Today’s mini project was interesting and not to mention fun!
There were so many takes and fails that everyone can just laugh at. (Better than Monday and Thursday!)
Now all that’s left is editing and we’re so excited to see the final results!
Unit 8: Evaluation.
Use this area of the Blog to reflect and evaluate on your work .
Contextual Research
When I was doing my contextual research, I looked at three different promotional videos about three different topics. It really helped me with my own idea when I explained them in depth.
Learning about the subject I have chosen by these videos helped me develop my idea because of the two out of three videos I had chose were based on my chosen production idea.
I found this very useful because it gave me a clear idea on my chosen topic and how I will be using the research for my promotional film.
Project idea – Research
Now that I have chosen my idea, I have been spending my time with my subject and gathering some relevant information.
I have concentrated on the facts on Comic Con events that go on and how they could potentially attract people as tourists to help promote this event a little more.
The research I had conducted for my chosen production idea was really useful because yet again, there were two out of three relevant promotional videos I had picked for my project idea.
Pre-production documents and planning
Before I had began recording any of my footage, I had to complete risk assessments. Risk assessments are used to make sure everyone that was included in my production and the filming equipment I had used was away from harm.
For my interviews to take place, script questions were also used to help me keep my information relevant to my chosen topic. The earlier research I had done about my topic also helped me to write these. After I had my script questions, I also used my information for my title script.
The final step I had to take was to prepare release forms for after my interviews.
Overall, I was very happy with these documents. I also feel as if my research was really helpful to develop these.
Production
During my production, I was very disappointed that I hadn’t been able to gather some of my own footage of the event due to the dates but I managed to get some interviews scheduled with two of my classmates who have been to the event and to hear their thoughts of Comic Con in Cardiff.
Overall, I was really happy that I managed to get some of my own footage that I could add into my final production.
Post- production Editing
After finishing my edit, I finally had a completed promotional video. My final promotion film hits the mark and follows the aim of my project idea, but I am feeling slightly disappointed with my edit due to having to feature downloaded images of the event.
One thing that I would definitely change if I were to repeat this project, would be that I would make sure to plan better, attend the event and to capture my own footage as I think this would improved my final film even further.
Final 500 word Evaluation
I feel my research overall was very helpful for me develop my project idea. It influenced my work and assisted me to piece together my questionnaire, title script and to gain further knowledge about my chosen subject. If I were to repeat this research, I would have taken this information further and researched similar events in different locations and to gain an even clearer idea of my subject and to have a better understanding and the best perspective on how to approach my promotional video.
I felt my technological media and production skills were effective and helped me create a film that delivered my message. When filming my interviews, I felt my production skills worked well. I felt comfortable and capable and managed to complete my interviews successfully, capturing my needed interview footage with clean audio, so I was happy with this outcome. When editing I was very happy with how I was working in Premiere. Although I only had photos to show the event, I felt that I ordered them appropriately and that helped push my message to my audience that I was aiming at.
The only two people that I worked with in my project were my two chosen people that I wanted to interview. They answered the questions really well and gave me really nice comments that worked great with my production idea. I would definitely work with them again as they were easy and reliable to work with.
The main issue that I came up against in my production work was the mixup of the dates. Finding out I had the wrong days, I had to use the remaining time to research more about the event and download pictures of the event taking place. I was very disappointed that I hadn’t been able to gather some of my own footage of the event due to the dates, but it didn’t really stop me from using a camera and get my own interviews and I was really pleased I was able to include this.
I also had issues with time that I had to overcome. The main problem I had was finding out the mix up of the dates for Comic Con event in Cardiff. This held me back by stopping me from recording my own footage of the event. This had an impact on my production and slowed down my work which I wasn’t happy about. As mentioned, I was little more happier that I could feature my own filmed interviews because I could use my own production skills. With the problems I had about time management and not able to film the event, but I was happy I got around it by using images as this still pushed my message across well and stuck to the aim I had for the project.
When reviewing my time management for the project, I was generally disappointed about falling behind time wise. This impacted into my project and effected it by making me feel disorganised and stressed. After having a discussion with my tutor about the issues I had, we decided a way forward using images and filmed interview footage. This made me feel a little more relieved and helped me re-arranged my plan to complete a suitable promotional video that would be acceptable to hand in by the end of the project.
To help with my time management and planning I would make sure to use a schedule to help me plan my work better and to better my own time management and achieve the stages needed, in time for each part of the project. I managed to get my project in, however if I was to repeat this project in the future, I would use my schedule to help plan out my work to give me extra time at the end to develop post production and editing skills more.
Overall, I feel my project achieves the project brief. The brief was ‘Wales 2019- Year of Discovery’ and I feel as if my final film has achieved this. I feel my promotional film will attract tourists to visit Comic Con in Cardiff. I feel as if it delivers a powerful message for tourists to inform them about this event and will also attract people that do not live in Wales to come and visit the country.
