feedback on blog so far

Some good sense of progression here with reference to aspects of planning. However there is work missing and some of the analysis is not detailed enough to warrant a level 4. Analysis needs to be revisited and detail added. At the moment your planning grade is a level 3.

GD: Mini Technical Analysis

Here is a shot by shot description of Kate Nash - 'Foundations'

S&G - to do list

Find a location to film the outside parts of the video
Edit the footage from Brighton
Update the blog with ideas for our video
Possile date for reccie - 6th October

S&G - Evaluating the reccie

The reccie to Brighton was extremely helpful. Not only did it introduce us to the new cameras, but it gave us an idea of the type of shots that work and those that don't. We would not use Brighton for our location as it is not ideal, however it was very photogeic .
For our own reccie, we would know how much time we need and be able to plan the exact shots that we need to test.

Georgina: Song Lyrics

Here are the lyrics for our track 'Lights' by Ellie Goulding.


I had a way then losing it all on my own
(all verses are shot out side in an idylic country location - lip syncing)

I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown

And I'm not sleeping now the dark is too hard to beat

And I'm not keeping now the strength I need to push me

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone

You shine It when I'm alone

And so I tell myself that I'll be strong

And dreaming when they're gone

'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
The actress in standing outside in a crowded location with a vacant stare looking at the camera, the people in the backgrond appear to be moving faster that expected (fast motion) while the actress is remaining still.

Calling, calling, calling home
The actress in standing outside in a crowded location with a vacant stare looking at the camera, the people in the backgrond appear to be moving faster that expected (fast motion) while the actress is remaining still.

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone

You shine It when I'm alone

Home

Noises, I play within my head

Touch my own skin and hope that I'm still breathing

And I think back to when my brother and my sister slept

In an unlocked place the only time I feel safe

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone

You shine it when I'm alone

And so I tell myself that I'll be strong

And dreaming when they're gone

'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
The actress in standing outside in a crowded location with a vacant stare looking at the camera, the people in the backgrond appear to be moving faster that expected (fast motion) while the actress is remaining still.

Calling, calling, calling home
The actress in standing outside in a crowded location with a vacant stare looking at the camera, the people in the backgrond appear to be moving faster that expected (fast motion) while the actress is remaining still.

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone

You shine it when I'm alone

Home

Lights, lights, lights, lights

Lights, lights, lights, lights

Light, lights, lights, lights

Light, lights

You shine it when I'm alone

And so I tell myself that I'll be strong

And dreaming when they're gone

'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home
The actress in standing outside in a crowded location with a vacant stare looking at the camera, the people in the backgrond appear to be moving faster that expected (fast motion) while the actress is remaining still.

Calling, calling, calling home
The actress in standing outside in a crowded location with a vacant stare looking at the camera, the people in the backgrond appear to be moving faster that expected (fast motion) while the actress is remaining still.

You show the lights that stop me turn to stone

You shine it when I'm alone

Home, home

Light, lights, lights, lights
Actress in a white studio, with bright white lights behind her so she has a 'golden appearence

Light, lights, lights, lights
Actress in a white studio, with bright white lights behind her so she has a 'golden appearence

Home, home

Light, lights, lights, lights
Actress in a white studio, with bright white lights behind her so she has a 'golden appearence

Light, lights, lights, lights
Actress in a white studio, with bright white lights behind her so she has a 'golden appearence

Home, home

Light, lights, lights, lights
Actress in a white studio, with bright white lights behind her so she has a 'golden appearence

Light, lights, lights, lights
Actress in a white studio, with bright white lights behind her so she has a 'golden appearence
Home, home

Light, lights, lights, lights
Actress in a white studio, with bright white lights behind her so she has a 'golden appearence - lip synching

Light, lights, lights, lights
Actress 'kisses' the glitter on her lips towards the camera which ends up with a fade to black

Saskia - Deconstructing a music video

Deconstructing a Music Video

View more presentations or Upload your own.

I chose to analyse this video as it is the same artist that we are using for our music video. I felt that it would be useful to look closely at aspects of one of Ellie Gouling's tracks so that we can modify some of her ideas to implement into our own piece.

Richard Dyer

Richard Dyer states that the star image should be fundamentally incoherent. It should be incomplete and 'open'. This is because it is based upon 2 key paradoxes:

Paradox 1 - The star must be simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary for the consumer.

This can apply to Ellie Goulding as, being an Indie artist, she is unique.

Paradox 2 - The star must be simultaneously present and absent for the consumer.

Ellie Goulding is mainly present in this video. However, she is blurred at the beginning giving the audience a longing to see her.

Saskia - Brighton trip photos

brighton trip

View more presentations or Upload your own.

Today we went on a trip to Brighton. Along with the footage we recorded that will be uploaded shortly once we have edited it, we took some interesting photographs.

