Exam Prep Q1a

EXAM PREP

Question 1a is entirely concerned about skills development FROM AS TO A2, but the area that comes up will be quite specific:

* Creativity
* Research and Planning
* Digital Technology
* Post-production
* Using Conventions from Real Media Texts

See below for ideas about what you could discuss in an essay on Research and Planning...

* What primary and secondary research did you undertake?
(how did you research into similar products; determining your potential target audience)
* BE SPECIFIC which music videos did you watch and what did you learn in watching them?
* Questionnaires: open&closed questions: what was your quantitative and qualitative analysis of your results and how did this inform your planning?
* How did you organise actors, locations, costumes or props?
* Did you make a shooting schedule? (YES!!)
* Time management skills: how did you organise meetings? Did someone chair at each one while others took notes? (YES!!)
* Did you make a meeting log? (YES!!)
* Did you have a prop list? (YES!!)
* How effectively were storyboards and time management decisions followed?
* Communication skills; with team members, actors, outside agencies...

CLASS DISCUSSION IDEAS
- Storyboarding – and using it on location  more detailed
- What ‘went wrong’ / have you improved on since AS? Filming, better storyboarding
- Trips – AS CLC to learn imovie, to RichMix w Peter Fraser: on history of music vids, met music video director
- Mini music video 15 mins, edited and uploaded to youtube
- Lip synching practice
- Organised clips – deleted unwanted shots, clearly name them, ordered them
- Storyboarding Kesha’s video – as practice
- Edited a montage of behind the scenes
- Evaluated editing mid-production and made changes accordingly
- Costume and makeup planning, more thought went into mise-en-scene
- Visited locations, took photographs, storyboarded in more detail

January To Do List

LOTS-TO-DO-TO-DO-LIST

* REMINDER - get constant audience feedback
You have 20 marks allocated for this in your FINAL GRADE. How creative can you be in getting audience feedback? Which media platforms can you use?

* Finish your Digipak
DEADLINE FOR COMPLETION AND UPLOADED ONTO BLOG: FRIDAY 11TH FEBRUARY

Create a Digipak Label on your Blog

- Size and dimensions of a digipak
- What is it made out of?
- Why have manufacturers moved away from Jewel cases?
- Upload an image of your digipak analysis (use Marilyn Manson sheet as guide)
- Upload 4-5 examples of CD covers from your genre and write short paragraph about why you like them / which conventions you might use in your design

Design your own digipak
* Front cover
* Inside 2 sides
* Back cover

- Upload images of ALL 4 SIDES onto your blog
- Explain your reasoning for your design  artwork or photographs? Which font type used and why? How are you representing your artist and why?

Message for Eleanor, Emily, Akua and Elizabeth

We have managed to start your old MAC!!

I've transferred your 'Dog Days' projects and events over to your new iMAC so you can continue editing with all your footage. Hurrah!

Message for Sophie, Elle, Neelam and Emma

Your footage is being moved onto iMAC5 to ensure that all Year 12 and 13 students have equal access to Final Cut Pro. Please see me in person or contact me on Fronter to obtain the password for your iMAC. Many thanks.

Hi all

As you are aware we are in the process of upgrading the MACs with our new Final Cut Pro software. Please make sure you DO NOT touch any MAC (old or new) that is labelled "DO NOT TOUCH"!!

We're also updating the Year 12 and 13 passwords to eliminate any discrepancies over other people tampering with your work. Come and find me for your new password if you need access to your MAC Weds morning. I'm in O4 p1-4. If not, see you in lesson p5. Thanks!

Video - Adele Rolling in the Deep

Have a look at Adele's latest video Rolling in the Deep: great shot ideas for slow pace editing and pan shots - contrast slow paced with fast paced for greater dramatic effects. Love use of the glasses of water 'jumping' to the beat. Note that the protagonist is stock still, while the actions of the dancer (have they used flour??) and low key lighting of the drummer are great for creative elements to your vids...

Digipak Analysis Initial Research

WELCOME BACK

Hope you all had a relaxing Christmas break and are fully rejuvenated for the Spring term!


THIS WEEK'S TASKS ARE...

1. COMPLETE YOUR FILMING – ALL CAMERA EQUIPMENT DUE IN FOR AUDIT ON FRIDAY 14TH JAN
2. Catch up on any missed tasks from previous weeks in order to be back on track for your target predicted grade
3. Complete a detailed analysis of a digipak from your genre
4. Blog your digipak analysis: create a new blog label called “CD Digipak”
5. Generate a band name / track list. Be creative! Use the random generator game, wordle or look at online name generators

Use the ‘Marilyn Manson’ handout as an springboard for your digipak analysis --> ensure your ideas cover the following:


Introduction
* What is a digipak? When were the first used, what size is a digipak (how many sides/weight of cardboard etc)?
Analysis
* What are the generic conventions of a digipak? Does your example adhere or challenge them?
* Lettering / font styles and sizes: how does the lettering fit with the genre of music or design?
* Image: what picture is on the cover? Is it a design or artwork? Is it a photograph of the artist? Look at the mise-en-scene, consider iconography, symbolism and connotations
* Stars / icons: is this image of the artist one you’d expect to see?
* Representation: look at how your band/artist and the genre are represented and how the audience will react
* Audience: who exactly will buy this CD? Be specific: escapism, anarchism, sense of belonging/cohesion to a social group?