Locations and Asking Permission

Locations from amber360

As described in Amber's presentation we will be using mainly outdoors locations to shoot our music video, other than the last section of the performance which will be shot in our local Theater stage. We wanted to use outdoors locations as it connotes the idea of freedom and youth. Being able to go wherever you want and just  have some time for yourself, giving our audiences a visual representation of tranquility and peace, which is something our audience may want as they're the age where they're doing examinations!
Using locations like, a wood and country lanes symbolizes a fresh appeal, further connoting that perhaps the artists have fresh new music that is something different from the usual Pop artist.
Choosing natural locations like these shakes off the feeling of it being artificial, (which is something negatively correlated to the Pop Genre), instead it gives the a better platform for the performers. Just them in nature stripped back to their talent and happiness, promoting a healthy star image for both performers.
The Assembly Rooms' stage will be used for the last performance section in the narrative during the end of this song. We've chosen to do this since this is a popular feature within the Pop genre according to previous research. This is used to emphasis the artist and their talent by placing them on their own stage, showcasing the hard work and talent that they needed to get there. Allowing audiences to aspire to be as successful as them and also perhaps use escapism to get out of their own lives.
The reason we've chosen to use these locations is that using a stage and a naturalistic setting are generic characteristics you see within the Pop genre (Goodwins theory). So we'd be obeying the general rules when it comes to making our music video fit into the Pop genre.

Permission

We don't need to ask permission to use any of the natural locations we intend to in Ludlow, because they are public grounds allowing anyone to use them. Because of this we must obey other citizens and not disturb them during the course of filming. 

However for the theatre stage, we do need to ask permission to use the Ludlow Assembly Rooms stage. This will be done by either ringing them , or going in and explaining the reasons we need to borrow the stage for a few hours. 

Choreography

Risk Assesment

This is a risk assessment of both locations we will be using. We have walked around the space we will be using in the assembly rooms and  these are the most obvious risks we could find. We also have risk assessed the outdoors location, and slipping over on the wet grass is the most potential danger.

Colour and Lighting

Lighting and colour from callumpugh

As demonstrated in Callums presentation, are music video will follow a narrative arc based on lighting and colour. We've done this because research has shown that bright colours are a popular convention within the Pop genre. However contradictory to this, music videos that are considered to be weakly categorized as Pop (Artists such as Elle Goulding), often use natural lighting and softer colours such as pastel pinks and whites. Since our music video is going to be on this side of Pop, we decided to follow this color scheme.
By using natural lighting through the first three sections of our narrative, this will connote to our audience that our artists have a more relaxed and down to earth persona then perhaps big Pop stars like Beyonce. Making them more relatable and likeable for our target audience, 14-20.
 In the final section of the narrative arc we will use artificial lighting to present the idea of parties and fun to our audience, which because of their age range will perhaps elicit aspirations to want their lifestyle. We've done this to ensure that the artists are shown not just as down to earth, but also that they do have fame, which is something unreachable for their audience. Creating a fan base that can aspire to be like them as much as possible, but are still limited to how much.
 The contrast of going from soft, natural colours to bright and artificial symbolises that even though the day goes on the happiness of these performers remains despite where they are. Showing that they love creating music, which is a characteristic Pop audiences love to see.
 Finally the use of bright colours such as bright during the performance section is something commonly seen within the Pop genre. So we'd be following the generic conventions of the Pop genre, making our music video recogniseable to our audience that it is part of this music sub-genre.

Time Management

Music Video of the week

Rudimental - "Waiting All Night" ft. Ella Eyre

Genre: Drum and Base (House Music)

What l liked about it?

The way they had a entire story shortened into three minuets.

The use of handheld camera movements to symbolism the true story within the narrative.

Also the underlying concept that their audience can interpret, for me my interpretation was that you can beat anything and achieve anything you set your mind on.

Performers & Casting

As a group we decided to cast people within our own group, because we thought that this would make filming a lot easier, as they'll already know the lyrics and have a level understanding of what we want as a music video. Also this makes filming more lenient with time, as we'll know their flexibility with their timetable and when as a group we are all available to film.

Casting 

Katie Allan

We've chosen Katie because looking back on research into the Pop genre, her style coheres with the artists we've been looking at which would appeal to our target audience. Also the she has the right star image we want to create for the more relaxed female artist, the 'Girl Next Door' appeal is something we want to strongly convey through our music video.
As she is in our group Katie has more availability, making time management a lot easier.
Since, this music video effects results in her A Level, it means that she'll be a lot more motivated to participate and give up her time for the project.

Lisa (Me)
As a group we also decided to cast me in the video because l am a fan of the pop genre, therefore I follow the mainstream style which makes me more ideal to attract out target audience. Also l follow the generic look associated with the more feminine artist, which creates controversy with Katie's look, defining our differences and creating contrast within our video.
Similar to the reasons we chose Katie, I'm interested in creating good music video as it will reflect on my end of year grade, but also because I've been there during the planning so l do have interest in what we're doing. Giving me motivation to do the project.
I will be available the same time as the rest of the group during lessons, and we have similar time tables making filming a lot easier.


For our music video, we had a idea to have two artists as a duo, however have them appear differently to the audience. So Katie and I's looks are quite different which means we are able to portray two different star images, appealing to a wider audience.  

Costumes and Props

Costume + props from Lisa Adams

Time Managment

I've completed all mandatory tasks in the first three weeks of my action plan. However one of these is not uploaded onto my blog, because l am unable to screenshot at home so I'll have to do it when I am in college. So this delay will mean some blog posts will be posted by tomorrow instead.

 

My Music Video of the Week

James Morrison - Broken Strings ft. Nelly Furtado

Having the obsession with Pop music that l do, it's no surprise that this week I've re-fallen in love with the 'Broken Strings' music video. Making this '08, Pop/Rock track my music video of the week. 
As well as the enjoying the talented artists voice in the audio for this, l do also love the way they're both presented in this video. The narrative of this song is being presented through a couple that have grown apart. They've shown this by giving the artists equal parts in the song, and the way they harmonise so lovingly. 
I particularly like their use of mise en scene in their props, location, lighting and facial expressions. The use of a dim lighting particularly at the beginning, sets the mood for the rest of the video. The connotation of sadness and perhaps failure (which links into the lyrics and is amplified by the visuals). Also, using a bedroom scene throughout this music video creates a sense of realism allowing us as a audience to relate to what they're singing about - love. As well as the clothes they're wearing, creating a very casual scene. 
I liked the way the artists lip synced throughout, because to me this gave the song a lot more emotion and enables it to send a much more powerful message. 
During the bridge of the song when they're doing their duet, arguably the 'climax' of the song, there's a use of slow motion. During this we are able to see a flower pot smash and the water and broken pieces fly out into the air. And the TV breaking, doing pretty much the same. 
I like this because we now have a direct link from the lyrics to the visuals. The emotional strain couples go through to stay together, until they crack, like the flower vase. The frustration people can go through, trying to close a relationship they've tried to hold onto for so long - the TV explosion, representing the emotional explosion. 

Seven years later, and this is still one of my all time favourite songs.

Test Shots