Tuesday 20 September 2011
Production Diary - 20/09/11
In the past week I have been working on creating a proposal for my music video and thinking carefully about the kind I would like to make, what aspects to include and how to ensure it is successful. I will get people to give me feedback on my ideas so I understand how it would do in real life and how to improve it, especially those who fit into my target audience.
Friday 16 September 2011
Proposal
For my A2 Media Studies coursework, I have decided to create a music video for the song ‘Norgaard’ by The Vaccines. I chose this song as it is fast paced and catchy, it also has a fun vibe which will allow me to be creative and use a variety of shots and effects. This will help to keep the audience’s attention and will appeal to my target audience of 15-25 year old males and females, who are individualists or mainstreamers believing themselves to be individualists. As the song is very short at only just over one and a half minutes long, I plan to include and intro before the actual music starts to allow me more screen time to be creative and create tension and expectancy in the audience.
My main idea for my music video is to around 7 people of both genders who will dance and mime to the lyrics, I will quickly change between shots of different people, emphasising the fast pace of the song. I felt this would be more exciting and interesting to watch than simply one person singing, also I found it hard to find one person who was willing to do the whole song alone. I will also feature one main girl who will not sing but the video will be centred around, I want there to be a clear contrast between these parallel narratives thus I will use obvious sharp cuts when changing between them. I may also use a split screen at some points to show the relationship between the two narratives, so it is clear to the audience that they are singing about the girl. I plan to show her getting ready to go out, I will only use close ups and extreme close ups throughout the video such as an extreme close up of her putting on mascara and lipstick and trying on clothes. I will never show her whole face, thus her identity will be unknown to the audience, which will help to create a narrative and make them curious. This will also emphasise to the audience her importance, due to being the centre of the video, all attention is focused upon her. Only at the very last shot in the song will I show the girls full figure in a long shot, which will be the climatic point of the song. She will be portrayed as original and quirky, making her more interesting for the target audience, particularly as they are individualists or mainstreamers believing themselves to be individualists, thus they will value such traits.
At one point in every chorus of the song, the lyrics spell out the model Amanda Norgaard’s (who the song was written about) first name. I plan use direct reference to the lyrics here, showing the letters physically on screen, each time using a different means to do so. For example, in the first chorus I will spell out her name with fridge magnets and use fast cuts to change between the letters. In the last chorus I plan to show those who have participated in my video holding white signs with the letters spelt out on them, again changing quickly between shots. I feel this would be an effective ending when followed by the last shot of the main girl, finally revealing her identity. I am also considering using after effects to put letters on the screen in my intro before the music plays, introducing the song.
I also plan to use a variety of locations, the main girl will be shot in her bedroom to get ready but very little of the room will be shown due to the closeness of the shots. I will also shoot outside in the street, perhaps in Camden Lock and market, as this would be in interesting quirky location with many different features. I am considering slowing down the song when filming, so if my actors stand still and sing I will be able to speed up the shot and it will appear they are in normal time, whilst everything around them will be sped up and going faster. I may also feature a shot of my main girl walking down a busy street, but dressed eccentrically so that she stands out from the crowd, wearing heels and quirky clothes. This will however be shot from the back so her identity will still be hidden, captivating the audiences interest and attention. However, shooting outside could pose a problem for me and my actors, for example if the weather is bad. In addition, I will be shooting in public and thus will have less control over the surroundings and any other people who may wander into the shot.
The Cribs' music video for 'I'm a Realist' could be considered a similar video to what I plan to make, in that it features a girl getting ready to go out and also uses a split screen. The Naked and Famous' 'Young Blood' also has similar features that I would like to incorperate into my video, such as the inspirastional images of young people which appeal to teenagers.
