Evaluation of the Filming - both bar and street scene

Bar Scene
Positives:

• I filmed lots of takes and shots around the location.
• The actors and props were all there.
• Everyone enjoyed themselves
• I was impressed with the costumes, especially the main actor

Disadvantages:

• The clips look yellow due to the lighting in the bar
• Some of the shot quality in the clips could be improved (shakey camera, unprofessional)

Overall, the quality of films and clips should be good enough and the amount of clips should be fine for my music video. I think the yellow lighting can be changed by adding effects on Adobe Premiere.

Street Scene
Positives:

• We got all of the filming done.
• The costumes and scene helps add verisimilitude.
• The actor looks and matches the voice on the track.

Negatives:

• I filmed in the evening, so the lighting changed durasticvall from when I began filming- this may affect my production, may cause a reshoot. 

Overall, the shoot went well. We took loads of shots again and I should have lots to play with and to add to the music video. I hope when I look back at the filming the lighting can be improved, even with using a large garden light to help show the visuals it does still look quite dark. Anyway, tomorrow I shall look over the clips and begin to piece together the clips in order, then add the effect when they are placed in the correct order.   

Organising the second film shoot

I have planned to meet up with Tom (the main artist) to finish filming the music video next Wednesday at 5pm. I have planned to an old abandoned street and I need it to be dark so we will be filming in the evening. This location will be the first location visualised on the screen and will represent the tense introduction to the track. 
Again social media helped me organise this shoot effectively. 

A Timeline of My Journey Through Media

http://timeglider.com/t/9806a6e8ea1eb3b9?min_zoom=1&max_zoom=100

Key elements in creating a Digipak

This is a spider diagram of some things I have to include in my Digipak to ensure that it promotes the artist and looks appealing to the correct target audience.

Interesting Fonts for either My Website or Digipak

The type of font is crucial for both website and digipak. They help refine the genre and add clarity for the audience choosing the correct genre of music.

Here are a few ideas of fonts I could choose:

Some Websites which have some interesting fonts relating to my genre:

http://www.ffonts.net/ska-Bold.font 

http://www.1001fonts.com/ska-fonts.html

http://www.fontspace.com/category/punk

Other Task's - Looking at CD cases and Digipaks

Not only do I have to make a music video, I have to make a Website and a Digipak for my artist. Now I have begun filming, I further enhance my research on these products and what I need to research and certain area I need to concern and develop in producing a Digipak and a Website. 

Location - The Second Shoot

For the introduction of the track I was planning on filming it on a alleyway or a old, abandoned scruffy road. This is to target the main artist in being lonely. Preferably a road/street would be more suitable due to the depth of field enhancing his loneliness and his poverty. I was going to make him look similar to a stereotypical homeless person; poor, drunk and scruffy.

This would suit the introduction, however it is too narrow which makes it more difficult to film. Also, I was going to add a bigger depth of field which makes the character look more lonesome. 

Plan Ahead - Upcoming Week

My next target is to finish the complete film, meaning get the filming done for the introduction of the track. This should be more easier to organise and conduct, as I need to sort a good time for the actor. 
Also, next week I shall look over (in more detail) the filming which I have done today. This should decide whether another shoot is needed, or what I have filmed is fine. This would mean that I could start straight away with editing the visuals with the music track. 

Costumes

These are the actors and their costumes. I tried to get the best people to act who look like they would fit the voice and tone of the song. 

Main Actor

Long grey coat - mystery

Shirt - Older looking

Hat - mystery and makes him look old.

Beard - Old, scruffy, rough

Background Cast- Friends sitting in a pub having a laugh

Older people acting - old

men - old, rough, working men

women - older, more casual, 

young girls - young, eye catchy

Landlord (the actual landlord of the pub!)

Old shirt - old

bold - old and rough 

1st Filming Shoot Complete

I have finished the first and the majority of the filming in the pub. I felt it went really well to say I had brief ideas of what I was going to film. I filmed all ideas I had, and if the cast did anything or thought of anything interesting I would then film it. From having a brief look over the clips, I believe I got lots filmed, however some of the quality of a few of the clips were not as good as hoped. 
I was really impressed of the way my actors were enthusiastic and would do anything for the film. Also their attitude in working together was essential for the shoot being successful. 

Blueprint on How to make a Successful Film Shoot

This powerpoint helps explain how to create a successful film shoot, getting everything filmed and sorted in the time of the shoot.

