Jack Roberts produced a music video for an evaluation project. In his research, he analyzed other music videos to understand conventions and researched the artist. He storyboarded and planned shots to ensure smooth production. His video received peer feedback noting it could be improved by adding shots to reduce repetitiveness and better lighting in some dark areas. Going forward, Jack plans to focus on lighting techniques and apply skills from this project to future video work.
3. Research
For my research I looked at a range of music videos to see what sort
of thing to involve in my music video. I think this really helped me
understand the conventions of music videos in general. I then went
on to do some research on the artist of the song and watched one
of his official music videos to see what sort of thing that artist likes
to have in his video. Also in my research I had to justify my chosen
approach which really made me think about why I was doing the
things I was doing in my video and why I had made the decisions I
had made. I then went on to do some experiments for my music
video. I tested out lip syncing with the type of shot I was wanting to
use to see if it was going to give the effect I was hoping for. I also
did some editing for my tests with colour grading and some effects I
was planning to use in my video.
4. Planning
For the planning of my music video I did a structural breakdown for
each section of the song which really helped me when I got to my
actual production of my video and the filming as I knew what was
going t have to be in each shot. I also made a story board and shot
list which also really help when filming as I knew what each shot
was going to involve. I think that my planning was very successful at
making my production run smoothly as I knew everything I was
going to have to need for my music video.
5. Time Management
I think I managed my time very well when doing this project as I
have gotten every section leading up to my production done within
the time advised by my teacher and to a quality I believe to be at a
good standard. When filming my music video I arranged myself a
good amount of time to shoot just encase I ended up having to get
more takes or more shots than I initially planned to get. This time I
gave myself to film also allowed me to have a take run and time to
walk my actors and crew through what was going to happen
without a camera and without wasting any time.
6. Technical Qualities - camera
The quality of my video compared to one of Childish Gambino's
professional music video is in my opinion quite good. Some of my footage
is some times a bit dark and it can be difficult to see what is happening in
the video but majority is well lit. Parts of the video are also a bit out of
focus as I am having to walk backwards around the house as the actor
walks towards the camera but you can still make out what is happening
and bits of it were meant to be a bit out of focus. My video might not
keep the viewers attention as much as the professional one as there is
only the one person in the video and there is less to keep them engaged
like in the professional one which is more colorful and changes more.
7. Technical Qualities – editing/post
In my music video I used a few effects as I was trying to create the idea of it
being a VHS recording and trying to make my video abstract. I also did
some basic colour grading which made the footage more blue which fit
with the mood of the music video and linked well the album cover. In my
video there isn't many cuts as it is meant to appear as a one shot. In the
professional music video it is also shot as a one shot so where there is just
a black screen there could be a masked cut. In the professional video there
isn't any effects like in my video but this is because of the different style
the director was probably going for.
8. Aesthetic Qualities
I think the final look of my music video is quite nice and has come out the
way I have hoped it would. It has given the desired look of a one shot which
I was looking for and I think it is clear to see what is meant to be happening
in the scene. I could improve parts of my shots with lighting as sometimes
you cannot see the actors face. The end of the video with the colors can
also get a bit repetitive after of a while and can drag as we get to the end of
the video so I would maybe make the TV at the very end come in a bit
sooner or add some other shots into the outro. I think my video idea was a
good creative idea and work well with the song I had picked as it is at a
good pace for the song and the one shot helps it run smoothly like the song
it’s self. My music video can also get a bit repetitive as it repeats parts of it.
To improve my work I would add some more cut a ways when he is walking
through the house for the second time to make it more engaging for the
viewer and less repetitive.
9. Audience Appeal
I think my music video is successful at appealing to my target audience as
the actor in the video is male so this could make it appeal more to a male
audience and as he is talking about a women throughout the video. To
improve my music video I could maybe add some women into my video to
appeal to the male gaze as this is something that would attract a more male
audience. The song I have chosen also has strong language so younger
children wouldn’t be listening to this song so the video was allowed to
involve alcohol as drinking could be classed as more of a mature theme.
