A2 Media Coursework
The Commoners: The Journey Of Music
Studio- We chose the studio because it shows profesionalism which wanted to portray quite effectively. We also used this room because because it had curtains installed, which we could use as a background when filming the interview. As well as a coach, which was the one that we initially wanted, where the band members can sit during the interview. Using a couch makes the atmopshere more relaxed and intermate. We also chose this location for taking the majority of the pictures as it the plain white wall allowed us to take photographs against it and therefore make the pictures look professional as often pictures are taken with a white background. Lastly we chose this location due to the large ammount of high tech equipment such as the lighting system; this would allow us to adjust the lighting to make a clear crisp image through the camera, therefore making our documentary and ancillaries look accomplished.
We decided to film a couple of shots at an event that was taking place at our college; it was a gig that was allowing students to come up on stage and play their own music. This would allow us to get good shots of the audience as if it was the commoners audience.
We chose the Nexus Art Cafe as a location to film the gig as the Commoners were actually putting on a gig there anyway so we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to film the Commoners playing to actual fans of their in a close, intimate concert.
We used radio equipment as our research showed that this is what is commonly used in this environment.
We got a practise shot from the cameras point of view.
We thought that including NME magazine would be an effective prop because they are a music based magazine company. It also compliments something that Max said during our interview with the band; he says that he would love to work with someone who has contacts with NME.
Location
Right photo: The outfit includes vibrant colours which allow it to be eye catching.The denim jacket shows individuality and brings the colour out of the checked shirt. The festival bands which he wearing on his left wrist shows his passion for music. The black jeans also show the rock image along with the rest of the band.
The consistent black colour scheme represents the bands style of music and rock style.
Our plans are to show this progression from a start up band and the different stages each band takes in order to become a success. We aim show more footage on The Commoners because they are the band we want to focus on the most; we will include band practises, interviews, clips from their gigs and general clips of their every day operations when running a band eg. creating a new demo. We are going to get an interview with a smaller band such as Liam Roach's band and an interview with another medium sized band, like The Commoners, who are called The Occur.
Equipment List
2 Cameras
2 Tripods
Sofa/Couch
Lighting Equipment
Dolly
Track
This is a poser we created to advertise bands needed for our music documentary. We used vibrant colours that attract peoples attention adn it looked abstract which was the look we was going for to draw the attention of indie type of bands. We have emailed this around college in the hope of a return of responses.
Pre-production
We found out through research, that the Verve formed at Winstanley College so we thought it would be a brilliant idea to try and contact them through using different forms of communication. Below is evidance of us trying to contact The Verve, by facebook message. We then later realised after deeper research that The Verve had split up and two of the band members formed a band called Black Submarine. After we realised this we then tried to connact them.
Poster to Advertise Bands Wanted
Shot Lists
Storyboards
 Long ShotWe are going to use long shots of the characters in the documentary when they are say at a gig or getting ready to take a picture. |  Medium Long ShotWe would mainly use a medium long shot when shooting them at gigs or walking as a group or on their own. This creates a dramatic atmosphere and makes the documentary more authentic. |  Medium Close UpWe will use a medium close up when interviewing the band members as it creates this close relationship between them and the audience and makes the documentary more personal. |
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 Close UpWe will use a close up when interviewing the band members as it creates this close relationship between them and the audience and makes the documentary more personal. It makes the interviewee the most significant part of the shot therefore all the audiences attention should be on them and what they are saying. |
Here is a printscreen of an email we sent when we contacted the managers and staff associated with Black Submarine; we asked if we could recieve any thoughts off the band in terms of their time at college and their journey to where they are now. We recieved an email off Nick McCabe himself, he offered to do a q and a with us. After emailing a few times without anything in return, we decided we would have to leave this idea.
These shots are going to be used often in our music documentary.
Costume Decisions
 IndieWe like Megan's look because we liked the demin dress with the doc boots. We think that the purple boots and the blue dress compliment each other well. We also like how the dress has one pocket at the front, this makes it different to any denim dresses we've seen. |  SeasonalWe liked this look as Georgia's as its a contrast between casual and dressy. We thought that even though the outfit was simple it was effective and showed a sense of character. |  SophisticatedWe liked Rachael's outfit as it is a sophisticated look to it but still reflected the indie image through the choice of colour of burgundy, as it is a unique colour. Also the suede ankle cut boots add to the 'indie' look but also link within todays fashion. |
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 VibrantWe liked the costume that Kate was wearing as it incorporated vibrant colours and therefore stands out from the crowd. We liked the way the colours co-ordinate with one another. Furthermore her ripped jeans worked well as it portrays this indie vibe. |  CasualWe liked Sams casual outfit as that is a vibe we are also trying to achieve. It isn't exactly 'indie' however we really like the dark colours as these are often associated with rock and indie rock bands. Moreover we like the trainers he is wearing as they are currently in fashion however they way they don't look new works effectively as it maintains that casual vibe. |
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 |  ideas for outro |  Second Draft |
 FINAL DRAFT STORYBOARD |  FINAL DRAFT STORYBOARD |  FINAL DRAFT STORYBOARD |
 FINAL DRAFT STORYBOARD |
Left photo: The check print inside the jacket relects the indi image of the band. The printed T (made by Joel) is also very individual and unique as it show his creativeness as an artist. It is also simple and toned down which suggest his calm personality. Similar to the image in the bottom right hand corner, the blue against the red compliment each other, and the blue allows the red to stand out.
Right photo: The leather jacket and black colour reflects the rock image, which indicates the bands style. The spotty shirt is also quite unique and individual which incorptites the indie image. The hat which he is wearing also suggests individulity and it further suggests that he has his own style. It gives an older look however the hat would also link back to todays fashion.
Left photo: The outfit which he is wearing and the colours within it all co-ordinate with each other. The coat/blazer shows sophistication, however the striped down allows the outfit to become more casual. His glasses also show his style as they have an old fashioned look to them but are still in style. We believe that the outfit shows what style of music the band is and it is clear what message they are trying to give.
The Commoners
 Radio Studio |  Radio Studio |
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 Radio Studio |  Radio Studio |
 Radio Studio |  |
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 |  Nexus Art Cafe |
 Nexus Art Cafe |  Nexus Art Cafe |
 Nexus Art Cafe |
Here is a screenshot slide show of the messages we sent to Liam Roach, a fellow school friend. Liam is a solo artist who sings and plays the guitar and we thouhgt that by including him in our work would be great as it shows locol artists and his success.
Here is a print screen of the message we went when trying to contact The Verve.
Here is a print screen of research we did when trying to contact The Verve, a little background infomation on the band.
Contacting Bands
Here is a screenshot silde show of a facebook messages we sent when trying to contact another band. This band we know from school as all the four boys in the band went to the same school as us therefore as we already know them therefore it was much easier to contact them; more relaxed incomparrison to when contacting The Verve.