Friday 18th September 09

In today's session, we done stop motion, however, it was just a practise. To achieve this, we cut out three characters from a magazine and had an oil painting. We positioned the oil painting on the table and had the still camera on a tripod and on a chair. This enabled us to have the camera tall enough to get the image in from a birds eye view. Then we moved the images slightly and took a picture at each stage. Once we had got the images from one side to the other, we uploaded them to the computer and put them in i-movie to create the stop motion. We done this so that we knew what we were doing when it came to doing it for our music video.

Lego

We filmed a few scenes of lego where we used a still camera to take a picture of the lego as they moved at each stage. This was hard as you had to make sure that you didnt knock the lego characters in between the stages otherwise you would have to start again. Also you had to make sure you did each piece for a long time as it seemed like you had enough picture but when you uploaded it and edited into a sequence, it would last no time at all. We experimented with what we made the lego characters do and look like. Our aim was to make them do little dances. This was a very successful filming session, however when we uploaded it, we realised we didnt have enough to run throughout our music video.

Filming Session

We went back to shoot some more at the same location as before, however we decided to shoot in the park where Lorna was in control. We wanted to get Lorna signing but spinning around at the same time. The only way we thought we could do this was by getting Lorna to hold the camera out in front of her and spin while singing. We had the music in her pocket so she could hear it and we made sure we hid so that we wasn't in camera view at anytime. When uploading this to the computers, we really liked how it came out and how unusual it looked. However, the lighting was slightly dark where we done it after school. Due to this, we decided it would be best for us to film another day during the day. Looking at our timetables, we realised that i had a double free during the day at the same time as Lorna. We decided this would be the best time to film to ensure it was bright enough. So i went out with Lorna and re-shot that scene. While i was at the location I also decided it would be best if i re-shot the pathway while it was bright. When uploading this we realised that the lighting in this looked a lot better and gave a bigger impact to the video. However, we still decided to use bits of the other footage as well as the new footage.

Filming Session

After the costume issue had been sorted, it was good to get back filming. Today was our first filming session in the pathway location. We wanted to use the fig rig and walk backwards so that Lorna was walking and singing into the camera. We experimented with how we would do this without it being too shaky. In the end, i walked holding the camera arms length away from me as i found this the easiest to keep the camera as still as possible. As i done this, Andrew walked beside me playing the music as we needed the soundtrack near so we could clearly hear it as well as Lorna. We shoot this a couple of times incase one was too shaky. But we had to stop as it was getting too dark and we couldn't get the right footage. But altogether it was a successful filming session with a few minor difficulties that we managed to overcome.

Costume

The costume still hasn't arrived and we can't afford to hold the filming off any longer so we decided to find an alternative. We went out and found a suitable outfit that would fit with the genre of our music video. A block coloured dress with blue tights and purple heels. After finding this outfit we re-arranged the filming session and forgot about the other outfit.

Filming Problem

Today we was meant to film in our first location - The pathway, however, the costume we ordered for our star to wear hasn't arrived. Even though we ordered the costume over two weeks ago, it hasn't arrived and so we decided it would be best not to film as it would be a case of finding anything and it wouldn't really be what we wanted. We think that the reason why the costume hasn't arrived is due to the postal strikes that are going on. After discussing the issue we decided not to film and arrange another day soon to shoot the scene.

Filming Session

Today we done some more filming in the studio. We done a couple of run throughs of the song and filmed both in the recording part and the studio itself. In both parts we used the fig rig and was able to move easily. After setting up, i wanted to use the fig rig and film Lorna in the studio. I thought this went well as i felt like i could move easily around her meaning i was able to get different angles very easily. One angle i liked in particular was standing behind the mic and holding the fig rig up above so it was looking down on her but getting the mic in to. At first, this was hard to do as when i lifted the fig rig, i couldn't see the screen. However, when we uploaded the footage, it was successful and the composition of the shot was well framed. As well as filming Lorna, I had a go at filming the recording equipment while someone played around with it. Overall, it was a very successful filming session and we achieved alot.

Wednesday 16th September 09

Today was our first actual filming lesson for the video. We arranged before hand that we was going to meet Lorna (who is our singer) in the music studio at 20 past 12, meaning this would give us time to get the filming equipment, get over there and set up before she got there. This meant that we wouldn't waste any time setting up when she was there and ready. Today's shooting schedule consisted of getting one clip of her singing the whole song. Meanwhile, as she was singing the song, we had the camera on the fig rig meaning we could move around her showing different angles and movement. Also, we filmed some cut away's and we filmed Andrew playing the keyboard to the song. Although this was a very successful first filming session.

Wednesday 16th Septmeber 09

In today's lesson, we made sure we had everything we needed for the filming session we arranged to do later today. We made sure we were all clear on what we were filming and what we were doing. We made sure the storyboards were completely finished and that we had access to them when we needed them. Also, we checked with Miss if the fig rig was free as we knew there was only one and we needed it to get the good movement shots. Lastly, we made sure that everyone knew what time we was meeting and where. Also who was getting the camera and who was going to the studio to start setting up. Overall, we made ourselves very organised for the filming session later.

