Poster Planning: Idea 2

This is the second draft for my digipak poster. Similar to the previous plan, I discussed the image that I wanted to use on my poster and how this links with my digipak, I discussed the font I wanted to use, I discussed the general layout and how I think this will be effective, and I also discussed the colour scheme. Furthermore, I spoke about how this poster links to my rock/punk/metal genre as well as the horror movie theme. 

Poster Planning: Idea 1

I have decided to plan my poster ideas as it allows me to look at all of the ideas that I have and also gives me a clearer view about how I want my poster to look. I discussed the image that will be on my poster and how it links to my digipak cover, I discussed the general layout and also featured some examples where I got my inspiration from, and I also spoke about the text and the colour theme and how all of these ideas tie in with my rock/punk/metal genre.

Test Filming

I did some test filming to show where my music video will be taking place. This task also allowed me to play around with the camera and see exactly how it worked. It also allowed my to judge what kind of quality the camera had.
(Click on the YouTube logo and it will allow you to watch this video).

SHOOTING SCHEDUEL

Shooting Scheduel

Creating a shooting schedule allows me to carefully organize my timing and plan exactly how long I wanted to take when creating my music video. I have roughly estimated that all in all, this project will take me 6-7 hours. I want to spend at least 3 hours filming the narrative so I can get a variety of camera angles and shots; and I wanted to spend at minimum of 2 hours filming the performance.
This task has also allowed me to think about what props, costumes and filming equipment I need to get before I start my music video.

VLOG: Props

VLOG: Locations

Fourth Song Choice

         Hospitals For Souls by Bring Me The Horizon

This is yet another favourite song of mine. I chose this song because it's dark, emotional and has a lot of empowering moments which I think will represent the story in my music video and the initial punk/grunge genre. I can also easily imagine my music video fitting in nicely with this song as it has some fast, rapid beats but then becomes more calm and slow towards the end before finally speeding up again. I think I can do a lot with my music video with this song in the background and out of all of the other songs I have chosen, this one is my most favourited. However, I am still unable to decided if this one is in fact the most suitable song as it may be slightly too fast and rapid for the style of my music video.

Third Song Choice

Highly Suspect - Lydia (Official Video / Dir. Cut) from pier pictures on Vimeo.
I chose this song because I like the rhythmic beat and I also think it has a slight grunge/rock style to it. However, unlike the previous songs that I had picked, this song is not slow and emotional but more heavy and hardcore. This hardcore style will go nicely with some aspects in my music video but may also look slightly out of place with others. For instance, went I used a slow motion effect to make the music video look more dramatic and emotional, the song may not go in the scene.

Second Song Choice

Creep by Radiohead
This is another one of my favourite songs. In comparison with Desert Song, it has a faster tempo but is still emotional and dark. I also think that the lyrics can relate more to my music video as my initial idea is to set my video around the story of 'Frankenstein' which is an unusual and creepy story. However, I'm having trouble really imagining my music video going to this song and I'm finding it hard to think of which camera angles will work in the appropriate place.

VLOG: Storyline/Costumes

Target Audience

Target Audience

This task allowed me to pitch my initial ideas to my target audience and gave me insight on what they did like, what they didn't like and what they would change/suggest for my music video. From this feedback, I now know that the idea of shooting the narrative in black and white and leaving the performance in colour is effective as my target audience said it was very interesting and original and so, I will be using this in my final product. I also know that I don't have to change the narrative side of the music video, which I feared, as my target audience seem to love to concept of the idea and think that it will really appeal to individuals who listen to punk/rock/grunge.

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment

This task allows me to identify any possible risks and problems that may occur during my music video. It also allows me to enable to safety of my actors and anyone else who is involved in the production of my video.

