Radio advert update

I have re-recorded half of my new radio advert. I have slightly changed the script as in my previous advert my actor says he is "standing", however, it is hard for the audience to understand where he is and what he is doing. I have changed the line to : "If it wasn't for such an outstanding group of individuals, I would not have the unforgettable memories that I have today. " - This presents to the audience that the company provides the customer with thrilling, unforgettable memories which I think will engage my audience and make them want to use the service more.

I still need to re-record the second half of my advert which hopefully will take place tomorrow. I feel that my radio advert is coming together nicely and when I am finished editing, it should definitely appeal to my target audience.

Below is the new first half of my radio advert:

Changes and re-shoots

What I need to change:

I need to re-record my radio advert because some of the sentences which I put in, are irrelevant and should not be in the advert. I also need to change the ending part (the second speaker) - I need her to come in more boldly, so that it is evident the voice has changed. I also need the female speaker to talk directly to the audience to make them feel more included. I then am going to add my male (first) speaker to the ending of the advert to end it in a positive note.

I also need to re-shoot some of my sponsorship sequence. This is because some of the footage needs to be changed e.g. the pan, and long shots. 

What I need to do (this week)

Re-shoot

Shoot my first half of main advert

Editing my sponsorship sequence

I am currently editing my sponsorship sequence. I have decided that I am going to use all the footage from filming for my sponsorship sequence. This is because I have a large amount of footage which I wont need to use as I filmed more than I needed to. This will save me from filming my second sponsorship sequence which means I can go straight onto filming my main adverts. Currently, I feel that I am finding it difficult to edit my sponsorship sequence as my idea has slightly changed. I am trying to find camera shots that work and link, however, it is proving difficult. In both my sponsorship sequence I want to display happiness and uniting, which I feel that I do. I want the editing of my sequence to be slow to allow the audience into watching the joy within the scene. I have inserted all of my files onto Premiere Pro where I have started mixing up and the clips and attempting to make a sequence. At the moment, I have found some clips which are really effective - one of them being the bride and groom cutting the cake then a kiss. I think this is one of my effective shots because they are centralized and their is no distractions. Behind them are two males and to the side two females. They are not in the shot completely, however, I wanted to highlight the bride and groom rather than focus on the background. The next shot I thought was effective was the pan I used. I panned the camera around the room of the party which displayed people having their own conversations and having fun. I then do a pan of a man walking to give the bride and groom a present, then I want to use a fade of the man and groom having " a laugh ". I like these shots because it displays people looking happy and having fun at the event. I want my sponsorship sequence to be very simplistic this is why I have decided not to shoot more of the sponsorship sequence as I have lots of footage I can work with. I need to ensure whilst editing that I remember how simplistic a sponsorship sequence has to be because at the moment, my two clips seem very simple, however, they are supposed to be short but also grab people's attention which is something I would like to achieve with the sound, dialogue and body gestures of my actions. Overall, I feel that I am working towards the deadlines which are set and will be able to complete my sponsorship sequence by the deadline set. I am then planning to create my two adverts (next weekend) at the same time as they have to be filmed together. I will then hopefully spend a week / two weeks editing and ensuring all adverts look up to my standard. This will also provide me with enough time to re-shoot or to make changes to my sequence if I feel the footage I have is not good enough or needs changing.

New sponsorship sequence idea(s)

I am now starting to think about a new (second half) of sponsorship sequence idea. This is because I was unable to shoot at the same time as spent too long filming the first half, meaning I need to change it slightly. I still want to keep the props of the car and the two same actors (bride and groom). One of my idea's was to have the bride and groom come out of a church and then getting into the car and it driving off. I also have the idea of the bride and groom going to a hotel in the car but I have not story boarded properly therefore I am unable to vision it properly.

Brief idea's

It has to link with the first (or second) part of my sequence which is an after party of a wedding. 

Idea one: (this would replace the first half of the sponsorship sequence and will become before the footage I have already shot).

(Before) Bride and Groom could leave venue (preferably alone) and get into ‘Just Married’ car taking them to the after party. They will be leaving a church, or a hotel to make it look realistic. I am aware that this may be hard to do therefore before expanding my idea, I will look into it.

