Feedback from first cut video of "Dog Days Are Over" By my classmates

On Friday 26th November 2010, I asked my classmates from the different groups in my media class to give me some positive and negative feedback on our first cut music video of "Dog Days Are Over." They gave me some good feedback and they told our group what we could improve on to make our video better for the final dealine which is in under a weeks time. I asked two seventeen year olds from two different groups to coroperate with my feedback:

Liam Camp (17, Chauncy School)- "I liked the bridge shot of your actress and in my opinion, the video flowed. The base footage was really good. I liked the use of different settings and the incorporation of natural lighting. The different range of camera angles made the settings interesting. You could improve the video, by using certain editing techniques such as the overlay which would make your video feel warmer and your lighting more dreamy."

Mariann Theochari (17, Chauncy School)- "I liked how you played with the genre of indie pop. The costume matched the genre and we had a different range of shots. I liked the low angle shot of her peering through the fence because it came across well that she was looking for something to do. You could improve on by having shots that are not long winded and long as they should be."

First Cut of Dog Days Are Over

On Wednesday 3rd November 2010, our media class had to present our first cut of our music video to the class. Then we would receive feedback from our teacher on how we can improve our video for the deadline in December. Our group found it hard to reach the deadline for the first cut presentation because we still had sections to film and there were gaps in the video. We corrected the gaps with previous footage from the planning stage.

We still have to film the horse scenes, lip syncing and our actress walking out of a train onto the station platform.

Lens Flare Still Image

During the editing process, I wanted to experiment with a various range of effects that can make our music video appealing to our intended audience. This is called a Lens Flare which acts as an device that follows our actress throughout the video. I had the opportunity to change the brightness and the movement of the lens flare to suit what I wanted it to be like. I was introduced to this effect by my media teacher because at this time our media production was lacking a motive so it took me several attempts to get the lens flare right to my groups satisfaction.

Replacement Sequence for Shot 15

During the planning stages, we have decided to replace shot 15 with a different sequence of camera shots and angles.


In the first shot, the actress will be walking towards the camera (Sepia)
Second shot will be of our actress will have her back to the camera (match on action)
In the third shot, we will use a point of view shot to show her feet as she is walking.


Sixth Shot- we will have a hair flipping shot of her hair in slow motion.
Seventh shot-Skirt spinning shot in slow motion.

How I edited my audio track "Dog Days Are Over."

During the planning process, we were told to cut the song down to 3minutes instead of 4 and a half because it was too long, so in October 2010 I went to the music department at my secondary school, to edit the song down with the help of my music teacher. We had our difficulties, because we didn't want to make a obvious cut at the end of the song so instead, we used a fade to fade the song out.

This is how we edited it step by step with print screens:

-Firstly, I downloaded a wav (format) file of my audio track.
-I imported my audio file into Cubase, into a new project, on an audio track.
-I worked out the timing of where I needed to cut sections of the original track, in order to reduce the length of the original track and sync it with my music video.
-Then I cut the track into sections and then I deleted unwanted bars.

-I moved the uncut sections together and pasted them together using the editing tool.

-I faded out the end of the audio track using "processing" and "fade out" tools.-Finally I exported the final mix onto my memory stick.

Permission from the artist

During the planning stages before we started to film our production Megan sent a letter to Florence Welch who is the lead singer of Florence and the Machine asking for her permission to use the song.
This is what Megan sent her in October.

Wednesday 6th October 2010

Dear Florence Welch,
My name is Megan Saxton and i am a great fan of your music.
I am currently studying A Level Media and am writing on behalf of myself and two of my fellow students to ask for your permission to use your song 'The Dog Day Are Over' in a production we are currently working on. Our production includes finding a song, producing and making a music video for it.

I can ensure you the video will not be made public and we will not make any kind of profit from it. We will also not use any video material that you have originally created.

Many thanks in anticipation.
Yours sincerely,

Myself, Megan Saxton and my team mates Emily Thomas and Sam Walton.

We did not receive a reply.

Letter to Ware Station

In late September 2010, I wrote a later to our local trian station to ask permission for our group to go and film at the station on Sunday 3rd October 2010 for about half an hour. Here is a copy of the letter:

The Gables
Potters Green
Nr. Dane End
Ware
Hertfordshire
SG12 0JU

Station Manager
Ware Railway Station
Station Road
Ware
SG12 9DW

Dear Sir/Madam

I am a sixth former studying A-Level Media Studies at Chauncy School. I am currently planning my final video production and I am writing to ask your permission to film outside and on the platform at Ware Station.

