Monday 29th November - Audience Feedback

Audience Feedback

We showcased our first drafts to our class and certain other A2 Media Studies students to get constructive feedback so that improvements could be made.

Below are the comments which were received after this showcase.

Positives:

• Lip-syncing was well executed
• Performance was very believable
• Variety of shots/angles worked well
• The confidence in Sophie, as an actor, was shown, therefore making the performance effective
• The lighting in the music video was appropriate and showed the shot clearly
• The narrative was easy to follow
• Very sharp and great edits "to the beat" during fast sections + good variety of edits
• Camera movement and placement was effective
• Black and white worked "well" and suited the track and narrative
• Good use of symbolism "mannequin"
• Pan and zoom shot was very effective

Constructive Feedback points:

• Pre-song material - track wasn't appropriate
• Sophie smiles at the end of the "window scene"
• "Fuzzy" bit at the start where the screen goes shaky - this problem happened during the capturing process
• Photo album - could be more specific and show who is in them. Ambiguity works well though.

This feedback was all collected by teenagers who are the all the same age (17/18). This is only a small fraction of our specfic target group, therefore more audience feedback plans to be collected.

Draft Edit - "Not Made For This" Music Video

Above is out first draft edit of our Music Video "Not Made For This" - Anna Neale

W/C - Monday 26th November - Editing

Editing: W/C 26th November

Monday 26th November: Period 1 + 2 (Media Lesson), Period 4 + 5 (Study Periods)

Today we started editing our final project for the "rough edit". Although it was a tricky process cutting shots in to the correct places and syncing Sophie's singing to the track, Me and Josh made a start. We had the prologue sorted because that was completed a few weeks ago. This was completed because it was a straight forward long take and a few establishing shots. Sophie and Tom were absent from this lesson because of a family illness, however I though it was best to edit without them because throughout this project our time management hadn't been great, and seeing as though we had to re-film sections, our plan was put back a week, therefore I thought we couldn't lose any more hours, not being efficient. I spent the afternoon attempting to add to the progress we had made this morning, however the system was very slow and kept freezing.

Tuesday 22nd November - Period 3, 4 + 5 (Study Periods)

Last week, Josh put together the first initial shots together of Sophie on the bench, however long takes were used to just test the "black and white" colour on our video. However, because this looked very "boring" and due to the fact we had other camera angles of the same shot, I decided to change it to make it more interesting for an audience member to watch. I used straight cuts during this process so that we stayed conventional to chart music videos. As we inserted the new clips, which we filmed last week in to Adobe, the system crashed and froze. It said at the top of the screen "Not responding" therefore we couldn't continue. We then discovered that the format of the files which we filmed were different to the others and required a much faster processor. Josh spent lunchtime converting the files to a manageable format and cut them whilst I inserted the completed converted ones in to the document and cropped them to fit our video. During period 4 + 5, after we had left the original document open, I edited with Josh's opinions at certain points. We inserted the transition shots in to the first bridge and chorus and ended the day after we had completed the first chorus.

Wednesday 23rd November - Period 1 + 2 (Study Periods) + After School - 2.55PM - 5.00PM

This morning, I came in to continue with the editing work. Josh came during period 2. I continued on to the second verse, cutting between the new wall shots and mannequin shots. This process was very time consuming because I had to listen to the track very closely to match the lip syncing. The computer that I was on wasn't producing the accurate sound therefore I had to move to the main computer with the room speakers. I did this so I could ensure the lip syncing was perfect. After the second chorus I moved on through the video to the slow bridge in the middle and tried to figure out the ending to try and increase the climax to match the songs tempo. The bridge was fairly straight forward to edit because I wanted a long take, so that the audience have time to empathise with the character, as she shows different layers to her personality. After having completed the ending I showed some peers in the other A2 media class and they offered certain ideas but mainly said that the idea of reversing the corset short and fast fades worked well. Due to it being break, I stopped and thought I would leave Tom and Sophie in charge, during period 3, of the second chorus and the instrumental in between the bridge the middle section. I returned at lunch to find that nothing had been continued because it froze, which it shouldn't have done. Therefore we made a group decision to stay after school to make up the time and try and finish it.

