News Task

1. Explain your role/responsibility within the team and the task. What were you required to do?

My role within the team was to work on the creation of a realistic Telegraph front cover with one other person, Andreas. We were given a selection of eight stories that 'came in during our shift' and thus our first task was to choose which of them to feature on our front cover. In the end the only story we chose not to use was 'Mum finds severed finger in bag of Iceland frozen chips'. This was because it didn't particularly fit in with the highbrow-themes of our paper and we deemed it less relevant than the other 7 stories- something that editors must constantly do in real life. We then had to find/create our images and scale them appropriately to fit the template. After this myself and Andy had to come up with 7 appropriate Headlines for the stories we had elected to choose and then rank them. The brexit deal was agreed to be the most important story for the Telegraph. Once all the necessary elements had been sorted, we printed them out and, once our team had checked the layout/content, we stuck them down.

2. For one media form, describe the codes and conventions you chose to follow and explain their intended impact.

For our standalone, we chose to talk about the heavy snowfall in the UK. We used a wide of a cyclist standing by themselves in a snowy feel looking on towards a church/cathedral. The big spacing that exists naturally within a wide helped to connote the isolated feel that we were choosing to push, in order to tie in with the audience who probably felt trapped by the snow or at least dehabilitated. In addition to this, we chose to use a high-end Gucci fragrance kit advert. This was in order to tie in with the predominantly AB-job target audience, as the product met their needs.

3. Explain how your choices reflect the real newspaper's values and target audience.

We chose to feature the Brexit deal as our top story as the target audience would be very keen to hear about any changes/ developments. Furthermore, We chose to frame both the deal and Mr Davis in a positive/ informative light as that lines up with our core views and angle. Our pug was also an obituary for a popular children's entertainer, who was popular amongst our target audience as he featured predominantly in shows from the 70's and 80's. A time when the Telegraphs TA were young.

4. Explain how your team adapted the news across the three different media forms and the reasons behind your decisions.

Myself and Andreas, chose not to headline the story 'Online shopping edges sales in trading revolution' as we felt, whilst it was still relevant, it was not a key story for the print copy to cover. However, the social media team chose to feature that story on Instagram. This is because the story has potential for aesthetic imagery, a convention of the Instagram platform.

5. In hindsight, is there anything about your team's outcomes that you would adapt or improve?

In hindsight, we would change the Facebook headline of "Britain is officially no longer part of the EU". This is because the actual story was about a deal being agreed. This would mean our platforms would not run in synergy, and this is a big no-no for news outlets. Furthermore, I would've liked to do more checks to ensure quality.

Celebrity Magazine Cover

1. Summarise the music celebrity you have created. Include name, music genre, personality and how they are being used to comment on contemporary celebrity.
My celebrity, 'esq.' is a artist from a fusion of genres, mainly rock and trap music. He uses gender as a tool to challenge certain stereotypes that exist within the music genre. For example, the trap scene is massively male dominated and has very masculine undertones. His quirky and unique manner mean that his quite serious messages are delivered light-heartedly but in ernest.

2. Evaluate how you have constructed the representation of your celebrity through your cover image and cover headline/text (denotation/connotation of text and image).

      On my cover, the model esq. is wearing bright red lipstick. This is a definite challenge of classic gender-based ideas as men would traditionally never wear lipstick. Furthermore, this is especially poignant as the industry in which he is based has quite rigid ideas about gender so challenging this is a big part of his philosophy. As well as this, the juxtaposition of the masculine, metallic ring next to the pink gemstone ring represents one person being able to almost 'wear' both genders whilst still making it in the music scene, something no-one else is doing. Esq. is wearing a flowery necklace as well, which furthers his feminine image/persona. It is these contrasts which make this cover an effective challenge to regular, regimented beliefs.

