Evaluation and audience feedback

Instead of doing a focus group for my film to gather audience feedback, I decided to screen it online by method of emailing the video to many of my friends which fit the target audience and also by hosting the video on www.newschoolers.com, which enables me to gather the most valuable and honest feedback from members of my specific target audience. Evidence of this can be found on my evaluative presentation hosted on www.prezi.com

Here is a link to my evaluative presentation - http://prezi.com/gnnxiol4qpa_/

Magazine review page

This is my final design for my magazine review page promoting my film. Following on from my poster design, I have decided to use the same simple style and layout with this to attract and retain maximum interest from the target audience. By keeping this continuity between ancillary tasks also makes them separately identifiable and easy to associate with my main film task.

Prezi

After some time getting used to the new programme, I am now beginning to make good progress with my evaluation presentation hosted online at Prezi

Issues.

After completing my magazine review page and submitting it, I am now having problems with the original file. For some reason, even though saved as the acceptable form of a JPEG, the document will not open, allow me to edit it or upload to my blog or prezi. I will try and troubleshoot the problem some more, but this may result in my having to create it again.

Understanding and applying critical theory

Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols within a system, and I have demonstrated this within my production in many ways. For example, by studying and deconstructing current media texts of my chosen genre, and using the generic conventions, I have been able to successfully achieve the results I was looking for to suite my target audience. Stereotypically, skiing in the eye of the general public is viewed as a past time for the more upper class, where middle aged people stay in log cabins and wear fur. So, taking this into account, in my production I have not directly aimed my production of the mass 'norm' of the general public. I have chosen to focus more upon the smaller niche market of freestyle and freeride skiers. However, I have tried to film and edit my production in such a way that it begins to shed light onto this completely new and exciting side of the sport for those that are unaware.

I have also used cultural relativism within my production. For example, after some research I have chosen to use a hip-hop music track as the backing music for my film, so applying this to semiotics, hip-hop is stereotypically used for this particular genre, therefore making my production more appealing to my target audience.

In terms of representation, I have put a lot of time into deconstructing current media texts and research to enable me to film and edit my production in such a way that I capture the excitement and atmosphere that the sport creates. In terms of my exam, I will be able to reference this as I feel that it is an area of production which I have greatly improved on. I also feel that this is reflected in my final piece.

During my practical production, I have greatly improved my camera, film and sound editing skills. This has enabled me to produce a more professional end product. Again, using the generic conventions of the genre, combined with my newly developed skills, I am able to capture the target audience's attention and maintain interest throughout.

First poster draft

Here is m first mock up poster. I have tried to keep it simple, but eye catching, keeping the amount of text to a minimum.

Poster inspiration

After some internet research, I have found an example poster which I think is similar to the thing that I would like to produce. The poster promoting the 'Latitude' 2010 music festival is based upon a very simple design of a background images with layered text, but is still eye catching and informative.

What you've all been waiting for...

Here is my finished short film, enjoy!

Ski Edit from Tom Coe on Vimeo.

Newschoolers

I have also uploaded my video into the 'User's Video' section on www.newschoolers.com which is the world's biggest free skiing website. Here members from all over the world will be able to watch my video and give me some feedback.

newschoolers.com

Social networking

Now my film is finished, I have uploaded the video to www.vimeo.com which is a video hosting website where people can upload their work and share it with everyone over the Internet. I chose this site instead of www.youtube.com because Vimeo displays all videos in HD quality.

I then used the popular social networking website www.facebook.com to send an email around to all my friends that ski and snowboard with the video link attached within the message asking them for their thoughts and any feedback on the video. This is valid information too because the feedback will be coming directly from members of my target audience, unlike all the people within my media class who have seen the video so far.

Print screen of the Facebook mail message I sent

End credits

After spending some time this morning cutting the end of the film together, I have finally now finished piecing the ending together.

Lookin' good.

Voice over is now in the film. Watching it over, it works together a lot better than I thought it might. I'm pleased!

Voice over

Unfortunately, Morgan Freeman wasn't available to be the sound of the voice over, so I filmed it myself this afternoon and am now uploading it and and will be editing it into the film shortly.

Poor quality

I have been waiting for my friend to email a video clip which I was planning to use as the closing clip in my film. However, when I got the clip sent to me today, I have found that the video is fairly bad quality and is nothing like the previous footage in the film. It is also shot in a different resolution ratio which means it is displayed with a border at the top and bottom of the shot. To combat this problem, I'm planning on doing a last minute shoot this Thursday to collect a good enough shot which I can close the film with.

Here is the clip I was originally planning to use:

Side tasks

Along with the video, I have to create a poster and a magazine interview page for my film. With the deadline for my project fast approaching, I have so far spent all my time concentrating on getting the film to a reasonable standard. Now, it is time for my to turn my attention to these other smaller side tasks to make sure I get the most marks possible.