Saskia - the speed up background effect

http://www.videojug.com/webvideo/how-to-create-the-speed-up-background-effect

For some of our outside shots, we want to have the artist lip synching, with the background moving at a fast pace behind her. We need to learn how to do this using different techniques such as masking layers.

However, for some shots where we won't use lip synching, we can use a pro-filmic effect which means less editing. This video shows you how.

GD: Deconstruction of a Music Video

The video I have chosen to analyse is 'Boys and Girls' by Pixie Lott. I think this song is linked to our chosen song because both songs are from an indie pop genre from young female artists who have only recently broken out into the music scene and therefore their video budgets would be relatively low as the record company's cannot grantee a high return on their investment at this stage of the artists career.

Institution and Audience:

The main consumption of this video would be through music channels or the Internet through websites such as YouTube. However I think that the audience viewing would be ambient because the majority of people who visit sites like YouTube and music channel often do it so that there is background noise where ever they are, audiences aren't necessarily listening to the songs to watch the artists latest video.

Genre and Narrative:

The only narrative part of this video is the fact that the video features both boys and girls which is what would be suggested from the tittle of the track, as well as that one lyric says 'ohh we're going to lose control' which is sung shortly before the video shows a group of boys and girls dancing what seems to unchoregraphed dance moves. Through the video the artist is singing along with the songs lyrics either directly to the camera where she is the only one of screen as well as when she's surrounded by the dancers and extras. I think that this video is inherently commerical because there is nothing challenging about it, this video is mearly used to sell the artist as an attractive young woman and therefore if you didn't like the song then you would still listen and watch the video because you still find an aspect you enjoy.

Media Language:

During the first 15second of the video the artists face is shown more than once where extras are wearing 'pixie' masks and then turn their heads to the left one after each other to reveal the artist sitting at the end of the line.

Representation:

The artist is being represented in a positive way, the video shows her as being a fun and free spirited girl but as well as this the video shows close ups of the artists toned and tanned legs as well as her appearing in several skimpy outfits. This helps the label to sell their product as the video would still appeal to those who enjoy this artists music how it has the power to entice others to watch it who wouldn't normally because they find something something else other that the music to focus of during the duration of the video.

G&S audience response to track

We played our track to our class and they thought of some ideas associated with the track. They fed back their responses to us:

Sunset in a field
Lighting
Strong lead singer
Lip synching - extreme close up of mouth
Shot at night
Possibly walking down a street
A lot of singing straight at the camera
Plenty of movement and energy
Emphasis of lighting changing
'Calling'
Lots of people going by outside
Peaceful
Shadows
Contrasting e.g urban area
Strobe lighting?
Sepia tone
Bright sunlight behind
Choreograph routine outside
Real narrative story about a relationship
Crowd dancing in slow motion
Repeated images
Ending with an empty room/studio

We have highlighted some ideas that we like.

GD: Responding to a track

1. Post a link to track
We've already posted a link further down the page.

2. What is the genre of the track? How can you tell?

The track fits into the 'indie - pop' genre because although it's appealing to the mainstream audience she has a quirky aspect of her voice which makes it part of the indie genre.

3. Do you think this track represents a high or lo fi video? Why?

This track would represent a high fi video because it is obvious that it has not been made on a budget because the track is of a high quality and there is no white noise apparent in the song.

4. What videos would be comparable? Publish and label some interesting stills from the same genre.

Lenka - The Show

Daisy Dares You - Rosie

5. Find out the budget for one of the above examples.
I couldn't find a budget for either one of the above videos however from watching both of the video I think that Lenka - 'The Show' had a much height budget because the quality of the filming is better and her record label Polydor would have more money to spend. However the video for 'Rosie' I believe the budget would be smaller as the quality and locations used are of a poorer quality and almost appear to have a home video aspect to them.

6. Give an outline of a treatment
Our very first thoughts for our music video come to the idea of using a white studio to make the artist the make focus point and then also have a picturesque countryside or beach location.

7. Identify suitable locations for filming particular sequences of the music
Because we want to use a similar style to other Ellie Goulding videos we may shoot the chorus in the studio then use the outside locations during the verses and other parts of the song.

8. Consider grain of voice. What characters would you use?
The artist has a unique grain of voice which appeals to teenage girls the most and therefore i think we'll use an attractive girl whose look matches the tone of the song.

9. What pro-filmic and post-production special affects would be suitable?
We won't need to use any major post production effects apart from adjusting the saturation and hue of the footage to make any colours appear really vibrant and affective.

10. Who else would you need to 'employ' to help you with this production?

The only person that we would need to 'employ' would be an actress to play the role of Ellie Goulding, apart from that we wouldn't need any other extras in the performance.

