Let You Go from Hurtwoodhousemedia on Vimeo.
Friday 30 March 2012
Task 1 - In what ways do your media products use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
NARRATIVE
The arrangement of the band was mainly based on the hexagonal layout of the cage. We had the DJ at the back, the Bassist on the left, the Drummer on the right and we placed SMAKS front man at the front to engage with the Target Audience.
We chose this layout because it covered the main sides of the cage and it showed our target audience the band the best within a small space.
Below is an example of another DnB band called AKS who have also used this arrangement for the people in the band. This shows us using a layout that would work. We knew this because it has been done before making in conventional.
All members of the band were very familiar with their instruments so this helped when it came to shoot a realistic performance. As shown in the video the drummer is shot a lot. His drumming was extremely tight to the beat and shot of this helped to show that they were playing to the music and made them sound like the real deal. The close up shots of the lead singer helped to show the link between the music and the lyrics together. The performance and the narrative went well together. This is shown well when the characters come into the cage and act a part of the performance. ‘Let You Go’ is SMAKS first single so the performance has helped to portray the star image of SMAK instantly and all of the shots of the band makes the audience identify them easily and it introduces them to the audience. In this video the lead singer looks into the camera. This is very popular with music videos because it makes communication with the audience. For example Chase and Status ft Plan B – End Credits, the singer looks into the camera to communicate with the target audience.
The SMAKS music video ‘Let You Go’ is mainly based around narrative. Quite a lot of music videos have narratives. Videos such as DnB artist Chase and Status song ‘Blind Faith’ has a strong narrative of illegal raves and the whole underground illegal music scene with pirate radios and warehouse raves. Our narrative is shown by the main youth being shown by himself and then by the suits discussing him and planning the mission to stop youths in general from causing trouble in the local area. The shot of him and then the shot of the suit holding up a poster of him works really well together. Outside the performance of the band, the band aren't in the video. The youth acts as their star image and reflects rebellion.
Conventions - Arrangement Of The Band
The arrangement of the band was mainly based on the hexagonal layout of the cage. We had the DJ at the back, the Bassist on the left, the Drummer on the right and we placed SMAKS front man at the front to engage with the Target Audience.
We chose this layout because it covered the main sides of the cage and it showed our target audience the band the best within a small space.
Below is an example of another DnB band called AKS who have also used this arrangement for the people in the band. This shows us using a layout that would work. We knew this because it has been done before making in conventional.
Conventions - Performance
All members of the band were very familiar with their instruments so this helped when it came to shoot a realistic performance. As shown in the video the drummer is shot a lot. His drumming was extremely tight to the beat and shot of this helped to show that they were playing to the music and made them sound like the real deal. The close up shots of the lead singer helped to show the link between the music and the lyrics together. The performance and the narrative went well together. This is shown well when the characters come into the cage and act a part of the performance. ‘Let You Go’ is SMAKS first single so the performance has helped to portray the star image of SMAK instantly and all of the shots of the band makes the audience identify them easily and it introduces them to the audience. In this video the lead singer looks into the camera. This is very popular with music videos because it makes communication with the audience. For example Chase and Status ft Plan B – End Credits, the singer looks into the camera to communicate with the target audience. Fast Paced Editing
TASK 2 - SCRIPT - How effective is the combination of your main video and ancillary products?
Image is something which is very important to everyone today, seeing as it is reflected so greatly through music videos and promotional posters. Music fans follow the fashion and values of their favourite stars, whether it be someone like Lady Gaga who's extreme style got her so well known, or an artist such as 50 cent who has a rebellious, violent and self indulgent image and lifestyle which many teenage boys wish to follow. This makes artists marketable and appealling, as fans wish to copy and follow the way their favourite artists dress and behave. As we are shown in Richard Dyers theory of stardom. The term ‘star’ refers to the semi-mythological set of meanings constructed around music performers in order to sell the performer to a large and loyal audience. Dyer teaches us that ...
•A star is an image, not a real person, that is constructed out of a range of materials, usually through video or promotional posters etc.
