Production of Music Video - Possible Effects to be used.

Possible Effects 

The use of effects within a music video , gives the video a polished look. It makes the overall presentation of the video look creative and separates a video from different music videos.Effects could be used to sharpen/ soften footage. Also , effectively shows  a smooth transition from one scene to the next.  Within our video , I feel the following effects would look effective :

• A dissolve effect - to merge all the footage together. Also , to show a slow transition from moving from one scene to the next.
• An effect that could be used to brighten up some of the footage
• A reverse effect - to illustrate the movement of the dominoes falling down / coming back up again. Also to show the movement of the clock - showing transition of time.
• Include a glow effect , to give the allusion of the artist seeing Hollywood stars
• Speed up effect - to speed up some footage.

The list shown above are only possible effects that we would like to use within our music video. We would have to do a tutorial on each effect to see if it would fit well within our music video, before hand.

Production of Music Video - Editing Process so far

Editing Process

So after highlighting possible changes that we needed to make for our music video , we decided to create a new project and start from scratch. As the first 38 secs from our rough cut were very effective , we decided to incorporate it within our new project. We decided to include the 3 base track shots. One filmed within the drama room , one filmed within the park and the other filmed within room 333, to show variation of camera work , lighting and location. Additionally, in between the base track footage , we had to include additional footage that would break up the base tracks. In contrast between the rough cut and the new project , we added a bedroom scene , where you would see the artist ' Messie M' changing in various artist. We also included more domino footage , showing the movements of the domino pieces and the different angles the domino image was shot out. After added the additional footage, We had to split the add a maker to all of the footage , to make it easier for us to slice the footage using the slicing tool. We decided to add the markers in after every 4 beats , to make the each footage length even. Doing this process took up alot of time and concentration as you have to keep count of 4 beats in your head and to ensure it is marked onto the timeline. When this process was completed, we were able to split up the footage using the slicing tool. We sliced the footage after each marker point. Again , this process took a while to do , but was successfully done.


As it drew to the end of the day , we decided to continue the editing process on Wednesday lesson (23/11/11) , when we would be more refreshed. 

Production of Music Video - Changes to be made to Rough Cut

Feedback and Changes to be made for our Rough Cut

 On Mondays Lesson , we decided to show our film teacher ( Tony) our rough cut for our music video. This was to allow Tony to see how the editing process of the music video was going so far and for him to give critical feedback on how we could improve. Tony stated : " The first 38 secs of the music video showing the movements of the domino trail leading to the domino image was very effective and creative , However felt that the rest of the footage looked a bit static as it only showed different shots from 4 base tracks and didn't have a contrast of the footage the domino images." He also added that some shots were out of focus and did not follow the rule of three. For example if the footage only shows half of the person body , we have to ensure that there is not a lot of space to be seen above their end. Within our video, the rule of three was not carried out correctly , meaning it id not look effective. Also , to eliminate footage that is out of depth of frame.

Taking Tony's advice on board , we decided to make a list of the possible changes that we need to make to make our video look more decent. We following changes consist of : 

• We need to include more close ups of the artist.
• More clips of the dominoes need to be added ( as dominoes is the whole purpose of the song )
• We have to ensure that there's a variation between the moving shots and the focused shots ( to make sure that there's even amounts)
• We have to include more footage ( Less use of base track shots) , to show variation between he actions happening and to show different shot types.
• We need to eliminate unfocused footage and footage that don't follow the ' rule of three' 

As you can see from our list , there's a lot of changes to be made. However, we still have a couple of days until the final deadline , so I am sure we will be able to make the changes in time and to the best of our standards. :) 

Production of Music Video - Day 5 of Filming

Last Day Of Filming 

Wed 16th Nov , was our officially last day of filming. During this time we looked through our collection of footage and felt that we didn't have enough base track shots of the Artist singing the lyrics throughout , without stopping. In addition, I came up with the idea of incorporating more domino images within the song, as i felt it would look more effective and capture the meaning of the song . As a result we decided to film once more in G02 of the artist ' Messie M' singing the domino lyrics and as a group creating domino images to illustrate some of the song lyrics. To capture the base track shots , we required two camcorders. One to show the artist from a mid shot angle , the other used to show the artist at a different angle. In addition , we would use one of the camcorders to track the artists movement , get close ups of the artist and use it to get a close up of the domino images. 

By Day 5 . Myself , Messie M , became more confident in front of the camera when singing the lyrics. Whilst singing , I was able to get into character and add my own flavor to the song by adding some aspects of choreography. I felt this would add a fun element to the video for the audience watching. Whilst singing , I ensured  I gave eye contact to the camera to engage the audience when they watch the video.


Successfully I was able to do a run through of the base track of the song without any interruptions or any requirement to look up lyrics. We were then able to create the domino lyrics. 
We decided to create domino images to illustrate the following lyrics within the song :

'Rock my world into the sunlight'

'Dirty dancing in the moonlight'

'Every second is a highlight'

To illustrate ' sunlight' , we decided to create the image of a sun , by using yellow dominoes. We decided to draw the sun in the shape of a spiral in order for all the domino pieces to fall at once.

