Drafting & Planning: Frame Footage

I have filmed some footage of my actress holding a photo frame with the photo of her and her boyfriend in. I really like these shots and have made sure I used a close up and a medium close up so that there is a range of shots used. These clips emphasize the broken relationship in my music video as in the image they are happy together but in the clip my actress looks quite mournful and sad about the break up. In the third clip I asked my actress to hold the frame to her heart and close her eyes and this further emphasizes the loss and sadness as she is holding it to her heart which was broken and her eyes are closed showing further sadness.

I will definitely use these clips in my music video as I feel they capture the sadness I am looking for and there is also a reason that can be seen to help understand why my actress is sad.

Organisation: Directing

Whilst filming some happy scenes of my actress I came up with the idea that it could be her boyfriend who was holding the camera and recording her in their happier times. This makes some scenes in my music video seem more personal and it makes the happy scenes more relevant and clearer as it will now be known why they are featured and who was recording metaphorically.

I love this idea because it makes much more sense than just recording my actress being happy whereas now there is a reason even if the boyfriend isn't shown in person in the video.
I have also attached some clips which I have filmed that feature my actress and these clips make it clear that her boyfriend was filming her as she is smiling and content in them all. The one clip featuring the church shows my actress looking at the church and this could have been filmed as a record of their adventures together.

Drafting & Planning: Filming Practice

I have done some more practice filming so that I make sure when my footage is filmed or reshot that I know what positions to use and how to position the camera so that a shot looks good. Here I filmed a cat near a photo frame of the couple who have broken up in my video just so that I could further develop my directing and filming skills and even though these are practices I think they look decent enough. I feel more confident about my filming now and feel that I know what shots look good and I will make sure throughout my music video I will have a range of angles as well as shot types. 

Organisation: Props

I have decided that I will not use any of the props that I have previously mentioned. I have decided to use other props instead such as a necklace, a photo frame, printed photos, a blanket and a microphone.
These props are all much more important than my old props of a flower crown and a flag. The necklace symbolizes my actress' relationship that she used to have before her break up with her boyfriend as it is a gift from him. The printed photos and photo frame also represent this as they are reminders of the happy past.
The blanket is there as a prop for my actress to lie on and the microphone is used for a lip syncing scene in my music video so both are equally as important.
I'm glad I am using new props instead of my old ones as they have a lot more relevance in my music video compared to the old ones which were used as they were similar to props used by Lana Del Rey (my chosen artist) in her music videos. Although it seems ideal to have some of Del Rey's style throughout my music video I felt like these props were poor and unnecessary and added nothing to the story in my video.

Drafting & Planning: Footage

I have filmed footage for the lyric, 'drunk and I am seeing stars' from 'Video Games' for my music video.
I filmed my actress with a birds eye view shot standing over her as this adds an extra shot type to my music video so that I have a wide range. This shot also fits with the lyric it will go with as my actress is lying down it may imply that she is disorientated from 'drinking' and confused and she is also looking straight up which fits with the 'stars' as it is like she is watching the stars or seeing them.
The natural outdoor lighting worked really well as it made my actress' eyes look glazed and glossy like she has been drinking but also made her eyes look sparkly like she has stars in her eyes.
This shot is very natural due to the lighting as well as the fact my actress just lay down which made her hair and clothing, etc, fall too which is natural and realistic which is what I want my music video to be like.
I also used a blanket as a prop as it was wet outside but this adds to the clip as it makes it seems like my actress wanted to lie down to see stars so she lay on a blanket.
I adore this footage so it will definitely be used in my final music video.

