Glidetrack Slider Equipment

This picture is a imagine of Glidetrack Slider, which we managed to use in our music video. My brother works within the media industry and he let me try out some shots using the slider. As a group we all loved the shot we could gain from using it, so we did some practising while filming and then finally we decided on where to use the equipment. After trying to equipment outside and inside, we felt the best shot using the slider would be of a pool table shot. We was able to place the slider on the edge of the pool table and let the camera slide along to get a swift moving shot. Without the slider we wouldn't have been able to create the piece using any other equipment. If we used hand held the shot would have been extremely wobbly and if I used the tripod we had the shot wouldn't have caught the action as swift as the slider could. We managed to get a shot of one of the male's in the video taking a shot playing pool. This enabled us to include both the male's face and the movement of the ball's from a low angle which was what we aimed to achieve. Overall as a group we all using the slider as we created a unique shot which we couldn't have created using anything else.

These three images are stills from our music video where the Glidetrack was used. The shot produced was in total eight seconds, which shows the movement from one side of the pool table to the other. This gives us a smooth and effective shot which we couldn't have produced using any other equipment or hand held. The shot involved a 'extra' character which we added to pursue more of a lively atmosphere. The shot of the extra character is minimised on the male's face, we did this so all the attention would still be on the two main characters. The use of depth of field on the pool table and the actual shot taken by the character, creates a blurry effect on the main male character's back sat down at the bar. This is so the audience will know that the main characters were still in the room at the time and that the extra character was used to add more of a socialising atmosphere.

CD Cover Analyses

We've decided to look at and anaylse three cd covers, to give us an idea of how to produce our cd cover.

This CD cover is Pixie Lott's from the album which includes the single 'Use Somebody' which is the song we have used in our piece. I've decided to look at this as this is the song we are covering, and to give us an idea of how the original one is used. This CD cover is extremely plain but creates such an impact through Pixie Lott's facial expression. She has a raunchy expression on her face, which attracts the viewer straight into the cover. The use of her name in pink, with the rest in black and white emphasises her girly side. The chain around her neck and head emphasises again the raunchy effect, as if she's been in trouble. The mise en scene of her make-up and lacy top creates the 'naughty' look again which I think the cover is persued to emphasise. As the name of the single is called 'Use Somebody' the 'naughty' expressions used could have been used to explain the name of the single. As if somebody does 'Use Somebody' it isn't the right thing to do, this is emphasised through the picture and the mischievious effect of the CD cover.

I've analysed the 'Use Somebody' produced by Pixie Lott and now decided to look at the original cover from the original artist. I decided to do this to compare and see the similarites from the two album covers. Looking at both album covers they are totally different and give off different vibes. The Pixie Lott cover comes across with the naughty, young girl approach. Where as, King Of Leon's album cover is more of a serious cover, expressing little vibarant emotions. The facial expressions on the band members face seems effortless, and lack of happiness. I think this is used to correspond the name of the single 'Use Somebody' as this isn't a happy topic as this is something the public wouldn't be smiling about. The bright light at the top centre of the album cover could have connatations of their iner feelings, which would be happy as they have produced such a popular single. I noticed a smiliarity between the two albums, which is that there isn't much going on in the CD covers and they are quite plain. Both of them include little action and effects, but create such a big impact through their facial expressions and the mise en scene through the use of props. The plain background setting and the fact the band are sat on four simple chairs have been carefully used to create the bland impact and how using somebody isn't the right thing to do.

I started to research into other album covers, and decided to analyse Rizzle Kicks new album called Stereo Typical. I decided this because we also analysed some of their other aspects, such as their music video in the early stages of the year when we were deciding on a song for our music video. Another thing which attracted me to analse this album cover is because I think it has similarites to the other two CD covers I have already looked at. The fact that there is little action going on in the album cover, and the hole impact of the CD cover is emphasised through facial expression. The two artists involved in 'Rizzle Kicks' are simply sat down, against a plain background, expressing their emotions through their facial expression. I think their expressions are used to create a 'confused' look. This is almost ironic, as the name of the album is 'Stereo Typical' which would normally indicate two young male's causing trouble as this is the Stereo typical view on young male's. Rizzle Kicks have emphasised this through a almost boring and blank look, opposite to how the public would expect their CD cover to look. The use of mise en scence in their outfits is again presented plain and ordinary, emphasising they aren't the stereo typical young male's which the public percieve young male's to look and act like.

Shot lists for upcoming filming days

We have all come to the agreement that we have significant amounts of varied locations however we do need to revisit some locations to correct some currently unusable footage and to also gain more varied footage. We have decided to return to Maria's house in order to re-do various shots which unfortunately were not in focus the first time around, we do believe that this is an advantage however as we can return and hopefully gain several more shots giving us a bigger variety to work with once we are in the editing stage of the process. On Thursday 17th November we will be filming at the Manchester Christmas Markets in Albert Square. This, we believe will set the same atmosphere as the coffee shop shots. This will give us the opportunity to create an abundant amount of heavily shallow depth of field shots due to the lighting around this area. Like the coffee shop, we are trying to go for a cosy and warm atmosphere and we believe this specific locations will portray that.

