Teacher Assessment 11/11/11 TME

This is the assessment Mr Metcalfe took the time to write out for me. It is good to get feedback from teachers on our blogs because they know the exact specifications, strengths, weaknesses and what i need to be doing in order to hit the highest possible marks. This is as good as the peer assessment because aswell as working hard to impress fellow classmates we know the exact protocols we need to get good marks.

Location Permission Letter

I was in charge of contacting my dad who owns the bar we were looking to use, I am waiting on his reply to the email just outlining whether its okay or not to use the site.

Track Permission Letter

We have e-mailed the record label via their website and we are waiting a reply for confirmation and authorisation that we can use our chosen song choice. Usually they wont reply but sending the e-mail covers us in case they approach us and say that we never asked as we have visual evidence of doing so.

Initial Ideas

This is just a simple mind map showing the brainstormed ideas between the group. We discussed possible bands, song choice, performance, and costumes

Advert Designs

This is the kind of advert we are looking to put out and it is similar to the album cover. To create more meaning we have decided to make connotations between the album title and the props in the picture by dying some seaweed red and editing it to look as if each artist has red seaweed hands. This links to the title "Blood Red Ocean" where the red dye will represent the "blood red" and the seaweed linking to show that we have been in the "Ocean". We feel this will catch most peoples eye whether they listen to our genre or not, creating interest and enabling us as much publicity as we can. The picture is set in an urban background just to make sure that the links to sea isn't too strong and to ground the album that we are normal people building a relationship between the audience and us.

Concept

This is a video we put together to outline what concepts we were brainstorming as a group and links between ideas. We thought this would be a good visual way of showing this as it involves filming, writing, conversations, editing and the final uploading of the video to youtube.

Roles

When making a music video there are a number of jobs that need doing to make it go successfully, we are going to share these out between our group so we have all contributed equally, the allocations are as follows:

• Abbie- Filming, photographer.
• Luke- Filming, costume and props organiser.
• Daryl- Filming, location manager.
• Freddie- Filming, lead singer, technician.

As you can see we are all filming as we all have good filming techniques and know the basics and advanced skills needed to make effective shot. The other jobs were allocated based on each others strengths and weaknesses and we feel that having the roles will make the best out of what we can and cant do.

CD cover designs

As you can see we have gone for the conventional look with the front cover simply having the name of the album with some stereotypical colours to help build up rapor with the customers based on first glimpses of the cover. The back cover is just a star in a ring which is quite demonic and once again builds up the link between the band genre and the connotations associated. On the inside centre and left we have chosen to put a picture, a very random, obscure one as most genre related albums have this.

Talent Release Form

This is the talent release form which is a legal document we hand out to all actors involved in the making of the music video. It is required to cover us from there being prosecuted for unauthorised use of images, video clips on the internet and in public. Each person involved simply signs it if they comply and they are filed safe for future reference if needed.

Photo Shoot Plan

This is the photo shoot schedule once again just making it clear when, where and who's required eliminating confusion between people and allowing time for people to be organised for the shoot.

Peer Assessment

This is the peer assessment done by Luke Nolan. It is good for me to see what my peers think of my work as they are working t the same level as me so if they think it isn't of standard I know they are being honest to hep me achieve better. It is also good because I ca see what I need to work on and get to see what my work is like from another point of view.

Location Shots

This is a picture of a car park near my house, I feel this location could be a main contender to be chosen as i feel that it is an unusual place, inside is dark and quite empty automatically giving it a mood to a video and making it easy to film in without distractions and problems.

This is a picture underneath an overpass in Croydon. I think this place would be ideal simply because its isolated and clear, this would enable us to link lyrics to the location. But, the only problem here would be  actors concentration levels as cars are constantly driving round and this may cause a problem. But, we wouldnt need any permissions to use this place as its public property eliminating complications with permissions. 

This is an old picture of a bar that is run by my family, it has recently been refurbished meaning inside looks immaculate, and has a stage. This would be perfect for performance shots as the stage looks as if the band was performing at a gig which is what we intend on including in the video. Out of most of the locations I think this will be the most likely to be used as it has the potential to make our video stand out and look as professional as possible without all the expenses.

This is a picture tzken from google images of an abandoned warehouse, this would be a perfect location as it would immediately set the tone to the video and would be good just because its an unusual place and soo many things can be done inside it without problems, such as, throwing paint on walls etc. the main problem with here would just be safety and hygiene as it might be abandoned for safety reasons and being lef for soo long without being attened to would be hygiene wouldnt be good as there would be animal feces and ther potential diseases and infestations.

