Filming- Planning

After the success of last weeks filming, I am eager to be filming again. On talks with the band, it is looking unlikely over this christmas period as they have their own commitments just like me. We will re-meet in January where we will discuss a time to film.
Using a band has so many positives but it can also come with a downfall of them all having seperate jobs and needing to find time for band practice.

Filming- The Girl Character

Today's filming went really well. We managed to film all of the girl character's scenes just in time before the sun went down. What i was most pleased with is the filming on the bridge. When I fast forwarded it on the camera, it looked as if time was passing really quickly. I am keen to see what this looks like once it has been edited. I am anxious as to when we can film next time as today was sunny where the sun was low. I am unsure if we will be able to get this weather again so soon during winter.

Next, we need to organise a date to film the bands scenes.

Organisation of Characters and Costume

As I have chosen to use a band within my production, I do have to sit and chose characters to be within it. Although, the one character I need, the band have suggested for me. She is a relative of two of the band members who they thought would be perfect for the part.

For costume, as I used a band and their song, I was happy with their style and clothing for the music video, although I did inform them that when we shoot footage more than once that they must be wearing the same clothes for continuity purposes. For my girl character, I just asked her to dress naturally, like she would if she was going on a walk. I told her to dress casually as it fitted with the music video, just a young girl going on a walk.

Meeting- Organisation of Location

On discussion with the band, we felt that the place we had previously been to visit; the barn, would be a great location for the music video. Since then, we have looked at surrounding fields and walkways but we felt it would be nice to have the basis of the music video filmed here. I liked this because I thought it was different, chosing to film somewhere which has been adandoned. I felt  it linked with the theme of a journey as all characters would end up here and it would allow the audience to be open to interpretation as to why the journey ended here. It was also important for the band as they have had previous shoots here and enjoyed the outcome.

Shot List- Girl Character

For me and the way I work, I don't generally like to write down every single shot I am going to use. In my head I have an idea of what I want the outcome to look like so when I turn up on set I know what I am going to get out of the day ahead. For the girl character I am looking for some close up shots, so the audience can establish the character and emotion can come across. I am also looking for some wide shots of the character so the audience can establish the location surrounding her. I am organised for friday and know exactly what I want to gain from the day ahead.

Organisation of Location

I am currently in the stage of deciding where to shoot my music video. The band came up with an idea of using a derelict barn area where they have had photo shoots shot before. I liked this idea as it links my music video to the band personally, and as the story follows a journey, the location can almost be anything. Below are some pictures of the possible locations.



Machinery in the Barn



 

 

 

I thought that taking shots of the machinery would be a good idea as they can be used as filler shots. It also provides the audience with an idea of where the band are from shooting objects closely around them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside view of the barn

 

I thought this would be a good place to shoot Dean (one of the band members) hitting his box. When we visited first on a sunny day, the sun shone through the cracks of the barn and created a nice light. One problem we would have to consider is it is quite dark inside and the camera might not pick this up.





Small field



 

On visit to our location, we looked for surrounding areas such as fields and stretches of long road for the characters to walk along. This would then connect with the last scene which we hope will be of the barn.



Bridge

 

As this music video followed a journey, I wanted to evoke a feeling of time passing to quickly which helpfully linked in with the song. I thought it would be interesting to place the girl character on the bridge and film her standing against the traffic. At the editing stage I will increase the speed of this to make it look as if time is passing fast.

Kitchen Sink Realism

Kitchen Sink realism (or kitchen sink drama) is a term coined to describe a British cultural movement which developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s in theatre, art, novels, film and television, whose 'heroes' usually could be described as angry young men.

It used a style of social realism, which often depicted the domestic situations of working class Britons living in rented accommodation and spending their off-hours drinking in grimy pubs, to explore social issues and political controversies.

One kitchen sink drama I looked at is called 'A Taste of Honey'. From watching this short clip, we can understand that Jo is pregnant, even though she says 'I dont want this baby Geoff, I don't want to be a mother, I don't want to be a woman'. From listening to this, the audience can pick up on the fact that Jo is still a teenager and is unsure about becoming a parent.

From researching this film, Jo also has a domineering, alcoholic mother + Jo herself has a brief relationship with a sailor.

