Research & Planning: Storyboard

Research & Planning: Shooting Schedule

Regarding our schedule towards the dates and times which we planned for our days of filming our music video, we came across some problems as some group members turned out to be busy on our set dates. After talking with each other we made a shooting schedule to keep our group in a organised structure so we didn't get confused. Eventually, we were all able to do the 4th August, so we gathered all of our equipment together, got hold of our artist and started filming in our set locations. With all honesty, our group could have been more organised in this situation.

Forest Location

Furthermore, while editing our music video with the current footage that we had, we discovered that we needed to re-shoot some specific shots to make them look more professional. In addition, we needed to add another location to make our music video more interesting, engaging the viewer as we only used two locations and in one, there was no depth of field composed with the artist, portraying an empty and basic look. The extra location we decided to use was a forest setting, where we were able to have a clear depth of field between the artist and background scenery.

Research & Planning: Re-Shooting Footage

As some parts of our footage were not to a high enough standard in terms of fitting in with the conventions of a music video, it drove us to plan out what we needed to re-shoot. We planned a separate shot list which we could use on the day so we went prepared and shot exactly what we need efficiently and on time. In particular, we needed to re-film our tracking shoots with the artist as our old footage cut her head out of the frame several times; making our footage look jerky. In order to carry this out, we considered using a dolly, but didn't go through with the concept as we liked the handheld camera affect, as it fit in with the genre of our music video.We also concluded that we needed an extra location to show variation, so we marked down a schedule for what days we can do and which day is designated for the specific locations.

Another aspect which we wanted to include in our music video, is the stereotypical powder paint element which is conveyed in music videos. I saw it various times when analysing some music videos and I thought it would look really effective in our video; there is even a line which it links to where we can fit in our visuals and lyrics relating to each other - conforming Andrew Goodwin's theory. Later that day, we went to one of our groups houses and experimented the impact of smashing real glass, we were extremely careful as the health and safety issue linked with this process is very high. As a result, we got a good shot and on top of everything else, it looked realistic and conforms the style of our genre, emphasising the indie / urban theme. I took some photos on location (in the subway) to portray the specific elements of what we did on the day:

We mostly used mid-shots and close-up shots for our powder paint shots.

Our group getting ready to blow powder paint in front of the camera.

Extreme close-up shot of artist singing.

Artist blowing powder paint into the camera.

Artist dressed in a vintage styled outfit.

I also took a short video, of our tracking shot which we re-shot to make sure the artist sang the song more passionately and kept her face in the frame of the shot. We needed to think through the composition, making sure it visually looked good as well as everything else.

Lesson: Organising Footage

In yesterday's lesson, we carried on arranging our footage on Final Cut Pro and editing them to the correct duration's in order to create a sense of flow. For some features of our music video, we decided to subvert the general conventions, but in an effective way. We also started to match up the footage of where the artist is singing the song, with the original track of the song playing on the timeline.

For shots that focus more on the props that we used in the video, we wanted to mix up the way we use some shots that visually link to the lyrics, add to the climaxed parts of the song or during the instrumental melody. For this particular shot shown in the photo, we accurately matched the flame from the lighter to the lyrics which state: "burns in the distances higher." 

Research & Planning: Shot List

Lesson: Testing Effects

In today's lesson, we started to upload our good footage onto final cut pro, working out which shots are most suited for a specific part of the song. For example, during the instrumental parts, we were thinking of showing a background journey of the artist walking towards a location, using close up shots to make the opening of the song engaging to the audience. These are some notes we made during the lesson to remember how to do the slow motion effect and how to adjust the saturation to turn our footage to a black and white format.

In addition to this, we used the colour corrector tool to turn our opening footage into a black and white format, adjusting the saturation / contrast levels to make it look more vivid and match the style of genre which we are aiming for. During the lesson we also found some constructive tutorials on how to create a slow motion effect on our footage, which resulted with us trying it out on our footage to see if it was well suited. We also aim to use this effect on our smashing glass footage, slowing down the duration, in order to create an atmospheric effect, especially once it has been formatted into black and white, expressing the elements of the indie genre.

This is the video which we used to inform us on how to do the slow motion effect:

Research & Planning: Sugar Glass

Our idea's involving smashing glass in our music video were one of our top concerns due to the health and safety issues which were raised. As a result, we did some research into a safer way of using glass and came across the product called "Sugar Glass" which is known to be harm free when used efficiently. On the day of filming, my group came to my house and we made the sugar glass together, ready to use when shooting later when it had cooled down and become a hard solid sheet.

We made the sugar glass using this video which guided us through the steps and stated what ingredients which were needed:

Research & Planning: Treatment

The concept of our music video involves an artistic and abstract approach. We will have two locations in which the progression of the music video will flick back and forth between these two diverse settings. Through the use of two urban and shady lit atmospheres portrayed by the dark, low ceiling tunnel and the dark studio, we have a chance of achieving this distinctive, dusky yet artistic mood and feeling of the song. By using a variety of items that are evidently mentioned in the lyrics such as "Turn away and kick out the red sand" or "Black rose, dusty roads and a fire" we can make clear matches and links between the visuals and lyrics. Close up shots of our artist are vital in order to create a personal interaction between the artist and the audience, also emphasising the emotions. We also aim to be creative and use alternative objects which are not mentioned in the lyrics but connote to the dark, indie and edgy atmosphere of the song by involving the element of glass being smashed in the air or along the floor, adding to the dynamics. Due to the majority of London Grammar's music videos being based on this sort of concept involving a black and white effect, our production would like to involve a similar approach. However, in order to create individuality among their current music videos, we plan to have aspects of the video in colour; for example, the rose may be in colour while everything else is in a black and white format.

