We watched everyone's music videos in our class and commented on each individually. The feedback we got for our music video includes:
Camerawork -> The close up shots (especially the picture frame shot) were different and looked good. Our shots were distinct and different.
Editing -> The white screening we used for some of James's singing was good but not perfect quality as it looked slightly jagged. The ending was liked. The editing really makes the audience concentrate on the lyrics of the song as it relates well to them. It was kept simple when he was singing and frantic on the stage with lots going on which was a good contrast.
Mise en Scene -> The props were very good. The video was really different. The characters wearing black was liked due to again keeping everything simple. It was not boring. Some said it didnt make sense??
During our final last hours of our editing for our music video we decided to drastically change the lip syncing scenes. The colours and lighting where out and because we had to zoom in a lot the quality had lowered. To combat all this we made the selected footage black and white, inhanced the lighting and moved position of james to add variety but also to get rid of the cupboard which was in a few of the shots. The black and white give the footage a strong feel of it being a different place and different time.It also makes the colourful scenes stand out stronger.
It is the final week of our time allocated to making our music video for the song 'harms way' by the 'waco brothers'. We are to schedule with where we wanted to be and are confident that we will complete our project by the deadline of friday.
I did some more filming with James on Friday 24th October, college was not open due to a teacher training day but we were able to use the media studio to do the filming in. Got some more footage of James lip syncing in front of a white background. Got a locker in the background in some shots but hopefully that wont effect the video too much. James was a lot better with the words this time through, but we got about 6 different individual lots of footage so we have a variety to choose from for our video.
Hi guys, I'm really sorry but the hall is booked already today. However I have a plan b for you. If you would like to take the camera out over half term to film the singing section that would be fine. You haven't used any of your extra allocation so you are entitled to some of that time. If you would like to have a camera for half term you must come to the media office at 16.10 to collect it. I don't think it will matter if the location is different, you could even hold up a white sheet or film infront of a white wall as your shot will be realtively close up. I hope this is ok for you both. Have a good half term. Andrea
We cannot do a shoot on Friday as the college is closed for the day. We will have to arrange another date. We have arranged with James to film Thursday 23rd 1.50pm. We will try to book the hall for then
From watching what we have done in editing our music video we have decided a few things. When filming we had problems with the main part knowing the words (as previously explained). From watching our video we have decided that we will create a much stronger looking video if we have more lip syncing footage. We are now planning to use the hall again and take additional footage of the lead singing in both close up and extreme close up. We are going to try book the hall for Tuesday 21st October and arrange for our lead to be there and learn all the lyrics ready to do the two run throughs.
There were no real surprises to us in the feedback we got from other groups watching our music video. We pretty much agreed with the majority of the views that were expressed on our feedback sheet. We need to work on the lip syncing in the video where we are going to include it as currently it is out of sync. We are not planning to put lip syncing throughout as we do not have the appropriate footage of James lip syncing due to the short notice of us using him for our video. Our original person dropped out at last minute so James did not have much time to learn the lyrics. We included no effects but we are unsure whether or not we need them as our piece is such a strong performance based piece that we would not want to spoil it by over doing it too much.
Some groups from our class watched our music video rough cut and gave feedback on the good and bad points. Camerawork was said to be good especially the close ups of the facial expressions. There was a variety of shots used which was very good. The editing needed more lip syncing but the close ups were included well. And the ending was enjoyed. No effects were used. We had lots of positive feedback on mise en scene. The props used were well related to the narrative of the song and video. The costumes were plain clothes which was good so that the background stood out. They liked the simplicity of the video and the room was used well. The performance was planned well and worked well, good use of the actors. The continuity worked well. Overall comments were that we could have syncronized the lip syncing better and could have been singing instead of looking around. But it was a good idea overall and worked really well
We had no surprises from our feedback. We agreed with 99% of the comments before our video was watched.