This film links to youth culture as today we see teenagers and young adults falling pregnant.
These young mum's don't always realise how much they have to grow up due to having such a big responsibility of being a parent. From Jo stating 'I dont want to be a woman' it would imply that she doesn't want to grow up and have the responsibilty of looking after a baby. This film also links to youth culture as from prior research, Jo had a brief relationship with a sailor. Today we see brief or lasting relationships amongst teenagers whether they feel like they are inlove with their partner or just engage in sexual activities.


Below is a youtube clip for 'A Taste of Honey'

More Ideas?

We have found it increasingly difficult to be able to find a time where I could film the band playing at a gig where I would be able to film them playing 'Free' more than once. Because of this, we have decided to scrap this idea all together. I thought it would be a good idea if the whole song was a small journey within itself with the girl character walking in various places and ending up in the derelict barn just like the band wanted to. It was unfortunate we couldn't film them at a gig but sometimes not everything goes according to plan!

Social Realism in Media

Social realism is a genre of film that focuses on topical issues which occur in a modern society which is represented by different ideologies. Themes such as money, drugs, prostitution + sex are quite usual in modern contemporary social realism films as well as class, religion + political views.

Typical conventions in a social realism film are the use of unknown actors. This supports the social realism genre because the actors could be anyone which makes the films more realistic. Another convention is a lot of social realism films deal with working class such as the film 'Billy Elliot'. The locations of social realism films are usually set around council estates or run down areas, but also can be a nice neighbourhood.

Examples of social realism films are...

• This is England
• Kidulthood
• Billy Elliot

Below is a clip of a social realism film called 'KiDULTHOOD'. This film shows very clearly the typical conventions of the social realism genre. It includes, money, drugs, crime, gun crime, sex + is set in a run down area of London. It typically shows teenagers being involved in these controversial issues that occur in the modern society today.

Production Pitch Presentation 2

As I changed my idea, I thought I would create a new presentation, just so I could write my ideas down and make sense of them in my head. I have used scribd to upload my presentation, you can find the link below!

http://www.scribd.com/doc/114593119/Production-Pitch-2

Filming Date

After not being able to film on saturday night, I got in touch with the band to see when they were next available. They soon got back to me and we are able to film all day friday (30th November). This benefits me as I only have one lesson that day which is media, in which we can use for filming time anyway.

On wednesday night, we are meeting all together in the local pub to discuss what we shall be filming on friday, to make sure we are completely organised. After this, I shall create a storyboard for each of the scenes we are filming, so when we are on location, we will know what shots we need to use.

Saturday Nights Filming

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to film on Saturday evening. The girl who we cast couldn't make it for reasons unknown which meant in turn the whole of what I was planning to film couldn't be done. I had already decided before I got there that I would concentrate on filming the girl as close ups of the band and their instruments could be done anywhere. I thought this was a better decision as I was filming at a set gig in which their friends, family and fans had come to see, so as they would have had to play the song several times, I didn't want to ruin it.

At the moment I am in discussion with the band as to when we can next film.

Filming Date

The Method are playing at a local pub in Bicester called 'The Nightingale' on saturday evening (24th of November) I thought this would be a great opportunity to film for it, especially as the girl we have cast is available. 

I will be looking to get extreme close ups of the bands instruments, close ups of them individually, a medium shot of the band and a wide shot of them collectively. I will also be looking to get close ups of the girl not enjoying herself, along with her enjoying herself in the end.

Hopefully everything goes according to plan!

Discussion of Ideas

On talking with the band, new ideas have come to light. They decided that that wanted to use a different song, a song called 'Free'.

'Free' is about turning 18, being apprehensive about it and facing problems that could occur with now being an adult.

The band wanted to film the girl walking through a town, looking down and not enjoying her 18th birthday. They also wanted to film themselves in an old warehouse, and in the end the girl is shown having a good time, partying with her friends.

I took these ideas have and expanded them to something I think portrays the lyrics through the storyline more clearly. I thought of filming the band at a gig, with close ups and wide shots of the band playing the song. I also thought it would be good to get close ups of 18 balloons to clearly show that its the girls 18th birthday. I also thought of showing the girl looking down, like the band wanted, but with her lower than everyone else, showing that she is taking herself away from the party, as if she is in her own world. After this, I thought it would be a nice idea to take a few scenarios that could occur when turning 18 and the struggle you face, such as buying a car, or going to uni. It would then go back to the girl, who has clearly listened to the lyrics carefully, realising that what's happening is now and in the end she has a good time with her friends and the band. At the end of the song it repeats 'Free' so going on discussion with other people, we thought it would be a nice idea to get the audience chanting 'Free' over and over again, to end the song.

