Mock Exam- First draft

This is the first draft of my music video. I have used 2 different cameras to shoot the video, this has affected the framing of the video causing the wide screen to reduce in size. This is one of the aspects that I intend to change on my next draft, as it doesn't look professional and is not correctly finished. The next step is adding different effects and editing to my footage to allow the music video to look more professional and interesting.

Behind the scene images

Below there is a selection of images from behind the scenes of one of my film shoots, and some images of myself setting the lights up before shooting. Lighting is really important in my music video because I plan to film at night so my location and actress need to have the correct lighting to look professional.

In this image above you can see I have placed an orange filter in the spot light (on the left), which will have a different effect once it is lit (as you can see on the image on the right), however I didn't think this would look right on my music video so I chose not to use it.

These are some filters that can change the effect of the lighting. For example I could use the red filter to add a romantic effect. I didn't use many different filters as I didn't think the shot needed them, so I just used a clear filter.

This is the smoke machine that used in music video to add atmosphere and add emphasis around my actress. I think the smoke machine at night will add drama to my filming, which I think will look very professional 

These images above, are of me setting the lights up again before it started getting dark and to make sure my lights were in the right place before my cast arrived. 

The lighting is really important for shooting at night as without them my video would be of very poor quality and appear unprofessional. 

Weather forcast

I have planned my first shoot to take place on the 10th December. This is the day that Chloe; who I have chosen to be my actress is available. I have also booked some professional lighting as it is dark nights, so the weather needs to be good, other wise some of the lighting will not be able to be  used outside due to safety reasons.

Filming day 1 - 10th December

I have organised for my lighting to arrive at 1 o'clock so I can be taught how to set the lighting up properly without damaging the equipment. I also need to prepare behind the scenes, for examples the correct costumes for my cast. I have planned my cast to arrive at the location at 3 o'clock as this is the time when everyone is available.

Make up and Costume Ideas

Demographics

Demographics means the statistical data relating to the population and particular groups within it.

Demographics is important to know when creating a music video as you need to know your target audience so you can advertise to that specific group of people and make your product more accessible to them. For example, depending on the chosen audience demographic, the price of the product will differ, as an upper middle class audience can afford to pay much more than a student in the casual/lowest grade workers.This will mean that the quality of the products will also differ slightly, so if an audience is paying a lot for a product, they will expect much better/higher quality than someone who is paying much less.

The table below illustrates the different grades in relation to demographics:

Cast List

Safety Grid

My filming will take place in various different locations, I need to be fully aware of the hazards and risks that could occur and to make sure I know what action to take in the case of one of these incidents taking place. 

Who is at risk?

The cast and I are at risk, as most of the shots are filmed at night, which means lighting is to be used outside. The weather will play a key part as to when I am able to film my music video.If it rains the equipment could get damaged and as I  will be operating the lighting I could suffer from an electric shock. To avoid this happening I will ensure that a breaker is placed in the electrical socket and all cables used will be suitable for outdoor use.

Examples of lighting

Lighting will be very important in my music video as some of my shots will be filmed at night, so it is key that the lighting is good quality to enable my music video to look professional. After watching the music video I now know where to place my lights to get the best quality out of the shots.

Lighting also predicts the temperament/mood of the shot, so placing the lights in the correct places is essential.

Beyonce- Pretty Hurts


This is a good example for me to relate to as there are places that lighting has been used to set the mood and the emphasis on certain parts of the artist. For example a close up of Beyonce, side lighting has been used.

Sam Smith- Leave your lover



Leave your lover by Sam Smith is another good example for lighting, as some parts of the music video are based at night which helps me to develop some ideas for lighting in my music video and where they should be correctly placed to get the right affect.

Animatic

The animatic for my music video has helped me to develop a better understanding of the timings and the shots that I am going to create for the full video. Towards the end of my animatic the timings of my story board are slightly wrong. This is something I need to make sure is correct when I start filming and editing for my final video.

Story Board

Throughout planning and developing my ideas for my story board, this has enabled me to develop a detailed plan of my costume, lighting and different locations throughout my music video. This will help me to shoot the correct shots and at different angles to allow my music video to look professional and interesting for my audience.

