Copyright Permission - No Contact!!!

Initially as a group we wrote and sent a letter to Ellie Goulding record company asking for copyright permission. However they did not reply.

Final Music Video

WE FINISHED!!!

Realisation Of Our Final Edit

We realised that it mat appear that we have a lot of scenes in our music video. We have approximately we have 10 scenes and costumes. However we have 6 base tracks and 4 narrative scenes. These narrative scenes tell the story of what the artist is thinking and the costume changes demonstrate the different scenarios.

Last Minute Checks!!!

Why we didn't use Colour Corrector 3 Way

So during the last day of editing one of our group members unfortunately was unable to attend the last day of editing due to falling ill over night. Due to the loss of this member we were unable to use the colour corrector as the other group members didn't have the knowledge to use colour corrector effectively. In addition we also lacked time. Although as a group we did make the formal decision to not use the colour corrector because we thought the original colours are more effective as they portray a vibrant, alive, colourful feel, in which we wish to keep this strong imagery throughout.

Colour Corrector 3 Way

Before:

After:

Skills Development

Skills Development

Editing - Colour Corrector 3 Way

So once we had finished our edit we thought about using colour corrector 3 way, in order to create an effect in which will compliment our video and the image in which we urge to portray! So... Our video is based upon a love story, in which the artist strolls across a mysterious guy who she's interested in... Therefore we aim to create a colour effect in which will give a mysterious, mystical image of the artist developing and evolving in her romantic encounter...

Here I have attached some photos of the original colours and the colours we have produced to create the effect we want....

Candi Pop 15

Today we had decide to create a mini interview with our artist. We did this because we wanted to demonstrate that if we did decide to target our audience we would do it through a comical sense and promote the artist funny side to her younger audience. Candi pop 15 specifically targets her core audience of teenagers.

Candi pop 15 aims that to raise awareness of new up and coming talent. If this show was commissioned would air at 7am on channel 4 (taking up freshly squeezed time slot) as this is where her core audience will be getting ready to go to school/college and therefore they will remember this interview and tell their peers when they get to school/college. As a result this will be a form of word-of-mouth promotion and therefor targeting a large majority of our core audience.

Reflection on editing

More Rough cut feedback

Here I have Haminatu a student at City and Islington. She doesn't study media therefore she can give general points about the music video.

Analysis Of Rough Cut Feedback

Reflection Of Blogging Progress

More Rough cut feedback

Here we have Vanessa, watching our rough cut and what she thinks about.

She gave us both positive feedback and what we could improve on. Vanessa is a media student and knows what to expect to see from a music video and she could give a close observation of our rough cut.

More Rough cut feedback

A media student Susan watched our rough cut and gave positive feedback and what we can improve on. Having a media student judge our work is extremely helpful because they have the ability become critical when watching music videos and what the typical conventions they should expect to see in a music video. 

With Susan's opinion we will definitely take it aboard and change the aspects where she found noticeable. For example the lighting conditions we might want to add a filter effect on it to reduce the light or we could add a glow effect on the rest of the clips.

Editing day 3 during Lunch

During lunch we wanted at least 1 minute of footage to show to our teacher because our rough wasn't enough. Even though we had positive feedback for our beginning part of our music video we wanted to show the direction we were heading but more importantly so we can get a clear picture of our music video.  

We changed d the speed of the clips as we wanted to remain the conventions of a slow motion in particular we wanted the scene where she looks up and the sky goes around and around.

Furthermore, today we marked more of beats on the track so we can edit to the beat.

Editing Day 3

Once again in this lesson we had to start again within the editing process. This time we are sure that this method will WORK!!!

What we decided to do today, is sync all the base tracks to the Ellie Goulding soundtrack and then we choose which base track we want to follow up next in the song. Once we get the cut the clips we are then going to structure the narrative scenes around the base tracks. That way it will be a lot easier.

This means that we are going to spend most of our lunch time and after college times getting this done because we are dedicated into getting this music video done before the deadline.

This is what we manage to show during our rough cut.

Rough Cut

The above video is our first Rough Cut edited for the 21st November 2012! Due to a delayed schedule we have only been able to preview the first minute of our video as we was not able to complete the editing on time for the full video, in order to present our rough cut to the class for feedback. However, we are back on schedule and aim to complete the editing for Thursday 29th November 2012!

