Digipack research

In our digi-pack we will be including a CD cover and a magazine advert that will advertise the CD. The two need to link together in order to ensure the customer can see the relation between the CD ad magazine, therefore they will be able to recognise the singer, song title, logos and images displayed within them.
So far we have decided upon using the still image of the geek (Rob Blackwell,42 wallaby way, sydney) being the main focus of the CD cover, and using the stop complaining text throughout the magazine and CD cover.
Below are some images of existing CD covers, within the hip-hop genre.




On a CD cover there is a reverse, this will contain the track list, including song length and title. Images are commonly seen, along with barcode and the producer and directors names.
For our CD cover we will be including the song title, which is stop complaining and the length of the song, 3minutes 30 we wil also be including a barcode that we have downloaded off of google images.

Here is an example of the reverse side of a CD cover:

Rough Cut Footage

This is our rough cut of our music video. On the end of the footage is some added clips that were spoken for in the previous blog. This footage hasn't been inserted into the overall footage yet as we are not sure where abouts it can all fit together into the video.

The editing program we are using is Final Cut Express. Above is a still image taken from Final Cut Express, it demonstrates what Final Cut looks like and the tools used (on the right hand side, corner.) Final Cut Express allows the user (us) us to edit the Timeline with the innovative Edit Overlay tool. There are many editing options including, overwrite, insert and fill to fill. To add clips, they are dragged in to the Timeline. And thanks to a highly flexible interface, you can move seamlessly through your projects, focusing your efforts on creativity and productivity. Within this still image, the gaps in the sequence can be seen along with a long shot of Rob walking down a corridor after getting kicked. This is an example of how more shot transitions will be needed (close-up's.)

need to link footage together

After uploading are footage so far it seems to show that the footage we have filmed is good but just isnt long enough to create a realistic feel for the character as he is walking around college. Also another problem was that some of are scenes are to short and need to be filmed again to allow us to link them to other clips, this then would hopefully help the flow of are music video.
To solve this problem we will need repeat a few scenes of footage just so we are able to keep the idea of a narrative theme throught are video.
Parts we may need to film again are :
1. bullies chasing the nerd scene.
2. the nurse scene.

Reviewing the first rough-cut

We have created our first rough cut, and established that there are some gaps.
These gaps are at 0.45 seconds, for roughly 15 seconds and comes after Rob is walking down the corridor (when he gets kicked) and before he walks down a second corridor along with the other characters. The second gap is at 1.47 to 3.30 (the end of the song). This gap comes after the footage where where Rob and the other characters are walking down the large corridor.
These gaps will need to be filled by either filming new footage or using the existing footage that currently hasn't been put into the rough cut. This footage is of the nurse (Bryony) and Rob in the medical room, this needs to be put in during a chorus as we will need to lip sync the lyrics as Bryony is mouthing words from the chorus. Another piece of footage that needs to be put in is the scene where Rob gets beaten up. Finally the part where Rob is getting chased, prior to being beaten up needs to be re-filmed as it doesn't link in with when he gets beaten up as the chase leads to a completely different location compared to where he gets beaten up. We are also thinking about filming extra footage involving more, varied shot transitions for instance, close up's of Rob. Hopefully by including these different shot transitions it will meet the marking criteria that is specified for a high level, advanced production. We will be filming this extra footage after half term and finalizing our rough cut.

Todays Lesson 21/10/09

In todays lesson we are going to be finishing our rough cut and identifying gaps and working out what we need to film to fill in the gaps.
We are finding difficult to put the footage we have together as we have quite a lot of gaps so we will not get a good idea of what our finished music video will be like until we have filmed more footage.

Extras we need to add in...

After putting together a rough cut we have realised that there are gaps that need filling. We plan to establish where these gaps are within the sequence and then film more footage to fill these gaps. The rough cut gives us an idea of how the overall sequence will look. From this we are also able to recognise that the sequence is slightly jumpy and doesn't flow very well however, we feel that by filming this extra footage this will make the sequence flow much more smoothly.
On the other hand the sequence so far does look very effective and fits the genre well. The music and the video relate really well.
In the next blog we will be stating where in the sequence footage needs to be added and what we will be filming in order to fill these gaps.

