Shotlist:

This Shotlist i have written up, will give me an idea as to who, what, where, when & how i will film every aspect of my production.

Anamatic:

I have chosen to create a quick animatic of my ideas. I incorporated my storyboard images to play in time with my chosen song. This was very useful as it allowed me to see how long each shot would need to be so that it goes along effectively with the lyrics and beat interludes. This also helped me to realize that in fact, i will need to hold each individual dancing scenes for at least 10 seconds for each, as the instrumental stretch goes on for just over a minute, directly after the first verse is sang.

Permission Letter For Song Use:

Dear, Norman Cook

I am an A2 student, at The King's School Ottery St Mary. Studying Media Studies, i have been asked as a part of my course to create a music video. I have chosen to base this video production on 'Praise You' by Fat Boy Slim. 

Therefore, i am writing to you to seek your permission to use this song; as i am aware you are the producer.

I will not be marketing or promoting this video in anyway, as it is for the use of my A2 course only. Allowing it to be viewed by the others in my class, my teachers and the examinators. 

Thankyou,

April McCullin

What Makes A Music Video?

I think it is important to determine what a music video actually is; I would say there are about six key elements which would be there in almost every music video:

• The video lasts at least as long as the track (can be longer if you have an intro or outro or both)
• The video features the artist/band quite prominently
• The video features some element of performance- singing and playing instruments (usually miming) and often dancing or acting too 
• The video has some kind of concept along with the track
• The video does not feature a complete narrative but the concept may involve fragments of narrative
• Different genres of music produce slightly different visual conventions in music videos

Preliminary Filming:

I also had to make sure that i exported my 'iMovie' project in a '.mov' format. This then enabled me to upload the short video onto my blog. This was an issue i came across whilst uploading my Audience Feedback video, as i was unaware of the importance in changing the format of the video.

As you can see from my video, i have done some experimentation with the sound effects. i have tried to get the effects to run in time with my camera shots, for example the foot steps and the rain. This was a lot easier than i expected as the program i am using (iMovie) on the Apple Mac computers is surprisingly easy to use. Furthermore, as you can see some of the shots are quite blurry. However,, this could be fixed easily by using a more up-to-date camera and ensuring that the camera is held very still and the lens is clean. I also noticed that a few of my scenes are also rather unsteady, though this again could also be easily fixed by using a tripod more securely (the one we used for this particular exercise was quite loosely fitted and broken).

Equipment/Props List:

A list of essential equipment and props that i will need when filming:

Electronics:

Tripod (with topplate)

Camera (with fully charged battery)

SD card (with available memory)

Ipod

Portable Speakers

Props:

Story Board

Shot List

Filming Schedule

Review/Refelection:

I am currently quite near to the beginning of my preliminary filming. This is where i will gain a better  understanding of the equipment and props that i will be using to film my final production.
I will soon be uploading a selection of these experimental shots.
Though overall, i am quite pleased with my progression through this planning stage.
With securing a song choice, a narrative, target audience, actors/equipment/props and location, i feel quite confident in moving onto the filming stage.

Through the next few days i plan to have completed my planning stage completely, and be ready for moving onto the filming stage, where i will then be able to focus entirely on getting the footage exactly how i want it. Therefore, i will need to create a blogpost covering the importance of lighting and put together a '25 word-synopsis' that will allow me to quickly explain to my actors what the type of video they will be starred in. This enabling them to get more enthusiastic and excited about the music video, i am planning to produce.

How to Shoot (For Editing):

A guardian article i found that was extremely helpful, and relevant:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/jan/26/makingvideo.techniques4

Roland Barthes Enigma Codes:

Here is a brief powerpoint i found on the internet; i did not create it. Though i felt it was important to remember as i would like to include these codes to my own production, as they are all very important in order for a successful music video.

I have found that:

- There is more than one way to read any text (in my case a music video).
- Any text, such as film or posters makes the audience question something, intriguing them and grasping their attention.

Roland barthes. from Livvy Free

Storyboarding:

I have created a brief storyboard to show my main shot sequence for my music video:

A storyboard is extremely vital in order for me to be well prepared to create my production. This is why i have chosen to put together my own, as i feel this series of illustrations and notes, displayed in a sequential way for the purpose of pre-visualisation, will act as a kind of 'graphic organizer'. Ensuring i have the appropriate equipment and i know exactly what type of shot i am going to do, when I'm doing the shot and for how long (always considering the additional time needed for a shot if i was to use a particular transition editing effect). Furthermore, i could also get feedback from my target audience before i go into the filming stage and get their opinions on whether or not they feel my initial plan is going to appeal to them and be successful.

