Digipak - Front Cover

Digipak - Front Cover Construction

Editing our front cover together was quite simple once we had figured out which image would suit the front of the CD cover best. We thought that it was essential that the lead singer was the central image since, as the band are quite small, we wished to make it clear and easily recognisable as 'littlewing'. We also made sure to edit the image on Photoshop to make sure the colours were soft and thus reflect their music and overall tone. Initially we were not going to have the white border/polaroid look, in fact this came about as some relief since we could not crop the original image any further or it would look out of shape/unrecognisable. The white border made it easily fit in with the dimensions of a digipak and it actually fit in with the conventions of the indie genre - being 'retro'. The polaroid aspect fits in nicely with the band and thus, the digipak and was also a great problem solver.

Similarly, this use of a white border had been used throughout many other indie bands' Cd front covers, such as Vampire Weekend's album 'Contra':

Magazine Advertisement Analysis - CHVRCHES

Magazine Advertisement Analysis - Noah and the Whale

Magazine Advertisement Analysis - Vampire Weekend

Magazine Advertisement Analysis - The Vaccines

Magazine Advertisement Analysis - Bombay Bicycle Club

Digipak Research - Analysis of CHVRCHES' Album Cover

Digipak Research - Analysis of Noah and the Whale's Album Cover

Digipak Research - Analysis of Vampire Weekend's Album Cover

Digipak Research - Analysis of The Vaccines' Album Cover

Digipak Research - Analysis of Bombay Bicycle Club's Album Cover

Digipak Research - Mood Board

Ancillary Task - Iconography Mood Board

Main Task - Final Cut

Main Task - Final Cut Construction

There is perhaps a dramatic difference between our second and final cuts, mostly down to the addition of a narrative. We realised that our 'montage' section just wasn't effective enough and seemed to let the whole piece. However, the addition of the narrative, alongside perected cuts, institutional logos and titles I think that the whole thing has really come together. The 'cherry on top' was the colour grading which really gave the whole music video life.

Main Task - Post-Production - Second Cut

With our second cut we managed to increase the number of cuts in time with the song as well as replacing weaker-framed shots with better shots. We also made sure that these cuts were in time to the music, thus making it seem like a much more 'flowing' music video, rather than shots just complied together which can appear jarring to the audience. Following from this, we began to experitment with our editing techniques. A key experiment being with the split screen. Initially, in the planning we wanted the whole music video to be in split screen, but we realised that this would perhaps with a performance based music video and can also become, very easily, confusing. The concept of having a split screen did seem to be quite exciting however, on reflection having a split screen placed randomly throughout the music video did look a little odd. Nonetheless, it was interesting learning how to complete a split-screen in Final Cut Pro - quite easy as it turns out. The last thing we advanced on was removing the weaker wider shots. This made the whole thing look a lot more continuous, presenting the music video as a flowing piece, flowing well from shot-to-shot.

In order for us to advance and make sure that the amount of cuts correlated with the tempo of the music, we constructed a graph displaying the tempo clearly throughout the song:

We also created a check list of things we wished to do in order to ensure an effective music video:

Main Task - Post-Production - First Cut

Editing initially seemed like an easy task, however, the more and more hours we put into the more complications seemed to arise. Our first major problem lay in the fact that there is a drop in tempo around three quarters of the way through the song which we couldn't seem to find anything that 'fit' properly. Firstly, we though it may be a good idea to put a montage in this section. However, it did not look entirely right and appeared a little out of place. This was a little bit of a panic to us as we struggled to find an idea that would work. In the end we decided to write down of thing which we wished to change and what needed doing. Really though, for our first cut we just wanted to put down the first layer and see how it would look. It was also interesting to see how our shots turned out. Luckily, we were pretty happy with most of our shots and most seemed to fit the genre and feel of the song.

After completing our first cut, we realised that it was very rough. This was OK since we really only needed to get the basis and first layer down first before we could progress. On reflection, we realised that there was not nearly enough cuts. Also, the cuts that were there were slightly out of time with the tempo and rhythm of the song. We also thought that some of the shots we were using were too wide for intimate points in the song. Similarly, we needed to make sure that weaker shots were not used, unless it was absolutely essential. Perhaps our main problem lay in the fact that we could not really find what belonged in the 'slower' section of the song, the point where the tempo drops. For the moment we decided to add a stereotypical montage, however, we agreed that this was not the greatest decision.

Main Task - Production - Shoot 2 (Narrative)

For the narrative shoot, things were perhaps more simple. Again, we were lucky to have good weather since we go up so early. In fact, we were a little too early since the National Trust ground was not even open when we arrived. Finding a date to film this section was a little easier than it had been organising with the band since, firstly, our cast and production live locally and secondly, there was only three of us. In reality, we did not initially plan to film a second shoot since we though that just the performance would be enough. However, as we came to start editing we realised that there was something missing and the video was becoming a bit repetitive with just the performance. In particular, there is a particular bit in the song where the tempo drops, which nothing seemed to fit. Funnily, in our initial stages of planning we thought abounding an entirely narrative music video however, we though it would be too much. In this way, we already had a narrative we wanted to construct and so planning a second shoot was much easier in short notice.

Once we arrived at the 'Woodland Walk', we walked for a good hour until we were happy with the spot to shoot. I think the reason this took so long was because we walked the long was around, since on our walk back, it seemed to take only 15-20 minutes. As we had visualised, we found a set of wooden stairs which we thought would be the perfect romantic setting for the narrative we were trying to contract, of a young happy couple. Shooting overall was rather easy, the location really just spoke for itself. The only really annoying thing was the fact that the sun decided to go in half way through shooting and in turn cast a gloom over the yellow, fallen leaves. Luckily by this time we had got most of the key shots that we wanted to use.

