Pre Production (Q1)
Before we began to film and produce our media video we needed to have a list of things set up. To begin with we started making storyboards, using the Jake Bugg/Trouble Town music video. In order to develop conventions of the video we had to carefully watch every shot in the 30 second time schedule we used, and then write each clip into a storyboard box, explaining how long the clip would be and the type of shot used. Along with this we wrote down the lyrics, which would need to be mimed in each shot. This was quite a time consuming process, this is because a lot of the shots were short and fast which sometimes made it hard to interpret how long it was. Along with this there were shots which had lyrics running between a multiple amount of shots, we had to spent accurate time on making sure the lyrics were correct in each scene.
Storyboarding was a really effective way of having an insight onto how to shoot all of the shots while filming; we could use the storyboards while filming so that we had guidance into each shot which was extremely helpful. I believe when it comes to the finish video and drafts that sufficient time will be spent on the storyboards to have increased potential accuracy so it is easier when filming.
To continue we also had to make prop lists
during pre production, this is so that we had everything we needed for each
shot. This was difficult because there were certain props that we didn’t get
access to, for example a guitar case. However if we tried harder we most
probably could have used a guitar case, but we decided to leave this out and
used a bag instead. The prop lists were useful so that the model (Tommy) knew
what to wear for the production of the video. In the video Jake Bugg wears a
Fred Perry Harrington jacket and a Shirt, luckily for us Tommy already had both
of these items of clothing which was extremely beneficial in order to be as
close to the convention as we could.
Production (Q2)
1.
During the production we began filming in a
field opposite the school, because of the time limit we had to complete the
preliminary task we didn’t have to time to find the best locations in order to
replicate the video, however we did have similar kind of locations which helped
develop the conventions of the video. When we began filming we found the storyboard
very useful in order to determine each shot, for example a long shot or a mid
shot etc. therefore this made the process easier. While I was filming the shots
I realised there were certain aspects of the video we wouldn’t be able to use,
for example filming a pylon. Therefore we decided to take other shots to fill
up the time gap. This included making the length of the shot prior to the
missing shot longer. Furthermore we created different shots, which weren’t
included in the video to challenge it and add a creative element to our
preliminary task. This included Tommy dancing at the beginning of the video.
While I was filming the video I learnt a lot about camera angles and which
angles look good and which were less effective. This was something useful to take
into account for the next project I create in year 13.
Furthermore the filming was quite time consuming,
this was because we found it hard to get a variety of shots which looked
professional in some cases. However we overcame this in the end by producing a range
of 40/50 effective shots. Another aspect, which could have been improved during
filming, was the interpretation of each shot. Because we were following
sketches from the storyboard the shots weren’t 100% accurate in comparison to
the video. Therefore this lead to the representation not being fully accurate.
This lead me to think that storyboarding will need more time during the final
piece in order for clips to be successful.
Post Production (Q3)
1.
The editing process was personally the biggest
challenge of the whole production of the video. This is because prior to the
preliminary task the only experience I had on ‘Final Cut Pro’ was playing a
single shot, lasting 40 seconds, in line with a song. This task was very simple
in contrast to making over 30 single shots line up accurately with the song.
Editing because a very frustrating process; it was challenging to get the shots
to line up with the lip syncing of Tommy to begin with which was a frustrating
process. However this was overcame after I got used to the application more. I
was eventually able to shorten clips down to the right length in order for the
lip-syncing to be in sync which was a good achievement.
On the other hand the most difficult part
of the editing process wasn’t over, this was keeping the lip-syncing continuous
over a couple of shots. Where the same part of the song would fall into 3
different shots. If this wasn’t used in the video then it wouldn’t have been as
creative or effective, therefore it was a factor, which had to be, overcame and
used. After playing around with the system I managed to get this in time, which
felt like quite an achievement. After watching the shots back it looked a lot
more effective in contrast to a single shot and therefore this is a factor I
will take into account when producing my final piece. Once all of the editing
had been complete I was quite satisfied by what I had done with the clips in
the amount of time and with little knowledge with the editing system. Overall I
was pleased with the finished product.
Because it is a preliminary task there are a
lot of factors to take into account, I can happily take positives and negatives
from the final product. I have learned how to successfully use final cut pro by
doing multiple shot editing and syncing and I have also learnt about the
importance of story boarding the shots as an aid. On the other hand I have
learnt how to improve the media product, for example next time I will spend
more time finding suitable professional locations and also having faster cut
shots to add effectiveness to the shot. However overall I have enjoyed creating
the media product as it has been a motivational challenge.
