Monday 13th Dec

Rebecca was away on media work experience, so Mica and Minyee were in charge on filming the reshoot for the main performance. We used colour tints of reds, blues, yellows to give a more interseting effect and conforms to the indie pop genre of use of colours....

Today we had organised to film in Miss Berry's room because her room is well lit, which is good for filming and green screening.

Originally, we had planned to use green screen, so me and Mica went to borrow some green screen. Additionally, Mica asked for gel, for the lightings, which changed our plans a little...

Instead, we decided to use the coloured lightings, so we used the back the green paper to cover the wall. And set up the lighting. The three colours we decided to use includes blue, orange and yellow because they look very professional and vibrant. When filming we had to close the curtains and lights in order to get a better focus on the coloured lightings.n

We have also prepared three camera's and setted it up in three different direction of the performance space. The front camera, would mainly focus (close up) on Nuru the main singer, while the other two would be hand held, where it would capture close ups of instruments and adding movements by travelling using hand to give it natural movement, rather than using zooming. As well as additional shots such as high angle.

Me and Shenez played the electric guitar. Originally, I was suppose to play the key board, however there was no key board holder that I could use to support me playing, so that the instruments changed at the last minute.

We had to perform the throughout the whole music track three times, with different coloured lightings.

Production Log: Monday 6th Dec

Due to snow conditions we were unable to upload or film new footage as we had planned, due to the school being closed. In turn we had to rebook the location for thursday, while Minyee uploaded our 'science room' footage. We are quite pleased with the footage, especially with the colours of the fizzy drinks that translated well on camera, creating a fun poppy effect. The lighting is brighter than our previous footage, although still had a few shadows, despite using lights from the media department. However, this could easily be changed via final cut where we would brighten it in with 'effects'.

December

The glow stick scene spelling out 'Radar', was arranged when we filmed it. So I cut out the parts of the clips, were we could see the hands, to make the glow sticks look like it's naturally spelling 'Radar' on it on. (I-Stop motion)

I have added text from photo shop and saved as Jpeg, which then dragged into final cut express.

I made sure to render all every time I re edited or made any other changes.

There are vary of different colours, which then cut to the pace of the music and to the lyrics, as well as changing colours, through the repeated 'Radar' sequence. The size of the text was increased through manipulating it on the viewer. The Idea of the colour changing carries out the house style (The colour theme).

For this chemical scene, I made the yellow colour change to red, which again carries the colour theme across and conforming to the pop electro conventions. This is changed using transitions, such as fade. Although fade is rarely used in music videos, which challenges the conventions of a music video as well as my my editing skills.

For the close ups of the lips I have over layered the glow sticks, to make it look more colourful, which carries out our house style. This is done by changing the opacity of the glow sticks from the canvas. And make sure that the glow stick scene is placed on top of the lips scene, so that you could see the glow stick.

To make the music video a more interesting, I have applied the Zig Zag wipe out (transition). This also helps to build up the climax to the music, the scene is located near the end of the music. Which is conventional in music video's to build up near the end. The purpose of this transition was also to create some sort of crazed effect, which links into the star persona.

January

After the feed backs from the audiences, I have made some changes from December.

In some parts of the music video it cut's to the beat of the music but in some other areas I need to work more on the pace so the test tube/glow sticks I-stop motion, was moving a bit slow. So I cut the footage to make it faster, which also gives it a bit of jagged effect. And to increase the pace more, I have applied speed motion by it's fastest limits.

To carry on the colour theme, I have made sure to use the tint from filter effects.

To Improve on the glow stick scene, I have re edited by making the glow sticks spell the word "Radar" in reverse. This is done by making a copy of the edited version of the glow sticks and re arrange them. However, the glow stick is still a bit slow, so then I changed the motion/speed of the pace. But then I decided to re edit the original clip and rearranging it again so that I could clearly arrange it, which is easier.

In this scene, was the science scene, were we see could Nuru over the chemicals and I have made it as we are seeing her from the beaker, by applying the mirror effect,which creates a since of humor as well as making it quirky. This also challenges her star persona as a pop artist.

Again I have changed the opacity to over layer the clip, which the audiences wanted to see more of the similar effect because it worked well.

