Evaluation blog link

Here is the link to my finished products and evaluation :) 

http://sarahoaksevaluationblog.blogspot.co.uk/

Examples of useing Powder Paint when filming

The use of Powder Paint

'Throwing' Powder Paint

This slow motion image has enhanced both the colour of the powder paint and background, meaning that when the slow motion is used to show the powder paint ‘hitting’ my artist (Luna//Jade). When creating these experimental shots it has allowed me to practise/develop my skills of post-production effects. I have also tried to capture the reactions of the cast after being ‘hit’ by powder paint-often laughing or pulling comical facial expressions. This will add to the ‘feel good’ vibe of the music video and ‘go’ with the track.

This shot will specifically be used with the lyric ‘Pull the sunlight back’, and I will both use this slow motion effect but also use ‘re-wined’ when ‘sunlight back’ is used-using visual to reflect the lyrics. The use of red/orange and yellow could also symbolise ‘sunlight’. I really like how effective the powder paint looks in slow motion, especially as it ‘hits’ the cast (artist in this shot), becoming both stylized and expressive-the main ‘theme’ within the video being about ‘letting go’ and the feeling of ‘Afterglow’.

When filming this shot I created a ‘card-board fan’ in order to add another aspect to the shot-the use of ‘wind/a fan’ meaning that the cast members hair ‘flows’ with the powder paint, the use of slow motion enhancing this aspect of the shot. When filming I tried to use different techniques such as this in order to add another ‘aspect’ to the use of powder paint-becoming a lot more visually interesting/effective.

This shot focuses specifically on the use of powder paint and how it almost ‘falls off’ and ‘sticks’ to the cast (backing performers) face, capturing her slight expression after words as well. The use of blue also contrasts very effectively with the white background and also with the cast members white top-meaning my use of mise-en-scene almost ‘compliments’ the powder paint/prop.

Experimenting with specific shots

This shot will be used with the lyric ‘smoke’, both reflected through the ‘smoke’ effect created with the powder paint (almost looking like smoke) and also link to the act of smoking. I have used a bright colour in order to contrast with the background and ‘show up’ more clearly and become more visible/effective when using slow motion. I have used Ellie to do this shot specifically as she has prominently green powder paint on her at this stage, going with the colour she uses when creating the ‘smoke’. The framing of this shot is also successful as you can predominantly focus on the powder paint as well as on the backing performer.  

This will go with the lyric ‘ravers’ as it reflects almost a stylized version of dancing but focusing on the powder paint ‘coming out’ of the two backing performer’s/cast’s hair. This both adds to the overall effect of the use of powder paint but also becomes more expressive, the use of framing and slow motion allowing the hair to become the predominant focus of the shot.

This shot shows/reflects me experimenting ‘after’ the filming, focusing specifically on my artist’s eyes within the shot to reflect/reinforce the powder paint aspect of the video-bringing the two main aspects of the video together-my lead singer (Luna) and the use of prop-powder paint.

Powder Paint 'fights'

This shots are only two of the total of 80 shots I captured of the main/specific powder paint ‘fight’, these style of shots will be used throughout the music video with specific focuses on the main artist (Luna) within them interacting with the backing performers. This will both reflect her ‘fun’ and ‘creative’ side as a new artist but also means that the video itself has a more overall ‘feel-good’ feel, capturing specific parts of the ‘fight’ in order to reflect the backing interacting and having fun with my artist.

àWhen filming these shots I made sure they were not ‘scripted’ or ‘planned’, meaning they look a lot more ‘natural’ and almost ‘real’, which therefore meant I could capture genuine emotions/reactions throughout.

Filming my music video

Filming

Location (setting)

         

Using my garage as the place to shoot the video meant a number of aspects to consider, for example how to clear the garage and make it a completely ‘white room’. When creating the ‘set’ for my music video I got A1 pieces of card and placed them over the walls and inside of the garage door in order to create what looks like a completely white ‘background’/’room’. The images above show the set before and after shooting my music video throughout the duration of two days. 

àCreating the set was not easy. Putting up A1 pieces of card over three walls became challenging in that the set was very ‘fragile’ and if knocked could potentially fall down. Putting up the card itself was difficult as there wasn’t a lot for the card to actually ‘stick onto’, meaning I had to hang/attach the card and hang it from the ceiling (creating the card ‘walls’ before actually attaching them to the walls within the garage to create the ‘white room’).