Unit 8: Planning and Production.
Introduction
Here I will be explaining my production stages and an overview of my progress with my promotional video. In this blog post, I will be including details of my pre-production, production and post-production.
Pre-Production
The important things I have highlighted in my pre-production are the questionnaire, risk assessment and the release forms. The questionnaire helped me script out what questions I would like answered, the risk assessment is used for keeping everyone and the equipment used is kept safe and the release forms are filled out so I can use their faces in my production with their permission.
Evidence:
Questionnaire
Below features the questionnaire document along with the 6 questions I asked:
Opening/Q1: How would you say your experience was with Comic con in Cardiff?
Opening/A1: …
Q2: Why do you think the Motorpoint arena is the best venue for comic con?
A2: I think that is good/bad because…
Q3: Do you think Cardiff is a better place location for the event?
A3: I think…
Q4: if you didn’t live in Wales, would you visit to go to Comic Con? Why?
A4: …
Q5: If you didn’t live in Wales, would you visit? If so, why?
A5: I would/wouldn’t because…
Q5: Would you want to visit Wales anyway?
A5: I would/n’t because..
Q6: What are your hopes for the next Comic Con?
A6: …
script-e28093-interview-questions-5 (click to download)
Finding out their answers helped me use the information to put into my video as evidence that the questions I asked were answered.
Risk assessment
The risk assessment is filled out to make sure that the equipment and people around you or featured in the production is kept safe. Within this risk assessment, we were filming interviews inside college premises.
Release Forms
These are two release forms that I had from two students who agreed to be filmed. These students were recorded answering my questions as part of my interviews for my promotional videos. I had to have release forms because I could use their faces without getting into trouble.
Title Script
Information Document for titles.
For this document, I went onto the sites I have chosen to gather information from. I have then used this information to use as facts for my promotional film.
The reason I have used this information is that I think it will be relevant to my chosen idea and for people that would want to know information about or attend Comic Con event in Cardiff.
PRODUCTION
The first stage of my production work was that I needed to download appropriate images of Comic Con.
The reason I had to download these images was that unfortunately, due to the event not taking place until later on into the year, I was unable to film the footage of the actual event.
To get around this, I made sure the images that I downloaded were clearly relevant and showing images that would be suitable of what information was included in my titles such as: costumes, stalls, video games and the venue.
Then I had decided to film my interviews with two students who have had their own experiences with Comic Con, Nathan Belgrove and Ethan Francious. These were 2 students in my class who agreed to be interview. The reason I chose to feature the people was because they have had experience with the event and had enjoyed themselves to hear their experiences. I think it went really well. They gave me positive responses and I was please on how well it worked in my promotional video.
Below is Ethan being interviewed.
Below is Nathan being interviewed.
Below is myself conducting the interview.
As my last step, I finally, downloaded the appropriate backing track for my promotional video. I needed to make sure it was fun and upbeat to ensure I had my viewers attention. (Song used: Paradise Instrumental – BTS.)
The main issue I had to experience was the wrong dates of Comic Con being a separate date to me filming. Discovering this, I had to think of a way to overcome this stage. I was really frustrated as I thought that it limited me adding my own footage to my promotional video and that this would have an effect outcome of my production.
The way I overcame this issue and found a way to add in my own footage, was that I was able to film and include my own interviews to add into the film with my images.
Although, I was limited with time which had an impact with my own work, I was able to add in my own footage with these interviews which I thought worked well, so I was really pleased about this solution.
POST-PRODUCTION
My plan for editing is to arrange the images from Comic Con in Cardiff and to mix these in with interviews and music to create and imapctiuve edit to promote the event and Cardiff to Tourists.
Editing Process:
In my edit the first thing that I made sure to do was to arrange the images I had downloaded into my timeline to make sure that they would be appropriate for my planned promotional video edit.
This worked well and each image seemed to showcase what I wanted to promote in my film.
Next I edited my interviews with the students I had filmed for my project. While I was editing, I cut up my interviews and used the best answers to the questions.
This worked and each answer helped and explained their experiences with Comic Con and if they would promote it along with Wales and encourage other people from other countries in hope they would visit.
During the re-arranging of my interviews, I had to lower the my audio track for the interviews so it didn’t clash or overtake the interviewers’ comments.
This also worked because it didn’t clash, it didn’t overpower them speaking due to the music being lowered.
I then re-arranged my interviews again whilst the questions I asked came up as small titles on the screen.
This worked because it was the appropriate answers to the questions that I wrote.
This is the last step of my production, adding the final touches to my promotional video before I exported my clip as one giant promotional video. This means I added my last titles and raised the music so it worked with my final transitions of my video.
