Screen shots from my music video (inspiration for ancillary texts)

Second music video draft

 This is my second draft of my music video, however there are still blank spaces due to footage that I haven't yet shot. I'm filming more shots of Sadie tomorrow in a different outfit and trying to get a different range of shots such as long shots of her sitting on the floor.

During the first shooting with Sadie we projected different images and GIFs onto a back drop behind her as she lip synced to 'Vanessa', one of the ones we used is the album cover for Tame Impala who like Grimes, creates 'trippy' music. Their album cover for 'Innerspeaker' is designed by Leif Podhajsky who is an inspiration for my ancillary texts. The key theme in my video is mirrored images therefore I included a short clip of this scene at the end of my video.

In this second draft I aimed to continue the theme of having a range of girls as a convention of Grimes music videos are having several different female dancers around her such as in "Genesis" - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FH-q0I1fJY)

Ancillary text influences and inspiration

This is my first draft of my music video, there are lots of blank spaces due to footage that I haven't yet shot. I'm not entirely happy with this draft and have lots of changes that I wish to make for my second draft. The first change I'm going to change is having a wider range of shots as so far I have only used close up and medium long shots. I am going to start filming again on Tuesday with Sadie and I'm hoping to get some extreme close ups and long shots as well as a change of outfit as this is a convention of music videos.

Screenplay

Shot 1:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Tracking shot in towards Louisa in the photography studio

Shot 2:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Tracking shot in towards Lucy in the photography studio

Shot 3:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Kate doing subtle dance moves in the photography studio

Shot 4:
CLOSE UP
Sadie begins to lip sync to the song in the photography studio

Shot 5:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing in the photography studio

Shot 6:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Louisa staring blankly at the camera in the photography studio

Shot 7:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Lucy staring blankly at the camera in the photography studio

Shot 8:
MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Sadie lip syncing in the photography studio

Shot 9:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Kate dancing in the photography studio

Shot 10:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing with a kaleidoscope projecting on to her from the theater projector.

Shot 11:
MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Mirror image of Louisa dancing so it appears there are two of her

Shot 12:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Lucy in the theater with a projected image of a field of daisy's on her

Shot 13:
MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Sadie in the theater with a moving kaleidoscope projected onto her as she lip syncs and subtly dances in time to the song

Shot 14:
CLOSE UP
Blurred shot of Sadie subtly dances to the song as she stares blankly at the camera in the photography studio.

Shot 15:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing in front of the kaleidoscope in the theater

Shot 16:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Louisa staring blankly at the camera

Shot 17:
MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Lucy staring at the camera in the theater with a projection of a field of daisies on her

Shot 18:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Louisa staring blankly into the camera in the photography studio

Shot 20:
CLOSE UP
Blurred image of Kate bobbing her head in time to the track

Shot 21:
CLOSE UP
Blurred B&W image of Kate bobbing her head in time to the track

Shot 22:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing in the photography studio

Shot 23:
CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing in the photography studio

Shot 24:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing in the photography studio

Shot 25:
CLOSE UP
Blurred image of Sadie dancing

Shot 26:
MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Sadie dancing with a kaleidoscope image projected on to her as she lip syncs

Shot 27:MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Louisa staring blankly into the camera in the photography studio

Shot 28:MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Lucy staring blankly into the camera in the photography studio

Shot 29:CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing in the photography studio

Shot 30:MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Kate dancing in the photography studio

Shot 31:CLOSE UP
Blurred image of Sadie lip syncing

Shot 32:MEDIUM CLOSE UP
B&W image of Lucy subtly dancing

Shot 33:CLOSE UP
Louisa staring blankly as a light flashes up on her face

Shot 34:MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Sadie in the photography studio dancing and lip syncing

Shot 35:MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Louisa doing subtle dance hand movements

Shot 36:MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Lucy dancing in front of the theater projector with daisies

Shot 37:MEDIUM CLOSE UP
B&W mirror image of Louisa dancing so it appears there are two of her

Shot 38:CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing in the photography studio

Shot 39:
MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Louisa stood in front of the theater projector with a field of flowers project on her

Shot 40:MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Sadie lip syncing in the photography studio