Christmas Markets:


Shot List

• Long, mid and close up shots of Amy walking around the Christmas markets
• Mid shot lip-sync with shallow depth of field background
• Establishing shot of the Christmas markets that will establish where we are when in editing 

Costume

We are hoping for Amy to replicate Pixie Lott's style however still feel comfortable at the same time. Because the Christmas markets are based around the festive season we think it's best that she wrap up warm to connotate the season and the weather that comes with it. We believe that something floral and girly (similar to what Amy has already been currently wearing) would be fine under a chunky coat and winter accessories. We have found that Pixie Lott likes to accessorise her outfits with both jewellery, scarfs and hats therefore we will try and include these.

Precautions

Because it is the opening day of the market we may find that it is busy and therefore the camera may be blocked however if this is the case we will hopefully return on another night closer to the closing time of the market to avoid as many people as possible.

'Pool House/Diner' Shot List:


Shot List

• TBA

Costume

Amy will wear the same outfit as last time.

Precautions

We are aware of the elements which went wrong last time and we are prepared for them. For example we now have a tripod which will hopefully eliminate the shakiness that we incured last time.

Update: Due to the high volume of people on the date of filming at the Manchester Christmas Markets, we were unable to film there. Instead we chose a different location not very far from there. Despite still running into difficulties with the public walking infront of the camera we were then able to find a higher ground position which eleminated this. It was an advantage also as we were able to create a high standard shot with the use of shallow depth of field blurring the lights in the background of the building behind Amy. We believe that this shot, which may not have been better than what we originally would have intended, still has been made to a high standard and fits in perfectly with our overall production piece.


We also looked through the shots which we had from the Pool House/Diner and we were able to extract several which were originally deemed as 'bad' and use them within the production as they fitted in nicely and were still to a very good standard. This enabled us more time to focus on editing.

Filming Day #4 with Photos

Today we returned to the location we were originally expected to film at; Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield. This time however we decided to look thoroughly through the park in attempts to find the most pleasing locations to film. We encountered a problem with the overall look and atmosphere of the park which we described as dull and miserable. This, we believe is due to the majority of the trees being stripped bare and the overcast weather. However, we were able to find a specific area of the park which had colourful trees and bushes which still were in leaf with various golden yellow and bright red leaves. These shots are those which we are planning to use for the start of the song, throughout and at the end therefore we decided to have Amy lip sync throughout the whole song. We decided to get a variety of mid shots and close ups at varying angles which we believe have worked well and we are pleased with. There were also several short shots that we have filmed to set the scene e.g. Close ups of the trees and a wide establishing shot of the park to signify to the audience where she is and possibly the meaning behind it. The park was very vacant and we believe this is beneficial to our overall image of the music video and the serene slow paced tempo of the song of choice.

Photos: Filming day #1

Filming: Day Three - Complications

Today our group had a few technical complications. The memory card from the camera wasn't working and only enabled us to get very short amounts of film or a few photos. We decided to use the short amount of memory on photos so we had location shots (PHOTOS TO BE ADDED). We went to Platt Fields near Rushholme, Manchester. Due to winter conditions the location didn't fore-fill the "look" we wanted. However when we have overcome the technical difficulties we may return to this same location to test it and see what we can make of it to create to "look" we had in mind.

Filming: Day Two.

Day two of filming i met Maria at her house and we began filming the previously planned shots of the "pool hall/bar" and the "studio" that the group had discussed.
In the "bar" shots, we had perfect mise-en-scene due to the 50's design of the entertainment room. The footage shows many shots including: pannning, over-the-shoulder, CU's and MS's. We also had extra people to add to the atmosphere of the bar.
Later on we filmed the "studio" shots, there werent many difficulties apart from the angle of the camera lense. It prooved difficult to get a wide shot in the space in the rooms we had. However, we overcame the difficulties and I had a chance of filming shots that I didnt feature in such as CU's of Ryan playing guitar. This particular shot also features shallow and deep depth of field to accentuate the guitar.

Filming: Day One.

First day of filming we went into Manchester City Centre and visitied Starbucks, Picadilly Gardens. We soon discussed and decided that that particular coffee shop wasn't right for the look we wanted for our footage; the layout, windows, tables etc didnt look right.
To resolve this problem we had a look at Costa Coffee and Cafe Nero, Market Street. Wr began filming the "cafe scenes" in Costa Coffee as it had a good window view and seating arrangements to achieve the look we desired.
We have also decided to film with a SLR camera as the film quality will be more slick.
As I am featured in the film with bandmate Ryan; Taneesha, Maria and Jess took control of the camera work in the City Centre.
We filmed Ryan and I entering the cafe and also seated with a coffee, chatting. These were done using several camera angles including MS, CU, XCU, LS. Which all sequenced together should look interesting and professional.
Later on we filmed Ryan and I with random but effective shots such as from behind walking away and over the shoulder shots - always careful not to break the 180 degree rule.
Lip-syncing will also be feautred in our production of Use Somebody, we achieved this by lip-syncing to the track as it was playing through an i-pod earphone that isnt visible to the eye when the footage is played back.
Shots were also filmed in alley ways between buildings in Manchester while it was the night time. These will be used for random effect during the video.
All ideas we had were successfully filmed on first night of filming.