Treatment Pitching (Feedback)

Through our pitching we gained constructive feedback.
Some of the feedback helped us improve our initial ideas and others helped us figure out potential problems which is a positive as we can overcome the problems.
Feedback;
"Dont use condom, as it would be excess and wouldn't really be needed as the message is clear"
Gaining this feedback meant we had to re-think wether props such as condoms should be used as the lyrics are obvious enough regarding the use of a condom.
"Get the right actors"
We are planning to do auditioning for getting our correct actors who will fit the characters perfectly.
"The ideas are quiet ambitious"
We was aware that from the beginning that we are going to carry out ambitious and creative ideas. Regardless of the feedback, we are still aiming to go ambitious and ensure that we complete all the effects and ideas we propose to do so.
"Why did you choose that song?"
At first we was unclear of what song to use as we planned to use a female and male actor. We wanted to send a positive message via the song so we choose this song as it would also appeal to the younger generation as they are the future for tomorrow.
"What about the risks?"
We are aware that there could be risks as we propose to use a rooftop, however we plan to get permission from the local authority or a person who can give us the permission needed to film and occupy the rooftop.
"Overall the ideas are good"
We had positive feedback adn we believe we can carry out what we propose to.

Treatment Pitching

We  pitched our ideas to our class and teacher. This was to show everyone our 'ambitious' ideas to see the feedback we gained. We gained both negative and positive feedback from the group. This was usefull as all feedback was constructive and helped us learn and gain information on what should be done and what should not.

Link to our treatment, done in the form of a presentation;

http://www.slideshare.net/Taf_music/music-video-presentation-treatment

Creative Ideas

We discussed our ideas thoroughly. We came up with a concept idea of having a narrative and a performance based music video. We had to get our music selection refined and filtered it out to our final song selection which is 'N-Dubz - Should of put something on'. This track consists of 2 male singers and a female singer. We wanted a female singer as one of our group members is a female and she is eager to play the role of the female singer, however we have not finalized this idea yet. Having both genders will also promote the video to be viewed by both genders. 
We were inspired by the idea of filming on a rooftop by the music video of the song 'Dappy - No Regrets'. Our narrative idea would be the main concept of an idea about having unprotected sex, leading to unplanned pregnancy.

Some of our shots will be shot in the media studio room for better lighting effects and shades. we decided that some of our actors will be from the performing arts department held in college and therefore we will be holding auditions to select the best people.

We have to ensure we cover and overcome ethical issues such as filming location. We have to ensure we dint film people who have not approved us of doing so. We will use a release form to get the local authority or the owner of the location to approve and sign it.

Case Study

I looked back at my Case studies and finalized it before handing it in as a final copy.

I got feedback from my teacher and ensured I edited it and finalized it before handing it in.

Case Study (3 Music videos)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROxPV7DG3QE

English Frank ft. Cashtastic & Don Jaga – Forced to ride

Uploaded by ‘englishfrank’ on Sep 18, 2011

Produced by English Frank & Cashtastic & Don Jaga

This music video is hip hop based. The synopsis of the video is showing/connoting pain and the struggles the rappers themselves have been to and have been ‘forced’ through. The music video is for a rap – hip hop song. “Hip hop music, also called hip-hop,  rap music or hip-hop music, is a music genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted.  It developed as part of hip hop culture, a subculture defined by four key stylistic elements: MC’ing/rapping, DJ’ing/scratching, break dancing, and graffiti writing. Other elements include sampling and beat boxing”.This idea is synced with the title of the song ‘Forced to ride’, this connoting they were forced to do what they have or currently do/contribute to.

The concept of the video is a narrative as well as performance based. We know his as they are portraying pain and struggles and using social activities to show this to represent the past as well as the present. The narrative shows their activities which connote to how they struggle and go through pain. They seem to be running away from something, possibly the lifestyle they leave as they feel they are ‘forced’ to live it. The performance helps show the artists emotions and we feel directed at, we can almost feel/ see the rappers pain through the screen. Through this music video they aim to show the viewers how they feel and how they live their lives some days. It seems to be their target audience would be predominantly male teenagers and young adults. I believe this as in this society there are many problems regarding the lifestyle of the youth and how many crimes have risen due to young adults and teenagers. The main actors seem to be from the ages 17-25, this could imply that the target audience can relate to these ages. The main reasons for narrative concept are to show the story and let the viewers feel as if they are given an exclusive insight into the rappers lives.

This is a mid shot (medium shot). This shows the facial expressions/reaction of the rapper. His facial reactions are made clear through this shot. His facial expressions represent his struggle, in this case; anger and upset. The lyrics in this video express his anger and pain and this shot is used to connote this. This shot also helps establish the setting, however as we can see that the current setting and background is a black backdrop. Black also connotes negativity and having a dark past etc.

The costume in this shot shows a hooded jumper with and a cap worn by the rapper. This is used on purpose to show connote the message of the music video and to show that these people are everyday people living lives like normal working class people and struggling and going through other pains and dramas in life.  The overall camera shots are fast cuts to show the action and keep the video flowing.

