FINAL PRODUCTS

This is a final post that simply puts ALL of my final products in one post (easier navigation)
Here are the following:

MY FINAL MUSIC VIDEO (FINAL CUT):

"Someone Like You" by Ice Nine Kills A2 Media Studies Music Video

MY FINAL DRAFT OF DIGI-PAK

MY FINAL MAGAZINE ADVERT

...

FIN

Evaluation

Here is my evaluation of my coursework:

Question 1
"In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?"

I came across many different conventions a long the course. Yet, I'd have to say that the biggest convention I came across, especially when looking at Rock, Punk and Metal genre music videos, is how they use a mixture of narrative and performance to send the message of their song to the viewer. Instead I decided to go against this in my own video as I wanted to go entirely into the narrative, emphasising the synergy between the songs lyrics and the meaning/events of the narrative's plot.

Here is a link to my video to prove this:

Music Video

Other conventions of genre that I opposed, were the stereotypical nature of such videos, i.e. rock love song - narrative explores the break up of a couple (etc.), metal song - narrative explores darker concepts (death) etc. etc. as my narrative follows a childish, and yet more mature theme/concept. This is because I really wanted to connect with those of my own age (i.e. post uni), and so related to a concept that my target audience would be thinking about - leaving home and becoming adults.
For my Digi-Pak and Magazine Advertisement, I used these to emphasise the synergy even further, as the story intertwines with these to texts. I followed the convention of using artwork to present the nature of the music on my Digi-Pak, yet I went against the convention of using a picture of the artist for my magazine advert (this would also be confusing and have no relation: as no performance segment is shown in my video). However, I did abide by such social conventions for my Advert by involving links to social networks like Facebook and Twitter as to make it even more accessible.
Although my texts opposed many of the general conventions, originally I wanted the video to be as modern and creative as possible as to relate to the target audience. This also makes my products unique and recognisable to such audiences who easily connect with the meaning of the narrative.

Evidence of this:

 As you can see, at the bottom are the links to social networks:

Question 2
"How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?"

Question 3
"What have you learnt from your audience feedback?"
I gained a large positive response to my video, yet unfortunately, a theme that I noticed when talking the people about my bear character, is that they found him to be "creepy". This I found hilarious at first, as I wanted the bear to appear innocent and heart-warming, however this reaction was also still present among some of my viewers. I'm still stumped however as to why the bear was interpreted as this? Maybe it was the nature of the song (metal) that may of off-put those of different genre liking, but a part from that I achieved the portrayal of the bear that I intended. To counter-act this I'd involve more positive scenes and "heart-felt" moments of the character as to then employ this to the viewer. However with the planning that I achieved, I'd say that to improve this in the future, I'd do a draft of the planning - as to then evaluate the purpose and concept of different scenes even further.
Other nice compliments that were given to me were from my teacher Ms. Keenan, who said that "I may grow up to be a director" due to the quality of my planning and creativity with shots (supposedly).
This has taught me a lot about the editing process, due to me planning it out so thoroughly, I was able to breeze through the editing stages because I knew exactly where everything was meant to be, HOWEVER, due to some lack of video length/or excess, it took a while to cut down such clips, and to speed up others. It's arguable that it's quite clear in some segments of my video, but unfortunately that had to be in order for the synergy with the lyrics to take effects.
Having a large amount of shots and footage is great! But what I've learnt is that having the "wanted" footage is more important.

As to demonstrate the reception further; here is a link to my initial viewing, which also shares my response to some questions that were given at the time:

Viewing

Question 4
"How did you use media technologies in the construction of your research, planning and evaluation stages?"

Summing Up

Directors Commentary + Evaluation Part 1

Directors Commentary + Evaluation Part 2

Viewing and Feedback from Media Class

This is the response that my media studies class had after the initial viewing, also grading my video on it's performance, I have to say that the reception was greatly positive!

Viewing

Digi-Pak

For this ancillary text, I was to make six pieces of information over six panels in a CD like formation:

Here are my first drafts of all these images:

Front Cover

Back

First Inner Panel

Second Inner Panel

Third Inner Panel

Fourth and CD Inner Panel

These were based on my plans, yet due to the development on my magazine advert: it greatly altered the outcome of my actual Digi-Pak:

Second Inner Panel

First Inner Panel

Front Cover

Fourth Inner Panel

Third Inner Panel

Back

From the parchment like affect achieved for my magazine advert; I decided to replicate this for my digi-pak as to fill in some of the blank white space which was kind of "off-putting" in the DRAFT.  I  also decided to washout all colour, even of the plain images as to keep within a clean and presentable style. This final product also adds my logo, as well as red splatter to emphasize the importance of the balloon (and keep in consistency of mag ad.).
THIS ALL links between each other as it follows the story of my Toy Bear before the narratives plot in my video.

