Evaluation Question 2

There are many similarities between our Ancillary tasks (Digipak and Website) as this was the case with the similar products we researched into. We also ensured there were strong links between the main task and the ancillary task to ensure the audience could easily distinguish the similarities and therefore recognize the product. We made these links strong by ensuring the font type, colours and pictures were all similar throughout.

When tackling the continuity in terms of colour scheme we decided we wanted to create a ‘rainbow’ effect as a rainbow has a continuous pattern throughout. We took this continuous pattern ideas and geared relevant colour through all our different types of media. This technique was also implemented with the use of the actors appearing within all of the products we created, this in turn allows the audience to recognize the products at first glance further keeping the main conventions we adhered to.

As you can see here, the three products we have created all contain similar colours and font. Visually, clear correlation between the images below provides a sense of unity which collectively groups the image to make an overall product for our specific target audience and genre. The images combined illustrate an effective, professional aspect to our work, which is a key attribute we were attempting to fulfil.

All of the similar products we researched used this convention between their media products, as the similar products we researched were hugely popular with the target audience we were targeting. This helped us as a group to collectively agree to meet this convention closely in an attempt to ensure our main product and ancillary tasks were also popular.

We decided to consist our theme of actors and scenery. We did this as normally a digipak directly correlates to the website colours, but as this is a one off video we decided to link all of our products together and we felt the most effective way of doing this was by using these features. Hence, visually our target audience will be able to immediately link our products spreading awareness. Our logo is simply the band’s name, this as well is spread throughout all our products. Finally, we also use symbolic shots on our webpage as again these were directly representational of our overall message.

Evaluation Question 1

Here is a presntation of Evaluation Question 1 shown using 'Prezzi'

http://prezi.com/_gwmsltnyk9b/copy-of-evaluation-question-1/?auth_key=79a78dba0e4e94a505b67ca508cc434936cff577

We used straight cut transitions mainly between the shots when editing as we were keen to keep the professional and contemporary image we were searching for. When completing our research and planning we noticed all of our favourite and most desirable/entertaining promo videos used straight cuts and were very popular with the consumer audience we were targeting. The transitions have all been adjusted to meet further the common codes and conventions by ensuring the shot change was perfectly timed to change at the tempo of the song. 

Many technical aspects were used throughout the film such as the projected image on the sheet at the beginning of the product (this was completed in after affects using Sony Vegas) However, the majority of technical aspects within the production were achieved by the cinematography team when the shots were filmed such as focus changes, horizontal pans and depth of field which was a key tool we used to add a higher dimension to our piece and further distinguish it from similar products. Over the course of the Production we believe we have all developed and progressed our skills immensely especially in the area in which we specialised.

We challenged the convention of including a star character in our product to again help our product stand out from similar pieces. This was also beneficial to our production due to the difficulties in arranging to meet the star who makes the song as the demand would be very high and non-achievable within our budget. In the similar products we researched back at the beginning of our production we found that nearly all of the promo videos we analysed did contain a star; this information we found made us all agree we would in fact like a star within the video but also agreed that it was not viable.

We have met the conventions of the Titles that we have analysed in our similar products. All of the products we researched all contained simple but effective titles that tended to be only at the beginning or end of the promo video. The titles font, colour and text size was a key aspect of the conventions of titles within a promo video as all of them were fluent and used throughout the website and digipak also; this created a strong link between the main product and the ancillary tasks that we made (following closely the conventions of the similar product we analysed)

Our initial opening shot veers off the path of conformity and we have decided to take a more symbolic approach. Instead of the universally accepted extreme long shot (establishing shot) we have decided to go for a medium shot of the main characters which creates enigma for the audience/viewer while also igniting the storyline without wasting any time. Our opening shot therefore is unique as we have purposefully challenged music videos codes and conventions in order to make our product stand out from the crowd. We have included other types of media techniques in this first shot also to add a whole new layer of interest which is reflected in the projected images. We believed our level of technical ability was at a sufficient standard to push the boundaries and venture into different types of media, this allowed us to experiment with different filming and editing techniques. The progression from AS to A2 flowed smoothly with steady progression of our overall skill sets and knowledge on producing a music video. All these skills and techniques helped in the creation of our product. 