Shot 41:MEDIUM CLOSE UP
Blurred image of Kate bobbing her head in the photography studio

Shot 42:BLANK BLACK SCREEN

Shot 43:MEDIUM LONG SHOT
Sadie in the theater with a moving kaleidoscope projected on to her

Shot 44:CLOSE UP
Sadie lip syncing as the lights begin fading on her in the photography studio

Health and Safety

As my two locations that I am shooting in are both indoors in studios and theaters there won't be many health and safety implications, such as there would be if I were to be filming outside where there are potential safety hazards. However, as I am using lights in the studios and a projector there is a potential danger of falling equipment. To ensure that this doesn't happen I will make sure that all equipment is secured and not loose. The chances of this happening are very low anyway.

Storyboard

Theater scene

This is the kaleidoscope I am using to project onto a screen which Sadie will be stood in front of..

Animatic

Here is my Animatic that I made by making illustrations of the music video and then putting them into a sequence alongside the music on Windows Movie Maker. Some of the timings towards the end are a little off due to the program I used not been very accurate. However for my final piece I shall be using Adobe Premiere which will be more accurate.

Locations

Location 1:For my first location I am using a photography studio with bright lighting and a plain white background, this is a convention of Grimes music videos and takes inspiration from the clothes shop 'American Apparel'. The back drops in her music videos often have a purple tinge to them, therefore I shall be editing my footage using adobe premiere to give my video this effect too. 

Location 2:For my second location I am going to book out the theater and project an animation of a kaleidoscope that I have found on YouTube over Sadie performing and lip syncing to Grimes. The image of a trippy/psychedelic kaleidoscope is another convention of Grimes.

Props and Costumes w/ Photos

Sadie Bryant:Makeup:
- Glitter underneath eyes
- Black eyeliner

Outfit:
- Cream embroidered midi dress with flowers
- Navy tights
- Black brogues

Costume 2...
Makeup:
- Glitter underneath eyes
- Black eyeliner

Outfit:
- Pastel blue cardigan
- Peach lace dress
- White tights
- Black T shoes

Louisa Robinson:
Makeup:- Winged black eyeliner

Outfit:
- Cream crochet daisy dress with flute sleeves
- Black tights

Lucy Cullingworth:
Makeup:
- Black eyeliner

Outfit:
- Black peter pan collared skater dress


Kate Hannah:
Makeup:
- Winged black eyeliner
- Henna (on hand)

Outfit:
- Blue buttoned shirt
- Black Skinny jeans
- Black tassled brogues


Bryony Johnson:
Makeup:
- Winged black eyeliner

Outfit:
- Cream lace collared sheer tee
- Black leggings
- Black moccassins

Schedule

Filming Schedule//
Tuesday 22nd November - (Studio) Louisa, "Tracking shot". 11.30am - 12.40am
Wednesday 21st November - (Theater) Sadie "Kaleidoscope scene". 4pm - 6pm
Thursday 23rd November - (Studio) Lucy, "Tracking shot". 10.20am - 11.30am
Monday 26th November - (Studio) Sadie
Tuesday 4th December - (Studio) Bryony "Dancing". 10.20am - 11.30am
Wednesday 5th December - (Studio) Kate "Dancing". 2.50 - 4.00

Editing Schedule//
Friday 24th Novemeber - 9.00am - 10.20am
Tuesday December 4th  - 4th period
Wednesday December 5th - 1st period
Thursday December 6th - 3rd period
Friday December 7th - 5th period

Location booking

I went to see Andy Feetom who is in charge of the student theater to book it out for use for my music video. The theater is the perfect location for some scenes of my video due to the projector and lighting that I want to use. I managed to book out it from 4pm until 6pm on Wednesday 21st November. Sadie has a study period she is willing to dedicate to hair and makeup from 2.50 until 4.00, we then will begin filming. In preparation I have booked out a camera in advance for this date.

I have emailed Kate Foster, who is head of photography at my college, regarding using a studio for my music video. This is due to the lighting and plain white backdrop I want for my video.

Cast Availability

Sadie Bryant:
Free Periods..

