Kiera Stevenson- A2 Media

PLANNING - Advert Final Ideas

The mind map below shows some initial ideas of adverts we could use for our music video.

As these are only initial ideas we will as a group expand on them in greater detail.

From the use of ICT i decided to update my hand-drawn ideas onto the computer to make it simple and neater. It is posted below:

PLANNING - Digi Pack Drafts

After Deciding to do Computerised Stencils to show where TEXT can be allocated, i decided to do some hand-drawn Digi-pack covers so we could see how images can be located. they are added below:

These images will not be cartoon-like, this is purely sketches to show how our IMAGES Will be positioned.

Below are Computerised Actual Digi pack COVERS me and my group have made (who has made what will be said below):

These three images were made my a member of my group (Natalie), we discussed high and low key lighting within our group and what differences this would make to our audience, we decided that because are audience was over the age of 12 that a more of a low key lighting would be affective as its mysterious and would draw them in. Natalie decided to make these layouts so we could put our thoughts together and see if our idea worked.

Overall we feel the low key lighting worked but not the style of font/layout of fonts. Natalie then played around with how the font could be layed out. these were her results. we then decided not to do an effect with the fonts as it was too distracting, and to keep the colours natural as it fits in with the music videos theme.

Another Member of our group (Emily) decided we should explore different effects, as from research on my live video questionnaire, our target audience say they prefer effects, we experimented with a burning of the grass effect which we thought was very effective, and the font was also a great success. But the layout needs addressing.

She then explored with another effect of turning it all 'negative', we as a group decided against this as it looked to dark.

Another member of my group (Anna) created these two covers to explore where text can be situated. This First example does not work as the band name is too long; and the image is too simple and boring.

The Second image explores further with Emily's image on the colour. it shows a different version of where the text can be situated. i personally feel this is a good layout for the bands name, but it leaves very little room for the song title which has not been added.

These next two images are my own personal digi pack attempts. i have experimented with colour and effects reflecting on the title of the song 'UFO' as the connotations of the words UFO are:

- aliens
- space
- unusual
- strange
- planets
- the unknown

From these connotations i tried to reflect the background and the whole layout to be 'un-usual'
however i feel that this would not reflect the abstractness of the video and the band that we are trying to portray, as it is being very obvious and un-original.

Here is a COMPLETE DRAFT of a digi pack i have personally created:

PLANNING - Digi Pack Inspirations and Stencils

As we have decided to go with the location of grass. me and my group have came up with some examples of what we can create. the grass is a very simple idea but also allows us to have the opportunity to explore and play around as much as we want.
posted below are two basic examples.

From these 2 basic examples in my opinion i prefer the 2nd image, as i believe the writing at the bottom is more pleasing to the eye. so i will like to experiment more with this in further posts.

Our group created these ideas after an inspiration of an album cover one group member got (Natalie), from The Auteurs. [the album cover is analysed below]
The grass idea is very simple yet quite effective; the bold white text stands out well and keeps a very natural feel to the cover.
I think the added use of props, such as the rabbit mask, or one of our actors will work well on this.

OUR INSPIRATION

We used this as an inspiration as the plain grassy bush/background allowed the images on top to stand out the most. it also has the words 'watch this' and it makes you wonder what you should be watching as its so simple. the white bold text stands out and is easily readable, the image is also bold and situated nicely around the text.

Below here are some stencils of digipacks with the right dimensions. The dimensions for a digi pack are "139.5mm by 125.5mm" i have found this out by Internet research and by measuring my own digi packs at home with a ruler.

From this we created a lager view of some stencils of front covers that we could use. They are very simple so we have a basic knowledge of what we can work with.
Below are some FRONT COVER stencils:

In my opinion the second stencil is more suitable for the effect we want to create.
Below are some BACK COVER stencils:

I think the First TWO images are most suitable as they are the most simple for the back cover, as it will just need credits and the bands song name.
Below are some INSIDE COVER stencils:

i feel the second and third image is more suitable as it is really simple and does not overload you with unwanted information.
Below are some CD TRAY stencils:

Both of these Cd trays are very suitable as you cant have to much variety as there will be a Cd blocking the detail.

PLANNING - Digi pack Final Ideas

Below is the mind map of our ideas for digi-pack covers, we realised their were 3 main paths you can go down (location, prop, and actor):

I have used the use of ICT and computerised my mind map below to make it more readable and professional:

From this mind map we came to the conclusion we were doing to mix the idea of location (grassy) with the use of props/costume (rabbit mask).
As from research most bands used a image of the artist, which we found to be un-original. this is the reason we are going against our research.

PLANNING - Fonts for Products

Fonts are very important in planning media related products, as they can be the selling point between items. They have to be very eye catching and readable.

Below are some font tests:

This allows us to pick and choose fonts that will be suitable for our adverts and digi packs . I feel a simple bold font will be suitable, but it needs to have an edge to keep it eye catching, as this reflects on our target audience being of the age that want simple but eye catching things. they prefer neutral colours which are bold rather then pastel or neon colours. More fonts can be used and downloaded from http://www.dafont.com/ This will be one of our main sources to gather our fonts.

PLANNING - Organisation of Actors

Below is the email i have sent to a variety of actors for our Music Video:

From sending this email to a variety of actors we were able to then gather information of who we were able to use and what part they would play. we could then apply this to our previous call sheet.

