Camera Focus Task

Today I learnt how to use some functions on a Panasonic LECIA HDC-HS900 camcorder. I learnt how to use functions such as autofocus, manual focus and IRIS. We carried out a task as a group in which we practiced focusing the camera onto an object/person and making the background blurry. This will help us when filming and will help to save us time when editing as we will not have to add in effects to improve the focus.

Here is an image of the camcorder I used: 

Group Meeting

Today we conducted a group meeting and then printed most of the work which we have completed as a group. We discussed which tasks we still have left to complete and created a plan to have all the tasks completed as soon as possible. We completed the risk assessment, treatment, actor's brief and most of the story board. We still are awaiting for the release forms to be given back to us from actors.


The turnout again was terrible as no one turned up for the auditions therefore we are still missing someone to play the role of Drake and time is running out.

Editing Practice

Today my group learnt how to use a Mac computer to edit a short video clip using Final Cut Pro. We were taught by a professional technician who gave us a task in which we had to work as a team in order to put together short clips of video and audio to create a full length movie. We learnt how to add in transitions and special effects such as a motion blur and captions. We found this task extremely useful as we feel more confident in using the software to edit our music video.

We also spent some time outside lesson to set up another audition as our current one didn't go according to plan. We went into some Performing Art’s classrooms and pitched our music video idea and decided to hold auditions again for tomorrow.

Auditions didn't work out

As we put up the audition posters around the college on a short notice we didn't have anyone come in to audition. This was a downfall however we have chosen a female, a friend of Hannah to play the role of Drake's ex in our music video. I have allocated my friend from outside college to play the role of Nicki Minaj. She was willing to help out as she is a huge fan of Nicki Minaj and knows her songs by heart hence lip-synching will not be an issue. On the other hand, we still have one actor missing, someone to play the role of Drake.

Allocating Roles

We have allocated various roles within our group to ensure that everyone is working efficiently. We have divided the story board into two parts in which myself and Hannah will be working on Nicki Minaj’s part of the song whereas Ismael will be working on Drake’s part. After creating the poster myself and Hannah are in charge of holding the auditions as Ismael is unable to attend. I have completed the risk assessment form in thorough detail. In our spare time, we have started to decide on different locations which we will use for filming. This is critical as we all we need to be able to travel to the various locations easily when filming and we also have to take into consideration that our actors are able to travel.

Audition Poster

Today we created a poster as we need people to audition to act as our characters. As we already have one actress to play the role of Drake’s ex, we will still need two more to play the role of Drake and Nicki.

 

Here is the poster that we created:

Actor's Brief

Today we held auditions for people to play the role of the actors which will be included in our music video. The following is the requirements which we have decided our characters will need:

Drake

Needs to know the lyrics in detail as lip-syncing will be used. Needs to know Drake’s characteristics as this will be reflected in the video. This person may need stubble and short hair. To be honest, it can be anyone who can lip-sync in time with the song, is confident that they can act like Drake and how he acts in his videos. The actor will also need to have a lot of free time in which they will be able to attend the shooting. Sunglasses can be worn throughout the video if needed. As for the dress code, it will be casual clothing; no branded items, preferably plain and these clothes can be provided if necessary. No jewellery will be needed; maybe a baseball cap and it would be great if the person isn’t too chubby or too skinny. Height isn’t really an issue however over 5”6 would be ideal. We won’t show you much from the knees down. Throughout the song clothing such as tracksuits, sports trainers, jogging bottoms may be worn by Drake who will be giving off a ‘ghetto’ and poor image.

Drake’s girlfriend

This will be a playing role alongside Drake. She will be dressed up smart throughout. The outfits will vary between a school uniform and a work suit. This girl can be anything between 5”3 to 5”7. She can be anyone. She will not need to lip-sync any parts of the song. She will just be alongside Drake as he sings. She will need to be able to hold facial expressions for a few seconds.

Nicki Minaj

This performer will need to know the lyrics in detail as lip-syncing will be used. She will also need to know Nicki’s characteristics as this will be reflected in the video. They need to be confident that they can act like Nicki Minaj how she does in previous videos. The dress code needs to be bold, bright but not branded, e.g. furry coats and anything with bright colours. No jewellery will be needed as we will supply you with it. Height can be anything between 5”3 and 5”7.