First Song Choice

Desert Song by My Chemical Romance
I chose this song because it is personally one of my favourites. It's emotional, dark and has some powerful lyrics which I think will represent my music video as the story is also emotional and dark. However, I also think that it may be too slow in pace which some of the shots I want to use. For example, I want to use quick shots and shake the camera slightly to create tension and these aspects are usually found in rock/punk/grunge songs that are more heavy and have a faster tempo.

Andrew Goodwin: Conventions Entry

Initial Ideas

I created a presentation so that I could write all of my ideas down. I found this helpful as it allowed me to really think about my ideas and evaluate them and decided how they're going to help me in my music video. It will also be helpful when I start creating my music video because I'll be able to look over my initial ideas. I hope that after I discuss these notes with my focus group, I will know if I need to change any of them and so, I will create another presentation for this.

Analyzing Album Advertisement - Posters

Analyzing Magazine Album Advertisement from mcilroyeden

Looking at how albums and digipaks are advertised in magazines allow me to evaluate which features make an advertisement successful. For instance, an interesting font that relates to the band (e.g. the font found on their album cover) is commonly used to create a brand and to entice any fans of that band. I also found that what seems to be the most common and favoured background is black. This allows the photo and text to stand out, making the page look more eye-catching and exciting. 

Analyzing Digipaks: Asking Alexandria - Reckless and Relentless

This digipak is different to the other ones I analysed as it is not illustrated and it's more dark which represents the music which is heavy metal/screamo. I like the style of the front and back cover with the dark colours and the gothic styled text. From what I have seen, most back covers of a digipak have an image of the band. I want to move away from this common feature and be more original and unique.

Analyzing: The Downfall of Us All by A Day To Remember

The Downfall of Us All by a Day to Remember

After analysing this music video, I found that the thing that stood out for me the most was the use of location. I like how they set their performance in a under-ground skatepark which I believe represents the genre of music as the location is dark, loud and a lot of things are happening around you. Due to this, I hope to use a similar location, (e.g. small dark building, etc) which is seen as rough, scary and some what abandoned; in my music video to represent the genre of music.

Analyzing Digipaks: Green Day - Dookie

Like the My Chemical Romance digipak, this digipak is also illustrated, however, it is more bright and colourful and a lot more of things are going on in this digipak. The only thing that might be a disadvantage to this digipak is the fact that the back cover has a completely different style to the front cover so it is hard to tell that these two covers belong to the same digipak. Due to this, I'm going to make sure my back cover is similar to the front cover by using the same colours, same text, similar image, etc.

Analyzing: Welcome To The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance

Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance

After watching this music video, I have realised that this one is similar to 'American Idiot', possibly because they were directed by the same person, Rob Caballo.
One of the things I noticed in this music video which I hope to use in mine is the use of low-key lighting. For example, when the man in the hospital is dying, low-key lighting is used to create a dark and depressing atmosphere which I think is really effective and makes the music video look more professional and interesting. Also, I like how the camera focuses in and out to symbolise the fact that this man is coming in and out of consciousness and I hope to use this technique in my music video.

Analyzing Digipaks: My Chemical Romance - Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge

My task was to analyse three digipaks as I will be creating my own digipak from and back cover. I like the fact that this digipak is illustrated and the black and red represent the grunge/scene music. As I think that having an illustrated digipak is more interesting and unique, I'm thinking off taking this idea and using it for my own digipak. 

Analyzing: American Idiot by Green Day

Analyzing 'American Idiot' Music Video by Green Day

After watching this music video and carefully analysing it, I have found some techniques and features I would like to possibly involve in my music video. For instance, I like the rapid jump shots, showing different camera angles, etc. It makes the music video look more exciting and intense and I think that will fits in well with the type of genre I have picked. This task was also helpful as it has helped me understand what camera angles work and which ones don't, what special effects I can involved in mine (e.g, slow motion) and what costumes/clothing would represent the genre and appeal to my target audience.

