EVALUATION

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? there are a variety of ways our product has used and challenged existing conventions. most metal music videos stick to the genre they have created which includes typical features such as, frequent band shots, editing that reflects the pace of the song, story that can be related to, chiaruroscuro (often) and a narrative that reflects the emotion of the song. we feel we have successfully incorporated allof these elements in our own video as well as we can. while the protagonist-sean is the main character and focus the band is also a large part of the video and recieve just as much attention. the main antagonist-charlotte as the ex also is important as she is the cause of the problems sean now faces, showing we have used Todorov's theory of narrative and shown an understanding of intertextuality. The story also moves from equilibrium to disequilibrium and then back again by the end, another example of Todorovs theory. this shows how we have reflected real media products as most rock videos feature a protagonist whose screen time is shared by the band in the video. looking at the videos i have analysed we have also used an appropriate level of darkness and lighting as it has a dark adult theme and this is reflected in the frequently dark locations, with lighting being improvised. in terms of what we have challanged our antagonist is a female which while not uncommon in rock videos, it still goes against the typical media product. the dark atmosphere also fits in with the genre but goes against most media conventions and what is typical in more mainstream videos.

2. how effective is the combination of your media product and anciallary tests? as well as the music video we also created a digipack cover as well as the magazine advert for it. we feel all 3 three of these products link and support each other well as they have all firmly stuck to the metal genre. this could have easily gone wrong as merely the wrong use of colour such as pink or a more mainstream picture or font would have conveyed both the wrong message and advertise the wrong genre. Sticking to the correct genre is what all 3 products are based around and this determined every decison that was made, including editing style and lighting as well as the picture and font. by sticking to the genre throughout we feel we have ensured that the target audience would be attracted to our products and recognise them as authentic metal genre products. the font is similar to the best selling rock/metal magazine Kerrang, meaning the font on our products are instantly associated with that genre. the crying image is dominant throughout, meaning it is easily recognised and will always be associated as the signature image of our products, wherever it is seen. it also reflects the emotional content and more dark atmosphere of our video, something we were very keen on including.

we feel the 3 products link well together as the font is present throughout both printed pieces and the images echoe the videos content and provide an insight to it. our main aim was to create something that when looking through a magazine or browsing through a CD shop, both products would be easily recognised and if seen together, instantly look related to each other.

3. what have you learned from your audience feedback? Based upon our audience feedback both myself and Charlotte have learned a great deal about the depth and complexity of both planning the video and ensuring it is well recieved by the target audience. the easy part was to choose a genre we both liked which was metal/rock music. then we went through various metal bands such as machine head, slipknot and finally bullet for my valentine. the story had been there from the very beginning, it was merely a question of choosing the right song to fit it which. we chose the band bullet for my valentine as many of their songs convey similar meanings to our planned story and after examining many songs and specifically their lyrics, we decided on cries in vain. as well as suiting our story we felt the very name could be marketing well with the image of a crying eye which would both be a direct link to the songs name and the videos atmosphere. we then had to find a way to appeal to our target audience, which we ourselves are part of. using posts and comments on our blog during the planning we could see if the ideas we were coming up with were well recieved by our target audience. the main feedback however came from testing a finished version of our video to a small focus group, comprised of those belonging to our target audience. using what we had learned, such as the timing had to be more precise and the editing fast we changed a few parts of our video until it ticked all the boxes. we learnt it is vital to make the target audiences opinion the main focus of your product as without their support it is nothing it relies non them to fulfil its potential and become a success. from what feedback we have recieved our group feels we have achieved a product loyal to its genre and have learnt what is essential and necessary to both supply this information and use it.

