Friday 22 July 2011
Thursday 21 July 2011
1. Did you enjoy the workshop day? What were your best bits and why?
I really enjoyed the workshop shoot. I thought that it would be really tiring and stressful, but it was actually a really enjoyable day. As there were so many people, we all kept each other in good spirits and energetic, and it was a great bonding experience! I really enjoyed experiencing what it was like to work backstage on a shoot, as well as in front of the camera. It was a great environment – professional yet relaxed – which allowed us to learn a lot on the day.
2. What did you learn from participating in the workshop?
Most importantly, the day gave me a great impression of what it was like to be on set. I really enjoyed being ‘backstage’, either taking photos to document the day, or helping with filming. I had a go at ‘cable-bashing’, which allowed me an insight into the role of a cameraman and as I was closer to the director I learnt about what thoughts go into getting a good shot – focus, exposure and framing were very important and often mentioned.
It was great to see everything that we had leanrt about in class come together on a real set. We had been told about tracks, cranes and different lighting, lenses and cameras but hadn't put this knowledge into practise in a professional environment yet, so it was helpful to see all this technical equipment in real.
Also, I learnt that working togethe on a project and bringing it to life is incredibly rewarding, although there may some bumps in the road. Being organised and prepared for anything is key!
3. Are you pleased with the footage and your edit? Is it how you expected it to look?
I am very pleased with the footage we got on the day. The lighting worked really well and everything is of a high quality. As we used different cameras (Canon 5Ds and 550Ds) the colour was slightly different in each camera position, so we needed to do some colour grading in post-production. Although this took a long time, it was a useful process that I learnt from, as I hadn't done it before.
I think that our edit is really successful– at first we kept to the original Five video, in order to get a structure. Then, we replaced some shots and changed others so that we had a more unique video that we were happier with. Although we managed to get most of the shots we needed on the day, some were missed out or we didn’t find them as effective when looking over them, so we chose to replace these with what we found more appropriate. Personally, I think that our video looks very professional and is technically good, for example the lip synching is accurate and convincing. There is a smooth transition from original to remade video which makes our footage even more convincing. I was a bit doubtful at first whether this transition would work, but now I think it does.
I think that our edit is really successful– at first we kept to the original Five video, in order to get a structure. Then, we replaced some shots and changed others so that we had a more unique video that we were happier with. Although we managed to get most of the shots we needed on the day, some were missed out or we didn’t find them as effective when looking over them, so we chose to replace these with what we found more appropriate. Personally, I think that our video looks very professional and is technically good, for example the lip synching is accurate and convincing. There is a smooth transition from original to remade video which makes our footage even more convincing. I was a bit doubtful at first whether this transition would work, but now I think it does.
Here is our version of the video:
4. How do you think your workshop experiences will impact on your approach to next term's music video coursework?
Making this music video has been a great experience, and I have learn a lot through doing this that I look forward to using when I make my own music video. Experiencing what it will be like while having lots of people around to help has made me much more confident.
The day has reinforced how important organisation and technical skill are. There were a few times when equipment stopped working and it was important that everyone remained calm and patient, and helped each other along. Although we won’t have an experienced crew with us, I am sure that we will be able to work as a team to make everything come together. Also, I will keep in mind that it is important to keep all members of the cast and crew motivated and happy in order to create a memorable and happy atmosphere!
Sunday 10 July 2011
Re-Edit of the Five Music Video
In preperation for filming our own version of the 'Everybody Get Up' music video, and to understand more about what thoughts go into editing a music video, we re-cut the Five video. We used 'original' footage, and followed the actual video to get the shot order right.
I learnt a lot from this exercise:
- The order of shots affects the pace a lot
- It is important to cut quickly, from extremes to extremes, in order to keep the pace fast
- Editing can affect a band's identity and attitude - for example at the chorus, the cutting is less frequent, creating a calmer, more anthemy feel that draws the audience in
- Editing is important as it creates an audience/performer relationship - the audience look up to and admire the band as they jump, dance and dominate the screen
- In editing, cut aways are used to keep the pace up without making the video repetitive
- It is also important to use editing to show simultaneous action, creating the impression that the nband are havign a party and bring excitement and thrill to everyday life
I learnt a lot from this exercise:
- The order of shots affects the pace a lot
- It is important to cut quickly, from extremes to extremes, in order to keep the pace fast
- Editing can affect a band's identity and attitude - for example at the chorus, the cutting is less frequent, creating a calmer, more anthemy feel that draws the audience in
- Editing is important as it creates an audience/performer relationship - the audience look up to and admire the band as they jump, dance and dominate the screen
- In editing, cut aways are used to keep the pace up without making the video repetitive
- It is also important to use editing to show simultaneous action, creating the impression that the nband are havign a party and bring excitement and thrill to everyday life
Sunday 3 July 2011
First Lipsynch - Everybody Get Up
This is my first attempt at a lipsynch. I was in Group 1, with Jess R, and we sang to 'Everybody Get Up' by Five, the song we will be using in our prelim project this summer!
Here is the music video that we will be remaking:
In our version of the music video, I don't mind which female part I play, but my top three choices would be: 12, 22, 24 - I'd put lots of effort in and be enthusiastic!
Here is the music video that we will be remaking:
In our version of the music video, I don't mind which female part I play, but my top three choices would be: 12, 22, 24 - I'd put lots of effort in and be enthusiastic!
Wednesday 29 June 2011
Meeting director Jake Wynne
On Friday 24th June we met music video director Jake Wynne to discuss the video that we will be producing with him this summer. It was really interesting to meet a director and hear his story about working his way into the industry - especially as he came from our school! I'm really looking forward to working with him, I know it will be an amazing experience and I will learn so much!