•Stars are commodities produced and consumed on the strength of their meanings.
Fundamentally, the star image is incoherent, that is incomplete and ‘open’. Dyer says that this is because it is based upon two key paradoxesthe first paradox is that the star must be simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary for the consumer. This means that the star maust have the same emotions and all round being as the audience however, are some what 'god like' forcing us to believe that there is something special or extraodrinary about them. The second paradox is that the star must be simultaneously present and absent for the consumer. Therefore the audience should feel as if the person is around them for example, through posters or through the television. However it is a pereson who we will never have a physical connection with, because they are of course, god like and we will never cross paths.
The incoherence of the star image ensures that audiences continually strive to ‘complete’ or to ‘make sense of’ of the image. This means that the audience will buys merchandise and memorabilia for this artist making them feel as if they are closer to the star and getting to know everything about them.
Stars depend upon a range of subsidiary media marketing, such as, magazines, TV, radio, the internet – in order to construct an image for themselves which can be marketed to the appropriate target audiences. For example, Adele uses simplistic and ordinary pictures as she is very much so focused on her talent, not her sexuality or physique, whereas another artist such as Britney Spears uses semi naked pictures of herself on her posters as she wishes to gain sex appeal from a male audience usually because her music is about female feelings. Thereforee this type of marketing allows records companies and artists to broaden their target audiences and gain a larger following all by the way in which they portray themselves.
There are many elements in our video, digipak and promo poster, which highlight other elements of our band star image. Due to star image being of such high importance in the industry, we thought that we could represent this through the costume. Firstly, in terms of physical image, our band and actors are all wearing the stereotypical track suits worn usually by 'chavs', in dark colours with the iconic Adidas strip down the leg. Our lead singer was wearing a black hoody with dark track suit pants. This is a typical urban and grime image, which we were striving for whilst organising in our per production. We wanted to create an urban, violent and gritty video, therefore we had to be sure the costume fitted, with both our actors and band to make it seem more realistic for audiences so they could possibly relate to it. This vviolentos boisterous theme was also represented through the narrative as towards the end a group of youths are shaking the cage which the suits are captive in. We wanted this to denote animalistic behaviour, to highlight a lack of class and education, therefore tapping into the psychological where we are able to recognise these people as barbaric. This was an image we wanted to portray as we want our audience to be of the same type stereotype. We also wanted the audience to feel challenged, as if they are not tough enough to listen to this.
Another element which we use our promotional poster was the boxer. Despite the boxer model, who has no relevance to the band or the video, we thought that is image could help denote some key values of our chosen band to make it more marketable. For example, the boxer has his fist clenched tight as if he is punching into the camera. He is wearing hand wraps, and a ring. The rest of his face and body is out of focus, which helps the audience to emphasise his fist and the ring. The fist denotes the strength and power of the band, also relating to my earlier comment on the barbaric violent image which we were going for as well. It also denotes that the band may have come from a tough background and up bringing, and the fist is as if they are fighting back at anyone who told the they would not be able to be successful or that they are making their way through the music industry with determination and strength with their fists literally clenched. This gives the band a very threatening and negative image, yet it makes them very marketable as people enjoy watching rebellion and following it. Therefore it will appeal to their target audience as they are real people from the same backgrounds who are relatable.
Both of these key elements make this bands image very marketable as audiences everywhere will have some recognition for this image and will follow it. Due to audiences being able to relate to this image and lifestyle as well, the will allow them to want to know more about the band and why they behave this way, following Dyer's stardom theory where the incoherence of the star image leaves audiences striving to finding out more information and trying to be the bands biggest fan, constantly competiting to be the best. This will benefit the record companies as the audience will buy merchandise of this artist to make other feel closer to their idols.
