Monday, 30 September 2013

Research - Reflecting on my progress from AS

During my AS year I feel that I have learnt many knowledge when it comes to technological based skills such as camera work and editing (final cut pro and sound cut pro). I believe this will be a great deal when it comes to making our music video. Now that I have fully experienced the effort and time taken in to film making, I will be able to use these skills in my A2 year which will affect my outcome, ideally achieving a higher grade. I feel that throughout my AS year, my focus and effort was not as great as it could of been due to the theme being Thriller films which did not interest me. Now that I am taking part in something I have a passion for - music, I will be able to use my personal knowledge in the course, which will help me to reach a much higher mark for my blog and for my music video.

Sunday, 29 September 2013

Research - use of basetracks and markers in summer work






We used markers to show different scenes after every 8th beat and the use of base tracks was hard as it was all filmed from one place so we used different shot types to convey different scenes though it was really all in one place. 


Research - Costume, Setting and location



Research - Synergy

Creating a Brand Cross Media Products & Synergy

I am going to be analyzing the key features highlighted thorough the band, Daft Punk's cross media product and synergy .

This album contains very little detail to identifying the artists. The main focus of this album cover is the two helmets which slit into one. The use of this reflect their identity, in this case which is hidden, so people who are familiar with Daft Punk will recognize them by their album cover, as it does not title their band name.



 Get Lucky Teaser Trailer



Get Lucky Official Video - MTV Version


Get Lucky Video - Original Version


All four of these elements include features which can been seen as the brands' identity. The main evidence for this is the two members helmets which are see through the original and mtv video versions. The colours used seem to be metallic and bright, along with the certain techno type of sound of the music, giving their identity a futuristic theme. 


Research - Copyright clearance

During the summer, the artist that I decided could potentially be the star of my music video was Ed Sheeran. I have emailed the fan main, info and label record email address to request permission for use of the song 'Drunk' by Ed Sheeran. Unfortunately, assuming it is due to the high popularity of the artist, I have not yet had a response from the label.


Reflection on Progress



video of me reflecting! enjoy. :D

Saturday, 28 September 2013

Research - Summerwork album cover



Here is the album cover which I did over the summer for the video which we did, Rizzle Kicks - Down With The Trumpets. I thought the background of the cover being London bridge would signify that the artists are British, along with the urban character which represents the urban feel to the cover who is wearing a hoodie to represent the urban street culture which is somewhat similar to Rizzle Kicks.

Friday, 27 September 2013

Research - previous student MV



I thought that this music video was a great example of what a music video should look like as it:

  • followed vernalis's conventions of a music video
  • the pace of the video was in time of the song
  • the costume fit the genre of music has it had bright/eerie colours of make up 
  • the lighting they used made the video seem more alternative which was the assumed genre
  • the editing was made to look fast and slow but the lipsyncing fit well with it so it wasnt out of time
  • the use of a video in the back fit well with the idea for the music video
  • the camera angles worked well

Research - Skills audit

Reflecting back on AS I feel that my research put towards my practical work has improved as I am able to look at a range of websites to find information I needed whereas when first starting out I was a bit clueless and only had a limited amount of resources.
I am able to conduct research also from official, reliable places such as If I wanted to look at official videos rather than fan videos I would usually look at the artists websites and search for the videos or go to VEVO where most music videos are posted.
Looking back on AS I feel that when I research and plan in my coursework I will be able to use concise  and thorough information to help me and be able to improve my skills further.

Research -Reflection on Progress

Reflection on Progress

How well do you feel you are progressing with your blogging compared to last year?

Compared to last year I would say my blogging has improved immensely. I am blogging consistently and the reason for this is because deadlines have been set for after a few blogs which has been split into three different categories; Research, Planning and Production. This has helped me keep up to date and on track of my blogging. This has also helped me to make sure not to miss any blogs as it puts pressure on me to get it done! Last year, unfortunately I missed quite a few blogs, they were not in the correct order and I also posted irrelevant posts, this was because I left most of it until the last minute. This year I am sure not to make the same mistake.


What mark out of 20 would you give yourself at this point for use of different ICT and level of detail in your blogging

Out of 20 I would give myself 11 for use of different ICT and detail in my blogging. This is because I haven't used a range of ICT in my blogging, also the detail in my blogging isn't enough. I hope to get 20/20 by the end, however in order for in this to happen I will need to improve in my ICT skills by using different ICT such as Slideshare, Prezi, Photo bucket, Camtasia etc and also the detail in my blogging needs to improve.

What three things do you need to improve?
  1. Need to use different range of  ICT such as Slideshare, Prezi, Camtasia etc.
  2. Post extra blogs (blogs that are not on the blogging checklist) making sure they are in detail.
  3. Blog EVERYDAY rather than every two/three days.

Research - Re-edited version of last year's music video


Post your re-edited version of last year's student music video, and briefly explain how you used base-tracks and markers in your edit.

At the end of our AS year, my group and I produced a remake of the music video 'Vogue' by Madonna. This unfortunately wasn't saved and got deleted.

Base tracks used:


-Dancing scene 

-Walking scene by the window
-Back to back

We created three base tracks, which made it easier to create the music video as we cut bits out of each base track. We also used markers and this was used by adding them in on every beat or a rhythm. The first marker was used by choosing one word from the song and lining it up with when it was sang in the base tracks.

