meaning of the lyrics about rumours being spread. We will be following the pop-punk theme of the band in the look of the music video, with the costumes of the band, lighting and style.

The video will be a mixture of a band performance and a linear narrative storyline. We will be using the band cast within the narrative to be apart of the story, to make a link between the two 'worlds'. The camera shots we will be using includes; mid shots, close-ups, long shots, establishing shots, over the shoulder, panning, tracking. We will also be using techniques such as zoom and focus change with the cameras when recording. By using the band in the narrative, the storyline will be more personal. The band performance will be held in our school's main hall where they have a stage with black-out curtains, to reflect the colours of punk while making sure that the audience does not get distracted by the setting rather than focusing on the band members. The vocalists will mostly be singing into the camera, making a connection to their audience. 

The plot of the narrative is based on a typical high school party. We have taken the lyrics of 'made up version's' as being stereotypes (american, as it is an american song), being made rumours about as they conform to the typical personality they hold in their looks. They also act as stereotypical drunk party people (e.g. the light-weight, the cigarette smoker, the sick drunk, the fighting drunks). Throughout the narrative, there will be inserted clips of rumours being spread on a Facebook page, giving the impression that the images are being taken throughout, giving the Facebook stalkers reason to make rumours and mock the party-goers. While this is happening the main Vocalist (as the blonde bimbo) will be constantly worried of being made rumours about, so she sits out the party looking bored to avoid the rumour mill. The stereotypical events unfold, such as them taking shots, being sick and fighting over pizza (the rising action), until a fight breaks out, to which the blonde bimbo breaks up and gets told that she has ruined the party by the people on Facebook. This leads her to not caring anymore (climax) and joins in on the party. The resolution of the story happens in the last chorus where all the characters switch up their stereotypes, not conforming to the 'made up versions' and rumours. 
Although a complicated narrative, it creates a message to the audience which, as youth viewers, will be able to relate and learn from. 

(Treatment written by Sarah White)

Here, I have written a treatment explaining what our music video will be like; with the narrative structure and the band shots. This was done to make sure we had a detailed outlining of where we are going with the music video we will be making. 

Actors - Organised

Cast List...

Band:

Main Vocals: Hannah Terry

Guitarist and Vocals: Daniel Anstiss

Bassist: Robert Airey

Drummer: Sam Baker (1st choice) 
          Joe Curd (back up)

- All the band members are our friends, who's phone numbers we have to schedule the timing of the filming and photo-shoots for our music video. They have all been notified of the date and times which we will be shooting. 

Narrative Cast (stereotypes):

Blonde Bimbo: Hannah Terry

Jock: Daniel Anstiss

Crazy Mental Patient: Robert Airey

Emo: Joe Curd

Nerd: Emma Hunnable

Hippie: Holly Gray

Stoner: Kira Glaister

Gangster: Kiera Rees

Skater: James Terry

Prep: Ben Mckay

Loner: Chris Lupton

 - We sent out a facebook event to the narrative cast who were all told the time, date and location for the filming as well as the costumes they would have to wear. 

(written by Sarah White)

Here is a list of the cast that will be in our music video. I wrote this to show that we have organised exactly who will be in our music video, so that we have a secure cast that will not let us down. 

Plan: Music Video Structure + Shot lists

This is a plan I personally made for myself so I would have an idea of where each of the scenes we will be filming will go. I also created a shot-list to stick to, so that we do not get confused about what we are doing and waste time. 

Final Ideas

Band ...

It will be a band performance, as though it is a song practise. There will be shots of the whole band and each artist while they play 'Rumor Mill'. The singers will sometimes sing into the camera, but other times they will be looking straight ahead. 

Location - Dark room with lights to highlight the band, so that the audience does not get distracted by the surroundings. 

Narrative... 

We have decided to do a linear style narrative, showing a beginning to end. We had researched into halloween parties for the story with the costumes being 'someone different', connecting with the lyrics. However, we noticed that halloween costumes would be harder to make rumours about and came up with using stereotypes;

The band cast will also be characters in the party, the lead female singer being the main character, being the stereotypical party-goer who sits out of the scene, looking bored. She will be the connection between the party and the facebook stalkers as she will see the rumours on her phone while at the party (the reason why she doesn't want to be included). 

She will end up not caring about the rumours and join in on the party. They will switch up their stereotypes to show that it is 'their made up version', not who they actually are. 

