Evaluating:The process of creating a music video

The process of creating a music video involves many steps, to ensure it reaches out to the target audience, produces maximum sales, pleases the artists, relate to the genre of the song and look professional. You also have to do a lot of planning into both the artist, and similar songs in the market.

Planning

First of all we had to look into other music videos and judge why they was successful

We then made a focus group and asked them questions about the song and what they would like to see in our video

We then created a survey monkey asking questions about music videos

We designed a rough outline of ideas including brainstorming themes locations and props

Creating a mood board to gather an overall feel for the music video

We then created a filming schedule

Filming

After choosing our filming locations we had to create a filming schedule

We then visited the various locations to make sure we had a variety of interesting shots

Used different angles and shots

Trying to inspire the actors

Editing

We then had to upload the clips onto final cut express

Next we had to cut the clips to its correct length

We then had to make sure the lip synching and sound matched up

We then had to put clips in the correct place

We then had to apply effects and transitions to make it look professional

We then created a title sequence

Editing and Filming: Reviewing our film

As we are coming to an end of filming our music we decided to watch over our video on Final Cut Express. We also got a few members of our media class to watch it with us and share their opinions as they are the age of our target audience. We discovered that the beginning we filmed was too dark even after using Final cut Express to lighten certain scenes.We also decided that our actress was not looking at the camera enough whilst singing so we will have to go over certain scenes to correct these faults. Another problem is that one of the locations we have used for our music video, does not look professional on camera as we initially thought, however we have booked a drama studio in a nearby school to use their hi-tech facilities such as lighting and stage. We also do not have enough footage so we will have to film more scenes in order to get a finished music video. However i believe the editing is a really good standard and the video is finally coming together as a whole and i think it will reach out to our target audience.

Faults that need correcting

Not looking at the camera

 The image is too dark on the screen, we will have to film again and use different lighting.

Bad use of location

Editing:Applying effects

Whilst editing our music video, we need to apply effects to blend the clips and make the music video flow and look more proffessional and effective. To do this you have to click on the clip then scroll to to the top of the screen (as you can see in the first print screen) and choose what effect you want from a video transition to a filter. You can see in the second print screen the effects we have applied and how we have linked clips to each other through the use of effects, this is so it flows smoothly. We have used a variety of effects from slow motion to fades.

Editing:Uploading footage

This is what Final Express looks like whilst we are creating our music video. On the left hand side of the print screen is the footage i have uploaded. As you can see there are alot of clips, we have to cut down all of these clips as some parts of them are not suitable for our music video due to the actress not being on task, or the camera zooming out to quickly. To edit these clips you drag them onto the first window, then you cut down and view the finished clip on the third window.

Editing 2

Today we uploaded the filming from the stage onto the computer. I believe the filming looked better on the camera than on the computer as the stage was quite dark. But during filming we wanted to make it quite dark to relate to the genre of the music video but we did not realise how dark it actually looked. So we had to brighten the clips on final cut express. We used different tools and effects such as the mountain tool to make the editing and its transitions flow in a very effective way. We also combined clips with different camera angles such as high angle shots, extreme close ups and mid shots.

Editing-part one

As i have not edited using Final Cut express in a while the editing process began very slowly. First if allw e had to connect the camera with the tape with the computer. I then opened Final Cut Express and captured all of the scenes from different angles we had previously shot. After all of the clips were uploaded we then had to shorten them to the length we thought was necessary or until mistakes with the filming had been made. We then had to slot the edited clips into the sequence, this was very difficult as because we had shot many clips with our actress Naima playing the guitar we had to match the sounds of the music to the hand movements of our actress. Some bits of the clips did not look that effective so we used different angles and editing techniques to make it look smooth, professional and as if the artist is genuinely playing the guitar.

Editing: Effects

In our music video we will use a few effects to try and make it look as professional, interesting and aesthetically pleasing as possible. As our music video is a love story and story of heart break we will have to use effects that echo this. One of the effects we will use on final cut express will be black and white which matches our genre of music as it looks bleak and depressing.
We will use the black and white effect for memories, which make sit clear that it is in the past, an excellent example of this is Beyonce's video "if i were a boy", this clearly differenciates between the past and present.

