We have now finished the task of creating Dummy Mash Up video and therefore we are now onto the task of evaluating the work we have carried out. Please read on to see the evaluation I have carried out on the work I completed.

1.What lessons did you learn about planning and the use of Storyboards/Shot Lists and Production Meeting Agendas? Why are they important when out on shoot?

From this task I learnt just how necessary and important it is to make sure everything is planned before shooting the video takes place. It hopes with organisation and therefore entails that the production part of the process goes as smoothly as possible. By compiling these documents we were a lot more organised and so were able to film efficiently and effectively in the time we were given. Having a clear structure of how the production process will go is the best way to get the right footage you need and more. We also learnt how important it is to plan the conventions that look to the genre before hand.

• Plus TARGET: To make sure I stick to them more during production and also  ensure the star/ performer is prepared too (for example they know the lyrics).

2.What should the camera operator be doing whilst filming? 

The person who is allocated the role of ‘camera operator’ should be making sure the shots are framed/ composed well in order to get the best footage. They should also be making sure that they are following the shot list set in order to produce the footage needed. Moreover, this will enable them to really capture the metanarrative and make sure it fits to the contract promised. They should also perhaps organise the performance taking place in order to really get the narrative across to the audience, by controlling what the star does they will be able to really represent the star image in the way they want.

• Plus TARGET: To be more demanding of the artist and to tell them exactly what i want them to do. Direct the scene more when the artist perhaps starts to lose focus.

3.What lessons did you learn about directing people in front of the camera? What information do they need to know about their character / their performance style? How can the director get them to relax and have confidence in front of the camera in order to perform well? 

I learnt that it is in fact a lot harder than it looks to direct an artist to do exactly what you want. In order to get the repertoire of elements across to the audience, I need to really focus on directing the star a lot better than I did this time. I also learnt that in order for the star to feel comfortable, they need to be told exactly what to do. If this does not happen, the production does not go very well. Due to this, the paradox of the star cannot be demonstrated throughout the performance. The artist needs to appear extraordinary but ordinary all at the same time. This can be quite hard to produce and therefore directing the artist needs to be done well and therefore taken seriously.

• Plus TARGET: Tell the artist exactly what they need to do and not just let them perform however they want. Also make sure they are comfortable with the lyrics, tune and beat of the song.

4.What lessons did you learn about filming the performance for your production?

I learnt that it is crucial that the artist feels happy and comfortable when performing. If they do not this comes across in their acting and so the video does not look as professional as it should. It is also important that the star knows the song extremely well, this helps the lip singing to feel more natural and look as if they are actually singing the song themselves. I also learnt that it is important for the artist to ‘break the fourth wall’. This ensures that they build a connection with the audience, this makes the audience feel a lot more present in the video- as if they are experiencing it for themselves. Moreover, I also learnt that it is important to decipher what narrative type you are shooting your video in. For example, we chose disjunctive. This meant that the video was not really linked to the lyrics at all but however did fit the genre we were producing very well.

• Plus TARGET: Make sure we are organised and pay close attention to our planning documents. Keep more track of time and do not waste any opportunity to get footage. Keep the cameras rolling at all times- this makes sure nothing is missed.

5.What did you learn about editing and post-production?

In this stage, I learnt that it is actually very difficult to produce a music video that looks realistic and professional at the same time. Making sure the lip syncing is matched up perfectly and the cuts are to the beat is a lot harder than it looks. Therefore, this stage taught me that the editing at the early stages is very important. It is a lot more worthwhile to concentrate on matching up the video to the song first and then work on making it look professional later. This ensures that the most important stage of editing a music video (matching the lip singing) is done first.

• Plus TARGET: Before anything, look at all the footage first and then start editing. Like previously mentioned its better to get the basics out of the way first and then concentrate on making it look polished later.

6.What did you discover about the use of conventional Mise-En-Scene for music videos?

I learn that conventional mise-en-scene is much more important than you think. It all has to fit to the image of the star, video, genre and lyrics. These conventional elements are perhaps what really makes the video and therefore they should be regarded as important aspects. I also learnt that it is much better to pick the entire outfit myself, rather than letting the star chose yo wear what they prefer.

• Plus TARGET: Really study mies-en-scene that fits the genre I am producing. Make sure every aspect used is conventional and fits extremely well with the music video and the artists featured.