Friday, 30 October 2015
Time management
This week, being half-term, we have successfully managed to get some filming done. But rather annoyingly I was not able to be there due to pre-existing commitments and also one of the actors was unable to do it, so we didn't get as much filmed as we really wanted to. In my opinion I don't think this one actor can be trusted so maybe we should try and get someone else to do it, I will need to discuss this with the group though. And for the rest of the week none of us are free, so it looks as if we will have to spend next week filming as well, which is not ideal because we wanted to start editing. However, I have been able to catch up with a few more posts on my blog, like locations and actors, so at last when we are all together.
Music video of the week
With it being halloween tomorrow of course I have to post a 'scary video. So this week I've chosen "Somebody's watching me" by Rockwell, an American pop artist...
One of the things I really like about the video is the use of camera work. In particular the use of point of view from Rockwell so we see everything through his eyes. This creates quite an unsettling feel because we can't actually see Rockwell's face and so we just have to assume it's his POV but the lyrics to the songs "Somebody's watching me" seem to amplify the visulas by suggesting it could be someone else. I also like the way the lip synching part is cleverly incorporated into the narrative because he's singing in the shower and once again also adds to the idea that he's being watched because it's from a high angle creating the idea someone is looking down at him. Then at the end it seems to be revealed that Rockwell was just being paranoid because the shot of the postman at 3.00 appears to be real but then the eye-line match shows what Rockwell thinks is there with the exact same use of medium close up and high camera angle. But then when you see the postman again at 3.22 you see a creepy hand which raises questions about him. The viewer is then left in suspense because the very last shot keeps his hand out of shot meaning you are left unsure.
One of the things I really like about the video is the use of camera work. In particular the use of point of view from Rockwell so we see everything through his eyes. This creates quite an unsettling feel because we can't actually see Rockwell's face and so we just have to assume it's his POV but the lyrics to the songs "Somebody's watching me" seem to amplify the visulas by suggesting it could be someone else. I also like the way the lip synching part is cleverly incorporated into the narrative because he's singing in the shower and once again also adds to the idea that he's being watched because it's from a high angle creating the idea someone is looking down at him. Then at the end it seems to be revealed that Rockwell was just being paranoid because the shot of the postman at 3.00 appears to be real but then the eye-line match shows what Rockwell thinks is there with the exact same use of medium close up and high camera angle. But then when you see the postman again at 3.22 you see a creepy hand which raises questions about him. The viewer is then left in suspense because the very last shot keeps his hand out of shot meaning you are left unsure.
Wednesday, 28 October 2015
Friday, 23 October 2015
Time Management
On Wednesday we managed to get the first few shots of our music video done. This took a bit of organisation by the group, but we go there in the end. Sadly, it wasn't very nice weather and we only had Sasha and Callum out of the cast so the amount of filming we were able to do was limited. Nonetheless we have started. Hopefully, we will get more filming done over half term, with the view to edit on the week back; as on the workflow. That means we will need to try and organise other cast members to see when they're all free (screenshots will follow).
Personally, I have a few errands to complete for my own blog, including: completing of locations and actors posts. I also need to continue with the time management posts and post some of the clips we've got so far.
Personally, I have a few errands to complete for my own blog, including: completing of locations and actors posts. I also need to continue with the time management posts and post some of the clips we've got so far.
This week I have chosen the song "Goodbye Mr. A" by the English pop-rock band the Hoosiers...
It starts off with an animation segment to the video which starts off the comic-book theme because it is in that style. The main reason I like this video is the use of intertextuality because it has a comic book link throughout. This is created mainly through the use of mise en scene with the bright primary colours used, the location being in lair, the use of stereotypical superhero costumes again highlights the intertextuality. This is done because it could encourage a new audience for the band who son't usually like pop rock but are fans of the super hero comic genre and thus increasing their consumer basis. I also like the use of the medium close-up, quite often the medium close-up is used to add the the artists star image (Andrew Goodwin) and in this video the crazy almost psychopathic facial expressions of the lead singer not only add to his star image of being a bit crazy, and endearing, but adds to the narrative because it shows how much hatred he had for Mr. A. Examples of other media formsare evident in the video including newspapers, video games and T.V, this would appeal to the audience because even though it's quite an unrealistic concept, it still has elements of reality too.
