For our music video we wanted to use the song 'Gravity' by Sara Bareilles, but before we could do this we had to gain consent to use the song due to it already having a music video. We searched online for contact email so we could gain consent to use the song.
All we could do then was wait for a reply and look forward to hearing there response. Finally after three days we got an email with an answer for us.
This was our first attempt at creating a music video and using final Cut Pro X for editing. From this experience I have learnt that doing the editing takes a very long time and is highly time consuming. Another important aspect I learnt is that everything has to be fully loaded and downloaded before starting work on in, I discovered this due to part of the video we worked on not being fully downloaded and then the next time we opened the video not being able to play that section, hence the gap in the middle of the music video. This version of the video is nowhere near completed but has given us the understanding.
On the 12th of July 2016 our media class ventured into Brigg near the River Ancholme for a practice of filming a music video. On the day we gathered in out classroom at 1:15 and then went out into Brigg. Each group had a camera with a tripod and a storyboard we have prepared in the previous lesson. After arriving at the location each group set up their camera and decided what angle that wanted their first shot to be and we filming commenced. During the session we all got chance to have a go at singing into camera and actually filming somebody else.
On our practice filming day in Brigg we used a range of shots and group sizes in the shots. This adds variety into the video and makes it more interesting. Also we learnt thing so to do during filming for example zooming in and out whilst filming as it reduces the quality of the clip.
During our video of Glee's cover of 'Don't Stop Believing' we tried to create an accurate representation of teenagers due to that being the target audience for the song. We closely chose our locations for certain lines of the song. For example the image on the right is for the line 'hiding somewhere in the night' due to the shot showing two people under the bridge. We also chose this location to the pattern of the triangles in the background due to showing texture and making the shot more interesting.
The song starts by a male singing 'Just a small town girl living in lonely world, she took the midnight train going anywhere'. So for the lines we chose to stand our male model again the railing so you can see the river behind him. If i were to create this shot again i would of had the model looking into camera due to this being a convention of a music video.
The song then changes to the first female singing 'Just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit, he took the midnight train going anywhere'. So the shot then changes to the female model singing, but to change the shot the female is sat down against the river to change the scene to keep it interesting. Here again I would change the direction given to the model and get them to look into camera whilst singing to abide by conventions. On our filming day for our video we need to make sure our directions are as clear as they can be due to the models we are using may be nervous which may effect how they preform.
We decided to use some larger group shots to make variation of the shots. By doing this it is creating a more interesting range of shots that will keep the audience more entertained. Also for the purpose of our practice filming day it made sure that everyone had a chance at filming, directing and taking part which is useful that everyone has had this experience so we have more advice that we can give to our artists when we create our video.
We then used a range of different shots to complete the music video. These shots were all taken from the other end of the river to where the first shots were taken. Changing location makes the backgrounds of the scenes more interesting. And also due to using different groups of people the change in location makes in make much more sense then using the same location for every group.Overall I feel that the overall experience of the day was a useful and will help massively for the planning and production of our music video's.
From the day I have gained an understanding of the amount of time it could take for us to actually shoot one line of a song. From this I have learnt that on our filming day we need to be as organised as possible to make sure everything we need filming gets filmed in the time we have provided as it will be easy for us to get behind task. Another important aspect I learnt from the filming day is that actually being filmed in the music video is a nerve-racking experience so we need to try and make it as easy for our artist as possible. Before we decide on our filming day I feel we should arrange a meeting with everyone who is featuring in our video and telling them of everything we expect on the day and just to inform them of what to expect and how to prepare themselves. I also feel that organisation is a key aspect that is going to lead our video to success. Planning for our filming day is needed so that we make sure no part of the video is missed out.
Other aspects to check is that the sound system we decide to use actually works. On our practice filming day the sound system was very temperamental which effected the smoothness of the filming experience. This could be avoided by checking prior to filming that all our equiptment is working and have a back up plan incase our first piece goes wrong. Also making sure that the actor knows the words perfectly and can sing in time to the song due to this making the editing process easier for us later on. But overall I thoroughly enjoyed our practice filming session and found it very useful. I also look forward to starting to create our music video after the summer.