Tuesday 15th September 09

Today we done a practise shoot in the music studio so that we were all fimilar with the equipment and ready for tomorrow's lesson. However, when in the studio today we made sure we filmed bits that could potenially be used in the video as cutaways. Getting fimilar with the equipment helped me in particular as i had never been in there before and wanted to make sure i could play a part in the filming session planned for tomorrow. One thing i found very successful was using the fig rig for the first time. At first we had a little bit of trouble trying to get the camera on the fig rig but after we figured that out, it was very easy and nice to use. It was perfect for the movement which nearly all of our studio sessions involve. Overall, today's filming session was very successful in the way that it prepared as for tomorrow filming and the way we got some useful cutaways that could be used in the video.

Shooting Schedule

Here is a copy of our shooting schedule. It tells us when we plan to film, who is needed, what is needed (props), costume, time, where to meet, what we are filming and all the information that we would need to know to make sure we was fully prepared for the filming session.

(Schedule)

Shooting Schedule

After figuring out when everyone was free, me and Andrew starting to create a shooting schedule. It shows when we plan to film, what we aim to do, whos needed, what props and the locations. However, when i went to save it, a message came up and wiped our work. So we still have to complete the shooting schedule but had notes made on a piece of paper telling us the information we need. We aim to complete the shooting schedule as soon as.

Who's Free?

Alex wrote down when people were free together so that we could plan a shooting schedule. However, i decided to create a table and write down when people were free as it would be easier to keep track of when each person was free. After completeing this i saw that lucky for us the person we wanted to be in are videos were free when we had media lessons, meaning we could do the studio sessions when we had media lessons. Also there was two days of the two weeks that we was all free together.

(table)

Other Storyboards

These were the other ideas that my group members came up with. We then spend the lesson confirming each idea and mixing them all into one idea for a music video.

Andrew:

Alex:

Lewis:

New Storyboards

Continuing with the change of idea, i went home to storyboard an abstract idea. I decided that i wanted to go with the idea of the houses in a street moving to the beat of the music. Here are my storyboards:

Changing our idea

After collecting in all our storyboards, we realised that it was all to similar and we didn't think it was going to get us the marks or grades we wanted so we decided to complete new storyboards and come up with a new idea. We spoke to Miss Cunliffe and decided that we wasn't to get rid of an idea because we wasn't sure how to do it. So we sat down as a group and began to think of abstract ideas that we could use. We decided the best thing to do was to all take storyboards home and each come up with an idea that we could share with the group in the next lesson and mix all the ideas in so they would fit and make a good, interesting video with abstract ideas.

Other Storyboards

These were the other storyboards that were produced within my group.

Andrew:


Lewis:


Alex:

Storyboards

Once we were clear with our idea we took a couple of lessons storyboarding. To get this process done quicker, we split the storyboards and done some each. My role was to complete the storyboards for the first sense where a 'dust bin' gets in her way and comes to life.

Sharing Ideas

As we had a new member and our other member came back, me and Andrew spent a lesson explaining to our other two group members, the song choice and our ideas for the video. They seemed to be happy with our choices but they knew they didn't really have much of a choice. After we clearly explained what we were going to do, we asked for their input on what they wanted to do. They were happy with our choices but helped us come up with some more ideas about what could get in the way.

New group member

When we started in September again, we had a new group member join as we were a small group, Alex. This meant that it would be easier for us as we had more ideas coming in but also more hands to spread the work around meaning we would get the planning done quickly meaning we could get onto the filming side quickly.

Idea

After all the reserach, me and Andrew sat down and discussed some of our ideas that could make a potenial music video to fit with our theme/genre. We found it hard as the last person, Lewis, of our group wasn't here so we didn't want to make to many decisions and seem to take over. However, as the lessons went on and he didn't turn up, we realised that we needed to take over and decide on a potenial idea. We spent a couple of lessons deciding on an idea. We wanted to make our video weird and fit the synthpop genre.

Video

This is the music video to the song we are using. I have posted this for the song and also it was a starting point to the genre we had chosen. However, we researched other artists such as Lady Gaga and Little Boots to get a better understanding of our genre.

Lyrics

The last thing we did for research was print out the lyrics of our chosen song and annotate it. This helped to create ideas before we needed to start storyboarding, It also helped us think about whether we wanted to follow the lyrics or go abstract. As well as that, it helped us get fimilar with own chosen song.

Analysis of image

Then we got a lot of images of different artists that were in the same genre then the artist we picked. After creating a collage of images, we annotated them with keywords around the images. This helped us to research into the image of a performer in our chosen genre.



After creating the collage, I got a better understanding of the image of my genre. I found out that the synthpop genre are quite abstract. They have very unusual hair styles and dress sense. However, some go against this. I knew I wanted to go along with the abstract hair styles but tone it done a bit.

Analysis of three videos from your choosen genre

Once we had been put in groups, we chose a music genre that we wanted to do (Synth Pop). We got to this decision as, as a group we decided we wanted to do something unusual and abstract in the way that the performer was displayed as well as the video. The main inspiration was Lady Gaga as all her videos are abstract and she is an unusual pop star in the way she looks. To help us we created a table analysing videos from that genre. This would give us a better insight to the conventions of our genre. The table consisted of three videos from the genre, analysing the locations, clothing, props, camera angles, narrative of abstract or follow the lyrics, effects and the editing - continuity or montage. This was similar to the table created before but only looked at one genre (our chosen one).