Research & Planning: Camera Angles & Perspective

Following the concept of our storyboard, we captured a wide range of camera angles while shooting our artist singing in front of a blank wall. These shots were supposed to be composed in a studio however, we came to the conclusion that shooting the artist in front of a plain wall would show variation against our other locations shots. In addition to this, our music video is going to be in a black and white format, therefore meeting the conventions of the indie genre where it comes across as quite simple but effective as you focus more on the artist and the emotion which is composed.

Midshot of artist from a slight angle.

Low angle shot of artist singing.

Close up shot of artist looking into camera and singing.

Extreme close up shot of artist crying, expressing emotion.

Research & Planning: Subway Shots

One of the specific shots which really worked well in terms of constructing an indie themed music video, was the use of props which we had. In particular, for the smoking shots: we used a long shot of the artist sitting along the floor and then zoomed in using an extreme close up shot of the artist flicking the lighter on and off. Next, we shot the artist lighting the cigarette (using a depth of field shot) and this composed an urban / gritty atmosphere and mood / tone to our footage, which we were aiming for. These shots also complement specific lyrics within our song reinforcing relevance, "burns in the distances higher."

Long Shot // Artist & Subway Location

Close Up Shot // Artist Flickering Lighter

Extreme Close Up Shot // Lighting Cigarette

Extreme Close Up Shot // Artist Smoking

Research & Planning: Indie Genre Conventions

Indie music videos usually consist of settings which include studios, parks and tunnels, as they are all low budget locations. All of these places are easily accessible and conforms the conventions of a typical indie video where the setting is kept quite simple and mainly portrays the artist singing, sometimes having a brief background narrative in between cuts.

In terms of the mise en scene, indie artists often wear a distinctive and vintage outfit which makes them stand out. Props are considered as a key element in this style of a music video as it keeps the video looking realistic, in particular for the indie genre this would consist of instruments which are used by the artist or band themselves.

It is common for the music video to include a live performance which focuses on the main artist. However, over the years, it has become popular to include a narrative in between the performance to give more meaning to the music video; helping the audience relate to the lyrics of the song. Often in indie music videos, the narrative which is told, links in well with the lyrics, leaving room for imagination. A variety of shots are used to keep the audience interested. 

The most typical camera shots composed in indie genre music videos would be the close up shots as it introduces the artist and helps to advertise/promote them further. These type of shots are also used to express the emotions and feelings of the artist. Long/wide shots tend to be used as establishing shots to set the scene and mood of the narrative in the music video.

Regarding the editing, most indie music videos use effects to make it run smoothly or create an effect that makes the audience feel as if they are in the music video. Shots are usually cut either fast or slowly to reflect the beat and rhythm of the music, which conforms Andrew Goodwin's theory. The black and white effect is very popular as it makes the video look very old fashioned, composing a vintage and sad tone.

Lesson: Allocating Folders

As soon as all of our footage was converted, we assorted the range of clips which we had into their own individual folders depending on the location which we filmed in or according to the type of shots we used, for example, we grouped all the close up shots together. We had around 4 main folders which were under: Subway, Studio, Forest and Floor (this contained our smashing glass and glitter footage). This process made it easier for us to allocate specific shots which we wanted to add to our timeline during our early stage of editing our music video.

Lesson: Uploading Footage

In today's lesson we uploaded our footage from filming and played it back to see which parts work and the alternative parts which we may have to re-shoot in order to get the most accurate shots for our
music video. In addition to this, we downloaded our song, ready to upload it onto our timeline on Final Cut Pro. After we chose the shots which were most suitable, we converted the files into Apple Pro Res files using MPEG stream clip, batching all the footage together.

Research & Planning: Filming

These are some shots which I took on our day of filming.

We placed the artist in front of a blank wall to make her stand out.

This particular shot is used to show a journey throughout the video.

Our main location is the subway, which fits the genre of the music.

Research & Planning: Artist Correspond

In terms of containing approval and liaising with our chosen artist, as a group we consistently tried contacting the artist themselves and also through their agents to get consent for using their song "Darling Are You Gonna Leave Me" in our music video. We used all the social media websites which gave us the chance to get their attention, however we are still awaiting their authorization concerning this process of approval. This is essential in the industry, for this prevents you from breaking any copyright rules and allegations.

Research & Planning: Risk Assessment

Research & Planning: Mood Board

We put together a mood board which composes all of our key concepts towards our music video, which we all contributed to as a group. This mood board, allowed us to branch off from each idea and elaborate further into making each notion effective and establishing creative ways of constructing our music video together.

Research & Planning: Liability Insurance

As one of our locations was a public subway tunnel, we needed to get hold of this insurance certificate letter which gave us the clear authorization to film there.

Research & Planning: Lighting & Colour

The lighting is an important aspect of our video, as the accurate exposure of light needs to be captured while we film in our locations in order for us to make it look effective when changing the footage to a black and white format. I took this photo below on location for this particular shot of the artist and turned it to black and white to make sure there was enough light entering the camera in the room. This was also another way to recognise the distinctive contrast between the background and foreground of the image which is being portrayed. In terms of filming in a studio, we came across a problem, therefore we used an alternative idea of filming against a blank wall. For the shots which we composed in the subway, they are more distinctive colours which set the tone of a typical indie genre music video, which I think works really well. We are still in the process of deciding which parts we may want to express colour in an efficient way. Moreover, for the second shot below, I had a concept towards the way I wanted to use effective depth of field shots and I thought it would look good if the artist was kneeling against the brick wall with the rest of the subway out of focus.

Colour

Black & White

Colour

Black & White