This image shows a more clearer view of the garage after the shooting for my music video, the use of white card as the white ‘walls’/’background’ meant that powder paint stayed on it when being hit-adding to the overall effect of the video/filming (shots) as the two days progressed-meaning that within the video the shots will become more ‘colourful’/’expressive’ as it comes to an end (developing in colour from the start). Having powder paint on the white background means that the overall expressive feel of the video will be shown/enforced more effectively, the white background also allowing the powder paint to stand out more, whether on the cast or when throwing powder paint (for example), allowing the use of special effects such as fast-forwarding to become more visually effective.

Filming//The shoot

When shooting I ensured that the cast (specifically when shooting the shots of my artist ‘Luna’) that they were positioned specifically in front of one of the white walls, meaning that the A1 card wasn’t as visible (especially on the corners of the garage). This meant/means that the video will look more professional, the background looking more ‘block’ than as if it’s made out of pieces of card.

I also found that having three walls meant that when filming had finished on day one the use of powder paint at the end of the first day didn’t affect my filming of my artist on the second day of filming. This is because the powder paint only went slightly one two of the walls, meaning that the white wall was used for the shots of my artist (without the backing cast or use of powder paint). This meant that the contrast between the powder paint shots and of my artist is very effective, the difference in background (colour), use of powder paint and her costume (mise-en-scene) meaning a clear distinction throughout the video of the different shots.

^The above image shows how the use of the white background was used when filming the shots of my main artist, the use of three walls allowing this to become a lot more achievable. I particularly like the way the shots/scenes of powder paint and of my artist alone contrast, meaning it looks both more professional and becomes more like a ‘real’ music video. My artist is also shown in two different ways, the single shots of her lip-singing allowing an almost more personal feel of her personality and the powder paint scenes where she is involved showing her more creative, expressive and ‘fun’ side when both interacting the backing cast and singly as a artist/brand.

^The images above show me filming shots where more than one of the cast is involved. When filming I ensured that camera was kept steady by using a tripod and ensured that when using powder paint I had a high shutter speed-meaning that it would capture the powder paint more effectively. This also means that when using post production effects, the use of slow-motion (etc.) will be a lot visually effective.

When filming using powder paint I used a plastic sheet in order to protect the camera I used. This can be seen in the image above. When filming and using powder paint I had to keep a slight distance meaning that the use of zoom was used throughout filming. I kept fairly far back from the use of powder paint (especially when being thrown) as it would both effect the camera but also the quality of the shot. The image above is an example of the closest distance I went to a member of the video’s cast when filming and powder paint was being thrown at them (within the shot). 

^The image above shows both my specific shot breakdowns for members of the cast, the days I filmed on and the time of day in which I filmed and myself jotting down ideas as the filming went on. This mean that if I had an idea while filming my specific shots (working through my shot breakdowns) I could write it down and shoot the specific shot/idea later on. This happened frequently as I found that when actually using the powder paint a lot more ideas became more ‘able’ as I began to explore/realise what could be achieved with the use of powder paint and what looked most effective.

I created specific shot breakdowns like the ones above as I found it easier to follow and allowed me to make sure that I would get all the specific (planned) shots filmed. This also meant that the specific cast members had an idea of what was expected of them, giving each of them a copy of their shot breakdown allowing them to both get a ‘feel’ of the video and be more able on ‘set’.

 The use of Powder Paint

This image shows the variety of colours of powder paint I used within the video. Having two pots of each colour meant that I both had a wide enough variety and enough in general for the filming over the course of two days. Including a large variety of colours meant that when filming the use of powder paint as a prop and main aspect of the video was more visually effective.

àI found that splitting the powder paint between the two days was a lot easier when working through the specific shots I would shoot on each day meaning a rough idea of how much powder paint I needed was a lot more manageable. I also ensured that I had enough powder paint for my photography, the image above showing that I kept behind two shades of blue and purple to use within my photography of my artist (can be seen in my digipak designs easier in my blog). I was very conscious of the fact I had to do my photography after the filming which meant I did this before dividing the bulk amount of powder paint between the two days of filming.