Overview of filming.

I missed a lesson in media on the 12th of October.
Therefore I am writing a small overview of my take on how the filming and preparations leading up to the filming process went.
We began our filming on Monday the 12th of October (origionally we had planned to begin on Friday the 9th but, due to various reasons it had to be delayed to the Monday) Origionally we had planned to use the centre of Cambridge as our filming location however, in order to reduce travel inconvieniences for us and the cast we chose to film in college.
Although we had a smaller cast than we had initiated the size became a benefit, we were able to efficiently film what needed to be without any problems that could arise with having a larger cast. The costumes looked pretty good and although we hadn't represented as many social groups as we had intended we still had a range of stereotypical costumes that could represent the different social groups.
We were able to incorperate areas where lip-synching can be applied, and the footage looked good.
After a couple of hours of filming we felt it had been a success and chose to leave it there.
On Wednesday the 14th of October we continued our filming using our main character (Rob, the geek) as the focus. We filmed him in and around college where we felt necessary using various props to build his character such as, folders, books and his rucksack. A few of our friends were featured chasing Rob around college.
On Thursday the 15th of October we continued filming and got some more great footage including some involving another character, a nurse. The costume and settings we used looked very effective.
Overall I feel that the filming process has been a success and although a few small additions may need to be added the footage we produced is great. I believe it fits the genre we have chosen as there is performance along with experimental parts to it.

Much of what has been written here can also be seen in the previous blog.

Filming

Yesterday we completed the first part of our filming for our music video. We decided to film in college instead of going into Cambridge city center as we thought that it would be easier for our cast and we would have more time to film because we would cut out travel time.
We also thought that filming in college relates more to our narrative as a nerd in college seems to make more sense than filming a nerdy character walking round the center of Cambridge. By changing our location we have given ourselves more flexibility with the kind of shots we have as we could put in shots of our character doing homework etc to fill any gaps we might have.





Overall I think the filming was really successful, although we haven't completely finished everything, the footage we have got really worked. I was really pleased with how the costumes turned out, I was worried that they might look a bit cheesy, but they ended up being quite subtle. Next we are going to film the introduction for the video and the end of the video.

Test Footage

This lesson we have filmed some test footage. First we tried using an old skateboard as a dolly but we had trouble keeping the tripod on and keeping it still. We also thought that using the skateboard would be quite restricting as we cannot turn corners using it.
We then decided to try out the college's dolly and we found that it worked much better. This is the best clip we filmed although when we film our actual footage we need to make sure we keep Rob in the center of the shot.

Feedback Evaluation

We were very pleased with our feedback comments we got from the rest of the class.
Good points we picked up on are:
- Good use of colour
- Good picture to word ratio on blog
- Clear explanation of music video idea

We also picked up on things we need to improve on our blog:
- Write a bit more about Goodwins Point Analysis
- Perhaps include some information on an auteur

Feedback Group T2-47

• Lots of indepth research
• Its Good how you are starting to look more into your digipack, looking at possible fonts.
• Could use more detailed & obvious goodwins points
• Could include an auteur
• Good information on filming & locations, do you have a set date yet?
  

Feedback

Hi, this is Group t2-48
Some good research has gone into mise-en-scene for the filming process. My favourite picture is of the drag queen.
As well as quoting the lyrics you could explain how you are planning to incorporate Goodwin's theory of relationship between lyrics and visuals.

Feedback

Very informative and very colourful

Good use of pictures with captions.

With the digi pack we like the idea that you're using colour, and have taken into consideration continuing a theme of colour. We like that you've experimented with different fonts for the pack, you should probably use that colourful one at the top or something, anyway, good thinking with the pack.

Good word to picture ratio.... good use of colour...................................... . .. and clear to see where you intend to go with this project ..................................................

