Album back cover

cd cover

my evaluaion presentation is not very good quality!! grrrrr

Gina Evaluation

Year 13 Media Production Task

VIDEO!

we think we have finally finished our music video, just waiting for it to go on youtube! but its taking ages...

Website!!!!

This is our website the write up is in the evaluation...

Evaluation

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

I think that we managed to use, develop and even change some of the forms and conventions of our band for MuteMath. For instance we had to change some of the stereotypical mise en scene, for instance the costume and the props. We had to change the costume, as we didn't have any suits which the would be similar to what the band wares therefore we had to change to a modern take on it, jeans with a casual shirt, with converse trainers so it was a grunge style. We also had to change the key prop, which is MuteMaths retro style microphone, as we couldn't get one due to the cost of one and our college didn't own one. We made it as a narrative and performance video, which contrasts to the original one which was only a narrative film. We kept to the lyrics of the song to give us ideas, which then gave us a great narrative.

1. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

We have used similar images throughout the products to link them together as this would be done in reality. We used the same black and white format for our photos and for the album cover. This represents the spotlight in the video and a spotlight in general. The website is more white than black as it doesn't just involve the spotlight idea on it but other videos and things that the actual band have been up to, for instance the New york news, but we kept our band photos on it to keep with the spotlight them.

1. What have you learned from your audience feedback?

The main feedback we received was for the design of our website and other design features such as the Album covers and our blog. We did this by having polls on our blog so it would be easy for people to vote on our designs. We got a couple of people to look at the first rough cut of the video. They said that it looked good, but that the editing of the video could of been sharper with the lip sinking. They said that the website looks good and professional, but seemed a little bit over crowded. The Album cover also looked good as it was also done with Photoshop like the website. To gain more audience feedback we will also put our finished video on to YouTube. We eventually managed to gain some feedback as we finished the film, they said that the editing was fast and kept with the pace of the music, but the actual narritve was a bit hard to follow until the end.

1. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

We used many different types of software, mainly Photoshop and adobe Premiere and also the blog, with lesser use of paint and Dreamweaver. We also use media hardware such as a digital camera, recordable camera and a tripod. We had many problems with the software as it would sometimes not work or we were unable to manipulate the software and use it to our full advantage. We used the software continuously during the project. With the blog we have been able to record our progress, by posting messages, adding pictures and also being able to upload videos. We used premiere to edit our film, the same as last year. We used some of the built in special affects to create our video and our backstage video. I used Photoshop to edit images and created our website design using it. At first, I found it hard to use as we were not told how to use by anyone, but I eventually got used to it.

We also managed to finally finish the video,but we cut it very fine to the deadline due to all the tecnological problems and casting issues. We used many affects which we didn't use last year. For example zooming into parts of the filming and the solorised affect which fitted into the theme of the song.

Website

Gina and I have been trying to create our website for the band MuteMath. We have been using dream weaver, but we were having difficulties designing the actual website with that particular programme. We stopped using dream weaver as it was difficult to enter text, change layout of the pictures and the general layout its self as we used a table format. We then decided to change to photo shop, as it was a lot easier to change layout and to add special features which we found difficult in dream weaver, we also thought that dream weaver would be better to use if we were implementing the design into an actual website.

Changes and plan

We have had to change the story board slightly in order to get the video finished in time. Although the ideas that we originally had were great, and would probably work better in the video, we just do not have the people, time or resources to shoot what we need to. There-fore we hope that the changes work in well with the rest of the narrative of the video.
The plan for the rest of the week is to film the final scenes later on today. This can be done during our period five lesson and obviously after school. Between the three of us we have plenty of frees to be doing the final editing, and finishing off the CD cover and website. We are aiming to finish the latter tomorrow morning as all that needs adding to them are pictures but as always, something is bound to go wrong which may delay us, but fingers crossed that everything will go to plan.
We are also writing our evaluations separately, and will then film each other for our evaluation and backstage video.
This will all be done by this Friday, we have no choice so again, fingers crossed that everything goes to plan and nothing holds us up or messes us about any more. :)

DVD Cover ideas

Some ideas for the DVD cover is a complete black background with a spotlight on it, with a picture from the video and our makeshift font, with information on the back.
Another idea is to have the pictures from our website idea and to have them on the front of the cover, again with the information on the back.

stuff still to do

We still have to add many clips as we are still filming, so as soon as we have the clips we adding it as we go. We still have to finish of the website home page for the band and the evaluation questions which will also need to be filmed and edited, which is going to take time to complete.