11. Feedback 1
• What did you like about the product?
• I liked the range of ideas that you used in your product. For example I liked
the outro that involves the TV and I like how you have used static to show
the concept of time throughout the song.
• What improvements could have been made to the product?
• I think your product could be improved if you added some different shots to
your music video round where the artist stops singing and the kaleidoscope
scene comes on.
12. Feedback 2
• What did you like about the product?
• I like the static Effect overlaid on top of the footage even though its green
screened. I think its used well.
• Lip-syncing is done alright even though it could be improved in places.
• For the song used I think it’s a good attempt but its just not a very interesting
song but I feel like its good enough for what the original song was.
• What improvements could have been made to the product?
• Needs more energy and something to change it up and keep it alive
throughout the performance.
• The song lasts a little too long and Pacing can be improved.
• The camera is low quality and unfocused at times.
• Other than the Static its not really stylised in places which I think it needed
more of. Maybe filters or tints could have improved the look.
• It doesn’t look like there was much colour corrected or even contrast added.
13. Feedback 3
• What did you like about the product?
• The concept was really good and I like how it fitted the mood of the song.
• The filter you have added to change to temperature to colder also fit the
theme of the song.
• The effects even though they were just a green screen were really effective.
• What improvements could have been made to the product?
• Some of the clips have a bit of trouble with lighting where it may be hard to
see a certain part of the actor or the scene.
• The part where the patterns swirl can get quite repetitive after a while.
14. Peer Feedback Summary
• What do you agree with from your peer feedback?
• I agree with the point where it says I could add some different shots near the
end as it does get repetitive and I little boring to watch.
• I agree with the point about lighting as some parts of my footage are too
dark and you can’t tell what is happening in the scene.
• What do you disagree with from your peer feedback?
• I disagree with the point saying some parts are out of focus as this is an
artistic choice.
• I disagree with the point about needing more energy as the style of the song
requires quite a slow paced music video.
15. Peer Feedback Summary
To improve my work on the feedback I have been given by my peers I
would try to make it less repetitive by adding more shots and also working
on lighting as parts of the video are too dark and you cannot see what is
happening I the scene. To improve the lighting I could have had the
exposure of my shot higher but the footage I got was the effect I was
going for.
16. Action Plan for future development
I think I have learnt a lot about editing from this project and I will take
what I have learnt into a future project. I have also learnt I need to work
on lighting and maybe do some research on it to improve the lighting in
my scene for future video projects. Doing this project I have also learnt
how to use a camera on a shoulder rig which is something I will carry
through into a later project.
This project has showed me that I am wanting to do a video project more
my final major project at the end of the college year.
Editor's Notes
What were the strengths of your research? How did your research help your product?
What were the weaknesses of your research? What could you have done better/improve? What effect would this have had on your product?
What were the strengths of your planning? How did your planning help your product?
What were the weaknesses of your planning? What could you have done better/improve? What effect would this have had on your product?
Did you manage your time well? Did you complete your project on time or would your products have improved with additional time?
What would you have done if you had more time to produce your work?
Compare your work to similar existing products and discuss the similarities and differences
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page alongside an existing product
Use text boxes and arrows
Compare your work to similar existing products and discuss the similarities and differences
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page alongside an existing product
Use text boxes and arrows
Does your work look good? Was it creative? What aspects of your game’s visuals do you like? What would you improve? How would you improve it?
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page and analyse them
Use text boxes and arrows
How have you appealed to your target audience? What specific bits of content would appeal to your target audience.
Refer to your findings from your questionnaire.
Put your final piece(s) in the centre of a page and analyse them
Use text boxes and arrows
What changes would you make to your product based upon your peer feedback and why?
Think about key points of your project that you feel are interesting points for further development – it could be problems, areas of weakness, or things you’ev have enjoyed that you want to explore more, etc