Here are the links to our year 13 students' blogs. They have all worked on their individual projects. All have produced a promotional package for the release of a new album, including a music video, a promotional poster for the album, and the digipak.
Nesreen Bin Ishaq - Candidate No 1038: Nesreen's blog
Simran Deol - Candidate No 1053 : Simran's blog
Amira Johnson - Candidate No 1094 : Amira's blog
Trisha Vekaria - Candidate No: 1263: Trisha's Wix site
24 April 2016
15 February 2016
Evaluation - 20 marks (as much as Research and Planning)
Can I remind you that the 4 evaluation questions are:
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
3. What have you learned from your audience feedback?
4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Assessment: to achieve Level 4 in Evaluation, you are expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:
- understanding of the forms and conventions used in the productions.
- understanding of the role and use of new media in various stages of the production.
- understanding of the combination of main product and ancillary texts.
- understanding of the significance of audience feedback.
- choice of form in which to present the evaluation.
- ability to communicate.
- use of digital technology or ICT in the evaluation.
Here is a example of a level 4 blog (a bit weaker on the Evaluation, particularly question 4, where the focus should really be on Creativity):
http://musicvideocm3christina.blogspot.com/
The following booklet is for guidance. You might have better ideas and be keen to do vlogs instead. That would be fine. AVOID PREZI IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO STICK TEXT IN IT. THE MODERATORS GOT FED UP WITH THAT LAST YEAR.
OR in this format:
UPDATED Music Video Evaluation Tasks
Lisha's fantastic evaluation on Wix:
http://lishagorasia.wix.com/a2mediastudies#!evaluation-/cok4
GREAT EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS 1 AND 2 FROM OTHER CENTRES: Check out the competition for a top level 4!!!
Question 1:
Question 2:
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
2. How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
3. What have you learned from your audience feedback?
4. How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Assessment: to achieve Level 4 in Evaluation, you are expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:
- understanding of the forms and conventions used in the productions.
- understanding of the role and use of new media in various stages of the production.
- understanding of the combination of main product and ancillary texts.
- understanding of the significance of audience feedback.
- choice of form in which to present the evaluation.
- ability to communicate.
- use of digital technology or ICT in the evaluation.
Here is a example of a level 4 blog (a bit weaker on the Evaluation, particularly question 4, where the focus should really be on Creativity):
http://musicvideocm3christina.blogspot.com/
The following booklet is for guidance. You might have better ideas and be keen to do vlogs instead. That would be fine. AVOID PREZI IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO STICK TEXT IN IT. THE MODERATORS GOT FED UP WITH THAT LAST YEAR.
Lisha's fantastic evaluation on Wix:
http://lishagorasia.wix.com/a2mediastudies#!evaluation-/cok4
GREAT EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS 1 AND 2 FROM OTHER CENTRES: Check out the competition for a top level 4!!!
Question 2:
7 January 2016
URGENT - POSTED ON 7TH JANUARY 2016
Dear all,
Our troubles continue with the media drive so we need to be flexible.
I am concerned that nothing has happened on the blogs over Christmas, particularly those students who were behind.
BLOG WORK MUST BE UP TO DATE BY NEXT THURSDAY. I will be contacting parents from next week otherwise, and 'inviting' you to stay behind on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until your work can be awarded a Band 4.
Our troubles continue with the media drive so we need to be flexible.
I am concerned that nothing has happened on the blogs over Christmas, particularly those students who were behind.
BLOG WORK MUST BE UP TO DATE BY NEXT THURSDAY. I will be contacting parents from next week otherwise, and 'inviting' you to stay behind on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until your work can be awarded a Band 4.
I know the production work has stalled but not everyone has a mock up of their ancillary tasks! You should also have sought feedback and written a paragraph reflecting on it to show to what extent the feedback will inform your further planning, keeping in mind what you are trying to achieve with the Star text and representation issues, music gender and target audience.
