First Edit of my Music Video - Unfinished

First edit of my music video - unfinished. 

Hot Desking Peer Feedback

Favourite images and connotations?
·         I like the titles – they fit well with the indie theme and contrast nicely with the woodland backdrop
·         I like how you have edited the title in, works well with the video
·         Good slow editing
·         I like the close up of the girl’s face at about 1:20, because the background is completely out of focus.
·         Title at the beginning suits indie genre and the setting works really well
·         Title at the beginning goes well
·         The title fits in well with the genre of the song and so does the natural imagery.
·         The woodland setting and the general lighting is very pleasing to watch.
·         The colour grading of the first clip is lovely, it would be nice if this was the same throughout.

What aspects of the video promote the track?
·         The recurring use of close up shots fits well with the intimate feeling of the track
·         Continuity editing and the close ups of her face when she is smiling
·         Sepia effect is good with text over
·         Slow editing pace. - Colour scheme and editing pace
·         Editing pace is nice a slow like the music so it fits in great
·         Slow editing and colour scheme – the natural imagery promotes the genre of the tracks and contributes towards giving the video a more indie feel.
·         The tranquillity, and simplicity fit the indie genre, and compliment the song.
·         The slower pace of editing and longer clips are calming, as is the lack of action within the shots.

How does the video use musical genre conventions?
·         Folk/earthy forest leaves
·         Aesthetic works with indie genre
·         The indie genre feel
·         The imagery of the trees and forestry, as well as the natural colours fits in well with the song’s genre as an indie track, and so does the title.
·         The lighting, the varying shots (size, distance and position) and the colours used for clothing, sunset, boots, all complement each other for the desired genre’s conventions.
·         The colour grading heightens the conventions of the indie genre

Creative use of technical skills (controlled use of camera; variety of shot sizes; editing techniques; lip sync; pace and rhythm; effects):
·         The close ups are controlled and in focus
·         Good use of slow pace reflecting the pace of the song
·         Hand held footage – but okay if you want it to be.
In focus, suitable shots types used
·         All in focus and sharp
·         Good focus and diverse range of shots; good close ups.
·         Very nice motion of the camera to suit the song’s pace.
·         Shots are in focus, however the end clips are slightly overexposed, but there is a variety of shot angles and types which interest the viewer

Areas for improvement:
·         Maybe edit on the beat more frequently, also a lot of clips are a little too long.
·         Clip zooms in whilst filming
·         Some shots are too long so try shortening them
·         More shot changes and it needs more going on, maybe a narrative, but as a start it is good.
Shots at the beginning and end are really long, don’t entirely understand concept
·         More shot changes
·         Perhaps needs something else going on, like more of a narrative structure.
·         Shorten a few shot, and maybe vary the actions a little J
·         Fill in the gaps, as when the piece is viewed as a whole the longer clips may not keep the viewer’s interest

Overall, I am pleased with this feedback. The group seemed to have understood the genre of the song with the comments of how it fits in with the indie conventions. I have found that the title is effective and fits with the conventions, and contrasts nicely to the natural woodland setting. I have also found that the close up shots, colouring effects and slow pace of the editing also fits in with the indie genre conventions and promotes the indie track. The overall earthy aesthetic of the woodland and natural colours means the video uses genre conventions. There is also good use of close up, which are controlled and in focus, as well as the slow pace. The general areas for improvement are the length shots, because they are too long, and should be edited on the beat more frequently.

Editing - Music Video

Slowing speed

I slowed down the pace of my footage, to make it longer and fit more in the time frame. 

Before 3 Way Colour Correction

After 3 Way Colour Correction

I decided to use a 3  way colour correction tool for for some footage, looking at the shadows, midtones and highlights. I have found this a great way to edit the atmosphere of my music video to fit the indie genre, and used this effect throughout editing, so that there was continuity.

