Friday, 7 May 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
Teacher Feedback on Final Production
What works well : good variation in camera angles particularly the alternation between high angle and low angle- mise en scene in interior shots shows planning and fits style well and the costume and visual style have been carefully created throughout- effective use of close-ups and profile shots- these are challenging to film and are steady and well framed- the POV shots with actors performance to camera works well- powerful last image of Jack at graveside- well paced editing matching the song
What could be improved:
There are occasional problems with the lip synching and the deliberate grainy effect means that some of the interior shots lack precision
Overall this is very proficient work with a storng sense of style
What could be improved:
There are occasional problems with the lip synching and the deliberate grainy effect means that some of the interior shots lack precision
Overall this is very proficient work with a storng sense of style
Class Feedback on Final Production
- Lip syncing is sometimes off; we could of fastened up the song
- How did Dani die? Left to the audiences imagination
- Stylistic aesthetics is well done and clear
- Dani gives a emotive performance
- Costumes are good at places, but the jumper and earring on Jack doesn't fit in with style
- Transitions flow with music- Sometimes the shots are too slow
- The pacing does work
- Mesmerising song draws you in to watch whole video
- Overlapping shot works well
- Run up to the camera works
- Too dark in inside shots
- The shots link to lyrics
- How did Dani die? Left to the audiences imagination
- Stylistic aesthetics is well done and clear
- Dani gives a emotive performance
- Costumes are good at places, but the jumper and earring on Jack doesn't fit in with style
- Transitions flow with music- Sometimes the shots are too slow
- The pacing does work
- Mesmerising song draws you in to watch whole video
- Overlapping shot works well
- Run up to the camera works
- Too dark in inside shots
- The shots link to lyrics
Class Feedback on Digipack and Advertisement
We produced feedback questions to hand out to our class mates, so they could analyse our Digipack and Advertisement to see what went well and what could be improved etc...
Click on the images to read the writing
The feedback sheets will help us to see what we have done well but could have improved, if we had the chance to re make the ancillary tasks.
Click on the images to read the writing
Testing Shots for Advertisement
For the advertisment, Me and Paige wanted to make sure we got the best possible image. We took into consideration the space we had in the shot, and what would go around the photo such as titles, quotes and 'on sale'...
1. Models not in full view, branches in the way and too much space on the left.
2. Too much space on left, not centered enough. Jack should be other side of Dani.
3. Expressions on face is not 'loving', body language is too stiff and again, too much space on the left.
1. Models not in full view, branches in the way and too much space on the left.
2. Too much space on left, not centered enough. Jack should be other side of Dani.
3. Expressions on face is not 'loving', body language is too stiff and again, too much space on the left.Final Magazine Advertisement
This is the final magazine advertisment for our production. Me and Paige took a new photo of Dani and Jack in the location we wanted ( the same as the first draft ) We had to ask permission in order to use this location, as it was private property in some ones garden. We simply explained what the photo was going to be used for and they said it was fine.
We changed the title from 'Late Night London' as it was not suitable. The new title is more understanding and makes the singer recognised. The title of the song is also here, and this relates to the digipack titles. We made the text bigger and took out some quotes as this was suggested in our feedback. Me and Paige used quotations from 'Hello' magazine because we are aiming towards a younger audience, more likely to be females than males. We did not want to advertise this in NME or Q magazine because the style of the music would not fit in with the style of these magazines. Our advertisement could also be seen in Glamour or Elle magazine which are read by younger adults, and the aesthetics of the ad would attract them to buy it.
Throughout we used black and white effect on Photoshop because this relates more to the old fashioned 1950's aesthetic wewas aiming to achieve. We decided to use this image, as the space in the location is well used- with Dani on the grass and Jack on the bridge. The models are central in the image. Their body language suggests love, as they are staring up to each other, smiling.
We changed the title from 'Late Night London' as it was not suitable. The new title is more understanding and makes the singer recognised. The title of the song is also here, and this relates to the digipack titles. We made the text bigger and took out some quotes as this was suggested in our feedback. Me and Paige used quotations from 'Hello' magazine because we are aiming towards a younger audience, more likely to be females than males. We did not want to advertise this in NME or Q magazine because the style of the music would not fit in with the style of these magazines. Our advertisement could also be seen in Glamour or Elle magazine which are read by younger adults, and the aesthetics of the ad would attract them to buy it.
