Ancillary Brief- Planning Ideas

What I did on Tuesday 22nd November 2016

On Tuesday, when I was alone, I tried to edit with the small amount of clips we had. I cut up the base tracks we had and made clips fit with the beat of the song. At the end of the day, we were supposed to show a very rough draft of 30 secs but Marisa let me off because I wasn't confident by myself. The rough cuts are now up on our blog though and we were able to get feedback next lesson from fellow students and Mary.

Feedback on Blogging Health Check 2

Since this blogging health check, I have updated a few more blog posts and kept things up to date. For example, I have been in charge of the social media and I have sent a tweet out everytime we had filmed. I uploaded our pitch and did the feedback for it aswell. I think I need to work on using a variety of ways of presenting my blog. I think that I still just write in the blog, in the normal format. I think I need to also work on showing the artists brand more clearly. I might also need to add more detail and add more images to my blogs for evidence when explaining things. For example, my synergy task should have more images so the audience could get a physical idea of what I want my artist to wear or what kind of font I want. I think it is good that I blog what I did during the lessons when I am by myself so there is proof of what I had done individually.

Notes and ideas on evaluation question 1 (Blog task 39)

PLAN

Question 1: In what ways does your media products use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

• I think for our music video, we used a mixture of Vernallis' and Goodwin's theories. We tried to use a narrative but as Goodwin says pop videos aren't really meant to have a narrative. I think that we go against conventions of pop videos because they usually don't have narratives, they usually just focus on the artist singing towards the camera and maybe choreography. However, the artist did play both the narrator and as the character. We did also break the 4th wall by the artist staring into the camera at times. We did this so it makes it seem like our artist is acknowledging that people are watching and to involve the audience. Vernallis says that narrative in music videos are not always complete and our one isn't. We did this music video incomplete and it just focusing just on the female part but we want it to be seen that her relationship is in a crisis but the male character isn't shown present time. He might be shown in little flashbacks or referenced to through the use of props such as through the phone.
• Vernallis says that they are balanced between performance and narrative and I believe we did that. Goodwin says that they are based around song lyrics and we tried to do that with the narrative.
• We were mostly inspired by the original video when it comes to editing, for example, the text coming out of Karen's mouth.

Magazine Advertisements Analysis

Research/Inspiration for my Anchillary Products & My Final Choices

Start of ancillary work

Feedback for Final Music Video

Outline of improvements needed before deadline (Blog task 45)

• colour grading
• adding text to 'the words start flowing out' bit
• check to see if the clips are not too quick or short
• check to see if it is cut properly and no lyrics are cut off

Synergy Post

Synergy post from meganmanigan

Feedback post on music video

Feedback postx from meganmanigan

Editing Analysis

Editing analysis from meganmanigan

Editing Analysis

Editing analysis

Feedback on BHC2

On blogging health check 2 I got a mark of 13 out of 21. This has improved as on BHC 1 I was on a mark 10, and grade E. I have now moved up to a grade C.
I have improved by attending more lessons, and blogging more in my spare time. I have also improved more by attending some workshops and putting in extra work to get a better grade which has worked as I have gone up 2 grades.

My new targets to increase my grade further for blogging health check 3 will be too

1) Keep to the deadline of the health check as mostly I miss the deadline which means all my blogs are not marked and I don't get the grade that I would have had if I had stuck to the deadline.

2) Include more details into synergy and focus on showing how synergy will be included in our artist.

3) Begin to think more about the evaluation questions as I am now coming to an end of the music video production, focus on the next stage of coursework and be more focused.

I am happy with my grade as I have put the extra work in since my last BHC which was not at the best it could be.

Feedback on Health Check

I've improved in terms of blogging and I am now up to date and also using good technology. However there are some things that i do need to improve on for example:

1. Putting the artist Kiki Karmel up on the blog a lot more and making her brand a lot bigger. So making sure the blog is all about her and her music.

2. to also keep up with the blogging so that means checking up on the blog and also keeping up to date of when I am blogging and also keeping on using technology. Making sure the brand is a lot stronger also

3. We need to update a lot on the audience feedback so what the audience think of Kiki so far and what their opinion her is like.

Evaluation on Rough Cut 2

production - changes in our video

In our original plan, we had the music video based on main character, the artist, and a boy. The boy was meant to be used for flashbacks that the artist would reflect back on.

