Filming: Kids Take 2!

Today I filmed my kids for the music video. Following my story board it took just over an hour and we had quite a lot of fun and ate a lot of sweets!! As there were no camera's available from the school for me to borrow I had to use my dads instead. The quality isn't as great as I wanted it, but it gives my video a home made feeling. This means my audience may be able to relate to the video more as its not all sparkly. I decided to film hand held to enhance the genre of indie. Also looking through my research I realised that often in music video's the cameras do not stay still in most shots, they are almost always constantly moving.
The camera I am now using the Samsung NX 100  

Unfortunately because of the weather I was unable to film in the area I had done before, and so I decided the lounge was the next best place. Especially as I want it to match the feel of the older couples setting! The lighting in the lounge however wasn't the best as the lights were very limited, but the result shows a warmer mise en scene which is rather homely, but also adds to the slightly vintage feel. Taking inspiration from my research into the 'indie genre' I wanted an artistic shot. This is why I decided to film the lip syncing in front of this colorful elephant.

I'm so happy with my actors, they did exactly what I asked, and Kirsty is possibly the cutest child ever! My favourite shot from this shoot has got to be when Kirsty steals the sweets from the tin as it gives of the cheeky feel I wanted!

Editing!

In today's lesson I started editing my music video together. This was the bit I've been looking forward to the most as I find the editing the best part! I started off with my younger kids. Whilst doing research into the music video I really wanted my video to feel slightly older, so inspired by the old moving pictures i decided to add loads of jump cuts into each scene. This hopefully also goes with the beat of the music, and makes it flow quicker.

(add printscreen)

Digipak: Creating the Back Cover

So after my first attempt of filming yesterday and my discovery of Kirty's black board drawing I thought it would look good as either my poster or on my digipak.
In result I decided to experiment of putting it on my digipak.

At first I did consider using it for the front cover however, I thought the amount of black wouldn't really catch a consumers eye. It also isnt a very exciting colour, so instead I thought about using for my back cover, rather than the scribbles I originally had.

I opened my image onto photo shop and tidied up the bits of white chalk which had been rubbed off by using the cloning tool:

I then realised that I needed to pick a font that would match the picture to put in the song lists. I tried a few however, I felt none of them looked very good, so in the end I decided to try and draw the text on. 

I did this by using the paint brush and picking a brush that give it a chalk effect: 

I manage to find a realistic effect, using the drawn on text matches the indie genre as it is something different. And really matches my intentions of childhood. 

I also added, two bar codes, including a Blackberry one. As consumers now use modern technology to find out more about the band, this barcode takes Blackberry users to their 'website'. 

I got the pictures from google and then dragged them onto my back cover:

Originally I did a single album cover, but after speaking to my teacher I decided to add on more songs to make it into an album, here's the finished picture: 

 

Filming: Kids Take 1

So I started filming today, however, unfortunately things didn't go quite to plan, especially as the memory card I had was too small to fit all my shots on!!!!
I did get a few shots done of the children which were incredibly cute. I still want to incorporate them into my music video, even though the shots may not be consistent to what I shoot next week, I think I would still be able to use them as it goes with the conventions of a music video with costume changes etc..

Coincidences 
As I was filming I stumbled across the children's black board. This was useful as I was able to write the lyrics on the board so they could remember them, as I turned the board around I saw a picture that Kirsty had drawn a couple of days before...

 Looking back at my digi pak this is similar to the design for the front cover! I took a few pictures in case I use it for my digi pak, or maybe even my poster!

GENRE

Here's some research I did on the 'indie' genre last year which should help my music video.

• Awkwardness!!! Lots of swaying back and forth on the feet, uncomfortable situations...
• Pick up on tiny details, littlest things. The beginning of Amelie is a great example, like what each characters likes and dislikes are, iufortunately I cant find a decent clip of this anywhere.
• Artistic
• Ordinary looking people.
• Down beat
• Warm clothing seemed to occur a lot, winter time.
• Indie music.. gentle

The Perfect Tin!

Today I went on a sweet tin search! After trekking it all over my town in my free, going into various shops I had no luck! Losing faith, I got a message from my mum saying she had found a 'Love Hearts' tin in the shop near her work. She picked me up, and there, to my amazement was the PERFECT love heart tin!!!

Rather than the Haribo love hearts, this tin had the sherbet love heart sweets in, which also has a vintage and more sentimental appeal to it. So I decided that changing to the sherbet love hearts was a good idea as it was much cuter and suited the tone of my music video!  Its going to be heartbreaking when I have to slightly abuse my tin in order to make it look older!

Target Audience

My target audience would be aimed at those who enjoy listening to Indie music. I dont have a particular gender in mind as the music video isnt too girly, or have fast cars that is too boyish. It may also appeal to people who enjoy romantic comedies.

Equiptment

I'm finally filming on Thursday which is incredibly exciting!
The camera I will be using is the Cannon 1100D. I chose this one because the resolution is good, and I used it last year so I am already familiar on how to use it.

I will also be using a tri pod, and the sound will come from the camera it self, as this camera does not have a microphone input.

Costumes

I want my actors to wear modern costumes, because I want it to seem quite timeless. I dont want anything too mainstream. I also dont want them to be glamorous as this isnt what you'd expect for an 'Indie' genre. I want my audience to feel like they can relate to my couples, so I want the outfits to be quite simple and something you may expect to find in a high street store.  I want Kirst and Effie to wear something either pink or red to relate to the sweet tin. This could also link to some idea's I have had for my digipak. I also definitely dont want any aspect of the Male Gaze theory so Effie will be in a shirt and trousers.