The information below is a list of actors and their character:
Lead Girl- Joanna Middleton
Rabbit- Jordan Haywood
Chorus 1- Emma Green
Chorus 2- Becky Green
Chorus 3- Katie Wall
Chorus 4- Emma Walker

This shows we have 6 actors which is enough for our video as we have less people to direct and can concentrate on the minor detail if needed. Plus all the actors we have collected are willing to participate, so we will have no problems with absences.

A description of each actor is below:

PLANNING - Animatic storyboad

Here is a 'moving story board' i have personally created to make sure our shots will fit in time with the music. I have made this on windows movie player because it was simple and handy to use. I have included a picture of me making the video below:

Below is the video i have created. Overall i think it was a great success, as the story board fitted to the length of the song:

The original lyrics and video of the bands song is also posted below for reference:

The lyrics are posted below:

http://www.myspace.com/poppyandthejezebels

'Here we were out of nothing,
into nowhere-land Fortuna 4000
Fate falls in our hands
Make mountains from moondust with people from
Mars Engines are drumming, in time with the stars

A powder filled UFO explodes across your shirt
'Coz everything has turned to dust, don't take off it won't hurt
A powder filled UFO is crushed between your teeth
The future's so last century, it's all beyond belief

Celestial circles come swirling... under our feet
Lingering luminous
Lethally sweet.. these heavenly heights we like to call home
Shine silver light, through crystals of chrome

A powder filled UFO explodes across your shirt
'Coz everything has turned to dust, don't take off it won't hurt
A powder filled UFO is crushed between your teeth
The future's so last century, it's all beyond belief

Imagination...Risk assessment...we better stay at home
Imagination...Crash position...underneath the dome

A powder filled UFO explodes across your shirt
'Coz everything has turned to dust, don't take off it won't hurt
A powder filled UFO is crushed between your teeth
The future's so last century, it's all beyond belief '

PLANNING - Script/Story Board For Music Video

Location: Stratford-Upon-Avon near the REC theatre, in a park/wood area. Time:Day

This is our group script we discussed and then designed:

Joanna: (17) is a relatively tall girl with long messy hair. Her style is very unique; she will be wearing a pale cream light fabric dress in the music video, which has a whimsical feel. She is the main actor and will be the main focus of the video.

There will be two or three other actors, and they will be dressed in unusual costumes and masks, hopefully taken from the drama department and also from home.

SCRIPT

The Story-board is added below for a more visual analysis:

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PLANNING - Location Shots For Music Video

After careful consideration into the feasibility of our project filming at bluebell woods, we have come to a new decision to film at this location because of the number of actors and traveling would be difficult for everyone to get there as only one person can drive.

At least with this new location that is located near to our camera resources, we can apply our ideas better. This new location is located in Stratford upon Avon, near the Rec Grounds.

This shot could be used for a dead-end for when the 'Chase sequence' happens, or it can also be used for a hiding place for the actors before they embrace the main character. This is a very picturesque shot, and i think it could work well with the river, rocks and land.

This is where Jo and the actors may be running; it is quite a large space so this will work well. it has a lot of room for the camera and the amount of actors we have, it also allows us to get a variety of shots.

The trees and their branches are quite engaging and this could work very well in my opinion, as it will be suitable for the closeups of the body parts and the props of the video.

Tis another good locations hot that can be used at the end of the video to show that it is a 'dream like state' rather then a real event. In this shot no one will be around, which can suggest that the location has been 'untouched' and 'what we have been seeing is not there'.

This entrance path can be the entrance path for the start of the characters in the video, as they have to enter somehow, so why now use the literal way. This also makes it more life-like in a surreal plot.

This location is great for our props as we can use the variety of branches to display our props, this also is easily accessible to take down our props.

PLANNING - Accessing Music Rights For Music Video

In order to gain permission to use both our first and second choice of song we had to gain permission. However we had to have proof of their agreement/permission to use the songs. Therefore we searched for the email addresses of either the band itself or their management.
the emails asking for permission are posted below:

Emails to use Portia Cons music (our second choice):

We managed to gain successful confirmation of our second choice music, this is their reply back to our email

After gaining our second choice music permission, we then had to ask our first choice of music permission. The email is below:

Emails to use Poppy and the Jezebels music (our first choice):

Successfully, we managed to also gain our first choice of music, which was brilliant.
The reply back is posted below:

Because of the Successfully Replies, we have now got Permission to start the processes of our Music Video.

PLANNING - Colours for the Costumes in the Music Video

the main colours we will be using for costumes are as follows:

There is a variety of contrasting colours such as:

- mint green - lime green
- sky blue - royal blue
- velvet red - rose
- sun kissed yellow - orange

these contrasting colours are pleasing to the viewers eye and will keep them engaged.

PLANNING - Costume and Make-up Sketches For Music Video

have included some makeup and costume sketches, that i have drawn myself, that i think would be suitable for our music video. They are all very abstract and colourful, [[the colors are analysed on the next post]]
the patterns make each character individual and unique in its own way.

The 4 images above are makeup sketches.

Below i have added some sketches i have done for the costume props; such as masks, eye patches, and fairy wings, we also have wigs and other costume extras. these give the costume more of an edge and a strangeness which is not a character.

Below are costume sketches, starting with the 'lead girl's' costume, which is a plain white floaty dress which Will allow her to stand out. The following sketches after the lead girl, are a few sketches of the chorus/minor actors, they are all individual and abstract- just like we want in our video.

LEAD GIRLCHORUS 1
CHORUS 2

CHORUS 3