4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research planning and evaluation stages? Throughout all our products we used a variety of media technologies. firstly one of the most vital was premiere pro, which was essential for the video to actually be made. it is a very advanced and complex programme compared to the previously used i movie programe used in our preliminary tasks. once we got round the complexity it became an invaluable tool in the making of our video. the internet was also an important technology as we used it extensively for our many research tasks, compiling alot of useful and necessary information in the process. we looked at excisting videos and the editing pace they featured and lighting, as well as typical conventions we would need to use in our video to ensure it fitted the genre. the program photoshop was also used to create my other to products. this was combined with the video and photo cameras used as they supplied the footage and images used in the programs. we used the video camera as often as possible as we wanted to have as many shots as possible to allow us more options in the editing process, and add a variety of shot types. all these technologies were used together by our group to create our products which would not have been possible without them.

this is the final poster for our digipack. we used the main image of the eyes as the background as while simple it is easily recognisable and stands out, an important part of attracting our target audience. we have used the cracked font to add a more rocky image to the font and red colours on the band name so that it also stands out and is eye catching. we used a 'poster edge' effect on the band image so that they stood out and had a more indiviual and interesting look. effects placed on the band members are common in the adverts we have analysed so we incorporated this in our own product. the recommendations are by well known and highly popular metal magazines, adding interest to the product and giving it a more authentic appearance. finally the actual digipack is displayed in a pug at the side so that it can also be seen and recognised on the shop shelf.
what magazines would feature our advert:
the most likely magazines are top metal/rock music magazines such as kerrang, metal hammer and rocksound. the target audience frequently read these so they would definately see and take notice of the advert. our advert fits in with the genre as well by using typical metal themed colours such as black white and red, with an effective font and interesting band image and background. we have used intertextuality as it can instantly be recognised as a metal/rock digipack advert rather than a RnB one for example.

here is the final digipack we both created using photoshop. the front is a simple yet effective picture of the eye crying which adds to the emotional connotation of the song name and video. we used the burn tool to add to the amount of mascara and make it look more convincing. the band name is at the top in red to make it stand out. we used the cracked font so it looked more 'rocky' and a drop shadow to make it look like it is floating. as the eye is the centre of attention we placed the cries in vein next to it so it is also easily seen with digipack at the bottom to clearly show that this is both the CD and DVD pack.

we then used the same image on the back of the album but in black and white so that it was slightly differant and more interesting. we have listed the tracks included and the video featured on the disc. we also used the production label and copyrights to add an authentic look.

finally the inside is a simple image of the band with a quote from the song. the band image festures all members with neautral expressions and a poster edge layer added to make it more interested and stand out more from the plain dark background, representing the dark atmosphere of the video.

this is the image we will be using both as our front cover to our CD cover and the background of our poster. it is linked to the name of the song cries in vain and also is the main characterwho is left crying at the end of the video, adding to the emotional corroboration betwenn this image and the video. we will use both a combination of make up and photoshop to convey the image of charlotte crying.

FINAL THOUGHTS

code of clothing: overall i feel we have kept to our code of clothing throughout our video. we have payed special attention to this aspect as it is essential that the target audience can identify with the characters. Both the main characters look the part and come across as genuine fans who would fit in with the target audience. The band also looked very authentic as we made sure they dressed in a similar many to other real life metal bands and this remained constant throughout our video.

mise en scene: we are also happy with the use of mise en scene in our video. all the metal videos we researched contain items such as posters or band t shirts to add to the authentic 'metal' theme of the video and ours is no different. the characters room is full of posters of bands as well as one used in a graphic match of sean screaming and the man in a poster also screaming, a small but effective addition.

editing: one of the main aims we had in our filming was for the editing to reflect the pace and emotion of the song and we feel we have achieved this. a fast pace indicates a more aggresive rushed atmosphere and the slower pace can show sadness or a more pensive character. timing was also a key feature and most of our editing was based around being in time with the song, especially the band members. we feel we have done this to the best of our ability's.

filming:as we aimed to have a dark atmosphere to our video we had to film alot at night. this was hard in terms of lighting and making sure the important characters and events were still visible yet dark. we used alot of chiaruroscuro in our video and it has turned out rather authentic in adding to the dark atmosphere we intended.

the lighting through the tress was an interesting addition to this location.

the final setting which allows the video to come full circle as we bgan with a single lampost-lit alley and now we have ended in one. the simple setting allows the majority of the focus to remain on the characters.

the bridge where charlotte first attempts to win sean back. i chose the bridge as it was different to the previous settings and the water added to the overall lighting of the film and provided some variety.

the railing sean will jumpover to make him seem more of the 'hero'.

i liked how the willow tree branches hung down, making the area more mysterious and enclosed.

this is the location for 1 of our final scenes, set next to a willow tree down a dark path. The dark setting adds to the dark atmosphere we have built up throughout the video. it also adds to the drama as the video is reaching its climax.

