Uploaded Music Video

This is my final product, which I uploaded to youtube:

Conclusion

Having completed my ICT project, i think that it generally meets the original specifications as discussed between the clients and myself. The music video is a realistic reflection of an emerging artist's demo song being released for commercial use and to promote marketing and song sales. The tie-in promotional material helps to solidify the fan-base through the use of iconography, colour coding and dress codes. I think that the music video will be able to educate young people on the importance of being positive and moving on from bad experiences, which is reflected through the non-linear narrative of the video. Finally, I do feel that the finalised product being available on a mass-video sharing site like youtube will enable audiences to relax (the music video is a form of entertainment known as escapism).

Editing music video on iMovie

After opting to use iMovie to edit and perfect the video to a professional quality, I began to experiment with the different functions on this alternative software.

Client Consultation

After showing my client the raw project files for my music video, she suggested that to enhance the dramatic impact and to add more of a fixed narrative to the video, I should try to intercut the shots of me singing with continuous action that reflected the nature of the song. We brainstormed together and decided that some sort of interrogation scene (that could be interpreted as guidance counselling) could be used, as it had a lot of creative potential in terms of lighting and cinematography.

Here are thumbnails of test shot samples that were taken to accomodate the client's feedback and ideas:

Entry 39-Conclusion

After completion of the music video and the music magazine cover, I think that I have been able to use my ICT skills effectively to create a solution for my clients. I learnt a variety of new skills, such as:
-how to view different layers on photoshop during editing
-how to use the magnetic lasso tool on photoshop
-how to export files from audacity
-how to split screen on windows movie maker
-how to embed videos into blogger

I think that through this process, I have been able to challenge my knowledge of ICT and work to solve any problems that I may have faced, such as which format to export my windows movie maker video file in for best quality playback.

Entry 38-Client Feedback on Product

1)Evidence of In The Field Testing

I sent the music video to my clients in order to obtain some feedback:

Client Feedback

2)Evidence that the product has been used commercially

I submitted the link of my music video to the Executive Director of Talent Asia, Spencer Douglass.

Entry 37-Fitness for Purpose

I uploaded my video in high definition as follows:

Saving a Movie File in HD


In order to provide evidence of 'In House Testing'I evaluated my final project against all the project objectives laid out by myself and my clients during the planning stages.
I am quite happy with the finished product, because it meets the specifications of the clients and is a reflection of my results from my survey of the target market, particularly in terms of themes and styles explored. I was able to maniupulate dress codes, location, colour coding and cinematography effectively to combine the suggestions from my clients and my own ideas during the creative process.

Re-evaluation of Product

After testing my initial product, based on my own perceptions as well as observations and comments from the target market and my manager, I realised that the video seemed to be lacking a sense of professionalism. Due to this, I decided to change the video-editing software that I used to make the music video. Originally, I used Windows Movie Maker because it is easily accessible and I had prior knowledge and proffiency with the program. However, I felt that this was limiting me creatively, so i decided to opt for using Imovie instead.

Entry 36-Documentation of editing process

ICT Screen Shots of Video Editing Process

Entry 35-Music Video Progress

I am now in the final editing stages. I have sequenced the various shots, added effects and transitions where necessary and edited individual footage. I still need to add some textual information such as the titles and credits etc.
I also need to ensure that it meets the client specifications before coverting it into a suitable format to be uploaded onto youtube.

Entry 34-Exporting a music File

Today I learnt how to export an mp3 file from audacity to use with other programs.
I also learnt how to convert my video footage from MPEG-4 format to WMV, which is suitable for editing with Windows Movie Maker.
Finally, I figured out how to use various video effects to make my music video look more effective and to communicate to the audience.

Entry 33-Completed Music Magazine Cover

This is my music magazine cover. I used Adobe Photoshop to design it, and considered various features such as textual codes, colour codes, image and placement. I have also saved a copy in my IEA portfolio.

Entry 32-Internet Research

I used the website "freeloops.com" to find drum loops which I could download and incorporate into my song during the editing process.

Entry 31-Magazine Cover Initial Ideas

This is my initial idea for the design of the music magazine cover. I included a variety of important elements linked to advertising. For example, the masthead (Billboard) is located at the top for conventional purposes, as it aids in display and distribution. The Feature Photograph on the front cover is of the artist (in this case, me) which helps to promote their image and to draw attention to them, highlighting their significance before the article is read. I also added feature article information as well as tags to engage the reader. The puff (Experience the Buzz) is also a form of self promotion for the magazine company iteself.

Entry 30-Client feedback

After sending the mp3 file of my original song to both my clients, I received postive feedback.
Both my primary and secondary client agreed that the recording of the song itself was very promising and they looked forward to seeing the final product (music video)
I also received some constructive crticism which helped me later on to make alterations.

Documentation of Client Communication

Ict Project Client Convo About Song

Entry 29-My IEA Portfolio

I am documenting my progress in the various strands of my project in my ePortfolio.
At this stage in my project, these are the things that I need to achieve in the upcoming future:

-recording and editing my music video
-designing and creating the magazine cover
-exporting the video as an MP4 file
-evaluation, client feedback etc

Entry 28-Magazine Research

I have found a variety of music magazine covers suited to my target audience from which to generate ideas. I have identified the generic conventions of this form of magazine and I am aware of what I need to include.

Magazine Cover Ideas



I also wanted to check for any copyright issues with using Billboard as an existing movie title, as shown below:

Entry 27-Project Alterations

I am changing the nature of my project slightly. I will still be producing and recording the music video of my original song.
However, due to time constraints,rather than a website, I am opting for a music magazine cover featuring a promotion of my music video as I feel that it would be a better way of showcasing my skills. I will be using Photoshop to design the magazine cover, and it will be used as an advertising tool to attract an audience to watch my music video.

Entry 26-Storyboard Feedback

At this stage in my project, I have finished writing up the lyrics and the notation for my original song. After sending an email with my storyboard to my primary client and potential manager, I recieved some feedback.

She thought that it was very effective in manipulating a range of shot sizes and camera movements to create meaning for the audience. She also thought that the technical decisions that I had made in advance (she mentioned my extensive use of colour symbolism) were very creative.
However, in terms of alterations, she mentioned that perhaps I could add a few cutaways to provide a temporary distraction for the focus of the narrative, and to change the pace of the final video.
She also believed that during filming, I would probably realise that I needed to improvise my storyboard in preference of realistic coverage.

I now have to ensure that over the next few weeks, I complete the following:

-recording my music video
-editing
-exporting as an MP4 file

Entry 25-Storyboarding documentation

Utilising the Crop Tool