Frame rate

Interpreting Footage

For the next step, I experimented with the frame rate and interpreting it, as I was thinking about adding black borders for a cinematic effect. 

Cinematic borders

I added in black, cinematic borders that I downloaded online, and added them to my footage. I did this to see whether I liked this cinematic effect for my music videos, as I have noticed that some indie music videos use this 'cinematic' effect, for example, Keaton Henson's 'Flesh and Bone'. 

However, I am not completely sure on the effect yet.

Fast colour corrector

I also looked at the Fast Colour Corrector tool. This had a similar effect to the 3 Way Colour Corrector, and was helpful to me as I could edit my video's atmosphere to fir more in to the indie genre. 

Colour Corrector - matching cuts with colour

I then continued the shot of feet, however, found that because of the lighting of the location and the times of day, the first shot was dar (being under the trees), and the second shot was much brighter and vibrant. To add a sense of continuity, I changed the colour to a more green, orange, organic colour. 

Filming - Problem Solving

On my most recent trip out filming, I went out and was able to shoot without problems, however, when viewing the files on the computer I had to use a card reader, which corrupted all my files and documents on the SD card, so I lost all my new footage. From this point on, I decided to simply use the footage I already have, instead of going out and filming again.

Cinematic Effect on Premiere Pro

For my music video, I was looking into adding a cinematic effect. To do this, I researched how to do so on the Internet, including YouTube, and found this helpful video. From this, I was also able to download Black Bars to act as borders.
Evidence for my work and skills development with this effect can be found here

Visual Planning: Music Video Footage and Problem Solving

Going out the first time filming for the music video, and looking at the footage afterwards, I found that my shots weren't as clear and as good quality as I would like and expect. Looking back, I suspect that I had the camera on the wrong settings, and so the next time I go out and film, I know how to make the most of the focus settings. 

However, this gave me the opportunity to again, experiment with Premiere Pro and the effects available.

Filming my Music Video

These are shots of when I went filming, setting up the equipment, and of the location. 

Call Sheets

Call Sheet

Call Sheet 2

Storyboard

Pre-Production Planning

Pre-Production Planning:

• Participant release forms
• Risk Assessment

Participant release form

Casting - (Problem Solving)

Music Video Production Treatment - Updated

Music Video Proposal - Updated

Music Video Proposal

Visual Planning - Test Footage

For this test footage, I used a tripod and a JVC, and filmed the sky for approximately 30 minutes, then time lapsed it to be a 1 minute clip. I also added visual effects on top, as well as reversing the clips at the end.

For this video, I used old footage of mine which includes fireworks, and I have experimented with the speed and reversing the shot. 

Recce Checklist for Both Locations

Recce Checklist

Recce Checklist 2

Communication with Artist

The final chosen song is 'The Same', by Dom Robinson. To be allowed permission to use his song, I contacted the artist, Dom Robinson, on Facebook.

I contacted a lot of artists and recording companies, but found that because of the artists underground status, it was much easier to contact him, than some of the other artists I had tried.

I also contacted Bon Iver's management, who I received a reply from, however, as I had already got a response from Dom Robinson, I decided to use his, instead of Bon Ivers, because I thought it unlikely that they would allow me to use the song.

Music Video Influences

With continuing research, I've found some music video in the style I wish to film mine in. A lot of the videos capture the natural world, with natural and earthy locations, which stays within the conventions of indie music videos. There are a lot of shots of vibrant colours, that show the beauty of life and the world.

• Put Your Records On, by Corinne Bailey Rae
• Keep Your Head Up, by Ben Howard

Put Your Records On

Keep Your Head Up

I have also been inspired by Keaton Henson's "Flesh and Bone" music video, which is set in a woodland location, with  pure, simple visual to the video, however, is more cinematic, especially with its black borders and clear shots.

I also want to have pink sparklers in my video, I was influenced by a scene from Skins (from 2:09-2:30) where the character is seen with a bright pink light on her. This is the kind of image I want to portray.

