Thursday, 12 November 2015

Ad Sense

Monday, 20 April 2015

EVALUATION

The link below is part of my evaluation that I have presented on the site Prezi.com, additional posts answering the questions are listed below.

http://prezi.com/ar1_bip2ys77/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy


QUESTION 2

Here are two other posts answering question 2 of the evaluation, I have used an audio character on the site voki.com, as well as an infographic on the site Mural.ly. However, Mural.ly does require a login so I have posted a screen shot as well as the URL. http://mrl.li/bMBW51g7




QUESTION 3

Here is my additional post for question 3, I used PowerPoint then converted into a QuickTime file. As well as an embedded YouTube video.





QUESTION 4 

 Here is an embedded mind map I create on bubble.us for question 4.

DIDGI-PACK/ FINAL VERSION

This is my final version of my didgi-pack after resizing the photos and adding a copy right infringement act. I have used the same typography as on my website and production work- providing my ancillaries with an element of continuity. I decided to desaturate the colour of the photos of Photoshop Cs6 to create a simplistic black and white effect- this matches the dark and mysterious style of my music video. Two of the photos include the female characters in my work- adhering the Goodwin's Music Video Analysis that states there is a fixation on the artist and their appearance, this also links with the Users and Gratification theory and consumers can use this for their own social identity. The photo of the heels provides a fetishistic treatment of the female body which follows feminist theories such as Mulvey's Male Gaze. The candle photo references the TV show American Horror Story; this element of intertextuality will hopefully be recognised by an audience and therefore attract a larger fan base. 


Friday, 10 April 2015

Final piece // Music Video

This is my finished and final version of my music video, to the song 'House of The Rising Sun'- by Lauren O'conell.

Monday, 30 March 2015

Final piece : Website

This is my final version of the website I have created and coded on Moonfruit. The URL is laurenoconnell.moonfruit.com, below are several screen shots of the pages.




Here is a textual analysis of my website, commenting on why I have included certain features and typical conventions of a website. This was created on Keynote, then exported as a quicktime file.

Saturday, 28 March 2015

Problems encountered: Production

Despite being organised and using a detailed storyboard, I still came across several uncontrollable factors that postponed the production of my music video.

1. Faulty Equipment.

After arriving at our chosen location ( Sutton Scarsdale Hall) I realised the tripod I was using was slightly cracked at the top; because of this my camera wasn't fully stable and unfortunately meant I couldn't film my time lapse.

While at the studio, my camera wouldn't focus and blurred all pictures/ videos. I soon discovered this was a consequence of the smoke bombs that I had lit the previous day that had interfered with the lens. Although this was easily resolved by cleaning the lens, it wasted 15 minutes of studio time.

2.) Studios

On the day that I had booked a local studio to film, I received an email from them cancelling my booking as they realised they weren't insured to let those under the age of 18 in the studio.

I had also experienced several communications problems when trying to contact possible studios, most failed to reply to emails and phone calls. Others deemed to expensive, and didn't allow rental of their studio to the public.

3.) Location

I had storyboarded my music video to include Sutton Scarsdale Hall, a decrepit building that suited the theme of my music video. As I wanted to shoot a time lapse there, I had to film during the two hours it goes dark- but after checking the website and ringing up Cultural Heritage; I was informed that the site was locked during the winter periods. I visited the site in the day and found out from a local visitor that the gates don't actually shut until 8 due to people living close by.

Wednesday, 4 March 2015

First Draft: Album Cover

This is my first draft of my album cover created on Adobe Photoshop, I went for a simplistic set out with minimal props and the same font used in my music video for continuity. Following typical conventions of an album cover; I have included a track list on the back cover, along with the iTunes logo in the right hand corner.

After gaining constructive feedback from peers and my media teacher, I have decided to alter the pictures on Photoshop and change the layout; I will be posting the final copies on another blog post.










Saturday, 21 February 2015

Character profile// Phoebe

I chose phoebe as the protagonist to my music video as she is an organised and reliable individual. Phoebe also featured in my preliminary music video, this experience has made her camera confident and able to lip-sync effectively. For yesterday's shooting, we went for a striking look with angular, jet black eyebrows and MAC's grungy lipstick. Her costume was simplistic, with an all black crop top, boots and leggings; and layered with a gothic, velvet robe. 


Filming (update)

Yesterday's filming took place a Sutton Scarsdale Hall; a decrepit piece of English Heritage that I chose for one of my locations. Below is a picture of how I filmed my time lapse; using my Cannon DSLR, lighting block and tripod. We also used red-coloured smoke bombs that I had purchased online. Due to bad weather conditions and poor quality, this effect didn't go as I intended, but I still managed to capture some useful footage!


