Advert Designs

I created these advert designs on photoshop as a practice for the final one, it helped me to realise that it is quite hard to find a certain background and colour scheme to match with the image and the music genre. However it has helped develop my skills on photoshop and my knowledge of what a succesful advert would be like. I made two of these adverts using the same image in order to show how different the outcomes are when using contrasting colours and backgrounds.

WWW:
 I think the advert went well as I was creating it in a limited time compared to what I would be with the final one. I think the colours and background work well with the genre, the light and soft colours create a girly sheek feel to it which would attract the desired young female audience. I like the font and feel that it is something that is now a major part of the brand identity, it works well with the quirky genre.

EBI:
The first advert could have been better if the editing was slightly more subtle, the lips look quite surreal and it doesn't look natural. I think the second advert could have been better by changing the font colour, the white against the glitter is quite difficult to read straight away. This is something that will help me to learn when producing the final advert.

This image shows me working on photoshop placing the background onto the image as a seperate layer. 

Location Permission Letters

We emailed a drama teacher working in our school to ask if it was possible for us to use PDH the drama room for sections of our filming, with this permission we will freely be able to use the room and the equipment within it. This is the only permission email we will need to send as the other locations are public places such as pavements and parks therefore we do not need to ask to film there.

Talent Release Form

I had to complete a talent release form in to confirm that I allowed to be filmed for the music video, if there were to be any other performers they too would have to sign a talent release form.

Photo Shoot Plan

Gemma created a photo shoot plan in order for us to be organised and fully aware of when we are taking our images and what props, costumes and equipment we will need. We have decided as a group that we will take our photos for the CD cover and advert whilst filming the music video, we feel that it will be more time efficient and it will help to maintain the same image through the video, CD cover and advert. I think this will also help keep the brand identity by having the same look about the performer.

Record Label Permisson

Brand Identity - Emma Holt

Shooting Schedule

We created this shooting schedule as a group as a table that can be printed as aid when filming, it is almost like a diary showing the order we have planned to shoot each scene. This will give us the knowledge of what costumes, props and equipment we need so we can ensure we will have it to hand before we go out and film. It will also help us on the specific filming days as we will not forget to film certain sections and everything needed will be in the correct shots.

Storyboard

I created a story board for the group music video, I drew this in great detail so when it comes to filming the shots we know what specific shot type it is and what is involved in it, including the location, costume and props. Whilst putting together this small video I put a specific showing time on each of the images so that the images of the shots was in time with the music. This gave us an idea of what the music video would look like over the lyrics, I feel this was very successful to help us develop the planning and ideas of the video. I also wrote the details, actions and shot type that would take place in the shot in a box next to the drawing which will also help us to be organised when it comes to filming.

In each box we have written the shot type, the lighting we need (bright/dark), the camera movement eg still, pan, track. On certain boxes I have written the line of the song or the time that we expect it to be seen in the video, this will help me when filming as I can play the correct part of the song to lip sync to. 

Locations video - Emma Holt

I feel that a forest would be an effective location for our music video as it could look quite mysterious and quirky if we use the right props and costumes. I like the fact that it is a natural place, we could use a contrast within certain shots by dressing me (the performer) in quite bright but natural dressed down clothes. Whether it is bright or dark in the forest it will set a certain mood; depending on the mood it creates, we can set those select shots to a particular bit in the song to match.

This an image of one of our desired locations (Manor Park), this road/park will be the location in which I will be seen riding the bike with the basket and balloons on, we decided as a group that this is an appropriate location for these shots as the background is quite dull and made up of dark greens and blacks. With a colourful bike,costume and balloons I will almost be in contrast to the location bringing an uplifting and positive feel to the place which is what we are trying to achieve.

Nonsuch Park is another choice of natural setting, by using two different parks it will mix up the setting slightly

and give the viewer something different to look at.

We are using a white/black room in shots using the paint and glitter, if the shots are taken in front of a plain background it will make the bright colours of the paint, glitter and lighting stand out. Which will make it more exciting to watch for the viewer, I think it adds to the mystery and the idea of making something boring exciting and colourful.

Prop and Costume List

Make up Trial:

I decided to experiment with various different make styles in order to see which ones would be effective with certain scenes and costumes. The more natural make up is the look we are aspiring to use in the more natural settings eg in the park and on the road side. Whereas the more creative and outrageous styles will be used for the set up scenes when using the glitter and paint against the plain backgrounds. I think using different make up styles it will make the video more exciting and avoid viewer fatigue as it will give the audience something different when the location changes.

I created a prop and costume list so whilst filming we know what props, costumes and make up to take to which locations. By having this table we will be well organised which will create more time for filming. 

This will be our first costume which will be seen in the park location shots, we feel this is an effective costume as it brings a more natural, country side feel to the music video which is one of the conventions that is typical of an Ellie Goulding music video. This look will come in complete contrast to the other costumes that will be seen in the video, this will avoid viewer fatigue and allow them to have various different costumes to look at.

This is another desired look for the music video, however a sequined dress and heels will be worn during the white background shots. By having an exciting and exaggerated outfit it will disguise the fact that there is a low key background, drawing all the attention to the performer and what they are wearing. This is also in high contrast to the first outfit, this more glamorous and party like outfit shows the more classy and dazzling side to the indie pop genre.

