Directors commentary

final music video

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages [Director's Commentary Script - Marlon]

When planning the video, we used a digital camera to take location shots and practice shots of what we hoped to use in the final video itself. We also used blogger.com to document our progress on the video, and its construction etc.

We used Sony HD Camcorders to film the video itself, and then edited the footage on Final Cut Express, which was an invaluable resource in finishing the video. When creating the digi-pak and the magazine advert, we again used the digital cameras and Adobe Photoshop to take the pictures and edit them to our own specifications.

We then used blogger.com again to evaluate our process, video and gain feedback from other groups.

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancilliary texts (directors commentary script-Charlie)

The main project centred around morphsuits, so they figure alot in our music video, however we could only hint at this in our magazine advert and digipak cover - as we needed to show a full reflection of the band and not just about the single. In order to parallel with the last scene in the video of the three morph-men walking away from camera, we used 'Eminem's Recovery' album for inspiration. This showed the artist walking away from the camera, indicating his road to recovery after his drug problems. We wanted to parody this with our own road to recovery, shedding ourselves of the antics performed in the morph-suits for a final time. However, this approach was scrapped and replaced with the idea of incorporating a spider turned pink in keeping with the bands name. We knew, the digipak and advertisement couldn't heavily side with the idea of the morphsuits as we had to show the bands image as a whole.

What have you learnt from the audience feedback (script for directors commentary-Alex)

From the audience feedback after the viewing of our music video, we learnt that they enjoyed the fact that it incorporated comedy into the video, saying that it is unconventional and keeps the audience glued to the screen and laughing the entire way through. We also learnt that it still demonstrated the genre of the song, and contained accurate lip-syncing that made the video have a more rock ‘n’ roll feel. The scenes where we sped up the men in the morph-suits were also praised, saying that they added to the humour. They also enjoyed the opening sequence, which was entirely improvised. It introduced the song and the content inside, giving a reason behind why the men were doing stunts in morph-suits, rather than just doing stunts.

However, there were things we could have improved on. For example, in the editing process, we could have used more filters to give the video a more ‘professional’ feel. Also, the lip-syncing shots where the lead singer was dancing could have been livelier; it made the video seem a little more boring at times than it should have been.

 I’ve learnt that the idea of the music video was good; the idea of incorporating comedy in a rock video worked and was successful. However, it lacked a professional feel, and I’ve learnt that if I was today do it again, then more time must be put in to the editing process by adding more fillters and rather than just the filming.

Director's Commentary Script

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

Our media product uses typical forms and conventions that other music videos of the same, or of a similar genre use by incorporating the conventional link between music and visuals. For example, the lip-syncing, dancing and in this case, enjoyable and funny visuals. Our music video is a mix between narrative based and performance based, and our interpretation of the lyrics from the song Truth or Dare is different to most other peoples, who might interpret it as being about a girl or love etc. We took it, and used it as an excuse to perform and execute as series of ‘dares’. By doing this, we challenged the conventions of many other music videos of the same genre, drawing our inspiration from such artists and Weezer, whose music video Pork and Beans made us want to do dares such as mentos & coke. Despite a lot of the stunts we attempted being cut out of the final version of the video, we still maintain that videos like Pork and Beans were our primary inspiration.

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

The main project centred around morphsuits, so they figure alot in our music video, however we could only hint at this in our magazine advert and digipak cover - as we needed to show a full reflection of the band and not just about the single. In order to parallel with the last scene in the video of the three morph-men walking away from camera, we used 'Eminem's Recovery' album for inspiration. This showed the artist walking away from the camera, indicating his road to recovery after his drug problems. We wanted to parody this with our own road to recovery, shedding ourselves of the antics performed in the morph-suits for a final time. However, this approach was scrapped and replaced with the idea of incorporating a spider turned pink in keeping with the bands name. We knew, the digipak and advertisement couldn't heavily side with the idea of the morphsuits as we had to show the bands image as a whole.

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

From the audience feedback after the viewing of our music video, we learnt that they enjoyed the fact that it incorporated comedy into the video, saying that it is unconventional and keeps the audience glued to the screen and laughing the entire way through. We also learnt that it still demonstrated the genre of the song, and contained accurate lip-syncing that made the video have a more rock ‘n’ roll feel. The scenes where we sped up the men in the morph-suits were also praised, saying that they added to the humour. They also enjoyed the opening sequence, which was entirely improvised. It introduced the song and the content inside, giving a reason behind why the men were doing stunts in morph-suits, rather than just doing stunts.