As the boy did not attend the college and was not in our group, this made him an unreliable source.

We got rid of the flashback ideas and based the music video now on jest the main artist. This made production easier as we could film during lessons and any time the group was available and would not rely on the boy.

Filming evidence

Filming evidence

Rough Cut 2

Test Shot 2

Rough Cut feedback

Rough cut feedback1 from meganmanigan

Rough Cut 1

Animatic Storyboard

How editing went

Editing post from meganmanigan

Filming Post

Filming evidence from meganmanigan

Filmimg Evidence

Filming evidence2 from meganmanigan

Proof Of Editing

Today we started to editing out rough cut video. We started to import the videos we took and decided what goes where according to out storyboard.

We also leant how to do base tracks today and linking the lip syncing to the actual song. We also had other locations which helped us to fit the music and change the location 

We also leant how to mark which helped to go deep into the music and help us cut where we needed t cut the clips because some were quiet long and we used them in other bits of the song

This really helps because the whole thing stats to look like an actual music video and we also leant that we can speed up and shots and slow them down and an still fit in with the music

Revisions to pitch and final decisions (Blog task 36)

Some changes we are going to make are new location to film which are easily accessible. For example, we were planning to film at very busy places such as Kings Cross Station and Euston Station which you need permission for to film at. This was because we were going to film our main character coming off the train and walking by herself but surrounded by many to show contrast. Instead of trying to get permission to film at these stations, we decided to use the bus because it is more accessible than the train. We also added another location which is Alexandra Palace. This location is going to be used as a establishing shot.

UPDATE: 8/11/16

Also if we still decide to sneakily get some shots at Kings Cross Station and Euston Station, I need to add to my risk assessment (Blog task 34) about the dangers of filming near train tracks. I never clearly stated about wider audience during the pitch presentation but it is briefly written about on the image at the top of the page in blog task 23.

Notes on evaluation 1

Updated filming plan

Reflection on progress

I hoped to improve on
1)meeting my deadlines
2)putting more time into my blogs
3)using more ICT in my blogs

I believe i have made effort into meeting deadlines as i am now blogging more and making sure my blogs are complete before deadlines. I am also spending up to 45 minutes per blogs instead of 20 with more detail and effort. I am including a range of ICT and apps in my blogs also.

My new targets would be
1)Blogging more additional posts,for extra marks
2) Putting more style into my blogs to make them fit the theme of my artist

I would now give my blogs a mark of 15-16/20

Photos from filming

What I did on Tuesday 8th November 2016

I downloaded all our footage onto the video drive. I have also improved older blog posts. This means I updated any old and incorrect information and added more detail where I could. I uploaded the videos of our pitch and added more information to blog task 36 which is the pitch feedback.

I spoke to my other group members who were absent and we have all decided to film on Friday and on the days next week where there is no college. We will also try to film on the weekends. Our aim is to film so much footage that we will not need to film anymore when we return. We also plan to edit the day we come back which will be on Thursday 17th November.

What we need to do (filming wise):

• Need to film more establishing shots
• Need to film base tracks
• Need to film scenes with the lead male character

What I need to do (blogging wise):

• Need to add images to synergy task (Blog task 28)
• Need to update new images for social media blog post (Blog task 35)

Reflection on pitch feedback

Progress from pitch

We had positive feedback about our use of technology was good and it was organised,well presented,explained clearly,and detailed.

We were given feedback on how to improve also.We were told that we should have included more detailed information on how we will include synergy in our artist.We were also told that we needed a clear up to date production schedule as our current one was outdated and didn't go to plan.

We will improve this by updating our production schedule to show a clear plan of when we do what.Also, we will do a blog post based on synergy to make it clear and show how we will include synergy.

Production Schedule

Revision to pitch and final decisions

Pitch Feedback

Our pitch was very detailed and we knew what out aim of our music video was. We had things like our settings, costume, location and even characters. We also included the synergy of the artist and what we wanted to do. 

