Casting

With regards to talent for my music video. The characters consist of one male and one female with the male being the most predominant character within the video.

Male:

Name: Andrew MacIver

Age: 20

Role: "Boyfriend"

The reason I chose Andrew to play this role is because I feel he fits the role well, he has distinctive features such as bold blue eyes and strong cheekbones which work in combination to create the stereotypical 'look' of a music artist.

Female:

Name: Holly Beaumont

Age: 18

Role: "Girlfriend"

Due to the fact that the female role isn't used on a regular basis I decided to use myself to play this role as it is a lot more convenient regarding filming as it can be done there and then as opposed to hiring another character and arranging meetings/ times to film. 

Despite the fact that the female character has a clearly less significant role in the video in comparison to the male, the video would not make sense without her so contributes to the effectiveness of portraying the narrative to the audience effectively.

Roles/ Staffing

Here is a list of the roles I am hoping to fulfill as an individual. I am having to take on a lot of roles entwined into one due to the fact that the budget for the video is simply non-existent so I have to make do with what I have.

Executive producer -

I have to ensure I am able to manage finance, the time schedule in which I hope to complete things and who I want to be involved in my video. All of this had to be decided before I was able to go any further into the filming of my video

Writer -

Writers are responsible for developing the script from the concept they initially have to the final product. This is an important role that i must take on to ensure the creation of my video runs smoothly.

Director -

I have creative control of the production with regards to directing the performance of both my talent and crew (me). 

Production manager - 

Keeps on top of the day to day coordination of production, including facilities, equipment and post-production.

Storyboard artist - 

Works with producer/ director to produce a storyboard. In my case I have to review it myself and ensure I am fully happy with it before I decide to go ahead and fully develop it. I also provide myself with enough flexibility to ensure that if I was to steer away from my initial storyboard, I would still have potential to make my video successful as long as I am clear on how intend to achieve this.

Camera operator - 

Working as a camera operator, I am responsible for creating effective cinematography within my video to make it fluent and portray the narrative to the audience effectively, also including elements of performance within it.

Editor - 

The editor is responsible for selecting the best material to assemble into the final film, whilst incorporating sound and special effects if required. In my case I will not have to focus massively on sound effects due to the fact that the promotional piece I am making is a music video, meaning the predominant use of sound is my chosen song. Also, regarding special effects, I will not have to consider this as a result of my video focusing predominantly on simplistic values as opposed to using special effects as I feel as though this will overwhelm the sentimental message I intend to create.

I also aim to use Andrew MacIver to fulfill one of the main roles in relation to securing a successful music video creation...

Actor -

Andrew MacIver will be acting as the main source of talent within my video, he will be used as a massive attribute in ensuring the message of my video is portrayed effectively through both narrative and performance. 

I will also be acting as a source of talent within my video to fulfill a less significant role, I chose to use myself as it is a lot more convenient for me to feature within it as opposed to going through the hassle to find someone else to play a minor role. This is able to happen due to the fact that the shots I will be featured in uses a steady camera as opposed to camera movement, so I am not required to operate the camera whilst filming, it can be left on a tripod to film for the few seconds I am required.

Risk Assessment

These grids show the evaluation of potential risks that may occur throughout the filming process. The reason these have been acknowledged is due to the fact that I am now aware of the controls that can be made in relation to them, and the measures that can be taken to prevent them. Despite the fact that some things cant be helped, devising a grid such as this makes it easier to avoid making valuable mistakes.

Programme used:
Microsoft PowerPoint

Colour Connotations

I devised a chart to show the main color theme used throughout my promotional music video, the chart shows the predominant connotations that each colour portrays. This is effective as it gives me something to focus the relevance of my mise en scene on with regards to where to locate props and the message that I am portraying to the audience and whether I want that message to be subliminal or very obvious.

Programmes used:
Microsoft Powerpoint

Inspiration - Cinematography & Editing

In my study periods I took the time to research further into cinematography / editing shots to gain an insight into the broader range of elements there are. I decided to use YouTube and search the different camera angles and came across a video portraying these in a way that I enjoyed, courtesty of an American YouTuber, Hairodynamic.

CINEMATOGRAPHY:



This video helps me look further than standard, conventional mid shots used predominantly in music videos. It helps me when I come to create my video in relation to the fact that I can use different angles to portray a message effectively, in more depth, simply by changing the way that the camera is positioned.

EDITING:



I found this particular video, created by Hannah Lowings, useful as it helped me define the types of editing that I intend to use. It also made me aware of the different techniques that can be used for creating effective editing sequences, these can be interpreted into my music video to help it appear more fluent. The

Despite the fact that my video is planned to be simplistic with regards to the editing I choose to include (straight cuts & fades), looking at YouTube videos such as this one gives me an insight into edits that are different. This is effective due to the fact that it is always helpful to have more knowledge on production as I am now able to try out the different edits used within the tutorial in an attempt to make my video look even better than I originally anticipated. 

