Feedback.

Now that i've finished my Music production i have requested feedback from my friends on the social networking sites 'Skype' and 'Facebook' and i will also upload my finished video onto Youtube for some more feedback so i can get reliable infomation.





I was pleased with this piece of feed back, it seems overall that it was a success. However i understand that at parts the video could of been slightly lighter, although some days when filming outside it was hard to gain light. Also when shooting on the seafront and cliffe tops there was often lots of wind moving the camera slightly which was damaging to our production. Even though at first we saw it as a con i've come to like it as it gives it a rustic and young effect.



I'd agree alot with this piece of feedback. Iam pleased that firstly the messages we tried to portay seemed to be quite clear now that two people have understood what we were saying and the emotions that the two boys were feeling. Furthermore i'm glad that the video wasnt taken too seriously and that these people understood the humour we had created as after all we're appealing to quite a young target audience and we want to keep them interested.

I agree again if we had more time i'd like to add more effects to my music video, some of the ideas we had brainstormed down on paper we unable to put into practice in the music video purley because our lack of expertise within Final Cut Pro. Again some of the shots that we had taken i'd like to have taken again in better weather conditions where i can achieve better lighting which can create emotion and set atmosphere but fortunatly i think that we had managed to portay feelings well with expresions and camera shots.

Overall with reviewing these two comments iam pleased with the final cut of our A level Media music video. The people reviewing my music video had clearly highlighted the problems within my video and emphasized the success and this has helped me evaluate the video.

Music video final cut!

This is the final cut to my music video for my A2 Media project. I will now evaluate the video. After watching our first edit a few times we had found key points on which we wanted to improve on and we took out some shots that perhaps didn't work so well. We also mentioned we wanted to start using effects in the video to make it appealing and interesting to our target audience.

I started making the music video by importing the footage that i had filmed on tape onto the Apple Mac Pro that i was using at my local college. Here is a screenshot showing the footage being imported.



After all the footage had been imported i had then ordered the scenes step by step. I did this so that it is easy to edit and im able to chose which scene i want to skip too.



After we had ordered all the footage together and put the clips into place we showed our teacher in college the first edit. Even though we were at first impressed with how well it looked our teacher had noticed something wrong with the film. Some of the actors within the shot were blurred and a little out of focus. Instead of redoing the footage we were able to edit it on Final Cut Pro. We changed the aspect from 25 to 0, thus removing the blurs and put the actors back into focus. Here is a screenshot of what we did.



When we had uploaded all the footage it was loaded in one big chunk. We had to cut it up so that we can move the bars about and edit it and remove clutter that we didn't want. To do this we used the 'cut' tool found on the right hand side in the toolbar. We clicked on the area of footage we wanted to cut and we decided what size length we wanted it too be and then began to cut it and start to place it together.



After the footage was cut up it was time to sync it to the track. After encountering alot of trouble to start we then used markers, another feature that Final Cut Pro had to offer. This enabled us to mark the music with the clips, it made it so much easier to put the two together. If we needed to change a clip for whatever reason, it was now simple. Again here is a screenshot of the markers on the bars of Final Cut Pro.



The first change we made after watching the first edit was the removal of a shot that was too dark and therefore unclear. Instead we extended another shot and used that. Doing this upset the smooth flow we had created with the shots but it was a necessary change for the video.





As you can see the character in the shot is looking at a photo. The shot itself is a 'Over the Shoulder' shot but there was little lighting. The shot was inside so to improve it we should of used more artificial lighting or positioned the actor elsewhere.

Another thing we noticed when we made our music video was that the ending was perhaps a bit rushed and there was too much going on. It also ended very sharply but the music fades out so it makes no sense. We added a fade effect in the video to make sense.







To make the fade we chose the end shot of the smaller boy running. We liked this shot because it shows him chasing after a car that he never gets. It also gives it a running-off-set kind of feel to it. To show this i took a before,during and after screenshot of the effect. We chose to fade into black because this reflects darkness and sorrow, the emotions that the smaller boy was feeling. I think this captures it well. To make the fade effect we used the tool close to the cut tool which i have previously spoke about in my evaluation. It was simple and easy to use, we chose where we wanted to start the fade and where we wanted the fade to finish. Afterwards we picked the colour of the fade and how fast it faded out. Below this paragraph shows where the fade tool is located and how we used it.



