Independent Task: Final reflection

Overall I am very pleased with my video reconstruction due to the sheer similarity to the original video, especially through the locations in the videos and my precise timing in editing. But there are some improvements that I believe I should address before I move on to making my own music video in September.

• Aspect ratio: I wasn't aware that my camera filmed in the old 4:3 aspect ratio setting which caused a problem in the final edit as there are black bars at each side of the video. Next time I will ensure that the camera I use films in the new 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio
• Tripod: I did use a tripod in filming but it was faulty which caused some of the shots to be shaky still. Some of the camera shakes are still obvious even after using the stabilizer effect in editing. Next time I'll ensure that the tripod works so there will be no shakiness
• Lighting: As most of my filming took place outside it wasn't possible to control the natural lighting from the sun. But if I do film outside again I make myself more aware of the lighting and how the footage might look afterwards.

Independent Task: Completed reconstruction of video

Here is the completed reconstruction of 1 minute of the music video for Taylor Swift's "Safe & Sound" I purposely placed the real music video in the bottom right corner in time with my reconstruction to make it easy to compare in terms of timings etc. Overall I am very pleased with how it turned out.

Watch in 1080p HD for maximum quality!

Independent Task: Editing process

To edit my video I used Powerdirector 9 for PC. One very useful thing I did during editing was adding another layer, downloading a copy of the main music video, and putting it on a split screen. This allowed the transitions to be extremely precise and correct. I also played the music track in another layer which helped me get the lip-syncing and edit timings correct.

As for effects, I used a few to make the video match the original. Mainly I used the stabilizer effect as this steadied a lot of the footage and made it smoother, especially when the footage was shaky. I also used the slow down and zoom in/out effects for certain nature shots that had a very slight zoom.

Independent Task: Mise-en-scene

Locations:

The original setting for the music video is a woodland in Watertown, Tennessee. But I plan to recreate this location in a woodland near my house in South Cave. Apart from the difference in seasons which will change the colours and scenery to an extent, I think it'll work very well.

Original setting:                                                      

My setting:

Costume:

The original costume in the music video is a vintage long lace and chiffon dress. This dress was custom made for the music video so it was very difficult finding something similar. Instead, I will opt for a white short sleeved lace skater dress from Topshop as I think it still beholds the same qualities of innocence and purity. Furthermore, I decided to keep the makeup very natural, like in the video. And despite my actress not being blonde, her similarity to Taylor Swift in looks and hair style (wavy) will allow for an appropriate recreation.

Original costume:

My costume:

Props:

No props will be needed in the reconstruction of this video as it is the location that's the focal point of the music video.

Independent Task: Storyboarding

I ended up creating two different storyboards for my project and I thought this would help me organise the filming process much for effortlessly.

The first storyboard was a simple collection of all of frame-to-frame screenshots from the original video. This will help me understand which shots I need to get and how many are needed.

The second storyboard I made was much more organised and specific. Basically, I took the frame to frame screen-shots I took earlier and organised them under columns and titles based on their filming location. For example: In trees, in house, on field etc. This will be helpful during filming and it'll show me how many shots needed to be filmed in each location as I  plan to in one location at a time to save time. I also added the correct lyrics for that particular shot under the screen-shot so I can tell my actress what needs to be lip-synced. 

Independent Task: Lyrics and timings

Taylor Swift and The Civil Wars - Safe & Sound - First minute:

Verse 1

I remember tears streaming down your face 0:15 – 0:17

When I said, "I'll never let you go” 0:17 – 0:20

When all those shadows almost killed your light 0:21 – 0:26

I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone" 0:28 – 0:33

But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight 0:34 – 0:40

Chorus

Just close your eyes 0:42 – 0:45

The sun is going down 0:46 – 0:48

You'll be alright 0:49 – 0:51

No one can hurt you now 0:52 – 0:55

Come morning light 0:56 – 0:58

You and I'll be safe and sound 0:59 – 1:07

Independent Task: Chosen music video

This is the music video I plan to recreate independently for practice. I aim to reconstruct the music video from 8 seconds to 1 minute and 8 seconds. The music video is "Safe & Sound" by Taylor Swift and the Civil Wars.

Brief: Induction Task

In order to prepare for my A2 Media Studies coursework - the Advanced Portfolio, I need to:

• Work independently or in a group of 3 to 4 people to plan and produce a reconstruction of a minute of an existing music video.
• Set up my individual A2 Coursework blog.
• Gather evidence and research into the conventions of my chosen brief over the summer starting with codes and conventions over my media form with examples, and also the genre of the text I intend to produce. (i.e. Music Video conventions and rock conventions as an example)
• I will also be doing an independent task by myself in which I will reconstruct another minute of an existing music video