Another influence was from the movie, Submarine, where there are shots of sunsets and home movie style clips (especially from point 1:48 in the link).

Equipment List and Props

Equipment list;

• JVC camera
• Tripod
• Figrig
• Battery/battery charger
• Visual plans and notes

Props:

• Need to make sure that my actress has the right costume, whether they own one themselves, or go out and buy one. 
• Will use Instax Polaroid - used in video as part of a shot. Need to make sure the battery is full and there is film inside.

Organisation of: Location - Problem Solving

At the beginning of the project, I was planning to use Holkham beach as my location, however, after having travel difficulties, I decided to film at Mousehold Heath Woods.

Holkham Beach

Mousehold Heath

I want to use some fireworks (sparklers) in the location of Mousehold Heath, in one of the fields. I have researched the laws on whether I can use them there, and have found that it is a local nature reserve, managed by Norwich City Council. (Norwich City Council website). An online article said that "Anyone planning to use fireworks or Chinese Lanterns is asked to exercise extreme caution in the current conditions as a stray firework or lantern is an obvious hazard", suggesting that fireworks are allowed on the site. 
After some thought, I have decided it is safer and much more risk-free do to the firework shots in my garden.

Visual Planning: Test Footage

This is my first test footage. I used a Canon 600D.

The idea I wanted to convey with this test footage was the exploration of a book. After filming, I then went on to edit, and cut on action, between the shots of the front cover. I also experimented with the speed of a shot, by speeding the pace when I was flicking through the book. 

This is my second test footage, again, experimenting with editing in Premiere Pro.

For this footage, I used a JVC.

This is footage I took of a rainbow. I made lots of cuts, as well as slowing the pace, adding effects on it, including Cineon Converter and sun flare.

Some more test footage:

Using JVC and Figrig

From doing these, I found the JVC more helpful and easy to use, so I wish to use a JVC and a figrig (possibly trupod as well) for my music video, rather than a Canon, as well as further skills development with editing.

Skills Development - Cutting on the Beat

Practise cutting on the beat of the song.

Visual Planning - Styling Moodboards

Costume/Outfit moodboard:

This is my styling idea for my actor in the music video. The outfits are 'boho' style, white and flowy, with boots. I think this look conveys a warm, autumn atmosphere, as well as sticking to the conventions of a indie music video.

Influences from:

• Lana Del Rey's Summertime Sadness Music Video

Hair/makeup moodboard:

Minimum makeup (natural): the focus of natural beauty.

Music Video Production Treatment

Music Video Production Treatment

Experimentation with Green Screen

PART ONE

PART TWO

To further our knowledge of filming, we went to the filming studio and experimented with green screen.

Firstly, we looked at the perspective of the subject and the background, and how we could experiment with the camera to adjust the perspective to make it look realistic. We then looked at the lighting, to make sure that the lighting on the subject matched the background image. We also looked at different effects that are available with the use of the green screen. 

From this, it has given me a further insight into what could be done with my music video.

Audience Profile

This is the audience profile of my target audience, of the indie music genre. I have included images of popular social networks, such as Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr. Other images include fashion brands, such as Acne and American Apparel. This also includes images of fashion, which is mostly aesthetically pleasing, and minimalist. I've also included an image of Van Gogh's Starry Night, to show my audience enjoy and appreciate art, as well as an image of travel, to emphasise their dreams of travelling. 

