Inspiration

After looking at a video by Taylor Swift 'Mine' it gave me a lot of inspiration.

After seeing a shot in which the artist looked so bright in and stood out from the natural grass woodland environment it showed me that this works really well, and therefore we will use this technique in our video.

 Here they have used the vignette technique during editing which I think works really well and we were thinking of using this during the couples memories.

 We are going to use photos of the couples and from looking at this within the video it works really well.

 Here is an example again of a vignette being used. Which again works extremely well as it makes the audience focus on the couple so it will entice the viewers and capture their attention.

 This screenshot I took was to show the setting of the video, as I really like the natural setting.

 The use of being shot within the home makes it seem more realistic and homely. and therefore I will use this in some way to make the film seem realistic that the girl has actually died and the guy can't let go.






Here is the use of photo frames. and it works really well to show a memory, I will be using this as a prop within my video as it works really well to show a past memory the couple shared.

Example of the Auteur Theory

Tim Burton a well established film director is an an example of an Auteur. This is because  he distinctly creates outstanding movies in which are very unique with similar styles, effects and recurring themes.

I have decided to look at some of the creations of Michel Gondry, Director of a wide range of music videos for groups and artists. Such as ‘The White Stripes’, ‘The Foo Fighters’ and ‘Kylie Minogue’.

 After looking at his music videos it showed me that he was an auteur. This is due to the style seemed so constant throughout the videos that he had directed. The videos show that he made the decisions for the video, the filming, framing and its main direction on a whole.

For every one of his videos it seemed that there were strong recurring themes which all had similarities in some form. For example they all had camera angles, featured effects, similar cuts and movements despite the videos being in very different genres. For example when I went from watching Kylie Minogue which fits into the pop genre to the Foo Fighters which are more towards the rock/punk genre.

Overall it seems to me that his videos have a certain uniqueness to them, which gives them a sense of individuality and slightly non-real/ out of this world. Using colours or settings to differentiate them.

The auteur Theory

The Auteur theory is a theory which is used to analyse a film or other media forms. This was created by a man called Andre' Bazin, a Frenchman.

Andre believed that films should reflect the personal visions of a director.If a director is an auteur, they have full control and all the authority and thereofre  will be left to be the leader of the production of the film or music video.

The auteur has connotations of the power that an author has of the writing and publishing of a novel. If a director is an auteur, there is generally a resounding theme within other works in their portfolio and similar shot types, cuts and special effects being used.

Goodwins Analysis of music video's

This lesson I looked at number of music videos within the same genre of our chosen video "haunted" by Rihanna, and analysed them based on Goodwin's theory.

The first music video i looked at was "California King Bed" which is also by Rihanna. I chose to analyse this video because it's by the same artist and also has a similar storyline and theme of love and heartbreak as "haunted".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhBorPm6JjQ&feature=player_detailpage 
The link between the music and visuals within this music video are very illustrative. The music in the video is slow and calm which matches the setting of a bedroom and also matches the movements of the artist as she is lying on the bed and seems to be relaxed. The lyrics and visuals are even more illustrative as the setting and artist match with the lyrics to the song. For example, the name of the song and the main chorus include the lyrics "California King Bed" and the setting of the video is within a bedroom, with the main focus being on the very large bed that they are both sitting on. Also when the artist sings the lyrics "We're ten thousand miles apart" the bed becomes wider making them both become further apart from each other and when she sings the lyrics "chest to chest" the focus on the screen is her touching his chest. Most of the Video consists of close-ups of the artist which fits in with the demands of the record label. Rihanna is looking into the camera a lot within in this video which creates voyeurism as the viewer will feel involved within in the video, feeling as though the artist is including them.

Another music video I chose to look at his "Halo" by Beyonce. I decided to look at this video to analyse because, like the other two, it is portraying two people in a relationship and focusing on their love. Even though this song shows a couple that are happy in their relationship, it still has many of the same elements from Goodwin's theory within it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bnVUHWCynig
The music and visuals are very similar to the music and visuals within Rihanna's "California King Bed" not only because it is also illustrative but it is also set in the couples house. The music in the song is slow, calm and cheerful linking well with the couple laying on the sofa together seeming to be relaxed and happy with each others company. There is some illustrative links between lyrics and visuals within this video, for example when she says "hit me like a ray of sun" she is shown laying down with a beam of sun from the window going straight into her face. However, the main chorus of the song includes the lyrics "I can see your halo" and she is singing it to her  boyfriend in the video but you can't actually see a halo. There are many close-ups in this video all exceeding the demands of the record label. There is also a sense of voyuerism as the viewer is looking into the couples house and watching them together.

