Post-Production: Digital Technology

Task One
I felt that with this task the editing was again pretty simple.
I developed my skills with editing programmes in which I was not very familiar with such as; Adobe Premier Pro 2.0 as we learnt how to add the video itself to the programme, by using the capture mode;
I also learnt other things much as how to import music files to the video itself and also how to delete the previous sound;
... and we then had to match our mouths to the music which required cutting, arranging and lengthening of the video that we recorded. I felt that this particular programme; Adobe Premier Pro 2.0 was extremely useful as it allowed us to add features, effects and music to a video recording in order to make it seem like a real music video.

I feel that our editing went pretty successfully, however we did come across a few problems afterwards, i made the mistake of saving our work into my own personal files rather than into the local disc (D) drive, and were then no longer able to access the file at all, which then stopped us from uploading the video onto Youtube as well as being unable to finish it. I have now learnt where i need to save these projects and i now know that if they aren't saved in the correct places the saved work can be lost.

Task Two
After filming the video and visuals, we then had to edit the footage in groups of two people. To do this we used Adobe Premier Pro 2.0 and i feel that i have improved my editing skills hugely as i found that editing the footage got quicker and also better. Whilst editing the footage we had to import the original music to Busted - Thats What I Go To School For and also mute our previous sound.

We also had to cut, and adjust different scenes in order to fit in with the original music and also video, to do this i either cut off irrelevant pieces of footage, or slowed down the time scale making it seem longer, i think i did this efficiently as i am extremely pleased with the outcome of the video, though i think that if i had more experience with the editing software it could have came out more professionally and smoothly. Again i think the editing software; Adobe Premier Pro 2.0 was particularly useful as this is the main thing that was used to create the video as a whole, and i think the cutting and time elapse tools were also very useful; as they allowed me to put everything into time with the music and also create different effects.
Here is the final video;

Production

Task One
The production of the first task was quite straight forward, i was in a group of two and we recorded the footage in around 10/15 minutes, as we were aware that the task was just for fun, we shot it in around 3 takes. Of course depending on how demanding the task is it would take a lot longer to record and shoot the actual thing.
The main problems that we had were that the camera angles were wrong and we were recorded either from a tilt or at the wrong level and also the lack of professionalism; both me and my partner began laughing during shooting and we were also quite embarrased to sing out aloud.
I think that if we overcame these issues our video would seem more professional.

Task Two
This video shoot took a lot longer and was spaced over around 3/4 lessons; this is due to the fact that we had to capture many different scenes both indoors and outdoors. I think that whilst shooting this video i felt more relaxed and less concious during my scenes, which created a more realistic and professional effect, as did the rest of my classmates.
At first most of the people were quite shy so it took a while to get certain things right and accurate to the real music video, as well as this there were also quite a few outtakes in which some people weren't performing accurately, such as dancers in the background and the pencil scene, where the pencil shot out sight.
I think that due to the amount of planning that we had, everything ran smoothly and everyone brought in the correct props on the day that it was needed. I also think that when i am to do my own music video, i will do a lot of research and planning, so i know what needs to be done and also when, which would make the whole project run more smoothly.

Production: Digital Technology

Task One
With this task we didn't use much technology although we used a Digital Camcorder and also editing software in order to get the music in sync with our mouths.
I think by using the Digital Camcorder I developed my skills with it as I now know how to do more technical effects and also features with it. I now know how to change the focus of the camera manually rather than automatically as well as knowing how the framing can effect the way the audience perceive and we played with this quite a lot with our filming as we used the tripod to create different angles.

Task Two
With this task i felt that we used a lot more technology, this is due to the amount of editing and accuracy that was needed in order to do the task professionally. Again similar to the lip syncing task we used a Digital Camcorder; in which someone was cast as the cameraman.
Then once we were finished with the final video, we uploaded it on "Youtube" in order for our teacher to see the work. I already was aware of how to use Youtube as i already had an account, so it was easy to upload the video onto my account with no trouble.


In the A2 year, i hope to develop my editing software skills and see what useful effects or features that would enchance my music video, as well as this i would also like to develop my camera skills as i think that they could have been more professional.

Research And Planning

Task One
The first lip syncing task didn't require much research or planning and neither did we have much time for it; after finding out about the task itself we were sent to choose a song out of the 5 provided (Rihanna ft Jay-Z - Rihanna) and then learn the lines for that, and were allowed a few practise singing sessions which then moved straight on into recording.

For this task I found the research and planning extremely simple as it was just an amateur video and wasn't being entered. I found the learning the lines most vital and useful as this would be the main aspect of the lip syncing task.


I feel that after not having much time to complete the task as a whole, it would have been more professional looking if we had the time to create a storyboard and add more theatrics into the video.

Task Two

The second task was a bit more complex with the research and planning;
A director was chosen by the class; who then focused on the major aspects of the planning in which the whole class took part in; she created the casting lists as well as the prop lists to make sure that everyone knew what they needed to do or bring. We also used storyboarding to ensure we all knew what and when things needed to be done, and we also used a shooting script; this allowed the class to see what was being filmed and what was needed each day and most obviously we had the music video which allowed us to see what we needed to do, the timing and how it needed to be done. Due to the amount of research and planning that we did, we had a lot more time to do this task than the first one.





After using a wide range of planning tasks I think that everything that was needed to be understood and done was done efficiently, I don't necessarily think that any more was needed to be done, but I did find the storyboarding and also the shooting scripts the most useful as it helped me both in the production and post-production stages of the task. It allowed me to find the correct timing, and also the correct shots in order to re-enact the music video itself.


In the A2 year I would expect to be using storyboards, lyric sheets, shooting scripts, prop lists, casting lists as well as looking at actual music videos which would relate to the genre of music that we are going to use for our own videos, and then moving onto audience research.

Introduction

After finishing AS media coursework and exam preparation, our class has now moved on to start A2 media work. With this we have been given several tasks which will enhance our skills for the coursework we will later in the year have to do, firstly we had a lip syncing task as well as a re-enactment music video task.