Entry 19-Evaluation

I am pleased with the outcome of our final video. I felt as though I could have done better than  have. We faced a lot of problems during this assignment and it became very frustrating at times. With that in mind I feel as though we did quite well and over came this constant issue eventually.

 
What's well about the final music video

• People have commented on how the video is visually appealing and the cinematography is quite good.
• The audio and the video compliment each other well. The video reflects the mood of the song well.
• Worked well in the style commonly associated with the artist and sound
• Most of the responses we received from the surverymonkey questionnaire were positive  

What'd not that good about the final music video

• Although we intended for the music video to be more abstract, it didn't completely come across that way.
• There are some parts of the video that don't work well with the others. Some shots look a little out of place and shaky. However the video has a whole works well and I am happy with it.

Things to improve

•  Try not to rush when filming the video. Make sure enough shots have been taken.
• To take more control
• Be more prepared so it is easier to resolve issue faster.

Entry 18- Editing

Ellie took on the role of the main editor I offered my help whenever I could and did some of the editing hands on myself. Ellie had the footage on her laptop so she was able to access the footage all of the time unlike myself. I think we worked well together and produced a good final music video.

During the editing process we did encounter a few problems. One of them was that the main audio dropped out, Ellie was smart enough to have saved an older version of a sequence with the audio  so she was able to recover it.
Overall the editing process went well and I am very happy with the finish result.

Entry 17- Chaning the song again (Never Play by Emily and The Woods)

After watching the footage it became clear that the footage we had got didn't fit with the song You Really Think or Yellow Brick Road by our client. Also because the audio quality is terrible and we have no way of making it better. Alicia hadn't message us for days now so we assumed that she hadn't recorded a better quality of her songs.

Ellie had found an alternative song that we could uses that she liked and it didn't already have a music video.  The song is Never Play by Emily and The Woods, The song is a similar style to Alicia so we didn't have to change any of the style ideas we were going to use.

We have offered to create another music video for Alicia when we are all free and don't have any conflicting schedules. This would most likely be during the summer holidays.

Entry 16- Editing Responsibilties

Ellie and I are going to edit on the software programme Adobe Pro on her laptop to edit the music video as it means that it can be exported in a higher quality and that we wouldn't have to constantly render the footage as we go, we would have to do this if it was on final cut express. This would mean that the editing process would be easier.
Ellie and I are going to share the responsibilities of editing as we want the best possible outcome. Victoria is still on holiday and won't be back in time to help us edit.

Entry 15-Filming

After the news from Alicia we initially asked our friend Catharyne to be our actress as she could look similar to the artist or could be represented as the artist as we are not using her anymore. However, due t the time frame we have to film we can't use Catharyne anymore as their isn't enough time for us all together as Catharyne and I both have jobs and we all have other college work to do.

In the end it was only Ellie and I filming and directing as Victoria was on holiday. We use Ellie's sister as our actress in the end as Catharyne was unavailable. We filmed at Frensham Ponds (which we wanted to do anyway). We only had limited time to film and we didn't get as many shots as we could have.
However, I feel that we have a collection of good different shots, Including establishing shots, tracking shots, mid shots, close ups, etc. don't think encountered any problems when filming. I felt that Ellie and I did rather well considering the circumstances.

As the footage is on Ellie's camera she would be the first person to go through it and then I would give my opinion later one.  We can agree and talk about what we can edit.

Entry 14 - Not using th client in the video

After a long and frustrating chat with Alicia on Facebook, she told us that she is stressed about her up coming exams and thinks that she won't have anymore spare time. She agreed to let us continue to use her song but she can't/ doesn't want to be in it anymore. She mentioned that if we can find other people then we should use them. Personally, I think tension as been running high for a while now especially between Ellie and Alicia. Personally, I feel annoyed because I  feel as though I have wasted a lot of time doing nothing.

Entry 13- Song change

As mentioned before Alicia and her friend were meant to record the song for us s the quality was better and usable. However, she told us that he wanted to record her other song instead and now she wants to create a music video for You Really Think. This was the song we heard a while ago and discussed and planned a music video for but never continued with it.
This isn't a major problem but it is frustrating because now we have to re-discuss an idea and make sure everyone is happy with this; if this takes longer than necessary then it waste time that we really don't have. To be completely honest, I'm starting to get annoyed and worried.

