First Draft of all Texts

Music Video

Digipack (South Korean Release)

Digipack (Western Release)

Magazine Advert

Magazine Advert Draft 1

I decided to make the magazine advert the same as the poster for the South Korean digipack because I found that artists often reused such materials.

Below (left) is the first version I created, however, due to some audience feedback from my classroom peers, I decided to add a white border (right). I think that this helps the audience to focus on the details as it confines them into one specific, identifiable space. 

Digipack Album Prototype (South Korean Release)

Music Video Reflection

The first draft of this music video, in my opinion is very good. Although I had many difficulties arranging actors and the overall narrative, the video itself came out better than expected after sudden improvisation with the actors and materials I had at hand. 

I think overall, the main issues are the following:

• Slightly unrehearsed lip-synching
• Colour grades do not match throughout
• Dance shots linger on for too long
• VHS shots too dark?

In order to improve these things, I will arrange a re-shoot if the video cannot be saved by extra shots that I have prerecorded. Furthermore, I intend to split up the dance sequence with these extra shots and some colour editing which makes it more visually interesting. A split screen will also work well as I will be able to put Donia's best dancing with Sua's best dancing side by side while maintaining a purposeful look. As for the VHS shots, I can lighten them simply by setting the opacity of the grain overlay lower.

Some editing techniques (and some shots) which I think worked the best (and I intend to leave in unless the following audience research suggests otherwise):

• RGB Split Colour
• Colour Overlays
• Rolling over records

Anything new to try out for the next draft:

• Oversized heads
• Doodling
• Whip zoom

Audience Research for Western Digipack Mock Up

I walked around my classroom to collect responses from my peers as they are within the bracket of my target audience. The results are as follows:

The results are as expected since I had not dedicated enough time to thinking aboout positioning of the barcode and text overall. 

In the upcoming design of the digipack, I have to ensure that I update the spine and front cover so that more of Sua can be seen. As well as this, I will rearrange the panel pictures to better promote the artist herself. 

Furthermore, something which I did not include in my audience feedback research is the option of considering a booklet which slides into the left panel. I should consider using the photobook photos from my Korean release digipack to make this so I form a type of synergy.

Music Video-First Draft

Editing

26/09/2017

This was the last day of editing and probably the most stressful. Upon uploading the bedroom shots, I realised that these were of a different colour grade than the rest. THis is probably because even though the camera was set to automatic, my light was still picked up as a yellow colour. This is the reason why I intended to film in the day but this was not possible. 

The first thing I did to correct this problem (to some extent) was by putting a colour control effect onto the clips to render them with higher brightness and less contrast. The following effect was achieved:

The image appears less yellow than those seen in the preview box (bottom left). Although this is not a complete fix, it is a quick one so I am able to receive feedback on a complete sequence as soon as possible.

Another problem I encountered was not having enough shots filmed. I had thought that my storyboard was complete, however, I realise now, that more shots are needed as the dance sequence lingers on for too long even though I attempted to split it up with different locations. I will arrange another filming day on which I can shoot more footage of Sua singing to insert in some parts of this sequence. On this day, I will also reshoot the bedroom parts, paying attention to lip-synching as I thought that this too was slightly out of synch.

Possibly my favourite part of editing today was doing the RGB split and VHS effects seen below:

via GIPHY


via GIPHY

Camera Jitter

I considered using a camera jitter technique for this part of the dance:

via GIPHY

I thought it would be an interesting touch to add a jitter because it would mimic the body movement of a gun recoil, therefore, I set about researching a technique to try it. I found the below YouTube tutorial:

South Korean Release Digipack Update

Here I would like to rethink my album design upon receiving audience research for the first draft of it. Several of the respondents had mentioned the following:

"the back seems a little plain maybe add more or make the tracklist a little bigger"

"poss' more track listings as it is an album, not an ep?"

I do indeed agree that the back contains a track list that is too short for a full album- looking a Exo's digipack (featuring a total of 18 tracks per CD (two CDs)) I should probably include more tracks to keep to the conventions of K-Pop.

As for the development of the second album design, I will research into how albums would be released in America/ Britain and create a new design to suit those conventions. After that, I will update the design for South Korean release, meaning that the digipack will contain the following (this will better suit the conventions of my chosen genre):

- A1 Poster

- 3 signed photocards 

- Photobook

- Two CDs

The dimensions of this digipack will be established during a more detailed design process, however, I intend for it to be either square (30cm x 30cm) or A4 size. 
 

Filming

25/09/2017

I arranged today's filming day so that I can film extra shots with Donia in order to make the narrative of the music video make more sense. When she left, Sua and I walked back to my house in order to film her lip synching in my room.

All of this happened after school, just after 6pm which meant that the sun was setting and I think the lighting was especially effective outside as I was able to shoot beautiful, clear close ups like this:

Despite this, the shots that I filmed inside were of a different colour grade to the rest of the footage- I thought that this could probably be corrected during the editing stage.