We got to the hall at around 9 o'clock. When we got there we started to set up the camera and get the correct height and angle for our main part of filming , this was on a table at full length on the stand on the floor. we arranged our props where they would need to be and marked it down with masking tape. We then marked off the perimeter of where the camera could see so that the actors would not be in shot when off stage. We then took some test footage to see how good it looked. We opened up the black curtains so that our background was plain white so that the colours and props would stand out more. We then at 10.30 had to stop to allow another group to use the stage to film. During this time we finished off our props and made final touches to them. We also went and found ourselves the closest thing to an armchair we could. At 12.20 our actors started to arrive and we started directing them with when to do what to the song. We worked out which side of the stage to put things on and who would carry what. During the next hour more people turned up and we all taught them what to do. During this time we worked out where the ideal positions for the props and main events was and marked them out with marking tape also. We got it learnt and ready by about 1.45 When our main Character turned up. We showed him what we had been doing and showed him in detail some of the things we needed him to do. We gave it a go as a complete run through with the lead (james). We gave it another go and filmed it as our long-medium shot. We then moved the camera and did another run through but from slightly closer up with the camera actually on the stage. We then set about by taking the key events ( dropping of lamp, framing of face ) Then we filmed the faster more hectic part of our video from a low angle looking up, to give the effect of being trampled. We finished off with a short amount of footage of james' face singing a short amount of lyrics near the start. After this we packed it all up, thanked our actors and left.
We took a small amount of test footage. During the test footage we aimed to see if the stage was light enough, and if we wanted the cloud prop fishing rod style or directly onto a stick.
We decided we would use both styles of cloud as they were both good, and also that it would add subtle variety. We also decided the stage was too dark even with its own lights so borrowed some lights from the media department. Also we decided to open the curtains to give a lighter feel to teh video and to make the colours stand out more.
There is only a few different shots we intend to take, however they will all be very long as we intend to film our music video mainly in one but with small bits to link small parts that we want a closer shot or if something goes slightly wrong. we intend to film.
- A complete run through from a medium-long shot capturing everything that happens. - A complete run through from medium-closeup from straight on. - Close up of picture frame round face from straight on. - Medium-closeup of lamp being dropped from a slightly higher angle. - Medium-closeup of fast ending from a lower angle to try and capture stampede feel.
We aim to film all these shots and any others we feel would work at the time.
We are filming this afternoon and have lots to do before the actors arrive at lunchtime. Here is our list of things to get done by 12:20pm
* Check Lighting on stage * Experiment with camera angles * Check positioning and space of camera with props (off stage too) * Sort the props and attach to the poles * Find an armchair to use * Do test shots * Mark/note where camera offstage and on stage ends and begins * Write exactly what we are going to do when the actors arrive (shot list) * Test space
Hi guys - GOOD NEWS! I have been able to secure the hall for you from our lesson in the morning until 14.40 - we will have to share it from 10.30 to 12.20 but it should be fine. Don't forget to get your props and actors ready. See you Tuesday. Andrea
In our song 'Harms Way' by 'Waco Brothers' they use a few instruments. From What we can hear these are: Acoustic Guitar Electric Guitar Bass Guitar Drums
In our video we want to stray from having band shots as they are very over used and get boring quickly. Because of this the only instrument we are going to use is an acoustic guitar and also only for a small part of the video. This is because the dominate sound , apart from vocals, is the guitar and an acoustic guitar looks the part. the guitar we will use is not in perfect condition and has a couple stickers on it. This however dosent matter as it will go with the bands rough ready image and sound and their punk background.
This is the video for hurt by johnny cash, hurt is a cover of a nine inch nails song. It was one of his last songs recorded and his last video made shortly before his untimely death. It is one of the only country music videos i could find which is why i have posted it. Although it is mostly irrelevant to our video it being a very slow deppressing song and ours being a faster more upbeat song, however it is interesting to see a music video for a artist like this and im sure it will have influence on our video mainly from the flashback scenes of johnny cash younger with his more lively actions and setting.