The Cast//using Powder Paint

 

Above shows my cast members (Ellie, Jade//Luna and my couple-Zoe and Ben) after filming, giving a sense of the part in which powder paint played in the filming of my video-becoming a critical aspect of the video (other than the single shots/filming of my artist ‘Luna). The two images above (single images of Ellie and Jade//Luna) allow me to see that my photography will be possible-wanting to focus mainly on Jade/my artist's face/upper body and the use of powder paint.

Prop arrival (powder paint)

Powder paint

I ordered my powder paint from ‘ZingZingTree’, ordering pots of 500g in seven different colours means that I will both have a variety of colour as well as plenty to use when filming. 

Shooting plan

Shooting plan

Casting

Luna Judge:

I have chosen Jade Neville as my main artist (Luna Judge) as I believe that she has the ‘look’ and portrays the same image that I would like this artist to reflect within both the video and through the way she looks. Being 18, Jade has a very similar appearance to the way I imagine ‘Luna’ to look, having a similar brand image as both Foxes and Arena Grande. She has this look due to her ‘individual’ look and bold features, standing as someone that looks as if she could have a key ‘role’/influence within the fashion industry as well as the dance-music industry.

Backing performers #1 #2 (couple):

I have chosen Zoe and Ben as my couple backing performers because I believe they both reflect the target audience for the track/video as well as fit well with the overall ‘feel’ of the video. This is because they both have a very ‘individual’ look (something that will re-enforce Jade//Luna’s look throughout the video). I also believe that within the video the target audience would enjoy watching them both as a couple and within the powder paint ‘fight’, both being very ‘current’ in their ‘look’ as individuals. Both also have key features (facially) which means when having minimal makeup and when being ‘within’ the powder paint fight they will still stand out/their ‘look’ will still be visible/easily seen.

Backing performer #3:

 Ellie will be another backing performer as I believe as an individual she has a very strong ‘look’and personality that will stand out from the video and add another aspect of the powder paint fight/plot of the video itself. I believe that Ellie's strong personality would be shown throughout the video both when being the central focus as well as interacting with other performers within the video.

When

When planning when I will do the shooting I decided to create a Facebook event in order to make sure the whole cast could be free to attend the two filming days. When creating the event I included where, possible dates, costume and the plot of the video in order to give the potential cast a clear outline of where, when and what the video would be like/shooting it. The use of the event is very efficient as it is very easy to get hold of everyone taking part in my music video when giving out information (e.g. costume changes) as well as discussing possible dates.

I will shoot the single/solo shots of my main artist (Luna) on an earlier date as the set/garage will be plain white (before I shoot the powder paint ‘fight’) meaning it will have a more professional finish and mean a contrast to the powder fight will be throughout/particularly at the beginning. The contrast will be more effective if I do this because the background will be completely white and her outfit will be different (she won’t be covered in powder paint) meaning a clear contrast as the video progresses.
I will shoot the powder paint fight shots throughout the course of a day so that the mise-en-scene stays the same (the background, for example keeps the powder paint that will hit it). This will also mean that the backing performers’ makeup/hair and powder paint ‘covered’ clothing will not change and be consistent  throughout.

àSimilarly to a Call Sheet this Facebook event allowed me to include the times, location and contact details (either contacting myself through the event, private message or text). I also specificed specifically what the cast should wear, expect from the two days of filming and used Facebook private messenger to send them personalised shot-breakdowns so they had an idea of what I would be asking them to do.

Where

When shooting my music video I will use my garage. When looking at the image above I will strip the walls and cover a large amount of the garage in white sheets/large bits of paper in order to create a completely white room. This will mean that powder paint/paint will stay on the walls throughout adding to the overall expressive/stylized effect of the video as well as make it look a lot more professional/be more effective when filming the powder paint against the contrasting white background.

Props 

One of the main props/aspects of my music video is the use of powder paint. This will be the central focus of the video (other than my main artist) and will be used throughout to add both stylistic and expressive effect to the lyrics of the track as well as reflecting Luna Judge (the backing performers) as individuals. When sourcing the powder paint I will order off of sites such as ebay and amazon-allowing me to buy a large amount at once with short delivery times that means I will be sure to have enough powder paint to use within the video (in order to create the effect I want overall) and for it to be of use in time for the shoot(s).