This filming would last approximately 30minutes, and would not require filming of the general public. Only three students would be involved.

If you require further details you are welcome to contact my Media Studies teacher Mrs Allison at Chauncy School on 01920 411 200. In addition, you can also contact me on 07702 100060.

Yours Faithfully.

Sam Walton

We did not get a reply, but on our first filming day, we used Hertford Railway Station instead because Ware was closed. The trains at Hertford, were also not running so we planned in our schedules when we are going to film it. On Friday October 2nd 2010, Megan and Emily drove to Hertford and they filmed at least five minutes of footage for us to edit.

Location ideas for our music video.

Here are the pictures of the locations that we might use for our music video. They are not on the presentation (The Pitch) because there was a connection error for the downloading process so here they are:

Actress: Georgia

Actress: Georgia

Georgia Jaggs, does not attend our secondary school and A-Level media class, but she is friends with Emily (Team Roles). Georgia is playing the role of the main character in the video. She has the look of Florence with her red hair and she fits the style that we intended. Georgia will be acting and lip syncing in the video.

She has had acting experience in the past by attending a stageschool.

Team Roles: Megan

Megan:

Team Roles Include:

-Production Organiser

-Filming

-Editing

-Preparation for filming

Team Roles: Emily

Emily:

Team Roles Include:

-Costume Designer

-Filming

-Editing

-Preparation for filming

Team Roles: Sam

Sam:

Team Roles Include:

-Filming

-Editing

-Location Organiser

-Preparation for filming

Dog Days Are Over Lyrics

Here is the lyrics for Dog Days Are Over with our alterations and cuts that we are going to make. We have also incorporated timings to the lyrics to fit the visuals:

Happiness, hit her like a train on a track (SING)

(22seconds)

Coming towards her, stuck still no turning back

She hid around corners and she hid under beds-6seconds

She killed it with kisses and from it she fled-6seconds

With every bubble she sank with a drink

(13seconds)

and washed it away down the kitchen sink

the dog days are over

(6seconds)

The dog days are over

The horses are coming so you better run-7seconds

Run fast for your mother run fast for your father (SING)-3seconds

Run for your children and your sisters and brothers (SING)-3seconds

Leave all your love and your loving behind you (SING)

(10seconds)

Can't carry it with you if you want to survive (SING)

The dog days are over

(7seconds)

the dog days are done

Can't you hear the horses

(9seconds)

Cuz here they come

(Instrumental break)

And I never wanted anything from you

Except everything you had (SING) (29seconds)

and what was left after that too. oh.

(Instrumental Break)

(7drum beats before the next set of lyrics)

Happiness it hurt like a bullet in the mind

Struck from a great height (CUT)

by someone who should know better than that

The dog days are over

The dog days are over (CUT)

can you hear the horses

Cuz here they come

Run fast for your mother and fast for your father-3seconds

Run for your children for your sisters and brothers-4seconds

Leave all your love and your loving behind you

(8seconds)

Can't carry it with you if you want to survive

The dog days are over

The dog days are over (CUT)

Can you hear the horses because here they come

The dog days are over

(5seconds)

The dog days are over

Can you hear the horses because here they come-16seconds

Production Schedule

Dates are ranging from: 13th September - 6th December.

Feedback on Animatic

Our Media Studies teacher watched our Animatic and has given us some feedback. We will use this feedback and incorporate it into our proudction.

Shot 4: There will be three different framings which will be wide, medium and close.

Shot 5: In this shot, we will experiment with different camera angles such as a 360 degree or high/low angle shots.

Shot 14: We will use slow motion to signify how this shot symbolises a message in the video.

Shot 15: This shot is 29seconds long and this shot will have a montage of flashbacks which will be in black and white during the editing process.

Shots 16 & 17: There will be a pace change in the music. We will incorporate lots of close-ups and quick edits.

Animatic and Storyboard Overview

Shot 1: This first shot, is a long shot/back shot of our actress. This shot will last roughly about five seconds. This sequence takes place, when the instrumental introduction is playing. The camera will be fixed as she walks away trailing her hands through the long grass.

Shot 2: The shot will cut to this medium back shot of her doing the same thing. The same introduction will be playing and there will be no dialogue. Timing-5seconds roughly.