 

Recap of my task

My aim for filming this video is to:

• link it to the genre of the track- mise en scene, etc. 
• understand the camera movement in music videos
• stay creative- try not to film something to similar to another video, make it original!

These will be my main focusses of filming, and get me in the right mindset to produce something at a good standard and also allows us (the cast and I) to have a laugh and enjoy it.

I aim to finish the majority of filming by today, if anything unexpected does happen, I will make the most of it and filming everything I can, and if I have to I will organise another reshoot if when looking at the clips the quality isn't good enough. 

The day before the shoot

Everything is set for the shoot tomorrow. All actors know the time and place to meet for the shoot. Just getting everything ready which I will need to take to the set. Luckily the landlord has allowed me to use a whole room in the bar which lets me be open minded about space and actors. Also, he he allowed me to use some props: for example some beer glasses. Plus the actors have all got their costumes and know their roles and props they have got, which they are going to use for my video shoot. This made it easier for me to organise the props, however we still need to take somethings down to the shoot for example:

some old beer/whisky bottles 

Lyrics- to help the artist to lip synch

Tripod- To help make stabilised shots

iPod- So we could listen to the music 

being played (helps the main artist to 

lip-synch)

Recece Shots of Pub Location

These are images of where I will be filming the pub scene on Thursday.

Time Planning

I have organised all actor to meet at the pub for 1pm, and thankfully the landlord (my Dad's friend) has allowed us to  stay there till it gets busy (usually evening time). Although he gave us this amount of time some of the cast needed to leave earlier. I reckon we could film for at least two hours which should be plenty of time to get the correct setting. 

I have planned for us to film this Thursday, and I told everyone last week and organised everything then, so it should be no bother for people to come at that time. However,  if an unexpected occurrence happened, I could ask for some of the other people in the other side of the pub if they wouldn't mind filming. Again this shows me thinking ahead if any unexpected things happened. 

Plus this time gives me some more time to ensure that all of the props are ready for use and look good for in relation to linking to the theme. 

Themes I wish to create similar to...

These images are places I wish to imitate and have inspired my choice in mise en scene for my bar scene. They all have an old, evil, humorous atmosphere in their films, and I can take how and which props to use in my music video.

My theme's I wish to create in the filming

I believe (similar to Goodwin's theory) the theme in a music video should relate to the songs lyrics and genre. In my case the themes of this track is: beer, fighting, and women. The voice and lyrics match an older man through the 'boozy tone' of the track. Plus, this could be linked to the older generation from their past experiences, and their culture in the 70's and 80's.

To create this 'boozy' tone, I would have to manipulate the mise en scene, for example have beer/whisky bottles around the set, and preferably in an old pub. I have chosen this scene because I believe it matches to the theme of the song which helps it linking to the visuals of the song.

Breaking the 180 degree rule

The 180 degree rule is commonly used in film and television to help the video flow and not to disorientate the audience by changing the view from the camera. For example, in a conversation on TV the 180 degree rule would be used to make it easier for the audience to read the screen and understand the setting and situation the characters are in. 

However, in my music video, I was hoping to break the 180 degree rule when there is a change in the location; from the alleyway to the pub. By breaking the rule it can signify the difference of theme (relating to the track). The dramatic change in emotion of the song, would actually aid the change in 180 degree rule. I was thinking of having him stood and then the camera spins around him, then would fade to him inside the pub (the camera still spinning). Plus it links to the lyrics 'And you give the wheel of fortune one more spin ' which also relates to Goodwins Theory - visuals linking to the lyrics. 

Making my music video realistic

In my music video the sense of realism is crucial in order to appeal to my correct target audience. If we suddenly added crazy edits and flying magic unicorns into my music video, it would totally eradicate my intentions of creating a lighthearted humorous video aimed for older, middle aged adults. Therefore realism is crucial to entertain and humour the indented audience. My previous research also portrays several videos in a similar genre which portray humour through realistic circumstances, hence my reasons for relating to the correct genre aswell as to the correct target audience. 

By utilising certain the camerawork and mise en scene, I will ensure that verisimilitude will be reached to good effect so that it helps relate to the intended audience. 

Camerawork
From using the camerawork, I will ensure that I use it to produce a more effective video relating to making it realistic. For example, I could have a POV shot of my artist acting drunk, so the camera movement could sway more - creating verisimilitude. This helps enhance the audiences emotions and creates a bigger effect towards the audience. 

