Producing V.A.M (DVD extras)

Material to involve;
- Deleted scene
- Bloopers
- Extended scenes
- Games
- Interviews/Behind the scenes

5-10 minutes documentary on the making of video
-Voice over scenes from the film
- Person in vision with name and title
- Must include director
- Band history, day of filming, the making of video
- Title sequence (10-20)
- End credits (10-20 seconds


A DVD commentary
- Record with all crew members and at least the one band memeber
-Tell the audience what happened during the production, the client should talk about their experience.
- It should start with an introduction of each commentary

Photo gallery
- Split into 2: behind the scenes- no more than 20
                     poster and promotional gallary

Original stage design

From the left: Martin, Keith, Wolfie, Michael and Tim

The image of the stage above is not the actually stage that we will be using, just a clear example of the set design of the stage. 

We decided to change location from Sawtry Community College school hall, to Alconbury Memorial Hall. This was due to practicality and size. Alconbury's stage is slightly larger and newer, therefore, more suited for our contemporary video. The grounds around this area could also be considered for a few shots in our narrative half of the video as it is surrounded by fields, and depending on the weather, may be able to said the right scene.
I have gone on the website and found the email (webmaster@alconburyhall.co.uk)  for me to use in order to ask about the availability and prices..

Alconbury Memorial Hall

Costume

After research into similar bands, I decided that their attire should be smart/casual for the performance part of the music video. I have looked on the Vees facebook page and went through their pictures in order to gain a better idea of their fashion and image. I believe it is important for their personal image to be reflected through, as well as a professional and fashionable element.

Research

I found that for their pub gigs, their attire is very casual, consisting of a basic t shirt and jeans. This fits their wide target audience, rather than formal clothing such as a suit, which would more likely appeal to an older audience.

These casual outfits may be suitable for the pub, attracting an audience of people aged over 18, up to possibly 60, however, for our video it would not be appropriate. We are looking to locate the performance in a hall, placing the band on a big stage. Although the target audience will be the same, the venue will change, clashing with this casual image. The  concert scene prompts a more formal image, representing the band in a more appropriate manner.

Research on their formal attire (source found from their facebook site) :

These outfits are a lot smarter, the pictures taken from a wedding event. This may been seen as too formal, as the band needs to be able to connect with a contemporary audience, as well as a slightly older one. I also believe that bands convey a better image when their is a theme connecting them, such as a colour of their shirt, or pattern. This could reflect the artists as being a close band, which is important for the audience to see. I therefore research more appropriate outfits which would both appeal to their target audience, and portray a branded and suitable image.

I had previously researched the Kings of Leon's clothing, which is smart/casual and fashionable, relating and attracting the younger adult audience of around 18 years old. For many of the older audience, they have grown up with the band, and therefore, the fashion complex is less important in selling the band, as they have already grown to connect with the band and its music. The Vee's are a slightly older band, therefore, need to concentrate on their fashion in order to entice the late-teen audience.
Black is a very bold statement, which is both modern and traditional. It is a very safe option, therefore, I believe for the performance part of our video, the band members should all wear a smart black coloured polo shirt. This option provides the band with a image which reflects their closeness and one which will be recognised by their wide target audience. Although it the outfit needs to be relatively formal, it also needs to be able to relate to the young audience. A nice dark polo shirt tucked into smart trousers is a popular look for the contemporary music fans.
  

Grey trousers are now very fashionable, appealing to that younger audience. I therefore looked up the style which I believe would be suitable for the band. It needs to be remembered that the location is formal and therefore their attire must reflect this. 

  

Performance

We are looking to produce a amplification video, therefore, we need both performance and narrative.

Sarah came up with the idea of a performance in a hotel, and perhaps stylising it by getting them to performance in the hall. However, after further research, this may not be entirely practical as we may not have been able to make it look professional enough and it's likely we would need to pay and give advance notice of dates, which we were unsure of.

During our meeting at Keith, we started to discuss the use of the school hall and extra's, like a concert. We could use people in our year to act as the audience.  This could also give a better idea of the target audience, and attract those people. After this meeting, I decided I would start to investigate the appropriate locations, and look at designs and lighting that would fit the school hall, and create an effective performance.

Narrative notes from band meeting

Verse 1

I’ve been down these past few weeks                                 

Walking round in my sleep

When I called you tried to keep

Me from talking

But I never seem to feel

I’ve got your heart, I got your heel

Been a rock, don’t mean to deceive you

This verse is referring an argument the couple had when on the phone, and the frustration in which he felt towards her.  

Our idea for the first verse is to introduce a split screen, and have couple either side, on the phone having an argument.

It could be set in a domestic location, for example, they could be in their (separate) bedrooms, as this is the place most people would typically be when having a private conversation of this distressing nature. 
The female would be talking over her partner, the male simply looking exhausted and frustrated as she won't let him speak. 