The development of this blog is ever growing and very good.

Group T2 43

Feedback from T2-44

Effectiveness of Storyboard

The storyboard clearly shows an overview of the idea of the music video. It shows the camera angles and shots that you will use in a clear way so that an outsider can understand. Also the storyboard matches the idea of the shot list and the time line into how your storyboard is similar to your beginning idea. The images clearly illustrate the shots and angles so that we can see the particular parts of the video without needing visualise the shot list.

Portrayal of the artist

Your storyboard has portrayed your main character of being a geek, referring to your previous mise-en-scene. The glasses and posh short hair defines this well.

Digipack Ideas ...

We have been looking at possible fonts we could put on our digipack cover. We looked on dafont.com under the graffiti themed fonts. We thought that having graffiti style writing for the title would tie in our cover more with the hip hop genre.


This font was originally white with a black outline but we coloured in the letters on photoshop to make it fit in with the colourful theme of our music video. This is probably the best one for our digipack cover.

This font fits in really well with the hip hop genre but does not reflect the theme of our video very much.

We liked how rounded this font is but it is not very clear and quite hard to read as the outline of the text is too thick.

Research on existing CD and DVD covers within the Hip-Hop genre

I have researched various images of existing DVD and CD covers in order to give us an idea of what is already available and suitable for our target market (over 18's yet within the younger generation)

We have decided that we may use an image that is already on our blog (the image of the geek) however incorporate existing hip-hop DVD/CD styles. For example the style of the text used and the colour scheme.

Location

We are filming our video in cambridge city centre around the shops and the market square. We were hoping to film mostly around the market as there are lots of different colours people there but the market is open from 9am-4pm. Unfortunately we will not make it to the market before it closes so we will have to do our best filming around the shops .

This is a screen grab from google maps of our location as we do not have time to go out and take a picture during the lesson. The red square shows the area we will be filming in, that tends to be the busiest part of cambridge.

Stop Complaining lyrics

Stop complaining
Stop complaining

Now many songs do you figure that I've written
Since I originally started making records in this business
Back beginning in college, and it's been a menace since then
But the principal challenge, it ain't really that different
It's about me not repeating myself at all
Or at least repeating myself the least amount, I suppose
The reason being is that we need some songs
That lead us off the beaten path between my rhymes
But listen though, it's difficult now a-days
To really go against the grain, get you some accolades
Especially with these frigid, finicky, fickle-ass motherfuckers
Think they finally figured you out, the fake-ass fuckers

Stop complaining (I know, it's just that certain shit pisses me off)
Stop complaining (What am I gonna do? I mean)

Man, fuck that shit, I pay my taxes when I'm asked to
I'm not enthusiastic about it, but shit I make it happen
Yeah, it's last minute, but goddammit they cash it
"This is fiscal harassment! They keep touching my assets!"
Now I imagine I might be feeling different about it
If it was given outright, witnessing it helping somebody
But it just so happens in life, the school district's too crowded
There ain't no teachers in sight, that's why the kids are so rowdy
I just imagine some asshole with glasses on up at the capital
One of a thousand pawns packed in an office, cramped up like animals
Pictures of his sister, his mixture Lhasa Apso poodle
His 2.6 kids and the missus thumb-tacked to his cubicle
So damned detached from the average man's planet he can't fathom
That he can ever be anything other than stats, fat and taxable
He's getting his usual, ritual 2 o'clock cup of noodles on
Fucking you with your W-2, with his John Denver music on

"Hey..um.oooh, I love this one. Hey Lil? Can you get me the file on.?"
"Blah blah blah blah blah?"
"Yeah..he's making too much money"

Stop complaining (I know, Ladies.it's just)
Stop complaining (I'm trying, I'm really trying)
Stop complaining (Yeah I know, lets give it. )
Stop complaining (I wonder what do they say about me?)

