Camera Tests

Today we used the cameras to test out certain shots & scenes in the video which we thought would be hard to achieve on the day.

We focused on: Continuity of hands

Shallow and Deep focus

Snow weather

Animatic in progress

Unfortunately we couldn't access our blog last lesson, so our animatic is incomplete. However we managed to complete a rough idea of our animatic, we just need to add the last pictures from our storyboard to the animatic.

Skills Development Task

For the past 2 lessons we have been evaluating the skills we have gained from AS - A2. We made pictures using postit noes & used final cut pro to create an animatic. Using the voiceover tool in final cut we recored us speaking about our skills.

Research Relating to Final Ideas

Narrative quick cuts flash back



We have only just discovered this video. One of our peers mentioned that they had watched it and it instantly reminded them of our concept. For example they have used the quick cuts edited on the software to show the passing of time. Also they use a shot where the girl changes into a different girl which was one of our main ideas. This has enabled us to see the idea on a proffesional scale as it would have been a high budgeted video. I am trying to find a clip showing how they made the video but so far have been unsuccessful.



Walking towards camera

This idea was influenced by Avril Lavignes I'm With You Video, directed by David LaChapelle. The video is of Avril walking towards the camera .Most of the video is in slow motion, however Lavigne's mouth movements are in sync with the song's vocals. This was done by recording the footage while the song was played twice the speed. We could attempt this, however will make sure we record it in normal speed too, incase the outcome is not effective.




We want to try different camera techniques, particularly depth of field, when the emphasis is on the guitar and Joanna's musical abilities. After watching Amy mcdonald's video (posted earlier on in our research) we were inspired by the different camera techniques used to film the guitar in an interesting way. We acted upon this idea last lesson and experimented around with the cameras we will be using, as they are new to the college. With the help of our teacher we managed to find a tool on the camera that allows you to blur a specific point on the focal for a fraction of time. In order to make it last we will have to film both shots (joanna and guitar and boy and girl sat on bench) then overlap on final cut pro.
The video below uses depth of field throughout.

We have remained in contact with Joanna Via My space and Facebook. Now we have finalised our ideas to the extent we can start planning a production schedule, we thought it was of importance that Joanna understands our plans incase her viewpoint doesn't match our own. (In which case we would have to re draft storyboards and have to change props) We are aware that this continuess share of ideas from director to artist would be found in the proffesional music video industry, as established artists are vary aware of their image and how audiences perseeve them. We need to make sure Joanna is completely satisfied and aware of what we require from her on set, before we can go any futher.

Here is her response via Myspace Mail

RE: Music video ideas

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• joannaacoustic

  
  

  
  Oct 24, 2010

  RE: Music video ideas.

  Joanna says

  
  

  Yeah that sounds like a really good idea :D That'd be really cool. Well if you want to do it in college time i'm free monday 12.15 onwards wednesdays 12.15 onwards and thursday like after 2 or something and i always have fridays off :) and weekends are fine just let me know like a week or two before. my number is 07833438087 just give me a call or a text when you want to do it, but any of those times would be fine:
  

KatrinaRose

• Oct 19, 2010

  Hey Joanna,

  Just letting you know what are initial ideas are and would like your input.

  We wanted to have you at Grove Park in the band stand singing with your guitar, as its meant to be a promo video we will need a lot of the emphasis to be on you through out the video.

  The main idea for our narrative is you watching the guy you like with his girlfriend.

  Please let us know when your free and what you think of the concept of the video.

  
  

  Katrina.
  

Location Continued...

Here is a photo I have taken which will be where we are filming our night scene as Joanna is walking towards the camera. This road is outside Grove Park which makes it practical as we won't have to worry about getting to and fro different locations. This road is normally quite quiet as far as traffic is concerned, therefore we shouldn't have too many problems filming Joanna walking down the road, however we must make sure it is safe before filming this scene. Although the actual road is quiet during the evening, bars and other businesses are normally open, which we hope will give the scene a bit of an edgy feel.

Equipment...

After analysing our draft storyboard we have realised that the shots are becoming a little monotonous and feel that we should include more variety. We have discovered a tripod which will allow us to be more diverse when it comes to camera angles. The 'Flexible Tripod' pictured below has flexible joints that can rotate 360 degrees which means it has the ability to wrap round poles and branches. The band stand in Grove Park has pillars attached to the roof, therefore it should be possible to be able to have a high angle shot of Joanna whilst she is sat on the steps playing the guitar.
These are the types of shots we could achieve through using the flexibile tri pod.

