My Evaluation

My Final Music Video

 

 

My Print Advert

After completing my CD cover I found it quite easy to complete my Print Advert as I kept them all looking the same with my main actor as the picture.

My Digi Pak - CD Album Cover

 

This is my final DigiPak for my music video ive very pleased on how it turned out. I tried to keep it alot like something you would see in the shops for Frank Ocean. As i said from my other blog post, thta i would try to use two or more conventions I believe I did this by having a simple picture of my main actor on the cover and various other simple pictures on the other sides of the CD cover.

I really like how well the Grey affect and Orange work so well together considering Orange was the main convention I felt I felt I had to include as the oringal album is called Channel Orange.

Looking at CD Album covers for Frank Ocean

 

 

Before deciding what was going to be on my Digi Pak and Print advert I had a look at some of Frank Oceans pervious album covers for inspiration. I found after looking at them that he keeps his album covers rather simple with just a image of himself or an image of something orange.

 

After taking all this into consideration I aim to use two or more of the conventions he uses.

Filming and Editing

When I began filming I made the choice that the majority of my music video would be lip sinking, in my first day filming I got the first Verse and chorus completed but when it came to me editing it I couldn’t understand why the song wouldn’t match with my footage. This was until I found I had two different copies of the song and used one on my editing work and one for my filming. Once I had overcome this problem my filming and editing went very smoothly and was very successful.

 

Above are some of the shots above I used in my final music video. The lip sinking was very had a took many shoots to get it right as when doing it you have to over react the words coming out of your mouth.

 

Location Report

When deciding on where to film I was caught between two places, Alexandra Place and Broomfield Park's secret garden. Instead of rushing into my filming I went to both places and took pictures with Joshua to see how the lighting was and what location I thought was best to potray my message in my music video.

Location One : Alexandra Place

 

 

 

Location Two : Broomfield Park's Secret Garden

 

 

After going to both location I decided that Broomfield Parks Secret Garden was the best Location to do my filming and Alexandra Place was the best places to get some nice shots for my Digi Pak and Print advert.

 



Cast for my Music Video

 For my music video ii wanted to keep it very simple thats why I only had one person in my music video. When doing research on this musci video I found an interview that Frank Ocean did where he stated this song was quite personal. Form this I felt having more than one person in the video it would take away form the video having that personal touch.

 

 

 

Joshua Baptiste

Age: 22

 

I choose to use my brother as the main and only person in my music video because Frank Ocean is in his mid-20’s so I felt it would be good to use someone around the same age as they look more mature than one of my friends aged 18. I also choose him as I felt I didn’t need to do much in the sense of re styling him ad Joshua’s style is very much like Franks.

I also wanted my A2 media work to be the best it could be and from previous experience I wanted to use someone I knew would turn up on filming days and that we could work the filming days around both our lives.

  

Storyboard

 Storyboard

 Frank Ocean Thinking about you

 

 

 

 

 

 

Treatment for Frank Ocean

Treatment for Think about you by Frank Ocean

Thinking about you is very personal song about a man reminiscing about a place where he used to live and where he found his first love. A natural disaster and the fact his one love has been asked to fight in the war has driven this man away from his home and has crushed all the plans he had ever had for the future. This man is so devastated he is made to move from the home they once shared together.

.After moving away from friends, family and his boyfriend taking to fight in the war every night he hopes and prays his love still thinks about him. A point comes where he starts to find some sort happiness and remembers all the goodtimes spent in his home town and with his first love and that makes him complete again.

Frank Ocean - Thinking About you Lyrics and Analysis

A tornado flew around my room before you came
Excuse the mess it made, it usually doesn't rain in
Southern California, much like Arizona
My eyes don't shed tears, but, boy, they bawl

When I'm thinkin' 'bout you (Ooh, no, no, no)
I've been thinkin' 'bout you (You know, know, know)
I've been thinkin' 'bout you
Do you think about me still? Do ya, do ya?

Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
'Cause I been thinkin' 'bout forever (Ooh, ooh)

Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
'Cause I been thinkin' 'bout forever (ooh, ooh)

No, I don't like you, I just thought you were cool enough to kick it
Got a beach house I could sell you in Idaho
Since you think I don't love you, I just thought you were cute
That's why I kiss you
Got a fighter jet, I don't get fly it, though

I'm lyin' down thinkin' 'bout you (Ooh, no, no, no)
I've been thinkin' 'bout you (You know, know, know)
I've been thinkin' 'bout you
Do you think about me still?
Do ya, do ya?

Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
'Cause I been thinkin' 'bout forever (Ooh, ooh)

Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
'Cause I been thinkin' 'bout forever (Ooh, ooh)

Yes, of course
I remember, how could I forget?
How you feel?
And though you were my first time
A new feel
It won't ever get old, not in my soul
Not in my spirit, keep it alive
We'll go down this road
'Til it turns from color to black and white

Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
'Cause I been thinkin' 'bout forever (ooh, ooh)

Or do you not think so far ahead? (Ahead)
'Cause I been thinkin' 'bout forever (ooh, ooh)


__________________________________________________________________________________


A tornado flew around my room before you came
Excuse the mess it made, it usually doesn't rain in
Southern California, much like Arizona
My eyes don't shed tears, but, boy, they bawl

He's making a mess, because he's so upset...why is he so mad? keep this question later in mind, for later. Then He's comparing his tears to rain. It doesn't usually rain, but because of this new person, he takes things a lot harder. Now the next line is very important.
It says boy, implying it is a homosexual relationship. This boy is the only thing in his life that can bring him to tears.

When I'm thinkin' 'bout you (Ooh, no, no, no)
I've been thinkin' 'bout you (You know, know, know)
I've been thinkin' 'bout you
Do you think about me still? Do ya, do ya?

This person is the only thing he can think about. And he wonders if it's the same for the other person, or if he's the only one in this relationship.

Or do you not think so far ahead?
'Cause I've been thinkin' bout forever, ooh
Or do you not think so far ahead?
'Cause I've been thinkin' bout forever, ooh

This person he's in love with doesn't see that as a long term or serious relationship, maybe not even a relationship still. But this relationship is a huge investment for him, and he's really excited and into it.

No, I don't like you, i just thought you were cool enough to kick it

He realises the other person isn't in love. that they either aren't gay, or don't want to be gay. So he's trying to play it off, like he didn't really care either.

 Got a beach house I could sell you in Idaho

I feel like this is the other person speaking. Clearly, there are no beach houses in Idaho. The other person is only trying to do business, but is also clearly screwing him over, by trying to sell him a beach house in Idaho. I don't think the person is literally saying this, but it's a metaphor for how they were trying to screw the person in love over.

 Since you think I don't love you, I just thought you were cute, that's why I kiss you

He's frustrated that his words and person don't show through with this person, so that he always has to show and use his actions to communicate. Otherwise the person just doesn't get it. They think he's just being nice, when in reality he's trying to show this person he loves them.

 Got a fighter jet I don't get to fly it though I'm lying down

He has someone he loves, but he doesn't get to show it to the rest of the world., because of his lover's embarrassment of being gay.

Remember how we asked ourselves why he was so upset in Verse 1? Verse 2 ? is showing us that this person is in love, but not loved back because the other person is embarrassed.

Yes, of course I remember, how could I forget how you feel?

This is the other person speaking again. Several years later, they've either ran into each other or the lover has asked the other to meet so they could talk and the person in love couldn't get the other person out of their head, even many years later.

 You know you were my first time, a new feel

Back to Frank's point of view, It sounds like this was the first homosexual relationship he had ever had. he's trying to convince this person to still saying he was in love by reminding him of all the good times they had together.

 It will never get old, not in my soul, not in my spirit, keep it alive

Still Frank talking. he's saying that this relationship will live on forever for him.

 We'll go down this road 'til it turns from color to black and white.

The other person now. They reject him once again, by saying that even though they had a nice time with Frank, they'd rather let those memories fade to black and white.

Clink the link below to listen to the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD8nAt2xJZM&safe=active

My letter to the Record Company

                                                                                                   St. Anne’s Catholic High School for Girls

                                                        Oakthorpe Road

London

N13 5TY

 

9^th November 2012

Def. Jam Records UK

364-366 Kensington High Street
London
W14 8NS

 

Dear whom it may concern,

 

I am writing to ask for your permission to use a song by one of your artists for my A Level Media Studies coursework. I have been asked to produce a music video and song I wish to use is ‘Thinking bout you’ by Frank Ocean.

 

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

 

Mellissa Baptiste

 

My Frank Ocean Mood Board

 

After choosing my song, I felt it was time for me to create a mood board of all my ideas so they are all in one place for me to always refer back to while in the process of making my music video.

 

I really want my music video to be all aboout the song and less about the things going on in the background. Almost one of thoes songs you dont have to listen to twice to feel the meaning of every word. This is why I have chosen for my mood board to be very simple. My mood board was inspired by relationships not only hetrosexual relationships but also on a gay relationship. I have made this an important part of my mood board as Franck ocean is a gay man and felt I could find a way to make this present in my video. My mood board was also about  simplicity, Time Alone and clam and tranquil places.