(written and made by Sarah White)

Here, I have written out the final ideas that we have come up with in my own wording, so that I understand the direction we are taking our music video in. 

Props and Equipment Ideas

Propsresearch copy 2 from sazx13
(made by Sarah White and Agatha Torres)

  Band Set-Up...

                                 (made by Agatha Torres)

Here, we have researched into the props and equiptment we might use for our music video. After thinking about the party theme, we looked at the props needed for it to set the scene for our narrative.  My group member also made a plan of how we would set up the band, so that we would have an idea of where the people and instruments/props will go in the band filming. 

Costume Ideas

Costume Ideas from 11sarah06
(made by Sarah White and Stephen Airey)

Here, I have put together a presentation for our costume research, planning what kind of things we would want our cast to where based on the theme of halloween and the genre in the band clothes.

Music Video Storyboard

(made by Sarah White, Agatha Torres and Stephen Airey)

Here, we have made a storyboard of our music video, creating a rough outline of the structure and order we want our video to go in. By doing this, we have realised that we need to now come up with a secure plan for our narrative and band performance to be able to plan properly for our music video. 

Branding

Branding on Prezi
                                                 (made by Stephen Airey)

Here, one of my group members has put together a presentation of the research we collected of different music brands for brands/ artists. We researched into artists that are similar to what we want ours to look like, to get an idea of what we want our brand to consist of. Stephen then made a couple of different logos we could use before conferring with us and settling on a american high school style font to reflect the style of music. He then made a logo which we will also be using as branding. From this, we now have our brand constructed together. 

Rumor Mill Lyrics Analysis

The Lyrics...

Literal Lyric Video...

 (made by Sarah White)

Here, I have made a video for my group, overlaying the song we are using with images that directly relate to the lyrics. I have taken the lyrics literally to understand the song in a broken down version as well as a whole. 

Analysing the lyrics...

(all made by Sarah White)

Here, I have developed on the idea above, to get myself to understand the lyrics, my interpretation of the song. I have most of the lyrics and analysed them, giving me the chance to think of ideas for how we could interpret them for our music video and make unique. 

Videos Influencing Our Product

(made by Sarah White)

This is a video I have put together showing the music videos that we find really interesting and want to use as influences on our music video. 
'Misery Business' has been chosen for the great camera angles and punk/rock genre showing the style of clothing and location. Also, we like the high school narrative with the aggression and how the band come into the narrative at the end.  We chose 'Little White Lies' as we really like the party look with the strobe lights and the slow motion of the editing in the dancing. We also like the funny element to it and the band performance being great with the panning, acting and live performance with an audience. You Belong With Me has also been chosen for the cute high school narrative and how the lead singer defeats the geek stereotype and becomes pretty in the end, not caring about the haters. We also like the use of text on the paper they hold up. We chose 'Hold On' because of the interesting band shots with the funky use of split-screen. We Are The In Crowd's 'Rumor Mill' has been chosen as this is the song we are planning to use. The music video is great with the funny narrative, cool and interesting band shots as well as the location of the band. The atmsphere of the music video is fun and upbeat. Lastly, we chose 'Weightless' because of the great use of text and how all the things they say are 'nothing personal', which the the title of their album. We also like the band shots and the energy in the performance and audience. 

Plans For Our Band

Coming up with a name...

(Made by Sarah White)

Here, I have shown how we came up with the name of our band and why we chose it. I have done this to show the first stage of construction of our band, creating an image/brand with the name.

Chosen Band Analysis

We Are the In Crowd from 11sarah06
(made by Sarah White)

Here, I have made a presentation about the research I have conducted on the band who's song we are going to be using. This was done to find out their style, consisting of the brand, so we have an idea of how we could possibly do something similar with our own band that we will be making up. 

Chosen Song; Their Music Video

After deciding to go with a upbeat song with elements of the pop, punk/rock genres, we decided on We Are the In Crowd's 'Rumor Mill' as the song to use in our music video. We have chosen this as their is a gap in the market for pop-punk/rock songs that this is, targeting to a youth audience. We also decided on this song as we did not want to do a typical love story, which this song is definitely not about. This song is about rumours and overcoming them, to which we hope to send out as a learning message to youths. 