Next, we just need to set a date for filming!

Download The Method's EP

Go to iTunes + download The Method's EP!

 

Tracks Include:

 

Memories

Older

Free

Hero

 

BackToBasicsTv Music Video

BackToBasicsTv produced a simple music video for The Method which was filmed in Oxford on a normal sunny day. It includes the band backing onto the edge of the street playing their song 'Memories' shown by a few simple shots.

For the music video I am creating, we had an idea for the band to be busking in a train station, this is similar as they are being filmed on the side of the street. This video created by BTB.TV helps the audiences engage with the band through the simple shots and from focusing on the band.

Below is the video created by BTB.TV, check it out!

Discussion of Ideas

For the song 'Hero' myself and the band have come up with a few ideas that could work for the music video. The song 'Hero' is about a guy asking himself a question about whether he can be there for the girl which he doesn't think he can. This is shown through the lyrics..

"Can I be your hero? no.."
 

From reading these lyrics I came up with an idea of having a couple, but the girl is leaving for uni and te guy feels he can't be there for the girl whilst she's away. I had images of the band playing in a corn field through the music video, with clips of the girl packing, the couple arguing and eventually the girl leaving via a train.

From discussion with one of the band members, we also had another idea in which there is also a couple. The guy finds a letter from his girlfriend which states she is leaving, yet he doesn't know why. Throughout the storyline, we had images of the band busking at the train station where eventually the girl leaves from and the guy is there but is too late as the train has already pulled away.

These ideas are still in discussion, but hopefully with all these ideas we can come to a decision on the content and treatment that we would like the music video to have.

To get an idea of what The Method's music is like, I have found a short clip of a song on youtube called 'Memories' and it features on their EP which you can download now via iTunes!
 

 

Analysis of 'How to Love' by Lil Wayne

I decided to choose this music video as again, the genre is completely different to the genre of music I have chosen for my own music video. I have also chosen it as from knowing the music video previously, I know it will be able to help me for my idea of two different situations. I had the idea of showing the different things the couple in my music video wanted and why their relationship didn't work out and I thought this video would be able to give me some ideas.

This video looks at two different situations and how each choice had a different impact on the main characters life, good and bad. The bad decisions that she made and her upbringing, in the end had a severe impact on her life, yet when she had a good upbringing and seemed to make the right decisions, her life turned out pretty well and she was happy.

I thought I could take this idea of the two situations but have the two different things that the couple wanted. The boy who wanted a serious relationship and the girl who wanted to have fun and be free. Throughout the music video, I thought it would be interesting to see the contrast between the lives that they both want at that particular time and the different outcomes that could have occured if they had never met.

Below is the link to this music video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8Gf4-eT3w0

Analysis of 'Heartattack' by Trey Songz

I decided to look at this particular music video as I like the song, but also because RnB is a completely different genre to 'You Me At Six' who are an indie rock band. About a quarter of the way into the music video, it cross cuts to the couple in seperate rooms quite frequently. The camera shots used are close up's, showing their emotion. To me, the emotion portrayed by both of them, shows that they are clearly thinking about eachother and what is happening between their relationship, but the location and the editing of scenes, represents that even though they are thinking about eachother, they are far apart which could also portray the distance between them both in their relationship.

Half way through the music video is what caught my eye the most when the male character is stood by himself looking ahead, as if he doesn't want to look back on their relationship. The memory scenes of the couple looking happy are in black and white, which represents that it is a faded relationship. It reminds me of black and white television, which has changed over time to colour television. This links in with the memories of the couple being in black and white, and the male character in colour as it represents that times have changed and everything is different now. Also in the memory scenes, the couple are constantly smiling, representing their feelings towards eachother, it also shows that they are happy. They are nearly always touching or standing very close together portraying that they had a very close relationship which contrasts with the male character standing alone now.