However we had a couple things missing for example the completed storyboard and the brand image and that is something we will have to add into out pitch. we also need to somehow move away from the artist we was inspired from (Jessie j)

We also needed to update out production schedule and also making our artist (KiKi Karmel) our original artist

We also needed to improve out synergy post, make them more creative and show the audience what will link for example the hair, the font and the whole look  

Updated Shotlist

Additional Task: Costume Ideas

For the female character we have decided that she wears an all black outfit for most of her scenes, this is because we want her look more natural in the environment and it also fits in with the storyline. We have also added bits of bright colours to show a contrast for example the bright jackets and also she will be wearing gold accessories. We are also doing link to the original look of the artist. For example Jessie J is famous for her black bold cut fringe and bob but for us, our main focus will be the colour of the females hair and the links with the full fringe. 

 

For the male costume we are having him dressed casually aswell to suit the environment for example white top, blue jeans and white shoes and even a casual bomber jacket. In some of out flashback scenes he will be dressed a lot more fashionably and more stylish.

 
 
 

Pitch task 8 - Costume

BLOG TASK 32- Additional Task

Pitch Task 15 - Production Schedule

http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/1370499

Pitch Task 13 - Draft Storyboard

Practise Editing

We began to look at and begin to practice editing.We used premiere pro to speed up our footage by placing a fast motion effect.We then used camtasia to merge to footage we filmed using the green screen onto the clip that had been speeded up,This cause the two clips to have different motion which is what we aimed to do.

Filming practice

In Fridays lesson,we began to practice an important shot of when we film an audience/crowd walking in busy directions and then we will use premiere pro to speed this up.We began to take these shots using the class as the crowd and filming with a tri-pod to make sure the camera was steady and positioned the same throughout the clip.

Mainstream vs Indie (Blog task 11)

Costume, Prop and Setting (Blog task 10)

Pitch task 17: Social Media (Blog task 35)

Group Twitter & Artist Twitter

Group Instagram & Artist Instagram

UPDATE: 01/11/16

The images shown above show the artist name 'Karen K'. However, we decided to change it because we thought it was too similar to the original artist's name which is Jessie J. So we have changed it to KiKi Karmel. We decided to keep the same first letter which is K because we feel like it fits in the genre of pop artist names. For example, Jessie J, Take That, 5SOS (5 Seconds Of Summer). They have a lot of the same letter in their names which make them catchy and easy to remember. 

Pitch task 16: Risk Assessment (Blog task 34)

Filming outside

• Someone could steal the camera 
• If it is busy, something could get damaged
• Cars could be an issue when we film near the road
• Filming near water could be hazard because we could drop something in the water
• Weather can be unpredictable

How to prevent this is to make sure that someone is by the camera and stuff at all times to look after it and keep an eye on things. Also, it might be better in more than one person looks after the camera and if possible, maybe a group of people could look after the stuff. If we film in the actual road, make sure to film when the traffic is quite. When filming near water, make sure the electronics are at safe distance away. If it starts to rain, make sure everyone carries an umbrella or a jacket and make sure to have protective gear to cover up the equipment so they don't get damaged.

Filming in alleyway

• Can be dark - not lit well
• pot holes, grids, cobbles
• small and narrow space

How to prevent this is to make sure assess the area and the ground before filming to be safe and make sure no one trips or gets hurt. Also, people could wear correct footwear to avoid slipping on cobble, this could consist of boots. Maybe carry lights so the scene could be well lit as well as making sure every one can see where they are going. Making sure the staff has good eyesight could also be helpful. If there are shots where the camera person has to move, make sure there is a set route which they are comfortable with. This ensures that they know where they are going and they won't fall and get hurt and won't break the camera.

UPDATE: 8/11/16

Filming by train tracks

• Could fall on train tracks
• Fast trains which you could be hit by
• Equipment could fall into train tracks and could be run over by oncoming trains

How to prevent this is to make sure we are always behind the yellow line and be at a safe distance away from the train tracks.

Pitch task 12: Industry (Blog task 31)

I think our artist will be signed to Island Records. They would be signed to that record label because it doesn't just focus on one specific genre such as pop. It focuses on many which will allow our artist to experiment with different genres and not be restricted. Our artist will be signed to a major label because they are good at making artists successful. Also, being signed to a major label helps with connections with other people that can help us.

Also, the parent company of Island Records is Universal Music Group which has successful artists such as Taylor Swift, Adele, Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Jay Z, Lorde and many more. This shows that they have a lot of experience and can help make our artist's music be heard by many around the world.