Watched a professional music video (James Blunt - Carry you home) The song is about a soldier travelling to his dead friends loved one with a possesion he had on him when he died. Its about carrying a part of the soldier who was killed in action back home t where he belonged. It differs from the other music video I analysed by Ne-yo as this James Blunt video is more storyline based rather than effect and dance based. It follows the story of a couple separated by the man going off to war and fighting, leaving the woman at home alone and worried. The video opens with a pretty image of the sea, and a helicopter view moving towards the cliff tops. The water is restless and fierce, waves splashing everywhere, which in a way relates to what the husband is doing in his soldier role, whilst his wife is safe on the rocks, helpless, and not dragged down into the fighting. The coloring of the sea is black and white which is quite dull so from the beginning the viewer is warned that this is not a bright and cheerful story. Its a sad and dark video full of sorrow and loss. Even the cloud cover is dark threatening rain any second which could link to the woman's emotions in the video. As the image changes from the sea to James Blunt in the train there is a slight overlap of a forest (where the soldiers are fighting) this suggests there is something on his mind. James Blunt begins singing on a train looking out of the window as if he has a lot on his mind and he is eager to get somewhere to get something over and done with. Worried perhaps and a bit miserable. The shot type is close up which gives a better personal feel to it and helps the audience realise that they have to focus on James Blunt and perhaps his emotions as there is no smiling taking place. The coloring remains dark shades of black and white throughout to help maintain the gloomy feel to the video. The video also includes the lonely woman waking in her bed alone and lying on her side awake obviously thinking. A medium shot is used here to show how small she is in comparison to her big empty bed. From the very start the audience is taught to sympathize with this fragile character. A low angled shot is also used to show the empty grounds of the woman's house in the middle of nowhere, in the cold and windy months of autumn or winter. The barb wired fencing perhaps relates to the war the man is fighting. Everything is still which might represent a normal morning. Quite a confusing shot of a train door opening is used. The camera is close up with half of the view on the train and half of the outside, I only figured out what it was when James Blunt walks out. The shot type is quite surreal and confusing but it soon sorts itself out. It suggests that he is on a journey and going somewhere as we are following his course. The bright lights in the distance are blurred so that the viewer focuses on the image of Blunt and the side of the train. Close ups are shot on the lonely women showing her looking sad and upset still lying in bed, suggesting she doesn't want to get out as she does not see the point in doing so. I especially liked the image when Blunt is standing on the platform working out which way to go and the train moves off behind him, creating a contrast of movement which looks really effective. Keeping with the idea of Blunt on a mission/journey we follow him walking down streets with his bag and a sorry look on his face, and watch him have a pint in a pub to brace himself for something. Images of a dark, mysterious, dangerous forest are included. The camera pans a long little way whilst Blunt finds a car to get a lift in and the woman brushes her hair and gets ready for her day. Lots of cross cutting is used to help show the viewer of the things that are happening at the same time and what already happened. Little snippets are included so as not to confuse. The forest images of the soldiers walking slowly with their guns at the ready towards the camera is quite a threatening look. It helps the audience piece together the women with the war, and the possibility that Blunt is remembering what he saw. Blunt is holding a picture and necklace in his hand which relates to memories of someone he lost, a friend perhaps. When the music changes towards the end, turning a bit harder, the focus switches to the soldiers running, suggesting a problem or running away from something or that they have found something serious. When the music calms it slows the image cutting, The harder music had a lot more clips fitted in with choppy, sharp changes, whereas when the music slows it focuses on the women walking out on the cliff top outside in the quiet space and howling wind. When Blunt enters the house a window point of view shot is used to see what he is looking at. It helps the audience understand what he is thinking. A flash light is used to reveal a dead soldier with the necklace and photo round his neck. This photo and necklace are given by Blunt to the lonely women who is now standing on the cliff top. A close up is used to make the passing of the necklace significant. Blunt walks away, without saying anything. This shows no relationship between the two, and perhaps that he could not say anything as it would be too hard. There is a pan out near the end of the women falling and getting upset and Blunt walking away which gives the feeling of the lonliness of the women.
The Waco Brothers describe themselves as a 'Hard Country group'.
Their sound, although has strong influence from , is different from normal country .
For example artists like johnny cash, June carter , Willie Nelson , Roger Alan Wade and Dolly Parton.
JOHNNY CASH & JUNE CARTER - JACKSON
WILLIE NELSON - ON THE ROAD AGAIN
ROGER ALAN WADE - BB GUN
These bands either have a smart respectable look or carry the 'hillbilly' look and sound however all also have a 'rebel streak' for lack of a better term. They are 'all american' and heroes and role models to many americans and people world wide alike. It is fairly calm acoustic music with minimal instruments with at the most a acoustic guitar , bass and gentle drums. The songs , like Waco brothers, are usually about hardship or having a good time.