Another important effect we added to the music video was a 'overlay' kind of effect. This basically puts one clip over the other. I noticed the Arctic Monkeys using this effect in some of their music videos so we decided to use it in our videos too. We learnt how to make the effect from our teacher in media lessons and through research on the internet.

Here is the effect in action in the video for 'Fake tales of Sanfransico' and 'The View from the Afternoon'



Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_AFilMn3fA



Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePg1tbia9Bg

And heres the effect in action in my music video for the Arctic Monkeys



To make this effect i went onto video transitions then i followed the tab through into dissolves. The effect itself is called a 'Cross disolve'.



After looking at my first edit for the first time i noticed that there was alot of clutter in some of the shots. I used a wireframe tool too enlarge the image and remove all the unwanted areas in the shot. Here are screenshots to show how i used this tool:





It makes the shots look cleaner and theres lots things going on the in background so it directs the audience towards the main theme of the shot.

As previously mentioned i tried to keep the video as much alike to other Arctic Monkeys videos without making the same one. I have used techniques that previous movie makers had used to make the Arctic Monkeys music videos and i've set similar sort of scenes. As i mentioned early on in the course i would like to take the Arctic Monkeys in a new beach-like direction and i think i captured that well by including the sea and the beach. Here i will describe how my video is like others of the Arctic Monkeys.

Here we can see comparisions within the shots.




Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm69M3jtZl4

After making the music video we had lots of shots that we didnt use and we scraped many ideas because we didnt have time to fit them in or perhaps they didnt fit in well with the story. Here for example we were going to show the bigger boy being physically stronger by being able to lift heavy weights. The smaller boy was going to perish and not be able to lift them. We havnt included these in the video, not because they're bad shots but because it doesnt make sense if we include them.



Other shots we wanted to use in the music video however couldnt because there was too much clutter in the background or the weather was poor.





Another issue we came across was lighting in some shots the actors was not clear, here we can see that there are beams across the top roof so the lighting is split and its very unclear.

Animatic

Below is a link to the animatic for my Music Video. I made this using Final Cut Pro and took pictures on a camera at college of each shot on my story board that i had drawn up. I then imported the pictures into Final Cut Pro and added the song 'Bigger boys and Stolen sweet hearts' which iam going to use for the Music Video.

I then edited the sequence of images to the music as if they were live footage. The reason doing an animatic is helpful for the end production of my music video, is that is will help me when I come to editing stage of my Video and during filming. I will have more of an idea where my shots will go and in what order, as well as the timings to the music. I will see it as a guide that i can use but i realise that it may be hard to stick to it all.

The link below is the Expoted Quicktime Video of the Animatic:

Music video - Edit 1

Music video

Here is the finished music video without any edits purely just cut into order and to fit in with the song.



The software i had used to for my Music Production was 'Final Cut Pro'. At first it was complicated and hard to use because its was all alien to both me and Mike and we both had little experience making music videos, or indeed any videos. As the weeks went by we found it easier to use the software and time was spent more efficiently and we're still currently pioneering into the effects tools available to make our final cut which will be uploaded on blogger when complete. We also used Windows Media Player to extract the music and import it into Final Cut Pro.

The video opens with a shot of flowers. The flowers are red and represent love and romance, they can also portray hate and anger. This already allows viewers to understand what the video is going to be about and where the video is going. The plants are central with a neutral coloured background. When i add effects there will be a title above the plants and i may alter the colour composition slightly to make it look more interesting.



The music video then introduces the characters both the smaller boy and the bigger boy. The smaller boy is shown walking towards the camera. I used jump cuts to make him appear closer and quicker, this represents time passing by. The bigger boy is shown on the end of a pier and the camera zooms into his face. He is standing in a confident position looking towards the camera.





After these shots appear shots of the band appear. Fast cutting between the drummer and guitarist make it interesting and fun which is important to acquire success. We used many different angled shots throughout the video of the guitarist and the drummer and at different ranges again to keep the audience interested.