Rough cut feedback - 21/11/12

Today we received feedback from our teacher and our peers to see what they thought about our unfinished rough-cut.

We got positive reactions to the editing we have done so far.

They really liked the framing of the footage as they thought it was tight. Furthermore, they were impressed by the different costumes we used during the opening of our music video and the artist performance.

However, we were given constructed criticism to how could improve our rough cut and what a difference it would make on our music video. Firstly, we need to finish our music video as for a rough cut we should of completed more footage and have a clear idea were we were going to add effects. I believe that this will be our main target point as we don't want to hand in nothing when it comes to our final deadline.

Secondly, We told that more close ups were need. As a group we strongly agreed with this and we aim to add more close up at the opening of the music video. Although, we may have to schedule a time to go filming again to make sure we include more close ups .                         

An idea - Interviewing Melanie Simmones to engage our audience

I came up with an idea, where it will help our artist (Melanie Simmon) engage with her fans and gain new fans. Most artist chose to set up interviews with TV programmes so they can become well known across their mainstream audience.

Why are interviews beneficial for the audience?

It is beneficial for the audience because it gives the audience get the chance to know  the artist on a more personal level. Therefore questions that might be asked about an artist are:

• What inspired you to become a singer/songwriter?
• What type of food do you enjoy eating?
• What are your hobbies and interest, outside of your music? 
• What is the meaning behind your single? 

All of these questions are useful for an audience as it allows them to see whether they are compatible with the artists and to see whether the songs can be related to them.

Why are interviews beneficial for the artist?

Interviews will be useful for artist as it allows them to promote their song or album for their target audience to buy. Furthermore, interviews makes an artist more known as they are televised across different audiences, as they could be young, old, rich, poor, male, female. (binary oppositions). In addition, interviews are a great form of generating revenue, as TV programmes like Freshly Squeeze, T4 and SB.TV that would pay the artist to have them on their show.

The idea stemmed when I was watching Freshly Squeeze early in the morning (7am). Freshly squeeze interviews mainstream artist but also up-and-coming artist on singles they are producing. Furthermore freshly squeeze is a relaxed interviewing experience where they engage with the artist comically, which is useful for the audience as they will be able to establish whether they have a fun, cheerful personality, rather than just being strict and focusing solely on the music.

Here is an example of Ellie Goulding (the original artist of Guns and Horses) having an Interview with freshly Squeeze presenter:

Ellie talks about the meaning behind her song as she answers it is based on the fact she was scared of the dark when she was young. Therefore, it all ready creates the bond with her audience because they can relate to the same experiences she had growing up a child. When the presenter chose to draw her we see a "jokey" side of Ellie that her audience may not know about, as a result they may seem to enjoy her and embrace her more within the music industry and make her become part of their music taste. Furthermore the interview allowed her audience know that she won't be heard of for awhile in the UK as she will be touring in America.On the other hand, we acknowledge that she is spreading her wider audience as she wants acknowledge her potential fans in the America.

So... here is my idea


I think it would be a good idea to create our own interview programme, possibly called Candi music. The reason for this is that it will tie in for the digi pak aspect  our task. The digi pack is part of promoting an artist so if we create an interview programming we will targeting our audience durectly.

I was inspired by Freshly Squeeze studio set up, therefore I was thinking that the filming of the interview could take place in the common room in the college because it gives a relax atmosphere and it is decorated in a funky young adult look. As result, we will be engaging with our target audience with the mise en scene as they can relate to the look of the studio, therefore they would like our artist Melanie Simmones.

We would have a presenter of the show that will come up with comical scenarios that young people get themselves into day. More specifically, we will relate back to the song Guns and Horses and ask her what she would actually do if she met a guy that she was crazy in love with, and what advice can she offer to her audience.

In addition we would ask Melanie, what she thinks of latest topics that affect youth culture and what she thinks about latest gadgets such as the Iphone,

Finally, we could talk about fashion styles that would attract the basis of our target audienece, since we are tageting toung female adults (17+) and how they could possibly form her look.

