A journey begins

IN THIS POST

• Introducing me
• The brief and post list
• Assessment criteria
• Assessing past coursework

INTRODUCING ME

Since learning the contents of the media GCSE course, I have continued to enjoy both the practical and theoretical aspects of Media Studies. Having produced film and youtube productions for media so far, I am excited to delve into the theories and conventions surrounding music video for our A2 exam and coursework. I have built my passion for the general industry of media through professional work, including a monthly national radio show. This began as a pre-recorded hourly show, however, after gathering more professional radio experience in the summer, we have begun producing the show live, giving us a greater understanding on the standards and expectation of a professional media workplace. I will be studying Media Production at university, with the intention of continuing past this level and producing video as a career. 

This year, I am excited to grasp the music video industry and create a professional-looking production, while also learning more theoretical aspects to apply to my blog and final exam. By the end of the year, I hope to have improved my abilities across the subject, including editing, directing and producing, to then set me up for a successful time at university. Although I achieved an A in AS levels, I feel as though I have a lot to improve on this year, including my organisational skills. I will manage my time significantly better and produce work that I will be a lot happier with. Here is my final AS film opening production...

I have started this year positively, already having a strong concept for my final production. I will be working with Scope Vids once again this year, as I feel as though we contribute ideas that eventually create a better piece of work than if we were working individually. 

HERE IS A LINK TO SCOPE VIDS' BLOG

THE BRIEF & POST LIST

THE BRIEF - music promotion package
A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music video (major task), together with an official social media page for the band or artist(s) and a digipak for the album's release (minor tasks).

The work may be undertaken individually or by a group (maximum group size is four candidates). Candidates must present the evidence for assessment individually, whether they have worked in a group or individually. Centres must assess candidates on an individual basis. Each candidate’s blog should clearly indicate the candidate’s own role in any group activity to allow the teacher to assess the contribution of each individual within the group.

My blog will include these posts:

• A Journey begins
• Conventions/influences: video
• Conventions/influences: digipak
• Conventions/influences: website
• The creative concept
• The genre and chosen artist
• Audience
• Industry
• Theory
• Pre-production
• Shoots
• Uses of technology
• Video sample/rough cuts
• The journey
• Social media: drafts and final text
• Digipak: drafts and final text
• Music Video Final Cut and alt vids
• Reflective Essay
• Welcome to my blog!

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSING PAST COURSEWORK

Harriet Video

• Cutting to the beat - selective cutting (not overdoing it)
• Layering (discolouration and changing opacity)
• Slow-motion
• Colour pop with sweets in pots (intertextualising The Pixies - Bag Boy)
• Costume and props suggest it is old-fashioned (quirky)
• Narrative enigma on the characters
• Queer element (reflecting shifts in social values)
• Chess game (old-fashioned and fits set - metaphor of people as the pawns)
• Lots of focus variation (deep field/narrow field)
• Intertextuality from Heather and Alice in Wonderland
• Black lipstick (break away from social standards and objection of male gaze)
• Striking shot of liking a croquette ball (intertextual reference from Miley Cyrus - Wrecking ball)

Simon Video

• Performance video makes it very convincing
• Body language, hair and costume are convincing
• Location - underground parking
• Product placement - not overused
• Representation change of girl pushing guy onto the bed
• Shots fade into each other as clothing change suggests time passed
• Visual representation on screen (unique transition to different shot)
• Subtle product placement once again
• Selective cutting on beat (keyboard)
• Layering (CU on singers face and drummer in background)
• 3 performance shoots (minimum)
• Effective slow motion
• Song at its most intense (more frequent shots)
• Simon walking into the camera

Richard Video

• Used an actual band for performance, despite not being their song
• Excellent use of colouring
• Huge variation of shots
• Employ the same narrative enigma concept as film
• Colour faded in
• Very fast-paced editing
• Mise-en-scene - framed photographs
• Good setting - contrast of dull and colourful
• Realism (verisimilitude) - Indie singer actually an indie singer
• Layering different clips (lowering opacity) - sometimes overdone
• Jumpcuts
• Intriguing shots of woman - not male gaze however showing females body
• Very nice framing
• Performance footage shouldn't be static
• First two shot comes late (to show girls isolation)
• Lyrics/visuals - 'Gimme some of that' - calls girl over
• Cigarette smoking shot breaks up performance video
• Striking visuals of girl eating flower
• Strong image - female walking away from man
• left as an open narrative

Evie Video

• Colour pop
• Narrative enigma
• Layering
• Slow-motion
• Multiple performance shoots
• Costume changes