Durham Filming

This is the shooting schedule for filming in Durham. This will take place on Monday 2nd Nov. 

I will be shooting the scenes of the train station in Durham Train station because it is completely accessible to use and it has a certain vintage feel to it with the brick buildings which will really emphasise the stereotypical tone of the locations that he is being put into.

As for The Library Res

traunt, the interior is extremely colourful and youthful which will look great on camera with conspicuous lighting in order to bring out the colours. I will also be colour enhancing the shots in the editing stage to really pull together the idea of this dream/alternate world that the girl is creating.

For the shopping scenes, I will be using the outside of BHS in Durham Prince Bishops. I think Prince bishops will be a really good place to film, especially BHS because it is placed at curve of the horse shoe, so it will create a nice framing for Ben.

I am hoping to be able to get into Freemans Quay swimming pool to film, however I have a feeling I wont be allowed in to film. Therefore my back up plan is to film from outside the windows where you can till see the swimming pool directly. This way I will just have to focus the attention on the rubber ring prop he has. This is the perfect place to film this as it is clearly a swimming pool which helps with the over the top nature of the video, and the windows are large enabling me to get Ben and the water in the frame perfectly.

Super Quick Update

I am no longer able to go to Blackpool to shoot the theme park, beach and Blackpool Tower scenes. To overcome this I will have to think of different locations to shoot in. I could also try to visit a beach, maybe South Shields, to shoot the beach and theme park scene. These scenes will now be filmed almost last as I must try to find a date where both me and Ben can attend.

Another problem: Ben now has to work on Tuesday, our day of shooting in Coxhoe. We will now be filming on Sunday instead.

Time to Storyboard

Today in lesson and probably the rest of the day, I will be doing my storyboard! It had taken a while to get up to this point because of how many shots I need to think about due to the fast pace of the song. 

The storyboard process for this project has been a lot harder than my AS project purely for the reason that this project has so many different shots that I need to plan. For my AS piece, a lot of the shots were long and slow to fit the tone of the piece which meant I had to think of less shots and did not have to take as much time on planning each shot. 

Finalised Idea

Music video complete idea from elleahmedia

In this power point I outline the the various aspects of the costumes, cast and colour scheme.
I have also outlined all the parts of the video, from start to finish so I can now go on to to do my storyboard.

More Test Footage

test three from Elleah Stanton on Vimeo.

As I talked about in my previous test footage post, I shot some videos of my mum carrying out the the same actions as my point of view video. I did this to test whether I want to shoot all the girl's parts in point of view or from an over the shoulder perspective. After looking at tests 1 and 2 against number 3, I have decided that I am going to shoot manily in over the shoulder perspective, but with a bit of point of view.
I have decided to do this because I will be able to shoot a range of different angles and shots so that I can reach a high level for range of shots used. This allows me to use close ups, pans, handheld, crane and medium, high and low shots.
I have alse chosen this way because I need to establish who the character is, which is something that I wouldnt be able to do from a POV perspective.

Props!

I've just bought these little guys! 

I'm going to be shooting some more test footage with these this week sometime. 

These are the perfect things to use because I can move them in pretty much every shape which means I can get them to look exactly like Ben does in the shots. 

Test Footage

I have created two videos of test footage. Both similar, the only thing I have changed is the shot of Ben.
I shot a quick shot of the girl making the backboards using a close up shot of the paper and the paintbrush. I decided to shoot this test footage in point of view. I will be using close ups to shoot the initial shots of the girl setting up her environment to create an intimate feeling with the audience allowing them to get an insight into her mind. The audience then feel as though they are in on her plan to put the boy wherever she wants.


test one from Elleah Stanton on Vimeo.

test two from Elleah Stanton on Vimeo.

I have also filmed shots of my mum doing the same things as these videos to test whether I want to shoot the scene of the girl in point of view or from an over the shoulder angle. I will be uploading these tomorrow.

Location Scouting- house/garden

This is the location I will be shooting the final scene of the couple together after she has placed a second mannequin next to the boy one.
I really like the innocence of the hedge behind and I think it will create a soft, cute image of the couple together. This is the look I am aiming for as pop music videos often contain very clichéd romantic scenarios even among the more comical ones. The hedge will surround the couple when I frame the shot properly, which will emphasise the idea of their relationship being strong and how they are in love, as if they are in their own bubble. This shot at the end will also soften any parts of the narrative that seem too serious or dark as it will provide a sweet, loving end to it. There is a risk that some parts of the video may look like the concept of the video is to show a relationship that is manipulative, but I am trying to avoid this by keeping it as comical as I can in the way the boy reacts and the over the top nature of the locations, props and costumes.