These two videos that I have analysed are very similar to how we are expecting our music video to be like. It is the same genre of these songs with it also being very slow and calm and the storyline of the song being about love and relationships. Both these videos include very plain colours which is the same theme that we have chosen to go for in our music video so that the viewers attention is mainly on the lyrics to the song.

Mise en scene research

I looked at each aspect of mise en scene and came up with the following ideas for our music video.

Our props will include: Memory books which include photos of the couples memories and maybe little letters or poems. These will be shown when the guy is isolated so therefore this would be a good prop to use as it will symbolise his past and that he can't let go of the girl because he can't stop looking at his old photo book that she created for him. Another prop will be old letters from the past from both the girl and guy. So therefore maybe they won't be perfectly formed so have a few creases in order to show that they're from the past and he has kept them for a long time. We could use a mobile phone as a prop because we could show a close up of the phone background which will be an image of the couple. So it shows that the guy still sees the girl every time he uses his phone. A final prop will include old cards maybe from past christmas' or valentines day cards. As again this will show the past and that he still can't let go of his memories from the love of his life as he still has his cards up in his room.

Moving on to location. Our first location will be where the main hall is situated as we will use the main stairs leading up to the hall. I have chosen this location because the first lyric 'the steps on the stairs aren't there' so the stairs we have chosen will be a clear link to the lyrics from the very beginning. Another location I have chosen is an isolated room which can act as somewhere that the actor can go and isolate himself. The room will be a stereotypical room to ensure that it looks natural and a real life situation. The room will also be used at the end of the video when the lyrics reflect him slamming a door because he's has enough and can't take it anymore. The next location will be of a forest. I have chosen this because it will link both the past and present together. It will do this because it will be shot as somewhere that the actor goes with his friends these days as well as somewhere the couple used to go together. The next location will be the entrance to F block within college. This will be shot when the actor is walking past the actress' old form room which makes him reminisce again. The final location which we could use if we need another location will be the college field as its a basic location which will always be available to us. Also it will be clear that he is quite isolated if we get the angles right in the sense that he's sat on his own with a wide empty space which circulates him.

The colours which we will be using will be quite dull but natural when it's the guy on his own, as it will reflect the mood of the lyrics in this part. When the shots are showing the past the colours will be quite high contrast through editing to show the clear difference.

And finally costume. The actor and actress will just be casual clothes to reflect the real life situation theme. But the artist will be more stylish/smart to show the difference between them, and to enhance the artist.

Colours And Lighting

Due to the song being so meaningful and quite dramatic, I feel as if the colours should be quite simplistic and not bright so that the focus is on the lyrics. However we will have to be aware that when the actor is on his own the footage will be in black and white anyway. And when the couple are together we will be using colour corrector in order to show the happiness of the couple when they were together.

Analyse of a music video using Goodwins Theory

Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band - So firstly this video does have a dance routine by Lady Gaga and therefore fits the first point of Goodwins Theory.

There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting - This video is very contradicting in order to make this video unique and fit the style which Lady Gaga presents throughout all her videos.

There is a relationship between music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting). - The music and visuals do have a link as the pace of the song matches the visuals in sections of this song.

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). - This is definitely true in this video as you see the artist the majority of this video.

There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body. - Again this is present as there is voyeuristic treatment of the ladies bodies throughout this video from Lady Gaga to the dancers within the background.

There is often intertextual reference (to films, tv programmes, other music videos etc). - There is product placement within this video for example the speakers shown at the beginning. 'Nemiroff' is also shown in a shot at the beginning too. Other than this their isn't an obvious intertextual reference.

Artist Digipak research

I have been looking at the digipaks of famous artists as inspiration for our own digipak.

The first one i started researching was Katy Perry's digipak for her album "Teenage Dream". Her digipak clearly has a main theme of candy as she is shown lying naked on a cloud of candy floss, also the two disks within the digipak are shaped as a doughnut and a lollipop. The Font on front of the digipak is also the colour of and shaped like candy. Her digipak to her "Teenage Dream" album is very much connected to the music video to the single "California Gurls". Within this video everything down to her outfit, the trees and the snow is made to look like candy. There is also clips of Katy Perry laying maked on a cloud of pink candy floss within the video which is identicle to the image on her digipak. Overall this digipak features just pictures of the artist and includes obvious links to the leading single of the album.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F57P9C4SAW4

 Another digipak I looked at was Rihanna's for her album "Loud". For this digipak she obviously has a colour theme of red and a theme of roses.

