Entry #9 Week Two Post Two

Hiya!

Today in class, we organized into groups in which there were one or two individuals representing each film opening group. This way, we could all discuss our ideas and receive commentary from our classmates on how we can further develop it or get some direction.

Reem and I were coincidentally in the same group. Although we did not get to maximize commentary we would have received by being in different groups, it definitely helped being in the same one as we got to clearly communicate our idea with the other individuals in our group to receive proper feedback.

We first introduced where our idea came from and the science behind zodiac signs. We also discussed our idea of creating a anti-utopian society in which there are three rebels. Two of which are friends and one of them is dating the third rebel. Neither of them are "compatible" with each other according to the "governments" laws.

The people from our group recommended that we lean towards the hovering zodiac sign as it could show that the society is futuristic, but still dated in certain ways of thinking. This reminded me of a film we had discussed in class, called Children of Men.

Snapshot from the film opening of Children of Men showing their advanced technology with the dirty town 

They also recommended that we consider choosing a color palette for our film opening and to focus on the effects of color and its ability to evoke certain emotions when trying to decide on the vibe of our society. We had completely forgotten about this which is why it was so important since we did plan on shooting a majority of our film in a shopping center near us.

This is the colorful shopping center near us.

Entry #8 Week 2 Post One

Welcomeeeee back!

Today, my group and I worked for a couple minutes at the end of class and started brainstorming some scene ideas we wanted to include as well as the logistics of our film. 

I had told Reem, one of my group members, to watch "Hang the DJ" from Black Mirror. Shelby, my other group member, and I thought it was a perfect way of explaining the idea I had on creating a failed utopian society in which all the individuals were ruled over by an authoritarian government of some sort. I imagined the government to order the individuals under their rule with the zodiac signs as part of their ideology. 

This was a major change from the Romantic Drama we had imagined, but after she did so, we were all on board. 

We also discussed brainstormed some details we want to include in our film opening. We for sure wanted some type of identification, so we decided to either have each individuals zodiac sign hovering above their head or for them to be "branded" or "tattooed." 

Here is an example of an icon hovering above a character. This is the iconic green diamond above a player in Sims.

We are experimenting with how we could hone our skills in graphic design to make that happen. In case we do not want to take that route, we came up with the plan to use henna to tattoo the icon of the character's zodiac sign on their wrist!

Entry #7 Week One Blog Two

Welcome back! My last post introduced the approach that my new group and I were planning on taking when working on our film project. Here is a quote on what I said we would research from my last entry: 

“Step One: Brainstorm. We intended to create a brainstorming session where we all provide input after thinking about the topic for a bit. We believed that one simple idea that one individual recommends can turn into a more elaborate, detailed, and stable idea. 

Step Two: Research Zodiac Signs. We were to research zodiac signs and anything astrology related. We looked up stereotypes for each Zodiac Sign and how compatibility was determined. 

Step Three: Genre. My group and I wanted to decide on a genre and decide what approach we wanted to take with the topic of zodiac signs. It seemed highly likely that we would lean towards romance. 

Step Four: Miscellaneous. This category was all about getting inspiration and start noting certain mise en scene elements, shots, angles, composition, lighting and etc that we wanted to include.”

My group and I scheduled another call where we discussed what we learned when we individually researched. We also shared links in our group chat of articles that we all read through and discussed together. 

Here are two examples:

https://www.tarot.com/astrology/zodiac-signs-stereotypes

https://amp.thisisinsider.com/best-zodiac-sign-couples-2017-2

With these sources, we learned that in astrology, compatibility of lovers was mainly determined by which signs were opposite each other from the wheel. 

We also discussed how we should include friend compatibility between friends in the film to help establish the main idea of the film. We briefly discussed the layout we want to take with the story itself which wanted to be edited in a parallel structure where we provide insight to whats happening in two characters lives who are compatibility to each other and a small run-in they have to each other in the film opening. We described this as “Stars Aligning” and even considered naming the film that. We were very set on creative this film opening through a romantic lens. 

With research on the strengths and weaknesses of some signs, we decided on having the main two lovers be a pisces and virgo. We did agree on and ask some individuals who we believed would be perfect to act in the film. We believed they fit the role as they were capable of acting and connecting with their part. We believed it would be fun to make some individuals be the stereotypic version of their sign. 

