Rough Cut to Final Cut improvements.

Our Rough cut and our Final Cut will be very different. For our Final cut we need to add:

• Black and white effects for the Adele bit and maybe some color correcting in other scenes to fit the mood of the music.
• Some more fading transitions towards the end of the video to make it fit in with the music and make the music video easier on the eye.
• Tweak some of the lip sinking bit as they aren't completely finished yet.
• Overall make it smoother and better.

rough cut video

Our rough cut video produced

Editing Lesson 3

For this lesson we needed to finish the rough cut of our music video. We didn't think this was going to be too hard as we had been working on editing for the last two lessons and we were familiar with the editing techniques required to edit a music video but we also had to edit the last minute of the video in half a lesson!
During our editing we had to overcome many problems:

• First of all we realised some of our clips were too short compared to how they were supposed to be but we quickly fixed this problem by extending the clips around it and adding some fading effects to make it look smoother and feel more complete.
• We also started experimenting with some fading in and out techniques. But towards the end of the editing process we were running out of time so we had to stop using the fading transition. We are planning to use these after giving in our rough cut.

Once we finished our rough cut we will post it on our blog. 

Editing Lesson 2

Our first problem was that Final Cut said our backing track was offline because last lesson we didn't transfer it on to the Mac - to resolve this we copied it across to the Mac and and recreated the link in Final Cut.

After watching some of our footage we didn't realise that for some of the movement of Adele in one clip she would finish walking on her left leg and start in the next clip on the same leg and the same with the right leg which makes the overall video look slightly out of sync when you really focus on the walking.

Also while we were watching the Kanye sections of the footage back we noticed that the lip syncing wasn't as good as it could be but it still works for our music video, however because of this it has made syncing the Kanye footage to backing track quite difficult.

Editing Lesson 1

This lesson we have spent transferring our footage on to the Mac - Whilst this was happening we watched some of our footage through.

Once the footage had transferred onto the Mac we started editing our footage. The biggest task we have is making sure the lip syncing is right and on time with the backing track.

For shot 6 we have decided to use an alternative shot to what we had originally planned as with the different pieces of footage for this shot the one we have chosen was the best one in terms of framing, camerawork and lip syncing. The only problem with this is that it cuts out 'Adele's' legs where as we had originally planned to have a full body shot.

For some of our shots we have decided to start them and cut them earlier than we had originally intended as it makes the flow of the overall video better as well as fitting to the feel of the backing track more.

Evaluation of Filming

Overall our filming was a success however we did come across several problems. The biggest problem we came across is that Simon (the Kanye West actor) arrived to the filming late this meant we needed to change around the order of filming. As a result of changing the order of the filming we had to film the Adele section first, this resulted in the footage being filmed in day light so we weren't able to use the lighting effects which we had originally planned and can be seen on our storyboard.

We were pleased with the locations we chose for filming however the Cemetary produced the problems of members of the public walking across where we were filming due to the time of day as it was the prime time for dog walkers and people leaving work. The Car Park was really good as when it came to filming there it was completely empty so this will give our footage more of a professional feel as well as making the location fitting to the rap/ hip hop genre.

Our time estimates for filming were pretty much spot on and for some of our estimates on the call sheet the actual time we took was shorter as we didn't have to re-film some of the shot as much as we thought we would need to. Both for the Adele and Kanye West parts we feel that the lip syncing was pretty much spot on, although there is obviously room for improvement.

The weather was great for filming conditions however - for the genre of our music video it would have been better if the Adele section was cloudy rather than having a clear blue sky as it isn't as reflective of the genre, although we are unable to control the weather we could have avoided this problem if we filmed at an alternate time - however as we are using colour filters and turning the Adele section of the footage into black and white.

Evaluation of the filming

On our filming shoot, we encountered a couple of problems, some of which that:
- Our kanye west actor (simon) came late so we couldn't film both scenes during the day so we had to improvise with our filming, so we have to use colour filters.
      - this outcome  may allow us to do more with filters and editing, therefore we can experiment and may produce a better music video than we may of thought of we would of had.
- we got al ot of extra footage which we can include in the digipack, or the music video itself. Allowing us to create more layers and cut on beat al ot more often.
- we also were able to lip sync the music video clips effectively and we didn't have to re-film most of the scenes, except for the beginning as we were getting into it.

- both locations were good as it showed a contrast of a mellow atmosphere, and a urban location which was the car park. However there were large lamp posts on the car park which affected our filming, due to the lamp posts being in the way.
-In a way we were lucky to film the rapper scene at night in a light up area because we later discovered that the torch we were originally going to use for the cemetery scene was no where near bright enough to shot a scene in pitch black conditions.
- We might of had a couple of problems with pedestrians walking their dogs in the cemetery but we managed to work round it effectively thanks to Jakes patience.

animatic of the music video

Similarities between music videos about love and heart break.

Something that we have noticed between music videos for song that are about love and heart break is that it is quite common for some of the footage to be in black and white. This is something we have decided to do so we now know that we are fitting a common convention for this type of song.


Within Beyonce's music video for 'Broken Hearted Girl' she uses a mix of black and white and full colour fottage which is something we hope to do as it is effective and shows the emotion of the song quite effectively.

Problems We may face when filming

When we are filming our music video we may come across a number of problems, these are:

Changes in the weather

We have thought about the fact that we are going to be filming in autumn which means we can't expect the weather to be hot or sunny, but this doesn't matter for our music video as hot sunny weather won't fit our song. If it rains it won't effect filming too much as it

Technical Problems

We may find that the camera doesn't work, the battery runs out or there might not be enough memory on the camera. If this was to happen we would be able to use either Stacey's phone which would mean the quality f the footage isn't very good or Ruri's camera which would limit our time for filming as this would need to be collected.

