During our research, we used sources from the internet as a way of collecting in-depth information about music videos and how they're constructed. We also used a webcam from a computer, so that we could record interviews that we conducted about music videos, as a way of getting a general consensus of how our target audience views music videos, specifically in the punk rock genre.
As we began to plan for our music video, we used Windows Movie Maker to create a photographic storyboard, based on our original design. This helped us to get a better idea of what our music video would look like if we continued with those chosen shots. Our group also used a camera to film a short section of a song, so that we could get used to the filming stage of the production, in terms of how long it would take and how we could use the camera effectively. As a result, we then used that footage and transferred it to a 'Mac' computer so that we could edit it using the Movie Maker application. This meant we could not only practice using this software, playing around with filters etc, but also gain experience in lip syncing the video. These techniques are aspects we would later find essential to our final music video, and therefore this planning stage was very beneficial for us.
Once we had planned when we were going to film, we had decided what equipment we were going to use location. We selected a HD Panasonic camera to capture the footage, which gave our video a more visually professional appearance, and meant we could experiment with the depth of field effect, as we considered what was most important in our shots. Our group also chose to bring a dolly to the shoot of the performance shots, which meant we could create some steady establishing shots of our chosen artist. However, while filming we found that the uneven floor meant that the shots we'd attempted were shaky and lacked clarity. We therefore didn't end up using that particular footage in our final product, but at least it meant we were able to experiment with different pieces of technology on location. When we filmed the narrative shots, our group used a tri-pod instead of the dolly, as we wanted to keep the camera as still and in focus as possible to make it clear what was happening in the shots. The fact that the tripod extended meant we could try different shot heights, as a way of helping to establish a contrast in dominance and inferiority. For example, there's a shot in which the male character falls to the floor, and to highlight his lack of power we extended the height of the tripod so that the camera would be placed at a steeper angle, which we wouldn't have been able to achieve without this piece of equipment.
In the evaluation process, I wanted to use multiple ways of presenting my findings to create a sense of variety. For instance, I did a voice over of our final cut, talking about the product itself and the conventions it follows. I also did a 'Prezi' presentation, which I found effective at conveying information concisely and creating a distinctive visual style. I then proceeded to do a video blog, via a web cam, to talk about our audience feedback and how it impacted our work.