Communication for filming

Communication is really important when organising a film shoot, as I will need to be prepared on the day, so that all equipment, location, lighting, costumes and travel to the venue are available and suitable so it will not to effect the quality of my production. Consideration must also be given to the cost of hiring/ purchasing all the consumables that I require and also the cost to my model who is helping me.

Editing Tutorial Websites

http://www.lynda.com/search?q=music+video

http://www.videocopilot.net/basic/

These editing technique websites have helped me to understand more about how to use the editing suites and how different techniques will make my video look professional. Researching this area has enhanced my understanding of the basic skills to make a music video and how to add special effects to make my video suitable for my genre (pop). Above are just a couple of screen shots of  videos that have helped me to develop my understandings further.

Where my music video will appear

This has helped me to look further into research for my music video, as I now know which institution I could use to promote my video and which would be the best. Personally I would put my music video on both YouTube and twitter as the social networking sites  help to promote my music video to my target audience. Also by advertising on both social networking sites and YouTube, will allow more people to watch my video and it will make my video more professional. However, if I chose one of the music channels, I would have to pay for advertisement for my music video to be on tv.

Audience Theory

Narrative Theory

Sam Smith- I’m not the only one

Narrative Theory

The first shot is a establishing shot of a family home and could be a interpretation a newly married couple who live there. The shot is edgy and rough as it is a hand held shot this could signify that the couple’s relationship is unsettle, complicated and troubled. The medium close up of male antagonist looking into the mirror could indicate that the male is secretly leading 2 separate lives; this would be the start of the plot by Bordwell and Thompson’s theory. Another interpretation could be that he is very vain and loves himself.

 The inferred events interpret that the couple were happy and have just got married as at the start of the video, the protagonist is wearing what looks like a wedding dress.

Personally, the immediate effect from the music video is they have just got married, as both characters are in the traditional bride and groom costume.

The antagonist is shown walking into dark lit compact entrance to a sleazy bar, portraying that he is the antagonist. Whereas, the protagonist is wearing her wedding dress and is sat with a glass of wine in an open area with a pool, this could signify that she is upset as she could have turned to the drink to try and forget about the problems of the relationship. The next shot is of the protagonist crying whilst taking her wedding ring off. 

The make-up has been used to add more emphasis as the female character has mascara down her face, which indicates that she has been upset for a long time. The female protagonist is demeaning for women and shows weakness, this could signify that couple’s life seems perfect on the outside with posh house and cars; doesn’t mean that having that particular lifestyle means she is happy but the female character knows she’s “not the only one” in her husband’s life.

Carlson’s theory is shown within the video as we see Sam Smith doing a performance in front of a red curtain on a stage, this could connote that Sam smith was the wedding singer as red portrays love and passion, it could also interpret that Sam Smith is singing at the bar, where the antagonist meets his other women.

Tom O’Sillivan theory is proved correct in this music video as it states that all media text tell us some kind of story. The story behind the song could give the audience courage to be strong to leave the relationship if they are not happy, even when everything is perfect with the lifestyle.

The protagonist burns all of his clothes and pictures of them onto a fire, this could interpret that she has finally seen the light that the antagonist isn’t the person for her. However it could also interpret that she has lost some of her life believing his lies and she has burnt her life away trying to be perfect.

The non-diegetic material is the antagonist arriving home and the protagonist allows/greets him back in the house and acts like nothing has happened

Claude Lèvi-Strauss’ (1958) believed that all stories operated to certain clear Binary Opposites e.g. good vs. bad, this is a good example of this music video as the antagonist is the male character as he is cheating on his wife, and the ‘good’ would be the protagonist being the female character as she hasn’t done anything wrong as far as we know.

This music video fits into Tristan and Iseult from one of the eight Kate Domaille theories: this is a love triangle, where man loves woman unfortunately one or both of them are already spoken for.        

Test shots

I have borrowed a Sony HDR-CX250 to practice filming from college; I have done a few test shots at my college in the green screen.  I have planned for most of my filming, some hired professional lighting from the local  baths hall theatre, which will make my video more presentable, professional and will allow me to film parts of my video at night.

