Production Log #11

Throughout production log week 11 - I was absent due to be abroad; however Sam was in charge of filming and Karen is the main character alongside with Joshua, therefore they were able to meet up and begin to do some filming for our music video. Sam, Karen and Joshua met up and traveled all the way to central London, stopping by places they through and we planned and also discussed could be beneficial for the music video.

Overall, the group was pleased with the footage Sam was able to obtain from Karen and Joshua; in addition, the weather was on their side with a sunny sky and that also means that sunset was late enough to allow the team to move around before it was set. However, although the sun was out and the team had a big variety of lighting - according to Samantha (camera girl) - "we faced some problems because the sun was creating glare on the lens whilst filming, and it was hard to get some shots".

Health and Safety

Call Sheets

Call Sheets

Production Schedule

Production Schedule

Cast List - Lij Gilmour

Cast List

Lij Gilmour (Chris M.):

Lij Gilmour's best friend (Karen C.):

Best Friend's love interest (Joshua Q.):

Artist Consent

Alongside with the task settled of making a video clip for an unsigned artist, by creating visual art - it is important to take in consideration the legislative side of creating a music video. 

Additionally, the group was able to reach out for the artist Lij Gilmour and obtain full consent in order to use his music; however, we thought that it was just as important to have full consent from the cast of our music video, therefore, the group decided the best way to do this was to create a legal document that created a 'binding contract' between us and our cast so we arranged to meet with each person casting, in order to go through the release form with them before getting them to sign it.

Production Log #8

Production Log #8

Throughout this week - our class took a trip to the BFI, in order to hear a lecture on how to creat music videos. In addition, whilst we were there, we got the opportunity to learn a couple of things about the history of music video; such as: how to exploit/ use and take advantage of the equipment we have, in order to gain the best results and on top of that, we even had the opportunity to hear a talk from Prano Bailey - Bond who directs music videos.

Moreover, Prano told us about what it's like having to work within short periods of time to create music videos for clients and also showed us some of her including how to use pixelation to create body distortion within character movement.

VOX POPS

VOX POPS

Shooting Script

Shooting Script

Production Log #6

Production Log #6

For this week, we have briefly organised our job roles within our music video's group, and this is mainly so each one of us (me, karen and Samantha) have a clear understanding, as well as knowledge of what tasks each one of us had, as for priority. 
In addition, this task was quite challenging, due to so many tasks to do, which then required a 'group meeting' in order to note whom has the specific qualities or felt best comfortable to be in charge and completing specific tasks.

Furthermore, as part of the 'group meeting', we completed some beach-combing, in order to find some inspiration or influences for the final music video. Finishing-off with the final 3 main videos and analyzing every detail about it. In addition, it was slightly challenging to find these specific music videos as the options we've discussed were a little 'unique' to find. Pop genre was the chosen, leaving us with only a few music videos to analyze - including One Direction, as they are the main band who tend to make similar songs to Lij' Gilmour.

Job Roles

Job Roles

• Director - Sam - The main reason why Sam would be the director of the video, was simply because her song was chosen to be used for the final video and it's simply common-sense to let Sam guide everybody and deliver her 'product'.

• Producer - the whole team - We decided that, we would all produce the final product because we felt we would have an important part to play in finishing all the tasks within the brief but would have to maintain continuous communication.

• Camera women - Jessica - The reason why I was mainly chosen to be leading camera women is because Karen would mostly be in front of the camera as she's part of the casting, whilst Sam is directing me on what camera movements and techniques she developed for the music video. Additionally, I am known for being very skilled with camera work and I also have passed experience with using cameras with my AS Media task. 

• Editor - Sam - The reason why Sam was chosen to be lead editor, was mainly because this was something that Sam has past experience with, not only with her AS task, but it's also something she does as a hobby. Sam is best known for having an eye for detail, precision, accuracy and last but not least, she just has a general enjoyment for editing which means that she is more than willing to spend extra time needed to complete it to the best of her ability. 

• Time Management - Sam - Sam was also chosen to be the time manager, because she is punctual with her work, which means that she will always be up to date with what mostly needs to be done in time for the dead line. 

• Makeup - Karen - The reason why we chose Karen as our hair and make up artist as she has a great eye for what looks good. She enjoys doing her own hair and make up within her spare time, which means she enjoys doing this as a hobby, which indicates how much she practises it. She will also be in front of the camera and she knows what costumes and make up will suit her best.
  