Is he a role model we can all follow full throttle
So we don't bother having to create our own model
That we go by? A fall guy I can hold accountable?
Cuz I don't want to hold the bottle for my own child
Is it really my place to raise little Billy
when Hilly and William should be building with him in the living room
Instead of bailing on him, and alienating him, and basically failing him
Sending him sailing on a mission to oblivion?
Then, inevitably on his day in court and Billy ain't to blame
The bailiff asks him to raise his arm and say his name in court
Of course his parents ain't in court, they play it off
Saying it ain't his fault
Blame it on Asian Born, or his favorite artist
Beg your pardon?
Now, I do admit that in the music business
people do and say some really stupid shit
Kids are zooming in and using what we do and say
I can see how you can say "do not abuse your influence"
But to all the Hillaries and the Williams of the new millennium
If you really aren't feeling like living with the children will be a fulfilling experience
Or something you envision yourself willingly
and unconditionally committed to from the beginning
Maybe you shouldn't be bumping bellies from the giddyup anyway, dummy

Stop complaining (Well, for now)
Stop complaining (Man, YOU stop complaining)
Stop complaining
Stop complaining (Whatever)

Story Board

This is are storyboard it shows each shot and a rough drawn image of what we want it to look like in the frame. This rough plan will be useful as we can use it as a rough guideline when filming to insure we get what we want out of the time we have filming.

Call Sheet

• Project Title - Stop Complaining
• Date - Friday 9th October 09
• One day shoot
• Locations for the day - Cambridge, Market Square
  
• Travel - Bus into Cambridge
• Contact details - Producer 07765432908
• Recommended clothing - Waterproof/casual clothing for camera crew. Chosen costumes for actors.
• Scenes to be shot - See storyboard
• Broad Schedule
• Call Times: Meet at 4:10
  
• Make up and Wardrobe times: 4:30 in costumes at location
• Breaks: Half way through filming
• Estimated Wrap time: 6 pm
  

• Weather forecast: Forecast is for dry and cloudy, if there is heavy rain we might need to film on another day.
  
• Equipment details: Camera, Tripod, Skateboard for dolly, Costumes and Props

Shot list

This is our shot list. It roughly states what types of shots we shall be using in are video and in what order. It also shows a description of what actions will be involved in each shot. It consists of the below:
1. Establishing Shot
2. Close up
3. Close up
4. Long Shot
5. Long Shot
6. Long Shot
7. Long Shot
8. Close Up/ Mid shot
9. Mid Shot
10. Mid Shot
11. Mid Shot
12. Mid Shot
13. Close up/ Mid shot
14. Close up/ Mid shot

Filming..

As a group we have decided to film our music video on Friday 9th October. We have made sure that we are all available to film after 4.10 when lessons are finished as this is a good time for our actors to film too.

We need to bare in mind that it gets darker faster in the evenings now so we need to start as soon as possible when we get to our location and make sure we are prepared and organised with both our filming and costumes etc.

Mise-En-Scene

Costumes...
We have found images of varying costumes that we will be imitating for our characters in our music video.
The images we have found are of; a policeman's outfit, hippie, goth, geeks, school children, teenagers, spider man, gangster, nun, tramp, drag queen and an elderly lady. We have used these different costumes for our characters in order to represent the different social groups in society. Our genre has a wide varied target audience involving many different social groups therefore, by involving the varied characters we will be able to reach these people. Different social groups tend to follow different trends, and their clothing style tends to differentiate greatly. Below are some images that we will base our characters costumes on.

Drag Queen.



Geek.Goth.
Gangster.
A nun.A tramp.

Location...
our music video will be located in the city of Cambridge in the town centre. The majority of the music video will be shot within the streets and market square in Cambridge. We have used this location as it is local and in order to attract out target audience because, it is a place that many social groups will be able to relate to.

Seek for Permission

Here I have seeked permission from the artist to be able to use his song in our music video, I have tired to contact him thought his fan page on facebook. I thought it would be a good idea to ask for permission as it is more professional and respectful that we did because if he was not to be happy with us using his song there would be a major problem. Therefore as a whole it would be best we did jsut to make sure everything is sound.