 

This is another picture I have taken from google images of inside fairfield halls as I couldnt get inside at the time to get a photo of one of the theatre rooms. This is the the room I was thinking of using clearly because of the performance oportuinities as shots of the gig could be done here as it has a big stage, but the only problem with this is getting permission to use it, clashes with booking dates, expenses to use it and its size. The location looks a little too big as we wouldnt be able to fill the whole theatre and wouldnt make the video look good with an half empty gig. 

Shooting Schedule

This is the shooting schedule as you can see it will be based over 4 separate days giving us time to prepare properly for each without being in a rush or pressed for tim. The shooting schedule makes it easier for everyone to understand when and where were shooting, what is needed and who is required. this makes it clear, organised eliminating any confusion or mistakes.

Lyric Annotation

List of props, costumes, make-up and equipment.

There are various props that we can use to add meaning, capturing visuals and lyric relation in order to make the music video as effective as possible in its portrayal to the audience. The most vital props that we will need will be:

• Band Equipment: Guitars, Drum kit, Microphone, Microphone Stand & 2-3 Amplifiers 
• Red Paint (Possibly watered down, as this is going to be thrown at someone or some thing)
• Candles
• Posters
• School Books & Stationary
• Digital Camera
• Mobile Phone
• Various Beauty Equipment: Make up, nail varnish etc

Storyboarding

This is a video showing my group making the storyboards. We had a set order of how things were done to make it easier and to keep organisation. We found talking about each shot as a group was better than each person being allocated a part of the video, this is because of continuity and the overall tone of the video.

This is an animatic showing the storyboard in a more visual way, and helps people see where, when and for how long each shot is going to be in relation the song track. This is a good way to show off the various skills we have learnt over the past two years as it combines image taking, track syncing and the use of imovie editing.

Image annotation

Based on the genre (rock) we would like the artist in the video to look very stereotypical of a rock band and this will mean following conventions of an artist. This will include:

• Black t-shirts with gothic graphics on it
• Skinny jeans, various colours
• Straightened hair, rough/jagged
• Vans (Canvas shoes)
• Tape (accessory) 
• Anti-Christ like jewellery
• Make-up, foundation, eyeliner, painted finger nails
• Tattoo's
• Dark hoodies
• Wooly hats/Tight baseball caps
• Piercings eg. Nose, ears, lips, eyebrows

This is what my group and I will encorporate in order to achieve the most realistic music video we can. Also, this will build up the relationship between the viewers and the artist as they will know the song is based on thier genre just from seeing how they dress.

Song Details

We have chosen the song "A single moment of sincerity" by Asking Alexandria because as a group we feel based on lyrics, guidelines and the chosen genre this song would be the best appropriate in order for us to create a video with enough quality to allow us to reach the highest possible marks. The genre is Heavy Metal which is a very passionate genre where the artist(s) usually record songs expressing feelings, experiences and views on people, things and situations. This is good for our group as it means that when story boarding we can come up with unusual ideas, make expressive connections between visual actions and lyrics, and, overall think outside the box.

Technical Tutorials

This is what we learned on photoshop, we learned how to import photos, edit them and add different effects to them to create different visuals, as you can see above we tried various techniques to exercise our understanding of how to use it.

This is a video using jung to show that me and a few other class mates understand how cut and edit videos using final cut.

Peer Assessment

This is the peer assessment of my blog that Luke Nolan filled out in order to give me constructive crticism and positive feedback. This is helpful because as it is one of my peers Im more likely to take what he says on board because as a young person you want to impress your friends so this idea was good as I now know what my peers expect and what i should expect of them aswell. As you can see my blog needs alot of improvement in order to get it to an A/B standard and i shall do this by doing work to the best standard that i can

Assessment TME 24/09/11

Daryl,

WWW - Considering that you had no entries when this was last formatively assessed, you have made some good progress. There is some good analysis, particularly of the pop videos and of the CD covers, particularly the Chilli Peppers one.


EBI - You need to include visual imagery with each post to illustrate your points. Particularly the post on the Conventions of a rock video (even through the written work on this is of a good standard).

There could be a little more explanation of the mood board.  Many of the artists have not got shirts on for instance - is this a convention? Why do you think so?