Throughout we used black and white effect on Photoshop because this relates more to the old fashioned 1950's aesthetic wewas aiming to achieve. We decided to use this image, as the space in the location is well used- with Dani on the grass and Jack on the bridge. The models are central in the image. Their body language suggests love, as they are staring up to each other, smiling.
Final Digipack
To create out final digipack, we took into consideration the feedback from the first draft. We changed the font size and colour to a gold, as this would fit in with the rest of the digipack colours. Also, a bright colour such as gold is more noticable compared to white that we used on our first draft. We did have a problem with the image, as it was very pixalated. However due to time constraints, we did not have time to re shoot this picture.
On our rough draft, Paige and I made a collage by cutting out the images and sticking them on. However to add quality, we made the collage on Photoshop. We also added text such as track listings, copyright and record company details. This made the digipack realistic.
We used a CD template to make our digipack fit to the size of this. We got an idea of what our digipack would look like when sold in stores.
We created a two side advert slip in, which is similar to the template of Lady Gaga's digipack. It would be placed next to the CD as you open it. We decided to use two images of Julie London's previous albums. This would advertise her other music and encorage our target audience to buy old albums.
This is the first and second page of the digipack. We used old images Julie London throughout the inside of the digipack which were albums/singles covers. We wanted to the target audience to recognise the singer. On the opposite page, we decided to write on with gold pen background information about Julie London. We did not find an alternative other to write it on, as it is not possible to print on back card !
As our rought draft looked, we re edited the picture to make in brigher, and a higher contrast. Then I wrote on in gold pen the lyrics to the song, 'Cry Me a River'. This is a real style convention in digipacks.
This is the fifth and sixth page in the digipack. We have again used an image of Julie London- an old album/single cover. We added a quote from Julie London to the bottom of the image. The sixth page will include thank you's/acknowedgements, from her previous albums.
This is the back of our digipack which would be seen when the CD case is opened.
We wanted to use a mixture of images from the young models to Julie London, as we wanted to establish the singer and make her work recognised however we wanted to aim towards a younger audience, therefore we feel that using young attractive models, in the style of the 1950's would attract the target audience to buy the CD.
On our rough draft, Paige and I made a collage by cutting out the images and sticking them on. However to add quality, we made the collage on Photoshop. We also added text such as track listings, copyright and record company details. This made the digipack realistic.
We used a CD template to make our digipack fit to the size of this. We got an idea of what our digipack would look like when sold in stores.
We created a two side advert slip in, which is similar to the template of Lady Gaga's digipack. It would be placed next to the CD as you open it. We decided to use two images of Julie London's previous albums. This would advertise her other music and encorage our target audience to buy old albums.
This is the first and second page of the digipack. We used old images Julie London throughout the inside of the digipack which were albums/singles covers. We wanted to the target audience to recognise the singer. On the opposite page, we decided to write on with gold pen background information about Julie London. We did not find an alternative other to write it on, as it is not possible to print on back card !
As our rought draft looked, we re edited the picture to make in brigher, and a higher contrast. Then I wrote on in gold pen the lyrics to the song, 'Cry Me a River'. This is a real style convention in digipacks.
This is the fifth and sixth page in the digipack. We have again used an image of Julie London- an old album/single cover. We added a quote from Julie London to the bottom of the image. The sixth page will include thank you's/acknowedgements, from her previous albums.
This is the back of our digipack which would be seen when the CD case is opened.
We wanted to use a mixture of images from the young models to Julie London, as we wanted to establish the singer and make her work recognised however we wanted to aim towards a younger audience, therefore we feel that using young attractive models, in the style of the 1950's would attract the target audience to buy the CD.
Friday, 2 April 2010
Teacher feedback on ancillary tasks
What you have done well:
1) THE DIGIPACK has a professional look to it and blends Julie London info with original content well
** check copyright on the images you are using and acknowledge the use of found images in your evaluation!**
There is a clear stylistic link between your digipack and your music video
Your original images are well composed
2) THE MAGAZINE ADVERT - again clear stylistic link to the video and an effective original image
What could be improved
Readability on the cover of the digipack
In the magazine advert it's not entirely clear whether J London singing on your release or whether the CD contains cover versions of her songs - what is the intention? This would be important for potential purchasers
Overall this is very proficient B grade
1) THE DIGIPACK has a professional look to it and blends Julie London info with original content well
** check copyright on the images you are using and acknowledge the use of found images in your evaluation!**
There is a clear stylistic link between your digipack and your music video
Your original images are well composed
2) THE MAGAZINE ADVERT - again clear stylistic link to the video and an effective original image
What could be improved
Readability on the cover of the digipack
In the magazine advert it's not entirely clear whether J London singing on your release or whether the CD contains cover versions of her songs - what is the intention? This would be important for potential purchasers
Overall this is very proficient B grade
Tuesday, 23 March 2010
Digipack Template Inspiration
Me and Paige used Lady Gaga's album as an inspiration for the template of our digipack with CD case and card sleeve.