Also waco brothers sound is similar to more modern sounding country rock groups like Kid Rock, Sheryl crow and Nickleback.
KID ROCK - ALL SUMMER LONG
Waco brothers also have a faster, wackier sound to them , this may be because a member was in early UK commercial punk band ' The Mekons' .
THE MEKONS - WHERE WERE YOU?
It seems to be that the convention of country , country rock and hard country music videos is not to have a music video at all with only a few songs having them. This makes it hard for us to get influence but also gives us an open leash to create something new and different.
From watching footage of Waco Brothers live the target Audience for Waco Brothers seems to be maily early 20's to middle age men but also strongly women and older and younger people too. They seem to have a very varied audience and fan base.
WACO BROTHERS - WRECK ON THE HIGHWAY (live)
Our video will be aimed at a large target audience without alienating anyone just like thier sound attempts to do. Also due to Waco Brothers fun loving slightly Wacky Nature we will make it different and hopefully make it stand out. Also to make up for the strong american themes and sounds associated with the genre we will include a scene of America particularilly a desert.
The Waco Brothers is the band who sings 'Harms Way. They are Hard Country Super group consisting of Jon Langford, Steve Goulding, Tom Ray and Tracy Dear. The group grew out of Langford's wish to play more country-influenced music as the Mekons concentrated more on a punk sound. The Mekons are a British rock band. Formed in the late 1970s, they are one of the longest-running and most prolific of the first-wave British punk rock bands. The Waco Brothers were originally put together simply for local Chicago shows, but the success of their Bloodshot Records albums allowed them to tour the US occasionally.
We all went round the class and assesed other groups blogs. This is the feedback we got from other groups. it became apparent that we have not carried out a lot of research into the band and their genre. We also got criticised for not going indepth enough about our final idea and need to go into more detail on most things. From our feedback we have decided to make a to-do list of all things to add to our blog by next week.
-Band Research -Genre Research -Target Audience of both Band and our Music Video -Another music video Analysis -Shot types -Mise En Scene , go into depth about clothes worn, setting, props etc. -Research into colours and lighting to use
And also we plan to get all of our props and backdrop finished and painted.
We watched a professional music video (Ne-yo - Closer). It is a really good video with obviously a lot of money put into it for all the special effects they used on the lighting and studio alone. We really like it how the lights change to the rhythm and beat of the music, so that when it slows down the lighting on the back wall is slow almost water like, and when the beat speeds up the lights speed up too and become more choppy to fit with the music which looks really effective and good. They use the lighting to create a shadow figure effect too, so that when people are dancing the viewer can only see the shadow of the person dancing because of the lights behind them. The video uses kinetic typography a lot really well, it even uses letters such as 'O' to have an image inside which the camera then zooms in to. The video does quick snappy cuts from different images and sets back and forth so we found it hard to get bored as it always has something new to look at which is interesting. Various shot types are used. Close up, distant, portrait, point of view. An interesting effect is used towards the end of the video to link the different dances that have been recorded. They are linked with a blink/shutter effect, so one minute it will be the singer dancing by himself then quickly there will be people behind him as if the viewer has just blinked and loads of other people have popped out of nowhere which looks really good. There is not really a storyline behind this music video. It is more effect based and the dancing and actions included relate to the lyrics rather than an individual storyline. The change of image cuts also change to the beat of the music which looks good and helps the audience get a better sense of the music and feel a bit more involved.
We watched a second student music video (S1-19 Arguments). We thought it was quite a good music video as there was a variety of things to watch and it had an easy to follow narrative. It had a good use of special effects, for example the use of black and white with the couples story, then back to normal when the band were rehearsing. It was a good contrast of coloring which made the video a bit more interesting. We liked the huge variety of camera angles and shots used. The one on the roundabout stands out a lot as it puts the camera in a point of view shot and puts the audience in the place of the girl then the boy. An unusual shot but effective. When the band is rehearsing the camera angle is mostly higher and tilted down upon the playing band. This makes the audience feel as if they are watching the performers but from a security camera or something. It feels a bit more personal. The lip sinking in the video was good and well rehearsed. It fitted to the time of the music which looked good. They created the story well so that it was not boring or unrealistic which was good. It was a believable story and it looked really well done.
