Filming/Editing: Call Sheet for London

When we plan to go and film at various locations, it is appropriate to create a production schedule, or call sheet, allowing everyone involved to know exactly what is going on; when and where we are going to film, who is in charge of what, and what we will need to bring and wear. Below is an example of a Call Sheet i created for when we are going to film in London, and the details each group member needs to be aware of.

Filming/Editing: Not going to London

We had planned to go to London today, to do our final filming, however this morning the weather looked like it was going to rain all day, and so it wasn't appropriate. Because of this, we went to our media lesson, and spent it blogging and editing the footage we have so far. It turned out the weather brightened up, which was a shame for us, but we will definatly have to go to Londons famous landmarks to film tomorrow. Although we have left it very late to be filming, and we realise this, we feel this will be an effective part of the msic video, and did not want to settle for an easier alternative. We will spend all of Thursday doing the last of the editing.

This afternoon, i bought the paper for London tomorrow, on which we will write the lyrics on for Tom to hold up. This is the only money our group has spent out throughout the whole msic video process, which is good.

Filming/Editing: Filming the Band

Although i was not in school due to a family emergency, on Friday afternoon, Tom and Dan, along with the other group, Charlie Rory Jake and Angela, filmed our band scene. We used the drama room, and a microphone, and two guitars from the music department, however the drums couldn't be moved, so we didn't use them. 

   

We were able to use dials to control various lights within the room, which added to the effect of it being a live band in a gig environment. There were 20 different lights, with a different dial to control each. Some were back lights, some were key lights, and some were fillers, in the colours predominantly white, and also red, blue and green.

Below is a montage of all the different camera angles and shits we got, including a close up of Charlie singing, a mid shot of Charlie, Rory's guitar solo, both Rory and Tom on guitar, and a close up of a guitar. We figured the more shots we have, the better variety we will have when it comes to putting the band scene to music.

Filming/Editing: Risk Assessment Sheet for filming the band

When filming, various risks must be considered, and the people involved must be made aware of the health and safety. Below is an example of a risk assessment sheet, which is to be created for every filming location, and given out to members involved in the project beforehand. In this case, it is for the filming of the band scene in the 'Oh Me Oh My' music video. It highlights the risks, the solutions, and contacts that may be needed, if there are any problems or issues. 

Being Away

Unfortunately, due to a family emergency, i have to go to East Sussex this afternoon, and don't know when i'l be back, hopefully by Monday. It will mean i have to leave my group to film the band without me, which we have planned to do tomorrow, but i'm sure they will be able to do it. The deadline is next week, which puts a lot of pressure on, but the circumstances are unavoidable.

Filming/Editing: Filming in the Park

As we decided against the idea of filming and using a green screen, to try and make Tom see my face on the side of a bus, on an advert, we instead went to Valance park, the local park, today to film a scene where he thinks he is on the see saw at a park with me, but he is in fact alone. Although it's meant to be sad, it's more comical. We used various angles and shots and had to take into consideration the sunlight in the shot, and the shadows it was causing, and the van that was painting the climbing frame in the park, which we didn't want in the shot. It was really cold out, but we had to keep our 'costumes' the same, so i couldn't wear a jacket. We then went to school, and uploaded the footage.

Filming/Editing: Filming at Tom's house and Party Go Go

Yesterday was a very productive day, we filmed the opening sequence to our music video, in which Tom is seen in a number of various jump cuts, doing different things, and in the last one sitting looking upset. From here, he rips up a photo of him and his ex girlfriend, and leaves the room. This sets the scene for the video, and provides the audience with some explanation as to what the video is about.


We then went to the shop were i work, Party Go Go, where they had allowed us to film, and had also agreed to feature in the video. First we filmed Tom walking into the shop, using a number of shots. Then Tom goes to buy a newspaper, and thinks it is his girlfriend that serves him at the counter, only to do a double take and see the real shop keeper. He then runs out of the shop, freaked out. Below are some pictures, that show the story;

Today, we have uploaded all of this footage to Final Cut.

Target Audience Research: Overall Analysis from Audience Research Work.

As our target audience research, we carried out a focus group on our song choice (Oh Me Oh My, by the 99s), and a survey on music videos in general, both for which i have provided an analysis for. Now i plan to bring all the information and ideas together for the production of our own music video.