When choosing powder paint to use I will get vibrantly coloured powder paint with a variety of different colours, meaning both the overall effect of the video will be successful and the overall ‘finish’ of the video will look profession al (with the use of both post-production effects/editing and a variety of dramatic/stylized camera angles/shots)-standing out from the setting (mise-en-scene) of a completely white room/background.

Costume

Backing performers:

The backing performers will wear fairly plain white tops and trousers/jeans. This is because I want to keep colour within their outfits very minimal leaving space for the powder paint to ‘cover’ them, adding to both the effect of the video and allowing it to become more stylized-the backing performance becoming more ‘part’ of the video/’care-free’ feeling of it. The use of white tops will mean that the vibrant coloured powder paint will stand out and give a more effective feel to the video as it progresses-the background (plain white to start with) and backing performers becoming more ‘covered’ in powder paint as it reaches the end. Although I want the backing performers to wear simple jeans it would give ‘depth’ to their outfits/add to their personality (the ‘alternative’ feel of the video) if they wore jeans with slight detailing in them-e.g. with slits in the knees or patches (paint splatters). 

Luna Judge:

I would like Luna Judge to wear a simple top and bright coloured//print shorts (or a skirt) in the music video. I would like this as I will film her on her own against the white background ‘before’ the paint ‘fight’. This means that an introduction of colour will be visible at the beginning of the video before the powder paint is introduced and throughout the video-meaning that the vibrant colour scheme is carried throughout. I also believe that this will allow her to both stand out from the backing performers as the main character (when doing solo shots/lip singing) but also add to her personality as an artist/brand. When my artist isn’t lip-singing she will be participating in key parts of the powder paint fight-meaning at these points she will be in similar costume to the backing performers.

Luna Judge and backing performers' makeup:

For both my backing performers’ and Luna Judge’s makeup I would like to have bright colours running throughout-on both eyes and lips. I think this will add another aspect of colour to the music video and enhance the colour used in the powder paint//when being on the cast (when using close-ups etc.). Although I will be sure to make the main artist’s makeup more prominent within the video, especially when doing shots of her lip singing. This is because it will add another aspect to her brand image and outfit at these points, meaning that she stands as the main focus within the video. Furthermore I will keep the backing performers makeup more minimal in contrast to Luna in order to allow the powder paint/colour aspects to stand out within the video against the white background-not being too distracted by bold make-up.

When doing both the backing performers and Luna’s hair I will ensure that for the female cast their hair will stand out when doing post-production effects such as slow-motion, incorporating the slow movement of their hair with the movement of the powder paint allowing both the framing and overall finish of the shot to become a lot more effective. I think either very straight or curled hair will look effective in the music video, this is because I believe that when using powder paint it will almost ‘mix’ with the hair and ‘move’ with it, this aspect being key/emphasised very much so in post-production. A good example of this is the Summadayze Colourfornia advert (with the specific focus on hair):

NOTE: I previously analysed this video for effect//inspiration earlier in the blog (my research) and specifically liked the use of post-production effects and mise-en-scene throughout

Advert design (magazine)

Promo advert designs

Final draft design:

This final draft gives a basic idea of the positioning of the text, main image and colour scheme I would like to use for my magazine/promo advert.

·       The different font sizes allow the main bits of information to stand out to the viewer, e.g. the artist name, album name and release date.

·       The main image gives a strong sense of the album (in particular the ‘Afterglow’ music video). This means that effective synergy is used and the advertisement campaign (promo advert) goes well together and have clear links.

·       This means that my artist will stand out; being a new artist the video, digipak and promo advert will reflect her personality as a artist/brand (creative, new, fun).

·       I particularly like the colour scheme (different colours of blue and white) as it allows both an artistic, ‘expressive’ feel to come about but also doesn’t become to ‘loud’, meaning the focus is still on the artist (not being distracted too much by the powder paint).

·       I believe that by making ‘new album’ bold means it stands out from the poster (even when in smaller text), meaning that this will grab the viewers’ attention and address Luna Judge as a ‘new’ and ‘now’ artist.

