Filming

Today we managed to film all of the scenes as planned. We planned to meet at college at 9:30, which almost most of us arrived on time. Some people came late due to traffic/buses arriving late. However, this did not affect filming, as we filmed all the shots which don't include the missing actors.

Overall, I think that today was very successful and well organised. It took us till 12:00, which was longer than expected. However we all decided to take at least 2/3 takes minimum for each shot. This was to ensure we could select the more appropriate and best filmed take for each shot, which will help our remake be as much alike the original as possible. Also, choosing an inset day enabled that we had plenty of time in filming, plus all facilities were free to use.

In the theatre, the light technician helped us change the lighting to what was required. We decided to darken the stairs and to have high key lighting on the stage, to emphasise the character and props in shot. Being able to use these facilities was a huge advantage in filming. 

Although there were many good points of today, there were some bad points:

• The props in the theatre were very unalike the sign post and building cut outs (as in the original).  
• Using the tripod as a prop made it very difficult to film, this consequently forced us to film the shots handheld. Which will conclude some of the shots to be shaky, making the film look less professional. 
• Not studying the music video long enough. We were relying on our internet from mobiles to know specific information for the actors and camera shots each scene (e.g. angle, position...).

These issues will lower the quality of the video, however are a good learning curve in knowing the problems that can occur during filming a music video, which will now aid me in my own production.

Action Plan
Now filming is completed for the preliminary task, we are editing the video individually. I am hoping to finish the editing and finalising the video by the 19th of July (in 3 weeks time).

Editing

Today, we began learning the different editing skills required to produce the music video. We looked at the other group's and our clips. Both clips look and resemble the video well, however the other group filmed less takes, meaning that we will have to make due and apply the clips given, or if desperate for many of the clips, we may have to discuss another shoot. 

Music Video Planning

Next week we have organised that all people n the group are to be in school on Wednesday 26th June (an inset day). This is so that we have all day to film, without any interuption by other students. Also it allows all the locations to be avaliable and free for use. Furthermore, the time alloted is 6 hours maximum, and for a remake of a music video that is plentyful.

From all the camera practise sessions we have had, filming should be of good quality. We have decided to keep a free-flowing camera movement for the shorter clips, and then in the editing we shall crop the clips to the correct time scale - as on the origional.

This is my overall plan, which includes: the weather forecast, contingency plans, and risk assessment.

 

A Successful Recreation

I have decided to look and alalyse other tracks that have been remade by other students. Doing this helps learn and pick up ideas from other people, which I could then apply the skills and techniques into my productions.


Price Tag - Jessie J

This video is almost identicle to the official video, as the: camera angles, editing, and performance (acting and lip synching) are produced extremely well. These techniques are vital in producing a remake of an official music video. The location and props definately help the production being successful. 

From viewing the video, I can take that they must have planned extremely well to film all of the shots and different scenes. Meaning that we will have to ensure that we plan everything before hand well, to ensure that the video is successful.

More in-depth planning of the mise en scene used within the music video

Props

Following the discussions earlier in the week, we have begun gathering and creating the props to match with the music video.

Here are all of the changes we have begun to produce:

Again, as a group we all have our roles and Ellie decided to create these images to resemble how we will try and mimic the actual props in Jessie J's version. 

Overall, the most difficult props to mimic is the large props in the theatre scene, however, we have planned to substitute a smaller prop in place as this will still create a similar effect. We have discussed and have permission to borrow props from the theatre in college which makes it easier to chose and gather the suitable props for the theatre.

Next week, we have planned to finish creating all of the props for the music video. 


Make-up

The make-up in the music video is different for the different characters. Ellie, Rebecca, and Faith have planned and organised the make up of set. These images below were created by Faith, who shows how we will try and copy the same make-up as the characters in shot. It shows Faith modelling the make-up style and a screen shot of the character in the music video. 

The Cleaner
She wears very little make-up to create a more rough looking woman. We shall use very little make-up as Faith is modelling. 
The make-up combined with the lyrics could connote to the poor job status, but also could represent the shy/weak characters (e.g. Jessie J and the cleaner) being stronger than the strong/arrogant characters (e.g. the Pink girl group and her classmates). Meaning that the little amount of make-up resembles her: personality (less confident) and her job (low status).

Jessie J actor
Again young Jessie does not wear much make-up, similar to the cleaner. This again emphasises her having a weak status against the other classmates. The cinematographers proliferate this effect in portraying moral ambiguity (good overcoming evil). This effect is further enhanced by utilising rhythmic editing. Flowing with the song, and using many shot changes could represent her bursting out emotion, which his resembled in frustration and anger on screen. As there are close ups in the music video, we have decided to use some make-up to emphasise these emotions, as Faith shows in the image.

The Dinner lady
In stark contrast to the cleaner and Jessie, the dinner lady over exaggerates her make-up to grab attention and could mean that she has low self esteem. However, her actions portrays her being very disinterested in her job, and chewing the gum portrays her being very 'grubby' which contrasts the stereotypical dinner lady.


