Thursday 28 February 2013

Shooting on Thursday 28th February

On Thursday the 28th February, Alice and I helped to reshoot my sponsorship sequence. I took all my items into the lesson and set up the white background, with the two lights. I used a normal photographic camera in order to just take images. I set up a tri-pod which I didnt change the height of, as I wanted to make sure that the images were consistant.
 Firstly, I put tape down so that I knew where to put each bottle. I then placed the first bottle onto the tape and took two pictures, then followed the same procedure with the other four bottles. I then placed all the bottles together and took a picture this way.
 I then decided that I wanted to have the bottles in the lunchbox. I started with all four bottles placed in the lunchbox, then one by one took them away. This then enabled me to take a group of different pictures and I feel like when I edit them together I can flip this around and it will not make the bottle move.
 I think I have a good group of images and am looking forward to looking at these on the computer.

Wednesday 27 February 2013

Reshoots?

I figured I have to reshoot my sponsorship sequence and have decided to do this on thursdays lesson. This will be set up by the two lights, the white drop background and just a normal photographic camera rather than a video camera. I decided this because I thought that it would be easier doing this than doing another video shoot.
I also want to reshoot some of my idea one in order to make it look more realistic. I decided this because I wanted to try and pack the lunchbox in a number of different ways, although ive realised that it may be easier to perhaps use the photographic camera in order to shoot this rather than the video camera.

Tuesday 26 February 2013

Tuesday 26th February - Looking and Evaluating Footage

 After trying to edit back some of my shots I realised that I need to change up and reshoot some of my work.
 My sponsorship sequence i tried to edit together was the bottles being placed one infront of the other and then pushed backwards. However, after talking about the footage with my media teacher we decided that there were too many shadows and I didnt feel like it worked as effectively as I wanted it too. Not only this, but I wanted to make it so that the bottles were dead in the middle of the screen and I felt like this wasnt shown by my footage. The footage of the bottle on its own was fine in each shot, however when edited together you can see that the bottle moves and this is not what I want. Therefore, I may have to think of a different way to film this.
 The footage for my advert one was good, except from having to rethink the shots of opening the fridge. Not only this, but i feel that i got the footage from a range of different angles and this helps me edit it together. I am very pleased of my footage for the packing of the lunchbox, although it does look like the lunchbox moves slightly. When editing this together I will decide whether or not I need to reshoot this.

Monday 25 February 2013

Monday 25th February - Uploading footage

 On Monday 25th February I uploaded my footage onto a mac computer in order to look at the shots and see whether they came out well.
 I uploaded the footage into a folder which I created for myself, and uploaded the footage straight into it. This enabled me to see what I had shot and what I hadn't. This also made it easier to edit into premier pro, when I just selected the folder to import files.
 First I looked at the sponsorship sequences. On first glance, the images look like they are useful but upon further inspection, there was a few issues because the bottle which I needed in the same place gradually moves across the screen. I needed this in the same place so that I could do smooth transitions between each image. However, It still gave me ideas for what I can do for my advert and this is good because i can get more inspiration.
 Secondly, I looked at the footage for idea one. Although some of the footage I had to delete, I found that there were good shots of the lunchbox being packed up, and although there may be a few gradual changes which I can do, it is beneficial that I was able to get a range of different shots (both high angle, low angle and straight on) in order to include in my advert.
 I feel that my shooting yesterday enabled me to get some inspiration as well as some decent shots. I will look through these more and perhaps edit some in, and then make a decision on my reshoots.

Sunday 24 February 2013

Filming on Sunday 24th February

 On Sunday 24th February I decided to film both my sponsorship sequence and advert number 1. I printed off my new labels, and placed these around the water bottles, sticking the ends together with strong glue in order for them to stay together and to the bottle. I then got the four different colours, deciding on green, blue, red and yellow. However, as I put the yellow in, the water turned out more orange and therefore during my speech over I may have to say Orange instead of Yellow. I put the food colouring in the water and then added normal water in order to dilute the colour to how I wanted it. I wanted to make sure that the water was all up to the same level in the bottle, as I didn't want it to look odd and was as precise as possible within these. I started with the sponsorship sequence.

