First Edit of my Music Video - Unfinished

First edit of my music video - unfinished. 

Hot Desking Peer Feedback

Favourite images and connotations?
·         I like the titles – they fit well with the indie theme and contrast nicely with the woodland backdrop
·         I like how you have edited the title in, works well with the video
·         Good slow editing
·         I like the close up of the girl’s face at about 1:20, because the background is completely out of focus.
·         Title at the beginning suits indie genre and the setting works really well
·         Title at the beginning goes well
·         The title fits in well with the genre of the song and so does the natural imagery.
·         The woodland setting and the general lighting is very pleasing to watch.
·         The colour grading of the first clip is lovely, it would be nice if this was the same throughout.

What aspects of the video promote the track?
·         The recurring use of close up shots fits well with the intimate feeling of the track
·         Continuity editing and the close ups of her face when she is smiling
·         Sepia effect is good with text over
·         Slow editing pace. - Colour scheme and editing pace
·         Editing pace is nice a slow like the music so it fits in great
·         Slow editing and colour scheme – the natural imagery promotes the genre of the tracks and contributes towards giving the video a more indie feel.
·         The tranquillity, and simplicity fit the indie genre, and compliment the song.
·         The slower pace of editing and longer clips are calming, as is the lack of action within the shots.

How does the video use musical genre conventions?
·         Folk/earthy forest leaves
·         Aesthetic works with indie genre
·         The indie genre feel
·         The imagery of the trees and forestry, as well as the natural colours fits in well with the song’s genre as an indie track, and so does the title.
·         The lighting, the varying shots (size, distance and position) and the colours used for clothing, sunset, boots, all complement each other for the desired genre’s conventions.
·         The colour grading heightens the conventions of the indie genre

Creative use of technical skills (controlled use of camera; variety of shot sizes; editing techniques; lip sync; pace and rhythm; effects):
·         The close ups are controlled and in focus
·         Good use of slow pace reflecting the pace of the song
·         Hand held footage – but okay if you want it to be.
In focus, suitable shots types used
·         All in focus and sharp
·         Good focus and diverse range of shots; good close ups.
·         Very nice motion of the camera to suit the song’s pace.
·         Shots are in focus, however the end clips are slightly overexposed, but there is a variety of shot angles and types which interest the viewer

Areas for improvement:
·         Maybe edit on the beat more frequently, also a lot of clips are a little too long.
·         Clip zooms in whilst filming
·         Some shots are too long so try shortening them
·         More shot changes and it needs more going on, maybe a narrative, but as a start it is good.
Shots at the beginning and end are really long, don’t entirely understand concept
·         More shot changes
·         Perhaps needs something else going on, like more of a narrative structure.
·         Shorten a few shot, and maybe vary the actions a little J
·         Fill in the gaps, as when the piece is viewed as a whole the longer clips may not keep the viewer’s interest

Overall, I am pleased with this feedback. The group seemed to have understood the genre of the song with the comments of how it fits in with the indie conventions. I have found that the title is effective and fits with the conventions, and contrasts nicely to the natural woodland setting. I have also found that the close up shots, colouring effects and slow pace of the editing also fits in with the indie genre conventions and promotes the indie track. The overall earthy aesthetic of the woodland and natural colours means the video uses genre conventions. There is also good use of close up, which are controlled and in focus, as well as the slow pace. The general areas for improvement are the length shots, because they are too long, and should be edited on the beat more frequently.

Editing - Music Video

Slowing speed

I slowed down the pace of my footage, to make it longer and fit more in the time frame. 

Before 3 Way Colour Correction

After 3 Way Colour Correction

I decided to use a 3  way colour correction tool for for some footage, looking at the shadows, midtones and highlights. I have found this a great way to edit the atmosphere of my music video to fit the indie genre, and used this effect throughout editing, so that there was continuity.

Frame rate

Interpreting Footage

For the next step, I experimented with the frame rate and interpreting it, as I was thinking about adding black borders for a cinematic effect. 

Cinematic borders

I added in black, cinematic borders that I downloaded online, and added them to my footage. I did this to see whether I liked this cinematic effect for my music videos, as I have noticed that some indie music videos use this 'cinematic' effect, for example, Keaton Henson's 'Flesh and Bone'. 

However, I am not completely sure on the effect yet.

Fast colour corrector

I also looked at the Fast Colour Corrector tool. This had a similar effect to the 3 Way Colour Corrector, and was helpful to me as I could edit my video's atmosphere to fir more in to the indie genre. 

Colour Corrector - matching cuts with colour

I then continued the shot of feet, however, found that because of the lighting of the location and the times of day, the first shot was dar (being under the trees), and the second shot was much brighter and vibrant. To add a sense of continuity, I changed the colour to a more green, orange, organic colour. 

Filming - Problem Solving

On my most recent trip out filming, I went out and was able to shoot without problems, however, when viewing the files on the computer I had to use a card reader, which corrupted all my files and documents on the SD card, so I lost all my new footage. From this point on, I decided to simply use the footage I already have, instead of going out and filming again.