Video FINAL

Evaluation

http://amylou27.wix.com/evaluation

Website FINAL

http://amylou27.wix.com/suburbantypo

This is the final version of the bands website.

Digipak FINAL

This is the final of my digipak, the initial one didn't have CD template but after getting audience feedback I thought that if I added it would look of higher quality and professional, like a proper digipak.

Digipak

Final Editing

This is the last stage of editing that needed to be done before the deadline, and there was a few last minute things that teachers had fed back to us after watching the video. The principle focus was making the narrative 100% obvious to the audience, as we had to realise that because we had seen it so many times to us it is really obvious what the narrative is, but to other people it didn't seem as obvious. So to do this we added the colour changes to certain scenes, for example, the 20's we put in black and white with the footage flickering, for the 50's we had colour but a older tinted red colour to make the footage look dated, for the war scene, we had a sepia effect, again looking at the footage that was taken at that time, matching it to what it would it would have actually looked like if it was from that time, fir the 80's scene we enhanced the contrast and saturation to make the whole scene look brighter. For all of the other normal day scenes we enhanced the colour but to a normal effect, adding a nice bright feel throughout the whole video. Another thing we did to make the video more obvious that she was going back through different stages was add clocks at the start of each era that she was travelling through, we used a clock that was faded into the footage so that it was in the background but the video was still playing, this makes it obvious that the main girl is going through the different stages, but having the hands of the clock going backwards it shows that she is going back through time, showing the different stages of the past decades and then showing the audience that a quick visit to each is enough as the last scene shows her happy where she is at with her boyfriend in this stage and is happy in this decade.

Digipak Practice

As we are also at the stage of making our digipaks, I have had to practice again, as I wasnt sure what type of images I wanted or the colouring I should I have, I have found two images that I'd like to use and put the bands name on it to get an idea of what I'd like to have on the digipak, the two I have put in the post are the ones that I am going to use on the final piece. 

Website

The website is going really well, it started off quite slow as it was hard to get used to the sight and learn how to do things so I had to take a bit of time to practise and learn how to do certain things. However now I know how to do it it is really great! There are so many things that I've learnt and now as I use it  get more ideas to how I can improve the band website. Te stage I am at now with the website is the last finishing touches and getting some other peoples opinion, the pages are all the same layout with the images having a whole separate page as I wanted to really make a point of the artist and show his feelings towards the songs that the band present. There is a lot of interaction toward the audience as the band have been successful due to the fans. 

Making a logo

As we are in the process of making websites I thought it would be useful to make a logo so that i then had something to use on my merchandise and digipak. I wanted to keep it simple so that it was able to look professional and not look amateur. The focus on the logo was the font, I didn't want any artwork as I wanted to use the images more and I didn't want to draw the audiences attention away form the images. I decided to make the logo one word so that it had the effect of being a bit different, which is what the name is trying to present about the band, the colours are very simple again not taking the attention away form the pictures. 

Filning the performance - The ACTUAL performance

So eventually we finished filming, changing the location to Canbury Gardens, which was the prefect location as it was a lot prettier and looked a lot better for that type of footage we wanted. We used Grace's SLR to film the footage as there are still no cameras this gave us really great quality footage, even though it means it is going to take longer to upload because the files are larger. The other issue we had was that we didn't have a tripod or a dolly to film the tracking shots and because this was the central part of the footage we had to use it handheld which does meant that we have the risk of the footage being a bit shaky, however this potentially could be a look that would fit with the storyline. To sum up mine and the whole groups feelings of today is that we are all very pleased and that it went really well, although it took although it took a lot of planning, it showed that the worked well as a group and we are hoping that the planning and effort that we put in pays off and the footage is great!

Performance Filming

Today we were set on filming Connor walking down a road looking for the girl for the performance but due to the horrible weather there wasn't a lot of filming done, as it was so cold it not only effected the way Connor did his performance but also us being able to hold the camera! We decided to go back to Rhianna's house, which was local and change the idea and have him sitting at home and not really knowing what he is doing with himself. This allowed us to show him the lyrics on a screen that was not in the shot, so off camera, and improved his performance of the song. Although we didn't have everything we needed we had some interesting shots and photos that are going to possibly be used for the ancillary tasks we were given.