However, there were things we could have improved on. For example, in the editing process, we could have used more filters to give the video a more ‘professional’ feel. Also, the lip-syncing shots where the lead singer was dancing could have been livelier; it made the video seem a little more boring at times than it should have been.

 I’ve learnt that the idea of the music video was good; the idea of incorporating comedy in a rock video worked and was successful. However, it lacked a professional feel, and I’ve learnt that if I was today do it again, then more time must be put in to the editing process by adding more fillters and rather than just the filming.

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

When planning the video, we used a digital camera to take location shots and practice shots of what we hoped to use in the final video itself. We also used blogger.com to document our progress on the video, and its construction etc.

We used Sony HD Camcorders to film the video itself, and then edited the footage on Final Cut Express, which was an invaluable resource in finishing the video. When creating the digi-pak and the magazine advert, we again used the digital cameras and Adobe Photoshop to take the pictures and edit them to our own specifications.

We then used blogger.com again to evaluate our process, video and gain feedback from other groups.

In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products [Script For Director's Commentary - James]

Our media product uses typical forms and conventions that other music videos of the same, or of a similar genre use by incorporating the conventional link between music and visuals. For example: The lip-syncing, dancing and in this case, enjoyable and funny visuals.

Our music video is a mix between narrative based and performance based, and our interpretation of the lyrics from the song Truth or Dare is different to most other peoples, who might interpret it as being about a girl or love etc. We took it, and used it as an excuse to perform and execute as series of ‘dares’.

By doing this, we challenged the conventions of many other music videos of the same genre, drawing our inspiration from such artists and Weezer, whose music video Pork and Beans made us want to do dares such as mentos & coke.

Despite a lot of the stunts we attempted being cut out of the final version of the video, we still maintain that videos like Pork and Beans were our primary inspiration.

Ideas For The Director's Commentary

1. Use green screen when filming the commentary, and show either a new advertisement for the music videos release date, or current album cover.
2. Film each person separately, and use a separate script for each person doing the commentary
3. Use final cut to put in the persons name and how they were involved with the making of the video, for example: Alex Long, Producer & Co-Director
4. Use final cut to edit in parts of the music video that the person is talking about at the time.

Magazine advertisement

Evaluation of Music Video

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

Our media product uses typical forms and conventions that other music videos of the same, or of a similar genre use by incorporating the conventional link between music and visuals. For example: The lip-syncing, dancing and in this case, enjoyable and funny visuals. Our music video is a mix between narrative based and performance based, and our interpretation of the lyrics from the song Truth or Dare is different to most other peoples, who might interpret it as being about a girl or love etc. We took it, and used it as an excuse to perform and execute as series of ‘dares’. By doing this, we challenged the conventions of many other music videos of the same genre, drawing our inspiration from such artists and Weezer, whose music video Pork and Beans made us want to do dares such as mentos & coke. Despite a lot of the stunts we attempted being cut out of the final version of the video, we still maintain that videos like Pork and Beans were our primary inspiration.

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

The main theme we decided to use for the music video was the idea of incorporating comedy into a rock music video, which included the use of morph-suits in the video as well as performing stunts to the lyrics of the song. In order to parallel with the final shot in the music video, our first album cover concept was of the three morph-men walking away from the camera. However, unlike in the video itself, the three men were not wearing their morph-suits. The idea for this was a parody of Eminem’s album Recovery, where it depicts the artist walking on a road to recovery. However, we decided to do the same but instead depicting the three men on their own ‘road to recovery’, having gotten over their sudden lack of judgement and sanity with the morph-suits. However, this idea was scrapped as it was a single instead of an album cover. Instead, because the album cover isn’t just for the song Truth or Dare, we decided to go for a more classic approach by using a ‘pink spider’ (name of the band, The Pink Spiders) chasing after the members of the band. Their shadows would instead be the colours of the morph-suits, because the song Truth or Dare would be the main song on the album. For the magazine advert, we decided to go for a more minimalist approach, by simply putting the lead singer of the band on a pink background whilst holding the morph-suits in his hands. We knew we couldn’t make the morph-suits from the music video the main focus for everything, so instead we decided to put it in the ads and album covers as a subtle reference, rather than a main focus.