Idea two:

(After) the car could be arriving at a hotel (after the party). The shot would be of the car, then the bride and groom getting out in front of the venue looking happy and excited.

Each of my idea's will present the message I am trying to portray of happiness and people uniting. I will decide on the idea based on locations I can find and props which are avaliable to me because I need to make the setting as realistic as possible.

This is a church I could use. It is based in Denham Village. I could have a shot of the couple walking from the church, into the car and the car goes round the village. I think this location is nice because of the walk way from the church and also the village is small and pretty so when the car drives off, it isn't going onto a main road. 

I am now going to start doing drafts of my sponsorship sequence (of both ideas) to see which works best, whilst making lists of locations and props I will need to use ensuring I am taking everything into consideration.

Evaluation of filming

Today was the first time I have filmed (with a camera and tripod) on my own. I wanted to film my sponsorship sequence first as I thought that it would take less time than my main adverts therefore I could get some practise before filming my other adverts. I felt confident in using the camera as I have had previous experience. However, I had to handle a group of twelve people which I found very difficult as last year I only used one protagonist and controlled the filming with two other people. I am satisfied with the outcome of my filming as throughout the process their were times were I struggled, however, I sorted out the problem and could overcome it. I found it really difficult to set up the props as I had so many (balloons, costume, presents, cake etc) which for one person to set up, proved very challenging. Another problem I had was a tilt. This was a problem because I struggled to get the camera steady which meant when I tilted it, it would jog. To overcome this I had to practise for about three times until I got the shot perfectly. The problem which I am now facing is that I have to re-story board the second half of my sponsorship sequence as I was unable to film today and I cannot re-make the props and actors look how they were. I am going to have to do a small brainstorm of new venues which I can film at, and different ideas. I need to be fast in my decision making so that I can film and make the sequence as soon as possible, ready to start filming my TV adverts. I am very happy with the help my actors gave me as they all did as I said and were easy to work with. Overall, the experience I had with filming was difficult, however, now when I come to my TV advert filming I know what to do to prevent problems. Such as, practise shots on my own before so I do not have to waste time doing it there with the actors. Also, set up props before actors arrive so that filming can start as soon as possible.

In action and getting ready:

Filming sponsorship

Today I filmed the first half of my sponsorship sequence. I was supposed to be filming both parts of my sponsorship sequence, however, I had some troubles whilst filming. I began filming the first part of my sponsorship sequence and it took longer than I estimated considering the length of the sequence as the props took time to get ready. This is was a problem because the second half of my sequence is supposed to be filmed outside but it was too dark. This means I have to change my idea as I am unable to get all the actors and props looking the same. 

The props I used:

This was the cake I used. I am overall happy with the way the cake turned out as I think it looks professional. I began with using two cake bases and then iced it with white icing. I used real flowers as I could not find real ones, however, I feel that it made the cake look better and more professional anyway. I used the pale orange flowers because the room I was using was orange and yellow so I thought I should create a theme, as that is normal for weddings.

Another set of props was the 'presents'. To make the party realistic, I had to get bags of designer labels to make the presents seem realistic. I added in the balloons which say 'just married' to take up space and also for extra decoration. I thought this table looked very realistic as the presents were all different and simplistic.

Revision on Camera and Mise-en-scene

As I am starting my first filming session on Monday, I want to ensure I am still familiar with the camera. This is because the last time I filmed was for AS - nearly a year ago which means I may have forgotten some angles. Even though I already have an animatic of the camera angles which I am going to follow, if I feel that when coming to shooting they do not work I can still use different types of camera angles because I know a variety.

I am going to analyse a wedding scene as my sponsorship presents shots from an after party wedding. I thought this would be helpful as I need to ensure the props fit into the wedding style. I also can view the body gestures of the actors which I may need to tell my actors as it would be helpful and make the scene (advert) more believable.

This scene is from "The Vow" and fits into the genre of 'Romance'. I have purposely chosen this film because I know the romantic side of it is passionate and intense - something which I would like to portray within my actors body gestures and facial expressions, making my advert more real and having a high level of verisimilitude.