Last week during our media lesson we had our first experience on using Final Cut Pro X. This was an exciting experience as I had never used this software before and was looking forward to learning a new skill. At a first glance the software looks very confusing and as though it is going to be challenging to use due to all the different tools on offer, but upon reflection learning some of the basic tools that I will use all the way it suddenly felt alot less daunting, and I feel we made a great improvement with our knowledge of the software by the end of the lesson.
To set up Final Cut Pro X it has to be done in a specific way to ensure that your set up is correctly done. Firstly we had to attach or external hardrive into the side of the keyboard. We use an external hardrive due to the storage needed to create a music video is extremely large and this is a safety pro caution to ensure that none of the film is lost.
After connecting the external hard drive we then connected the memory card into the mac to receive our film from our day out in Brigg. After inserting the card we imported our film off of it onto Final Cut Pro X. We named our file 'Don't Stop Believing' and we did this for the rest of the files we had to save so we knew what everything was. We then waited for all of our files to be imported.
After all of our files imported they would appear like this. But to get them all to go to the side on the left we had to select 'Create optimised media', 'analyse for balanced colour', 'analyse and fix colour' and then 'import all'. The screen then changed and all the clips moved to the left.
Before you do anything with your clips you have to wait until it says that its 100% done. After this has loaded you can then start watching the clips and putting the good ones onto your timeline like show below.
After the clips have loaded and you have added the ones you are wanting to use onto your timeline you can then do lots of extra things to the clip. For example you can add effects onto the clip with can completely change the look of your clip. Other things you can do is if your clip is to long you can you the razorblade tool. During our practice video we used the razor blade tool lots as it an easy method for shortening the length of your clip to make the video flow more smoothly. The icon that you use to select the razor tool is shown below.
This is the establishing shot of the music video. It is a longshot of the ocean. This is an interesting establishing shot due to it not having any relevance to the rest of the music video. Having a scenery shot as an opening shot is something we could do for our music video before we start the narrative story which is what happens in this video.
The second shot is of what is presumed to be Christina Perri. I like the use of the extreme longshot to show the whole of the shadowy figure as it creates a intriguing atmosphere due to the darkness of the shot.
Here is the first shot where we see the artist. In the medium close up the light for the sequence is created through a candle. I like the idea of using a candle due to it creating an atmosphere. The artists look is contrasting to the song due to her having tattoos and a pop/punk look, whereas the song is a calm romantic love song.
Here is the first clip we see from the hit Twilight movie 'Breaking Dawn'. A Thousand years is the song from the soundtrack that is released as a single.
I really like the use of the candles in the music video. During this shot it is clear to the viewer of the large amount of candles used for the video. The atmosphere that is created by the candles is appropriate for the song and it is a really creative idea. Using this quantity of candle's is something that we would not be able to do you to creating our video on a low budget.
Here is another clip from the movie, this sequence tells the viewer that the song is used during the wedding in the Twilight film. The song is very appropriate for a wedding setting due to the lyrics and the tempo. Due to using clips of the movie in the music video this is creating cross media convergence for the film and song.
There is a clip of the sky where under cranking has been used to show the sun rising in the distance. This is a feature we would like to use in our music video as it is a good method to fill in time between sequences if there is any gaps that need filling. Furthermore I think Perkins' representation theory can be applied here, "stereotypes are not simple" as this music video throughout has shown very traditional stereotypes of weddings and relationships, which are followed through from the movie to the music video.
Here is showing the narrative progression as we
have just seen the wedding now we are at the honeymoon from the film. I like how because this is a movie soundtrack there is numerous clips from the movie as it helps to put the song into concept of the movie. Also in the music video very traditional gender roles are portrayed for example the male character taking the lead in the relationship, and also at the wedding with the bride walking down the isle to the groom is a very
traditional representation of a relationship.