Sponsorship Sequence

 To start filming my sponsorship, I got two large pieces of white card and set them up in my Kitchen so that I was able to have just a plain white background which wasn't distracting. I wanted the water to be the dominant figure and therefore didn't want anything else distracting in the image.
 I started with the camera in front of the water directly on it. I placed the coloured water on the 'X' which I had drawn on the card in order to make sure that all the water was in the right place. I then filmed it and also zoomed into the label in order to make sure that I had a close up in case I needed it. I then switched the water three more times in order to get the same shots as the first, but with all the different coloured water.
 I then took the water from a diagonal angle, again working around the 'X' on the paper. I decided to do this because I wanted shot variety and I wanted to see what it looked like from a different angle. I started with one bottle, then left the camera on a continuous recording ongoing and changed the water every few seconds. I thought that this would perhaps help me to have more precise shots. I then decided that I would film from an angle that was at the front, but to the side. I did this because I wanted to be able to see all the water bottles. I started with the Green water, and then placed each water in front at different intervals and pushed the original bottle backwards. This helped me to see a variety of different angles of the water as well as what they looked like all together.
 When I am able to put these on a computer I will see what they look like, seeing if I need to do anymore reshoots.

Advert 1

To start of Advert One, I placed all the water in my fridge. At first, I placed it in the fridge door as I wanted to be able to film from different angles. The water in the fridge door worked, except for having the bottom of the water bottle slightly blurry from the plastic holding the water in. I then decided to move it to a shelf in my fridge, however it would only fit on the top shelf so I found myself having to set my camera and tripod onto a counter-top in my kitchen. This meant that it was quite difficult to see what was the angle of the camera, and perhaps made it a little unstable.
 After filming the bottles on the top shelf, I attempted to open and close the fridge in order to get the best shot of the fridge opening and seeing the water for the first time. I got my mother to do this for me as well as myself, as I didn't really want a person in the shots, just a hand. I felt that this worked well, but I will have to see when I get the footage onto a computer.
 I then changed the position of the camera from across the room, in order to see the water on the top shelf and a clear view of the fridge. I decided to take each of the waters out of the fridge, then place them back in, taking another colour a few seconds later. I did this because I wanted a clip of the water being taken out of the fridge. However, I'm not sure that this will work for the purpose of my advert, meaning that I may have to rethink this through.
 After getting these shots, I decided to put the camera in the fridge so that I would have a clip of the fridge light shutting off. I wanted this so that if i wanted to transition the water from the fridge to the lunchbox I would be able to do this.
 I then decided to set the camera up at a high angle, with the lunchbox underneath it. Before I turned the camera on to record, I got the items that I was going to put in the lunchbox. These included: A box of chopped tomatoes which I wrapped in Tin Foil to look like Sandwiches, A carrot, An apple and a kitkat with the wrapper taken off in order to hide any sense of product advertising and copyrighted items. I then decided to film, and I put the 'sandwich' in first. I then left the camera filming and after a few seconds put the other products in with 5 second intervals in between them. When it got to placing the water in, I tried to do it so that the lunchbox didn't move. I feel that I may have achieved this and will be looking into it carefully when I put the footage onto the computer.
 I also did a high angle shot of just the water in the lunch box. I placed another colour in the lunchbox next to it in order to do a switching kind of advert. This meant that I just switched all the colours around and this looked good.
 I then moved the camera to a face on shot of the lunchbox. I did this so you could see the handle, as well as the fact that I wanted a different angle of the lunchbox. I did exactly the same as I had with the high angle shots, with the 'sandwich' first, replaced by all the products one by one.

After both of these, I decided to stand the water up in the lunchbox and do a switching of the water within the lunchbox. I did this because I felt that maybe it would give me inspiration for another type of advert, such as using this in my sponsorship sequence.
I will be able to upload my footage onto a computer on Monday 25th February and therefore hope that it has worked as well as I would like it too.

Monday 18 February 2013

Analysing radio adverts

Before producing a radio advert, I knew it was important to research existing ones to get a feel of how they are presented. I watch TV quite regularly, so I already had a general feel of what a typical advertisement is like. I also listen to the radio, but not as much as i watch tv, and so i had to regulate myself with these more. So, after some research I picked to existing radio advertisements to analyse:


This radio advertisement starts with an up beat song featuring the words - "I'm feeling a Subway today". If someone hears this on the radio they might be tempted to eat a 'subway', even though they had no intention beforehand. This is a use of subliminal messaging which gets the listener thinking about a 'subway', as it's used in a catchy song. Also this radio advert features the words - "It's juicy, it's tender, it's sweet and savoury!" All these adjectives make the listener hungry, as they will be thinking of the sandwich, ultimately resulting in wanting to buy one.