I'm extremely impressed with how well they've turned out!

Magazine Advertisement

For one of the two ancillary texts, I needed to make a Magazine Advert.

Earlier in my blog, I showed my plans of what I wanted my magazine advert to be...

Here is my draft:

However, social links and other factors have not been applied, and so I continued on to finish off with this product, which nicely links in with the Digi-Pak; as explained in that blog post...

This has everything that I wanted to involve.
THe only area of improvement that I'd point out, is that I'd of liked to of been able to erase the blue sketch lines - yet unfortunately because the original image was scanned in like this, I found it challenging to fulfill my desire for the images final appearance.

Pitch

Here is my Pitch which was presented in front of my Media Class:

MY PITCH

And here are some questions that were asked after my presentation:

Question + Answer 1

Question + Answer 2

Here are pictures from the Pitch's presentation which was going on behind me:

Raw Footage and Test Shots

Here is some raw footage and test shots that were done during the filming stages of my video:

Here is my bear emerging from the cupboard scene. As shown, I merely get inside the cupboard, and lever him out of the wardrobe. This creates the effect that he's emerging.

Raw Footage/Test Shot 1

And here is the Girlfriend/Jealous scene where it shows me and Bronwen trying on wedding symbolism hula hoop rings. Originally, I planned to use Haribo, but unfortunately my local Tesco did not have the Starmix pack, so I compromised with these.

Raw Footage/Test Shot 2

Health and Safety Evidence

When considering the Health and Safety of my filming situation, it honestly isn't that big an issue. this is mainly because my entire video is set in my own home, so no need to worry about the safety of the public, or how it may effect disrupt the community, etc. This also means that I am familiar with the environment that I'm in, as well as the rest of the cast which are comprised of friends who are also familiar with the surrounding itself.

Due to the familiarity, it's extremely unlikely that anything serious would happen. There are no risky shots planned, i.e. need to stand on a chair to get a high angle shot - etc. meaning that the filming won't risk the person, or people, when the camera is in use.

Other aspects like the teddy bear are well clear of obstruction (as it's an item made for children - you can't get much safer than that).

ONLY area of concern is when I have the toy bear operating in the toilet, and where he vomits into the toilet. This causes hygiene issues, and the bear should be cleaned (or anything on the liens of this).

Location Photoes

Here are some numerous location shots and stills that were taken before and during the filming process:

Evidence of Contact

Here is my evidence of me contact the artists, who I was informed by the record label "Red Blue Records" that they own the rights to the song and video.

Video - Draft 1

Here's my first draft, VERY INCOMPLETE, most of it isn't even video, but it's worth being shown:

Draft 1

Final cut/ Finished Video

Well here it is guys! My finished video, hope you enjoy it!

"Someone Like You" by Ice Nine Kills A2 Media Studies Music Video

Unfortunately I could not get the "video" result to work for this and the other posts, so the hyperlink will have to suffice.

Video - Draft 4

Here is my last draft/the rough cut that was saved before completion, this is without the credits and text:

Draft 4

Video - Draft 3

Here is my third with SOME further editing:

Draft 3

Video - Draft 2

Now here's my second draft - Complete Assembly, but no visual editing applied:

Draft 2

Timeline Analysis and Shoot Order (successes and failures)

Before filming, I made these two documents that enabled me to apply shots, angles and other elements of camera work in full detail. This also became a create way to order my video when in the editing process:

First document is my timeline analysis; made way before the filming stage:

Sorry it had to be in different sections, but it was too large to upload as one full image.

And then my Shoot Order, completed in the filming stage itself:

Record Companies/ Labels/ Directors research and Ideas for my Own

The record company for Ice Nine Kills is "Red Blue Records" who focus on the artists themselves, over their own brand image.
There logo/ or title/ looks like this:

It follows general conventions of a metal music record label by using gothic shaped font with a rusted effect to add onto perhaps how old the company believes itself to be (as old/ more professional/ a company looks; the more trustworthy/reliable they seem to be). This I may try to oppose within my own fictional company, as the msuci videos narrative does not fully support this view

I've decided, for my own logo of a fictional company, for it to be associated with something that is characterized as being positive (perhaps something of a childish element - as to link to the concept of my narrative), but with a dark element that hints to the motives of the company itself (i.e. their genre orientation).