-Much more analysis of the low cost music videos (Although some good points about locations being easily accessible)

-Your entry on the RnB video "My Boo" is long-winded and has lots of waffle. Cinematography means the way in which the camera work is used to create meaning. What shot types have they used and why? Don't give a judgment like "effective" or "good" or "bad" when discussing the micro-elements, just explain what is there and how it creates meaning.

- Include the adverts you are analyzing, you need 3 and they need to be some detail: i.e. not bullet points.

- Complete your analysis of the Rock music videos.

- You have plagiarized your entries for the record label blog entry. You need to adjust this immediately! This also needs to be completed. Keep it simple. What is each of the labels focused on? Do they have one specific genre of music they deal with or are they more generalist? Would they be a good label for your artist?


Grade (Unfortunately) - PR

Genre Research: What are the conventions of rock music?

The one significant convention of rock music that I have picked up on whilst watching the various music videos is that instruments are a dominant fixture with dark colour schemes put across to portray a gothic feel. Other conventions include:

• Heavy guitar solo's throughout
• Fast pace shots linked to the tempo of music
• There is usually a narrative followed and clips from live performances
• The clothing is very dark, gothic and over the top
• Strange locations and settings
• The instruments seen usually have the bands logo on them, this could be for advertising the band and so that people have a visual memory of what the bands logo is when browsing stores or the internet.
• The lyrics in the songs are usually negative in some way

Genre research: How do rock artists like to be represented?

Based on these pictures you can see that the artist like to represented as gothic, dark people with a passion for music as instruments are involved in most pictures. Also there seems to be a liking for tattoos as that is the conventional look of the rock artist. Also, things to do with death and darkness are more conventions as you can see skulls above.

Low Budget Ideas

• Set & Located in normal surroundings, not in an expensive studio. Cost effective use of backgrounds.
• Simple but effective shots used, minimal equipment is needed saving more money.
• Transitions are just cuts and a black and white effect is used to create a difference to other videos.
• Descriptive shots and various shot length are used to create meaning and understanding in relation to the lyrics.

• Filmed in a public place (Snooker Hall)
• Simple shots used, less camera equipment needed saving money while still creating meaning.
• Easy to get props used to minimal amount of money needed
• Simple effects used so less time spent editing video
• Simple but effective storyline used to create understanding of the song
• Not a lot of acting needed so actors dont need to be hired as friends can just be used.

Analysis of R'n'B Video: Usher & Alicia Keys - My Boo

Cinematography:
Based on cinematography the video is very interesting because it keeps in with the conventions of a r'n'b music video by telling a story in correlation with the lyrics. From 0:00-0:45 we see and hear another song which would make you think that was going to be the song, but, the you see that it was a previous video being played on the tv, the first variety of shots follow the conventions of an hip hop video as we see low angle long shots of the artist partying and lots of attractive models. The long shot at 0:46 is very effective as it shows the tv and the artist sitting down with his head down, this could mean that the video and music we saw on the tv was his past self and he's ashamed of it or he has moved on from that, and that this is another story in his life that we are about to hear.


Sound:
The song is very conventional because it is a song about love and is once again very passionate and emotional. This allows the audience to get lost in their thoughts about similar experiences and makes them listen to the lyrics in relation to the video. Also, the song is very repetitive making it easy for lyrics to get stuck in peoples head, meaning it will be song more, meaning more people will hear it, wanting to buy it boosting views and listeners to those artists.


Mise en Scene:
Based on mise en scene the video is interesting because we see it set in a front room and a bed room which means that the audience can relate to it as both settings are familiar places, this is effective as it will help the audience build up a relationship with the artist because it will make them feel as if they both do and have the same things so they will feel as if they know the artists. Also, both artists are wearing normal clothing reinforcing the feel of being the same as the artists.


Editing:
Based on editing the video is very effective because there are a lot of variations in shots but the shot length are long and explanatory of the relevant story helping create a visual understanding of  the song. These long lasting shots compliment the slow harmonising music and helps create the feel of emotion and love which is what the video is supposed to do in order to re iterate the lyrics of the song.


Performance:
Based on performance the video is good because the artists act with real passion and create a extremely realistic sense of emotion between each other building a relationship with the audience who are feeling the same feelings portrayed. The good acting gives a lasting effect on the audience reminding them of both artist sincerity in future videos.