Call Sheets

shooting day one: 

Shooting day two:

Shooting day three:

-date not yet confirmed-

Props and Costume List

I also quickly wrote down a props list with all the things I could think of for each scene. To accompany this, I wrote a costume list of the different items of clothing I will need for the scenes. I decided that I am going to have the boy overtly change costumes in each scene to add to the idea that she can control him beyond all of his will and power. I also think that the typical costumes like a chef had and swimming trunks will add to the humorous nature of the video.

LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION

So, today on my very long drive back from Nottingham I decided I would start to map out the many different locations that I need to scout.
The list of locations I will be shooting at are:
Forest - Coxhoe Woods
School - Framwellgate School
Beach - Blackpool beach or Seaham
Theme park - Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Park - Coxhoe Kids Park
Restaurant - The Library Durham
Swimming Pool - Freeman's Quay Durham
Gym/Football pitch - Coxhoe Active Life Centre/ Coxhoe Football field
Shopping - Prince Bishops BHS Durham
Train station - Durham Train Station
Black Pool - BP Tower
Bus Stop - Anywhere
House - My House
Lounge/Bedroom - My House
Scenes with girl - My Bedroom
Scenes with plain background - Framwellgate School or My House

It may take some time to location scout all these places since there are so many. However this is not a problem for me because I know all of these places very well. I will be uploading a finished Shooting Schedule document tomorrow after I have sorted out all the dates of filming with my cast. The only solid date so far is Thursday 29th Oct, where me and Ben will be going to Blackpool and shooting three of the location scenes.

I have been able to take pictures of my bedroom where I will be shooting the bedroom scenes where the girl is setting up her mini mannequin and backboards. I chose this location not only because it is my room so it is very accessible, but the very colourful wall décor and the purple carpet look very stereotypical of a young girl of around 17 which is perfect for my narrative. I want the girl to look as playful and as innocent as possible so the bright colours and happy tones in this location will help my portray this.

 I also managed to take photos of the lounge I will use for scene L6. I chose this location, again not only because it is my living room and very accessible, but because it too has a very stereotypical vibe to it, with very neutral colours which are expected within a household/family TV room. On the dy of shooting  I will light the room with lamps to create a more cosy atmosphere to create a more appealing image for the teen target audience.

Permission to Use Shot of Pure Gold

Since changing my song I then had to email MAX's management again to ask for permission to use my new song. It is very unlikely that they will reply!

Things I Need to Consider

This post is about the general things that I need to do to get this project fully under way. 

-shoot and edit test footage of Ben and the girl with a doll, testing the different transition ideas 

-request permission for me to use the song I have changed to from MAX management 

-visit as many locations on my list as I can, photograph and upload to blog to finalise my location scouting

-upload my music video idea PowerPoint 

-create a post on theory and research and how they link into my idea 

-start and complete my storyboard

-fill out all production sheets including call sheets and shooting schedule 

-start a list of props I need and collect stereotypical props each location. Eg. Spatula for kitchen, bucket and spade for beach

-shoot location footage

-create the back boards

Variables I need to consider when shooting: 

-Ben is stood the same distance away from the camera frame in shot for all location footage

-find costumes for Ben to suit each of the locations, for example on the beach I need to find a typical beach costume or for the kitchen shot I need to find a chef hat, winter coat and scarf for the forest etc

-shoot all the location footage first so I can create the back boards for the footage of the girl and the maquette. 

-Ben needs to match the movements of the maquette to ensure continuity 

 

Annotating Lyrics

I have just finished annotating the lyrics to the song. 

I have noted down: 

- the different locations and which part of the song they will go with

- the timings of each section of the song to give me an idea of how long shots need to be 

- what will be happening during the shots of the girl and the shots of the boy 

I have also decided on a beginning and an ending to the video. To start, I will shoot the girl opening a box with maquette inside, setting up the lighting, drawing a smiley face on the doll and putting the doll against a plain background where she then moves it's arms or legs. I will then shoot along side this the videos of the boy moving in the same actions as the doll.  This sequence ends 0:31 seconds into the song. After this the girl will start to set up the backgrounds then transition into the different locations. 

As for the ending of the song I want the girl to put another maquette next to the boy maquette then cut to a shot of the couple being together and laughing.

 

Music Institutions

Music institutions are the companies who distribute, fund and produce music videos and own record labels. Some of these include EMI, Sony Music, Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. They each have their own record labels who manage the artists.

EMI - "EMI Music brings artists and fans together by driving action and creating value wherever music is experienced."

Artists on EMI labels include Katy Perry, The Beatles, 360, Angus & Julia Stone, 5 Seconds Of Summer, Sam Smith, Alison Wonderland, PEZ, Something For Kate, Bastille, Beck, The Kooks, Morrissey, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, George Michael, Neil Diamond, The Vamps, Empire Of The Sun, The Aston Shuffle, Arcade Fire, Ricki-Lee, Bob Evans.
-They seem to sign similar types of artists that will enter the mainstream music industry.
-Their artists were given to UMG after their closure.