Entry #6 Week One Blog One

Welcome back to my blog! Today, my group and I scheduled a phone call to discuss how we wanted to approach this project. We briefly discussed some ideas that came to mind. One of my peers in my group was inspired by zodiac signs and recommended that we do our film opening on that. My other group mate and I agreed because we believed that we can get very creative with that idea. Specifically, I was inspired by the episode, “Hang the DJ” in season four of Black Mirror. It was about a dating system that members of the society used. Two lovers were matched, but not again even though they felt they compatible. They strongly believed that the world was against them and fled the compound they lived in to exit that system. I believed that we can create a dating app or system in the film that matches people based off their compatibility according to astrology, including friendships. 

I spoke to one of the group members that had not seen the show and recommended that she watch it and for us to discuss any further steps in the next phone call. In the meanwhile, we did organize what we wanted to research or how we wanted to further the plot. 

Step One: Brainstorm. We intended to create a brainstorming session where we all provide input after thinking about the topic for a bit. We believed that one simple idea that one individual recommends can turn into a more elaborate, detailed, and stable idea. 

Step Two: Research Zodiac Signs. We were to research zodiac signs and anything astrology related. We looked up stereotypes for each Zodiac Sign and how compatibility was determined. 

Step Three: Genre. My group and I wanted to decide on a genre and decide what approach we wanted to take with the topic of zodiac signs. It seemed highly likely that we would lean towards romance. 

Step Four: Miscellaneous. This category was all about getting inspiration and start noting certain mise en scene elements, shots, angles, composition, lighting and etc that we wanted to include. 

Read my next blog for an update!

Entry #5 Music Marketing Campaign

Two of my peers and I worked in a group to create a music marketing campaign. Initially, we were send three choices of songs to choose from. With this song, we would have to create a new artist or group that is up and coming. The task was to create two case studies on artists with the same genre as the song. This was useful for the next step, which was to organize a marketing plan that was specific for a new artist initially gaining exposure to eventually reach a greater audience. Additionally, we had to create a music video for the selected song. 

We chose the song "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked." We researched two bands signed with RCA records, that is, Cage the Elephant and Walk the Moon. We also learned about the history of the record label and a list of artists and groups signed with them. 

Aside from the case studies that we created, I had lead group discussions with my peers about unique marketing techniques we can employ in our plan as well as general approaches we should take to rapidly gain exposure for the up and coming band we created, Wild Stars. These topics that I had introduced in the discussion were from extensive research on how to market a new artist, the case studies we created, and other intriguing techniques that we observed when engaging with digital content in our lives. 

With the discussion that was done across two to three class periods, we were able to draft a marketing plan which we revised later. These discussions also encouraged us to choose our band's niche. With the genre in mind, we were able to identify the target audience of Wild Stars and certain characteristics, such as how politically active they would be on social media and what they are. We integrated some of these into the storyboard for the music video. 

The storyboard was mainly drawn up by one of the members of our group, but we had all agreed on what would be drawn up. We made sure to use a variety of camera angles, compositions, lighting, and locations. Here are some screenshots from out music video!

++++

The research that we had conducted had not only informed some of our project choices for the video, but for the general marketing plan as well. For basics, we had created social media accounts, such as an Instagram and Twitter, as well as a website to serve as a platform for everything related to our band. The website was the master resource to get informed about live shows, music updates, access to consume products, like music on vinyl, streaming or just merchandise, and a blog. As for the social media accounts, it obviously included updates on live shows, music, and merchandise. However, these platforms are also purposeful for maximizing exposure. It is possible that listeners can learn about Wild Stars through their social media rather than finding their music. Having active social media accounts is another door of access to the band. 

This is the home page of the Wild Stars website. Click Here

These are the Wild Stars profiles on Instagram (left) and Twitter (right). 

Notice that there is a color palette, theme of graphics, and iconic images that we chose for our band. With these, audience members can easily identify that the content is the band's. The colors that were chosen: 

• Yellow: emotion and creativity, increase energy and awareness
• Red: aggression, passion, excitement, increase blood pressure
• Represent the genre and the band. Effects of both colors creating the upbeat tone and the stimulating mood of rock and roll

For more complex marketing techniques, we decided to create a character-choice video game. The story of the game matches with the content of the song "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" and the music video.

We also chose to create an instagram filter. The song would play as the filter is being used. There is a Black and Red star on the face that is iconic to the band along with graphics on the side similar to that of the music video.

This project has taught me that music industry works beyond working on music and releasing it. I have learned that timelines for releases, how active one chooses to be on social media, and a color palette can be vital in marketing ones products.

In conclusion, I have learned how many more layers there are to a certain medium and how creative one can get while using other media. It has taught me that creative, unique techniques are rewarded for in campaigns like this and that it is possible to other aspects of my portfolio.