Children

Teens

Locations

Old Couple
In their lounge. Sat on their sofa, as it will be their own place already gives me the homely Mise- En- Scene that I want to represent the 'togetherness'.

Children Couple
In a modern house. Having them in a house when we see them when their younger and also when they are an old couple gives the feeling that their lives have gone round in a circle. Making the equilibrium the same.
It also allows me to have access to the fridge meaning I can get the young boy to spell out "best friends forever" which is a main point of the story. It also links to my digi pak.

Teen Couple

Carvers park on the park roundabout. This is the last day the spend together before the boy has to leave. Like they are reliving their childhood.

Props

• sweets (love hearts)
• sweet tin (one new and one slightly battered)
• football
• cup cakes
• play park

CASTING!

I have started to cast my actors/actresses for my music video:


Older Couple
Marg & Norman Witherington

Young Couple
Kirsty Sauter 


Connell Sauter

Teen Couple

 Effie Robinson






Ben Dupres

SCRIPT 1

SCRIPT Girls and Boys in Love Music Video by

This is my first draft of the script the old couple will use at the beginning of my video. There is a chance it may change, by either making it longer or changing the setting for when the teenagers meet.

Initial Idea

The initial idea to my music video is a narrattive which follows the story of an older couple that met when they were just children. My main idea came from the film 'When Harry Met Sally", in the film there are mini-scenes thhat have an old couple telling a short story about how they met each other.

I've decided that I am going to adapt from this idea by having a 30 second clip at the beginning of my video of an old couple describing how they met, then the rest of the video will be seeing them through the different stages of their lives.
During the 'teenage' years I dont want them to officially be together as it will give my story more shape, also allowing me to follow the narration conventions of Torodov.

Similar Genre

Vincent, Vincent and the Villains 
Band shots playing instruments with things you'd find in shops - Links back to my idea of playing drums with pots and pans, guitar with shoe box/ tissue box and elastic bands.

Narrative: Code & Theorists

Vladimir "Propp" (1895-1970)

8 characters/ spheres of action

1. Hero
2. Villain
3. Donor (help the hero by giving him something)
4. Dispacher (sends hero on quest)
5. False Hero
6. The Helper
7. The Princess/Prince
8. Her Father

31 plots all together

Tzvetan Todorov (1939)

Equilibrium ------------> Disequalibrium ---------------> Equilibrium

(normality)

 

Is there a clear beginning and end?

Roland Barthes (1915-1980)

• More than one narrative to push story ahead
• 5 Codes
1. The Enigma (puzzle)
2. The Action (dont have to see the whole sequence of events)
3. The Semic (connotations of character)
4. The Symbolic (how things are represented eg. dark& lightening = frightening)
5. Cultural (reference to their environment & speech) 

Claude Levi-Strauss (1908-2009)

Narrative depends on 'Binary Oppositions'

Rich - Poor

Old - Young

Stories reflect the values, beliefs and myths of that culture (wiseman, medicine man)

Narrative in Music Videos

For my music video I have decided I would like it to have a narrative. The main feel of the song is very major and jolly, with a 'feel good' vibe. It also makes me think of Summer so I want my narrative to be happy.

I googled 'Music videos with love narrative' and found a youtube playlist called "20 Best Music Videos that Story Tell" to look for elements that narrative music videos involve. I've written notes on the things I like:


The narrative is clear and obvious. The love story is effective with interesting and original camera shots. The acting here is exaggerated, especially with the expressions, as no speech is used.

Gwen Stefani - Cool
Includes flash backs of when they were together, showing there love with warm lighting.
Dress codes - with red dress, however some of the costumes are a bit too 'glam' for an Indie genre.
A lot of slow motion and focus on the eyes, however this is more of a sad love song.

Watching the rest of the videos in this playlist, it became apparent to me that each video either was a 'love tradegy' or had a 'struggle' in their relationship.
 For example Bruno Mars' Grenade is totally depressing, and definitely isn't what I'd like my music video to be like!
 However, as most music videos do feature a problem with in the story line, I have decided that my teenage couple are going to experience a 'problem' with in their relationship.

Inspiration

Florence And The Machine

I was just listening to some music on youtube and I came across Florence's music video for 'What the Water Gave Me'. I found I was gripped to it and decided that I like the merging of two scenes on top of each other as a transistion. It works well as it isn't obvious and not tacky. This is something I hope to include in my video.

Stornoway

I also found this video from the band Stornoway. The whole video is of them playing on a roundabout. I really liked the shot of them being still and the background moving. I think this would look good for the headshots. One of my favourite shots in particular was..

Kate Nash - Mouthwash

There is a similar shot in Kate Nash's Mouthwash music video. It also contains elements of Florences cross faded shots. (2:22)

Noah and The Whale

I have realised that in many music videos the camera is rarely steady the whole way through. Noah and The Whale's 5 Years Time uses very unsteady shots. I think this gives the music video a slightly vintage feel, which is what I want as it is going into the past.

Gotye

I like the use of the head shots in this. At the beginning I want head shots of my characters so they can be associated as the same people, and shows them growing up

 

Story Board!

Here's a rough story board for my music video: