Final Cut 2

Final Digipak

Post Production

Third Rough Cut

Second Rough Cut

Photoshop Practice (Alex Preston)

Using photoshop I created an opie version of a photo of myself. Using multiple-tools on the image I created a new look, a cartoon-ish view of myself.this was based of work from Julian Opie for his work on the "Blur" cover art. First i had to ensure the image was the correct size, I used the Marquee selection tool to resize the image. I used multiple tool to create this look; Including paint bucket to fill in colours, the lasso tool to select specific sections for re-colouring, paint brush/pencil for highlighting the facial features. I also ensured a understood the importance of layers in the creation of the product. But during this exercise I found out my complete lack of skill in photoshop and my short level of patience.

Rough Cut

The rough cut was quite choppy. This was mainly due to the compression when exporting the project. When it comes to the final version however, I will be sure that the video is exported, retaining as much quality as possible. In addition, it was clear after we placed the clip on YouTube, that the video doesn't appear to flow as easy as we anticipated. We will take that on board with the final version also.

On the other hand, I do think that the footage we captured was high in quality, before exporting. Also, I think that the location suited the music well, and that the lip, and band, syncing was very good. I did realise that the number of shots we used in the opening 30 seconds were biased towards the band, rather than the narrative. To achieve a better outcome, we have realised that more shots of our narrative (Jane) should be present. I would like to note however, that the surplus shots between 20 and 26 seconds were to temporarily fill the pause; though we shall be vastly improving this section as well.

Upon editing the filming, it was clear that the footage of the second narrative (Jane) were of poor quality, and required reshooting. The rough cut only incorporates some theories, which are present in many music videos. At this moment, the boldest being the use of thought beats. However, we are in the middle of including Goodwin's theory regarding the Star's image; whereby the lead singer receives the most attention from the camera. Unfortunately, at the moment, many of the edits are ordinary straight cuts, with no use of transitions between the two narratives.

Digipak Experimentation - Alex Preston

As my skill level is beginner, the ability to use any effects at all in Photoshop was a plus for me. I tried many different effects, one or two worked. With more time I believe I can create a image that encompasses many skills to a good level. But as it stands I should not let near the program Photoshop for the safety and sanity of the team.

Shooting Schedule

Recce Shots (Band)

Simple Head-shots of the band 

These shots were test shots for a test digipac experiment.

Audience Research

Moodboard (Make-up, Costumes)

Moodboard Logo Creation

Lyrics Breakdown

Storyboard

Digipac Experimentation

Initially I made one altered image using Photoshop. I added suitable text over the band members to show the information typically found.

However, as my skill level is what intermediate, if not high; I decided to go further. In the second image below, I've shown my knowledge of airbrushing, as I've smoothed over the complexion of each band member; as well as remove the background shadows and applying a clean white background. Also, I used the burn and dodge tools to highlight the mains areas on the faces, by using the dodge tool to illuminate the cheek bones and nose.

For the third and final image, I replicated the layer, making the top layer an overlay. As you can see, the light difference is amplified, resulting in an image with more definition and contrast. As these were merely experimentations; in the final digipac, I will be sure to spend longer, adding more effects to the design.

Animatic

Julian Opie Effect

I created a Julian Opie portrait version of an image of myself. I used and understand the hierarchy of multiple layers to keep elements separate from one another. I also used the smooth tool to smooth out the finer lines of the original image, making editing a smoother process. I used the pain tool to fill in selected elements. I also used the magnetic selection tool to select elements. Finally, I used the stroke affect to change the width of lines.

Practice Shots

These practice shots we captured on 5th November were intended to simply be shots to show where the actress would be placed. This would mean that we wouldn't require the actress as long; and so our

Filming Schedule

Recce Shots (Location) - 8th October 2012 (Completed)
Recce Shots (Band) - 16th October 2012
Recce Shots (Jane) - 10th October 2012 (Cancelled)
Recce Shots (Jane) - 15th October 2012

Test Footage -
Filming Location 1 -
Filming Location 2 -


Test Footage-
Photoshoot, Digipac-
Phootshoot, Advert -

Inspirational Videos - Other Videos

This opening sequence to a TV show 'The Killing' uses some very interesting camera angles and shots. The more prominent of which is use of framing shots and/or restricted angles to create a dark and eerie feel. Every shot is framed, this used in conjunction with creative editing creates a dark and gritty world. The use of thought beats is present in the video, as this is the opening sequence the same theories cannot be applied. But the cuts to other images, that have been put through a visual filter illustrate the ability to use plain images and intercut them with more explicitly provocative images to showcase the link between them.


