An In-Depth Analysis

To really make our documentary work, we looked at three different pop stars documentaries (Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift) to get a real sense in what we wanted to accomplish. Out of the three, we chose to look close at Taylor Swift's Journey To Fearless for different reasons. These include: Drew Taylor's country/ pop singing style and Gemma's own personal love towards Taylor Swift.

The opening to the documentary immediately introduces Taylor Swift's love for music and the massive effect it has on her life. Shots included footage of her preforming at various concerts to then contrast against the home footage of her as a child 'preforming'. As a group we thought this was quite a good idea to use to describe the sort of character Drew Taylor is. The footage from the family videos also support the idea that music has always been a big influence in Taylor Swift's life; which was exactly what we wanted for our character. During the opening sequence, there were various shots of her at her concerts with the cheering fans dubbed over the music. This shows how successful and famous she is around the world. This was what exactly we also wanted to include for Drew Taylor's documentary as we wanted to give the same impression; that music is a big part of her, as well as her global success.

The editing as well had gripped us. The opening of Taylor Swift's includes photos, home videos and concert shots, but is all tied together with quick editing to keep it fast paced that would keep the audience interested. The different shots shows the two sides of the pop star, both the busy and well known star that everyone knows and the secret life with her family. This is what we wanted to do for our production to give the same effect for our audience. A voice over through the beginning of the film keeps the audience engaged with the film as well as understanding who she is in more detail. Interviews with Taylor are used frequently through the beginning, and sometimes edited over some photographs of her as a child and gradually growing up. This keeps the audience interested without being bored too quickly. This editing technique we definitely wanted to include in our own production.

Our character Drew Taylor is based upon Taylor Swift. The story our documentary tells is of how this normal teenager had to face constant bullying, to then face her fears to enter a school talent competition and grow to a national superstar. Using the various editing and shot techniques, we wanted to create a unique story that hooks the audience into wanted to find out how she had accomplished all that she has. We wanted the audience to have some kind of relationship with the singer in order to understand her, so we have planned to use interviews with various people and include both old photos of Gemma who will be playing the character and old home footage to create the same effect Taylor Swift's did, to show how much music has had an influence in her life, and the impression it gives of what kind of personality Drew has.

First Cut Feedback

After finally being able to show our production to the rest of the class, we were able to receive feedback from our teacher. Here is what was written:

We received good, positive feedback, as well as improvements that will be looked upon to  improve our overall grade.

Target Audience

For our production, we're aiming the documentary towards mainly girls between the age group of 11 and 19. This was because that this age group would mainly look up to her as a role model and would want to become more like her.

This was the main focus because, when looking at the demographic scale, the employment and ethnicity side of the target audience would range from the categories B, C1, C2 and D. The actress we have to play the role as Drew Taylor was perfect for the kind of target audience we were aiming for, as Gemma herself looks up to the pop/ country singer Taylor Swift, in the way that we want the fans to aspire to be like Drew Taylor

Some of the items that our character and our audience would like are as included:

From these items, we are given a simple idea of the kind of personalities we are targeting towards.

First Cut

On Tuesday, we were planning on showing our first cut to the rest of the class to get feedback. Sadly, ours wouldn't render or export so we will be showing it on Thursday. During the two days, Dan editing some more of the first cut before showing, and here is the result:

(Needs to be added)

Production Update Seven

For this update, I was unable to attend. But the day consisted of Dan, Megan, Tom and Gemma going to Hertford to film clips for a music video to add into the first cut of our documentary. But sadly, it had rained quite a lot and so no filming was done. Though here are some photos of the group sheltering from the rain:

Production Update Six

Yesterday, we went round Gemma's house to re-film her interviews as we decided to cut out the original interviews with Gemma and Megan at school. We also filmed a short clip of Gemma as Drew Taylor in a younger age dancing around her room and singing into a hair brush. It will be edited to look like an old home video. Here are some of the photos that were taken yesterday during the filming:

We are also using the green screen in today's lesson to take more photos as well as film more interviews. The interviews will be of Drew Taylor's best friend and her 'biggest fan'.

CD Ideas

From the photos that we took the other day, we started to create photo album ideas with the better photos of the day. Here are three:

I think out of the three we have designed here, the second one is the best. We're going to keep the name of the album as Autumn Leaves and most likely keep the second one as the final cut; but we'll may change some of it after receiving feedback.

New Script

At the beginning of the production, we included a voice-over of Tom introducing Gemma Crane as Drew Taylor. We decided to continue the voice-overs through the documentary, and so we wrote a new script for the production. What is written in blue is what Tom will say over our footage:

Archive footage of people cheering at a concert.

Blurred shot of a young Drew dancing around her bedroom signing into a hairbrush.

Silhouette of Drew playing her guitar and shaking her head up and down.

'Welcome to Drew Taylor's remarkable rise to stardom.'

'This is the incredible story of a young girl who dared to fight for her dreams'.

'From as soon as she could lift a guitar, Drew was hooked on her music, and dreamed of a life on stage'.

'Join us through this documentary as we witness how she became such a huge pop sensation, and discover what truly inspired her to be where she is today'.

Title shot: 'Drew Taylor: my short rise to fame'.

'From her first on stage audition in 2009, Drew has taken the music world by storm'.

'Her debut single, Fifteen, smashed all previous chart records, and since then, she has been unstoppable. But she wasn't always this comfortable being herself.'

Interview with mum and friends in interview room. They basically say how she used to be bullied for wanting to be a singer.

Interview with Drew in interview room on how unhappy the bullying used to make her.

Cut to a few shots of bullying in Fifteen.

Interview with Drew about how the bullying made her more determined to succeed. She also talks about how Fifteen was written to highlight the emotional struggles of secondary school.

'Drew's music became very popular amongst teenagers as it guided them through many of their emotional struggles.'

Interview with Drew's fans in interview room. They speak about how Drew's music is easy to relate to.

Clips from other music videos, such as the one for the Gabrielle Aplin song.

Interview with Drew. She talks about how she will always try to write music that teenagers can relate to.

'Drew's next big venture will be her world tour in 2014 where she will perform her favourite hits to thousands of excited fans'.

Interview with Drew about her world tour. She remarks how excited she is for it.

Fade to a poster of her world tour.

End.

Production Update Five

On the tenth of October, we used our time to take some photos outside of the school (in locations such as a forest and some fields) to use to create album artwork and possible posters to present our documentary. Here are some of the better photos that we took:

Production Update Four

For this next update, it has mainly been focused on editing what we have filmed. We have organised times on Thursday to do a photoshop with Gemma for album covers and posters to promote the documentary. They will be in a similar style to Taylor Swift's album covers and other magazine photoshoots. We will also have the chance to work on Open Evening to do some more editing in the 3 hours we are given.

Production Update Three

For our third day of filming, we got shots of the Chauncy School sign, to introduce where Drew Taylor went to school. We had also filmed another interview of Gemma, asking who inspired her and why they did. We are also writing a new script for one of Drew Taylor's friends as well as Dan continuing to edit the shots we have taken.

Production Update Two

For our second double lesson, our group decided to use the time to start to edit what we already have. This allowed us to check what looked good, and what may need to be re-filmed. We started to edit the audition as well as some of the interviews we have filmed.

Production Update

During our double lesson, Tom had managed to record himself for the voice over. The recordings are of Drew Taylor's audience as well as the voice over that will be played during the opening sequence of the documentary.

Locations

For most of the production, the shots will be taken on the school grounds, using the hall for Drew Taylor's audition and some of the interviews. Other shots will include Gemma's house and various shots around Ware. Here are some of the shots from when we were filming in the hall and other parts of the school.