Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
How did the use of new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stage.
• Research was conducted using questionnaires which offered a sound idea of what their preference in music was and the ways in which they feel I can effectively advertise my work. The focus group helped me gather the precise opinions of my target audience and key expressions to refer to in my evaluation e.g. ‘innovative’ and ‘unique’, which we then noted and use when developing our product, effectively improving the quality of our research.
• Planning the video involved creating a video diary where we listed all the production events taking place and any advancements made in the music video e.g. when, where and what times to meet up and film specific scenes at a variety of locations .
• Using a storyboard we sketched the foundation scenes of the video storyline. This helped us when filming so we knew what scenes we had to do as we went along , this storyboard was then scanned onto our blogs via the internet demonstrating thorough planning.
• For our preliminary task we use Adobe Premiere making a short film which helped us experience the difficulties that may arise when using the programme and helped developed my filming skills as I practiced using a range of shot sizes from close ups to wide shots. This task also helped develop my editing skills in cutting and reordering footage and putting in place relevant editing effects e.g. dip to black or cross zoom. This substantially contributed to the outcome of our final music video as with the practice gained from the preliminary task we were able to overcome problems with screen composition and time remapping when working on our music video on the Adobe Premiere program.
• During the planning stage we used new media technologies e.g. video camera and Adobe Premier Pro which made us familiar with the programmes which helped making the final music video easier. Via the internet we were able to upload information onto our blogs to improve the quality of our evidence for planning and evaluation. We also embedded ‘Youtube’ links onto our blog essays to strengthen the quality and precision of our planning and research documentation.
• During the evaluation stage we use new media technologies e.g. Slide Share and blog comments to improve and enhance the clarity of our media product. Noting the responses from our focus group in notebooks, we effectively demonstrated thorough audience research and allowed easily accessible evidence of criticisms which we could refer to when producing our final media product. All in all this contributed to the completion of our music video, poster and CD cover as well as helping to improve the quality and clarity of our planning and research as a whole.
• Planning the video involved creating a video diary where we listed all the production events taking place and any advancements made in the music video e.g. when, where and what times to meet up and film specific scenes at a variety of locations .
• Using a storyboard we sketched the foundation scenes of the video storyline. This helped us when filming so we knew what scenes we had to do as we went along , this storyboard was then scanned onto our blogs via the internet demonstrating thorough planning.
• For our preliminary task we use Adobe Premiere making a short film which helped us experience the difficulties that may arise when using the programme and helped developed my filming skills as I practiced using a range of shot sizes from close ups to wide shots. This task also helped develop my editing skills in cutting and reordering footage and putting in place relevant editing effects e.g. dip to black or cross zoom. This substantially contributed to the outcome of our final music video as with the practice gained from the preliminary task we were able to overcome problems with screen composition and time remapping when working on our music video on the Adobe Premiere program.
• During the planning stage we used new media technologies e.g. video camera and Adobe Premier Pro which made us familiar with the programmes which helped making the final music video easier. Via the internet we were able to upload information onto our blogs to improve the quality of our evidence for planning and evaluation. We also embedded ‘Youtube’ links onto our blog essays to strengthen the quality and precision of our planning and research documentation.
• During the evaluation stage we use new media technologies e.g. Slide Share and blog comments to improve and enhance the clarity of our media product. Noting the responses from our focus group in notebooks, we effectively demonstrated thorough audience research and allowed easily accessible evidence of criticisms which we could refer to when producing our final media product. All in all this contributed to the completion of our music video, poster and CD cover as well as helping to improve the quality and clarity of our planning and research as a whole.
Audience Feedback..
• From my audience feedback I have learned that my media product successfully follows the conventions of the niche genre as it was described as an “innovative piece of creativity” and “unique”. Taking into consideration I researched the views of both mainstream and niche audience members, I learned how the two different audiences interpreted specific aspects of the video e.g. the hint that the two main characters maybe homosexual was because of the ambiguity surrounding their relationship.