The video is 'Come Fi Di Youth' by 'The King Blues'. The song is anti racist , specifically the BNP and the video attempts to show this. The video starts showing a street , the sun is setting as it becomes night. there is a man (singer in the band) looking around at the street. It then quickly changes to a shot of him walking into a room. a couple of other people are putting cans of spray paint into a bag. the walls are plain painted but covered in posters that are anti war and anti BNP , This gives the viewer a feeling of what the band are about and is a way to give the band a set image and reputation. Their are many guitars in the room , this shows the band is very musically orientated and not for glamour or show like many bands attempt to look in their videos. The singer is passionately singing the song while sitting on the sofa as the other people continue to pack up various objects like plastic bags and spray paint. The camera keeps showing posters and newspaper cuttings on the walls, They are all strongly political, for example one reads 'Anarchist Mob In Tesco Terror' and another 'Mayday Mayhem' . this again is giving and supporting the bands open politics and showing viewers exactly what their political views are. The room looks like an average flat and it is very beleivable that it is infact their real home as they seem very comfortable in their surroundings. The band hood up and leave the flat carrying their bags full of graff equipment. The band walk through london suburbs at night the singer still singing the words and the other two just walking behind. They walk past a shop and the singer takes an apple from a rack outside, this looks at a glance like he has stole an apple but then he puts a coin down, this shows the band are relaxed and casual but also not bad people .They carry on walking past construction sites and scaffolding. For a short while the walk turns to a run as they go through a building site with some graffiti up in places , one is a non finished piece reading 'isreal st'... this again aligns the band with the leftist politics. They run past a building and their is large shadows of themselves projected up on the wall, maybe this is to give the impression that although there is only 3 of them that is enough to make a big change. so song slows and gets more minimal with only a up beat guitar strumming slowly and the singing, this is in contrast to the video where the people are now running through a feild. The band stop and start unpacking their spraypaint. They also pull up bandana's over their faces. It is then that you see some graffiti on a wall , it is a swastika , the music basically stops when this happens.this again reafirms they are anti racist and the silence gives a sense of importance to the moment. The band then start lobbing paint bombs at the graffiti and the drums come in matching the throws and giving a powerful affect. The band then swiftly remove stencils and spray baint over the nazi graff. This shows that although the band are wiling to break the law and spray paint they are not bad people as it were. The band then run and you can see they sprayed a very colourfull artistic piece including both a dove and the earth. The song ends and cuts to a CCTV style view of the graffiti as a jogger runs past and glances but pays little attention to the graffiti.
Unlike most music videos the band are not portrayed as glamourous or even particularily charasmatic. the flat at the start is very basic and in comparison to videos by other bands is very modest. They portray themselves as being very normal and nothing special. The actions and movements of the singer are very passionate and aggressive as if he is very serious about the song and this side of life. this contradicts other videos by the band that are very bright and happy with the singer being less aggressive and more bouncy.
The band also are very plainly dressed and mostly in black but not in a goth way but more in a black bloc way. They are wearing t-shirts of a few punk bands , 'Moral Dilema' and 'GBH' this gives an example of music that the band are into, also it may be similar to bands that fans are into creating a sort of unity between fans and band. Later on in the video when the band go out they pull up hoods, hoods are notorious in the media as being worn by young 'hooligans' the band seem to reject this stereotype as they , although are doing graffitti , are supporting racial unity and rejecting hatred and violence.
The camera angles in the video are all mid/close-mid/long shots. They dont use extreme close ups of the band. Various shots of the environment are cut in with shots of the band from usually the same level but sometimes slightly lower. At points the camera tracks them and follows them. The shot changes are very regular not showing one thing for very long, this matches the rush of the video as the band try to carry out something deemed illegal without getting caught.
Overall the video portrays the almost vigilante/robin hood style theme of people committing a crime for good. Also it carries across the idea of unity and that the band are just people.