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

From the audience feedback after the viewing of our music video, we learnt that they enjoyed the fact that it incorporated comedy into the video, saying that it is unconventional and keeps the audience glued to the screen and laughing the entire way through. We also learnt that it still demonstrated the genre of the song, and contained accurate lip-syncing that made the video have a more rock ‘n’ roll feel. The scenes where we sped up the men in the morph-suits were also praised, saying that they added to the humour. They also enjoyed the opening sequence, which was entirely improvised. It introduced the song and the content inside, giving a reason behind why the men were doing stunts in morph-suits, rather than just doing stunts.

However, there were things we could have improved on. For example, in the editing process, we could have used more filters to give the video a more ‘professional’ feel. Also, the lip-syncing shots where the lead singer was dancing could have been livelier; it made the video seem a little more boring at times than it should have been.

 I’ve learnt that the idea of the music video was good; the idea of incorporating comedy in a rock video worked and was successful. However, it lacked a professional feel, and I’ve learnt that if I was today do it again, then more time must be put in to the editing process rather than just the filming.

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

When planning the video, we used a digital camera to take location shots and practice shots of what we hoped to use in the final video itself. We also used blogger.com to document our progress on the video, and its construction etc.

We used Sony HD Camcorders to film the video itself, and then edited the footage on Final Cut Express, which was an invaluable resource in finishing the video. When creating the digi-pak and the magazine advert, we again used the digital cameras and Adobe Photoshop to take the pictures and edit them to our own specifications.

We then used blogger.com again to evaluate our process, video and gain feedback from other groups.

Feedback From Class

After everyone viewing our video, they gave us valuable information on what we did well and most importantly, what we need to improve on. The feedback that we were given due to things we did correctly consisted of; 

• It was humorous: The use of the morph-suits was unconventional and funny to the audience, it kept people watching and laughing along with the music video.
• It demonstrates the genre of the song
• The lip syncing was good: The lead singer got into the singing and gave out a rock 'n' roll sense and vibe
• Effects: The sped up scenes were good and very attention-grabbing
• Enjoyed the opening sequence where the characters were introduced

The feedback we were given about the things we did wrong or could have improved on were;

• Editing: Could have used filters and made it seem more professional
• Lip syncing: The shots with the lead singer were slightly boring, could have used more effects.

Overall, we are quite pleased with our feedback and agree that given slightly more time, we could have made the editing much better and gotten more shots with the lead singer, perhaps in a better location.

Digi-Pak Research

Eminem - Recovery Album

This album cover has influenced us to make our CD cover similar as it is simple but effective. The simplicity of the road in this cover symbolizes his 'long road to recovery'. However, our use of it would parody that by implying that we too on the road to recovery because we're clearly insane because of the stunts we are performing.

Or, as an alternative, we could use the 'long road' idea to show us evading the police in a bid for freedom. Another idea is to have the morph-suit men walking away from the morph-suits that they've left in the road, implying their road to recovery.

Example - Won't Go Quietly

A secondary idea would be to take inspiration from Example's 'Won't Go Quietly' video, but including the morph-suits. We would have James, as the lead singer as the central photo and then the others 'morphing around' in the morph suits in different poses.

Target Audience

We have decided to classify our music video as a '12' as our actions whilst dressed in morph suits we believe will be unsuitable for children under this age, as we feel they are the most likely to replicate our actions in the video.

However, if when the video is completed it doesn't appear to contain stunts of images unsuitable for minors, then the classification can be disputed and changed.

A Guide on How to Make a Music Video

DO's:

• The first 30 seconds of the video are crucial, make sure you make the opening sequence appealing and something you yourself would want to watch.
• The Nightclub Theory: If you're going to be dancing etc, make sure you make it colourful and eye catching. Incorporate good lighting and other camera techniques.
• Logistics: Location; make sure you scout your locations and inspect them first. Prepare for any eventualities (For example, building works being done where you want to film or the area not accessible on that specific day). Also be sure to time everything perfectly, create schedules for filming and prepare yourself for if one of your group members can't turn up.
• Planning: Plan down to the smallest details, make sure you have your shotlist and storyboards and that the director knows what he wants to do beforehand. 
• Storyboard: When creating the storyboard, you can not only draw it but you can also take digital stills instead. Have you actors act the scenes they would at the location and take stills, analyse them and decide on whether or not they're suitable for what you're trying to achieve.
• Always have a back up plan in case the unexpected happens, make sure that if you can't do what you were hoping to you can you have something else to be getting on with for the time being.
• Make things different and unique, don't copy from other music videos etc.
• Realism! Don't make it look ridiculous and don't try and do wacky things that could endanger yours or others lives.
• Add a twist to it, make it different and eye catching. Nothing is worse than a boring video...
• Work with the lyrics: Do not make a video completely unrelated to the song - it's not a Lady Gaga video!
• Shoot the performance footage first! Make sure you work around it, the lip syncing is the main part of the video and should take priority.