Research into Similar Products: Front and Back Album Cover

I have looked at Lana Del Rey's album front and back covers for Honeymoon. I decided to look at this album cover because I am using Del Rey as my artist for my music video so would like to have some resemblance of her within my digipak too. I love this digipak because it is so simple. The fonts are clear and bold and both 'Lana Del Rey' and 'Honeymoon' are both in different fonts which makes the cover unique and interesting to look at. The colours are also mainly red, blue and white which I like as they are simple but effective and tie in nicely together.The artist is featured on the front but she is looking away from the camera which I like because although she is not directly addressing her audience it makes an audience wonder why she is not looking into the camera.
The back cover of the digipak is different from the front as it has a different colour scheme (which I like although it does not make the digipak consistent) of pink but it still uses white. I like this back cover as it is simple and the track list is easy to read and is very pretty.

Drafting & Planning: Footage - Heaven Is A Place On Earth With You

I have filmed some footage of my actress holding up the lyric, 'Heaven is a place on earth with you' from the chorus of 'Video Games', written on large pieces of paper. I love this idea because it adds something unique to my music video rather than have my actress lip sync this line I have a range of ways for the lyrics to be shown to a viewer.
By putting all of these clips together in a fast sequence they will fit with the timing in the song and a viewer will be able to read them easily. This idea is very simple but effective as the lyric can be read and heard at the same time.
I'm really happy with this footage as the words came out quite clear on the paper and the wind blowing the paper and my actress' hair makes the clips seem more natural which is what I am aiming and it ties in with my whole naturalistic idea for my music video and my digipak, 'The Fall', so I will definitely use these clips in my final music video.

Drafting & Planning: Footage - Drama Studio

I recently filmed some footage for the lyric, 'singing in the old bars' in 'Video Games'. For this lyric I had my actress lip sync the line to see if it fits and some of it fits really well which has changed my opinion on lip syncing and I may now include this one line of lip sync in my music video. I made sure my actress looked serious about singing and made sure that she looked expressionless so that it fits with the clips in my music video where she is sad and lonely.
I used a blue spotlight to make sure that it looked like all eyes are on my actress and this also makes it look like my actress is singing on a stage because there are shadows created (the microphone) from the spotlight and the light is focused on just her. The cool blue spotlight also sets a tone of sadness and links with my idea of nature as it represents the cool colours of the natural world in woodlands, etc.
I also used a range of shot types such as medium close ups and close ups and also a sort of pan as I moved around my actress with the camera. The range of shot types make the clip more exciting and allow the scene/setting to feel more like an 'old bar' because it is clear that the spotlight is just focused on my actress from every angle.

Drafting & Planning: Digipak Photos

Whilst I was out filming my music video I decided to take some photos which could be used for my digipak. I took photos of the woodland area where I filmed as it shows consistency and binds my music video, digipak and advertisement together. I like these images because they reiterate the natural element throughout my music video and they link with my album name, 'The Fall'.
I particularly like the images of my actress standing in front of a tree and the surroundings are all dark black which is an effect I achieved by simply turning the flash of the camera on. I like these because the graffiti on the tree stands out and looks bright behind my actress and it may represent that there is some light in her life but a dull one. These images also just look really pretty because of the darkened background and bright graffiti so I may use one of these when I create my digipak.
I also love the image of my actress walking and the shot is a medium close up of her waist down as this keeps my actress' identity hidden almost like a mystery. I think that this image would fit really well on the back of my digipak and maybe on my advertisement.
I also made sure that my actress looked mournful in the images so that it fits with the sadness of the plot line (the break up) and the sadness throughout my music video.

Drafting & Planning: Edited Footage

I have edited the footage of the medium close up of my actress playing with her necklace and looking sad. I made sure that the effects I used made the setting of the clip seem darker and more dreary than it actually is so that it fits with the feelings of my actress. I also made the colours more cooler so that the river and the trees look more blue and green which is simple but effectively as it is raw and naturalistic. I'm happy with this edited footage and it adds something extra to my entire music video as it reflects the dark tone and unhappiness of my actress' breakup so I will use this in my music video.