The front cover
The back cover
The open CD case, with the advertisement
This shows what is behind the CD, and the back of the CD case
The inside of the digipack, with the lyrics
The thank you page and acknowledgements
The pictures inside the digipack
The front cover 
The back cover
The open CD case, with the advertisement
This shows what is behind the CD, and the back of the CD case
The inside of the digipack, with the lyrics
The thank you page and acknowledgements
The pictures inside the digipack
Digipack Templates
I used a spare plastic CD case to measure out the size of my digipack. The CD case shows where the digipack will go as well as a back cover, an insert advertisement and a card sleeve for the CD case.
The blank template
Card sleeve next to plastic CD case
The digipack booklet will slot in next to the CD like so... 
The blank template
Card sleeve next to plastic CD case
The digipack booklet will slot in next to the CD like so... 
The back of the case, there is an extra cut out for the back picture
The front of the CD case, the front of the digipack booklet
The CD case opened out; back of digipack booklet, back insert and CD rom 
These are all the seperate pieces of our digipack, along with a mock CD. The digipack booklet, the card advertisment, the back picture and the card sleeve for the case.Feedback from Mrs Allison
What works well:
- a strong retro feel created through B/W an costume
- good variation in camera angles particurlarly the alternaion between high angle and low angle
- mise en scene in interior shots shows planning and fits style well
- effective use of close-ups and profile shots- these are challenging to flm and yours are steady and well framed
- the POV shots with actors performance to camera works well
- powerful last image of Jack at graveside
- very well paced editing matching the song
- a strong retro feel created through B/W an costume
- good variation in camera angles particurlarly the alternaion between high angle and low angle
- mise en scene in interior shots shows planning and fits style well
- effective use of close-ups and profile shots- these are challenging to flm and yours are steady and well framed
- the POV shots with actors performance to camera works well
- powerful last image of Jack at graveside
- very well paced editing matching the song
What could be improved:
- lip synching, it still isn't quite right at times have you got anything else to add over it?
- reverse movement shot on the bridge doesn't work
- grainy indoor shots some things are indistinct, can you get more definition?
- have you showcased all your skills e.g match on action, shot reverse shot...
Feedback from Tom,Rob, and Stevo
-The lip sync throughout the song is close but out by a fraction
-The editing has been effective and creates a pace.
-All of the transitions in this video are fade to blacks, and although this does result in less variety it keeps with the style and pace of the film.
-A possible overuse of slow-mo in the video.
-A good variety of angles were used in the video and shots are framed well.
-The reverse speed shot on the bridge doesn’t seem to fit right.
-The editing has been effective and creates a pace.
-All of the transitions in this video are fade to blacks, and although this does result in less variety it keeps with the style and pace of the film.
-A possible overuse of slow-mo in the video.
-A good variety of angles were used in the video and shots are framed well.
-The reverse speed shot on the bridge doesn’t seem to fit right.
Thursday, 18 March 2010
Second Cut of Production
Today me and Paige presented our second cut of our production. This time it was the full length of the video, 2 min 18 sec, plus we added our titles to the start. We finished editing on Tuesday 16th March and showed our class today for feedback. Out teacher is also going to give us feedback to make improvements for our deadline on 31st March. We exported our video but did not use the highest quality picture, as this would take up a lot of memory. For our final draft, we shall use the highest quality we can.
Transitions
Transitions have been used to blend one shot to another shot. Me and Paige wanted to only use dip to blacks and cross dissolves for this, because transitions such as wipes and spirals do not fit in with the style of our video. The majority of the transitions are dip to blacks, are we were able to vary the length of the dips depending on the lenght of the scene. We also used cross dissolves in scenes such as Dani and Jack/cross dissolve/Dani, Jack and Paige because we needed to establish that Dani was aware of Jack and Paige together. Cross dissolves were also used when Jack is walking up the drive. This makes a simple shot more exciting.
