Reflection

Looking back...

Looking back on this entire process, I've discovered parts of the production process that I enjoyed. Directing and editing were my favourite things to do and I found this because these were my main roles when producing the piece. Both Helen and I created the narrative and planned the storyboard, however I was mostly in charge of editing and directing. It was great playing different roles in the process, as I learned who was the strongest at what so we could finish quicker. It also gave the opportunity to excel and improve on our hobbies.

What I have learned

It is fundamental audience feedback must be conducted and acted upon as there is always room for improvement. The target audience can help when casting actors, input likes and dislikes, or even offer their encouragement.


I've come to understand it takes a lot of time and effort from all participants, including the producers and the actors, and that filming time will depends on each other's schedules as we all have had work and personal commitments. Reflecting on this, it would have been better to plan a few weeks in advance, instead of telling a few days before filming. It is important to stay organised.


As an aspiring film maker, one of the most important parts for me physically putting the video together. Using Premier Pro gave me a lot of confidence when editing as I feared the video wouldn't turn out as good if I used iMovie.
Even though it took a lot of time and re-drafts, storyboarding was crucial and incredibly helpful when filming. Some shots we were unable to do, however the majority we stuck to.


Here are some screen shots of my video and the story board:

Evaluation Question 2

How effective is the combination of your main products and the ancillary texts?

back                                         front

inside left                          inside right, disc background

I wanted to be consistent in what my ancillary products featured. I achieved this while taking photographs while filming on different locations, like at the bonfire, in the studio with the live band, in my back garden with the sparkler. 

My purpose for my digipak was to represent the band as a whole, and share qualities from our music video but not all of them, as including the narrative wouldn't be link the other songs on the album, and would be difficult to portray through one image.

The front cover has a lot of typical conventions, such as the band name and what hits the album includes written in different fonts and colours. The white stands out against the grey as a contrast, like the fire on a black sky behind the disk on the inside right.

The back of the digipak holds all the conventions, such a the records label, legal and copyright statments, barcode, track listing, and an image. I used this close up of Keira because there is space for to write the track names downs the side, and because the background is grey I could carry on with the theme of white on grey.
On the inside left of a digipak there is usually a thanks from the band members to their fans, family and friends which makes this digipak very personal. This photo was chosen as it has all the band members in it, which is effective as we get a chance to meet the band who played live in the video.

These are screen shots from my music video that link with the images used in my ancillary products:

                   

The image of my front cover is shared with my poster, again using the binary opposition of light and dark, creating an emphasis on the warm colours. 

My poster denotes the lead singer holding a sparkler in front of her face, connoting anonymity, so it isn't just her involved in the album's story. It is a mid-shot, showing her upper body, to focus in on the sparkler, and yet we are still able to identify her as she is wearing the same costume as she is in the video and digipak. The continuity of her costume is effective because the audience can recognize that she is the lead singer and the role model. 

I have put in 5 star ratings from rock magazines NME and Kerrang! to advertise and recommend the album. It is these two magazine industries where I would want the poster to be in, as they are renowned for promoting old and new artists.

Like my digipak my poster has the record label, Fueled by Ramen and their website, paramore,net so those who want to can get more information if need be.
All of these are conventions I have adhered to. However something I would have like to have explored with is illustrated artwork, but that wouldn't have any link to the video or connote meaning.

 This technique is called 'Chiaroscuro', meaning light-dark and is a commonly used technique used. Surrounding this are already existing media texts with chiaroscuro. I used this because it is easy for audiences to pull apart the meaning and understand the oppositions, making my product combination effective on my audience.
I like these two pieces because one is artwork and one is a Freddie Murcery.

Evaluation Question 1

Ancillary and Video

These are my ancillary products next to screen shots of my music video.
All the shots in my video inspired the picture included in my poster and digipak. The sparkler, Keira, band and the bonfire link them all together.

my poster

my digipak

the band

keira with a sparkler

keira with light

bonfire

Secondary Digipak Feedback

I asked my mother to comment on my digipak. This was very useful as I understand what appeals to female adults and what does not. However I understand that this feedback can be biased as she is my mother!

Primary Audience Feedback and Reactions

Digipak & Poster Feedback

I printed of my poster and digipak and taped it to a wall along with sheet that says 'Bro's pls give feedback'... This is what I received:

• Digipak + poster > same image is good for audience
• Good image. Reviews - maybe have actual ***** rating? Have name of album as well not just hits
• <3 the font! again the text in well distributed and a decent size
• make font a little thicker so clearer
• paramore is hard to read
• blank space at the bottom, needs filling (though the printer did cut what was there off)
• love digipak

Those who commented are all teenage girls so it's appealing the target audience. The cover photo on the digipak is also on the photo which works for the audience, so this could be symbolic for the album or band.