Construction Day: Ancillary Task

Whilst editing we have also had to focus on our ancillary task. Our ancillary task is made up of a cd cover and advert design. We decided as a group that both our CD cover and advert design should be bright, colourful and vibrant due to the fact that we are aiming to be a stereotypical teenage girl pop band. 

For the CD cover, we wanted to focus primarily on the idea of nature and the brightness and colour that is portrayed within nature. We chose the image of us three lying on the grass and facing up towards the camera due to the fact that it is from an interesting angle and we convey an interesting shape. Additionally all our hair is linked together which could suggest our close friendship and bond with one another. We then chose the font 'Fiolex girls' due to the fact that it was in a neat, feminine handwriting.  For our back cover we chose an image that Libby had taken whilst on a plane. It shows the sky and a large amount of clouds. We chose this as our back cover to create the idea that this is what we were looking at in the front cover. We then chose an image of a pair of bright, patterned heels against the green grass this suggests femininity.

For the second cover we wanted to choose another image of all the band. However, this time from a mid shot angle. We were unsure about which image but decided on an image from London. We then edited the image on 'Pic monkey' and created a pink background and positioned white faded hearts on top of the background. This created a girly outlook.

To finish the second cover we needed to find an image in which we were going to place the cd on top of and an image that would be positioned next to it. For the CD position we chose an image of a flower due to the fact that it was in a similar shape to a CD and corresponded well with the rest of the CD cover and linked well to nature. For the other image we chose a patterned top due to the fact that it was bright and the idea of clothes and 'going shopping' links well with a teenage girl lifestyle.

For the advert design we wanted to create the idea of three girls becoming one as a result of a friendship. Moreover, we focused on the idea that each three girls had different characteristics but that is what made them bond. So we set up a photo shoot against a white backdrop. Once taking the image we experimented with Photoshop and edited the brightness, contrast and saturation.

Construction Day 10

Today we worked on our digipak. We focused more on our cd album. We all had a number of different ideas but we believed that for the front of our cd cover we should use a picture of all three members of the band as they were the primary focus of the album. We decided to use an image that we took in London. It showed all three girls lying on green grass and facing up towards the camera and smiling. We all look happy and the image is vibrant which links to our main concept of colour.

We then had to choose a font. We decided on using a font which incorporated hearts as we wanted to create a happy and loving atmosphere. Additionally, girls stereotypically doodle small hearts so we wanted to make sure we were targeting the most appropriate audience.

We then found an image of Libby's that she had taken on a plane of the clouds. This was ideal for our album cover and we planned to put it on the back of the cover. This would mean that on the front of the album is the girls facing up and the back of the cover is what the girls are potentially looking at. We then used a serif bold font to create the names of the songs on the album. 

First Draft Music Video

 This is our first draft of our music video.

Construction Day 9

Today we decided to reshoot our close ups of our members due to the fact that the first shots were unfocused and so we decided not to use them in our first draft. Close ups are very conventional for a pop girl music video and so we felt it would look more conventional if we used close ups. Choosing to use the green screen again could caused problems due to the fact that it takes up a lot of time and a lot of space however, we felt we had to, to create the most successful outcome in our video. 

Construction Day 8

Today our group tried using the Sixteen Point Garbage Matte, however it was unsuccessful due to the type of green screen we had used.

However, our group did use ProcAmp to modify the colour of the background for all of the clips. We dragged the ProcAmp effect onto the green screen colour and adjusted it. In Libby's green-screen, the creases in the background have gone due to the fact that we increased the saturation, brightness and contrast. This had made the clip look a lot more professional and brighter which is ideal for our stereotypical pop girl band.

Unfortunately, mine and Maddies green screens did not result in as much as a clear outcome as Libbys. As a result, we need to adjust the brightness, contrast and saturation more on these clips. The green screens are one of our most frequent type of shots during our videos and so we want them to look as successful and vibrant as possible. 

We also added ProcAmp to our other shots including our cutaways. Due to the fact that we have had to film in Autumn the weather has not been ideal for our particular ideas and concept so we added ProcAmp to try and portray a more 'sunny day'. These other clips now look a lot more vibrant than before by adjusting the brightness, contrast and saturation.

Unfortunately, due to the amount of shadows and green screen group mid shot caused ProcAmp was unable to make it a clear, vibrant background. We have adjusted it as much as we can. However, it is not as successful as we would like it so to improve we will be reshooting this shot.

Construction Day Seven

We have continued to edit over the past week due to the fact that we feel that the editing is not quick enough and we want it o be quick in order to link to our genre of pop. We have been researching into other pop music videos such as 'Move by Little Mix' (seen below) and realised that we need to cut more and show a variety of different shots. In 'Move' there is a different shot practically every second whereas some of our shots last up to four seconds. Our research has also indicated that we need more close ups so we are planning to film close ups of all three girl members individually.