The original scene was the colour text of the 'Radar', changing colour. The feed back from the audiences stated that the colour changing text my need to be more animated, to match the upbeat music. So then I decided to use the silhouette dance clip, to add to the background so that there is more movement. To do this I would have to get rid of the black background of the 'Radar' J peg file, as shown on screen grab number 2 in December. Luma Key is the key to the achieve this. First I have select and drag the clip into the canvas and to apply the effect. Then I selected black out, meaning it rids the black areas. And finally to make the text transparent and blended in, I just change the opacity of the text, so that it changes colour along with the background. The silhouette effect was inspired by the I Pod advert.

In this scene, I made the text seem like it is coming out her mouth. The purpose of this is to amplify the words, which is similar to what I have done in the silhouette scene. But I didn't want to do the same thing as the other sequence, other it would become to repetitive, which makes it less appealing to watch. To create a successful music video, it is important to always to intrigue your audience because the purpose of a music video is to promote the music. So that is why I have decided to create this effect. I think that is quite effective because it still has movement to it and colours that carries out our house style.

To create this effect, I would have to repeat the similar process of using luma key to rid the black backgrounds and then place the clip above of the lip. (Make sure that it sync ) And add zoom on to the clip so that it moves out of her lips. I could also re adjust the time of the zoom by dragging the clip on to the zoom to make the zoom time faster or I could do the opposite.

And to make other colours come out you would have layer it on top of the other, so that it seems like more 'Radar' words are coming out her mouth.

In the audience feed back it had stated that the lip scene duration is a bit too long, so there fore it disturbed the climax from building near the end of the music video. With more interesting effects like this it helps to build the music more as well as making the lip scene more interesting, event though this scene is quite long.

This is the quarter screen, which is edited to beat of when the performer shouts out 'one, two, three, four'. This was creates through cutting the part I want from the lip scene, then I made 4 copies of the clip. Then I super imposed it or layered it on top of each clip. And then click or drag the one of the clips in to the viewer where you could re position the clips by simply moving it to each corner. And to re size each clip by 25%, to create a perfect quarter. And finally you would have add zoom at the end of each clip.

Production log: Tuesday 30th Nov

Minyee uploaded footage of the 'glowstick scene' and 'Shadow dancing scene', were we have began to edit and hope to achieve techniques such as cloning, brighting, cropping frames...

Production log Monday 29th Nov

We watched our studio footage on final cut express but unfortunately came across to dark to use for the whole performance section of the video. We tried various techniques to brighten the video by using different colours hues such as greens and yellows and although it looked interesting in small parts, it would not be adquete use throughout the whole video. This leads to the option of re-filming. However instead of filming back at the studio, we will try to find somewhere brighter and more local, making it easier to travel to. We also have a problem of been able to have Leona to film as she has other commitments. However, we decided even if we have an hour's shoot of her performance alone and then film the others at a later date, we could place them together into a shoot, making it seems that they're all there. We're also planning to film behind green screen so we can still have the starry projector image.

Production log overall

A version of the production log up to the 30th of November

Call sheet

By making a call sheet everyone will be able to stay in contact as best as possible. I deliberately blacked out most of peoples phone numbers for personal safety.

Sourcing Costume

In TKMaxx
we wanted to find tops that will attract Minyee however we don't want to overpower Leona costume



Although we agreed on the colour the typography and glitter put us off in the end so we decided to try out Primark.


At Primark

We found this nice pink dress that conformed to our group powerpoint but due to money expenses we had issues of the price range.

At the children's section Mica and Minyee had found this Dungaree as they were worn in the 80's and the pink fitted the powerpoint.
















in the end we had brought the pink top, shorts and bow howvere when Minyee retryed the dungaree it happened to be small.

Off the radar dance routine!!!

Want to dance like the video? Now you can with the he instructional video with the lovely leona!

DANCE ROUTINE VIDEO

This was orginally meant to be performed by whole band- although we haven't filmed the other band members doing the dance routine in shadow form yet.

EDIT: 6/12/10: Due to time constraints and creative decision, we decided to abandoned the group dance routine as we feel that we already have enough segments within the video, ie 'the glowsticks, the science lab and the shadow dancing' along with the main performance section. We decided that including the dance routine would make the video become 'too busy' for the audience to process in a short amount of time.

