Feedback from Phil and Luke on our idea

We review our idea again with Phil and Luke and they have us pointers one what we could do. The pointers they have us were:

• The dancer element and the glowing spheres elements work, but they don't think the slow motion fun scene working well with those two elements. We need to find away to combined those two things together.
• Phil suggested we could do a tracking shot from set to set between the party scene to the lip sync
• The UV paintings might not work if we want to see the people in the scene as well
• It's similar to the oringal
• Scrap the first element of the narrative
• We showed them the footage of the test shoot and they told us to rehearse our main character so that they suit the role and are confident within themselves for the shoot 

With this feedback we will discuss as a group how we could solve the things that they brought up, we will also discuss the suggestions that they gave us as alternatives. For example when Phil was explaining the tracking shot between the to scenes he showed us this video as an example of how it could look and how it could be done.

Research into conventions of the Hip Hop genre

Cast, Costumes, Props, Set

In this lesson we listed out the different categories that we had to consider to properly start planning the content of the shoot.

Cast

For the characters we would have 2/3 different roles to be played. These are the options we could consider for these people

Main Role
- Ashen
- Hugo

This role is really important they are going to be the main actors selling the music video. Firstly and most importantly, they have to suit the part. Although we get a brief idea from who they are we need to test shoot them to properly. Ashen would be favourable over Hugo, this is becuase the vocals on the track has to be realistically suited to how the face looks. Ashen is mixed race so it suits him just a bit more. We wouldn't really be able to find out until we test shoot them as well. Secondly, they have to learn all the lyrics 50% faster and be committed to the project. We have to get someone who we know and trust to be able lend us a favour for this project.

Extras
-Ashen/Hugo (If not main)
-Alfie
-Frank
-Daisy
-Manu
-Max
-Ellie
-Chris
-Tori
-Xav
-Myles
-Jonty (drum pad)

We'd have about 9+ extras for the fourth element (slow mo, dance/chill sense). They would have to fill up the space, pretend to be having a bit of a party and a good time. Our criteria for them are that they need to be cool looking as well as older looking.

Student (optional)
- One of the extras

This character we have not yet decided on. They were the student in the first element in the class room, but we have not decided if this character is going to be removed and we would just used the main role for the first element.

Element 1- Living room

Props for Element 1:

• Empty bottles 
• Paper
• TV
• Glowing drink (potentially)

Costumes for Element 1:

• Very casual 
• streetware
• baggy clothing

Sets for Element 1:

• Turrets/Ewhurst living room
• Grimy and gross
• plain
• white and beige colouring
• couch

Element 2- Lip Sync (Singer)

Props for Element 2:

• TBD
• Weird and random

Costumes for Element 2:

• Fur coat 
• Street style- similar to first element 

Sets for Element 2:

• LED globes
• Swinging around his head, going off at different times

Element 3- Dancer

Props for Element 3:

• TBD/ NA

Costumes for Element 3:

• Normal Clothing

Sets for Element 2:

• A colourful back light
• A screen 

Element 4- Party/Chill

Props for Element 4:

• Weird/random- alternate reality
• Fake fish tank
• ornaments 
• plants- venus fly trap
• couch
• lounging stuff- chairs, tables, bean bags
• drinks
• paintings, art

Costumes for Element 4:

• funky glasses
• groovy outfits
• baggy clothing, big jumpers

Sets for Element 4:

• studio set with artwork all over the walls
• UV lights illuminating the art work

(all of the above was decided by the group in class)

Details & Logistics

This lesson we discussed the finer details of the project trying to form it in to something that we are all happy with. We discussed the four element quite a lot as well. It was decided that we would have people hanging out and dancing to the song. We thought about how we could cast these roles and debated on whether some of the AS' could be casted and we decided the kind of person we want aesthetically for that role. In addition to the cast it was decided we wanted the element to be in slow motion. We wanted this becuase it give the video more visually enticing elements in it that will make the process funner and would make the video more interesting to watch. The idea stemmed from the 'Special Affair' video

We discussed that to shoot this we would have to double the speed of the track when shooting it and then slow it down it post so that the lip sync is the same time, but the people in the background will be in slow motion. Becuase it's a rap there could be issues with the singer ability to lip sync the song at 50% the speed. I went on to logic and sped the track up 50 %. Whilst I was on Logic I also censored out all the 'n words' in the song. This is what it sound like if we decided to film the four element in slow motion:

Developing the idea into a treatment

The idea has really developed from since we got the feedback from Luke, firstly, we sat down together to look for songs that we could replace with The Prodigy song. We came up with a few ideas, but then narrowed it down to Kaytranada- Glowed Up which we thought if we changed the idea a little bit could really suit the idea.

