Drea's Music Video Blog: July 2014

This is our final outcome for the prelim task. I think we were fairly successful, especially when you compare our video to the original, which is displayed in the bottom right corner.

I worked with Beth, Joe and Jack. We divided our tasks to play to our strengths; Jack and Beth edited the video, while Joe and I acted in the video.

To plan our music video we used a storyboard. We didn’t map out every location in a thumbnail, however we did show which side of the screen each shot was on, including a description next to it, details of the actual shot and timings from the real music video and a list of props needed for the shot.

We can relate our music video to Goodwin’s Music Video Theory in the sense that there is a complimentary link between lyrics and visuals, and a narrative-performance combined based video. There is not any element of Voyeurism or Male Gaze, which is the most common conventions in rap and pop music videos.

We used a Sony HDR-CX190 to record the video, and then edited it using Adobe Premiere Pro, using a wide range of effects and transitions to create a likeness to the real music video.

When shooting, we took framing, shot composition and character direction into consideration. We also had to mimic West and Hilson’s body actions, as well as their lip syncing. We took this into consideration and played the clip while recording, so that we could get the right pace for our video. During the editing we had to consider the use of a split screen, and we had to learn how to create and edit one on Premiere Pro.

I think our copy of the music video was very successful. The split screen worked well, and all of the transitions made the video look more professional. We did have to retake some shots last minute, so with hindsight, I would make sure that we get all of the shots done before we started editing, just to make everything run smoother. We got a positive reaction about our video; the class thought it looked professional and was well put together.

I have learnt that making sure everyone has the ideal role for them is necessary to work well together and create a successful music video. This will help me when completing our final task as I, as well as the rest of my group, will be able to make sure everyone is doing what they are best at and therefore we can make the most successful music video we can. I also learnt that I work particularly with Beth and Joe, especially as our strengths are fairly different, it means we could work in our separate areas, before coming together as a team.

Planning and filming a film opening is very different to planning and filming a music video; in a film opening you have to consider everything you aren’t going to film, and the progression of characters. You also have to leave a film opening open to continue the storyline, whereas in a music video you can finish the story, if you use one. Filming a music video is harder in the sense that there isn’t a massive sense of continuity, unless you use a narrative structure. Filming a music video is probably more fun than filming an opening sequence, as you can play around a lot more, use more effects and various shots out of context.

As a group member, my strengths are my comfort in front of a camera, as well as behind. I was happy, during shooting to film or act, depending on the mood and preference of my group members. My weaknesses are that I cannot edit videos particularly well, and feel much more comfortable in production rather than post production.

10) Looking at the other group's videos which do you think were most successful and why?

To be decided.

Drea's Music Video Blog

Music Videos Through Time

Knock You Down - Outcome & Evaluation

Knock You Down - Concept