Shooting Schedule - Monday 3rd February

In order to finish the shots which I am shooting at my house, I have arranged another date to complete this filming. I aim to re-shoot the living room scene as the lighting is too dark which has made the shot appear noisy, and shoot some more shots for the boxing scene which includes Jordan alone.

5.15-6.15 Living room scene

6.15-6.45 BREAK FOR TEA

6.45-7.15 Boxing scene

Mock up for magazine advertisement - Photoshop

On Photoshop, I have created a rough mock up for the magazine advertisement based upon my magazine research as a guide when creating the real product. In particular the Blink 182 magazine advertisement. I may change this layout at a later date, but as a starting point I will use this to create a first draft of my ancillary text. I have included all the conventions which I identified when researching this medium, in order to create a professional product which you might see in a magazine like Kerrang magazine.

Blink 182 advert which I analysed.

Existing CD covers

In my previous research for my ancillary texts I didn't look at CD covers as a whole, just the front cover. Therefore, I have looked at some of my own CD covers to understand the conventions of the whole product. I have selected three covers, two from the pop punk genre and one from the indie pop genre. I selected a cover from the indie pop genre as I thought it was alternative and it would be good to analyse as part of my research since I could use some of these ideas to make my own product.

Band name and track name ideas - brainstorm

Shooting Diary - Friday 24th January

Today, I shot the opening sequence part of my video again. This took more time than initially anticipated as I was taking extra care to make sure there was sufficient lighting, the framing was correct and that the camera was focused on Leah and Jordan. This all went according to plan but we managed to gain a good amount bloopers as this part of the video is very serious, therefore this was one of the factors which contributed to the shooting of these scene taking more time.

I also recorded the voice over part of the video which I am going to add to the very beginning of the video accompanied by a black screen to make the narrative of my music video. We firstly rehearsed this part together by running through the short script a few times to ensure that they used the tone of voice which would be appropriate for the video. During the recording of the voice over we did have the problem of Leah and Jordan sounding quite far away. Therefore, we tried recording it sat in different positions around the camera to see what worked best. I will do some editing next week and I will see if this will work incorporated into my music video.

We also managed to re-shoot the scene where Leah is throwing her toys and books around the bedroom, at this point we were all quite tired so I am not sure if these shots are going to be as good but I will see what they are like when I take them into the editing suite.

Script for voice over part of video.

Shooting Schedule - Friday 24th January

I have arranged with both Leah and Jordan a date which we can re-do some of the shots/scenes which are weaker and need in improving.

I have arranged for them to come to my house again so we can do the opening sequence (argument) again with the added voice over which I will consider putting at the beginning of my video. I will record some heated dialogue between the couple and include it in my video for a second draft to see if this would make the narrative clearer for the audience. I would also like to re-do the living room scene.

If we have time, I would also like to work on a couple of the shots where Leah is angry in the bedroom as the framing is sometimes weaker in this scene.

Shooting Schedule

1.30 Meet Leah and Jordan on the train to my house. Talk to them about what it is I aim to improve and the structure of the afternoon.

2.00-2.30 Arrive at my house, have sandwiches, change into costume and set up the camera for the first shot.

2.45-3.45 Opening sequence shots.

3.45 - 4.15 Bedroom scene with Leah on her own.

4.15 - 4.45 Living room scene.

4.45 - 5.15 Boxing scene, get more extreme close ups and close ups of Jordan's hand and face to add to the video.

Conventions of magazine advertisements

Areas for improvement

I have watched my music video back, taken into account my audience feedback and made some brief notes on how I could improve my music video. I am still yet to discuss and watch it with my teacher but these are the areas which have jumped out at me.

Narrative theory in relation to my music video -Todorov

Todorov's theory is relevant to my music video as the narrative in my video follows that same structure. Todorov argues that a narrative involves a transformation of the characters. The characters or the situations are transformed through the process of disruption.

It states that there are three stages to the narrative.

A state of equilibrium: Everything is as it should be within the diegesis. For example, the state of equilibrium in my music video is shown when it cuts to scenes of the couple being happy together.

The disruption of equilibrium: This happens when there is an event that disrupts the state of peace within the narrative. For example, this begins when the couple begin to encounter problems within their relationship and when Leah finds out her news of having a terminal illness.

The recognition that the disruption has occured: For example, in my video this is shown when Jordan takes care of her as well as when he shows his anger at the situation - the boxing scene.

An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption: In my video there is no attempt to repair the damage as it is inevitable what is going to happen. However, you could argue there is an attempt by Jordan since he looks after her before Leah passes away.

Restoration of a new equilibrium: For example, in my music video equilibrium is restored when Leah passes away and the problem is resolved in a way as she is now at peace.

Audience feedback for first draft

I posted a link to my music video via Facebook where many members of my target audience would see it. I received many positive comments from my Facebook friends. However, they did point out some areas for improvement. The scene where Leah tells Jordan her news isn't completely clear and it could be seen that she is pregnant rather than suffering from a terminal illness. Therefore, when re-shooting some scenes of the video I could make this more clear by, for example, pausing the music and showing dialogue between the couple. Some of my Facebook friends also commented that they felt quite sad watching it, which is the ultimate aim of the storyline, and that they thought the track went well with the story.