How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Throughout this project I used many resources including Photoshop, InDesign, Adobe Premiere Elements, Cameras/ Video Cameras and finally the internet. Using all of these resources helped me a lot in order to reach my targets and to achieve the highest out of what I wanted to get out of this project. 

I used Photoshop for editing my photographs which I took for my digipak. I did struggle at times to make the images effective for my target audience. I have gained a new skill of tinting the image in a way that still allows that part of the image to be transparent which I think can be very effective, I used this on my music artists eyes to brighten them. I did have problems along the way such as having the image at the right brightness and the difference between it being too bright or too dark. 

I used InDesign to put together my digipak for the final touches after editing the images I took on Photoshop. When using InDesign I found easy to use and quick. It was a convenient resource and made my work loo good. I had one small problem which was easily fixed, when feathering an image I wanted it to go in a certain direction so I adjusted it using a dial. 

This was the first time I used Adobe Premier Elements I had a lot of problems along the way such as my shots which I had were not rendering, this was easily resolved but I can say I have learned a lot from using this great software. Some problems included the songs being cut up whenever you inserted or moved a shot but was easily resolved. I have gained skills in using this software such as cutting a shot, adding tint onto the clip and fading in and fading out the clip as well as including Slow Motion. 

In this project I used the internet a lot to research different CD covers and magazine adverts as well as using it to find youtube clips for analysing music videos. YouTube was a massive help because it has lots of various music artists and it help me find a song for the ideas I had for my music video, more and more people are making music videos and uploading them onto YouTube. 

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

After finishing my music video I went and did some audience research to get feedback on my music video, I asked them 5 questions about My Video and the Digipak, the questions I asked included: 

1. What did you like about my music video?
2. How could I have changed my music video to improve it?
3. What genre do you recognise this as?
4. Do you think the music video links with the Album and Magazine Adverts?
5. Would you buy the album?

Here are some of the answers I received:

Girl - Aged 17

1. The narrative was really smooth and easy to follow. It was interesting to watch and didn’t get boring half way through.

2. Less performance more narrative, there was a lot of singing at the start and it might have been better with more of the narrative so we could get to know the character more.

3. Pop

4. I like that she is wearing the same coat in the music video that she is wearing on the album cover, and I like that there is a picture of the album cover on the magazine cover.

5. Yes.

Boy - Aged 17

1. I like the use of similar people to show and make contrasts with what the actress could have had and what she ended up with. I also like the strong emotions at the end when the girl looked and her splitting image like as if she is regretting her decision. The video emphasizes the theme of journey and moving forward really, I think this particular theme is trending in the music industry.

2.The producer/editor could have had used more ‘dark’ effects. The video is too happy and bright throughout the ‘story’. Perhaps some vintage effects would be more suitable for the song choice.

3. This is in my opinion - pop genre

4. The video links with the digipack and the magazine cover really well as it supports the song and the theme of video. The use of close ups and expression of the strong features of the artist fits in well for the artist.

5. Yes, this is my sort of genre and I see a lot of potential in the artist, I hope to see more clever ingenuity in future videos.

Boy - Aged 17

1. I liked the reverse after they breakup and the camerawork was very good.

2. Nothing to improve

3. Indie

4. Yeah

5. Yes – because I like the album cover 

Girl - Aged 17

1. I liked the storytelling in the video and the narrative contrast with the performance aspect

2. Maybe vary the angles and shots a bit more so you see the artist from a different perspective to make it more interesting. 

3. Indie     

4. Definitely- I think this is very clear and makes it successful

5. Yes I thought it was very convincing and there was a good connection with the audience too

From the feedback which I have received I think that I could have included more narrative like I did at the end of the music video so then I wouldn't loose the audience at the beginning of the music video. I think I should of planned in more detail and been more precise on what I wanted to get out of the music video.

I was surprised how effective my music video was to the audience and that they would buy the album. I think this might of been the way I advertised the music artist in my magazine advert and on the album cover in a way that it linked to the music video and the audience could make a connection with the music artist. 

Analysing My Music Video

I think my music video went really well, I like how I added the various effects including slow motion and a Black and White tint to represent time. 

I think the music video tells a clear story on how a relationship has changed and how seeing her partner with someone else corresponds with the song. 

I think I challenged the pop conventions a lot because of the 'indie' feel it gave off by I still believe I did match the pop conventions of making the music artist the center of attention. 

Next time I would include less Performance and more narrative as the beginning of the music video is mostly Performance. 

Here is a link to my Music Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH4YaMkbPMM

Process of Editing Music Video

Editing my Music Video I used Adobe Premiere Elements to edit my music video. When editing my music video I found it a very long process to complete as when editing the clips I had took a long process to get precise to fir the video. 

I added effects into the music video to express time change such as adding a black and white tint in some of the clips to show the past and as if the music artist is looking back at the past.

Process of Making Digipack

The software I used to make the digipack includes Photoshop and InDesign.

First I set out the layout and included the images which I had already edited on Photoshop.

I then included the text onto the Digipack selecting the 'T' tool and placing it onto the image.

I then moved on and developed my designs by adding more texts and small details such as changing the font, including a barcode and a small description at the bottom of the back cover.

During the process of making the digipack's, I first wanted to link the images on the digipack to the Music Video. By doing this I incorporated the 'hood' which wears in the video on the album cover as shown below.

I first then created a circle to include editing the main image on Photoshop, after inserting the image so it fits I then feathered the image to make a 'fade' effect on the CD to help blend into the background colour.

After adjusting the main image I then moved on to inserting more detail by inserting a CD holder clip to make the case more realistic.

Finally after including the background behind my CD, which I think looks effective because it gives an illusion of an Eye within an Eye. 

The left image I edited on Photoshop to match the cover of the album.

Ancillary Text 2: Magazine Advert

Magazine Advert

This is my magazine advert for the album 'Between You & Me' The image I have chosen links to the back of the album cover and sections of the music video which are set in the woods. 

I have included a QR barcode which will allow readers to preview a free download on iTunes - this is handy for people with smartphones which my target audience are very involved with their phone.

I like how it isn't too busy and that its got a simple layout although next time I would change the font and include a star rating from a magazine. 

Ancillary Text 1: Album

Cover

I have focused the cover of the album on the music artist. I have used one main image because I didn't want it to be too confusing for the target audience. The font I have chosen is simple and not too complex which I like and fits in with the artist. I like the colours in the image and it isn't too overwhelming. Next time I would used larger text and make the font bigger and easier to see. 

Back Of Album Booklet

The back of the booklet I wanted to fit with the album cover, So I have asked the model to have the same clothes and I have taken the photograph in a similar way. When Editing this photograph I also wanted to make it similar to the Album Cover and not make the image too over powering.

CD

For the CD design I chose to use one simple image mainly because I didn't want the same image throughout the digipack. I like the design on the CD because its bold and its a recognizable image of an eye which I include in the music video of a close up of eyes.

Back Cover

I have linked the back cover to the magazine advert I have done to advertise the album of the artist. This image is set in the Woods in the same locations as the music video where I filmed. I have used a consistent font throughout.

Looking at my three ancillary texts and my music trailer I can see a difference in how the Album and Magazine advert give off a more pop convention but the music video is very indie in comparison. 

I think I have tested the conventions of the music video at a risk of it fitting too much into the Indie Genre.

From my Research I did beforehand the digipak's fit in with the pop genre well, as the designs for Marina & The Diamonds featured her only to capture the audience's attention which I think I have captured.