Navya Aggarwal A-Level media coursework

Hi readers, this week I wanted to finish up my video but I keep getting ideas that can be included in there. So I decided to talk to my mom about it, she told me to list down these ideas and shortlist what all I can use. and then I can pick accordingly or try them out and see what looks the best and also to not overthink it otherwise ill keep getting new ideas and I will never be able to finish my project.  I listed these down to short list and decide what all I can use.  I used different tools from imvic to make my video more personal and creative, I typed out some lyrics of the song, the verse and changed some lyrics as well like, " when "I" went away" instead of "when YOU went away" and wrote out the verse which is " Every step I take Every move I make Every single day, every time I pray I'll be missing you Thinkin' of the day When you went away What a life to take, what a bond to break I'll be missing you ". To make the video conn...

 Hi readers, today I wanted to share my challenges that I have faced and how I overcame them. During the production of my music video, one of the minor challenges was working with iMovie. Although I have used iMovie in the past and feel confident with it, it still has some limitations compared to more advanced editing software. Certain transitions and effects that could have made my narrative even stronger were harder to create. However, I focused on editing techniques such as cross-dissolves, match cuts, and smooth fades to keep the visual storytelling engaging and emotional. By applying these techniques carefully, I was able to maintain continuity and support the nostalgic mood I wanted to convey. Another challenge I faced was the difference in quality across my footage. Since I used personal clips recorded at different times and on different phones, there was a lack of visual consistency in lighting, colour, and framing. This could have impacted the overall aesthetic and verisim...

 Hi readers, I have reached the editing part of my music video and just wanted to share the process of it.  Being a media student, I understand the crucial role that post-production plays in shaping the final meaning and aesthetic of a music video. Choosing the right editing software is key in achieving the desired mise-en-scène, pacing, and emotional impact. I opted to use iMovie, as I had prior experience with the platform, which meant I was confident navigating its interface and understood how to utilise its range of editing tools. This included the ability to overlay text for lyrics (anchorage), insert non-diegetic audio such as laughter and ambient sound to enhance verisimilitude, and apply transitions that supported the nostalgic tone of my narrative. While conducting research into industry practices, I noticed that many successful artists – particularly those with an autobiographical element in their work – often rely on straightforward editing styles that don’t oversha...

 Hi readers, I wanted to share the process of recording my videos and clips for the my music video.  In constructing my music video, I deliberately utilised archival footage captured on my personal mobile phone to enhance the authenticity and emotional resonance of the narrative. By incorporating pre-existing, non-staged clips, I was able to employ a bricolage technique, assembling fragments of real memories to create a rich tapestry of nostalgia. This decision aligns with the conventions of postmodern media, particularly in the use of found footage to blur the boundaries between reality and representation. The mobile phone footage acts as a diegetic artefact within the text, grounding the narrative in lived experience and offering verisimilitude that staged re-enactments could not achieve. Moreover, the use of handheld, low-resolution visuals lends the product a documentary-style aesthetic, supporting the preferred reading that this music video is an intimate, personal reflec...

Hi readers, this week I've spent designing my social media page, and I am very happy with the outcome I think it reflect just like a real life social media page.  Click images for better quality   For the construction of my music video, I chose to foreground my own identity as the artist, aligning with Richard Dyer’s star theory which suggests that authenticity and relatability are crucial in building a strong connection with audiences. Given that the theme of my project revolves around nostalgia and recollections of friendships from my personal life, I intentionally used original archival images from significant moments, captured on my phone. This decision not only reinforced verisimilitude but also allowed my social media marketing to feel organic and sincere, as seen in my uploaded Instagram posts. During my research into the online personas of celebrities and musicians, I observed that many artists, such as Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift, frequently post personal memories ...

 Hi readers, I was going through my vinyl design that I made last week and showed it to my friends as I wanted to update them how everything is turning out. and they gave me an idea which can make it more creative and meaningful.   I added the photo collage of my cover in the middle and I personally think this turned out to be better than before and this something very unusual and I haven't personally seen this anywhere. 

 Hi readers!!, since this week I've been working on my digi pack. I have made cover and my design on my vinyl. Throughout the process, I faced a lot of difficulties of trying my best to make it perfect.  The quote says "Some Goodbyes Last Forever, So Do The Memories." The first thing I wanted to focus on was the cover of the vinyl, and the design in the cd. I wanted to create something unusual while keeping it simple and personal.  Since I’ve already talked about how this project is based on friendship and memories, I wanted the design of  “I’ll Be Missing You – Vol. 1 (2025)”  to visually reflect those emotions in a meaningful way. I created the front cover as a photo collage made up of real moments shared with my friends—candid, joyful, and heartfelt. The soft overlay gives a nostalgic, almost dreamy effect, as if we’re looking back at these memories through time. I used a minimal, elegant font to keep the focus on the visuals and the emotion behind them. Addi...