In terms of the song, most people liked it which was a good sign, as it means it appeals to most audiences. It was recognised as an Indie song, and as being upbeat and fun, so we want our music video to parallel this idea. The videos to songs which people compared our song to had lip synching and a band performance, which we have decided to put into our own music video. The mood of the song could represent a spectrum of moods, but it is predominantly relaxed and happy, so we will try to make the video follow this feeling.

Our main audience is both genres, aged 16-20, so this is who we will try to aim our video at, so we want it to be something they can relate to, and it will need to be entertaining. We need to make the video something people will talk about, and go out of their way to watch, and enhance popularity. Our music video will follow a story, which as i previous said we want to be something that our target audience can relate to, but at the same time we want it to be entertaining and comical, as this is what our survey suggests people like.

Target Audience Research: Analysis of our Survey Results

After receiving just 15 responses to our survey, we have decided we need to analyze the results and use them to help us make an effective and popular video. I have displayed the results to the questions in different ways.

What Gender are you?

 How old are you?

The response was from those 16+, as expected, meaning that his is our main target audience, however we must not rule out attempting to appeal to the younger audience also.

What is your favourite music video and why?

Apart from the person who obviously has an obsession with turtles, most the answers are good, and helpful. We have discovered what the popular videos are, and why they may be liked. Most the videos referred to, we have already looked at in 'the top 100 music videos', meaning we have quite a good understanding of them. We have also obtained a wide variety of different song and video types.

How often do you watch music videos in a week?

People don't particularly tend to watch music videos, as we know they often listen to music on various technologies when on the move, such as ipods and phones. However some people do watch them, and we do not know how many people within the 0-5 category watch music channels o times, and how many watch it 5.

Would you go out of your way to watch a music video?

For this question, we got the response we wanted. 13 people would go out o their way to watch a music video, in comparison to just 2 who would not. This shows that the music video is important to the popularity of a song. 

 On a scale of 1-10, what do you rate the importance of the music video, in relation to the promotion of the song?

The response to this question varied, however it seems as though more people consider a songs music video to be quite important- 11 of the 15 said they considered the importance to be between 6-10, so the majority think it is of high importance.

 What is your favourite musical genre?

As can be seen, the most popular styles of music were dance, followed by pop, then RnB and dubstep. However as there is a wide variety, with at least one person liking each genre, we figured we could pick any song genre we like, as each has an audience it would appeal to.

 What is you favourite music video style?

The most popular is comical, so we will try to make our video funny and entertaining, and people also like a story. The least popular video style is animated, so we will avoid this.

What makes a good music video in your opinion?

I put all the key words that answered the above question into a wordle, to see what came out biggest, and as most popular. As can be seen, people think controversy,comedy and fun are important, and also like originality and dancing. We will take all of this into consideration when we make our music video, trying to abide by the most popular responses, to appeal what is considered to be an audience made of the majority of our survey.

Filming/Editing: Editing the 'Oh Me Oh My' Sequence

To edit the 'Oh Me Oh My' part of the song, we wanted each person in a corner of the screen each, with their word, in the first instance having them the wrong way round, and so needing to swap. To do this, we had to import the pictures, make the the right size, ad then work out the speed to make it look as close to Tom and Charlie swapping words as possible. This involved slowing Charlie's down to 80% of its original speed. We expected it to look obviously slower, but thankfully it was okay. We also got Jake and Jake in the bottom pictures to look up and shake their heads at the above pairs mistakes.

Digipak & Advert: Digipak Photos

Whilst we filmed the other day, the chorus in front of the brick wall, we also took still pictures, to use for the digipak, one of each person holding the sign up smiling for the front cover, and one of them pulling faces for the inside.

Filming/Editing: Re-filming the 'Oh Me Oh My' sequence

Today we re-filmed our 'Oh Me Oh My' chorus sequence. Because we knew what we wanted to do, from a previous attempt, we were much more successful, and it took a lot less time. We also got all the photos we want for our digipak.


Once we had done this part, we planned to use the drama room, and instruments from the music department, to create a band scene, at the same time as another group, to help each other, however the drama room was in use, and so we were unable to do so. I will ask the appropriate teacher in the near future when it is possible to use the drama room, as well as making sure the instruments are available.