After deciding that we tried to develop the idea more in general and change anything that we saw to fit with the track more. We decided to scrap the idea of outer space, but still keeping the idea of 'dreamy' and 'trippy'. We thought that replacing the space themed things we UV lights and neon glows would be more appropriate. For example, in the first element we have a lip sync of a boy walking though hanging sphere decorated like planets, now we have changed to glowing neon balls. We have started to make a treatment with short descriptions and picture to help envision how the different elements will look.

Polydor Records Talk

Two women from Polydor Records under the Universal Music Label came into discuss and educate us on their roles in the record company. They were video commissioners for the music videos that the label released. Their role was connecting the appropriate artist with the appropriate director. They then would send out the artists track to 5-10 different directors depending on the budget.If the director wants to work with the project, they would then create a treatment to send to the artist. The treatment is similar to a script in that it outlines all of the content that would be featured in the video. The director would include lots of photosets to show the kind of aesthetics and shots that they would have accompanied by minimal text. They also gave us examples different treatments and then showed us the video that was created. It helped me to grasp an idea of the layout and formatting and how we could make treatments for our ideas. 

In addition to the treatments they also discussed how a shoot would take place and the kinds of issues they encounter. They said that even most of the professional videos made are shot by a single camera, it decreases the amount of footage they have to filter through during post production. They also told us that unforeseen issues usually occur and it is really important to plan the shoot day well taking into account all the elements that could happen. This is becuase we have a limited amount of time to shoot it. it was suggested to make a shot list, story board, priority list and the structure of the day so that the shoot can run smoother. 

The examples of the treatments and music videos they showed us were:

Jax Jones- House Work

Dusky ft. Wiley - Sort It Out Sharon

Rosie Lowe - Woman

Pitching ideas to Luke

Here is an edited version put together of the feedback we received from Luke and Phil on our two ideas. The gap in the audio at around 7.34 separates the feedback from idea 1 to idea 2.

Feedback for idea #1

• The time lapse option of the guys on the sofa could take really long time to shoot for the amount of footage we would get out of it. 
• As well as that we could divide the shots. Firstly, time lapse all the people moving around the two guys with out them in the shot. Secondly, keep the camera in the same place, put the two guys in their position and then film their sequence. Then mask around it. 
• There isn't a clear message in our video and it is a little bit random, although that does fit with the song.
• Have a really solid idea for production and not rely on the edit to make the video good 
• Add more to the individual scenes and develop
• Dancing scene could look really cool
• The track is too dangerous for our videos plan
• The track will get taken down if uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo is an option.
• This would be easier to do if we changed the song.

Feedback for idea #2

• He suggested scrapping the idea of the music video within the music video and just shooting a music video in the style of the 50s
• This would include black and white, correct size framing and the 50s video definition
• He also said that it could be a pastiche style video
• Costume and props are very important 
• Phil suggested that we could use a modern indie song and then put that song in a 50s look

As a group we have collectively decided that idea #1 is the one we want to go forward with. We decided that we would have to change the song to something less popular that might not get taken down. We would also have to develop our ideas and get a clearer picture of what we would actually be shoot and the logistics of it.  Anna also found a few pictures on pinterest of things and ideas we could use to start brainstorming our treatment

Shortlist 2 Concepts for further development

Today we gathered for the first time as a group and combinded all our ideas

Here are all of the 11 of our song ideas that we have collectively as a group

1) Amerie- 1 Thing
2) The Drums- Money
3) George Maple- Call of the Wild 
4) Tame Impala- New Person, Same Old Mistakes
5) Bobby Darin- Dream Lover
6) Supergrass- Alright
7) Jay Z- Forever Young
8) The Prodigy- Out of Space
9) Stealer Wheel- Stuck in the Middle
10) Junior Prom- Stand!
11) Arctic Monkeys- Do I Wanna Know?

The songs that we decided to use are Dream Lover and Call of the Wild. This is becuase we believe that these are very two strong ideas individually. We also thought that Dream Lover would be a more risky idea and we could play it safe using by using Call of The Wild.

Dream Lover

The idea for this video would be a music video with another music video. It would people in modern day time shooting a fifties song music video. It starts with all the cast getting ready for a take with the ambiance of the  scene and then it begins with the clapper board and the music immediately goes. 