UPDATE: 8/11/16

We will release digital copies of our music which will be available to download and buy online. This will help reach our younger audience. However, to reach a wider and older audience we decided to also release hard copies such as CD's and vinyl records. This is for the people who prefer to have the physical copies of music rather than the digital.

Pitch task 9: How to incorporate synergy (Blog task 28)

We are going to incorporate synergy by keeping to performer's hair style the same. For example, she is going to have long straight hair and a fringe. Also, she is going to have her hair a certain colour. The album cover will have a close up of the artist, which means we could use a lot of close ups in our film. Also, our opening shot could be a close up like on our album cover. The artist is going to be wearing a lot of black clothing with a pop of colour of something. For example, she could be wearing a black top, jeans and shoes but her jacket would be a different colour. The pop of colour could match the text of the artists name on the album cover. For example, the artists name could be written in yellow and the jacket of the artist in the music video could match that yellow. Speaking of text, the font style could be the same on the website and if there is text in the music video, it could match it. The close up on the album cover is not only going to show the artist's hair but also their makeup. We are thinking to have the same colour lipstick feature on the album cover and the music video. The website is going to have images on it so we are going to show images of the whole artist which is going to show that she is wearing all black with a pop of colour. I think the artist is also going to accessorise with a certain colour of jewellery such as silver or gold. This could be shown in all three of our productions. The text of the name of the song 'Nobody's Perfect', could be written in a different colour which matches with the text when we promote our song on the website and could match certain text in the music video as well. The background of the website and the album cover could both be black and the text could be grey or white.

Things that are going to appear in all three productions:

• Hair colour and style
• The colours black and yellow with our costumes
• The colour and style of text
• Jewellery

Pitch task 10: Special Effects Planning (Blog task 29)

We are thinking we might use the green screen for one of our base tracks. However, that means we would have to film people walking for a long time because we want our main performer to be standing in the middle of a busy place. We want people to be walking towards the camera and away from the camera at a fast speed. This creates a contrast between the performer in the centre who is either going to be in slow motion or at normal speed. It is supposed to convey chaos and how lonely the performer is even though she is surrounded by many.

Synergy Activity (Blog task 12)

Album Cover

Name: Artpop

Artist: Lady Gaga

• Seems abstract which relates to the word 'art'
• Lady Gaga written in pink - it's colourful
• Artpop written in white and they seem to both have the same font
• Background is cut up (images and text are cut) - some images look ancient (history) - linked to religion?
• She is nude and has platinum blonde hair and kind of looks like a statue which relates to being ancient - maybe ancient Rome/Greece
• Seems to sitting in a clam and the blue ball is the pearl which suggests that she is important
• Minimal makeup to none

Music Video Single

Song name: Applause

Just from the thumbnail, it links to the album cover because she is nude and has clams censoring her body parts. She is also standing like she is a statue or a greek goddess of some sort. She also has the same colour blonde hair like she had on the album cover except it is styled differently.

Just like the album cover, she has minimal makeup on. However, she then adds a lot of colours which also relates to her colourful 'Artpop' album. She has scenes in black and white and then scenes which are really colourful which creates a contrast. I think this relates to the album cover because you have a plain Lady Gaga in the centre of this album surrounded by colourful things such as the pink text and the bright images.

Music Video Single

Song name: G.U.Y

Again, from the thumbnail, you can see that she is nude and has the long white hair from the previous music video and the album cover which oozes an essence of a goddess from the ancient days.

Same colour and font shown on the album cover.

Same blonde hair and minimal make up shown in the music video 'Applause', and the album cover 'Artpop'.

The use of the feathers/wings relates to a bird and her head was placed on a bird in the 'Applause' music video. In the 'G.U.Y' music video, she also places her head on something else which seems to be a body made out of lego.

Black clothing was used in the 'Applause' music video as well in group scenes and dance scenes. Can be seen as revealing clothing in both music videos.

The clam in the background matches with the clam that censored her in 'Applause' and the clam she is sitting in on the album cover. The statues in the background also relates to both her 'Applause' music video and her album cover because she seems to be imitating statues. The use of the bright colour red shows contrast between the other pale colours such as her hair and the pale blue background.

It seems like her theme is history which is shown in the 'G.U.Y' music video and is suggested in the imitation of being a statue which is shown in the 'Applause' music video and on her album cover.