Production Log #17 - Audience Feedback via SurveyMonkey.com

9th March 2015
As I needed to receive any potential audience feedback, I created a short survey on surveymonkey.com. I had reached out my target audience via social media, for instance Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and on my blog.

The results of this survey will potentially help me with question 3 on my evaluations. Question 3 is based solely on the audience and their opinions on my music video, magazine advert and digipak. – ‘what have you learned from your audience feedback?’.

Time Remapping - Production Log #16

5^th February 2015
In today’s media lesson, I learned a new effect on Premier which I can use for my music video. I believe this effect will be very effective on the ballet scenes because there are some parts of the song which doesn’t clearly sync in with the performance, however with time remapping, I can adjust speed of certain parts of the clip. For instance; I took a clip of the performance pivoting, I dragged the clip out of the ‘final’ layer and moved it to a new layer. After there was a small drop down triangle which had three options come up when I clicked on it – ‘opacity, ‘speed’ and ‘Time Remapping’. I selected the time remapping option. Then I could adjust the speed and motion of any part of the clip by moving the yellow line which appears across the clip preview on the timeline. If I move the yellow line down, the clip slows down. Whereas if the yellow line was moved, the clips speeds up. I could select certain frames of the clip and make part of the clip slow and then speed up at another frame.
Many scenes in my music video, especially in the ballet performance towards the end, time remapping has been used

Completing Planning Tasks - Production Log #15

22nd January 2015
I have been working on my planning tasks and been editing my music video after it had been handed in as a first draft. I received positive feedback and improvement to ensure that my music video reaches to a good standard and level. In my free times at home, I have been focusing on my music video and editing very critically, whereas during lesson time, I am completing all planning tasks which contribute to the coursework and evidently support my music video. In this week’s lesson, I have been focusing on starting the anamatic. An anamatic is a video of all the storyboard drawings in a video at the time set planned on my storyboard with no text and in sync with the audio. It is basically a digital version of a storyboard. As I already had the storyboards scanned in and saved, I started to crop the images so that it’s only one box drawing, I had to repeat this step many times to get all the drawings, furthermore, in order for the images to be imported chronologically on Premier, I had to save them numerically. I thought the anamatic would be a long task to complete but I had spare 20 minutes left of the lesson so I decided to move onto another task – Visual progression of my music video. I had already taken screenshots while I was editing my music and saved them on PowerPoint. Now using those images, I am typing up what effect I used and how I’ve changed the clip, etc.

Ballet Performance Shoot - Production log #14

Production Log Video from Geeta Gohil on Vimeo.

Starting to Shoot Music Video - Production Log #13

Over the half term, I came into school to shoot my studio scenes of the actor, in the Drama studio. It took me roughly around 2 hours to shoot all kind of shots. Before the actor came in, I had set up the equipment such as the lights, diffuser light, camera and tripod for behind the scenes and another camera and tripod to take the footage. I also got the music ready so that when it came to shooting, all I have to do it press play rather than shuffling around and wasting time to find the song on the spot and waiting for it to load. Other equipment I had to set up beforehand was the steadicam, as when it came to shoot with the steadicam, I only had to adjust the camera, once again to save time. Once my actor arrived at the location, I went through my ideas and what I want to achieve, I gave her some ideas and directions on what to do when I’m filming her. The first take was a mid-shot, however it didn’t come out well, firstly because of the lighting; there was too much exposure and the frame was out of frame, however this gave me a heads up to understand what I need to do for the next take. I roughly took around 10-15 clips of my actor performing however all of them are different in terms of shots and angles. I think the studio shoot was very successful, as the outcome of the footage was very impressive. The clips were clear and the lighting adjustments were exact. I was achieving a black background and the singer standing out from it. The main equipment which helped me achieve a clear view of the actor was the diffuser light.

Storyboard and Magazine Advert - Production Log #12

Production Log #12 from Geeta Gohil on Vimeo.

Planning Tasks - Production Log #11

In the Monday's single lesson (13th October), I completed a easy task which took me nearly the full lesson. I chose to do a task which hasn't been mentioned. This task has been beneficial towards my planning of the music video. First of all, when it comes to create the storyboard, the breakdown of the song can help me in knowing which part I can easily match footage to the chorus/verse/bridge. Another benefit of this task is to know the timings of the chorus and verses.