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        3. Reflect on the production/editing process.  Are you pleased with the end result? Identify what is successful about your shot?  What would you have done differently in hindsight?

g       Overall, I am quite pleased with my final cover. I really like the colour scheme and the use of props. However, if I had more time, i might retake this shot with a little bit more happiness and lightheartedness to reflect my celebrities persona. Additionally I would fix the bug that caused my skin smoother program to not worl, in order to achieve a more professional look.

Minecraft Pocket Edition Gameplay For YouTube

1) How I Did It
To make my video, I looked at a pre-recorded minute and a half Minecraft videoclip of some fairly basic gameplay. I then planned out what things to say roughly, knowing many ad-libs would be thrown in whilst recording for authenticity. to shoot my facecam, I used one of the department's iPads, which also doubled as the mic. To edit, I used another iPad with a free editing app, which allowed me to overlay my facecam over the gameplay and add basic text.

2) How could my video attract Mojang and/or Microsoft, and how might it influence them.
My video could attract the attention of Mojang and/or Microsoft by reaching enough views on YouTube, however, just by merely posting it, I am giving Minecraft free exposure and advertising. Therefore, as a collective, many videos across the platform will inevitably attract Minecraft and as a result of this, many YouTubers have been invited to Minecon (the Minecraft convention) to give talks and present.

Video Games and Me

My Experiences With Video Games (5W+H)

What:
Over my life I've had many forms of console and platform to game on. The first recollection of videogames is probably from when I was about 7. I was playing Super Mario Land on my Mum's retro 80's Nintendo Gameboy in the airport while waiting for my delayed flight (my first and last for quite a while), in order to calm my nerves.
Other consoles I have owned include: Nintendo Wii, DS Lite, PS3, PS Vita, PS4.
When:
I've always found that videogames are accessible in many different circumstances and at many different times, however a natural time to play is after school or at the weekend. Holidays have also proved  game-heavy, although Holidays tended to be packed in a way that weekends never seemed to.
Where:
The place I definitely play(ed) the most is at home, because that what where my consoles were. However, portable devices like my DS Lite or even my phone provide my gaming with a portable element.
Why:
Often I play(ed) because I have nothing else to do or I'm bored as a means of escapism, However some games commanded a commitment to come home and play or to stop doing other things and to pick up a controller.
With Who:
One (slightly sad) appeal from gaming is that you can do it by yourself and you don't need to rely on others to enable you to play. That being said, playing with others has an allure of its own. For example, some of the most fun I've had was playing Battlefield 3 with friends afterschool.
How:
Gaming has become so developed that one can even play with their fingers on their phone or on a portable device like my PS Vita for example. However, Playing with controllers comes with a feel and almost excitement that playing with just a screen could never have, hence some of my fondest gaming memories coming from the controller-orientated PS3.

Minecraft Mission

Minecraft Mission

Minecraft is the second most successful videogame of all time. It can be played virtually anywhere at any time due to the pocket edition version of the game, which is what these (low quality) photos are from. It has endless possibilities and therefore will in theory 'never get old'. One can play either by themselves or with friends due to the console and PC editions including online features.

My Breakfast Show Segment

My Breakfast Show Segment

1. Did you fulfill all the content requirements; both in terms of including all the correct features as well as the actual choices made? Myself and Andreas set out attempting to follow the brief, and in my opinion, we were successful in doing this. We included loud jingles, a celebrity promo, lively host interaction and all of the other conventions of a typical BBC R1 Breakfast Show. The main focus of the segment was our 'Celebrity Gamble' with our caller 'Nick', however we also featured typical A-List music such as 'Too Good At Goodbyes' by Sam Smith. This is conventional of BBC R1 as it satisfies the mainstream needs of the TA.
2.  Have you nailed the conventions and style of Nick Grimshaw and the Radio One Breakfast Show? I believe that we nailed the feel of a Nick Grimshaw Breakfast show with lively and upbeat host-caller interractions which are typical of the BBC R1 Breakfast show, reinforced by mainstream tracks with mass appeal. Furthermore, we included social media responses thus keeping with the contemporary style of the show.
3. How well did you manage your running order/timings? Myself and Andreas utilised a script in order to increase efficiency, however we also found that a certain amount of ad-lib was necessary. This was due to the improvised and conversational tone of Nick Grimshaw, who clearly does not follow a regimented script, although perhaps a rough running order. We also learnt from our first take which was far too long and managed to shave off a minute in our next take by dialing back the amount of unnecessary banter in the 'Celebrity Gamble' section.