Analysis of students digipaks

Above is an image of the past students digipak from group T1-34. The images are extremely strong so therefore it it will entice the audience. It includes the typical conventions of a digipak. And I love the style of writing they have used as its clear and simple to read. However although the images are strong I'm not sure if they match due to the strong contrast of colours going from black and white to really bright and saturated with the money. Overall though it does fit with the video well.

Shot List

Here is a photo of our shot list

Story Board

 Here is our initial story board.

Initial Timeline

Below is the dates and what we have planned for each lesson in the upcoming lessons so that we keep on task.


28th September - Goodwin research, Props,costume and mise en scene research, shot list and storyboarding
29th September - Test Shots
3rd October - Artist research and location reccie
5th & 6th October - Filming video
10th October week - Filming video continued

Lyrics & Visuals

1) 'The steps on the stairs aren't really there'
So this verse will include the shot of the couple on the stairs and then being edited to the girl not being there to the shot of the artist leaning on a wall.

2) 'You say that you let her go'
This will include a shot of a guy in a room feeling isolated with a photo book

3) 'I can't compete with a memory'
Group of friends in forest - guy looks back for her, but she isn't there (split screen)

4) 'Boy you're everything I ever wanted'
Long shots of the artist as it's the chorus

5) 'You say that she's gone that you've moved on'
Close ups of artists

6) 'Sometimes when you look past me'
Guy walks past her form but the girl isn't there.

7) 'I can't compete with a memory'
Is the group of friends in the forest again.

8) Chorus

9) 'Wish I could cast a spell to make her spirit leave'
Shots of actor upset and isolating himself.

10) 'I cant compete with a memory'
Same as before

11) 'Boy you're everything I ever wanted'
Shots of artist - Long shots

12) I don't want to fight anymore'
Guy slamming the door

Health And Safety

+ Cyclists = Must be aware of cyclists at all times so we don't collide.
+ Rain = This will be a major problem as it could damage the equipment as well as eletricute us if it gets wet and we are using the equipment.
+ Transports = Must not run into the roads or film in a location which could potentially be harmful.
+ Public = We must be aware of the general public as you shouldn't film without their consent.
+ Trip Hazards = Such as shoe laces or the pavement.

Mood Board

Here is a mood board  I created in order to show the basic themes which will be within our video, so mainly past memories of the couple together, the candles symbolising the fact the guy is remembering his girlfriend always despite the death he just can't let go.

Pitch Feedback

From presenting our pitch our teacher was very happy with idea and that it would be a strong storyline to play with in our video. And that there would be alot of footage which we could get from memories to present.

Therefore we will take our pitch presentation and research and develop our ideas to make sure it works.

The one strong thing in which our teacher said is that we should research techniques in final cut to see how we will represent the past and present.

Our Pitch for the song

Our favourite songs

After listening to the tracks we feel as if our favourite will be Rihanna 'Haunted'. We have chosen this as we think we could have a strong meaning behind the video and have a good storyline. Also we have strong ideas between the link of the lyrics to the visuals.

Our thoughts of our favourite  video so far are the following: The emotions will be quite sad/lonely with the colours being quite dark and dull so there will be a high contrast. The objects will relate with the lyrics as they will be old photos so the women looking through old memories and reminiscing. The locations would include her being in her room, isolating herself at college. The theme would include heartbreak and the thought of being replaced. And finally the techniques we would use would be: simplistic transitions to make sure its quite natural and the focus being on the lyrics, quite slow so not many cuts. And also not many cuts of the artist so the focus is on the meaning of the footage.

Our 2nd favourite song would be quite similar which is Adele 'love song' So the emotion is quite sad and based on love. The colours would quite pale and natural to reflect its a real life story. The objects would include a guitar when seeing the artist. The places would include in her house, on a park bench maybe in college too. The theme would be romance, happiness. The narrative would be based on a couple and their memories and lifes together. Again the techniques would include fewer transitions with slow cuts.

Our 3rd choice would be Cassie 'What do you want'. It would be quite an upbeat and happy song. So the colours would be bright to reflect the mood. Their wouldn't be many objects as we thought the basis would be on the artist. The place would be like a girls night out at a party or something similar. The theme would be girls sticking together and overpowering guys. For the techniques we think we would edit the colours to be as bright as possible with lots of action so fast cuts.

Goodwins Theory

How to analyse a music video...

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).