Feedback #4 - research assessment

Well done, as a group you are working effectively to plan and research the production and are all working at approx a mid-A grade level (18/20). As far as I can see, Sam and Jake have contributed slightly more in the way of edited recce shots and ideas development, although Rob has improved detail on research posts . General feedback to all three:

• excellent use of ICT in blog and prezi for pitch.
• Clear contribution of relevant focused research into similar products, with a progressive improvement in using using critical frameworks to inform analysis (excellent use of semiotics, although confused use of Adorno)
• At this stage, time management very good
• Ideas communicated effectively on blog
• Pitch very well presented visually, however could have been clearer in actually clearly explaining vision for video.
• Use of recces as a planning tool has been very effective in beginning to resolve issues with concept

Key points for securing A grade planning:

• Audience research findings need a clear evaluation of results with a link to concept development
• storyboard sketches - take photos and upload to show progress towards animatic
• Rob - you need to use more images to illustrate posts
• Jake - I would have liked to have seen changes to posts as discussed, particularly product evaluation
• Rob - you need to post separately on initial digipak ideas that you presented in pitch too
• The actual Pitch post needs to have a clear list of all the areas covered in the prezi, so the moderator can see what it contains

JD - Hastings Shoot #1

Unfortunately we were not able to do the shots with the female singer as she had to look after her horse that has fallen ill.. We have rescheduled the shoot for next weekend. We still went to film in Hastings and used the time to practice smooth camera movement and find more locations for the performance shots as well as using the time to get some shots that we will be able to use in the video. This will enable us to concentrate fully on the performance shots next time.

RB - Mrs Fernandez...

I have added to these posts:
 - Responding to a track
 - Mini analysis
 - Technical analysis
 - Deconstructing print texts

I have also posted our concept ideas so far.

RB - Concept so far...

So far in our concept we are planning to use a variety shot styles in our video. Our concept mainly consists of arty shots in which we will use lighting and slow motion effects to make them effective. It will also be very slightly performance based where we will have a singer walking/running while singing the lyrics. These shots will mainly be close ups and mid shots. Another idea we were thinking of using is the use of instruments, mainly being the drums. close ups of the instruments being played to the song will help link the video to the track.
Order wise there isnt a set order, our shots are going to be storyboarded however may be subjected to change in order during the editing process.
The majority of the arty and instrumental shots will be shot in a studio where we can controll the lighting so we can be sure to get the effect we are looking for, however the performance shots will be in public outdoor locations.

SA - Half Term Filming

In our half term we are planning to go to Hastings to the locations we found on our reccie.

• We will be filming the majority of our shots that need the female singer in this location and these shots wil need to be lip synced and matched to the track in editing.
• The shots will have some movement to them but not be too jerky, they will be MCU mainly with a few close-ups and longer shots to fill in between the singing parts of our remixed song.
• We will film much more than we need on location as it would be an inconvience to go back there for a reshoot.
• We will have the school camera, and Robs two cameras in order to get different angles of the same shot and the different cameras have different looks and effects that can be adjusted on them.
• For example, we will use Robs DSLR camera to film the shots with pullback focus and depth of field effects as it is easier to change the focus while recording, with out too much jerky movement on the camera.

Feedback #3

Have a look again at Don't Stop by Red Hot Chilli Peppers and their use of Erwin Wurm's minute sculptures. What is interesting (although it does focus on band) is how they bring together lots of very random visual "gags" and ideas.

Feedback #2

Well done - your blog continues to be a thorough reflection of the creative process. Use of ICT was excellent in the prezi presentation and it demonstrated thorough primary/secondary research. I am interested in your visual ideas - where are you planning to shoot them? It would also be a good idea to practice some of them.

Rob / Jake - what can you add to this post? Any ideas/issues?

SA - More Shot Ideas following on from Pitch

Below is a more detailed list of specific shot ideas and concepts that we have decided on. We will need a lot to fill our long song.

• spinning in slow-motion
• speakers with things bouncing on top to the beat
• panning up and down to change location
• slow motion of flour being dropped
• slow motion close up of bass guitar strings
  
• words on screen as female sings
• vinyl record being dropped and smashed
• popping balloon in slow motion
• tap dripping
• water splashing in puddles
• MCU and CU of female singer standing up against different walls
• Various different creative shots using Jakes parachute
• Close up slow motion shots of rob on bike
  

Filling shots in between our main concept ideas will include:

• Handycam shots of interesting patterns in locations
  
• Quick shaky CU shots of costume

SA - Why is Storyboarding Important?

Storyboarding is useful as it allows us to visualise our ideas on paper and we can experiment with different ways of shooting the particular ideas that we have come up with.

• Last year for our two minute opening of a film we made a storyboard and animatic which helped us to plan each shot and gave us a sense of how long our production would be.
• In our production of our music video we will need to storyboard extentsively in order to have enough shots planned to fill the length of the track, and keep interest throughout the track.

Below are some examples of storyboards:

RB - Pitch Evalation

The feedback from our pitch was generally quite positive. However there were a few things we need to adress:

• The track is too long. 5 minutes is the maximum length the exam board will allow and ours is 5:30. We have a 2 points in the track where we can cut it. This is makes the track only 3 minutes and 50 seconds.
• We need to add examples and our own tested shot ideas into the pitch. To show the kind of feel were going for in the video.
• We need to come up with more ideas to keep the video interesting while at the same time not repeating anything.

Once we adress these issues the pitch will be given the green light and we will be allowed to begin filming.