For the digital poster, I was planning to use a still image from part of the film as the main background, adding text over the top to make it eye catching, but simple without too much to read. However, after looking back through the footage I have shot, I feel that the video quality is too poor to use for this as the image will need to be manipulated and enlarged, and I think that this will cause the image to become un-recognisable. So, on Thursday I am taking my camera down to the slope to shoot some separate images which I can use.

On the other hand with my magazine review page, I am currently collecting sample magazine aimed at the same target audience as me, and gathering examples and ideas for possible lay out ideas.

Audience interaction

This morning I showed my media teacher my film for the first time, which to be honest I have been dreading doing. But, I got all good feedback which I'm really pleased with! Comments made were that my filming and editing was to a very high standard, but what my video was lacking is more audience interaction. This could be in the form of a voice over, or an interview or anything like that just to engage the viewer a bit more into the film and make it slightly more interesting for those people that do not ski.

So, taking this on board, this afternoon I shall be recording a separate video which I will use the audio from as a voice over to play over the top of the video.

95%

Over the past few days I have been putting in a lot of hours editing and tweaking the film to make it just right. I have also showed it to a few people in my media class who said positive things about it which i'm glad about! Just a few more things to be added and then it will be finally finished.

Success!

After about 5 hours of work, I have finally finished mixing the audio for the edit. I have managed to take the track from 3:17 seconds up to 4:15 seconds which is just about the length I needed. Very pleased.

Progress

After hitting some technical issues yesturday with the audio, I have found a solution to the problem. To make the song long enough to last throughout the entire film, I have cut the song up, and and looping the small instrumental segment just after the chorus of the song. This way, it is not an obvious loop and I can retain the good sound quality.

Editing audio

Technical issues.

Editing is all going well on the video side of things. I now have plenty of footage so it's not just cutting it down and editing together. However, on the audio side of things I am having some problems. I have chosen a song which I feel will be really good for the edit, but I do not think it is going to be long enough. I have seen similar edits where the makers have had similar problems and they have removed the lyrics, and looped some of the instrumental segments to make up some extra time.

I have researched all over the Internet on how to remove the lyrics from the song, and have had no successive results yet. Many of the tutorials are using Audacity, but when I tried with Audacity I still have traces of lyrics left and am left with really bad sound quality. I have also searched high and low for a pre-existing instrumental version of the track and am having no luck with that either.

I have a technical lesson on Thursday morning where I will speak to Joe Darlow, the media technician to see if he can offer me any advice.

Style and image

Now, skiing is becoming more and more style orientated, trick wise and dress wise. Hip hop is a big thing within freestyle skiing at the moment, especially within the videos. Many of the video and films made are using hip hop sound tracks. Athletes are dressing in baggier clothes, which is not only stylish now but also practical as you can achieve a greater range of motion in bigger clothing.

Knowing this, I have chosen to use a hip hip track within my short film which which follows the generic conventions for this genre on film.
Here is the music video to the track I have chosen to use:

Music

Finally sorted a track now for the film. After lots of research and conversations with my teachers, we managed to come to the conclusion that even though I have heard nothing back from the artist after contacting them, I am still able to use their work. This is because they have no official website, or way of contacting them, or their record label, there is no copyright symbol anywhere within his work, and his work is hosted mainly on the internet for user download, rather than for purchase.

Rainy day

Full on into the editing now. It's starting to pull together and look much more like what I had planned. Still some more footage to come later this week - Huge event happening at Chapelfield Shopping centre in Norwich where the crew is riding an urban setup in jam format in front of a few thousand people. Should be so awesome. Looking forward to it.

Inside Sport

Documentary presented by Michael Johnson about downhill skiing on the run up to the Winter Olympics.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/inside_sport/8493937.stm

Nine Planets Hip Hop

After some research, I have found a song which I think is the best yet. I have contacted the artist on their Myspace page as they have no website themselves, but have been advised by a friend in the music industry that the best way to gain copyright permission is to contact the artist's record label. I researched on the Internet, and have found that Nine Planets Hip Hop, an independent record label support DL Incognito's music. So I have contacted them to see if I get any responses.

DL Incognito

I have contacted another music artist to ask for permission to use one of their songs. I have emailed Dl Incognito who is an underground hip hop artist from Canada who's music is proving to be very popular within the target audience of my film. I just hope I get a reply this time!

Last night.

Got another 8 minutes of decent footage at the slope, and organised a trip to an event in Milton Keynes where I am meeting other riders from around the UK to film some more. Golden opportunity to get some more footage of other riders in a different location. Road trippp!

Editing is coming along nicely

Plan:

Film Plan:

Titled intro
Group interview - what is skiing to you?
Time lapses and traveling shots
hiking / lift / feature intro shots
Shots
Talking / interviews
changing location shots
Shots
Talking / interviews
Location shots
Shots

Film plan:

During editing over the past few hours, I have found it difficult to order the clips so they follow on from each other. So, what I have done is created a film plan and am now editing to that. It is much looser than a storyboard, but outlines the basic principles of the edit so I have a clearer idea when editing.

