The document discusses the student's research process for constructing a music video. They researched music trends on YouTube to identify popular narrative styles. They also researched the artist Karmin and selected their song "Acapella". The student analyzed music videos by different directors to understand basic layouts. Researching magazines provided reliable information through interviews that emphasized simplicity leads to success. Wikipedia provided background on artists but was less reliable than official websites, which showcased an artist's authentic style. Weather apps and room booking systems helped plan filming schedules. Google Maps helped locate settings but images were outdated. Mobile phones captured test footage and edits while DSLR cameras provided high quality footage for the final video. Adobe software like Fireworks and Photosh

2. RESEARCH - YOUTUBE
Understanding the music industry through research is crucial when
constructing a music video. Materials such as music channels helped
me understand the trends of todays music videos, where I identified
that music videos that contained narratives where the most in depth
videos that causes a link between the artist and the audience as well as
the types of music that’s popular (pop). This was followed through
further research using YouTube, by doing so researching songs that
was based around our ideas of colour and relatability led us to the song
‘Acapella’ by Karmin. Suggested songs appeared when watching the
video for Acapella for which, increased our choices though we stuck to
the song instead.
‘Mirrorball’ being a documentary produced by ITV allowed me to research
works by directors such as Chris Cunningham who is known to have
directed Madonna’s Frozenwhere a basic layout of music videos can be
seen throughout different directors. Through this research, I have also
found out that many directors take ideas from others and further
develop it into their own (increases the quality of their own music video
than the one that they have based their ideas from).
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

3. RESEARCH - MAGAZINES
Music magazines I have found to be the one of the most reliable sources in
which, I have researched. This would be due to the fact that the
magazines would feature aspects such as interviews in which, would
allow me to understand constructing music videos further. The
interview with Suzy Davis intrigued me where the lesson I have learnt
from this would be that simplicity Is what causes success, this is what I
have based my ideas from when planning my music video. Features
such as ‘How to study music video’ by Peter Fraser was also useful as
this would allow me to research other music videos and know how to
deconstruct them in a way that would benefit me when planning where
vital information such as authenticity and star image is key to the
success of the video in terms of gaining the interest of the target
audience as a tool.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

4. RESEARCH - WIKIPEDIA
Though not being the most reliable resources to use when researching,
Wikipedia was used in order to provide an over all profile of the artist
Karmin. I found that information such as background information about
the artist allowed me to understand the artist further and not just by
their style of music. Notable artists in which is said influenced Karmin
in their works was also useful as it allowed me to interlink other profiles
of other artists and see similarities in style through their works, this
gave me a detailed spider diagram of links and ideas in which is widely
used through many pop artists. Also, a positive about Wikipedia is that
the website can be altered and alternations from fans is what is
expected hence, information that is provided can be from fans in other
words, our target audience also.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

5. RESEARCH – OFFICIAL WEBSITE
The official website was always the most reliable source to research about
Karmin. The official website showcases the style and attitude of the
artist shown through the layout of the website and graphics in which is
included. Also, interviews that may not be included in other video
sharing sites might be available in the website where I am able to gather
information such as inspirations in creating the song as well as behind
the scene footages of the music video. Behind the scene footages
would allow me to identify how the music video was constructed
together and how the effects were done.
Furthermore, the website also allowed HD images that can be used as a
reference when designing our own logo. This would allow me to link my
work as much to the artist where it would be of the same style in which,
the target audience loves the most. Other information included in the
website was tour dates and individual profiles of the artist, this can be
used as reference when making the advert.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

6. PLANNING - SCHEDULES
With plans developing overtime, we decided to form meetings in order to
discuss what ideas to use in the music video. We decided that planning
lessons that are important can be done through lesson times where all
members of the group is present as well as having the support of a
teachers ideas. Though, at other meetings, we found that we had to find
the best possible time where we were able to plan the music video
itself.
Once the planning of how we were going to construct the video was sorted,
filming schedules had to be planned. Learning from our AS work, we
found that filming during school schedule was hard where long filming
was needed. This led onto having to plan the filming after schools
where school work was not a problem and that there would be no
interruptions. Though, we found that once in a while we all were able to
film at the same time where we decided to film footages based on our
feedbacks and use people who were available at that time.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