Filming/Editing: More Filming and Editing

Yesterday, we filmed our 'Oh Me Oh My' chorus film sequence. We had to ask Jake Williams Charlie Land and Jake Knowles, along with Tom to be filmed, and we also to stills of each of them, as this is what we are going to use for our digipak. They wore what we considered to be indie looking clothes. It went well, but when we uploaded it to Final Cut, we decided although it was okay, we thought we can do better. For this reason, tomorrow we are going to re film it, knowing exactly what we need to do to make it better, along with filming our band performance scene, at the same time as the other group do theres. We also had some problems on on Final Cut; the program kept cutting out mid process of editing, meaning we had to keep restarting. Hopefully this wont happen throughout.

Filming/Editing: Beginning to Edit

Our plan is to upload footage as we film it. Today we downloaded our song from Youtube, onto Final Cut, and uploaded our firework footage from last week, removing the sound so the music is all you can hear, and picking out the better bits of video. We have quite a lot so will have to cut it down once we have all our other footage.

Planning: Suggested Filming Schedule

Below is a plan me and my group drew up for when we will go out filming, and what costumes and props it will involve. We will attempt to abide by it, but realise that factors such as weather and school classroom availability may hinder our plan. We have also allowed at least 2 days between each filming session, because we will want to edit as we go along, and have had to think about what lessons and other work people have to do.

Theory Work: Audience Theory- The Effects Model

- The first of the theories we looked at that will help us to understand the relationship between text and audience is The Effects Theory, also known as the Hypodermic Syringe Model.
- The theory is that the consumption of media texts has an effect and an influence upon the audience.
- This is normally considered to be a negative effect.
- Audiences passively consume texts, and are powerless to prevent the influence texts have.
- The power lies with the message of the text.
- The model is also known as The Hypodermic Model because the audience are sitting passively, powerless to having a hypodermic syringe pumping and infecting us with information, and the intended message.
- We are drugged by and addicted to the powerful syringe-like media.


Examples
In the 1992 british general election, and the weeks leading up to the result, the labour party was dominating. Throughout, The Sun newspaper were against Labour, and on the  day of the result, they published the below front page headline.

The Conservative Party won my just a few seats, and below is The Sun's headline on the following day;

It was believed that the papers headline on results day influenced enough people to change their vote, providing the conservatives with the  victory.

Another example is television advertising. Certain adverts, such as Barry Scott for Cilit Bang, and Alexander the Meercat for Compare the Market are rememberable and a lasting effect on the audience, influencing them to purchase the product or use the service, as it is the one that springs to mind.

Theory Work: Audience Theory- What? Why? How?

Today in lesson we looked back at the model of the media that we learnt about some weeks ago. As part of the model, we discovered that text, such as tv, internet and newspapers are consumed by an audience. Over the coming weeks, we will be looking at why, how, and what happens, as well as theories surrounding the relationship between text and audience. There are three theories we will be considering and learning about;


- The Effects Model (also known as the Hypodermic Syringe Model)
- The Uses and Gratifications Model
- The Reception Theory


Before we look at these theories, in class discussion we considered the following;


Why do audiences choose to consume certain texts?
- To learn
- To entertain
- Because it's a topic of interest to them
- Because it's a personal preference


How can media be consumed?
- Watched
- Read
- Listened to
- Interact (the internet)


What can happen when an audience consumes text?
- A person can form a new opinion
- A person can change their opinion
- A person is influenced, or indoctrinated

Filming/Editing: Filming Fireworks!

Over this weekend, unscheduled, myself and Tom took a camera to my dads house. We were having a firework party and so decided to film it to use in our music video, towards the end. We got some good footage, and over the next few days we will be editing it.

Planning: Costumes and Props

We are going to need a number of costumes and props during the music video making process. We need to be aware of cost and availability whilst we consider what we plan to use.


Costumes.
For our video, because it is reality, costumes will only consist of normal clothing, particularly 'indie rock' clothes, to match our music. This may include chinos or skinny jeans, and indie tops, which are usually V cut necks, with pictures or writing in them, and converses.
The girl in the video, me, needs to be dressed in clothes which are nice, with make up on, to make her look like someone the ex boyfriend would fancy.