Verse 2

Load the car and drop the hood

An autumn sun, makes me feel good

Rearview mirror see me turn

My back on your town

As the dust comes down to rest

In your yard, I must confess

I see your smile, release my devotion

For this verse we discussed using a long road, and a single car travelling down it, symbolising the journey of the couple’s relationship. I suggested we used a mid shot of the pair in the car having a disagreement and/or looking angry and upset, glancing out the window.

We could show these shots a few times throughout the duration of the video in order to represent this journey discussed. 

Meeting with the band

13/12/10
Bethany, Lucy and I met with one of the band members, Keith. This was a very beneficial session as we were able to discussion the song in more detail. Unfortunely, due to the theme and lyrics of the song being based around a break up, we will be unable to produce a 'fun' music video, which was originally discussed.

We were able to gather and develop our ideals for the narrative section of our video. For example;
The first verse is about a frustrating conversation on the phone between a couple; therefore, we could use this for our split screen idea, where by we would show the couple in different locations, on the phone to each other, conveying the appropriate emotion.

We discussed and confirmed the weekend of the 22nd January for the filming date with both the band and our teacher as it would involve a slight extension. The band are unable to make any early dates.

We told Keith about our idea of an amplification video, which he appeared happy with. We asked if Wolfie would be interested in taking part in our narrative, and he believed that he would be. As a group, we will continue brainstorming this narrative and decide on an appropriate character.

I was also able to show him my ideas for the logo design. He gave positive feedback, liking how I have created a bolder image. He reckoned emphasising the 3D image, which I will begin to do using Adobe Photoshop.

V.A.M cover ideas research

Kings of Leon 1

Kings of Leon 2

I researched the Kings of Leon as I have noticed their stylised pictures. They are very unique in their structure and organisation of the image. Through this they are able to create an independent image, making them stand out as they attempt a connection with the audience. The simple theme is often used in order to place the focus upon the band members. This is very effective as it coveys much about the bands image and style, which corresponds with the target audience's hopes.
This is a very popular band, therefore, over the image they have managed to create an image that their target audience is drawn to, and through this they co ordinate photo shoots which carter for these ideals.
From this research I have been able to view the positive idea of simplicity, and this may work well for The Vees as it will create a focus on them and convey their image to the audience.
The lighting in the first people is very focuses on the band members portrait shots and their expressions, once again emphasising their image.

Feeder

Feeder also has a similar target audience, therefore, researching their photography and promotional material is highly important with aiding my own designs for The Vees. The stylised set up of the image subtracts slightly from the band, which is the main theme in the Kings of Leon's promotional stills. I very much appreciate the elements such as the involvement of the instruments, and performance set up. It certainly open my mind to new possibility for promotional stills,  however, for The Vees main photo, I believe it is best to emphasis the band in order for them to bond more with their target audience.

Stererophonics 1

Stereophonics 2

The Stereophonics promotional pictures have a focus on both the landscape and the band. In both of these images the landscape is the main feature of the pictures, suggesting the theme of the album and image of the band. This may not work for a new up and coming band as it may take about from the band's image, however, for a well represented and popular band such as Stereophonics, this is very effective. 

Blog entries

We decided on our designated roles:

I would be the designer

Sarah- directer

Beth-producer

Lucy- technical

We started to discuss similar bands, such as, Weezer, Kings of Leon, Feeder, and Snow Patrol. From here, we chose a band which we would research in order to create and develop ideas of the target audience, image, the video, and for me as a designer, promotional tips.

6/12/10; Our group met to discuss the research which we managed to gathering over the weekend. Beth took notes. We assigned aims for the next time we meet, I suggested that I continued to design edited logo ideas and that we as a group could carry on brainstorming ideas which we have retrieved from our earlier research.


7/12/10; In class we assigned roles for V.A.M. We decided I would be the producer for this project. I am also the designer for the production, so much of this task will fall to my responsibility. This will involve researching and producing and a DVD cover and design for the menu page.

Logo drafts

original

After hearing the bands ideas on wanting a 3D effect, I decided I would create this by changing the colour of the background, and highlighting the shadows. I also liked the idea of making it look slightly mysterious, and contemporary, in order to intrigue potential new fans. 

                                

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Logo ideas

The band showed flexibility regarding their logo, so I began researching similar bands and their logo style. There is a recurring theme of black and white, suggesting a bold and dominant image. The Weezer logo is very similar to that of The Vees, therefore, I believe a more unique twist could be placed on The Vee's logo, making it stand out more, and creating it own, more confident, image.

Straight lines seem to be very popular within this genre, therefore, keeping the structure of the original logo is very important. The font may be the most obvious element to change, research has taught me that simply fonts can still be highly effective, but they must stand out, either by using capitals, italics, bold, or particular colours schemes. The logo must be representative of the band, appealing to their wide target audience, therefore, simplicity may be key in the case of The Vees. Although, I fully understand their desire to create a fun image and intend to experiment until we find that which will be most suited.

White font on black backing appears to be popular in band logo's, especially with those which have thinner fonts. I think the capitalised titles, such as Feeder,  are much more effective. They say a lot more about the band, and portray much more confidence, which would help The Vees a great deal.