Monday 15 December 2014

Location changes

It has become clear that we may possibly not be using the theatre for our filming. this is due to its limited availability and not only that, it is hard to find times where our cast is also free to film. We have decided we will attempt to film the performance outside within the school grounds. We hope this wont look too bad and will just have to see how it turns out.

Monday 8 December 2014

Practice Filming

There are very limited times where the theatre is free for access, but we managed to book a time. Sadly I was unable to attend, but since the times are so limited, my partner Danielle managed to get some practice shots done of our singer, Adam. We are very happy with how things are looking and how the shots turned out. We hope to get the official filming done for the performance element very soon.

Tuesday 2 December 2014

Performance Casting (singer)

After much struggle we have managed to cast the singer for our music video. Our aim is to film all of the performance element in the school theatre. Our singer, Adam, is now familiar with the song we have chosen and we are ready to film. First we need to find a time where the theatre itself is free for access.

Thursday 27 November 2014

Casting??

We are struggling to find people who are willing to take part in our music video, however we do have a few people in mind. We will write up a detailed plan of our ideas to figure out how many people we will actually need, including extras. We will need a singer to mime to the song - for this role we will ask people from the music department as they will possibly be more enthusiastic to contribute. Over the weekend we have a list of people we are going to ask to be our cast. We will give them a description of our music video and the roles within in order to hopefully make them interested. we hope to start filming as soon as next week, even if its just some simple shots. We will also look into doing some photography work so we can also start our ancillary products (digipak and poster).

Saturday 22 November 2014

Costume

We have purchased a cape and mask to use in our music video. We are going for the more generic superhero look as the role is purely the character's imagination and the music video will focus a lot more on humour therefore it will be deliberately imperfect.

Friday 14 November 2014

New Brief for music video

We have made a lot of alterations to our original idea for a music video: including number of characters and storyline, but we have kept to the idea of the super hero fantasy, however this time around we will aim for it to be funny. This is our new brief of our ideas.

Our music video will consist of two main characters, a singer and some extras. One character will be a very exaggerated stereotypical 'nerd' whereas the other will be a bully. We will show clips of the conflict between both characters within school (some humorous). The 'nerd' will be shown to have a great interest in comic books and will be shown reading and even creating his own comic strips and characters. During this constant isolation and bullying, he will begin designing his own super hero persona, as well as a villain based on the bully. The drawings will take up the frame and will change from a drawing to real life film - showing his imagination in action (we will use filters to differentiate between the imagination and real life). We will switch between reality and his imagination (what we see in the drawings - the hero defeating the villain). Eventually the 'nerd' will become infatuated with this idea of being a powerful superhero and attempt to make it a reality. He will dress up as his persona, however it does not compare to his fantasy and ends up looking very strange and silly (for comedy purposes we will have many clips of him acting stupid). The bully will be filled with confusion as this character attempts to 'defeat' him, and eventually walks away. The 'hero' then believes this is his victory.

We will create a story board to show all of this in much more detail so we know exactly what we need to film and where. We will also need to film parts for our performance element of the music video which will be quite simple as we will mainly be focusing on the narrative.


Tuesday 11 November 2014

Song Lyrics

Put on your war paint

You are a brick tied to me that's dragging me down
Strike a match and I'll burn you to the ground
We are the jack-o-lanterns in July
Setting fire to the sky
Here, here comes this rising tide so come on

Put on your war paint

Cross walks and crossed hearts and hope-to-dies
Silver clouds with grey lining

So we can take the world back from the heart-attacked
One maniac at a time we will take it back
Time crawls on when you're waiting for the song to start
Dance alone to the beat of your heart

Hey, young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Wearing all-vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix

Bring home the boys in scraps
Scrap metal the tanks
Get hitched make a career out of robbing banks
Because the world is just a teller and we are wearing black masks
"You broke our spirits," says the note we pass

So we can take the world back from the heart-attacked
One maniac at a time we will take it back
Time crawls on when you're waiting for the song to start
Dance alone to the beat of your heart

Hey, young blood, doesn't it feel like our time is running out
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix
Wearing all-vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix

Put on your war paint

The war is won before it's begun
Release the doves
Surrender love
X4

Hey, young blood, doesn't it feel
Like our time is running out
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Wearing all-vintage misery
No, I think it looked a little better on me
I'm gonna change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix

Hey, young blood, doesn't it feel
Like our time is running out
I'm going to change you like a remix
Then I'll raise you like a phoenix

Put on your war paint

NEW SONG!


Monday 10 November 2014

Song choice??

We have found it very difficult to find another song that will go with our idea, as we are now making it more humorous rather than serious like before. After a while we have managed to find a couple of songs that we could make fit and can picture going over our ideas. We then listened to each one carefully and pin pointed the pros and cons of each until we chose a one that was the most suitable.

