Yesterday, (Wednesday the 22nd) was the official deadline for all the media coursework to be completed. We have handed in the majority of our work, including our music video and all the research and build up towards it. We are yet to complete all of our evaluation, however the majority of the powerpoint presentations and podcasts have been completed. We will be able in the upcoming week, to tie up any loose ends with the coursework and hand in a fully completed project, which will hopefully gain us the grades, we as group were hoping for. I have to complete my presentation on 'How is our media project similar to other media texts'. The presentation involves comparing each part of coursework, which include; the video, the website and the CD cover. We have to compare each part, to that of a professional music product and explain how we have drawn similarities and added our own original differences.
Written by Sid.
Monday, 28 November 2011
Construction: Editing Effects & Techniques
This blog will go through all the effects and techniques that we used to piece together our music video. The most frequently used effect that we used was "fade to white". The fade to white is used to skip to the next scene (usually an outside scene) however we used it as a contrast to the video which is nostalgic and using the "fade to white" compared to "fade to black" lightened up the video more. "Fade to black" is used in an indoor environment and to show time moving on by. This is used when Sid leaves the picture of the girl behind and moves away, showing that some time has gone by.
A similar effect that we used was the part in the end where Sid disappears from the bench. Doing this was simple. We filmed Sid sitting down on the bench, and then took a shot of the bench without Sid on it. I then proceeded in shortening the clips to suit the music, placed the clip of Sid sitting down on the bench, then placed the one of the bench without him, added the cross dissolve effect, and then you had the effect of Sid disappearing.
Another effect we wanted to use was "Fast Motion" speeding up a clip to show how quickly time goes by in the video. We used it on a rotational shot of Sid when he standing still. This implicated that time was just flying past him as he waited, and I personally think the way that we shot that piece was very successful.
The final effect that we thought would be very effective was the use of a "replication". We, as a group, wanted to use a variety of different effects, but ones that would compliment the video, and the use of "replication" in the chorus was intentional because when he sings "I'm not moving" part of the chorus, this is when the "replication" takes effect.
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| Fade to Black |
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| Fade to White |
In the chorus we used the effect "Cross Dissolve", this effect merges the ending of one clip with the beginning of the next, decreasing the opacity on both, and then filling in the next clip. We used this in the chorus to show the slow transition between the band members and also the free-flow of the song.
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| Cross Dissolve |
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| Sid Disappearing |
Due to the music video containing fragments of a memory, we needed to imply that the small snippets the audience where witnessing where memories, we added the effect of "black and white". Using "black and white" gives it a vintage feel, which makes it seem like a memory.
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| "Black & White" |
Another effect we wanted to use was "Fast Motion" speeding up a clip to show how quickly time goes by in the video. We used it on a rotational shot of Sid when he standing still. This implicated that time was just flying past him as he waited, and I personally think the way that we shot that piece was very successful.
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| "Fast Motion" |
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| "Replication" |
Written By Tyrone.
Construction: Director's Techniques Used In The Video
Throughout the video the director (Jack) attempted to use a number of techniques to encapsulate the mood we were trying to put across to the target audience. The mood in general that we were trying to deliver was one of disparity and sadness. I feel that in general from watching the film back, the majority of scenes do portray this effect.
Furthermore we used many aspects of mise en scene to evoke the mood and a certain example was the use of clothing, which comes under costume, to show how the character (myself) was feeling in the video. Throughout the video we made sure the actor in the video wore the same clothes throughout, as his clothes gave off the sense of disparity we were looking to obtain. The costume included a pair of ripped jeans and battered shoes, and a grey top which evokes dullness/dark feelings. We used these particular costumes to show how long he has been waiting for the girl to "come back to the corner" and evoke the sense of disparity and sadness, in the fact that the girl has not returned to find him. The costumes show how long he has been waiting, through their scruffy appearance, as shown in the following images:
Moreover Jack's technique of positioning and movement of characters on the set evokes further use of mise en scene. This mise en scene is cleverly used i feel because he positioned myself on the bench, with him standing up next to me. The director's technique of positioning myself (the actor) on the bench, with himself, acting, standing up next to me (see the picture below), gets across the mood of disparity due to myself being in a lower down position in the shot and therefore creates the sense of sadness and disparity, that was pivotal in the video's message, due to the theme of the song.
