1. Convenetions: 9 Key Frames

What i have just done is revise 9 key frames from music videos i have looked at and from videos off the top of my head. The 9 key frames in order are..

1. A shot that shows a link between lyrics and/ or music and visuals.
- For this screen shot it asks for a link between lyrics/ music, what i've done here is basically taken that question literally and took a screen grab of a Ne-Yo video, where he has random words popping up going with the song.

2. A shot that typifies the way a record company would want their artist to be represented.
What i've done here is taken a grab from a Muse video of their lead singer looking like a typical rock vocalist. Spikey hair for example.

3. A shot that illustrates how your video uses music genre.
The genre i chose for this shot was a rave theme, as it has to be the easiest genre to show in a single photo. Lots of lights flashing, people jumping up and down, strobes.

4. A shot that shows intertextual reference.
Intertextual reference basically means, something that links to something else. So ive taken some lyrics from a song, and taken the picture from the music video. This case. When he says banana, a man in a banana suit pops up.

5. A shot that demonstrates your use of camera.
This shot was taken from the Foo Fighters video The Pretender. It shows the lead singer face on, real close up. Really like this shot.

6. A shot that demonstrates your use of lighting.
This shot is taken from a performance video, it shows the lighting set-up from the stage and how it lights each individual up differently.

7. A shot that demonstrates your use of mise-en-scene.
This was also taken from that same Foo Fighters video, it shows all the riot police that play a part in the video.

8/9. Two shots which you feel demonstrate something which shows you have watched other music videos.
These two shots, are simalar shots to which i use in my video, these are shots from various Foo Fighters which use a shot that enables more than one person to be in shot at one point.

2. Voiceover

4. Technology Used

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Using new media technology during the making of my music video really helped using the resarch and planning sequences. Using 'YouTube' helped me majorly, giving me ideas for camera angles and shots that would look good in my video.

'Facebook' also helped me, i got in touch with the band who i was using the track for. All just with one simple click and a little message everything was fine and rteady for the go-ahead with the track.

Here is the camera equiptment that i used. This picture consists of a HDV Camera, HD Headphones. Tri-pod.

Magazine Advert

This is my magazine advert for the new album coming out. The album is called 'Stars of CCTV' so i have taken that into context and have blurred out the band members faces.

Digipack Research

Whilst i was researching digipacks, i came across this on Play.com.

The Killers: Live at the Royal Albert Hall (DVD & CD Digipack)

• Bonus Behind The Scenes Documentary (CD)
  
• Human
• This Is Your Life
• Somebody Told Me
• The World We
• I Can't Stay
• Bling (Confession Of A King)
• Shadowplay
• Smile Like You Mean It
• Losing Touch
• Spaceman
• A Dustland Fairytale
• Sam's Town (Acoustic)
• Read My Mind
• Mr. Brightside
• All These Things That I've Done
• Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine
• When You Were Young

Feedback From The Junction

The viewing went well i felt. They both liked the song choice and the video to go with it, the only criticism that they had was that they thought the lighting was slightly dark for the song, as it's quite an uplifting song.

But otherwise they thought that it was good but it needs a little bit more work. Obviously i said it was a draft cut so it wasn't finished.

Draft Cut

A draft cut has been uploaded onto youtube and has been posted on Facebook as well.

Further Edit Updates

The video is almost complete, i have a draft cut ready to be exported for viewing at the junction. There will be a panel of judges as well as the class there to have their say on the video. I will upload this to youtube as well. I will post the feedback i am given from them individually.

Editing Update

Video's looking really good now! Everything is synced up and i am currently adding new additional footage i found on the camera from on the shoot. This footage is of the lighting that we used from the junction, it gives a really good effect to the video, and i am thinking about using it as the foundations for the video. Surrounding the whole video around the lighting, giving it a good feel and atmosphere.

Behind The Scenes

Me and Hayden discussing and shooting footage for my music video. I was directing everyone how i wanted them to be, positions, actions and stuff whilst Hayden shot all the footgage under my guidance.