You need to keep posts on your blog tracking the development of your production work.
THERE SHOULD BE NO GAP OF MORE THAN TWO WEEKS.
FINALLY, FOR NEXT THURSDAY, YOU NEED TO HAVE WATCHED AND MADE NOTES ON SOME VIDEOS DEALING WITH AUDIENCE THEORY.
GO OVER TO THE CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES BLOG - IT IS YOUR EXAM BLOG FROM NOW ON.
12 November 2015
More ideas for your ancillary tasks
From LutteworthMedia:
Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LuttMedia
Blog: http://mrsmitha2musicvideo.blogspot.co.uk
Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LuttMedia
Blog: http://mrsmitha2musicvideo.blogspot.co.uk
Remember to seek feedback at every stage of production from your peers / target audience, and outside your target audience too!
See below:
9 November 2015
Organising your shoot
You should have one post of a series of short posts showing that you have planned ahead and that you are as ready for your shoot as possible.
SHOW YOUR PLANNING FOR THE DAY - AND BRING IT WITH YOU!
Shooting schedule (what will you shot, in which order, at what time?), including where, when, what time do people meet, what does each person bring, what NOT to forget, what documents to bring (preferably in a folder), how to get there, weather forecast (particularly if shooting outside), who brings make up, costumes props, who dresses the set, who applies make up and where + will they have guidance? Have a got a plan B? A list to make sure that everything is returned at the end of the day?
SHOW YOUR PLANNING FOR THE DAY - AND BRING IT WITH YOU!
Shooting schedule (what will you shot, in which order, at what time?), including where, when, what time do people meet, what does each person bring, what NOT to forget, what documents to bring (preferably in a folder), how to get there, weather forecast (particularly if shooting outside), who brings make up, costumes props, who dresses the set, who applies make up and where + will they have guidance? Have a got a plan B? A list to make sure that everything is returned at the end of the day?
15 October 2015
ANCILLARY TASKS: IDEAS FOR YOUR RESEARCH
Analysis of Magazine Posters and Digipaks from jkfernandes17
More examples…
ALSO HAVE A LOOK AT THESE RESOURCES:
Click to see a good example of the research and planning that should go into your ancilliary tasks: the digipak and magazine advert
Last album digipak:
FINALLY, HERE IS A PAGE WITH EXAMPLES OF CD COVERS AND MAGAZINE ADVERTS.And here is the template for your digipak. You can find it on the Media drive in the Digipak folder. You'll need to import it into Photoshop.
Obviously this only has four panels; you should be aiming for six:
Have a look at this group's work on ancillary tasks. They achieved level 4.
The magazine advert:
Here is their 6-frame digipack:
Do check out these obscure and brilliant album covers:
http://a2musicvid.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/great-album-covers-have-look.html
AND OF COURSE, CHECK OUT LEON'S, ROMINA'S AND LISHA'S WORK FROM LAST YEAR! THEY GOT FULL MARKS. There are a few more past students' efforts below:
Here is their 6-frame digipack:
Do check out these obscure and brilliant album covers: http://a2musicvid.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/great-album-covers-have-look.html
AND OF COURSE, CHECK OUT LEON'S, ROMINA'S AND LISHA'S WORK FROM LAST YEAR! THEY GOT FULL MARKS. There are a few more past students' efforts below:
13 October 2015
Audience Theory: 2 very useful presentations from a different centre
Well worth reading through to get ahead of our lessons on Audience Theory:
https://mrsblacksmedia2.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/year-12-audience-notes/
https://mrsblacksmedia2.wordpress.com/2015/10/13/year-12-audience-notes/
29 September 2015
Planning
What you should have when it's completed:
- Brief details about your band/artist, including which record label they're signed to, what their ideology is and who their target audience is (audience profile)
- Moodboard
- Synopsis of the video, including details of performance and/or narrative elements, location shots, costume/props images
- Shot list for each sequence
- Storyboard
- Aim for an animatic
- Explanation of how you have used Goodwin's elements within the video OR how they are subverted. Explanation of how you have used Vernallis' points.
