Music Video - Critical Creative Reflection

 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p-t_CnSuW2JwCRof15zX9nNJEiPabMAGV83kuj7K_Po/edit?usp=sharing

1. How does your product use or challenge conventions AND how does it represent social groups or issues?

Welcome back! This is the CCR to the music video that was just published by my partner and I. We wanted to go against the conventions of traditional music videos by telling a story about someone's struggle with their mental health, a topic which is not often put to use in most music videos.. The music video portrays this topic by telling a story of a boy who after goes looking for his friends who is eventually shown as not real. And after searching, the man eventually finds them again, which then proves the fact that the man is not taking care of his mental health since he is just feeding into his own delusions and not taking any action for it. This represents the struggle of men's mental health in the modern society of today. There is not a lot of help towards men and their mental health since it is seen to be weak if they are struggling. It is thought of as an issue they should be able to solve on their own. As a result of that, men go on to try and fix it themselves without asking for help or searching for a solution and they just continue to live the way they started which is demonstrated in the music video when the boy is content with his life after reconnecting with his imaginary friend.

2. How does your product engage with audiences AND how would it be distributed as a real media text?

My music video engages the audiences through the visual pleasure and the way that the story is being portrayed. The use of color grading and scenic shots and photography throughout the music video is very pleasing to the eye and makes it very nice and hard to look away from. Along with the storytelling skills that are being used it just makes it a very pleasing video to watch all put together. It can also engage with the media by relating to certain people. People with mental health problems, men as well who goes through something similar to the person portrayed in the video.. It can really give them a sense of connection, like you know how they feel and they aren’t alone. That we understand their mind and they aren't the only one going through all of that. It is a really nice feeling to know that you're not the only one going through that experience. It makes you feel welcome and at peace. As stated previously, the special effects that were used give a sense of suspense to the audience as they won’t know what will be coming next. As for distributing this video on real media text, the video will have its appearance on popular streaming services first. First released on YouTube and social media since these are the biggest platforms for audiences interested in visual media. We made the video to be HD quality since that is the type that gets the most popularity amongst other films and videos.

3. How did your production skills develop throughout this project?

Over the course of the assignment, my production abilities have increased majorly. I learned how to use some software on my phone that connects to a stabilizer with really cool filming abilities. It can turn super smooth and not move at all. The camera can stay focused on a person so no matter where they move to or wherever the filmer moves to the camera will always be on them. Before this project, I didn't know how to film or how to use the right angles. I did not know the right way to set up a tripod or a stabilizer, now I know how to do it all to perfection without mistake. The really cool thing is that it can really help me in the future if I ever get into advertising or marketing. The skill it takes to rightfully film and show off something takes a lot of knowledge. The right direction to position it, the right buttons to press. All of it. It was a very cool experience for that. I also learned many new editing skills and new ways to portray certain ideas. The right way to get the point across. The glitching of a person, the walking from tree to tree. All of that gave me the skills to film and improve my production.

4.  How did you integrate technologies - software, hardware and online - in this project?

While filming I used technology by using a stabilizer. But not any old stabilizer, it rotates, goes up and down, and can spin. It really helped in filming because it made it look much more professional. There wasn't any rumbling or shaking, and it just made the production and shots look a lot more smooth. The production of this music video also relied on a large range of modern technologies in this production. High-end video editing tools made it easier to create smooth visual effects and transitions, which improved the overall aesthetic. The editing tools on top of the items used just made the whole production look very high class. One of these high-end editing tools was the Adobe Premiere Pro editing software. This software was super convenient when it came down to editing this project. . I believe the choice to utilize equipment like my tripod and ring light were an extremely critical choice in this project. In order to realize a professional and visually engaging look in my music video integration of equipment like tripods and ring lights were a necessity. I utilized ring lights for their ability to create even and delicate lighting which was a fundamental tool for lifting the visual appeal of actors or scenes and to properly portray a message clearly. The flattering light that they give also goes well with the mood of the music. You can't have a gloomy and dull video, which ring lights helped me dodge.