My initial Idea is of the company titled "DEAD SMILEY RECORDS" and I've created a logo that is literal to it's concept:

This will be presented within my Music Video as well!

Filming and Editing Schedule

Here are my Filming and Editing Schedules that I have planned over the next year and term:

Digi-Pak & Advertisement Research and Planning

Here are a few basic questions that I asked myself when researching and planning my own Digi-Pak:

• What are the conventions of a Digi-Pak?

It is to serve as a higher quality form of the usual CD packaging, which comprises of a single and less informative case, when in comparison to the Digi-Pak which presents more information and art to the user than what is normally provided.

• Find examples and Analyse with annotations on blog (example is from "Total Guitar")

• It links to social networks and email addresses with links at the bottom of the advertisement + record companies etc.
• Has a close up of band member/artist
• Performance orientated
• Advertises the equipment used

Current Ideas

• I should deter away from the usual performance illustration in magazine advertisement as my music video itself does not contain any performance segments at all
• This will link with the Digi-Pak
• Definitely involve the connectivity of Social network and other sources (e.g. email, record labels etc.)
• Focus on a certain individual in the advertisement, rather than a group (as it's usually presented on a horizontal page etc.)

• What are the conventions of a magazine advert for a single?

It is to further spread the awareness of the singles release through different forms of media, as to further the potential customer/to/audience that may purchase or simply listen to the single.

• What is my Market strategy, including branding, visual style, logo, artist image and overall  concept for this single and the artist as a whole

The artist image is not specified in my video, as it fully focuses on narrative, going against usual conventions (especially when it comes to rock/metal music videos).
This is done to fully focus on the narrative itself, and it's synergy with the lyrics and musical tone (i.e. when darker tone of music is played, a darker tone of the narrative is shown, etc.).

• How will my music video, advertisement and digi-pak complement each other?

They tell the story of my toy bear, as we see the development of his life and relationship with me through the mediums: He is first introduced through the magazine advert, then partially symbolised in progress through the digi-pak, and then finished off through the events of the video.

• Do I have any other notable ideas that can be used for promotional strategy and launch of my single?

The digi-pak and magazine advertisement will interlink in plot presentation, with the magazine being the first piece to the narrative's story:


Here are my ideas on how this is linked:

And here is my Magazine Advert Planning:

Annotations are featured on the pages themselves ^

DiaryBlog Entry 13: BIG Update

Hi, it's been a long time since I last updated, but with very good reason, I was off ill for a week or so, which unfortunately meant that I missed out on two lessons, YET, I did work at home on the video, and now it has finally come to a final cut! It has an added intro and credits which add to it's narrative and performance! I can't wait to publish raw footage and other videos on here, but I'm about to show it to the rest of my media class for Evaluation, so I have to get that over and done with first :) . Let's hope they like it!

Hope to update within the next two weeks :/
Matt

Storyboard

Here is a storyboard that I did a while back of one of my starting scenes with the bear coming out of the wardrobe, and the scene titled "Jealousy". This where the bear sees me and my (supposed) Girlfriend, and watches in envy at how I may of replaced the toy-to-child relationship with the one that's unfolding before his very own eyes:

DiaryBlog Entry 12: At school

It is now half term. Sorry for not updating my blog in such a long time, but I've been very busy editing my video...
From the success of the filming being complete, I am now in the crucial editing process; which has taken a large chunk of time from my life, dwindling my chance to update anything because I was enveloped in this work area.
I still have footage to post, before drafts of the video (which shall be done) but I can't at the moment as the computer I was using is being updated (this has all of my saved files on, and so are going to be backed up at a later point). I have tried accessing other computers (such as this one), but to no avail.

Yet, the status of the video is doing well! I've completed the initial assembly of the footage, i.e. plain cutting of the footage itself + arrangement etc. and have done some adjustment to the appearance of some scenes, i.e. contrast, lighting, brightness etc. It's next draft I was going to work on today, but as stated before, I'm not able to work on it.

Now, I plan to pick up working on my digi-pak and magazine advertisement in this time given to me today.
Hope to update when technology starts working again...