It starts off with an animation segment to the video which starts off the comic-book theme because it is in that style. The main reason I like this video is the use of intertextuality because it has a comic book link throughout. This is created mainly through the use of mise en scene with the bright primary colours used, the location being in lair, the use of stereotypical superhero costumes again highlights the intertextuality. This is done because it could encourage a new audience for the band who son't usually like pop rock but are fans of the super hero comic genre and thus increasing their consumer basis. I also like the use of the medium close-up, quite often the medium close-up is used to add the the artists star image (Andrew Goodwin) and in this video the crazy almost psychopathic facial expressions of the lead singer not only add to his star image of being a bit crazy, and endearing, but adds to the narrative because it shows how much hatred he had for Mr. A. Examples of other media formsare evident in the video including newspapers, video games and T.V, this would appeal to the audience because even though it's quite an unrealistic concept, it still has elements of reality too.
Tuesday, 20 October 2015
Costumes
From
my research into the Indie rock genre, I know most of the males usually
wear clothing that is black and white, as well as being very casual in
order to connote the idea of them being more 'normal' and create a
connection with the audience. Most likely our main character/singer will
just a plain t-shirt and black trousers, possibly a leather jacket too;
these items should be easy to source as the actor will most likely
already own them. He will need to have two or three different outfits for the different scenes, but this can easily be achieved through a slightly different top or jacket. The black and white will create a very simple look, but at the same time the leather jacket will create an almost 'bad boy' image that would appeal to the females of our target audience. Examples of bands that wear similar costumes are Bastille and The Script.
He will not require any makeup at the beginning as he will appear healthy and happy, but as the video progresses we could use some makeup to make him appear tired and worn down, this will reflect his change in emotions as their relationship deteriorates.
The band will wear similar clothing to the main stalker boy, with dark clothes and maybe some variation in colour. The actors will most likely be able to wear their own clothing as they already reflect the image of the indie sub-genre.
The girl, in our video, will also dress fairly unglamorously and 'normal' in order to convey a sense that these could be real people and make it more believable. We will probably dress her in pastel colours to contrast with the male and connote femininity and most likely a coat and scarf for the outside scenes so she will fit in with the weather and the video will be more believable. Her make-up with be fairly natural and nothing too glamorous, again to connote the idea of normality, but at the same time most of teenage females do wear makeup so she will have nude colours and mascara. Females of the Indie music sub-genre include Birdy and Gabrielle Aplin, who both wear quite feminine clothing. But, as you can see from the pictures below, Aplin is wearing more casual clothing and so we could also take inspiration from this. Both artists have their hair down with Aplin having some parts pinned up, this again connotes femininity and is simple we could do to our actress.
He will not require any makeup at the beginning as he will appear healthy and happy, but as the video progresses we could use some makeup to make him appear tired and worn down, this will reflect his change in emotions as their relationship deteriorates.
The band will wear similar clothing to the main stalker boy, with dark clothes and maybe some variation in colour. The actors will most likely be able to wear their own clothing as they already reflect the image of the indie sub-genre.
The girl, in our video, will also dress fairly unglamorously and 'normal' in order to convey a sense that these could be real people and make it more believable. We will probably dress her in pastel colours to contrast with the male and connote femininity and most likely a coat and scarf for the outside scenes so she will fit in with the weather and the video will be more believable. Her make-up with be fairly natural and nothing too glamorous, again to connote the idea of normality, but at the same time most of teenage females do wear makeup so she will have nude colours and mascara. Females of the Indie music sub-genre include Birdy and Gabrielle Aplin, who both wear quite feminine clothing. But, as you can see from the pictures below, Aplin is wearing more casual clothing and so we could also take inspiration from this. Both artists have their hair down with Aplin having some parts pinned up, this again connotes femininity and is simple we could do to our actress.
