Contact Sheet – Draft Idea

Introduction

Before we started creating our digipak, we decided that we needed to do another photoshoot. This required planning which we had previously done and now we were ready to take the images. Our planning for this shoot was excellent meaning that we could begin taking pictures right away. We had planned exactly what angles and distances we would use to make sure that we would have the perfect shot for our digipak.

Click image to see in full

Here are our chosen images from the shoot

The group plan to use this image as our back page, when zoomed in and made clearer you can see the song titles in the album.

This image will be used as our front cover, it states the name of the album (LETTERS FROM NOWHERE) at the top of the letter.

We decided to experiment using a different depth of field for this image, and we believe that it worked brilliantly. At the moment we think we will use this image on the right inside panel.

After taking many images of just the letters alone, we decided that we should add one of the band members into the shot. As a group we decided that it would be best if the lead singer was in shot. I think that this image portrays a large amount of suspense to the audience.

Reflection

As a group we decided that this was our most efficient photoshoot, this is because we knew exactly what we wanted from the start. We shot a variety of different angles and distances throughout the shoot, meaning that when it came to choosing the images we wanted to use we had a good variety to choose from. We worked very well as a group throughout this task, due to good planning, communication and organisation. To progress from here we will now begin editing the images on Adobe Photoshop so we can start creating our digipak.

Photoshoot / Design Production Meeting and Risk Assessment

Introduction

After completing our mockup for the digipak, we decided that it would now be best to plan our photoshoot for the digipak. The group chose to do another production meeting agenda before the photoshoot because it allows you to know:

  • The aims of the photoshoot
  • What mise-en-scene is required
  • The visual shot list
  • What camera equipment we will need
  • The location of the shoot

By completing this, there is much less confusion within the group and the photoshoot can be done a lot more efficiently. Below is our production meeting agenda:

Here is our Production Meeting Agenda

Conclusion

This was an important task to undertake because it meant that we were able to fully understand who was responsible for each aspect of the photoshoot, to make sure we could use our time well on the day of the shoot. We also now know what we need to do on the shoot, therefore we won’t be wasting any time deciding on the day.

DP Mockup

Introduction

In this task our group sat down and decided what we hoped to do for our digipak. Initially we had a lot of different ideas, which we discussed however we knew that we had to decide on just one. We sketched out each idea onto A3 pieces of paper, this allowed us to visually see which one is most compatible with our chosen genre. Below is our chosen idea:

This is what we hope our DigiPak will look like (complete layout)

Conclusion

This was an important task to complete because it meant that we now have a vision of what our digipak should look like, while editing and also once completed. We had to do some research of what the typical conventions of each digipak within the genre were, and we could use that to benefit our own. As a group, we noticed that all of the professional designs inside our chosen genre were very simplistic, therefore we tried to replicate that with our own. I like this design we have chosen because not only does it link in well with genre, however it also ties in with the album. Our mockup is also very adjustable meaning that if we like some pieces but not the others we are able to adjust later on through editing. The “Letters from nowhere”, links to the narrative of the album; with each letter relating to each song throughout the album.

Digipak Conventions Analysis

Introduction

To understand the typical album covers in my chosen genre, I decided to do another conventional analysis this meant that I was able to see what featured on our competitors products.

Conclusion

It was helpful to analyze a professionals piece of work because you can really understand what a good one looks like. I also learnt what is conventional in my chosen genre which is helpful, because it means I have more understanding on how to attract my target audience. Finally I furthered my knowledge on how media producers use mise-en-scene, conventions and graphic design to create their desired piece of work.

The Look Book – The Package

Introduction

After previously coming up with our mission statement, and aims we decided that it was time to do some market research. This included in us looking at existing products, in our target market; allowing us to see what the typical Digipak looks like. We found that by seeing what our competitors aim to do, we could do something with a twist for our own Digipak.

Below is a Padlet displaying some of our market research:

Made with Padlet

Conclusion

This task was definitely beneficial because I learnt some of the typical conventions of a Digipak. I also gained some further knowledge on what a Digipak actually is, and why artists release them and not just an album. I now know what my Digipak will include, when I start designing/planning one surrounding the music video produced.