Matt

Prop, Cast and Crew Lists

Here are lists of my Props, Cast and Crew, with sections on the side explaining their roles in my Video:

DiaryBlog Entry 11: SUCCESS!!!

I am now officially done filming!!!

Let's give that a moment to sink in...

Blimey did it take forever. But, I am so happy with the results, and as said in earlier posts, I will post the Raw Footage in the near future! But I will have to warn you though, the upload process does take a hefty amount of time, even as I type; I'm uploading my recently took footage onto my area. After that, I'll have to upload it onto the computer that I plan to use (as it will have it only on THAT computer), and then I shall be getting a hardrive, which is basically a massive USB stick, in which will allow my footage to run a lot easier on the computer I plan to use!

I shall update whenever!

Matt

Moodboard

Here is my moodboard of the term "Metal" (in context with music, not the element(s)):

Artist Styling/Costume planning

Here are my ideas for Artist Styling:

• I want it to be IN colour, as I want it to capture a lot of the realism to the shots and scenes, rather than trying to produce this surreal image of black and white, that although it may show great detail, deprives itself of many such emotions that could of been expressed through colour.
• I may give the footage a contrast, brighter look, as to suit the view of a child (as it's from a toy's perspective)
• May add some blur, as to parts that show that the bear is reminiscing. Emphasises the change of screenplay
• May add colour to certain places, to deliberately show emotion

I may come up with other ideas on the spot, but for now the camera's settings are set to take in more light than normal (hence being brighter), and it's in colour. Most other settings I have left on Default.

As for the Costume planning, I plan for my cast (excluding the Toy Bear) to wear whatever they deem suitable for the video, as I want to make the video as realistic as possible, and what better way to do it, than to just be ourselves, wearing the clothes we like and acting in environments that we usually act well in!

Hope to post further information soon!

Matt

DiaryBlog Entry 10: Filming thus far

So far, I've filmed well over 3/4's of my footage that I want, yet unfortunately because of technological problems this weekend just gone, it got too late for me to film any thing else.
In perspective, I should try and get up earlier in-order to film my footage in decent daylight. Assuring the result of the footage I want.

Now I AM planning to DEFINITELY finish my filming off this weekend, as this is getting ridiculous :/

If not, I do have a bit longer to work on the video, but personally I want to get it done and dusted!

I hope that the Next post I publish will be one of total victory :)

Matt

DiaryBlog Entry 9: What I have done over Christmas Break!

Well, I hope you all had a fun filled Christmas; as i spent most of it filming.
I have filmed all of the scenes that involve other people, such as Tommy and Bronwen, and now all I have to do is film a majority of the bear and me.
A main problem that I faced, seemingly as it's the middle of winter now, was that I had little daylight hours for filming, meaning that I didn't have the right lighting for my filming to take place, as it's too dark.
Yet, I did turn this in my favour as I was able to use this in one of the disappearing scene with the toy bear, as he falls off the edge of one of my chairs. The darkness really worked well, as it was just light enough to see the bear, yet dark enough to create a lonely ambiance within the scene itself!
If the footage is darker than what I originally recorded, then I shall simply brighten it in the editing software (of whose name escapes me).

Other troubling aspects I came across was prioritising. As I had to prioritise scenes that involved Christmas decor, as the music video is set at Christmas (hence the relationship with the toy bear). And, I had planned to film AFTER Boxing Day, my family were waiting on me to finish filming such scenes so they could put down such decor I needed to be consistent throughout my footage. For example, I needed the tree to still be up, yet, I had several different scenes in the room where the tree was present, SO; I needed to film all of these for that room to then be free to have it's decor to be taken down.
Now as suspected, I need to keep my decor up in my room, and keep anything that may hint to the time of year consistent throughout the whole video. So to put in depressing terms, I'm going to be very unlucky by the time I take down my Christmas decorations (but hopefully still lucky enough to finish this course).

Right at this moment I am uploading my footage onto the computer, and it's taking it's time, so I shall hopefully of uploaded a full blog post of all (or for simpler reasons: "SOME") raw footage that has not been edited. This I will compare with to one of the edited pieces of footage, showing the differentiation between the two, and how this creates the effects I intended, and those of which were unexpected!

As I said I still have some filming to achieve, so the blog post will be a little while yet, BUT, I plan to use this weekend to finish all the filming I have left to do, I'm not guaranteeing everything, but hopefully all my footage will be present by this time next week!

Thanks for keeping up-to-date!

Matt