Main Task - Production - Shoot 1 (Performance)

After the difficulties ranging a date which the whole band and our group could make, we finally settled on (luckily) a sunny day in September. Unfortunately only I could make the day to be able to shoot however, we managed to grab another pair of hands to be in control of the second camera. 

We were extremely lucky with the weather being so nice since the whole feel of the music video would have been off. If it had been raining our upbeat song 'Wasting Time' would have seemed like somewhat of a tragedy. Firstly, we began filming in the band's practise area in the drummer's back garden. In order to give the space a more 'exciting' feel we added bright coloured back drops, one in particular which had a lot of blues, yellow and greens to hopefully match with the whole video since we aimed to make sure that the video contained lively colours in order to reflect the song perfectly. After we had filmed a few set ups following our 1 hour in practise studio and 1 hour in woods schedule, we went onto the woods. Overall, shooting in the practise area went rather smoothly, the only real problem lay in the fact that the space was quite small and so I was unable to capture any wide/mid shots. However, this was mostly fine since really the most important shots were the ones of the lead singer which worked out well. What we struggled with the most was fitting the whole drum kit in shot, which proved impossible even if we were outside the window looking in.

After our first hour spent in the practise 'cabin' we walked across the road, with instruments and camera kits in hand, until we found a nice spot in the woods which display the right the amount of light. Initially, we set up in a nice clearing in the woods however, after doing a few test shots I realised the it was too light and the shots would come out over-exposed. In the end we found a nice spot and continued to shoot. Overall, the shoot went rather smoothy with only a few people walking past us with their dogs with confused faces. 

Looking back, we were very lucky to have had such good weather and a very co-operative band to work with. They even brought along their own bluetooth speakers to play the song over and over (and over) with. The only problem with this is that signal and particularly wifi is not great in the middle of a forest and so it would decide to cut out half way through the song. Also, the speakers were not that loud and so we had to come up with the solution of putting the speaker in one of the jars we had for decoration in order for it to bounce of the glass sides and sound louder. This did work surprisingly well.

Main Task - 'Wasting Time' - Storyboards - Shoot 2 (Narrative)

Main Task - Storyboards - Shoot 1 (Performance)

Main Task - Props List

Main Task - Shot Lists

Main Task - Artist Correspondance

Luckily, the artist themselves were easy to access. Since I found the band through a friend of a friend, contacting them was simple. Most importantly, the band themselves seems very keen to be apart of our media piece.  In fact, they were grateful to have somebody produce a music video for free for them. I think what made this easier was the fact that the band are still small, they were more likely and certainly more keen to participate in the video itself, something which we found particulalry enticing.  

Luckily, the whole band were willing to be involved and in turn were fairly easy to create our own ideas without to many restrictions from the band themselves. This is ideal since we did not to be too restricted in our thinking and image we had in mind for the music and lyrics. 

What remained the problem, and most concerning problem, was arranging a date to film. As well as this, finding a place to film was difficult since we needed to make sure that the location would not be a problem for the band. 

In the end after many problems with the whole bands availability, as well as my production group. We set a date for me to film and for the whole band to attend. We decided to film in their small practise room, which ideally would be decorated with a nice backdrop and fairy lights, also filming in a nearby wood. All that was left to risk was the weather...

Research & Planning - Lighting and Colour

As our chosen track is quite upbeat we thought that high key lighting would help to reflect upon the song and therefore represent visually what the audio is portraying.

For the colours, we wished to use a lot of greens and yellows in order to display the new and happy relationship of the couple within the narrative. Usually, yellow has connotations of being happy and summer, just what king of feeling we wished to create in our music video.

Research & Planning - Location

Shoot 1- Performance

Due to the song having an upbeat tempo, it seemed only fitting that we should film somewhere in the sun. The only problem with this is that we rely on the weather. To cause the least logistical problems with the band, we thought it would be easiest to film near them. Initially we had the great opportunity to film in a warehouse belonging to the lead singer's family. However, this became problematic since there was work that would be occuring on our planned weekend and so would be quite distruptive. Hence, we decided to film in a nearby forest and in their practise studio in a bandmember's house. The only problem lay in the fact that I would have to film on my own due to work commitment, but this was mostly resolved by grabbing another pair of hands to help myself out with the shoot itself. The band's performance studio initially looked quite bare and so we bought nice looking backdrops and fairy-lights in order to make the space look more fitting for a music video.

Most importantly, we wanted to make sure that the setting was light and therefore would fit with the genre of Littlewing's music. Luckily, the woods provided a lovely setting for the light-hearted nature of the song, as well as consistantly providing the green/yellow colouring which we wanted to display throughout the music video. It was also key for us that we had good weather for this day. Without good weather, the entire music video would appear almost unconnected to the song. For example, if we were to have dull, rainy weather, it may be better suited to a song that had a saddened, deep meaning. In order for the meaning of the music video to be clear, ideally we needed sunny weather - connoting happiness. 

Shoot 2 - Narrative

In order to make sure that the music video flows nicely we decided to film on national trust land or 'woodlands walk' as to appear as though the couple are on a romantic sunday walk. The colours therefore would hopefully match to the performance shoot and therefore not appear jarring.