Casting Problems

As we have decided to use someone from outside our group to be Kanye West they might not actually turn up, if this was to happen then either Ruri or Jake would have to take on the role.

Lesson - 10th OCT: Project so far

So far in this project we have had to decide which song to produce the music video for. We came to a problem when our group was split between two songs. Our decision was reached by going with the song we felt had more scope and would give us the best overall end result.

We have had to create our storyboard - this took longer than we anticipated as we decided to do it quite detailed so that our overall shooting time wouldn't be as long.

Our test filming went to plan - as all of the shots we decided to use are effective and work really well.

The analysis and research we have conducted so far has helped develop our ideas and has given us more ideas and possibilities of what we can do.

Kanye West - Demands of Record Label/ Reoccuring Smilarities

Whilst looking through Kanye West's music videos it has become fairly obvious that one of his traits in his music videos is for some of the footage to be in black and white, because of this we will need to consider editing some of the footage of 'Kanye West' so that it is in keeping with the music videos he has already released. This is important because it means the audience are able to easily connect the video to being one of Kanye West's.

Initial Storyboard Sketches

Previous Student Work Evaluation

This music video is fitting to the genre, as the setting is peaceful which fits the slow beat/rhythm of the song. The editing is really good as all the lip-syncing is spot on or near enough spot on, and cutting is on a beat which makes it feel more smoother. At 1:14 to 1:17 and 2:18 to 2:36 uses good use of editing as they layer the videos and creates a really good image and feeling on the music video, as it is the instrumental. The overall effect and feeling is really good as the location of the filming is prime and looks like a realistic music video. The lyrics are amplified illustratively "heart skipped a beat" and creates a artistic video. The use of lighting is good as it looks like they've used a filter with natural lighting as its dull but not grayscale. However there is no voyeurism in the music video at all and also no inter-textual reference which loses 2 points of the goodwins points. But overall it is a really good music video and really effective.

Influence - Kanye West: All of the Lights Music Video

Kanye West - All of the Lights

From the beginning of this music video to 58 seconds in there is a black and white filter which would either have been added during the editing process or the footage could have been filmed in black and white. In our music video we plan to edit some of our footage to be in black and white during the editing process. This video gives us an idea of what the effect would look like.



This effect is quite effective as it is emotive which is one of the feelings the song gives the listener so would be fitting for the music video to have the same feeling.

Influence - Kanye West: Homecoming Music Video

Kanye West - Homecoming

The use of black and white in this music video is something we hope to achieve in our music video as it give quite a classic effect and is emotive - which is something we need to get across in our music video as it the song itself is emotive

History of Modern Music Research

Below is the History of Modern Music of all genres

Below is the History of Modern Music for Pop (one of Adele's music Genre)

Track 101 (bottom of the spreadsheet) - Adele - Somone Like You

The other genres of Adele is soul/country soul/blues and Pop.



Video Reference: Adele - Chasing Pavements

All of Adele's video or the majority all represent relationship problems or death such as this one they are in a car crash. Even though this songs visuals dont represent the lyrics directly it talks about relation problems. Also the fact that the music video lip syncs in the style we want to where adele lip syncs around 1:31 to 1:33.5 with a tracking shot of her sideways of her lipsyncing is what we want to do for shot 6 in our shotlist.
Showing we are using the features of her types of music videos, and want to try make them as good as her vidoes.

Risk Analysis

Risk analysis
There will be some risks in filming this:


This can be a risk as if we're traveling by bikes then we will have risks of wind interfering with us, also when we're filming on the grafton center car park then it will be even more dangerous in case a big gust of wind comes, so we will overcome this risk by not filming on the edge of the car park and more towards the center of the car park.

Another risk is that we will be filming at night on a Friday night, so we are more likely to come across violence or accidents in Cambridge then other nights, so we will try stay out of the way on main roads or near Pubs/clubs.

We will also need to be aware of the roads and the general area as it will be getting dark half way through our filming time which will mean we need to  be wary of everything and everyone around us.

When we are filming in the car park we will need to be aware of the cars moving around us as if we aren't aware of what is going on we are at risk of being hit by a car. Therefore will will have to make sure we keep a eye on when and where the cars around us are moving.

Video Reference: Adele - Somone like you

The concept of this video that was released on the 29th September 2011, followed many of the ideas we had for our video without even analysing this video.
This music video was directed by Jake Nava who also directed Kanye West's music video 'Monster' therefore calibrating their work together in Jake Nava's style of this video can make a very effective video. The use of film grain effect and black and white amplifies the saddness and the loneliness of Adele.
Although Jake Nava didn't cut on the beat during this music video doesn't mean we can't as it's good to use and mix features of a music video.
We hope we can achieve a video of something nearly as good quality as this.

Goodwin's Analysis - Things We May Need To Consider

Andrew Goodwin writing in 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory' (Routledge 1992)

1. Music Videos demonstrate genre characteristics (eg. stage performance in a metal music video and a dance routine in a boy/girl band music video)
2. There is a relationship between music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting)
3. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups which the artist. The artist may also develop motifs which reoccur across their work (a visual style)
4. There is frequently refernece to ntion of looking (screen within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic* treatment of the female body
5. There is often intertextual reference (to films, tv programs, other music videos, etc)

*Voyeurism - is the pleasure of looking at someone who is unaware of being looked at (in the imaginary world)