 

Three artist inspired my in the process of me creating this mood board, them being Tori Kelly, Chris Brown and the amazing Boys to Men.

I then moved on to look at clothing that would freature in my video, and I thought it actually was not all that important as I feel this song should oncew again be about the lyrics and not about clothing. 

Frank Ocean

Frank Ocean on Prezi

Features of an R n B Music Video

Features of an R n B Music Video

 

After a long and hard think I have come to a dicition on what song I want to do for my music video this year. I have chosen to pick a song by Frank Ocean Called ' Thinking about you'. My reason for choosing this song was the fact I like to listen to R n B music, therefore I watch many R n B music videos and i thought this would give me a upper hand when it came to filming and casting for my video.

 

R&B, or rhythm and blues, music originated during a time of great change in the black community. As blacks migrated to urban areas and their social and economic status began to change, so did their musical tastes. Many different, yet connected styles of R&B became popular and the genre continues to have a profound impact on the music industry and society

After watch many R n B video's I have now concluded the genral convention that most videos seem to have.

 

* The use of a fade effect to represted a smooth change from each shot.

 

* The cutting of filming usually moves with the drop of a beat within the song.

 

*The females is often a major part of a R n B video.

 

* The artist and their partner usually come together at the end of the song to create a happy ending.

 

* Music Videos are usually really simple with all eyes on the artist and their word rather than the backing of the video.

Music Video Analysis- Marina and the Diamonds

Music Video Analysis

Marina and the Diamond- Premadonna

The Music video I have chosen to look at next is Premodonna by Marina and the Diamonds.

The genre of this video is very obviously pop. This is shown through the dance routines, use of colour, use of graphics and style. Marina is seen wearing many different outfits throughout the video, and joins in with the choreographed dancing. There is also many different cuts to a 'Pop art' style graphic.

 

 

 

 

 

There is quite a bit of materialism in this video. Many times Marina is seen surrounded by many possesions and wearing lots of different outfits and coloured nails that are extremly colourful.

This music video is very different but still has a recognizable sense it and so makes it appealling to most audiences. I however feel that this video is mainly aimed at young girls with it's use of bright, feminine colours and 'empowering' lyrics.

Music Video Analysis - Ed Sheeran

 

 

 

 

Music Video Analysis

Ed Sheeran- The A Team

 

                                 

The music Video I have firstly chosen to look at id Ed Sheeran, The A Team. This music video uses narrative structure throughout the video and the video is very simplistic and no band performance. The narrative is told in a circular way, the video starts at the end. It is told from another person’s perspective as if the person watching the girl’s life.

Within the video there are many close ups of the protagonist. This creates a feeling of sympathy from the audience towards the protagonist because the lyrics link to what we are seeing, a wasted life. The target audience for this video are the younger generation, between the ages 15 - 25; this is similar to the singer’s age which tells me that he feels he can relate to them better than any other age group. The song is about drugs and this is a topic that young people get caught up in. The music video appeals to both genders because, although it is only a female in the video it targets both since any gender can get caught up in drinking and drugs.

The music begins when it has been established that drugs have killed the girl lying in the room. The shot when the music does start is a long shot of a girl lying on a bench with a sleeping bag. This suggests that she is unfortunate and doesn't have a place to live or sleep. This puts all focus on the protagonist as the audience want to know more about her and they ask questions about why she is there and what has happened to her. They are curious about her life. There is then a close up of her wiping her face and pulling the sleeping bag in around her which shows the audience she is cold, creating the audience to feel more sympathy for her.

The mise en scene also suggests that the girl is unfortunate because the clothes she is wearing. She is wearing ripped tights and also a man’s coat which is too big for her. Along with this she has thick make up on which suggests she has been trying anything for money. This is also shown later on the video when there is a series of close ups of the girl putting make up on in a dodgy flat and then the long shot of her showing her legs to get the car to stop. It shows that the girl has turned to prostitution, making the audience sympathize yet again because she must be desperate to be doing that. The protagonist has no power in the video, she is a damsel in distress and the drugs are there to take her away from reality and make her feel she is in a hyperreal.

This video attracts its target audience because they are people who could be involved in something like this, and it shows that it isn't a way out. The circular structure intrigues the target audience causing them to be attracted to the video.

Rihanna: Looking at artist through time

 

 

The Artist I have chosen to look at that I feel has changed with time is Rihanna. Being introduced into the music industry at just 16 years old Rihanna Rihanna was  a wholesome young starlet destined for big things. Rihanna is one of the many artists who has changed styles over the years. Whether it’s island music one day or edgy pop the next, Rihanna proves to be versatile and continues to wow her fans with her creativity.