Research into Similar Products / Organisation: CD Front Cover

I have looked at different pictures of Lana Del Rey which could potentially be used on the front of a CD cover. I looked closely at the way Del Rey is positioned and her facial expressions in different shots.
In many of the shots, Del Rey just has an expressionless face which could imply that there is an underlying meaning or that something is hidden. In three of the images below Del Rey has her hand placed somewhere on her face or in her hair which I think is really natural as it shows that maybe the wind had blown her hair out of proportion and she wanted to fix it. This makes the shot seem natural as it is a normal thing to do and doesn't look posed at all and fits with my idea of nature in my music video, digipak and advertisement.
My favourite shot is the second one as I think this shows the outside world of nature the most but also features the artist too except she is blurred which forces someone to look more at the nature of the trees in the background than the artist which I really like. The fact that the artist is blurred could also suggest that the contents of the album is important and has a deep meaning and that it should be focused on more than the artist. I also love the shadows in the image and it makes the image look dark even though it is bright outside which contrasts nicely. 

Drafting & Planning: Filming Medium Close Ups / Close Ups

I have filmed some more footage with my actress in the woodland area that we found. I filmed some medium close ups and a close up of my actress which all reveal different things.
The medium close ups of my actress playing with her necklace reveals that the necklace is one which her ex boyfriend gave her and it is a painful reminder of their relationship. I made sure that my actress looked sad and mournful about her broken relationship so that it fits in with my ideas and entire music video. The location also fits in with the medium close ups as it looks empty which is how my actress feels because of the break down in the relationship. Im really happy with these medium close ups and made sure I got a shot facing my actress straight on and one from the side so that I am able to have a range of shots in my music video so it does not look boring and dull. I will definitely use these shots in my final music video.
I am also really happy with the close up of my actress as it reveals her emotions of sadness about what is going on in her life and emphasizes the first two medium close ups and the emptiness in them.

Drafting & Planning: Filming Woodland Scenes

On the 27th November myself and my actress went to a hidden woodland area that we had found years ago that has a stream. This place is perfect for some scenes in my music video as its raw and natural and has natural lighting to emphasize the harsh reality of a break up. This one clip features my actress walking across the woodland and the camera pans from right to left so that she eventually comes into the shot. The emptiness of the shot except for her and the woods and the dark / natural colours emphasize her loneliness after her break up and reveal her sadness and how she has been left to wander by herself.
I am happy with this shot and will edit it and use it in my music video and it will be featured as part of the 'sad and emotional part' of my actress life after the break up.

                             

Organisation: Call List

I have made a call list for today so that all of the information and filming schedule is clear. My actress knows what to wear and where to be and what time which is perfect so everything will run smoothly. I also know what I need to bring such as pieces of paper with song lyrics written on so that filming will be successful as without these I will be unable to film some of my scenes.

Target Audience: Reponses to Edited Footage

I posted my edited footage of my actress' hand held spinning around clip on YouTube (which was talked about in a previous post) and am happy to see that everyone who responded gave positive feedback.
No one really said anything negative and no one said anything on how to improve so I am happy with the edited footage I have done. I will definitely use this footage in my music video as many people said it is 'nostalgic' and fits with my idea of my actress being happy in the past.

Target Audience / Organisation: Reponses to Footage

I asked my friend to comment on two or three of my YouTube videos as I had uploaded some footage I had filmed for my music video. My friend gave positive feedback and positive vibes which have inspired me and made me feel good about the footage I have filmed. She gave me some tips such as shooting some more scenes where my actress looks sadder about the break up between her and her boyfriend rather than focus solely on the past when she was happy.
I love the suggestion that my friend gave, that my actress' boyfriend is holding the camera and filming my actress through their daily experiences so I will aim to do just this and in some clips I will make sure it is clear that my actress is looking directly at the camera so that it feels like she is looking at her boyfriend which will show their deep connection before they broke up and maybe during the process of breaking up. I feel that using close ups during these clips I plan to do with help greatly in telling the story in my music video and my actress' emotions will be clear throughout.