Here is a small tracking dolly that I used to film my test shots. This enables my video to run smoothly to enable my video to look professional and skilled.

















Test Shots- (different angles and shot types)

Initial Ideas

Reader Profile

3 Textual Analysis

Camera Techniques and Lip sync tutorial

This video has helped me to create a better understanding and image of how I want to produce my music video. Having varied shot types will make my music video look professional and the audience will be more interested. Although this video is for film making, the techniques will be very helpful as I can apply them to my music video.




It is really important that the lip sync matches up, so this video will help me to produce lip sync in my music video professionally.

History of Music Videos

Treatment

 Abstract video, I will have no story line to my music video, with one performer lip syncing in parts of the music video and in my video I will have backing dancers/ actors. My location will have open spaces to portray the lyrics of the song. The costumes will be unique, to be memorable, I will have unusual formal dresses and more casual outfits.

Audience Questionaire

Tessa Perkins Theory

Richard Dyer Star Theory

Lyric Anaylsis

Lyric Timings

Laura Mulvey-Male gaze theory

Ella Henderson- Glow

Ella Henderson- Glow

Like a chest of hidden gold
Shimmers in the depths below
We are, we are, the treasures that they hide
Like the sun that saves the night
Bursting through a darkened sky
We are, we are, soldiers of the light
And we will glow
Oh, oh, oh

So let them build their righteous tower
Our blazing hearts will burn it down
We are, we are, soldiers of the light
and we will glow
oh, oh, oh

We are fire, we are fire
And our love will burn,
The flame will never die
We are brighter, we are brighter
Let's show 'em how we light up tonight
And we will glow
Oh, oh, oh

Like a chest of hidden gold
Shimmers in the depths below
We are, we are, the treasures that they hide
Like the sun that saves the night
Bursting through a darkened sky
We are, we are, soldiers of the light
And we will glow
Oh, oh, oh

We are fire, we are fire
And our love will burn
The flame will never die
We are brighter, we are brighter
Let's show 'em how we light up tonight
and we will glow
oh, oh, oh

And we will glow
Oh, oh, oh
We will glow
Oh, oh, oh

We are fire, we shoot our flame up high
They see us burn across a thousand miles
We are brighter, the flame will never die
Let's show 'em how we light up tonight
Oh you & I we're soldiers of light

And we will glow
Oh, oh, oh
And we will glow
Oh, oh, oh
And we will glow

My choice of song and genre

I have chosen the song Glow by Ella Henderson from her album chapter one which will be released on the 14th October 2014. I have chosen this song as I feel the meaning is strong and powerful, however her music video doesn't have a narrative. Ella Henderson genre is soul, pop and R&B. In this song the genre represents pop. This is Ella's second single and its a solid follow up track that shines some more light into her pop identity. 

Conventions of Form and Genre

• lip syncing (19 seconds)
• special effects such as rewind and fade out (37 seconds)
• different locations to make it more interesting for the audience (through out the full video)
• editing techniques
• lighting (40 seconds and 2 minutes 15)

• Backing dancers
• Good use lighting lighting is used to create shadows and highlight important parts of a scene. for example filming a dark scene still requires light.
• Involves the artist - shows the artist as the focus and promotes the artist more than the song.
• A variety of shots and shot types - such as a long shot can be used to emphasise a location, whereas a close up or extreme close up can be used to show emotion on the artist's face.
• Beat match editing - by editing the video to the pace of the track, the video is in sync with the song.
• Use of colours - colours are used to match the mood of the song with the video, a sad song would usually be darker, compared to a happier song which would usually be lighter.
• A narrative or abstract video - the video has a storyline that is shown throughout, however some videos don't have a storyline and therefore called abstract videos.

By fully understanding the conventions of music videos will allow the correct conventions to be applied in my video. As you can see in my examples both follow most of the conventions

What makes a good music video?