Change of cast

We have had to re-shoot some of the video due to the change of the cast. Originally we had Piers as the geek in the early days of filming, but it has now changed to Lewis, a member of our media class. We also needed a drummer, our original one, Joelly is no longer able too, so I have had to replace her as the drummer. Gina is a guitarist and Charlotte is mostly behind the camera doing most of the filming. We still put in equal input about the direction of the video to see what is the better idea or the better shot. Luckily, both Adams are still able to film. We are continuing filming tonight and hopefully finishing the band shots.

Website pictures

These are the pictures we are going to use on the website. They include pictures of te band, the video, performance shots and even some pictures that 'fans' have taken themselves. This is so the 'fans' and audience feel part of the band.

Backstage video editing cont.

I have made a few adjustments to the backstage video, for instance, croping the clips and inserting it into random places with the spotlight song in the background. We will have the evaluations after the backstage footage.

This is part of our editing, this shot is during the first band performance, when the geek meets the band.
This is part of the process of editing including some of the transitions we are going to be using.
Also it shows how much we have dont towards the editing so far. Some of these pictures are going to be used on our website which is going to be the final peice with our coursework. With this we are also doing a backstage video that will be part of our evaluation, also we are going to include some written text to go with it this is so we can explain most of the points that we miss out while speaking as we are going to do it sponteously (no script.) We did a backstage video for last years production piece which we may put on the blog as en example of our work. We choose to do a backstage video because when we did it last year, me and charlotte did the backstage video while filming and then did three intense days of editing.

Editing

Today we started editing we also started the backstage footage as well as our main video. We still need to do more filming to fill in the gaps in the video, so we will be busy and hopefully get it all done by the deadline.

This is a picture of the backstage editing, with part of the resorce video, on the left, and the actual video its self on the right. I also inserted title slides in the the video like so:

HAHAHAHAHA - Filming day 4

This is meant to be part of some filming that we did the other day. When watching it back we realised that Adam (lead singer) did this cheeky litle smile that kind of summed up the whole video and it was right at the end! should be able to put it up tomorrow or at least a picture of it:)

30 seconds to mars videos

I have choosen to put these videos on the blog because, firstly there just really good videos the settings are amazing! If we had a limitless budet i wouldn' have minded filming somewhere like china! Also the shots used during the video are amazing. For example the second video is filmed in and around ice and ice burgs, to show the isolated surroundings it uses establishing shots that show the whole surroundings. This makes the band look tiny in comparison. This idea also fits in with the lyrics of the song.
I really like the beginning of the video shot in China. The High angle shot of the army before the song starts is a great use of framing that makes them look quite threatening but at the same time quite prestigous...

30 seconds to mars the kill

30 seconds to mars

More filming

Wednesday, today we did some more filming. We included doing some shots of The geek and the girl he likes (ella.) We shot some different things that were not in the storyboard this was so we could add anything if we ran out of footage or song. These shots included, the geek and the girl finally talking to each other. We also did some shots of the lead singer pulling the geek up when he falls over.
We did experience some problems during todays filming however when we were not allowed to use the hall or music block for filming, we then had to use the sixth form centre. In the end this wasn't so bad as it turned out to be quite a large space that allowed us to get quite alot of filming done. More filming to come...

EVALUATION - how we will be doing it

Our evaluation will be produced in two forms. One will be through blog posts, we will produce a write up in an answer to each of the questions. The other form will be through backstage videos with questions asked to each of us aswell as the actors. This will also be published on the blog once it is finished.