From analysing the make-up, it is significance in portraying emotion. Also, in music videos it is used more regularly to help portray stereotypes of social classes, and exaggerate certain characters. I do not use make-up which makes this difficult, but other members in the specialise in applying it. 






Location

This image was produced by Ellie who has worked on the location. It portrays how we are going to reproduce Jessie J's music video, and what we are planning to substitute in to replace the videos shots. 

As you can see, filming at college is ideal due to the long corridors, theatre, and tall buildings. Looking at the images they are very similar, meaning that a similar effect will be encoded, which is our objective in relation to this task. 

Costumes

This slide show presents the costumes we will have to obtain in order to recreate this music video. Also, shows a contingency plan is in place to ensure that our film shoot is successful.

Risk Assessment

I produced this risk assessment to ensure that we prevent as much risk as possible. Safety is something over-seen in filming, but there are lots of risks in which directors and actors have to prevent and lower the risk of to ensure they can film. Hence producing this document enables the safest approach to film. 

• The first image is a list of risks, and how we will prevent them.

• The second image categorises the risks. By multiplying both numbers you find the reading either 'High', 'Medium', or 'Low'. This means that the highest risk has more priority in preventing, and the 'Low risk' has less significance. However, ideally all risks should have a procedure and way of preventing to ensure the best health and safety for people on set.

Being Organised...

Using Social Networking Sites

Social Networking sites are incredibly useful to communicate with people, and share files and links. I have decided to focus on using Facebook, because the I find I group message much more useful and clear than Twitter's message system. However, Twitter is also very useful to inform people you may not check/own a Facebook account. This group message will contain an ongoing discussion between all of our group so we are not solely relying on time at college. Also, links to short videos and other resources we create, like the practise shots I posted.

Other Resources

 Memory Stick                                                                                         SD Card

My Folder

These resources ensure that all, files, clips, and work is safe. They allow us to pass information quickly which increases our time to plan and film. These resources are essential in producing a music video in a group. 

Shot by Shot of Who's Laughing Now - Jessie J

This was created by Rebecca (group member), who searched the specific shots which were taken in the music video. This is a slide show that shows every single shot in which we are aiming to film (EXCLUDING THE CLASSROOM SCENES). It shows that we have many different shots which will put me in good practise for my music video. You may see that there are many classroom shots which will be missing, hence we have planned to edit the real inside classroom shots with our outside the classroom shots. 

Jessie j from Rebecca Dear

Jessie J Backstage

This video helps see the video actually being produced, and some of the equipment and technology they use. It has helped me recognise the amount of effort and things you have to accomplish to create a successful music video. In the video, you saw many people and camera men working, making it feel like its a none stop production. This can seem daunting for me in producing a music video with less people. However, helps me recognise if I was to go into this industry, I would need a skilled and supportive team working along side of me.

Practise Shots

This video includes us acting out some parts of the corridor scene- so everyones knows how to film the shots. However, there was trouble filming, with our Jessie J actor absent (due to a performing exam). Meaning that I stepped up to act, and allow other people (less confident) to use the camera as I can already film the shots. Also, it helps learn different techniques to move the camera, e.g. holding the tripod to gain a more stable video. 

This exercise was mainly used to know the different angles and camera movements.

Discussing the clip

First of all, we as a group watch and highlighted the parts of the song which we will be filming. This ensured that we focussed on our task.

Locations

Secondly, we knew our task was to imitate the official Jessie J music track. So we discussed were the best locations to film in. Overall we decided to stay in college, which made it easier to organise plus it suited the school setting in the actual music video, Meaning that it is the ideal location. The scenes filming are: corridor scenes, school hall scenes, and a cafeteria scene. 

We have decided to film some practise shots later in the week, to enable that when we do the official shoot, we will be fully organised and ready to get the best shots possible.

Props and Costumes

We discussed that to imitate the track well we needed suitable props and costumes. We knew that we wouldn't have the same props and costumes as there are on shot, meaning that we had to choose suitable replacements to give the same effect. 

My first Music Video Production

Today, we was given our first music video to reproduce. Our aim is to try and mimic the music video Who's Laughing Now by Jessie J. 

It is to understand the different types shots which is included in music videos. This will put us in good stead for our own take on a music video. Our group was instructed to produce the scenes outside of the classroom. Then, when the other group has finished, we shall edit both of the sections together to produce the full music video. 

Looking at the video, the camera is always moving to flow with the song. Also, many shots are used to add greater effect on showing the genre of song, and actions taking place. From studying music videos I have noticed that the video match the songs lyrics and genre. Also, rhythmic editing is commonly used to emphasise certain beats and lyrics. 

Interests in music videos

This blog post will be solely be about my coursework in A2 Media Studies. We will be creating and reinventing music videos, and this shall record my journey into producing music videos. I shall use some techniques and skills from AS Media (creating a film opening).

I love music, I enjoy to listen to anything which I can feel or relate to. Playing both the guitar and keyboard/piano really boosts my understanding of music and the production of music. This should hopefully boost my productions.

I enjoy many types of music videos, but the music videos using many effects and edits impress me the most. Some of Black Eyed Peas's music videos use these techniques:

Pump It