The final image is how the video started with the shadowy figure in the window. I like the idea of using the same sequence again but at a different part of the video.
How this has influenced my planning:
Using clips from the film due to being a song from the film soundtrack.
Using the dark lighting in the shots with the figure in the window.
Using clips of the sky at sun set looks highly effective and also fills in time between lyrics.
This is the establishing shot of Ella Henderson's music video 'Yours'. It is a reflection of the puddle which is reflecting a large tall building. I like this as an establishing shot as it is different to other video's due to using a puddle for the reflection of the setting.
The second shot used in the video is also of the setting around the music video. This is a shot that we wouldn't be able to do due to not living in a city or near a city. Using a shot of the location is effective for a music video are it creates the setting that the video is set in so helps the viewer to understand the story.
During this shot somebody is playing the piano which is implying that the video might use some performance footage. The black and white effect on the music video creates a feel of like an old fashioned love story which we see the video is about later on.
This is the first time the artist is seen in the music video. This is when she starts to sing. This is an over the shoulder shot but is also a side angle as you can only see the side of her face. Her hair and makeup for the video are very natural to fit in with the theme of her just waking up due to her getting back into bed later in the music video.
Here we see some memories on the fridge through pictures and quotes and 'I love you' messages. Until this point in the music I believe it is not completely clear that Ella is still in love with the person she is in love with due to the narrative not showing, but this sequence explains.
During this shot it is a performance shot that shows Ella
playing the piano. In music video's I like to see performance
shots as showing the artist performing makes the video
interesting for the viewer as it makes it more interesting for the viewer.
At the end of the music video it is shown to the viewer that Ella is shown to be in a happy relationship as she is returning to bed to her loved one. The camera for this sequence then pans away from the bed and then fades out.
How this has influenced my planning:
The use of a black and white effect throughout creates and atmosphere for the video.
Showing performance shots of the artist on the piano.
Having messages in the video (on the fridge) to imply the message of the video.
This is the establishing shot to the music video. It is an extreme longshot with a building in the distance to the left of frame and one in the centre of the frame also. The dark colours of the sky create a tense atmosphere due to the whole area looking spooky and not pleasant perhaps foreshadowing what is going to happen in the video.
This is the second shot of the video. This is an extreme longshot also with the car travelling towards to camera. The location looks like a large garden but still has the darkness of the trees continuing to create the tense unknown atmosphere.
Here is the first we see of Paloma Faith, here genre is soul blues/ contemporary R&B. The camera is under cranking into the car as she starts to sing. The shot is a close up due to just focusing on her face. However during this sequence she does not look directly into camera which is not conventional for a music video.
Paloma Faith's dress sense is not typical of the music industry today. Having the unique fashion sense in which she does makes her different and standout amongst others. She has a very vintage themed style. In this shot I think she looks like a wax doll due to her makeup being perfect and nothing out of place.
The video then moves outside. In the background mist has been used, this is foreshadowing something that is going to happen for example a negative event. The long shot used her is effective as it shows of her whole body and the audience can see her costume which is her unique style.
During this sequence in the video the couple in the narrative video are having dinner, when the male bashes the table it begins the deterioration of Paloma for the rest of the video. This medium longshot is showing in dining room in the hotel where it is assumed the couple are staying. Building up to this scene the song has stopped and the camera tracks following the waitress through numerous rooms.
Following the incident shown in the restaurant the viewers start to see the deterioration of the female character. It starts with this close up of lips. Red symbolises danger, love, lust and anger which could be all the emotions she is feeling during in video due to the lyrics of her 'picking up the pieces' implying maybe of a past relationship.
The idea of dripping wax like melting is used again her in this extreme close up of an eye. I believe the wax is symbolising her not being able to stay in this relationship anymore due to the mask she always wears to protect herself cannot carry on, hence all of her makeup melting off.
