Font Research: Auxiliary Tasks

 We tested a range of fonts for our font on the auxiliary task. We decided on a decorative font for the artist's name and a more structured, rigid font for the song title. We used Ancestry SF for the artist's name and Book Antiqua for the song title. We also added a brown fill to the back of the text and changed the text colour to white. We also added a line under 'Birdy' and changed this feature to a feather appearance. This is our final font. 

Broadcaster research - MTV

When publishing music videos to the public, music videos are normally shown on music video channels in order to promote the artist, song and record label. Usually large companies such as MTV are used who have rights in all areas of the music business and broadcast internationally. MTV would by the broadcaster of our chose if we were to promote our music video as this broadcaster is aimed at the under 30's, which covers our target audience of people in their late teens and early twenties. As MTV promote internationally, our music video would be shown globally therefore gaining more promotion which leads to more sales. MTV is also the parent company of other types of music channels such as MTV hits, MTV base, MTV classics, MTV rocks and MTV dance, meaning the music video can be also promoted on these channels as well especially as Birdy is Folk, Indie Folk, Indie Pop and Indie Rock. 

Research: Hannah

Transitions Research

(Research: Hannah) 

Specific music video research

We then also looked into more music videos which focus on the journey, particularly with multiple walking shots. The Verve- Bitter Sweet Symphony, showcases exactly this, with the lead singer miming to the song whilst walking down a busy street. The music video location is particularly urban, shown by the shutters of the shops, the road sign and multiple people walking. We will use this urban mis en scene in our music video, as both the Birdy video and the verve video incorporate this. We will use the high street as our 'urban setting'. 

The location shots in Sinead O'Connor- Nothing Compares 2 U are also something we would like to use as inspiration, particularly the use of the water which is reflective and matches the theme of our song. The video also shows images of the lead walking through the park which we will try to recreate. 

As we plan to change our video from black and white to colour, we researched into music videos which were mainly in black and white. There were many videos which used this feature yet limited ones which changed to colour. We found the scripts- If you could see me now as this used both colour and black and white in the final cut. The black and white is inter-changed throughout the video, rather than the black and white changing to colour as we are interested in trying to achieve. We do, however, we do like the fact that the colour is used symbolically, during times of happiness which we also want to use.  

As we were interested in initially incorporating dance into our music video. We struggled to find a dance video which used a soft ballad rather than a full dance to a club song. We settled for Pink- Try as this used the contemporary dance which we liked. The music video uses a vary of angles when shooting, which makes the overal look dynamic. The music video also has other features other than dancing, meaning we can also add a narrative which seems to be a usual choice for most music videos. We will have to look further into the dance filming as the sequence will have to be choreographed around the camera to ensure fluidity.  


Research: Hannah 

Developed research into digipacks

(work done by Hannah)

CD Design Research

(Research done by Rosie)

Specific Font Research: Posters: Auxiliary Task

(Research done by Katie)

Research into DigiPack (Gaia Earth Child)‏

As we intend to keep our music video and digipack following the same theme, ie an earth goddess, we have researched further into the overall look of this. Although gaining inspiration from previous digipacks, we looked into the artistic representation of an Earth Gaia. 

 Typically, an earth goddness, the look we are trying to achieve in the music video, has long curly hair, flowing clothes, pale skin with neutral make up. The overall look is extremely natural. A sort of floral crown is also used. This is a look we wish to recreate. 

We have already used the earth crown in the music video with the use of the outside, although in our music video this is focused more on the urban areas before moving to a pleasanter view. We will be looking to shoot our images for the digipack outside, incorporating the use of nature as shown, particularly in a grassy areas with trees etc. 

(Research done by Hannah)

Digipack Photo-shoot 1

After conducting our digipack research, we decided upon the look we wanted to achieve for our CD front cover. In the research we conducted, we were inspired by a number of things which enabled us to produce our final look.

For instance, from our research we established we wanted to photograph mainly/ only mid-shots and close up shots for the CD front cover, as this was a regular occurrence.

Also, we liked the use of natural lighting in Dido image shown below:

We felt the idea of peace and tranquillity of the outdoors mimicked/ represented the music genre in the way it is presented to its target audience.

