Music Video - Evaluation

To make our video for Florence and the Machine's 'You've got the love', there were a number of processes we had to go through in order to make our video the best it can be and to achieve our desired result. We found that when completing the video task, there are moments when we have changed our idea, and gone away from our initial storyboard. This was due to convenience and what was available for us to use in order to get the filming done properly. For example, we initially planned to film our music video on the streets of Brighton, and Brighton Pier, but due to travel and convenience to where members of my group lived, it would also work just as well, if not better to film in Eastbourne, and to use the Pier and promendade there instead. However, even though there are parts of the video which are different but that we are still pleased with, there are also moments that have been taken from our initial plan, and that when filmed worked as we wanted them to. An example of this is at the beginning of the footage, where the characters feet are filmed walking to the car, and as she turns on the radio, the song begins to play. There are also many other moments being shown in the video that can also be seen on the storyboard, and with actors, and a shooting script we were able to create.





In order to show the processes my group and I took to produce the music video, I have taken print screens of certain skills we needed to create the video and to make it successful.










This shows how I was able to cut the footage, in order to get it to the right length, and to cut it in sync with the lyrics. This is important so that the cutting is sharp with the music, in order for the video to be more interesting and powerful. To do this, you simply place the cutting tool in the position where you want the footage to be cut, which them creates a slice in the footage so that it can be deleted.







In order to successfully edit my video,I have constantly been using the Final Cut Pro toolbar, so that I can cut, fade and edit the footage.























This is showing the control panel, which I used constantly to edit the footage we had captured for the video. The toolbar includes the cutting tool, fade in and out dots, as well as other ways to edit the material.








Here is an example of how I have used the fade in and out dots to create a fade effect for the end of certain clips. For example, we have used these between shots to create a smooth transition, and to not instantly cut the clip.












This example shows the very end of the video, after the image montage has been shown. To do this, I placed the joined dots in a line, and positioned them so that they slowly faded down to nothing. This creates the effect of a slow fade out of the end image, which also links in with the musical accompaniment of the song.






Here is an example of the fade in and out which has been used in the music video. This image shows the first stage of a fade out which happens at the very end of the music video. We thought that this would be a good image to finish one, as during the video, a picture of the girls is taken as they are getting ready, and so we thought it would be effective if we were to reveal this picture at the end.








Here I have shown the second stage of the fade out, (as above) which shows the effect that slowly happens after positioning the fade out dots from the tool bar. By using this it created a nicer finish to the end of the music video, and does simply not finish on an instant black screen.












In order to highlight certain moments in the music where you want the footage to cut at the same time, green markers can be used to mark the exact change, so that you can line the footage up beneath it. To do this I simply pressed (M) and then a tiny green marker appears on the screen as I have shown from the print screen. This is very helpful when trying to match the footage to the music, as it saves having to continually play the music in order to find the right moments to cut from one scene to the next.





This is showing how I have used a cross dissolve in the video, in order to create a smooth transition from one clip to another. To achieve this, I went to Effects - Video Transitions - Dissolve - Cross Dissolve, and then placed this in between certain footage to link it to the next.
When this is in place, it creates an overlapping effect where the previous footage can be slightly seen in the background, as the new footage begins.







Here is an example from the video of where a cross dissolve has been put in place, in order to make the shots flow from one to the next. Not only does this particular shot show that the character is on the beach, but it also shows the use of the pier, and reinforces the fact that she is alone - linking with the key ideas behind the overall video.











At the very beginning of the editing process for the video, it was important that we were able to effectively log and capture the footage we had captures from filming, and to do this so that nothing was lost or altered. To do this we opened up final cut pro, plugged in the camera using the USB cable, and went to File - Log and Capture. This then meant that all footage would be transfered from the camera tape onto the computer for the editing process to begin.






















Here is an example of how we logged and captured the footage we had created from filming.








In order to bring some variety to the video. We decided as a group that we wanted to have a few of the end shots in black and white. After deciding on this, we then though it would be effective to create a video montage sequence to end the video as the song fades to a stop. In order to make this stand out we decided that all of this sequence would be in black and white, to show the characters events throughout her day. To achieve this, I had to simply click on the clip i wanted to change - Effects - Video Filters - Image Control - Desaturate. This then changed the clip from colour to black and white.














This print screen shows the original clip, which is used at the beginning of the video, before I used the desaturated tool to change the colour consistency.
This particular image also shows the use of depth of field, as the main subject is in focus and the background of the pier is out of focus, drawing your eyes to the character.