Drafting & Planning: Footage

In my music video I wanted a close up of my actress spinning around but I wanted it to look like she was holding the camera so we both cooperated and she held the camera and spun around. I am really happy with this footage as it is my best yet. It is unique and quirky but also quite abstract and is something that would be seen and is seen in many of Lana Del Rey's music video's.

I also edited the footage on Movie Plus X6. I used the effect 'old film' and changed the colour to a light tint of pink / grey. By using the effect of 'old film' this clip has a nostalgic feel and also reflects the fact that my actress will be looking back on past times when she was happier. I love the scratches and splotches that come up as it gives it a really old fashioned feel. Im so happy with this footage and the edit I have done so I will definitely be using this in my final music video.

Organisation: Back of CD Cover

I have looked at some images of Lana Del Rey that I think would be suitable for the back of a CD cover. The way Del Rey is positioned in all of the images in what I am looking for as she looks melancholy or maybe dazed in some. I would like to see if my actress can pose for some images for the back of my CD cover with these images in mind.

The first image is ideal for a back cover as it could be cropped and the text could go around the side of the artist. The green colour scheme also fits with my idea of using the outdoors and my idea of nature featured within my whole music video project.
The second image is also good as it is quite sad and dark and looks like Del Rey is looking at something in deep thought. I like this idea and might try it with my actress. I think a facial expression like this could really set the mood for some of my CD and fits with my idea of my actress breaking up with her boyfriend.

The last image is my absolute favourite. It fits perfectly with my idea of outdoors and nature. I think I will use an image similar to this for the back of my CD cover as it ties in nicely with my themes. I think the close up is too much to feature on the front cover of a CD but will fit nicely on the back and this ties in with Del Rey's CD cover of 'Ultraviolence' where there is a close up of her on the back but a medium close up on the front.

Drafting & Planning / Organisation: Filming

My actress and I both went to Worcester on a day out on the 30th October. I decided to film some scenes for my music video. Some of the scenes are exactly what I wanted and some are made up on the spot but I am proud of them anyway.
All of my filming feature different shots such as close ups, medium close ups, long shot, etc. I think some of my shots are a bit shaky but I am going to use a stabilizer I have found so that they looked more smooth and sophisticated.
Most of the shots such as the swans and the church scenes will feature at the start of my music video as they fit with the beginning of 'Video Games' and how there is light music that fades away once Lana Del Rey begins singing.
I have reasons for using the costume I did and the location which have been explained in previous posts 1 & 2.
For some of the clips I have used a Cinematic Sound from You tube so that the dialogue from me isn't featured because it is quite loud in some of the shots.

Organisation: Photos

My actress has given me a few photos of her and her boyfriend so that I am able to use them in my music video. I have an idea that during the chorus of 'Video Games' when Del Rey sings, 'it's you it's you it's all for you' I will project these images on to my actress in a quick slideshow so that it emphasizes the sadness she is feeling over the lost relationship. These images will reflect happier times and will contrast the the dark mood, expressions and lighting in the scene in the drama studio. These photos will also emphasize the fact that everything my actress does in her life now is because of her partner so this will make a viewer feel sympathy for their broken relationship and for my actress' sadness.

Target Audience: Feedback

My Music Video Pitch from meganmailixo

I have pitched my music video idea to my class and they have given me some insightful feedback.
Practically everyone has said that my idea is good and that my choice of locations are good and fit with my idea and the tone of my music video. No one really criticized my ideas but some people said that I need to make sure that I use a wide range of shots throughout my music video so that they are not all the same and boring.
I am happy with my feedback as it has let me know that my idea isn't silly and that it can actually be something great.

