Digipak

For our ancillary task of the Digipak, we researched into what these were and how they were presented.

We found out that a Digipak is a patented style of compact disk or DVD packaging.

Here are a few examples that we found:

We noticed that a Digipak can have as many panels as you like. We quite like the 6 panel version, like the one above, however ours would obviously only hold one disk. Also the use of booklets within a digipak is not essential as not all of them involve it, therefore this is something that we may not include. We will however include the main conventions that we have discovered a Digipak includes, these are:

• Cover Image
• Back Cover Image
• Song Titles
• Bonus Feature
• Colour Scheme
• Other Images

These are therefore all things that our Digipak will include.

We found this net on the internet which tells the exact measurements needed to make the Digipak the correct size.

We will use this as our guide. After asking our technology department in school what the best way to make this would be they told us about a programme called 2D Design, this will allow us to input all the measurements into the computer and then add our Digipak to them. Then a special machine which the computer is linked up to creates and prints the project.

We have chosen to use the following image as our cover shot:

We used photoshop to create the pop art effect by using the layering tool. Then changed the colour scheme to just black and white. We wanted to keep it quite simple and effective. For the title and artist test we experimented with many different fonts and colours before choosing. The colour of our Digipak will be black with colours only in the text (which we shall use teal for) and in the pictures that we chose to include.

Website

On of our ancillary tasks is a website homepage. We chose this as it was something that none of our group had ever experienced making before and so would be a new skill that we could all learn. From using Mac's we knew of the software IWeb and so decided to use

this to make our site.

Before starting the production of this task we did some research into the websites of the artists that we had chosen to be in the similar genre to ours.

Jason Mraz:

• Voiceover
• Different Links: Home, News, Media etc.
• Abstract Layout
• Animation - Head moves

David Gray:

• Basic Insights all on homepage
• Latest News
• Tour Dates
• Links

Jose Gonzalez:

• First page click to enter site
• Simplistic/Boring
• Formal
• Discography
• Video
• Downloads - Screensavers

From looking at these websites the main things that need to be included are:

• Links
• Upcoming Dates
• Media
• Easy to navigate

So these are the things that our target audience will be looking for, so we shall ensure we include these in our site. Also we will make sure that our site is interesting and eye catching so that people enjoy looking at it.

Ancillary Tasks

Test Shots:

For our ancillary tasks we have chosen to do both the Website and Digi-pack options. We are going to need to use photographs for both of these and so whilst Mattie and Pete were filming the performance they also took some test shots. These are what they produced:

We noticed on the first three that Matties' shadow is in the picture, therefore we will not be able to use these. We tried to photoshop this out, but felt that it looked a bit false. Therefore we will just re-shoot these.

We then used just the regular picture viewer and played around with colour, saturation and hue to create a different look to the images. Here are the edited pictures:

Then through using and experimenting with photoshop we were able to do more extravagant things and add more exciting effects. Here are the images we were able to create through this program:

Audience Feedback

As our audience is people of our own age group we decided to get a group of people from our 6th form to watch and comment. We created a simple questionnaire for them to complete after watching. This included the following questions:

1. Did you think the narrative of the video suited the song?
2. Did you think that the performance and the recording of the video was of a high quality?
3. Was the editing of the video done at a high standard? e.g. transitions?
4. What did you think about the shots? Were they the right shots to use and were they placed in the right place?
5. What would you change and why?

These were questions that we felt covered everything that we wanted our audience to pick up on and have an opinion about. Also the results from these questions would have a bearing on whether they understood and liked the video, which is one of the main criteria for a target audience to have.

Here are the responses to question 1:

• Yes, because it followed the story of the song and it made sense to fit it to the song.
• The lyrics did tie in with the song.
• Yes, good symbolism/representation, especially the reverse shot at the end.

Question 2:

• Yes, apart from the four people moving around, they looked messy.
• The people holding the cards could have been organised a bit better.
• Overall the quality was very good.
• The acting/performance was very strong.

Question 3:

• Although I could tell where the transitions were, but they worked very well with the song.
• Yes, good sense of flow.
• All very good, except for part with the random people with cards.
• The use of the ghosting edit from I Movie was very good.

Question 4:

• The use of shots of the City worked very well for the song and definitely were in the right place.
• They tied in well.
• Yes, although there was a lot of focus on the signs, which were slightly confusing.
• The part where the traffic went past looked very professional

Question 5:

• Get rid of the people holding the cards because they didn't work with the song
• Take out the people with the symbols as the transitions to them weren't smooth enough.

All of this feedback we have taken into account and are thinking of ways around the confusion with the signs.

The City - Music Video

The City - Josh Embury

This is our completed music video after all the editing. We shall now get audience feedback on this and see what we may need to change.