Shot 3: It then cuts to a close up of her hand trailing through the grass . Timing-5seconds

Shot 4: This shot is of our actress standing on a train platform whilst the train slowly approaches. This is when the vocals start in the first verse. Timing-22seconds. Long shot/back shot.

Shot 5: This sequence will be split into five separate shots. This sequence will be set in the woods and will fit in with the meaning of the lyrics. Timing-6seconds roughly. Various camera shots and angles.

Shot 6: In this shot, the camera will be pointing up into a tree where our actress is sitting, whilst blowing a kiss towards the camera. Low angle shot. Timing- 6seconds roughly

Shot 7: This shot will be a worms eye view looking straight up at the trees and sky whilst the camera is rotating slowly. 360degree shot/worms eye view. Timing-13seconds roughly.

Shot 8: This shot will start 300med in on our actress as she is laying down in the woods and a slow zoom out as she sings. High angle shot. Timing-6seconds.

Shot 9: This shot will be of a black horse galloping around a field. Long shot. Timing-7seconds.

Shot 10: Here we will have a shot of our actress running from the side through the woods. medium shot/side shot/tracking shot. Timing-4seconds.

Shot 11: This shot will be the same as the 10th shot but we will film from the other side and she will have a dirty face. medium shot/side shot/tracking shot. Timing-3seconds.

Shot 12: Here we have a shot of our actress running up a country road towards the camera whilst singing. Here se will be very muddy as before. medium shot/side shot/tracking shot/montage. Timing-3seconds

Shot 13: Montage of shots where our actress is running. These will include morning, mid-day and night. She will be ageing as the day goes on. Medium close ups/montage/tracking shot. Timing-8seconds.

Shot 14: This shot will be of a horse galloping around a field. Timing-9seconds.

Shot 15: This is a flashback sequence with our actress and her boyfriend. Her boyfriend walks towards the girl on the bridge and they remember the good time they had together. Aerial shot on the floor of the couple. 360 degree shot. Timing-29seconds.

Shots 16-20 are in the Animatic

Analysis of a Professional Product

N:\A Level Media Studies

View more presentations from callison1318.

Shot Experiment Video

Original Brainstorm with Intended Setups for Filming

Dog Days Are Over Music Video- Florence and the Machine (2010 version)

This video is of the 2010 version of "Dog Days Are Over:"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWOyfLBYtuU&ob=av2e

Dog Days are over music video- Florence and the Machine

Here is the original music video for "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence and the machine.

Click on the link below, to access the video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGrx6etMl0w

Feedback From Pitch

After we presented our pitch to the class, our Media Studies teacher gave us some feedback for the advantages and the disadvantages of our pitch idea.

- Length needs to be cut
- How does the Runaways link?
- Great visual content, strong on stylish influence
- Clear sense of audience
- Another reference: Fleetwood mac - Rumours
- Opportunities to encorporate surreal images
- Ancillary task has to be all original images
- Check on 'Indie' magazine
- What happened to getting older idea?

The Pitch

A2 media studies the pitch

View more presentations from callison1318.

Filming for our music video and Lip Syncing

In groups of 2, 3 and 4, we had to film footage of us experimenting with lip syncing for preperation for our final A2 piece. We had to lip sync to a summer song of our choice. As a pair, I chose "Summertime" by Will Smith. The song is upbeat and it is a song that can be experimented with in great detail. For me, the song was a challenge, because I had to sing it and keep in time with the words. In some cases we had to do two takes of each scene. The song can be also known as a rap song. Rachel was behind the camera while I was in front of the camera acting. Im used to being filmed, because I am a very confident person. The setting and location of our music video, accompanied the content and background of the song because we made the most of using the park, train, knebworth and spacew provided. The weather also made a big different because it was a very hot day to film.

We had to use various camera shots and angles to practice with. We had to film the whole song through in three different locations. The locations chosen were effective becauser it highlighted the lyrics and the mood of the song. The mise en scene, to me was important to get it right because in the past I have lacked quality on costume and props.

Lip syncing was difficult because while editing, it was hard matching the dialogue to the action. We didn'y finish the video because I was having trouble with the software and the lip syncing. We lost a couple of material, which set us back a week, so we used some previous content from the other music video I did.

Overall, I think I could have done better but it was an experience using the different skills I have never used or experimented with before.