Filming!

Monday evening, Charlotte did some filming of the main band member, the lead singer with the geek. The main shots filmed included lots of different vital CU's of the lead singer (Adam) and M2shots of the geek (Lewis) and the lead singer. Using the actual song in the background helped ensure that the lip sinking was in time. Charlotte designed a dolly this meant that we are now able to shoot footage that moved steadily along without having the problems of movement in the actual shot. This also meant that we could continually film the actors without stopping, we could then film a lot more than if we had started and stopped during different shot.
The setting used, included the hall this meant that the lighting could be controlled and that there was a wide amount of space to use. Props used during yesterdays filming included microphone and mic stands that were kindly supplied by the music block. More filming will continue tomorrow when the whole cast is scedualed to take part - fingers crossed.

Death Cab For Cutie Homepage

http://www.deathcabforcutie.com/home - The 'Death Cab For Cutie' homepage is similar to the original homepage of MuteMath and the song we are doing. It sticks to several main, bold colours, black, white and orange with a few beige colours. There is also a very fifties feel to the homepage as well, there is a fifties microphone (which MuteMath use most of the time and also in the original 'Spotlight' video.), radio and TV on the page which fits in with the style of MuteMath. The layout of the homepage also resembles a fifties record cover with the 'paperbag' stlye of spikes at the top and at the bottom of the page and the circle in the centre.

Technology and equipment which we will be using

There will be a number of technology that we will use to shoot our music video. The most important will be of course the camera. This is a small hand held camera so is easy to take with us on location. We have had experience with it before so there have not been many problems occurring. However we did experience difficulty with the disc used, at times it seems that it is not recording but this was over come by making sure we upload the disc properly before filming. Another piece of technology that we are using is not to do with the filming but with the album cover that we will be producing. To make the album cover, we will be using the software Photoshop. We have all had to learn how to use this and at the beginning this was quite difficult, but we practiced and are now ready to complete our album cover. A final piece of technology is the lighting, for which will occur both at the beginning and at the end. We hope to use the school spotlights for the end to create a performance feel to it. At the beginning when a spotlight appears over each of the band members, again we hope to use the school spotlights with the rest of the hall pitch black, this will create an illusion of professionalism.
When it comes to equipment this does not just mean technology, for instance, for one shot we will be panning round the main character but we do not want to do this hand held. So we came up with the idea of the dolly. One idea for this was that we would take the top off of the swivel chair and attach the tri-pod and camera to the bottom. We already new that the year previous this had been used so we were confident that it would work again. By using the dolly we will hopefully gain a smooth pan around the character.

Paramore: Misery Buisness

Paramore reference

Paramores Misery Buiness video is quite a stereotypical vdieo because it features some of the main conventions within music videos. Its similar to our video becasue it too is set in a school. This is because it appeals to the actual target audience, they are either at school or they have just been at school, in sixth form for example. Our audience is similer, this si also why our audience during the performance during the end of the video are also this age, they are teenagers at school.
Another key feature is the use of band motif and the logo situated around and in the video. for example during the shots of the band performing in a room the room focases around the word Riot! which is the name of the album. It also implies some rebellion within the genre which is stereotypical to the target audience. We also include this type of rebellion, we are implying that anyone can be confident and rebel against the label that they have been given within school e.g. Geek, Goth, Emo. I think our video really explores some of the ideas of stereotypical images and labels within media. with regard to visual representation we use the use of costume and props to reiterate the image further. We tried to include some visual links with the lyrics, this is similar to other bands within this genre bands such as People in Planes and Future in Forestry. For example we use a poster that says the lyrics within the song on it. This draws the readers eye towards it and makes then think about what the lyrics actually mean.