Problems, Problems and Changes....

When we arrived at the studio, we found it to be more of a drama hall then an actual studio which was one of the main problem. The space was smaller than expected but it could still be filmed for the music video. We decided to film with the studio lights instead of the main lights as it would be more visual interesting and the projector would across more clearly on the background. One of the cameras had low battery as our battery had been swapped as we charged it the day before, making it a two camera shoot (alternating one of close up of main performer and close ups of instruments/ other performers). Coming towards the end of the shoot, we improvised by using a wheelie chair as a dolly around the girls to create interseting movement.

We also had issues with some of the band where Claye had become ill and had to attend a hospital appointment. As this was short notice we decided to make it as a three piece band, and replace Shenez with Nuru due to family commitment. This quick rearrangement on the day prevented the shoot being wasted, although it caused a lot of stress! We also overcame the problem of the band members originally holding a number each at the end of the video in a line, by deciding to have Minyee to hold two numbers at the end to make it look more uniform.


EDIT-10/12/10- Due to other commiments, Leona was unable to attend anymore reshoots, due to poor lighting, giving us the unfortunate decision to not use her as the main performer anymore. :( This is a shame as it leads to most of the photos planned for the digi pack void as we cannot use it with leona in it, however we have some photos of the band individually and will cut Leona out of a group photo and photoshop Shenez in, if we do not have time to take updated photos of the new band. Instead we casted 2nd guitarist Nuru, as the main performer and recruited Shenez back as a third band member as we, as a group felt it would look better visually with 3 band members are in the video. We also had extreme difficultly trying to find a new location. Rebecca had asked the drama department for permission to film, however the hall had been booked solid for the final week of term. This lead us to the final choice of having to film in a well lit classroom and use green screen to make the video look more visually interesting. This is a disappointment from originally traveling to a studio to end up filming in a classroom, however its is normal for shoots not to go to plan and felt we have come up with an alternative that will not compromise the quality of the video.

EDIT-14/12/10: The footage of the re filmed performance section has been uploaded and looks much better with brighter lighting and colour tints although the blue tint has come across a little dark, so we brightened this.

We did this by:

double click on the footage selected

click on the screen of the video and on filters

then go onto effects, video filters, image control then brighten.

Production Log: Thursday, 25th Nov

Filming at the studio was slightly disappointing, as it looked liked it could be filmed in a drama hall.

Creative decision to film with lights off and certain studio lights for more creativity and see projector of stars. Not sure if projector came out well on camera. Took loads of digi pack photos, uploaded pics onto project folder, took out risk assessments. Uploaded everything filmed throughout the week. Rebecca borrowed musical instruments from music deperame

nt and projector from office.

some ideas for digi pack photo/ possible album cover?

Production log: Monday the 15th nov

Rebecca happened to be away for work expericence and Minyee was ill on that day leaving me to film and upload.

Today only leona came either through miscomunication or the fact that the rest of the group happened to be very busy, we decied to filom in the dark room as a test shot in preperations for tuesdays filming in which Rebecca and Minyee would be in for. We had slight complications as the white sheets had to be pinned one by one to the frames however the after effect of the lights creating the shadows was worth it.

We later done some tests of green screening where leona would just be dancing behind motion stars althouh when uploaded to final cut we realised that the lighting was darker then expected. we will carry on with the green screening as we now know how much light is needed.

(green screen)

Production log: Tuesday, 23rd Nov

Rebecca had orgainzed to film at a studio, thanks to a friend. Hopefully it will go well :)

Risk assessment

Rebecca completed a risk assessment of the studio to see if it would be safe for filming. Above is an extension cord we where using but was loose and anyone could trip over it, making it a hazard.



To make it more safe, Rebecca added masking tape to the floor to stop the cord from moving.



Studio lights have also been noticed as a potential health hazard in which one of them falling could greatly harm a person. Everybody made sure that that no one stood directly underneath the lights.




The light box was also full of switches and cables which carries the risk of electrouction if messed around with.


To prevent this, Rebecca simply made sure the box was closed and locked.