-Tuesday 3rd
-Wednesday 5th
-Thursday 2nd

Louisa Robinson:
Free Periods..
-Tuesday 3rd
-Wednesday Lunch Time
-Thursday 2nd

Lucy Cullingworth:Free Periods..
-Monday 2nd, 3rd and 4th
-Thursday 2nd and 3rd

Kate Hannah:
Free Periods..
-Monday 3rd, 4th and 5th
-Tuesday 2nd and 4th
-Friday 5th

Bryony Johnson:
Free Periods..
- Tuesday 2nd
- Thursday 3rd

Cast w/photos

Louisa Robinson

When I began planning my music video and choosing an artist and demographic to aim at I created a poll with a range of different questions designed to find out who my audience was and the sort of music they enjoyed listening to and what different types of videos they found most appealing. I quickly discovered that 81% of my audience are females and that 100% of them are aged 16-19. Louisa is a 17 year old female and therefore already fits the description of someone who would watch my music video. This makes Louisa relatable to my audience which is key to engaging them. A second reason I chose Louisa to be in my video is her feminine look and resemblance to an American Apparel model similarly to the girls featured in Grimes current music videos. Louisa attends my college and lives only 15 minutes away from me meaning that finding a time where we can both shoot is easier than it would be if we were to live far away. Due to Louisa's 60's style bob I lent her my white crochet, bell bottom sleeved dress to wear in the video, it's feminine meaning she fits the convention of femininity in Grimes videos.


Lucy Cullingworth

I asked Lucy to be in my music video due to her feminine look which coincides with the ideology of Grimes. Similarly to Louisa she is aged 18 and therefore fits the audience demographic. Although Lucy lives quite far away from college she is in my film studies class and also my best friend meaning finding a time slot where she can help me shoot the video is relatively easy. I asked Lucy to wear her black peter pan collared dress, it features a white crochet collar and therefore links to the outfit that Louisa is wearing. 

Sadie Bryant

I asked Sadie to be the main performer in my music video due to her overall image, when I showed pictures of potential people who would fit the role of Grimes, Sadie was the one everyone said fits the role. As Sadie is also a Grimes fan it meant that I didn't have to ask her to remember all the lyrics for lip syncing as she already knew them and the task of lip syncing repeatedly whilst I experimented from different angles wasn't as laborious  for her. Similarly to Lucy and Louisa I didn't have to buy any outfits as her current wardrobe already fits the look I was trying to convey in the video. I asked her to wear anything pastel colored  glittery, lace or chiffon as these are the types of clothing I associate with this type of 'otherworldly synthpop' music that Grimes creates. One of the main conventions within a music video is to see the main artist in a range of different outfits, therefore Sadie brought 3 different outfits, one for each time we filmed. As Sadie is a friend of mine and willing to take part in my coursework finding mutual times to shoot was easier. She kindly agreed to stay behind one night after college to begin shooting in the theater and arranged for her mum to pick her up as she lives far away from college.

Kate Hannah
I asked Kate to be in my video due to her look which I really think coincides with the ideology of Grimes. Kate also takes Media at A-level and therefore understands how difficult it can be to get people to cooperate with regards to filming and consequently went out of her way to help me when picking times to film and agreeing to everything I asked her to do. I didn't ask Kate to wear anything in particular as her image is similar to Grimes.







Bryony Johnson
I mentioned to Sadie that I needed someone for the dancing parts of my video, however I didn't know anybody who does the type of dancing I wanted. Sadie suggested asking Bryony who also goes to the college as she takes dance at A-Level. I asked Bryony and she was willing to help me, a bonus is the fact that she looks the part and is also a Grimes fan. I gave her an idea of what clothing to wear and she brought a lace peter pan collared tee similar to Lucy and Louisa's dresses therefore she fits perfectly into the video. 

My Audience

Through research and the poll on my blog I have discovered that my audience are largely female. They enjoy  the alternative music scene, listening to grunge, indie and alternative pop. They are young, aged between 16-19.