Entry 12- Not being able to film

We arranged it with the client to film on the 7th May as both he group and Alicia finish early however, we had to cancel this as Victoria, Ellie and I have a photography controlled assessment all day and won't finish until late afternoon. This is frustrating me as it was the earliest and easiest time for Alicia was able to make. We should now be finishing filming and start editing  but we cant because of previous problems. Alicia isn't free for at least another week now.  To avoid this again we are going to have to double check each other schedule and make sure we all know what is going on.

Entry 11- Recording the song

We eventually found a date when the client could come to Farham and record her song in the studio at college with the help of Pete. We arrange to meet her on Wednesday at 2:15pm in Farnham town and walk with her to the college because she doesn't know how to get there.

Problems
Ellie and  I walked down into Farnham to meet Alicia. After waiting for almost 45 minutes with no contact from her we decided to leave as he had other work to do. We later received a message from Alicia in the group chat explaining that she has been there and she couldn't see us so she left. After explaining that we were there for a while she decided she must of missed us.  I am irritated by this as I feel that I wasted valuable time that I could of spent doing other work. Also I feel that we wasted Pete's time as well.  We arranged for her to come again but she told us that here friend I going to record it for her. I am worried about this as I'm worried bout the quality of the audio but it has to be done if we are going to meet this deadline.

Entry 10- Finding an appropriate time

We had organised for Alicia to record the song at Farnham College, so it would be of a more professional standard then it already is.  The sooner we are able to record the song means the sooner we can film and edit.  We have had a problem though trying to find a time when Alicia, Ellie, Victoria, Myself and Pete( who we need to actually set up the studio and record for us) are all available at the same time but currently we all have conflicting schedules.
This is the main problem at the moment as it is setting us back. I am finding it frustrating as we need to get this done but it feels as though it is getting no where.

Entry 9- Changing the idea

The group has spoken to Alicia about how was felt that the brighton idea was unachieveable and that it would have to be changed.  The reason for this is because of the time we have left. We can not film until we have a decent quality audio. We are currently arranging for Alicia and record a better quality.  We have also mentioned about who the amount of actors/actresses Alicia  wants in the music video is too much and would need to be cut down (originally 12 now about 3-4). We felt that we would of been able to control and organise that many people, also it would be difficult getting to and from with that many actors.

We suggested to Alicia that it might be better and beneficial to use Frensham Ponds as there is a woodland area and a beach.  We could get a variety of different shots using different areas of Frensham.  We could also get more abstract shots with the woodland arae.

Entry 8- Talking about possible changes and ideas

We have spoken in the group chat frequently about ideas for the music video. AS a group we have decided to cut out the narrative but not having any speaking during the middle part of the video.  We have also spoken about making the video more abstract by using more shots such as close ups and point of views. Also so it isn't a straightforward narrative.  I personally think this is a better idea and have thought about doing something like this for a while now.

We have spoken about aspects of the music video with the client. We are all discussing what we think will work. 

Things we have talked about are: 

• Costumes - The video would feature the artist and a variety other actresses and actors. They would be wearing casual summer outfits. The reasoning for this is to show the spectator of the music video that it is almost summer. It also relates back to not being stressed out due to exams and just generally having a good time. 
• Locations- We haven't fully, completely agreed on a main location yet however our client is set on using a beach and her main choice is Brighton. This is because it is outdoors and is a common place for people to go and have fun. The group is more set on Frensham Ponds as it is closer and easier to get to. it doesn't have rides ands bright fluorescent lights like Brighton but we can get some abstract shots with the beach and woodland area.  It also is perfect for what she wanted in terms of using an open space outdoor area.  We have chosen to include shots of her in her bedroom or a classroom as it might not fit in completely with the narrative and style we are going for. 
• Additional footage -Ellie has mentioned an idea of using shots of just the client alone in an outdoors woodland area. This is so we can get shots of her lip syncing without her being shy of doing in in front of all her friends. She felt it would be easier if she did it on her own. 

At the moment our idea is solid and there could potentially be a lot of problems. I feel as though if we all spoke more about it and agreed on things better it could work out a lot better and the video won't be unrealistic.  

Entry 7- Creating a Facebook chat

We have now created another Facebook this time with Alicia. We have done this as it is easier than emailing and it also means that everyone is present and is up to date with what is happening; it also means that we don't have to be as formal as we have been with the emails.
Alicia has had her own notes about ideas for the music video and has sent them to us. Apparently Ellie and Victoria have briefly spoken about the original idea that was thought of but nothing was officially discussed.