Footage

I've been editing for a few hours now, and have realised that I am going to need some more good quality footage. I am currently planning a small road trip around a few ski slopes in the UK during half term to hook up with some of my friends and get some more film for the edit.

Please understand

That people watch ski movies and short edits because they find them inspiring, fun and most of all enjoyable! For a skier, watching a ski movie makes you want to go and ski right away, learn new tricks and progress. I makes you learn new things and pick up helpfull advice from watching the professionals at their very best.

It's much a like to football for example. Many millions of people watch football, most of which do not even play it themselves. They don't watch it for the story, or because it's nicely filmed or edited. They watch it for the enjoyment of watching a sport that they love. That is the principle behind my film.

My project

After some discussion with my teachers, I am still struggling to make them understand the aim of my project. The short 5 minute film I am creating is not your average film as it has no guided narrative or plot. Basically, my film's target audience is mostly male 12-20 year olds, with the intention for it to be hosted on dedicated websites such as Newschoolers or Downdays. Rather than telling a story, the aim of my film is to introduce people to the world of skiing and snowboarding, which in reality is much different from what they may think. It is a showcase of how the sport has progressed so dramatically in the past few years, moving it far from the stereo-typical image of what you may think skiing is about. To me and my friends, skiing is not only a sport, but an escape from everyday life, with restrictions and responsibilities. When we go skiing, we are free to do whatever we like, learn new tricks and push the boundaries of what we can achieve in places where we are hundreds of miles from the nearest mountain range. With the vast progression of the sport, the freestyle skiing industry bigger than ever before, with companies sponsoring riders and events such a the X Games bringing the world's best riders together. With it's relaxed attitude, freeskiers are more like a small community where everyone gets along and shares the same interests.

I am also considering making this more apparent within the production by including a small interview clips with riders asking them to explain what they feel skiing and snowboarding is about. However, for now I hope this has made the aims of my film more obvious.

Organisation

I am currently sorting through all the mini DV tapes I have and uploading any extra footage which I haven't already to free up some more film for tomorrow night. Heading down to the slope super early to try and get a decent setup ready to get some more shots on. Have been watching edits for the past hour as well to get inspiration, so ready to shoot tomorrow.

Boone Skis JPI submission

Team Boone Skis - JPI.5 Video Contest Edit from Martin Rubio on Vimeo.

This is exactly the kind of edit I am looking to produce myself.

Digitalism

I had a good afternoon getting some more editing done today, during which I stumbled across a song which I think would be really good to use in the edit. So, I found the bands Myspace page an sent them a quick email. Hopefully i'll get something back this time.

Inspiration

A lot of my inspiration has come from the Line Skis "Traveling Circus" short edits which document the lives of Andy Parry and Will Wesson as they travel around America skiing.

Here is a link to the video page where all the episodes can be viewed.

Music

I have been researching around for some possible tracks for the trailer, and have found some really good samples from Crystal Castles and a hiphop instrumental as well. I have contacted Crystal Castles to see about the possibility of using some of their music. I have also been browsing Myspace on the look out for some more underground artists which are more likely to give me the permissions to use their work. Samples and feedback to be posted shortly.

Editing is going well. I have uploaded over 4 hours of footage to my laptop and have been sorting through it over the past few hours. I have now almost completed the opening title sequence, so it's coming along nicely.

Adobe After Effects

I have been trying to use Adobe After Effects to do the animation and motion graphics for the OTS of my trailer, however, this is the first time I have used the programme and it is taking some getting used to.

This is the urban rail feature me and some friends hit a few days ago. Thanks to the snow lately, I have had many more filming opportunities like this to get some extra footage for my project.

Snow!

Over the past few days, the snow has given me many more opportunities to get some extra footage. Me and a bunch of friends headed out into Norwich to ride some urban features. Firstly, we made a rail jib out of a goal post on a sloped field which was really good fun, and yesterday we went into the city centre and hit up some urban street rails.
After about half hour of driving around, we found this perfect looking down rail down a 10 set of steps which we set up on and sessioned for a few hours which I got some pretty good footage from.
Tonight as well I am heading out again with the rest of the crew to film some more footage back at Trowse on the kicker and maybe make another rail setup too.

Footage and photos to be posted shortly.

Music

After some research, I have found that many of the edits I am analysing for my product research are edited to a pre-determined soundtrack. This enables the editors to cut the shots in time with the music and make it flow as a whole a lot better. I am now looking around for some music sources which are copyright free for samples / ideas. I have also been in contact with a friend studying music at university who has said I am able to use any of his music, which I am very pleased about. He has also offered me some time with him in his studio to make our own track for the edit, which would be amazing!

Planning

I am planning a few sessions with some of the best riders to try and get some high quality film for later in the week. Hopefully using the generator and lights again, if not, whilst riding this week I worked out some other angles and lighting opportunities in my mind. I will post some pictures and hopefully some more edited footage after the sessions.