- Explanation of WHY you have decided on this concept and HOW it will appeal to the target audience and 'fit' into the music industry.
– discussion of any influences you have had.
- Keep asking for class and teacher feedback as well as target audience feedback. This must go your blog and you must adapt your ideas accordingly. Use questionnaire or/and focus groups. Use social media / online survey.
- Your audience research should include a consumption profile of your target audience. It should also refer to Uses and Gratifications Theory.
- Actors / Casting / possibly auditions
- You should conduct a recce.
- Schedule.
Ask for hep at any point and remember to support each other. Below is a little more help to help you define your research.
1. Gathering more information on your target audience. Here is a link to the media pack published by a magazine:
Look through the pack to see how the target audience is described in detail.
Also look through last year's blogs to see examples of Audience Profiles and Audience Consumption Profiles.
2. Example of an ANIMATIC
3. Example of storyboarding:
Audience research 1: Initial questions and theory
26 September 2015
24 September 2015
Research and early planning - Up-to-date blogs BY MONDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER
WHAT YOU SHOULD ALL HAVE BY NOW:
- One post looking at Goodwin's concept of illustration, amplification, disjuncture
- Three detailed analyses of music videos using Goodwin's points
- At least two detailed analyses of music videos using Vernallis' points - see reference sheet I gave you all. There are spares by my computer.
These posts should be labelled RESEARCH and ANALYSIS
- At least one post looking at a variety of music videos that inspire you - could be the camerawork, set, costumes and make up, lighting, use of close ups, dance sequences, performance etc. Make sure you have screenshots and explain in a few words what it is that you find interesting.
This post should be labelled RESEARCH.
- One post featuring the songs you may want to use and why they are good choices.
- One post on your selected song and why you settled on it. The post should feature the song itself, the lyrics, preferably annotated with early ideas, and a couple of similar artists and the kind of videos they use to promote their songs, and a paragraph about the music genre and its conventions.
This post should be labelled EARLY PLANNING.
- Some of you have already started looking at lighting in specific music videos - You should look at the range of music videos with a focus on lighting.
- One post looking at the audience profile of your 'similar artists' (use uktribes.co.uk) and early market research (which platforms, channels, music mags feature similar artists)
These posts should be labelled RESEARCH and AUDIENCE RESEARCH
- Start creating your artist (name, profile, potential actors etc - start recruiting/ auditioning very soon!)
LABEL: EARLY PLANNING
NEXT STEP: PREPARING THE TREATMENT AND YOUR PRESENTATION.
Example of a student using Vernallis' theory on their own video
A good example of Vernallis analysis
A good example from last year of Vernallis analysis
- One post looking at Goodwin's concept of illustration, amplification, disjuncture
- Three detailed analyses of music videos using Goodwin's points
- At least two detailed analyses of music videos using Vernallis' points - see reference sheet I gave you all. There are spares by my computer.
These posts should be labelled RESEARCH and ANALYSIS
- At least one post looking at a variety of music videos that inspire you - could be the camerawork, set, costumes and make up, lighting, use of close ups, dance sequences, performance etc. Make sure you have screenshots and explain in a few words what it is that you find interesting.
This post should be labelled RESEARCH.
- One post featuring the songs you may want to use and why they are good choices.
- One post on your selected song and why you settled on it. The post should feature the song itself, the lyrics, preferably annotated with early ideas, and a couple of similar artists and the kind of videos they use to promote their songs, and a paragraph about the music genre and its conventions.
This post should be labelled EARLY PLANNING.
- Some of you have already started looking at lighting in specific music videos - You should look at the range of music videos with a focus on lighting.