• The idea of The London eye was favoured amongst both focus groups as it is a location they can identify with ,teaching us that famous landmarks work exceptionally well when identifying and associating with my target audience 16-25 year olds.
• The editing technique of ‘dip to black’ was slightly overwhelming and made the video seem “long” and “drawn out” as commented by an audience member. This taught me to adopt new techniques in portraying a scene change and use more of a variety of editing techniques to signify these scene changes.
• Another, and very popular criticism was the idea that the two main characters were homosexual, the mainstream heterosexual audience members seemed very sceptical about the idea that this could be a “lesbian love story”. However, it was taken more light-heartedly by the women in the niche audience focus group ,as they saw it as an “interesting expression of love” between the two women.
• Mainstream audience members found the hints of homosexuality difficult to relate to, however, the idea of betrayal they seemed to identify with. This taught me that I needed to adopt a more subtle strategy when addressing the relationship between the two female main characters and I need to portray them in a maybe a more detached manner as the closeness between the two can be misconceived .
• Researching members from my niche target audience they saw the video as “a brilliantly conformed piece” and described the sense of the two women being homosexual as simply just a “close relationship” rather than an intimate one. However the male members of the niche audience found the women relationship “a little too close” informing us that we should “tone down” the intensity of the main singer’s retaliation to the betrayal.
• Overall both audiences agreed that the video was “wicked”, “very interesting” and “very entertaining” , the majority of them highly favoured the fast forwarding at the end and the text on the black background that introduced the video at the beginning and closed the video at the end.
• The idea of The London eye was favoured amongst both focus groups as it is a location they can identify with ,teaching us that famous landmarks work exceptionally well when identifying and associating with my target audience 16-25 year olds.
• The editing technique of ‘dip to black’ was slightly overwhelming and made the video seem “long” and “drawn out” as commented by an audience member. This taught me to adopt new techniques in portraying a scene change and use more of a variety of editing techniques to signify these scene changes.
• Another, and very popular criticism was the idea that the two main characters were homosexual, the mainstream heterosexual audience members seemed very sceptical about the idea that this could be a “lesbian love story”. However, it was taken more light-heartedly by the women in the niche audience focus group ,as they saw it as an “interesting expression of love” between the two women.
• Mainstream audience members found the hints of homosexuality difficult to relate to, however, the idea of betrayal they seemed to identify with. This taught me that I needed to adopt a more subtle strategy when addressing the relationship between the two female main characters and I need to portray them in a maybe a more detached manner as the closeness between the two can be misconceived .
• Researching members from my niche target audience they saw the video as “a brilliantly conformed piece” and described the sense of the two women being homosexual as simply just a “close relationship” rather than an intimate one. However the male members of the niche audience found the women relationship “a little too close” informing us that we should “tone down” the intensity of the main singer’s retaliation to the betrayal.
• Overall both audiences agreed that the video was “wicked”, “very interesting” and “very entertaining” , the majority of them highly favoured the fast forwarding at the end and the text on the black background that introduced the video at the beginning and closed the video at the end.
ANCILLARY EVALUATION
• The CD cover managed to portray a betrayal-esque theme, made evident through the colour scheme black white and red. These colours white, being pure, black, being evil and red, the scorn inflicted to the innocent, other polysemic readings could include to portray the death of the friendship hence the use of the colour black. the red colour used to connote love and femininity via the use of the dark pink/red colour and was use to indicate that this product has a feminine mode of address to attract female niche audience members.
• These colours help promote the brand identity of our product as they are bold and feature in both the poster for the CD and the CD cover itself. The brand identity of all three products all follow the trend of conveying the idea of love and death this is to convey the close relationship between the two characters and the theme of betrayal that runs throughout the video. The poster shows the two hugging each other in a mid-angle shot and the video depicts the two in many scenes conversating (laughing and chuckling), seen in a few scenes linked arm in arm and genuinely enjoying each other’s company .This increases the impact of the main character being betrayed so the audience can sympathise with her.