Entry 6- Meeting the client

Yesterday. we had our first formal meeting with Alicia. It was really successful. We met in Farnham as we felt it was the best place to meet. There were no problems getting there or with the place where the meeting was held. The meeting consisted of Alicia playing us more of her original songs from Soundcloud which we hadn't heard yet, Alicia decided that she wanted a music video for her song 'Yellow Brick Road' as it was more up beat. The meaning behind the song was along the lines of there is too much stress and pressure that teenagers with schools and college and that they need to be calm and that things are going to be okay even if their grades aren't always perfect.  Ellie, Victoria and I agreed that the song was a good choice and that it could be good for us to do.


We discussed possible ideas that we are able to do with the resources and budget we had, She expressed ideas she has previously thought of, which turned out to be similar to the ones w came up with as a group, these included things such as wardrobe, location, actors and even the style of the music video.   The wardrobe is a simple concept, she wanted it to be bright extravagant colours. Also she wanted to star in the video but also to have more people with her so she felt more comfortable, The locations that every had considered using were outdoor, open spaces; this included locations such as beaches, forest and fields. Another location we talked about using was a school/college to fit in with the concept of the song.  We managed to create a lot of notes on what our client wanted. Alicia was really nice and helpful. She understood that we couldn't do some things as we our only college students and getting the resources could be difficult, She added as all on Facebook so it is easier for us all to communicate all in one place at the same time, so everyone is up to date with ideas and what is happening.  We are now just having a few days to plan what we can do and create a full list of ideas with a story board. We just need to see what we are capable of doing and when everyone is available to do. I am personally looking forward to meeting with Alicia some more and creating this music video.

Entry 5-Organising a meeting

Due to the deadline being closer than we first thought we have emailed our client to arrange a meeting for as soon as possible. We felt that the half term would be more beneficial as it would be when we all are free at the same time. our client didn't email back until the start of the half term but that wasn't a major issue.  The communication between the group and our client is a bit awkward and confusing as Alicia only has Victoria's email and she has to tell Ellie and I when she has replied and what she has replied with. We have created a Facebook chat as a group to try and make the communication easier.

Entry 4- More planning and mood board

We haven't heard back form our client for about a week now. This is a bit of a problem as we don't know what song she wants us to make a video for and what exactly it is she wants.  We have each made a small mind map of ideas for the song we have heard.  I have only given small, unspecific ideas at the moment. I have stated which type of music video could work well for her style of music.  After we have spoken to her it would be easier to create a completed mind map in detail.

I have also started to piece together a mind map. Things that I am going to add to the mood board would be things such as colours, style, inspiration e.g. similar music videos/ ,costumes and narrative.

Entry 3- Response from client/ Mind map

Yesterday, we were pleased to hear back from Alicia from ACM. She emailed us saying she was happy to co-prorate and work with us to produce a music video for one of her original songs. We are all happy to hear them.  Hearing more of her songs means we can get a better feel of what she is about her her complete style of music. I am personally very happy that we got a response and I am looking forward to working with her.  However, I feel a bit nervous about the whole thing because I want to do well and make something she would like.


As a group, We made our first mind map. We haven't come up with ideas as such yet because we haven't had a meeting with her yet. We have listed who we are doing a video for and what the purpose of it.

Entry 2- Contacting Client

Today Victoria and I listened to one of the people on the AMC.  We really liked the singer Alicia Hutchinson. Ellie and I had previously listened to a cover of 'Stay With Me'  and agreed she was talented.  The song we listened today was called 'You Really Think' and 'God Bless The Open Road' and thought it is possible that we could work with her. We emailed her using Victoria's email stating that we are interested in working with her and if she would like to work with us.


 I'm personally  excited to hear back from her and I hope she wants to work with us. After listening to her song, it reminded me of a song I had heard before so I searched it on YouTube and watched a few music videos in order to help come up with ideas. I have a few idea for what we can do and I will share them with the rest of the group later.

Entry 1- Setting up the assignment and groups

For this assignment, we have been asked to go into groups and create a music video for a given band/ artist. We have to work with that band or artist to produce a music video to a professional standard and something that both sides are happy with.  So far we have chosen our groups and have started the process of finding a band/artist.  The initial group I was in has decided to split off into two new groups because they're were too many people and communicating became difficult. This time I am In a group of three which should hopefully be easier.  As of yet, we haven't found someone that we like yet out of the ACM bands that were put onto moodle so we are still looking around for someone else.