CCR

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NBEP1HfGN0Ea45LmvTaFCQeZXNEWMrv_2uSGx3sdKgA/edit?usp=sharing

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

We wanted to follow the rules of the hip-hop genre while adding parts of our own creativity to our music video project. After considering our study on the "hip-hop" genre, we came up with a number of recurring themes that we included in our film. For example, in order to represent the essence of hip-hop culture, we shot in a neighborhood for some of the sequences, opting for an urban location. Dancing was another component we added, and it was on display in the scene where we did a freestyle on an escalator. But we also wanted to add some of our own special touches to the film. We purposefully employed inexpensive props like prop money and fictitious checks, as well as unusual settings like the low-cost retailer CVS. This departure from the standard hip-hop genre music video tropes was done to present a novel viewpoint and highlight our collective inventiveness. 

Our music video also seeks to address a variety of social concerns and reflect a range of social groupings. By include scenarios that represent various socioeconomic groups, we hoped to emphasize the community's togetherness. Characters in the video who are affluent beyond average demonstrate their kindness by helping the less fortunate. The value of cooperation and group effort is emphasized by this picture of excellent role models who advance society. Our music video tackles delicate social and economic themes while yet keeping a joyful, upbeat, and lively atmosphere with dancing and laughter. Scenes illustrating random deeds of kindness and community involvement support the theme of harmony and demonstrate the transformational potential of group good deeds. Therefore, our video blends significant representation with pleasure, rather than just being a fun-loving song. It inspires viewers to think about the larger social context in which the music is set and fosters a sense of community. 
 

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

Our video stands out in a number of ways when it comes to audience engagement with our product. First off, our music video is more appealing because of its excellent quality. We used the most recent iPhone model to record, making use of its superior camera quality to improve the overall appearance and feel of the video. In contrast to the majority of student-made music videos, this allowed us to capture breathtaking backgrounds, vivid colors, and powerful shots, enhancing the visual experience. The fact that our video is entertaining and can hold viewers' attention is another aspect that sets it apart. We purposely used prop money, non-luxurious stores, and fictitious checks as low-budget alternatives to the high-budget ones used in Drake's "God's Plan" music video. We took a lighthearted approach, though, by having our characters act as though these things were genuine. This gives our video a more playful vibe and illustrates our efforts to emulate Drake while utilizing the resources at our disposal. To maximize its impact and reach, we would carefully release our video across several platforms if it were to be distributed as a legitimate media text. First, because YouTube is so widely accessible and has such a large global audience, we would release it there first. The content's visual format makes it perfect for sharing on social media sites, particularly TikTok, where brief but powerful videos have the potential to go viral and garner a lot of attention. In addition, we would interact with the audience on other social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram to generate buzz about the video and share behind-the-scenes content. Using multiple platforms would guarantee that our music video is seen by as many people as possible and has the greatest possible impact.  

 

 

How did your production skills develop throughout this project? 

 

Over the course of this project, we have significantly improved our production skills. First of all, the idea generation process helped us become more adept at recognizing ideas and themes that are consistent with the song's message. We improved at deciphering the cultural and social allusions in the song and video and incorporating them into the visual ideas for our own production. Our production skills have also improved as a result of the planning and development phase of our video. We had to arrange for several things, including the shooting schedule, the locations, and who was responsible for which props and items. We learned how to interact with other group members in an effective manner, which enhanced our communication abilities. Additionally, it improved our logistical and organizational abilities as we had to maximize impact while striking a balance with limited resources and financial limitations. Our ability to tell a story visually improved even more when we had to create a storyboard for our music video. This required us to have a better grasp of shot composition, pacing, and how each scene fits into the larger story. Through this process, we were able to hone our editing skills and acquire a sharp eye for striking images. We had to adjust on set to overcome a number of obstacles while filming our music video. Our ability to lead and communicate was enhanced because we had to act quickly and improvise in response to unforeseen situations. For instance, we had to act quickly and modify the scene slightly when we realized that the weather would have an impact on the car scene with the bow. To adapt to the current situation and keep the video's coherence and flow, we had to be quick on our feet and make a few minor scene adjustments. Editing our music video during the post-production stage helped us hone our production techniques even more. Our task involved deciding which shots had the greatest impact, experimenting with timing, and enhancing emotional resonance with visual effects. Through this process, we were able to gain a deeper understanding of how editing can dramatically affect a video's overall impact and message. 

How did you integrate technologies – software, hardware and online – in this project? 

 

Technology was essential to our production process throughout this project. Software, hardware, and internet platforms were all incorporated to improve the caliber and accessibility of our music video. First and foremost, the equipment selection was crucial. For filming, we utilized the newest model of iPhone—the iPhone 14 Pro. The iPhone's sophisticated camera features, which enabled us to take excellent footage with amazing clarity and dynamic range, served as the driving force behind this choice. During on-location shooting, the iPhone's portability gave us flexibility by allowing us to film in any chosen location and take shots from different angles. We made use of the CapCut software for editing. CapCut was chosen because of its robust editing features and easy-to-use interface. For a project this size, its accessibility made it the perfect option. It provided a fluid editing experience along with artistic tools like text options, cropping, music syncing, and more. We were able to experiment with pace, transitions, and visual effects thanks to the software's efficiency and adaptability, which enhanced the overall impact of our music video. We also used Blogger, an online platform, to record our project's progress. We were able to share behind-the-scenes content, interact with viewers, and share insights with ease thanks to Blogger's simple layout and design. Our blogging process remained streamlined and accessible for both creators and viewers thanks to the platform's user-friendly design. Ultimately, the choice of equipment and platforms aligned with our goal of creating an impactful music video.