Out of the shots we took there were 4 predominant poses/looks:

We were happy with the look of our model, but we had to rethink the backdrop- the dead trees give the images a sinister look, something we felt contrasted the look we were hoping to achieve.

Because of this we had considered and decided upon shooting in a different, greener area or our second photo-shoot.

Thinking about the locations we have utilized already, we decided to take the second shoot in Hall Place:

The estate has beautiful grounds which would give us the ‘greener’ backdrop we desire.

(Research done by Danielle)

Plans for our Auxiliary Task

After looking at the research, we have decided that our model will have a simplistic, "earthy" feel to her as this will link well with our video. To ensure that we get this feel to the digipack and the magazine poster, we have made some decisions about the mis-en-scene. 

For the make-up, we felt that having a simplistic make-up which conforms to our research. Our model has extremely blue eyes, which are her main feature which we want to exploit. We plan on having a light brown eyeshadow with minimal framing to provide definition which will make them more noticeable in images. We will have natural lips and will keep her overall skin tone as pale as possible to match the Gaia child research. As our model has a heartshaped face, we will be adding a pale blusher to frame her cheeks and add definition. A natural eyebrow will also be used.    

The model's hair will be kept natural and curly as we feel this will work well with the natural, simplistic look we are going for. By using the natural light as well, this will also add a halo-like effect to the model when the sun hits her hair. We are aiming to make the hair look 'fluffy' to ensure this halo effect can be achieved. The model herself has extremely curly hair so this will require minimal styling




In order to make the model look even more, earthy and correspond to our Gaia earth research, we have decided to have a floral garland headband in the model's hair which will also match the one we used in our music video. We aim to select a daintier form of floral headband to ensure the model looks delicate.  












For the model's outfit, we plan to have the model dressed in a flowy white, 3/4 sleeved top. We feel that this will link well to the video and maintain the simplistic and pure effect that we gained in the video by using the white dress. The dress that we use for the music video, or a floral based dress, may be used as well if we decided to do a long shot. 

This is the look we are trying to achieve.








Front Cover:
After looking at our research, we have decided that a close-up shot of the model's face will be the best shot to use for our front cover. 

Inside Picture:
The inside picture will be a long shot of the model, and this is where we will use the dress from our music video.

CD:
The CD itself will remain plain as this is most like the research we have looked and we feel this will link well with the simplicity of our other ancillary tasks.

Back:
The back is going to be a mid-shot of the model, however we plan to have the model turning away slightly from the camera in order for the sun to capture her portrait.

Poster:
The poster will feature a mid-shot of the model, most like from her chest/shoulders upwards as this fits well with the research we have looked at. We still have to plan what colour and what type of font and the general lay-out of the poster.

For all of our ancillary tasks, we plan to use the natural light again like we did in our music music video and have the model standing outside sort of interacting with some form of nature as this will link to our overall "earthy" look we wish to have. 




(Research by Hannah)

Digipack Specified Research: Front Cover

For our group specific research, We decided to follow the same pattern of artists and looking into the same genre of song as our music video. Birdy, the artist of our song, is an indie singer/ songwriter so we looked specifically into this for our digi pack. 

The material of their clothing is quite plain, light, smooth and bright; reflects the genre of music (indie). Female indie artists, such as Lorde, follow similar traits in clothing, which is why we aim to base our photo-shoots for our digipack with the key characteristics of smooth, earthy, feminine attire. The hair is normally natural, in keeping with the theme of the song, usually with some form of wave or curl. As we have used curly hair in our music video we will keep with this decision as this is also supported by our research rather than the straight, more plastic or superficial hair styles. Curls also allow a halo of light to be captured as shown in the Lorde image. 

• These four examples are all example of close up shots used of the front cover, very common with digipacks.
• In terms of makeup/ styling, we can note that in all 4 cases they have strong/ striking eyes with quite simplistic makeup on the remainder of the face. Hair is styled in a manner which makes it stand out, typically with a natural wave. In 3 out of 4 of these covers, a hand is also present in the shot as a means of posing. This is something to consider during our own photoshoot although we wish to remain natural and not too stilted in terms of posing.
• The name of the artist is presented in uppercase font, generally at the top of the CD cover, along with the album/ single title although we will do specific research into that.
• Lastly, we can also note that both black and white and colour images can be used which is in fitting with our music video.