  • Lighting - Jessica - I was chosen for lighting due to my past experience with my AS Media Studies project and also my Drama GCSE, which means that I know what lighting will work best for each scene.
  
  • Casting Director - All - We decided that we should all have a final choice within who we chose as the talent within our  music video as we felt that having more than one opinion on this was important. 
  • Location/ Recci Manager - Karen/ Sam - we decided that Karen and Sam would best suit this task, because they know a range of local areas that would suit the video. 

• Photographer/ Directer of photographer - Sam - This was something that Sam particularly had to deal with her AS Media project and is something that she does within her spare time (alongside with Editing) so this is something that she's positive she'll do well.

• Call Sheets/ Script writer - Sam - As well as a time manager, Sam became the Call Sheets/Script writer because this is something we decided that she should do due to her good time keeping skills.

• Graphic Design: Flat Plan/ Typography/Copy Writer  - Karen - We decided that Karen would be great at this because she enjoys doing design and is very artistically creative.

• Cast: 
  
  • Josh Q-P - We felt that Josh was best suited to play our leading male as we felt that he has a mature look to him and would be highly reliable to be on time and take it seriously.
  • Karen Cuenca - We felt that she would be best to play our leading lady as she is reliable and would best suit the part and will understand what we want. 

The final treatment

The Final Treatment

After Presenting all our treatments, we decided Samantha's treatment was the most exciting, suitable and most 'catchy' within teenagers. Here's the final treatment:

Ancillary Products - Flat Plan

Flat Plan

This week - we began to plan our group's ancillary products. As a group, we all got a little taste of the song by listening to it a few times, in order to gain inspiration in order to create the magazine advert, as well as the digi pack; burying in mind what best suits Lij Gilmour's style. Here's some pictures from the group's overall flat plan:

Beach Combing

Beach Combing (5 Videos)

AUDIENCE FOR ALL OF THEM.

COSTUME, NARRATIVE, STYLE AND CONVENTIONS.

\

Treatment Kiki Rowe

My Personal Treatment - Kiki Rowe

Digipack Analysis

Digipack Analysis

On the left hand side is Rihanna's digipack for her album named "Loud". 

The cover is captivating because Rihanna's is the main focus which attracts fans, as well as admirers.

The main attraction goes towards her seductive, red and bold lips and hair which could have two different meanings.

It could represent attitude, sexiness, fire, seduction, love, passion, etc.; however, on the other side, it could easily represent the pop culture, which is Rihanna's main music product.

Additionally, apart from the bold red lips and hair, Rihanna is looking down with her mouth slightly open, which connotes to an expression of being passionate - that could possibly indicate of how powerful and sexy she feels or also, how passionate she is to make this album for her fans and admirers; in addition, this creates a positive impact on both the album's rate as well as the audience.

Secondly, the album's title "LOUD" could possibly link to Rihanna's personality, "outside" the Hollywood and music life, or it could also represent her as a woman being "loud" enough to let the world notice her voice and music.

On the right hand side is Katy Perry's album "Teenage Dream", the album's main photographs are based , consisted and inspired by her music video for the single "California Gurls" featuring Snoop Dog. In addition, the following pictures show Kary Perry laying on the pink clouds, which links back to the video clip and the music California Gurls, which is based upon a candy land and a group of girls fighting, eating and dancing with candy such as gummy bears. Most of Katy's audience tend to say that with these pictures - Kary was trying to show sexiness and to seduce by laying naked with only a little bit of cloud hiding her bottom - however, the other half tends to see the pictures as being 'innocent' and a 'teen style'  because of the colour being used - light pink.

Moreover, Kary Perry must've been really inspired by her single, as even both of her CDs are designed as a candy and a doughnut - in addition, this is beneficial for the singer because she's easily recognised for the music video and her views/likes and reputation may easily go up; meanwhile - her target audience could go from grown up men from the age 20+ or teenagers aged 14+ due to her silliness but also seductive/sweet face posing in her digipack.

Magazine Analysis

Magazine Analysis

In the magazine "NME", I found 'Imagine Dragons' advert.

Firstly, the band's name has its own typography, in which always remains white and quiet "rocky" and "pointy", which gives out a message of rebellion and 'rock' from this specific band. Additionally, the font is quiet large, which allows the fans as well as the admirers to spot any posters or adverts about the band.

Moreover, the chosen colours for this specific covers are quiet dull and orange - which creates a heavy atmosphere within the photograph and sends out a message of expression, escapism and rebellion; this is because the colour orange could be linked to fire, which makes fans think "they're going to burn everything with their new album", such as a BIG impact with their music.