Production Log: Monday, 22nd Nov

Today we uploaded the footage we filmed on friday onto final cut. Due to rather technical difficult the footage had to be uploaded twice. On Thursday we plan to start editing the footage. We also preparing for the big shoot tomorrow in the studio in East London at the University of East London. Slight panic is in the air but things have been organized!

t shirt making for our music video

We wanted to create a more variety of costume to our video, we decided to design a t-shirt of the the title track to make it more visual interesting. To create the t-shirt called screen printing.

(image1)

Using Photoshop, we made are design logo for off the radar, we want to challenge the audience by making them look at image while trying to figure out the meaning. We rearrange the letters to make an abstract shape, on a plain white t-shirt. This is in refrence to t-shirts in the 1980's where white t-shirts with black fonted logos where extremely popular. For example the 'Frankie says relax' t-shirt. We had tested this font on our friends to see if they can read it with the outcome was positive- they were able to make out the track 'Off the Radar')

(image2)
We printed the final image from the computer four times onto acetate to get a clearer line for printing.

(image3)
We then applied the masking tape around the boarder where the emulsion didn't cover.

(image4)
Some areas of the screen had bits of emulsion missing so to protect the fabric we added extra masking tape, so the font will come out clearer on the t-shirt.

(image5)

Only adding around four to five (plastic) spoonfuls to the screen as excess might not absorb to the fabric.

(image 6)

Pull towards you at a 45 degree angle make sure that your sleeves are rolled up and any excess clothing are pinned back.

(image7)

Ask for help to keep the Screen down while applying pressure with the squeegee.

(image8)

We test the paint on some unused fabric to see if it can absorb properly, the first try was an success.


(image9)

Our final t-shirt had to be special for leona, We first layered the yellow and over lapped with the pink which finally formed the orange. This will help add her star persona as the lead singer.

:Health and Safety-

All ways use a plastic spoon as metals will react to the chemicals.

A Teacher should always be present.

Do not eat the paint

While using the light box make sure that you are where eye protection from the UV lights

and is assisted by a teacher.

Make sure that clothing are away from the paint.

Production Log: Tuesday, 16th Nov

Film footage of dark room. Creating shadow dancing by using thin sheets on a skeleton frame and head lights behind. We also had to practice lots of times to create the right of the shadow, whether the shadow was to weak and had no definition or or there was multiple shadow. However we found that two headlights and two lamps was the right amount to create the effective shadow. We also need to position the actors close enough to the screen to see the actors properly. We feel the shadow dancing would make a nice change of visual within the video and create a nice contrast between the neon colours and bright lights within the video, creating a quirky effect.

Animatic for Off the Radar

OFF THE RADAR








We experienced several technical problems as so many frames had to be uploaded to Imovie, causing the software to slow and crash and delete any work we progress on. We also found it difficult to edit in time with the music and in so, we decided to do the best we can and placed the track at the beginning and loop it towards the end as the frames would not cut into place. The reason there are so many shots is because we plan the video to be very fast paced with lots of cuts reflecting the fast tempo of the music. However our detailed shot list has completed and we would use this have a rough idea of what sots would work and for how long for.

Production log: Friday 19th Nov- Photos of 'Dark Room' scene

This is a experiment with the glow sticks in the dark room, were we rearrange the glow sticks in letters, which spells 'Radar', for the digipack typography. As you could see from the photo, you could see the floor, which was caused by the camera flash.




We then placed some black sugar paper, for the background but we could still see the part of the floor, making the photography look messy.



Rebecca then turned the camera flash lights are turned off, which helps bring out the glowing lights and darken the background, in so making a much more effective photo. We would like to use this within the digipack as it would link within the video, creating intertexuality.


The group also rearranged the glow sticks to make a star shape, which could potentially be the band logo for the digipack, making them more distinctive than other indie bands.



Rebecca also took the photo of the star with a blurred effect to create a quirky, dizzy effect connoting the energetic pace of the music.



We also did test footage to see how the glowsticks would pick up on camera. They picked up extremely well and created a nice contrast with the dark background. It will also give the video an 'electro poppy' feel with the use of neon colours in which we where aiming for.