OTHERSIDE – TEST SHOOT

In the process of creating our music video, we were expected to take part in a ‘test shoot’, where we took a collection of different clips using a variety of shots and transitions, for example, over the shoulder shots, close ups, and wide angle shots. We were required to have a performer, conveying our star image accurately, whilst lip-syncing to our chosen song, ‘Otherside’. Once filmed and put together in a matter-of-fact way, we then turned to editing what footage we had gathered from our shoot. Some of our editing techniques consisted of, editing to the beat and contrasting transitions into our piece using the software Premiere Pro, e.g. fading. In order for our test shoot to be successful, we had to incorporate coverage of our star, both performing (playing poker), and lip syncing to ‘Otherside’ in an ordinary way.

What went well:

• As a group, we were able to put together a selection of clips, using a software called Premiere Pro – this allowed us to import our music and incorporate editing techniques in order to complete our test shoot.
• Our Mes en Scene, covering our star, was portrayed accurately coinciding with the theme of gambling & addiction – suits, glasses and body position.
• We included a vast variety of editing techniques within our finished piece, for example, black&white filter, fades, black to black, dissolve etc.
• The coverage we collected of our star was satisfactory, with clips of lip-syncing and a collection of narrative sections.

What could be better in the real thing:

• In our test shoot, we struggled with getting the camera in complete focus. A camera being in focus is essential in any production clip, so as of next time, ensuring the clips and images are of high standard will be a priority.
• As a group, we should’ve collected more images and clips of greater quality, for example, sections involving lip-syncing; we should’ve had more which would’ve made our test shoot clip considerably better. As a result of not having a successful first shoot, we weren’t able to show of our skills to the best of our ability.
• In our clips, we should’ve included a more vast range of angles and shots – as a result of including many different angles/shots, it would’ve made the final piece a lot more interesting to the audience.
• Finally, I believe using a different location would’ve impacted our test shoot in a more positive way, as the location used didn’t convey the theme well enough, resulting in the audience not being able to understanding the storyline.

In the near future, when, as a group, we start delving deeper into the process of creating our own magazine, understanding and acknowledging our improvements will be essential. If we do not follow such improvements, our music video will be of a very satisfactory level and as a group we are aiming to prove and show off all of our skills in the work we will produce. This test shoot has been a good experience, expanding my understanding as to what is and what’s not conventional for a music video. We are now more familiar to the software Premiere Pro, which will be a common occurrence when we come to creating our final piece – becoming immune to the way premiere pro work, will allow us to use all technical features and conventions to make our final product the best it can be.