It is very clear there is quite a specific target audience. Despite being specific it is certainly not of a small spectrum. Specifically we were aiming our video and band image toward 16 to 24 year old males. However the audience becomes much narrower, more so toward 16 - 24 year old males with a criminal record, who are rebellious, from a poor, working class background, violent and who enjoy heavy drum and bass. Even the lyrics and beat of the song reflect the type of individual who would listen to it, due to its threatening and epic nature. However despite that being a very stereotypical and narrow audience, there are others which this could appeal too as well. Due to the image that our band is portraying throughout the narrative of the video where the youths are rebelling against the suits (authority) this could have some reference to students rebelling against teachers, children against parents, employees against their boss. This is all a situation we can relate too where we wish to over throw authority. Hence why this video portrays this image so greatly as despite the youths being naughty and rebellious, they are actually the protagonists, leaving the audience to believe it is 'cool' to behave like this, therefore portraying an image which is against typical positive values, this makes the audience feel as if they are breaking free and releasing any other emotions which they are holding back.
•A star is an image, not a real person, that is constructed out of a range of materials, usually through video or promotional posters etc.
•Stars are commodities produced and consumed on the strength of their meanings.
Fundamentally, the star image is incoherent, that is incomplete and ‘open’. Dyer says that this is because it is based upon two key paradoxesthe first paradox is that the star must be simultaneously ordinary and extraordinary for the consumer. This means that the star maust have the same emotions and all round being as the audience however, are some what 'god like' forcing us to believe that there is something special or extraodrinary about them. The second paradox is that the star must be simultaneously present and absent for the consumer. Therefore the audience should feel as if the person is around them for example, through posters or through the television. However it is a pereson who we will never have a physical connection with, because they are of course, god like and we will never cross paths.
The incoherence of the star image ensures that audiences continually strive to ‘complete’ or to ‘make sense of’ of the image. This means that the audience will buys merchandise and memorabilia for this artist making them feel as if they are closer to the star and getting to know everything about them.
Stars depend upon a range of subsidiary media marketing, such as, magazines, TV, radio, the internet – in order to construct an image for themselves which can be marketed to the appropriate target audiences. For example, Adele uses simplistic and ordinary pictures as she is very much so focused on her talent, not her sexuality or physique, whereas another artist such as Britney Spears uses semi naked pictures of herself on her posters as she wishes to gain sex appeal from a male audience usually because her music is about female feelings. Thereforee this type of marketing allows records companies and artists to broaden their target audiences and gain a larger following all by the way in which they portray themselves.
There are many elements in our video, digipak and promo poster, which highlight other elements of our band star image. Due to star image being of such high importance in the industry, we thought that we could represent this through the costume. Firstly, in terms of physical image, our band and actors are all wearing the stereotypical track suits worn usually by 'chavs', in dark colours with the iconic Adidas strip down the leg. Our lead singer was wearing a black hoody with dark track suit pants. This is a typical urban and grime image, which we were striving for whilst organising in our per production. We wanted to create an urban, violent and gritty video, therefore we had to be sure the costume fitted, with both our actors and band to make it seem more realistic for audiences so they could possibly relate to it. This vviolentos boisterous theme was also represented through the narrative as towards the end a group of youths are shaking the cage which the suits are captive in. We wanted this to denote animalistic behaviour, to highlight a lack of class and education, therefore tapping into the psychological where we are able to recognise these people as barbaric. This was an image we wanted to portray as we want our audience to be of the same type stereotype. We also wanted the audience to feel challenged, as if they are not tough enough to listen to this.
Another element which we use our promotional poster was the boxer. Despite the boxer model, who has no relevance to the band or the video, we thought that is image could help denote some key values of our chosen band to make it more marketable. For example, the boxer has his fist clenched tight as if he is punching into the camera. He is wearing hand wraps, and a ring. The rest of his face and body is out of focus, which helps the audience to emphasise his fist and the ring. The fist denotes the strength and power of the band, also relating to my earlier comment on the barbaric violent image which we were going for as well. It also denotes that the band may have come from a tough background and up bringing, and the fist is as if they are fighting back at anyone who told the they would not be able to be successful or that they are making their way through the music industry with determination and strength with their fists literally clenched. This gives the band a very threatening and negative image, yet it makes them very marketable as people enjoy watching rebellion and following it. Therefore it will appeal to their target audience as they are real people from the same backgrounds who are relatable.