• The CD cover on the other hand, shows the two looking over their shoulders at each other which would catch the audience’s eye as it creates an intense atmosphere between the two. Their facial expressions displaying looks of disgust would entice our audience to want to buy the product to find out the story resulting in their break up.
• The composition of the main characters on the CD cover conveys the intense mood of the video as they face each other with deranged facial expressions emphasizing their hatred towards each other, making the tension between the two evident adding to the impact of the betrayal.
• All media products combined provide an effective media product, with all incorporated the theme of anger and vengeance is highlighted and appeals to the morbid fascinations of my target audience.
• By subverting the conventions of mainstream media products e.g. ambiguous ending ,we created a niche unique selling point to appeal to my target audience by drawing them into the video by making them want to know what the secret is and how the story ends.
• By conventionally following the techniques used when creating a music video e.g. performance shots ,this allowed the audience to recognise it is a music video and not a short story though it is unconventionally a story based music video.
• Both products tend to appeal to my target audience in similar ways . As the music video builds the story behind the CD cover and the poster, the colour scheme of the poster and CD cover run insync with portraying the theme of betrayal/revenge between the two women.
• These colours help promote the brand identity of our product as they are bold and feature in both the poster for the CD and the CD cover itself. The brand identity of all three products all follow the trend of conveying the idea of love and death this is to convey the close relationship between the two characters and the theme of betrayal that runs throughout the video. The poster shows the two hugging each other in a mid-angle shot and the video depicts the two in many scenes conversating (laughing and chuckling), seen in a few scenes linked arm in arm and genuinely enjoying each other’s company .This increases the impact of the main character being betrayed so the audience can sympathise with her.
• The CD cover on the other hand, shows the two looking over their shoulders at each other which would catch the audience’s eye as it creates an intense atmosphere between the two. Their facial expressions displaying looks of disgust would entice our audience to want to buy the product to find out the story resulting in their break up.
• The composition of the main characters on the CD cover conveys the intense mood of the video as they face each other with deranged facial expressions emphasizing their hatred towards each other, making the tension between the two evident adding to the impact of the betrayal.
• All media products combined provide an effective media product, with all incorporated the theme of anger and vengeance is highlighted and appeals to the morbid fascinations of my target audience.
• By subverting the conventions of mainstream media products e.g. ambiguous ending ,we created a niche unique selling point to appeal to my target audience by drawing them into the video by making them want to know what the secret is and how the story ends.
• By conventionally following the techniques used when creating a music video e.g. performance shots ,this allowed the audience to recognise it is a music video and not a short story though it is unconventionally a story based music video.
• Both products tend to appeal to my target audience in similar ways . As the music video builds the story behind the CD cover and the poster, the colour scheme of the poster and CD cover run insync with portraying the theme of betrayal/revenge between the two women.
MUSIC VIDEO EVALUATION:
• Our video is somewhat involves various influences including film/cinema productions rather than music videos though my music video yet incorporating the basic conventions of music videos. This is so our target audience are still able to recognise it is a music video instead of a short film.
Using the conventions of mainstream and niche music videos we have considered the needs of our niche target audience and use styles such as handheld camera conventional of French New Wave film as a unique selling point interesting our target audience as they would identify with the stylistic references. It appeals to a niche target audience (alternative), through the use of innovative editing techniques.
For example, cross zooms and dips to black to show scene transitions; this provides my video with a unique flare which would therefore attract members of my target audience who enjoy unusual media products.
“Secret” is mostly influenced by the film noir genre. Conventions are demonstrated through sections of the video captured in black and white and the convention of two main female characters of the French New Wave genre. Aspects of the new wave film genre are demonstrated through the controversial topic of homosexuality as there is a hint that the two women may share an intimate relationship.
•Conventionally our video includes a narrative with an overall message, based on the theme of betrayal. Using “cinema verite” a convention of both British and French New Wave cinema of the 1950’s and 1960’s we are able to achieve a sense of realism within the video, making our audience feel involved in the occurring events that take place.