Another technique used by the director in the creation of our music video was the use of props to a great effect. A key prop in the video was the picture (see below) held by the main character of the girl he was waiting for throughout the video. The prop was key, as it let the audience know where the emotion portrayed by the main character was coming from and the reasoning behind him waiting on the corner, and the fact that it is black and white shows that it is something of the past he is reminiscing/becoming nostalgic about. As well as this, the prop was key in evoking the main bit of emotion in the video. When the girl finally returns and finds that the guy has left the corner and left nothing but a picture of her, it is an emotional, but fitting end to the story being told in the music video. Other props that were used are cardboard, which we used to match the lyrics "got some words on cardboard", and a bag (see below also). The bag is important as it shows that the man plans to be there for some time, and matches the lyrics "gonna camp in my sleeping bag, i'm not gonna move."
Written by Sid.
Furthermore we used many aspects of mise en scene to evoke the mood and a certain example was the use of clothing, which comes under costume, to show how the character (myself) was feeling in the video. Throughout the video we made sure the actor in the video wore the same clothes throughout, as his clothes gave off the sense of disparity we were looking to obtain. The costume included a pair of ripped jeans and battered shoes, and a grey top which evokes dullness/dark feelings. We used these particular costumes to show how long he has been waiting for the girl to "come back to the corner" and evoke the sense of disparity and sadness, in the fact that the girl has not returned to find him. The costumes show how long he has been waiting, through their scruffy appearance, as shown in the following images:
Moreover Jack's technique of positioning and movement of characters on the set evokes further use of mise en scene. This mise en scene is cleverly used i feel because he positioned myself on the bench, with him standing up next to me. The director's technique of positioning myself (the actor) on the bench, with himself, acting, standing up next to me (see the picture below), gets across the mood of disparity due to myself being in a lower down position in the shot and therefore creates the sense of sadness and disparity, that was pivotal in the video's message, due to the theme of the song.
Another technique used by the director in the creation of our music video was the use of props to a great effect. A key prop in the video was the picture (see below) held by the main character of the girl he was waiting for throughout the video. The prop was key, as it let the audience know where the emotion portrayed by the main character was coming from and the reasoning behind him waiting on the corner, and the fact that it is black and white shows that it is something of the past he is reminiscing/becoming nostalgic about. As well as this, the prop was key in evoking the main bit of emotion in the video. When the girl finally returns and finds that the guy has left the corner and left nothing but a picture of her, it is an emotional, but fitting end to the story being told in the music video. Other props that were used are cardboard, which we used to match the lyrics "got some words on cardboard", and a bag (see below also). The bag is important as it shows that the man plans to be there for some time, and matches the lyrics "gonna camp in my sleeping bag, i'm not gonna move."
Written by Sid.
Construction: Analysis Of Shots Used
The series of images below show examples of the various types of shots that we have used within our music video, and an explanation as to why we have used them.
Above: This image shows a close-up shot. We have used these on a few occasions to show the artist's expression which consequently allows us to see how he is feeling. In this particular example, the fact that his eyes are closed and his head is pointing slightly downwards, show that he is deep in thought - he is thinking about his ex-lover and being nostalgic about their past together.
Above: This image shows a high-angle shot. This kind of shot is very effective because, as shown in this example, the camera points down on the subject to show their dominance within the narrative - although the character isn't inferior to any other people, the use of this shot shows that he is of a vulnerable and saddened state, due to the way he is feeling. The fact that people are looking down on the subject shows that they probably think less of him, and think he is somewhat deluded and pathetic because what he is doing (waiting for a girl/refusing to move), and hopes to achieve out of doing it (rekindling their relationship) doesn't seem very realistic. This adds to the severity of the inferiority within the video, and allows the audience to grasp how he is feeling.