Editing

I have started to edit all of my footage. It's all uploaded onto final cut and i am currently about half way through the song. It's looking really good and has the potential to be a really good video. Will keep updating the blog with progress on my editing.

Snapshots From Editing

These are a few photo's i took whilst i was editing my video. I edited my entire video using Final Cut, had everything i needed really.


This shot is basically just taken whilst i was searching through my footage looking for stuff that i can use to make the cutting faster and look better.

This screen shot shows me using the 'in and out' tools. These make finding footage a lot easier. For example, if you see a piece of footage that you like, you just hit the 'i' key and it will drop an 'in' marker onto the timeline, and then when the piece you like gets to the end of where you want it, you hit the 'o' button, and it will drop a marker in. Then when you drag the footage onto the editing line, it will only add the footage between the 'in and out' markers.

This screen shot shows me using the modify menu. Here i am changing the speed of the footage slowing it down, enabling the shot to gather more interest.



Here i am cutting my footage using the various tools in final cut.

My Target Audience

Hard-Fi are the band where there most of the fans are from a wider range than any other band. There genre is Alternative/Punk. Now i have a lot of friends my age that listen to them because they like the style that they have, but i also know a fair few people like around 30-40 who also listen to them because of their distinguished style. So it must be a certain taste they have acquired that others don't get from listening to other bands sort of the same genre.

So i think that my target audience will be from a wider range than normal, but i think ages around 20.

Clothing- I reckon the type of clothing that the target age would wear would be average. Generally wear jeans and a polo/shirt, trainers. Wear label/designer clothes.

Hair- Reasonably short. Styled.

Lifestyle- I reckon their lifestyle is quite bright, have a lot of fun. Have a large group of friends that like the same sort of music. Into generally quite different stuff at the same time. Like hip-hop and R&B.

Lyrics to My Track

"Hard To Beat"

I've seen you darling, seen you hanging round town
You in a short skirt, shining eyes of deep brown
You had a dirty look, you caught me on your hook
Turn up the thermostat, I want to see you sweat

Oh yeah, girl, you've got something I like...

I walked right over, said hi, how ya doin'?
You smiled at me and girl you tore right through me
I said come on let's dance, we've got to take our chance
You whispered in my ear, you wanna get out of here

Can you feel it? Rocking the city
Ah yeah, straight out of nowhere-ness
Like a fist, can't resist you, oh no
I tell you something

You know I love ya, just wanna touch ya
Stand up, knock me right off my feet
Hard to beat
Hard to beat
Hard to beat

Let's spend the night, spend the night together
Heart beating so fast, as you take my shirt off
This girl I saw round town, well now she's going down
Stuck on a losing streak, I think you've turned it round

Oh yeah, girl, you've got something I like...

Read all about it, have you heard the latest?
Boy in a band dates a hollywood actress
But baby, you and me, we came up from the street
No time to hesitate, we've got to push our weight

Can you feel it? Rocking the city
Ah yeah, straight out of nowhereness
Like a fist, can't resist you, oh no
I tell you something

You know I love ya, just wanna touch ya
Stand up, knock me right off my feet
Hard to beat
Hard to beat
Hard to beat

Goodness
No, I've never known a night like this
Can't believe it, you're so hard to beat
Hard to beat

Drive me crazy, my beautiful baby
Let's spend the whole day right here together

You know I love ya, just wanna touch ya
Stand up, knock me right off my feet
Hard to beat
Hard to beat
Hard to beat

Oh yeah, girl, you've got something I like...
Oh yeah, girl, you've got something I like...

The Process Of Making a Music Video

Earlier in the year we had two film and TV directors come in and talk to us about virtually everything in the industry including film, music video and commercial.

These are the stages in which it takes to successfully create a music video.

1. A Video Commissioner at a record company, sends out a track to potential directors/ production companies. Giving them usually a couple of weeks to come up with a pitch.

2. The directors 'pitch' for the track with ideas and concepts, based upon a brief from the record company and the track they were given.

