Test Edit 2/ Analysis

Alterations to make:

Here is the first full test edit for my music. There are still some alterations I want to make, including adding some footage of the lead singer in detention, to highlight rebellions against the institution against the school. But also an image of them standing all together in a line up with the word detention to highlight the similarities between school life and a penitentiary.

There are also edits I want to the footage I have already added to this test edit specifically, add some more colour variations between sets of footage. To highlight the different shots between band members, and enhance their overall identity in the music video.

I also want to add more splits screens at the end, with each of the band members in each corner and the lead singer in the middle, to finally highlight the persona of the band.

Analysis of what I have done so far:

I have used specifically black and white footage, to reference the desaturation of identity and demoralization that school can bring to individual children. Making them conform to society consensus norms and values. But it is also to reinforce the old school style of music videos, that are also performance based.

There is a section where I have used 3 split screens at the same time, of the lead singer in close up, when he beings to sing the first verse. This is to highlight who the lead singer is and the edgy-ness of this video . I have also used another split screen (at the beginning) of close ups of the lead guitar, to highlight the genre of the music video and that this video will be mostly performance base.

In a section before the chorus. I have used the crop tools to zoom in at different points during a section of the footage, which acts like a cut effect, to give the video a more edgy effect and gets the audience in suspense of the chorus.  I have also used flash transitions in the program I have to make the cuts more dramatic at the beginning, with the intro, which has a heavy, rocky base line.

I have also used different shots of the lead singer, moving along to the guitar and drum solos, to highlight the head banging associated with the genre, but also to make a link between visuals and the music.

Journal- More Print Screens

A screen shot of editing a section of clip, where I used the crop tool, to make a zoom effect into the lead singer. To give a quick cut effect, which was effective when the chorus was about to begin. I also at points used the zoom tool, so that it zoomed into the video without blurring. This is specifically for the chorus so the audience have to focus their attention onto the lead singer. Therefore enhancing the close up. 

Above is a screen shot of the multiple split screen of the lead singer, Jordan. To highlight the lead singer of the band, and give an edge to the music video. 

The screenshot above, shows all the layers, which I have used to differentiate, between different sections, like the lead singer, and drums. This was to make editing easier, so if the sections was missing I  could easily identify what it was and what i needed to replace it with.  

Journal

Last Friday, I did my final performance shooting with the band. It worked really well as I used two cameras positioned in different positions, to get different view points of the band. This is to give the video more perspective of the performance shots so the audience do not get board of the same camera angle. Is also to increase the edgy-ness of the video, and refer to the genre of the video.

(Above is a screen shot of the split screen, I created of a close up of the lead guitarists guitar, to highlight the genre of the music video, early on.)

I am currently also half way through editing my music video, so far there have been no problems with the correlation of the visuals of the main singer performing to the lyrics of the recording. I have give the performance a black and white effect to differentiate between the performance and the acting/narrative scenes, this is another way to stop the audience getting bored with the video.







Due to previous commitments of the band I have had to reschedule the minor acting scenes and the photo shoot till after christmas, but this is not a major issue. As theses shots can be filmed in a short period time after school. The photo shoot I have reschedule to take place during lunch time on the monday back at school after my lesson. Most of my digipack has been completed I just need the last 3 pictures to be edited and put on there.

Journal

Tomorrow I will be filming the last part of the performance shooting. However I will not be able to finish the acting filming till next week, due to the lead singer having previous commitments. But I will be posting test edits of my music video over the weekend to show my progress in editing.

Filming Photos 1

Jordan the lead singer, and the lead guitarist Max, checking volume and base leaves on the microphone and guitar before the performance.

Warming up before the performance, so each musician is balance for the recording of the song. The song was recorded using two stereo microphones on either side of the room, to gain the whole effect of the performance of the room. 

Max and Jordan

Jordan Lead singer, Max Lead guitarist and Katie drummer

Rhythm guitar Daniel and Sarah bassist 

A female drummer is a rare thing in music videos, by having a female drummer, Im targeting not only the male audience but the female audience as well. 

Are You Gonna Go My Way? - Bitter Avengers Recording

Song recording for the Bitter Avengers.