In addition, each artists' body language relate back to escapism and rock'n'roll, due to the singer's arms being wide open and the guitarist with the long crazy hair and bending over playing the guitar. It personally makes me feel this band are fully deeply into their music, and they do not only play music, they feel the music.

Furthermore, dates and additional information are always needed, once a fan is looking at their favourite band's advert.

Imagine Dragon's advert includes different tour dates (which will happen in the United Kingdom) because this specific magazine NME is particularly given out in the UK. This clearly shows their target audience is the UK citizens, aged 17-40, as they're probably the most fortunate to see this information and enjoy Imagine Dragon's concert. However, as for action line - this advert includes the band SUNSET SONS, as a plus special guests - which also attracts and aims at sunset sons' fans and admirers.

I personally think bands invite other bands as special guests because they know music admirers make a big community of people, who are fully dedicated to their idols, favourite bands, etc.; which is why, when two bands come together, more tickets are sold, which increase more profit for each one of them and also fame.

Additionally, broadcasting other bands and singers in an advert could be due to synergy - as for instants, the Sunset Sons could of invited Imagine Dragons to their tour before, or vice versa.

Also, on the bottom right hand side, is other aspects such as additional information about their new album "Smoke + Mirrors" that has recently been released. This is quiet important and very relevant to fans, as they are up to date with their latest albums and tour dates.


Lastly, of course there needs to be an action line, in which inform fans where to get tickets and get the bands' best sales from.



Music Magazine Advert Analysis

Music Magazine Advert Analysis

On the left hand side is a singer, named Ellie Goulding, and her album "Lights".

 

Firstly, the singer's name has its own way of selling and attract her fans, quickly. In addition, the singer's name, as well as the album's title is glowing which relates to the actual title "Lights" - the singer's hair is also glowing and surrounded by lights (which also refers back to the album's title).
Futhermore, thinking a couple steps ahead of what is shown in the cover, the glow could refer back to Ellie's voice and personality.
Additionally, Ellie is known by her incredibly unique, beautiful and angelic voice - some people even describe it as being quite electronic.

As in for Ellie's point of view her "voice is the key", according to www.theguardian.com
 

Moreover, the main image of Ellie's face is also helpful and quick to be seen by fans and admirers. Also, as part of the audience, it appears that Ellie is not wearing too much make-up, which can attract fans towards her "natural beauty".

 

As for action line and other aspects, at the bottom of the music album magazine advert, we are able to see that Ellie's music has a rating out of 10, by record labels which gives the customers the "trust" and "word", in how Ellie's music is worth to listen to.

 On the left hand side is a singer, named Jessie J and her album "who you are".

The advert immediately attracts fans, as well as admirers' attraction, due to the close-up on Jessie J's face.

Additionally, the colour black could possibly emphasise many things - such as Jessie J making rock music, etc.

However, relating the colour black to the album's title "who you are" emphasises how the music is quite "emotional and sad" or "the dark side of Jessie J". 

Additionally, Jessie J's name is located in the middle, in gold. Which could possibly mean, she went from dark and sad to gold and "famous" - maybe, it's a sign in which she achieved her dreams and aspirations and now she's "shining". In addition, her mouth is slightly open and there's a fierce look in her eyes, which makes me think there's so much to say, and she wants the world to hear her voice.

As for other aspects, at the bottom of the advert, we can see in full detail Jessie J's website, also in bold - which attracts majority of the audience to find out more about this singer, including "fans" that, do not know much about her, already.

Lastly, B.o.B is an artist/rapper, which is stated on this advert. His name is printed in white bold against the black background which attracts attention from the audience. I believe Jessie J is promoting B.o.B, because he's featuring a song with her and B.o.B's been famous for quiet a long time, which also attracts B.o.B fans to buy this album - making Jessie J even more popular and gain more credits and profit.

On the left hand side is my final singer, named Rihanna and her album "LOUD".

Firstly, Rihanna has chosen to have a close-up for her main album picture which attracts her fans and other admirers, because her hair is red as well as her lips which emphasise sexiness and attitude.

Additionally, it's fair to say Rihanna's target audience is mainly young females, approximately from the age of 13 onwards, due to her make up and fierce look.

Moreover, as for action line "only girl (in the world)" also shows how Rihanna is not only appealing for young girls around her country, but all over THE WORLD.

Furthermore, another important fact to state is the release date - which provides girls enough time to get their "pocket money" together, to buy the amazing album "LOUD".

