CCR: Music Video

Critical Creative Reflection

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/12JexmXaVpgi6wu5Yk3MHphFBOWiUyCdCg5b5bA4IlRg/edit?usp=sharing

Q: How does your product use or challenge conventions?

A: It uses conventions by using some key details, such as the introduction scene of the original music video, the bush and people sneaking by, I produced my own version by having the boy watch the girl, then disappear later. Also later on, when the two people in bed are wary of people nearby and actually start to be cautious, It interested me and I wanted to pose my own feelings about this. So I presented the scene of the  unsettling feeling the girl felt that made her look around and try to look for someone who “was not there”. Throughout the entire original video too, there were the two men who were unknown to the audience and what their association was, this also explains further from the urgency that the main two people had in avoiding, and eventually fighting back against these two men.

Q: How does it represent social groups or issues?

A: The shot I mentioned before, represents an issue of men or general people who decide to watch others uncomfortably against their will. These people are best known as stalkers and may develop an abnormal and unhealthy obsession from a distance rather than act on their interest and approach the person they are intrigued with. One thing that I am very interested in, though, is the way some people do not realize they actually show the signs of stalking. Some people think they are simply just figuring out how someone is, but in the process, they follow their every move on social media, where they live, what their favorite foods are, and when they went to vacation without even starting a conversation with that person. If they also eventually talk to that person, and they find out about the avid stalking that occurred, the person may find it attractive, cool, or very scary. The most I have ever seen this affect someone, was that the person who had been stalked, ended up blocking all forms of possible communication, as far as switching classes in school and not talking to mutual friends they shared.

Q: How does your product engage with audiences?
A: I believe it creates curiosity, and it appeals to the audience with transitions that are well timed. The plot and message alone also may lure the attention  of the audience, leaving questions as the end. These questions all relate to why is the boy watching? Why is the boy going through all this trouble? And what happens later to the girl? These questions continue to hook the viewers, and if the video continued it would be able to answer these questions, but the video did not, leaving a distaste that I also believe makes the audience thirst for more. The only negative about this is that since the video abruptly ends, that distaste may just have the viewers not wanting more.
Q: How would it be distributed as a real media text?
A: It could be played in advertisements for the song, or a new feature on spotify which plays a clip in the background when you try to look at the song's lyrics. Another new feature lately, is clips at concerts being played in the background of concerts as well. This is in relevance to the recent “dome” concert from U2. Which featured a special background in accordance to a set of songs, the backgrounds were extraordinary. And although the music video is more suited for the feature that spotify offers for artists, this option is also possible to be distributed. The song itself is also incredibly popular and is used throughout movies, social media, and even podcasts. So being associated with the song, can it be featured on social media such as an advertisement on the platform TikTok or being talked and shown about in a podcast.

Q: How did your production skills develop throughout this project?
A: After studying the meaning and examples of the specific techniques, I was able to fully put them to test. This helped me learn what positions, angles, and control I have to have in order to execute the proper form of shot I envisioned. My ideas and expectations were also set from this project as I was able to see first hand how much I am able to do in a limited time and schedule. I am very busy with work and school itself, but doing this project was very relieving and showed my limits when handling something that was enjoyable, but also on a due date. I also learned how to work with actors, I was alone in the group but I had my girlfriend be the girl in the music video, and even though she was just an actress, she really helped settle some of my ideas and execute realistic shots with the equipment I had.

Q: How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware, and online - in this project?
A: I used a video camera rather than my phone like many others, and used its zoom in feature quite a lot. I also used the tripod in order to have my position solid to say a shot that does not shake. After, I used the editing software DaVinci Resolve, to properly connect the clips, and insert the music. In order to have the clips to proper length I edited it using Windows 10 video viewing software it provides. After connecting all the clips, and inserting the music through DaVinci Resolve, I transferred the clip to my phone using gmail, then did the intro credits and ending credits through CapCut, which had an easier and more accessible tool. When exporting and converting the video in mp4, I used DaVinci Resolve, and when embedding the video into Blogger, I used Vimeo in order to import the video, edit it slightly, then upload it on that platform, which then allowed me to gain the html code. Using this code I went into blogger, when into line viewer and embedded  the code, so when three view switched back, the video would be there with no issue of a blank video, copyright, or bad quality.