evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

To begin my project I started off by analysing film trailers and music videos.

Before I constructed my music video, I analysed existing music videos to identify conventions of the R'n'B and Hip-hop genre. I already knew that I wanted to do a music video. These videos helped me decide on what videos I would use to aid me in all aspects of my own video. This was highly important because by using or breaking specific conventions the audience targeted are familiar with what is supposed to conspire or are shocked with the things they believed would be the usual. However, challenging conventions makes a music video unique and memorable. The convention I used was the typical failed love story. My young target audience is associated with dating, young crushes and puberty which are things that are currently being dealt with. People ages 13 to 21 would be able to see this convention that enables them to relate to it. However, my music video has a big twist at the end that outlines on of many reasons why couples do not last. What is normally not spoken about is brought to the surface. Peoples personal lives are made to seem very private but the twist at the end of my video is there to show how things can turn out for the worst. Instead of using the typical romantic conventions, it has been broken by giving an unexpected ending. My video also tackles gender representation. It could be argued that women are being seen as 'the damsel in distress' type of character. As if to say women are the ones who take longer to get over break ups. As if they dwell on the past way more than men do. Although I have shown both characters have moved on, my video captures the way in which men are able to move on. Throughout the video, you see the male character in shots where he appears quite sad and lonesome. However, him ending up with a new girlfriend shows he had moved on. I found that this could show that although men seem to look as if they move on quickly after a broken down relationship, behind closed doors they may be feeling as upset and sad as a women may feel

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

To go with my music video I also devised a Digi pack including a CD cover and promotional poster to go with the music video. I think that my Digi pack was able to link with the music video as both incorporate the same musical genre. I believe the reason that they correlate so well is due to the black and white colour scheme, fonts and location of photos used for the CD cover and poster. If not for knowledgeable research, planning and footage referral, the Digi-pack could not have been as effective and successful. In order for the Digi pack to match the video, I had to plan how I wanted my target audience to see it. Most people buy CD's based on a particular song and video by the artist. This is why I made my Digi Pack relate to the video. To allow the audience to feel familiar with what they would purchase. I feel that the shot for the album front cover really grasps the emotion in the character. It worked out to be a good idea taking snap shots during all the times I was filming. I played around with the different images that were taken

What have you learnt from your audience feedback ?

When I look back on the audience feedback, it shows me how crucial planning and research is for this type of product. My brainstorms, notes, mood boards and the poll I created enabled me to have a clear understanding on what I was trying to produce and what feedback I required from the audience. Whilst editing I always asked near by student s to have frequent looks at my video. They would also give me criticism to help improve on what I may have needed to change or think about. Once the video and Digi pack was finished I asked people who fitted within my target audience, to watch the video and give their honest opinion. I was extremely happy, for all my critics gave me raving reviews on my both my video and my Digi pack. My audience feedback has taught me that outside opinions are key when creating media productions as it can make the product even more of a success.

How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

when making my music video using different aspects of technology was very important. When editing my music video, the most important nit of technology was Premiere Pro.

This programme enabled me to edit the footage I had gathered and making it into a music video. Internet usage also played a huge role in creating this whole project. For all the research and planning my video and digi pak as I was able to search other videos through Google and watch them online through websites such as YouTube. Google Images helped me see the different kinds of album covers and poster schemes. This really helped in my planning stages because it helped me no what route I wanted to go. Photoshop was highly useful for my Digi pack. This it helped make my promo pack, front and back cover pictures look very professional

This the the poster promoting the album. This is how it would look if it appeared in a typical R'n'B Hip Hop magazine. I wanted it to be a collage to show all elements of the artists and to give the audince a real taste of what to expect in the video. All the images are from the music video so it promotes itself very well in oreder for people to be drawn to it.

This is the poster inside the album. It shows what you would see if you open up the poster. Also has a pug to show what the album includes and what the audience can expect to listen to.

This is the back of my promo pack cd. I wanted the whole album to be simple but effective to the audience. It took a while to get the font perfectly right because of the difference in the background colour. It had to be done in a way that allowed all the font to be seen clearly. I looked on the Internet to see how Hip Hop artists back covers looked in order to get the information in the bottom right corner. I feel this really captures the essence of the kind of emotions 'MICKY' is going to express in the album.

This is the album front cover. The black and white theme runs all the way through my project. Not only is the usage of black and white a huge element in the music video, I also thought it would work well if the album correlated with the video. The name running down the side allowed the album title stand out as well as his name. This picture was taken on the same set as one of the video shoots. he was wearing the right clothes and countenance for the picture so I decided to do it and it came out just as I expected.

naomi's media project

The establishing shot of the video starts off with a black and white medium long shot that tilts downwards with the artists name and song title to make it seem like its on a music channel. The first effect that is used is the 'Gradient Wipe' which is what allows the shot to crumble into the next shot. This opening shot shows the couple in the past when things were very nice and simple between them. It then moves on to a close up of the female (Trisha) sitting on the bed reading a magazine by herself as the camera tracks away from her. This shot is in colour to show the difference in behaviour when they were together and now when they are apart. Soon after we have a medium shot of Trisha singing gazing out of the window as if she is reminiscent on their failed relationship. Following on is another black and white shot of the couple walking together in love also showing more evidence on how they used to be and what they used to do. It then dips to white to re-enter another black and white shot of them talking on a bed comfortably. The camera was shot at a high up angle in order for the audience to feel like they can completely relate to this sweet looking relationship the characters have. they are able to look down on the situation. It then returns back to a tracking shot of Trisha singing at the window which then fades out into white. A snappy shot of the male (Micky)