Once introduced to the band playing the video skips back to narrative. With the use of Mid-close up shots and zoom outs it allows the viewer to follow the storyline within the video. I use Mid-close up shots of the face to show expressions such as:



The storyline here shows the bigger boy being superior than the smaller boy. It follows the lyrics of the music video in particular:

"There's always somebody taller
With more of a wit
And he's equipped to enthrall her
And her friends think he's fit
And you just can't measure up no
You don't have a prayer"

After this scene is over the song enters its first bridge. Here in the lyrics it explains that they are getting married so naturally for the narrative we decided to do a shot of the bigger boy proposing to the girl. This is the first time in the music video that we see the girl who is desired by the two boys. This shot was taken on Seaford beach as we planned in our animatic storyboard. We chose this location because it has a nice scenic background and it allowed us to capture great composition and therefore able to work in some effects if needs be. The next shot shows them kissing on a pier. This identifies and labels them as a couple and therefore again portrays the bigger boy as the winner.




The chorus follows the bridge. It has lots of fast cuts which sync well with the upbeat tempo. Different angle shots show movement and the band moving with the music. We have kept the actors central in most of these shots so it allows room to work with effects and see what works best. Unfortunately we were unable to move the drum kit to a different location so the background wasn't that thrilling however the guitar was easy to move and we chose to have the guitarist sat down against a white wall in the back.



When the second verse starts the first shot we see is the smaller boy. I have used jump cuts here to show him in different positions, again showing time passing and movement. It keeps the viewer interested. The smaller boy is staring at a picture of the girl representing the times they had spent together before the bigger boy came and took her. I really like the shots at different angles however the lighting could of been brighter if i had time to re-film the footage i would increase the amount of lighting.

Position one



Position two



Postion three - If i was to do the music video again, or at least this shot i would increase the ammount of light here especially.



Following this scene we enter another narrative piece of the bigger boy walking up the stairs and then into a bedroom. The scene ends when the door shuts, it shows that its not over theres more going on that we cant see. We used a range of shots to capture the actors walking at different angles. They are holding hands again labeling the two as a couple. They are wearing clothing appropriate to the target audience of the Arctic Monkeys. The lighting is brightest in middle where the actors are and it gets darker at the side of the shots, this directs the audience on where to look.



The next scene starts with jump cuts, these cuts are now showing consistency and continuity which i find important as many different edits might be overkill and become counter-productive by confusing the viewer. I'd like to add some colour edits here when i add effects to the video. We see the smaller boy walking down a road to what is portrayed to be the girls house. He knocks on the door and offers a gift she rejects him, showing again him to be the weaker and less desirable of the two. I used a over the shoulder shot here to show the girls facials expression and again we used a closed door to allow the audience to take their own view of it. The character has his hands in his pockets showing he is not very confident and insecure and we use natural light from outside during the day time for the shot.




It then skips back to the chorus and we see the same fast jump cutting style as we had previously with different shots of the guitarist and the drummer they are also cut in a different order so that's its exciting and not boring.




As we jump into the next verse the video follows narrative again. In this particular case it shows a car pulling up with the bigger boy as the main driver. The girl hops in next to the bigger boy. The shot is done in natural daylight so we had no artificial lighting. The shot stops panning in the middle after a cut to show the girl getting into the car from there it then pans again from right to left. This was a technique we were eager to incorporate after learning how to do it in lessons at our college. It represents movement again and goes well with the song in the background.



During the next bridge the couple are together again on the pier, holding hands looking at each other. Again there is natural light and actors are dressed apporiately. The waves in the background are relatively calm and they represent peace and tranquility in which the couple are having. The camera zooms out and is a high angle shot. To contrast this in the next shot the smaller boy is walking along and he trips over looking like a fool. The couple are sat above on a rock and there is a low angle shot showing them pointing and laughing. This shows the couple to be more majestic and generally better with the low angle shot. It is also zoomed in showing them to be quite big and the smaller boys shot is zoomed out. Again it re enforces the bigger boy to be mean and cruel.







At this chorus the song repeats itself getting quiter and starting to fade out. For this we decided to increase lots of shots of the bigger boy and girl being together and the boy losing out on the girl. The shots are represented as snips of the future together and how the smaller boy is constantly being reminded he is no longer with her. We know the video is coming to an end as the couple (bigger boy and girl) have their backs turned to the camera and are looking out towards the sea.



Again the car pulls up into another shot to pick up the girl outside some school gates. It quickly jumps to the boy running to chase the car however he is too late, the car pulls away. This is shown again through pan shots and through quick edits. As with alot of the rest of the outside narrative the lighting is natural and it was shot on a clear sunny day.





The video then ends with quick cuts of the instruments and the band members playing them. The last shot shows the guitarist standing up this signifys the song has finished.



