Post 25: Whats happening with the videos

It tyrns out that the videos i have recorded are not compatible with this blog. The only way i can upload videos is through Youtube. In the next few days i shall be opening a youtube acount and put up all my videos for this project including demo footage, progress reports and actual footage. In the next days i will put up images from the videos.

post 24: Media schedule. Reshoot

This is the list of what needed to be redone after i felt i needed to obtain better footage of already shot footage

Tuesday 16th November 2010
Scenes that need redoing

• Scott doing a Jesus pose

• Ian close up scene

• Ian long shot with rounders bat

• Ian and Scott chase scene

• A few close ups of each actor

• Scenary shot of the ruins

• Chase scene of ruins

• Hiding behind walls

Post 23: Whats been happening

Ive been busy finishing of the story boards,ideas for magazine advertisment and the album cover.

I have ran into a few dificulties along the way. The videos are for some reason not loading up onto my computers. Hopefully i wont have to reshoot anything.

I had such a clear idea of what i wanted to capture in my video that i started taking test footage of scenary during the summer. I should have put the demo footage along with the actual footage and outakes on earlier.

The test footage consisted of scenary shots, both in colour and monochrome. One involved looking out of my car windows to find a good position to film the opening shot. The next part of filming took place in quite a Tim Burton style alleyway. I thought it was intresting because the proportions and dimensions wernt simetrical and also had a rural yet industrial quality. I was planing on using a trolley to obtain a tracking shot however i realised it wouldnt fit. The last piece of filming on that day included the filming of a lampost and a park. I origionally wanted the character to stand alone under the lamp during the evening. The point of the park was to capture the character alone in the park during the sun going down because i thought it would be a fantastic shot, however it wasnt practical to get the type of shot i required. This was due to the inconsitency of weather and also i was aiming for an effect which wouldnt seem out of place on high budget blockbuster.

Once again i apologise for lack of updates or lack of footage

Post 22: Band myspace's

In this post i shall be looking at bands myspace's to obtain information regarding how they create an atmosphere using color placement and imagery. I will be looking at bands scoping all genres.

The first bands myspace i'll be looking at is techno band The prodigy


Likes
How the green provides a neon rave sensobility.This colour is assosiated with the raving ethic due to its brightness
The rough imagery provides a DIY quality. This provides a down to earth quality

Dislikes
The grey clashes with the green making it hard on the eyes however it coincides with the rave asthetic

The next band is skate band set your goals


Likes
The imagery is quite artistuc and was drawn by one of my favourite artist's Drew Millward
The use of blue's and beige's provide a sombre look
Dislikes
Nothing

The next band is Sum 41


Likes
The blue colouring makes the web page feel very mature in the sense that the colours used can be assosiated with militarial colouring

Dislikes
The placement of the band at the top looks quite awkward uncomftable. They focus there stare outwards

The next band is the lonely island, They are a comedy rap group


Likes
I like how they incorporate there album cover into the page

Dislikes
I actually dislike the page as it doesnt feel very accesible to others, however it retains a sense of comedy

The next myspace is for alternative DJ Mark Ronson


Likes
Once again influenced by the album cover
It maintains a DIY sensibility
The use of colours makes it feel like it's from the 8o's

Dislikes
Nothing

The last artist's myspace is Morrissey. He creates alternative rock


Likes
How his face is the distinguishing factor
His face has become so recogniseable that it sells the records
Its quite simplistic

Dislikes
The colours are quite boring
There isnt much happening on his myspace

Post 21: idea change

Ive changed my original idea a little bit

As aposed to having toy robots i will be using cardboard robot heads
Its more cost effective
Its easier
Overall i think it will be more effective

They will be numbered to show ranking

Actors will wear hoodies and hold baseball bats to provide an urban asthetic

There will be moments of colour

We will be seeing main actors face now
I feel that the actors face needs to be shown to add emotion
Just close ups may have become stagnant

Too get an understanding of the product i am trying to create i have created a storyboard

Post 20: The prime example

It was only after researching music videos i found this video

Its a remix of Brian eno's an ending remixed by Micheal Dow


The reason its a prime example is because
Its artistic
Its in black and white
It conveys a strong story
It uses techno music
And also it doesnt have the band in it

Post 19: Music video director No3

The last director i will be looking at is Marc Webb who has directed videos for
Green day- Waiting (2001)


