CD covers & Magazine ads

Due by next THURSDAY - 3RD FEBRUARY

Produce mock-ups for your ancillary tasks. (that means basic sketches, including image, text and track listings (for album covers)) Two of the following

• A website homepage for your band
• A front cover for the release of the album on CD
• A magazine advert for the release of the CD

Make sure these are annotated to show your decisions regarding composition, and also linked to Goodwin's ideas about music videos and promotion.

Some example covers:




(Mumford and Sons)
The band are in what appears to be a shop window, possibly in an ironic take on the commercial elements of the music industry.
The street looks a little run down, and this is reflected in the dress and 'old fashioned' instruments which the band are seen with - the stand-up bass and accordion, for example. The location is more than likely West London, as the folk scene from which the band come is located here.
The need to have the band on the cover links to Goodwin's ideas about music promotion and the image of teh artist, and the visuals link to the style of music which the band play. The irony is also a feature of the 'counter culture' scene which the band's music appeals to.
The Island 50 logo advertsies 5 years of the record label, long known for championing independent and original artists of which long line Mumford and Sons are the latest example.




(Kanye – Graduation).
Kanye West's album shows a glossy, cartoon image feturing the bear character who has been used on Kanye's previous records. The high-gloss and complexity of the image, probably CG, shows the hip-hop scene, as do the bold but mature colours used. There seems to be a party going on on the planet featuring pretty, female bears; another link to the stereotypical Hip-hop lifestyle.
The bear is leaving the plant - he has 'graduated' from it. This link sto West's ideas of himself as a pioneer of the genre, always moving on the new things.
The parental advisory note is a necessary feature pertaining to censorship in the music industry. It may also be seen as a badge of honour amoung some younger listeners' CD collections.
Kanye West's pre-existing media image is exploited here, as are the conventoin of the Hip-hop genre, linking this album cover with Goodwin's ideas.

Magazine adverts.

This blog site has some really interesting magazine ads in a few different formats - but information is key here. The ad must advertise(!) the CD release, so needs to include dates, perhaps some reviews, and 'available through' info. Note also the production / record company logos at the bottom of each one.

Research & Planning criteria.

Below are the criteria for your research and planning part of this year's portfolio. Alongside each one is a suggestion of what you could include to ensure you're going to hit this element.

 There is excellent research into similar products and a potential target audience. - detailed analysis of at least one music video in your chosen genre using theoretical frameworks.
 There is excellent organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props. - shooting schedule including dates, props lists with details about where props are coming from, cast list, preliminary work on locations (recce photographs)
 There is excellent work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding. - initial treatment, notes on development of ideas, animatic, shooting schedule for the shoot itself.
 Time management is excellent.
 There is an excellent level of care in the presentation of the research and planning. - includes use of ICT in this, so pollster/poll junkie, wordle etc all count. Make sure posts are neat, titles are clear and informative. You could use the 'label cloud' feature to aid quick referencing of all posts by 'research, planning' and later 'evaluation'.
 There is excellent skill in the use of digital technology or ICT in the presentation. - include photos and embedded videos in posts, link to other websites you have used, lyric wordles, moodboards, animatics etc.
 There are excellent communication skills. - double double check spelling and punctuation. Embed links to documents which you have found useful in your research - wider reading on music videos in your genre, specific case studies etc.

Marking criteria - production.

Once your animatic is uploaded, use the following to asses whether or not you are on to a winner.

The candidate is expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following
technical skills:
 holding a shot steady, where appropriate;
 framing a shot, including and excluding elements as appropriate;
 using a variety of shot distances as appropriate;
 shooting material appropriate to the task set;
 selecting mise-en-scène including colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting;
 editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer;
 using varied shot transitions, captions and other effects selectively and appropriately;
 using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task.

Storyboard Deadline

Storyboards to be completed by THURSDAY 17th NOVEMBER. You will then have a week of lessons to get your animatic completed before heading out and starting to film at the start of December.

Animatics

What can be done with animatic storyboards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1uRncKY8DU&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJmCWeyRlpo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FBZ-PQoo9U

And also, below, why we do this. Actually, all the 'zero budget' tips are really useful. Check them out for cheap solutions to all your filming problems. Type 'filming trick' into youtube for a similar series which includes the stori-cam (they call it the pole cam) and many other useful ideas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcXfgBLRv_E

Treatment - Deadline Tues 12th October.

Some notes on how to fill out your treatment sheets. Note that these need to be scanned in or photographed and uploaded to your blog by 12th October. That's one week.

Ideas/Concepts/Inspiration:

What will form the main parts of your video? Narrative? Performance? Concept? What will happen in your video and where?

What will I need? (props, actors, locations etc)

Be as detailed as you can at this stage. If you need to recce locations, are there any places that spring to mind NOW which may be suitable? With props, how do you intend to get hold of them - Don't just write 'ask people'. Be specific.

What will the challenges be and how will I overcome them?

Budget is a key consideration. You can't hire fancy muscle cars except at your own expense. Are there any shots which may be particularly tricky to get the hang of? If you need to film test footage for costumes, locations of camera movements, state that here.

Justification: (Theory – Goodwin, Mulvey, Representation, Narrative, Audience etc)

Link your ideas to theory as much as you can - I'm not saying let theory dictate your ideas, but stepping back from your project at this early stage and engaging your critical analysis skills will make your evaluation and G325 section 1 much easier.

Excellent tips for filming.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZA9r0iWbdw&feature=related

Great tutorial video for framing images. Everything except the colour correction can be done in camera with our DV kit. The colour correction is possible too once we get Adobe in the mac suite. Great shots come with planning too though!