Props:

•  Balloons
•  Bike
•  Drum
• Glitter
•  Paint

This image (by Gemma Flinders) shows similar props that will be involved in our video, the props will work well with the cotumes. They are also brightly coloured and associated with positive aspects therefore they will bring a good feel to the video. We have over come problems of not having props eg the bike, by writing an email and forwarding it to a teacher who could then send it to the whole school. We received some positive feedback and now have a students bike available for us to use.

Draft CD Covers

Firstly I chose this image as I feel it would make a CD cover slightly more successful and effective as it is almost typical of the Indie Pop look. The facial expression and make up is quite natural which connotes the artist is happy and confident with the way they look. However due to the fact that the head is turned away shows that they may be hiding something or possibly doesn't want to face the viewers as this is the best side to the face. I edited this image on Photoshop by using the magic wand tool to select the face and neck, I then copied and pasted it onto a blank background and used the smudge tool to smooth the edges. I downloaded the font from 'Da Font' and chose a simple but quirky font that I believe ties in well with the Indie Pop genre. I decided to have a white font as it portrays innocence and purity which relates to the light hearted  genre. The pink flowery background was chosen to portray femininity and elegance, it relates to the Indie Pop genre and those that we have analysed are all female. By layering the background pattern over the face and lowering the opacity it has given a quirky, almost vintage effect I think this is effective as the audience would be attracted to this.

Concept

I have created a gif showing the main concept of our music video, we have decided to use brightly coloured, sparkly clothes and props to represent the artist and the song as being fun and energetic. The colours will be quite busy and clashing to attract the viewers eye and avoid viewer fatigue. We have the idea of making boring and plain/dull locations look exciting and more uplifting by involving the bright and sparkly costumes and props.

                              

This is the type of look that we have in mind, by using powder paints we can then create a happy, colourful explosion. This will relate to our genre as it has a feel good atmosphere about it, the explosions will automatically excite the audience and it will be interesting to watch. Current Indie Pop artists such as Ke$ha have inspired us to do this as it makes a music video lively and fantastical, it also portrays the artist as being someone who is care free, outgoing and creative.

We are also hoping to achieve the same explosion of colours by placing glitter onto drums and and hitting the surface making the glitter go in the air. Ellie has also used this in a previous video, however she is seen in a studio with lights positioned behind her whereas I will will be in a black room with the lights focussed on the drum/glitter and my face.

Image Annotation

We would like to represent our artist as being a mix between two extremes in the Indie Pop genre, Ellie Goulding is generally seen as being quite natural and pure whereas someone like Marina is known to be more outgoing and daring with her costumes and makeup. I feel that by choosing a mix between the two and maybe incorporating the two looks into the music video it will mix it up a little bit and we will also be including more of the conventions that are seen in an Indie Pop music video. Artists of the Indie Pop genre are typically known as being quite quirky and different, they will always look sophisticated and glamorous in some way. I would like to represent myself (being the performer) as being quite glam and sparkly almost party like.

Song Details

We have chosen the song 'Your Biggest Mistake' by Ellie Goulding as it is more upbeat and uplifting compared to other songs in the genre this song falls in. I feel that the song has brings a positive, feel good atmosphere which  the majority of people that took part in our questionnaire expected from a song and video that is of our genre. I think creating a music video to this song will be a highly a enjoyable experience, while listening to the song many thoughts and ideas spring to mind therefore these can all be brought together whilst story boarding the music video. This song comes from the Indie Pop genre, I think it takes a typical approach to the atmosphere that Indie Pop songs create. It is quite powerful song causing her to seem like an strong, independent woman.

Lyrics Annotation

Your Biggest Mistake – Ellie Goulding

Technical Theories

During one lesson we set up a green screen and props that created a band, I chose to be the lead singer as I felt I would benefit from the experience, gaining more confidence whilst performing in front of the camera. Three cameras were set up at points around the performers to record from various different angles. The differing shot types enabled us to capture a shot of each of us which we could then switch between whilst we the edited footage on Final Cut. We used the computer editing programme to put together the music video and alter the background, by using the Chroma key and moving the lines to select the green background we were able to remove the selected colour and put in an image of our own. We chose to use a clock as it related to the song 'Tik Tok' and fits in with the random Indie Pop aspects.

This task made me realise that not all of the locations/settings within a music video have to be natural and the green screen is a possible way of creating effective and interesting backgrounds that will avoid viewer fatigue and create a more fun and lively atmosphere. It has also given me more in depth knowledge of how to use Final Cut and the Chroma key which will be highly beneficial when it comes to editing our music video clips. I thoroughly enjoyed this task as it gave me an insight to what the atmosphere will be like when we film our own music video.

Roles

My main role in the group is acting as the artist and performing in the video, I feel that I would be a successful performer as I can be confident and exaggerated in front of the camera. I also feel that I fit the criteria that is generally seen in a solo woman performer in the Indie Pop genre. I will also have a chance of filming when we decide to film objects that will be in between shots of me, this is effective use of the camera as everyone in the group will have a chance of operating it. I feel I have had enough experience with cameras in media to create a shot that looks professional. I feel that being the performer it would be more efficient if I were in charge of hair and make up as I can try out different styles and colours on myself. 

Initial Ideas

I created a spider diagram to portray the initial ideas that me and my group have put together. The majority of things we recorded on the board were mise en scene factors such as, costume, lighting and props. We feel that this diagram will help us when story boarding our music videos and there are many aspects that we can incorporate into the production.