Wednesday 29 October 2014

I Don't Wanna Be Me - Type O Negative (music video)



I decided to have a closer look at the music video 'I don't wanna be me' by Type O Negative as it is more of a humorous music video compared to those I have analysed. It lacks narrative but we basically are shown a character dressing up in many different costumes of well known people/identities. The way it is done is quite simplistic as it is mainly long shots of the character in front of a backdrop messing around and acting in a funny manner for comical purposes. Ii think for our own music video we could do something similar, however out character(s) will be in superhero/villain outfits rather than celebrities as shown in this music video. Near the end of the video the character dresses up as the lead singer and takes over the performance element along with the other band members. This linked the two elements together nicely and also added to the comical aspect of the video.

Monday 27 October 2014

Change of direction

We were originally going to make a more serious music video, however we have discovered that will be more difficult as we lack good quality props or costume. Therefore we have decided to make it humorous, which we actually now would prefer and feel we could get more creative with it. This also means however we will need to change our song choice as that will no longer fit with the direction we plan on going.

Thursday 23 October 2014

Song Lyrics:

Everywhere is freaks and hairies
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity
Tax the rich, feed the poor
'Til there are no rich no more

I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you

Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, monopoly

I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you

Oh yeah!

World pollution, there's no solution
Institution, electrocution
Just black and white, rich or poor
Senators stop the war

I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you

Song Choice: I'd love to change the world - Jetta



Tuesday 21 October 2014

First Brief

This is our first rough outline for our music video before we go into more depth about the storyline and shots:

In our music video we will feature 4 'characters.' We will show clips of their everyday lives (or certain events) as well as extreme close up shots of the singer (identity  remaining a secret for now). Will show each character put on masks or other 'super hero' attire - suggesting they are not just ordinary. At one point we will see one of the characters change and is now perceived to be more like a villain. All the heroes come together against the villain who ends up being the singer throughout the song. After/During this, the before extreme close ups of the singer will now reveal her whole face.

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Music Video Questionnaire

Music Video Questionnaire

1) Gender: Male [ ]
                  Female [ ]

2) Age: Under 16 [ ]
             17-21 [ ]
             22-30 [ ]
             30 or older [ ]

3) Do you enjoy watching music videos?
    Yes [ ]
    No [ ]

4) Where do you view these music videos?
     TV [ ]
     Internet [ ]
     Other [ ] (please state)
     ___________________________________________________
     I do not watch music videos [ ]

5) Is a storyline in a music video an important factor?
    Yes [ ]
    No [ ]
    Not sure [ ]

6) Do you prefer the artist to feature in the video?
    Yes [ ]
    No [ ]
    Not sure [ ]
         
7) Do you prefer music videos that include special effects/animations etc?
    Yes [ ]
    No [ ]
    Depends on the song/video [ ]

Saturday 11 October 2014

Preliminary Task



In a group we created a comical chase sequence as a basic practice of filming before we move on to our own projects. We each had a try of positioning the camera and directing shots. After editing we discovered some mistakes such as a smudge on the lens - from this we can learn and develop our skill for future film work.

Monday 25 August 2014

Music Video: Everybody's Fool - Evanescence

I tried to avoid analysing multiple videos from the same artists, but I was very intrigued by the narrative and style of this music video.

Wednesday 13 August 2014

Music Video: Rise Above This - Seether

I chose to analyse this music video as there is, from what I believe, a good balance of both storyline and the artists themselves.

Wednesday 6 August 2014

Music Video: Lithium - Evanescence

This first music video I will analyse is one of my favourites as I am in love with the style and theme.

Music Video Analysis

Before thinking about creating my own work, I will begin by analysing various existing music videos and their conventions. Here I will analyse aspects such as genre, mis en scene, cinematography, editing and the relation between the video and the lyrics. This will help me pick out styles or techniques I may want to include when I create my own music video.

Thursday 3 July 2014

A2 Media Project

I am beginning to plan for my A2 Media project where I will create my own piece of film work. I have decided I would most enjoy creating my own music video either alone or within a group. Before planning, I will do some research on existing music videos and the conventions that are required. I will also at one point be creating my own advertisement poster and Digi pack to go with my finished music video.

Sunday 20 April 2014

My Final Feature Article


After adding a page number and straightening up my text, this is my final feature article.

Sunday 6 April 2014

Evaluation Q7: What I have learnt - Overall



Overall, my research benefitted my work the most as it taught me about the different conventions of a magazine and how to attract my desired audience. It helped me control the layout of my magazine and showed me how to take decent/suitable photographs.

Saturday 5 April 2014

Evaluation Q7: Advances in skill using Photoshop


At the start of the course, we were asked to make a front cover and contents page of a school magazine. Looking at this product next to my most recent music magazine project, I can see how much I have improved on my Photoshop skills.

For the school magazine, the colour scheme and theme was already picked out for me as I based it around the colours of the school logo. However for my music magazine I had to come up with my own colour scheme (red, black and white) and my theme depended on the genre of music I decided to base my magazine on.

My school magazine was targeting a niche audience whereas my music magazine targets a much larger audience and will compete with magazines such as Kerrang.