After school Josh edited whilst we all offered ideas and opinions from the front, because it was shown on the big screen. This worked well and increased the teamwork effort in our group. I showed everyone the sections I had done, earlier in the week and they liked them. After this after school session, the rough draft of the music video had been completed. This was very rewarding and we were happy with the finished product. It was very handy to have people's opinions in the after school section because whilst I was on my own I felt as if I was doing it on my own, without my groups approval, however it had to be finished and there wasn't enough time where we were all off.

I would say that I have had a big input in the editing process, just because I came in and edited independently sometimes because we had lost time further back in the weeks, because of inset days, computers not responding and I wasn't going to use that as an excuse, for it being late. It was nice to have an major input in the editing process just because I wasn't so "hands on" in the filming, in terms of holding the camera. But I am very proud of the shot and edits so hopefully, the editing choices I made will increase the audience interaction the engagement.

Thurday 18th November - Deleted Shots and Why?

Deleted Shots and Why?

Pan of the coffee table - This shot was deleted due to its ambiguity and link to the plot. We took this shot to fill in space later on in the editing process. This also was initially planned to be a shot to set the scene and make the audience understanding where these scenes are set and what type of house and class these characters are from. However this shot became unnecessary and had very little connection with our plot.

Character Cage Shot - This shot was deleted because we didn't film this in wide screen. Also while she was singing she threw her head down towards the floor in anger (and character), this shot therefore, when editing couldn't be cut to anything else because her face, during her performance went out of the the camera frame. We planned to re-film this shot, and achieved the shot we wanted.

Character Wall Shot (Left Close Up) - We initially planned this shot to move to the beat, with Sophie's hair flying around as she sang the bridge before the main chorus. However whilst editing this shot looked very unprofessional and major continuity errors occurred. This shot has been abandoned. It will be replaced with other wall shots.

Character Walking,Stood and Running in the rain - This shot, due to the rain looked perfectly and could metaphorically represent the vulnerable character crying, however the filming was quite shaky, because we were concentrating on keeping the camera dry plus it wasn't it wide screen. This shot was quite spontaneous, we had planned it during our planning process, however it was obviously weather dependant. On our filming sessions previously, we didn't get the luck, therefore this should was abondoned and will just be replaced by Sophie walking down the street.

Character Corset shots - There were several shots with Sophie walking towards the camera, avoiding eye contact walking quite seductively, with anger. Plus another shot with her taking her corset off, and throwing it out towards the road. This shout would have increased voyeurism however unluckily this shot was again not filmed in wide screen and when we enlarged it on the editing software it became pixelated.

Character Wall Shots - These shots, unfortunately weren't in wide screen but also didn't have correct white balance property. This shot when placed on the editing software couldn't be edited to recover the original colour, therefore was abandoned. These shots were planned to be re-filmed and we achieved this in our re-filming filming session.

Above are the some examples of the shots above (in video form), plus other shots which have been abondoned or replaced.

Wednesday 17th November - Re- Filming (continued)

Re- filming - Continued (Wall shots and middle bridge)

This filming session was entirely aimed to re-shoot the wall shots due to the mistakes made in the last filming session (s).

Firstly we filmed Sophie singing the second verse on the wall, like before. We similarly did this for all the shots that we had filmed before so that there would be no gaps in the music video as it currently stands. During this filming session due to our previous knowledge of how interesting eh music video looks when there are different angles and shots involved. Therefore due to this, we filmed these wall shots several times, more than we did in the first filming session, to ensure that there was enough footage available to cut within. The process was faster this time, because we knew which angle we were going to shoot and also Sophie was more familiar with the song, therefore the performance came across more confident. This will hopefully help the character’s alter ego’s emotion of “anger” and “frustration” to come across more clearly.