In addition, the use of the text - being in CAPITALS, approaches the audience to memorise it and also secure their album in their local music stores. 

Last but not least, the album's title "LOUD" makes me link to 'sexism' and how girls are discriminated for not being "good enough" to do certain jobs and things. Rihanna may be trying to give out the message in how girls can be loud enough to achieve and earn what they want; in this case - be the only girl in the world.

Lyrics Analysis

I will be the best girl that you ever had                      -> aimed at young teen girls, making them feel confident.
You know I do you boy
Just take my hand
And now I'll love you till the very end
So don't you worry

Don't stress
I'm here
A moment that's so clear
Why don't you understand?
I need you to be my man

Wait,wait
Listen to the words I'm saying
It seems like you and me've been faded
This ain't a little game I'm playing

Wait,wait,
I see you like to fight
Can we just be alright?
I want us to be alright

Turn around and look at all the things we've been through
Baby you're the one
And it ain't no other one
And I ain't never gonna let you go
Baby you should know, you should know

Don't stress
I'm here
A moment thats so clear
Why dont you understand?
I need you to be my man

Wait,wait
Listen to the words Im saying
It seems like you and meve been faded
This aint a little game Im playing

Wait,wait,
I see you like to fight
Can we just be alright?
I want us to be alright

You ain't never see me running
Ill only ever be by your side
You'll never see me crying
Cause I know I'm the one you want

Please let it go
Cause I still want this moment
I still want it
We still want it
We still got it
Were in time for love, for love

Wait,wait
Listen to the words I'm saying
It seems like you and me've been faded
His ain't a little game I'm playing

Wait,wait,
I see you like to fight
Can we just be alright?
I want us to be alright

Kiki Rowe Music Video Request

After completing some research, I've found some ways to contact Kiki Rowe.

Soundcloud account:

Facebook account:

21/09/2015 - I recently checked my souncloud messages and Kiki's manager messaged me back with the final answer.

• • 
    
  • Posted 5 days ago5 days

    Kiki Rowe

    Jessica:

    Thanks for thinking of Kiki. This is her manager. Feel free to download the track and we'd love to see the finished product!
  • Posted 6 minutes ago6 minutes

    Me

    Thank you so much!

Production Log #2

Music Videos!

For year 13, we've been set a task:

Choose an unsigned artist (no copyright song) and make a music video (our own music video).

Personally, I think it was quite tough to find a 'talented' unsigned artist, because I was aiming for a female - and most websites I would look for, would come up with mostly male.

After putting in effort and tons of research, I was able to find a female unsigned artist - Kiki Rowe, who produced her own song called "Be alright". However, we must send an e-mail to any artist we pick, asking for permission to use their song - otherwise, it'll be classified as copyright.

Furthermore, throughout this first week I have kindly wrote the e-mail to Kiki - however, I've still not sent it as I'm still looking for a method to get in touch with her or anyone else who is linked with her.

This is my e-mail:

Dear Kiki Rowe, 

My name is Jessica Santos. I am a media studies student, currently doing my A levels and in order to complete my year 13 course, I have been asked to make a music video for a class project.

As part of my research, I heard your song "Be alright" on a YouTube channel called HipHop Zort. I really like your voice and you sing really beautifully.

I would like to ask you to give me the opportunity to make a music video with your song and I would like to ask you if I can use it basis for my final A-level.

I would also like to inform you that it will only be for a school project and it will not get used anywhere else or be used commercially. Also, I would be happy to show you my work once it's complete.

With your permission, I intend to download the song from the website mentioned above and I will then transcribe the lyrics and create my own interpretation of the song. Once again, I will not copy the song or distribute it further.

Thank you for taking your time to read this.

I hope to hearing from you.

Kind regards,

Jessica Santos

Evaluation of Thrift Shop

Macklemore - Thrift Shop Mash-up

In order to prepare us for this new portfolio brief, we were set a task to do a mash up of the music video Thrift Shop by the singer Macklemore. In addition, for this to happen - we had to be placed in groups and we were handed a section from the song. My group was me, Fabio, Chi and Amy and we had the last part of the song to cover.

Moreover, we had to come up with what type we wanted for our specific part to be parody - turned out the whole class was doing parody, so once we place the 3 parts together, it syncs.

Style ~ Before kicking in with any project, it's important to thing about the style and type of music video we are planning to make. Burying in mind we only had approximately two weeks to complete this task, therefore mostly important was time management - we analysed the original music video in order to get some brief ideas and options we could take out to use in our mash-up. 