Analysis of R'n'B Video: Chris Brown - Yo (Excuse Me Miss)

Cinematography:
Based on cinematography this is a very interesting video because it incorporates two songs into one and has an interesting story-line which is emphasised by certain camera angles and shots. At 0:16-0:18 we see a close up shot (in slow motion) of 3 women walking, the shot is placed between a shelf and you can see the out of focus shoes in the way, this shot links in with some of the lyrics that says "I saw you from across the room". Also, the women in the middle is the one that stands out and the shot placement emphasises this along with the slow motion showing their relevance in the video.


Sound:
Based on sound the song follows the conventions of a r'n'b song very well because the song is about a love interest and is passionate. This makes the lyrics effective as the audience can relate to the song based on previous experiences and that immediately gives them a link with the artist. The lyrics and chorus are also catchy making the listeners and watchers wanting to sing along as it creates a happy, lovestruck vibe.


Mise en scene:
Based on mise en scene the video is extremely effective as it is set and located on a normal neighbourhood, helping the audience feel as if they can relate further because its in a similar or familiar place. This relationship between the artist and the audience is then strengthened by the artist wearing casual everyday clothes giving the feel that he is just like the audience and it happened on a normal day, reinforcing the realistic feel to the video. This is interesting because it is a good way to get audience to relate to the feel of the video just by simply doing visual things they are familiar with.


Editing:
The editing in the video is very good at helping with the emphasis of the storyline as the shot lengths vary in a film like manor. this helps keep the audience interested and indulged in the video just by the film like feel. At 3:40 we see a very interesting transition where we see the video change into the second song, this is interesting because it immediately changes the vibe of the video to the vibe f the new song catching the audience by surprise but being effective as it gives them a preview of what's next to come from the audience.


Performance:
Based on performance the video is very good at following the conventions as there is a lot of expressive dancing and convincing acting helping create the realistic feel to the video while keeping within the conventions of the video.

Advertisement Research

The Klaxons
-Band name
-Album art
-name of album
-3 examples of singles
-available on CD or vinyl
-release date
-Band site & Myspace
-Black background
- Gothic writing
- Confusing art with link to title
-Album title in play blocks? child connotations, link to future, birth?
-Pictures of ancient things, wont be apart of future? Destroyed? nothing last forever?

The horrors
-Album title
-Release date
-4 examples of reviews from household names
-tour dates
-where to buy tickets
-myspace title
-label/company
-Black & white background
-5 artist sitting on couch
-pigs head on wall above
-connotations to strange house?
-all artists look pale, gothic
-band name & album in big size capitals
-Release date in big size
-Everything else in small size
-Album art

Genre Research: Analysis of 5 Videos

Cinematography Based on cinematography this video is very stereotypical of a rock music video as it has various shot types, changing being short and sharp giving a high tempo which is in unison with the beat which is quite fast.
Editing Based on editing the video also follows conventions as wee see a gothic effect used on the camera throughout whihc seems to give the video a blueish tinge, this gives a dark, gothic feel allowing the audience to create emotions based on the link between what they hear and what they see. This is good as it is a simple way of being creative and effective.
Mise en Scene Based on mise en scene, the setting and location are very stereotypical as we see it set in an obscure location with the band set up. the narrative side seems to be set on 2 peoples travels and they both seem to fit the descriptions of the kind of people that would listen to this music as they have rock-like outfits including dark shades and black nail varnish.



Cinematography Based on cinematography this video just has basic changes in shot types as it is just a recorded live performance. This is also a different type of rock and is old, less gothic and more 'groovy'.
Editing Based one editing the video is very basic, this could be because of how old the the video actually is and because it is a live performance so the shot types and angles are very limited because there wasnt a pre discussed storyboard an everything is being done free hand so to speak.

Mise en Scene

Based on mise en scene the video is stereotypical as it is set on stage of a live set but the artists arent dressed in a gothic clothes or performing in a gothic manner.

Cinematography

Based on cinematography this video is very stereotypical of a rock music video as it has various shot types, changing being short and sharp giving a high tempo which is in unison with the beat which is quite fast.

Editing

Based on editing we see a variation between shot lengths changing with the beat and when there are links between lyrics and visuals creating meaning and understanding with the audience.

Mise en Scene

Based on mise en scene it is once again set in an obscure location as we see a man submerged in water and performing in what seems to be a hospital room, this out of the ordinary location and setting is conventional. This also gives a gothic feel as we see smoke creating an eerie feel. This is backed up by the artists wearing stereotypical dark clothes.

Cinematography

Based on cinematography this video is diferent as it doesnt follow stereotypes of a rock video. In this video the song is just a sound track to what is being played out in the video where we see a teacher fall down a ditch and so on. As a result there arent amny changes in angles and the tempo is slowed down.