Being the last step of my promotional video, I was finally able to export it and save it as my final project on my hard drive.
Overall I am very happy with my final production of my promotional video. Although, it didn’t work exactly as I wanted it to, and I had to include images that aren’t my own, I am very pleased with how well it all works together in my final edit and works well as a promotional video for Wales 2019- Year of Discovery.
Unit 8: Context
Introduction
For this Unit 8 project I have been tasked to create a promotional video for the theme of ‘2019 Wales – Year of Discovery’. This will look to promote elements of Welsh culture to people around the world who might want to visit us as a holiday destination.
In this project I will be looking at a selection of promotional videos to show a overview of the different styles of videos and how they are made to please certain audiences.
Promotional Videos
There are many different approaches to making these sort of videos as they are aimed at engaging different sorts of audiences.
There are many different teniques used to achieve this, such as just using music and images, having presenters talking to the camera, using voice overs or interviews.
While all of these techniques are effective, they differ from video to grab the target audiences attention.
Below here, there are key points for making the most effective promotional video below:
“Your videos must to be short and quickly absorbable, while still being sufficient enough to make your audience want to return.”
“They can then be distributed to social media platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and Twitter with relative ease”
https://www.horusmusic.global/importance-promotional-video/
Below are three examples of videos that I have selected to discuss and highlight good practice. This blog post explains and looks into the purpose of promotional videos and how they are used.
Here are three examples from the Visit Wales youtube page I think are effective promotional videos.
Promotional Video examples:
Example 1: The Skirrid Inn.
Overview:
The Skirrid Inn is a house based in in Wales that was used over 900 years ago as a conviction house and sentenced prisoners to hanging over the staircase, that is still up in the house to this day. This promotional video has been created to excite people that are fans of paranormal activity and ghosts, an aiming to lure them in to visit the house and to have an experience with the ghosts that still haunt the residence to this day (apparently).
There are two interviews in the clip, one with a paranormal researcher and author and the other with the landlord.
What was covered in the interviews was who haunts it, other people’s experiences with the haunted house and why they wouldn’t come back to the house.
There was music used to give the video an eerie effect to their viewer/s.
There were more sound effects like a ghost like laugh right at the end as the visitwales.com screen appeared on screen.
The editing technique that has been used is after each interview it cuts away to establishing shots.
From my point of view, the elements above gave it a spooky vibe. The reason they used these elements to give off a scary and eerie effects.
Identified Techniques / Audiences:
The voice overs are used at the start of the video to introduce the subject matter. They also use a voice over in the middle of the video to tell us about the history and the backstory of the Skirrid Inn. It helps to explain the experiences people have had with the pub and what they used to do to felons housed there 900 years back.
Example 2: Welsh Vineyards
Overview:
The overview of this clip is teaching us about Welsh vineyards and Glyndwr is the oldest vineyard to this day.
It also said that there are two vineyards and that they are 50 yards away from each other and that they are both family run.
Identified techniques:
There was a voice over used to explain how the vineyard’s secret is kept until this year.
They also had a little theory that the llamas take care of the sheep and the sheep taking care of their vineyards.
There are four interviews in the clip, two on Glyndwr with the owner and one with his sons. The other two are with Ancre Hill Estate and the other with his wife.
The questions asked are if they ever get mixed up with their names due to sounding similar or the whole point of the llamas. They had a theory where the llamas would look after the sheep and the sheep would look after the vineyard.
There was music used to give the video a happier and more of a laid back approach towards speaking to their audience, explaining the theory about their animals kept on their vineyard.
The editing technique that has been used is after each interview it cuts away to establishing shots.
From my point of view, the elements above gave it a cheery and a lighthearted theme to their viewers. The owners of the vineyards are very enthusiastic when explaining the history of the vineyards and a little bit of how their wine is made.
Example 3: Doctor Who Experience.
Overview: It was about the Doctor Who experience in Cardiff that attracts so many Doctor Who fans per day that are all ages and want to have their own chance of being the beloved Doctor from Doctor Who.
Identified Techniques
Voice overs:
They had the children to give a voice over about the experience they were in, how they found it to be the Doctor for the day at the experience.
There was music used to give the video more of a scenario to make us the viewers feel as if we’re sort of watching a Doctor Who episode.
The editing technique that has been used is after each interview it cuts away to establishing shots.
From my point of view, the elements above gave it a typical Doctor Who like feel to it, having the music from the episodes that would air on every Saturday.
Seeing the clip with all the Doctor Who music playing, they’d feel as if they were the Doctor themselves.
Summary
As you can see, having a clear understanding of my chosen topic fresh in my head, I picked bits of the research up and used them as key points for my idea.
By taking bits of the research, it has helped me focus on my idea a little more.
During taking the information, I have been looking over a few websites on how to make a promotional video that will keep my selected audience’s attention and keep them engaged.