We then filmed the “bridge” shot, which we had done with the mannequin but we thought it needed doing again, because Sophie’s performance in that section of the “mannequin” scenes isn’t overly confident, due to the fact that that section was rushed due to our poor planning. Therefore we filmed this again in the leaves near a curb. The choice of location was because I thought that she would look quite vulnerable if she is positioned low to the ground, and although dressed in the “alter ego” costume, the positioning of her will be incongruous to the previous act, therefore showing different layers of the character to the audience, hopefully then making them empathising with her. This slow section in the song, is a huge section of the narrative, because it is where the character gets confused and makes drastic decisions. Therefore slow cuts and long takes are used in this section so that the audience can concentrate on the character and really try to understand them. I filmed this section, which was a nice experience seeing as though I had taken a back seat on most of the filming, bar the odd shots, until now. I filmed this shot because I had the clearest image in my head how I wanted this shot to look and how it would work the best. To add to the effect of the shot, it was windy, therefore Sophie’s hair blew in the wind, therefore creating quite a vulnerable image, giving the impression of the character “thinking”. I positioned myself around Sophie and we made sure the leaves were in the shot, doing the bridge section several times. After the bridge to the beat of the music she flicked her hair and kicked the leaves. This shot was to fill the instrumental section but also to increase the voyeurism in this shot.

We also filmed Sophie walking towards the camera and did a hand held camera shot, where I walked backwards. This shot was quite successful because, due to the slight shaky camera work, which we wanted, it looked as if Sophie was coming at “the audience”, therefore symbolising them as the “boyfriend”. This would perhaps make Sophie look quite intimidating and the audience would maybe be unsure of what she is now capable off, this would hopefully make them engage with the music video, therefore increase audience engagement.

Towards the end of this section I tested a certain idea which contained possibly breaking the 360 degree rule, however we would cut it, during editing process so this wouldn’t be applied. I circled Sophie as she sang the penultimate chorus, this would hopefully give the impression that her mind is confused, frustrated and the spinning shot would maybe make the audience feel displaced and unsure again, about what she is capable off. This was a spontaneous shot, which may be used in the final product to portray her confusion.

Draft On Set Filming Video - Verse/Bridge 1

Draft On Set Filming Video - Verse/Chorus 2

Above are two on location filming, filmed by me to get a first impression of the shots. (Note - Sound quality isn't muted)

Tuesday 16th November - Narrative Shots + Re-filming

Filming - Narrative Shots + Re-Filming

(below are photos from the filming session on the 16th November)

In this filming session our aim was to reinforce our music video’s narrative and moral. This was completed by planning certain shots which would show the vulnerable character transforming in to a more confident revenge-seeking, violent character, and this transformation given a reason.

Firstly we filmed the first chorus on a double bed, via a crane shot to make Sophie look vulnerable, this was also reinforced by the bed pillows the duvet. This was quite a hard shot to film because the tripod was positioned on the bed with the legs either side of Sophie’s waist, however they then became noticed in the shot, and not only was the shot not overly steady but Sophie wasn’t comfortable. Therefore we had to readjust the shot type, but luckily we still portrayed the shot that was initially planned.

The next shot was Sophie singing the first verse sat up on the bed with her mobile phone. This shot, due to the prop, added a narrative to the shot. The composition of the shot we thought was very effective and portrayed the image that we wanted however it was hard for Sophie to get off the bed after the end of the verse to give the impression that she has had enough and was going to “change” (metaphorically in terms of her emotions and also physically in terms of her appearance). She tried getting of the bed smoothly, but due to the size of the bed it looked very unnatural.