Monday, 19 October 2015
Sunday, 18 October 2015
Time Management
On Friday all of our group got together and we made some important decisions about actors and filming...
In terms of our cast we are using the following people:
We have decided we will use the following days for filming:
Wednesday 21st October
Friday 23rd October (all day as it's a PD day)
Monday 26th- important Sasha scenes
Tuesday 27th- important Sasha scenes
We will also be able to use other days during the half-term week, however Sasha isn't available so her parts are a priority. The only problem is these are days the crew can do and not necessarily the cast. Hence we will message them tonight in order to confirm the filming schedule, as soon as possible.
In terms of our cast we are using the following people:
- Main boy- Callum Pugh. A typical teenage male who fits in well with the Indie style. He is also the right age for our target audience, which, although most bands are a bit older, will mean they can relate to him.
- Main girl- Sasha Smiley (as in Sasha in our group Sasha). Again a fairly stereotypical girl of the indie genre; quite young with long hair. Sasha will also be reliable because she is in our group and so we can keep regular contact with her.
- Other boy- Josh ....... Another typical teenage boy, of a similar age meaning he fits in well with the rest of our cast members. Also his blonde hair and difference in height to Callum means he will easily be identified as different to the lead; this is important to ensure we can create a strong star image and the audience don't get confused. Currently, not sure what days he will be free and although he isn't a main character this could still be a concern,
- Band members- to be confirmed. Dani is working on this to make sure she does I will ask her on the group chat tonight.
We have decided we will use the following days for filming:
Wednesday 21st October
Friday 23rd October (all day as it's a PD day)
Monday 26th- important Sasha scenes
Tuesday 27th- important Sasha scenes
We will also be able to use other days during the half-term week, however Sasha isn't available so her parts are a priority. The only problem is these are days the crew can do and not necessarily the cast. Hence we will message them tonight in order to confirm the filming schedule, as soon as possible.
Saturday, 17 October 2015
Music video of the week
My music video of the week is "I wasn't expecting that" by soul singer/song writer Jamie Lawson...
I think this is a really powerful and emotional video that depicts the relationship of a man and a woman in reverse chronology. It uses lots of effective technical techniques to show their relationship and makes adds real interest. In particular I think the use of camera movement works well because it creates a smooth transition from different events even though they do not happen in order, like the use of the camera pan at 2:46 which because it's the same location means they were able to seamlessly make two different shots into one. I like this because it makes it feel really smooth and shows just how much they've gone through together in that one place, and how many memories it holds for them. Another example of this transition is the graphic match at 0.56-0.58 because even though the camera shot doesn't appear to change you can still tell that time has gone backwards, because it happens so quickly it connotes the idea that their time together has gone really quickly. I also like the way the first and last shots work together, because at the beginning you're not quite sure what's happening but then at the end it shows the whole scene and you learn the woman is in hospital. Also the illustration of the lyrics in this last shot is clever because you really don't expect that to happen.
I think this is a really powerful and emotional video that depicts the relationship of a man and a woman in reverse chronology. It uses lots of effective technical techniques to show their relationship and makes adds real interest. In particular I think the use of camera movement works well because it creates a smooth transition from different events even though they do not happen in order, like the use of the camera pan at 2:46 which because it's the same location means they were able to seamlessly make two different shots into one. I like this because it makes it feel really smooth and shows just how much they've gone through together in that one place, and how many memories it holds for them. Another example of this transition is the graphic match at 0.56-0.58 because even though the camera shot doesn't appear to change you can still tell that time has gone backwards, because it happens so quickly it connotes the idea that their time together has gone really quickly. I also like the way the first and last shots work together, because at the beginning you're not quite sure what's happening but then at the end it shows the whole scene and you learn the woman is in hospital. Also the illustration of the lyrics in this last shot is clever because you really don't expect that to happen.
Time Management
Just recently we've gotten a little behind the work flow. So in order to rectify this my group are all meeting up on Monday when we all have frees in order to get some more work done. Hopefully, during this time we will be able to get the locations and risk assessments done as well as they animatic (I will also aim to finish the shot list before Monday) so then we can start filming next week as originally planned.
