First Music Video/Final Cut Attempt

Here we have our first attempt at using Final Cut and the special effects unit in the software.

We tried to include as many of the 'Goodwin 7' rules as possible, in this video we have; close up shots of the artist/artists, narrative structure, concept parts, performance (lip syncing).

The special effects used are; split screen (multiple layered screens) and green screen - we didn't have to time to add the rest.

This video is successful as it gives us an idea and valuable experience in how to use the special features tabs on Final Cut effectively and how to use/set up things like green screen and split screen.

The problem we had was when adding some of the background in the green screen it didn't work 100% well as the curtain wasn't pulled tight and the colours that we were wearing clashed with the programme. The next thing was in the split screen on of the characters was cut out of the frame
(2 minutes 15 seconds) if I were to do this again it would need to be set up with more space between the three positions so that there was room to crop the frame.
The last issue was the lip syncing. This was mainly down to NOT learning the words. This is HUGELY important when lip syncing, sometimes it look really fake and obvious that I am not singing. Learn the words next time. Other than that I think it looked good. Some great experience before we even start thinking about our music videos.

There is also a video lesson we did using 'key frames' teaching the class how to do it. At the moment there is an issue with locating it, we are on the hunt at the moment. I will post it as soon as it is found.

Audience Feedback

After deciding on my song I then played it to the class to get some feedback on any ideas they think I could include.

STORYLINE - 

5/8 people asked had a similar idea, they could see a RELATIONSHIP involved in the storyline somewhere.

3/8 People saw one person on his own walking through different locations like a park and fields, telling the story of the song.

The majority of people thought that a relationship, showing two different people in the film, would work the best and this I have to agree with it. I want there to be two different characters and it links with the lyrics of the song.

HAPPY OR SAD THEME?

Every person asked said that they could see a positive side to the song and that they wanted to feel happy at the end of the video.

This is also how I saw it. The song is about helping people and being happy!

CONCEPT, PERFORMANCE OR NARRATIVE?

8/8 people said they wanted to see a narrative cross with performance. So shots of the male character singing but while the narrative evolves around him.

I decided that this would be a great idea but I would need to make the whole video like this and if I wanted to use anything like a reverse scene then it would make it really tricky to sync in Final Cut. It's possible but I would have to record it more than once and I don't have time to learn the song backwards as I will be going to America with the school at the end of October.

Past Students Work

This video is a concept. The idea is random and doesn't really show a narrative. It's really simple and explores the possibility of dance and movement to the beat. The editing is done to the beat.
There is use of rewinding to create an interesting look (at 1.27). I really like this and I would like to include it within my own work. 

There are no real experiments with camera angles apart from a few close ups (of the radio at the beginning and end). This is the same for mise en scene. The establishing shot of the man with the cup of tea is chosen appropriately. They have dressed the man in a smart shirt and trousers and he looks as if it is early morning and he's off to work in an office. 

The use of the car is a clever idea. Wherever you go it's in the shot at some point and it links nicely with each scene. 

If I want to use a car in my video I need to make sure it is not centered around the car, otherwise it is seen as an excuse to use a car. 

First ideas

 During the writing and recording process of the song there was one camera shot that I saw and  I thought would fit well.
It is a drive-by/tracking shot of a character on the side of a road stood outside an old type car. This will be in the chorus section that links to the lyrics 'waiting on the roadside for recovery'.

I looked at a few videos/music videos that use stop-motion and I have decided I would love to include some. I had the inspiration that I could turn a 'real' shot into a drawn one on a post it note or bit of paper.

I will post some of the videos in a later video.

Song Choice and Very First Ideas

I spent the past week sifting through song ideas. I really struggled and couldn't come up with any ideas and couldn't connect with any of the songs.

I decided to look at it form a different angle and start with an idea. I began with the idea of stop motion but for the deadline we have been given that would be impractical, so I decided that I wanted a fast-forwarded video of somebody writing the 'important' lyrics on an item, e.g a box or a post-it note. Although this is a relatively easy idea I need something to make it more interesting as it could become very boring very quickly.

My next idea was to have a storyline. A kind of boy meets girl type but again it just seemed a little stereotypical and could also get monotonous quickly. This means I need a completely new idea.

Taking inspiration from Mark Romanek I looked completely elsewhere and decided I wanted to merge ideas. Concept and narrative. I want to try and get drawings on post it notes and turn them into a giant picture by the end. This uses a small amount of stop motion (maybe in a chorus section) to create a lyric video feel and I want to also include a narrative.

I really struggled with song ideas. None of the lyrics seemed to be jumping out and stimulate ideas. So therefore I came upon the decision to write a song. This is the song...

Existing Music Videos

This is a perfect example of a 'one shot wonder' music video. It is a concept based idea filmed with only  a tracking shot and a clever use of green screen. 

The main theme of the video is about showing 2 conflicting stories. A positive and a negative. One of the artist 'Charlie Simpson' walking in the light with good things happening around him. Everything in the background is reflecting his mood and are like normal everyday things you might see. The version that seems like 'reality' is of the artist walking in the dark with everything that surrounds him going wrong, dead flowers, having a drink thrown in his face and a car broken down in the background.
As the song progresses the 'regret' that is sung about is represented by the video shot in the dark. 

There is a type of narrative in the story although it may not be completely clear. The video shows the artist picking up flowers, giving them to a female, and by the end he alone again. Maybe there is a break up or something similar. However there is clearly a wedding going on (2mins 20sec) this could be the reason for the dress code the artist is dressed in, also this could accent how he feels about the break up. 

Personally I really like this idea. I would like to experiment into factoring the idea of a scene within a scene into my own work. Although this would be great to do for the whole film I do not think this is physically possible for me to devise. 

Director Study

Mark Romanek -

I created an online presentation about my first chosen director

Here is the presentation...

Mark Romanek - Director Study on Prezi

NEW BLOG!

Welcome to my new BlogSpot. 


There is previous work on my old address so here is a link

http://productionsbypbn.blogspot.co.uk