Filming Cancelled...

Main character didn't feel well:
Having had another group meeting to discuss what costumes, locations ect. would be appropriate for the shoot, we had planned in detail what we were going to do for the two reserved days. Unfortunately, however, Melissa got a cold and didn't feel well enough to come filming. We are going to have a group discussion to decide on another date when we go back to school.

Lily-May Smythe

First Draft...

Tour Poster:
Below is the final draft of my tour poster, I am going to submit it to my teachers during the progress review to see if any changes need to be made.

Lily-May Smythe

Meeting...

Filming Scheduling:
Today, it was scheduled that we would film again on both the 27th and 28th December 2010 during our school's Christmas holidays. Our locations are yet to be finalised but we are to keep these two dates free.

Lily-May Smythe

Possible Key Images...

Tour Poster- Potential Key Images:

From all the photographs taken on our first photography session, these are the images I am considering using for my tour poster:

This is quite a clean-cut image, it could easily be placed anywhere on the poster.

I really like this photograph as her eye-contact with the camera immediately draws your attention.

When constructing this image, I experimented with the positioning of her pointing hand. I directed it straight towards the camera...

... and I tried it pointing in the distance. I am still unsure as to which one I prefer.



I'm not too sure about this one.



In order to decide which image/images I will use for the tour poster, I will refer back to my draft work to see which one fits the best.

Lily-May Smythe

DEVELOPMENT...

Tour Poster:

The development stage began for my tour poster when I constructed the initial draftwork. Inspired by the existing products I had analysed during my research, I started drawing various design ideas to see what I could come up with:

I started with a very basic plan just to get an idea of copy/image positioning. I quickly noted the idea about a burst on a gradient background in the top left hand corner in case I forgot!

Then I created a quick draft design using the computer to check sizing and placements:

This was really just for my own benefit so that I could get an idea in my head as to where I wanted to put everything.

Seeing as I had already chosen the font (Vivaldi) and colour scheme (red,white & black), it was just a matter of the arrangement of images and texts. I plan to use the photographs I had taken of Melissa using both the green and white screen a little while ago. I really want an action shot of Melissa to portray the message that this tour is going to be action packed! Fortunately, I took some movement shots that I shall shortly begin to edit in Adobe Photoshop.

From the examples I have posted previously, I really liked the idea of using one key image on the front with large, bold copy and eye-catching bursts displaying information. These are just a few of the conventions that I plan to incorporate through this task. Then during one of my study lessons, I came up with a new, slightly more detailed plan just so that I could get some feedback rather quickly as I was wanting to move on to the next stage of the task fairly soonish.

I passed this around to my peers and asked them for their thoughts in terms of improvements and I got some extremely useful feedback. A friend suggested the banner convention with a bright text to make the information eye-catching. I now plan to use this convention within my design. Other ideas were suggested also; I found allowing peer feedback an extremely useful tool as several aspects of the design were questioned that I had not previously thought about.

With these improvements in mind, I drafted a final design before moving onto the next development stage using Adobe Photoshop:

The final plan that I shall make reference to whilst constructing my tour poster using both Adobe Photoshop and Illistrator.

I hope to complete my tour poster ancillary task as soon as possible. 

Lily-May Smythe

RESEARCH...

Ancillary Task 2- Tour Poster:
My second ancillary task is to create a tour poster displaying what would be Vanessa Carlton's (Melissa) upcoming tour. Thinking about what I wish to incorporate, I instantly visualise quite a large, dominant image of Melissa as this is what people would expect to see. Having seen many tour posters before, I already have quite a clear idea of the common codes and conventions used; however to refresh my memory and to be absolutely clear on what my design should look like, I conducted further research into tour posters in general.

Immediately it became clear that the majority of tour posters are quite bold and eye-catching. I hope to create one that is both of these.

Rhianna's tour poster displays tour information using a banner at the bottom- a convention I may include.

This then led me to consider the colour scheme. Having referred back to our Style Guide, I already have the basic colours in mind: red, black and white and plan to include Gothic conventions, therefore I shall place greater emphasis on the font- ensuring it is also eye-catching.

After analysing further existing tour posters, it seems their designs can go either two ways: simple and quite clean-cut or busy with every inch of space covered. Here are two rather prominent examples of the simple design, the design that I favour:

The key image dominates the poster, her name is large and eye-catching and the colour scheme is very consistent.