Editing

So today I took on the initiative to use Tuesday - my free day, to come into college and edit. The edit process included importing all the base tracks and lip syncing in order to prepare for tomorrow's editing session in which will we be planning the structure of our music video, how we will use the extra footage and hopefully start cutting in order to meet our first draft deadline!! 

Day 4: Editing Process

Editing Day 2

In todays lesson we realised that our first way of editing was not productive and useful technique to use. Therefore we had to come with something new!!! (talk about stress)

So this time we did decide to import all our base tracks on to final cut pro and then clip all the clips to the beat. We cut every clip at 4 beats and then we are going to put the sequence together on the same line. That way we putting the story together as we go along.

Editing Colour Effect Tests

 Today I took the opportunity to test out different colours for the shots in our video. I tried differentiate the each effected shot to visualise what the final edit will look like.

I took the close up of the guitar shot and edited it in 3 three different colour corrections. One of them has more of blue and purple colours which allows it to look more of a cold shot. The second one has more of red and orange colours giving it a warmer look which could connote love between the artist and actor.

Amber's feedback on the filming days

Here the performer talks about how she found filming with us and what it was like working with each of us.

Inspiration: Publication idea

The other day I was in the car and I saw this poster. I literally had to get my dad to pull over so I can jump out and get a picture of it.  (It had to be done)

This poster is perfect inspirattion for when I have start focusing on digi paks and ways of trageting our artist to our intened target audience and wider audience. What I like about it, is the framing of the camera shot as the top part of her head is cut off as it is not in the frame. Furthermore it is a close up to the face which makes seem really personal as she is coming up close to the camera, theredore we assume that she trust her ytarget audience to come up so close to her. What I was most drawn to was the deep colours of the red and purple. It caught my eye staright away, and if it can do that to me then it must do that to most people. Using deep bright colours must be a useful technique to use asit is eyecathing and will definately be incoparated the digi pak design.

Early Research into Adverts...

...Publication is away of making infomation avaliable to a wider audience or to a specific audience, usually publication involves broadcasting a message without the need of getting opinion from the inteneded audience. Publication general sets out to inform the wider audience about information that affects the magority of us in society but it main focus looks amoung literature and MUSIC!!!

Publication for the music industry is esstential! As it is a form of marketing and distribution, without this, how would an artist generate revenue to pay their record label and studio time.

Without publication how can they raise awareness to their fans about up coming tracks and targeting new fans with bold graphic designs that relate to their genre of music, but also it gives the audience some understanding of what the artist is like.

Looking back at the original artist of Guns and Horses, here are a few of Ellie Gouldings poster that publicses Guns and Horses.

Exaiming the Guns and Horses print, it doesn't really represent the lyrics of the song, but it doesn't have too. The print does gives the idea of what the genre is about because of the sparly, flashing lights. We get impression that her music has a magical funky fushion vibe, which suggest that her music is not boring and is always at an upbeat tempo.

Here, below, I have depicted one of Ellie Gouldings Guns and Horses poster, to see what it may represent to her target audinece and what impression thjat she is given to target the wider audience.

Group 15!

Inspiration by a band, Boyce Avenue

One of our scenes in our music video has one of our performers, Alex playing a guitar. From watching boyce avenues's music videos, I got inspiration for the type of shots but also having the guitar in the scene. 

These are the videos:

We decided to take those shot ideas and film them in our own way. We filmed close ups of the guitars and did medium shots of the performer and the guitar. We used a straight on shot because its an eye line match of the artist looking at her lover

Reflection on filming completed

Music Video Production Conference

During my stroll to college in the morning I came across a poster in which was promoting a "Music Video Production Forum". Immediately the poster caught my eye due to the vibrant and bold colours with MUSIC VIDEO plastered bang splat in the middle!!

As I am currently partaking in a music video production I thought it would be very interesting to attend and get some advice from leaders in the industry. The event took place on Nov 15th 12 at 7:00pm at Shorditch Church.

During the conference their were talks from the following; Corin Hardy, Director; Dawn Shadforth, Director; Dominic, Trim Editing; Liz Kessler, Producer.

Coring Hardy - "Inspired by Horror since 1975"

What was it that sparked you interest?