Likes- The use of colours
The fact theres no real story
The slow motion defies convention

Dislikes- The lack of story makes events a little confusing

Yellowcard- Ocean avenue (2003)


Likes- The bright colours
The repetition
The story
The scenary

Dislikes- Nothing

Brand New- Sic transit gloria (2003)


Likes- The use of colour
The story

Dislikes- How the song doesnt really fit in with the begining

To more recently Maroon 5- Goodnight goodnight(2008)


Likes- The before and after effect

Dislikes- I dont find the actual video apart from the double feature very intresting

And green day- last of the american girls(2010)


Likes- The strange placement of props
The filter used provides the colour with a sense of richness
The actors in the video
The way the band really interact with the camera seperates it from other camera interaction because its over amplified

Dislikes- How it ends on a cliffhanger

Post 18: Music video director No 2

The second director more famous director is Samuel Bayer who has directed a huge backcataloge of music videos. Some include

Nirvana- Smells like teen spirit (1991)


Likes- How it has a raw edgey look
How background actors are puting there all into the video
The orange filter makes the video look intense and hot/sweaty

Dislikes- That theyres no relief. Theyres no real break or change.
This can be good because then the video stays in your head

Blink 182- Stay together for the kids (2001)


Likes- How it has a blue filter
It provides a mature nature
The raw asthetic and interaction from band and background actors
The sentimental messages at begining and end of video

Dislikes- Nothing

The last video is from My chemical romance- The black parade (2006)


Likes- The dark filter
The use of actors
The strange scenary, props and clothing
The way the story is told throughout the video

Dislikes- Nothing

Post 17: Music video Director No1

In this post i will be naming some famous music video directors and showing some of their work

The first director who is quite famous is Mark Kohr
He has directed videos for
Alanis morrisette- hand in my pocket (1995)


Likes: The use of mixed media


Jawbreaker- Fireman (1995)


Likes: The semiotics of colour give the video a vintage look

Post 16: Audience and institutions

In this post i will be explaining who my audience is and explaining why i need to need to understand the usefullness of audience's and institutions.

Understanding audiences and institutions helps us who to aim the product at.Without it the product fails to meet expectations expected by institutions,

Cetain major musical institutions which make videos aswell include.
Warner music
EMI

Other more indipendent musical institutions include
Slamdunk records


The audience im aiming for is a mature one who are between the ages of 19 and 40.
The video is inteded to be quite serious with the twist of apllying robots to it so that 19 year olds are intrested with the comical aspect.

Im trying to encapsulate an indipendent movie feel within the video.

Post 15: Last batch of magazine covers

The first subject is of Paul Mcartney

Likes
How he is using pop culture to be relate able

Comic relief

Dislikes
Whilst its quite funny people may not recognise who it is

Doesn't strike us as a front cover

The next subject are Nirvana


Likes
The simplicity

Its quite raw and provides energy

Colours are simple and contrast well against backdrop

Dislikes
Could involve somthing happening

Cover is quite boring

This is my cover which i used for my as media project. This rendition however was without a filter. I shall soon upload that rendition however. The objective was to make a front cover for a music magazine


I wanted to encapsulate a fun sense of energy.

Post 14: More magazine covers

The first subject is Christina agulera


Likes
The use of colour
Does not follow the convention of rolling stone magazines white backdrop
Its alluring due to the power of the subject
Semiotics of colour implie war time

Dislikes
Nothing

The next subject is Jay Z


Likes
Semiotics of colour make him look like a buisnessman

Against a white backdrop it looks powerful and dominant

The colours catch your attention

Dislikes
The dominance may be a bit intimidating

The next subject are the band Metalica


Likes
The composition of characters

They interact by looking at the reader

Create a sense of fun by pulling faces

The dark colours contrast against the background

Dislikes
Nothing

Similar to the other cover is the next subject KISS


Likes
Their in theyre normal costumes

Its fun with the poses

The placement of characters gives of a feeling of unity and compactness.

Dislikes
Colours arent very strong

Its quite a weak cover with regards to creating an impresion with covers

Post 13: Magazine covers

In the next few posts i will be looking at magazine covers as research for my anxilery task of making a front cover for a music magazine. All the magazines are rolling stone magazines. I have done this so that it is easier to compare and contrast what makes a good front cover.