Editing

Based on editing we can see long lengthed shots as the video is movie like, this isnt stereotypical and breaks away from the conventions of a rock video, but still gives the same effects and meaning to the audience.

Mise en Scene

Based on mise en scene the video doesnt have an obscure location apart from towards the end where he seems to be in some demonic place. This isnt stereotypical and only follows conventions based on the gothic feel behind the demonic place. The man is dressed in normal clothes which isnt usual in a rock video but this could have a deeper meaning to the video that all kinds of people can listen to rock not just one crowd.

Cinematography

Based on cinematography there are various shots types and angles although it is just a live gig, but I think this video was pre planned and as a result there is some structure to the video and there is a documentary feel to the video as a result.

Editing

Based on editing we see a variation between short and long lengthed shots, parts of the video are also in black and white giving links to the stereotypical gothic feel to the video.

Mise en Scene

Based on mise en scene it is very stereotypical as it is set on a live set so we can see fans, who are all gothic and the artists performing in their environment and behind the scenes, this gothic feel is then once again backed up by the artists wearing stereotypical clothes keeping with the conventions of a rock video.

Analysis of R'n'B Video: Beyonce - 1 + 1

Cinematography:
Based on cinematography this video has a variety of interesting shots but the one shot i find most interesting is the close up of Beyonce singin, but smiling while a tear rolls down her cheek. I find this interesting because it emphasises the emotion that she is feeling and helps the audience understand that it is tears of joy simply because she is smiling aswell. this shows how passionate she is about the person she is tlalking about in the song which makes the audience sympathetic and relate to what she is going through. But, this close up could also seem to some as if Beyonce is singing the song to them because it looks as if she is looking into someones eyes, as a result you indulge in the video and on this particular video I personally felt chills.

Sound:
Based on sound this song is very effective in porttraying its story of deep love with similies, metaphors and passionate lyrics. This is a very conventional R'n'B song as the lyrics are passionate and have a specific storyline and the slow instrumental creates an emotional tone on the audience backed up by a simple video.

Mise en Scene:
Based on mise en scene it isnt very clear where the video is set but it seems to be in just a simple video studio where we see Beyonce wearing a dress with her thighs showing, this is quite revealing and makes her look seductive which would encourage the male percentage of watchers to increase, raising the views and publicity.

Editing:
Based on editing the video is very simple as most of the shots are level and the length of each shot is long, this collaborates with the slow music to create a relaxed but emotional feel passing that feeling on to the audience. I think if there was sharp fast shots it wouldnt look right with this type of video because the music has no fast tempo and there isnt a tense feeling needed to be eportrayed to the audience and thats all fast shots would do in this case.

Record Label Research

EMI Music groups parent company is the EMI group and was established in 1972 in the UK and has divisions in recording and publishing.

History:

The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It’s the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it a member of the RIAA & IFPI. Electric and Musical Industries Ltd was formed in March 1931 by the merger of the Columbia Graphophone Company and the Gramophone Company, with its "His Master's Voice" record label, firms that have a history extending back to the beginning of recorded sound. The new vertically integrated business produced sound recordings as well as recording and playback utensils.

Artists:

• Kraftwerk  
• Queen
•  Olivia Newton-John
•  Iron Maiden
•  Kate Bush
•  Sheena Easton
•  Robbie Williams
• Red Hot Chilli Peppers

History:

Warner Bros. Records was initially established in 1958 as the recorded music division of the American movie studio Warner Bros. Pictures. For the majority of its existence it was one of a group of labels owned and operated by larger parent corporations. The series of companies that controlled Warner Bros. and its associated labels evolved through a convoluted series of corporate mergers and acquisitions from the early 1960s to the early 2000s. Over this period, Warner Bros. Records grew from a struggling minor player in the industry to become one of the top recording labels in the world.

In 2003 these music assets were divested by their then owner Time Warner and bought by a private equity group. This independent company currently trades as the Warner Music Group (WMG), of which Warner Bros. Records is still an active label. WMG is currently the third-largest of the four major international music conglomerates and the world's only publicly traded major music company. The group's widespread publishing assets, which include over one million song copyrights by more than 65,000 songwriters, currently make it the world's largest music publisher.

Artists:

-Linkin Park

-Avenged Sevenfold

-Built to Spill

-DEVO

-Disturbed

 

History