3. The record company then chooses the pitch they like the most and allocates them a budget; the producer looks after the budget and arrangements for anything they need during the process in the making of the video - a percentage is allocated to this role.

4. Director of Photography and Art Director (production designer) are taken on to assist with the process - the Art Director oversees the planning of the look to the video; scouting for the location, planning of shoot etc takes place (PRE-PRODUCTION)

5. The shoot then takes place, usually lasting a full day.

6. Off-line editing then takes place. An editor assembles all the footage over a period of a few days; record company and artist may want to see it and suggest changes to it.

7. Online editing. This is basically adding special effects and getting the final version ready.

8. Delivery of finished video to client and play it on TV, online etc.

This whole process (step 1-8) could take as little as 3-4 weeks these days as budgets have fallen steeply and demands are greater.

Problems with Shooting

The weekend just gone, i took out a camera to begin the filming for my 2nd year music video.

All depended on a location i needed, and when that fell through i was unable to get hold of another space for shooting. This is a major problem for the shooting schedule, this week i am going to have to shoot all i can with something to edit for the draft cut deadline on Wednesday 21st.

This has put a lot of pressure on my back and i need to make sure that all i planned goes well next week during half term when i can shoot the part i really needed to get this week. Shooting of the commute from 'Practice' to the 'Live Gig', will take place this week, hopefully tomorrow.

Final Shot Timeline

(1) Corey is all set up on the drums in the practice room, he counts in with sticks. Full Shot of him counting and shouting with his sticks.

(2) Straight after Corey has counted in, Ryan is already there set up. Him and Corey are just jamming their riff at the start until Charles comes in and starts playing the bass. Danny walks in with Charles and he does a quick sound check on the mixer, then picks up the mic and starts singing.

(3) Get some close ups during this time, while they are all playing.

(4) At 32 seconds, Danny stops singing and has a little dance, while the other 2 on guitar and bass sing the contrasted track lyrics.

(5) Play through to 1.26 in the song. From then on, practice is over and its time to get to the gig. Pile all the kit in the car/van (need to sort out the transport) and head to the Junction.

(6) From 1.26 to 1.34, shots of them getting all the kit in the car. On the beat when the drums drop back in, have a shot of the boot shutting.

(7) 1.34 to 1.57. Driving along through the city, see a chip van and stop for some food before the gig. Grab the food, back in the car for 1.57 and eat them in the car while i film it.

(8) 1.57 through to 2.27 in which by this time they will arrive at the Junction, pile out, shots of kit being offloaded.

(9) All on stage at 2.42 with blackout with dry eyes and spotlight on Danny.

(10) Corey gets a roll going, then at 3.05 everything lights up, get good choreographed shots of the band. Lighting so it makes the place look good.

(11) Get some shots of Andy and Aaron breaking, and then when I'm editing i can just drop it in whenever i feel it could look good. If i have a crowd in there then i will get a shot from on the stage with just Danny in view and then the boys breaking in a big U shape around them.

Band Members

Band Positions:

Drums - Corey
Guitar - Ryan
Bassist - Charles

Vocals - Danny

Counting Down

This week is the start of my shooting of the video! Can't wait. A few final things to be planned and then i can get underway with the first half of the video. Tonight I am going to be having a meet with the "members of the band", my mates, to talk about what's going to be happening. Then a few days from now, shooting will start.

Track Permission

I have left a feed on 'Hard-Fi''s Facebook page.

This is stating that i am using a specific track for an educational purpose. Now if they reply or even if they don't, i technically have permission from the band and its record label to use the track for my project.

On Set

I've decided not to have a large crowd or any at all, i am just going to have the band and the b-boys. I think this will make things a lot easier whilst shooting. There won't be any restrictions for camera angles as there will be no obstructions, and it could be classed as a safety precaution with people doing flips in a small area, just incase they kick someone by accident. Yeah but with no crowd, the shots of Andy and Aaron (b-boys) will have to be tight and well shot being careful not to leave empty space that will make the video look bland.