Current Music Video Analysis

Current Music Video Analysis

Conventional Techniques in Music Videos

"Will He" by joji

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2zXxQHBpd8


 1) Effective use of proxemics

In the music video, the second shot we see features some interesting proxemics and juxtaposition of imagery. There is a person in a panda suit dancing on a table in a dimly-lit room surrounded by flickering lights and people who are unconscious. When paired with the piano introduction, this shot eludes an element of mystery and crypticism. This mystery will effectively draw the viewer in as they will want to perhaps wait and see how the different images are related, or at the least work out any hidden meaning behind them.

2) Use of Camera Movements

At timestamp 0:21, we see a shot where the camera tracks a bloody bathroom floor up to a bathtub. While the shot is tracking forwards, we see the mask from the panda outfit in shot 2 on the floor followed by a MLS of a bath with the artist, joji, in it. This camera movement is effective as it reveals to the audience that joji is the panda, therefore, in all later shots featuring the panda, we can assume this is joji. 

3) Use of Filters and VFX

In the "Will He" music video, the editors have applied filters in post in order to do a few things.
Firstly, The use of filters is conventional of not only joji's visuals but also his alter ego Filthy Frank. This is appealing to fans of joji and his other personalities as it is something he is recognised for and makes this music video easily identifiable as one of joji's. Additionally, the filtering gives the music video a professional feel, which is a convention of modern music videos, which is important as I believe this is only joji's second music video, so being able to capture the high level of quality associated with the industry he's entering. 

4) Contrasting shot types

At timestamp 1:51, we see a very sudden cut from a CU of the female character to a low-angle MS of joji, with a a very brief edit in between. This rapid change in perspective helps to build pace and keep the music video moving forward. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of the girl and joji hints that they are related in some way and in many senses shows some element of foreshadowing. Storytelling without words is integral to many music videos as often there is the track playing on top, so if an artist wishes to tell a story which isn't int the lyrics it is conventions like this quick cut that are so important.

5) Use of Structural Devices

At timestamp 2:40, we revisit the same shot as earlier, however it is slightly darker than before and instead of tracking to joji in the bathtub, we track to the girl from the video sitting up against the wall with an arrow in her head, blinking idly. This is effective use of cyclical structure to convey a message. In this case, it ties together all the previous imagery and almost makes the video make more sense by revisiting earlier shots. In this case, it could show that joji has murdered the girl, or as she is still alive, the arrow could have connotations of love etc. It is these double meanings that will capture the audience. 

Trailer analysis of 'It'

Trailer analysis of 'It'

           Audience Appeal

·      Love interest established at 0:08. This will not necessarily be attention grabbing for the core horror audience, however for fans of the book or original film, it will be appealing
to see the newer versions of these characters and will also provide them with a
sense of satisfaction- as they know what will happen with regards to the love
interest.

·      First sight of 'It' at 0:49. This will be appealing for fans of the genre as we can see the full extent of his scariness, which also hints at the high level of horror and tension that
will be on screen both later in the trailer and the film itself.

·      Tense background music begins at 0:53. This is appealing as it heightens the tension and creates the foundation for the scary atmosphere, which fans of the horror genre will enjoy.
It gratifies their need to be entertained without taking up any of the screen
at all

             Genre Signifiers

·      The visuals in the trailer all seem to have a slight dullness or sheen to them. This helps the audience establish that the film isn’t going to be a chic flick for example and provides
a subtle undertone for all the horror to take place, the only exception to this
sheen is when we see the clown, in order to make him as prominent and scary as
possible.

