- Plan the shot list
- Plan the costume
- Take pictures of the cast
Planning: Preparation over Christmas
Over the Christmas half term, I am going to get the following tasks done in order for my filming to go smoothly:
Planning: Learning from the Examiner
Below are screenshots from the report created by the examiner from last year's coursework:
Independent Planning: Special FX practice
In today's lesson, we were asked to find a random clip and add a special effect to it. I chose to use a strobe effect. I also changed the colour and speed for each one featured in the sequence of The Shining opening. This will be useful within making my music video because despite not using a strobe light, I may use different filters and various transitions within my music video to make it look more professional and add to the atmospheric feel that my band portray.
Planning: Equipment
My music video is quite basic in terms of the equipment I need. The only equipment that I will really need is:
- A digital/ DSLR camera- I will use either my own digital camera or the school's DSLR.
- A tripod- I will need this for the walking shots to make sure the shots are steady and look professional.
Planning: Props
Within my music video, there a very few props needed. Here is a list of the props I will need:
Bonfire- For scenes 11 and 12.
Bonfire- For scenes 11 and 12.
Laptop (webcam) and rings- For scene 13.
A dogs lead- For scene 16, 17 and 18.
Independent Research: Camera Angles
Birds-Eye View: Shows a scene from directly above.
High Angle: The camera is elevated above the scene.
Eye Level: The camera is positioned as though it is an actual person observing the scene.
Low Angle: These increase height and give a sense of speeded motion.
Canted Angle: The camera is tilted to suggest imbalance and instability.
High Angle: The camera is elevated above the scene.
Eye Level: The camera is positioned as though it is an actual person observing the scene.
Low Angle: These increase height and give a sense of speeded motion.
Canted Angle: The camera is tilted to suggest imbalance and instability.
Independent Research: Camera Shots
- Extreme Long shot: Generally used as a scene- setting, establishing shot. it typically shows the exterior of a building or a landscape.
- Long Shot: Typically shows the full shot of an entire human body. The background is still visible, but the main focus is on the actor to help establish the setting.
- Mid Shot: Contains only part of a figure within the frame. These are normally used within dialogues scenes.
- Close- up: Shows very little background and is mostly concentrated on one specific detail of miss-en-scene or the face.
- Extreme Close-Up: Magnifies a specific detail that the human eye would experience in reality and has no focus on the background.
- Two-Shot: A shot involving two people within the frame.
- Cutaway: A shot of something other than the specific subject.
- Over the Shoulder Shot: Looking from behind a person or object at the subject.
- Point-of- View shot: A view from the actor's perspective.
- Weather shot: The main focus is on the weather.
Independent Research: Camera Movements
Tracking Shot: The movement of the camera going backwards and forwards.
Tilt Shot: The movement of the camera going upwards or downwards.
Zoom: The movement of the camera into and away from the character.
Arc Shot: The camera moving in a full or semi circle around the character.
Crab Shot: The movement of the camera that follows the character from the side.
Panning Shot: The movement of the camera from left to right.
Crane Shot: The movement of the camera vertically or from above the character.
Tilt Shot: The movement of the camera going upwards or downwards.
Zoom: The movement of the camera into and away from the character.
Arc Shot: The camera moving in a full or semi circle around the character.
Crab Shot: The movement of the camera that follows the character from the side.
Panning Shot: The movement of the camera from left to right.
Crane Shot: The movement of the camera vertically or from above the character.
Planning: To Do List
As a part of planning up to creating my music video, I have created a to-do list in order to keep organised during my planning:
- Casting
- Location planning for every scene
- Costume planning
- Props Planning
- Equipment planning
- Shot list
- Schedule for filming
Planning: Storyboard
1. As an introduction, there will just be a blank screen and there will be the sound of a child crying.
2. Timelapse fades in alongside the beginning of the song.
3. The child is holding the camera and is filming herself whilst a mother figure is trying to take it off of her. This is from the child's point of view.
4.The child is running through a field whilst her mum follows behind her.
