Evaluation

Question 1 - In what ways does your Media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

(Audio/video to be given of question one on disc to be marked)

Question 2 - How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

For the relation between my main product and ancillary texts, I wanted to emphasise the dissonance and unconventional connections within genres outside of mainstream music. It is important to promote an artist across a range of media platforms. I have done this by using two different images for my CD cover and advertisement that may not be as recognisable in the video itself.  At a first glance, it appears to seem that there is no continuity. However, when looking in depth in to all three texts, you can see how they do relate. The ancillary texts have a direct relation by having the same character in both of the images; however, this isn’t as noticeable.  In both images, it is clear to see that the same shoe is featured in them.  This shows how the mise en scene for the ancillary tasks is the same as the clothing is used.  The difference is that the advertisement is in bold colour whilst the CD cover is in black and white.  I have done this deliberately to connote the different personalities that the band can denote which is common in this genre.

The idea of having the same mise en scene in all three of my products was important to show visual continuity and intertextuality. In the advertisement, there are images of shoes, a guitar, an amp and a person in clothing similar to what is used on the band members in the video.  I included these elements to the ancillary tasks to denote a direct relationship between the music video and the album in which it is released on as well as the advertisement that promotes it.

I believe that continuity of the font of the advertisement and CD cover can be used to show an effective combination of my products.  I have used the same font for both of these products to show a relationship between them.  In addition to this, I was specific in choosing certain  colours for the text as I thought that this was a key element that I could use to relate ancillary tasks with my video in another way.

I think that it is important that I chose this music genre as I was able to subvert the conventions of mainstream media to research and show how music videos and promotional tools can be viewed in a different way. I kept to punk rock conventions so that it was successful in promotion amongst the target audience by creating products that this audience would understand and relate to.

Question 3 - What have you learned from your audience feedback?

My audience feedback has allowed me to believe that I have met the requirements of the brief.  The feedback from both the target audience and other people of different ages has shown that I have done well to create media products within the expectations and means of a punk rock genre.

A key thing mentioned by in my audience feedback is that they liked the transitions between the different scenes as there were 'good effects' and it was 'creative'.  I learnt from this that I did well to develop the technical aspect to the video transition and camera angles.  Another feedback writer said how it was 'original' what I had created and that it 'fitted well with the music' due to the jump cuts that were linked to the upbeat points of the song.

I received feedback from people who had seen my previous video.  I thought that this was important to do as it would give an opinion of my development as a media student.  All were pleased with my final product as they thought that the video was much better in terms of understanding what was happening as well as the actual editing and effects that I had used.  In particular, one person mentioned that they thought there were some parts I could have included from my old video such as the long queue.  However, I decided not to do this, as it would have confused the narrative. Again, my intentions were to have a small humorous aspect to the video, which was notable in the feedback I had received of the band members laughing and mucking around.

In terms of the ancillary tasks and the video, I again asked people that had previously seen my original video as well as people who hadn't.  They both thought there was a good connection in the pieces with the video as they were able to notice the in depth link with the musical instruments and shoes between the promotional tools and video itself.

One key thing I have learnt from my feedback is that the ancillary tasks are an effective promotional tool as it was clear for the audience to realise that the pieces linked together due to the colours, text and mise en scene. 

Question 4 - How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Using new media technologies allowed me to develop all elements of my coursework for A2 like researching, planning, construction and evaluation.  Like my AS Media coursework, I used the basic media technologies such as the computer and a DSLR camera which then allowed me to develop my skills on photo editing software such as Photoshop.  I developed these skills further in my A2 coursework as I had learnt how to use this software due to experimenting with effects. Within the space of a year, I have developed my photo taking skills with my DSLR by experimenting with different scenery. Another basic media technology I used was the scanner so I was able to scan in images of the storyboard that I had created in the planning element to my coursework.