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
Tuesday, 13 October 2015
Music video of the week
For my next music video of the week I have chosen "Drunk" by Ed Sheeran and British pop singer-song writer. One of the main reasons I really like this video is because of the fairly entropic nature of the talking cat, which you would never associate with pop music and yet the role he plays is fairly predicable of a friend trying to help someone get over a break-up. Therefore I feel the talking cat has added a new take on the traditional break-up video and also creates humour which isn't usually used for pop videos. There are also a number of technical devices I think work really well in "Drunk":
- The use of fast pans (0.58) of the camera to other shots is effective and creates an interesting transition. The technique is also an example of amplification because it intensifies the speed of the video as everything is always moving, which makes it a bit disorientating and so adds to the concept of the song "I'll get drunk again"
- I also think the embedding of flashbacks into the narrative is effective because it shows how the girl is always on Ed's mind and he even getting drunk doesn't help him forget about her.
- The change in lighting to an intense red (2;16), matched with the shaking camera-work amplifies the change in pace and mood of the music, again highlighting that this is an illustrative and amplifying music video.
- Another interesting technique is when the camera tracks into the photos on the wall and then it cuts to a flashback and continues to track in making it appear as though the memory is part of the photo. This is effective because it shows the connotations of the photo for Ed and that it isn't just a photo. Therefore, it creates an insight for the audience into his thoughts and creates a link between the two so the audience feels more involved.
Lighting and colouring
- This is an example of a lighting technique we could use. The highlighting of the man's face creates an eerie atmosphere and draws attention to his facial expression (which wil be very stern and angry).
- We can create this effect by filming in the dark with a bright laptop screen. However this may not be bright enough and so we may need to use torch light, especially to highligh the back of the laptop.
- This connotes a very creepy and sinister atmosphere.
-This is a movie trailer of "Se7sen" by director David Finch. This shows a number of really interesting lighting and colouring techniques. One I particularly like is the flashes of lights in between cuts.
- This could suggest the idea of taking photos and soo adds the stalker effect we are attemting to create.
-Another idea we could use is the sort of grainy, coloured filters.
-An example of this in use is in Maroon 5's "Animals" (as seen below). I think this works well because it connotes the idea of old photographs, which will feature in our video as well. Furthermore, it adds to the sinister atmosphere because there are filters being used and you know everything isn't normal and there's something almost supernatural about it.
Sunday, 11 October 2015
Generating ideas from lyrics
Saturday, 10 October 2015
Time Management
Currently, I am slightly behind my work flow. The reason for this is mainly because not all of my group were in the lesson on Friday and so we were unable to get the animatic or shot lists done. Whilst this is very annoying, I did manage to get most of the other planning tasks complete and can now post them on my blog. To decide if we can get the animatic and shot lists down before Tuesday I will have to ask my group on our facebook group, if not we may need more lesson time to complete them. But then we can start with practise shots and filming.
Props
Props
Laptop- possibly Dani's, this use of technology will appeal to our young target audience because they will, most likely, own one. This adheres to Dyer's star theory paradox making the star seem 'reachable' and 'ordinary'.
Camera- college's, this will be used to connote the idea of stalking because he is taking photos of the girl without her realising.
Photos of the boy and girl together- will need to take these beforehand so we can set up a facebook page for him to stalk the girl. This use of intertextuality will also make the video seem more realistic and believable face. This should be quite quick and easy, but we need to do this before filming that shot.
Guitar(s)- Vicky and Sasha both have one. In all of the Indie videos I have researched there at least some shots of the band and their instruments, so we will be adhering to this convention with our use of guitars. However, becasue we will be on location I don't think it will be possible to transport drums.
Picnic rug- Dani, required for scene in woods.
Plastic champagne glasses- will need to buy from Spa (?) for the picnic scene.
Boy's clothing- Callum owns most of this, may need to source a jacket from a charity shop. As a result the clothes will be stereotypical of teenage males and again make the star relatable to the target audience.
Girl's clothing- Sasha, may need to go to charity shop to buy some more.
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