Editing Process

We imported all of the footage into I Movie HD and stopped the letter-boxing process as we did not use this for any of the footage imported, also if we do wish to use this feature we can apply it later using the editing tools of I Movie.

After importing we split the clips up to make it easier to identify between the shots. This helped during the editing process in identifying and choosing what clip to use.

We also imported the audio as we needed to ensure that the clips and footage fitted with this. When cutting clips we managed to get the audio and clip at the same time so there was no lag. This sometimes took a few attempts to get right, but was just a case of trial and error.

Firstly, we chose what shots were the best and eliminated those that weren't good enough. This was mostly just preference, however there were some shots that just either went wrong or were not good enough to include.

We knew that at the beginning we wanted a shot of the city, we tried out our panning establishing long shot over Bristol, we thought this was good but the quality of the footage was not brilliant. We started playing around with different editing effects and came up with the idea of using black and white for all the city shots and keeping the performance in colour. So we continued to change all city shots into black and white. We placed the first few frames in place, watched it and then decided that this was not going to work and wasn't particularly effective or eye pleasing. So we were back at square one.

We had taken a few shots of the traffic in two different places and thought that these would look really good sped up using a tool that I Movie has to offer. We tried doing this but for some reason it didn't work. However, we didn't give up and eventually managed to sped up, slow down and reverse various clips. This was a new skill that we learnt whilst editing this production that we hadn't used or known about before.

Now we had managed to successfully edit and improve the city footage we began work on that of the performance. Whilst filming we had played the song in the background and Josh had sang, so it wasn't to painful matching the video with the audio track. These frames didn't need any editing work as the mis en scene of the shot was perfect and the colours were really picked up in the recording. We chose what parts of the song we wanted Josh to be singing within the video and cut these out and matched them to the audio track.

When everything was in place we viewed the video and thought about anything that we had possibly left out. We decided that a few more shots taken within the car should be included to give the film a sense of movement and direction. Also we felt a few of the cuts could have been in different places to match the tempo and rhythm of the song. So we made these amendments and then re watched it. This time we were much happier with the result.

Finally, we added in transitions between clips to ensure the video flowed smoothly and everything fitted together nicely. We mainly used an overlap, this blends the end of the last clip with the beginning of the next to create a seamless change. Another transition we decided to use was the fade in/out, this flawlessly fades one clip out and then fades the other in. All the transitions we used were carefully timed and used the method of trial and error to choose how long they should last. Unlike in a movie, music videos use transitions more frequently to blend the clips, also they can be used to compliment the music. This is what we tried to mimic within our music video and hopefully successfully accomplished.

We again kept watching the video back to ensure we were happy with everything we had done, and if not changed and modified the parts we didn't like.

To complete the music video production we added titles at the start and end of the song, we took inspiration for this from watching music videos on music channels, and found that this is the way they are introduced so that everyone knows what the song is and who by.

This then completed our music video. The next thing to do was gain audience feedback.

Performance Filming

Plan:

Our next step was to film our singer/songwriter Josh Embury performing the song. We wanted the location of this performance to be perfect and correctly portray the rural and cut off feeling we felt would match the lyrics of the song. Here are a few pictures of benches that we found:

After extensive loaction research into the rural locations we found a bench on Brandon Hill, Bristol that would perfectly contrast to the city, also the colour scheme of autumn we thought would create a nice warmth to the shot furthermore deepening the love of where he is compared to that of the inner city life.

Filming:

Unfortunately I was unable to attend this filming session due to work commitments but Mattie and Pete were both there. They knew what needed to be achieved before they set off and this then enabled them to get straight on with the filming. They sat Josh on the bench with his guitar and set up an ipod and speakers for him to play along to, helping and ensuring his timing matched that of the songs. They filmed the whole performance from three different angles, this giving us different variations of the performance to keep cutting back to. Each angles had two takes, both for Joshs' benefit of performance and also ours for during the editing process of having choices to be able to choose the better shot overall.

Photographs:

Not only did they film the performance they also decided to take a few still photographs to help us to begin thinking about possibilities for our ancillary tasks. These came out really well, and so with a bit of editing we were able to create some really strong images to represent the artist.

Next Step:

To import and begin the editing of the performance footage and inner city shots to cut away to during the music video.

Storyline change and Inner City Shots

Initially we thought that within our film we would show Josh traveling to the city and therefore were going to use many different forms of transport i.e. car, bus, train. However as time went on we realised that this was not going to be a strong enough story-line to keep the audiences interest during the song and so therefore came up with a new plan. We would use just a pure performance from our actor and then cut away to different shots of the city and other random things to keep interest and also to show different sides of the city. We did however use transport in the form of a car to get some good on the road shots, simulating the traveling we originally wanted to include but without actually showing him on route. These were very successful and will give our video a sense of movement and direction.