Above: This image shows a medium shot. We have used these quite regularly, as they are a very popular shot in all types of videos. We have used it so that the viewers can focus on the character and what he is saying/the emotions he is expressing, but can also simultaneously see what kind of set and props are being used to add to the feeling that is being evoked. In this example, it is obvious that he is sitting down on a bench, which coincides with the lyrics and how he refuses to move. In terms of props/mise en scene, he is wearing a grey top - grey being a colour typically associated with dullness, which adds to the mood given off in the video.
Above: This image shows a pan-right shot. We have only used this once at the very beginning of the video. We decided that it would be appropriate to use this shot, followed by a tracking shot following the subject, because it allows the viewer to absorb everything necessary - the surroundings, to see where the video is going to be mainly set, and it allows them to feel as though they are actually there with the man, walking with him, which adds to the reality of the video, and therefore allows them to realise how realistic and deep his feelings are.
Above: This image shows an over-the-shoulder shot. We decided that this would be effective to use to go with the lyrics "got your picture in my hand" - using this type of shot would give the viewers a clear view of the picture and allow them to clearly see what it is of - in this case, his ex-lover. Using this prop again allows the viewers to realise how passionate he is about the relationship he once had, and how much he misses her ex-lover. This therefore adds to the depressive mood that is evoked.
Above: This image shows a wide shot, and they have been used on quite a few occasions in the video. As with the medium shot, it allows the viewers to focus on the character(s) and what he is saying/the emotions he is expressing, but also to be able to see everything else that is going on in the video that is key to the main action.
Above: This image shows a low-angle shot. We used this in the scene that involved the police-officer, in order to show the authority that he holds over not only the man in the video, but the public and its people as a whole. This shot is particularly effective as it allows the viewers to recognise the authority of this figure, and the way that he is looking down on the man on the bench depicts how the man is feeling vulnerable and perhaps scared.
Above: This image is of another close-up shot. However, this particular one has been used in a different style to the others. With this one, I held the camera with my hand, and manually walked round the man. Originally, I filmed this shot with no intention of actually using it, and instead thought I would just do it anyway as it is different to the rest of the shots. When editing, Tyrone incorporated it to see what it would look like, as there was an empty section of the video which needed to be filled up, and we decided that it looked quite effective and hence decided to use it.
Above: These two images show the use of a zoom shot. We have used these on a few occasions within the video because they focus on a particular part of the video that we, as the directors, want the audience to focus on, and it therefore allows them to do so. The one above has been used at the end of the video where the man's ex-lover gets to the corner, but he has gone, and all she sees is the picture of her on the bench. The first image is of the picture when she first seems it, and the second is of when it is zoomed in on to allow the viewers of the video to really absorb it and recognise the motif of the video, i.e., that upon being forced to, the man leaves, at which point the woman turns up.
Written by Jack.
Construction: Coursework Update
This is just a short update to inform everyone of where we are in terms of completing our coursework as a group. We are in deliberation as a group at the moment as to whether we should add a scene involving a mirrored screen effect into our music video. The clip wouldn't have to be long and could still run parallel with the emotions we are trying to convey in the video. The reason we are considering putting the clip in, is that it would add an effect that we feel will give the video a more professional and advanced look to it.
Furthermore even though the coursework is nearing an end, due to us as a group completing all the previous deadlines, we have the upcoming evaluation to tackle in the coming weeks. The evaluation will entail numerous questions about all that we have completed and we will be required to answer each of the questions in an detailed, advanced manner.
Written by Sid.
Furthermore even though the coursework is nearing an end, due to us as a group completing all the previous deadlines, we have the upcoming evaluation to tackle in the coming weeks. The evaluation will entail numerous questions about all that we have completed and we will be required to answer each of the questions in an detailed, advanced manner.
Written by Sid.
Construction: Proof Of Organisation
The images below show our organisation as a group, and re-infornce the previous vlog we made about organisation within the group.
This first image is of our desktop. We only have the one folder on our desktop, in which literally everything we need is stored. This means that we know where everything is, and it isn't all scattered over the desktop, which would make it extremely messy, and therefore hard to find what we need.