Both of these key elements make this bands image very marketable as audiences everywhere will have some recognition for this image and will follow it. Due to audiences being able to relate to this image and lifestyle as well, the will allow them to want to know more about the band and why they behave this way, following Dyer's stardom theory where the incoherence of the star image leaves audiences striving to finding out more information and trying to be the bands biggest fan, constantly competiting to be the best. This will benefit the record companies as the audience will buy merchandise of this artist to make other feel closer to their idols.
It is very clear there is quite a specific target audience. Despite being specific it is certainly not of a small spectrum. Specifically we were aiming our video and band image toward 16 to 24 year old males. However the audience becomes much narrower, more so toward 16 - 24 year old males with a criminal record, who are rebellious, from a poor, working class background, violent and who enjoy heavy drum and bass. Even the lyrics and beat of the song reflect the type of individual who would listen to it, due to its threatening and epic nature. However despite that being a very stereotypical and narrow audience, there are others which this could appeal too as well. Due to the image that our band is portraying throughout the narrative of the video where the youths are rebelling against the suits (authority) this could have some reference to students rebelling against teachers, children against parents, employees against their boss. This is all a situation we can relate too where we wish to over throw authority. Hence why this video portrays this image so greatly as despite the youths being naughty and rebellious, they are actually the protagonists, leaving the audience to believe it is 'cool' to behave like this, therefore portraying an image which is against typical positive values, this makes the audience feel as if they are breaking free and releasing any other emotions which they are holding back.
Thursday 29 March 2012
Wednesday 28 March 2012
Post Production Evaluation
The post production process was where I was able to be creative when producing this video. I found the editing process extremely interesting but at the same time challenging.We started off editing with offline shots so the quality wasn't as good as the online HD footage, however it allowed the editing process to load quickly and to be smooth when rendering the video. The first rough cut wasn't quite in time so I had to go back and edit the video all over again and make sure every cut was on the beat of the song. It was also challenging because there were some new aspects of editing that was new to me. After Effects was completely new to me and to be able to make the heads explode in the video I had to use this software in a particular way. I did this by layering and masking the images. There were three shots, one of a plain background of the cage, another of the same background but a suit was in place miming their head being exploded and finally the actual shot of the watermelon being blown up. By using After Effects this enabled me to. It was helpful that I had a few tutorials on after effects before with a media technician from my college. without this I would of been extremely stuck due to not being introduced to this software last year whilst editing last year. The editing process took around 3 weeks to complete. After after effects we then added colour and grading. This was done very subtly because not much needed to be done, it was manly relevant to match the colour of the different locations to create a sense of continuity. So there wasn't a vast difference. I also had to create a promotional poster and digipak to build on the star image of my hypothetical band SMAK. This was due to being taught about Richard Dyer's theory of Stardom, where the band sells their image through their image in their videos, posters and album covers. Therefore building this star image made a huge impact on my creativity and teaching me to explore and discover different types of image that fit appropriately to the genre of the track chosen. I looked at similar Drum and Bass artists such as 'Nero' and 'Chase & Status' to help me see a clear picture into what other successful artists have done to make their image succesful. After completing my poster, digipak and video I can genuinely say I am very pleased with the final result and my hard work has paid off. The post production process was a very exciting time and I have learnt a lot more than I did in the post production process last year.
Wednesday 7 March 2012
DIGIPAK
This image portrays the strength of the band members, highlighting their masculinity and power and the strength within the music industry. We will continue to use the 'boxing' theme throughout the digipak images to keep portraying this message that they are 'willing to fight for their music' and 'to never give up'. for example in our music video they are using music as a weapon against the suits. The Boxer also shows this target audience that the band are willing to fight for their fans and that you need to be tough to survive in the cruel broekn down world. This also has a charactaristic about the band, therefore this symbolises the image our band wish to portray to the market. Finally the Font of the writing is very basic, therefore it stands out and gives a clear image about the band and that the music is the most important side of them.