In the double lesson on the 16th October, I started working on my shot list. I have gradually started to plan out my music video.
The shot list has been the hardest planning task for me because I have to be very specific with which type of shot it is, when it will be featured, the length of the shot and details of the shot. The process itself is very long. I have a clear visual idea of what my music video will be like.

My organisational skills has been improving by ensuring that I clearly plan out the lessons as well plan out what I need to do in my free time. After completing all research tasks which had to be carried out. My time management in the beginning wasn't good as well becuase I didn't which tasks to carry or I spent too much time on one task to make it look good, however after being told that each task has a priority it made me understand that certain tasks only need half an hour to complete or more than a lesson to work on to get it to a '4'.
At the end of completing all my research taks I am more organsied and have good time managment when it came to start my planning tasks.

Improving Research Tasks - Production log #10

6th October /9th October

I started to refine few tasks in order for them to reach the proiority.

There were few research tasks which had more proirity over few. I ensure that they reached the top marks. In my blogpost I made sure that I spoke about the purpose of doing this task and how it will help in when it comes to planning.
This week has been more about improving all the tasks for the research rather than jumping straight into the planning.
For homework, I will be aiming to do a storyboard to start off the planning. I also need to search for potentail actors and performers for my music video.

Throughout the past 5 weeks, my organisation skills have improved. I have been planning out each week of tasks which need to be completed during my lessons and for homework.
In addition, my time management skills has been put to the test. Each week I have aimed to complete tasks before starting the next tasks of the next week.

Proposal and Contact with Artist- Production Log #9

29th September - 2nd October
Now that I have finished all my research tasks, I am going to be focusing on the planning tasks while I plan out my music video.
The first task to start of the planning phase of my coursework was the proposal. The proposal indicates my final idea of what I want my music to be. There were many sections which I had to fill out. They include: Brief, what is my aim for this coursework, description of my intentions, target audience and similar products. This proposal will give a rough indication to others on what my work will look like however I had a second look at the proposal and improved it by adding more specific detail on what I want to achieve at the end of the project, with specific lists of equipment . This shows that I have thought through on this project and what my aim is.
In my free time, I emailed Rinse Record Label in requesting to have permission in using the song ‘Crying For No Reason’ by Katy B. I ensured that I briefly told them who I am, what I do and what my sole purpose is in using the song.

Work I Admire and Equipment- Production Log #8

22nd/25th September 2014

This week I have been focusing on completing tasks and ensuring they are once again at a top standard.
I researched into work which I admire. This task has helped me get clear visual ideas of what I want parts of my video to be. 

On thursday, I focused on researching equipment that I will use when shooting. This task will be helpful for me to understand why I am using this, How I will use it and what it does. I looked into the type of camera used, Lighting equipment for photoshoots and footage, locations, softwares I will be using when it comes to editing footage and producing the ancillary tasks, 
Audience Research and Moodboard was two extra tasks I set myself to do for homework. With my audience research, I made a moodboard on what they like and dislike and some text on the side which clearly states who the audience are what they do.

Over the past few weeks, I have been refining my organisation and time keeping skills as I have been listing out tasks which have to be completed at a certain time period.  Each lesson I aim to complete at least one task to make sure that I don't waste time after finishing a task and get into my planning earlier than scheduled. 

Production Log #7 - Ancillary Tasks Analysis (Digipak and Magazine Advert), Influence of Style, Research into R&B and Channels and Festivals

18th Septmeber 2014

This week consisted of aiming to finish off my research tasks, however there were few tasks which I have to improve and get to the a certain leve3l. Few of my taska are on 2/3 and the priority of the tasks are a 3 or a 4.

With my Ancillary tasks, I completed to research another digipak, I only have 1 more digipack to analyse and discuss the conventions of them. I research and analysed three magazine adverts of a music album. I chose three different magazine adverts from different music genres. I analysed Jessie J, Lana Del Ray and Coldplays Adverts. They all follow the same conventions however the presentation of how they capture the audience's attention is different.