 Here is the second example:

This poster is my favourite design and uses the same colour scheme that I will be using. I like the idea of using an action shot as my image- connatively, it portrays the impression that tour will be action-packed and fun!

After listing several various similarities and differences in terms of conventions, I have decided that personally, I prefer the more clean-cut version. I think with the other, there is a risk of getting carried away and over-crowding the space.

Lily-May Smythe

Ancillary Task 2...

Tour Poster:
- to design and create a tour poster as part of your ancillary tasks, taking into consideration the common codes and conventions of existing products.

 This design shall:

• display information about Melissa's upcoming tour. 
• use the consistent house style formed by the group as a whole.
• incorporate Gothic conventions.

Below is an example I have found, I really like this design and it has inspired much of the draftwork for my own:

This example uses more than one dominant image of Taylor Swift, it also uses an album cover. It incorporates a special music guest whilst displaying all the necessary information.

These are several other existing tour posters I found:

(I took a code & convention that I would like to incorporate in my own design from each.)



Just like this poster, I would like to use the convention of a large key image placed in the centre.

 

This is my least favourite of all the posters I found. I feel that it is too 'busy'. I don't think the choice to use several images of the same girl is the best as the outfits are the same and it gets quite confusing. For my own design I am going to stick with just one dominant image.

I love this colour scheme! But it does not fit with my group's chosen one. I hope to incorporate the convention of advertising the supporting act.



This is my favourite of all the designs as I think the large image tells the audience exactly who it is that they are going to see and the placing of the text tells you exactly where you go to see them. It effectively conveys its message and fulfills its purpose.



Each of these have given me great inspiration to construct some of my own designs!

 Lily-May Smythe

EVALUATION...

Billboard Design:
Now that my Billboard Design is complete, to the standard of a first draft, I thought it best fitting to ask the same person that gave me my original feedback what she thought of it. Again, favouring the previous method, I recorded her responses to a series of structured questions. Jessica has suggested a series of improvements that should be made:

1.) What is your favourite aspect of this new design?

 

2.) Do you feel your suggestions have been incorporated into the new design?

3.) What do you feel should be the greatest improvement?

 After discussing these improvements, I intend to make all of the suggested corrections and then show it to my teachers for further feedback.

I look forward to seeing the new design!

Lily-May Smythe

First Draft...

Billboard Design:
Below is the final draft of my billboard design, I am going to submit it to my teachers during the progress review to see if any changes need to be made.

Lily-May Smythe

Our Storyboard...

Further Developments:
As to be expected, the group has made a series of changes to the original storyboard, during the course of this project:

Making my way downtown (walking quickly down a busy street whilst singing)

walking fast

faces passed (two people walk past with particular emphasis on their faces)
and I'm home bound (significant object- key in front door)

Staring blankly ahead (close up of Melissa's face)
just making my way,
making my way,
through the crowd. (walking through a crowd)

If I could fall 
into the sky, (location: the woods)
do you think time would pass me by? (glancing at her watch or phone, anxiously)
'Cause you know I'd walk
a thousand miles
if I could
just see you...
Tonight. (walking down the hill into the sun)

And I need you. 
And I miss you. 
And now I wonder... (at home, sitting on bed, sifting through photos- looking sad)

It's always times like these 
when I think of you 
and I wonder 
if you ever think of me? (at the cafe sitting alone)

'Cause everything's so wrong 
and I don't belong 
living in your precious memories. (dramatically rips up photos, cards and letters)

If I could fall 
into the sky,
do you think time would pass me by? 
'Cause you know I'd walk 
a thousand miles 
if I could just see you... (at the pier, tracking shots, runs to the edge and looks into the distance)

'Cause I need you.
And I miss you.
And now I wonder... (in the streets, folk road)And I, I 
don't want to let you know.
I, I 
drown in your memory. 
I, I 
don't want to let this go. 
I, I don't... (on the pier, pan round her face as she falls to her knees)

Making my way downtown 
walking fast,
faces passed 
and I'm home bound.
Staring blankly ahead,
just making my way,
making my way,through the crowd. (looking out of the train window/shots in London)

And I need you. 
And I miss you. And now I wonder... (In London, walking across a bridge)
If I could fall
into the sky,
do you think time 
would pass me by? 
'Cause you know I'd walk 
a thousand miles 
if I could just see you... (in the park, with a lake, sees a boy in distance)

If I could fall
into the sky
do you think time would pass me by? 
'Cause you know I'd walk 
a thousand miles 
if I could 
just see you.