we were looking for a suitably dark, mysterious setting for the final scene and this park was ourn primary choice.

the same stars shot but at night

a different more interesting shot of the stairs sean will run down.

these are the 2 shots that will be used in our action match of sean walking down the stairs. we may shoot this at night so we have a darker atmosphere to the shot.

my room aka seans room is perfect as the posters of bands really add to the mise en scene of the video which is very important to show an authentic video.

this is the point of view shot of the street which the ex and her new boyfriend will walk down past the house.

the front of my house aka seans house. the lighting becomes more effective in the dark as it illuminates only half the house adding to the videos dark atmosphere.

the alley where charlotte will walk down at the beginning of our video is also dark yet the streetlamp will effectively provide enough light to show charlotte, which is one of our many uses of chiaroscuro.

these are the pictures of the mirror sean will look in and reminise about old memories with his ex .

i used a variety of angles in these shots to experiment with the best lighting although with the light on at night the effect of only limited to natural light through the window will be removed.

while not the actual street we will film in i liked the lighting and length of the street and the shadows it caused.

CHANGES TO STORYBOARD

1. We have decided to alter the end of our music video due to more issues concerning timing. originally a crowd scene was included with a number of volunteers as the crowd as well as the band and characters. however due to time limitations it has been difficult assembling all the necessary people together at once. as we dont want to rush any part of our video more than we have to we have decided to use a different idea to end on. after confronting chris and charlotte sean will now run to the park seen in the flashbacks and then it will follow the same structure and narrative as the storyboard but in a different location.

2. to show the passage of time (elipsis) in our video we are going to include some shots of sean looking at his watch to see the time and the darkness outside will also be an indicator to the progression of the storys time and days.

this is another useful cd cover to analyse as it is by the band we are covering and is a good example of a typicla metal album. the colours used consist mainly of red and black which are frequently used in the metal genre. the bands name is shown in their trademark font and logo at the bottom so as to be both easy to see yet not take the attention away from the main image. we will try to incorporate some of these ideas into our own cover so as to make it seem as authentic as possible.

this album cover is simple yet effective as it clearly shows both the band name and the band members. it uses a plain white background so all the images are more dominant even though they are merely in black, meaning our attention is instantly attracted to what is in black which is what is important. the band are a silhouette which me and charlotte may use in our own digipack. 

This is a low angle shot of our band during one of our many band shots. we used a low angle as the band is on seans side and also as they are a type of narrator (the narrative follows the lyrics and the band is singing them) they are meant to look important. it was also an interesting angle to use as it would add to our list of camera angles used. 
this is a shot of seans feet walking across the floor after he gets of the bed, creating an action match. originally it would just be sean getting up and walking out the room. but we decided to include a shot of his feet to add pace and portray seans anger and emotion. it also reflects the fast pace of the song. 
here is a shot i filmed of charlotte in which we have an eyeline match to add tension to our dark atmosphere at the beginning sequence of video. as we were filming in the dark i used a torch on her face so she could be seen, plus it also had the effect of looking like the light from the ipod on her face. 
this shot required some acting from charlotte as she had to look moody and instantly have an aura of doing something she may regret (dump sean). as the antagonist in our video she wasn't allowed to look happy or friendly so she had to keep a sombre face. the feeling of anger/regret are often portrayed in the videos we have looked at so we used this intertextuality in our own video. once again the torch light has been used so she can be seen and give the effect of the ipods light illuminating her in the dark street. 
this is a screen shot of the bands jump at the beginning of the song. timing was essential to this shot as the feet had to not only land together, but in time with the quickened pace. we took many shots and decided that this one was the best. then we closely edited it in time with the song to achieve the planned shot. Going straight from a mid shot to a close up of the feet also not only adds variety to our camera angles used but also creates an action match. 
once again this shot had to be perfectly in time with the song as i have to look like i am screaming the words 'your cries'. to achieve this we had the song playing in the background and i actually did it a number of times each from a different angle. we chose this as it shows the side of the face and both the mouth moving in time and the emotion. 

http://as the upcoming filming is planned to be in the daytime outside i decided to gain some tips on how to utilise what light we have available to its full effect. this will also be useful for darker shooting as any light available is necessary.