Using the Mark Scheme

I am going to look at the mark scheme for the A2 Music Video, and focus on the Level 4 top band to see what criteria I need to incorporate into my music video to ensure I achieve the best grade I can, for example making sure our video has a variety of shot types, attention to mise-en-scene and ensuring the editing and mise-en-scene is appropriate for the genre type.

As well as looking at Level 4 I am going to look at the whole of the mark scheme and assess past students work to examine what went well and what they could do to improve, doing this task will help me to set a realistic target and see where others excelled and where they could have improved upon which I can reflect onto our project.

Level 1: 0-14; Level 2: 15-23; Level 3: 24-31; Level 4: 32-40

Music Video 1: Mark - 28

What went well: The music video reflects the genre of music very well, the slow paced guitar song is shown through the use of long shots and fading transitions, creating an appropriate mood for the song. Also, the camera work is steady and has generally good framing. There is a good use of a range of shots, point of view, tracking, close up and wide shot. The mise-en-scene is chosen very well, the clothing of the boy reflects the genre as it's very relaxed, also the locations used such as the lake reflects the slow paced song very well.

Improvements: Throughout the video the lip syncing seems to be slightly out of time with the song, so much closer editing is needed here. The editing in general is quite simple, more effects could be added to allow for more of a variety for the audience.

Music Video 2: Mark - 32

What went well: Some very good use of lighting, for example the silhouette shot of the girl dancing near the lake - it is very effective and fits the mood of the song. As well as this, the framing of shots has also been very well thought of for example the wide shot of the girl dancing between the door frame it gives a very good effect. The mise-en-scene is thought about throughout with the girl wearing a red and white dress and bare feet possibly representing innocence and mystery which again, fits the mood of the song. As well as this, the location choices are very good.

Improvements: There are some issues with focus and lip syncing which could use more attention to editing. As well as this, the video is quite repetitive with continuous clips of the girl dancing throughout, although this fits the genre of the song I feel adding something different would be more entertaining for the audience.

Music Video 3: Mark 38

What went well: Good choice of mise-en-scene throughout including clothing and the decision to have band shots I believe this fits the genre very well. As well as this, there's a good variation between clips from the band shots and the narrative. There's a good variety of shots and camera use, for example, tracking shots, over the shoulder, close ups and extreme close ups. There's also good use of other camera techniques such as focus pulls. Editing is quite subtle but works well for the genre, the filter added over the narrative part of the story suits the genre well it adds a 'vintage' indie feel to it, also transitions between clips are used between different band members. Lip syncing is also very carefully done.

Improvements: Some of the clips of the girl was a little long-winded and awkward. As well as this, particularly in the beginning the focus of the lead singer looked a little odd.