FILMING DAY

Yesterday was our filming day and to be honest we believe it went really well. Originally we wanted to be at the location for 16:30 to give us sufficient time to set up and finish filming before Derry had to go to bed. However we didn’t actually get there until 18:30 as we had to pick up members of the band and there was a problem fitting all of the equipment into one car, therefore we had to get another car to help carry the equipment. Once everything was set up the location actually looked quite professional, with the stand light focusing on the two main members of the band (Derry and Greg) and the drummer (Harry) slightly in the shadows.

Loaded car

Setting up

Band Shot

We underestimated the time it would take us to film each individual shot that we needed as at times the band members where messing around and not fully concentrating. However once everyone started concentrating and engaging with the video it was easier to get the shots we wanted. We took regular breaks during filming to ensure that everybody stayed concentrated throughout the process. We achieved a variety of shots such as close ups, mid shots, long shots and different angled shots. Towards the end when we were finishing getting the final shots the camera ran out of battery and we didn’t have the charger, this could be quite detrimental to our video and therefore we will most probably go back to the location in order to get the finishing shots we need. However it was a very enjoyable, successful day and we are pleased with the majority of the shots we captured. If another filming day is required we will update the blog with the new date etc. 

Draft Video: Teacher Feedback

As expected, our first video draft got a Level 1, however we were expecting a low level because the song wasn’t fully filmed and we had limited locations and an abysmal mise en scene to work with. However we have some significant feedback to take into consideration when filming/editing our final video.

To begin with we were told to ‘lose the smoking shots’ because they ‘add nothing’ to the draft. At first they were simply used to fill up some space and add emphasis on a boy being lonely (lyrics and visual connections) however this evidently doesn’t have the effect we thought it would and therefore we will most likely delete these shots and find more creative ideas in order to add this effect. Secondly, we were advised to take off the covers on the drum set we used. This was something we wanted to do originally however the house we where filming at was our peers dads band practice room, because of this he didn’t want the covers touching (he is very protective over his drum kit) and therefore we couldn’t do this, which clearly had a detrimental affect on the video. We also had some negative feedback on our mise en scene used for the draft. Like previously mentioned it was our friends dads band practice room. He plays rock music and therefore has a few rock posters nailed into the wall, which unfortunately couldn’t be removed for the purpose of our draft. Luckily we managed to cover up a Simpsons  ‘spider pig’ poster, this would have caused the mise en scene even worse. Furthermore during a couple of shots we had the door of the room and a room heater involved in the scene. This unfortunately added an unprofessional look for the draft, which we couldn’t prevent in any way given the size of the room and the vast mirror positioned in the centre. For are main location we are considering using an empty room was white walls which is more spacious and will allow creativity while maintaining simplicity.

On the other hand we did surprising receive a positive comment on our guitar shots. Because Greg can actually play the guitar and we mainly used close up shots no real mise en scene was involved which allowed focus on just the playing of the instrument, which actually looked realistic and professional. Furthermore the equipment we had was high standard equipment, for example we used Marshall amps and fender guitars. Along with this the clothing items our band wore suited our genre effectively and this gave us some clarity to be proud of and take into our final cover.

To conclude we both understand that the whole video definitely needs to be re filmed in a new set location. And also a lot more time needs to be put into editing and filming to complete a high standard video to our full potential. 

Music Video Draft: The Everything - Lonely Boy

Due to very unfortunate unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to film the entirety of our video to the best quality achievable. The camera we were planning on using was sent in for repair and various other non academic commitments led to the band members being changed last minute resulting in filming being of worse quality than first expected. The location we were planning on using was otherwise engaged and we had to resort to a friends band practice room in order to produce some footage for the draft. This resulted in the miss en scene not corresponding to our chosen genre and therefore making the video look abysmal. We all now well informed that our location will be available for us to use to film the final edit of our music video along with our original camera and band members. Ultimately, this should lead to the video being of the standard we first expected.

Draft Plan

Filming Date: 31/10/13

Filming Expectations: we are expecting to get all of the shots on our storyboard completed for our draft deadline on Friday. We have a total of 79 shots on our storyboard, which we will replicate to our best abilities in such a short amount of time.

Filming Time Schedule: We are expecting to be able to get all of the shots done in around 4 hours. This should give us enough time to complete editing on the Friday. Thankfully Reece and myself have only two lessons on Friday; therefore we can use our study periods and focus on completing the editing.

Filming Locations: Because our filming will take place after school, in the draft we wont be able to include all of the locations we want to use, this is because it will get to dark, thus a Saturday would be a more suited day to film on while we can use the natural light to full potential. One of our band members Dad’s has a small room, which he has all the equipment and props that we need to film in, therefore we will be able to use this room.

Location Problems: The issue we are facing with the room we our using for the draft is quite small and with a camera/tripod set up it would be a struggle fitting in all of the band and a relevant mise en scene. This is something we will have to work around on the date. Furthermore the mise en scene on the room doesn’t real suite the genre of our band, this is because it has heavy-rock genre posters around the room, therefore we will allow ourselves time before filming to clear out some of the posters and other elements of the room that don’t suit our genre and make it more conventional/suited. There is also a possibility that we will use a lot more narrative in the draft in contrast to our final piece due to the location issue. 

Digipak/Poster Feedback

Draft Digipak Feedback

After receiving feedback for my digipak drafts I have found a few areas, which can be improved in order to help me gain full marks in this area. I scored 7/10 for my digipak and 9/10 for my poster. To begin with one of my feedback comments was to change my inside cover of my digipak to the waved line pattern I have used in my poster. This was suggested to show even more continuity throughout each of my pieces of work. I have tried this for my final digipak and it looks a lot better, beforehand the inside cover was too plain (even though I want a simplistic look) and the waved parallel lines are more suited to the cover. This leads me to another piece of feedback I have taken into consideration; I was told to change the name of my album to something, which suited the pattern I was using, so that they could connate. Therefore I have changed the name to ‘Parallel Waves’. I believe this name is effective because it can connate with the pattern I am using of two parallel lines. This way the audience can instantly understand the album cover better than before.

To continue on my poster an improvement was suggested, this was to change the date of the album release to a Monday (the beginning of the week). I have now changed the date to 18/11/13. Overall my poster was to high standard and the layout I have used looked professional and didn’t need any alterations or modifications.