While creating a storyboard of intended shots we had to factor in certain shots which visually represented the link between image and lyric. This lyric-image cohesion was very easy to accomplish as there were many different scenarios where we could directly link the lyrics to some aspect of visual reduplication. We did settle on a clear idea which slotted into places correlating with our storyline perfectly. Other factors had to be considered also, the main one being the timing as the shot consisted of Isaac (main character) writing the words ‘You look like a thousand suns’ on a piece of paper in the exact time in which Neon Trees sings the lyrics. This didn’t become problematic as with a few jumpy straight cuts we were able to create the desired effect and our audience feedback seemed to like the final shot.

In terms of storyline and actors, we had to directly design and cast everything in accordance to our target audience and genre. We wanted to create a sense of emotional connection in which teenagers could relate to our video. This consequently creates enigma and makes the video more entertaining. As our video was aimed at teenagers it only seemed fit to cast teenagers for the part. Originally, we had planned on paying semi-professional actors who were looking for acting experience to play the main characters, but after much deliberation, we came to the conclusion it would be both time and financially more efficient to cast our friends in the roles. This relates to costume also as we had to use contemporary attire to make them look more fashionable and more universally accepted. Also, on a more psychological level, we decided to set our whole video in summer, as most teenagers enjoy the summery weather the subconscious link of positive feelings and emotions will rub off onto our video which will affect the viewer’s mindset and make our video more appealing.

We challenged many of the conventions that we researched originally when completing the analysis into similar products. We took great deliberation when discussing the shots we were going to use and the order in which we would use them; we took so much of out time on this as we were selecting which the conventions we would keep to and which we would challenge.

We challenged some conventions so that we created a product that could differentiate itself from other products in the same category. This tactic helps our product to distinguish itself and make the audience remember our product.

However, we did stick closely to some of the main conventions to ensure the product was successful and popular with the target audience and genre we have selected. This was our safety backup if the conventions we decide to challenge were not popular with the audience. Sticking to some of the main conventions helps the audience to recognize the media format we desired to create.

Website

Above is our Website, we have made many clear links to the other ancillary task (Digipak) and the main product by matching font types, colours, images and text. All of these aspects made clear links between the 3 products, we intentially did this so that the audience would find the products recognizable as a brand identity.

Using our research into similar websites we attempted to keep to many of the main conventions we found when analysing. The format was designed by us but we ensured we included the neccessary information found on many proffessional existing websites for bands today.

The sub-headings we used are commonly used in many similar products along with the use of the a large title and images of the band with tour dates and links to merchandise pages.

Here is the website link:

http://releasingsuccess.co.uk/isaac/website1.html

Creating brand Identity

Every band has a brand identity. A symbol, a word, a phrase which is directly associated with the band as a easy way of recognising the band visually. We had to create a brand identity for our group which was directly associated with the style of music, band and our target audience. This brand/stamp has to be an on running theme throughout all our products which includes website and digipak. Here is our final branded identity;

The colours, text and font have all been kept consistent throughout the main promo video and the ancillary tasks to keep a brand indentity for the audience to recognize the product and acillary pieces quickly. This is a key convention of a promo video which we all agreed was very important, consequently we have stuck to this convention to keep popularity with our audience.

Re-Shooting and Re-editing

Due to our in depth research and planning at the beginning of our production we have managed to keep the amount of wasted shots to a minimum. This has consequently made our shooting more efficient and productive; their has also been a huge decrease in the number of shots that needed re-shooting in comparision to last years filming. By completing the filming to a high level from the start we have allowed ourselves mroe time to edit and conclude the promo video to the desired standard we had hoped.

We planned from the beginning that we would try to minimize re-shooting as we did not want to challenge continuity of our product.

As there was less need to re-shoot as many of the shots we had filmed we had enough time to sit down as a group and collectively decide what would be best and most technical to show our abilities. We did however have to re-edit a number of shots due to theacknowledgement of problems when screening for our audience feedback. We acted upon the feedback we recieved and as a result changed some of the editing to increase popularity.