If I could

just hold you... (male and female characters approach each other)

Tonight. (hands slipping away/fade out)

I am really looking forward to watching the final product!

Lily-May Smythe

DEVELOPMENT...

Principle Photography:
Yesterday, the entire group met at the beginning of the school day to discuss the day's filming ahead. We finalised the decision to film in the woods, more specifically: Frank's Park near our school.  We chose what shots we needed, referring back to our video plan and detailed exactly what Melissa is to be doing/wearing/saying in each shot. Following this, we sorted out Melissa's makeup/accessories/costume ect. Again, I was responsible for applying her make-up.

Remembering the shots I'd seen in both Roman Fischer's and Hurt's music video, I made an attempt (as did other members of the group) at directing a tracking shot we plan to use in our video:

I also helped carry the equipment to the location and set up/tidy away the equipment once the shoot was finished.

Lily-May Smythe

RESEARCH...

Principle Photography:
From my initial research, I found artists such as Roman Fischer, Hurts and Elton John to be the most successful and well-known with the Piano Rock genre. Therefore, I am going to watch several of there videos in the hope of gaining inspiration for my groups own through analysis of mise-en-scence, lighting and variety of camera shots.

• Roman Fischer:

Probably the most useful as he, along with Hurts, is one of the more modern artists and therefore more relevant to a Vanessa Carlton song.

Roman Fischer- Lightscapes

If it were up to me, I would definitely construct a music video of this style. I absolutely love the metaphorical repetition, slow motion and eery darkness used to portray the message of the song. The video has been created without taking the lyrics literally. For instance when the line: 'so walk along with me' is sung, this video's director did not have two people walking along together- he depicted the inner turmoil of being left alone in a mirrored room. I would love to design a more artistic video such as this one, however aware I am working in a group and having to be considerate of other members thoughts and opinions on what direction to take the video- we are going to construct a very literal video with lots of walking- 'A Thousand Miles.'

The long tracking shot from 0.48-1.02 is my favourite feature of the video.

• Hurts

Hurts- Stay

 

I have to say, my favourite shot of this entire video is the downwards tilt/establishing shot right at the very beginning- the location is fantastic. I would love to mimic something like this but to find a location like that would be very difficult! Again, as in Roman Fischer's video, there seems to be a really strong artistic vibe. The dancers are a great touch- irrelevant to the lyrics of the song but used all the same to convey the message. I think dancers are a feature we could easily incorporate. Not only do we have several friends of the group studying dance or dancing as their hobby, but we could ask one of the GCSE classes to possibly allow us to film their Set Piece. It's just an idea and I may put it to the group at the next group meeting.

• Elton John:

Elton John- Your Song

In terms of video analysis, I don't think that this one will be as helpful as the other two seeing as music videos were constructed rather differently in 1970! However, I don't think I could have fully researched the principle photography without seeing what videos Piano Rock legends like Elton John had made seeing as they undoubtedly would have influenced the more recent artists of the genre. The central focus appears to be on the piano and it incorporates several track and pan shots too. These are conventions that I don't doubt will feature in the group's video.

Having conducted this research, I know have a much clearer idea as to what the genre creates in terms of video. I plan to discuss the idea of not taking the lyrics so literally with actions as I don't see any evidence for this as a convention from my research. But if this is what the majority would prefer then I am happy to go along with it.

Lily-May Smythe

The Chosen Photograph...

Billboard Design- The Key Image:

I have made my final decision and the photograph that I am going to use is:



I decided upon this image as I felt I could do the most with it. The green really adds a variety in the colour scheme of the design seeing as I am actually quite restricted in my choice of colours. However, the location of the woods and the green and brown works really well. Also, Melissa's scarf's colours really tie everything together.

Using Photoshop, I cut away alot of the empty space consisting mainly of trees and leaves. I did so not only to get rid of useless space but also to shape the image into a more conventional rectangular shape common among billboard designs.

I did this using the 'crop' tool in Photoshop:


The same image as before, I have just edited it using the 'crop' tool on Photoshop.

I can't wait to see what the final design looks like!

Lily-May Smythe

Possible Key Images...

Billboard Design- Potential Key Images:
From all the photographs taken on our first photography session, these are the images I am considering using for my billboard design:

I really like this photograph as it is taken in the woods and therefore incorporates the same background as the Taylor Swift design. I could potentially blur the background in order for the copy to really stand out clearer- a necessity for a billboard design.