         

A music video is integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Music videos are used to promote the artist, single or album that has been released. The following conventions will make my music video look good and professional:

•  A narrative - a storyline throughout the music video, although some artist don't have a story line and have a live performance, this is called abstract video
• a change in location is important as it keeps the audience's attention and doesn't get repetitive
• a change of costume allows the video to be interesting and again not seem repetitive.
• artist singing (lip syncing)
• Different lighting - (special effects) this makes the video look professional and interesting 
• Beat match editing - this is very important as if the song is fast and there is slow editing it will be out of sync and will become boring for the audience. This also links with lots of different shot types  as it enables the video to look more professional and intriguing. 

Personally, I feel a good music video should include lots of different shot types, the shots need to match the beat of the song, and the props and costumes to be unique to make the music video stand out from the others. For example, Lady Gaga - telephone, the audience will remember the song from the music video, as it is very unique and unusual. Having a unique hair design and costume makes the video more memorable. The picture below shows different shots of Lady Gaga in her music video.

5 different genres of music videos

• Problem- Arinana grande (pop)

I like this music video as it has quick varied flashing shots that will keep the audience watching and make it more appealing to watch as there are lots of different angles used. Personally I think by using the green screen a lot becomes quite boring, so by using flashing shots makes it look more professional.

• Queen- we will rock you (rock) 

This music video is set outside on a stage with not much around them. I feel that a good music video needs more than 1 location to make the video look professional.

• Rihanna- Only girl (R&B)

I like this music video as there are lots of special edits which link with the lyrics of the song, this helps to interact with the audience

• Sam Smith - Stay with me (soul)

This music video shows the emotions by using close up shots of Sam Smith and by using lighting effects on the camera.

• Oasis- Wonderwall

The shots are quite similar in this video, however I think by using special edits makes the video effective. For example the video is in black and white, the only one object with colour which emphasises the guitar and makes it stand out.  

Possible song ideas

Ella Henderson- Glow



Sam smith- I'm not the only one

 Beyonce- Best thing I ever had  

 Ella Henderson- Ghost  

 Kelly Clarkson- Because of you  

 Cheryl Cole- Crazy stupid love

The Brief

A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the following three options:
       - A website homepage for the artist;
       - A cover for its release as part of a digipak (CD/DVD package);
       - A magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package).
I have decided to chose a cover for its release as part of digipak and a magazine advertisement for the digipak.

Evaluation

Final Music Video

World in Motion Lyrics

World in Motion


You've got to hold and give but do it at the right time (-2 minutes, 30 seconds)
You can be slow or fast but you must get to the line  (2 minutes, 33 seconds)
They'll always hit you and hurt you, defend and attack (2 minutes, 38 seconds)
There's only one way to beat them, get round the back (2 minutes, 41 seconds)
Catch me if you can cos I'm the England man (2 minutes 46 seconds)
And what you're looking at is the master plan (2 minutes 50 seconds)
We ain't no hooligans, this ain't no football song (2 minutes 53 seconds)
Three lions on my chest, I know we can't go wrong (2 minutes 57 seconds)

We're playing for England (In-ger-land) (3 minutes)
We're playing the song – (3 minutes 4 seconds)
We're singing for England (In-ger-land) (3 minutes 8 seconds)
Arrivederci its one on one – (3minutes 12 seconds)

We're playing for England (In-ger-land) – (3 minutes 16 seconds)
We're playing the song- (3 minutes 20 seconds)
We're singing for England (In-ger-land) (3 minutes 23 seconds)
Arrivederci its one on one (3 minutes 28 seconds)

World in Motion- costume and props

Props and Costume

Main character-

Football in his hand

Jumper

Extra cast- (male)

Football Shirt

Football

Sunglasses

(female stripped top and black trousers)

A3 paper with EN-GER-LAND printed on it

Edited effects used

·      Black and white

·      Colour

Location

Green screen

Cast List

Ellie Goulding- Martha Godber
Extras-

Ellie Goulding - Burn costume and location

Costume;
Female-
1st outfit- black net top, black skirt and black jacket with a hood- gold chunky necklace
2nd outfit;
sunglasses
demin shorts
checked shirt
Rucksack
black boots


Males-
Black jeans
denim jacket
white top
coloured shirt

Location Requirements

• grassy field, long grass
• Woods 
• Sun set
• Road side 

Location;
Haltemprice Farm - Wold Road Hull
















Willerby Low Road - Cottingham