Creative Critical Response (CCR)

This is my CCR for this project

The Completed Project

The Website Link: https://bassproductions.wixsite.com/thefunkybluesband

The Digipak:

 

Front Cover

Inside Cover (Left Side Cover)

CD (Right Side Cover)

Back Cover

Music Video:

I have completed all aspects of my AICE Media A Level project! I'm so happy that everything has been completed, but it was a lot of fun and I put a lot of hard work into it. I learned so much from this process that I hadn't learned before and I think I'm better at certain technical things (like how to edit a movie and use Photoshop) than I was previously. There were many ups and downs throughout this project, but in the end what's done is done and everything looks perfectly alright and good now. I wouldn't mind altering a few things, but I know from constant methods and trying that nothing I do will be able to fix some of the problems that I had been having. It's okay though. I've learned for the next time I do this that I shouldn't use certain templates or websites that has restrictions that I hadn't planned for. All in all, this was a great experience and I'm glad I could be a part of creating something  completely original and unique with things I accomplished all on my own (except for help learning how to use Photoshop and researching music videos for certain techniques).

Final Thoughts

  This project is finally coming to a close. I'd be lying if I were to say that I was really upset about this because I'm honestly just really relieved that it's all over with. It was a lot of work that I'm happy and grateful that I did, but it was also a lot of work. I learned so much throughout this entire process and I realized that once I set my mind to something, I can be pretty creative. I love how the music video came out and I'm glad that I got the idea from another music video about cutting to the beat. I hadn't learned about that technique until I found out about it and really noticed it when my friend showed me this short music video clip of hers and explained to me what it was. I'm really happy that she showed it to me because I believe that the technique really helps the music video and makes it look clean and cool and professional.
  I'm really impressed that I was able to create a decent looking digipak. Of course, I had an excellent teacher who showed me how to use Photoshop and several different typical techniques that not many newbies learn when they first try their hand at Photoshop. It took me a whole weekend of nonstop editing to learn how to properly use Photoshop and make it look as cool as it does and I'm really happy with the result of it.
  There were so many ups and downs throughout this process (downs more than anything) but I'm pleased that I was able to overcome most of them. However, I wasn't able to overcome all of them due to restrictions of the template I was using for my website and I'm really annoyed that I'm unable to fix it when everything should have downloaded and run smoothly. Some of the external links aren't even working so I had to either get rid of them or leave them as Wix links. Basically everything that is seen on the website is enough and the links aren't necessary so I wouldn't click on them. I might delete them later, but they seem necessary for show and I just feel as if I should leave them there for the aesthetic.
  Other than the issues with the website, I'm happy that I went through this long and hard process because of everything that I learned that has helped me and I believe I'm a more educated and better person in terms of the technical aspects now.

The Website

So... the website is basically dons. There's just one problem that seems kind of unsolvable. I keep trying to upload the music to the website but for some reason it keeps saying that the tracks aren't valid. I keep trying different ways to fix it, but nothing is working. I guess the tracks just won't be on the website... I don't know. I'll keep trying. Tomorrow I'm going to film my CCR and finish my final two postings for the project. The music video has already been uploaded to YouTube and the digipak is all done. I just need to try and fix the website and do the CCR.

Completing the Components of the Project

Today I completed the digipak! My dad showed me how to use photoshop on his computer so if I were to make a screencast for my CCR then I wouldn't be able to show it since I'd be doing the screencast on my aunt's Mac. Okay, so. The thing about the digipak. It consists of the front cover, the back cover, the inside cover with the specifics of the band members, and the CD slide/container. There is no lyrics sheet. I did this specifically because the band had already made a CD that didn't have one and they told me that it was because they didn't have enough money to pay for a lyrics sheet to be made. I decided to follow what they said because not much has changed from the making of their first CD to the one that I just made. All I have left to do is the website, which I'm having trouble uploading the music to, and the CCR which I plan to complete Tuesday since tomorrow is the first night of Passover and I have to bake macaroons all day.

The Digipak

I started working on the digipak tonight. Heidi from the band emailed me all sorts of pictures that I could use to put on the digipak and I'm so grateful to her on that. Now all I really have to do is design it. My dad and I have been discussing whether we should use Pages or Photoshop, but we eventually decided to use Photoshop because my dad knows how to use that software and he said that it would be easier to teach to me than Pages which is a software that we both don't know. My music video is completed, which I'm so happy about. This means that all I have to do is the digipak and put the finishing touches on the band's website and then I'm done! Well, except for my CCR. However, that's supposed to be done once my whole project is completed.

The Music Video

Oh, no! I'm behind on my postings for this week. I can't believe this. I guess it must be because I've gotten a bit carried away in the excitement of working on the music video. Yes, I was able to overcome the life-threatening obstacle of not being able to fit the SD Card into the laptop. Hallelujah! The editing process is actually taking more time then I had expected because I have to analyze every single piece of footage and pick out the good parts. I didn't realize that it would be hard which is kind of silly. But, anyway, I've been working on the music video since Monday and I basically completed it yesterday. Although, that's not entirely true since I'm still trying to figure out how to add the professional text in the bottom left corner of the opening that opens the song title, the band, and the recording studio. Also, I'm giving everyone a fair warning that there is probably not going to be many (or any) transitions in the music video because I decided to go with this technique called cutting to the beat which makes the video look really nice and clean cut. I don't really see any need for transitions, but I still might add some. I plan to ask for feedback from my friends and family just to see whether or not they like it or if it needs something extra like transitions, but they won't be helping me with the project in any way other than to offer advice. This weekend, I plan to work and complete the digipak (which I need to consult Mrs. Stoklosa on some things about it tomorrow) and then next Monday or this Sunday I will finish the band's website. For next week's blog postings I will be submitting the music video separately, the digitpak and website, and for my final blog post the CCR. I think I've got a good schedule planned with enough time to fit in my birthday next Thursday! Better get back to work and figure out how to do the professional text.