Third Draft of Music Promo

After taking on board feedback from our teachers and focus group we made more alterations to our music video. 

• We removed shots of her in the cafe that were not needed and distracted from the narrative storyline focus 
• We also found some shots that we hadn't yet used of her playing guitar and we used this to fill the empty space 
• We added the ambient sound of typing on the phone at the very beginning of the music video
• Finally, we added text to appear on the screen when she reads the email to make it clear what she is reading is the message is very important to our storyline 

Second Draft of Music Promo

This is our second draft for our promotional music video, we took onboard any feedback given to us by our teachers, peers and focus group and made those alteraitons. For instance, we filmed more footage of our protagonist playing her guitar and writing her songs to make that the focal point of the story. We also elimnated some of the shots of her in the cafe as we felt this we too excessive and not needed. 

Abbie and I have had ideas of being more creative with the editing itself, we want to add text on the screen for when she is reading the email so the viewer can see what is being said. We will try this in multiple ways and she what works, if not we do have so filmed shots of the laptop screen with the email on. Furthermore, we filled in any gaps that we had but we cut the instrumental at the end as we felt there wasn't anymore shots that we could put in that would look meaningful. 

Overall, I am happy with this draft of our music video, I think the narrative is clear and the multiple locations and costume make it look more detailed. However, I do believe that by being more inventive with the editing we could make it even better. 

Day Four of Filming

19th February 2018 - 

Today we re-filmed some shots of our actor at the house, after showing our teacher the footage we accumulated thus far she suggested we have more shots of our actor playing the guitar and writing her music. So after school, we re-shooted some footage and added some additional shots so we had a bigger selection when we were editing.

Below are some shots from filming. 

What went well?

• We had a clear idea of what we wanted to film and whereabouts we wanted to film it, we had the feedback from our teacher and made notes on specific things to film so we didn't waste time filming things we didn't need or wouldn't be able to use. 
• We also communicated with our actor well so she knew what she needed to bring prior to filming and she knew what to do whilst filming so things ran smoothly in that respect.

Obstacles we faced?

• We sometimes lacked ideas for creative things to film so we had to take time re-watch what we had already filmed to gain more inspiration, although this meant we had less time to film we found this was beneficial in gaining quality shots.
• Secondly, we were slightly rushed towards the end of filming as we all had other commitments that meant we were slightly restricted by time, however, we still managed to get all the shots we needed and more.

What we will do to improve?

• To improve as a pair we will make a more detailed plan of what specifically we want to film if we need to re-shot again so we can get to filming instantly and don't spend valuable time planning what to do next.
• Finally, we will get our actor pre-learn the lyrics for lip syncing so again we don't waste time waiting for her to learn them when we could be filming more shots. 

Focus Group Feedback - Digipak (Fickle Friends)

Digipak Idea 1:

Joe -

• Like the cursive font as it is bold with the double lines and doesn't get lost on the cover 
• The links between the digipak and magazine advertisement are recognisable but it doesn't make it look too simplistic

Amy -

• I like the simplistic white background that is contrasted by the yellow and green colours. I also like the font used as it is cursive and italic yet it is still bold and clearly visible
• Try experimenting with a background colour, although I like the white background maybe there is a colour that would compliment the digipak and make it more noticeable

Rhiannon - 

• I like how the subtle links between the digipak, magazine advertisement and music video are noticeable with the symbolic use of the vanilla flower
• The use of green and yellow compliment each other well, although not common colours for this specific genre the work well and attract your target audience

Ben - 

• 
  

Digipak Idea 2:

Joe - 

• Good colours, good balance between colours, even though there is a lot happening it doesn't come across as too blinding
• Make colours bolder use felt tip

Amy - 

• I like the boldness of the purple and black, the paper affect ties into your music video well 
• To improve maybe work on the drawings of the scrunched up paper on the back as it might not always be clear as to what it is meant to be

Rhiannon - 

• I like the ombre effect on the CD and also the use of song lyrics on the inside cover, the chosen lyrics are effective and make you want to listen to the whole song 
• Maybe find something else to add to the inside cover as it is a bit dull currently, so maybe a bigger hint of purple. 