-The handheld camerawork and the speeded up footage connotes the individuality and uniqueness associated with such French filmmakers as Jean-Luc Godard and Francis Traffaut, our video uses a lot of cinematic techniques and film language to communicate themes/ideas to its audience. An example of this is the reoccurring motif of circles /rings e.g. The London Eye and the ringed ripples in the pond which suggests an unbroken friendship though it seems to be on the verge of breaking up, this is demonstrated through the close up of the ripping of the picture by the lead singer (Iva) in the final scene of the video.
• According to Todorov’s theory my video clearly challenges his idea of having an equilibrium, disruption, resolution and equilibrium restored to produce a clear resolution. My video begins with an equilibrium followed by a problem and ends ambiguously as the problem isn’t resolved. Our music video tends to subvert dominant ideologies;. there is a level of ambiguity as to whether the characters are heterosexual or homosexual, possibly resulting in mainstream audience members shying away from the media product.
• Predominantly narrative based, my media product appeals to a niche audience by subverting the conventions of mainstream media products and including an ambiguous ending conventional of niche media products e.g. rock and roll videos. Whereas mainstream media products would usually follow Todorov’s narrative theory and the majority of the video would be performance based highlighting my music video as a niche product.
• The majority of my music video is shot using cinema veritē to promote a sense of realism towards the audience. This enables them to be drawn into the various events within the video allowing them to identify with the characters. Also challenging mainstream media products it is suggested the two main characters split up in a dramatic fast forward ending. This negative ending effectively subverts conventions of mainstream real media products and follows the conventions of alternative /niche media products to make the video seem more European.
• Using conventional film language to express ideas to the audience such as the use of black and white editing to indicate flashbacks, helps highlight the unique style of the video and using colour tints in scenes to communicate specific emotions e.g. use of semiotics (the study of signs) red is symbolic of rage is also helps promote the unconventional style of the video. This ultimately helps appeal to my target audience by attracting them with innovative editing styles.
• Variety of locations used when filming my media product demonstrates how conventional it is of real media products as music videos like Goldie’s ‘ Inner City Life’ uses a range of shots including a Urban landscape , the inside and outside of a flat, club and industrial buildings to establish the setting and create a urban mood to the video. My music video is of the alternative music genre category, therefore tends to challenge the conventions of most mainstream real media products unlike Goldie’s ‘Inner City Life’.
• Subversively my music video includes a niche aspect, through the use of slow and fast motion in one scene .It also has an element of ambiguity conventional of European Cinema, the main characters method of revenge after being betrayed by her best friend is depicted as lacking a clear ending though is suggested their friendship is over.
• From a polysemic reading point of view it is suggested she killed her best friend, this is connoted through the graveyard setting and the throwing of the ring into the pond. An alternative polysemic reading is the sexuality of the characters which we found was the topic of discussion once our video was viewed by our focus group which included members of our target audience.
Using the conventions of mainstream and niche music videos we have considered the needs of our niche target audience and use styles such as handheld camera conventional of French New Wave film as a unique selling point interesting our target audience as they would identify with the stylistic references. It appeals to a niche target audience (alternative), through the use of innovative editing techniques.
For example, cross zooms and dips to black to show scene transitions; this provides my video with a unique flare which would therefore attract members of my target audience who enjoy unusual media products.
“Secret” is mostly influenced by the film noir genre. Conventions are demonstrated through sections of the video captured in black and white and the convention of two main female characters of the French New Wave genre. Aspects of the new wave film genre are demonstrated through the controversial topic of homosexuality as there is a hint that the two women may share an intimate relationship.
•Conventionally our video includes a narrative with an overall message, based on the theme of betrayal. Using “cinema verite” a convention of both British and French New Wave cinema of the 1950’s and 1960’s we are able to achieve a sense of realism within the video, making our audience feel involved in the occurring events that take place.
-The handheld camerawork and the speeded up footage connotes the individuality and uniqueness associated with such French filmmakers as Jean-Luc Godard and Francis Traffaut, our video uses a lot of cinematic techniques and film language to communicate themes/ideas to its audience. An example of this is the reoccurring motif of circles /rings e.g. The London Eye and the ringed ripples in the pond which suggests an unbroken friendship though it seems to be on the verge of breaking up, this is demonstrated through the close up of the ripping of the picture by the lead singer (Iva) in the final scene of the video.