After I gathered all the necessary information I have come to understand that each video I have included are made specifically for all different audiences.
The first is is aimed at audiences that are fans of paranormal activity.
The second is aimed at a more mature audience and are fans of vineyards.
The third and final is aimed at a younger audience and are fans of Sci-Fi.
This has inspired me to create a promotional video that will show an area of interest that isn’t really promoted anywhere, Cardiff Comic Convention. The reason that I will do the video based on Comic con is to promote the event to tourist not just Wales but all over as Comic Convention is a growing event, attracting tourists to events world wide. I will develop this idea further in my research.
Unit 8: Research
Introduction
For my project idea, I have decided to make a promotional video for Cardiff’s Comic Convention.
I think that this would be a good event to help promote Wales because Comic Conventions are are growing and starting to increase in popularity, with people not just in Cardiff but all over the world. The audience for this sort of event is huge. We see people and fans of all kinds, ranging from children to adults attending events like these all over the globe. I feel that this event would appeal to anyone of those people who are fans of comic books, cartoons and the costumes and help attract them as tourists to visit Cardiff, because this event would attract them to visit Cardiff.
Describe the approach to your research
I plan to research Cardiff Comic convention websites to research general information about the event. I will also research other details like featured guests / special appearances that appeals to fans of certain shows as I also think that this will attract people to attend the event.
I will also look at promotional videos at other Comic Conventions taking place other places than in Cardiff as a guide to help me make a video of my own that will include information to engage the audience.
In order to do this, I will be creating a literature review to highlight sources of information. I will be using my literature review to develop my promotional video as information.
Literature review
Below I have made a literature review which has a list of resources that I will use to develop the planning and production of my promotional video.
literature-review-Kayleigh-Skinner
Resource 1: https://filmandcomicconcardiff.com/
This resource was useful to me because I could gather just useful but general information on these types of conventions.
It helped me find facts on what a comic convention is. A comic con is an event for fans of all different types of comic books and video games. Comic con takes place every two months of every year, holding little events like a display of the costumes, an award for the best costume and a small competition on who preformed the best as their character.
The dates and times range from 10-11th March and 7-8th of September, doors open at 9AM to 6PM on a Saturday and 9AM to 5PM on a Sunday.
Tickets are £8 for standard, doors opening for them tickets at 11AM. Early entry prices are £15 with the doors opening at 9AM. All tickets are booked with a ticket fee of £1.
Special appearances and star guests can range from different TV shows and films appearing at this event. I feel these details are important because I think the audience of those shows would be more attracted to go.
Resource 2: https://motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk/whats-on/cardiff-film-comic-con
Cosplay means the practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book or video game especially from a Japanese genres of manga or Anime.
During this event, they have different competitions for beginners (amateur) and experts (professional). They also have retro video gaming, cosplay masquerade and hundreds of stalls full of TV and Film Memorabilia for you to browse.
This website also includes venue and directions on where the Motorpoint arena is.
I feel these details are important because it takes seconds to load up the webpage to find out where the venue is on their homepage or on Google maps.
Resource 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk6SKdeKsAE
In the camera angles, they were showing people in their costumes, the guest panel and some of the stalls to help people get the idea of what would be there.
The editing techniques are fast paced which help to the large range of activities.
There were no interviews in the video included although I have seen videos on where people are asked about the event. I think I will include some interviews as it is very informative to hear about other people’s experiences. For my interview filming questions, I will use information from my gathered sources above.
Summary
After watching the video in the last link, I have taken notes to how make my own with the camera and the different editing techniques to use in my own production.
For the links, it contains different areas on the website for their designated sections like special guests, ticket prices and so on.
The website is also where you can view photos of the guests and the venue and what time the doors open and close. As you progress throughout the website, it shows other controls for the website that leads you to different locations where you can find different information.
Unit 4&6 Blog 4: Evaluation & Reflection.
Beat based editing exercise – REM Edit
We had to do our own edit to ‘Supernatural Superstition’ by a popular band called REM, which was fun to do.
What I had to do was gather up all the videos made to the video to make my own final production.
It was hard, editing to multiple tracks at a time is very confusing.
It was hard, editing to multiple tracks at a time is very confusing.
I learned that having multiple videos playing at once can help time it up together.
Multi track editing
Multi track editing is where we have different music video and only using just a few of them selected. This also helped me time up with the backing track.
Precision editing ( finding correct start point to be in sync using arrow keys)
Precision editing is when you use just the keys on the keyboard (left, right arrow keys, M for the marking, c for the cutting and so on.) It also helps find the same starting point in each video.
Editing to a backing track
What I learned at this stage was how I edited to the master track. cutting the video away to the beat.
Using the Marker tool top layout my edit.