DON'Ts

• Not planning your video. If you don't plan the video properly, it will be rubbish. Planning is a major part of creating a video!
• Health and Safety: Make sure there aren't any dangers that your actors might face, you need to make sure there aren't any wires to trip over and no dangerous stunts.
• It's not a short film! Don't make the narrative of the video too cliche and ridiculous, it isn't a short film and doesn't require it to be so complex.

Test Shots for Locations

Shot of the location where the morph-suit men are at the beginning of the video

Test shot of the morph-suit men walking out of the building

Test of possible shot for the morph-suit men

Shot of the exit of the building in one of the first shots in the sequence

Test of possible shot of where the morph-men could be at some point in the video

 

 Test of possible shot of where the morph-men could be at some point in the video

real video influences

in this video the mise-en-scene has influenced our music video because they dress up as clowns and do 'stunts' similar to our own ideas with the morph-suits.




This video inspired us partly because of the experiments they perform, for example: Mentos and cola.

Shotlist

Truth or Dare (Opening Sequence)

• Three guys are sitting around a table (facial expressions indicate boredum)
• One of the men expresses how bored he is, the other three agree when a fourth man enters the room and tells them about a great idea (Morph-suits)
• Three men follow the fourth to a cupboard, where the sequence ends and the music starts.

The Music Video

• The setting changes to Cambridge, with an establishing shot of the city
• The three men, now dressed in their morph-suits, exit a lift in the grafton centre from the car park.
• The group of morph-suits mess around in parkers piece, grafton centre and the busway.
• Meanwhile, the fourth man (Lead Singer), is singing in a seperate location to the three men, cutting back and forth between them throughout the song.
• The music video ends with a shot of the three morph-suits walking away from the camera down the busway - parallels with the digi-pak cover where they are doing the same thing, but without the suits.

Where to buy the Morph-Suits

http://www.morphsuits.co.uk/ - Morph-suits range at around £35 - £40 each, with free delivery (1 - 5 days) within the UK.

The Girl Can't Dance - Ace Frehley Music Video Ideas

Rough Ideas for Ace Frehley - The Girl Can't Dance

The video could contain a humorous depiction of a girl who is absolutely terrible at dancing, that everyone is trying to avoid. The singer, and the three band members (James (Singer), Marlon, Alex & Charlie), could be part of the group of people trying to avoid her.

It could be set in a simulation of a party, where there would need to be several extras. It will also need realistic lighting, which can either be achieved from editing or lighting while filming - I propose editing, because the lighting while filming could be difficult to achieve with a limited budget (or no budget, in our case).

There would need to be another location to go with it, and use of complex camera angles to give it more of a party feel - canted angles, panning shots, close-ups.

The Girl Can't Dance - Ace Frehley

[Chorus]
The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!

[Verse]
The mood excites
The room is hot and lights are low
I'm gonna move it 'til it stops
Dances with pride, with money on the line
And I've seen her
At dinner for two
My Lord, My Lord
Said, "who is that girl at the door"?
She's got buck teeth
No beauty queen
That skinny girls
Got two left feet
And she can't dance
She must be lost
Now show her to the door before she gets out on the floor, because

[Chorus]
The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!

[Verse]
She peels off her over-coat, watch out
Heads started turning
Ugly duckling to a poster girl
You only seem them in a magazine
She said, "put that spotlight on me
I'm gonna show you how it's done tonight"
Fire up the party
Like heat and steel
Sparks are flying from her high-heels
Long legs, a killer skirt
Ginger Rodgers in a mini skirt, I thought you said that

[Chorus]
The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!

[Solo]

[Verse]
The music stops
She took the prize
I asked her to dance
She said, "No way, I heard you say"

The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, I heard you sayin' that
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!