Mood Board Video

(made by Agatha Torres)

Here, one of my group members has made a mood board of the ideas we came up with about the genre we have decided on and the fashion and style going along with this. We did this to gain a starting base on the look we want to create in our music video.

Initial Ideas

(made by Sarah White)

Here, I have made a brainstorm for our group of the initial ideas we have together for this music video project. I have done this to get started with the project and get an understanding of the things we possibly want to include. 

Target Audience

For our music video project we made a survey, asking people to fill it out. We used the results to find our target audience and what they would like in the music video. 

53% of respondents were male and 47% being female. 

16 and less = 7%, 17-22 = 62%,  23-29 = 21%,  30+ = 10%

From this survey we found out that most of them (which can be seen on the chart below) that on average, most people prefer rock, along with punk and pop over other genres. 

Findings of what our audience wants in a music video;

We asked them what they expected to be in a music video and the most responses were that the band/artist had to be singing (and playing their instruments), and have a narrative storyline to go with it that suits the lyrics. 

With this survey question, we asked them to choose what was the most important thing for a music video to include. The most answered (53%) was that there is a narrative that is loosely based on the lyrics, not taking every word literally, just a story to create meaning behind the lyrics. The other most checked answer was that the artist/band members had to be singing. 

(made and written by Sarah White)

To be able to start our music video, we had to  find out who our target audience was and what they wanted see in a music video. By doing this, we now know that we want to do a pop-punk/rock genre music video with a mixture of band shots and narrative , with the narrative being loosely based on the lyrics, but identifiable. 

Special Effects Research

(made by Agatha Torres)

Here, a group member of mine has produced a video of different special effects techniques that we could use in our music video. From this, we now know basic understanding of the software Final Cut Pro. This is the first stage into thinking of our music video as a group. 

Poster Analysis

(made by Sarah White)

This is a presentation I have made containing the analysis I have done of posters for real bands/ artists. I have been able to identify the different styles in terms of genres, and the codes and conventions that come along with that to enable me to produce my own poster. 

Digipak Analysis

Here, I have found a few digipak covers, analysing them to try and find out the codes and convensions of these real media products. I now have an understanding of how they should look and what I would want my digipak cover to look like. 

Website Analysis

Knowing that I will have to make a website for my fictional band for this product, I researched into a few band/ artist websites, analysing the codes and conventions, getting ideas on how I want my own website to look. 

Music Consumption Video

Here, I have made a presentation from the feedback I got from 3 interviews I conducted, asking my Grandpa, Mum and friend how they use to and now do consume music. This gave me a more personal understanding of how people use to and now do listen to their music and watch the music videos. 

Music Consumption Timeline

The changing ways we have consumed popular music is an interesting and effective example of the way in which out domestic media has changed. For example the way in which music has been stored has changed considerably from the records or discs. 

Here, I have researched into the history of music consumption, to find out the development of the way people listen to music and watch music videos through the decades. 

Music Consumption Research

Music consump powerpoint from sazx13

Here, I have researched into how people consume music, understanding the different ways that an audience can do this, making me think of how I could get an audience to consume my music video. 

Music Genre Presentation

Music genre presentation

View more presentations from sazx13.

This is a presentation containing the research I have done into 3 major music genre's. By doing this, I have been able to recognise what makes up the genres, for example in the mise en scene, for me to be able to decide which genre I want to go with for my music video. 

Music Channels

Music Channels on Prezi

Here, I  have researched into different music channels, with different genres and styles. By doing this, I have been able to recognise the weight they have in the music video consumption sector and how , if i were wanting to have  my music video on a channel, I would decide on the music channel to choose. 

Music Video Directors

Here, I have researched into the major/famous music video directors. I have done this to identify their styles and found out their influence on the music video industry. By looking at the music videos they have directed, I know have a better knowledge of the music videos out there. 

Music History

To find out about the stages of music in history and how music videos have developed overtime, I have researched into the decades to find the transformation of the music industry. By doing this, I now have a basis of understanding how music videos came about and the styles within the decades. I now understand more about music videos from seeing their history. 