We have used alot of dip to blacks because we did not need to vary the transitions- it would not fit in with our mood. At the second chorus, there are shorter scenes, so the dip to blacks are more noticable and maybe to frequent. However we did not want to use no transitions, as this would be too jumpy between scenes and not flow.
We have used alot of dip to blacks because we did not need to vary the transitions- it would not fit in with our mood. At the second chorus, there are shorter scenes, so the dip to blacks are more noticable and maybe to frequent. However we did not want to use no transitions, as this would be too jumpy between scenes and not flow.
Lip Synching
Me and Paige had problems with lip synching despite playing the music when filming and helping Dani learnt the tempo of the words. When filming and playing back, the lip synching looked good, and managed to fit in well, however when we uploaded and started to edit in our shots of the chorus, it turns out the lip synching is slightly out. To over come this, we slowed down parts of the video to try to fit i t in. Strangely, in some parts of lip synching such as the shot 5, Dani's lips fit in with some words, but not others. This was a filming mistake, in which Me and Paige should of be more prepared with the music and teaching Dani the speed of words (despite us playing the music when filming!). Unfortunately, we are unable to re-film any more parts using Dani, as she has had an operation recently so is unable to film with us. Me and Paige are aware that it is not ideal for the lip synching to be out, but we have learnt from this that we should of prepared Dani more with the lyrics. Also, we should of checked several times back over our footage at the time of filming.
Here is where the lip synching is slightly out:
Here is where the lip synching is slightly out:
Colour Effect
Me and Paige decided to use a black and white effect on of our shots throughout our video; we were undecided on whether to use a sepia effect or black and white. However, we felt that black and white would give more of an emotion to our video, especially in the sad shots of Dani and Jack rowing. It was also easier to use contrast and lighting on a black and white effect. We wanted to make our shots very definant, so we use a high contrast and a low lighting level, however this caused us problems as the video pixalated too much. Me and Paige decided to do a test for the effects of contrast/lighting, as when the video is exported, it may be a worse or better quality picture, therefore illuminating the pixalation.
Here is our testing, where the contrast is high and the lighting is slightly lower:
Here is our testing, where the contrast is high and the lighting is slightly lower:
Editing Over All
As we filmed over 3 days, we had to upload what we had on each day to the computer. We started off by deleting extra footage that we did not need, for example, rolling the camera before actually lip synching. This took a long time to decide which parts to delete, and what parts to keep, as Me and Paige shot atleast twice for every scene, so we had variation and extra if anything went wrong. To decide which scene we would use from each shot, we concentrated on the angle, the timing, the lighting and the mise-en-scene. Also, we played with contrast and effects to see how each shot would look with the effects we wanted to put into it.
To edit our whole production, it took about 10 hours all in all. When we had edited and cut down our shots, we decided to put them into storyboard order. We followed the stages up to the first chorus, from then on, we used new ideas to see what order shots would look best in. We had to consider continity and the storyline- would our audience understand the happy vs sad scenes? Our lip synching scenes had to be put in order of lyrics, so "Cry me a river..." obviously had to fit in with the chorus. When we filmed, we kept the camera rolling for the chorus so Dani could lip synch the whole chorus, therefore this gave us more footage to handle and edit.
Once our scene were in order, we started to cut them down to the music, so that each change of scene would fit in with the beat of the music as well as the lyrics. I found it difficult to edit very precisely, so that the shot would change at the correct time so I overcome this by making the scenes shorter or longer. It was rare that we sped up scenes, as slowing down the duration fit in better with our aesthetic style and mood.
To edit our whole production, it took about 10 hours all in all. When we had edited and cut down our shots, we decided to put them into storyboard order. We followed the stages up to the first chorus, from then on, we used new ideas to see what order shots would look best in. We had to consider continity and the storyline- would our audience understand the happy vs sad scenes? Our lip synching scenes had to be put in order of lyrics, so "Cry me a river..." obviously had to fit in with the chorus. When we filmed, we kept the camera rolling for the chorus so Dani could lip synch the whole chorus, therefore this gave us more footage to handle and edit.
Once our scene were in order, we started to cut them down to the music, so that each change of scene would fit in with the beat of the music as well as the lyrics. I found it difficult to edit very precisely, so that the shot would change at the correct time so I overcome this by making the scenes shorter or longer. It was rare that we sped up scenes, as slowing down the duration fit in better with our aesthetic style and mood.