7. PLANNING - BOOKING
The rare free schedules that allowed us to film meant that we needed a
room in which, would cause less interruptions from people, we decided
to use the school room booking system. By doing so, this abled our
schedules to be booked beforehand therefore, the room cannot be used
by others giving our group security when working, Also, the booking
system allowed the group to identify rooms that were available and pick
the room that would give us more advantages like rooms that are far
from crowded areas in school (advantage: quietness) or close to the
media department (advantage: easy access to technologies).
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

8. PLANNING – WEATHER FORECAST
Filming outside of school especially in outdoor settings can have be easily
cancelled through aspects that we cant control. This would include the
weather where the weather can either be at our advantage or not. By
using the Samsung weather app, this allowed a preview of what the
weather may be like during the preferred days. Knowing the weather, we
were able to move dates that would have rainy days or even re-schedule
at a different time of the same day when the weather would be different
to what it was a few hours ago (this would allow more footage to be
filmed).
The weather app enhanced our time keeping management as a group as we
were able to use applications that were not available a few years ago
hence, using what we have as an advantage. Using the weather forecast
meant we were able to film as much as we needed as well as pre-
scheduling when filming days would be therefore, members were able
to make schedules around the days.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

9. PLANNING – GOOGLE MAPS
Finding the right setting meant searching for one. We decided that areas
around Peterborough that would fit the ideas that we had should be
searched through Google Maps. By doing so, we were able to see how
far the destination was as well as how safe it was. Places such as Orton
were the ones we had in mind though, due to the lack of colorful graffiti
shown in Google Maps when searching, we decided the place was not
the best. Furthermore, identifying how far the destination allowed us to
calculate how to travel there when using he public transport. Though in
the end, we found that Google Maps was not reliable as the image
shown can be from years past therefore, searching for places we know
and have been to would be the best.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

10. CONSTRUCTION – MOBILE PHONES
Mobile phones were used regularly during our filming and planning where it
was mostly used for test shots. We found that my phone was the best to
capture the lighting as well as what it would look like as a setting
overall as well as connecting to the internet quickly. My Samsung Note
(later Note 3) was used to film the lip syncing task that allowed us to
identify who was best for which part as well as the vital part of who was
confortable in front of the camera.
The phone was also used for test shots when planning our digipak as it
allowed us to explore through different settings and ideas that were
easily accessible in school grounds. Also, through apps I was able to
edit our first version of our possible digipak on my phone that day
which meant, quick production work. However, the group decided to
use other media technologies that gave a more professional finish to
what we had on my phone.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

11. CONSTRUCTION – NIKON D300S
Filming was done mostly through my camera (Nikon D300S). The camera
abled our group to be able to film our music video using the 30 mega
pixels the camera provided. We found that the camera was fast when
shooting where there was no signs of lagging. The camera produced a
high contrasted footages in which, showcased the colours of the scene
further. We found that the camera was easily hand held though at times,
even though we had it on hand held, the result of the recording was too
‘still’ like it was on a tripod. With the camera being in my possession,
this meant that the group was able to use the camera without having to
borrow one from another source in which, can cause difficulties where
the camera might not be available to use. After filming, we found that
the footage can be uploaded in a 1080p HD quality in which, is what we
were aiming for at the start. By doing so, we achieved a goal of having a
professional like music video.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

12. CONSTRUCTION – NIKON D330
When preparing for our digipak and advert, we decided that a photo shoot
would allow us to capture more of what we wanted instead of using a
still image from our music video. Using my other camera, we decided to
schedule the photo shoot where I was also able to provide a
professional studio (easier to plan around when easily accessible to the
group). We found that the 24 mega pixel camera allowed to capture an
image that meant high quality. The high quality can easily be used
through editing software's where the image would not turn pixelated
once edited and processed.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