Editing

25/09/2017

The editing done today was rather minimal since I did not have enough shots to fill in certain gaps. I will get these shots tonight with Sua and Donia, but I mostly need Sua to lip-synch some of the lyrics. The gaps where I need more footage can be seen below:

My main focus at the moment is correcting the 'story-line' of the music video. Some aspects of it are still unclear so I am glad that I a,m able to compromise on the spot.

I had also realised that upon recognising that I had experience with adjustment layers (due to practising the VHS effect in my trial music video), I also found it much easier to edit other aspects of the video, with an adjustment layer. You can see these adjustment layers in the above picture (pink track with purple A in a square)- I used this to my advantage to create this letterbox effect at the very beginning:

via GIPHY

I wanted to incorporate this letterbox effect because K-Pop music videos use these conventionally, however, I do not always think that these are useful. I took inspiration from the following music video:

via GIPHY

I think that the way the letterbox opens during the beginning of the video looks effective to set the scene. I also think that it mimics eyelids- that you open and close as you blink, sleep and wake- all important facts when considering the context of my music video.

Furthermore, the clip shows a black and white shot which I edited in order to complement the story- that this is a scene which should be differentiated from the rest of the scenes.

Updated Plan for Music video

I intend to still have the same storyline as before, however, with different people and a slightly different version. I have presented it here in a short video:

*Note, I say storyline because I cannot call the happenings in the music video a narrative strictly speaking as there isn't necessarily a collection of events which make coherent sense- I use the term loosely.

Storyboard update:

Photo Card Design Drafts

Below I have provided the first draft of my photo card. I say first because I am unsure as of yet whether to include Donia too. For now, the bottom is the drafts for the photo card of Sua.

Front (Left) and Back (Right).

Audience Feedback for Drafts

Draft Digi-Pack:

Digipack Photos

Here I have compiled a gallery of photos which I could use for a construction of a digi-pack:

Actor Reconsideration

From my previous post, it is apparent that I am having trouble re considering my actors as this is very last minute- half way into the production.

If I was to replace Sophie (regretfully), I would like to use Sua (on the left) as the new Sunmi as she in fact better fits the stereotypical representations of a K-Pop music video.

This of course means that I have to re-film the parts which Sophie stars in as I cannot have two different singers, therefore, I will have to ask for permission to re-film at the Council House- something which I was hoping to not have to do since I was very lucky to get the space free in the first place. 

Furthermore, I feel that I have to incorporate the other dancer (Donia) into the music video somehow without singing as she was in the dancing footage at Wollaton Hall steps.

I will plan a filming day within the next week (possibly after school Monday-Friday) with all three of my original actors. If one cannot turn up, I will compromise on the day by casting Sua as Sunmi. This of course means a drastic overhaul of shots (although not impossible, just time consuming) therefore I will try and avoid this at all costs, however, the actor's availability is a factor which I am unable to control. For this reason, I should take necessary steps to ensure that deadlines are met and actors' well being are taken into consideration, the actors coming first. 

Not many K-Pop music videos actually feature actors other than the artists themselves, however, I will break this convention for the sake of the story-line.

From this experience, I think the most valuable thing I have learned is to expect this from my actors, who are acting voluntarily. I have to also respect them, ensure that they come first for this reason, however, I still must keep to necessary deadlines without hurting their feelings etc, by replacing them- If it cannot be done, there is no point dwelling on the negatives or the set backs- one must simply solve the problem and move on. My solution to this happens to be another filming day (past schedule) to which my actors may or may not turn up to.

Filming Day 3

24/09/2017

Due to personal issues, Sophie was not able to attend this filming day, therefore I just filmed something with my backup dancers. This also gave me some time, reevaluating the actors as I am unsure how reliable Sophie would be to turn up to future filming events, especially since I do not want to stress her out. For this reason, I may use Sua as my main actor- the singer (Sunmi) in the next draft. This is to avoid future complications such as today's in case Sophie cannot be made available at a filming day.

The filming itself went almost as planned (minus Sophie's parts) however, due to this, I will have to re-evaluate the storyboard as the backup dancers will now possibly be the main actors. 

I am also aware of the fact that the artist sings by herself in the song, therefore, I should think about re-filming parts with only one actor (likely Sua).

Dance Practice and Choreography

I am due to film the dance scenes with my three actors on Sunday, therefore, dance practices have been necessary. I have decided to use the choreography from Sunmi's dance practice, minus the very beginning. A video of this is found below:

I actually decided to learn the dance myself because I wanted to teach it to my actors and also because I did not want them to go through the struggle of learning a dance routine for me to film, for free. I provided a video below.

Editing

22/09/2017

Previously, I mentioned that K-Pop music videos are age rated and contain company credits during the beginning of the video, usually in the bottom left of the corner in the letter box. I intended to keep to this convention so i produced the following:

via GIPHY

The music video which I drew inspiration from to do this is 'Cherry Bomb' by NCT 127 and the clip can be found below:

via GIPHY

Here you can also see that the credits disappear after some time so to not distract the audience. It also contains a release date, which I will update on the final music video to stay true to the conventions.

