Final music video

Final draft of Kehlani 'Gangsta' 

Below is the final version of my music video for Kehlani's 'Gangsta': 

Final magazine advert

Final draft of the magazine advertisement 

Below is the completed version of my magazine advertisement:

Final digipak

Final draft of the digipak 

Below is the completed version of my digipak: 

Evaluation- Question 4

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

Evaluation- Question 3

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

In order to create a more diverse approach to the evaluation tasks, as well as present my developed skills in ICT, I decided to create a YouTube video for the third evaluation question. Within this video, I have spoken about the audience feedback,which I have received about the ancillary texts and the music video. Furthermore, in order to collect this feedback, I used numerous formats, such as; an open and closed questionnaire, an online survey and have filmed four teenagers in the style of an interview.

Evaluation- Question 2

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary  

   

 

Constructing questionnaire's

Digipak questionnaire's 

In order to receive feedback regarding my digipak, I decided to create a questionnaire which was made up of six open and closed questions. The reason for this was so that I could gain an idea about what the target audience thought about my ancillary text and therefore I could receive direct as well as personal responses. Furthermore, I felt that it was significant to include open questions as this allows the audience to express their thoughts if desired and more open answers often enables me to find out more about personal opinions and thoughts of my work, which can be more rewarding to receive. 

Below is an image of the questionnaire which I produced: 

Evaluation- Question 1

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

                    

Constructing an online survey

Survey Monkey- Magazine advertisement feedback 

I decided to create an online survey in order to receive the audience feedback for the magazine advert. The reason for this is because, I wanted to add diversity to the formats which I have used and therefore, I also wanted to present my developed skills in ICT. In addition, the site which I have created the survey on is called; Survey Monkey and this is a website that can be easily accessed and used. I also thought that with my target audience being older teenagers and young adults, their knowledge of using the internet would come in handy, therefore this age range are more likely to want to use an online survey rather than a hand-written response to a questionnaire. Furthermore, I have created five questions on this survey, which question the magazine advert in terms of the style, fonts and colours and whether the Hip Hop and R&B genre has been met (which was my main aim). 

Below are the five questions which have featured in my survey: 

Final draft of music video

Final edit- Kehlani Gangsta

Third initial draft of music video

Third draft 

Digipak full

Full digipak 

Digipak images 

Magazine advertisement- Second Draft

Second Draft of Magazine Advert 

Improved draft of music video

Kehlani 'GANGSTA' improved draft 

Title inspiration

Title inspiration from other music videos 

We felt that researching titles from other music videos was a significant decision to make. This was so that we could gain a basic understanding of what sort of informative text is generally featured within a music video, so that we could feel more confident when creating our own text. Furthermore, we decided to research into other Hip Hop, R&B and Pop video's as we felt that following the same genre as our own extract would be more likely to provide us title knowledge for that specific genre/style.

The first video we viewed was Kent Jones' 'Don't Mind' which again follows the Rap/Pop genre. We noticed that in this specific video the director's name features at the start of the extract, therefore informing the audience straight away. However, we both personally felt that adding this type of text at the beginning of our video would draw away the audience's attention from the actors, and therefore could make the video look less engaging or professional, which clearly wasn't desired. 

                                                                         

We then analysed the titles in The Weeknd's video for 'False Alarm' and noticed that the informative text was featured at the end of the extract, which was something in which we both liked due to the text not being distracting away from the music video itself. Furthermore, we also liked how the director's name was firstly visible and then how the next shot featured the producer, artist's name, actor's etc. In addition, we were inspired by the plain coloured text against the black background as this makes the text more eye catching and engaging, so we therefore decided to use this particular way of presenting text in our own video. 

Titles and more editing

Titles and editing 

Today myself and Hannah continued importing footage onto the software. Once we felt comfortable with the overall extract and ensured that all gaps were filled, we felt that it was vital to include text at the end of the video in order to gain marks as well as extra information for the audience to know. For example, we included; the directors name, the production and record company, as well as the actors that feature in the extract and the costume designer. The reason for this is due to many music video's containing this informative text so therefore we felt that it was significant to follow this common convention in order to make our video a success.