I was 12...inspired by evil dead 2...once I saw that all I wanted to do was make films, in particular horror!"

Corin Hardy said the last production he was involved in was directing a music video: "Devlin - Watchtower ft. Ed Sheeran".

He started off by making his own films as a child with his friends  making films at college, and for a hobby. Corin then got his work shown at film festivals in which his talent was recognised. He has also been involved in films with Steven Spielberg.

Dominic Leung: Trim Editor

Dominic has been editing videos for 20 years, one of his early production was to edit "Chase and Status - Blind Faith" 

Dominc worked with Daniel Wharf, in which he stated they both had a strong vision of what they wanted and put focused minds together in order to reach the end product. Some points of advice Dominic gave were "You get the best work done when their is a strong connection between all participants".

Phill Lee: Art Director

Worked with Excel Recordings since 1989, Graduated as a graphic designer, in which he did some freelance work and then became head of visuals in 2006. He stated he had to become much broader in terms of visual output due to new technologies allowing the rise of motion pictures.

Dawn Shadworth: Director

Dawn has been a Director for the past 12 - 13 years, she did everything herself, learnt on the job and followed her passion for making videos.

One of the music videos she once edited was "Hurts - Wonderful Life" in which was a remake of their original video. She has to follow a brief in which stated they wanted an "80's look, slick and glossy."

Dawn was also involved in directing the following videos: 

Dizzee Rascal - Sirens

Adele - Rolling In The Deep

M.I.A - Paperplanes

Emile Sande - My Kind Of Love

Where do you think the music industry is going?

"The budgets are definitely decreasing, however promoting sheds loads of the budget!"

Liz Kessler - Producer

Some of the music videos in which Liz has produced are the following:

Benga - I Will Never Change:

And...

Antony and The Johnsons: Cut The World:

She never spoke much but she did give some advice in which I took into considertation. Liz stated that "You need good communication and unity within the team in order to produce an amazing end product" 

As a producer she said "the most annoying thing is lack of communication due to people not saying what they really think because there afraid that things will change."

A member in the audience asked the following question and Liz replied with a rather funny response:

What is the most annoying thing during a production?

"The stylists, they drive me fucking crazy!"

Reflection On Filming

Here I have discussed how well I think the filming came along, and my role within my media group!

Problems We Came Across During Filming

Here I have mentioned some of the problems we came across during the filming process, and how these were resolved.

Day 1 Editing

In todays lesson it was our first day of editing we had to import the music video from youtube on to final cut pro. We did this by using Clipgrab. we then choose the AIF file instead of mp3. The reason why we use an AIF is that we are constructing are music video on a mac, which is an apple, and an AIF file is created by apple so it will be a suitable file to use.

Importing clips on to final cut Pro

To import our clips we had to click the file tab and then we only imported our good clips. That we really eanted to chose and then we were going to work around them.

Starting the sequence

 To start our sequence we drag the individual clip on to the timeline and then cut each section for what we wanted to use.

  

Filming Day 6: Tandem

So as Alex previously stated in an earlier blog, he came up with the idea of using a tandem. As a group we thank his idea, because it was great fun and a pleasure to participate. The shots we took all worked really well. We filmed this on Tuesday 13th Nov 12 at 2pm - 4pm which cost £7/hr so in total it costed £14 which was great as it didn't cost too much to hire and it looked great on camera!

You've Been Framed!!

During our A2 music video production we came across many failed attempts to film the desired shot we wanted. This was one of those many failed attempts! As we played back footage we came across this in which we thought would be great to show on you've been framed! However this was unsuccessful due to a sheer volume of clips being sent in everyday... 

...Here is the video...

Organisational Planning of Footage

Here we are going through our footage and creating folders and sub folders of basetracks and scenes in order, to know what is what. Moreover this will make the editing process much easier, when choosing the shots we would like to use and what is the best footage.

First Day Editing - Testing

Here we have started to import our footage onto 'Final Cut Pro' and together as a group we are discussing the structure of our music video. In addition we are testing the type of colours in which we would like to have.

Going Through Our Footage

Finally we have finished filming!! Although we thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the filming process we are happy to be back on track and starting to prepare for editing. In the above video we are looking through our footage in which, we are very pleased with the outcome.