The changing of the performance

As it came to shoot the performance part of the video we thought we had it all planned! However it seemed that wasn't true as when we thought about the idea we had was going to e to difficult to do whilst still keeping it looking professional. The idea was to have the main character Connor singing to the t.v which had our video footage playing on it, this would have meant that we would of had to export the footage to a DVD and then film him watching it, this would have been very difficult as it would have taken a long time to export due to the large amount of footage, it was also decided that it was going to be too difficult because we would have to lip-sync the song with the bit that is being played on the DVD, this was going to be too difficult!

So after a long discussion and a few set backs, such as the primary character being ill, and the media department being burgled, which meant all of the Mac's being stolen and the cameras too! This was a bit of a problem as we needed to use the cameras to shoot the performance and also as we didn't have a computer to edit on, this set us back slightly!

However nothing that the Gear Girls couldn't handle and with a group discussion whilst we had no editing to do we planned our new performance idea. We decided to have Connor, the primary character walking sown a road looking for the girl, this was easier to do and still fit with the story line.

The Robbery

As the teachers walked into the office on Monday morning they were greeted with the shock that someone over night had broken in and stolen a lot of the department, as well as the 12 macs that were in the classroom, they also broke into the office and stole all of the cameras and a further three macs. This obviously put through a lot of stress and held a lot of people up with editing and filming, even have to re film and start the editing process again!

The department worked really hard to get the computers and cameras ordered and back to the department but obviously this took a while, as the software had to be re-fitted as they are new computers and the cameras took a while to arrive, the computers aren't going to be able to be used until after half term, which means that we had to use other cameras so that we could get the performance filmed so that we are able to get back from half term and set up the footage and start editing.

Band Name

The name of our band name was a important part of the process and although it was very stressful we knew that it was really important  get it right. We knew that it had to fit with type of band that we were presenting with the song and the image they portrayed with the song. Te band name we decided on was Suburban Typo, this presents the band as different as 'typo' means mistake or different. As this was the type of picture we wanted painted of our band as the band didn't fit the stereotyped suburban look,  this is the reason that we decided on this name for the band.

Digipak images

As part of our final piece we have to individually design a digipak and website for the band. As a start I have decided on what idea I want to put on the digipak, I would like to create a face using different images of the body parts on the face, the images below are the possible ones that I might use:

Reshoot

Today we filmed the re shoot of our 80's Aerobic session. Annoyingly due to the business of the original shoot, we didn't get a shot that was good enough for the transition that we need to the next shot. We have however decided to change the way the transition works, the first plan we had was to have an edit which included a continuity door edit, although when we thought about our next scene, 70's punk scene we thought that the door wouldn't work so we have filmed a shot of the main girl with her hands over her face, we shot this as a extreme close up and then as she takes her hands away from her face she is in the next scene. As we only needed the one character in the scene it was very easy to re shoot, we went and filmed but instead of using the whole area as we did in the first shoot, we only used her coming through the door and then a close up of her face so that when the sequence goes into the next scene we see the main girl take her hands away and that is when she sees and so does the audience that the characters are in a new scene and different era to what she was in. 

Album Artwork

This image uses the different parts if faces to make one face, this shows the unknown identity that the band is trying portray in the song and fits with the theme that is presented in the video that we have produced.

This image uses two people, either men or women (hasn't been decided yet) looking into a reflected surface, as if they are unsure as to what they are like, they are unsure about their personality, once again presenting the unknown identity of the song that has been used.

Band Names

The ability to think of a band name is something that I think is a lot more difficult than anyone first had thought, it was difficult to think of a name which presented the catchy name intertwined with the type of band that the song that we have chosen. There are a few names that I have thought about which I am playing around with:

1. The Wannabe's
2. Idewannas
3. Identity Wannabe's 
4. Unknown Wannabe's

Website Practice

As part of the research into what websites look like for bands I thought that it'd be helpful if I learnt how to use the software that I'd be using when making my own. I set up my own website with the use of images and wrote what I'd be writing and posting on each page. This gave me the ideas on how to use certain tools and when I looked at other websites it gave me ideas to what should be on my website.  I have posted the link of my practice website so that I have something to use as a guide when it need to make the real website, this is also useful to other people who wonder what is included in a website for a band. http://amylou27.wix.com/websitepractice

Website Research

An article which was published in 2006 reviewed the ways in which people read the information that they are given on a website. This article uncovered that people read the information in the shape of an 'F'. It is said that people take in the information in a more effective way by using the shape of an 'F' to guide the audience to the information.