The marking tool is marking in and out points so you don’t have a long sequence of black screen. It’s also used to time the video to where it ends and where it begins.
Purpose and Styles of music video
The purpose and styles of music videos can vary due to how the beat sounds. It can be a slow song (ballad) with a fast paced edit or a slow paced edit with a fast song, or vice versa.
Codes and conventions in music videos
The codes in music videos can be divided into two categories: Symbolic and Technical. Technical meaning how the equipment was used in the music video. Symbolic codes are what is beyond the surface to what we see.
Conventions are split into categories also:
– The way camera are used (the movements and the shots used.)
– Mis-en-scene (location, props and the lighting.)
– Editing techniques.
– and finally, sounds. (Diegetic and Non-Diegetic.)
Group / Genre / Song / Artist choice
Group: Dylan Reynolds, Daniel Jenkins and Kayleigh Skinner.Genre we have chosen: Rock.
Song: Castle of Glass.
Artist choice: Linkin Park.
Pitch prep and presentation
We showed our power point to the class about what idea we had, what song and our chosen approach to the project.
Pre production
For the pre-production, we went out to get some footage that we wanted to test the location for our filming to see if we had any risks that stood in the way of our final film being shot in that specific location.
Production
The production process of the video was straight forward and filmed in C block outside of B block. We wanted to shoot in the college because it’s an ideal place to get bullied and that is why we have filmed in the college.
Post Production
Final 500 word evaluation.
The research of the song was fairly easy; the lyrics had a strong meaning and didn’t shy away from being powerful.
During the set, I didn’t exactly get to go behind the camera and test out any of the shots we needed, that did make me feel rather disappointed that I wasn’t able to really do anything.
If I were to work with Dan and Dylan again, I would want a little more control with the camera and the shots that would be used in the production.
The editing process went fairly smooth; I used only the footage used on my hard drive that has been provided, saving it onto there so I can piece together my video.
I think it would have changed the story if I had a little more control over the camera, but it wouldn’t change it too drastically. We were trying to send a message through music, if words can’t do it; the video is a secondary option.
I do like most of the shots taken; there are a few of them that I don’t so I didn’t use them, so they were discarded as backup media in case the original one I was going to use got lost or deleted.
I would do the whole video and the shots differently, we would be in a different location, words would be said before the track would play and the video would have a few warnings like of people’s triggers (blood, self harm, gore ETC) to see that they have to expect. At the end of the video, it would have helplines that people can ring if they’re going through any emotional troubles.
Overall, I am very happy with our final production that we have produced, a few shots, I would have gotten behind the camera to retake them. But yes, I am very happy with the final product that we have.
I am happy with the process I was apart of; I wouldn’t change anything drastic in the video.
Overall, I am very pleased with the outcome of my video, my written work too. I just wish I could be behind the camera for a few scenes to be a little more included with my production.
Unti 4 + 6: Planning & Production
The idea our group has for our music video is going to reach out to the Linkin Park fans and to try and tell them that they’re not alone through anything.
These are pre-production documents for my assignment.
Before we start, we had to take to begin test filming to test the lighting, the proportion of the camera, the angles of the camera shots, the locations we are using and the natural lighting to see any defects.
The reason why we took the test shot was to analyse the affects and the defects of the test shot. This one is too dark and close to a radiator, which can lead to scalding on the back. The way we could avoid this is choose a different location where there is more of a natural light and where there isn’t a radiator behind us.
Risk assessment:
The picture above is the risk assessment, this is what we had to tick to make sure we know the risks and how to avoid them when we enter the filming process.
We had to ensure us or the equipment didn’t get hurt or damaged in any way.
Due to filming so many shots on the stairs, we had to make sure no one got hurt or we dropped any of the equipment.
Theft is another option that is unavoidable when you’re not keeping a close eye on the equipment/props.
Story Board:
This is the storyboard we had to follow to make sure it went the way we planned it out to be.
Following the story board as planned, we moved on to putting the video together as structured.
Production
In my production my group worked together to complete the filming to do this we booked a camera from our tutor that we could use for the day and went out to film.
Dan was our camera man first off and filmed Dylan and myself (Kayleigh) outside of C and B Block.
Dylan then went behind the camera to film myself (Kayleigh) and Dan in C Block, going into B block.
Myself (Kayleigh) was in the video all of the time and didn’t really get behind the camera to get some shots.
Dan, Dylan and Myself (Kayleigh) then went back to class to see if our test shots were missing anything.
What shots we were missing, we re-shot them and also filmed back ups just in case. We also added more shots that we thought we were missing and added them into our final production.
We finally went and viewed our re-shoots until we were happy and could start editing.
Post production
The production process of the video was straight forward and filmed in C block outside of B block. We wanted to shoot in the college because it’s an ideal place to get bullied and that is why we have filmed in the college.