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The Good

This is one of the best previous student’s music videos that I have found. Throughout the whole of the video, the singer sync lips perfectly to each lyric making the music video look very effective and professional, almost as if it is their song. The lighting in all the different locations is very good as it sets the mood of the dark song. The lighting used when the band is in view, highlights them in a dark room, adding to the effect whereas the narrative has a dark tone added to it in the editing process. Another good thing about this video is that it has a lot of close ups of the artists, which is one of the main codes and conventions within music videos for the audience to be able to see emotions of the artists. The ‘two worlds’ of the band and the narrative complement each other well and the visuals match the lyrics of the song with its own unique twist. The special effects add to the high quality of the music video by using effects such as overlaying of visuals and the rhythm of the song matching the rhythm of the editing, which is very important. They use a lot of camera angles which add emphasis to the beat and also the band members are perfectly in time to the beat, making the whole music video look great in all aspects.

This music video is very good in all aspects. They have managed to pull off a very famous song and make their own music video just as effective as if it were the original. This is mainly due to the very good and well thought out narrative. It matches to the lyrics very well in the visuals without going for the obvious representations of the song. The acting throughout the music video is of very high standard and makes the audience believe in the emotions that they are portraying. This is a very creative music video with all the locations that they used, such as the dark room with only the bodies illuminated, the open spacious field and in the girl’s home, adding to the effect. The lip syncing is in perfect timing to the lyrics and the clothes, hair and make-up match the rock style genre that they are trying to work with. Close-ups are used so that the audience can see the emotions of both artists when in the narrative and when singing. A great thing about this video is that they have the artist in both the narrative and singing, making it feel more personal and giving an insight to the emotions of the artist. Lastly, the special effects that they use make it all come together. They use split screen to show the two artists, fading in and out (matching the rhythm of the music), the unsteadiness of the camera to emphasise the emotions and they use darker colours in the editing to separate the ‘two worlds’.

The Bad

This is a music video that I have selected to be bad(ish). The narrative of the story is alright, but it doesn’t communicate fully to the lyrics of the song, they seem to just be randomly placed. The idea of the video seems to be a bit simplistic. The special effects such as the fading and the black and white editing help to separate the ‘two worlds’, and look quite effective. The acting of the girl is good in most places but when she lip-syncs she seems to be embarrassed and uncomfortable, making the video not look as professional as it should be. The lip-syncing is in time, but acting when singing ruins it. The locations of when the artist is singing are very random as she just walks around streets and parks. However, what do make this music video look good are all the different uses of camera angles, such as close-ups, panning, long-shots and medium shots. The fact that it is a slow song doesn’t make the editing rhythm match the song rhythm, making it not look as good as it could be.

The Ugly

Within the codes and conventions of music videos, this one is one is really bad. The first thing that ruins the music video is that the lip-syncing is majorly out of sync throughout the whole thing, making it look really untidy and unprofessional. The narrative is alright, but a bit simple and easy. One of the worst things is that the band does not have any instruments but pretend that they do, which looks awful. They insisted to use the green screen as the background for the band but have not put it to use and you can see the edges of it, which is untidy and pointless to even use it. They do match the editing of the visuals to the rhythm of the music for the most part but the acting, both in the narrative and band parts, ruin it. The camera is also really shaky, making the video appear sloppy and not a lot of thought has been put into it. The song choice is good but the way they have presented it makes the video look careless and, in some parts, random.

This students attempt at producing a  music video for ‘Slim Shady’ is careless. First of all, the lip-syncing is really bad and obvious to the fact that the singer does not know all the lyrics to the song and is out of sync. The special effects are really random and amateur, such as the wording of the song randomly put on the screen, which is out of sync anyway. The narrative follows the lyrics too closely, which is very unimaginative of the students to basically copy what has already been done. The narrative is also really weird and quite laughable. The acting is awful as they are always laughing and messing about. The rhythm of the editing does not match the rhythm of the song which makes the whole music video look careless and unprofessional. It is not very well thought out with their own ideas and the camera angles are quite sloppy.

This music video is, for the audience, really embarrassing to watch. The singing is entirely out of sync; the acting of the artists is awful and does make the video look good. The camera angles are all the same, either medium shot or long shot, which is not very well thought out. The actors/artists all seem really embarrassed and it appears to look as though it has been rushed and not been planned. The concept of having a good time (the lyrics) is shown but it is not exciting like the songs intent and does not show any editing skills other than a random slow motion. The costumes have obviously not been thought about as the students are in their uniforms. It may be that they wanted it to be school based, but it has no relevance to the song in regards to this.