B-Boys

My 2 b-boy's have been rehearsing and choreographing a piece to the music. These boys are no joke with their dancing, they can flip, spin anything! I still need to upload a video of them showing some of their moves. Currently they are a bit busy, i might catch them tonight at home and get them to do some and i'll upload it tomorrow.

Further Blogging

I have been in constant touch with my 3 other band members and they are listening to the music and they say they love the track. If you have been following the blogs before you will know the technique i am using in order for this to happen. I believe that this will get the best out of them during the performance.

Ed Lovelace

Today we met and had a presentation from an ex-student and now practitioner, Ed Lovelace.

He talked about lots of ideas and examples of his work, for example he had made 2 videos for the band 'Cage the Elephant' so he showed us both of them videos. He has also colaberated with a band called 'Gallows' which were an absolute fail band, i didn't like them at all, but for him it was a breakthrough. I suppose that can be the difference for your career, if you get an opportunity when you first start out as a small time director, you have to take up any offer that is given to you. You can't afford to be picky.

Between his second and third year at Bournemouth University, he went on some work experience at a film orginisation named 'Creation' as a runner. He said that this was NO use at all. He ran round all day for the directors who didn't care about him making tea! He then forced his way deeper into the heads of the directors and convinced them to let him come along on a video shoot and help out around the location. This was actually the video for 'Gallows', which was shot at The Junction, Cambridge. After the release of the video for 'Abandoned Ship', Ed was snapped up and offered a deal at 'Pulse Films'. Him and his partner he befriended at uni then teamed up to make a duo of directors naming themselves D.A.R.Y.L. We don't know what the meaning for the name is.

Him and his partner who's name i don't know then made the 2 videos i was talking about at the beginning of the post for 'Cage the Elephant'. Ed was saying that nowadays you have to reference your pitches to something else. So everyone of his pitches is more or less "my video is goi ng to be like 'Queens of the Stone Age' / 'Taylor Swift" that sort of thing, thats just a bizarre example.

He then done a Q&A session with us, basically just describing how the industry works and what you need to know and do if you want to get involved in the business. This was very helpful towards directing and shooting my music video, i think i will take some of the tips that he gave us and use them to good effect.

Shooting Schedule

Working out a schedule for shooting your video is vital. If you don't do this, your video can fall to pieces. This is why i am currently working on one to help me organise the whole shooting of the video. This week i am hoping to get hold of some studio time in order for me to shoot the first half to my video. On the first day of shooting what i want to get is atleast 6 different angles in which the video can be edited from, then on the second day get some moving shots in and around the band. Maybe get some real close shots of objects, such as drum sitcks, and the other instruments.

The following week i am set to be shooting at the junction, then i am hoping to get atleast another 5 angles from which i can edit to, and again some more close shots. I have got 2 dance students staying at my house at the moment and they have willingly volunteered to take part in my video. So i have asked them to choreograph a b-boy piece inbetween their college hours in which they can do again and again with near enough the exact same moves each time. This way i can cut inbetween the break moves which will give it an amazing effect! So i will have them rehearsing that. I am up the studios tonight so i will get them to show me what they've got so far. I will record this and stick it on the blog so you can all see how far i've come along.

The Junction

On thursday we had a good look around and tested out some of the facilities in the different junction function rooms. I think that this is a good place that i can shoot the second half to my music video.

Video Timeline

This is a timeline of what is going to be happening within my music video.

Music Video Pitch

The basic idea for my music video is to have a simple, but effective take on the final product. I want it to be just lots of clean cuts to the beat and tempo of the track, keep it looking sharp and making sure that the viewer doesn't get bored. I can help this by making sure that the actors who are playing the band members give it everything in the performance and look like a convincing band.