This is a basic make-up tutorial following the design of a well known artist 'Amy Lee' the lead singer of the popular rock band 'Evanescence' her particular composition make-up is ideal for the semiotic connotations needed to be evoked in the audience. The make-up tutorial main focus is the eyes as a defined pair of eyes can have very strong photogenic qualities.

Inspirational Videos - Music Videos

Music Videos


The Location chosen by the band in this video, conveys similar things to the our music videos. The use of extreme/close-ups for the majority of the shots that included the band, conforms to the theory of Andrew Goodwin. Gives the video a rough and gritty feel. There is no extreme long shots of the city, they are replaced with framing shots of the 'Underground' of the city. Adding to the niche nature of the video.



The main incentive for using this video was the focus on the female protagonist, as our video includes a narrative strand focusing on the a female lead. The genre of the video is the same as ours, but has a female lead singer. This ensure many of the shots used of the lead 'Amy Lee' cannot be applied to our video. But the main reason for choosing this video is the seamless transition between narrative strands. This is mainly due to the two strands being set in the same location, but a similar logic can be applied to a video with the two strands being set in different locations, similar actions being completed in both can link the two thus a cut can be seamlessly applied. But as the two strands follow two completely different grops of people, a similar angle can be the common link allowing for a seamless link.


The main focus of this video is the focus on the band performing, our song is very instrument savvy. Encouraging a creative use of the camera shots to showcase the instruments used. This ensures the video will be more complex in its editing process. As in addition to the thought beats used in the video the cuts must coincide with the instruments in the song. This video was a simple reference on the use of the editing to ensure the instruments are showcase in all their glory.



The main focus of this video is the focus on the band performing, our song is very instrument savvy. Encouraging a creative use of the camera shots to showcase the instruments used. This ensures the video will be more complex in its editing process. As in addition to the thought beats used in the video the cuts must coincide with the instruments in the song. This video was a simple reference on the use of the editing to ensure the instruments are showcase in all their glory. This video has must explicit gore to show the extent suicide has on the psyche of the friends and family of the victim. We will be using this in more implicit manner as the brutality of suicide is not as apparent in the lyrics than in our video.


This video illustrates the use of mise-en-scene that is need for a our video, as our video is not as surreal as this, the extent can be lessened. But the principle is the same, the use of colour has strong connotation that we must exploit to gain a response from the viewer. The main use of colour in our video is the difference between the band and the Jane narrative. We also looking at the visual transition present in the video and how they are connected to the lyrics and the action shown on screen.


The attire present in this video is a little to surreal for our video, but the video has many redeeming qualities, the most explicit being the transition between shots, the light fade merges with the cuts. Further personifying the overall tone of the video. This creative editing will only be effective if the performance is believable, the lead singer does a great job of emphasizing the lyrics. The attire worn by the band is not suited for our video.

 
This video did not influence the music video, more so the Digipak and Advert. Throughout the video text appears containing lines such as 'Forgiveness', 'Anger'. This interesting way for showcasing emotions, is a great platform for us to add depth to the Digipak, we decided to add 'Lines' across the panes, which maybe messages or maybe describing emotions.

Treatment Sheet - Costumes & Makeup

Treatment Sheet

Lip Sync Practice

This, by far has been my hardest task to complete, due to my total lack of skill involving Final cut. But I push through and learnt from scratch how to use Final Cut. I learnt how to use markers to line up two separate audio tracks to sych them together, also how to cut and crop audio and video files, but more important than all of that, I learnt about the importance of locking each layer to prevent accidental changes. I also started to understand how each layer acts in regard to the whole piece. I feel that I am competent at using Final Cut for simple tasks and hope to improve in time for my music.

The Actors

Jane 

Played By Karen O'Leary 

Brother

Played by Dan Spurway

The Band

Lead Singer

Drummer

Guitarist