Props.
Props will help to make the music video more realistic and believable, as well as making it more interesting. The props we plan to include are below;


Band Scene- Guitar, Drums, Microphone- school music department; cost FREE

Coloured card (and marker pens) to write 'Oh Me Oh My' on- Art department at school- Cost; FREE

Newspaper, to buy in the shop scene, will have to be brought before, because the shop we are filming in is a party shop- Cost; 55p

The SeeSaw, in Valance Park, to film the part where Tom thinks he sees his ex girlfriend, but doesn't- Cost; FREE

Planning: Change in ideas

Since making our storyboard and discussing initial ideas, we have had a slight change in what we want to do. We were planning to do a scene where Tom sees my face on the advert of a side of a bus, only to look back and sees its not me. To do this, we had discussed using a green screen, which would be accessible through the ICT department at school, who have green screen material stored away. We were going to film the bus, and my face, individually, then merge them together. However we decided that there are easier things to do, that are less time consuming, but just as effective. Considering time, we have had to think about how easy the computer program to put the images together might take time to work out, use. So instead we are going to do the same sort of thing, but with a see saw in a park, where Tom in on the see saw, with me, but in reality he is on it alone. Although your meant to pity Tom's character, it is also quite comical, which will help attract a particular audience.

Digipak & Advert: Analysis of a Magazine Advert

Below is a magazine article that i discovered online. I think it is a good advert to analyse as it reveals a lot about the band, and the type of music they would be assosiated with.

Planning: Possible Locations

We have considered lots of locations that we could possibly film at. We have to consider what would suit the genre of the music video, which is indie rock, and we have to think about weather, especially now its winter and the weather is quite tempromental, so we might have to film some inside if possible. Below are some locations that we have thought about filming in, what we would film there, and how it links to our story/video.

- The Beach

We first thought about filming at a beach, such as Southend, Clacton or Brighton. However when we thought more about it, we thought this would be quite impractical as it would be really cold, and we couldn't really think of any storyline that we would want that would feature a beach. The main positive of filming at a beach is that it provides a nice setting if we have lip synching, however we believe we can overcome this.

- London
We like the idea of filming in London, particuarly at specific locations within London, that would be recognisable to those watching the music video. We will probably go to London, and film people lip synching or people holding up lyric boards. This locations is easily accesible, and we believe, will be effective. The urban vibe of using the city we think would provide the right mood for our video. Below are some pictures of the various places in London we have considered using as backgrounds.

- School
We will use our school, Robert Clack Upper Site, in our video, but will not make it recognisable as the school. We will use outside, a brick wall, for our chorus scene, and either use the drama room with its black curtains, or assembly room stage for our band gig/ performance.

- My Dad's House
We will film at my dad's house when we film the fireworks at my firework party (house shown below). The house is irrelivant, as we will only be filming the sky.

- Party GoGo (Shop)

This is where i work, and is the shop we hope to use, for the scene where Tom thinks he see's me when buying a paper, when it is actually the shop worker. We are going to ask permission and it should be okay, and we are going to ask the owner, my boss Theresa, to be the shop person at the till in the video. 

Planning: Our Animatic

Using the pictures we drew for our storyboard, we have created an animatic on Final Cut Express, demonstrating how we imagine the video to look, in it's basic form;

Planning: Our Storyboard

This is our storyboard of our ideas, put together in order.

Target Audience Research: Disappointment with our Survey

When our group once again checked how many people had done our survey on music videos, even though i had sent around a text to friends, it turns out only 5 people have completed the survey, which is very dissapointing. We will continue to ask friends and family to complete the survey and will collect results when we have around 20 results.

Planning: Genre Conventions

When making our video, we have to consider the genre of the song, and what sorts of conventional features it might have. Our song it indie rock, and so we have thought about having a live gig, or performance. We also want to have lip synching. However we have to consider what is possible, as in with location, props and costumes, due to time and funds. 


Looking at other video's of the genre, they often include;
- Black and white shots
- Feature the band performing
- Extreme close ups
- Lots of short shots/ Lots of edits
- Dark locations


Below are some bands and music videos that I have looked at, and consider to be indie rock, which include some of the above conventions;

Planning: Outline of our Ideas

Our main ideas focus around a story of a boy and a girl recently split up. The story follows the boy, who keeps seeing his girlfriends face in places, only to look back and realise it isn't her. We also want to feature firworks, people lip syching to the song in various locations, and people holding up boards with the lyrics on. These are our basic ideas, which we will develope and fine tune over time. To show our ideas more clearly, we will soon produce a storyboard, and an animatic.

Digipak & Advert: Our Digipak Front Cover Idea

We've recently had to think as a group about what we want our digipak to look like. This is very important as it determines how our audience will perceive us. We ;like the idea of using a shot from the music video, as a still, so that people can associate the two. Our teacher has advised us to take still pictures of the shot, rather than just using the shot, in case as a still its a bit blurry, which we intend to do within this week. Below is he ideal shot we think would be good, as a rough drawing.