Filming day five.

We had a gap in the chorus of our music video in which we needed to fill in. So, we filmed a band performance in order to add more locations in our music video. This was very successful in terms of camera shots and camera movements. Unfortunately, when we uploaded it for editing, we found that it did not match up with the rest of the music video in terms of music and the other scenes.

Editing phase two.

- When editing the footage for the main singer of the band The Ordinary Boys, we found that we got a good variety of shots and locations. Because of this, we found it easy to edit as it was very well paced with the song.

- Despite this, we found that there were too many similar locations and looked too 'green' for the song. To work our way round this, we have decided to film the main singer on contrasting locations to make the video more entertaining to watch.

- We also decided to experiment with the hue and the contrast of the footage to get different effects. We wanted to do this to make the music video more fun to watch.

Filming Day Three.

As discussed in our meeting, we thought that re-filming the female lead would be best in order to improve the music video. The filming was successful as it was sunny, despite the cold weather plus we got enough filmed in the short time given. When putting it on FinalCut for editing, we found that both performers matched up more than before making the video look stronger.

Influential music videos one.

The song Love Is Easy by McFly gives an example of what we want to do in the music video with the camera shots and the comical seen in the video. Instead of using cuts continuously to move from one shot the another, camera movements is used to indicate a change in scene. The first example below shows the first scene, close up of an image then a new scene when the image is pulled away.  The second example shows different close-ups of backdrops merging together and pulling apart for a new scene. The third example shows one simple camera tilt to change the look of a prop, here being the umbrella.

This music video shows a normal stage with all sorts of props as though the band are preparing for a play, soon revealed to be for the fans. The band only wear casual suits throughout and use backdrops to change scenes rather than use different locations. This makes the music video more fun and something that fans can keep watching.

Music video analysis.

Wings analysis for media from annemedia35

This is my own slideshare, under the name 'anne media35' 

Other successful music videos.

The reason why I think these music videos are successful is because they meet all the codes and conventions of a music video such as a performance, broken narratives or creative scenes. They also go with the songs very well and the performances are believable, this makes the video entertaining and not repetitive. The song choice, casting, camera work, lighting and MES work well together to create an entertaining and believable music video.

Evaluating music videos from the previous year.

13B6- 

• This music videos had good mise-en-scenes such as the parties. 
• There was a good range of ideas such as the young police giving the video an edge. 
• The lighting and camera shots/movements were on point and the video played smoothly. 
• This had a really strong appeal to young audiences as it was very effective.

13B5- 

• There were good camera shots, MES and lighting which added to the mood of the song.
• However some performances needed more energy to make the song more believable.
• There could be more camera movements to make the video more exciting. 
• It would have been more efective if there was more to it.

13E8-

• There is a very good range of shots and MES which makes the video interesting. 
• Very simple but effective as it relates to the song. 
• However because the song is slow it doesn’t make the video exciting. 
• The prefrormance is believeable and matches the song making it effective.

13B4-

• There is a good range MES and camera shots. 
• The performance is very believable. 
• However the narrative in the video is slightly blurred. 
• Their isn't a wide ranfe of camera movements etc to make the video believable.

13B2- 

• Good range of MES and camera shots. 
• The performance isn’t very believable and needs to relate to the song more.
• Possibly needs a clearer narrative. 
• Overall needs more energy throughout the music video.

13E9-

• There are good MES but very little camera movements/shots. 
• The video is weakened by the use of a movie. 
• Good performance. 
• Movie doesn't make much sense of the song.

13B3-

• Great performance.
• Good range of MES, lighting and camera shots.
• Good simple, narrative flow. 
• However, the song itself drags on and so does the music video making it seem repetative. 

13E7-

• Good performance and MES. 
• Overall, video is too simple and repetitive. 
• The girl in the car spoils the atmosphere as she looks bored. 

13B1-

• Good performance, relatable to the song.
• Good range of MES, lighting and camera shots. 
• Good, clear narrative. 

