Costume List

Costume List:

• White Knee High Boots

http://www.amazon.co.uk/BOLAND-BV-46213--/dp/B00BKXIABC/ref=sr_1_13?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1412676318&sr=1-13&keywords=knee+high+white+boots

• Black and White print dress

 






















http://www.motelrocks.com/products/Motel-Sarah-Bodycon-Dress-in-Black-and-White-Huge-Check.html

• Silver Skirt and Top (co-ord)

 

http://www.motelrocks.com/products/Motel-Cetus-Bodycon-Mini-Skirt-in-Silver-Foil.html

http://www.motelrocks.com/products/Motel-Ursa-Turtle-Neck-Crop-Top-in-Silver-Foil.html

• White t shirt x3

• Black jeans 

• Leather Jacket/ Sports Jacket 
  
  



Prop List

Prop List

• Balloons - various colours 
  

• Paint powder – various colours

• Smoke bombs – various colours

• Transparent tubes

• Organ

• Cigarette – tobacco/rizzlers/filters

• 60s styled microphone – but hanging from ceiling



Evaluation of Animatic

Evaluation of Animatic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woPmhfsLwJ4&index=6&list=PLMaATKXq7KVAXK7WHzSJgWVgUg4_JE2Gq

Having completed our storyboard, we then filmed the images we had drawn so that we could create an animated version of our idea. This helped us to get a feel for the camera again, which will benefit us when it comes to actually filming. We then cut the drawings to the track, and followed the time schedule we had constructed in our time line. Having changed our editing software from Final Cut Pro to Premier, it was a good way to learn how to use it and familiarise ourselves with the editing process again. We learnt that we should not cut on the beat every time, but to vary it, in order to make the video more interesting. Moreover, the animation helped us to gain a better idea of what our video would look like, and whether the cuts and time schedule were correct. This was an important part of our planning procedure, as it highlighted all the problems that we still needed to face.  Looking back, we should have done our storyboard in colour, as it would have helped to emphasise the moment when the video changes from black and white to colour. This would have benefited the animation, as it would have been accurate to what the video will look like. 

We realised that parts of our storyboard did not work, and  by actually seeing what the video would look like, we saw that parts of the video were highly repetitive. This was mainly in the first minute of the video, as we only seemed to alternate between 6 shots. By mainly focusing on the girl singing, and behind the same background, the video seems rather dull and lifeless with no sense of excitement. 

We repeat these two images far too much, and this was made really apparent in the animation, therefore we have decided to add some more visually exciting material. Having discussed it at length, we came up with the idea of having a spin black and white background behind the girl while she is singing, as this will add a variation to the piece. Also, we have decided to focus more on the boy as well, so we will have some shots of him dancing as well as smoking. 

The other 2 minutes of the video, we saw did not really say anything or complement the idea we had come up with. Therefore, we had a brainstorming session to come up with some new ideas, that still focused upon colour as the major part of the video. We decided to emphasise the organ more, and the idea that when the boy played a note, a specific colour would come up from the pipes (smoke) and this would influence the girls world. We played around with the idea of having a corridor with white panels, that soon fill with colour the more the boy plays the organ. However, we also came up with the idea of having white balloons and then having coloured ones emerge in the mix, and then explode showering the girl in coloured powder paint. Both ideas would bring another dynamic to the video, but we need to find out which idea is more feasible as well as interesting to watch. Additionally, we decided to focus more on the pipes with the coloured smoke in, and we changed how we wanted to arrange them. Instead of having them coming out of a chair, we are now having them hang from the ceiling, coming in from out of screen and attached to the wall. Now, we will have the girl singing in front of the tubes so that the coloured smoke seems to be travelling all around her. 

Moreover, we have decided to remove the sofa, as it seems out of place within the video and does not add anything to the engagement factor of the video. To replace this, we have decided to end the video in a world of colour. The girl will be engulfed in paint powder, from all directions and this seems far more interesting than having both the boy and girl just dancing in the coloured smoke for a long time. We took some inspiration from this video, as the contrast between the vivid the colour and the black background is something we want to create. 

We also want to take a still image of the girl when she has the powder on her face, de-construct it on Photoshop so that her face seems distorted, and then have the image projected behind her whilst she sings. This will add another element to the video and will differentiate the shots of her performing. 

Having completed the animation, we asked our classmates and teachers for feedback, so that we could get another persons perspective on the idea. The main comments are as follows: 

- Although we should not cut on the beat every time, some of the cuts seemed random and out of place with the track. To remedy this, we should focus on the song and when the big 'moments' occur, and then cut on these bits so that the action corresponds with the lyrics and beat more. 

- We were made aware, that using an old fashioned mike has its problems, as the surface is highly reflective and can obscure the singers mouth. We need to ensure that our audience can see the girl lip syncing thus we may have to film from the side or from above. Also, we need to make sure that the camera cannot be seen in the mike as it would ruin the 'other worldly' atmosphere we are hoping to created in the video. 