We watched a student music video (T2-54 Riot Radio). We thought it was a good music video but it got a bit repetitive after about a minute of the same thing. They used good effects in the video which linked with the music and to the beat really well, it made the video look a lot more professional. We liked the jumpy parts of the video and when it skipped quickly to another shot as again it related to the beat of the music which gave a really good effect. The lip sinking was really good and looked realistic, as was the playing of the instruments in time with the music and it looks a lot like they are actually playing the music. We liked the variety of camera angles used in the music video. Especially the low angle looking up at the band playing. We liked the different speeds of footage used. It gave a good fast effect like the pace of the music. They didn't dwell on one image too long they made quick snappy scene change cutting from bit to bit which was good as it looked interesting. We were a bit confused about the guy running round in the orange waist coat and we didn't understand the story or meaning behind it. We like the kind of sureal feeling tot he video, in the way that you don't ever really get a clear view of the musicians. Its only ever their close up side of face or distant view. Which was quite effective. They used a great variety of shots and from lots of different angles which we liked. But overall we give the video a 7/10.
Our main character is standing in a empty space that will be plain coloured and simple. As the music starts he will start to lip sync the lyrics casually. Plain dressed people will start setting up props around him including a back drop and various objects relating to it. At the start only a few people will be moving around on the stage setting up scenes around the main character, further in however more and more people will be moving on the stage swamping the area around the main character practically ignoring him and moving him to do there job. throughout the footage it will be aparent that the main character is not amused with the intrusion and the harm all the moving object may cause him. this fits in with the songs title harms way. big backdrops will change and various props , for example a chair, will be used to interact with the character. As the peice moves on it will become more and more hectic as props are droped and people speed up. at the very end the music will stop but the footage wont all people would have left the stage leaving just the main character and a few props, he will leave the stage (you can hear his footsteps) and when he is off the current backdrop will fall crashing into the props and it will fade out.
We listened to the lyrics, as we have not yet had a reply from the band 'Waco Brothers' via myspace, and we think these are the lyrics:
Well I slipped out the back door As the ambulance arrived Well I could've tole 'em my story But I know I would have lied So I pawned my sisters diamond ring Got all the grams back I figured with a little leywey I might just get on track
An I'm just trying to stay out of harms way An I'm just trying to stay out of harms way
By the time I got to Chicgao I thought I had something to sell But the deal feel through as they always do cest la vi what the hell Every time I think of my baby Working in that old coal mine I feel so God damn guilty I almost change my mind
And I'm just trying to stay out of harms way An I'm just trying to stay out of harms way
An I'm just trying to stay out of harms way An I'm Just trying to stay out of harms way An I'm just trying to stay out of harms way An I'm just trying to stay out of haaaaaaaaarms way
We are emailing the band 'Waco Brothers' who sing 'Harms way,' so that we can hopefully get hold of the lyrics. Fingers crossed they will email back, or else we will have to listen very hard to the lyrics for hours on end figuring out the lyrics for our character to mouth to the music whilst we are filming. We are getting hold of them via there myspace page.
We have found someone who fits our ideal description for our main character in the music video and he has confirmed that he is happy to help us with our video. We have a number of extras willing to do the parts of the scenery movers and random people running across stage with props and setting . We now have to confirm a date that the main character can attend and we can attend with the camera with as many of the extras as possible. We plan to re-use the extras throughout the piece. So that the set is never left alone. There is always someone crossing with something or putting something down or taking it away. Movement is key in our music video to make it look as frantic as possible.
These Images are some of the scenes we are considering recreating DIY style in our music video. Because the band is american we are using scenes that look american. Also the desert fits in with the country music sound in the song.
Make sure you discuss and plan your filming times now. You can start filming next week, assuming you have returned your signed camera loan letter. Cameras can be used in your usual class blocks (just for that hour and a half), in addition groups can book out either one weekend (Fri 16.10 - Mon 9am) or two overnights during the week (excluding Friday night, for example Tuesday 16.10 to Thursday 9am). There are around 60 music video groups and nowhere near 60 cameras! Book your camera slot as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
These are the things we need for our music video. When we get hold of the pieces of set and props we add them to our names. Props and setting that still needs to be made or found remains under the 'both' title:
Sarah:
* Got 2 Clouds * Got a Sun * Got Cowboy Hat * Got a Moon * Got an Ambulance * Got a Light Bulb * Got a Question Mark * Got a Lamp
Chris:
* Got Painted Sheet for backdrop * Got Acoustic Guitar * Got a Cactus * Got Bamboo Poles * Got String * Got Masking Tape
Props:
* Armchair (Borrow from college)
Filming:
Filming starts at lunch 7th Oct . The background actors will meet us in the hall at the beginning of Year 12 lunch break (12.20) to sort out a routine and order. Our main actor will arrive at 1:50pm (Year 13 lunch time) to run through the filming a few times so we can get the shots we need.