I propose to use this to show my character/rappers facial expressions to match the vocals. I would want the cutting and shots to sync with the music also. The black background could be done on a green screen or simply at night or alternatively on a black backdrop in a studio. The flash effect (lens flare) can be done via software such as ‘Adobe after Effects’ or alternatively other tools can be used for this effect, for example, a torch light put in different directions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-62lFq1NHU

N-Dubz – Morning Star

Uploaded by ‘SteveAATW’ on Fep 8, 2011

Produced by N-Dubz

The overall Synopsis of the video is mainly performance based which shows/connotes that the singers/rappers are ‘wishing on a morning star’. The idea of the music video is to show through effects and editing the way they are feeling. In this case a lot of editing techniques have been used to show the bright lights which look as if the singer herself is in space near the stars. These effects are used to connote the overall message and add to the pleasures of the eye.

This shot starts from a long shot and zooms in to a mid shot and cuts out to the next image. The purpose of this shot is to establish the clothing she is wearing and possible connote she is a normal woman who wants ‘a morning star’. The zoom in to a mid shot is to show her facial expressions as well as to keep her body movements at a focus. The direct mode of address is used as the singer is looking straight at the camera, this makes the viewers feel more involved. This shot helps with creating a happy atmosphere as many of the colours/effects used here are primary, bright and happy colours and are visually appealing to viewers.

The costume in this shot shows a hooded jumper with and a cap worn by the rapper. This is used on purpose to show connote the message of the music video and to show that these people are everyday people living lives like normal working class people and struggling and going through other pains and dramas in life.  The overall camera shots are fast cuts, however there are slow pans to show other actors. Also there are fades to black from one character to another character. The fade to black is to show a new person and a new set of ‘action.

I propose to use this type as I believe a long shot is always best to help establish the setting, although I will also consider using an establishing shot. The effects can be done using specific software’s. I personally believe these effects have been done on a computer after a camera shot on a green screen had been taken. Overall I would love to be able to achieve these effects as it would be a bonus not only to my self but to the viewers also.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0QFLZCH3FI

N-Dubz ft. Mr Hudson –  Playing with fire

Uploaded by ‘SteveAATW’ on Nov 8, 2009

Produced by N-Dubz & Mr Hudson

The overall Synopsis of the video is both narrative and performance based which shows/connotes that the singers/rappers are ‘Playing with fire’. The title of the song connotes that they are not literally playing with fire, however doing things which they should not be doing. The idea of the music video is to show through the narrative how they are ‘playing with fire’. This song is giving out the message that the singers/ rappers are on the borderline as they are doing what they should not do, the video suggests that they are cheating on their partners/wife’s/girlfriends, thus the reason they are playing with fire. This shot establishes the rapper/singers one by one. Fast editing is used to cut from one person to the other in order to establish them and their names. The text effect has been done using editing software.

This shot is a mid shot and cuts out to another mid shot. The purpose of this shot is to establish the clothing he/she/they are wearing and the setting. In this music video before the introduction of the singers/rappers an establishing shot is used within the first 5-10 seconds of the video to show the surrounding and atmosphere. The direct mode of address is used as the singer is looking straight at the camera, this makes the viewers feel more involved.

The costume used seems to be normal, everyday clothes for young people within London. This could have been used on purpose to connote that they are normal people and live normal lives. The overall camera shots are fast cuts, this switches from the narrative to the performance. It is used to create some tension and add to the action that is happening within the scene. They tempo of the cutting seems to be steady, this meaning that for roughly 3-5seconds one scene would show then a fast cut to another for another 3-5seconds then this seems to repeat throughout the video. The typography used within this shot is to help establish the singers/rappers names.

I propose to use the typography techniques from this video; however I plan to use it differently, on this occasion it is used to establish the actors names, however I will use it to help exaggerate lyrics and point out main points or words within the lyrics.  Also the opening 20seconds is inspiring as it introduces the characters; I propose to use this idea which could possible make the narrative or music clearer in a way that the viewers understand who is where and doing what and partially what their role is. Overall I will take the typography idea from this video clip and use a narrative and performance concept to my own music video.

Discussion about ideas

We discussed ideas about our music idea creation as a group. 
We brought up already made music videos and used it to inspire our ideas. 
We looked specifically at editing techniques and camera angles as well as the acting and narratives o specific music videos.
We had a long and hard look at a variety of music videos and in particular 

Media Production Schedule

Wk. 1	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 10th September				Creative ideas and scheduling		Research Case Studies
Wk. 2	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 17th September			Write a (a rough plan of what we intend to do) Treatment
Wk. 3	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 24th September			Audience Feedback - Focus Groups/Pitch		Pre-production (Draw up a Detailed Storyboard)
Wk. 4	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 1st October	Shooting The Video
Wk. 5	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 8th October	Shooting The Video
Wk. 6	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 15th October	Shooting The Video
Wk. 7	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 22nd October	Editing
Wk. 8	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 29th October	Editing
Wk. 9	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 5th November	Editing
Wk. 10	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 12th November		Research and Planning the CD/DVD Cover and Advert			Producing the CD/DVD Digipack and Advert
Wk.11	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 19th November				Post Production Focus Groups
Wk. 12	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 26th November	Planning and Scripting the Directors Commentary and “Extras” DVD (Evaluation)
Wk. 13	Mon	Tues	Weds	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun
Week beginning 3rd December	Editing the Evaluation