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Possible Camera Shots and Movements:

This is a list of the shots and movements that i could possibly consider including in my music video creation. To add a creative touch to my production and to help represent /connote my genre of 'Electro/Funk' more clearly. (I have highlighter the shots i am sure i will include in my production, at this stage of my planning):

Camera Shots:

- Voyeristic Shot (p.o.v)

-Wide Shot

-Extreme Wideshot

- Mid Shot

-Medium Close Up

-Close Up

-Extreme Close Up

-Cut In

-Cut Away

-Two Shot

-Three Shot

-Over The Shoulder Shot

-Noddy Shot

-Weather Shot

-P.O.V Shot

Camera Movements:

-Arc

-Crab

-Dolly

-Dolly Zoom

-Follow

-Pedestal

-Pan

-Tilt

-Tracking

-Trucking

-Zooming

-Dutch Tilt

Editing Ideas:

Experimenting with colour/contrast: This video clip includes a really interesting editing technique. I love how it is so unexpected and juxtaposes the natural and peaceful environment the main character is within.




Focus on handwriting: This is a technique that could be used in such a way that adds a creative and personal touch to a music video. It could also be used to highlight particular sections of the chorus.



Customising with digital drawings: Although, this may be a very complex editing technique, i really like how it adds a quirky personal touch to the video. It could be used to illustrate my own ideas, if i was to include this technique in my own production.

Inspiring Music Video Directors:

1) Spike Jonze: 

Director, producer, writer and actor, Jonze has worked with music videos, commercial, film and television. He is well known also for his music video collaborations with Weezer, Beastie Boys, Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers and Bjork (just to name a few). He was also a co-creator and executive producer of MTV's Jackass.

He even directed the official music video for my chosen song: 'Praise You' by Fatboy Slim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch

Another amazing music video production he created is: 'Elecktrobank' by The Chemical Brothers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch

2) Tom Scharpling:

American radio host, comedian, television writer, producer and music video director.
Starting in August 2010, Scharpling has directed a number of music videos, typically for groups that he is friends with, and almost always on an extremely limited budget. The shorts usually contain a number of celebrity cameos.

This i thought was a hilarious video by director 'Scharpling'. I really love the narrative, i thought it was very creative.
http://www.youtube.com/watch

Another really cleverly put together video, i really love the comedy and challenged stereotypes he has included.

http://www.youtube.com/watch

3) Marc Klasfeld

The American music video director, He has directed over two hundred music videos for artists such as Katy Perry, Jay-Z, Kid Rock, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nelly, Foo Fighters, Jewel, Sum 41, Avril Lavigne, Aerosmith and many others with multiple MTV award wins and nominations. He has also written and directed commercials, independent films and documentaries.

Creator of the legendary 'Last Friday Night' by Katy Perry. Where he so cleverly mixes a number of different genre conventions into one music video. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch

In addition, he created this video to 'Kid Rock' Born Free.
http://www.youtube.com/watch

Risk Assessment:

I have also ensured for the safety of my actors, myself and the people around me i would put together a 'Risk Assessment' table:

Actors Profile:

 Poppy Wood, 17:

This is one of my actors; she is fun, easy-going and always very committed and enthusiastic in the things that she gets involved with. Therefore, an ideal character to include in my music video. She also has a very quirky and interesting fashion sense, which will link in nicely with my chosen genre of music and the costumes i plan to have in my video.

Jasmine McCullin, 19: 

Another very reliable and energetic person that has a lot of excitement in taking part in my music video. She is  slightly older than my other characters which is good as it helps to appeal to a more mature audience. Also the variety of ages will work effectively i feel.

James McCullin, 13

My other actor is a young energetic boy. He is very passionate about his acrobats/gymnastics and loves music and dancing. Therefore, i feel he is also ideal for my music video as i think i could include some scenes of him walking on his hands or even back-flipping across the screen to add a bit of quirk and excitement into my production.

Ten Steps, Ten Tips:

This PowerPoint, i found whilst browsing through 'Petes media blog'. I think it is an ideal checklist that i would like to refer to whilst planning and producing my music video. This information i know is also very reliable and accurate as it is from a media examiners own blog.
I now think that it is important for me to focus on the logistics of my production, such as putting together some of my own costume/makeup images and props/equipment checklists. Ensuring my music video is as successful as possible.

Rich mix2 from petefrasers

Moodboard:

I chose to create a moodboard of ideas in the follow up to the creation of my music video. I have included some image clippings of the bright, bold, hip-hop inspired costume/makeup style i would like to include in my production. As i plan to have a representation of stereotypical dancers/musicians to connote my chosen music genre of 'electronic/funk', which i feel would compliment this particular style of music. I have also included some key words, and quotations that i feel represent the genre. Additionally, i have added in some images of people dancing, singing and enjoying themselves..this is the general atmosphere and vibe i would like to represent throughout my video also. As i feel it will compliment the music style i have chosen. There is also a few shots of the sunset, and low-key lighting scenes, which i plan to also include and furthermore, the lyrics taken from two different songs that i am to choose between...'Chemical Brothers' and 'Basement Jaxx'... though in the follow up of my moodboard presentation, i learnt that it may be more suitable to choose the 'Basement Jaxx' option as it has more lyric variation, and is more recognised. Therefore, lip-syncing would be made much easier.

Audience Feedback:

+

Clear images

Attractive overall theme/idea

Nice use of colour
Everything seems to reflect genre well

-

Slightly too busy/unorganised

The use of two song lyrics shows an indecisive approach (need to decide on one song)