Research - Skills audit

Skills audit

How have your skills in research developed since the AS year?

Thinking back to the all the research that I had conducted for the practical work in AS, I believe my skills in research have developed this year for several different reasons. Firstly I believe that last year I didn't use resources such as the internet for my research. This year my skills in research have developed as I have researched on relevant websites using the internet, giving me ideas on how I want the final video to look.

Secondly watching and analysing different music videos has helped me create an idea of how I want the final music video in which I create this year, to look. I began to research different British artists, all of different kinds of genres, helping me to decide that "pop" was going to be the genre I wanted to work around in the final music video.

Additionally I believe that because we are a bigger group than we were last year we have conducted more research and therefore this helps me feel more organised about creating the music video this year. Skills such as editing has improved and this helps to make the video flow well and look more appealing.

Research -Homework research blogging task

Homework research blogging task

Name of Artist/group: Taio Cruz

Album cover name: Dynamite
Key features highlighted:

  • Artist
  • Artist name 
  • Album cover name
  • Leather jacket
  • Sunglasses




















Music single video: Dynamite
Key features highlighted:

  • Motorbike
  • Helmet
  • Sunglasses
  • Cars
  • Briefcase









Planning - Shortlist of songs

So we are currently going through songs that we could potentially use for the music video.

So far we have a list of:
Marina and the diamonds - valley of the dolls
AlunaGeorge - Bad Idea
Disclosure - You & Me
Cheryl Cole - Ghetto baby
Adele - Rumour has it
Rita Ora - RIP

We were disagreeing over certain songs as we may have not liked the beat or the pace of the song. However have agreed on one song we all like but that isn't confirmed yet, we are still contemplating other potential songs but for now this is our list of songs.



Research -Synergy

Post the synergy activity classwork and homework with links and screen shots to illustrate your findings.

Name of Artist/Group: Daft Punk


Looking at the album cover, it clearly shows that the helmet is the most important element and key feature used in order to brand the artists and this album. This is because it is the only thing on the actual cover and also as it is placed right in the centre.


After watching the teaser trailer, it is obvious that the helmet is definitely a key feature as it is also seen here.




Single: Get Lucky MTV version 

Appearance, Costume and Prop

  • Two main artists wear helmets throughout the music video, hiding their appearance
  • Props-Guitars and Drums

Colours

  • Futuristic colours -Black, Gold, Silver, Yellow, Grey and Brown






Single: Get Lucky Original version 

Key Features: 

  • Olden camera
  • Car
  • Helmet
  • Guitar 
  • Vino







Name of Artist/Group: Disclosure

Album cover name: Settle
Key features highlighted:

  • Drawn on features
  • Font (black and white)
  • Two little boys
  • Shadows



Single: F for You
Key features highlighted:

  • Instruments
  • Colours: Black and white
  • Shadows
  • Big screen
  • Drawn on features (editing)
  • Lights




Name of Artist/Group: Emile Sande

Album cover name: Our verision of events
Key features highlighted:

  • Artist 
  • Name of artist
  • Album cover name 
  • Barcode
  • Names of songs (tracks)
  • Colours: Black and Grey



Single: Next to me
Key features highlighted:

  • Instruments such as piano and drums
  • Colours: Black and White




Name of artist/Group: Rita Ora

Album cover name: Ora
Key features highlighted: 

  • Close up of the artists face
  • Colours: White and Red
  • Jewellery: Chains and rings
  • Name of artist and album cover stands out
  • Accessories: Watch


Single: RIP
Key features highlighted:

  • Jewerelly: Chain and rings
  • Accessories: Watch
  • Cars
  • Close up of artist face
  • Appearance: Red lipstick and white top (same as album)








Name of Artist/Group: Ellie Goulding

Album cover name: Halcyon Days
Key features highlighted:

  • Artist 
  • Name of artist
  • Album cover name



Magazine advert: Halcyon Days
Key features highlighted:

  • Website
  • Name of artist
  • Album cover advertised
  • Artist
  • Twitter and Facebook links


Single: Anything could happen
Key features highlighted:

  • Triangle mirrors
  • Silver giant balls





Research

Music artists often have synergy across their media products creating a brand for them. Usually, it is featured in their music videos, album covers and album teaser (if they have one). This is so audiences are able to recognise their brand immediately and identify them easily. 











Disclosure do this with their use of two males in their music videos/album covers and have white drawings across the face of a person outlining their features.
















Ed Sheeran does this with the use of the colour orange as it is a colour significant on his album cover and pictures. He also uses the paw as his signature print as in his video 'drunk' he has a cat (signifying the paw print) and on his album cover and guitar he also has a paw print.




Emile Sande has the short hair which has the same style in all videos and pictures, the lighting/colours she uses are usually darkish grey which could portray the mood of the album. Her videos also have a stripped sense as in the 'Next to me' video there isnt any props or proper set except for the drummer and the piano which she plays and in the 'clown' video it is black and white which is similar to the colour of her album cover.















Ellie Goulding's hair is significant as in her album cover and tour picture she has the same picture of her hair flipping and has the same hairstyle in video 'anything could happen'. The colours she also uses in her album cover reflects in her video as the costumes she has a light purple dress.