Thursday, 19 February 2015

Character profile// Rhianne

Rhianne is one of three actresses involved in my production work. Below are photos took from today while we filmed. 

Mise en scene is a important aspect of my music video, so I have paid a lot of attention to hair and makeup; I went for a simplistic yet effective look. Using a pallette of dark colours to create a smokey-eye effect and a bold purple lipstick to draw attention to the characters lips ( a fetishistic treatment of the body) . We also applied false eyelashes and applied a slick line of black liquid eyeliner- this almost gothic look depicts the style of my music video and references the tv show "American horror story" adding an element of intertextuality.  


Wednesday, 18 February 2015

Risk Assessment

I have created a table listing all the possible risks that may occur during the production process and methods I have put in place to prevent them from happening.

Institutions

This is my research into different media institutions, including; subscription services, video sharing websites, distribution companies and production companies. I have also linked these with my own production work and whether or not they would be a suitable organisation to partner with.



Tuesday, 17 February 2015

Filming Schedule

Below is a timetable I have created in order to remain organised during the production and post- production process. Filming will be taking place in two different locations; my chosen photo studio and outdoor in Chesterfield. 

Audience Research

Below is a montage of surveys I conducted to get a clear perspective as to who my target audience would be. After playing the song I asked interviewers the following questions?



1.) Did you enjoy the song, was it to your taste?
2.) If you had to classify the genre of the song, what would it be?
3.) (in response to question 2) And what type of audience would this attract; age, style etc.
4.) How will the intertexuality of the song affect the target audience?
5.) How will the original cover help attract an older audience?

From the responses, it was clear that most people found it difficult to actually classify the genre of the song- illustrating how niche my target audience is. Additionally, everyone agreed that modernising a classic song from The Animals would attract an older target audience and potentially expand my audience.

Wednesday, 4 February 2015

Target Audience // Genre


What is your favourite genre of music? | Create infographics

Above is a chart I created based on a simple questionnaire, asking a random selection of students (from year 7-13) what was their favourite genre of music. I unsurprisingly proved that the genre of my music video, both indie and blues, deemed unpopular with those under the age of 18; particularly children around the age of 13 who was unaware of what the genre consisted of. However, this doesn't mean that my target audience would be adults, but merely that the consumers who liked the genre was extremely passionate. My niche target audience will be further identified by interviews and audience analysis, this will later be posted on my blog. 

Location Shots// Studio

I have taken an interest in the heritage building 'Sutton Scarsdale Hall', a decrepit isolated hall that I think mirrors the themes in my music video and helps establish an eerie atmosphere. There are a variety of shots on my storyboard that I wish to film in this location such as a time lapse of the sky.



I have also contacted several photo studios in my local area, enabling me to produce a high quality video that will hopefully match the professional standard that is seen in modern day music videos. Below are screen shots of emails I have sent to different organisations. 


Thursday, 29 January 2015

Story Board

This is my scanned version of my storyboard where I have planed the; angle of shot, shot movement (if any), mise en scene and actresses involved. I will be taking the storyboard to the studio to help the filming process progress quickly- rather than spending more time than necessary filming.   






Thursday, 8 January 2015

Well Known CD Covers





Music video Director// Yoann Lemoine



kEbLRl on Make A Gif, Animated Gifs

There is a frequent use of close up shots as well as the notion of looking, Lemoine focuses on the narrative oppose to 'flashy affects' and over editing; following Goodwin's analysis. Both of the music videos include a similar storyline, including the model and recent cover of Japan's Vogue Magazine Bradley Soileau. Following the Kindest Cut theory, the narrative is never fully disclosed- just suggested- below shows an interview from Soileau himself explaining more about his role. In 'Blue Jeans' Lemoine often blurs when the camera tilts down the protagonist's body- creating a suggestive implication that differs from typical music videos that fixate on sexual material.

Although 'Born to Die' has many similarities, the videos contrast from one another. As shown in the image below, the video provides a very patriotic feeling- with imagery of the american flag and iconography that is also used in other music videos such as 'Ride' and 'American'. Breaking Mulvey's Male Gaze theory, we see both male and female portrayed in a provocative way. Instead of sexually objectifying a women to fulfil the male ego- we see a reflection of equality and a focus on the relationship. This boasts Yoann Lemoine's imagination and versatility- which will appeal to other artist requiring his work. Since the release of 'Born to Die', Lemoine has continued working with well known artists such as Rhianna and John Legend 

The director also feature exotic animals, creating a sense of danger and thrill- whether these are perceived as a metaphor for love or not, it demonstrates the directors quirky personality and interest in niche genres. 




Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Carol Vernallis // The Kindest Cut

This my post on Carol Vernallis theory 'The Kindest Cut'. I created this on the site new hive.com and can be viewed here