Construction - Editing

 

Premiere pro was new to all of us in our group and so we were both nervous and excited to use it. We have found it easier than final cut due to the fact that you don't have to render after every edit which saves a lot of time. When we first used it we had a few problems as it shut down accidentally a few numbers of time.  We found cutting and moving clips fairly easy as you can easily cut by pressing c. Syncing with the music has been difficult at times due to the fact that you have to be very precise otherwise it looks inaccurate.

Construction Day Five

We took this photo for the cd cover as we believe it is very stereotypical for a pop girl band. We are all lying close in order to create the theme of friendship. I think that an interesting outcome this photo has, is that all our hair links together which suggests a strong bond between all three girls. The grass emphasises our main concept of colour due to the fact that it is bright and stands out.

This is an image of London, we chose London because it has a busy and vibrant atmosphere. It is full of colour and inspiration which is exactly what our song is all about. Fortunately, the day we filmed was perfect weather for our song as you can see from this photo.

These are two images that we could potentially use for our advert design. Both photos show all three girls members with direct eye contact to the camera which creates a connection to the audience. All girls are smiling which creates the idea of a happy and upbeat album. Additionally, the London eye and sunset in the background creates a warm atmosphere and reinforces that all girls are British.

During this day, we went to London to film the majority of the shots we are going to use. We first filmed all three girls singing and dancing on grass with the southbank and trees in the bakground. Although we were stared at this was a succesful shot. We had to position the camera so that all three girls could be seen and that the background could also be seen. During this shot, we use our choreographed dance for the chorus which went well. However, some times it went wrong and was out of time but we will just use the appropriate shots in our music video. The dance reinforces the idea of a stereotypical pop band.A problem that we encountered during this shot was that because the camera had to be so far away we were unable to hear my phone which had the song on it. We resolved this problem by placing the phone in my pocket.

We then went up to the bridge and filmed individual mid shots of each girl members. We all stood on the bridge with the thames in the background however, we stood at different places so that the background was not identical and too ordinary.

We then filmed us all lying on the grass and looking up towards the camera however this does not suit with the other shots so we are not planning to use it. During this day we also filmed a large amount of cutaways which were all very succesful.

Construction Day Four

Next, we went to the location of Morden hall park and filmed the bridge section. This is where each female band member meets eachother. The bridge is an important part of the music video due to the fact that it introduces the three girls friendship and friendship is a main theme within our video and song. The photo above shows libby and charlie setting up the camera. We had to make sure that the tripod was carefully placed as it was placed on concrete and so if unsteady the camera could fall and break. Additionally, we wanted to place the camera in an appropriate place so not in the way of passers by and also we wanted to show the landscape of trees and the white house behind the bridge in order to emphasise the concept of colour.

Construction Day Three

Today we filmed our green screen shots. Firstly, we had to set up the green screen which was a time constraint due to the fact that it contains a lot more equipment than we expected.  It also takes up a lot of room. 

Here is an image of Charlie setting up the lights, we only had two lights whereas usually three are needed. So as a result we had to work with two lights as if it were three which caused a bit of difficulty. As we can see, Charlie is positioning the light at a correct angle as we wanted as little shadows as possible because otherwise we would have to edit them out on Premier which is difficult to do.

 

                                                

After we had set up the green screen we had to position the camera, tripod, lights and member of group in the correct place. The green screen required a lot of teamwork but it was a very successful day. 

Here is a screenshot of Miss Melody performing in the first photograph. This proves that we have continuously adhered to our genre by using bright colours and we also thought about the Rule of Thirds for our Mise en scene. We faced some technical difficulties when filming, however, we over came them by working quickly and efficiently as a group.

Construction Day Two

These are the shots that we filmed during our second day. We decided to re-do the shots of myself because they were not focused. Again, we used my house as the location. First we filmed me waking up, which was successful. However, then we filmed an extreme close up of me putting lip gloss on which was not focused due to how close the camera was. So, we decided to film a different action, as a result we thought spraying perfume on the chest and neck was very feminine and very stereotypical for a teenage girl. This was successful as it was in focus and works well with the music as within the music there is a subtle spray noise which links with the spray of the perfume. 

Construction Day One

These are the shots that we had planned to film for our storyboards and we filmed them in the correct location. During periods 1-3 we went to my house and filmed shots from a variety of angles in accordance to the different light on each girls face. We thought that Libby's and Maddie's shots were well focused however, we believed that my shots needed to be in more focus. We found using the camera quite simple once we got used to it however, it was sometimes difficult to set up the tripod as there was not enough floor space so we had to make sure the tripod was not on an angle as that would of resulted with a non straight shot. We filmed each of us participating in stereo typical female activities such as brushing hair, applying mascara and spraying perfume. The location were bright pink rooms which were ideal for our story line of three teenage girls. To improve these shots I believe that we could make them more focused.