Album Cover 1

Since my band will be wearing there school uniform, I have taken influence from the school logo and theme to create the first idea for my album cover, which reflects the image of a child's school book, full of drawings. I also decided to name the first album idea, 'Just 4 fun' to reflect this. Inside I will have pictures of the band, as well as a DVD of the music video and the CD. Inside will reflect the same image, but with the pictures as if they have been stuck into a book. I feel this album cover reflects the stereotype of a young rock band and this cover will gain interest of the younger demographic.

Logo

Bitter Avengers logo

Here is my final logo for my band, now named Bitter Avengers.  I have chosen this logo as it reflects the genre of the band but also has some intertextual reference from the school of rock, which is about kids rebelling against the institution for freedom of expression through their music.

Bexleyheath Academy Logo

I have also designed this logo on the basis of the school logo I was filming at, to make a connection between the band and school institution.

Journal

Unfortunately due to more dropping out actors I have approached the school band, and the head of music to perform in my music video, however this has meant I have had to change my original idea. However I have been progressing as much as I can with my new current idea.

Last Friday I started filming with the band I have chosen for my music video. They recorded their own cover version of the song 'Are You Gonna Go My Way?' by Lenny Kravitz. I gained all the close up shots of the instruments during their performance and close ups of the lead singer. However next week I will complete the performance filming.

So far it this production has been difficult however, I have almost finished changing my storyboard.

Are You Gonna Go My Way? Lyrics

I was born long ago
I am the chosen I'm the one
I have come to save the day
And I won't leave until I'm done
So that's why you've got to try
You got to breathe and have some fun
Though I'm not paid I play this game
And I won't stop until I'm done

But what I really want to know is
Are you gonna go my way ?
And I got to got to know

I don't know why we always cry
This we must leave and get undone
We must engage and rearrange
And turn this planet back to one
So tell me why we got to die
And kill each other one by one
We've got to love and rub-a-dub
We've got to dance and be in love

But what I really want to know is
Are you gonna go my way ?
And I got to got to know

Are you gonna go my way ?
'Cause baby I got to know, yeah

RECCE- Locations Photos

Feedback Sheets

Production Journal 4

I have just received feedback for my music video from the rest of the class. All the feedback is promising and there is not much to deal with. Since there has been a major complications to student extras, i have decided to change my venue from Welling school Bexleyheath to schools. This is to make the most out of the free lessons in my timetable.

This is also to make it easier for my artist to be able to film.

Production Journal

I am currently working on the production schedule, RECCE and adding more information to my production plan for my music video.

After having difficulty find a actor to play the part of the artist, I have found one that is willing to take part. So I have now just have to chose a class that will be willing to play the extras. I have completed my storyboard which I shall be posting shortly along with my animatic.

I have also started to create an initial design for my digipak, which will also be posted to show to contrast with the finished product, thus initial idea will included the logo of the artist, a website to promote the artist, booklet of photos/ poster booklet, list of song titles on the back. This initial idea will reference the song I have chosen to the genre.

Animatic

Storyboards

Production Plan

Costumes

The costumes for this music video for the band will be the kids school uniform to reflect the youngness of the band and the rock stereotype. It is also a reference to the band ACDC, as Angus Young who is known for wearing his school boy outfits during his performances. But using the uniform is also another way to keep the production cost to a minimum.  

(Angus Young, ACDC)

Shooting


Filming for this music video will have to take place after school, as the members of the band have to go to their lessons and I can not pull them out of the school. The only time to film the performance shots is after school on a Friday, as this is when the band perform, and the music room is available to use.

Film Equipment 

I have already obtained camera to take RECCE shots, two camcorders to gain a range of different shots, however I will need to book out a tripod to ensure the steadiness and quality of shots. So this needs to be taken into consideration when producing a production schedule and filming as I need to bring the tripod into school, along with my other filming equipment.

Props

For the performance scene I will not have to bring any props as the drums, guitars, bass, microphones will all be at school in the music room. This will make it easier for me, as I do not have to organize hiring any music equipment for the band and adding to the expenses.

Weather 

Weather does not affect my production plan/schedule as a large majority of the scenes are shot inside, the school building. I can always change those few scenes to be shot inside, if necessary due to extreme weather.

Artist

The artist will be a band called the Bitter Avengers, which represents the B/A logo for Bexleyheath Academy so this fits in well with their uniform. There are 5 members of the band. The lead singer (male), lead guitarist (male), bassist (female), rhythm guitar (female), drummer (female). Having a mixture of male and female band members will not only attract the female gaze, but also the male gaze as well, as it is rare to have a female drummer.

Questionnaire- Responses