Tuesday 6 December 2011
Friday 18 November 2011
Hypothetical Artist Profile
Our hypothetical band is called SMAK and is an electronic and drum and bass band consisting of a singer, DJ, bassist and drummer, all of which are included in our track ‘Let you go’. SMAK is a young, urban band raised in a metropolitan, gritty area within London; their back story being that they grew up knowing each other in a poor urban area within London and all were largely anti-authoritarian and rebellious however their music gave them a chance to get out of their lifestyle. The star image of the band is that they are still the rebellious youths that they were, coming from an urban grime area promoting drum and bass culture and epitomising ‘cool’. They would have many stories associated with anti-social behaviour, drink and drugs problems and be constantly on the wrong side of the law which would feed in with their star image. Our star image would be similar to that of the Sex Pistols as an example; SMAK would be known for being rebellious, anti-authoritarian and their controversy as a star image would be just as important as their music. SMAK are a new cool band associated with rebellion and youth and would be heavily connected with the up and coming drum and bass scene.
Monday 7 November 2011
Incident Room
Below are some images of how we plan to turn Bwebb House Study Room into a false Incident Room. These pictures can help inspire us to build and collect information and props to make this seem more realistic.
Monday 17 October 2011
Information and Preparation sent to Actors
To Youths
Heres some of the things you need to know, to be ready for our shoot.
Heres some of the things you need to know, to be ready for our shoot.
Firstly - Track attached is the the song 'Let You Go' by Chase & Status.
Secondly - File attatched is the lyrics. Learn them please.
Thirdly - Below is the costume list. If you do not have any of the things you are supposed to be wearing, email/text/bbm/Facebook (all at the bottom of the page) me back quickly so I can get them, along with your size.
Fourthly - A2 Students (Will and Megan) I will be handing you Blue Cards today or tomorrow.
COSTUME - BOYS
Top/Bottom - Dark/ Black, Zip up hoody, full hoody, with plain t - shirt underneath.
Shoes - Nike Air/Reebok
Hats/ Caps - Burberry/ Nike
Shoes - Nike Air/Reebok
Hats/ Caps - Burberry/ Nike
Please just bring whatever you have which is like this, and we can decide.
Think Chav / Pikey.
COSTUME - GIRLS
Any coloured full tracksuits
Hooped Earrings
Bright trainers.
Thank You
Patch, Holly, Oscar and Charlie.
Hello James, Stephen, Ted and Jason, (SUITS)
This is just a quick email regarding the costume for the music video you are involved in for the track 'Let You Go' by Chase & Status.
Please come dressed in a suit wearing a tie and shirt and smart shoes/trousers.
Attached are the lyrics and a copy of the song, so you are able to get an idea of what you will be working on.
Please feel free to look at my blog for inspiration or costume ideas.
If you have any problems please email me or speak to James Baker (my media teacher).
Thank You
Patch, Holly, Oscar and Charlie.
Sunday 16 October 2011
Feedback
You have covered most of the relevant planning material here and the blog as a whole offers a clear sense of progression from the initial idea through to the 'final' concept. There is a good sense of context and links with real media products. The evaluation of the animatic should be an individual piece of work and therefore it is not appropriate to use the same one as Holly. Please redo this as soon as possible. Your shooting schedule also needs more detail - the shots that you are aiming to cover in each set up.
James
James
Thursday 13 October 2011
Guildford Council Letter Requiring Video Shoot Permission
Millmead House
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 01483 505050
Email: customerservices@guildford.gov.uk
To whom It may concern,
We are a group of A level media students from Hurtwood House School.
We are writing to you for permission to film in Guildford town center and other surrounding areas for our coursework. The video would consist of people wandering the streets. There are two different groups within our video, this is made up youths and a group of the older generation. The youths will be leading the older generation by a guitar lead as bait to capture them. All of the capturing will be filmed in our studios at school.
