Potential Album Cover and Poster Images

While the group was filming for the second stage for the process of creating the music video, we were able to take a variety of still images for our potential album cover and tour poster. The group and I have  come to the decision as to what images we will be using for our album cover and poster. These images were taken in the process of creating the music video and so the chosen location will help to reflect and promote the music video we are creating to our demographic. I believe that these images are suitable for the media products we will be producing as well as them being effective images to use. However, while undergoing the process we may change our minds depending on as a group how we feel about the decision on using the images.

Album Cover 

Tour Poster 

Additional Camera Equipment - SamSung Galaxy S4

While filming the first process of creating the music video the group had decided to a different piece of camera equipment while filming the process. Another piece of equipment is the Samsung Galaxy S4 camera. We have decided to primarily make use of this camera as it it has an additional anti-shake feature so therefore when viewing the footage we have conducted the camera will not give an unsteady approach which will provide the group with a more professional outlook to our music video. Below I have inserted an image of this equipment used as well as an embed code to a website we have found displaying the use of the camera itself.

Samsung - Samsung GALAXY S4

Photoshoot - Location 2

Yesterday I and group went out on location for a second attempt of filming for our music video. While filming the second process we had again undergone the risk assessment issues by ensuring that the specific area of or filming was not heavily overcrowded. Therefore this gave us plenty of opportunity's to film within our location confidently and effectively as this was our second attempt at doing this so the group knew what to expect. Below are a few images taken from the photo-shoot, more images will be uploaded onto the group blog later.

Production - Next Location/Weather

For the groups next location we have decided that we are going to visit the Albert Dock tomorrow to film the second process for our music video. Looking at tomorrows weather forecast, the conditions seem to be fine and settled for the time being as we will be filming during the daytime period. Therefore the proposal to go and film/shoot the process will go ahead. Photos from the shoot will be posted on my blog as well as the group blog within the next few days.

Photoshops Skills - Image Adjustment

To present my Photoshop skills I have decided to create a photoshop image in which I have created a four image photo frame displaying certain effects from the image adjustment feature found in Photoshop. the image is an original Using the image adjustment features I have used aspects such as the Vibrance Selection, Hue/Saturation Selection, Black and White selection and the Colour Balance for each of the 4 images below. I have presented this as well the original image below.

Using image adjustments to images would help to stimulate an interest for the audience by making the product eye catching, attractive and more appealing to view. Therefore this is why I will consider using some of these effects upon the poster and album cover that I will be creating for my own virtual media product to promote the music video.

Audience Theory

Furthering my research into music videos, I have decided to conduct my own research into the audience theory. This theory states how specific media products affect and have an influence on audiences lives. There are a number of aspects as to how this theory is combined by other research and concepts. I have created a short slideshare presentation below which shows my knowledge and understanding of this theory. This has allowed me to develop a better understanding as to how specific media products such as music videos have major influences on an audience.

Audience Theory from Charlie Mossman

Inspiration

While filming the process of creating our music video, an effective scene was the establishing shot taken of Liverpool City Skyline. I thought that this was a brilliant idea in regards to the music video as it would help to create a more engaging media product in terms of  the audience/demographic. I had taken this inspiration from a past trip to New York City were from my perspective I was able to receive an outstanding view from the Empire State Building and other famous buildings. I have inserted a few images from the past images I have taken to represent the idea for our outline of our music video.

Photoshoot - Location 1

I have finally been able to upload the images form the film/photo shoot from yesterday. The overall experience while filming was a difficult process to encounter as we wanted to secure a safe and well established environment. However I and the other group members within the process were able to successfully construct the video process within this location. Below are several numbers of images that I have uploaded taken from the photo shoot.

Call Sheet

Yesterday the group went out on location to start the filming process for our music video. Doing the process I was the actor within the music video and the other members within the group aid within recording, recording behind the scene and photographing the behind the scene footage, considering health and safety issues and costumes/props. In order to guide us throughout the process we used the storyboards as well as  constructing our own ideas.

While creating the music video we had taken the risk assessments into consideration by ensuring the weather was suitable and ensuring that the surrounding areas within our first location was not overcrowded. Below is the sheet in which presents the call sheet which outlines our activities during the day, transportation details and job roles. I will upload images from the Photoshoot later on today.

Actor Contract

The image below is an actor contract in which I have agreed to participate within the filming/production stages of the music video. The contract was found/produced by Anthony Black within his research task for the group blog. Doing this is a very important fact to consider especially within the filming industry.

Film/Photo Shoot Day - Weather

Tomorrow the group have decided that we are going to begin the filming process for our music video. The first location we have decided to shoot in is St Georges Hall in Liverpool City Centre. In regards to the first location we need to consider the weather forecast throughout the day to make sure that condition are suitable in order for us to film and photo shoot. In order to find this information out I have looked at the BBC Weather forecast website and looking at the weather for Tuesday weather conditions seem to fine and settled for the day. Therefore the proposal to film will go ahead as the dry conditions means that it will be less likely that any unfortunate risks such as slipping, falling over or any potential damage to equipment will occur.

