Filming: Day 1

Originally we thought that filming day 1 went really well; however, we came away with nowhere near enough footage for the whole video. We liked the idea of using the outdoors as we found it to be a generic convention of our genre. For example, 'The Girl' by City and Colour...and 'Old Pine' by Ben Howard. The setting is naturalistic and down to earth which is what the indie genre is all about. 

I liked the idea of having him sit on the bench as it connotes loneliness, however, we struggled to think of way to bulk the video out as we didn't just want him to be sat down throughout the whole video. 

We made sure we shot a variety of close ups as that was an important generic convention. However, it wasn't as effective in the narrative as he is not lip synching. 

The lighting was too low key; therefore, we decided not to you this footage as you can't see the emotion on his face. 

Risk Assessment

 

A number of dangers could occur from our choice of locations; however, overall each of our locations are a relatively high safe place to film for our music video. The main dangers we will need to be cautious of will be the fire, especially as it is in a building and the electrics. Each of these dangers could result in serious injury; however, as long as we take the correct precautions our group should be fine.

 

These images illustrate some of the dangers that were stated in the table above. As you can see, we are choosing to use the lanterns on the stage and surrounding our performers feet. We will need to be careful that he doesn't knock the lanterns over as it could result in a potential fire hazard.

Time Management

Testing Shot Types & Lighting

Lighting: 

For our performance part of our video, we have chosen to film the performer inside in a low key lighting room. For our test shots, we used a dark room in a photography apartment. In the first clip we used two lamps that were situated behind the camera. We found that the two lamps would not work as the lighting was too high key for what we wanted to achieve. We need to achieve a low key lighting in order to connote sadness, loneliness and heartbreak. 

For the second clip, we turned the red lights on in the room and used one lamp which we covered with a tray. The room immediately became low key; however, we decided that the red lighting would not be suitable for our music video. Therefore, we have decided to bring in some fairy lights to wrap around the stall. This will hopefully highlight the stall and the performer, whilst also achieving a successful low-key lighting effect. 

Variety of Shot Types:

The first shot we tried out was a low level tracking shot. We did this by securing the camera onto a tripod and holding it downwards onto our foot. By using this technique, we achieved a hand held shot effect which connotes realism; therefore it would be effective in our music video. The pace would need to be slower in order for the visuals to match the music in the video. By referring to Goodwin's theory, this technique would be effective for our music video as it would connote sadness and the isolation due to the slow pace of walking. 

Next we filmed a panning shot, which panned from left to right. The shot worked as it appeared smooth; however, the pace of walking would need to be slower and also the pace of the camera movement would have to be too. We would need to create continuity with the pace as half way through the pace of the camera movement sped up in order to keep up with the walking. A panning shot is good to use as it will enable our audience to have a clear view of the background as well as the performer. 

We were really happy with the outcome from the 360 degree test shot. The pace could perhaps be slightly slower and the camera could be situated a bit higher in order for the audience to gain a larger visual aspect of what is surrounding the performer. The high angle will also connote a vulnerability which links in to the theme of our chosen song as well. Overall it was a successful shot to use which was achieved by a camera on a tripod. 

We decided to film a variety of tracking shots as this will be a common shot type for our music video. Due to the narrative taking place in a woods, the camera will spend much of the time tracking the performer walking through leaves, trees and the woods in general. Therefore, we needed to try a range of different tracking shots in order to create a variety that would be more interesting for the audience. 

The first tracking shot we tried was the camera on a tripod wheels following the performer from behind. This worked well and will be featured in our music video. Again the pace would have to be slower in order to match the visuals with the music. The next tracking shot we did, was having the performer walk towards the camera, whilst the camera tracked backwards. We liked this shot as it connects the audience to the performer as they are seen to be walking towards them. 

The tilt shot followed by a zoom in wasn't very successful as the camera jilted even though it was on a tripod. We decided that it may be better to have some movement from the performer, which could have made the shot more successful. As the camera zoomed in, the performer could have walked towards it. The tilt shot at the end of the video was more successful as the pace was suitable and it showed the bar stool, performer and some of the surrounding location. We decided to have the camera tilt up from the feet in order to connote sadness, this is then amplified by the expression on the performer's face, as well as the lyrics in the song. 

Research and Planning: Shot List

As a group we have produced a shot list, outlining a rough plan of the shots we plan to use in our music video. 

Completed shot list from Charlotte Frazer

Time Management Update

I have already completed the costumes and props research on time; however, I just need to apply some more theory to it. So far we know what our performers and actors will be wearing and what props  we are going to use. I have also managed to complete the stars and stardom research and I have posted it onto my blog. By the end of today's lesson I need to complete my shot list and post it onto my blog. I will also need to complete my audience profile work on prezi; I haven't been able to complete it yet as prezi wouldn't work on my laptop at home. 

Storyboard

Research and Planning: Locations

Location ideas from amy950

Whitcliffe - is located in Ludlow, the section we want to use is looking out onto Ludlow itself and is surrounded by trees.

Although it doesn't appear to look dangerous there is a road behind, which often has fast cars going by. We will have to be cautious of the cars and pedestrians that are walking across the pavement. If we go down into the woods, we will have to watch out for branches on the ground, slippery surfaces from the rain and steep declines of hills on either side of the path.