Next we needed to film some more city shots. We decided to do his at night to get a glimpse of the nightlife into our music video. We went outside of The Hippodrome and filmed the traffic passing by. This looked really good as we see both the traffic and car lights, making it seem more atmospheric. We also re-filmed some of the earlier test shots taken to get a better angle and view.

Another thing that we needed was to have a few different interesting shots to cut away to. We decided to create a cryptic symbolic message (arrow + heart = ?) This can be translated into deciding where to go (arrow) and finding your love (heart) leads to not being able to make a decision about what to do (?). These symbols we decided would be used as a motif throughout our film. We got different people to hold onto them, this showing that the feeling of confusion and not knowing what to do is common amongst others.

Rough Cut Editing

Importing Footage:

We imported all the footage that we filmed for the rough cut into I-movie to begin our editing process. We decided to change the I-movie preferences and stopped the program letter-boxing our shots. We did this to save time as the letter-boxing process can take hours and also as we don't feel the end product of our music video needs to be letter-boxed.

Editing:

Once both the footage and song were imported we set about cutting the shots into smaller chunks to match the phrases within the music. These key pauses and breaks within the melody are what we will match our cuts and transitions to, this will help in keeping the cutting rhythm similar to the tempo of the song.

For the opening we decided to use on of our establishing shots over Bristol. This was decided upon to help set the city scene, and also to contrast between the rural place that he is to where he is heading to. Between the performance shots we will keep returning to the city and traffic shots to determine this contrast further.

Final Rough Cut:

Within our rough cut version we left gaps, this was to symbolise the shots that we hadn't yet got round to filming but to show we knew where they would be placed. This therefore gave a more accurate overview of the timings of cuts and the placings of shots we had.

Rough Cut Planning

Location:

We decided to film the performance element of the music video with him sat on a bench with nothing much around him to symbolise the isolation of where he is compared to within the city. We went down to The Lake-grounds in Portishead and found that on Battery Point there were many benches. We wanted to choose one that didn't have anything around that would distract from the performance. In the end we decided upon one that was just at the peak of the hill.

Shooting:

For the purpose of the rough cut Pete stepped in to perform the song in place of our actor, Josh. Due to weather difficulties we couldn't film at the time of day we had intended and so this arrangement was made. We took along with us:

• 1 Video Camera
• Tripod
• Still Camera
• Ipod and Speakers
• Guitar (for performance)

We wanted to record this performance in 3 different shots:

• straight on medium close up
• side on close up
• low level

Therefore we had to run through the song 3 times. The process for filming was that we played the song on the speakers to ensure that Pete stayed in time, and also to enable us to know where in the music we are, this will help especially during the editing process.We allowed Pete to have 1 run through, to get used to song and performance elements within it. After this we got straight to recording. Whilst recording Mattie and me stood by and alerted any passers by of what was happening, making sure they weren't in shot.

Next Step:

The next thing for us to do is import all the filming achieved from this day into I movie and start the rough cut editing process.

The City - Song

This is the non copyright song that we have chosen to use for our music video. It was composed by two boys in the year below, one of them being Josh Embury who sang the song originally and who we have used as our performer.

The City Lyrics

The City:

Going to the city, I hope you'll meet me there.

Gonna find the answers to all of our prayers.

And I wont have to look hard, when your by my side.

The suitcases and skyscrapers and traffic lights.

(These lyrics are then repeated.)

The song is quite simple and therefore we will not over complicate our finished video, but keep it simple but effective.

Each line has a separate meaning and we plan to interpret the lines and imagery created through the use of different shots and camera angles.

'Going to the City' - this sets the scene of where the action in the video is going to take place. We decided to use a rural area as the main location point for our performer and then use this in contrast to the city in which he is wishing to go.

'I hope you'll meet me there' - through this we can tell the song is aimed at someone he loves. Therefore we need to portray communication, we shall use a combination of signs to symbolise the question that this song holds, whether happiness can be found?

'Gonna find the answers to all of our prayers' - The city is obviously a place where he feels is the key to everything. We shall use jump cuts from the rural setting to that of in the city, showing the comparison between the quiet picturesque setting of the country and the skyscrapers, traffic and the usual hustle and bustle of city life.

'And I won't have to look hard, when your by my side' - This is the line that depicts what he wishes for and what the aim of his move to the city will be for.

'The suitcases and skyscrapers and traffic lights.' - Recognisable images of city life are conveyed as they use imagery to allow the listener to relate and visualise the city as they know it. Establishing and point of view shots will be used to show this perspective.

Storyboard

This was our original storyboard of ideas.

We aim to stick to this storyboard as much as possible, however if during filming we feel that a different shot or storyline would be more appropriate we are subject to change.