We then filmed the “changing” shots. We started with the corset. We filmed this shot using an insert shot portraying the mirrors perception of the action. Sophie, in the shot showed her upper bare back, this was to increase the voyeurism in the shot and then the corset was placed over the skin. This mirror shot portrayed intimacy and will hopefully result in the audience members being engaged with the music video. In the same shot we filmed Sophie applying her make up, this was another transformation shot and was again an insert, close up shot. We then filmed Sophie zipping up her boot. This close up shot of the boot portrayed the dark side of the character and increased the "confidence" in the character by her decision to wear a risky pair of high heeled boots. These transformation shots will be slipped in to the bridge before the first chorus to show the character transforming from the vulnerable/ innocent persona to the violent, confident, strong one. Hopefully these shots will increase the narrative structure and make it obvious to the audience that the character is going through a transformation due to her negative experience with her boyfriend (symbolised by the mannequin).

After those shots we quickly filmed a shot of Sophie walking out the door of her house, implying that she is leaving in her outfit/new personality to cause some damage. This shot was filmed about five or six times because we figured that Sophie had to walk fully out the door and around the corner due to the translucent window in the door. The camera was situated behind her as she stormed out with the door slammed behind her. The door was fairly heavy therefore it took a few takes to get the strength for the slam. In addition to this shot, we filmed a take of Sophie walking out her drive, to the street where the second verse is filmed. This was purposefully filmed to be filler if we needed narrative shots later on in the editing process. This shot would also make the narrative more obviously and decrease the transport gaps.

In this filming session we also re-filmed the first bridge, chorus and second chorus because we realised that we hadn't got any footage for certain lines in the second chorus and realised that the original first chorus and bridge we filmed wasn't in wide screen. We attempted stretching the clip in adobe premier pro but it lost pixels and the quality of the footage wasn't suitable for viewing. Due to having had done this before this shot didn't take as long as the previous version. However we discovered another location for the second chorus, therefore we used the wooden fence for Sophie to climb on whilst filming the chorus. This enabled the character to adopt "risky", "rebel" characters which would reinforce the new transformed personality.

Wednesday 10th November - Preperation Document

Planning and Preperation for filming session

We felt as a group that sometimes our filming sessions were unplanned and unprepared, therefore Tom created a plan for the next filming session.

Shot List for Final Filming Session- 16th November 2010

Opening Instrumental Film some shots to be placed here?

Section One
Here goes another night, I sit and hold on tight.
Listening to my half circle preach.
Can never get it right, they stay or leave in fright.
Maybe I'm just not made for this.

Because I'm not designed for this,
I wasn't made for this.
I'm not designed for this,
For being so twisted, yeah.

‘Transforming Shots’ (Possible shots do not have to use all)
• Mid- Long Shot- Sophie on bed looking annoyed, she gets up after having enough
• Close up- Hand reaches into wardrobe removes corset
• Mid-shot- Through mirror see Sophie apply makeup
• Extreme close up- Puts a heel on her foot
• Long shot and Mid- shot- Re-film dance sequence in the cage X2
• Long shot- grabs coat off a fence hanging up and walks onto street


Section Two
Look at me, and see what you can achieve.
Don't, doubt your insecurities.
Money is power, and I have everything.
But I think you forgot the meaning of happy.

• Re-film Close up of Sophie at the side of the wall in widescreen and correct white balance
• Film another scenario that could be cut to in this section?- Looking at pictures, upset etc:
• Re-film the mannequin shot that goes in this section on another day if possible

Section Three- Important

I need a break from this, cause I just can't process it.
It wasn't like that from the start.
Can never get it right, they this I’m dull or bright.
Maybe I'm just not made for this.

• Re-film singing of this section- back against the wall(movement to beat, aggression)
• Sing this section in the cage as well- to add extra shot in (dance/movement)
• Another scenario to cut to in this section?
• Re-film singing this section with mannequin if possible?

Because I'm not designed for this,
No I wasn't made for this.
No I’m not designed for this
For being so, for being so, twisted!