5. Clip of the waves coming into the tide.
6. Footprints in the sand of mother and toddler with the camera following from behind.
7. Various short clips of home movies between child and family and the child and friends.
8. Shots of woodlands and cuts to close-ups of leaves and flowers etc.
9. A teenage girl running through the woods. quick cut to her feet then tracks up to her whole body, then a crab shot of her running.
10. Close-ups of birds in trees.
11. Tracking shot of the close-up of a leaf falling into a bonfire.
12.Close-ups of two teenagers faces then of their eyes. The blink is used as a transition.
13. Self- directing of a couple showing rings (Skype etc)
14. Clip of woman walking a dog through the same field as a when she was a toddler.
15. Different angles of the dog, close-up.
16. Close-up of an old woman's hand stroking the dog and putting a lead on him.
17. Follows their footsteps from behind.
18. Tracking shot following the old woman and the dog.
19. Sunset appears behind the old woman.
20. Cuts back to waves clip.
21. Bird flying away from branch.
22. Sideshot of her infront of the sunset.
23. Clips of home movies from the beginning.
24. Time lapse of sunset.
25. Close- up of old woman's eyes. Blinking used as a transition.
26. Close- up of toddler's eyes.
Planning: Macklemore- "Wings" Adobe Premiere Pro practice
In todays lesson, we were given various clips from the music video "Wings" by Macklemore as part of practice in using Adobe Priemere Pro, which is what I will use to edit my music video. We had to edit these together to create a new music video for this song.
Planning: Adele Green Screen Test
In today's lesson, we learnt how to use the green screen and got a younger student in to lip sync to Adele's song, "Rolling in the Deep." We then imported the footage into Adobe Premiere Pro and were asked to edit the footage together. We also learnt how to blend the green screen background into the original footage/background footage.
Planning: Using Adobe Premiere Pro
In today's lesson I learnt how to use the editing software, Adobe Premiere Pro, to which I had had no previous experience working with. After being taught the basics, I was asked as practise to edit some clips together in order to get used to the software. After using it for a while, I found it to be very easy and convenient to use and will be the chosen editing software for my music video. Below are some screenshots that I took showing my process of using Adobe Premiere Pro for the first time.
I then changed the settings from "Editing" to "Editing CS5.5" by clicking onto "Window" then "Workplace" and then clicked on my desired setting.
I then imported the footage from the media browser, to do this I clicked onto file, then import.
After importing the wanted footage, I was able to edit it by marking in and out by using the I and O keys.
After dragging the wanted footage onto the sequence, it asked me if i wanted to change the sequence settings, I pressed yes, therefore it will allow me do more when it does to editing.
After editing some of the footage together, I went back and and altered the speed. To do this I highlighted the clip and clicked on clip, then speed/duration and then changed it to the desired speed.
Once the software is opened, you are greeted with the welcome screen which gives you the option to start a new project, open a project or ask for help.
After clicking on "New Project" this window appears and gives me all the different video options and what i should name it. I named mine "Learning to Edit."
The next window shows the sequence settings and after clicking Ok it took me to my editing desktop, to which I am able to create and edit together different pieces of footage.
I then changed the settings from "Editing" to "Editing CS5.5" by clicking onto "Window" then "Workplace" and then clicked on my desired setting.
I then imported the footage from the media browser, to do this I clicked onto file, then import.
After importing the wanted footage, I was able to edit it by marking in and out by using the I and O keys.
After dragging the wanted footage onto the sequence, it asked me if i wanted to change the sequence settings, I pressed yes, therefore it will allow me do more when it does to editing.
After editing some of the footage together, I went back and and altered the speed. To do this I highlighted the clip and clicked on clip, then speed/duration and then changed it to the desired speed.
Planning: Inspiration
I chose this video as part of my inspiration because I really liked the ideo of using home videos and amateur filming within my music video because it creates a comforting atmosphere and overall more relatable. However, I have chosen to mix amateur footage with footage that is used with a professional camera to create a more clean effect and will keep the audience more interested to the story to the music video.