13. CONSTRUCTION – SAMSUNG NX1000
During my free time, I found that the ideas that I had in mind had to be
tested in terms of how it would look like through the camera lens and
not through my imagination. Using my other camera, the Samsung
NX1000 was easier to take along with me when exploring through
different lighting ranges and visually in terms of finding the right
setting. The camera provides a natural lighting setting that allowed any
scenes to look more alive and brighter. Though, we did not use this
camera when filming as the brightness of the camera gave footages that
suited other song genres such as acoustics hence, not adhering to the
genre we had in mind.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

14. CONSTRUCTION – ADOBE FIREWORKS
In order to produce our digipak, we decided to use Adobe Fireworks for the
first section of editing. This would be due to the fact that the software
was a lot more forward when using hence, getting to know how to use it
through tutorials was easy. Producing versions of the digipak through
fireworks meant that we were able to explore through the software,
however due to not knowing the software as much even though it was
easy to use, secrets to producing high quality of work was hard hence,
transporting our works such as the logo onto another software (Adobe
Photoshop)
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

15. CONSTRUCTION – ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
After transporting to Adobe Photoshop, this was a software I was familiar
with where I was able to show skills in which, I was unable to when
using Fireworks. Using Photoshop meant that we were able to explore
through our ideas such as colour splashes onto our chosen image.
Tools that weren't available in Fireworks included the blemish tool in
which allowed us to click and select areas in which we wish to smooth
out or disappear making our work more flawless. Also, with my
knowledge on the software, I was able to play around with the tools
where I found an idea that I favored when I first started using the
software. The idea was that the image would be set to black and white
through colour correction where making layers of the image meant that
I was able to erase the black and white and have the lips red. In terms of
the logo, Ruva and I were able to create a png. Image that meant we
were able to overlap this image onto another without the background.
With the popularity of the software where it is known to be used by
many professional users, we were able to watch many tutorials in
which, helped us find a easier way of accomplishing our ideas. Also, the
software was available for me to use at home hence editing can be done
at home and in school. Though, we found that once the image has been
finalized, we were unable to go back and edit the image again hence, we
ended up with many images of the stages of the final version.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

16. CONSTRUCTION – FINAL CUT PRO
When editing the music video, Final cut pro was the best software to use.
The group was also aware of what the software was able to do due to
using it in our AS work. Final cut abled editing to be done at different
times unlike Photoshop where it allowed the group to edit the video in a
more precise way as well as showcasing the video that abled us to
judge whether or not it flowed smoothly. The blade tool was the most
used where we would zoom into the footage and cut at the most precise
time which, made our video cut when needed and in sync with the beat
of the song. By doing so, the quality of the music video increases. Also,
in other software's, tools that are only available in Final cut were used
in our music video, This would include the tool of being able to reverse
the footage back in order to create an interesting effect as well as
changing the duration in which the footage played at. This was the most
useful as it allowed to fit footages into the duration needed where the
result would look as though it was sped up or slowed down on purpose.
Many editing tools that increased the uniqueness of the music video
meant that our group was adhering to John Fiske’s idea of ‘the signifier
signified the foreground’ where if the music video looked cool rather
than making sense, as long as the target audience is kept interested
then the video achieves its purpose.
M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S

17. EVALUATION
The most useful form of media technology that was the most useful to me
was the media magazine. This would be due to the fact that if I had not
come across Suzy Davis’ idea od simplicity, then I would have probably
overly complicated meanings in my music video that it would lessen the
chances of success. As well as identifying the style of the artist if they
were featured in a page. This gave me an idea of what genre was mostly
featured in the magazines. Other form of media technology was
YouTube. YouTube is known as the most worldwide used video sharing
site where it allowed me t broaden my research further afield to
international artists that we may not heard off. This came along with
ideas that have not been introduced to the British or American music
industry in which, would gather interest from many people. Also, ideas
and tutorials were based from many videos I have found from YouTube
such as the idea of the water effect through watching Vogue photo
shoots. Furthermore, uploading the video meant that other people was
able to see our work and provide a feedback in which, we can reflect
from.
The least useful media technology was Wikipedia. This would be due to the
fact that the website is not as reliable as the official website hence,
anyone can edit the information provided and provide facts that may not
be true, this can cause my research to be false hence, creating a
domino effect causing my planning and construction to be based on
false research. M A H A L I A H M E R I A L E S