CONSTRUCTION: 3Ds Max

I decided to use 3ds Max as a means to animate the video because it has fast and flexible animation tools.

Firstly I had to create some image files to apply to polygons.

I cut up the image of the band members so they could be used as a texture map in 3ds Max

Then I created an opacity map. This is used in 3ds Max to decide which bits of a texture map is transparent, and which is opaque

I then imported the image files into Max and applied them as a material to the polygons

Then I manipulated the polygons to build the band members and backdrop.

After that, I grouped the bits of the band members into an animation hierarchy and moved the pivot points so things would animate properly.

I then animated each band member strumming and dancing to the beat. At this stage the animations were too regular to be convincing, so I deleted keyframes at various points to make the animation more organic.

I then did several single frame test renders using a default lighting rig. This was to make sure the render wasn’t going to be too light, or too dark.

I then rendered each verse and each chorus as an uncompressed avi at 576x768 resolution (standard PAL definition).

Verse 1 - Changes from the original plan

Originally, I was going to have the whole band performing on each verse, but then decided to introduce. The biscuit-head singer on his own. In the first verse I had the singer performing with the camera gradually zooming to a close up.

Verse 2- Changes from the original plan

Verse 2 has all the band members on screen. Similar to the first verse, the camera slowly zooms in on the band over the course of the animation.

Verse 3 – Changes from the original plan

There’s a 10 second instrumental break at the start of the last verse. To make this more interesting, I cut some of the images I use during the choruses into the band performance by animating the visibility of polygons in 3ds Max. Also to add variety, I sourced a fractal picture off the web, and changed the colours in photoshop. I had this image fading in and rotating in the second half of the verse.

Choruses

I filmed all the choruses, and then decided to superimpose the band members over the top of the video. I did this by using the live action movie footage as a texture on the background polygon in 3ds Max.

In the first chorus only the Singer appears

In the second chorus, only the Fox headed bass player appears

In the third chorus the entire band appear.

Once all the sequences were rendered as avi’s, I imported them into adobe premiere dubbed the music track in, and edited the sequences together so they gelled.

PLANNING: Video Storyboard

Below is the storyboard for my video, it shows what will happen in order.

FINAL PRODUCT: Final Digipack

This is what i finally came up with for my digipack, as you can see i took all of the given feedback into consideration and used a lot of it.

Above is the final front cover and the final inside cover of the digipack, as you can see I took the idea that Jack Holmes put forward of changing the heads to that of something else, I think it was a good suggestion because it adds to the surreal image of the band. I also too Jack Perry's idea of using light colours, such as blue or creams.

As you can see I also put the alternate heads as the heads on the back cover.

I used images from the video to make the actual DVD label

PLANNING: Target Audience Feedback

So I could get an idea on whether my digipack was good for its purpose I asked some people in my target audience what they thought about it. My target audience was teenagers ages 13-18 generally male. This is the feedback I got.

Jack Perry - "The idea for the front cover is good, but you don't explain the colour scheme that you are going to use, I suggest you use light colours, blues or creams, as any colours such as black or browns would not really fit with the idea of using "The Beatles" other than that, I like the idea of using images from your video as part of the digipack, it adds consistency."

Jack Holmes - "I like the idea of the digipack, but perhaps you could change it to be a a little more surreal as this would fit better with the albums music - for example you could replace their heads with something else, for instance animal heads."

Charlotte Butcher - "I like it but I think you need to make it more colourful."

Sonny Drake - "I think that the album cover and the rest of the digipack are well thought through, and look good, but my main thought on how to improve it would be that the front cover has a lot of blank space around the top, maybe you could use something to fill it up, a picture, or some text would be good."

PLANNING: Draft Digipack

As part of the coursework i have to create a Digipack for my CD to go in, here you can see the draft for this Digipack and the reasons i have made it this way.

If these are too small to read, please save the images and open them, so they are legible.

PLANNING: Video Influences

There was one main music video that influenced the way my video has been filmed and that was Subterranian home sick blues - Bob Dylan


This video has been copied many times, most famously by Maxell tapes adverts.

I decided this would be a good way to make my video because it is easy to illustrate the words from the song.

PLANNING: Tools used

I have had to use several different tools to help me make my video and digipacks. One of the most usefull tools i have at my disposal is Adobe Photoshop CS3 this helps me cut and paste the heads, the background and all of my digipack together. Im also using Adobe Premier Pro and iMovie to create the film. For the animated section of the video im using a programme called 3DS Max.