Evaluation

Like I did last year, I've used Wix to host my evaluation as I think it allows me to show off my creativity more than just creating blog entries on each evaluation question. I've included a PowerPoint presentation, a Prezi and a video in order to make the experience more interactive and enjoyable.

Click here to be taken to my Wix website.

Alternatively, type http://elean0rgrocock.wix.com/a2-media-evaluation into your search bar.

Finished Music Video

Note: I'm still not 100% happy with the video quality

Finished Magazine Advertisement

Finished Digipak

(Pr) Magazine Advert

Bokeh set to 'lighten'

Bokeh set to 'darken'

Whilst making the finishing touches to my magazine advertisement I decided to try out different blend types for the bokeh effect layer. On the first image, the bokeh layer is set to 'lighten', but in the second it is set to 'darken'. I decided to ask my fellow classmates which they liked better as I couldn't decide, and the majority replied that they preferred the bokeh effect when it was set to darken, but they also liked the main image when it was a bit brighter, therefore I have decided to see if I can brighten the main image so that I can keep the darker bokeh effect.

Above is my altered magazine advertisement. I've altered the brightness and contrast of the main image so that it stands out more and I've also given the main type a colour overlay so that it looks more aesthetically pleasing and also stands out from the background more. I'm still not 100% happy with this outcome, however, so I will continue to make alterations.

(Pr) Digipak Feedback

In order to best judge my digipak and in order to gather the best audience feedback, I printed out my digipak and folded it up so that it resembled the real thing. I then asked my fellow classmates what they thought about it and what improvements could be made, this is what they said:

Improvements to be made:

• The colour of the main type on the front cover doesn't stand out enough 

Positives:

• The disc design looks effective
• The continuity of the product is effective (the colour scheme, the typography)
• The use of a variety of images

(Pr) First Draft

Above is the first draft of my music video. There's some parts I'm still not 100% happy with, and I'm not really pleased with the video quality, although I'm not sure if I'd be able to change this at all as I've already tried a couple of different things in an attempt to make the picture clearer and nothing has altered. 

(Pr) Magazine Adverts

So far I have created three potential magazine adverts for my digipak. My reason for creating three is so that I can compare each one and then create the best advertisement possible.

This is the first advertisement that I created. I decided to include one of the bokeh photographs as an overlay to make the image look more unique and I included conventional features such as star ratings from music magazines and Becca Del Rose's website.

After I created the first advertisement, I decided it perhaps wasn't a good idea having the main image the same as the one I used for the digipak as it didn't showcase my skills enough. Therefore, I created another advertisement using a different photograph. However, I didn't think this photograph looked professional enough because of the plastic white windowframe, although I did like the unconventional use of hearts instead of stars for the magazine rating and the comment.

This is my third (unfinished at the minute) magazine advert. I decided to try and combine the two previous magazine adverts so that I would potentially create a mix that looks professional. I incorporated the magazine comment and the floral type from the second magazine advert, but kept the main image and layout from the first. I haven't updated the stars so that they are hearts yet, or added the Facebook or Twitter page, and I also haven't changed the digipak image to the new, updated digipak image. 

As of now, I'm not sure which magazine advert I do prefer, but I will continue to improve the third one until I am happy.

(Pr) My Bokeh Photographs

In this post I talked about a photography technique called bokeh that I wanted to try. Here are a few photographs of my attempts:

Before and After

(Pr) First Draft of Digipak

Above is my first, uncompleted draft of my digipak. I still need to add further details to the bottom middle panel and also potentially change the pictures.

 

I tried to stick to the conventional features of Lana Del Rey's products, for example, the strong, determined pose as the front cover image with use of a direct gaze in order to engage with audience. I also used Del Rey's signature font (Steelfish, downloaded from Dafont) and stuck with a floral, pastel tone.

 

My reasons for conforming to conventions is so that the audience can easily establish who the artist is, what genre of music the artist is a part of and what the artist's ideologies are (this can be assumed through the colour scheme, the use of images, and the mise-en-scene).

(Pr) Photographs 2

Below are photographs taken during my second day filming.

These first two photographs are of the front cover of a Cath Kidston notebook, as I want the disk in my digipak to have a floral pattern on it.

(Pr) Deciding on the Digipak Front Cover

Above are two unfinished examples of my digipak, currently I am unsure which photograph suits the front better, although I am leaning towards the second one. I asked my fellow media students and the media technician for their opinion and the majority of people agreed and said the second image looked the best.

(Pr) Filming Check List

For my second day of filming I've decided to develop a check list to remind me of what props I need to bring with me and also what shots and scenes I need to film:

Light Becky mise-en-scene

• White baggy t-shirt
• Denim Shorts
• White converse
• Floral crown
• Pink lipstick
• Neutral make-up
• Blue fluffy jumper
• Pink skirt

Dark Becky mise-en-scene

• Red dress
• Black boots
• Dark, black eyes
• Bow in hair
• Red lipstick
• Rings
• Black nails

Props

• Fairy lights
• Candles
• Flower petals (for bath)
• Blanket (for picnic)
• Chocolates
• Bed

Scenes to shoot - Light Becky

• Romantic bath w/ petals floating on top surrounded by candles
• Becky baking and throwing flour at the camera
• Laid in bed
• Candlelit dinner
• Picnic
• Eating chocolates
• Make a heart out of tea lights

Scenes to shoot - Dark Becky

• Walking through woods - fairy lights in bush
• Walking along road with heels in her hand
• Walking outside a church - to show religious, deathly elements
• Blowing a kiss / pursing her lips
• Stood in a field with trees behind, twirling around, acting crazy

(Pr) Editing Process 1

I began filming last Saturday (the 25th of January) but when everything was uploaded onto the computer I realised that I didn't have nearly enough footage. Therefore, this Saturday (the 1st of February) I'm going to film again.

I also began my editing on Tuesday, so far it's going really well and I'm enjoying the whole process, but I've already used the majority of my footage so the editing process is coming to a bit of a standstill. Below are screenshots of my current work and, as you can see, there are quite a few gaps to be filled: