Rough cut feedback

Overall the lip syncing was rated quite highly and that is a really positive response as it can be very challenging trying to get the lip syncing to match the audio from the original song. We used a range of camera movements such as: extreme close ups, panning, handheld camera shots, mid and long shots and focus pulls. Our editing techniques consisted of layering, colour isolation, colour effects, slowed down and sped up shots. The framing and the controlled movement of the camera was rated positively in all of the feedback. The writing on the whiteboard effect worked really well as it was perfectly in time with the lyrics and the feedback shows that the audience responded positively to this

The negative feedback we received will help to influence us as to what we can do to improve on our music video. The genre of our video seemed to be unclear from the audience as they choice either narrative or concept. This was not entirely wrong as it is a narrative video with concept aspects. A big part of the video that we need to work on is the creativeness of both characters costumes and makeup as they don't appear to have anything out of the ordinary and it is all very simple and plain. This is something that does fit in with our genre, however, it would be excellent if we could incorporate some more into our video. There is one shot where the female character is sitting on a bridge, this shot is far too long and there is no editing effects to make it more interesting, we may need to shoot more footage in order to make this appear more interesting. The shot of the two characters in the mirror using each others reflection is a creative concept, however it could be done better through the use of editing rather than camera deception. This means that it will take more practise, filming time and editing in order to do this although the final product should be a good representation of these efforts. 

In depth analysis of music videos by A2 students

Unconditional- Kehlani

This student music video fits the convention of the indie-pop genre. The video fits the narrative genre but has elements of concept as well, both of these work well with the lyrics. Popular and trendy clothing has been chosen to add to the pop element of this song and a subtle makeup look compliments this well. Editing techniques such as a split screen has been used to show both of the main characters emotions and their relationship to one another. Another great editing technique that they used was to put a shot of a traffic light turning green at the same time as the beat dropped in the song. This not only was very seamless but it also signalled when the song was about to pick up pace. The main character is seen to be positioned to either the left or right of shots until she is reunited with the person she loves.  The locations that were used were areas in London which fitted in with the indie-pop genre as there is a number of creative places in London. They made use of graffiti and coloured houses to show this. One shot that i liked in particular was a close up of the female character typing a song lyric into her phone. We have adapted this idea and used a similar approach by using a phone to type out "I miss you" and then deleting it. 

Love runs out- One Republic

This music video fits in with the genre of Indie-Pop for a number of different reasons. Costumes, hair, makeup and props play a huge part in this music video. This is because in the video the audience is watching some sort of chase, the male character is following the female through London as she passes through portals. Each time the pair of them go through one of these portals their appearance changes as well as the location they are in. This allows audiences to distinguish clearly when they are in a new location. When travelling through these portals, editing has been used in order for it to look like they are actually going through them. This is done by using a warping transition to the next scene as well as editing a moving graphic of a portal which appears to be similar to the one that can be seen in the programme 'Primevil'. A rewinding effect is used at the end to recap to the audience the journey that they have been on. Panning has been used near the end of the video to capture the moment when the two are finally with each other standing still. This allows the audience to see both their emotions at once. 

Let her go- Passenger

This music video fits in with the genre of Indie-Pop for a number of different reasons. This music video follows Todorov's three stage theory; where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when equilibrium is restored. Dim lighting has been used to show the performance side of this video which highlights that it is not the main part of the video but more of a voice in the characters head. This is played out by the end when the boy who is doing the performance comes to comfort the main character who has been acting. The location of London has been used to show how the couple met in an everyday manner, on the tube. Invisible cuts are used to show the transition of time moving forward and this could be a feature that we could incorporate into our own music video as it has the same genre as this one and we will be showing the moving forward and backward of time throughout. After the two characters break up the males costumes change to winter clothing and the lighting becomes darker and blue looking. The audience are then shown flashbacks to when they were together sitting in the same place as he is now alone. The different clothes and colouring in the shots create a clear distinction between them. 