The video will not be defamating the image of your town what so ever, there will also be no reference to the name of the town or any street names. Any mess will be automatically cleared up. We will be supervised by our teachers under strict instructions. We also are writing to possibly get permission to shoot a wide shot of Guildfords Skatepark? again any mess will be cleared. The video has currently been set in date for Wednesday the 9th of November. We are planning to film at around about 4:00pm In Guildford after spending the morning filming at school.
We would appreciate a response and hope to hear from you soon.
Many thanks
Patch Wadsworth, Holly Finlay, Oscar Jackson, Charlie Lindsay
Hurtwood House School
Holmbury St Mary
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 6NU
Millmead
Guildford
Surrey
GU2 4BB
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 01483 505050
Email: customerservices@guildford.gov.uk
To whom It may concern,
We are a group of A level media students from Hurtwood House School.
We are writing to you for permission to film in Guildford town center and other surrounding areas for our coursework. The video would consist of people wandering the streets. There are two different groups within our video, this is made up youths and a group of the older generation. The youths will be leading the older generation by a guitar lead as bait to capture them. All of the capturing will be filmed in our studios at school.
The video will not be defamating the image of your town what so ever, there will also be no reference to the name of the town or any street names. Any mess will be automatically cleared up. We will be supervised by our teachers under strict instructions. We also are writing to possibly get permission to shoot a wide shot of Guildfords Skatepark? again any mess will be cleared. The video has currently been set in date for Wednesday the 9th of November. We are planning to film at around about 4:00pm In Guildford after spending the morning filming at school.
We would appreciate a response and hope to hear from you soon.
Many thanks
Patch Wadsworth, Holly Finlay, Oscar Jackson, Charlie Lindsay
Hurtwood House School
Holmbury St Mary
Dorking
Surrey
RH5 6NU
Shooting Schedule
Shooting Schedule
Date:- Unknown
9am - Start
9.15am – Set up commences.
10.45am – Filming in the Studio starts.
1pm – Lunch Break.
1.30pm – Start to pack.
1.50pm – Leave for Bwebb House.
2pm – Arrive at Bwebb House, set up to film.
(Shots 1 – 32)
5pm – Pack up Set.
5.30pm – Leave Bwebb House for Guildford Station.
6.15pm – Arrive at Guildford, set up to film.
(Running/ Hiding Shots 36 – 80)
9pm – Leave location, drive to skate park.
9.15pm – Arrive at Skate Park. Set up to film.
9.35pm – Take several Wide Shots of Skate Park.
10pm – Finish Filming. Drive back to House
Date:- Unknown
9am - Start
9.15am – Set up commences.
10.45am – Filming in the Studio starts.
1pm – Lunch Break.
1.30pm – Start to pack.
1.50pm – Leave for Bwebb House.
2pm – Arrive at Bwebb House, set up to film.
(Shots 1 – 32)
5pm – Pack up Set.
5.30pm – Leave Bwebb House for Guildford Station.
6.15pm – Arrive at Guildford, set up to film.
(Running/ Hiding Shots 36 – 80)
9pm – Leave location, drive to skate park.
9.15pm – Arrive at Skate Park. Set up to film.
9.35pm – Take several Wide Shots of Skate Park.
10pm – Finish Filming. Drive back to House
Costume Ideas
YOUTHS
Main Inspiration for our male youths. Chav, pikey and threatening image.
Top/Bottom - Dark/ Black, Zip up hoody, full hoody, with plain t - shirt underneath.
Shoes - Nike Air
Hats/ Caps -
FEMALE YOUTHS
Inspiration -
Costume - Any coloured full tracksuits, hooped earrings and bright trainers.
SUITS COSTUME INSPIRATION
Costume smart suits, with leather shoes.
Main Inspiration for our male youths. Chav, pikey and threatening image.
Top/Bottom - Dark/ Black, Zip up hoody, full hoody, with plain t - shirt underneath.
Shoes - Nike Air
Hats/ Caps -
FEMALE YOUTHS
Inspiration -
Costume - Any coloured full tracksuits, hooped earrings and bright trainers.
SUITS COSTUME INSPIRATION
Costume smart suits, with leather shoes.
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