This image however, shows the after effect of how I then changed the image to black and white in order to create a video montage.















There were a number of problems that we faced when trying to edit the footage we had gathered from filming. One of these was that some of the footage contained unwanted clutter, that we did not want to include in our video. This was due to our poor efforts when filming and not making sure that all clutter was removed. This is another thing that I will take away from the experience of this task, and I will think more carefully where I film in the future, and to pay more attention to the environment around the characters, as sometimes your eyes can be draw to moments like this, and not focus on the video or the narrative we have tried to create.

In order to correct this mistake, I had to readjust the size of the frame, in order to make the footage slightly bigger. This is done by clicking on the drop down menu above the clip, and going to - Fit to Frame. This then allows you to stretch the frame in order to remove unwanted areas in the clip.
















This is showing the end result, after I had fitted the image to frame, in order to get rid of unwanted clutter and mess that may become distracting in the shot.














Naming the footage is very important. After I had captured back the footage gathered from filming, I was able to name the footage in Final Cut Pro, so that when trying to edit the material it meant that the footage was easy to find, and I didn't have to rummage through lots and lots of files.










There are a number of different features that I have tried to create in my music video, and this includes: a freeze frame and time lapse. This creates variety to the music video, as well as showing a movement through time or a different situation. The freeze frame has been used at the very end of the video, and is the first image which is shown in the video montage. In order to create this, I had to find the clip I wanted to freeze, and then go to modify - and make freeze frame. This then put a marker on the timeline, which created a freeze of the frame.

















This is an example of where the freeze frame happends in the video, as it shows the characters laughing and having a good time with one another. This links in with the theme of the song, and also the idea we wanted to create of your friends being able to pick you up when you are down. This also links in with the target audience of teenagers, as this situation of having fun with your friends is something they can relate to often.
















A time lapse has also been used in the video to show a passing of time as the setting of the video changes from the beach to the house. I achieved this by keeping the camera in a fixed place, and left it to constantly film the clock for about half an hour. This then meant that when editing, the speed of the shot could be quickened to show the changing of time.
When trying to edit this footage however, I wanted to inlcude a cross dissolve at the end of the footage to make it flow from one clip to the next. When this was put in place it meant that a few extra seconds were added on to the end of the clip, meaning that it showed some shaky footage that was not meant to be included in the video. To solve this, it was decided that by adding a cross dissolve would ruin the effect, and so we abandombed this idea, but still made sure that the two clips flowed well together.

Overall

Overall from completing the music video, I feel very proud of the skills I have learnt throughout this topic, and from starting this task without any camera and filming experience I now feel much more confident with working with a camera in the future. I have thoroughally enjoyed working with my group, and because we all communicated well with one another, and shared the roles within the group is has made this task very enjoyable, and not only have I been able to experience working with the camera myself, but I have been able to learn from other members in my group who may have more experience than me, and have been there to help them with filming also, and to agree on the idea we wanted to portray. I think the overall outcome of the video we have created has been successful, and even though there was a lot to get done in the time span, we were able to take advantage of every opportunity we had to get into the film studio and edit out footage, as well as to go out filming outside of college to gather this footage with our actors. Therefore as a group we have been able to manage our time well and to agree on the days and times we wanted to film.

From looking at some of Florence and the Machines videos, as we said in the initial planning of our video (such as the planning presentation) I believe we have successfully challenge the normal conventions of Florence and the Machine. This is due to the way in which a narrative/story is being told thoughout, as the camera follows a character through her day, whereas a lot of conventional "indie" bands, usually either have a video of the artists performing on stage or have a very random video such as "Florence and the Machine - Kiss With a Fist", which seems to have no relevance to the lyrics at all! In our video we have also steered away from the actors mouthing the words to the song, as we wanted the video to be professional looking as many indie videos are, and to geer away from the " cheesy pop" style of video. As its not the actual artist singing the song, we thought for the actors and for ourselves it would be very hard to match the words to the singing and to sync these together. Therefore in order to make it as professional as we could we avoided this idea, and challenged the normal conventions of a music video.

To link in withe the target audience, we have chosen actors that are a similar age range to the types of people we are aiming the video at. We have also included ideas such as the geting ready with a group of friends and having a few drinks before a party, so that the audience can relate to these experiences from their own lives, and understand the meaning behind the video further. We have also used relevant locations such as the beaches and town to also link in with teenagers and to show the video with locations that are recognisable to them.