This image shows the videos within the one above. We have made 4 individual folders which are clearly labelled and we therefore know what is contained in each of them. "Premiere Projects" contains all of the videos we made in their premiere un-encoded formats, such as our interviews and the actual music video itself. "Videos" contains all of the vlogs we made on Photobooth, and also the exported, coded videos that we made on premiere and put onto YouTube and this blog. "Presentations" contains all of the powerpoints we made which have been put on here. "Other Stuff" contains everything else we used within the video, such as pictures and music clips.
The screen shot above shows how we knew what we had to film on each of the filming days. We went through our premiere project and made note of the lyrics that we hadn't filmed a clip for, and then next to them wrote what we were going to film to aid these lyrics. Doing so meant that we could print the filming plans off and take them to the different days, and once we had met, we knew exactly what we had to do, and could get it done in a shorter space of time as we didn't have to improvise on the spot.
Written by Jack.
This first image is of our desktop. We only have the one folder on our desktop, in which literally everything we need is stored. This means that we know where everything is, and it isn't all scattered over the desktop, which would make it extremely messy, and therefore hard to find what we need.
The screen shot above shows how we knew what we had to film on each of the filming days. We went through our premiere project and made note of the lyrics that we hadn't filmed a clip for, and then next to them wrote what we were going to film to aid these lyrics. Doing so meant that we could print the filming plans off and take them to the different days, and once we had met, we knew exactly what we had to do, and could get it done in a shorter space of time as we didn't have to improvise on the spot.
Written by Jack.
Construction: The Importance Of Consistency
When creating our project, it is highly important that we keep everything consistent with a matching house style. By this, I mean that the CD cover and website should be similar in the use of colour etc, in order to match the mood of the video and express the image we're trying to create for our artist.
When I created the website, I used a black and white colour theme, firstly because they are two colours that strongly compliment each other well and looks good on the page. Also, although it is not always the case, people typically associate black as a colour that evokes a sense of depression and dullness, which is the key motif in our music video - the man is in a state of nostalgia, and has depressive feelings about his past memories with an ex-lover. This choice of colour is highly sufficient in the way that it matches the mood being given off in the video, and this mood is maintained through the other promotional material. After I'd created the website, fellow group member Tyrone viewed it to gain an idea as to what sort of style to use with the CD cover. Again, he used a black background with white text in order to stabilise the sad mood emitted in the video, and a black and white effect was applied to the pictures he used in order to match the
website, and also the video.
In future filming sessions, we are going to be filming clips of the man and his ex-lover in the past, where they were a happy couple. As we did with the pictures (see above), we are going to apply a black and white effect to these clips, not only to show that they are moments from the past, but also to insinuate that he is being saddened by the recollection of them.
To conclude, we feel that using a consistent black and white theme throughout our promotional materials gives off a sad image about the artist, and hope that the viewers will feel a sense of pathos towards him (pity), which will consequently make them want to view the video, and also the other features of the promotional package, repeatedly.
Written by Jack.
When I created the website, I used a black and white colour theme, firstly because they are two colours that strongly compliment each other well and looks good on the page. Also, although it is not always the case, people typically associate black as a colour that evokes a sense of depression and dullness, which is the key motif in our music video - the man is in a state of nostalgia, and has depressive feelings about his past memories with an ex-lover. This choice of colour is highly sufficient in the way that it matches the mood being given off in the video, and this mood is maintained through the other promotional material. After I'd created the website, fellow group member Tyrone viewed it to gain an idea as to what sort of style to use with the CD cover. Again, he used a black background with white text in order to stabilise the sad mood emitted in the video, and a black and white effect was applied to the pictures he used in order to match the
website, and also the video.
In future filming sessions, we are going to be filming clips of the man and his ex-lover in the past, where they were a happy couple. As we did with the pictures (see above), we are going to apply a black and white effect to these clips, not only to show that they are moments from the past, but also to insinuate that he is being saddened by the recollection of them.
To conclude, we feel that using a consistent black and white theme throughout our promotional materials gives off a sad image about the artist, and hope that the viewers will feel a sense of pathos towards him (pity), which will consequently make them want to view the video, and also the other features of the promotional package, repeatedly.
Written by Jack.
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