This is an example of Beyonces website, this is the way that people would view the information, seeing the main image that is meant to show obviously who's website you are on, the information that you need to know and then the rest of the information tha is on the website

The Vaccines artwork

Editing

The filming at the moment has been paused due to the exam period effecting all members of the group, this also includes the cast being included in the exam process. This has had an effect on our filming, however it means that we are able to edit what we have so far, this pause in filming has allowed us t be able to take the time in editing shots and seeing how we can use the edits in a complex way but still letting it look professional. Even though we were able to start the editing and decide how we were going to make our editing as good as we could we were not able to have final pieces of editing as there is still things that need to be shot. During the lessons that we've had we have been able to talk about the things that we are editing, all using the computer and all being able to have a say in the things that we need to still film. We are all thinking about the ways we are going to present the different eras in the best way using the footage and the editing resources that we have.

Labrinth Album Artwork

Labrinths album cover is that of the very modern, CGI inspired cover. It uses what is seen as a futuristic  image of Labrinth with his head sort of 'floating' on the front of the cover, this is useful for the audience to realise that it is his album so that he and the album are easily recognisable. The name of the album is written underneath his name, which allows it to be seen easily allowing everybody to know what they are buying. The name 'Electronic Earth' fits very well with the colours that are used in the album art, they are all dark colours with the use of blues and dark purple colours, all that are associated with the the electronic 'earth' that the world is becoming as technology is changing. The album name title and also the type of songs that are on the album really fits with the imagery and art that is used.

Filming 5

This was the 40's shoot where we filmed a typical scene of this era, we filmed at war scene with characters hiding in a bomb shelter, we made sure that it was very dark with the clothing that we'd think they would wear. The scene had to be shot in a small place so that it was obvious they were somewhere that wasn't very nice to be, somewhere that looked uncomfortable and this was because the shelters were never a pleasant place to be and was a place that people would relate to a difficult time in society. For this scene we wanted to show a shot of the outside of the shelter so that people would know what we were trying to present, for this we needed to have a shot outside and inside, for we had an actual shelter in a garden and this was used to shoot the scene. For the inside part of the shot we used a a loft in one of the girls in the groups house. This was a great place to us to use as it allowed us to present the feel of the uncomfortable settings that the people in the era would have to put up with.

Rihanna website

This website is about Rihanna, the mega star singer who has bought out so many well known singles and extremely successful albums. It gives viewers all the information that they need to know, with a variety of images and ways to be able to interact and keep up to date with the busy popstar. 

Beyonce Website

As part of my research into websites in order to begin possible designing of my own I looked at one of the most successful women in the music industry, Beyonce. I wanted to see what information was included in the websites and what the layout was. The first page as you click onto the link to the website, there is a huge image of her so that you know exactly who it is. On the picture there is a date, this is an indication of her tour dates, this is the first image we see, so this date is going to become of an interest to the viewers as they may not know yet what these dates mean. This is a good way of allowing the viewers to read on as they want to be able to find out what these dates are indicating, this is a great way of pulling the viewers to the website. Included in the website are the images, videos, the latest about the artist, the history of her etc. The website gives the information out that people are looking for, this allows people to find out all the things to do with their favourite artist and they know that all the information is going to be honest and right. There is also a blog update on the first page of the website, this is really a great way to present the viewers with the information as this is very updated and the feel of getting the exact information shows that they are being updated with what their favourite artist is doing letting them feel they know what is going on and not letting them miss out on any important dates that they may need, for example tour dates. 

Rihanna - Digipaks

Filming 4

This was the day that we filmed our 20's scene. There was a huge amount of fun to be had when we filmed this as there was a lot of production that went into it. We had to use a wide range of props and other items in order to make the miss-en-scene as real as possible. We made sure that ever character all had the right clothing, this was things like pearls, feathers, mid length skirts and kitten heels or tap shoes. this gave the audience an obvious pointer of what year we were trying to present. One of the main ideas that we had to decide on was which setting was to be used because we had to be certain that it was going to fit with the characters attire. This was a very long process as we knew that as it was in someones house, the times that we were able to do it were very restricted. However we decided on a place to film and after all of the trouble we went to it definitely was worth it! We made sure that all of the scenes that were of typical things that people in the era would be doing, for example we had shots of a tea party, with drinks and cake, using a very authentic silver set of cups and saucers, we had food, with all the characters sitting round talking. We then had a shot of two characters sitting down talking, one dancing and two other characters playing the piano. This also fit with the setting and what the extras were wearing so that it was an obvious what era we were trying to portray to the viewers.