Job Roles

In terms of what job roles each of the team members will be requiring while we film for the production of creating the music video, we have decided to give each and everyone one of us a certain responsibility to upheld. This is to ensure that we can safely and effectively create a successful music video. There are 4 members within the group and below are the specific job roles we have decided to upheld in our position. However in order to acquire and know the specific job roles in the groups media production, we conducted some research by finding a website to know the titles of the job roles in the media which is embed below as well as the job roles.

Charles Mossman - Actor and Location Manager
Ian Pelgrave - Director and Camera Operator
Anthony Black - Assistant Director and Photographer
Kieran Winrow - Costume/Prop Assistant and Second Assistant Camera Operator

Job roles - Film Industry - Creative Skillset

Camera Equipment

In order for the group to film the process of creating the music video we have decided to use a specific video camera that I have used before in the past. The camera that the group will be shooting with is known as  the Samsung HMX - W200 camera. We have decided to use this camera because from analyzing it and trying it out it seems to be the best quality cameras we have found as it records in full high definition and so the music video is more likely to become more effective to the audience. The camera is also waterproof and shockproof and therefore it is very unlikely that there will be any potential hazards or damage that might occur with this camera. Below I have inserted a video that I have found that demonstrates the use of this camera for its specific purpose.

Comparing Album Covers

Within this blog post I have decided to discuss my views upon making my album covers. While using the software of Photoshop I have been able to adjust images, texts and adjust specific layers while using other tools to work with my development skills to create my own media products such as the text on fire and image into text. Looking at my 2 album covers I have created I can see already that my progression and development has already gone underway.

The Mumford and Sons album/CD cover was my first attempt at creating a media product. The layout and the way I have adjusted the image is basic and there is not much use of colours meaning that if this product was an existing album cover then it would most likely not attract attention in regards to the demographic (being aimed at a population of young people) as it does not seem to be an attractive media product to view.

However the most recent mock up album cover I have created is another version of the Bruno Mars album cover. Taking all the information such as the Photoshop tutorials I have watched I have been able to create a much improved and appealing album cover as my knowledge and confidence on using the software has grown. I believe that creating this album cover was a more successful attempt as I have been able to manipulate the image more effectively and been able to constructively adjust the appearance of text. With these aspects in place this will most likely reveal a professional connotation in regards to the artist appearance.

I have also taken inspiration from the existing album cover and used similar conventions from the album to construct my design. Therefore I believe that looking more into more existing  album covers will help in being able to outline a professional and well designed album cover.

Photoshop Skills - Bruno Mars Album Work

Taking on board my Photoshop skills and development throughout which I have shown in my blog, I have decided to create my own version of the Bruno Mars unorthodox album cover. I have taken inspiration from the original Unorthodox album and both album covers have similar aspects in regards to the colour and the graphological layout. However my album takes a different approach to the demographic being young people as I have placed an image of the main artist being promoted himself onto my version of the album cover so that the demographic can clearly see what artists the album is based upon.

Using the software I have been able to manipulate and change certain features of the image by adjusting the contract, brightness, colour levels etc. I have also been able to insert and modify the style of the text so that it is suited to the chosen style and genre of the album being indie/pop. Below I have inserted a few images to show my progression throughout creating my own version of the album cover whilst using the software of Photoshop. Foreshadowing this album cover and creating a similar media product will help me and strive me to create a similar product in regards to a successful album cover when it comes to promoting my own virtual music video.

Photoshop Skills- Text into Image

Another Photoshop skill I have en-counted myself with is the text into image display. Similar to the image dispersion effect, I have used a tutorial video guide on how to assert the Photoshop skill into my own practice. Below I have inserted a presentation slide showing progression throughout the process of creating the text into image display as well as a short tutorial video. So far using these skills and editing process of Photoshop has helped me to grow my confidence and developing skill of the software itself. Soon I will be creating my own mock up of a album/CD cover of my choice using these skills I have acquired to ensure that may my mock up will be an effective and engaging media product towards its audience.

Photoshop - Dispersion Effect

Today I have decided to look at a tutorial video on you tube on the dispersion effect to help me in the process of developing my Photoshop Skills. Using the tutorial video to guide me in the process I have been able to manipulate an image of my choice to show how the dispersion effect is put into practice. I have inserted the tutorial video that I have used as a style model to create my dispersion effect  as well as my simple product I have designed with a screenshot stage process.

Risk Assessment

As part of the risk assessment issues that the group can be aware while filming the process of creating the music video, I have decided to conduct some research as to how the group are going to condemn and apply our risk assessment issues in terms of what hazards may occur during the production. Advice and information taken form skillset.org I have taken a screenshot of a page that will help  us to identify the hazards and what the group can do in terms of dealing with these hazards as part of the risk assessment.