Sony Music

Artists on their labels include Fifth Harmony, Bob Dylan, Bring Me The Horizon, Whitney Houston and Pentatonix.
-There is clearly no real pattern to the genre of music they produce and distribute. They have some massive name artists, however not as many as UMG.

Universal Music Group -

"We are UMG, the Universal Music Group.
We are the world’s leading music company.
In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship.
We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries."
-They seem to be the biggest music company in the world looking at the success of their named signed artists.

Warner Music Group - "WMG’s family of labels—including Atlantic Records Group, Warner Bros. Records Inc., and Parlophone—is among the most prominent and successful in the history of music, encompassing a global roster of acclaimed artists and an unparalleled catalog including many of the world's most popular and influential recordings."

-They are considered the third biggest music company in the world. Their record labels manage the likes of Ed Sheeran and Rudimental, artists who are very current and idolised.



For my media institution, I am going to use Warner Music Group. I have chosen them because they seem to sign the 'underdog' types of artists, giving people a chance who may not necessarily get one otherwise. I like this ideology. They also seem to have record labels that are extraordinary and daring, including Fueled By Ramen and Roadrunner Records and this is very appealing to me, so it will be for my target audience.

Conventions of a Pop Video

I decided that I needed to have a power point on the conventions of a pop video, considering all my original research was on rock/indie songs.

Conventions of pop music video from elleahmedia

Branding Change

In my post yesterday, I posted a trial album cover for my album. I have decided to steer away from the ideas I had then due to my change in tone and song. Those plans were quite dark, which do not match the new song that I have chosen which is very upbeat and light hearted.

NEW SONG!!

I decided to change my song!!
The song that I will now be using is called 'Shot of Pure Gold' by the same artist, MAX, from his same album 'Nothing Without Love'.

It has a much happier and playful tone to it which will allow me to use the idea of a girl putting a boy in loads of strange situations through the medium of a doll. The lyrics too still work with this idea as the song is very much about how he is taken in by the girls charm and love as if she is pulling him with strings. I will be posting a full view of the lyrics but for now, some of the lyrics that fit this idea are: 

"You got your hooks on me and it's harder to breathe" 

"I caught this live disease and I'm down on my knees"

"Got my heart beating out of control" 

"I'm in the position, want you to start the ignition, make the decision"

"If you let me"

These lyrics very much suggest that the girl has control of the boys life, but in a loving and fun way which will allow me to play around with a fun, almost spoofy music video.

I am now back on track with my ideas and hopefully will be able to start story boarding pretty soon! 

Here are the notes that brought me to this stage: 

Yesterday, to try and fit the darker elements to my previous song choice, I drew up some ideas of what I could do that would allow me to keep the idea of the doll: 

I am however not using this song anymore because of the dark tone to it. I want to create a light hearted, fun, amusing music video so I chose a much lighter song.

Branding

Album Cover - Nothing Without Love

I have just quickly made a trial album cover that outlines my idea. I want to photograph Ben as if he has strings on his arms like he is being controlled by a puppeteer and use this as the central image for my branding. I will organise a photo shoot next week to get this done then I can start developing proper branding material and move on to planning my video shoot.

I have also created a mood board for the design of my branding.

 
 
       Follow Elleah's board Puppeteer on Pinterest.

Initial Planning Evaluation - Exam

For this project my planning has been pretty successful. I started out researching indie/rock songs then created a mini music video for The Struts // Could Have Been Me, based off the things that I found in my research surrounding rock music video conventions. This is something that is different from my planning in AS.
 Last year, we didn't shoot a mini title sequence, we shot a series of narrative videos in order to get the gist of all the components of shooting a film. The first one was called The Prisoner, where we were given a scenario and a script and we had to film it. The second, heavily grounded in continuity, was called Haemetemesis where we were told we had to shoot a conversation between two people. Rhiann and myself decided to have a conversation between two world leaders discussing an outbreak of disease across the world. These two projects really helped us, through trial and error, to learn about camera techniques and how different shots work to create an effective piece.This meant  that when shooting my title sequence, it was the first time I had filmed one of that kind, and even though these projects had provided us with experience in filming, it was the first time we were going to stage a complete narrative that had to have perfect continuity and in the set up of a title sequence.
 However this year, the fact that I have already worked with a track and shot a video to accompany it gives me a lot more experience and confidence for when I shoot my final piece in the half term holidays. I already know how to plan with a song using storyboards and I know how to shoot to ensure that I get all the footage I need to fit the beats of the song. I know that I must break down every lyric of the song, and every few seconds of the song and match the shot to go with it.
Last years title sequence, however, was accompanied by a song which I had to edit the shots to. This gives me even further experience in the editing side of production as I had to make sure the shots were cut at the right time to fit the music. This is something that I will have to look at even more carefully in this project. The genre and artist I have chosen, MAX, has a heavy driving beat right the way through the song, which means that the editing has to be absolutely on point in order for the video to flow properly.Since the song is the driving force of the video, the editing must be slick and perfect in order to make it look professional. This is something I am confident that I will be able to do as I feel I am experienced enough with Premier Pro to know what I am doing. My preliminary music video was not editing properly when rendered. For some unknown reason, somewhere between me saving the video on Premier Pro and uploading it to Vimeo the music track had moved so the beats weren't at the same time as the cuts. For my final piece I will make sure that this doesn't happen by rendering, exporting and saving correctly.