Website ideas

We as a group have decided to produce an album cover and a website page in addition to our music video. Gina has already talked about our inspiration for the album cover, and it shouldn't be long before we put a picture of it on the blog. I am going to talk about how we have got ideas for the web page that we are going to do.
In preparation for producing our website page for our band we have looked at not only MuteMath's web page, but also similar bands to get an idea of the themes and conventions of these pages and how they link to the themes and convensions of the band and the genre of music.
The MuteMath website sticks with the colours that are usually displayed on MuteMath posters, album covers etc. This means that the audience recognise and associate the webpage automatically to MuteMath. We also looked at the People in Planes website, as we feel that their music is similar to that of MuteMaths. They have also stuck to the colour themes of the band. For our webpage we will be using the colours that we have chosen for our album cover; black, blues and neutrals. (The colours on our blog also represent the colour themes that we are using for our band).
People in Planes also includes the use of graphics on their webpage, where as MuteMaths does not. The graphics relate to the graphics which feature in some of their recent music video. For the band People in Planes, graphics are a constant feature when it comes to their music videos so they have obviously played on this when it came to designing their webpage. A constant feature for the band MuteMath is the style of picture they have. This involves the band either performing some unusual move or the band placed in an usual setting, overall the pictures are unique in their own way. This is featured on the band webpage, with the band members appearing to be running but almost like a spaceman's run (without gravity). We may also include a picture of the band.
We also found that another common feature on band websites, their recent song has been embeded, this is probably to keep fans informed about recent releases, we will also attempt this.
In addition, we found from the Linkin Park website, links to socia networks e.g. facebook and twitter. This would have been done as social networking is one of the most popular forms of communication in the 21st century, and also to attract the audience to use it.
By Charlotte

Existing album covers (inspiration)

These are MuteMaths already existing album covers. We are taking some conventions and ideas from them as we think their image is an important part of the band.
Some of these conventions include quite dull, dark colours such as, greys, greens and blues. One of them is even black and white a feature which we have included in our video itself. There is also a shadowey tint included in them that could symbolise the reflection of the spotlight in our ideas for the album cover. We have also noticed that there is mostly something auirky featured within the cover. for example the band having TVs instead of heads is quite intersesting. This immediantly attracts the audience towards the band memebers as they also notice that something is wrong/ different about the picture. there album covers include some interesting voyerism in that as you look at the album covers it feels as if they are looking at you - if that makes sense. This is quite effective in attracting people to buy the album/ EP because they are immedianly interested in it. In our albm cover we have tried to use these similarities in that we have included the band jumping/ climbing out of a spotlight, this is a link to the video and the theme as the actual single is called 'Spotlight.'

Our music video in reference to the genre conventions.

Our music video, is from the perspective of the alternative rock/indie genre. Whats that you may ask? Well below posts may explain the conventions of this but we are going to explain how our video fits this using different variations of Mise-en-scene.
To start a typical video within this genre has to include mainly in the research we have partaken a performance aspect as well as a narrative based aspect. In our Music video we have included both for example at the beginning you first see the band and the main character together, this is similer to he video by Paramore but they kept the character apart from the band whereas we put them together, a revolutionary idea maybe but we will let you decide when watching the video itself. This is the narrative itself, that the band helps the geek develop a personality. The performance part comes into the video during the end, this is when in effact the geek as been liberated, for want of a better word and now has the confidence to get up in front of an audience.
Camera angles: These are very important as they they are what the audience is looking through to understand and enjoy the video. We used quite alot of CU of the band memebers, this shows them lip sinking and acting to the lyrics of the song, this can show the relationship between lyrics and narrative. Also in the performance based part we included alot of LS showing of the band and the audience reaction towards them, this is present in lots of alternative rock music videos, also during live performances and as we are filming it like one it needs to have the live feel.

Animatic/ story board Planning

Charlotte and Rachel drawing the story board.

Rachel drawing the storyboard.

Gina drawing the storyboard.

Mutemath merchandise

This is a range of Mutemath merchandise including a poster, album, T-shirt and some other things to promote their new CD. This would give use some more ideas how to sell merchandise (if we were actually marketing our video and products.) The main things these product have in common is the image and also the text, from this we are able to see that the image and text is key to being recognisable and successful.