Below presents our featured texts;

 The reason for choosing white,serif font is so that the text could stand out against the plain, black background. This would therefore enable the audience to notice this informative text, which is our aim. We also decided to use a variety of different fonts instead of one specific style, this was due to us feeling that this would add more diversity to the extract, as well as making our music video appear as more professional.

Continuation of editing

Editing our newly filmed footage

After our computer programme wasn't working last Thursday we were un-able to edit our new footage, so therefore in Monday's lesson we managed to import the appropriate shots and placed them in order within the video. This took up about twenty minutes of our time due to us being very selective with the shots, and also ensuring that the footage will be appropriate to use within the extract, as well as meeting a professional standard. 

During the three hours spent editing we managed to import half of the newly filmed footage and ensured that the individual shots were placed in time with the music. In addition we made sure that the transitions in which we added enabled the footage to flow well together. Again, we also ensured that the lip-syncing scene's matched the audio, as this is very significant in order to make the extract look appropriate and professional. 

Re-filming

Re-filming

Today myself and Hannah met up with the other two actors; Mollie and Frankie, to film some more footage. We decided to film at our first location, which is based at Toton Sidings. The reason for this is due to it being a quiet environment that presents itself as fairly un-used and abandoned. In addition this site has abandoned trains that often appear in the background of the frame, or even as single shots that are just focused on the trains, so that the audience can be informed of the artist and actors whereabouts. The location also has abandoned debris which fits in well with our theme and therefore again looks appropriate in the frame's background. 

After spending a few hours filming we decided to go up to our College to upload our footage onto the computer and then import the chosen shots onto the editing software. However, shortly after arriving we were informed that our computer wasn't working and therefore we were un-able to edit any of our newly filmed footage which was an issue due to it wasting our limited time. However, we aim to edit this footage next Monday during our media lesson and possibly lunch time. 

Digipak second initial draft

Second draft of digipak 

The above image presents the improved and more diverse footage of the artist. Straight away, I feel that the digipak now appears more engaging and there is a clear diversity shown via the style of the images as well the different types of camera angles used.

Editing

More editing 

In last week's media lesson we continued to make our music video more complete. This was done by inserting more footage so that blank spaces were filled and we added transitions between certain shots to ensure that the extract flowed well together. Hannah and myself both like the fade to black transition as it creates a eye-catching effect, whilst still remaining professional and appropriate. Furthermore, this particular transition allows the footage to blend well together, which is what we both aim for.

After viewing certain shots we discovered that they happened to be too long, therefore this resulted in us having to use the razor tool , which is on the programme, to crop down our footage to an ideal size. In addition, due to our music video containing some lip-syncing scenes, we had to face the challenges, which was getting the lip-syncing in time with the audio. This was significant due to us wanting our footage to look professional, and if our actor's mouthing was out of place then this could result in a loss of marks. However, after adding more footage, we were still faced with the issue of lack of footage. Therefore in the up-coming week off we aim to record some more shots then. 

Changing the digipak images

Re-taking the digipak photo's 

Due to not being fully pleased or engaged by the previous digipak photo's, I decided to capture some more footage of Mollie (model) so that I could create more diversity in the shots. The reason for this is also due to the previous shots being too similar and therefore I wanted to add more of a variety so that the digipak is more engaging and can help meet the desired representations and conventions. Therefore, the new footage which I decided to capture present's more shots of the environment via different angles, as well as shots which present the artist's costume, for example, I took a close-up shot of the model's trainers and jewelry. Therefore I will insert the new images onto Photoshop and make alterations to the exposure, contrast etc, and then I will aim to import them onto a separate Photoshop document, so that they can be positioned into the correct panel. 