Performance rough cut

WWW: We used a range of creative locations which fit in with our genre and the theme of our music video. For example, the field that was used, emphasised how alone she was and isolated from others. The train station subverted the audiences expectations as they would pressure that a train station would be busy, however, she was still all alone. The use of reverse zoom emphasised this. We filmed two variations of the scene where she was on the bridge, this is due to the fact that the first one where the camera was shot from below the bridge was slightly too far away and when we moved this onto the bridge it gave the effect that the audience could truly capture her emotions as we were up close. The initial shot from below the bridge was a creative angle as it was tilted and low. The framing of the shots were creative especially when in the train station location as it would appear that she isn't as alone as she is to the left side of the shot, however, when the camera zooms out it is apparent that she is as she becomes the centre of the framing.

EBI: It would have been better if we had used a wider range of acting, although this was only a practice it would have been useful to see what creative acting and emotions we could incorporate into our video rather than simple lip-syncing. We also need to work on how to make use of the cameras zoom features without it becoming jolty, however, this is something that can be improved in the editing process. We could have planned our costumes more effectively so that they fitted in with the genre more.

Costume and make-up

The Costumes that we have chosen to use are quite plain but this is typically the convention used in other music videos in this genre. Our audience also provided this feedback that they would think it would be quite plain yet trendy especially as she is a teenage actor. The makeup we chose was also quite natural as we did not want to portray the actress in a bold way as she was to appear invisible and unrecognisable, which is why when she is in public scenarios she is not spotted and no-one appears to take notice of her. This also applied for the male actor as when he is not with her he does not feel himself and he too is feeling isolated. Therefore, his clothing is quite plain and doesn't particularly attract anyone to talk to or notice him.

SurveyMonkey of audiences responses

Question: would you listen to this kind of music?

Question: What do you think will be happening in this music video?

Answers: 

"Kissin"
"Like a spiritual club dancing"
"There would be a story playing for the song"
"A couple falling in love"
"A journey of some sort. Either a personal journey of an individual finding themselves and discovering where they belong or a story of some sort- perhaps a relationship break up"
"A man isolated in a place with cutaways of a lonely woman"
"Young people loving life and relationships"
"Heartbreak and soul searching"
"Something sad or emotional"

From these responses, in our video we will try to include clear representations of the theme of love specifically looking at heartbreak and distress. A few audience responses said that it would most likely be young people which is perfect as our main actor is still a young adult.

Question: What time of day do you think the video will be set?

From this response it is clear that shooting at sunset as well as a combination of all of the above would be the best. We may occur some issues whilst filming in dim light as the quality may not be good, however, if successful it would add to the creativity of the shots.

Question: Who do you expect the main actor to be?

The audience have favoured a female actor and that is who we shall be using for our video.

Question: What do you think they would be wearing?

The audience have given a mixture of results including, Plain, Hipster and Trendy clothing. To combine all three, clothing that is sold in Urban Outfitters is often alternative, on trend but at the same time they also offer plain clothing. This would be a perfect place to source any costumes that we don't already have.

Question: What sort of locations would you expect to see?





Fields and empty areas was an answer that was picked by all but one audience member. This means that we will most certainly incorporate that into our video as well as Busy city/town to juxtapose them. This would fit in with the theory by Blumer and Katz as our audiences could use our media as a form of escapsim and the locations that the audiences have chosen would tie in with this regardless if it was a busy or empty location as the main character would always look isolated as they are alone. 



The survey- https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HY9CT8S

Audience consumptions

The theory that we looked at looks at the idea that people consume media for uses and gratifications (Blumer and Katz). This explains why people use the media:
- For information
- For personal Identity
- For Entertainment
- For Integration and Social interactions.

If our audience were going to consume our product for entertainment then we would use a range of shot types and editing skills to draw the audience in and to interest them.

If our audience were going to consume our product for escapism then we would use a variety of props, make up and unique costumes to make the audience realise the difference between reality and give them an escape.

If our audience were going to consume our product for information seeking, we would provide the audience with information about the artist, then giving the audience the information that they were after. This could be through the use of filming locations that have relations with the artist.

If our audience were going to consume our product for personal identity we would relate to the audience through showing content that creates emotions.