The first subject is Lil Wayne.
first subject is Lil Wayne

Likes
Use of colours
The simplicity
The way the subject looks down
How fonts are scatered around
Defies the rule of z but aquires the rule of three

Dislikes
Nothing

The next subject are the cast of The Hills


likes
The semiotics of colour used to make it feel girly
Placemnt of characters and interaction
Simplicity within colours

Dislikes
The colours are a tiny bit pail.
Might not be eyecatching enough

The next subject is Bruce Springsteen


Likes
The impact hes had in culture has resulted in lack of text
The text just says "The Boss"
A singular picture of his face speaks out volumes
How he stares at you almost drawing you to the magazine

Dislikes
Nothing, its a simplistic and daring cover

The last figure of this post is Borrack Obamma


Likes
Such a serious role and yet use him in quite a comedic sense
Change his character
Semiotics of colour used to implie a super hero asthetic

Dislikes
Nothing its just a funny magazine cover

Post 12: My Logo and research

This is my logo


I decided to opt for this font because i felt that it had the most caharcter, its fun and has quite a youthful apeal to it

This was an unused idea for a logo. At the time i was experimenting to see if i could find a strong enough design but i feel that the result was a bit weak.


Another design which was unused once again because i didnt think it conveyed any personality.

Post 11: Logo research

In order to research logos i have compiled a group to observe. They are mainly music company logos and tv institutions.

The first logo is catually Less Than Jakes own record label "Sleep it off records"


I like its simplicty
Use of characters

The next logo is from Warner Brothers


I like its simplicity and use of tones instead of colour somthing i would like to incorporate into my logo

The next logo is from the record company Decaydance records


I like once again how the use of tones has been done so in an effective manour.
The deceration around the title

The next logo is from Fueld by Ramen who put out the song that i will be using.


I like how it comes together to create a coffe cup
Once again liking the simplicity and use of tones

The last logo is from Dreamworks


Overall im not to fond on the logo however i do like the symbolism and almost mythology of it allso the colours are quite bould and grab you

Post 10: Last bit of cover research

Once again a few of these pictures arent actually album art but they have a filter on the pictures. Somthing which i too would like to incorporate into my album art.

This first picture is of the band A day to remember and the photographer has used a filter on it almost geting rid of all bright colours. This provides a mature asthetic to the piece.

The next picture is also a promotional picture from the band bayside.Like the previous picture the photographer has used a filter.
icj

These next few pictures are of robots. They are all made of cardboard somthing which i intend on incorporating.






The recurring theme is that the cardboard creates comic relief and provides another dimension to the pictures. The front of my cover will be one or two cardboard robots beating a person with baseball bats (the most non violent way posible) with the filter of the first two pictures in this post.

Post 9: Some more album cover research

This album cover is from Old folks home and the album is entitled we are the feeding line.

Likes
I like the robot

How its given a personality

The way it was drawn

The red against a white background

The simplicity

Dislikes
Nothing. Its simple and very effective

This album cover is from various artists and the album is called Music machine.


Likes

The tacky robot

I will hope to use somebody dressed as a badly made robot on my album cover

Dislikes
I know its from a different erra but its cheesy
Embarasing

The colours are quite offputing
For instance colour clashes (Orange font, blue sky and green grass)

The next pictures isnt actually a piece of album art but it gets across the use of robots. The picture is of Daft punk


Likes
The placement of characters

The placement of characters in a real life setting

Dislikes
The colours clash

The suits are cheesy

Colours are to bright

Not a very apeeling band picture
Catches attentionj but for the wrong reasons

Post 8: Album covers

In this post i will be putting up various album art which i hope to obtain information from. For my anxilery task i will make a single CD cover.

The first album cover is from the artists the Flaming lips


Likes
The boldness of the title

The art used

The style of the art

The superiority of the robot (status)

Dislikes

The colours arent that powerful
In honesty whilst i like the cover the colours are quite bland

This album cover is from the band Fightstar


Likes

The detail

The use of colours

The figure (Robot/gasmask)

Dislikes

The amount of detail is quite complexing
This may not convey well in a compact little booklet

This next album cover is from Hexstatic and the album is entitled when robots go bad


Likes
The use of an angry robot

The fact that it replicates a nostalgic piece of 50's cartoon art

The use of colours are quite simple and basic

Its quite eye catching

Dislikes
Nothing really its a good album cover

Post 7: Last batch of videos

The first video is by Four year strong and the song is called It must really suck to be four year strong right now.

