Final Product | Music Video

I have finally finished and uploaded my music video and you can find it here.

Final Product | Advert

Final Product | Digipak

A2 Media | Evaluation 4

For my 4th evaluation question I created a powerpoint and uploaded it onto slide share. You can find the powerpoint here.

A2 Media | Evaluation 3

For my evaluation question 3, I have uploaded a youtube video, in which I spoke about the changes made throughout my task as a result of my audience feedback. You can find the video here

A2 Media | Evaluation 2

For my evaluation question 2, I created a powerpoint and uploaded it on slide share where I talk about the combination of my main task and ancillaries. You can find that powerpoint here.

A2 Media | Evaluation 1

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

I decided to make a music video, accompanied by a digipak and magazine advertisement on an upcoming album. When doing these tasks, I used a style model to compare my own work with so that I could implement some features from professional works of art into my own. At the same time, there were also things which I challenged, and did not follow. Throughout my research, I found plenty of conventions used in professional music videos that include camera shots, costume, lighting, mise-en-scene etc.. I learnt that all of these conventions contribute to matching the genre of the music. (dark lighting used for darker / sad songs & vice versa). 

I believe that my main tasks uses conventions of real media products effectively as when my actor and I went out to gather shots for the video, we both looked for ideal places that will match the tone of the song I used. This is why I large majority of shots used were taken at our local prom as the shot of the mersey was very effective in achieving a relaxed vibe. Another example of a convention which I used was the overall narrative of the music video. In the style model that I used, the music video consists of performance shots of the actor / artist and then general shots of the actor / scenery. I stuck to this method, and similarity can be seen in both my music video, and the original, in terms of shots.

However, there were some conventions which I challenged by adding my own ideas to the music video. I done this so that I am able to show my ability to create a music video independently and to think creatively. Overall, I didn't stray to far away from the conventions. When I applied "unconventional" features to my music video / digipak / magazine poster I ensured that the music video was still making use of the conventions seen in my style model.  

There were some features which I were unable to replicate with my lack of skills in iMovie, however, I ended up developing on these ideas to ensure that I am able to refer my work closely to my style model to achieve a professional-looking music video. An example of this is when in some scenes of my style model, video effects are used (to add video grain, or adding flickers). I found this difficult to do, so instead I improvised and added some video effects which were in my skill range of iMovie. 

To conclude, I'd say that my music video effectively uses, and builds upon some of the conventions found within real media products that are related to that of my own. This is evidenced by the fact that the format of my style model (order of shots etc) was replicated in my own work. On the other hand, there were some features which I had implemented on my own initiative in order to become creative and apply my own skill and knowledge of the software used.

A2 Media | Evaluation Questions

As part of my task, I have been asked to evaluate the work that I have completed over the past several months. Here are a list of the several areas which I am going to evaluate:

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? 
2. How effective is the combination of my main product and ancillary tasks?
3. What did I learn from my audience feedback, and what did I change as a result of criticism?
4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

I have decided that I am going to add variety in the media forms of my evaluation. For example, I intend to make one or two presentations and upload them on slideshare. One thing which I would like to do (depending on how much time I have remaining, and how long each question takes me to complete) is to complete a voice recording of my evaluation and accompany it by images related to my task such as shots I took, screenshots of software and more. I am going to do this because it makes the evaluation task less tedious and may allow for a more in depth look into my own work. I will upload the links to all evaluation questions in later blog posts.

A2 Media | Ancillary Tasks Complete

I have finally completed both of my ancillary tasks. I believe that the overall result of both my main task and ancillary task is very good and I am pleased with the outcome. My next task now is to begin evaluating my work in several areas.

A2 Media | Digipak

Now that I am onto creating my digipak, I have begun creating the different sides for my project. In order to keep everything looking professional and in order, I have activated gridlines so that I can accurately place text and other images in the right place.