To show ' the moonlight' , we decided to create the image of the moon ,by using blue dominoes. We used the colour blue as it contrasted against the bright yellow dominoes used to illustrate the hot sun. Also, as blue is a cool colour, it gives a double meaning illustrating when the moon represents a sense as relaxation , seen  as cool , calm, relaxing in contrast  to the electrifying, fun , energetic sun. 

To illustrate ' every second is a highlight ' , I came up with the idea of using a clock to illustrate time. I felt it would effective if we shot different times seen on the clock , to give the clock a sense of movement. Through editing , we would merge all the shots together to show movement of time passing. To outline the clock we used red dominoes to make the clock stand out.

Successfully , shooting and the creation of the domino images worked out well. I feel positive that through the editing process, the music video should look effective and differ from the usual Jessie J videos.

DAY 5 - FILMING

When editing, we realise that it would be easier to edit if we had base track shots, so on wednesday we done some filming of base tracks and some more filming of domnios as we felt that it would be an interesting element to our music video.

Production For Music Video -Rough Cut

Our Rough Cut for our 'Domino' video

Below shows a rough cut for our ' Domino' video. This is a brief illustration of what we want to use for our final video. This video is still work in progress , but is slowly getting there. 

Hope you enjoy :)

         

Production of Music Video - Day 4 of Filming

 DAY 4

Following up my discussing I had with Mary and the issues that I had which is stated in my previous blog , I felt that if we filmed on Wednesday we wouldn't have enough time to film in a different location and have a variety of different shots. I spoke to my group about my concerns and asked if we could film either Monday or Tuesday due to us not having college on both days. I asked Mary if she was available , but sadly she was not able to film on both days and the same problem occurred with Amy and Tharek.

As one of friends took a camera out for her group to do filming over the weekend, I asked her if it was possible for her to film me on Monday. Fortunately it worked out that my friend was able to film me.

I made a list of the different scenes I wanted her to film and the use of shot types I wanted her to use. Aswel of her filming me , I had to direct her as she did not know the concept of my groups idea for our music video. I took on-board a comment my media teacher stated about filming in a two different location, to break up the college location. I decided to film in my friends room, to show the artist getting ready. As my friends room is a hot pink, I felt the footage filmed within her room would contrast the footage filmed in college , with the black background. I felt the use of the hot pink would add a fun element to the video , as Jessie J's video's normal include a variety of colours. Also, Jessie J videos normally are filmed within general locations such as a school , a bedroom or a built up studio , which are locations incorporated within our music video.

The first scene was shot in my friends room of the artist 'Messie M'  getting ready to go out. Through this scene , the audience witness the artist change into various outfits and see the process of ' Messie M' getting ready. This same type of footage has been incorporated within many music videos, showing numerous artist getting ready. My friend came up with the concept of filming the artist choose and change into three outfits .Through the transition of having Messie M change into the three outfits, an effect would be added to illustrate the transition of the artist changing from one outfit to the next.
In order to get this effect , my friend filmed me choosing an outfit from the wardrobe. She then filmed me looking through the mirror holding the outfit. To illustrate the costume change , I had to stay in one position and allow my friend to pause the camera. This allowed me to go change into the outfit and we began filming again. I had to ensure I was positioned in the same place so we made a mark on the floor and outlined where my feet were positioned on the carpet.

Below illustrates what it looked when we filmed the first scene.

We then decided to shoot the second scene in an outdoor location to contrast the previous footage being filmed indoors. We decided to film in a park , where we would have a large quantity of space to move around. Before we set off to the park, we had to check the weather to see if it was practical for us to film.

The screen shots  below illustrate Mondays weather forecast

This screen shot illustrates Mondays weather forecast. As we  were filming in the afternoon ,  we were cautious  that it would rain later . Due to this we had to ensure that we filmed before it started to rain as it would have a huge affect on the lighting.

This screen shot shows an update on what the weather would be like  prior to every 3 hours. It also informs us what the temperature would be like to give us a better idea of what would be practical for the artist to wear. As we finished filming the 1st scene around 3 ,  filming had to be done promptly before it got dark.

Originally we decided to film in the play area within the park, but whilst filming we realized the footage looked quite dark. We decided to explore aswel and find somewhere else to film. We used a little hut built within the park , which was open , to allow the audience to see the surroundings. Also , within the hut , we had better lighting which was a positive aspect . Whilst filming myself as the artist ' Messie M' was able to sing base tracks of the domino song. I had to ensure I got into the role of the character. My camera woman shot this footage using mid - shots ( to allow the audience to see the artists costumes, and a tracking shot including close ups, to capture the artist. 


I felt overall , day 4 filming was very eventful and successful as we were able to obtain a wide variety of footage for my music video. I feel the my group will be proud that I used my initiative to film to gain additional shots/ scenes , for us to use within our video.