Our Mission Statement

Introduction

Before we started to design/plan our Digipak we decided that it would be best to come up with a marketing strategy. This will be helpful because we will know how we are gonna design our Digipak to best suit our desired target audience. We decided that we need to:

  • Create a mission statement,
  • Create a call to action,
  • Discover who our competition are,
  • Discover who our target audience are,
  • Come up with a USP (Unique Selling Point)

Below is a slideshow presenting our discoveries and thoughts:

Conclusion

This was a good task to undertake because it meant that we now know how we will market our product, which is necessary before you begin the planning period. By understanding our competitors it means that we are able to find inspiration in what works well in this specific genre. It is important that we use a coherent marketing strategy throughout all three of our products because our audience will have an expectation of what they want to see from their preferred stars, Nick Lacey calls this the repertoire of elements. We will look at other competitors throughout this project to ensure that we are following all typical conventions within the genre. It is important to understand that everyone uses the media for different reasons, in this case our audience are using it for entertainment purposes, as we are clear of this we will use different techniques to attract their full attention.

Music Video Final Draft

Introduction

This the final draft of our music video, we have now added in all the clips we think are necessary to portray our narrative and performance in the correct way. We think that we have edited the video in a conventional way for a music video within our genre. Below is the final draft of our music video:


Reflection

I am very pleased on how the music video has finished. I believe that we have overcome all the issues that we faced very and well and have seen brilliant results. The music video meets the typical conventions of a music video within our genre, this means that it will meet the consumers expectations which we know they have (repertoire of elements). We have made some changes between the third and final draft however we kept going back and fourth so decided it was best to finish while it still met all expectations.

Music Video – Draft 3

Introduction

In this task we decided to make our third draft for our music video, this was necessary because we had a fair amount of feedback given to us regarding our second draft. With this edit we decided to follow the feedback as much as we could to maintain the best progress possible.

Below is our third music video draft:


Reflection

We decided to use student feedback this time to receive a slightly different perspective of audience. Here is some of the feedback we received:

What went well:

  • A great variety of transitions,
  • Good use of different shots (long, mid, and close up), and all used in the correct areas,
  • The lip syncing is in time with the audio,
  • Fantastic use of overlays and different editing techniques,
  • The performance and narrative links well together,
  • Nice performance set up, with a good use of lighting to create shadows.

How to improve:

  • Ensure that the editing is up to speed with the beat of the song,
  • The zoom at the end is too rough,
  • Improve the quality of some of the shots, or make the lower quality look more intentional,
  • The narrative is a little too confusing, maybe make it more clear?

What have we done to improve?

  • We Introduced the two characters in the narrative earlier, this meant that we were able to make the narrative slightly more clear,
  • Removed the grain over some of the shots to ensure that all of the shots flowed together.
  • We moved where we introduced the first stabbing, this meant that it gave us more time to show the performance and set the scene,
  • A shot of the singing was removed, because we realised it was a group of singers singing in harmony and not one individual singer.

Conclusion

This was an important task to complete because it meant that we were able to progress our music video to the next stage. We removed the unnecessary shots in the video, meanwhile we added some different shots in and changed some editing techniques. The group are now able to focus on creating a new draft and improving our music video once again. These changes will be much smaller and will be hopefully some of the last before submitting our final edit.

Specsavers Feedback

Introduction

This task required our group to receive feedback from a professional editor at Specsavers. This was extremely helpful because we can now use expert advice to improve our music video to the next level.

How To Improve

  • Shoot a variety of angles of the narrative, in order to keep the tempo of video up.
  • Introduce the doll later on in the music video, this allows us to spread our shots out further across the video.
  • Show the girl with a picture of the boy (vice versa), this will make the music video more understandable for the audience.
  • Make the narrative as clear as possible.

Reflection

This was a very important task to complete because we are now able to improve our music video, knowing exactly what to improve. We were also able to receive feedback on the positives and what went well in our video, this means that we now know what not to change in our music video.

Teacher Feedback – Screencastify

Introduction

In this task I will be analysing the feedback that was given by our teacher on our music video second draft. This will be beneficial because it means that we will be able to reflect on our previous draft and improve it to the next step.#

Below is a screencastify, where the teacher displayed his thoughts:

How to improve

To ensure that our next draft is an improvement of the previous we will ensure that we:

  • Add some more jump shots of the performance,
  • Remove the grained filter over some of the narrative shots in bunker,
  • Move some of the effects, as they were well done however put in the wrong part of the music video,
  • Add a larger variety of the shots of the band performing, as we have only used a small selection as of yet,
  • Introduce the actress earlier on in the music video, this will help make it less confusing. Make sure to add in enough shots of the doll, her face, her hands, the knife stabbing the doll, her movements and the setting surrounding her.

Conclusion

This was a very useful task to undertake because it meant that we had some advice from an individual who has more experience in making music video, and most importantly a third party piece of feedback. This is helpful because sometimes it takes someone else to view something, to find the smaller errors.

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