This is a radio advert for 'nature spring' water, a radio advert from the phillipines. The first line starts with 'Nature Spring Water' and therefore this shows that if the name of the advert is said at the beginning then it will be remembered. Throughout the radio ad, the name of the product is repeated 3 more times. There is a song in order to get the product to be reminded by the listener. At the end, there is a sigh, as if someone has just finished drinking the water. This will suggest to listeners that they are thirsty even if they havent been before, and this is therefore why this sound effect is added. "Naturally refreshing, Naturally thirst quenching, Fresh spring water purified" Refreshing, Thirst Quenching and Purified are all words that are trying to sell the product to the listeners, therefore sending subliminal messaging.

Final Logo!

In order to find my final logo in which a customer would like, rather than my own personal preference, I carried out some Customer Questionnaires in which I presented people with the 8 logos and got them to choose their favourite. I then put a mark on their choice, and asked the next person. I asked 25 people of different ages in order to make this a fair test. This is the form:




This enabled me to process which logos stood out more and it seemed to be between A & B.


These are both Blue with similar fonts. I feel that because the colour is blue, most people connect the logo with water. However, with the voting:


This therefore shows that Logo A is the winner and this is now the Logo for aqua blast.

This is the logo I will be using for my water as it had the most votes.

After taking off the label that is on my water and measuring it, I know that when I create my labels they need to be 21.5cm in Length and 3.5 cm in height in order to fit on the water bottle.

Friday 15 February 2013

Planning my Radio Advert

My product is water, and I therefore want to make sure that my radio advert fits in with the theme of the coloured water. As my first advert is the parent talking, I feel like I want my radio advert to be the mother again packing a lunchbox, but this time you can hear the water. Behind, I faintly want to be able to hear running water in order for the product to be seen like a water product. This may also send subliminal messages to the audience therefore helping them to remember. I will still use 'Icing - Charity Vance' as I want the music to be remembered for my product. This has worked well in other advertisements, such as 'Cadbury's' using 'Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight'.

. My biggest challenge when planning the radio advert was to get the same message across, without the use of images or videos. So to combat this we decided to use sound effects and a narrator to market the product.

Additional codes and conventions of a radio advert!

Back in November, I looked at the codes and conventions of a radio advert. I am now working towards my radio advert and therefore decided that I wanted to make sure that I had all the codes and conventions and could find these easily. On the video that was uploaded, I found different codes and conventions that would be useful to me, and this therefore makes me want to write out the most important codes and conventions which would help me to record my radio advert.
 Advertising is:
- A way of promoting products, services or information
 - A form of communication between manufacturer and consumer

 An advert is produced to:
 -persuade a certain group/type of people to buy a product. Persuasive language is used to entice the audience.
 -4 types: humorous, surreal, dramatic and realist

Codes and Conventions:
 - A radio advert can range between 15 - 60 seconds. Normally 40 seconds.
 - Will tell you the qualities of the products
 - often contains a music bed or jingle in order for the advert to stay in your head
 - voice-over often contains a woman's voice
 - Will contain the slogan of the product
 - Language will be tailored to demographic
 - The mode of address will be directly to the audience
 - Music is rarely copyrighted
- The voiceover will be upbeat and lively to attract attention and typically uses an english accent and will speak very clearly.
 - Will be information dense
 - has a heavy use of persuasive languages. i.e, repetition, alliteration, three part lists and superlatives - will often contain usp's and exclusive offers

This information will therefore help me to create my radio advert.

Thursday 14 February 2013

Animatic Discussion

 After completing my animatics, I had a discussion with mr michie about what I was trying to do. We decided that whilst I was filming a few alterations had to be made and this is something I will be able to do easily and so I am not worried about it.

Idea 1 Feedback:   RED = Mr Michie  BLUE = Myself      

Camera - While there is an appropriate range of distances/angles, I get limited sense of movement. Will all of the shots be still/shot using a tripod. Will there be any sense of POV within the ad?

Mise-En-Scene - Your chosen MES seems appropriate given the product and the focus on colour should be effective.

Editing - I think you need to stick to cuts throughout - most ads do.

Sound - The voice over needs work - it does not quite ring true.

Furthermore, there needs to be a closer relationship between the voice over and the onscreen visuals. When you say AquaBlast for the first time it should be on screen.

We discussed this, and I said: 
Camera: I can see why there is limited movement. I guess I need to rethink some of my shots. While there will be a bit of movement (opening the fridge, moving the fridge, grabbing the water, closing the fridge, opening the lunchbox, grabbing the lunchbox) most things are in the same place and I could try and adapt things so that more movement is made. On the other hand, Maybe its the way I've drawn it that makes it seem like there is limited movement. I want to make sure that the water is the most dominant feature within the advert.