Unit 4&6: Context.
Introduction.
For the unit assigned to us, we have been asked to create a music video in these three genres. Pop, rock and hip-hop. We have looked into detail about the types of audiences the specific videos are made for.
The purpose of music is to promote the album, the single itself, the artist or the band themselves.
There are other reasons why they exist like to create an image of himself/herself/themselves. It is important because they’re trying to create a persona to their fans, how they want to be seen as. They could be dangerous or sensual and so on. How their audience sees artists can vary depending on their genre of music and the music video is the best way to communicate this.
Different music videos can have many purposes for different crowds, not every music video will be the same for everyone. If they had the same music video every time, it would be boring and tasteless.
Often, a music video would include the artist/the band and the story-line of the song that is being performed.
Generally, music videos come under four specific ‘styles’. These are known as Narrative, Thematic, Symbolic and Performance. Although there are others such as Animated or Parody, these main four styles can describe most videos.
Performance – means the artist are performing a dance or singing to the audience through the camera to engage them.
Narrative – means it’s following a story line. (‘non-narrative’ could also be used to describe some videos where the images link to the lyrics but do not tell a whole story.)
Thematic – follows a common theme of a particular style. This could be standard hip-hop, rock or pop or even a specific theme for a video such as 1950’s, futuristic etc.
Symbolic – means it has a sense of symbolism. It could be political, humorous or to raise awareness of a certain subject.
Codes and conventions are the descriptions of how these music videos are presented to us.
The Technical codes can be can split into categories:
- The way camera angles are used to try and tell the story in a different perspective. (Non verbally.)
- Different types of camera shots and movements, they use these because
- ‘Mis-en-scene’ (location, props, lighting, etc)
- Editing styles
- Sound – ‘Diegetic’ & ‘Non-diegetic’
They branch out two separate meanings such as symbolic and technical. Symbolic is how to express the artist/band and how they show their feelings (i.e.: anything going on under the surface.) Technical are the technical codes such as how the camera is used, as well as elements of ‘Mis-En-Scene’, such as lighting, costume and props. This can also include editing styles and sound, which can be split into diegetic and non-diegetic.
The conventions of a music video are an accepted way of doing something. Hip hop has partying, rock has black and white themes and for pop we have bright and brash colours. These conventions can often be seen in many videos of their specific genre, which can help engage their identified audiences.
(Links:
In the music videos we wouldn’t expect the same themes for all genres and the codes and conventions can change. Below are three examples of different genres where I will explain in more detail.
Video Examples:
Video 1. Ms. Jackson.
Name/Artist: OutKast Genre: Hip-Hop.
Video idea / Synopsis: The synopsis is about Erykah Badu and how much of a bad father he was portrayed.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYxAiK6VnXw)
- The style of Ms. Jackson is a narrative, it is following a story line of them moving and trying to decorate a house whilst suffering with technicalities, then showing they can plow through it as soon as they saw the sun shining.
- The camera movements follow OutKast and how they struggled through the rain.
- The Camera used different angles to tell the story with different perspectives of the story the song was based on.
- The location in the music video of Ms. Jackson is set somewhere in America (No specific area was listed). Props needed was tools, animals and a lot of buckets and bowls to catch the water.
- Sound – The sounds are diegetic and non-diegetic. Sound effects have been added and used to create the video.
- The video is beat edited, every time they would cut to the animals their heads would be bobbing up and down to the beat.
Video 2. The Pretender.
Name/Artist: Foo Fighters. Genre: Rock.
Video idea / Synopsis: society is the pretender.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBjQ9tuuTJQ)
- The style of the music video is a performance.
- Camera angles are close ups, long shot, high shot, low shot.
- The location is taken place in a studio, behind them is a tank full of red water and there are different costumes between themselves as the band and the guards, wearing their uniform.
- Sound – the sound is diegetic, having no actual sound effects having to be added in.
- Editing technique used is beat based editing.
Video 3. Happy.
Name/Artist: Pharrell Williams. Genre: Pop.
Video idea / Synopsis: There is no synopsis to Happy.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbZSe6N_BXs)
- The style of the video is very simple and full of colour.
- The camera shot types are all directed at the people in the video, no close ups, long shots, high shots or low shots.
- the camera is pointed directly at Pharrell and all the people he had included.
- ‘Mis-en-scene’ Location: parts in America. Props used are costumes (for the giant minions).
- Sound – most of the sound was diegetic, the clapping when the choir sung Happy was non-diegetic.
- The song was edited as a beat based.
Every video creates their own codes and conventions to meet the bands’/ Artists’ fan base, trying to meet up to the fans’ expectations to create their own impression to the fans.
Unit 4&6 blog 2: Research.
Introduction.
As a group, we have decided to do Castle of Glass by Linkin Park. We decided to do this because it would be a fitting tribute for the lead singer who took his own life last year.