Mise en scene
I shall manipulate the mise en scene in order to make the video look more realistic. From using a running pub enhances this and the old scruffy theme exerting from the track I will enhance this by targeting the costumes. This will ensure that all aspects of mise en scene are added to greater effect.

How I am going to target the relevant audience

In media cinematographers utilise the micro-elements (sound, mise en scene, editing, and camerawork) in order to aim to their target audience. 

My audience is aimed specifically at the middle aged age range, and prominently males.

From looking at my research of looking at a range of how other videos in my genre relate to this demographic, I am aiming for the same themes. From combining all: 'gypsy punk', ska, and some elements of (dark) cabaret, these styles enable me to have a range of ideas interlinked to my many genres. This gives me an advantage to other group, however choosing a certain idea and sticking with it is difficult do to the many ideas I have. 

This presentation goes through my ideas in manipulating the mise en scene to relate to the target audience. 

Contingency Plan - Filming

I believe that having a Contingency Plan really helps boost your confidence if you are feeling unconfident about your film shoot not being perfect. A Contingency Plan is basically a 'back up' plan of your actual plans for the activity. By doing this I will have a more successful shoot, and can just follow this plan for help if things doesn't go right on the day. 

Contingency plan from allsoppj50

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessing the area is crucial in shooting a film. You cannot overrule the safety measures as if things unexpectedly happen and an injury occurs it can disrupt the whole set and would cause a reshoot. 

This safety measures for my set are the same from the Jesse J shoot. 

I would add that the props such as glasses and beer bottles would be used, so these need to be used for the appropriate use. Also, the pub has low roofs so I would have to warn people where they are in order to prevent injuries. 

Overall, I believe that the safety measures are not as severe as some of my previous shoots, but I will look out for the safety conditions anyway to ensure that we are less likely to cause injury. 

Camera Practise

This year I will be using a Conon EOS 1100D which personally I think is much better than the smaller Sony cameras, for both quality and handling. 

Over the Summer holiday I practised with the camera using many different types of shots ranging from the extreme long shots to close ups. By having this practise will help me to film the shots with better quality. This in addition to my Preliminary Exercise helps me know how to use the cameras different settings. For example the focus having to turn the lens in order to regain focus. This is required throughout my music video, as I am going to use the common conventions in the camera movement. 

Here is a few shots I took in the holidays focusing on learning how to focus and how to integrate the scenery into shots...

Last Minute Bail Out!

Unfortunately my female character has messaged me and said she is unable to get to the shoot due to an unexpected requirement at university. This was a major set back, and had to think on my feet to get someone suitable for the track. 
Fortunately, another friend was able to fill in and said she wouldn't mind filming. This was a great relief in having an extra female character. Further, it helps add more the performance/narrative. 

Thanks to social networking sites and her acceptance to take part, the unexpected absence at the last minute didn't take so long to amend. 

Organising

I am aiming to organise everyone to meet at the pub for around 1pm. I have used Twitter and Facebook, and phoning people to organise with the cast the time and place of the shoot. Social Networking sites are very useful for communicating to my actor and get information back fast. 

Comparing this to organising three people filming last year, it is much more difficult to organise a shoot as large as this on my own. However, support and personal work ethic is making things run more smoothly. 

The Plot

I am still ensure of what or which the best way to film the performance/narrative for the pub scene. I will ensure that the camera will always be moving to relate to the conventions of music videos. Also, I will ensure that the main artist is portrayed the main character and give him the 'star image' compared the the rest of the cast. This ensures that he will keep looking professional, plus enables the audience to clearly recognise the artist. This would help the promotion of the artist on the website and the digipak.

Due to some ideas being throw around and me being uncertain on what to choose, I shall just film as much as possible; from as much shots and angles around the bar. Plus, adding different actions from the cast.

Furthermore, by evaluating the recordings after the shoot will allow me to decide what works, what doesn't work and if there are any amendments/adjustments needed to the film (editing the clips), or expanding on a theme or narrative and having to do another shoot. 

Filming this week - preparations

I am hoping to film this week and get all or the majority of the filming finished for my music video. Up to yet it has been crazy trying to get things organised and people to film at the right time and day. 

Up to yet I have:

• A pub (can use it any time in the afternoon)
• my main artist
• a female actor
• a background cast 

They are all informed to be dressed old and scruffy to match it the theme. It will help create the setting and will help link the the genre. Also it appeals to the target audience in being old middle aged preferably males. These costumes and themes aid the appeal to the audience because the costumes and mise en scene relates to the the 'boozy' tone which are a common representation of middle aged males. 