- A friend suggested that we should keep the girl in a chequered dress throughout, but have the colour of the blocks change. This was a good idea, as it will have more of an impact when the video changes from black and white to colour, if the girls dress was the same style/pattern but different colours. 

-Also, we were reminded that the images we wanted to project need to be of a good quality, otherwise they will seem fuzzy and thus not be as interesting. 

Overall, the animation process was highly useful, as it really showcased the key areas that needed changing. This will make our final product better, as by sorting out the issues during the planning stage, will help to make the shoot day run far more smoothly. Moreover, I think that we have kept to our star image well, as the girl is the centre of the video, and we have combined enough girlishness with an edgier more mysterious side. Hopefully, this will come across in the actual footage, and that with the use of costume and make up we will emphasise this further.
 

Storyboard for Pop Promo

Storyboard for Pop Promo

After changing some of our timeline, our group put together a storyboard in order to make the process of planning easier. Storyboarding highlighted the weaknesses in our idea,  therefore we were able to alter some sections in order to improve the flow of the video. Thus, storyboarding allowed us to bring together all our previous planning and construct it into a workable document. 

Polydor Records - Insight into the Music Industry

 

Polydor Records - Insight into the Music Industry

 

 

 

 

During our Media lesson, Emily Tedrake, from Polydor Records came and spoke to us about the music industry, with a focus on commissioning music videos. This was extremely beneficial, as it allowed us to gain a deeper insight into how the production of a music video works, from a person working within that industry.

 

Emily works for Polydor Records, which was originally founded in Germany in 1946, with the UK division being set up only 10 years later. The label now signs a large variety of artists, and comfortably keeps up with the ever changing genre's of music. Emily is a music video commissioner for the label, which means she acts as a sort of creative director for the label. An artist sends her their music, and then she has to find the right director to construct the video, then she become the label producer for that video.

 

 The pace of producing a music video is extremely quick. It takes approximately a month to fully create, depending on how much of the video is created in post production. Once Emily is given the single, she has to quickly decide what type of video she wants to create, then construct the brief. This is then sent to various directors, who will then show their interest in wanting to create it. Emily is working on a constant deadline, as the videos need to coincide with other deadlines as otherwise the release of the video will not have maximum marketing impact.

 

Emily made some key points about making music videos during our talk, and they will be incredibly useful when we come to make our music video.

 

Emily spoke about how an artist should contribute to the idea for the music video, as it makes it "more magical" and unique. When an artist is part of the planning process they engage more with the video, and this comes across on camera as they enjoy the process far more. Moreover, the idea will then directly link to the artist and coincide with their star image and this will help in the promotion of the song.

 

Additionally, Emily emphasised the importance of having a simple idea, as they are easier to work with and actually look better on screen. Having a strong, yet simple idea will often convey more meaning and fit better with the song. Moreover, the idea has to coincide with the budget therefore a simple idea if often much cheaper but still retains the same power and value. Emily spoke about trying to raise the money for the video, and that sponsors are often used. However, she stressed how this brought its own complications, as the sponsors have to promote the right image that contemplates the artists, as otherwise the artist might be shown in a negative light. This is not something we have to worry about, but it gave me insight into how the music industry actually works, and that producing a music video is not just one thing but another part of the artists image.

 

Furthermore, Emily spoke about treatments and how to create the best, most effective one. This was extremely useful as our treatment needs to convey the right tone and meaning for our music video. A treatment, says Emily, she contain a lot of images so that the director can get an idea of the style/colour/tone of the piece. Finding simpler examples also ensures that you are not copying someone else's idea completely, and it also can provide new inspiration. As well as this, the beginning of the treatment should explain the concept briefly but efficiently, so that the director can get an immediate feel for the video. This is important in a fast paced industry, as time is sparse and thus key ideas need to be conveyed quickly. Emily also mentioned that all the details of the video should be put in the treatment, and that any style/fashion choices should be carefully explained and portrayed.

 

Moreover, Emily spoke about where to gather inspiration for music videos. Although looking into the artists brand image and the lyrics of that particular song is important, she stressed how viewing art galleries, fashion shows, adverts and clips on youtube all provide good inspiration. In addition, they provide more unique/strange ideas that can be transformed to fit a specific concept.

 

Emily then showed 3 of  the recent music videos she has worked on, and the treatments for them. Looking at a real treatment showed me what I exactly need to do, and put a theory into real practice.

 

My favourite treatment and video she showed us, was Bipolar Sunshine's - Deckchairs on the Moon. The treatment provided numerous images, and the video reflects these same ideas. The concept was clearly shown but in a few short sentences conveyed the very essence of the video.

 

 

 

Emily also emphasised the importance of Vimeo and youtube, as both immediately promote the video. The video needs to have a large number of ratings, otherwise the artist may struggle to further promote their song. For example, Emily explained how Radio One look at the demographics of a song on youtube, and will pick one with the highest amount of views and then use the information to decide which artist to interview. Therefore, each video needs to be exciting, unique and engaging, as it is a key part of the artists promotional package.