Here again there is shown an aspect of her body covered in wax and melting. I like the re-occuring idea of having her body melting as it portrays the image again of her mask melting due to her relationship wearing her down.
Here is the last shot in the hotel. This is a tracking back shot getting further away from Paloma Faith. Her her whole body is shown to be dripping wax. The wax symbolising her mask to protect herself has warn away due to all the heartbreak she has encountered with this relationship.
At the end of the music video it shows that the relationship is continuing as it was before the music video showed the whole situation in the restaurant and the audience saw all of the makeup effects of her wax melting. This is a close up of the couple at the end of the video.
How this has influenced my planning:
The use of the powerful makeup to help the progression of the story.
Having a strong narrative running throughout.
Keeps returning to the area where she sings directly into camera for conventions.
This is the establishing shot of the music video for Sara Bareilles' "She Used To Be Mine" which is one of the song which she wrote for Waitress the musical but then altered to re-record for a single performed by herself. This shot is diagonal to Sara and pulls in closer to her. From the use of a black and white effect it creates a sad, emotional atmosphere which is reflective of the songs lyrics. Sara's face is revealed through the reflection of the mirror into the camera.
After the establishing shot the camera pan's round to the side of Sara's face. The costume she is wearing in this video is all black. Black clothing is usually a symbol for rock/punk music but in this video I believe it has been used to show the emotion of the song. It is evident in this shot that a lot of props have been used to create the scene of the dressing room. Having a great number of props like shown in the image above makes the scenery in the shot look real also to help the narrative.
Here is an over the shoulder shot with the reflection being centre of the shot and her actual self to the left of frame. Applying Goodwin's theory i believe this video will be a narrative music video as she is telling a story throughout the video.
This is the first time in the video that the shot it not showing Sara's face. A table of simple props is used her for example: makeup, cotton pads, nail varnish and makeup brushes. These kind of props we could use in our music video as they are cheap and we can easily get hold of them. During this shot it is showing Sara writing a letter, to me as a viewer I believe that this video is narrative based as it is creating a story which is building gradually as the song progresses.
During this shot the location of the video moves. Here the camera is tracking following Sara as she walks through the door and down a corridor. During this shot the camera is tracking behind Sara as she walks down the corridor, I feel this is really effective due to it showing every single part of the narrative and it continues from one scene to another very smoothly.
This shot is a close up of Sara's hands on the piano. This is reinforcing to the viewers that Sara wrote the song for Waitress but has converted it into a song that she can produce herself. Sara adapted the song for her personal use so she could release it as a single. Throughout the video a black and white filter has been used on every shot. The use of black and white creates a emotion of sadness which is linked with the narrative and the lyrics of the song, which I think work really effectively in this video.
An longshot is used here to show Sara walking across the stage towards the piano. Her again she is seen in the full black costume which is now discovered to be worn throughout the video. Due to the black and white filter on the video it is hard to see the details in this shot as it is all very dark.
The video then returns to the original location of the video, returning to the dressing room. Except this time Sara is sat on the sofa instead of at the dressing table, this is suggesting maybe being at a different time to the first shots. She is viewed here from a medium longshot as her feet are not visible.
The music video ends with a convention of music video's with the artist singing directly into camera and then she turns her head away as she finishes singing. The final shot of the music video is in a new location that is not seen anywhere else in the music video. Once Sara has finished singing the camera pan's away from her until cutting to the end of the song.
As this video was actually written for the musical "Waitress" the musical version is below.
This video is from the press rehearsal before the music hit broadway and was used to promote the musical. The version of the song is different to Sara's as this version fits into the story of the show, although the lyrics are the same the rhythm of the song changes in place to build more tension to make it easier to be acted on the stage.
How this research has influenced my planning:
Using black and white all throughout the video makes it more emotional
Using plain clothing so the focus in on the action and singing of the video
Having some of the shots taken over the shoulder reflecting into the mirror.