The full sequence which I completed in editing today is found below:

Font Design

Props List

I did not think that this list was important to make since I do not intend to be using many props in my music video, despite the plans I went through at the beginning of this porject, making several props that could possibly be used. The list isn't very long, however, I will include it below so I don't forget to source them and have them at reach when filming:

 

1. Redcords (for Sua to roll over in the singing shots)
2. Jacket (for Sophie to take off at the beginning)
3. Fairy Lights (for Sua to hold over her face in the singing shots)
4. Lighter (for Sua to light an incense stick)
5. Incense stick (for Sua to light during the instrumental scenes)

Risk Assessment

I decided to include the risk assessment as part of the schedule and costumes spreadsheet because I included a code to go with the schedule sheet. The code corresponds with the filming day code present in the schedul sheet so I am able to refer to the risk assessment directly.

Schedule

Audience Research Evaluation

Results:

Evaluation

Hand Drawn Digi-Pack Mock (South Korean Release)

Upon research of the 'Gashina' album, I realised that this is a single, however, it was still packaged as a normal album. For the sake of conforming to conventional album packaging, I will create a track list to go onto the 'Gashina' album. I have created a hand-drawn mock album using my graphics tablet and a software called 'Fire Alpaca'. This is the first draft of the design. I will require audience research to develop it further. I will also need to take some more photos so I can design the booklets etc.

Front, Back, CD:

Editing Day 2

 18/09/2017

Editing today consisted of fine tuning last week's editing of the Council House shots and adding on the shots which I filmed yesterday. I actually did a few colour edits, using the spllit RGB technique which was quite popular in my trial music video as audience research showed. I had trouble with reminding myself at first of how to achieve the style, however, I tried different variations of the controls and the results were positive and as I had imagined them to be like.

Above, I am seen editing the lip-synching part of the music video. I actually struggled with doing this for a while as I found it difficult to match up the times perfectly so I ended up going frame by frame of Sophie moving her mouth. The filming helped as we played the music out loud which was picked up by the camera so I was able to cut the footage at the correct time, corresponding to the song.

Filming Day 2

17/09/2017

The planned timings of today were mixed up, however, I was able to film within the alocated time. I begun by braiding Sophie's hair to how I was imagining it to look like (through compromisation) and we selected her costume.

The right is the make up look which Sophie created, it is similar to the look she had for the filming at the Council House. For this reason, I braided her hair (seen on the left). The preparations took aorund an hour to complete, which was longer than I had intended, however, it did no make a difference to the filming schedule, I just have to make sure that for future reference, I include preparation times.

On the left, I am photographed filming the ariel clos up of Sophie's eyes opening. On the right, I am seen taking a few photographs of Sophie in case I need to use any later.

 

Audience Research for Western Digipack Mock-Up with Pictures From the Internet

As I have done before, I used an analogue method for audience research regarding my 'Western Digipack Mock-Up with Pictures From the Internet'. Overall, the comments suggest that I had been successful in achieving a reasonable layout which has the potentiall to looka esthetically pleasing and professional. I will need to change the font on the back panel (as expected) so I will trial this in the first draft of the digipack.

I also did not expect to be making the front panel image black and white, I simply used the image as an example for the camera angle, however, I will make sure to keep to my idea to keep the image colourful if I had a mind ot make it black and white.

Western Digipack Mock-Up with Pictures From the Internet

Below is an image of the digipack design I produced with the aid of photos from the internet:

I used an actual image of Sunmi to present her on the right fold out panel (bottom right and middle panels are front and back). Donia will be on the top right and Sophie on the top left. Please note the style of the image; I want Sua (Sunmi)  and Donia to look at the camera but I want Sophie to look away. This is because I want the audience to relate more to the 'real life' characters than to Sophie, a dream/ non existent character. When you star einto someone's yes for a prolonged amount of time, you are put in a different state of conciousness than you normally would be if you say, glance past someone. I want my audience to feel a personal connection to Sua, not Sophie. This should also reflect the idea that we can fall out of touch with reality just as easily as we can surpress imagination (which I Sophie's role in the music video). As well as this, repeated images of the artist contributes to the 'star image' which I need to credate in order to successfully promote an artist.

I also used the same image and manipulation for the front cover of the digipack (bottom right) as I did for my magazine advert. This is to create synergy between the two mediums. As well as this, for the time being, I used random letters to mark where the track list will be. This is going to be updated when I have a confirmed tracklist up on my blog. As you can see, I also want my CD to match the graphics behind it because I think that this produces a professional and clean quality. 

Some things I need to think about when making my actual digipack:

• Spine (add barcode, artist's name?)
• Possibly making text smaller? At the moment, this covers what would be Sua's face and takes away from the idea that I want to create a star image. I should not have anything obstructing the view of her eyes.
• I should put copyright details and credits on the back panel.

Hand Drawn Mock up of Western Digipack

Location Recce Shots

The Council House:

Costume Shots

I would like to use the following cotsumes for my characters (this is linked to the schedule sheet so each costume has a number which is included in the schedule sheet for the corresponding filming day). Photos of these costumes are included below the table.

Storyboard