3rd Day of Filming - 9th March
Our third and final day of filming focused on getting the inside shots finished, as well as going back over the Hartham to re-film the 3 shots that had erased from the last day of filming. We started at 4.30 and made sure Jack and Dani were ready in their customes, as well as hair and make up the same as the last two filming days.
Firstly, we filmed the shots that Jack was in inside, there were 4. Then we went over to Hartham which took 15 minutes to re-shot, and then back to Dani's house. We needed to shot 7 scenes of Dani to finish our storyboard. These were shots such as ripping up a picture and others such as re-filming Dani throwing things about. It did not take us long to film our final shots, and we experiemented with angles, such as a high angle shot looking down on Dani.
Our last filming day went well, and we got the scenes filmed very quickly as we needed the natural light in the bedroom!
Firstly, we filmed the shots that Jack was in inside, there were 4. Then we went over to Hartham which took 15 minutes to re-shot, and then back to Dani's house. We needed to shot 7 scenes of Dani to finish our storyboard. These were shots such as ripping up a picture and others such as re-filming Dani throwing things about. It did not take us long to film our final shots, and we experiemented with angles, such as a high angle shot looking down on Dani.
Our last filming day went well, and we got the scenes filmed very quickly as we needed the natural light in the bedroom!
2nd Day of Filming - 8th March
This was our 2nd of filming, and we aimed to get 10 indoor shots filmed and all the ourdoor shots filmed. We started filming at half 11, and got the outdoor shots of Jack filmed as we had to wait for Dani to finish school. We then filmed over Hartham, which took about 1 hour for the outside shots. Whilst we were trying to stick to our storyboard, we found this difficult, as we noticed that some of the shots were the same e.g. walking and holding hands. Me and Paige adapted these shots to our location- we used the Hartham Bridge to film low angle shots, and walking long shots. These were effective and give variety to our production. Also, we used long grass to film Dani in- but when playing this back, it was hard to see her lip-synching.
When filming the first couple of shots, we had to use continuity e.g. Dani walking towards Jack, and us filming her on the left side of Jack in shot 2. Also, in shot 3, we made sure that Dani walked towards the right of the tree, so in shot 4 Jack was standing to the left of her.
Although in our 2nd day of filming, we did not follow our storyboard completely, we used our creativity to adapt to our location and think of new varied shots. I feel that this was successful, and I am glad we did not follow our storyboard. From this I have learnt how important animatics are, as if I was to produce a storyboard again, Me and Paige would have to consider every shot, and vary them more.
We planned to finish filming all of out shots, and also re-filming some indoor shots that we were not happy with e.g. Dani throwing things around her room.
Unfortunately due to a really cold day (!) Dani and Jack wanted to film the next afternoon for the indoor shots, as they were too cold! As well as this, it was getting dark outside, and we wanted the natural outdoor light for the indoor shots.
Overall, our 2nd day of filming was succesful, as Paige and I got the majority of shots filmed. When playing back out footage at home the same night, the outside shots on the bridge (there were 3 different scenes) had been erased, so Me and Paige plan to go back to Hartham to re-film these the next afternoon for our final filming day.
When filming the first couple of shots, we had to use continuity e.g. Dani walking towards Jack, and us filming her on the left side of Jack in shot 2. Also, in shot 3, we made sure that Dani walked towards the right of the tree, so in shot 4 Jack was standing to the left of her.
Although in our 2nd day of filming, we did not follow our storyboard completely, we used our creativity to adapt to our location and think of new varied shots. I feel that this was successful, and I am glad we did not follow our storyboard. From this I have learnt how important animatics are, as if I was to produce a storyboard again, Me and Paige would have to consider every shot, and vary them more.
We planned to finish filming all of out shots, and also re-filming some indoor shots that we were not happy with e.g. Dani throwing things around her room.
Unfortunately due to a really cold day (!) Dani and Jack wanted to film the next afternoon for the indoor shots, as they were too cold! As well as this, it was getting dark outside, and we wanted the natural outdoor light for the indoor shots.
Overall, our 2nd day of filming was succesful, as Paige and I got the majority of shots filmed. When playing back out footage at home the same night, the outside shots on the bridge (there were 3 different scenes) had been erased, so Me and Paige plan to go back to Hartham to re-film these the next afternoon for our final filming day.
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