After learning in class about the conventions and styles of music videos/trailers/documentaries/short films you need to create 3 mind maps (major task+minor tasks x2) with any general ideas you have and want to include in your work – mention conventions, codes, devices, software and other digital technology elements you will need to use and learn.
EXAMPLES of Research & Planning posts for Music Video: https://mariabega.wordpress.com/category/a2-music-promotion-package/research-planning-a2/
MAJOR TASK (scroll down for Minor task)
Research Posts:
1) Conventions, style, techniques research presented as 9 Frame Analysis
- A detailed look (textual analysis and representation comments) at 2 music videos/trailers/documentaries/short films, from music/film genres similar to the one you want to create.
- A detailed look at 1 music video/trailer/documentary/short film, from music/film genres different to the one you want to create, useful for presenting what kind of techniques will not be used in your own work. In this way you can broaden your scope of analysis and understanding of what you really want to do.
Follow this structure:
- What are the conventions found in these music videos/trailers/documentaries/short films?
- What do the elements in the music videos/trailers/documentaries/short films represent? (Denotation and Connotation)
- Who is the audience for these music videos/trailers/documentaries/short films? (be specific)
- What genre is the music video/trailer/documentary/short film in? How is this shown?
- What uses and gratifications can the audience acquire from watching them?
- What features of the music video/trailer/documentary/short film will you use/not use in your own?
2) Audience Questionnaire and Analysis of questionnaire results (post the questionnaire you create, then get answers and post the results, include bar graphs/pie charts) – For Music Video you need to research the audience of the song you chose.
- How will these results affect how you plan your trailers/documentary/short film ?
- What will you include/not include based on these results?
- Who will be your main target audience based on these results?
3) Target Audience Profile (Who is your audience?)
- Describe your audience in terms of demographics and psychographics (age, gender, race, location,income bracket, lifestyle, preferences, etc.)
- What genres of music videos/trailers/documentaries/short films do they like?
- Where do they usually watch music videos/trailers/documentaries/short films ? (cinema, online: which websites, etc.)
- Present this info using the Piktochart online tool.
4) Moodboard (After deciding on the genre/style you want to approach in your work and analysing your target audience)
- Create a moodboard using gomoodboard.com in which you present the visual style you want to create in your coursework.
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Planning Posts
1) Plot & Story/Song analysis
- Present the plot and story of the entire film(for which you create the trailers)/documentary/short film
- Analyse your idea: is it S.M.A.R.T? (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound)
- For Music Video: first research the song and the artist/band, how and why that song was produced. Then, go on describing which will be the plot in your work if you approach a more narrative music video. For conceptual music videos you can just present the ideas you want to include.
2) Script & Storyboard Development
- Write the script and create the storyboard for your music video/trailers/documentary/short film. For Music Video: Go on genius.com, copy the lyrics, write down the timing of each part of the song: intro, verse, chorus, bridge, outro, etc. to guide your script.
- Why are the script and storyboard appropriate for your genre & audience?
4) Animatic presentation of your storyboard
Example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPTSir34V-g
5) Location recce – scouting locations for your music video/trailers/documentary/short film
- Photographs of the locations
- Why are these appropriate/not appropriate for your genre and audience?
- Your final location decisions
6) Characters
Checklist for each character:
- Name
- Role in the music video/trailers/documentary/short film
- Present and describe what is he/she wearing and why
- Photographs of the actor
- Why have you chosen that actor?
- Why is he/she suitable for your genre and audience?
7) Props
- Make a clear list with all items you will need to use in your shooting.
- Why are the props appropriate for your genre/audience?
- Are there any props you want to use symbolically? which are those and why are they suited?
8) Budget (here present also the roles you have in the music video/trailers/documentary/short film production)
- Above the line
- Below the line
- REAL budget you actually need
9) Pitch (example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X22cXxpG-PM)
Prepare a presentation with information from all the above posts. You will have to present your music video/trailers/documentary/short film to a “producer” and make him/her wish to fund your music video/trailers/documentary/short film. For this you will also have to add:
- Distribution
- Festivals
- Competitions
- Innovative marketing ideas
10) Calendar/Timeline/Call Sheets
- When tasks will start and finish (including film-shoots, deadlines etc…)
You can do this in a number of ways:
- Creating screenshots of calendars to show your shooting schedule
- You could create an interactive calendar through Google Calendars
- Use a timeline software to illustrate your progress and schedule using one of the following softwares/websites:
- Use the Call Sheet template received from your teacher.
MINOR TASKS
Research Post
1) Analyse 2 different digipaks/posters/promotion postcards & websites for your chosen task (They should be linked to the other media texts you analysed for the main task. If there aren’t any, choose some in the same genre like the main task).
- What are the conventions found in each digipak/poster/promotion postcard & website?
- What do the elements in the digipak/poster/promotion postcard & website represent? (Denotation and Connotation)
- Who is the audience for this digipak/poster/promotion postcard & website? (be specific)
- What genre does the digipak/poster/promotion postcard & website convey? How is this shown?
- What features of the digipaks/posters/promotion postcards & websites analysed will you use/not use in your own production?
Planning Posts
1) Contact sheet of photo-shoot images
After shooting your music video/trailers/documentary/short film you will have to take also some more suited photos for the digipak/poster/promotion postcard. You should plan ahead and take these on the same day/s of shooting the main task as the actors, props and setting are ready. If you want something more different, you may also organise another photo-shoot just for the minor tasks.
- Which images are appropriate for your minor tasks?
- Which will you use, and where?
- What do you like/dislike about specific images?
2) Fonts
- 3-5 Font examples
- Pros and cons of each font
- Why is this appropriate for your genre/audience?
3) Graphic elements & Texts
- barcodes
- logos
- special graphic features – symbols, frames, illustrations, etc.
- all photos to be posted on website
- prepare all texts needed in your minor tasks
4) Drafts: create 3 drafts for your minor task (for the website, you will just have to draw out ideas regarding colors and content, you can make one plan, drawn by hand)
- Pros/cons of each design
- Why is this appropriate for your genre/audience?