Final Project Production Log

For my final project, I recorded an original song and created a music video to match the track. The lyrics criticize America's current political state with its big government and two-party system. My footage does not tell much of a story, but it does send a clear cut message that I'm sick of trying to decide between the lesser of two evils.
As I began filming, I realized I had no idea what I was doing. I had very little experience bringing ideas to life and was finding especially difficult when I had no linear story line to work with. I ended up filming myself several different times as I played and sang the song. I also shot video of a friend of mine playing guitar and used past video from a Green Day concert I attended (a great example of a politically aware rock band). In Ewing, I was able to capture film of the pledge of allegiance as part of a Bonner program, and with a few effects I planned on making it look like a far more somber event than it was. I also created a few PhotoShop images to help send the message.
In the end, I used a lot of Final Cut effects, slow motion, transitions, and filters to help set the mood for the music video. I even got footage of Homecoming to try and give the illusion of people rising up against a greater power along with one of the Christian speakers that sometimes blesses TCNJ with his presence. I used censor effects in several shots to signify the government's interference in censoring our lives. I used slow motion several times just to bring closer attention to the emotions of people. For still images, I added flashing effects, backgrounds, and transitions to hide the fact that they are pictures and not videos.

Final Project Self Evaluation

This project was a great challenge. At first, I had planned on teaming up with someone to create a music video together. However, due to artistic differences, we parted ways for our own independent projects. Although my vocals are a disaster, I'm proud of the song I wrote and recorded for the video. The filming proved to be a greater challenge. After taking many shots, I discovered I wasn't truly extracting any meaning out of my lyrics and converting them to the screen. I wanted either a linear story or a clear cut message.

I ended up using video and pictures with clear messages against our current government's two-party system. I spent countless hours using Final Cut, growing more proficient and angry with every minute. In the end, I used a lot of video and transition effects to complete my video and give it the feel that I wanted, a dark and yet hopeful outlook on America. I also grew comfortable with Audacity since I spent an hour or two editing my song with the wonderful program. In the end, I have some skills in audio editing, video editing, songwriting, and filming that I did not have before.

Video Cuts

Rough Storyboard

Portfolio Additions

Adjustment Layers and Masks

this is a glitch that I need to fix, these pics are unedited, the PhotoShopped versions aren't showing up

Color Correction

Framing

This image's frame can be cut into fourths with relative ease thanks to the pole running through the middle of the picture.

When using the rule of thirds, the water line and tree line are almost perfectly positioned.

With the rule of thirds, the road and skyline split the picture very well.

Composites

Self-Portrait

Ideas

Light Prevails Over Dark

Paradise

Victory

We Are Small

The Environment