For the style of the video we have decided on is a narrative and symbolic. The reason why we have chosen to do these two themes is because we want to make something that could relate to the Linkin Park fans, feeling like an outcast or losing a loved one.
(1st Screenshot: castle-of-glass.) (2nd Screenshot: https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/meaning-castle-glass-linkin-park/)
Audience, Song and Artist:
–What is the ‘theme’ of my music video?
The theme of my video is a narrative and symbolic video. The reason we chose our approach is to pay tribute to the lead singer of Linkin Park so in the video we are raising awareness of suicide and mental health because no one should go through what he did. Based on what I researched about this song from the links above, I had a general understanding on what I could base my video on.
–What is the aim of my idea?
The aim of my video is to raise awareness for depression as the lead singer took his own life in 2017, so hopefully this video will help others reach out and tell someone about their problems.
– What are the lyrics saying?
What the lyrics are interprating is that Chester feels like a crack inside of a beautiful crack of glass, continuously feeling out of place in society and unable to be fully repaired to fit in.
– What do the music/rhythms/genre suggest?
Genre: Rock.
Rock has many meanings, it hides many meanings through lyrics and symbolism. As in many music videos, it has performance from the band itself, which promotes themselves to show off their entire skill of their formula.
Rock has many meanings, it hides many meanings through lyrics and symbolism. As in many music videos, it has performance from the band itself, which promotes themselves to show off their entire skill of their formula.
Rhythm.
The rhythm can vary between quickly paced to a ballad. Quickly paced is when everything happens in a faster amount of time, a ballad is when it’s more softer, a little more of a calmer approach to it.
The rhythm can vary between quickly paced to a ballad. Quickly paced is when everything happens in a faster amount of time, a ballad is when it’s more softer, a little more of a calmer approach to it.
Music.
The music, yet again, can vary to what their aims are to their approach to appeal to their fans.
– How can I link the music/lyrics/images?
I can link this together by following the same themes that the video/band uses. To find this out is watching the video over and over.
The depressing themes used can help my production for my work by adding a depressing narrative to my video (I.E: Bullying.)
– What ‘codes and conventions’ do I want to include?
The codes and conventions we included was changing locations around college by taking different shots and angles with the camera. The props that was used is my notebook and pen (but we scraped that because it took too much time).
– Who is the audience for my chosen song and artist?
The appropriate audience for my music video is people that are fans of Linkin Park and people that are fans of rock.
– How can ensure I make it appeal to this group?
I made this appeal to them by showing them the subliminal messages in the song and letting them know they’re not alone through any time of their life.
– What type of video will it be?
Our video is a narrative, there is a small story behind it. It’s about bullying and to show them that there is someone that is always going to be there.
– How has my initial research helped me to develop ideas for my production?
Yes, it has. The research I have undertaken gave me clear understanding on the song subject and the band itself. It was effective for my influence for my production work.
Unit 5- Sound.
Introduction.
For this unit I will need to make and record a 30 seconds PSA about plastic and how it’s only used once. Even if it’s only a solo project, I am allowed to ask others for help and advice about this. There are still other small tasks within the unit that I need to complete.
Task 1: Reflection
For this assignment, we had to look over the previous assignment we did with sound. The equipment we used was a boom mic, microphone, headphones and a video camera. The microphones were used to pick up the sound in the recording and around us.
During the last module, we had to use Adobe Premiere for out editing and to piece everything together.
To make this edit, I had to use the previous skills I have learned and adapted in premier to use the skills needed to make the edit for the assignment.
Before I recorded, I had to write a script on what I was speaking about and get the idea on what I was going to say.
Task 2: Research
For this task, I had to research on three single use plastics and how bad they are when the fish eat them and when we eat the fish.
“These toxic chemicals are now being found in our bloodstream and the latest research has found them to disrupt the Endocrine system which can cause cancer, infertility, birth defects, impaired immunity and many other ailments.”
“We produce hundreds of millions of tons of plastic every year, most of which cannot be recycled. It’s obvious that we need to use less plastic, move towards environmentally sustainable products and services and come up with technology that recycles plastic more efficiently.”
“Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.”
(Facts link: http://www.plasticfreechallenge.org/what-is-single-use-plastic/)
Task 3: Proposal
For this unit, we have been asked to create a PIF about single use plastic and how it affects us and the environment.
We had to take up sessions to research three main facts to put into our PIF about single use plastics and what exactly happens when we ingest the fish that has eaten the plastics.
“These toxic chemicals are now being found in our bloodstream and the latest research has found them to disrupt the Endocrine system which can cause cancer, infertility, birth defects, impaired immunity and many other ailments.”