Getting Ready for the Shoot - Costumes

I want ideally to be using quite smart clothes for the artist, however, worn in a scruffy manner. This shall make sure that it relates to the voice and theme the track exerts. Although my actor is quite young, therefore I will try and manipulate the mise en scene to make him look older and more scruffy for example his beard/costume/lighting etc.

I have a female character which I would want to dress more attractive maybe a short dress and preferably black, and make up wise she will wear make up and red lip stick. I'm no an expert with make up, but some elements of voyerism with be targeted so the artist could be attracted and I could add some entertaining scenarios between these characters.

Other extras will be there aswell, in the background. I want these more old and rough. This would again help relate to the song and add more effect for to the music video. Although these characters have not got a high profile in the video, they are crucial in setting the scene and atmosphere around the location which I want the encode into my video. 

Record Labels

I need to research some record labels for my band I have created. I will need to take into consideration the different types of in order of the size of the record label, and which ones relate to my music genre. 

Two Tone Records
This is a record label more specific to my genre. They are an English label which mostly released ska and reggae influenced music with a punk rock overtone. For example they were The Specials label, and helped them release records. They joined them in 1979, and released their debut single 'Gangsters' which became a top 10 single that summer. The great mix of a unique, upcoming band with an experienced label definitely aided their success proliferate. They were prominently a bigger organisation in the 80's when this genre of music was still popular. Their logo relates to their target genre, by using large bold font and a black and which image of an artist wearing a suit. This image is similar due to many bands wearing the same clothes, and usually suits when watching this genre. 

Moon Ska World
This label targets the ska/ska punk genre of music. The label was founded in 1983, however was rose to its prominence in the 1990's with bands such as The Toasters and The Slackers rising at their peak. They branched off to form the Ska Satellite Records to target very small acts with a small budget. 

These are some more logos of ska/punk/cabret music record labels.

This research has helped me understand in more depth the roles of a record label. This will help me decide what type of label I would create, from the research, it would be quite a small independent record labels. Also, by looking at a range of logos, I noticed that many are black and white, and many differ in the quality. This could reinforce the genre being more popular in the 70's and 80's. This could help me in producing the logo of my record label. Also, I could use many different types of themes due to my song linking to many genres. 

Record Labels

I will have to create a record label for my band/artist which links to the appropriate genre of music. A record label is an organisation which coordinates the production, distribution, marketing, advertisements and enforce copyright for an artist's/band's sound recordings and music videos. Having a record label is essential for artists to create and expand their audience. This aids the artist in getting more income by selling more records and selling out more gigs/concerts. 
  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Ska_record_labels 

Rubrick, SideOneDummy,Columbia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_label

Looking at different websites to gain inspiration

I have been looking at some themed websites to gain more ideas on what type of website I could produce. From looking at http://www.templatemonster.com I can look at a whole wide range of themes, this is one more relevent to my music track. It instantly looks older and has that 'boozy' look towards it (a similar theme to the track). 

I was thinking maybe adding instruments and the artist to a similar background. I could take photos of the mise en scene in the pub where we are filming, and create a rolling background similar to The Toaster's website (shown in the last post). 

More interesting themes I could use...

Research on websites

This is research to inspire and inform me on how to produce a website for a band/artist. It shall help me discover different layouts, fonts, events, and other information which will help create my website. These websites are within my genre so will help insipre my decisions in creating a website for my track.


Madness

• Images - It clearly portrays the band clearly by using many images of recent events which have occurred, tour dates and concerts.
• The layout - of the website is clear by using different sections for the different events. The genre connotes a lively tone, however the website mainly portrays more information than the genre characteristics.

• Tabs - Uses 10 tabs all to aim to promote and inform users of their band. It helps making it easier for users to search for specific information about the band.
• The Font - the yellow/gold font hints at the genre due to it's joyful and lively connotations.  

• Icons - They advertise their band on social networking sites, and are positioned at the bottom of the site with the contact information. This aids people to follow their band recent updates on Twitter for example. Many other sites are also advertised to help build their audience, and inform fans of recent albums and concert dates. 
• Logo - Their band logo is positioned in the top corner to make it clear it is their website. 
• Contact information - This to is positioned at the bottom of the screen. Such as giving phone numbers and email addresses for their: store, booking line, management, and for general enquires. 