Target Audience Research - Analysis of Results

Music Video Analyses - Old Pine, by Ben Howard and Holocene, by Bon Iver

Old Pine Music Video, by Ben Howard

           

            2012

            Produced by Mickey Smith and Allan Wilson

Ben Howard's Old Pine music video shows the typical codes and conventions of the indie music genre, with the indie style and iconography. According to theorist, Andrew Goodwin, Howard's Old Pine shows a relationship between the music and the visuals, with the visuals amplifying the music, as it is edited to the beat. This is especially shown towards the end of the second chorus, when we see shots of clouds in time-lapse. The iconography shown in the music video is typical of this genre of music, sticking to the conventions - the use of natural, earthy settings, often beaches or the woods, its warm use of light and the 'normal', ordinary appearance of actors who do not put a performance. This all classifies into the video structure of a concept video, as well as performance (Joan Lynch), due to the lip syncing of the artist himself. The theorist Jon Gow identified six central genres of music videos which are identified in terms of their relationship to the display of the performance, with Old Pine categorizing into the anti-performance piece and the enhanced performance.

The video begins with close ups of nature, with the beautiful light of the sunset, which also adds sun flares, followed by an interesting shot of the same plants' silhouettes as the camera moves through them, introducing us to the theme of warmth, which is then continued throughout. This is then followed by the tracking of the artist’s feet walking through a field, heavily filtered with a warm orange light, possibly created, or enhanced in the editing stage. As we start to hear vocals, the shot changes to a contrasting view of the coast, with the silhouettes of the cliffs/rocks, then cutting to a close shot of the sea, catching the sunlight - adding to the warmth of the video, therefore to the conventions of indie music videos. Though there are many close ups shots here at the beginning, and no establishing shots that we would expect at this point, we as the audience are still able to establish an idea as to the setting/location of the music video, and what genre it would be if we were to look at it without audio. There is again a sense of warmth with the establishing shot of the ocean, with the gold colours and silhouette of a person. Through our own experiences, we can connect ourselves to what is shown to us, adding a further sense of warmth and emotion. We soon cut to a full body shot performance piece of the artist, lip syncing, again, with a heavy filter of warm colours. Throughout the video, we often see an emphasis on the sun and its colours, again adding to the indie genre conventions. This theme of warmth is continued as there are close up shots of a campfire. There is also constant images of the ocean - the producer Mickey Smith is a well known surfer, who helped with the production of this video, with his influence being clearly visible. The shots on the ocean are presumably filmed by a GoPro camera. The shot is then taken back to the setting of the woods - conventional of the indie genre - with the sun streaming through the trees. It is about here that the song’s tune becomes more upbeat, and so a longer shot of the sky is shown, with time-lapse. As the song heads toward the end, with the tune being more upbeat, we see more people in the shots, with an interaction with nature, in contrast to the beginning half, where we only saw the performer. This introduction of people adds to the sense of happiness and joy, which is also enhanced by the faster moving images of the ocean, which contrasts to the previous, still, calm waves of the ocean.

Ben Howard - Old Pine

Holocene Music Video, by Bon Iver

            2011

            Directed by NABIL (NABIL.com)

Holocene by Bon Iver begins with warm colours and emphasis on detail, with its use of close ups of the actors (a young boys) face. As he gets dressed, he stands in front of a window, letting in the natural light, and enhances the glow and warmth of the shot. As shown throughout the video, here, the fluffy jumper adds to the sense of warmth as emphasized by the light. Evidently, there is a lot of importance on light, with the contrasts of dark and light, especially in these first shots that establish the genre and identity of music.

The introduction is then followed by the boy walking out of the room door, graphic matching to him walking out of the house. The boy walks out of a hut-like structure, covered in grass, surrounded by hills – reinforcing the indie music video conventions.  As the young boy walks past the camera, it cuts to him walking through a dry, almost desert-like setting, but with a time-lapse of the sky as it zooms closer in, followed by an eye-line match. The pattern of using time-lapse editing seems to be a popular editing technique in indie music videos, as seen in Ben Howard’s Old Pine. From this point, we are able of establish the setting – the beautiful location of the hills that surrounds this flat area of land. Another setting is introduced, with an establishing shot of the boy running by the mountains, with a zooming out, to add further establishment of the setting. It then cuts to the boy on the mountains, giving the sense of a slight narrative. We are then taken back to another time-lapse shot of the boys back, walking down the hills, with the clouds and their shadows in time-lapse. It then fades to a high angle shot of the boy with the blue sky behind him, with an eye-line match of a blue shot of a lake and snow. Throughout the video, we are constantly given beautiful landscapes, with an emphasis on them and the boy’s interaction with them.