The first location of the video can be kept to a minimal in terms of what is in the room. The first part of the video is of them just practicing in a studio/room before they play their gig. I have a couple of places that could be used for this, such as a dance studio that i can get hold of. This could be a major problem whilst filming though, as the room is fully mirrored and the reflection from the mirrors could show the camera crew. Shooting here would mean a lot of planning and research before shooting the video itself so i could find out the angles where the cameras wouldn't be in shots. The second half of the video is to be shot at the junction. This is where they are actually playing they're gig and using the lights in an effective way could make the video look real pro. I could highlight certain parts of the track. For instance, the vocalist sings on his own at a certain point in the track, i could get a spotlight on him and black out the rest of the track and then when the whole beat drops back in, light it all back up again with a big flash and stuff.

The track i have chosen is Hard to Beat by Hard-Fi. I chose this song because when you listen to it a couple of times, ideas are almost flying through your head already with ways you could shoot the video and camera angles, choreography and things like that. You can just imagine how a professional would choose to shoot the film and take that into context and do it yourself.

The band members are a couple of my very willing friends who are interested in helping me out with the task. I believe that they will give a good performance throughout the whole video, keeping the audiences attention. I have a very good way of getting the best out of their performance, what i am going to do is force the song into their heads, by having them listen to it over and over so that they grow to like the song and know the track almost off by heart. If they learn the basic outline to the song they will enjoy shooting the video as the song they are doing it to would be one of their well liked tracks. Doing this will also help them out with the way that the instruments play and come in during the track. Although i am not planning to do the whole thing in just one shot, i am going to be filming the majority of the song from the same angle, then change the angle and do that part of the song again. So for the first location, i am going to be filming the first half of the song, at least 10 times so i have lots of different angles and portrait shots of the band members, introducing them into the song.

Having them listen to the song will make the video look really good i think as they will know what is coming up in the song and will get the best performance out of them for the video. I may even get the drummer to learn the chart as he plays drums for real so he might be able to do that which will also give the effect that we are actually the band that made the song. Obviously the guitarist wont know the song chart so i am not asking for him to learn that, only to ask him that when the chords change on the track, he knows when to move his finders up the fret bar so it looks like he in semi playing the song. I believe that if i put the effort in that i know i can, this final video will look pretty good :)

23rd September, Progress Report

Since my last blog, i have written up a few idea for my music video. Over the next couple of days i need to be writing up a draft pitch that i will be presenting on friday to the class and will receive feedback on my ideas. I have got provisional ideas of where i would like to shoot my video, we will be going to the junction next thursday though, so i will check out what they have to offer and will finalise the location setting then.

Goodwins Music Video Analysis

Andrew Goodwin writing in ‘Dancing in the Distraction Factory’ (Routledge 1992)

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band).
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style).
5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, tv programmes, other music videos etc).

These are the main aspects and ket features to have in a music video.

Shot Angles

I've been looking at various Foo Fighters videos and the technique they use for their videos is the look I'm going for. Fast cuts of the band, looking as convincing as possible.

You have to listen to the music in able to get the best shot for the moment in time, for instance if the vocalist is singing with maybe just one guitarist playing, you could have a shot of the vocalist in the foreground, and a guitarist in the shot somewhere. Like this.

The Track

The tack i have chosen by Hard-Fi is, 'Hard to Beat'. I love this track, one of there best and one of my favourites. My choice of track i think has been very thought through as it has lots of little things in the track which bring on ideas for the video into your head straight away! Such as, right at the beginning of the track, the drummer counts in shouting and with his sticks. This is a shot i could use whilst filming the video, just a simple full screen shot of the drummer with his sticks in the air shouting and counting them in till the track drops then cut to the whole band. Other little things include a softer section to the song that drops in again. What i could do with this is slow the cutting right down, then when it drops back in, speed the shots up immediately taking the tempo of the track into the video.

About the Band

The final band that i have chosen to base my music video on is Hard-Fi.




The band members themselves are generally quite bland, they're pretty normal looking, so finding a few mates to get together and have the same sort of look as them won't be difficult.
There are four members to the band, a drummer and three guitarists, with one lead vocalist.
I have some ideas of people that could play the parts of the band already for instance my friend who plays drums will obviously be on them, and i will get him to learn the chart for the song so when we shoot, the drumming will be in time and it will look more professional. Giving the final production of the video, almost like we played the track.