My main idea for my music video is to around 7 people of both genders who will dance and mime to the lyrics, I will quickly change between shots of different people, emphasising the fast pace of the song. I felt this would be more exciting and interesting to watch than simply one person singing, also I found it hard to find one person who was willing to do the whole song alone. I will also feature one main girl who will not sing but the video will be centred around, I want there to be a clear contrast between these parallel narratives thus I will use obvious sharp cuts when changing between them. I may also use a split screen at some points to show the relationship between the two narratives, so it is clear to the audience that they are singing about the girl. I plan to show her getting ready to go out, I will only use close ups and extreme close ups throughout the video such as an extreme close up of her putting on mascara and lipstick and trying on clothes. I will never show her whole face, thus her identity will be unknown to the audience, which will help to create a narrative and make them curious. This will also emphasise to the audience her importance, due to being the centre of the video, all attention is focused upon her. Only at the very last shot in the song will I show the girls full figure in a long shot, which will be the climatic point of the song. She will be portrayed as original and quirky, making her more interesting for the target audience, particularly as they are individualists or mainstreamers believing themselves to be individualists, thus they will value such traits.
At one point in every chorus of the song, the lyrics spell out the model Amanda Norgaard’s (who the song was written about) first name. I plan use direct reference to the lyrics here, showing the letters physically on screen, each time using a different means to do so. For example, in the first chorus I will spell out her name with fridge magnets and use fast cuts to change between the letters. In the last chorus I plan to show those who have participated in my video holding white signs with the letters spelt out on them, again changing quickly between shots. I feel this would be an effective ending when followed by the last shot of the main girl, finally revealing her identity. I am also considering using after effects to put letters on the screen in my intro before the music plays, introducing the song.
I also plan to use a variety of locations, the main girl will be shot in her bedroom to get ready but very little of the room will be shown due to the closeness of the shots. I will also shoot outside in the street, perhaps in Camden Lock and market, as this would be in interesting quirky location with many different features. I am considering slowing down the song when filming, so if my actors stand still and sing I will be able to speed up the shot and it will appear they are in normal time, whilst everything around them will be sped up and going faster. I may also feature a shot of my main girl walking down a busy street, but dressed eccentrically so that she stands out from the crowd, wearing heels and quirky clothes. This will however be shot from the back so her identity will still be hidden, captivating the audiences interest and attention. However, shooting outside could pose a problem for me and my actors, for example if the weather is bad. In addition, I will be shooting in public and thus will have less control over the surroundings and any other people who may wander into the shot.
The Cribs' music video for 'I'm a Realist' could be considered a similar video to what I plan to make, in that it features a girl getting ready to go out and also uses a split screen. The Naked and Famous' 'Young Blood' also has similar features that I would like to incorperate into my video, such as the inspirastional images of young people which appeal to teenagers.
Monday 12 September 2011
Production Diary - 12/09/11
In the past few weeks I have been completeing my screen test and my location recce, adding more detail and explanation to them. Furthermore, I have continued to improve the rest of my posts, such as my inspirations page by adding explanations as to why I chose these videos and what influence they have had on my planning. I tried to get a variety of videos, though most of them are of my chosen music genre, indie/rock music. Throughout the rest of my work I keep researching and watching existing music videos, so I have a bette runderstabding of the market, their conventions, and what I think creates a successful effective music video.
Thursday 8 September 2011
Screen Test
In order to ensure those participating in my video are able to perform confidently infront of the camera I conducted a screen test, where I filmed them miming to a song for around 30 seconds.
Location Recce
The Manor
This location is local which will make organising my video shoot eaisier, especially when concering getting equipment to the set. It can also be shot inside meaning the weather will not cause any drastic problems that would have been present if I shot my video outside.
Eastcote High Street
This location is local which is good as I would be able to get my cast and equipment there without too much difficulty. However, it is not that interesting a location especially compared to somewhere like London. Therefore if I were to film my video here, it may not be particularly visually effective or exciting.
Oxford Street
The crowds could cause a problem in that it will be hard to set up my equipment without much room and it would be hard to shoot. Howveer, the crowds may create an interesting visual effect, for example if I filmed them and then decided to make the speed faster and one of my participants were to stand still, so they will appear to be in normal speed.
Westfield Shopping Centre
This location would be suitable in that it is inside, therefore the lighting would be bright regardless of the time, and weather issues would not be a problem. I also think it is fairly interesting, with big glass windows, a variety of shops and escalartors which could look effective if used in my video. however, I plan to shoot at the weekend and it would be very busy, thus members of the public may pose a problem for my when trying to shoot my video. It is also fairly far away when carrying equipment and trying to get all those who are featuring in my video onto location.