Poll results

Our results for our polls are as followed:

40% of people thought that the second spotlight font is better than the other three, and half the people thought that the forth font was better than the rest. So these are the fonts we will most likely use due to popular demand and that the fonts alos fit in with the genre of music and also the narritve of the song.

Our music video explained Part one.

The story behind our music video is not unheard of but we have tried to make as original as possible. It begains with a streotypical 'Geeky' looking boy in his room. The representation of this character is questionable as the definition of 'Geek' is not a fixed term. Everyboy has there own interpretation of what this term means. So with this in mind we developed a character that to all of us came across as a 'Geek'. We did this via props and costume. for example; in the bedroom we have PacMan posters and a simpsons duvet, with Starwars things dotted around. The geek himself has quite messy hair showing that he doesn't care too much about his apperance, which is part of the narrative itself. He has quite typical clothes, normal looking shirt, but the main part of the costume includes a pair of quite commical glasses.
The Geeks bedroom from our anamatic.

The Geek.

The whole narrative focuses on how the geek is always overlooked by people. more importantly by the girl he likes. The scene where he is walking along the corridor behind her shows how shy he is and that he is embarressed. As the song goes on the character develops through the help of the band members as they are quite 'popular.' Its also quite ironic that the geek actually has a MuteMath poster in his bedroom and they turn up to help him and his self esteme.
The band memebers are represetated as the complete opposite to the geek. They are confident and this comes accross in there costumes and through the narrative. For example the band members hair, is instantly recogniseable as we took examples from everyday people walking in the street, it shows that they take care in their appearance. The clothes they wear include tight 'skinny' jeans and tight tops showing that they like being looked at and they are comfortable about themselves and their well established image. Also their body language reflects that of a confident group of people. Unlike the geek who has a weak and reserved personality showing isolation.
A band Member: the lead singer.

The location featured in our video includes the geeks bedroom mentioned above, the Performance part is being filmed in our school hall with spotlights on the different characters, this is so the audience can focas and be attracted to each character. The target audience may also be attracted as the age we targeted may still be at school, or older people will remember being at school, this helps the audience relate to the characters. The scene with the geek and the girl in it is also set in the school.
The performance part of the video in the school.

Effects and lighting: Due to the low budget we have been quite limited with use of these. However we were thinking of adding some animations if possiable, providing we have enough time during the editing process. These will include some writing moving around the characters head, similar to that included in the People in Planes video 'Pretty Buildings' which is on the blog. The use of the spotlights and the transition between some shots is crucial as it shows the geek being 'transported' to another part of the song. For example when he goes from getting his hair cut by other members to having his room and clothes changed.
The spotlight transition.
Animatic to come!

History of music video

Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings. They became popular in the 1980s, when MTV based their format around the medium, and later with the launch of VH1. The term 'music video' first came into popular usage in the early 1980s. Prior to that time, these works were described by various terms including 'filmed insert', 'promotional (promo) film/clip' or 'film clip'. Music videos use a wide range of styles of film making techniques, including animation, live action filming, and non-narrative approaches such as abstract film, which allows artists and bands to do basically anything they want in their music video. Some music videos blend different styles, such as animation and live action, or switch between different narratives, such as performance and a 'story' based ones.

In 1975, the band Queen ordered Bruce Gowers to make a promo video for their new single "Bohemian Rhapsody" to show it in Top Of The Pops; this is also notable for being entirely shot and edited on videotape. It's considered to be a groundbreaking video as it helped establish the visual language of the modern music video. Although critical reaction was initially mixed, especially in the US, "Bohemian Rhapsody" is often considered to be a masterpiece by Queen and one of the greatest rock songs of all time.

To watch the video click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VXc2eZtPN0

The Muppet's also did a take on the song where it involved all/most of the Muppet cast. They kept to the main narrative as in the video which gives it the similarity to the original video, it keeps the black background and the spotlights at the start which mirrors the original video. They even have some performance narrative in it, when 'animal' plays the drums.