- One post looking at the audience profile of your 'similar artists' (use uktribes.co.uk) and early market research (which platforms, channels, music mags feature similar artists)
These posts should be labelled RESEARCH and AUDIENCE RESEARCH
- Start creating your artist (name, profile, potential actors etc - start recruiting/ auditioning very soon!)
LABEL: EARLY PLANNING
NEXT STEP: PREPARING THE TREATMENT AND YOUR PRESENTATION.
Example of a student using Vernallis' theory on their own video
A good example of Vernallis analysis
A good example from last year of Vernallis analysis
10 September 2015
9 September 2015
Getting it all started
Hi everyone and a warm welcome back!
Before I go on, Issa James has posted the great post below with plenty of links to music videos that we want you to look at. It is crucial that you spend time becoming familiar with different genres and that you pick up ideas from a wide range of videos. Of course, there are other sources of inspiration such as films, TV drama and books!
But before I go on further, let's go back to basic information.
1. Once again, the coursework accounts for 50% of your final grade and we usually finish filming and rough editing by Christmas with a little time in January/February to complete the edit and evaluation.
The brief is to create a promotional pack for an upcoming album (you will have to invent an artist/band), including a magazine advert, a music video for the single coming out, and a digipak for the album (6 panels minimum). So, 3 products this time around!
2. You need to understand that there are many genres of music videos, usually dependent on the music genre being promoted. Overall, there are Performance videos, Narrative-led videos, but the majority include a mix of both.
Two key theorists who will help you deconstruct and analyse videos are Goodwin and Vernallis. I will provide templates summing up the main conventions they have come up with to support your analytical work and we will of course go through their key points together.
Starting with Goodwin, here are the key points:
Andrew Goodwin has identified a number of key features which distinguish the music video as a form:
- There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the lyrics.
- There is a relationship between the music and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the music.
- Genres are complex and diverse in terms of music video style and iconography
- Record companies will demand a lot of close-ups of the main artist or vocalist. Videos allow artists to present and modify their 'Star Image' to the public.
- Voyeurism is present in many music videos, especially in the treatment of females, but also in terms of systems of looking. Some examples are screens within screens, cameras, mirrors, etc.
- There are likely to be intertextual references, either to other music videos or to films and TV texts; these provide further gratification and pleasure for the viewers/fans.
Please use these to get started with your music video analyses. It goes without saying that you will need plenty of screengrabs!
3. We will be completing some preliminary tasks to teach you a few skills in preparation for shooting and editing your own videos. The lip-synch task will take place Thursday 17th September. You will need to be ready to shoot a lipsynched song of your choice. You can work in pairs.
You must:
- bring the printed lyrics
- have learnt the song lyrics before the lesson
- bring any prop you might want to use
- be able to play the song during the shoot.
Here are examples from previous years:
Before I go on, Issa James has posted the great post below with plenty of links to music videos that we want you to look at. It is crucial that you spend time becoming familiar with different genres and that you pick up ideas from a wide range of videos. Of course, there are other sources of inspiration such as films, TV drama and books!
But before I go on further, let's go back to basic information.
1. Once again, the coursework accounts for 50% of your final grade and we usually finish filming and rough editing by Christmas with a little time in January/February to complete the edit and evaluation.
The brief is to create a promotional pack for an upcoming album (you will have to invent an artist/band), including a magazine advert, a music video for the single coming out, and a digipak for the album (6 panels minimum). So, 3 products this time around!
2. You need to understand that there are many genres of music videos, usually dependent on the music genre being promoted. Overall, there are Performance videos, Narrative-led videos, but the majority include a mix of both.
Two key theorists who will help you deconstruct and analyse videos are Goodwin and Vernallis. I will provide templates summing up the main conventions they have come up with to support your analytical work and we will of course go through their key points together.
Starting with Goodwin, here are the key points:
Andrew Goodwin has identified a number of key features which distinguish the music video as a form:
- There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the lyrics.
- There is a relationship between the music and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contradicting the music.