However, for this A2 coursework there were many different technologies that I used that I didn't use last year.  I spent a lot more time this year on the internet researching different music videos along with what other people's opinions were of different genres and what were the expectations of these. The use of the internet was key in all four elements to my coursework as I developed my research skills which allowed me to find out more information to include in my evaluation. It also helped with more ideas with the actual construction of my music video and ancillary tasks. The online video site 'YouTube' helped me specifically with ideas for the construction of my video, planning and research.  This was due to being able to see different ideas which allowed me to incorporate them with my own.

There are two key media technologies that I used this year which I didn't last year which were necessities with my coursework this year. I used a different DSLR that had a video function on the camera.  As you can see in my video, it allowed me to film high quality and defined shots for my music video.  I was able to use the zoom at a steady pace which I could quickly control.  Also, I was able to store a lot of footage due to the use of a large spaced memory card.

The other media technology that I used this year was Windows Movie Maker. Since my first submission of my music video, I upgraded with editing software for the video.  I had many problems with the old version of Windows Movie Maker that was on my home laptop.  Therefore, with the new version, I was able to create better transitions. Also, I was able to speed up the process of editing as the software didn't crash and malfunction like the older version of the software did when creating my first video. The software was very easy to use.

New video

Below is a link to my new music video:

Creating my new video

In the images below, you can see the new setting to my video. I decided to film this new band whilst they were rehearsing their songs together.  I thought that this would be a good opportunity for my idea of a 'fly on the wall' perspective of shooting. I was able to film them without getting in their way. I wanted the filming to look as if the band were unaware that I was there, so they acted as they would usually do without the pressure of being filmed.  I believe that if you force band members to act in a certain way, their performance can seem staged.  The members of this band were able to make mistakes without feeling pressurised to 'act' in a certain way.

In this first image, you are able to see from a distance the room I recorded the band, which is their usual rehersal room at the end of one of the band members' garden.  This is typically a usual place for bands to practice as they have their own space to practice as much as they want.

The following three images show the different angles that I filmed from within the practice room:

Re-submitting coursework

After receiving back my grade for my coursework, I have decided to re-submit it. As I was not happy with my end product of the video, I think it is better for me to film again. I believe that I rushed my previous video in filming and editing; therefore I am going to spend more time on this to ensure that I have a substantial amount of footage with a variety of shot types and transitions.

In order to keep my previous research relevant, I have kept the same themes and ideas as before as well as the music. I think that it was sensible of me to challenge media norms by approaching the creation of a music video with an alternative music genre.  I believe  fellow students have tended to stick with mainstream music when creating music videos.  I think it is important to show a variety in music by using a different genre as the media has developed in to many different genres over time.

However, it was my technique of creating, filming and editing the actual video itself that brought me down in marks. I am going to change the characters  and setting in the video.  I have decided that it will be better for continuity to keep the shots in the same area.  This would avoid confusion from the target audience of what the different settings are supposed to be.  It enhances the idea that the band is practicing for their tour which can be supported by the lyrics of the song, ‘we are lads on tour’ and ‘we are miles away from the place that we’re playing’.

With my previous video, it was obvious that the boys I had used were not musicians and that the shots of the gigs were evidently not them.  I think that due to being rushed with time for creating the video, I had tried to fill in parts of the video with the gig shots.  In these clips, there wasn't a variety of shot types or transitions.  This would have brought my mark down as there wasn't much continuity or diversity in the right form.

With the new band I am going to use, they have been playing and performing for a few years.  This will be clear in my video with the equipment that is displayed in the video. The band has a great amount of equipment ranging from amplifiers, guitars, microphones and audio control systems. Also, one of the members of the band has a high quality definition Canon 550d DSLR camera which I am going to use to create the video.

By making a new video, I have been able to re-evaluate my original ideas and I will spend a longer time on editing the different transitions.  I believe this area is where I didn't do so well in it previously.  Also, the bad quality of the video before meant that I wasn't able to display the trasnitions and different shot types very well as they were not very clear; I hope to change this with my new video by using a newer version of windows movie maker.