Research ideas

The Target audience of our song is 16 + as this is the age group we feel our song would appeal to most and is the target audience of the similar artists we researched. After discovering this we then started to mind map ideas of where our video could be set.

Locations:

The following are ideas that we came up with before filming of places where our music video could possibly be set:

• Beach - as this is a place where teenagers enjoy hanging out
• City - this is referenced in the song and therefore need to be included
• Car - a form of transport, that is easily available
• Woods - this could give the video a different outlook as the woods can provide a different atmosphere to just being outside
• Airport/Bus Station/Train Station - All these places provide a busy exciting atmosphere, so there would be a lot going on
• Park - this is a recognisable place
• Rooftop - from here you could get views from above the town, this would then create a high level shot.

Techniques:

These are the techniques that we thought would look good within our film:

• Slow motion
• Black and White
• Sepia tone
• Double layered shots

Original Outline

This is the outline we planned to base our music video around.

• Performance Element: On a bench with guitar to show the isolation. Singing whilst walking.
• Flashback shots of relationship
• Shots of the City
• Traffic and Transport shots
• Montage of all the above
• End as began

We chose this outline based upon the research we carried out. We wanted to include all of the main conventions that we discovered and this hopefully does. Also we wanted to ensure it was something that our target audience could understand and relate to, so we combined the performance and narrative elements. This is a convention of the genre that we found during our research stage.

Newton Faulkner Video Research

Newton Faulkner is another artist quite similar to our own. We looked at the videos 'All I got' and 'I need something', here is what we found:

'All I got'

• Close up of guitar
• Abstract
• Mostly vocal performance

'I need something'

• Silhouetted shot
• Dark and bland (mood)

I Need Something

Newton Faulkner | MySpace Music Videos

Jose Gonzalez Video Research

This is an artist that we feel is closest to ours as he is just a man with a guitar. We looked at his video of 'Heartbeats' to see what it included:

• All Performance
• Guitar Shots
• Out of focus in points

This is the simplest video we have seen, with only performance and the artist being in the same place the whole time. This is something we don't think we will do, as it does get boring. However, the different angle shots of the performance is something we will definately use.

Jason Mraz Video Research

Jason Mraz is another artist that we feel would have a substantial influence on what we include in our music video. This is what his video for 'I'm Yours' included:

• Silhouettes
• Narrative and performance
• Slow motion group shots
• Establishing shots
• Handheld style shots

jason mraz im yours 2008

Espen | MySpace Video

David Grey Video Research

David Gray is a solo artist that we felt we could use within our research for elements to include within our music video.

His video 'Sail Away' included the following:

• Location sound effects
• Background noise
• Performance
• Nightlife
• Dark
• Flashing lights

Sail Away

David Gray | MySpace Music Videos

The Video 'This Years Love' included:

• Series of narratives
• Emoting shots
• Colour scheme
• Costume

David Gray- this years love

Dylan | MySpace Video

Jack Johnson Video Research

Research:

Jack Johnson was one of the artists that we decided to research. His video for 'Better Together' included the following things that we felt we could use within our own music video:

• Montage of photos and video
• Black and White
• Close up of face to show emotions

Jack Johnson - Better Together

ramon | MySpace Video

Research and Planning for Music Video

Group:
I am working as a group of three on the practical production product of a music video. Within my group are Peter Hoyles and Matthew Herriot. We are all in the same media class and have a similar taste in music. Also we worked together as a group on the AS film opening and so are able to communicate ideas and thoughts successfully.

Lesson Update:
In our lessons until now we have been researching and planning what our music will be and contain.

Firstly, we needed to decide what music we would use. This proved rather difficult at first as the music needed to be copyright free. We knew that a teacher at our school was part of a band and so decided to ask if there was a possibility that we could use one of their songs. We were a given a disk of all copyright free tracks that they had composed and listened through each song. We were not immediately grabbed by any but were happy to work with one of slower tracks. However, after me and Peter attended a Music Technology course we discovered a song written by a few people in the year below that we thought would be perfect. We asked their permission and they immediately agreed. After playing this to Mattie he also thought that this would be the perfect song choice for our music video. It is called 'The City' and falls into the following genres:

• Acoustic
• Easy Listening/ Middle of the Road
• Slightly Indie

After deciding upon our song we now needed to research into the conventions of music videos from similar genres. We looked mostly at acoustic male artists as we felt this was the closest to what our song would be like. This is the list of artists that we chose to focus on:

• James Blunt
• David Gray
• Jack Johnson
• Jason Mraz
• Newton Faulkner
• Jose Gonzalez
• Paulo Nutini

We found the following things to be included in all of their music videos which we used for research and inspiration:

• Slow Motion
• Mixture of performance and narrative
• Black and White
• Performance - guitar shots
• Close Up, Panning, Tracking, Establishing

These are therefore 5 things that we will use within our music video.