To find out what previous students had done for this same project, I went on Youtube, picking out my favourites, middles and worst music videos I could find. I have analysed them to see what they have done right and wrong, gaining knowledge of the things I should and should not do in my own music video. 

Music Records Presentation

This is a presentation I have made containing the research I conducted on the famous music records. From this I have been able to see what record labels are out there and what kind of music and music videos they produce. 

Analysing a Music Video

After researching Goodwin's theory, I have gained knowledge enough to analyse a real music video in the industry. From this I can see the typical codes and conventions of music videos within a actual product by We Are The In Crowd. 

Goodwin's Theory - Analysing Music Videos

Goodwin's Theory - Analysing Music Videos on Prezi

Here, I have research Goodwin's theory in how he thinks a music video should seen and made like, helping me to analyse music videos myself. 

Understanding Editing Software: Lip Syncing + Green Screen

For this project, we have found that lip syncing is essential when making a music video and that getting everything precise and on time is very important when trying to make the music video look good. Here, we filmed ourselves singing and lip-syncing to practise the skill. 

We filmed both on a green screen, which when we uploaded onto final cut pro to edit, and edited in backgrounds to expand our skills. We lip sung to the words with the music in the background to help us get the timing exact. However, we found that it is essential that you have to know the song completely as, like what happened at the end of the rockstar video, it does not look good when you do not know the words. 

By doing this we learnt more about the editing software; Final Cut Pro. 

Understanding Editing Software; Jelly Baby Music Video

First Practical Task

To start off the practical side of this music video project, we made a jelly baby music video. We did this to practice our skills of using the camera, keeping in time to the beat of the song and to be able to use the editing program; Final Cut Pro. 

We did this by taking images of the jelly babies in different places to make it seem as though they will be dancing to the music. When being edited, we put all the images together one after another, changing the seconds they needed to go on for by the beats of the music.

We chose the song 'I Don't Feel Like Dancing' to reflect the idea of this task, and as it is a upbeat dance song, it makes the video look more effective. 

With this, we learnt how to use the basics of the editing software; Final Cut Pro. 

Classic/Unique Music Videos

Here, I have posted a few music videos I have found on Youtube. I have chosen them as they all have their own unique looks, showing different editing skills and stories etc. 

This video is very unique and original as the background behind the singer has been edited to look as though it is made out of round sweets. They move around to make it look as though she is walking and the surroundings are changing. It also makes the video look bright, reflecting the upbeat tone of the song. 

This video is an animated video. The animation makes the video look child-like and reflects to the theme of the christmas music that it has been made for. This is a skill that has been used frequently in music videos to give a new perspective on how the song is portrayed. 

This is a unique video by Lady Gaga. As the artist is very unique and original, her music video of 'Bad Romance' reflects her personality completely. Each shot is edited to the beat and there is a dance sequence, showing another element that can be included in music videos. 

In this video, the part where the faces are edited so that they are moulding together is a very original idea. The use of this reflects the song about how everyone is similar, showing a fancy way create a unique approach to a music video. 

This is music video of 'Rockstar'. This is unique as the band is not actually featured in it, they have got many people in many different locations and ages and cultures to each sing Nickelback's a section of the song. It gives the music video a sense of realism, adding to creative ways to show off the band's music. 

This is Michael Jackson's music video of 'Thriller'. This is a classic video as it is made to be a short story with the song in the narrative. It is a eye catching, memorable music video that has been noticed for being unique in making into a short film. 

By doing this task, I have been able to see what music videos are like and the many ways that make them unique and mesmerising to the viewer.

Music Video Literal Understanding

 Definition: 

A filmed or videotaped rendition of a recorded song, often portraying musicians performing the song or including visual images interpreting the lyrics.

Wikipedia explanation...

A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes.^[1] Modern music videos are primarily made and used as amarketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings. Although the origins of music videos date back much further, they came into prominence in the 1980s, when MTVbased their format around the medium. 

Music videos use a wide range of styles of film making techniques, including animation, live action filming, documentaries, and non-narrative approaches such as abstract film. Some music videos blend different styles, such as animation and live action. Many music videos interpret images and scenes from the song's lyrics, while others take a more thematic approach. Other music videos may be without a set concept, being merely a filmed version of the song's live performance.

Here, I have found out what the literal understanding is when talking about a music video. I have learnt  what it is and the purpose of it to start the process of conducting more research on the way to making my own music video for this project.