Another task which I set myself to complete in lesson was Influence of Ssyle. As the chosen genre of music I have chosen is R&B, I researched fully into how certain influences has changed R&B and which influences are currently affecting the R&B genre.
I also research on the history of R&B music and how it was developed. The work also consisted on information about artists as well who are notable for their R&B work. Few influences of R&B is Technology - Auto Tune, electronic equipment, synthesisers have become popular and has given R&B more of a modern electronic theme to it.

Alongside with this task, Researching into Genre was part of the task, I created a different task for this research task. I mention few points on the history of R&B, how it's developed into a declined genre now in the music industry. While doing this task, I have really understood the concept of the R&B genre and what is needed to be categorised into that genre. With this task, I posted to music videos with the task so that I could portray the difference between the R&B music in the 1990's and R&B currently. I chose Boyz II Men and compared their music to a current R&B artist, Chris Brown with his new sinlge 'New Flame'. They both completely differ. Boy II Men have more focus on the vocals and harmonies whereas Chris Brown has more electronic modern effects  with Auto Tune to make vocals sound like they are echoing.

Another task which I compelted during my free time was researching into Music channels and Festivals. This task would have been the easiest to do, as I knew plenty of music channels that I watch and can talk about. I chose two well known music channels; MTV and 4Music.
I also researched into Festivals. There are many music festivals around the world however I researched into the top festivals in the world. The top 3 festivals which I researched into were Donauinselfest (Vienna, Austria), Mawazine (Rabat, Morocco) and Summerfes (Wisconsin, USA).

Theories, Research Into an Artist - Production Log #6

15th September 2014

During this lesson, I started a new task which included researching and understanding different theories. I looked into the different theories and theorists in Genre, Narrative, Audience and Media Language. All the theories will somehow help me analyse existing music videos and my own, also understanding how a music video follows or doesn't follow any theories in each category.
I also completed another research task - 'Research into a Band/Artist'. I researched into Katy B, as I have chosen one of her songs to use for my music video and thus it would be suitable to research her instead of another artist that I am not using any of their work. 
In my free time, I have developed skillIs such as organising myself into getting certain tasks done before hand, setting myself deadlines and ensuring that I perserve in my work and complete it to a decent standard.

Music Video Directors, Ideas and Inspiration and Final Song choice - Production Log #5

11^th September 2014
Today I sat down and wrote down what three things will be completed in class and what three things will be completed for homework for next lesson.
This is a good way for the teacher to track me on what stage I am on and also beneficial for me as then I will know what tasks I have completed up to a standard and what tasks I still have to do.
I carried on with the research of music video directors, after researching about Anthony Mandler in the previous lesson, I thought to analyse one of his music videos in order to complete my research of the music video director.
After the research task, I gained plenty of more ideas for my music video which I will produce. 
I also continued my research tasks by starting off my similar product research task, there are 3 music video which I am inspired by and would love to somehow take ideas and adapt them to my own and include them in my work.
During the lesson, while looking into similar music videos I would like to product, I finalised on what song I want to use for my music video. I have chosen Katy B – Crying for no Reason. I have chosen this song as it’s not too slow and not too quick, and I gained an idea of a narrative and performance. I am not very familiar with this certain artist or their music however from looking at their music videos and listening to their songs, the genre I would put her into is R&B. There is soulful vibe into the song which I liked.

Research - Production Log #4

After coming back from the holidays, First of all as a class we went through the exam and the grades we all achieved and what we need to achieve for A2 and get our potential grades. Also, we went through the examiner's report to see what areas they want us to improve and focus on and which areas they want to keep up to the standard top level.

The rest of the lesson consisted of conducting a research task. I decided to research on different music video directors which I thought was a very helpful task as I now has a rough vision of what I want my music video to be like.
There were few music directors who's work I really admired and got inspiration from. Anthony Mandler, Hype Williams, Jake Nava were few directors in my mind to research, eventually I chose Anthony as I looked through his work and liked his videos he has directed. In some of his music videos there are hidden messages featured which related to the aritst in someway.
However before choosing Anthony Mandler, I watched music videos directed by Jake Nava and Hype Williams and many more.