As a director and editor, Jake has worked on many high-profile music videos, such as Geri Halliwell's 'It's Raining Men' and Najahoda's first video.
Key points I learnt from the meeting:
- The music video is all about creating a brand for the singer - it isn't just about complimenting the music, it must have a marketing purpose.
- It is important to plan the day thoroughly to make the best use of the time available
- Continuity is not neccessary in music videos, unlike film
- In girl bands, each member must have equal screen time!
- Beauty shots are a neccesity in music videos - they portray the artist well and attract fans
As a director and editor, Jake has worked on many high-profile music videos, such as Geri Halliwell's 'It's Raining Men' and Najahoda's first video.
Key points I learnt from the meeting:
- The music video is all about creating a brand for the singer - it isn't just about complimenting the music, it must have a marketing purpose.
- It is important to plan the day thoroughly to make the best use of the time available
- Continuity is not neccessary in music videos, unlike film
- In girl bands, each member must have equal screen time!
- Beauty shots are a neccesity in music videos - they portray the artist well and attract fans
Wednesday 22 June 2011
TASK 1 - An Effective Music Video
Coldplay's 'The Scientist'
Premiered in August 2002, this music video was directed by Jamie Thraves.
This video is particularly striking for its reverse narrative – the singer Chris Martin moves in reverse through a city, and into the countryside to a crashed car, while still singing the song correctly (not in reverse).
INSTANT IMPACT
The video begins with a close-up aerial shot of Chris Martin. The unusual viewpoint and his extremely bright blue eyes are surprising and as the camera zooms out, the audience are drawn in, eager to see where the character is. At first, it is not obvious that the video is being filmed in reverse, however when the singer seems to jump up and we see him walking backwards, the audience realise that this music video is not filmed and edited in the traditional way.
NON-LINEAR EDITING
The element is the most interesting and the ‘wow-factor’ of this video, is the fact that it was filmed and edited in reverse. This is atypical and unique.
REPETITIONS
Although there aren’t that many repeated scenes in this music video, the fact that in the different scenes Martin is picking up pieces of a suit until he builds up a complete one, ties the video together.
STRONG SENSE OF ARTIST IDENTITY
Throughout the video, we only see Chris Martin walking and singing – we don’t see the band playing. This means that the story and the visuals are given more importance, although they still link to the song through the main character singing. In this way, the video is still a performance of the track, but also has an added narrative layer. This also suggests that Chris Martin is the lead performer in the band: the lead singer and the face of Coldplay.
A PERFORMANCE
The main character in the video narrative is singing the song as he walks, so performaing it to the audience while still portraying a believable story/situation.
VISUAL PLEASURES
The reverse action/forward singing is very striking and interesting, and definitely the WOW-FACTOR of this Coldplay video. It is memorable and very successfully created.
PROVOKE A REACTION
The unsual reverse editing and filming effect puzzles the audience and leaves them in awe at how the song can be sung forwards, while the action is backwards. This effect marks this video as unique from typical music videos that either just show a performance or a story.
WORKS ON DIFFERENT LEVELS
The narrative displayed through this visual addition to the song is touching and shocking. As the narrative is played in reverse, the audience are slowly given clues as to what is happening, drawing them in until the final shocking story. This ending is sad and touching, especially as it fades to black. This makes the song as well as the video more memorable. The themes of death and injury are gritty and emotional and provide the audience with an interpretation of the lyrics.
POP CULTURE
The video features Chris Martin, famous lead singer of the band Coldplay, and an award-winning Irish actress, Elaine Cassidy. Martin is known globally, while featuring an Irish actress would appeal to the British audience, especially an Irish one. The music video also includes some typically mise-en-scene elements that could be ‘pop-culture’ references – they help to establish a setting: graffiti, skate-park, a high-street and people playing basketball. These also give the video a gritty, tough feel.
NON-LINEAR EDITING
The element is the most interesting and the ‘wow-factor’ of this video, is the fact that it was filmed and edited in reverse. This is atypical and unique.
REPETITIONS
Although there aren’t that many repeated scenes in this music video, the fact that in the different scenes Martin is picking up pieces of a suit until he builds up a complete one, ties the video together.
STRONG SENSE OF ARTIST IDENTITY
Throughout the video, we only see Chris Martin walking and singing – we don’t see the band playing. This means that the story and the visuals are given more importance, although they still link to the song through the main character singing. In this way, the video is still a performance of the track, but also has an added narrative layer. This also suggests that Chris Martin is the lead performer in the band: the lead singer and the face of Coldplay.
A PERFORMANCE
The main character in the video narrative is singing the song as he walks, so performaing it to the audience while still portraying a believable story/situation.
VISUAL PLEASURES
The reverse action/forward singing is very striking and interesting, and definitely the WOW-FACTOR of this Coldplay video. It is memorable and very successfully created.
PROVOKE A REACTION
The unsual reverse editing and filming effect puzzles the audience and leaves them in awe at how the song can be sung forwards, while the action is backwards. This effect marks this video as unique from typical music videos that either just show a performance or a story.
The narrative displayed through this visual addition to the song is touching and shocking. As the narrative is played in reverse, the audience are slowly given clues as to what is happening, drawing them in until the final shocking story. This ending is sad and touching, especially as it fades to black. This makes the song as well as the video more memorable. The themes of death and injury are gritty and emotional and provide the audience with an interpretation of the lyrics.
POP CULTURE
The video features Chris Martin, famous lead singer of the band Coldplay, and an award-winning Irish actress, Elaine Cassidy. Martin is known globally, while featuring an Irish actress would appeal to the British audience, especially an Irish one. The music video also includes some typically mise-en-scene elements that could be ‘pop-culture’ references – they help to establish a setting: graffiti, skate-park, a high-street and people playing basketball. These also give the video a gritty, tough feel.
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