Digipak- first inital draft

Digipak initial draft 

Digipak construction

Digipak construction 

In the image above, I have began to insert some of the images individually and position the correct footage in the right panel. This was done by creating multiple layers, so that I could layer the photo's over the top of digipak's template. In addition, by creating these layers, I was also able to position the artist and album's name over the top of the front panel's image. 

Once all the images were imported onto the software, I started to think about which image should feature in which panel, so that it could ensure that the best photo's featured in the most significant places. For example, the front and back panel. These are important due to the front presenting the artist's star image and therefore the audience must be able to identify the artist and the back will feature the full track list, therefore the text must have a space to feature within the frame, so that the text, as well as the image can be clearly viewed. 

Magazine advert- First initial draft

Magazine advert initial draft

    

Above is the first submitted draft of my magazine advert. The only difference between this draft and the previous ones is the colour of the font which reads; 'Kehlani' and 'Urban Emotion'. The reason for this change of colour was due to it being more basic and subtle, however, still standing out against the darker background. Furthermore, I also like how this colour is similar to colour of the model's hair, and therefore is more eye-catching and noticeable. 

Magazine advert- construction

 Magazine advert construction

Last Tuesday I had to choose an appropriate image to feature for the magazine advert. This involved in myself having to examine the shots in which were taken a couple of weeks ago and then which photo's would look more presentable. I therefore decided that it would be wise to use the same image that will be used for the digipak's front, as this would enable the audience to recognise the image and hopefully associate it with the album. In addition, after researching into other artist's and their music advertisement, I also noticed that using the same image for different types of advertisement was particularly common. 

Following this I uploaded the chosen image onto Adobe Photoshop C4, which is the software that will be used throughout the editing stage. This image can be seen below, however this is original shot pre-editing:

After uploading the image onto the software, I began to play around with the numerous effects and styles. Although, I soon came to the conclusion that I liked how the image looked originally, and felt that changing the brightness,contrast etc didn't do the shot any favours. The reason for this is due to the model being presented more in the sunlight, whilst the background has remained darker. This then results in the model to stand out more and therefore the audience's attention will be drawn to her.

I then decided to chose an appropriate font and colour which I felt related to the artist's genre and theme of the album. I then found an ideal serif font which was eye-catching and could be considered as playful and bubbly. This is how I am aiming to represent the artist as and therefore felt that this was the right style to choose. Following this I had to decide whereabouts the text should feature on the image; firstly I placed the artist's name in the top left window pannel and then the album's name in the top right, however then felt that this didn't look quite right. So I then decided that the artist's name should feature above the model and the name should feature at the bottom of the wall. Furthermore, I chose the colour pink as this is stereo-typically associated with femininity and passion, and I also felt that the background is fairly messy and scruffier, so therefore wanted to present the artist as still having a feminine side. 

Taking into consideration the convention's of a magazine advert, I felt that it was necessary to include some informative text that would provide the audience with more information about the album. For example the top text says;' The new album by', this bold, capitalised serif font is eye-catching and makes the audience aware of the new release. I also felt that making this text a different colour would also draw in more attention. Furthermore, the bottom text says; 'Featuring the no'1 hit 'gangsta' ', which is a popular song that is included on the album. This therefore has been included due to perhaps the audience already having an acknowledgment of the song and therefore could result in them being more encouraged to listen to the whole album. 

First initial edit

First draft

More filming

Filming more footage

Today Hannah and myself met up and captured more footage. The reason for this was due to us not having enough shots to include within the extract, therefore felt that it was ideal for us to utilise our time. Although, due to the other actors being unable to make the filming session, me and Hannah decided to just take different shots of each other, and then we will arrange to meet with the others as soon as everyone is available. 

After meeting around 1:00pm, we felt that a change of scenery would be appropriate for the music video and therefore decided to film in the army barracks in Toton. Furthermore, in music videos it is very common for the artist to be filmed in different settings/environments so we felt that this was significant for us to do.  In addition, during the filming we managed to capture numerous close up shots and lip-syncing scenes. These particular styled shots hadn't been captured in the previous filming session and therefore needed to be shot due to them contributing to the star image. 