Overall, I would say that Whitcliffe is a fairly safe place to film as it is relatively quiet and it is local to our College.



Ludlow Assembly Rooms - For the performance section, we are going to film in the Assembly Rooms. In terms of danger, we would need to be cautious of electrics (from the lighting) and anything on the floor as we are filming in a dark room. Also we have decided to use lanterns, which could be a potential fire hazard.

Actor's

 

Male Actors:

 

 

Harry will be our actor for the performance section of the music video. We chose him as he fits in with our chosen genre and is reliable. He has also learnt the song on guitar for our music video which we can use in our video. The style of clothing we want him to wear is similar to what he is wearing in this picture. We want the outfit to be laid back and casual. For example, we are going to ask him to wear: jeans, or some casual trousers, a polo shirt or checked shirt and possible a hat.

 

 

We have chosen James to be the main actor for our narrative section as he resembles the folk/alternative genre and he has a similar style to what we are looking for. In this image, he is wearing what we would like him to wear in our music video (not the sunglasses). James also goes to Ludlow College, which means he is reliable as he can meet us easily if we need to film a section.

 

Female Actor:

We have chosen to use Izzy to play the daughter in the music video. The mise-en-scene we are using consists mainly of winter clothing. (Similar to what she is wearing in this picture). We want her to wear a coat, scarf, gloves in order to denote that it is winter and also to connote comfort. We want her to wear colourful clothing in order to connote a girly feel, as well as happiness that she will bring to the Dad when he finds his daughter again. Her face won't be revealed until the end of the music video.

Choreography

The majority of our music video is made up from the narrative concept, rather than the performance; therefore, the choreography will mostly consist of walking and slow movements, rather than a complex dance scene. The slow movement and walking will help to construct the majority of our music video. The pace of the choreography must be slow in order to link in with our chosen genre and the theme of our music video - which is sadness.

 

During the narrative section, the male actor will walk slowly through outdoor areas, such as: woodland and will sit down on benches. The walking is important as it will show the journey from the start of our music video to the end, where the story will be resolved. The girl in our video will also be walking and running through the woods.

 

 

 

There is also a large section of performance. For our performance section, the choreography will consist of the performer sitting on a bar stool and playing a guitar. We hope the simplicity will come off as effective.

 

 

 

We decided not to include any complex choreography as it will not resemble the research that we did for our chosen genre. Our chosen genre does not feature many dance routines, but rather elements of walking to establish a story.

The choreography is an important element as it gives the viewers a clear understanding of what is happening in the video. It is also a key element in making the video look professional and neat. For example, if he characters are out of time with the music or not positioned correctly within the screen then it can lead to an untidy cut.

Ben Howard: Keep Your Head Up

 

This video is an example of a similar genre to our video and it shows well thought out choreography that we hope to also achieve in our video.

Costume and Props

Stars and Stardom

I have applied Richard Dyer's of theory 'Star and Stardom' to an Artist, in order to research the 'Star' image and how it is portrayed.

Time Management

As a group we have decided when our tasks will need to be done by, we have each created a calendar to make sure that we complete our research tasks on time. Beneath is a plan for what we need to complete in the next few weeks. 

Audience Profile

Pitch: Initial Feedback from Class

1. Do you think our idea links to the folk genre? If no, then why?

The class thought that our idea was a suitable link to the folk genre because it had an alternative concept.

2. How suitable is our target audience?

They thought that our target audience would be suitable for the 25-30 age range, rather than a teenage range of around 17-22. However, they did say that the alternative genre could appeal to some younger audience's - so perhaps don't make the video completely for the older age range. Add in some features that may attract a few people from the younger age range. 

3. Do you have any more ideas of how we could represent the loss os someone through our video?

The class suggested that we show the daughter with the Dad through the use of flashbacks. They said that if we were to just show the Dad, the audience may become confused over the concept idea. The flashbacks could be happy memories of when they were together. 

4. Can you think of any more local locations that we could use?

Clee Hill was suggested to be used for another location. The location connotes realism but also will help to establish the isolation of the Dad in our video.

5. What percentage of the video should be performative/narrative based?

It was suggested that our narrative base should be the higher percentage due to the concept and the story we want to tell. Some of the people said that we would need more narrative base to make sure that our concept came across clearly; otherwise, the audience may not understand the narrative to our concept. We would need to include some performative base as this is a common theme within our genre. 

Our Pitch

Creativity and Inspiration for our Music Videos

Talk Talk Advert 

I thought this would have been a creative idea for a music video as different scenes and shapes could be made through the use of people.

Kerry Gold Butter Advert 

 

Jerry Uelsmann Photography 

His photographs are not meant to depict a familiar place, but rather allow the viewer to transcend the frames and take them on a journey through the unfathomable. 

He uses hands in many of his photographs

He likes his work to connect with people on a personal level so that they may take part on a journey

 

Photos I took in NYC

 

 The black and white theme relates to the ideas I am thinking of doing for my music video. The old, worn down effect also resembles my genre due to having an alternative element.

 Silhouettes are also interesting and creative to make as it challenges the norm of usual music videos.

I think the use of lights and colour variety is creative within itself.

 

Possible Locations: My photography

 

Queenswood Country Park

 

 

Wapley Fort