Likes

The idea

The continuos shot

That you can tell these people are pasionate

Its fun

The band apear in the end

Dislikes
Nothing because its just meant to be a silly video and i feel that its good as it is

The next video is by set your goals entitled Mutiny


Likes

The humor and energy

Looking into the camera

All shots are composed well

Editing keeps pace

I like how it just keeps to the band and the buisnessmen

The story isnt to strong but works to alow the humor and action to surface

Dislikes
Nothing

This video is also by Set your goals and is called Echoes


Likes
Although there isnt a story the simplicity speaks volumes

The setting and lighting provide a certain depth of maturity

Dislikes
Once again nothing really,its a really strong and honest rock video

The next video is by Enter shikari entitled We can breathe in space(they just dont want us to escape)

Fact: Was shot using CCTV cameras and a lot of tin foil


Likes

The simplicity

The effects

Its raw and pasionate

The focus on their faces singing brings out a depth to the music

Feels like theyre singing to us

Slightly comic but nt enough to be cheesy. Actually it makes us feel sympathy that theyre stuck in space

Dislikes
Nothing. I think that the lack of story works quite well.
Whilst their is a story its underplayed for the benefit because you dont want anything to heavy. You want somthing light but powerful and effective

The last video is by Templeton Pek and the song is called No association


Likes

The story is just right and not to complicated

The story is strong and provides a dark quallity adding a certain saddnes to video

The preformances are quite simplisic and explosive (raw)

The whole video is very passionate and strong

Theirs a slight dark tinge which adds to the agression

Dislikes
I feel that whilst its a fantastic rock video the preformance is somewhat overshadowed by the acting

Not enough to cause real cause for concern because i think the nature was to tell a story.

Post 6: More music videos

The first video is by 30 seconds to mars and the videos entitled kings and queens


Likes
The lighting

Scenaroy

camera angles

Symbolism of horse and drama

Dislikes
Lack of story

Lack of events really drag it out although scenary is nice

This is a video by Blur called the universal


Likes

The wierdness

The humor and comic relief that id like to incorporate in my video

How the music makes the video feel innocent and yet strange

How actions by characters are iconic to the progression of the video

Dislikes

Whilst it all works the storyline isnt that clear

This video is by Green day and the song is called longview. Whilst it doesnt completely fit in with my idea i thought it would be good to show a Diy video.


The video cost $300 (£160)
It shows that you can have a shoestring budget still make an amazing rock video

Likes

Its raw

Energetic

Fun

The semiotics of colours provide a dangerous quality

Its a straight up rock video

The acting scenes relate to song

Dislikes

Nothing at all

This video is by A day to remember and the song is called Im made of wax larry what are you made of? I feel its important to look at some comedic videos now


Likes

Like the previous video its fun and energetic

They use warm coloring and the high definition makes the video feel more vibrant and smooth

Its has comedic value

Dislikes

The story isnt really that prominant but then again i dont feel that its that necesary as the comedy and the band playing balance things out

The next post will be the last with regards to music videos i will be observing

Post 5: Music videos

The first video is by Blink 182 it is for the song Stockholm syndrome


Likes

It has a Diy/amature feel which makes the video feel lively, fun and exciting

The introduction shows cities and roads in mochrome providing a industrial quality

The first part is in monochrome with the second half bright in colour and shows contrast in moods

Dislikes

The introduction goes on a bit to long, not sure if it really helped the video

If the two were seperate piece then i feel it would work but they are both put together

The next song is by Robbie Williams the video is called Angels


Likes

Shot in monochrome

Looks into the cammera

Iconic scenary shots

Lack of support cast makes us think that hes very alone

Dislikes

Once again lack of story

Its just scenary shots put together to make somthing nice

The last video is by The Offspring and the video is called Hit That


Likes

The story

The dark tones and tinges used

The effects

The miserable scenary

Dislikes
Nothing it all works well

Post 4: Music videos continued

The first music video is by Sum 41 and the video is called walking disaster


Likes

Strong story

The use of toy robots in real life settings
Sympathy for the robot

The richness of colours provides warmth

The tracking shot across the town

Iconic shots of scenary

Good balance of band shots and story shots

The added dance sequence after song has finished

Dislikes

Nothing

The next video is by Green day and the video is called boulevard of broken dreams


Likes

Dark filter

Trashy effects

Marking on actual film

Use of green screen and real props create a sense of surealism

A car was used to capture the scenary put on the green screen.