13E11-

• The performance is too forced and needs more energy. 
• The narrative is unclear. 
• The whole video needs to relate to the song more.

13E10-

• Good MES camera shots and movements. 
• The performance needs to be more believable and needs a clearer storyline. 
• There are too many effects in one place and needs to be more spread out.

What makes a good music video.

When looking at music videos from previous years, we found that some of their tecnuiques used made the music video effective. We also looked at music videos by artists and saw what made the music video so effective.

• Mainly in one location which relates to the song.
• Small variety of effects but enough to make the video exciting. 
• Good variety of camera shots/movement to create an effective video. 
• Good choreography, in time with the music. 
• Good lip-syncing also in time with the music. 
• Short and simple narratives to make the video easy to understand and watch. 
• Natural, realistic and creative scenes. 
• Music artist attracts the right audiences. 
• Artist shows believable performance, high energy and emotion relating to the song. 
• Cut between narrative and main performance.
• Performance and narrative all in one place. 
• Good casting that can make a believable performance. 

Evaluating Foundation Production.

What went wrong? 

In the planning stage we didn’t do a detailed enough plan of the production of the opening sequence which meant that when we came to the filming for it, we had to think on the spot which created some discussions and wasted some time. Also I think we should have had more shots and possible alternative locations and shots for preparation if anything goes wrong. Additionaly, we didn’t always agree with each-other and this caused a-lot of changes to our opening sequence. We also didn’t do any re-shots for if anything did go wrong and so we had to work round with editing from what we got. 

What worked?

What worked was that we knew exactly what to do for the opening sequence and so we knew what to film and how to film it to match with the storyline. We did a few different shots for some scenes so that we can see which shot fits best with the whole sequence. We filmed as soon as we finished planning in order to have enough time to edit.  Also the filming was spread over a few days to take our time with the editing and so the opening sequence didn’t look rushed. Also we kept all the equipment in order and remembered everything.

What you should have done.

We should have done a more detailed storyboard and plan so that everything is more organised. Our group blog would have been more interesting if we posted more research, videos and photos in the planning stage and could have gained more marks. I could have also did the same to my individual blog to, again, gain more marks. I should have also participated in every part of the making of the opening sequence and bring forward my ideas more. Also to be more certain with the filming locations and ideas. 

What you plan to do next time differently. 

I’ll try to come up with more creative ideas and have more of an idea on what I think should be in the music video and to try to take more risks and think outside the box. Also to try not to drag the shooting stages too long so that we have enough time to re-shoot scenes. Plus, to create different storyboard ideas and experiment different shots and scenes to see what would fit best with the song. 

What do you plan to do next time that you didn’t do at all. 

I will try to blog more often and show extracts and clips rather than just writing and blogging in one go. Also to try and be more detailed with blogging and planning in order to achieve a higher criteria than the AS coursework and this should help improve my overall grade. Plus, I’ll do more editing and ensure that I have a go at everything in the process of making the music video. I will also do more research and planning in order to make a good music video. 

What did they do in their planning and research?

Other groups did detailed storyboards and plans to come up with the final idea and to help them with this, they did research of films within their preferred genre. They also did different storyboards and see which flows best. Plus, they also kept up to date with the blogging on what they will do and created visual posts. 

What did they do in their actual filming?

They tried different shots and kept blogging about what went well, what didn’t and what they have achieved in the filming. They also took pictures of the locations and the filming process. 

What did they do in their actual editing?

They tried different sequences and see what flowed the best and what didn’t fit together, from this they created the final sequence. Plus, they re did shot to make the sequence flow better. Again, they blogged about what went well and what didn't. 

In terms of how people constructed their blogs and evaluations, what worked really well and what didn’t?

The blogs which were kept up to date didn’t looked rushed or crammed in at the last minute and so they managed to write in more detail. Also they used different medias such as pictures and videos to make the blog more creative. What didn’t work was those that didn’t use a wide range of media tools or didn’t write enough which weakened the blog.