Feedback & critique from MediaDog

Through a mutual friend I have been able to get in contact with some media professionals who will be able to give us some feedback on our draft music video, hopefully before tomorrow when we refilm and after we have shot and edited our final music video. This feedback/critique will help us improve our music video in production (filming) and post-production (editing) to a very high and professional standard.

"Media Dog are a broadcast equipment hire company owned and run by Rob Shaw and Mark Tredinnick. Both are BBC and ITV trained as lighting cameramen, between them they have over 20 years of experience in broadcast and video production at the highest level."- mediadoghire.com

Below is the email I sent to Rob & Mark, I am waiting for a reply which will hopefully include some rough critique/feedback.

Today I received a reply from Gavin... 

Some of the feedback Gavin gave me in his email are things our group (myself, Phoebe & Jess), or our teacher has already picked up on e.g. disjointed shots due to change in lighting & black frames- editing issues. However, the critique on the 'establishing shot' is something that we had not picked up, but we have taken Gavin's advice on board and will shoot neccessary footage tomorrow to see if this will work better in our music video and raise the standard to a professional level.
We are really grateful for Gavin's professional advice, he has also agreed to view our final cut of the music video and give us some more feedback that will be useful in our evaluation and help us see how an audience would view our product.

Improvements to final music video

As we are going to create a new storyboard the

• Ellie properly singing
• Avoid windows -  because of backlight dominance
• Avoid filming the radiator 
• Let go of the banister whilst walking down the stairs
• Remove the non-smoking sign (cover it with white paper)
• Make Ellie look more 'engaging visually' - doesn't suit 'cold and aloof'
• Include intro and outro text 'INFLUXX' 
• Ensure the lighting is continuous throughout the day 2:04-2:10
• Timing issues around 2:31
• Framing issues (camera needs to be level)
• Shot of Ellie starting at her abdomen up to her face is too long, we need to cut the shot
• Continuity!!

Shots to keep:

• mainly ones with Alex

Draft Music Video Feedback

INFLUXX Draft Music Video Feedback

Digipak & Magazine Advert Draft Feedback

Before half term we had a deadline to hand in a draft copy of our poster and digipak. They have now been marked and we have received feedback.

Moodboards X
Examples of other texts/style models X
Analysis of music videos X
Analysis of digipaks/magazine adverts NO
Band biography/profile X
25 word pitch X
Pitch feedback X
Storyboard NO
Animatic X
Location shots/test shots X
Colour Palette X
Audience profile X
Risk assessment X

The 'X' represents the work that I have completed, and 'NO' represents the work that I have not yet completed. The grades that I received were two B's, 8/10 on the digipak and 7/10 on the poster.

 My digipak received the highest of marks, however needed many improvements. The main issue being the fact that the digipak was not set in the highest resolution of quality. I failed to ensure that the settings on Photoshop were set on the highest quality this made the final digipak look blurry and didn't give the final draft any justice. I also need to include the band name 'INFLUXX' on the spine along with the catalogue number. After completing these tasks, I aim to get 10/10.

There weren't many comments on my poster, as I didn't do enough research to bring up the grade to be higher. Therefore I need to research more posters and show how similar they are to my own. I had issues with the stretch and blurriness on the image as the original artwork was square, next time I will make the poster square with can be compatible within the CD case.

 

DigiPak & Magazine Advert Draft FeedBack

Moodboards X
Examples of other texts/style models X
Analysis of music videos X
Analysis of digipaks/magazine adverts X
Band Biography/Profile X
25 Word Pitch X
Pitch Feedback X
Storyboard NO
Animatic X
Location shots/test shots X
Colour Palette X
Audience Profile X
Risk Assessment X

Comment:

DigiPak: I genuinely dont know, like the embossed INFLUXX, not sure if the blurred picture works, I'm happy to keep the panels white now you have proof, the only alternative is a panorama of something, (this is what London Grammar and Daughter do). I wouldn't name the album after a track.

Poster: Same with the poster, the Influxx works, the picture isn't quite blurred enough to be interesting. I'd be tempted to go all Beatles and leave it completely white.

Sorry I can't be of more help. Eventually it'll be 10/10 I am sure.

DigiPak: ?/10
Poster ?/10