- Genres are complex and diverse in terms of music video style and iconography
- Record companies will demand a lot of close-ups of the main artist or vocalist. Videos allow artists to present and modify their 'Star Image' to the public.
- Voyeurism is present in many music videos, especially in the treatment of females, but also in terms of systems of looking. Some examples are screens within screens, cameras, mirrors, etc.
- There are likely to be intertextual references, either to other music videos or to films and TV texts; these provide further gratification and pleasure for the viewers/fans.
Please use these to get started with your music video analyses. It goes without saying that you will need plenty of screengrabs!
3. We will be completing some preliminary tasks to teach you a few skills in preparation for shooting and editing your own videos. The lip-synch task will take place Thursday 17th September. You will need to be ready to shoot a lipsynched song of your choice. You can work in pairs.
You must:
- bring the printed lyrics
- have learnt the song lyrics before the lesson
- bring any prop you might want to use
- be able to play the song during the shoot.
Here are examples from previous years:
18 June 2015
Andrew Goodwin - Music Video Analysis
Andrew Goodwin identified a number of key features which distinguish the music video as a form; before you understand his theory you need to understand some key terminology. If you click on the key terms you will be taken to videos which best illustrate these terms.Illustrate: Images used to represent the meanings of the lyrics and genre (this is the most common feature of a music video) this is very often literal.
Disjuncture: When the meaning of the song is completely ignored.
Amplify: Meanings and effects are manipulated and constantly shown throughout the video and shown to the audience (basically repetition).
- There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contrasting the lyrics.
Disjuncture: When the meaning of the song is completely ignored.
Amplify: Meanings and effects are manipulated and constantly shown throughout the video and shown to the audience (basically repetition).
- There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contrasting the lyrics.
- There is a relationship between the music and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating, amplifying or contrasting the music.
- Genres are complex and diverse in terms of music video style and iconography.
- Record companies will demand a lot of close-ups of the main artist or vocalist
- Voyeurism is present in many music videos, especially in the treatment of females, but also in terms of systems of looking. Some examples are screens within screens, cameras, mirrors, etc.
- There are likely to be intertextual references, either to other music videos or to films and TV texts, these provide further gratification and pleasure for the viewers/fans.
TASK
Using your favourite music videos, TubeChop scenes where ANY of the above features are present. Screengrab and comment.
(With thanks to Lutterworth Media)
15 June 2015
Music Video resources
Hey Guys, in preparation for your A2 studies I have listed a bunch of useful links for you to check out.
Here are some ideas for songs to consider if you're unsure what you'd like to do
This is the range of music videos playlist, assembled for your perusal!
Range of Music videos
Simple videos that rely on lighting & a strong performance (some of these are in the above playlist)
One Take performance with an emphasis on lighting
Same artist as above utilising dance & shadows (black & white)
Classic performance video that inspired Miley Cyrus
An almost film noir look in this iconic video
Heavily reliant on performance
Using real subjects & scenarios along with performance
Simple + performance based This controversial song went viral & made the artist popular
Dance led video with interesting lighting
Good example of cutting to the beat -Dance led video using smart choreography & switches between colour (I challenge you count how many cuts!)
Lip sync by another performer
Innovative reverse video by Spike Jonze
Innovative one take performance video
Student examples
The following are screen shots from student videos in the past year that utilise good lighting
Techniques
Split screen
Simple and effective lighting
The Videographers Guide Ep. 1 - The Music Video
Here are some ideas for songs to consider if you're unsure what you'd like to do
This is the range of music videos playlist, assembled for your perusal!
Range of Music videos
Simple videos that rely on lighting & a strong performance (some of these are in the above playlist)
One Take performance with an emphasis on lighting
Same artist as above utilising dance & shadows (black & white)
Classic performance video that inspired Miley Cyrus
An almost film noir look in this iconic video
Heavily reliant on performance
Using real subjects & scenarios along with performance
Simple + performance based This controversial song went viral & made the artist popular
Dance led video with interesting lighting
Good example of cutting to the beat -Dance led video using smart choreography & switches between colour (I challenge you count how many cuts!)
