Technical quality of final product (images, footage, use of sound, editing, layout, composition)

For my final major project, I was assigned with the task of creating my own content such as a magazine cover, advert, short film etc. I intended on a producing a professional looking music video as I felt that due to my previous assignments of creating a group music video my focus would be best suited there as I have experience with this style of work, this could help me to improve on the mistakes that I created in the first video. To begin I firstly decided to choose my song and after much debate I decided to have the music video revolve around the song Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford and Sons as I felt it best suited the techniques I was trying to show in my script and storyboard that would then translate to my final production. The way in which I chose to shoot my footage was very simple but complex shots could still be achieved. I firstly began by using a Canon camera and mounting it onto a tripod as I felt that this would give me the stillest shot and I would not have to re shoot footage time and time again because of shakiness. I then began to apply my photography knowledge to this assignment to further enhance the shots I was taking. Techniques such as depth of field were used so that the focus would be upon the artist/object and also I would then be able to block certain distractions from the background like houses. This is to give a sense of immersion to the audience as they feel like they are connecting with the singer. Other techniques such as rule of third was used, this is where the footage should be imaged as divided into nine equals and that the important compositional element should be placed along their intersections. This technique is used to create more tension, energy and interested in the whole composition rather than simply centring the subject. The two techniques where utilized quite well as they contrasted against each other in order to show a unlikeness and difference between each shot. I filmed my music video over a 2 day period; however I found that a few shots of my footage were unusable due my camera being slightly off angle or not being able to sync the song to the artists voice This meant I had to slightly change my music video from the storyboard and use a different sequence of shots. After all the footage was shot it was onto the editing stage. For this I used Adobe Premier because it was the most efficient way to edit my footage. I began by cutting down clips of my footage then piecing them into a sequence that fit the storyboard and that I thought synergized well. I made sure I position the more interesting shots throughout my music video so that I keep the audience engaged. I manipulate the colours and brightness however I wanted; this would allow me to keep shots

consistent and some of the looks different as they were shot later on in the day.

Production skills you have newly acquired and existing skills you have further developed

For my final major project, I was assigned with the task of creating my own content such as a magazine cover, advert, short film etc. I intended on a producing a professional looking music video as I felt that due to my previous assignments of creating a group music video my focus would be best suited there as I have experience with this style of work, this could help me to improve on the mistakes that I created in the first video. To begin I firstly decided to choose my song and after much debate I decided to have the music video revolve around the song Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford and Sons as I felt it best suited the techniques I was trying to show in my script and storyboard that would then translate to my final production. The way in which I chose to shoot my footage was very simple but complex shots could still be achieved. I firstly began by using a Canon camera and mounting it onto a tripod as I felt that this would give me the stillest shot and I would not have to re shoot footage time and time again because of shakiness. I then began to apply my photography knowledge to this assignment to further enhance the shots I was taking. Techniques such as depth of field were used so that the focus would be upon the artist/object and also I would then be able to block certain distractions from the background like houses. This is to give a sense of immersion to the audience as they feel like they are connecting with the singer. Other techniques such as rule of third was used, this is where the footage should be imaged as divided into nine equals and that the important compositional element should be placed along their intersections. This technique is used to create more tension, energy and interested in the whole composition rather than simply centring the subject. The two techniques where utilized quite well as they contrasted against each other in order to show a unlikeness and difference between each shot. I filmed my music video over a 2 day period; however I found that a few shots of my footage were unusable due my camera being slightly off angle or not being able to sync the song to the artists voice This meant I had to slightly change my music video from the storyboard and use a different sequence of shots. After all the footage was shot it was onto the editing stage. For this I used Adobe Premier because it was the most efficient way to edit my footage. I began by cutting down clips of my footage then piecing them into a sequence that fit the storyboard and that I thought synergized well. I made sure I position the more interesting shots throughout my music video so that I keep the audience engaged. I manipulate the colours and brightness however I wanted; this would allow me to keep shots

consistent and some of the looks different as they were shot later on in the day.

How closely does your final product matches your original intentions (outlined in your Final Major Project proposal)

The biggest challenge I had to face was throughout the idea generation process where I had to decide on the song I was going to pick. I firstly started off with having the song I See Fire by Ed Sheeran, but as time went on and my final image was coming to fruition I decided to swap to Hopeless Wanderer by Mumford and Sons. You can clearly see this change from the idea generation slowly to the final project. I felt as though this was a necessary change as the song fit with the storyboard I had created. Although to make the song fit perfectly I decided to shorten it so I could spend more time editing rather than getting pointless bits of footage. For the rest of my assignment I know that it is consistent throughout keeping with a consistent idea and meeting the briefs targets points. The way I kept a consistent flow throughout my work was by coming up with a fixed idea that would never be change such as it being a performance and what type of style it would be like a performance or narrative type of video. These fixed points allowed me to stay with one idea but being able to change the small details around it such as camera angles and how many people were needed for the video. This techniques worked out well for me because gave me rule and guidelines alongside the brief that I had to follow in order for my final major project to look as professional and well put together as possible as it has revolved around key ideas.

Time management and problem solving (scheduling, practical constraints and strategies you used to overcome constraints)

Time management was not problem as I kept to a schedule of what I was doing so that each week I could have a set focus for one task and not get overwhelmed by the many tasks that I must complete for this final project. As there wasn’t enough time in class to get from one task to the other, I took it upon myself to complete smaller tasks such as storyboards and mood boards outside of class so that my main focus could be on editing the project. I also advised my tutor for feedback on my work so I knew that I was keeping on the right track. I fee; as though time management is key to any project as if you don’t make time for everything at some point in the project then the more important things won’t be that important any more. This leads to stress which would impact my work drastically because I would be rushing. One problem I faced during this process was acquiring the people I needed to be in the music video. On the day of filming my lead role in the music video rung me to say that he was in

hospital and there would be no way of him getting down for the shoot. So put me in a predicament where I ended up being in the music video as the lead role. I would do this by telling the person behind the camera the shot I wanted and setting it up like a template and then me actually performing it. This was a hard challenge to overcome because I doubted my ability to act naturally in the video, as I knew specifically what I wanted to do therefore I would move in certain ways that would achieve the shot but not look naturally fluid to the audience .

Reaching your target audience (audience response, your reactions to positive and negative criticism with reference to audience feedback you have gathered)

The reaction I got from my target audience was great, comments such as “Great, Well edited and The editing matches the song and the Mise en scene in the shots does go well with the genre of music video you chose.” this show that I hit my target audience quite well and the way the music video is trying to portray a performance style in an indie genre. I felt as though the mixture of camera angles kept the audience intrigued throughout music video this is backed up by the audience as most of the positive feedback is towards the camera angles I used and how they were edited well together. Overall I believe that I hit the brief as my final major project is suitable for the target audience I have chosen and has been put together enough to a professional standard that the audience are engaged throughout of the video. As you can see by the image below a steady rate of people stayed tuned to throughout the video until the very end proving that the video can hold up and audience.

Summary conclusion of how you would respond to your project brief if you were to do it again

Overall from the feedback I got I believe that my final major project was success. In my own eyes I deem it to be to a professional enough quality that it can engage an audience right from the get go. I don' believe I could have changed anything in the way I edited my footage or the complexity of the camera angles chose. There would not specifically be an area I would revisit if I had the chance to re-do this assignment. I would look to make each individual area more efficient leaving me more time get

prepared or look back on any mistake I may have made. Also I would look into making sure the actors/actresses I get for my project are prepared and know the dates in advance so that they do not have an excuse not to be there.