These two Ben Howard songs I also chose to use as inspiration because they both use the aspects of nature within them which for me create a relaxing feel to the music, which especially with the laid-back rhythm of my music video it will flow really well with the entire atmosphere that I want to create to match with the music.
Planning: 60 Second pitch
Hello, today I'm here to pitch to you my idea for a music video to Swim Deep's song "She Changes The Weather." After doing research into the lyrics and analysing them, I found the meaning of the song to be about him falling in love with a girl, who has completely changed his outlook on the world, in a better prospective. The song very much uses the weather as a connotation for love, therefore the main prospect of my video will be based upon nature and how love is a part of nature. The video will show the story of one girls life and how love can shape a person throughout their life. I will be using various locations within my video, in order to show different types of nature that will conote the different types of love people will experience within their life. Thank you for listening to my 60 second pitch.
Planning: Dynamics graph
In todays lesson, we were asked to create a dynamics graph for the song where we comapred the intensity of the song along with the time. From analyzing the song through this graph, I have learnt that the start of my song gradually builds up using piano, drums and guitar. It then stays moderately the same with few harsh dips in the tempo and after an instrumental towards the end of the song, the temp gradually decreases in order for the song to finish. Below, is the graph, to which you can see the intensity and dynamics of the song:
Independent Research: Bestival and Reading 2013
Swim Deep recently played gigs at Bestival and Reading and pictures were uploaded to an online website, thisisfakediy.co.uk. I thought that this shows the stage the band plays and the atmosphere they create and how that it will help me to incorporate into my music video. Below are the links to the website to which photos have been presented online.
Bestival 2013
Reading 2013
Bestival 2013
Reading 2013
Independent Research: Audience feedback
Below is a link and screenshot for an online analysis and feedback for the song from thisisfakediy.co.uk
thisisfakediy| Blog
thisisfakediy| Blog
Independent Research: Audience feedback
Below is a link and a screenshot from the Aberdeen Student Radio blog that Isla Hodgson gives her personal opinion of the song.
Aberdeen Student Radio| Blog
Aberdeen Student Radio| Blog
Independent research: Audience feedback
Below are screenshots of audience feedback that I have discovered on Swim Deep's various social media.
Soundcloud:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Soundcloud:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Planning: Analyzing song lyrics
"She Changes The Weather"
Seen it all but I've seen nothing yet
Cause I forget
Do I know or do I think I know?
It's all we are, it's so clear
*Here they could be suggesting that they've seen the world but now he's with this woman, shes changed his outlook on the world and he feels like there is so much to see now. Despite him being confused when they first met, he now realises that everything is clear and he now has an open mind*
She takes my time and I don't mind
She makes me feel like
Like I can see for miles
She changes the weather in my world
Seems like it's never getting cold
*The chorus may be suggesting that he loves her so much that she could do anything and he could always forgive her. Also, she has completely opened his mind to the world to what he was previously living and uses the weather as a metaphor for this*
It's ok, it's not obvious
Cause what you say will make my day
Rid of consequence
It's all we are, but it's so clear
*Here, he basically explains that it may not be obvious that he loves her as much as he does, but he is telling her in the song that she makes his day just from the little things and that erases any problems they may occur*
She makes me feel like
Like I can see for miles
She changes the weather in my world
Seems like it's never getting cold
*Chorus repeated*
She takes the time and I don't mind
She makes me feel like
Like I can see for miles
She changes the weather in my world
Seems like it's never getting cold
*Chorus repeated*
Research: Social Media
Below is a link to Swim Deep's official Twitter and Facebook page to which I personally follow. This allows me to see updates from the band, which will help me with this project.