The same applies to this image also; I really like Melissa's look here. Because she's wearing all black (a common convention of the Gothic styling), if I were to use red for the copy, it would really stand out and give the design a shock of colour.

Although it's different, I really like this image too. This was taken on the green screen and therefore the background would have to be cut out. With the help of Photoshop I could give her some red lipstick (adhering to the colour scheme) and place her onto a black background. This would be similar to the Madonna design posted earlier.

Due to the size and positioning of the subject within the photograph, I can only use one of these three. I am going to see which one best fits the ideas presented in my draftwork and make a decision. I shall upload the final photograph as soon as I've chosen it!

Lily-May Smythe

EVALUATION...

Preliminary Photography...
After looking back through my research, I now consider different images that were taken on the day to be the best. This is due to factors such as lighting, costume and the positioning of the subject. I am pleased now that I took the advice of my teachers and took plenty more photos than I actually needed as the few that I had planned, I now don't think I'm going to use for my ancillary tasks!

For a first photoshoot as I group, I would say it went rather smoothly. We all met, took photos and were pleased at the end of the day. There was a minor hiccup in which Melissa's shoes were lost! But we got them back in the end.

I feel that the photographs I took were successful as they had similarities with existing products:

Above is an existing products and I think the biggest similarity is obviously the pose of the subject. With the arms loose and head slightly looking back over her shoulder, Melissa copied the pose well. 

I hope future shoots will go as well as this one.

Lily-May Smythe

DEVELOPMENT...

Preliminary Photography:
Today, both my group and myself conducted our first photoshoot for the project! We began by meeting and choosing the appropriate make-up, accessories and costumes- bearing in mind our choice of styling. I was responsible for applying Melissa's make-up. We opted for dark eyes and red lips, pale skin and matching accessories.

With Melissa's look complete, we ventured to a wide range of locations:
(I have only uploaded a select few images of about 50-60 taken on the day that I consider to be the best)

Steps:

I love the look of this photograph, I like how Melissa is centred in it and the background fits in well with our theme- natural and earthy.

Woods:

This is another recreation attempt from my previous photography research. I have tried to incorporate a woodland backdrop as this has a lot of potential for editing in photoshop.

The Cafe:

Here is a very naturalistic shot. The image is flooded with natural light and Melissa's stance is very relaxed. Her hair, make-up and costume also follow this theme.

Erith Pier:

I like the fact that Melissa takes up the majority of the shot with the Thames River in the background. I think it could be slightly improved had the camera been held slightly higher to prevent the dead space at the top of the image.

Erith Train Station:

This image places Melissa to the left. I like the colour matching between the bag and the flower on her coat. If a different background had been used, for instance one featuring the train tracks, her exact location could be established slightly easier.

Green/White Screen:
After we had been taking photographs on locations, we returned to our school at the end of the day to use both the green and white screen at the end of the day. I decided to use this too as a precaution even though I had not planned to use it, initially. I think it is best to be prepared when it comes to the construction of my ancillary tasks- it's best to have too many images than not enough! Also, if anyone else in my group doesn't have enough photos, they can always use of mine.

This is my attempt at recreating the last photograph I uploaded from my preliminary research. Melissa is looking back over her shoulder and I like how it has turned out; I've always got it as a backup now should I ever need it.

All in all, I'd says the day was a great success!

Lily-May Smythe

Green/White Screen...

The green/white screen has been booked out for the 17th November 2010 by members of my group. Both Melissa and Jenny intend to use it for more photographs, however I will not be attending this session as I only used the screens a couple of days ago. I have looked over my photographs and, due to proper research and planning, I am very pleased with the results. I feel I do not need to attend another photography session.

Lily-May Smythe

First Photoshoot...

Green/White Shoot:
Today I used the green/white screens for the first photoshoot of the project! It was more for practice than anything else as I had never taken photos using the green/white screens before. As I had completed my research and planning for my first ancillary task: Billboard Design I was well prepared for the session and took around thirty photographs of Melissa. 

Here are three of my favourite images:

I like this photo's dramatic pose and the fact that Melissa makes eye-contact with the camera. This should be effective as the tour poster's key image as it is able to grab the audience's attention.

Melissa's pose in this image could be useful if the design called for an image to wrap text around. It could be good to use as it takes up the majority of the page yet allows enough room for essential copy.