Taking this information into consideration I have decided to create a brief overview of what the groups two primary hazards could be. I have created a table below stating the hazards and stating where the hazard may occur, who is at risk, what may occur, the level of risk the hazard occurring and how to control the hazard to ensure that the group secure a safe environment while processing our music video.  More issues of the risk assessment will be shown and discussed within the group blog

Production Log - Mise En Scene

In terms of costumes and props that the group will be using to create a music video, we have decided to choose a casual and informal clothing type for the actor to wear. The group have decided to go for this choice in terms of clothing because we believe that it will suit the genre of the song indie/pop and therefore will help to reflect our chosen genre style. The mise will also help the groups music video to target towards our demographic of the younger generation as the causal look especially towards youth/young adults will entice the demographic population to take a keener interest into our music video product as the clothing will be dedicated around this populations style. I have decided to insert a few images of the type of clothing that the actor will be wearing within the music video that will help to reflect the casual and informal appearance on the actor.

Thumbnails - Location Plan/Draw Ups/Direction Plans

Recently Kieran Winrow had drawn up a direction plan as top how we are going to film the music video as part of the prouction stage. Below are some of the sketches that Kieran had dranw up within 3 of the groups chosen locations. This has provided the group with a confident outline as to how we are going to construct our music video and use our time wisdely before going on site to start the film making process.

St Georges Park 

Albert Dock 

Crosby Beach 

Production Log - Location

Very soon the group will begin the process of creating our music video. Drawing up from the storyboard we created, the group have now finally decided our 3 primary location as to where our music video will be filmed, processed, constructed and photographed. Our locations will be within areas around Liverpool and especially within the City Centre. The City Centre will be the overall primary location for filming our music video because it will help to reflect its well known reputation for the City's culture in music.

Our chosen locations include the area of St Georges Hall, The Albert Dock and Crosby Beach. I believe that In terms of the locations which the group have decided to shoot and film our music video the locations will help to establish and  emphasize the songs emotion and set the scene towards the demographic audience. Below I have created a short slide show in which I have presented the groups chosen locations 

Brief Story Board

For the groups first stages of planing and constructing our music video we have decided to create a brief story board which represents an outline of how the group is going to be constructed at each stage of the process creating the video itself. The story board reveals the number of shots,  sketches and the type of camera movements/shots that we will be using in the process. I believe that doing this task help the group to be more organised and will help the group to easily construct the video simply and give a good idea/overview as to how we are going to create the music video as a whole. I have inserted the images of the story board below. 

Photoshop Skills - Text on Fire

While developing my Photoshop skills, I have been taught to use a variety of skills to create the effect of text on fire. It is the first time in which in my knowledge of using the software of Photoshop I have constructed this type of effect while processing my work. Creating the effect for the first time was a success for my first attempt in doing this, however as I continue to develop these certain skills and acknowledgment for using Photoshop the more confidence I will grow in using the software when it comes to creating the groups successful media products being a tour poster and a CD/Album cover in order to promote the music video. Below I have inserted the image of my text on fire and I have inserted a slide show in which I have shown my process and progression to construct this type of effect.

Sam Smith - Stay With Me Lyrics

In order to know the lyrics for with the team member or team members to lip sync to I have upload the lyrics onto the group blogs. Below I have also inserted the lyrics in which the team member or team members will be lip syncing to when I and group come to construct our music video together.

Risk Assessment Preperation

Carrying out a risk assessment is considered to be a very important aspect to consider before the group will be allowed to start any sort of filming process as part of the production stages of creating the music video. A risk assessment consist of annualising the hazards, risks and safety measurable maybe put in place within a specific environment and so therefore by doing this for the production stages, it will allow the group to confidently start the production knowing that everyone will be secured in as are environment. Below is a video that i have found and watched which has given me a much through understanding in regards to preparing a risk assessment for the group. Even though the video applies within a different contextual setting in will still be able to consider the information that is provided and so apply it to carrying out the groups risk assessment.

Music Video Preperation - Planning, Shooting and Editing

Before me and other members of the group start any process, regarding the construction for our music video,  I have decided to conduct my own research into how to prepare for a music video. I have embedded a website below to share my knowledge of the source that I have looked at to know the overall process of the music videos planing, production and post production stages. Conducting this research has given me a much more confident and organised approach as to how the group will be able to put the video task hand in hand.

Step-by-Step instructions for Shooting Your Music Video

Groups Song Choice

After conducting our groups research together on music videos, ideas and the chosen artists in our genre the group has finally come to a decision as to what song choice that we are wanting to construct for out music video. The group has decided to choice sam Sam Smith Stay With me. The group has decided this song choice because after analysing this music video in the past we believe that this will an easy but effective music video to construct. The group will be able to easily use the camera angles, movements and editing technique to create the music video using short takes, close ups and many other convention of these aspects to construct the video simply. I have inserted the music video below to display what our music video song is based upon and show what sort of codes and conventions that the group will be using to construct the video as a whole.

Groups Blog Progression So Far

As another independent blog post I have decided to post an update on my groups blog. So far we have all contributed to some parts of our research in order to create our music video such as analysing music videos, researching into successful artists and suggesting ideas as to what the group could potentially do when producing our music video. In addition to this we have and will be commenting on eachothers blogs posts within the groups blog giving initial feedback as to what was good in our task and what each of us can improve upon. Below I have taken and placed a few screenshots of the group blog to show what we have posted so far and how much progression we are making at the moment.