https://twitter.com/SWIM_DEEP
https://www.facebook.com/SWIMDEEPUK
https://twitter.com/SWIM_DEEP
https://www.facebook.com/SWIMDEEPUK
Research: Soundcloud
Below is a link to Swim Deep's official Soundcloud where it is possible to listen to and download their music for free:
https://soundcloud.com/swimdeep
https://soundcloud.com/swimdeep
Research: Interview of the band
Through trying to find more detailed and in-depth research I have found interviews from various newspapers, that intrigued me into what the bad is like as band etc;
The Guardian Newspaper
Interview Magazine
Yorkshire Evening Post
Outline Online
Brumnotes
Artrocker
The Guardian Newspaper
Interview Magazine
Yorkshire Evening Post
Outline Online
Brumnotes
Artrocker
Research: Demographics and Psychographics
For example; demograpics (Income): if a person can command a high income, most likely he would purchase a luxury watches or cars.
For example; demograpics (Age): age is also a good way of determinant such as teens(12-19), there are tech savvy, wants the latest fashion, technological innovated, most likely they will purchase Ipod and high-end mobile phones.
Whereas psychographics use qualitative data that reflects the attitudes, lifestyles and preferences of the audience.
For example; psychographic (Social Class) : lower class, working class, middle class & upper class, always related to income.
Lifestyle : achievers, strivers & survivors
Personality : Compulsive, gregarious, authoritarian, ambitious.
Personality : Compulsive, gregarious, authoritarian, ambitious.
Research: Brief textual analysis of a music video
Artist: Jagwar Ma
Song: Come Save Me
Release Date: 22nd November 2011
Genre: Alternative Dance/ Indie- Rock
The video, in a way, illustrates the lyrics, therefore creating a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. However, I think this is only done through the animation- like performance of the band members throughout the video.
The Billie Jean-esque square neon lights flashing at the beginning of the video also help build a relationship between the actual music and the videos as each light flashes at the same time the drum beats. This is also portrayed through the coloured shapes that appear in the background and zoom in throughout the video when the harmonies appear.
The importance of the artist is shown continuously throughout the video as the band perform all the way through, however we never see their full identities, only their shadows, which is a huge part of their image as a band. A typical trait that I have realised is that they rarely make appearances within their videos and that is a major factor for their public image. Perhaps they want their audience to focus on the music and visuals of their videos as opposed to what they look like and what they're wearing ect.
There are no voyeurisms used within the video and I believe this is purely based upon the bands image. Modern day society and media's impact upon the way in which media is produced and distributed, you would perhaps expect a video with voyeurisms within it due to its love-song essence within the lyrics. However, due to the image that this band has, they don't feel the pressure to add voyeurisms in their video, but instead can use animation 80's vibe sound and editing, which could all be involved within the genre of the music.
As previously mentioned, when I initially watched the video, the beginning instantly made me revert back to Michael Jackson's Billie Jean video, where the lights would appear when he stood on them and also cut to the beat of the music. Being released in 1983, Billie Jean also reinitiates the 80's feel to this music video and works well with the "Alternative dance" genre. Also, notice the beat of the drum at the beginning of both videos, again, very similar.
There is not necessarily any narrative view to the video as the song itself is very repetitive in what it is saying, so a narrative structure to the video, in my opinion, would be unnecessary and conforming to stereotypical music videos of the current media sphere at the time of its release.
Research: Andrew Goodwin's 6 Features of Music Videos
Andrew Goodwin, the author of "Dancing in the Distraction Factory," highlights characteristics and features that are typically found in music videos.
1. Music Videos demonstrate genre characteristics.
(E.g. Dance routines in boy/girl bands or stage performances in metal videos.)
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images.
(Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting.)
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music.
(Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting.)
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close- ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which reoccur across their work.
5. Frequently more references to notion of looking (E.g. Screens within screens,) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of females.
6. Intertextual references to films, T.V programmes etc.
1. Music Videos demonstrate genre characteristics.
(E.g. Dance routines in boy/girl bands or stage performances in metal videos.)
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. The lyrics are represented with images.
(Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting.)
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals. The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music.
(Either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting.)
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close- ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which reoccur across their work.
5. Frequently more references to notion of looking (E.g. Screens within screens,) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of females.
6. Intertextual references to films, T.V programmes etc.
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