Initially I liked this image as the finger pointing grabs attention as the same way the eye-contact does. It just looks quite different from any other image I have seen. However, I later found that it would be unsuitable to use for my ancillary tasks as the pose is quite straight up and down and her face isn't very clear.

However, if the group decides to have another green/white screen photoshoot, I would suggest that we rethink Melissa's choice of costume as it has proved very difficult to edit on Adobe Photoshop! Though all in all, I was very happy with the shoot's outcome.

Lily-May Smythe 

RESEARCH...

Billboard Photography:
Having taken a broad range of photographs at the group photography session a few days ago, I was very pleased with the photos as I sifted through them to find the perfect one for my ancillary task. I tried to cover as many different shots as I possibly could, just in case I had to change any of my draftwork at the last minute for any reason. Therefore, I went back over the research I had completed previously for the task and found a commonality among the photographs. Due to the fact that the majority of most billboard designs are actually displaying rather important information about something, the positioning of the subject within the photograph is essential for an effective message. Typically, the subject is positioned to the side. Fortunately, I had highlighted this convention within my research so a fair few of my photographs were taken with this sort of positioning in mind, yet I still conducted further research in to the matter to (if nothing else) gain more creative inspiration for my design:

Taylor Swift- key image taken from her billboard advertisement for her single 'Mine':

This is the original image from the design with Swift positioned towards the right. This provides enough 'dead space' to be filled with copy, displaying relevant information. I also really like the woodland background, coupled with her white (representing purity) dress it conveys a really natural feel.

After some heavy editing, this is the completed billboard design:

The copy now fills the majority of the space and I really like the way the background has been blurred. I think this was so that the copy could easily be read, but also I think it sharpens the image of Taylor Swift and makes her more prominent. If possible, I would like to transfer this technique to my own product.

Fortunately, this style of photograph has always been one of my favourites as I feel that sometimes the subject's locations is just as important as the object themselves. For my Foundation Portfolio in Media, I used this technique for my key image:  

It turned out to be one of my favourite images and I really like the use mise-en-scene to portray Mia's rockstar persona. Therefore, having had practice, I hope to take and use an image I like just as much!

Similarly in this design, the same subject positioning technique has been used. With this being Vanessa Carlton herself, I can see that this could potentially be a common convention of her photographs, finally cementing my decision to use an image of my own with Melissa situated towards one side.

This is the original image, with Vanessa Carlton leaning towards the left. This logo is already inserted, filling the 'dead space' well within the photograph. I hope to do the same.

After adding copy, the final product looks like this:

Here is the finish billboard display. It uses several of the common codes and conventions that I have analysed previously whilst still incorporating her Gothic theme. I hope to do this also through the use of colour-scheme, house style and mise-en-scene.



Happy with my decision, I shall upload the photographs I have chosen to use as soon as possible.

Lily-May Smythe

RESEARCH...

Preliminary Photography:
In order to ensure that I maintain the Gothic house styling and Piano Rock genre conventions throughout all the photographs I produce on the 12th November, I have conducted preliminary photography research.

We plan to shoot during the day and therefore using our study lessons; this means that our time is rather limited. To use my time most efficiently, I have planned several shots that I want to take on the day. I researched a number of photoshoots for Vanessa Carlton and chose a few shots that I think would be appropriate for my ancillary tasks:

Referring back to our pitch in October, we featured a costume very similar to this one. I think this pose and set could easily be recreated and very useful for my billboard design ancillary task.

Very similar to the Taylor Swift design, this shot uses a woodland setting. We plan to use the woods near our school as one of locations so I hope to incorporate this theme in one of my own photographs.



I think a basic headshot is essential for any shoot and I plan to take several. I have taken note of the photograph's mise-en-scene and  plan to recreate a headshot of Melissa.



After researching a variety of poses and stances in general, I saw this one frequently. Therefore I assume it is quite a common one to take so it makes sense to have an original photograph similar to this- just in case! 

Having discussed the timing, costumes and locations for our shoot at our most recent group meeting, I have taken this into consideration for my planning. Due to the shoot being in the middle of the day, we should have a decent amount of natural light- which is needed for the photographs I have in mind. Melissa is bringing her own costumes which have been discussed on several occasions for both the pitch and at group meetings.

Also, I have printed off the photographs from above as well as several others as I plan to carry them with me for quick reference.

Lily-May Smythe