The first set would be a diner would have a metal table, the classic red chairs, a checkered floor and a bar serving milkshakes and coffee.

The second set would be the band and the singer.

The third idea would include a jukebox and tiled floors. Tt would feature a female dancer leaning on it and then dancing

At the end of the lesson, Alec and I thought that we might change the idea from Call of The Wild to Out Of Space by The Prodigy but becuase Anna and Alen were not in the lesson today, we decided against writing up either of the ideas just because we didn't want to commit to something without discussing it with other members of the group

Feedback from peers about my ideas

The Feedback

Idea #1- Tame Impala

I was told that all though they did like this video idea. It might not have enough content wise to fill in the whole of the 3 minutes whilst keeping it interesting. Phil thought that it would be a little bit dry the sequence with the boy. They also thought that the animation would be difficult for the amount of the time that it was actually going to fill in the end. 

What I take from this feedback session is that this idea should be rethought out a little bit. Although I do quite like the idea and think that its hard explain so that people can visualise, there could be more added to it. I tried to keep it simple but I do think that were could add more ideas to help hold the audience. If my group did decide to go ahead with this idea we would have to deicide on how we could improve upon this. Phil suggested it could be kept really simple but added effects to make it more visually interesting, for example:

Idea #2- 50s barbershop quartet, dancers 

Overall people thought that this video would be cool and unique as it would mix the modern and old styles together. For instance, the modern camera techniques mixed with vintage attire and old music. I was also told that casting may be an issue as we want the song to match with the visuals. It would be difficult to have a group of younger white boy singing a song that would usually be delivered by older black men. In addition to this with the band, the would also have to look a little bit more mature which would be difficult to convince to give up their time shooting for an entire day. 

For this idea I would have to change the song from the same style this would help making the casting easier for example a song where the voice could be fit on to one of the actors and it would be appropriate.

A better song maybe for this idea would be 'Dream Lover'- Bobby Darin

Idea #3- Teenagers running around having fun

Phil liked the idea of running around as it’s something interesting to watch at it also fills up duration. This idea is also quite generic, it features in quite a lot of male band pop videos. An example of this is 'What Make You Beautiful"- One Direction:

To improve upon the idea using the feedback what I was give would have to adding a little be more to the idea to hook the audience in a more. This could include featuring a bigger cast, for example a girl or love interest.

Lesson Reflection

6 September 2016

Today Luke came into to speak to use about our A2 Pop videos. He gave us examples of previous pop videos from Hutwood as well as used pop videos from the industry. He did this to help give guidelines on what kind of approach we should be taking to help develop or alter our ideas that we had to brainstorm over the holidays. The example he used was 'Breezeblocks' by Alt-J

I learned that on how I could expand on my ideas before I present, how some of the music videos in the industry are created and sold and also a bit about the logistics on how the shooting day will work. We also were told that we had to have a performance element included.

I’m going to go back and look over my ideas to see if my new knowledge can help to develop them more. For example, I could give more detail about location and what the camera is pointing at rather than talking about editing and camera movement.

Music Video Idea #3

Music Video

Song: Alright- Supergrass

Supergrass is a British rock band from Oxford. They were most popular in the 90’s with the Britpop era. Other artists like them were Oasis, Blur, The Verve. Supergrass was formed by brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes. 

The idea for this video is to stick to the fun feel of the song. This idea follows 4 members of a band. The scene starts off in the forest, the band can be running around having fun. The second setting could be a performance scene that could be set it the studio, of the band performing the song. Each individual member of the will get screen time of them playing the instruments (set in the studio) and without the instruments (in the forest). At then towards the end of the sequence, at the last chorus, they could be playing the instruments outside in the forest. An example of a shot we could use to do this is have a wide angle shot of all four of the members standing still in the forest, then cut it to another shot where the members are standing in the same place but with their instruments. The rest of the video just follows the band having fun.

This idea is pretty similar to the original music video for this song so it the idea coincides with the star image of the artist.

Campaign

For the third video I thought I'd keep quite a minimal look to match the kind of indie band that they would be. I again made another website to try to represent how the overall look of the band would be.

As well as the other indie band this band would also not be too reliant on their image to help them sell records would be marketing themselves mostly with talent and creativity in their music. Again the front and back cover would probably an image related to them but not of them. They would probably feature on the inside cover, holing their instruments as that is their main feature.