Some of our video involves action shots, we will change the speed so it looks more effective and you can clearly see what is happening in the shots. We will also slow some scenes down like the leaves falling and the couple walking as these bits of filming happen quite quickly and we would like to prolong them in our music video. We will also slow these bits down to match the genre and mood of the music as it is  a slow song and would not suit fast action shots.

Slow motion enables you to capture footage in detail and makes a better quality picture but also a more effective clip.

group filming

These are images of our group filming the video in one of our many locations. You can see the camera and tripod in these pictures which we used to capture different shots.

Filming: Itchycoo park

We have chosen to film in Valentines Park because of its beautiful scenery it also gives us a variety of places to choose from. The park is in Ilford and has already been used in a music video, called Itchycoo Park by The New Faces this shows that is a professional and beautiful location.

Filming: Mayesbrook Park, Changes from original plan

Today we shot a few scenes in Valence Park. These scenes involved ; long shots, mid shots and extreme close ups. We filmed on the bridge in the park which is quite a romantic scene, we also found a very good spot which looks really effective on the camera it is of a path with trees on both sides. We have also filmed scenes of happy memories between the couple this involves walking together and paying in the leaves in the park. It was quite difficult getting the right scenes and getting effective shots because people would keep walking past and we would try and finish the shot before they arrived in view.

Although this scenery is not as picturesque as Valentines Park we had an issue getting there and Valence Park is a lot closer. I believe we got good scenes at this park.

This is very similar to a great shot we filmed at Mayesbrook park. It is crucial to the video as it is of the "happy" couple enjoying themselves. I like this shot because it is colorful and romantic due to all of the colors from the leaves.

This image of ducks will also be featured in our music video, as it is a very romantic image and it is a very peaceful and serene image that matches the genre of the music video.

filming: locations

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Filming: Changes to our filming process

We started filming the opening to our music video but whilst in the editing process we realized the actress we were using was not working well with the song.  however the scene and concept looked good after editing. This gave us an insight of what our music video may look like, so therefore we will replace her with a different actress.

Planning our music video: Outline of ideas

our film location- Valentines park

We have chosen a great location which fits well into the theme of our music video. As Amanda Lucas is a country singer we will set a bit of our video in a park. We have researched into many parks but the one we have chosen is very special and looks like a romantic place. It has a river and a maze and old fashioned buildings.

Justification of Ideas

Our song by Amanda Lucas is a country soulful song, which people have compared to the lieks of adele and Kelly Clarkson.

Afetr much audience research and brainstroming how to traget different audiences we have though of ideas which will benefit the song but also please thae artist and match the themes which are love and heartache.

Our idea is to film a video about a lonely teenage girl that has done something bad to her boyfriend and therefore he has left her. This reaches out to many audiences especially women as they know what it feels like to have loved and lost someone. But this is also telling the same kind of story as the lyrics.

the video will be very movign and full of emotional performances which also reflect the lyrics and genre of the song, some of the video will be filmed in black and white to echo the affects of the heart ache and breakup.

Most of the video will be filmed of the female actress alone this will reflect the isolation which the song portrays. She will also be crying and lonely which very much relates to the song.

Amanda Lucas is a country artist and thereofre some of our video will be shot in the countryside of England this will also reach out to different audiences as the artist is America but the video will be filmed in England so that both nations will be intrigued by the video much like the song we found love by the American artist Rihanna.

Amanda Lucas is a great musician and often plays the guitars in her songs, so our actress will be playing the guitar whilst singing to shwocase Lucas' talents.

Potential Target Audience/ Planning: Results from survey monkey

Potential Target Audience: Survey Monkey- Research

<a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RJ7K9VZ%22%3EClick here to take survey</a>

I have created a survey monkey as a part of my audience research. Here i have asked questions which will help me create my music video and see what people of what ages like which type of things. This will also help me broaden my target audience as we will try and reach out to all ages.

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Q1

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1. How old are you?

10-15 16-20 21-30 31 up

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Q2

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2. What would you like to see in our music video?

arguments relationships fights singing

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Q3

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3. What is your favourite genre of music?

pop rock country soul clasical

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4. Do you enjoy songs about relationships?

yes no

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Q5

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5. Who would you like to star in our music video?

boys girls OAPS Aliens