To watch the clip click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbNymZ7vqY

We are referencing parts of the video, epically the start, where the four of them stand in the darkness and the spotlight comes on. Instead of them standing close together we are having them standing apart with them playing their instruments. Also the general darkness of the video and having a performance at the end of our video.

Another reference to our original storyboard is the shopping centre part in our video. This is similar to the Avril Lavigne, 'complicated' video where they are creating mayhem in the shopping Mall. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGXYAJoDWCk

Other videos which follow our sort of narrative is Fall out boy's 'Dance Dance' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6MOKXm8x50) and also Bowling for soup's 'High school never ends' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IRs7e58dsY). These both show a character in the narrative starting as a geek and then turning out to be the protagonist of the video. For example both 'geek heroes' at the end get the girl, or become popular among their peers.

Last day to vote for the poll!

Quick! last day to vote for your favourite band fonts! only 14 hours! :)

People in Planes - Pretty Buildings video analysis

This is the video i analised, it has some similarities with our video. It also uses the spotlight idea (2:50) but in a different context. There is good character development without a strong narrative, there is no performance in this however which is different to ours.

Similar bands - People in Planes, video analaysis

People in Planes – Pretty Buildings. Analaysis
♪ Genre Characteristics: Girl is wearing a typical hoody that will appeal to right aged audience. The colour scheme is dark and gloomy which also appeals to a younger audience. First meet the character who is a girl. Everything looks sad and the character is showing no emotion. Lots of quick and slow panning around the character making her centre of attention. She walks into a bare room, looks like she lives on her own. Quite young, teenager, Costume/ prop she is wearing a school bag on her back.
o Next story he is a man sitting on his own, quite depressing. Same colour dull mustered yellow. He is making something that is obviously quite important to him

♪ Relationship between lyrics and music: The girl at the beginning sits down and shows the camera her drawings of the ‘Pretty buildings’ she starts drawing, quite expressive, the lyrics are “dive into sleep... dream of pretty buildings” as she chucks something on to her bed. She then holds up a visual representation which shows how she is feeling, “ break this silence.” It then slowly zooms into the sign “telegraph your points of view, Sheppard me from silence.” The actual telegraph says “break this silence” “I don’t wanna feel this low again” moves from the sad animation to going through another window which is the start or the next story.
o This story starts with a single man, again sitting on his own completely isolated. Horrible miserable room that doesn’t really show any emotion like the character. “I ain’t gunna steal your flame again” “Let’s talk about it” he picks up a glass of what looks like whiskey meaning that he is really depressed about his life, especially as he is then looking up at maybe his family.
♪ Relationship between music and visuals:
♪ Beginning shot is an establishing shot of buildings in rain while, sombre piano music starts the song, sets the mood and lets the audience know what theme the video will have. Slow pan inwards to show windows. Moves to the quick zoom in, into a dark gloomy corridor. “I don’t wanna feel comes up on the telegraph which is also in the chorus and again explains how she feels. During this part of the song her drawings come alive and the actual building is alive in her picture. This part has black and white animation, that moves to the beat of the music, quite strange sequence, maybe what’s going on in her head? Another picture then comes up of her crying “TALK” comes up in really big writing but this doesn’t seem to help.
o Similar to beginning but this time the camera zooms into the cartoon window of the house again showing a different story, this then zooms into a LS that slowly zooms into a pan round that concentrates on the character. “I don’t wanna feel” you see the characters emotion on his face as he is using the scissors. The background has lots of pictures on it that he then looks at pained as if something is really the matter. It then goes to behind him as if the audience is really there , the ECU of his hands building his model is quite personal, it shows the care that he is putting into his, by the looks of it lives work. The animation then starts again with what looks snow in the background meaning its quite cold and un-feeling shot of him sitting on his own. Maybe his wife/ family left him because she didn’t like what he was building or that he spent all his time doing it instead of family time. It then goes to the rest of the animation which strangely enough cuts to include scissors which the man was using, could it even mean that he is so depressed he is thinking about violent things?
 After this shot it then quickly zooms into another window which again tells another story. This time there are two people maybe in a relationship, but they don’t look very happy. You have the LS showing both characters quite away from eash other, the distance between then could reflect the way they feel about each other. Also the man is stading up which makes him look like he is looking over the women (notion of looking.)
♪ CUs Etc. + image motifs
♪ Notion of looking: The audience feel as if they are looking in on the different characters stories, quite personal as they each have something they are hurting about but they are not telling anyone.
 The shot of the two people you have the notion of looking
♪ Intertextual references
♪ Performance + narrative based – very much narrative based, has each different story of each character, there isn’t any performance as you don’t get to see the actual band at all.
♪ Mise – En – Scene. The use of lighting is quite interesting, it’s very dark apart from one single bright light which shines in what the depressing people find is the most important parts of their lives.
o Costume: First girl is wearing a typical hoody. She is quite pretty but doesn’t look like she cares about that (long hair normal looking.) Second man is wearing simple clothes, a white top and an old red checked top, looks like he also doesn’t really care about his appearance. His hair is flat and quite geeky looking he also wears quite geeky rimmed glasses that are quite old fashioned.