Ben - 

• 
  

Focus Group Feedback - Magazine Advertisement (Fickle Friends)

Joe -

• Like the bold font and how it stands out 
• Like the repeating pattern in the background contrasts the darker text 
• Text at the bottom is hard to read, try making it bolder as I like the contrast between bold text and handwritten font

Amy - 

• I like the use of the two different types of typefaces that contrast each other
• I also like the vanilla flowers because of the continuity 
• The fact that the guitar is included in the magazine advertisement and the music video is a factor I like

Rhiannon -  

• I really like it, as it is bold and stands out and the image contrast the background
• The bold font of 'Vanilla' is eye-catching and something I really like about the poster
•  However, to improve 'The Fickle Friends' needs to be bolder 

Ben - 

• The leaves are nice and colourful and grab my attention 
• The text itself is nice and big and it is made obvious what it is advertising 
• To improve, the leaves in the background distract you from the girl. If you were going to include them, make them less bright

From our focus group feedback, we know that we have too made changes to the font and try experimenting with the background by changing the brightness. Our teacher would also like us to make this and our digipak digital so that is something we need to look into also. 

Audience Feedback - First Draft Music Promotion

Teachers Feedback -

• Add in slow motion 
• Have different transitions between different locations 
• Some shots are too long 
• The shot of her getting clothes from her wardrobe is too long and dark 
• Try experimenting with different speed and lengths of shot
• The storyline is clear, consise and it makes sense 
• Some shots are too static 
• Certain shot sizes need to change 
• I like the camera movements in the performance segments 
• Lip syncing is good and very precise 
• It has really good elements to it and I like it 
• The way the video is structured is linear 

Focus Group Feedback - 

Amy: 

• The lip syncing in the performance part is really good
• I also like the shots of her in the mirror as they are well framed 
• I like the shots of the dog 
• I think the last shot of the performance may have been out of sync
• The shot of her leaving the bedroom is a bit confusing

Rhiannon:

• I love the lip syncing shots with the different colour lighting
• The ending shots are very good
• I don't think the narrative is 100% clear as there are some unecessary shots of her eating which don't make sense 
• The music starts abruptly and before it starts some form of sound is needed 

Ben:

• I like how it finishes with the start of the song 
• At the end I wasn't sure if it was a dream or she was actually performing 
• Overall I really like it 
• When she leaves the bedroom it looks like she is saying goodbye to someone and that is confusing 

Joe:

• The best part was the interaction with dog as it was cute but genuine
• In the lip syncing part I liked the lighting as it draws attention to her and is very edgy 
• Have more meaningful shots during the pauses 

Day Three of Filming

2nd February 2018 - 

This was our third-day filming, we filmed in our school's art studio and made use of the black backdrop and drama studios portable lights to give the effect of a concert/performance. We filmed in the morning at 9am during the beginning of one of our media coursework lessons. 

What went well?

• As a pair, we worked well overcoming any obstacles or difficulties thrown our way such as issues with location. 
• We also split the tasks well so we got a lot done in the short space of time we had to film, we focused on our individual strengths, for example, I organized the lighting and set it up and Abbie focused on the technical aspect of filming. 
• Finally, communication and commitment from our actor were excellent and she did exactly what we needed her to do, she learnt the lyrics so the lip syncing was good and even suggested different ideas for us as directors. 

Obstacles we faced?

• The first main obstacle we faced was location changes, we originally planned to film in our school's drama studio as we wanted to use the black backdrop and stage lighting to make these shots work. Unfortunately, the room was being used for drama rehearsals, we then decided to check our school hall however this was also being used for assembly. The final location that we had in mind was the art studio, and after borrowing the portable drama lights we managed to make it work and it turned out rather successful considering the issues we faced initially. 
• Secondly, the issue of time was a big factor in filming, this is because we decided to begin filming before school hours so the classrooms we would be filming it wouldn't be in use for a lesson. However, since we spent a long time finding alternative locations we had only 15 minutes to film and take photos. We managed to get all the footage we needed but we believe we would have benefited from a longer time with our actor to film. 

What we will do to improve?

• To improve for filming in the future we will have more options for a location to make sure we always have backups encase unforeseen circumstances like what we experienced were to arise again.
• Also, I would allow a longer period of time to facilitate any problems or issues that may take up a long period of time to resolve and make right.