As a group, we decided to have a close up of the model's face for our CD cover. As the image will simply capture her face, styling for an outfit didn’t need a great deal of thought. We drew inspiration from the Pixie Lott album cover, liked the idea of Katie wearing a shirt, so a collar is visible in the shot. We also liked the use of hair accessories on the Pixie Lott album cover. We decided that it would be of good use to have some sort of floral headwear, to make her look more “earthy/ indie”, our ultimate aim.

Digipack: General Research

A Digipack is a type of packaging for CDs or DVDs, typically made from cardboard with an internal plastic holder for one or more disks.

Nowadays they are made from plastic, and include 4 main aspects:

1) The Front Cover

2) The CD
3) The Inside Photo

4) The Back cover

 Front covers are often very different and vary in styles and looks dependent on the artist and their Genre. Some have a picture of the artist featured on them, or an image that relates to the album, or sometimes something completely obscure. 

From doing our research we have discovered it is very common for the CD to mimic the front cover. This is done by making the image on the cover either the same or very similar as the one seen on the CD. Additionally for the majority of the Digi-packs there will also be the artists name and the albums name on the CD, however there are, of course, always exceptions. 

The inside photo is almost always an image of the artist. If not, it is an image that closely relates to the artist or other aspects of the Digi-pack. 

Generally the back cover is normally made up of a background that is a picture of the artist with a track list also featuring on the back cover. However sometimes instead of a picture of the artists other images of something related to the album in some way can be seen. Additionally to this there is usually a price and a bar code on the back. 

Below is an example of Rhianna's Digi-pack we have found.







 Front Cover


















CD

















Inside Photo










Back cover





(Research done by Danielle)

Poster research

Here is a Prezi that Katie has made about the posters as part of our auxiliary task.

Steadicam Research

This is some research that Hannah has done. I have put into a prezi. From this research we now feel that have a found a way around the problem we were having with shaking while filming,

Research about how to film Contemporary Dance

Alleviate.
Alleviate are a dance duo from the show Got to Dance. They did contemporary dance very similar to the type we are going to be doing. Things we have seen from looking at how they have been filmed includes the way that the camera tracks her as she runs across the stage. Furthermore, when they are both moving in the same direction the camera with cut to a shot where the dancers are moving towards them. Another technique we can see being used is having a very close up shot on a intimate moment followed by a shot from a large distance, as if the camera doesn't want to intrude on the moment. 

Billy & Kathryn.
Billy & Kathryn were also on a television show designed o showcase different types of dancing. In there dance the camera started by circling them, this is done because the dance starts with a intimate m moment. In this piece the camera also follows him and has very close up moments during a moments stillness in the dance followed by a much wider shot. During the final sequence of the dance we see the camera cut further and further away from them. I believe this is done to show the camera retracting from watching. 

Natalli and Vincent.
During this dance the main technique used are the way the camera shots to make her seem like the dominant, larger figure over him. This is done by camera shots and clever setting of the dance. Another aspect of filming that is looked at during this dance that it is not looked at in nay of the others we have looked at is the idea that the camera acts as if it can feel what the pair are doing too. For example, when she pushes him the camera tilts to show the dizzy effect he is feeling at the time.

Research for Type of shot

Having done this research we now feel more confident about the types of shots we want to use within our music video. We plan to use Point of views at the beginning of our music video as well as at odd moments within the middle and ending sections. We thing a pan shot would be good but hard to do so if we can find a good way to do it with the resources we have to we hand we will use it during the final sequences. The same goes for tracking shots as we only have certain equipment at our disposal but it would definitely help our look if we could work it in somehow. 

(Research by Katie)

Research about lighting a outside shot

As we plan to film outside having electric lights up would impossible and impractical. Because of this we have looked into the other ways and how to use natural light to our advantage.

Ideas about location for our music video

The first part of our music video takes place on a pier. For this, we have decided to use Erith Pier. 

Here there is a nice setting of the water in the background and does not get to busy so would be easier to film on rather than a busy area. 

For the second part of our music video we needed a place with built up plants and greenery as well as stretching fields. We have chosen to seek permission to use Hall Place

Hall Place is a Manor House owned by Bexley Heritage Trust. It has a wide gardens of flowers, wide open spaces and built up forest like areas.

Depth Of Field Research and Testing