Organisation: Costume / Colour Scheme

I have chosen a specific costume for my actress to wear. My actress is wearing a red/burgundy top with a flowery skirt that is mainly made up of Autumnal colours. She is also wearing black tights and plain black shoes. I love this outfit as it is really simple yet effective as it is pretty and fits with my locations as they are outside and many leaves etc also have the same colours as my actress' costume.
In the first image, the costume contrasts with the yellow leaves which I love as it makes my actress stand out and as my music video will have some dark lighting and a dark mood in some areas the colour of the costume here also reflects this and resembles the idea that my actress contrasts from a light, happy mood.
In the second image the leaves are the same colour as my actress' shirt and skirt. This is effective as it makes my actress seem natural as she fits in with the Autumn weather and colours. This is also coherent as the colour scheme is all tied together. This may show that the location and surroundings are natural and dark like my actress' character in my music video. This location fits very well with my video and costume and I am very pleased that I stumbled upon it.
The colours used in the two images will be used throughout my music video to create a bleak and Autumnal feel to my music video and these colours will also fit with effects and lighting that I will use.
These images have also been used in a previous post as they reveal my chosen location and why it was used.

Research into Similar Products / Drafting & Planning: Album Name

I have been looking at different artist's albums and the names they have chosen for them. Some of the ones I have looked at are:

• Paradise by Lana Del Rey
• Anywhere But Here by Mayday Parade
• I Forget Where We Were by Ben Howard
• Sing Into My Mouth by Iron and Wine
• Plans by Death Cab For Cutie

By looking at these I have noticed that album names often consist of one to four / five words. I have decided that I will use one to three words for my album name. I also looked further into Lana Del Rey's album names as they are often made up of one to three words. Her album names are:

• Born To Die
• Paradise
• Ultraviolence
• Honeymoon

These are all primarily made up of one word each except for one. This has narrowed my choice down and I will aim to use one or two words for my own album name. I referred back to a previous post where I created a track list for my digipak. As my music video will be quite dark and have a dark mood to it I looked closely at album names with a mysterious and dark undertone. I also looked closely at the idea of Autumn as the colours and location in my music video will be quite Autumnal. From all of this I have decided I will use the name: The Fall.
This is a very fitting album name as 'fall' implies many things such as falling over or falling far but 'The Fall' suggests a specific type of fall such as the fall of my actress into her sadness after her break up with her boyfriend. 'Fall' also fits with the idea of Autumn as it is another word for it and represents the season. 'The Fall' is so mysterious and fitting that I am so glad I thought of it and it also links with many of my track names. 

Organisation: Lighting

I have looked at different music videos such as Lana Del Rey's 'Ride', Tom Odell's 'I Know', Architects 'Heartburn' and Lana Del Rey's short film 'Tropico' as they all feature dark/bright lighting or natural lighting which is the type of lighting I want to use in my music video.

I want to use low key lighting in some scenes in my music video but I also want to use natural lighting and high key lighting. The low key lighting will represent darkness and bleakness in my actress' life as she struggles through a terrible break up with her boyfriend. It will also leave a viewer wondering as it will make my actress look mysterious and hidden at some points, forcing the viewer to think of why such a dark and negative light is used in presence of my actress.

I am also using natural lighting from the outdoors. Natural lighting fits with my idea of nature and the idea that my music video is set in fall which I have discussed in a previous post. Natural lighting allows a viewer to see my actress at her most natural and it's so raw and simple but extremely effective. I have already filmed some of my music video outdoors in natural lighting with my actress and the lighting outside was slightly dreary and dark as it had been raining but I was happy with the outcome and it is natural lighting but also fits with my idea of low key lighting.

I will be using some high key lighting in my music video as well. As I plan to film in the drama studio at my school some of my scenes will feature dark lighting but many will feature some high key lighting to silhouette my actress and to cast a bright light behind her in a close up shot which would allow the viewer to focus on her facial expressions and emotions. By using high key lighting I will also be able to cast shadows behind my actress, etc, which will create a mysterious effect and will add to the story in my music video as it is like she is being followed by her past.