Music Video Analysis: Task Two

Music Video Analysis: Task One

My task was to create a table where I looked at four different genres of music: rock, pop, rap and indie. I evaluated music videos from each of the genres and looked at camera angles, miss-en-scene, editing and sound. From this task, I have learnt what camera angles are commonly used in music videos and what types of angles make the music video look more interesting. I have also learnt the importance of mise-en-scene as it can create the mood for the song. For example, if the music video is quite dark and the genre is rock, you would most likely see colours such as black, grey, brown, etc. Also, the location would be dark and mysterious and not set in a brightly lit field or a club like most pop videos. Finally, I have also learnt the importance of editing. If a music video has quick and rapid shots, this creates a sense of tension and excitement which again, sets the mood for the music video.

Analysing Other Student's Music Videos

My task was to analysis a number of OCR Media music videos, all different grades. I evaluated three videos by using iMovie; one being better than the other. This task allowed me to get a general idea of what is expected of me when creating my music video and what makes a music video successful and what does not. The task also allowed me to research new camera angles and editing techniques which I hope to use in my own music video.

*First music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1S_DhHqlg&safe=active\
*Second music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm_cM69TqQ4
*Third music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkJXibuJYF0

Branding Research

Click this link to visit my branding research web page: http://mcilroyeden.wix.com/brandingresearch

My task was to investigate how artists/bands create a brand for themselves by using costumes/fashion, logos, album covers and social media. I found that most bands have a recognisable logo and their album cover usually represents who they are as a band and what type of music they play. I also found that costumes/fashion have a big part in the development of creating a brand. If you have a style that audiences find appealing and interesting, you will attract more fans. 

From this knowledge, I now know what is needed to create a successful brand which will be helpful when creating my digipak, website and music video. I have also learnt the importance of synergy when creating a music brand. For example, most bands release merchandise with their bands logos on it. Whenever a fan wears a piece of merchandise from a certain band/artist, it is as if they are promoting that music genre and so, this intrigues more fans. 

Changes To Music Videos

I created a presentation on Slideshare where I compared an old music video to a newer music video. I decided to chose 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen (1975) and 'Na Na Na' by My Chemical Romance (2010). I focused on camera angles that were used, the use of editing, colour schemes, narrative and performance. This task has helped me understand how much music videos have changed over time which will be helpful when planning my music video as I now know what makes a music video successful and what does not. Comparing these two music video have also helped me learnt how much colour schemes, costumes/fashion and the sound of the actual music has changed over time.

Inspirational Music Videos

Digipaks

My task was to create a prezi, discussing the topic of digipaks. I learnt what they are, their advantages, their disadvantages, how much they cost and what they are made of. This will help me when I create my own digipak for my artist/bands music video. I have also learnt that in digipaks, you must include:
*Colour schemes.
*Pictures of band/artist.
*Information booklet inside digipak.
*Must be a 4/6/8 panel - (preferably 6 panel).

Analysis of Music Websites

My task was to create a presentation where I focused on the features found on a number of artists/bands official websites. I looked at Green Day (punk), Black Sabbath (rock/metal), Eminem (rap), Kodaline (indie) and Ed Sheeran (pop). I focused on the fonts that were used, any pictures that were shown, the posts and the used of colour in both the background and text. I analysed each website, identifying what is commonly found on an artists/bands website. This task allowed me to decide which features I could use when creating my own website and what would make it look interesting and eye-catching.

The History Of Music Videos

My task was to research the history of music videos. I constructed my presentation on "Time Toast" which is a website which allows you to create timelines. I used wikipedia and previous A2 students timelines to create my own, selecting the most iconic and important events which shaped the development of music videos we have today.
I have learnt the importance of websites such as YouTube and music channels such as MTV. Without these, most music videos would not be as popular as they are today. Music websites and channels allow audiences to watch their favourite bands/artists and also helps those artists gain more fans.
I have also learnt that a music videos with an interesting narrative makes it more popular than songs that may not even have a narrative. For example, Thriller by Michael Jackson is possibly the most famous music video in history and this is due to the storyline; making the music video look as if it was a movie.