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass - Rube Goldberg Machine version - Official

The music video is a long continuous unbroken shot, similar to the famous sequence from Goodfellas. However, they used special effects in order to edit the video. This is put together very so that you do not take notice in the fact that itis one shot. The video consists of a series of connected tricks that leads to the band members being covered in paint. It is almost similar to the game 'mouse trap' as one thing triggers another thing and this process repeats. It has a dominoe affect which makes the video very interseting. There is no change in location and only includes the members of the band. the video is higly effective an memorable. More importantly it is original. This is significant because a music video can promote the band. This is proven to be correct because it was "here it goes again" that made OK GO famous.

Ginuwine- Last Chance

This music video of Ginuwine- lastchance can relate to my video in a few dfferen ways. To begin with it is based o a love story. Oneof wich is not going quite rght, wich s exactly how my storyline is. The difference between this video and mine is isthe endng in this one shows how te couple have resolved their differences. However my music video ends with a more unpredictable note. Another similarity is the use of black and white to indicate the probl;ems the couple have and the fact that its in the past. The representation of the past is clearly shown by the frame freezing and merging into black and white. This relates to my music video because the use of of slow motion and black and white indicates the past being represented as sometimes good but shows it was mostly bad.

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

The video is the reason hy OKGO became so well knon and famous. This video shows the band doing a dance routine on 8 treadmills. It is one long continuous shot which means there would have to be a lot of training beforehand because they can only film it in one take. This one shot, it is highly entertaining to watch because the routine looks difficult and looks as if it defys possibility. The 4 band members are in the video which the audience expects due to all of their other videos. This video has made a impact on youtube viewers. Mnay people have been inspired to make their own videos similar to this one. The advert for Berroca used OKGO's treadmill idea which also makes the product highly memorable. This truly is a unique and spectacular music video and shows that how defying normal video purposes can be very effective.

Detailed analysis on Pans Labrinth

The caption for the company appears in and out for a brief moment because it fades in and out. The slow, dreary music begins. The music shows that the film is going to be mysterious and full of suspense . There are 3 - 5 shots that last for a few seconds. This sets the story and creating atmosphere. It is important to note that they are not telling the story because that will ruin the mystery and then there will be no point in actually going to see the film. It keeps the audience hooked and interested. Already there is another caption. 'what happens'. This blunt caption is thoughtful and again creating a mystery. It is shown in a white font on a blue background. It is a typical convention for scary film trailers to use captions as it is exciting and involves the audience. The same slow paced music is still used. The shot then fades into the next shot which is followed by numerous short shots again. The 3rd and 4th caption follow the same font and background as the previous captions. Putting all of the captions together actually says 'what happens when make believe believes it's real?' This would be very confusing and mysterious to the audience. However, this is the point to make the audience carry on watching to find out what is going on. There is a much longer shot than previous shots which indicates that something is going to happen. Nothing happens then all of a sudden there is a scary creature jumping onto the screen. The audience identifies this would happen because it is a typical convention of a film trailer. The music fastens up and the editing is quicker making the sequence of events dramatic and exciting. The director cuts shots bluntly as it fits in with the fast hectic pace. There is a repition of shots fading, then cuts, then fade. This shows different locations and characters. There is a long fade from the final shot to the final caption which is the title of the film. It is highly likely that the last thing you see will be the thing you remember the most. This is very significant because the whole purpose of this trailer is to sell the film. Therefore it is highly important for the film's name to be memorable. This is then followed by quotes, release date and the website. Quotes indicate to the audience whether it is worth going to see and if it had good reviews. The background is different to the other captions which clearly distinguishes the seperation between the trailer and credits. The music gently fades away.

Break Up

This video helped me have an understanding on how aspects of black and white can represent the past and the effect it has on the characters. The shots in colour represent the the effects of the break up. The flashbacks give a clear understanding as to what reasons the female character had for breaking up with the male. This video is part of the reason why I chose the song for my video. I feel this gave me knowledge on how the past can be represented negatively and positively.

1 Min's 53 seconds into the video, we have dialogue from the characters that is not heard but it clearly shows that they are having some kind of issue or problem. The colour then fades into black and white to show the audience that this event was set in the past. It also has to indicate the reasons for the break up.

VIDEO ANALYSIS

"We used to wait" by Arcade Fire
This music video is converged with the internet/web2.0. You visit this website www.thewildernessdowntown.com where you type in your childhood's address. The video shows one of the band members running for the entire duration of the song. Using google images, photos from the typed address appear. This takes the focus away from the band member because the audience is overwhelmed by the google images. Towards the end of the music video you have a chance to write a personal message/postcard to your home address. This clever, technical process makes the music video unique and very memorable. Word of mouth about the street images makes people intrigued so therefore they visit the website. This means more people are listening to Arcade Fire's song and therefore the music video is successful in selling the band and song.