The scenary itself is quite eary

Dislikes

Lack of a strong story however with certain elements it feels like a documentary which can is quite effective

Lack of events happening focusing mainly on scenary

The last video is by a band called Owl city and the video is called fireflies


likes

The lighting

The blue tinge

The use of toys and them actually playing a large part in the video

Also how they are alive provides quite a mysterious quality

Dislikes

Lack of story

Without the music the video wouldnt be very strong apart from the fact that without too much happening it looks pretty.

In the next post i will be doing the same thing and this shall go on for at least for another 3 posts

Post 3: Music videos

In this post i will be obtaining 3 music videos which i think are effective and which contain elements that i would like to convey in my music video.

The first video is by Baby shambels and is called delivery


Likes
Shot in mochrome and different camera effects

Good shots of city and scenary shots

It maintains maturity with mochrome but portrays band to be naieve adding depth to the piece

Dislikes

Lack of story

Lack of events

The next song is by Teddybears ft Iggy pop called Punkrocker


Likes

How the character looks at camera

The tracking of shots through the city

The nature of the piece is quite artistic
The camera has a blue tinge

The merging of charcter and scenary at begining provide eary effect

Scenary used
Colours are bright

Dislikes

Lack of story

CGI bear heads whilst provide comic relief make the piece look shoddy.
Also look out of place. Because lack of belivability
Prehaps shoud have worn bear head costumes.
You either go for the full effect or it could ruin a good video

The last video of this post is by the Gallows and the song is called misery


Lkes

The slow motion at the begining builds up tension
Also complimented by the music

Shot in mochrome

How characters are looking up at buildings and looking out on streets from the car

Stong story

Characters play stong part in the piece

Dislikes
Nothing really apart from it doesnt feel like it should be a music video but part of little movie which isnt really a bad thing

In the next post i will be posting 3 more videos up doing the same thing

Post 2: The story

I intend for the story to be a blend between drama and comic relief


The story will centre around a singular character and i intend on him being the only human in the video
There will be no dialoge
Non diagetic or non syncronicity sounds

Backstory
Everyday its becoming increasingly more evident that machines are becoming more necesary

This has been playing on his mind.


We catch him either when he has had a rough day or when hes been made redundant.

Whats going to be in the video.
The first shot will consist of them in the back of a car.

He looks very uncomftable tired and frustrated.

They will be wearing a suit .

The camera will be looking up at lights and cacthing him in the frame looking at lights.

As the video progresses we see toy robots around scenary to amplifie the fact that hes pethetic and that he is all alone.

Another shot will be him in a park and he kicks a stone.

It lands at the feet of a toy robot making the man upset.

Their will be more scenary shots with robots. As of yet i need to make a complete plan so that the video does not become boring.

Close up shots will be used to portray the signifigance of robots.

Along with close up shots i will be using long shots (show signifigance of area), mid shots (level and codes of whats happening and establishing shots (set tone of area).

As of yet i am undedcided as to wether we show the whole of the character or just theyre back and lower half of theyre face to provide mystery.

For sad moments im hoping to slow down the film to create sadness and almost sympathy.

With regards to happy moments it will be in normal speed and i hope to infuse comic relief.

In the next blog i will be puting fourth single and album art from the videos i will be using for research in my piece to gather an idea of what my cover art can be.

Post 1: The idea

This blog has been created to monitor the progress of my A2 media project.

My project will be a Music video.
The anxillery task will be to make a CD cover for the single and Magazine cover.

With premision and the clearing up of copyright infringement i will be using music from a band.

Some of the bands that i thought about making a music video for include
New Found Glory's song 47
Green day's west bound sign


The band are Less Than Jake and the song is entitled Robots one, humans zero.


It is a techno remix the band released on the label Fueld by Ramen after previously being released on there compilation album B is for Bsides.

The nature of this remix is quite sad with bursts of playfulness

The video i have decided will be shot in monochrome.

I feel that this effect will prove benefitial as it will provide a mature effect.

In the next post i will be providing the story and general idea

Edit: This was the email that i had sent to the band for premision of their video