Mise-En-Scene: I feel that for this advert this is the best place for my product and therefore have chosen this, I am glad you agree.

Editing: okay! I feel that this is the best thing anyway as it means it will be easier for me to put my advert together.

Sound: Do you mean the speech, or the way i say it? If its the speech, I can edit it so that it sounds different and then re-record it. If its the way I say it, then I will be finding someone else who is able to sound more enthusiastic and promising within my advert. I also have not placed it in the best place and I know this, perhaps I am able to have the aqua-blast water bottle in the shot as I say Aqua-Blast. I will try to do this as I also feel that it will be the best thing for my advert. 


I feel that during filming, I will re-record the speech. I will play around with different scripts in order to get my final one. This may also mean that I get other people to record their voices in order to choose which is the most enthusiastic and which I feel suits my advert the most. During editing, I will also place the speech into a different place, therefore starting and finishing when you can see the product. This makes me feel more comfortable about my advert being successful.  The camera, I will definately rethink some of my shots and hopefully during filming I get other ideas in order to switch up and create more varied shots. This means that I am able to incorporate a range of different shot types. For the editing, I will try and make it cuts so that it flows and looks like an advert. I am very happy with the feedback i got from this idea and therefore will take it all into account when filming. 

Idea 2: 

This one feels more narrative... I am concerned that it does not appear as though it will do as a good a job of emphasising the colours within the product. You might need to edit the mid section to address this.

Again, in terms of sound some work is needed. The voice over again could be improved. Break down what you want to say into key phrases and test them out. Do some market research.

This was in accordance to idea one. This is my reply:

Perhaps I can adapt it so that packing the box and picking up the bottle of water from the fridge is more dominant and you can see more of the water. I will try and elongate these scenes and perhaps when I film I will be able to make this better and more defined.
Perhaps the sound again needs to be defined and I will get more of a more enthusiastic voice to speak to it. I will try what you have suggested and see how it works out. I will play the sounds to people and see which they feel is more realistic and honest. 

This suggests that during filming I will need to make sure that I am showing the colour of the water more than i have done previously. Not only this, but I want to make sure that the sound is perfect and therefore may carry out some research on which voices they believe are more enthusiastic about my product. 

Sponsorship:

My sponsorship sequence seems fine and therefore I will be comfortable going into film.

Logo:

Hi Lucy, well done for tackling Photoshop. I think the spiral is an effective feature of your logo. However, I am not convinced by the text. Both the font and colour could be improved.

Try to make 5-6 different versions varying the font type and colour and then get people to vote on their preferred choice.

Mr. M.  

I have now created 8 logos and have decided to ask people and vote which they feel is the best. 

Thursday 7 February 2013

Filming Schedule.

I have a filming schedule in order to make sure that everything I have is done on time and I am able to leave myself enough time to edit. I therefore have my times when I am really needing to edit and film in order to complete my work to the highest standards. As the sponsorship sequence and Idea 1 means I just need to rely on myself, i am hoping to get these pieces of work done before I try to attempt idea 2. I am still needing to find an actor for the small part in this sequence, and am hoping that I can use my next door neighbour in order to get the work done as quickly as possible. The shooting schedule is as followed:

Get camera on either the 14th or 15th of February in order to get the Camera before the AS media students take them.

Over half term (18th - 25th February), I am hoping to film both my sponsorship sequence and idea 1.

Bring back camera on the 25th February and use my monday morning frees to upload footage and edit my sponsorship sequence together.

 Get another camera Tuesday 26th to refilm idea one if i need too or to just finish filming idea 1 and make sure this is complete by Friday the 1st March.

Get another camera Monday 4th March and film idea two by Friday the 8th if possible.

 Edit fully on March 13th (which is an ilp day if we are doing coursework) and Edit in my frees.

Hopefully, I will be able to get all my filming done and the majority of my editing by the end of March.

Plans

As I am well on the way to developing my adverts, I have a short list of things that I need to complete before I can start to film. These are:

1. Finalise Logo - Carry Out Research and print them out.
2. finalise and edit animatics
3. Re-record voice over for animatics / perhaps reword what i want to say
4. Get water and food colouring done ready to film.
5. Create the final logo on packaging, making it the right size for the water bottle.

When these are completed, I will be able to start filming.

More Logo Designs

I decided to work on doing some more logo designs in order to find which one I liked the best. I played around with a group of different texts, fonts and font sizes as well as colours. I will be printing some of them off in order to conduct and audience survey on which one people prefer and which one draws in peoples attentions. .

1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.