WHAT WAS USED TO EDIT MY PRODUCTION

Premier Pro was the editing mechanisms used to edit my production. There were times was a specific time when I lost all my work on my Mac. This was very problematic because it meant I had to start all over again. Although I had a major set back, I was able to re-do my filming which came out better than what I had to begin with. I was able to explore all types of editing skills using this program. Adding all the fades and the gradient wipes helped my production looked like a story being told bit by bit. There was a point where I used a different camera to the ones I used before. The footage came out different. The footage came out smaller than my other bits of footage. I thought I would have to go out a film again. Premier Pro made things very simple for me. All I was required to do was stretch the screen to make the size identical to the previous footage. This program was very eay to use and made my music video look so professional.

Weezer - Buddy Holly

The plot of this video is very simple. This is because the main focus and attraction to the video is based on the fact that they are appearing on an episode of happy days.

It is set in one place which is Arnolds bar featured in Happy Days. This made the video easy and time-saving to produce. This relates to the technical aspect which correlates with all the old and new footage.

The main characters of the video are Weezer. Weezer are the selling point and the audience expects them to be present. There is a sense of familiarity with the Happy Days characters as they appear to make it known that it is a basic episode of the show. The extras, dancing and watching the performance, represent the fans. This also makes the video combination look more realistic. The characters are wearing old 70s clothing which resembles Happy Days and the period. Again the relationship between too makes everything seem realistic.
The lyrics of the song do not follow the plot at all. However, this is not an important factor because the Happy Days episode is selling the band's image. The lyrics are not as important as the video. Instead interest is aimed towards the actual band and Happy Days episode.The special effects used for this video have been cleverly constructed. The video shows the band currently. Yet somehow they are appearing in a music video with characters from a program that was pout in the 70’s. This is an intelligent process of combining new and old footage so you cannot tell that Weezer actually didn't appear in Happy Days. This again makes the video appear realistic.
There are many close ups to show members of the band which the audience is interested in. It shows the expressions on their face and emotions. There are a lot of close ups of characters from Happy Days which the audience will be familiar with. Wide shots show the band, happy day’s characters and crowd that understand the setting and ambiance.

TARGET audience

This is Derek Anim. He is the perfect example of someone who would be interested in my music video. He listens to Hip Hop, RnB, Grime, Bashment and Afrobeats. He is rather eclectic about the music he listens to and is very up to date with the latest songs and the videos that go along with them. For him, a music video has to corrolate with the song in order for it to make direct sense. However, he feels certain exceptions can be made if the video is very interesting to watch. He, like many people that would be my target audience like to be left with an emotion once they've watched a music video.

PROMO pack

These are some basic designs on how I wanted my promo pack to look. My video is very simple, so I wanted that simplicity to be made known throughout this project. I feel simple photos of my artist will make the promotional pack look more professional. Sometimes saying nothing means your explaining everything, however it can also have the problem of appearing to plain.

CD BACK COVER SAMPLE 1


CD FRONT COVER SAMPLE 1

CD BACK COVER SAMPLE 2

CD FRONT COVER SAMPLE 2


What I was trying to push towards is just a main picture of the artist himself. Simple but effective, that is also appealing to the target audience. for example these drake album covers can indicate the kind of image I was going for.

STORY boards

These are the first set of story boards that clearly outline the different features of my music video. My music video is all based on a romance that has ended. In the first few shots I wanted to show them in their seperate unhappy settings. The third shot is one of the first flashbacks that represent the past love my two characters had. These shots are in black and white to give off the clear essence of the past. I also want to incorporate many close up shots to really show the audience the true emotion of the song and the characters feelings. Working by myself has been challenging, however its just shown how well I am able to work when I am depending on myself. The people that are apart of my music video have been able to grasp exactly what it is I wanted them to do.

FILMING schedule

The ticks represent the amount of filming that has taken place over the sapce of 2weeks. My characters have been very flexible with filming considering how hard it is to obtain equipment. My filming began on the 20th september and is still taking place now.

MOOD board

My mood board explores many aspects on how i would like my music video to appear. To start with, I have included many earthy,dark and dingy colours to represent the mood of the song which is being used. A few of the images are of rain and water to conduct the meaning behind the lyrics of the song. The rain shows the sadness in the song. Also allows me to have an understanding on exactly the kind of weather I need to have once filming.

There are pictures of the actual artist Drake incorporated onto my mood board. this is to give off the essence of which genre of music my target audience would prefer. The pictures of him are in black and white to give a hint of the kind of effects I would like to portray in my music video.

BRAINSTORM on music video

A2 media coursework

For my A2 media coursework, I am be creating a music video or a film trailer by myself. I have chosen to work alone because I feel I would be able to work at the best of my ability if I have only me to rely on. To make a decision on which type of video I will create, I will be analyzing existing music videos and film trailers. This will give me an understanding on both aspects and help me know what I would like to make.