I chose 'Rihanna- Diamonds' as a music video to analyse to support my research on Anthony Mandler. I was also inspired by this certain music video as I liked the idea of a black and white music video. The performance idea of having a light on you while the rest of the surroundings are dark is also a good idea however I can adapt it by turning it into a silhouette.

Targets - Production Log #3

This week, I completed an important task which will help me understand the conventions of music videos and how they work. While doing this task, I have thought about my own music video, I have an idea of having a mixture of narrative and performance; this is because I couldn’t make my mind up between having a narrative music video or a performance music video.  Furthermore, I started another task relating to my research. Currently I’m researching about existing music labels, and how they started out and which music artists are signed to them.

During the summer, I have a clear plan of what I am going to be doing. I am planning to get all my research tasks done and record my first draft of my music video. Before recording the first draft of my music video, I will be conducting some research by taking pictures of any potential location which I would be shooting my music video, also I will build up the idea research by looking into the costumes the actors will wear, hair and make-up and props that would potentially be part of my music video.

Over the break there will be few targets which I am going to set myself. One of them will be to finalise a song which I will use for my music video. I’ve already been finding songs which will be suitable for shooting. Few songs are on the top of my list and probably one of them will potentially be the song I want for my music video.
-Foxes – Holding into Heaven, Let go for tonight
-CLARE – my audacity
-Katy B – 5AM, crying for no reason
-Katy Perry – Unconditionally
-Ellie Goulding – Goodness Gracious
-Sia - Chandelier

The songs listed above are songs which have stood out for me and I believe all of them are potential and appropriate.

Furthermore, over the break I will like to get into the position where I am on the last stage of planning and have a rough vision of what my music video will be like.

Research and skills - Production Log #2

This week I conducted research into the history of music video, this task helped me understand how music videos were made, how each decade differed with the type of music video how they have changed with the revolution of technology

This helps me in getting a rough the idea of what type of music video I would like, whether that's to follow the traditional way of a musical video or whether to copy a more popular type of style like narrative music video or green screen. 

In this project, the skills that I would need to bring will vary, at this as this is a music video I will need to bring in creativity and make something original or adapt an idea and add my own sense if creativity I to it.

The type of music I will choose will somehow affect my skills. I will need to be aware of the Mise-en-scene for example the awareness of the costumes, location, hair, make up and actors body and facial language. 

Skills which I have developed last year are technical, for example, being organised in which tasks have to be done, planning ahead to ensure I don't end up having to complete my work last minute, and also timekeeping. I also learnt how to negotiate well with the artists, I gave them clear instructions which they followed and got the shoot done efficiently.

For this project, I will need to keep up with the skills I've got from the previous projects and develop other skills such as using a new software (Adobe premiere) for editing shots and combining them to make an overall music video. I will need to improve my camera skills so that I become  confident in using it when it comes to shooting. 

 

Ideas and Inspiration - Production Log #1

In this week’s media lesson, as a class,we began to look into ideas for our own coursework by getting inspiration from previous work, sharing ideas and looking into existing official music videos by artists. Each video I watched were different and unique, it either had a narrative, performance based, or just a band playing.

Since being introduced to the course, my mind has been blank on what I’m going to do for the music video, therefore in lesson and in my free time I’ve going through my playlists and trying to find songs which I believe I’ll be able to do a music video, I’ve also been thinking on whether to base the music video on a narrative, or a performance.

I like the idea of a narrative as this can really involve the audience into the music video. A narrative can immediately be made up with the support of the lyrics of a song.
However a Performance based video is a fantastic way of entertaining the audience. If no narrative ideas come in mind, a performance based video is perfect to engage the readers.

We looked at other ideas we could use for our music videos, for example, Time Lapse, Parallel Universe, Split Screen and Studio.

These videos have given me inspiration on the type of ideas I should use for my music video. Rihnna's What Now music video is performance based, multiple personalities is used. I could take inspiration from this video and have a performance base music video or multiple personalities.
In Katy Perry's Unconditionally Music Video, I like the slow motion which has been used, slow motion is also a consideration to my music video.