Saskia - responding to a track

1. Post a link to the track

There is a link already posted on our blog

2. What is the genre of the track? How can you tell?
The genre of the track is indie pop. We know this because Ellie Goulding’s music is indie and some are very well known. Her grain of voice is unique and often associated with the indie genre.
3. Do you think this track represents a high or low fi video? Why?
This track represents a high fidelity video. This is because it does not contain any technical flaws such as distortion, background noise or limited frequency response. It does not appear to have been made on a low budget.

4. What videos would be comparable?

Pixie Lott - Gravity

Lily Allen - The Fear

5. Find out the budget for one of the above examples

I could not find a budget for Pixie Lott's music video. However, I did discover that it was low budget.

6. Give an outline of a treatment

I think that we will be using 2 locations. One will probably be a white studio, and the other an outside location which will probably be a beach or somewhere idyllic.

7. Identify suitable locations for filming particular sequences of the music

Many of Ellie Goulding's videos are located in a studio or outside. I recon a white studio and an outside location such as woods or a beach would be suitable.

8. Consider the grain of voice. What characters would you use?

Ellie has a unique grain of voice. It is suitable to use a young girl who an audience could imagine sounding like the actual artist.

9. What pro-filmic and post-production special effects would be suitable?

I am not sure that any pro-filmic effects would be necessary. However, a lot of adjustments will be made in editing, especially brightening and strengthening the colours.

10. Who else would you need to ‘employ’ to help you with this production?

We would not need to 'employ' anyone, except one actress to play Ellie Goulding. We could however, possibly need some extras.

S&G mood board

After our first attempts at indivual moodboards. We thought of ways in which we could improve them. Our first mood boards were for the hip hop genre as we were not sure which track we would use. After deciding to use 'Ellie Goulding - Lights', we were able to make our mood board more genre specific to 'indie pop'.

The centre focus of the moodboard is the artist Ellie Goulding. We put glitter on her lips as we want to use glitter in our video a fair amount. We also included many indie accessories and a picture of the actor that we will most probably use in our video. Finally we included the actor who we intend to use to play the role of Ellie Goulding, we chose her as we believe her natural appearance compliments the innocent aspect of the song.

GD: Ellie Goulding Videos

Here are some shots from other Ellie Gouding videos from the songs "The Writer", "Under the Sheets" and "Starry Eyed". We want to create a video which fits in with her genre of music as well as her previous videos.

S&G - Jamie T - 'Sticks N Stones' - Technical Analysis

GD: Technical Analysis

Lily Allen - "Smile"

Saskia - The process of making a music video

Commissioning
After a record company signs up an artist or band and pays them in advance, the record company will employ a commissioner. They operate mainly on a freelance basis/ The commissioner will help to develop a brief for the video, perhaps with a particular director in mind, including the budget, the deadline and other information. They will then send it with the music track to one or more directors or the production companies they work for.

Planning
The director will listen to the track, look at the music and lyrics and any other material. They then outline a proposal which gives a general idea for the video and can be anything from an outline of a script to an animated storyboard. If the record company or commissioners like the idea, they will usually hold a meeting with the director and maybe the artist. They will either amend the treatment or simply agree on it.

Budgeting
The producer draws up a budget which is approved by the head of production. The client can then agree with or negotiate this budget. A deal memo will then be countersigned on the director and budget. The production company has committed itself to expenditure as the director and producer need to put together the production unit.

GD: Class Discussions

During our class lesson today Saskia and I have decided to use Ellie Goulding's - "Lights" to make a music for as we both believe the video could work with either a conceptual based video which is what we're planning however the song also allows us to i we chose to have a lyrically part of video. The song which Ellie Goulding's first number one single from her debut album 'Lights'.

">

GD: The Process of Making a Music Video

Shooting:
During the actual shooting of the video the whole crew come together with the artist and/or the actor or extras who are featured in the video.
The director is a key person during the shooting as they control the days shooting as well as ensure enough material and the correct material is filmed that day to keeps costs down and not to waster time further on in the video making process. The producer and production assistant spend the day wrapping up the whole event as well as control all individual unit members.

Editing:
This is the most important stage because this is where the video is put together and then released for public viewing. The editor is often well trusted by the director and given up to four days before the rough cut get sent to the client. It is after this stage when the editor adds any required CGI or any other special effects which can be easily done using systems such as Flame and Inferno.

Post-production:
The typical time scale from the song being sent to the director and finished video being release is approximately 5 weeks. Therefore to complete the video and make the deadline a team consisting of a production designer, director of photography/light, production manager, choreographer, production assistant, wardrobe person and additional crew members are all crucial to the video process.
Production designer: In charge of the sets and overall image.
Director of photography/light: In charge of lights and cameras.
Production manager: In charge of logistics, such as location and props.
Choreographer: This depends on the individual needs for the artist/group.
Production assistant: Keeps records to ensure continuity.
Wardrobe person: Make-up artist and stylist.
Additional crew members: this may include the camera operators, electricians, grip runners and set constructors.