Analysis of a previous students work.

Why I am doing this task.

I want to look at work from previous students as it will be a really useful task in understanding the level of work that I need to use in order to achieve a high quality piece of work. I will also be able to see what I think works well and what does not, as well as realising any limits that I may be met with.

Molly Perryman Radioactive.

What went well.

• I really like the shots that look like they are filmed from a video camera. These look really quirky, fitting with the indie genre. This contrasts well with the stage performance shots. These provide variety which is engaging.

• The pace of edit works alongside them music well, and it makes the music video appear appealing.

• The use of ‘shaky’ shots looks professional as they are used at the right times, and I think for the right amount of time.

• Mise-en-scène is used in an excellent way, as the costumes, props etc really fit the indie genre that she is working within.

• I also really like the use of font to overlap the video, showing the name of the band and some of the song lyrics. This works well with the indie genre, and it seems quite conventional.

Even better if.

• I thought that a few of the shots seem a little overused and repetitive.

• In particular, the ‘shaky’ shots seem to be used a little bit too much.

Overall I really liked this video. I would imagine that it was marked at the tops end of level 4. It fits well within the conventions of the indie genre, it uses some really interesting techniques and I find it to be really engaging. There are a few techniques that may inspire my own planning, particularly the use of font and the variety of performance locations.

Aaron Friel Bring Me To Life.

What went well.

• I like some of the locations that have been chosen. The ambulance looks particularly effective, as it is a unique location.

• The pace of edit also matches the music effectively, which gives it a nice quality.

• A cross dissolve effect is sometimes used, which fits the genre well as it looks quirky.

• I really like the wind machine that is used for the performance shot as it looks professional.

• I like some of the sequence of shots that are shown in the video, but feel as though they could be given more importance, as there is a lack of narrative and the storyline feels a little unclear as a result.

Even better if.

• Some of the shots look unprofessional, and many are really overused. This takes away a sense of originality.

• The shot of the male could have been taken at a few angles or types of camera shots, so that it could have more variety.

• One of the performance shots should really have been re-filmed, as the composition of it shows unnecessary and unwanted scenery.

• I also do not really like the white costume against the white background. Although in some shots it looks good, and does fit the genre quite well, I nevertheless do not think it stand out enough, and does not therefore focus on the artist as much as it should.

• I also do not think that the genre is as clear as the previous video was.

Overall I somewhat like this video. I believe that it would have been marked in level 3 as it is good, but not at the same level as the first video that I looked at. I like how the location of the ambulance looks unique, which is a skill that I will consider throughout my planning stage. I also like the use of the cross dissolve effect, and will consider using it myself. However, I have also thought about a wider variety of shots than is shown here, an issue that I will consider during my planning stage, particularly though storyboarding.

Jodie and Shannon I knew you were trouble.

What went well.

• This video tells a really clear storyline, which fits with the song lyrics well (like Goodwin’s theory) which I like.

• The mise-en-scène works quite well, and fits with the pop genre.

• The video clearly shows what the genre is, (pop) which I consider to be an important factor.

• I really like the cross dissolve between two shots of the characters in bed. This looks professional and of a high quality.

• I like the font that is used to show some of the song lyrics, which I like and wish they used more as it fits the genre well and looks creative.

• A good wide shot is used which makes her look small compared to the large bed.

Even better if.

• Although, the pace of edit does match the music quite well, I find it to sometimes be too quick, and it appears jolty as a result.

• I also find many of the shots to be too basic, and there is a lack of creative and interesting shots. A wider variety of shot types and angles would make it look a lot more interesting.

• I also find there to be a lack of locations, which does not look very creative as a result. In the studio shots there is too much shadow as the performer is too close to the wall.

Overall I like this video to some extent. I think that it would have been marked in level 3 as it is good, but not at the same level as the first video that I looked at. I again like the use of font to show song lyrics, and it is a technique that I will look at more myself during the planning stage. I also like how it really clearly shows that the genre is, which I consider to be really important.