We decided to go for a mostly performance and interpretive style of music video as we felt that it would be easiest style of video to shoot.

Conventions

Conventionally I think we decided to go with the use of close up shots of the artists miming as we learnt that that's what a lot of videos do so that the star is recognized. We also decided that we would use head on shots and use film it hand held as we often see an artist coming towards the camera and rapping to the camera and we felt it would fit the fast beat of the song. We also knew that we would have to edit to the beat of the song which was something we too in while thinking about the style of the video.

Thinking ahead

I think I would use the same styles and conventions within my year 13 video, however I may not due to fact that I don't know what style of video my group will be making and some of the other styles and conventions might be more suitable for it rather then the ones we used for this task. The genres might be different and might suit a different style of video. However the ones we did use were pretty good as they were simple but effective.

The Video

Problems

One of the problems we faced was time management. We only had two weeks to come up with a plan, storyboard, get props and be completely ready for the shoot and although we managed to get it complete, I felt it was rushed as I would have liked to spend more time on it but for what we did with the time we has was pretty good. I think the last problem was the availability of props as we had to rely on our drama and art department for props and we couldn't find all that we wanted, so I think if we had more time we would be able to find all the props we wanted.

Success 

I think the most successful element of the shoot was the members within my team. Both Adam and Chris were really enthusiastic about and were willing to really get involved within the parody. They were also really involved with the planning and plot of the video and had really funny ideas to contribute to the video. They both took turns editing the video and helped me when I needed it. I think their enthusiasm really pushed me to relax and have fun when making a video and helped me learn that not everything has to be serious.

Production Log #1

Production Log #1

Adele

Kickin-in with our first week in year 13, we began our 2nd unit of AS Media Studies and received a new aim: do a music video - however, lip sync.

In order to absorb some knowledge from music videos, we covered some lessons in order to learn more about music videos and its styles and from these lessons we were able to achieve a clear understanding and brief idea of how to make and 'sell' a music video to the audience, as well as how to identify the generic conventions of specific genres and styles of music, and finally last but not least, the gratification of the video for both - audience and the artist. 

Sam Smith

We also learnt about "Representation theories" within artists! - this is simply focusing mostly on how an artist is represented - including genders (either negative or positive); also, how these representation theories apply to music nowadays and how artists are changed and how they are represented (as each artist sings and 'embodies' different types of music - therefore, their representation should also engage).

Last but not least - Generic theories within music videos... such as - genre, sub-genre, hybrid, as well as how these generic theories link and connect to each one of them, and what impact and effect or even entertain it could cause on the artist's audience/fans/admirers.

- Jessica J. Santos

Genre Theory

Genre Theory within Music Video

Genre, Sub Genre and Hybrid Genre - these are the 3 main genre types within music; but what do they mean?

Genre - An 'easy-to-spot' music category, such as: Hip Hop, Rap, Pop, Country, etc.
Sub-genre: A 'mixture'/ subdivision of music genre, such as: Electro Punk, Pop punk, etc.
Hybrid Genre: A major combination of genres that could possibly make up another type of genre, such as: Eminem ft. Rihanna - friends with a monster (rap and pop), Pitbull ft. Ke$ha - Timber (country and electronic).

As a brief summary: The "Genre Theory" is all about different types of music which makes them unique - repetition and difference. In this specific context - "Genre Theory" refers to the type or kind of the music video we are watching; as for each genre has its own set of characteristics which makes them unique and each artists is known for the genre, in order to be recognised and appreciated by the audience/fans/ admirers and may also create a sense of pleasure within, for example: emotional attachment.

Emotional attachment could be emphasised once an artists chooses to play around with their genre and music video and creates a sense of nostalgia/sadness and maybe empathy; for example, in the music video "Stay" by Rihanna, when she's crying in the bath tub, it creates a sense of empathy between her and her audience/fans.






POP


Pop is also another genre that has key conventions which are repeated throughout the music industry. For example, most of the songs are upbeat and about relationships and love, you mostly hear word choice of lyrics such as 'Baby' 'Love'. This is due to mostly convey the relationship life to identify with other people and fans. While in the music POP industry it is often upbeat there is also a lot of hyperactive dancing or women showing a lot of skin

Representation - Reception and Gaze

:: Representation ::

There are many ways in which artists are represented, or even other characters which are picked to be the main focus within a music video.

The representation of a character within a music video is very important, because the audience, as well as the media are defenitely going to comment in every single 'pick up' detail possible.

 

 

representation: positive or negative? maybe negotiable?