Initial Ideas

For the music video, i have come up with a basic idea in which i could use. After choosing some music which i am yet to do, i have already got a decent location in where i can shoot the main part of the video.

Location: I will probably use a large studio which i can access, being able to shoot from lots of different angles and keep a sustained look and feel to the video.

Music: I am still yet to choose the music but i have sort of narrowed it down to just a couple. The one which i am most likely to use though is a Hard-Fi track, Hard To Beat.

I don't think i'm going to incorporate a story line to the video, just keep it simple. Use lots of shots and angles with nice and clean cutting to the beat of the track. I'll probably use a full band, and will hire a few mates for a couple of days to help me out.

So far this is what i've come up with, when more ideas and a more advanced look on the music video task come to mind, i will keep them posted on here.

Analyizing a Music Video

Calvin Harris - Ready For The Weekend

Calvin Harris has recently exploded on the music scene and he is one of my favourite artist, this video in particular i really like.
The video is mostly editing, using picture in picture techniques enabling the viewer to think that what they are seeing is multiple and flowing images of the same person deceiving the eye.
The camera shots all move nicely to the beat of the song which provides a rhythm in which the viewer can really get into the video. I always feel that the videos i watch that use the same technique, have more effect on me in the way i would rate it.

The bright vibrant colours make the video seem brighter and more fun, this also is a factor which could make the video look better.
The cutting in which each verse and chorus is set works really well, using the paddles which the girls are holding to track in and out of each shot.

I reckon i could interperate this technique and use it to good effect, maybe i will take this into consideration when i come to making my video.

Practice Music Video Sequence

The idea for this task was to take a cut from a track we had been given, (Monkees - I'm a Believer) and make a short music video. In our group there was myself and Matt.

We had a good idea of what we were going to do from the start, which was essentially just to have a laugh and get some good shots of us dancing and singing along with the track. We shot the clips in front of a bush which was well exposed to the light which gave it a happy feel. Once we shot all the footage we needed it was then time to put it together. After syncing up all the clips with the track, we went ahead to start cutting bits out giving the music video feel. With lots of cuts every few seconds, with the pace of the song it went really well i thought.

Having lots of cuts and different camera angles, the final version looked really good. We have had some small feedback from the class as we discussed each others pieces.

This is what some people said..

Performance: 'A good performance is a real important thing when it comes to having a good music video and I thought that they both look like their enjoying themselves'.
Camerawork: 'There are some good shots throughout the video, including close-ups and medium length shots'.
Editing: 'The shots are cut really well and are all synced up with the track. There are lots of cuts as well which works well with the track'.

I really enjoyed this task as a whole from shooting the footage, all the way through to editing the final cut. The final piece i really like and reckon looks pretty decent.

'DJ Format' Music Video Activity

This task was more a 'cutting' exercise. We were given a series of clips with people dancing in some animal costumes, and 4 tracks to choose from. What we had to do was pick a track, and use the clips and try to make a short music video. In this task we didn't have to worry about lip syncing as they were all wearing big costumes and couldn't see their faces or lips, so all we had to do was try to match the dance moves with the music itself.

I found this task real fun, the footage we were given was so good. It was actually from a real music video by DJ Format. I found this task real enjoyable, and came out with a pretty good short clip.

'You Wanna What?!' Lip Sync Activity

The first task we done for the music video project was a lip syncing activity. We were shown how to use the tools in Final Cut that would enable us to lip sync as easy as possible. We were then given a previous students final music video cut up into chunks, our task was to sync it all up so it went in time with the music.

I think that I caught the hang of syncing the lip movement together with the music very quickly, and also made the video look pretty good too.

Syncing up a soundtrack to a video is pretty simple. The first thing you should to make everything that little bit easier is to bring up the audio waves for both of the things your trying to sync. Mark out with the marker tool a specific point that is the same as on the other track. Bring these together and then your nearly there. From there it may be perfect, but usually its not. All you gotta do is have a little move around with the audio track and then eventually it will match up to the best it can be.