A2 Digital Technology

"What technologies have you used so far in A2?"

The technologies I have used so far: 

• The internet (Google chrome)
• Word processor 
• Powerpoint
• Slideshare
• Blogger
• Screen grabs
• Infogram 
• Slidely 
• Youtube
• iTunes
• Celtx
• Final Cut Pro X
• Adobe Elements 11 

(GROUP POST) Initial Band Logo.

Since Ellie and I have decided on our band name, we have created this design for our initial band logo. We have used a feather as it is something that resembles faith and would hopefully become a memorable feature of the logo. We will continue to design further but this is our initial idea.

Filming - Lake

Today Ellie and I met with our actors at the lake to film part of our video. We were pleased with the outcome because we got some really good shots by the water and filmed lots of shots that we can develop by adding some effects such as over cranking. There was a foggy atmosphere which was perfect for the 'worrying' feel of our video.Becky, one of our actors has to show sadness throughout the majority of the shots so the fog helped to create this mood. Here is a photograph I took: 

(GROUP POST) Storyboards for Studio Filming

Organisation of Models and Equipment

Since creating our new band, 'Elation of Faith' we organised our filming days. Ellie and I asked Becky, Will and Ethan if we could book them in for filming one morning in the studio and they agreed. Yesterday, we started filming at 9am and we did 3 takes in order to get all the shots types from different angles that we may need. We asked them to all come in casual clothes such as jeans and a plain t-shirt or jumper for the boys, and for Becky, a dark coloured dress or top and jeans. Whilst we were in the studio we also took some photographs that we could use for our adverts and digipak. Our next date for filming is the 9th November when we shall film Becky and Will down by the lake. 

(GROUP POST) -How has the TA feedback influenced our video?

The results we have received from our target audience research have helped us identify the wants and needs of the audience and have heavily influenced how we will develop our ideas. Firstly, we asked our TA what attracted them most to a music video and we received mixed results. Most people said it was both the artist and the song that attracted them whereas some people were only attracted by either the song, the artist or genre. From this we can decide how we can heavily promote both the artist and song so that the most possible people are targeted. Before our research, Ellie and I already wanted to have both Narrative and Performance based shots in our video and we found that this is also what our TA want, so we can continue with our plans for both types of shots. We asked our TA what locations they preferred between indoor and outdoor shoots. The feedback we received was that some people liked indoor and some liked outdoor which means that we will shoot in both locations so that we are aiming our video to a wider range of people. 'Do you like to get a certain feeling from a music video?' is another question that we asked. The majority of our TA said no, but we did get a few yes's and they said the feelings they liked were 'happy', 'sad' and 'relaxed' mostly depending upon their mood. From this we can now decide what specific shots we can use to create these feelings, such as a close up of a smile for happiness. We then asked if they would like to see a change in colour throughout the video and only a couple of people said no, with others suggesting black and white shots. This is something Ellie and I were already planning on adding into our video so we are glad that it will appeal to our TA. Our final question was 'How do you like the artist/s to dress?' and we gave the option of smart or casual. The option that got the most votes was casual with people saying they would prefer to see the band in just a simple top and jeans rather than a suit. We shall dress our actors accordingly to fit in with our results. 

Overall, the feedback we received was very helpful and will have a great influence on how we produce our video. It has enabled us to narrow down our initial ideas to make them more suitable for our chosen audience and we are happy with our research. 

(GROUP POST) - Risk Assessment (Lake)

(GROUP POST) - Call Sheet (lake scene)

(GROUP POST) - Production Breakdown (lake scene)

(GROUP POST) - Photo Board

In addition to my 'Slidely' photo montage video, Ellie and I have made this photo board to identify key colours and themes for our outdoor shoots for our video. We have used our own photography to make it.

(GROUP POST) Target Audience Research - results

Ellie and I distributed 20 surveys to people aged 12 - 30 to get a wide range of feedback on what young and older people want from a music video.  Although we are mainly aiming our video at older teens/young adults, we were interested to see why people of other ages watch music videos and what they like to see. The feedback from our survey is on an 'infogram' presentation. 

infogram presentation

(GROUP POST) - Our Script UPDATED

Since forming a whole new band and identity, we also decided to create a whole new script. 

The outline of our video is going to be based around how if you have someone who will be there for you then everything will be okay and you don't have to worry. We are going to have both male and female actors which will include mine and Ellie's family members and friends but we may have other people to help too. The video shall consist of performance and narrative shots of our made up band and people showing affection for each other.

The shots/movements/effects that we are potentially going to use throughout the video are:

• High Angles
• Close Ups
• Long Shots
• Zooms
• Focus Pull
• Mid Shots
• Fast/Slow pans
• Dissolves
• Fades
• Extreme Close Ups
• Under cranking and Over Cranking 
• Low Angles
• Black and White

(GROUP POST) - Looking at the original song

The original version of Don't you worry child is an up beat song with a bass. Ellie and I have decided to do the band's version as we think it'll be easier to film because the shot length will be longer and the song is more relatable. The original video consists of the song being played in nightclubs which is generally where this song is played. However the video we are looking at isn't suitable to be played in that sort of location so we obviously aren't going to film in them sort of locations. The shots in the original video are short but are also in slow motion. Ellie and I are looking to use a longer shot length however we may also use slow motion for effect. 

(GROUP POST) - Risk Assessment (studio)

Update - Filming

Over the half term I went out to a couple of our chosen locations and did a little bit of filming by myself as Ellie was on holiday. I was hoping to get a few shots that we could possibly use to add more unplanned shots into the video if we needed them but was slightly unsuccessful. I did not have a tripod with me so the filming was freehand which when watching back at made some of the shots look unprofessional. Ideally, Ellie and I want to film at our outdoor locations on dry days so that we can get as many shots as possible without interference from the weather but on the day I decided to do a few shots at the lake, It started to rain and was fairly windy which I feel effected the quality. The filming I decided to do was quite spontaneous so I have learnt that it is much better to plan well ahead to be prepared and that working together as a team to film is probably best!