In order to prepare to go out and complete our first performance shoot we carried out a test shoot around the school. I found this helpful as it allowed us to learn a lot of valuable skills which will help us when we produce our actual music video. Below is the 30 second clip that myself and my group have produced.
Final test shoot for Panic Room by AU/RA:
What went well?:
The majority of our shots were in focus
The locations that we selected were fitting for grungy and edgy theme we chose.
We managed to get a wide range of different shots and angles.
What could be improved for next time?:
The lip syncing is not lined up in places. This can be improved when editing if we ensure that we have lined up the lip syncing first and then cut in between clips
Some of our shots were out of focus and poorly lit, to ensure this doesn’t happen with we will need to be cautious to focus the camera and make sure we have the correct lighting.
To add some filters, adjust the lighting of some of the clips and also play around with the transitions of the clips when editing.
To become more creative when shooting. Try use different angles, framing movement, this is for both the star and the camera itself.
Below is my final edited video using Adobe Premiere Pro of the song Poker Face by Lady Gaga. I had to edit lip sync footage to the original song in order to make it seem as if our stars were singing the song, This was a very difficult task to do, but I am pleased with the overall result.
In order for your editing and lip syncing to be a success, it is crucial for a music video because it sets the tone for the narrative and the song. If the lip syncing is faulted then the audience will not be getting the full experience of emotions when watching the music video. This can then lead to the stars reputation being put at risk: It could convey the idea that they don’t take pride in their work or that they do not care about the final product.
When looking at the footage I was given, It is a little bit difficult to sync up the lyrics with the lip syncing, this is due to not enough expression on the stars faces. In addition to that people were talking and/or laughing which again made it difficult to sync the lyrics to the audio. Upon viewing the footage multiple times, I realize everyone is more comfortable when they are performing in a group rather then on there own. When it the stars either in a pair or on their own, I could gather that they didn’t feel comfortable, in addition to that it was challenging to pair the lyrics up with what the stars with singing, as there was a lack of expression on the face.
In my opinion, I feel the footage given would be better if the stars projected their facial expressions more and looked comfortable in the environment. That being said, the footage overall isn’t bad, I did manage to get some good clips which can highlight the confidence of some of the stars. In particular at 00:24 seconds, the animation on the stars face shows they have a lot of confidence on the camera. It makes the star look believable like she is enjoying herself and having fun whilst doing something she loves. Another example is at 00:15 seconds, the group are smiling and dancing, and just generally looking like they are having fun. From an audience perspective I can tell that these stars are way more comfortable in a group scenario rather then by themselves. I have repeated the same clip twice in the video, it is first at 00:06 seconds and then again at 00:23 seconds, I have done this because I really liked how the original footage looked, I thought the close up was a good way of seeing the stars facial expressions. Although it may not be the most expressive and punctual I still liked using those particular clips during editing.
When looking forward, I have learnt that it is extremely important for the star(s) to project facial expressions and sell the song to the audience, this is because if not then the star could appear to be bored and interested in their work. In addition to that I have learnt it is important to have someone who is comfortable on camera, otherwise you will not get the same affect as someone who is comfortable on camera, This will help to convey the narrative that the star is trying to portray to the audience. Another thing I believe would be useful is to have different shots such as close ups or wide shots. Not only that but I would like some clips without lip syncing, this will help to convey the narrative that I want to get across to my audience.
In a group of 3 we got given a preliminary task to create a story board of a montage lasting no more than 40 – 60 seconds. My group hope to convey the idea of being happy and having fun. As our mini scenario’s that we have created are all things in which they can bring a person joy and happiness, which is the best thing.
We choose:
The best things in life are free
Happiness/fun
Here is the final montage that my group and I have created:
Evaluation:
Here is our final montage that my group have created, the song we chose to we have added transitions, filters and music after we had edited our sequence together using Adobe Premier Pro. Overall I think the montage has had an impact on the audience as it has brought a smile onto people’s faces and made them laugh, which is what my group hoped to originally convey. When looking at the montage I believe that the story could of been developed more if we had consistently used the same 2-3 people throughout the montage as some of the clips don’t make sense all of the time.
One clip that sounds out to me the most is the last clip featured, which starts at 36 seconds, and the clip is of two boys saying goodbye to each other, but the clip has the boys clapping at the end, the audio says ‘clap along’. I like how this has been accidentally done however I am happy with the way the final draft turned out.
I have learnt how to successfully use and understand the basic of Adobe Premier Pro. Not only have I learnt how to use Premier Pro, I have learnt how to edit, upload audio onto a video and how to compose a video. In addition to that I learnt how to export and upload a video onto youtube. I think our montage captures the essence of ‘The best things in life are free’, because of the clips we have used, they are able to tell the story that we are trying to get across.
Our montage is trying to get the point across that things so simple such as manners cost nothing. It doesn’t take a lot to smile at someone to hold the door open for them. There are no shots that are repeated. The montage was meant to highlight a variety of different things someone can do to make another person smile, therefore it would take away the variation if we had repeated clips.
To make our montage more effective, I would add in some transitions so it is easy for the audience to the see the clips flow a little smoother. In addition to that I would add a title page saying ‘The best things in life are free: By Lauren, Harry and Bea’ This would of allowed the audience to understand the scenario that my group selected before watching the montage.
Focus forward has helped in basic editing and how to add in clips and edit cuts together to create the montage, this will benefit me for future such as my music video as I will need to be able to successfully add and cut the clips together.