Initial feedback

Audience feedback 

After uploading and organsing the footage onto Premier Pro, we then decided that it would be a good idea to collect some audience feedback. This was significant due to it allowing us to gain an understanding about what the audience liked about our first initial draft. Furthermore, this also enabled us to make sure that our editing was appropraite and that the footage was approved. 

Below is some feedback in which we recorded:
  

 

Starting to edit

Initial editing 

Last Monday we started to edit our captured footage. We decided that we wanted to at least upload the footage onto Adobe Premier Pro (the editing software) and then delte the unwanted shots, so that we could place the remaining footage in the correct order. However, due to not catching all of the footage required, we decided to play around with the different video transitions and the footage colour choices. 

This then resulted in us finding a red/pink colour

Filming day

Day of filming 

Hannah, myself and the actors met up at approximately 12:00 at the filming location. We chose this time as we were unsure as to how long it would take to capture the footage as well as extra shots, if necessary. Once we arrived Hannah and myself decided to set up the camera and assemble the tripod, whilst the actors made the finishing adjustment's to their costumes. Following this we ensured that there were no possible hazards, by refering back to our risk assessment sheet and made sure that the area was safe for us to use. Fortunately, we only had a few minor issue whilst filming, which was that the camera's battery went flat after an hour's use, although this problem was quickly resolved due to use bringing a spare battery. Also, after viewing our footage, in some shots, the lighting was fairly dark, due to it being a cloudy day. However, this can also be resolved during the editing stage, where we can improve the lighting to a higher standard, by altering the exposure and contrast.

Overall, we managed to stick to our filming schedule and finished packing up the equipment around 2:45pm. Although, we didn't mangage to capture all the required shots, therefore we aim to film again this week, when everybody is available.

Location revisit

Location (shots)- revisited 

We decided to revist our filming location so that we could discover an exact specific area to utilise. The reason for this was due to us having more time to take the particular photo's and therefore we could decide as to what area's would be most ideal for each individual shot and allowed us to be more organised for the filming day.

Below are some of the images we took: 

 

 

Preparation for filming

Preparation!

Last Monday, Hannah and I purchased a few props from online, that were required for the day of filming. This included; two bandana's (red&black) and two balaklava's (black), which were to be worn by the female actors throughout the extract. We also bought a packet of bubble gum from our local shop and took some practise shots to check whether we could create the effect which was desired. We also did the same with the shisha smoke, again to ensure that this looked approraite on the camera. 

On Tuesday, we collected the equipment, which included; the camera, case/charger, SD card and the tripod. Even though we already had an understanding about how to use the equipment appropriately and safely, Hannah took home the items home and decided to just  double check that everything worked and reminded herself how to adjust the tripod's height and the camera's settings. This therefore ensured that we were organised and prepared for the next day (filming).  

In addition we also decided to film our footage at 12pm instead of 2:15pm. The reason for this was due to Hannah and myself, as well as the other actors, having a day off school and therefore felt that starting at an earlier time meant that we could film more footage and ensure that what we had captured was acceptable to use within the extract. 

Original images before manipulation

Original images 

Camera movement practice shots

Practice shots

A close up shot has been used in this image, to present Hannah wearing a red bandanna. This particular type of shot has been practiced, due to us aiming to use this certain shot a numerous amount of times throughout the music video. We both feel that this particular shot is very significant, due to it enabling the audience to view the actors/costume in great detail, and therefore, hopefully gaining more attention.

A low-angle mid shot has been used in this image, again presenting Hannah, however this time holding a baseball bat, and wearing a different coloured bandanna. This particular type of shot has been practiced, due to us aiming to use this certain angle near the start of the music video.This angle has great significance, due to it usually representing the main person as superior, independent and dominant. All in which are terms we would like to be attached with the female actors. 