We are doing test footage and sorting out positioning from 9am this morning (7th October) and having everything perfect and ready for when the actors turn up at lunch time. We don't want to waste anyone's time by fiddling around any longer than necessary.
After pitching our idea to the 'cage the elephant' song we didn't manage to get our first choice of song due to another group basing their idea around the name of the artist, and our idea being able to move to another song. So we have looked at a fresh variety of songs and chosen a new one. Its is very different to the song we were originally going to do. Its more country/indie/Rock. It is called 'Harm's Way' by the 'Waco Brothers'. We like it because its really energetic, we can relate the lyrics to what we aim to do in our music video. We are keeping the same idea but we are changing the music. As the song is called 'Harm's Way' we are going to have the main character (who has now agreed to play the part) dodging and avoiding pieces of set as they are moved about the performance space. Our main character will be dressed in jeans and a shirt. We will make him look smart/casual. Everyone else in the video moving set around etc will be smart in black trousers and black t.shirt to make our main characters stand out and we want to point out that he s different to everyone around him.
Presented our idea to the class. Had a wide range of feedback. Positive feedback was that it is a very original idea and if done right could look good. Questions included if we had the person planned who would play our main character. We have an idea of whom we are going to ask to play our main guy. Going to ask him today. Another question was if we understood how much work would be involved in creating the setting and all the props. We are prepared to put a lot of time in to making our desired set. The people carrying our set are going to be noticeable, whilst the main character can see them and his emotions and reaction to whats going on around him keep changing.
The Song we have chosen to do is 'Soil to the Sun' by 'Cage the Elephant'. After listening to the song and studying its lyrics we got a warm feel from the song and the lyrics hinted at night and day, which reflected the faster and slower parts of the song. When watching various videos on youtube for inspirtion one stuck out. the video for 'Lets hang the landlord' by 'King Blues'. Although embedding is not allowed this is a link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENT9QvP0kyo In the video the background and props are all painted on large boards. this style stood out to us and seemed accessible (even if requiring a lot of effort). The DIY feel of the video seemed to suit a school project as from watching past student videos they always look amature and we believe it would be better to embrace this problem and lack of budget rather than reject it. So then our idea was decided. The video we plan to do is similar in style to the king blues video but with very different backdrops/props. we plan to base our music video in a desert as it (we feel) reflects the song. We are planning on painting one side with a desert scene and the reverse with a night sky ('...the sun fell down to the ground, the moon rose up...,night and day) this reflects the lyrics of the song, but isnt a slave to the narrative.
This cage the elephant video is based in a desert, altho this put us of the idea we had we later decided it enhanced it as the band obviously have a liking and sound reflecting this scenary. We also consider throwing in the surreal. This would reflect the songs jumpy and quirky nature and would go with the lyrics ('...saw the things that my eyes couldnt see...').
An example of this is in fear and loathing in las vegas, with the bat country scene. I cannot find a video of this on youtube, but this trailer includes a few seconds of it.
The character in our video could react to the night and day in different ways changing when both the lyrics and music do.
All groups must produce and present a pitch as an integral part of the planning stage. Your pitch is a proposal for your music video to the record company thinking of hiring you: It must include:
* A clear written summary of the content/key idea for the video (at least 500 words). The summary should include a reference to performers, locations, props, target audience for the video, reference to research conducted on the band, genre of the band and the song, relationship between the music and the visuals, relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, if the video will conform to or oppose the generic conventions of videos within that genre of music
* 2-4 (embedded) actual music videos which you think are similar to yours or that contain something that has influenced your idea (plus analysis, use Goodwin’s framework for analysing music videos)
* 2 (embedded) student videos which you think are similar (plus analysis)
* 4-6 Images which indicate location choices, overall mise en scene, costumes, props
If there is more than one group pitching for the same song, ensure you have a back-up choice and also try to make your pitch memorable.