Rihanna started her career with her first album 'Music of the Sun' with her fist single 'Pon de Replay' going into the top 10. The image Rihanna had at this stage in the career is R n B with Pon DE Replay being more a pop song which contain R n B beats. Rihanna at this time was very simple and natural. her Hair and make up were very simple in videos and also on album covers. She used to wear very casual clothes addin to the simple and natural look she portayed which made her look and seem more like a 'normal' teenager. It was if she gave a effortless impression.

In 2006 the album'A Girl Like Me' came out, at this point Rihanna carried on with her R n B image but her music was marketed with reggae genres as well because of her Caribbean hertiage.

The album cover makes Rihanna look very innocent, this is dne by a natural close up of her face. The fact she is gripped her top could give the impression that she is insecure, and the fact she is wearing white shows her innocence. 
When Rihanna bought out 'Good Girl Gone Bad' the album changed to more dance-pop music rather than dancehall or reggae. This album contained four hit all reaching te top twenty worldwide.Also with this Album Rihanna style took a drastic change, she dyed her hair black and cut it very short. This gave her style more of an edge and showed the world she was becoming more Fashion Forward. The name of the album was also showed that a new Rihanna was about to be born.
When Rated R was a more dark and angry tone both musically and lyricial. With this album Rihanna's loom was more rocky. She began weraing heavy make up in her videos.
 
After this suden change to 'the dark side' Rihanna had the album Loud out which was back to dance pop and claimed this was the real 'her'- Flirty, loud and energetic.
Whilst recording this album Rihanna change her look again, she died her hair red which gave her a sofer edge.

Skills Audit

 

Before I begin my research into Music genres I am going to complete a Skill Audit, this is to rate my ability in creative technical skills, to research and analyse media texts, my ability to plan my own A2 coursework and lastly my ability to evaluate my own A2 coursework.

I have answered the questions truthfully and the best of my ability, at the end of creating my music video I will complete another to compare with this one’s results.



My Skills audit at the beginning of A2

I currently rate my ability in the creative use of the following technical skills as:

Filming	1	2	3	4
Holding a shot steady				x
Framing a shot, including and excluding elements where appropriate			x
Using a variety of shot distances as appropriate				x
Shooting material appropriate to the task set		x
Selecting mise–en-scene, including colour, figure, lighting, objects and setting		x
Editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer			x
Using varied shot transitions and other effects selectively and appropriately for the task set			x
Using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task set			x
Using titles appropriately		x

 

I set myself these technical skills targets, when I begin the A2 Coursework:

 

1. Knowing how to use a tri-pod correctly 

2. Know when to add credits at the right time

3. Make sure the music and filming add up perfectly

4. Use various places when taking shots

I currently rate my ability to research and analyse media texts as follows:

 

Research and analysis	1	2	3	4
I can recognise a genre by identifying its particular patterns of codes and conventions		x
I am able to comment upon the construction of values and ideology within a media text		x
I am able to discuss possible audience reception of a text, in a meaningful way		x

 

I set myself these research targets, when I begin my A2 coursework:

1. Do more research

2. Explore more videos within the genre I decide to study

3. Get other people opinions

 

I currently rate my ability to plan my own A2 coursework as follows:

Planning	1	2	3	4
I can create a detailed shot script				x
I can use storyboarding and take photographs in preparation for filming				x
I can manage time effectively				x
I can respond to and overcome difficulties while filming			x
I can use my previous research of genre to inform my own work				x

 

 

I set myself these planning targets when starting my A2 coursework, as follows:

 

1. if I make changes make sure I write them down whilst still clear in my head.

2. Even if the weather is bad and I can’t film outside move onto another part of my filming in a different location.

3. Consider Location and the time of day when the public will be about.

4. When doing the story board consider costume for the beginning.

 

I currently rate my ability to evaluate my own A2 coursework as follows:

 

Evaluation	1	2	3	4
I know how to ask questions of my target audience in a way that will reveal the success or otherwise of my coursework			x
I know how to look back at my research and identify the success or otherwise of the codes and conventions I used in my own coursework		x
I am able to judge the success or otherwise of my camerawork and editing			x
I am able to identify a strong link between my research, planning and final product		x
I am able to give persuasive reasons for all of the decisions I made during the coursework process		x
I am able to analyse my final product, in the way that I have created meaning				x

 

I set myself these evaluation targets when starting my A2 coursework, as follows:

 

1. Have a strong well though about storyline and stick to it!

2. Show that I have made a good transition between AS and A2