                                                                                       

An extreme close up has been used in this shot, and this time is mainly focusing on the toy gun, and slightly blurring Hannah in the background. This particular type of shot has been practiced, due to it sometimes being difficult for the camera to completely focus on item/person you want it to. Therefore we now feel more confident in using this particular shot, and are ready for filming the actual video.                        

Filming schedule

Wednesday's filming schedule (28th)

We have come up with a filming schedule which will help us be more organised and save time on the day of filming. Although we don't know how long the filming will actually take, we have just made a brief and estimated timings. In addition, myself and Hannah, as well as the other actors, are aware that problems could take place during the filming, therefore we may not follow this schedule to the exact timings. 

Pitch

Ideas pitch & feedback

In order to present myself and Hannah's initial ideas for our music video, we decided to create a visual mood board on SlideShare, which could be presented to our classmates on the main projector. We felt that this was significant as it would allow us to receive numerous feedback about our ideas and what we can alter/improve to ensure that our idea was effective and professional. Furthermore, after presenting our slide we received a lot of positive responses regarding our ideas. For example, one of our class mates said that it was "a really good idea and I think the props and costume will look great if pulled off well". Another classmate also liked our idea and felt that "it sounds like a good idea and think the music you've chosen will work well with your narrative and representations". 

Make up practise

Makeup practice for Wednesday 

Today me and Hannah decided that we should utilise our time, by practicing numerous styles of makeup on one another. This then ensures that we are prepared and have an understanding about as to how our makeup should appear on the day of filming.

After researching into different eye shadow styles, we began to mimic what we saw using Hannah's cosmetics; firstly we attempted to re-create a 'smokey eye effect' , which we felt would be suitable for the representation of the female actors; mysterious, dangerous and seductive. After this style we then practiced creating a more natural yet engaging effect, and this involved using a lighter eye-shadow palette and bolder false eyelashes. After deciding between the two, we agreed that the second style was more suitable as this presented the actors as more glamorous yet mysterious/dangerous. 

Following this we practiced using different shades of lipstick, and both favouring a bright red colour. The reason for preferring this shade was due to the connotations in which the colour red has, for example; being associated with passion, danger, seduction and power. All in which we would like the female actors to be represented. 

Risk assessment

Risk assessment 

As a pair we have created a risk assessment which has enabled us to discover any possible risks whilst filming this weekend. Therefor by creating this table, we can ensure that all members of the group, actors and equipment are safe. 

Potential hazard	Who is at risk?	Risk rating out of 10 (1-minor & 10-major)	Likelihood Rating  (1-Not likely & 10-likely)	Preventative measures
Could trip over the equipment	Any of the production team could easily trip over the equipment, especially if focusing on filming a scene. This would also damage the equipment.	5/10. The severity of the injury would be fairly unpredictable.	8/10. It is highly likely that when filming, someone could not be looking at the floor and focusing on filming instead. Therefore, you could easily trip over.	To minimise the damage on equipment, our production team and actors, we will ensure that all wires/lose equipment are out of the way where possible, and when walking over the wires, that full attention is payed during any dangerous areas.
Sharp or broken debris	The production team plus the actors. Debris could include; broken glass or abandoned furniture etc. This could be a hazard as anyone could trip and possible sharp edges could be painful to walk into or fall onto.	6-7/10. Again, the severity of the injury would be fairly unpredictable.	4/10. It isn’t that likely that someone could be harmed by this, due to us avoiding all danger immediately.	Ensure that all debris is not accessible and if any sharp edges do pose as a threat, ensure the production team and actor know about it so that they can be cautious when filming in those areas.
Props could harm members if used irresponsibly	Any of the production team or actors, if they are behaving immaturely.	4/10.  The props could harm someone if used forcefully.	3/10. This hazard is fairly unlikely, due to all members being mature and responsible.	This will be prevented due to the actors and production team being mature, and if their behaviour does become immature, then the filming will be stopped and the person will be warned/removed.