 

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Research into Similar Products / Organisation: CD Inner Tray

The inner tray of a CD is not as important as the CD front and back cover but it is important in its own way. It is important that the inner tray has relevance to the rest of the CD layout and colour scheme so that it is not a random image place inside a CD case.
I looked at two images of Lana Del Rey which include flowers in the background. I feel that these two images would fit well inside a CD inner tray and with the right colours used this idea could fit well with my CD front and back cover. I love the idea of using flowers for my inner tray or even leaves to further link to the idea of the Season of Autumn within my music video and ancillary products.
I will experiment with this idea to see if it will work with my idea and then put the images into a CD inner tray layout to see if it fits well. I will only start to do this after I have decided what I would like on my CD front and back cover.

Organisation: Location

Originally, I wanted to film some parts of my music video in Stratford Upon Avon but recently had a change of heart when me and my actress visited Worcester for the day on October 30th. Worcester is a very pretty place and I think it is pleasing to walk around and see all the nice sights. I took some photos of areas that me and my actress walked around and filmed some clips for my music video in these places also.
The outside location is fitting to my music video as it fits with my story line and the lyrics of 'Video Games'. Much of the location is also quite natural which is what I was aiming for as I want my music video to feature quite a bit of nature and have natural elements throughout.
The Church is relevant to my music video as at the start of 'Video Games' there are church bells so I thought this would fit nicely. This Church also overlooks the River Severn and makes the scene look aesthetically pleasing.

Organisation: Location

I have decided to use the Drama Studio at my school for some of the scenes in my music video. I am hoping that by using the Drama Studio the shots will turn out clearer and fit with the style and dark theme of my music video. I think the Drama Studio has all the qualities I need for some of my scenes as one of my scenes will feature my female lead in a dark room full of stars which I will create. I aim to ask the Drama Teacher if I can use the Studio for my media after school one day and aim to have the scenes filmed in here completed by Mid November. 

Organisation: Filming

I have planned some dates so that I know when I will film and I have let my actress know so that she is also available.

Locations Involving Grassy Fields, Woodlands, etc:

I am filming some of these scenes in Worcester on the 30th October. Worcester is a beautiful place and as I will already be there I thought it would make it more unique if I filmed some of my music video there. My actress will also be coming with me.

Other scenes I need to shoot will be shot in the Lickey Hills just after October half term.

Tyre Swing Scene:

I will film this on a weekend in November. It is short and quick so will not take very long.

Town Scenes:

I am filming some scenes in a town / village center, specifically the town of Worcester on the 30th October.

Drama Studio Scenes:

I need to arrange a day where I can stay behind with my actress and film in the drama studio. I also need to find a time where I can get my other background actors involved in filming in the studio. I hope this will be complete by mid November.

Research into Similar Products: Record Company

I have decided to look at Lana Del Rey's record label so that I have an understanding of who they are. Del Rey's record company is Interscope records which is an American label based in California. It was founded in 1989 by Jimmy Lovine and Ted Field. One of their main distributors is Polydor Limited (who Del Rey also works with) and they distribute to the entirety of Europe. As well as Del Rey, Interscope records also work with artists such as Lady Gaga, Madonna and Eminem. 
By looking at this information I now know who Del Rey works with when creating her music and I have decided that this is the company who I will use and who will be featured on the back of my digipak CD cover and quite possibly at the bottom of my music magazine advertisement.

Organisation: Casting

The casting for my music video is very simple. I am using my friend, Paige as the protagonist in my video. I feel confident that my actress has a good sense of my music video and the way in which I would like it as she has seen the style of my chosen artiste and knows the type of videos she would create.

I am still deciding whether I will feature in my music video. I feel that if I do it may not fit with the lyrics of the song, 'Video Games'. Though I am undecided of this I will still film some footage for my video which features me as well as my actress so that I can view it and decide for definite whether I should be in my music video. 
I have taken some candid photos of my main protagonist, Paige so that I can get a sense of character for her and see how she looks in my prop of a flower crown.