·       I have included ‘palm records’ with the logo in order to give the artist an almost ‘established’ feel, being signed by a ‘trusted’ and well known record label meaning that as a new artist people will almost have more ‘faith’ in her as an individual/brand and be more interested and persuaded into listening to the album.àAlthough I think when creating my final design (through the drafting process) I will be sure to make the release date and album name stand out more effectively from the main image/background. This is because in this final draft they aren’t clearly visible enough to completely grab the viewer’s attention.

àI will also make sure that when taking my own photography and editing it that this will become possible/more effective.

àWhen taking my own photography similar to this I will use PVA glue and acrylic paint in order to allow the powder paint to stick to the parts of the face/neck I want them to specifically be on. This will mean that the photography itself becomes more effectively and I can make sure that enough of the face/eyes etc. is visible that the artist still becomes the main focus of the photo (advert).

First drafts:

This second draft is more effective that the first in that the release date stands out a lot more (not being distracted by a border/text box). I have still allowed the album content (featuring information) to stand out in that I have made it central, still standing out from the image (background) and as a key text; the size/colour still meaning the reader/viewer will be more likely to read it.

àAlthough I think that the tracks that the album featured should become larger in text size, allowing them to stand out further (meaning that Afterglow in particular stands out), which means that the viewer will be likely to listen to these tracks specifically before purchasing the album. This will therefore possibly lead to them watching the ‘Afterglow’ music video; a key promotional aspect of this new artist becoming ‘known’ in the music industry.

This first draft is effective in that the use of font size allows the most important information to stand out to the viewer although several aspects of the design don’t ‘work’ as well as I would like the to, for example:

·       The border around ‘the new album featuring..’ almost distracts from the image and looks quite ‘blocky’. It also could distract from the release date, being directly under the text could mean that the viewer is distracted from reading it. The block colour could also mean that the image itself doesn’t become the main focus as much as I would like it to, instead being distracted by this border.

·       The release date isn’t very visible in its positioning against the main image which means that the boarder around the ‘featuring’ information becomes even more distractive/the viewer may even ‘overlook’ the release date

Final digipak design draft (putting previous drafts together)

Final digipak design draft

When bringing my final draft designs together I have created a ‘complete’ digipak ‘draft’ design. When doing this it allows me to look at what each draft looks like as a whole when it comes together to form an idea of what my final digipak would look like if sticking to these designs.

I particularly like:

·       The consistent use of colour throughout

·       The main focus on the artist (Luna) and ‘colour’ (expression, stylization etc.) with the reinforcement of how I would like to promote my new dance artist.

·        The overall 'professional' and dance music feel the digipak design has. With a focus on the expressiveness/creativity of both the artist/brand and her music means a reflection of both my artist's music but also the strong sense of 'individuality' I am trying to promote my artist with as.

·         My avourite aspect(s) of this digipak are both the CD cover and the back cover, the editing of my own photography taken on set of the shooting of my music video means a real sense of synergising with the promo music video but also becomes the most visually interesting/expressive aspect(s)

When creating my final digipak design, this final ‘draft’ has highlighted some aspects I would like to change slightly:

·       Making the inside cover slightly lighter in order to allow the use of colour to be similar throughout.

·       Keeping pink, purple and blue (different shades/tones within) as the main ‘house style’/colour scheme of the digipak-allowing a feminine yet expressive/dance ‘feel’ to come about throughout the digipak. This will mean a specific alternation to the inside cover (making the contrast less 'dark' meaning that the powder paint/artist's eyes will appear a lot more 'lighter'-apply more to the colour scheme I would like to enforce)

Target audience research

What is your favourite aspect of this digipak draft?

Ø ‘I like how the colours contrast, the image of the eyes with yellow powder paint contrast against the CD case of the pale pastel colours’

Ø ‘The colours-bright and they are really eye catching/noticeable’

Do you think this digipak reflects a new dance artist?

Ø ‘Yes, because its modern and influential-want to be the girl on front cover’

Ø ‘Yeah, its ‘feel good’

What would you like to change about the digipak (if anything)?

Ø ‘No, I like it how it is-especially the colours throughout and the inside cover’

Ø ‘I think for the CD, don’t make it so pastel-looks slightly faded against the other colours of the digipak’

è The quotes above are taken from a verbal questionnaire, asking people critical questions that I believe will help me to improve and reflect upon this final draft when creating the final aspects of the digipak (as a whole).