• According to Todorov’s theory my video clearly challenges his idea of having an equilibrium, disruption, resolution and equilibrium restored to produce a clear resolution. My video begins with an equilibrium followed by a problem and ends ambiguously as the problem isn’t resolved. Our music video tends to subvert dominant ideologies;. there is a level of ambiguity as to whether the characters are heterosexual or homosexual, possibly resulting in mainstream audience members shying away from the media product.
• Predominantly narrative based, my media product appeals to a niche audience by subverting the conventions of mainstream media products and including an ambiguous ending conventional of niche media products e.g. rock and roll videos. Whereas mainstream media products would usually follow Todorov’s narrative theory and the majority of the video would be performance based highlighting my music video as a niche product.
• The majority of my music video is shot using cinema veritē to promote a sense of realism towards the audience. This enables them to be drawn into the various events within the video allowing them to identify with the characters. Also challenging mainstream media products it is suggested the two main characters split up in a dramatic fast forward ending. This negative ending effectively subverts conventions of mainstream real media products and follows the conventions of alternative /niche media products to make the video seem more European.
• Using conventional film language to express ideas to the audience such as the use of black and white editing to indicate flashbacks, helps highlight the unique style of the video and using colour tints in scenes to communicate specific emotions e.g. use of semiotics (the study of signs) red is symbolic of rage is also helps promote the unconventional style of the video. This ultimately helps appeal to my target audience by attracting them with innovative editing styles.
• Variety of locations used when filming my media product demonstrates how conventional it is of real media products as music videos like Goldie’s ‘ Inner City Life’ uses a range of shots including a Urban landscape , the inside and outside of a flat, club and industrial buildings to establish the setting and create a urban mood to the video. My music video is of the alternative music genre category, therefore tends to challenge the conventions of most mainstream real media products unlike Goldie’s ‘Inner City Life’.
• Subversively my music video includes a niche aspect, through the use of slow and fast motion in one scene .It also has an element of ambiguity conventional of European Cinema, the main characters method of revenge after being betrayed by her best friend is depicted as lacking a clear ending though is suggested their friendship is over.
• From a polysemic reading point of view it is suggested she killed her best friend, this is connoted through the graveyard setting and the throwing of the ring into the pond. An alternative polysemic reading is the sexuality of the characters which we found was the topic of discussion once our video was viewed by our focus group which included members of our target audience.
INFLUENCES
- Image that had influence over the CD back and cover
A Film Noir setting that influence our location for our video
Bold and brazzy colour for our CD cover
Influence for phsychedelic colours used
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Thursday, 15 April 2010
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Message from Ms Prince
Your blog has now been marked for research and planning. Any subsequent work added will not count towards your overall mark.
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
Hazel you have included some key examples of planning and research - well done. Your textual analysis shows a good understanding of the ways in which meanings are constructed. In particular your use of feminist and marxist theories is well considered. It would be a good idea to include a Youtube link for each text you have analysed so that readers of your blog can view what you have analysed.
I'm happy to see that you have included some photographs that you may use for the Digipak. Nicely composed but now think about mise en scene carefully before you do a 'professional shoot'.
Targets: work through your checklist to complete additional tasks. You should also include screen shots of the editing of your music video to demonstrate work in progress and any revisions you and Kamika decide to make.
I'm happy to see that you have included some photographs that you may use for the Digipak. Nicely composed but now think about mise en scene carefully before you do a 'professional shoot'.
Targets: work through your checklist to complete additional tasks. You should also include screen shots of the editing of your music video to demonstrate work in progress and any revisions you and Kamika decide to make.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Pictures of "Artists"- Potential CD Cover
Taken in the CLC, trying to capture Iva's nasty attitude towards Adiat, which Adiat appears to be oblivious from.
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