Usually I prefer to stick to my own ideas however I am willing to give the different elements of production a try as I will never know what is best for my video if I am not prepared to experiment with it.

Social Media used:
Youtube

Costume & Mise en Scene

Mise En Scene & Locations from holbeau

With regards to my current storyboard, I created a SlideShare to bring my ideas to life in relation to both costume and mise en scene. This particular SlideShare presents the prominent locations that I have in mind when contemplating areas to shoot. It shows the different intentions I have for my music video in relation to where I would like it to be shot and what I want my actor to be wearing in the filming process at different locations:

Each slide is conducted showing different elements within my storyboard:

Slide 1:
The first slide shows a basic male outfit used for sleeping consisting of shorts and a simple t-shirt in combination with socks. The location for this is the bedroom as the majority of scenes that require this attire are based predominantly around waking up/ getting dressed so is an effective reflection of the beginning of the day.

Slide 2:
This slide is similar to the first in relation to the fact that it is based in the same location, however, the outfit is different as we can now establish a contrast between the two outfits. It began as simple, basic and particularly slobby which has now evolved to a smart, formal and even serious outfit; connoting the idea that the reason for wearing it is particularly serious. Or the events that are to occur may be of a sensitive nature.

Slide 3:
This shows an adaptation of the second outfit, showing a coat and shoes now added to it. This  suggests that the artist is now leaving to which we cut to another location to shows the increasing climax with regards to the narrative. The location remains the same due to the bedroom being a conventional place for dressing. 

Slide 4:

This shows the mode of transport to the desired location, within my storyboard there are on average 7 shots that include mise en scene of this sort. It reflects that the artist is going through a journey, not just physically but mentally too...and he is taking the audience with him.

Slide 5:
Slide 5 shows the location that is responsible for the bulk of the narrative. We are introduced to this location around 2/3's of the way into the video, it helps us conclude our own interpretation of the narrative as a result of its suggestive features. The outfit remains the same as seen previously, this is relevant as it consists of outdoor, black attire which fits both the narrative and context. The black outfit links with both the loss of a loved one that is connoted throughout the video, and the end events; suggesting the main character commits suicide.

Slide 6:
The content within slide six occurs after slide 3, it consists of smart attire as we have previously seen the main character dressing so leads on in a linear format. Flashbacks are used in the clips that include this mise en scene, to help the audience grasp an insight of the videos narrative. Mise en scene consists of a kitchen environment, and burnt toast. This reflects the start of a bad day for the main character and is accentuated further through the use of a flashback to give the narrative more bulk.

Slide 7:
This slide shows similar mise en scene to the previous, however, we see a posh meal included. This is contained within the flashback that is used to show the main actor and a loved one sharing a meal for some sort of celebration. The attire shown in slide 6 is used one again after this one as it shows his snap back to reality.

Slide 8:
The mise en scene and location are exactly the same in both this slide and the previous, this is due to it being the same circumstances. The only difference is that it shows the females outfit. A black dress and studded necklace. This is used to reritorate the initial message of death despite the fact that we see her alive in the present shot. It supports the initial connotations of loss and maintains this despite the context it is given in.

Each slide works in combination with the sequence of my storyboard as it shows the order that the locations change and what they change to. Making this SlideShare made it easier to portray my ideas regarding mise en scene to the audience. The change of outfits throughout the video are also shown in individual slides in combination with the location they are likely to appear in; making it easier for the audience to visualise this.

Costume List:
MALE:

• Black Shorts, Plain Grey T-Shirt & Socks 
• Black Trousers, White Shirt, Black Tie, Black Pullover & Socks
• Black Trousers, White Shirt, Black Tie, Black Pullover, Black Formal Shoes & Coat
• Jeans, T-Shirt, Coat & Trainers

FEMALE:

• Black Midi Dress & Studded Necklace
• Jeans, Boots, Ribbed Socks, T- shirt, Scarf & Leather Jacket.

Programme used:

Microsoft PowerPoint

(Google - for pictures)

Animatic / Timings Issue

Extra Shots from holbeau

This SlideShare includes shots which were not included in the original animatic. This was due to the timings being confused as I realised that I had missed these shots out after continuing with the storyboard so I must take this into consideration when creating my official promotional device. Altercations will have to be made to ensure the timings are not changed massively; allowing the video to run as smooth as it does in my animatic.

Technology used:
Scanner  
SlideShare (www.slideshare.net)