A2 Film Production Practice (Experimenting with new skills)

In preperation for our A2 music video production, we had to learn new skills that we could incorporate to our editing process of our music video to make our final cut effective and to demonstrate a range of different skills. The skills we experimented with was:

QUICK SPEED-This makes the action quick as fast as you want it. Rachel and I used quick speed by making one of us run in the field and then we edited it by making the speed 200%. I found this skill very useful and easy to use.

REVERSE SPEED-This makes the action in reverse speed. I walked through a door and then we reversed that action by 150%. This action was tricky, because I walked through the door and then I walked back through the door in reverse. We had to film it again, because in editing the reverse speed tool rewinds the action automatically.

SLOW MOTION-We had fun experimenting with this action. I ran through the door and then I made it really slow.

For our music video practice, at Knebworth house, I used Quick Speed at the beginging of our video because in my opinion, it was seen as effective.

Evaluation

Animatic

In our final cut of the film, we have not followed the storyboard because the shots did not work out.

Sound

The music was from a noncopyright source, and it matched the action very well. We didn't use many music tracks when editing, we used parts from each song and applied them to the fitting section. For example the excersice routine was the only section that we struggled with importing the music. The tracks on the website we got the music from were to our liking. After about 40 minutes of searching, Laura and Sophie finally found a fitting track named 'Tough Titty' to use. Overall Perry and I focused on the editing but it was a team effort.

Final Cut of "Upstaged"

Voiceovers

This was the stage, that we were all dreading. It was either going to help the final outlook or ruin it. We were able to record and stich them together to a high standard. Another group in our class also used voiceovers. Recording took a lot of time because we had to plan, script it, find a quiet area to record and lip-sync it. The syncing bit was difficult becasue we could only do it whilst watching the video. Perry came up with the idea on using a video phone to record. We had to talk in time with the action and it took as three times to do it.

The voiceovers is a key element in our film and they work really well. They explained the plot, and character's background to the audience.

First Draft of our film and feedback from class

As the genre of "Upstaged," is a comedy we wanted to make the audience laugh and like the first two minutes of this future film. When presenting our first viewing, we did accomplish our goal on making the audience laugh. But professionaly, our teacher thought we still had technical issues to improve on. We did not have any titles (Director, Costume Designer, title of film e.t.c) and we still had to cut a few shots down because it was longer than the aquired time. Furthermore we were advised for the action to reel smoothly instead of jumping from one shot to another, so for our montage shots, we used a fade to fade into one shot to another. It worked well in my opinion.

Our first viewing, did contain voice overs which was enjoyble and it is the highlight of our opening. It helps the audience understand the story. Many films in the industry, use this technique of voiceover/narration.

"Upstaged," was scheduled to be placed at the beginging of the action, but we decided to place it at the end because it flowed with the voice overs and the music. (Our music was not from copyright.) Our main problem was the lighting because when we used a low angle shot of Perry before the montage of the park, it was hard to establish Perry's facial features so Perry decided to create an effect while editing to make it more bright and realistic.

Our downfall for this film was the mise-en- scene. In my opinion I did not work hard enough on preparing my costume. I should of worn high sparkly black leather trousers, a moustache and a matador waistcoat. Instead I wore jeans, a white shirt and gelled my hair back till it hurt. I was disappointed because I thought the spanish character was not believable and I did not think, the audience would know I was a spanish dancer. In my opinion our group should of met a couple of days before shoot, and we should of prepared properly. We thought to reshoot some shots with our better costumes, but the deadline was just around the corner so we left it.

We finished before the deadline and we were very pleased with the final outlook. We all came a long way and we have got stronger on our camera, editing and mental skills. We agree that the project has been worthwhile, and we still have to look back and improve on the minor issues to push us to the Agrades.

Analysis Of A Film Opening

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Analysis Of A Film Opening

View more presentations from guest6dbf425a.

Animatic Feedback

When we introduced our animatic for our film opening to the class, it lacked visible structure. Some shots were shown twice, and the final production had cut the first four shots. Our teacher told us to explain the plot more, because it was not explained clearly to the audience or the class. Our teacher described our shots as just movement scenes. When we started our first storyboard, we did not add any titles, or shot numbers which made us frustrated and we had to start again.

When I was filming the animatic, I did not use a tri-pod, I just used the hand held camera which made our shots very blurry and jumpy. We noticed this, when we saw it as a final production. In addition our idea was original but as a group we would have to review it, re-structure it and change ideas that would make our film opening appealing and effective to the targeted audience.