Filming Day 5: Basetracks

The above images are just some of our base tracks. In these base tracks the location is Hamstead Heath as we wanted to create a flowing setting in which will all fit together really nicely. In addition the appeal to nature also can represent the image of life, wilderness and aliveness, to portray a new relationship evolving and springing out into happiness!

Filming Day 5: Swing Scene

Day 3 Filming (Meeting Scene)

As a group we decided to incorporate various romantic scenes in order to fit the romantic field of our music video as a whole. The meeting scene is what triggers the rest of the scenes so it was important to get it right! What we have decided as a group is to create a scene in which the romantic interest is up against a tree or in this case sitting on a log playing a guitar. Then the artist will come along walking along the path in which she encounters eye contact with her love interest and their relationship progresses from then onwards....

In order to create this scene we have used various shot types such as:

Long Shots:

Mid Close Ups:

Close Ups:

Also we decided to create a base track with the love interest playing the guitar in the background whilst the artist sits elegantly in the opposite direction trying to get his attention.

Base track:

Also the mise en scene for this scene was very important because we wanted to create a strong visual interpretation of romance!

For the romantic interest we decided to have him playing a guitar in which, suggests he is writing/singing a love song. In addition we wanted to artist to be holding a folder to appeal to the audience of our music video which will be young teen females The folder portrays a schoolgirl image in order to target our audience.

Reflection on filming

ASOS #BestNightEver Campaign - Ellie Goulding

Recently I have come across many adverts and appearances from Ellie Goulding in which she sings one of her many songs from her latest release 'Halycon' in order to promote her album.

I have done some background research and it seems that ASOS Fashion have launched a Global Christmas campaign of #BestNightEver in which a series of videos have been produced and distributed onto online media platforms. A rare tactic of 'Music' and 'Fashion' mixed styles to promote their latest collections and the artists latest releases.

Ellie also reveals her music video to 'Only you' from her latest release 'Halycon' in which engages audiences and they will want to find out more. ASOS have used music videos as a way to expand their market whilst increase profits and popularity through the means of collaborating music and fashion.

Productionwhat we attempt to achieve on the 11th November...

On the 11th November is are next oppurtunity to film our base tracks and the love scenes. Therefore we would be filming the following scenes:

• The running scene in the park - we are planning of using medium shots of them to running at each other. How we are hoping to film this scene is we focus on one character running directly at the camera and looking directly at the camera. The effect of this will make it personal to the audience and to think that they are running to them. But importantly, to think that it can happen to them too.
• The lying down base track- We want to do a medium close up of the artist singing the entire song, creating an effective daze look of being lost in thought or daydream as the artist will look up yto the sky.
• Re-doing the swing scene - with great thought we have come up with a perfect way of shooing this. We have decide that the artist should not put much effort when swinging. Therefore will be able to track her perfectly and she wont come out of the frame. Also the plan is to use various shots. To demonstrate different shot types of the scene, therefore we will be using close ups, medium shots and longs shots.

Inspiration: Tandem Hire For Music Video

After watching a series of music video in which involved the idea of two lovers shown through 'Amplification' in which drums their relationship into the viewers heads. Amplification is also being used within our music video in which we have decided to have base tracks and shots of the solo female artist with her desired lover, in which is shown through a picnic scene etc.

I thought was would be a good idea is to have the two lovers on a tandem bike in which portrays a sense of spontaneity in which we urge to portray within our music video. In addition it symbolises a connection and sync just like the bike does in order to work.

I have found a website in which we can hire the bike for £7/hr. I have notified the group and they have approved of this idea and we aim to film on Tuesday 13th November 12. I have also attached the link: TANDEM 

Inspiration: Hairtstyle

As a group we realised that there is a certain hairstyle that has become popular over the couple of months and it is....

The high top bun...

Here is the video of the high top bun. The video demonstrates how to use it and the many different ways of doing it.This video helped me as, I am now able to create this hairstyle on the artist.

This hairstyle will definitely be used as one of our base tracks or scenes, as it is style that will be well known to the audience, therefore they could feel that they can empathise with the artist and believe in the messages of her songs.