Overall i'm proud of my music video. There are shots that if i had a chance i would do again because of poor weather or lighting but due to a small time gap we were unable to do so and i would like to get more familiar with the software we used. However there are lots of shots we did do and have worked better than expected. We had taken shots that we didnt use because of various reasons. I'd liked to have stuck to my animatic more although alot of the shots we had desired to take were impractical.

Advert.

Here is my finished advert that i have made using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Indesign.

It features the two characters played in the music video, both the bigger and smaller boy. The shot was composed so that the character on the right of the advert is taller and represented as bigger. He is shown looking down on the smaller boy. The clothing separates the social rankings of them both.

The original photo was of the two boys in colour against a brick wall.





I chose to edit the photo in grey scale on adobe photoshop because it made the photo look more Indie and rock like, furthermore the colour of the text contrasts the background well if it is in black and white.

The fonts i chose to use in the end were 'Masterplan' and 'Birth Of a Hero' both of which i downloaded from www.Dafont.com.






Both of these fit into the genre of music that the Arctic Monkeys play. They are both interesting and hopefully will catch the eye of potential listeners. The colours i chose were white and red. I chose these because they are featured on the digipak therefore showing continuity but also because they are bright, fresh and funky. The red resembles love, equally it could also be represented as hate. The white shows purity and also works well with red. There is a connection with the winner, the taller boy's tee shirt and the white font. The smaller boy has dark colours on possibly showing less self esteem and more trying hide and blend in.

The text is informative, it tells the viewer exactly whats being advertised, it also goes one step further to stimulate interest by explaining that it is featured in popular rock magazines that a average member of the target audience would read. It lets the audience know when the digipak and music video are going to be released and the website of the arctic monkeys where they can find more information on them.

In the middle of the digipak is the front cover of the digipak. Again this allows the viewer to make connections between the music video and the advertisement. The picture is placed centrally and it could also be said that the two characters are looking at the front cover as well as into each others eyes. Having this on the front cover tells my audience what they will be looking for on the shelves when it is released.

I have taken some screenshots showing how i made my Advert, it was created alot like how i made my digipak. I used the programmes Adobe Photoshop (CS4) and Adobe Indesign, both which were accessible at my college.

To start the advert i loaded up Photoshop and opened up the background picture. I then used a simple edit and changed the photo into black and white (grey scale). I then saved the picture and opened up Indesign.

From here i added the picture and set it as the background, the reason i chose to use Indesign for this bit is because i personally find it easier to add text and when i use the greyscale tool in Photoshop it applies it too all layers meaning my fonts would of been in black and white therefore not very interesting and wouldnt capture my potential audience's eye. The colours i chose to add in Indesign were Red and White because they then can relate it the front cover and it makes sense by showing continuity.

The fonts i have chosen to use were downloaded from www.Dafont.com. I then saved them into the font file located in the Windows file in :C drive. I had to restart Photoshop and Indesign so that they were registered and from there i found them where i would find all my other fonts. They have been placed carefully and the text is read from the top downwards (e.g Arctic Monkeys should be read first). I haved used a different font with important infomation because it is easier to read, furthermore i find it much more interesting with two fonts rather than just one and perhaps a bigger variety in fonts might be too much.

I then used the box tool on indesign to place the image, after adjusting it so that i was central i fit the image the box and then placed it. After this my advert was complete and i exported it to a Jpeg file and uploaded it on here, too blogger from my saved files.

Advert feedback

I asked friends who enjoyed the Artic Monkeys what they thought of my advert and how it could be improved on the networking social site 'Facebook'.



Here is what they had to say:




This review was mostly positive however i understand that perhaps if i was to make the advert again i would chose much more simple font's and not give the impression that the advert was overkill. Overall i believe according this person my advert was succesful at attracting a young target audience.



This piece of feedback in particular was done a messaging system called Skype from a male aged 18 who could be labled under the 'Indie Genre'. My exact target audience. Again a good review overall, alot of the advert appealed to him. It appears most of the advert was a success apart from again i seem to have used too many different types of fonts which has confused and possibly repelled a potential buyer of my digipak.

Both these pieces of feedback have highlighted the flaws in my advert, however overall i think my advert has been quite a success if the only problem i seem to have was too many different type fonts! Iam happy that two listeners of the Arctic Monkeys can accept my advert as something they'd expect to find if the Arctic Monkeys were to make a digipak and promote it.