Journal - Location test shots

We decided that it would be wise to test out where we wanted to shoot our video. We knew that we wanted bright lights and for it to look like a fair of some sort and we wanted it to look youthful and fun. We went to Winter Wonderland at the weekend and took some test shots to see how it would look for the video we plan to shoot in a week's time. Although we saw that it was quite Christmassy and more festive than we planned, which we aren't too keen on. We planned for our video to be fun and youthful rather than based around Christmas. It's not a Christmas song at all so we can't make it look too festive.

Music video: Post Production - Part 1

This is a prezi showing how we found editing our music video so far and it includes the challenges we faced and also new skills we have learned. It explains why and how we made certain choices and have done what we have. It also vaguely explains what we plan to do next.

Journal - Video clips

In today's media lesson we began and finished converting our video files so that they would be usable on Final Cut Pro. This is a skill we have learned in the past and we knew how to do it correctly and quickly.

The photos above are all of our video files from the first shoot, some shots took a long time to get right (as you can see in the multiple same shots) but we converted them all just in case we needed extra footage.

Music Video shooting - Part One

Today we filmed the inside shots of our music video. We took some photos on set to show on our blogs to explain our decisions. 

This is where we shot most of the clips for our video. It is in my bedroom, mainly on my bed. We wanted these shots to be very intimate with the audience and let them see our artist in her room, in a place she feels comfortable. I also think it adds to the indie element of our artist's image because it really shows how independent she is and how she likes to stay inside on her own sometimes. Also the use of white and stylish bed frame can contribute to that image. We chose to open the curtains to give more light to have a better contrast clip overall.

This is a photo of me trying to do some of the writing shots of our video. We had a clear idea to write "Isla Harris" and "Youth Knows No Pain" and to then overlap them with other shots. However, these shots came out extremely bad due to both of our handwritings not being good enough for our standards. Looking back, we should have practised more and used a better pen and thought more about materials and framing. We decided to forget the idea of having writing in our video, or if we did to get someone else to do it for us.

These are all of our video files as a whole. 

Journal - Music video preparation

For months now we've loved the idea of using polaroids in either our digipak or music video. Due to us not being able to use them in our digipaks we decided they would add a nice touch to our music video which could be used as a useful and attractive prop for the inside shots of our video. We thought carefully about how we wanted our artist to come across. We wanted her to be very social and also artistic. We think that our choice of photographs successfully show this part of her character and would really relate to our target audience; letting them know that our artist is independent and someone who they can idolise.  Below are the polaroids we created in photoshop. We think that they really represent the indie pop genre and allows our artist to be seen as a fun, exciting person. This also links to the song choice of ours "Youth Knows No Pain". We carefully chose the photos in order to show that she is youthful and has no worries or cares.

Digipak Advert

For my digipak advert, after analysing other published ones, I knew that I had to use a close up of my artist. I knew that the image had to match the digipak to an extent so I continued with the theme of a pink tint and a lens flare. I made the font exactly the same as the digipak font in order to keep a strong link between the two and I used a photo for the main advert to one fairly similar to the digipak cover.

Usually I would do more than one draft of this but I really liked the outcome and think that it was good enough. I think that my advert both draws attention and fits in with all the requirements for a digipak advert I found during research. I gave the album in the corner a drop shadow/outer glow to make it look almost 3D and inviting to viewers.

Finished Digipak

Music video shooting plans

We've decided to start shooting on Monday 9th December 2013 because we've completely finished researching and planning for our music video. We decided that it would be sensible to do the easier shots first as they only take place in one main location and they don't require any costume changes or any reliant on the weather. The shots we plan to do first include bed shots, mirror shots, close ups, and laying down shots. Generally all inside shots which we decided to shoot in my house and my bedroom. 

The other shots we plan to do all involve going into inner London and using the surroundings. We plan to do these shots as soon as everyone is available to do so. So far we have had difficulty getting all the actors together. We know that we will definitely have finished shooting the whole music video in a matter of weeks and will be in heavy post production in January.  

This is the production plan we created for our first day of production which shows a clear aim and plan. 

Production plan from Kerry Costello


The costume mentioned in the production plan above is shown below.

Digipak feedback

This is an audio clip of the feedback Sinead gave me on my digipak. It involves us discussing the changes I could and should make to my digipak which I will proceed in doing.

CD designs

This is the design I have decided on for my CD. It's the same background as our logo and my spine on my digipak. However I put on a gradient effect of light pink and cream. I made the image matte also to make it seem a bit more indie and unique. I really like this design because whilst it's girly, it's quite alternative by being a bit darker and matte. The first CD will go in front of one of my panels, the one with her hands and jewellery on show and it will reveal that when the CD is taken out. My second CD will go inside a flap in my digipak behind the panel of Isla by the wall. I think that these CDs really work well with the digipak as a whole and I think that they are simple enough and still attractive.

Keeping in mind that our target audience are very much based on ourselves, I personally think that these CDs look really good and I really like the idea. Whilst the font is quite minimal, I think it works with the overall image. I like the fact that it's matte too, I think that it makes it stand out from others I've seen around and I would think that our target audience would agree.