The Pretender Animatic

The Task

For this task, we watched the official music video for the song "The Pretender" by The Foo Fighters. Our task was to storyboard every frame in the first 45 seconds, and to draw a rough sketch of each different frame that we saw. We then took a picture of each individual frame that we drew and then uploaded it onto the computer. We downloaded the music for the song and the music video that saw. We then used FinalCut Express to upload all of the pictures that we took, and the music track and music video that we had downloaded. Our task was then play the music video in one corner of the screen, and then we would use the pictures that we took, and match up the pictures to the scenes in the music video. Our task was to create an animatic. This means that the pictures that we took should be the same as the scenes in the music video at the correct time.

What we learned

While performing this task, we learnt specific skills that we will use when it comes to making our own next video. One of the things that we learnt while performing this task is the shot variety that we need to use when creating our music video. While we watching the video for "The Pretender", we noticed the different kinds of shots that they used, and we thought that they would look good in the music video that we decide to make. There was a big shot variety as we saw alot of different shots being used. We noticed that there were: Close Up shots, Medium Shots, Long Shots, Pans, Tilts and more. This is a high variety of shots that we should use in our video to make it as good as it can be.

We also learnt that the pace of editing the shots together is really quick. There was one part in our animatic video where we had to use 3 different shots just for 1 second of music video content. This proves how quick the pace of editing must be. Also, to make the animatic look as good as it could be, we had to make sure that we edited the animatic correctly so that the scenes were the same. Due to this pace of editing, we learnt that the shot duration of each shot that we used isn't long at all. Some shots that we used weren't even half a second long, so we know that the shot duration of every shot in the music video isn't long at all.

How is editing a music video different to editing a thriller?

While carrying out this task, we also noticed the differences between editing our thriller for our coursework, and editing a music video. One of the main differences that we learnt was the pace of editing. The pace of editing when editing a music video is a lot faster compared to editing a thriller. A lot more shots are also used in a music video than are used in a thriller, which also means that the shot duration for every shot in a music video is a lot shorter to every shot that is used in a thriller video. When editing a music video, it needs a lot more attention to detail to every shot, than is needed when editing a thriller video.

Looking for an Artist

When looking for a song that I want to do for my music video, I must take a few points into consideration. To avoid any copyright issues, I will look to approach unsigned artists and ask for use of their tracks. I must find an artist that is willing to let me use their music. The artist who I will contact will most likely be unsigned, or they will be signed but are new/unknown. Finding these artists will make it more likely that I will be able to use their material as they will be more likely to let me use it. I could try and get permission from a big artist to use their music, but it is highly unlikely that they would reply to my request because they may not even see it because of how many people are trying to talk to them. I could try using Twitter to contact big name artists, but they probably won't see it.

When looking for the song that I want to choose, I am aiming for it to be 3:00-3:30 in length. This is a good length for a song because it is long enough that it will contain different rhythms and beats which means i will be able to showcase my skills a bit more. However, it is not too long that it will take forever to make and edit. I also have to think about the music style when deciding what song to use. I must make sure that I don't choose any song from the genres: Rap, Country and Western and Dubstep. These genres would prove to be tough to do for a number of reasons. Rap would be hard to do as you have to rap the words really fast, and it would be hard to lip-sync with the song. Country and Western would be hard to do as it would have to contain a stereotypical setting like a desert. I wouldn't have these facilities available so it would be difficult to make this kind of video. Dubstep would be hard as it doesn't contain many vocals. I must look for a song that is upbeat with tempo. This track must also be interesting with enough vocals which displays a change in tempo.

Styles of Music Video

There are different styles of music video which can be made which all have their different purposes and uses. The styles of music video that current exist are

• Narrative Based

A narrative based music video which contains a storyline. There is a storyline which happens within the video and progresses as the music in the background progresses. The story in the music video usually has some reference to the song. These music videos can include the artist who sings the song, but not always. 

• Cinematic

A cinematic music video is usually compared to being a mini film. It has high production values, and the way that video is filmed give it a film like quality. A cinematic music video would make good use of aspects of film such as: Cinematography and Mise-En-Scene

• Studio-based

A studio-based music video is a video which is shot in just one location. The whole music video is just set in one location, and doesn't change. As the name suggests, these are usually shot in studios. 

• Intertextuality

An intertextuality music video is a video that refers to other texts. It is different from a parody, as an intertextuality video is one that doesn't make fun of it. It just refers to it in some way or form. 

• Parody

A parody music video is one who makes fun of another text. It would use the ideas that they have seen in another text and then use the same ideas, or refer to them in a way that makes fun of those ideas, and the creators of those ideas. As you can see from the videos below, the top video is "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve. The bottom video is the parody video. 

• Pastiche 

A pastiche music video is a video which works seriously with another genre/time frame. The song would associate with the music video, and the video would be of another time which is not the current time.

• Animation

A music video that is made with animation means that the actual video is animated. The video would contain animation effects and wouldn't contain any footage that has been captured with a camera. 

• "As Live"

A music video that is "As Live" is exactly what the name suggests. The music video is shot as in though it is live. This is usually done as the music video is footage from a concert so the video would contain the band playing, and reactions from crowds. 

Brief of the Task

My task is to produce:

 A music ‘promo’ video

 Up to 5 minutes

  Either working on your own or in a group of up to four members

I also need to produce:

 A ‘digipak’ (Six panels) for its release on CD

 A magazine advertisement for the digipak

 In addition to your ‘promo’ video I will have to produce:

 A critical evaluation

Welcome

Hello, my name is Carl Palmer and I am 17 years of age.
This is my blog for my A2 Media Coursework. In this blog, I am going to be writing about the techniques that I will learn in this course. I will learn about the different media techniques that are used in making a music video.