Just before the crash at the end of the music video, a small montage of what the couple have been through is shown. This particularly appealed to me because the song I have chosen is also to do with a break up, and the montage shows how times have changed, just like the lyrics in my song represent how times have changed.

This music video has given me plenty of ideas to help me with a certain part of my music video, the 'memories' part. I quite liked the idea of the colour scheme, black and white, representing that the relationship had faded and ended. I also got some ideas from the couple when they were happy, as I wanted to have a couple in my music video when they were once happy. I will take these ideas I have, try to incorporate and interpret them into my own music video.

Below is the link to this video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r3MZNCGzVY

Music Video or Documentary?

I was unsure as the whether I wanted to do a documentary or a music video but made my decision purely on the basis of which I love most. I decided that I am going to create my own music video because it is what I feel most comfortable with and I love listening to music. I also thought it would be interesting for me to interpret the lyrics of a song and come up with ideas of what I would like to see in a music video. I thought a documentary would be difficult to come up with ideas for as it would be difficult to come up with an original idea and to get the facts right about what you are filming.

I will continue to do audience research and research into similar products to help me pull my ideas together for my music video. I have already had some thoughts on which song I would like to do which is 'Fireworks' by a rock band 'You Me At Six'.

Below is the song I am going to use for my music video

What makes a person watch a music video?

What makes a person watch a music video? Is it the actual song, the storyline, actors? To get a full understanding from an audience perspective of why someone watches a music video, I have created a short questionnaire in which I hope I will be able to understand and get some ideas in which I can include in my own music video.

Please take time out to fill out my questionnaire so I can include the feedback into further research for my music video :)


 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FGJVXQ3

Research into Briefs

Yesterday, Mr. Buckmaster introduced us to the thirteen different briefs for A2 media. We started thinking about which ones we could consider doing for our A2 media portfolio and what ideas we had for each of the different briefs that interested us. Two briefs really interested me, which are below...



From the music video 'What's My Name'



1) This brief interested me immeadiately from the word music. I was drawn to this brief particularly to do with making and producing a music promo video because music is a big part of my life. I have always been fond of watching music videos on the tv and thought it would be interesting to come up with my own ideas to a make a music video. I have already started thinking about what artists and tracks I could use and have read into to the lyrics to make sure I understand what the track is about and get the right ideas to make it work. I have already realised that if I do not read into the lyrics and get the wrong ideas then the music video won't work and the audience could get confused from the idea that I have put across.



Cherry Healey- BBC Three



2) I was also drawn to this documentary brief as I enjoy watching a variety of different documentaries, particularly, Bear Grylls documentary on the discovery channel and Cherry HeaIey's documentaries on BBC Three. I thought it would be interesting to make a documentary as we can pick any topic we would like, but also because you can get some quite good facts and different ideas across to the audience you have chosen.



Bear Grylls- Man vs. Wild



I will start researching different artists, tracks and music videos to help me with whether I would like to do this particular brief. I will also research into a variety of different documentaries to also help me as to which brief I would prefer to do.

Evaluating my AS Media Production

My production, 'Innocence' is about a young girl who realises when she is getting ready that she has had something taken, or has lost her bracelet which means a lot to her. Later in the sequence we see that someone else has it, although this person is a mystery to us.

We wanted to create a contrast at the beginning of the sequence so the audience immeadiately realise that something is wrong. We managed to achieve this by using a mysterious and dramatic soundtrack which contrasted with the natural lighting in the scene and from what the girl was doing.

For our production process, we firstly established a genre which we decided as thriller. We then jotted down a variety of ideas which we thought would work well and established an idea from these ideas. We then organised locations and shot lists which helped us when we were on location, so we could film as soon as we arrived. Once everything was filmed, we completed a rough edit of our production, so we could see if we needed to film any extra shots and to see what worked. Once this was completed, we continued with our editing.

For improvements, I would spend more time on the planning process. Although we organised dates for when to film, not all of these dates were met for different reasons. Next time, I would make sure that myself and my group were free so we wouldn't have to re-organise filming dates.

Also I would change a few shots and angles to get across to the audience the uneasy feeling. For example, a low angle shot when the stalker is in the cellar, showing that he is perceieved to have power. Although we experimented with shots on location, I would make sure I looked more closely and read into what the shot could possibly show.