Monday 17 March 2014

Evaluation: Audience feedback

I collected opinions and feedback I was given from numerous people who were asked to fill in my questionnaire. These are the results:

Saturday 15 March 2014

Evaluation: My Questions

To collect feedback on my magazine I have made a questionnaire to give to a variety of people.

Questionnaire:

1) Do you like the look of the magazine?
    [ ] Yes     [ ] No
2) If so, what is your favourite feature of the magazine?
    ________________________________________
3) What is your least favourite feature of the magazine?
    ________________________________________
4) Does the colour scheme work?
    [ ] Yes     [ ] No
5) Does the magazine match the required genre/theme?
    [ ] Yes     [ ] No
6) Would you buy this magazine?
    [ ] Yes     [ ] No
7) Does the magazine look a professional standard?
    [ ] Yes     [ ] No
8) Any further comments?
    ________________________________________
    ________________________________________

Monday 10 March 2014

Evaluation Q4: My audience

As explained earlier in my project, this is the type of audience I aim for my magazine to attract:

In addition to these points, my earlier research shows how my audience are most likely to use a number of social media websites, therefore the news of my magazine should spread widely.

Saturday 8 March 2014

Evaluation Q4: My Reader Profile

 
For the purpose of my evaluation, I have posted again my reader profile I produced earlier into the project.

Wednesday 5 March 2014

Evaluation Q3: Who would distribute my media product?

From looking at past research on Bauer Media and IPC Media, I have came to the conclusion that Bauer Media would be a better choice to distribute my magazine. They have more magazines that appeal to a target audience similar to my own primary target group, therefore would be better at advertising and publishing my own magazine.

There may not be too much market for a monthly magazine and with them already producing Kerrang (a weekly magazine) there may be a clash as some of my audience could have an interest in Kerrang magazine also. However, my magazine does include a heavier side of music that Kerrang does not focus on or does not focus on a lot in their content so this may not be a huge issue.

Saturday 1 March 2014

Evaluation Q2: How does my media product represent social groups?

Class?
Gender?
Youth sub-cultures?
Aspirational/Inspirational?
Representation of models/band members?

Monday 17 February 2014

completed article


Since my image wasn't what I was planning, I've had to move around my text and swap around some colours in order to make it fit the image and background.

Completed contents page

To finish off my contents page I added a shot of my article double page spread, to show some of what the magazine contains. I also added some advertisements for a delivery service and various social networking sites.

Thursday 13 February 2014

Edited article photograph

 

I was able to edit my photograph enough to fit my style of magazine. I emphasised a lot of light on the face on my model and virtually added some black face paint using Photoshop. I believe now it will suit my article layout I had created earlier on.

photographs (article)


I was unable to withhold a photo i saw would fit the design for my article, but i was able to edit this photograph i already had on photoshop. After being heavily edited, I think it now suits the theme of my magazine.



Monday 10 February 2014

screen shot


I have inserted my article in to three columns and made the questions red - to match the colour scheme. I have also added a quotation that will be next to the photograph - this may be taken away, depending on how the photograph fits in.

screen shot


I have started my article and have presented the magazine name in the corner like in my style model. I have also used a quotation from my article as the title. I may change the colours around so I have a black background, depending on how it all works out. However, I am still sticking to the black, red and white colour scheme.

article style model




I have decided to only use a single model for my article instead of a group photograph. These are the style models I will use to help create my double page article.


screen shot


I have added the photos onto my front cover, and I have also added some music genres above the masthead.

Friday 7 February 2014

photos




These two photos can be added to my front cover, advertised as posters within the magazine. I will edit them on photoshop before applying.

Monday 3 February 2014

screen shot


I have added text onto my magazine front cover. However, I have gotten rid of the red box that was displayed at the bottom as I believe it looks better without.

Thursday 30 January 2014

screen shot


I have written the message from the editor as displayed in my style model. I have added a signature as a personal touch from the editor of my magazine.

screen shot


I have added page numbers to my contents page.

screen shot


I have added concert photographs and replaced them with the grey boxes I added previously.

Monday 27 January 2014

front cover screen shot


Going back to my front cover, I have added a section advertising free posters (like in my style model). For the time being I have placed grey boxes where I will then later place photographs.

screen shot


I have marked out in grey boxes where my photographs will roughly be placed. they will also be accompanied by page numbers.

screen shots


I have added a label to show what band the figure in the photograph is from. I have also added a black box where I will add some sort of advertisement for a magazine subscription, or other forms of interactions e.g. twitter/facebook pages.

screen shots


I have added all my text for the titles/sections in the black boxes. These will be accompanied by page numbers further on.

screen shots


I have marked out each of my sections abd placed the titles in black boxes.

Thursday 16 January 2014

screen shot



I have edited this photo I have taken and added it to my contents page as part of the small section of text from the editor (I have yet to write and add).

screen shot


I have added the appropriate titles/subtitles onto my contents page.

screen shot




I have placed temporary lines to mark out my five columns.

photographs



I have taken these photos that I can possibly use for my contents page.