Lip sync by another performer
Innovative reverse video by Spike Jonze
Innovative one take performance video
Student examples
The following are screen shots from student videos in the past year that utilise good lighting
Techniques
Split screen
Simple and effective lighting
The Videographers Guide Ep. 1 - The Music Video
16 April 2015
Dear Moderator,
Here are the blogs of our A2 students. They have all followed the music video / promotional package for a new album brief: they have created a music video and as ancillary tasks, a magazine advert and a digipak for the album.
All students worked individually.
Candidate 9124 - Steven Attwell: Steven's Music Video Blog
Candidate 9302 - Rhianna Biggs: Rhianna's A2 Media Blog
Candidate 9585 - Nicole Fleming: Nicole's Music Video Blog
Candidate 8073 - Thomas Hallisey: Tom's Music Blog
Candidate 9424 - Roshni Mepani: Roshni's Advanced Portfolio Blog
Candidate 9542 - Kareem Tamam: Kareem's Music Industry Blog
We hope you enjoy their work.
All students worked individually.
Candidate 9124 - Steven Attwell: Steven's Music Video Blog
Candidate 9302 - Rhianna Biggs: Rhianna's A2 Media Blog
Candidate 9585 - Nicole Fleming: Nicole's Music Video Blog
Candidate 8073 - Thomas Hallisey: Tom's Music Blog
Candidate 9424 - Roshni Mepani: Roshni's Advanced Portfolio Blog
Candidate 9542 - Kareem Tamam: Kareem's Music Industry Blog
We hope you enjoy their work.
6 March 2015
EVALUATION - DUE IN 20.3.15
All 4 questions must be done by Friday 20.3.15.
Reminder:
Q1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Q2: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
Q3: What have you learned from your audience feedback?
Q4: How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Look at:
Lisha's evaluation
Leon's evaluation
Romina's evaluation
Their evaluation work ranges from 18 to 20 marks (out of 20).
For ideas of what to do / how to tackle questions, click on the link on the right hand side or here: Guidance booklet
Reminder:
Q1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Q2: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
Q3: What have you learned from your audience feedback?
Q4: How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Look at:
Lisha's evaluation
Leon's evaluation
Romina's evaluation
Their evaluation work ranges from 18 to 20 marks (out of 20).
For ideas of what to do / how to tackle questions, click on the link on the right hand side or here: Guidance booklet
Showcase and feedback FINAL VIDEOS EXPORTED BY NEXT FRIDAY (13.3.15)
Please please please embed at least 2 or 3 drafts of your video and post the feedback you got along the way, as well as whether you acted upon it.
Evidence your decisions.
Finally, record the feedback from the Showcase lesson and what you will do as a result.
DO this ASAP.
Last tweaks to your music video by next Friday 13th March. We will start marking them and the ancillary tasks that weekend
Evidence your decisions.
Finally, record the feedback from the Showcase lesson and what you will do as a result.
DO this ASAP.
Last tweaks to your music video by next Friday 13th March. We will start marking them and the ancillary tasks that weekend
14 November 2014
DEADLINES - PICK UP THE PACE!
- Friday 21st November: Mock up or rough digipak
- Friday 28th November: First draft of music video (even if loose)
- Friday 5th December: Advert and digipak deadline - Peer and teacher feedback
- Friday 12th December: DEADLINE MUSIC VIDEO AND TWEAKED ANCILLARY TASKS
CHECK THIS CANDIDATE'S ANCILLARY TASKS! http://lca2mediahub.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/5276-martyn-hollinshead.html
Make sure you complete the work set with the Evaluation Questions in mind!
Here they are:
Q1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Q2: How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
Q3: What have you learned from your audience feedback?
Q4: How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)