(0:00-1:29)

The beginning of the scene starts with an over the shoulder shot of the bride and groom - showing equality within their relationship. The mise-en-scene such as the costume and make up add to the verisimilitude within the scene as the bridge has her hair done nicely and her make up is glowing which is the kind of style for a wedding. The groom, opposite her is wearing a suit with his hair combed back - looking smart. Their peers are positioned around them, looking in happily to show their care for the couple. The close up of the bride and grooms facial expression conveys their happiness which is a feature I would like to present. The mid shot allows the couple to be the centre of attention, whilst friends and family are stood behind. Also, the mid shot shows the joyful body gestures of the couple, without displaying their whole body. There is also a mid to close up of the bride and groom laughing, conveying they take a deep interest in each other. This is another feature I want to display as I want to show people having fun. The friends and family are all wearing smart outfits which is important because it also helps make the scene look professional. The diagetic sound of the actors laughing creates a joyful, exciting mood within the scene which is another element I would like to create.

Features I want to take:

• Costume 
• Make up
• Bride and Groom centralised
• Close up of bride and grooms face (laughing and smiling)
• Diagetic sound of everything having fun and laughing

New shooting schedule

I had to reschedule my sponsorship sequence as my decorations did not come in time. I have now arranged it for next week, in hope I can film both parts. It is important I film my sponsorship sequence as a whole, rather than separate because the action leads on from the first part to the second part.

Actors I have chosen (for sponsorship - and why)

In my advert, the bride and groom will be Bethany Eley and Callum Carrol. The reason I chose these two actors is because they are both mature looking and I am limited to my choice due to the amount of people I know that would be able to play the part of the bride and groom. Additonally, both actors are confident and enthusiastic which I feel will engage my target audience as the confidence of the actors will draw in the audience. 

Furthermore, I will have around 6-8 people in my sponsorship sequence - including the bride and groom. I think the best idea is to split it evenly between male and female. The actors which I have found and are willing to participate in my advert are: Sam Anstiss, Maxwell Powell, Arrun Cheema, Gregor Morrison, Charlotte Fischer, Imogen Welsford, Melissa kerrison, Lucy Wise and Bethany Holland. All of which are at the age of 18. However, I am going to make all my actors look slightly older so that the wedding looks more real as it is unrealistic that the couple and friends will be of the age of 18. Therefore, to achieve this I will be watching YouTube tutorials and doing further research into mature clothing so that I can achieve the older look (21+).

Above me is: Melissa Kerrison, Imogen Weslford, Bethany Holland, Bethany Eley and Lucy Wise.

Overall, I am content with my choice of actors. Each of the people I chose I know will look the part once hair, make up and costume is finished. 

Props for the car (sponsorship)

On my previous blog post I have shown images of the props for my sponsorship. I have now been delivered more props which I am using for the car. Below is the decorations for the front and back of the car (alongside the flowers in the previous post). I decided to get a fake number plate of 'Just Wed' to reinforce the fact that I am showing a wedding. I think this will attract my target audience because it is realistic - the decorations and props I have are used for real weddings therefore the audience will believe in the message I am trying to portray. Additionally, the main point of the advert is to promote happiness and love therefore the additional heart stickers will reinforce my point. 

Images of props (for sponsorship)

For my sponsorship sequence, I am advertising a wedding. Therefore to make the wedding look real and authentic, I had to order some props. I brought some silver balloons saying 'Just Married' - the reason I chose the colour silver is because it is one of the most popular colours at a wedding. I also think that I have to create a colour scheme at the wedding, and the main colour is going to be silver. To the right is the exact balloons I ordered. 

I have also ordered some silver flowers for the car. By watching, and looking at adverts for weddings I have noticed the car is always dressed, and looks good. Therefore, to make the car I am using (fiat 500, grey) I will be placing the flowers for car decorations.

Below is an image of the car I am using. I understand that it is not the usual wedding car, however, I am limited to the props I can use. Therefore, I chose to use a fiat 500 because it is a small, 'cute' looking car. The colour of the car also links into the colour scheme of my wedding which will help make the advert look real.

I have also ordered a 'Just married' number plate for the car.

Problems I am facing with shooting

Today I was supposed to be shooting my sponsorship sequence. However, the props I ordered have not come and therefore the lack of props I have, has delayed my shooting. For the sponsorship sequence I need props such as a ready made cake and 'just married' decorations for the car. Therefore, I now have to reschedule my filming when my props arrive, ensuring that my actors are fine with the new time too.