·      There is a montage-style sequence which begins at 0:56. It features sudden almost violent cuts in synchronisation with a sound mimicking a heartbeat. This reinforces the horror genre as it not only hints at the tension within the film, but also gives the trailer a scary
and intense feel.

·      Also at 0:56, we see a graphic which says "from Steven King's Terrifying Novel". When we see the name Steven King, we instantly associate it with the horror genre, and high
quality horror at that. Furthermore, the adjective 'terrifying' reinforces the
idea of the horror genre.

             Branding

·      Throughout the trailer, we see the motif of the red balloon. Not only is this a piercing image and a powerful one, but it also is associated with 'Pennyworth the Dancing Clown' and
helps brand the film as not only a horror film, but as the classic gruesome story,
IT.

      Characterisation

      During the trailer, we see many different elements and visuals that give the antagonist, Pennywise, his easily identifiable and unique character. For example, one of the first things we notice about Pennywise is his eyes at 0:49 when he comes out of the darkness in the gutter, along with his eerie smile. This is appealing to the horror-fan audience as from the trailer, they can immediately tell that the monster in the film is terrifying- regardless of whether or not they know anything about the book or previous film.

Continuity Task Evaluation

Continuity Task Evaluation

1) Explain the story of your video 

In our 6 shot sequence we see two boys (Andreas and myself) throwing a ball back and forth in a school playground. A third character is then seen walking towards the boys. She isn't paying attention and then gets hit by the ball, much to her displeasure.

2) How did you attempt to create 'narrative flow' (continuity)?

Before shooting our sequence, me Andreas and Alize discussed our sequence thoroughly- both the technical aspect and the storyline. This enabled us to shoot the sequence with much more focus and sped up the process. This was important as we had very limiting time constraints so achieving continuity was even harder. We tried to achieve continuity by ensuring characters appeared in the same locations that they were last seen in. This was especially important as we only had three members so at times, someone who should be in shot had to be on camera, so the continuity in that aspect was something we really had to think about.

3) Did you achieve full continuity? If not, why not?

We did not achieve full continuity in our sequence for a few reasons. Firstly, when Andreas throws the ball, it moves from left to right, but in the shot after it moves from right to left, which could prove confusing for the audience. Additionally, the way we moved the camera between shots made it appear as if Alize is suddenly walking in the other direction, so in that way, we did not meet the brief.

4) What would you do differently to improve the continuity of your video and tell your story more effectively?

In hindsight we would've attempted a less ambitious sequence, as we knew time constraints were tight before we began. Furthermore, we would've paid more attention to camera positioning as it would've vastly increased the quality of our sequence.

Media Shot Reflections

Media Shot Reflections

 1) Identify in what way this shot signifies your chosen genre?

My shot is identifiable as a soap-style/melodramatic TV drama through the use of slightly exaggerated body language and props that further this exaggerated look and reinforce it.

2) How did you direct the shot to achieve the desired effect?

The way I achieved this soap-style melodrama can be seen through the model's clutching of his hair, which connotes his stressed and nervous state of mind. This is further connoted through the scrunched up balls of paper, which express his previous failures and the scrunching also reveals that the task has evoked stress from the model.

3) How did you intend the audience to interpret your still - what meanings did you intend to convey?

I intended for my audience to draw a sense of panic and to also pick up the tense situation within the still.

4) Identify what is successful about your shot

I believe the positioning of the clock face directly above the model's head is an effective use of iconography. Furthermore, the positioning of the clock in relation to the model's head implies that 'time is in his head'.

5) What would you have done differently in hindsight?

In hindsight, I would get the model to grip the pen tighter as well as his hair. This would emphasise the stress of the moment. I would also attempt to remove the glare from the clock-face in order to obtain a more 'professional' look