Visual Projections Final Edit

Portfolio Showreel

Finished Edit

Say Something Political - Music For Relief from James Underwood on Vimeo.

Shoot Week & Post Production

It's an exciting time at the moment. I have shot 90% of the footage for my DP3 film.
During much of the shooting phase, I have been expanding on my planned execution, and have adjusted and improved several areas of my original concept. I am thrilled with these amendments however, and look forward to fine tuning them in post production.
Watch this space. I will be posting up a near-complete first edit, by the end of the week.

J.

My direction for 'Say Something Political'

The following organisation 'Music For Relief' is:

"Artists, music industry professionals, and fans working together to create positive change. Our mission, is to support disaster relief and reduce global warming" (http://www.musicforrelief.org)

The following is taken from a UN meeting:

''MUSIC UNITES PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, SECRETARY-GENERAL

SAYS IN REMARKS INTRODUCING ‘WHY MUSIC MATTERS’ LECTURE''

The following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s introductory remarks at the lecture on “Why Music Matters” by Professor Leon Botstein in New York, today, 8 November:

"Dear colleagues and friends, I am delighted to welcome you to another lecture in this series.  Today, our subject is music."

“What’s that got to do with the UN?” you may be asking.  My answer is that music has to do with everything.

From the first lullaby sung to us as newborn babies, music provides the “soundtrack” of our lives.  So much so that I think many of us take it for granted -- just as we do the soundtrack of a film, which we often hear without listening to it.  That is, we enjoy the film without realizing how much the music conditions our reaction.

"Music penetrates almost every part of our lives:  our rest, our entertainment, our education, and our worship."

I love everything about these concepts and feel strongly about the messages behind them.

This is going to be the direction of my 'Say Something Political' Design Practice 3 brief.

J.

70 Million Hits

Okay, so It's a great video. But you must be thinking 'Why the relevence?'
To acheive such a huge number of youtube hits, usually you have to be doing something really special, or extraordinary! In this case however, its simply a matter of the viewer/consumer being able to relate to the content. And here, there isn't a single human being that cannot relate to this. Its a universal language, a bit like a smile; Everyone understands and loves it.

I want to acheive this same effect in my 'Say Something Political' ad. Billions are spent everyday trying to convince people that they should go out and buy something, or that they 'should' like something.
I beleive this concept cuts out the cost and achieves the desired effect, with twice the impact.

Marketing something in a way that every human being on the planet is suceptable to and can relate to is a very powerful technique. I cannot help but ask, why it isn't practiced more regularly in the commercial world.

J.

Fuelling My Initial Ideas

Too far? Maybe.
But thats just it. - It has impact, Its sells the product/brand and conveys a message in a way that everyone can understand.
A great advertisement.



The following music video however, is a personal favourite. - A nod in the direction, I would like to take for my DP3 'Say Something Political' Ad.

My clip has to be well directed, edited and have a great relevant content. This is so, that viewers can relate to it and appreciate the message being conveyed.

This stunning video by '30 Seconds To Mars' does just that, and although not a 'thirty second TV ad' - It has all the ingredients and feel, that I want my 'Say Something Political' clip to have.



Already at this early stage, having an impressive and compelling clip that is beautifully directed is exactly what I want. The thing is, without being cocky or arrogant - I know in myself I can achieve that. The REAL challenge for me here, is doing everything I have discussed previously...

In thirty seconds.
Time to take it, "Closer to the edge!"

(Oh the irony)
J.