Reflection questions: music video

 Creative Critical Reflection 

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

For the music video my partner, Margarita, and I worked with many conventions which can be seen in alternative/indie music videos. The first being that we filmed in a low-budget and public space. Usually in alternative/indie music videos they use low-budget settings that the public can easily have access to. Their sets are usually simple to bring focus onto the storyline. In our music video we filmed simple scenes in which our main focus is the storyline of how beauty standards can affect everyone. Another convention involves props which anyone might have at home or can easily buy. For our props we used a magazine, mirror, markers, and a hanger which are all commonly in most houses. We challenged the conventions by doing simple editing effects on our video. Usually in Alternative/indie music videos there will be the use of hallucinatory effects, but we decided to challenge this by using simpler editing techniques. We also used the editing conventions in another way which was by using transitions and filters in our music video to add to the atmosphere and mood. We decided at end of our editing process to also use filters to make a change on the mood of our music video which is part of the conventions for this genre. We also incorporated the conventions in our filming by using close-up shots and tracking/following camera movements. For our costumes in the music video we used simple outfits which can be normally seen in alternative/indie music videos. When artists appear in the music video or when actors do, they commonly wear casual clothes to make the video as a whole more relatable for the audience. Our music video represents many people around the world who are affected by the beauty standards. Our video focuses mainly on women and girls however this is something that a lot of boys and men, no matter the age can relate to. We see the beauty standard in everything and if you do not look that way, you will be judged a lot harsher. At first only one of us was going to appear in the music video however, I suggested that we both do since we could portray insecurities in different ways. The issue it represents is that although we are always receiving inconsiderate comments about our bodies, faces, what we do or don't, we need to grow strong together and realize that we all look different and cannot always look like the models on magazines. We expressed this with the last scene in our music video were we threw the magazines in the air. We can do what we would like with our looks and nobody should tell us that we are not beautiful and much less that we cannot love ourselves because we do not look a certain way. 

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

Our music video engages with audiences by having a relatable storyline. Anyone has insecurities and they might be big or small. In the music video we worked towards showing that any girl with any body type can feel insecure. This is the reason why both, Margarita and I decided to participate in the acting of the music video. Our purpose was to create a feeling of comfort to the viewer and show them that we understand how hard the process of loving yourself can be. At the end of the music video we incorporated in the editing, the words "Love Yourself" to let our viewers know that although it is a long process, it is possible. We did a similar thing in the music video by writing "beautiful" and "love myself" to encourage the audience to follow us and use us as examples. We also used a song which a lot of people might have heard, which they most likely have if they are currently in their teenage years. Our message does not pertain specifically to a certain age, anybody can relate to this and feel identified with us and others. The music video could be distributed as a real media on different platforms where it is possible to watch music videos like YouTube, safari, and google. Since on these platforms you can explore and find many things from different parts of the world, our music video could possibly be seen. YouTube also contains a lot of content like music videos and other types of videos so this is another way our music video could be distributed. 

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

Before beginning filming and editing, Margarita and I had to do research and plan our whole idea for the music video. So while we researched and watched plenty of music videos, we came  across great sources and videos and I personally learned about researching and learning how to find good resources. Then, after researching we needed to plan our music video. We planned our music video with our own ideas as well as with the research we had put together. We planned our filming and editing with the storyboard which was very helpful. So overall, I had learned many things about the alternative/indie genre by planning our music video. During the filming process of the music video, I was able to practice filming in different angles, with different movements. In order to film certain shots I had to move around, find good lighting, and the right angle. I learned how to consider all of these factors when filming as well as practicing how to use the correct terms when describing different shots, angles, and camera movements. Finally, for editing, I was able to learn how to use Cute CUT Pro. More specifically, I learned how to make transitions on the video itself by using a picture, and positioning the transition. I also learned how to import the audio of the song pretty girl. And how to add text onto another layer and position the transition so that the word moves across the frame and how to do a slow down on the scene and the audio. Margarita also taught me a lot with what she already knew about editing. Throughout this project I was able to develop my production skills in researching, planning, filming an editing. 

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

We integrated technologies by using Cute CUT Pro to edit our music video. Using Cute CUT Pro we compiled all of our clips together and cut unnecessary parts off. Second we prepared the audio of the song we would use (Pretty Girl) for the music video and imported the audio to sync along with the scenes. After the clips and audio were done, we proceeded to cut off clips that were extra or needed to be removed. We had to cut some of the scenes to fit in sync with the song. We moved on to the first scene which was the scene were Margarita was sitting in front of the mirror outside staring at herself. In this scenes was wanted to make Margarita's reflection disappear in the mirror, however our plan did not go as said, so we had to look for alternatives so instead of doing that we did a slide transition of a filed shape. This was my first time ever hearing about that editing transition so it was really interesting and something new to learn. This transition took about roughly an hour or two to be done. After this we moved on to using the text tool on Cute CUT Pro to edit words onto the mirror. These words were all negative with the intentions to represent negative thoughts/words that people have been told by others. After adding the words to this scenes we moved on to the next scene were I was now running away from the same negative words used in the mirror scene. First we added more layers to add the text and after the words were done we moved onto the transition of the words. The purpose of the transitions was to make it seem as if the words were chasing behind me as I ran away. Next, we edited the second running scene where now I was the one chasing the words except now they were now changed to positive words. Once again we made new layers and added the text and added the transitions to make them move the opposite way of the frame. We also change the colors of the words to pastel colors and added borders to make them stick out and make them vibrant and positive. Lastly, we moved onto the last scene were we added text using the text tool. We added on a new layer, the phrase "Love yourself" and slowed down the clip and the music. We also decided to play around with the filter function in Cute CUT Pro to make the scenes more colorful and to use filters which are commonly used in alternative/indie music videos. Along with our previous plans of how to edit out scenes, Margarita and I worked together to give our best work and results.