• Re-film singing this section back against the wall- widescreen and white balance correct (More movement and aggression)
• Re-film- walking towards camera- handheld shot with correct white balance
• Narrative- arguing, aggression between couple

Instrumental
• Film some shots for this- need some ideas!

*Section Four-Most Important*
No I'm not, cause I'm not, no I'm not made for this.
No I'm not, cause I'm not, no I'm not...

I'm not designed for this,
No I wasn’t made for this.
I’m not designed for this,
For being so twisted.

No I’m not designed for this,
No I wasn’t made for this.
I’m not designed for this,
For being so twisted.

No I’m not designed for this
I wasn’t made for thi-ehhhhhhhhhhh-is!

• Re-film running section
• Climax to story- revenge on boyfriend, show him stronger, fighting, smashing...
• Another scenario
• Movement and aggression- coming to a climax so needs to be BIGGER than other choruses!

Tuesday 9th November - Mannequin Filming

Filming - Mannequin

(Below are some production shots of our filming session using the mannequin in the drama room)

This filming session has to be scheduled in the evening after college because it involved the “drama room”. This room was chosen due to its black walls and stage lights. These aspects of the room enabled us to film “studio” shots, which only contain the artist without distracting mise-en-scene. These shots will only contain the mannequin and Sophie. The purposes of these shots are to get the message about the artist “designing her own boyfriend” and the mannequin symbolically represents this. We have chosen the mannequin to be bare and naked in all the shots. This decision was made to make the mannequin look vulnerable and powerless so that it gave the impression that Sophie is controlling him. Also this mannequin is supposed to represent physically her boyfriend. This prop was chosen so that Sophie can physically “move” it around but still show intimacy towards him and is easily breakable, therefore towards the end of the song she can become violent and symbolise hurting him for revenge. Sophie had three costume changes in this filming session to create different emotions and enhance certain voyeurism angles and shot types. To make the lighting perfect in these sections we used the media strong lights and re-adjusted them in every shot to prevent shadows and bright or dark shots.

Firstly we put down a black sheet on the floor and placed the mannequin on top of it with Sophie placed by the side of him. We filmed her looking at him and hugging him without singing to fill certain instrumentals throughout the song and to portray her character more to her audience. Then we filmed the first verse and chorus. She was dressed in a black dress with a cream coloured bow at the chest of the dress. This dress couldn’t easily be moved in therefore we only used it for the lying down sections. This section was filmed using a crane, bird eye view, shot. The camera was placed on a piece of rostra, which was heavy enough to hold a tripod and member of our group and recorded Sophie from above (tom recorded this shot). We ended this section of shots by filming Sophie singing the chorus as she turned over oh her side, this shot was at ground level and showed her shoulder quite provocatively therefore increasing the voyeurism aspect of this video.

The second shot we did was with Sophie in a knee length, low cut black dress. This meant that she could move more around the mannequin and dance in the instrumental. We filmed this section in two parts, once with using a long shot and a second time using a mid shot. Sophie sang the second verse and second chorus and similarly like before had certain sections without singing which we could use to enhance the narrative of the story. During the bridge of the song, which she also sang separately, she removed the mannequin’s arms whilst staring at the camera and held them. This shot will portray the character getting violent, angry ad determined for revenge. During the instrumental she removes them and throws them, this also reinforces her anger and will make up the climax of our music video.

The next shot filmed was quite an experimental shot. I brought in a real microphone in from home and we filmed Sophie singing the song in to a microphone. This was sung in a preset setting, we had the rostra covered with a black cloth against a black background with parts of the mannequin in bits around Sophie, suggesting she had broken him physically and metaphorically mentally as well. She was in a pink long elegant dress singing the ending of the song and the bridge. Obviously due to these shots being in black and white the pink wouldn't show.

I thought this filming session was quite successful in terms of footage, however we underestimated how long it would take to set the room up in terms of lighting, space and costumes and do quick transitions between shot.