“We produce hundreds of millions of tons of plastic every year, most of which cannot be recycled. It’s obvious that we need to use less plastic, move towards environmentally sustainable products and services and come up with technology that recycles plastic more efficiently.”
“Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These items are things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles and most food packaging.”
Task 4: Evaluation
{what went well during production?
What could I have done better / Improved on?
What would I do better if I were to do it again?}
What went well was the script writing, I knew exactly what to write so I can record and edit it.
What I could have improved on is
Poster analysis!
Poster 1: Love, Simon.
Layout and Design:
Text and font:
The text is simple but bold to capital to catch every teen’s attention with the main role of what the actor plays in the film, the red background and the cutesy font. This film is aimed for late teens and/or people trying to confess to their parents that they’re gay/bi/pansexual etc.
Appeals to the audience:
This appeals to the audience by the bright red background and the actor of Simon stood in the foreground of the poster.
The layout:
The layout is simple and cutesy, it’s not an eyesore to anyone who looks at it.
Actors:
Nick Robinson as Simon Spier
Bryson Pitts as 10-year-old Simon Spier
Nye Reynolds as 5-year-old Simon Spier
Josh Duhamel as Jack Spier, Simon’s father
Jennifer Garner as Emily Spier, Simon’s mother
Katherine Langford as Leah Burke, one of Simon’s best friends
Alexandra Shipp as Abby Suso, one of Simon’s best friends
Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Nick Eisner, one of Simon’s best friends
Keiynan Lonsdale as Abraham “Bram” Greenfeld, one of Simon’s classmates
Miles Heizer as Cal Price, one of Simon’s classmates
Logan Miller as Martin Addison, one of Simon’s classmates who blackmails him
Tony Hale as Mr. Worth, the awkward vice principal of the school Simon attends
Talitha Bateman as Nora Spier, Simon’s sister
Skye Mowbray as 6-year-old Nora Spier
Natasha Rothwell as Ms. Albright, Simon’s drama teacher
Drew Starkey as Garrett Laughlin, one of Simon’s classmates
Clark Moore as Ethan, one of Simon’s classmates who is openly gay
Joey Pollari as Lyle, a flirty server at a local diner
Mackenzie Lintz as Taylor Metternich, one of Simon’s classmates
Main image and background: In the main image of the poster we have the actor of Simon Spier, Nick Robinson stood directly in your eyesight.
Secondary Text: “He’s Done Keeping His Story Straight.” It means Nick is playing a gay character in the film, keeping his sexuality hidden to his friends, family.
Poster 2: The Conjuring 2.
Layout and design.
Text and font:
The font is sharp looking and chilling to make sure it’s as horrifying as possible. It’s mainly targeted for people who are fans of The Conjuring and thriller fans.
Appeals to the Audience:
This appeals to the audience because it doesn’t look too busy and not too much of an eyesore. The colours blend particularly well together, the lighting isn’t too bright or isn’t too dull.
The layout:
The poster isn’t too bland or too clashed and too cramped with so much to give away too much of what the film is about.
Actors:
Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren
Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren
Frances O’Connor as Peggy Hodgson
Madison Wolfe as Janet Hodgson
Simon McBurney as Maurice Grosse
Franka Potente as Anita Gregory
Lauren Esposito as Margaret Hodgson
Patrick McAuley as Johnny Hodgson
Benjamin Haigh as Billy Hodgson
Maria Doyle Kennedy as Peggy Nottingham
Simon Delaney as Vic Nottingham
Shannon Kook as Drew Thomas
Sterling Jerins as Judy Warren
Bob Adrian as Bill Wilkins
Abhi Sinha as Harry Whitmark
Robin Atkin Downes as Demon (voice)
Bonnie Aarons as Demon Nun (Valak)
Javier Botet as The Crooked Man
Poster 3: Fantastic 4 (2015 remake)
Layout and design.
Text and layout:
The slimmed but sharpened font Marvel have used is certainly works well with the backdrop and the costumes the actors in the poster.
Appeals to the audience:
It appeals by the audience by being as eye catching as possible, having some destruction in the background and the actors using their powers.
The layout:
The layout is very busy, but it doesn’t look too cramped and is as eye catching as possible.
Actors:
Miles Teller as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic
Owen Judge as young Reed Richards
Kate Mara as Susan Storm/Invisible Woman
Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm/Human Torch
Jamie Bell as Ben Grimm/The Thing
Evan Hannemann as young Ben Grimm
Toby Kebbell as Victor von Doom/Dr. Doom
Tim Blake Nelson as Harvey Elder
Reg E. Cathey as Franklin Storm
Questionnaire results:
Below are the questionnaire results. 
The difference between them is that more males watch movies than females at the ages 14-19.
Later on, we prove that more females over the age of 50 watch films than the males.
But more females go to the cinema than males.
K4yl31gh'5 4m4z1ng bl0g! 