We used the 360 degree camera track idea in our draft storyboard. We liked the idea therefore we decided to include it, however we were having difficulties trying to think of a suitable method that will allow us to do this without any major jolts of the camera. Initially We thought of using a bike and somehow attaching the camera to the bike as we guide it around Joanna singing on the bandstand. Since this idea we have discovered the flexible tri pod. We should be able to attach it to the front of the bike. We need to do a preparation and practise run for this method of filming. We are also going to explore the more advanced features of final cut pro to see anything else that can contribute to a less jolty image.

Casting

Joanna will be playing herself throughout, as she knows the songs

we think it will be better for her to be in it, and this will be more effective for our video as we don't have to teach anyone the lip syncing.

Boy & Girl will be played by Emily & her boyfriend, because Emily knows whats going on, and what's required of her.

Props

For our music video we need some props such as:

1. Rose: Were thinking about using a flower in our video, as we want a shot of the boy giving his new girlfriend some sort of flower.
2. Tripod: By using the tripod, we are able to film in interesting ways, which we would be unable to achieve without it.
3. Sky Lantern: In one of our shots were going to have sky lanterns going off in the air, and Joanna looking up and seeing them.
4. Clothes: General use of different seasonal wear.
5. Guitar: Joanna's guitar will be featured throughout.
6. Torch: This will give us more light in our night time scenes.
7. Ipod: We will use this to play the music out loud.
8. Bike: Will able us to follow Joanne & attach the camera, to create a steady shot.

Location

Reasons behind our decisions...

Grove Park:

• The band stand provides a realistic place for her to be practising, as the environment is peaceful and this gives her time to think.

• It provides a good frame as the park will not be very busy when we have scheduled to film

• It's a nice place for a couple to walk through, due to the trees, plant beds etc.

• The jill dandow gardens in the park will provide interesting scenary i.e the wooden frames that hold the plants up.

A long street (town)

• The mood of the song changes at a certain point into more of a aggressive tone, therefore we wanted to reflect the change of emotion through the scenary.
• We want to use a long shot so we have a clear view of her body language (striding forwards to the camera and keeping strong eye contact.)
• The urban feel is a strong contrast to the natural settings of the park and shooting at night will mean the sky will form as a pathetic fallacy for Joanna's mood.

Latest ideas for our album cover + Mid Project Evaluation

Todays lesson we have continued with the development of our album cover. Also we have evaluated our work so far in accordance with the questions given to us, which enable us to see our progress so far.

We were thinking that our album has to have a name, so our plan is to have the name of the album as one of her other songs. Our choices are; The way i see it, Dear Friend & Homemade meals and fairy lights. All these titles would be good for the album because they relate to Joanna and reflect her as an artist and songwriter.

Here is an example of our front cover:

We experimented with different pictures and fonts on photoshop. We decided that this picture related to the song title "the way i see it" as she is staring up at the sky (camera). There is a subtle use of mise en scene in this photo, the few disks scattered on the grass allows the audience to see that the girl is an artist. The disks, top and jewelry all compliment each other because of the silver and the light reflection off of them. The cushion brings bright colours into the shot, its also quirky.

If the text wasn't on the picture you wouldn't really understand the concept behind it and the audience would come up with their own connotations of the picture. "the way i see it" sums up the picture because she's looking at the camera and its very intense.

We also put her initials in to the shot as its a promo album so its important for people to recognize her style.


Mid Project Evaluation

1) How does your media product use, develop or challenge the forms and conventions of real media products?

Our media product uses many conventions that are typical of an acoustic artist. Joanna's image is typical of a female acoustic artist...clean and fresh. However the lyrics of the song we have chosen aren't angelic but more about releasing her inner thoughts about the boy, some positive some negative, constantly conflicting ideas. We have made sure there are plenty of close up shots so we can clearly see her changes of emotion, which are typical of an acoustic artist's video. These changes in emotion are also shown through her body language i.e striding towards the camera shows her feisty, authoritative traits, however as she sits on the bandstand and plays the guitar it shows she is reflecting on her emotions quietly through doing what she is passionate about (playing guitar and singing.) Acoustic artists like Joanna normally include their instrument in commercial videos to show their raw talent so we though it was important to include this.
We also use a narrative alongside the main focus that is Joanna. Acoustic music is very minimum so to engage audiences, artists that are of this genre normally include a story line that relates to their lyrics, so we as viewers can understand how she is feeling through this medium. The narrative of a couple will be intertwined at different intervals so we balance Joannas talents and the story, which is typical of this style of video.

2) How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?


3)What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

4)How have you used new media technologies?