South Bank
This location would look visually attractive, especially with the River Thames in the shot. I also feel that there are meny interesting, quirky places here which I could shoot some of my video in. However, I feel that it would only really be effective if it was sunny, thus the weatehr could pose serious problems for my video shoot.
This location is local which will make organising my video shoot eaisier, especially when concering getting equipment to the set. It can also be shot inside meaning the weather will not cause any drastic problems that would have been present if I shot my video outside.
Eastcote High Street
This location is local which is good as I would be able to get my cast and equipment there without too much difficulty. However, it is not that interesting a location especially compared to somewhere like London. Therefore if I were to film my video here, it may not be particularly visually effective or exciting.
Oxford Street
The crowds could cause a problem in that it will be hard to set up my equipment without much room and it would be hard to shoot. Howveer, the crowds may create an interesting visual effect, for example if I filmed them and then decided to make the speed faster and one of my participants were to stand still, so they will appear to be in normal speed.
Westfield Shopping Centre
This location would be suitable in that it is inside, therefore the lighting would be bright regardless of the time, and weather issues would not be a problem. I also think it is fairly interesting, with big glass windows, a variety of shops and escalartors which could look effective if used in my video. however, I plan to shoot at the weekend and it would be very busy, thus members of the public may pose a problem for my when trying to shoot my video. It is also fairly far away when carrying equipment and trying to get all those who are featuring in my video onto location.
South Bank
This location would look visually attractive, especially with the River Thames in the shot. I also feel that there are meny interesting, quirky places here which I could shoot some of my video in. However, I feel that it would only really be effective if it was sunny, thus the weatehr could pose serious problems for my video shoot.
Camden
This location could be effective in that it would be However, I would not have control over much, such as the public walking through my shot, which may cause problems for me when I am trying to shoot my video.
Kings College Playing Fields
This location is very close and thus will be accessible to all those who are participating in my video, meaning they would be more likely to be happy to turn up on time etc. It will also make shooting my video relativly eaisier as I will not have to travel far with the equipment. However, it could be problematic in terms of the weather and members of the public usuing the fields at the time.
My Garden
I may use a shot at this angle of someone on the trampoline as it is a very high shot I would not usually be able to achieve. I may spell out the name Amanda as they spell it out in the song, with something such as stones on the trampoline. Here I would have good control over the set which would make shooting my video eaisier, however it may look a bit dull and broing. Therefore I plan to shoot a small part of my video at this location.
This location could be effective in that it would be However, I would not have control over much, such as the public walking through my shot, which may cause problems for me when I am trying to shoot my video.
Kings College Playing Fields
This location is very close and thus will be accessible to all those who are participating in my video, meaning they would be more likely to be happy to turn up on time etc. It will also make shooting my video relativly eaisier as I will not have to travel far with the equipment. However, it could be problematic in terms of the weather and members of the public usuing the fields at the time.
My Garden
I may use a shot at this angle of someone on the trampoline as it is a very high shot I would not usually be able to achieve. I may spell out the name Amanda as they spell it out in the song, with something such as stones on the trampoline. Here I would have good control over the set which would make shooting my video eaisier, however it may look a bit dull and broing. Therefore I plan to shoot a small part of my video at this location.
Song Lyric Analysis
In order to make sure my video is effective and goes well with the music, I must understand the meaning and lyrics of the song I have chosen. I therefore decided to analyse the lyrics, to grasp a deeper understanding of the song. After this, I then began to plan what visuals may accompany certain parts of the song. For example, when the lyrics spell out the models name, I will emphasise the words by having the letters on the screen.
Wednesday 7 September 2011
Production Diary - 07/09/11
I recently got back to school after the summer holidays, so have been ensuring my work over the holidays is sufficent and up to date, and that all the tasks are uploaded to my blog. I have also been looking over the previous entries to my blog, correcting and spelling or grammar issues, and improving the posts I felt could be better.
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