Bon Iver - Holocene

Filming and Editing Task: Door Sequence

This is our door sequence video, experimenting with continuity editing and editing techniques such as graphic match, and other editing techniques such as speed and audio.

Whilst filming, we had to ensure that I was in the exact same place for each shot, so that when we came to editing the video, there would be more continuity. After filming, we decided that each shot would need trimming, so that the video could be continuous and flowing. To carry out this continuous sense, we graphically matched when the hand pushed the door, which was a close up shot of my hand, to when I was walking through it from the other side, which was a medium shot. To ensure that the video made sense, we made sure to follow the 180 degree rule, so that the characters were on the same side of the screen at all times. We used a variety of different camera angels to gives us more footage to experiment with, as well as to give the viewer more of a sense of action. 

We made two of the sequences, one longer one, with a horror soundtrack, and another with a comedy soundtrack. The one with the comedy soundtrack was edited only slight from the horror one, with the speed increased and some cut shots.

Overall, I think this filming and editing task has helped gain a further understanding into how using close ups, medium shots and full body shots helps to create an effect, as well as the use of graphic match, and the  effect of using different audio/soundtracks.

Music Video Proposal (Incomplete)

Music Video Proposal

Dom Robinson - The Same

To find a royalty free track, I looked on Jamendo, however, I did not feel satisfied with what I found, so I looked on other sites such as SoundCloud and YouTube, trying to find underground artists that are easy to contact. Initially, I wanted to use a track of Bon Iver's or Lana Del Rey's, however, I realised that it was unrealistic to be able to contact them or receive a reply. So I contacted a less known artist on YouTube - Dom Robinson. He had a selection of very good, indie songs, however, I chose the shortest song on his YouTube channel.

Dom Robinson, The Same

Lyrics:

Do you remember that time, I got lost in your eyes
and I was stuck there for days.

Wrapped in your arms, I fell for your charm,
you'll love me in so many ways.

I still haven't learned how not to get burnt,
getting caught too close to the flame.

But if someone like you makes me feel like I do,
I need to know that they feel the same.

I know this seems strange but I'm not gonna change,
just push past my faults and my flaws.

You said you could see yourself happy with me,
but that's just not enough any more.

I told you I refuse to move on, what's the use,
when you put all the others to shame

If you were the last,
I'd be happy with that,
but only if you feel the same.

I make promises to
look after you,
and love you so delicately

but from what I've seen
you're stuck somewhere between
mossing out, and missing me.

You put up a guard so that no one could see,
well maybe you're not to blame.

To hide all the scars that make you who you are,
maybe I was exactly the same.

Maybe I was exactly the same.
Maybe we are exactly the same.

Music Video Definition

My definition of a music video is a videotaped representation of a song. In my opinion, I believe them to be the interpretation of the song by the artist. In the majority of music videos, there is a relationship between the lyrics/music and the visuals, and includes close-ups of the main artist. All music videos fit into the category of being a Performance MV, a Narrative MV, a Concept MV, or a combination of the three (Theorist Joan Lynch).

Transition Music Video

Troublemaker music video

In the production of our music video, we learnt how to lip sync, direct and edit. As a group, we had to learn how to lip sync perfectly, so that when we came to edit the video, we would be able to sync the music and the film much easier. In the editing process, we learnt how to cut the film, and match it with the music. 

Music Video Directors

Music Video Directors

MUSIC VIDEOS:

Ultraviolence
Shades Of Cool
West Coast
Summertime Sadness
Video Games

My A2 Media Blog: Advanced Portfolio in Media

My A2 media blog:
Advanced Portfolio in Media