The locations - This shows us that they seemed to be different locations but very simple locations. One location that was consistant was the performer whether it was on stage or not.
The clothing - The clothing, again, was very different in each of the videos we analysed. But it was clear that this genre had a normal amount of flesh showing, if any. Also, the clothing seemed to be very elaborate.
The props - The props depending on the location. But musical instruments were seen.
Camera angles - They used very similar camera angles - Close ups, long shots, low angles and movement of the camera (Dolly). Even though they all seemed to use similar camera angles, they all used a wide range.
Narrative of abstract, follow lyrics - These videos seemed to be abstract rather than follow the lyrics. If they did, they had a slight connection but didn't follow the lyrics word for word - like telling a story.
Editing - Continuity or Montage - All the videos followed the continuity style of editing but showed signs of montage editing.
Effects - All the videos showed lighting as effects.

Continuity and Montage Editing

After doing the powerpoint, i created a table showing the different continuity editing and montage editing in this video with an overall paragraph at the end.
In this video, i could see that it mainly consisted of continuity editing but did have some montage editing. This could reflect the fact that there is a story to the video but also to the man. The table above shows the different types of editing. The fact that the man is wearing the same clothing (apart from when we see him take his shirt off) throughout the video also shows continuity editing. Overall, music videos can be very effective whether they use continuity editing or montage editing or whether they use a mixture of both.

Different Theories

Here we got in groups of 3 or 4 and made a powerpoint about the different theories that had been applied to music videos. We got given a music video (low budget) to analyse using the different theories and adding in the screen shots to back up our points.

I found this interseting as it was nice to look at a low budget video and see what types of elements they chose to put in their videos. I analysed Unkle - Rabbit in your headlights. As well as finding it interesting i also found the video quite unusual and strange. It focused on a man walking down a road but he kept getting run over. This was able to show me how you can still make things look realistic on a low budget. Also, the special effect at the end was still achieveable on a low budget. Even though the video was very consistant, they were some very interesting shots and camera angles which kept me interesting in the video. The different theories were very interesting but some were confusing. After sending a little time working it out with my group, i managed to understand each theory.

Analysis of 3 videos from 3 different genres.

Here i created a table with three different genres (Pop, R 'n' B and Indie), i then picked three different songs for each genre and analysed them (resulting in analysing nine different videos). The titles i used along the top were: Genre, Videos analysed, Locations, Clothing, Props, Camera angles, Narrative of abstract or follow the lyrics, Effects, Editing - continuity or montage and Humour. This enabled me to analyse each video in a lot of detail, giving me a better overall opinion of the videos. By analysing three different videos for each genre enabled me to see patterns for each genre.


One thing i noticed was that depending on the genre, the artists wore very different clothing. In the Pop videos, the artists wore very low amount of clothing showing a lot of flesh whereas Indie and R 'n' B wore casual clothing showing a normal amount of flesh. In all the videos there were a lot of props used, ranging from the normal band equipment - guitars to chairs and chains. The locations were also very different but at same points, very similar. They were outside but in different locations, such as a circus and a penthouse. Also, in each video you either saw the artist singing or the band on stage which i have noticed is very popular in music videos. All the videos had a wide range of camera angles from the extreme long shots to the extreme close ups. The different camera angles enabled the audience to see different parts of the action and feel different emotions. An interesting thing to look at was whether the action followed the lyrics of the song or whether it was completely abstract. I found that the videos in the choosen genres seem to at least have a connection to the lyrics. Also, this connected to the editing. They all seem to follow the montage style of editing as they did not follow the lyrics 100%. Lastly, i analysed the effects and humour in the video. All the videos didnt really show humour in the videos. And the effects were mostly lighting. However glitter was used in one of the Pop videos.

Questionaire Analysis

After completeing my questionnaire, i done an analysis of my completed ten questionnaires. This enabled me to see what the most popular genres were and what people liked to see in music videos. After doing this i was able to see what would be best for me to create an idea around.



By this, i can see that the questionnaire does not fit with my original idea and the wacky/craziness of my preferred music video. However, i am going to stay with my idea as it what i prefer in music videos.
However, i think i could have got a false result as when i was doing the analysis, i realised that i didn't ask the right kind of questions to recieve the type of answers i recieved. If i was to do another questionnaire i would ask questions like:
1) How old are you?
2) What gender are you?
3) What is your favourite genre?
4) Do you watch music videos?
5) If not, why?
6) If so, what do you like to see in music videos?
The first two questions i have listed would provide me with the general information about the person filling out the questionnaire. Also, enabling me to find patterns in different age groups and genders.
The other questions would enable me to find out more about the type of information i needed about what types of genre's people are into and what they like to see in music video's. This would of then helped me analyse my answers properly meaning i would have got a better over view on music video's.
Lastly, when handing out my questions, i automatically got a bais result as most of them were handed out to 16-24 year olds.