Streetlight Manifesto

• Opening Screen - When you first enter the site, a large pop up of the bands concerts immediately appear. This helps to make the band gain more income by advertising tickets on sale and gives brief information on when and where the event takes place.
• Style - This website is organised similarly to a blog, which helps the users to easily view their recent updates on tours and events. Each blog post is listed and you can scroll down to fin out more about the bands actions and different things they have to offer.

• Images - On the main web site, they're many posters and pictures of the animations that are associated in some of their music videos. Posters of offers off their merchandise is also advertised throughout the website. 
• Icons - Similarly to the Madness website, it uses many icons to signify the social networking sites which it uses. This helps interact with their fans and update them on recent news of the band. 
• Videos - Their are videos embedded onto their site to enable users to view their music videos, the easy access would appeal to the audience. 

The Toasters 

• Opening Screen - This screen shot portrays the home page of their website. It is very simple, bright and colourful. This works really well to both make it easy to read and to attract their relevant audience. 
• Layout - Similarly to the Madness website again it is split into sections. The three boxes promotes recent and popular events. Also, they offer a subscription to allow the viewers to gain recent information. The rolling image at the top makes the site look more aesthetically pleasing, and also tags some recent events too. The tabs at the top further aid making it an easy layout for the viewers to use. 
• This website does not use icons or videos on the home page, this could be less appealing to the users. 

• Although the home page looks bright and colourful, the pages directed from the tabs show a bland range of information, using a basic font on a plain white background.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNbLHJdhayc

The band?

Initially I was going to use a band to film behind the artist and use for the narrative. However, I reckon I shall use no band, or maybe just have a person playing the saxophone who can be the artists friend in the narrative whilst also playing the instrument at the right time (in the bar scene).

The Ideal Saxophonist

I would like a male, who is dressed similar to the main artist and he has go to also look rough to suit the genre. Usually the band act and look funny to aid to the lighthearted tone of ska music. I could maybe use him to act the lyrics or maybe reverse this idea and keep the artist to act the lyrics.

My Artist

My video needs to consist of many characters and actors. From looking at my research there is a main character in each video, whom are mostly the artist who is in both the narrative and performance.

My ideal characters/artists

I am looking for a male who is quite old and looks quite rough. This would suit the gernre clearly and would also work well with my track. The voice and the general feel exerted by the track aids link to the ska and gypsy punk artists. This mood board shows some artists whom would suit my track and they have the correct appearance for my music video.

This Week

This week I am hoping to finalise my ideas, and finish my planning. I have organised two main characters already and need make sure I can get some background cast/extras to fill the bar. Also, mise en scene wise will need to be mostly completed but target to finish the mise en scene by two weeks. 

If this goes to plan, I should be able to begin filming in the half term. This allows me to have a week (plenty of time) to get all of my filming done and be ready to edit the clips when we start back. 

Target Audience

My video has many genres integrated in the track. It has genres such as ska and gypsy punk. These genres would generally relate to the older and male audience due to the genres were very popular in the 80's. I would say that especially the voice in my track represents a very old and rough looking male. This coupled with the lighthearted tone in the track helps its appeal towards their target audience.


I asked for responses on Facebook and the majority said it was aimed for middle aged adults (aged 30-40). 

These are some of the responses 

Camerawork

In my music video, I am planning on using many camera angles and movements which will help make the video flow.

I was going to begin with using close ups and mid shots to keep the tone more mysterious and intense. Close ups of: his face, beer bottles and shoes would be good in displaying his appearance. From researching other music videos in the genre, keeping the camera moving is crucial, I could do this by using more tracking shots around the central charater. Also, POV shots could be used if the character is looking at something important, linking to the song, or linking to the lyrics. This is another example of the Goodwin Theory.

When the middle section begins, I am thinking of using a whole range of shots around the central character and the band. Also, other characters and extras reaction would be included in the shots, meaning that I will have to consider my framing very strictly in order to gain the correct atmosphere and gerneral feeling throughout the video. Camerashots such as: close ups, mid shots, POV, pan, tracking, extreme close ups, will all be used in the main section. Some other shots maybe be also added. This wide range of shots will help flow with the upbeat section in the track. Keeping the camera moving in essential in this genre so every shot will have some (even if very little) movement in it.

When it comes to filming on the day, I was planning on taking plenty of shots, and use many takes in order to get the best clips from my range of clips.

 

 

This video portrays how a ska band's video uses camera movement. I think that the video works really well in portraying the genre.