As for the rest of the planning, I have done a lot of research into conventions of a indie/rock music video. After completing this work along with my preliminary task, I realised that I wanted to do a genre that gave me more scope for being a bit more light-hearted and fun. From this I then looked at Pop/ dance/hip hop music (genre's I have trouble differentiating between) and found artists that would allow me to be colourful and fun. At AS level, by this point I had a pretty steady idea of what my final piece would be. From the beginning of the project I knew I wanted to do quite a sinister title sequence and then I went on to shoot a title sequence about a film about a man who enjoys to murder women in his spare time, and this is where the planning stage differs from AS to A2.
In my lesson today, me and my teacher listened to the song and realised that my new idea of a girl with a doll and a boy ending up in random places in different costumes will not fit the slightly darker tone to my chosen song 'Puppeteer'. This song's message was quite seductive and dark. This means that I again have to alter the direction of my project, actually going back to my first ideas of a darker indie music video. Even though this song is not considered indie, the conventions that I learnt from my initial research will be useful to apply to 'Puppeteer' as it has a strong driving beat much like indie and rock songs. I will be able to take the conventions of a narrative and darker themes and challenge the conventions of pop music videos.

 This year I have had a lot of mind changes about the direction of my project. I am not calling this a negative fall from last year, but as evidence of me developing as a filmmaker and wanting to try out a range of different ideas. After changing my mind many times about my music video, it has allowed me to research into areas of media that I may not have done otherwise, such as conventions of rock music videos, music theory and the different between conventions of rock and conventions of pop/dance/hip hop and how they can be intertwined and twisted.

Audience Ideas

I have asked members of my target audience what kind of scenarios they enjoy watching in TV, Film or music video in order to collect some ideas about what the scenario of my music video could revolve around.
This way I can be positive that my music video will be directly targeting 16-20 year olds.
The most popular response was a love story between two lovable characters.
Some other answers included a death, a crime scene investigation and girl/teen drama.

I will focus my video upon a love story so that I can directly target my audience.

Requesting Permission

I have emailed MAX's management asking if I can use his song for my final piece.

Video Ideas

I could have a little girl playing with a doll and putting it in different costumes and situations then alongside this I will have Ben playing the doll and dressing up in the same costumes and being in the different places the girl puts him in, relating to the song title 'Puppeteer.
This idea has only just been developed and would mean that I would have to alter the look of my branding slightly.
I will still keep the bright colours and the central image, the only thing I will change will be what the image is. I want to take photos of Ben with strings attached to his arms like he is a puppet then digitally enhance them on photoshop.

Party Clips

PARTY CLIPS from Elleah Stanton on Vimeo.

Party Clips

 I have compiled together the videos I shot of a party this weekend, and put them alongside my music video song I have also added in some transitions and played around with the brightness and speed. This is only a text video, it was only made on Movie Maker as this is the only resource I have at home, I am going to edit a video at school with better software so that the cuts are on the beat of the song.

Survey Results

These are the results from the survey I did where I asked my target audience which colour scheme they preferred and found most appealing, The majority vote leans towards the the blue, cooler colour scheme. This is something I will keep in mind when designing my final print products. I will use cooler colours like purple and blue as opposed to warmer reds and oranges.

Single/Album Cover Development

I have started looking at album/single covers for my promotional packaging messing around on Photoshop. First I found a photograph of my artist with high resolution and a square shape so that it will fit the measurements for a typical album/single cover. I worked over the image using the paint tool to turn into a cartoon version, inspired by Jon Bellion's 'Woke the F*ck Up' cover.

From this, to suit one of the colour schemes from my magazine adverts, I played around with the hue setting for the image and turned it into green and blue tones.

 This follows from my research into branding, and my conclusion made that I would include the artist as the focal point of the imagery.

I then inserted the text from the magazine advert to make sure that my branding is carried through all of my promotional media.

My next step will be to start planning my music video! I need to write own a solid concept and work out how to incorporate these ideas into the video.