Font ideas for the song title.

Again these are the fonts we have chosen for the song title. They fit the 'spotlight' criteria that features in the song and the video itself. Again there will a poll where you can vote for your favourite font, again numbered 1 to 4 from the top.

MuteMath, Band fonts

These are the fonts that we have chosen for the band. They are slightly geeky which fits in with our video and the band promotion. Please fill out the poll on the right of the blog. Fonts are numbered in order 1 to 4 just vote which one you prefer!

Change of Plans

Due to difficulty we have decided to not to shoot at Queensgate but to shoot it at one of our homes. We will have the 'Geek' put on cloths and pan round him whilst seeing him put on cloths. We will also have to create a make-shift dolly to stick the camera on it. Our lead singer also came back from Australia so that means we don't need to re-shoot the parts we already have.

Poster and Album cover ideas contin.

Our main idea is now to focus mainly on a still with the band from the video or to take a still photo and use it as our album/poster idea. One inspiration is from a previous Mutemath album cover where the bands faces are replaced with an actual spotlight.

They also had a second album cover for this album where they have an outside stage rather than the band. We can tell it's the same album due to the same font they use on both covers. This would be a good still idea as it's not directly taken from the video. If we where to focus on this image we would change how the band stands in the photo and remove the spotlight from their faces and place them somewhere else, e.g. behind the band for instance.

Another main inspiration throughout our project has been Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, as they use many spotlights throughout their music video. They used a still as their main single/album cover which works well as there wasn't any direct narrative in the video. It also works as it's memorable and is instantly recoginesed to be the bohemian rhapsody cover.

Another out there idea is to have a close up image of any type of light with an 'M' in it,like Metric Fantasies in the old type light bulbs surrounded in darkness. Instead of the bulb, use a spotlight instead but have an M on it. Similar to the Batman signal.

Conventions of a Rock music video

The most obvious convention of a rock video is that they tend to be both narrative and performance based. The narrative tends to show a romance between the lead singer and a girl, action based or even some form of current affair. Whereas the performance tends to be just the band with an audience performing to them, or just themselves playing to the camera.
Another main aspect of conventions would be the band logo. This is sometimes shown in a music video so the audience knows who's video it is. It tends to be shown for only a few seconds in the video, but is still Identifiable by the fans of the artist/band. Mise en scene is also a key factor when it comes to the video as props, location and costume have to fit with the narrative and also the genre of the music.
In early rock and the 1960s, bands made many promo films for instance, The Beatles made a 'Hard Day's Night'. Many bands from other genres also made feature films, such as Cliff Richards 'Summer holiday'.

Due to poor weather conditions we where unable to do any filming over Christmas. Due to snow on the last day, we didn't any camera's to film and our lead singer was in Australia. So the plan is to do as much filming asap. We will have to hope that Queensgate will allow us to do filming on another day. We have to find another lead singer and re-shoot the things we already have.