Gender..
Male: 18%
Female: 81%

Age..
12 - 15: 0%
16 - 19: 100%
20 - 24: 0%
25 and over: 0%

Where they live..
Hull: 36%
East Yorkshire: 54%
North Lincolnshire: 9%
Out of area: 0%

Social Class..
A: 9%
B: 54%
C1: 27%
C2: 9%
D: 0%
E: 0%

Favourite Music genre..
Indie: 54%
Alternative: 81%
Pop: 9%
RnB: 0%
Rock/Grunge: 54%
Classical: 0%
House: 0%
Dance: 0%

Favourite form of music video..
Performance: 45%
Abstract: 72%
Narrative: 9%
Animated: 9%

Brands associated..
American Apparel

Models Own















Urban Outfitters

Deconstruction and Reconstruction of a Media Text Evaluation

For our reconstruction of a media text we chose the music video for 'Countdown' by Beyonce. In a group of five we started planning the filming and editing schedule and allocating different roles within the group. Laken seemed most confident and suited for the role of Beyonce therefore she volunteered herself, so once we had chosen our performer we distributed the other roles such as camera operator, editor and director. I took the role of camera operator. Laken and I discovered we have a study period together on a Monday therefore we planned to meet up then and begin filming. We planned to have three filming sessions and four editing sessions, this was due to the high amount of edits within the original music video. However once we started filming we quickly discovered we needed more time for filming and therefore sacrificed a editing session for more filming. This was the right decision as we finished a day early of the deadline.

Before we started to film the music video we sat down and discussed suitable locations. In the original video Beyonce is in front of a bright white background such as a studio, therefore we planned to shoot our video in the photography studio in college. Unfortunately we didn't realise we had to book this and therefore on the day ended up using a white wall in a corridor which later in editing we put an effect over to brighten. I however think the corridor wall was a success.

The second location was the colleges "Green Room", this was so we could easily add on the desired pattern
featured in the original music video. We found a stripy image for the backdrop on Google Images and then used the Chroma key to place the image behind the footage of Laken dancing. On the same scene we had to speed up the pace of the footage to make Laken's hands tick like a clocks hands, just like Beyonce's. Although I found learning how to use the green room and chroma key very useful, I don't think I would use it in my own music video due to the 'fuzzyness' surrounding Laken in the final reconstruction. In editing we discovered that this was a result of not using the correct lighting in the green room, the subject requires 3 point lighting which we didn't use.

Using the same white back drop we shot footage of Laken doing dance hand movements and then used layers upon layers on Adobe Premiere to place multiple shots of Laken in the same scene. This took quite a while to figure out, however the end product looked great and although flashed up for only 1second was worth it. The skill of layering footage that I learned in this reconstruction is something I will use in my own music video. The fast paced rhythm of the song required us to speed up several scenes that we used in the final piece.

Genre Conventions Essay

Grimes is of the Alternative/Indie Pop genre, through research of her existing music videos I have discovered that one of the conventions of that genre is lip syncing  along to the song, therefore the form of the music video has aspects of performance to it. As well as the artist performing, all Grimes videos include backing dancers, however these dancers aren't stereotypical they just subtly dance or stand behind the main protagonist (the artist). The videos don't have a narrative to them and are instead more of a montage of shots featuring the artist lip syncing and dancers. Transitions between shots are quick cuts, this seems to be a key convention within the genre. Dissolves are not primarily used. Therefore the video syncs with the fast paced cuts in the songs of the genre. Specials effects are used on top of the clips such as mirroring of the clip using a split screen and also kaleidoscope imagery is used. This adds a surreal and psychedelic feel to the music video, this is a convention of the Indie Dream Pop genre. It appears that within the genre one of the conventions of editing is using the blur tool and black&white tool to several of the clips to create a surreal and dreamy aspect to the music video. The blur tool also adds a touch of feminine softness to the video. There are a lot of uses of medium close ups to show both the artist and the others in the video lip syncing along to the song. Long shots are used to show a group of people dancing and mainly always the artist is in the center lip syncing to the song and dancing. The colors used in the genre music videos are feminine pastel colors  such as light pink, light blue, purple, glittery navy's and gold. These again add to the feel of a dreamy world which the genre is trying to convey.The outfits worn by the artist and actresses are feminine American Apparel style dresses and jumpers, a lot of them with added glitter and sequins, again this links in with the dream theme. The lighting in the opening to 'Oblivion' is very bright and well lit like most of the shots in 'Vanessa', however others are darkly lit due to been shot in a sport stadium and takeaway etc. In 'Vanessa' very bright lighting is used which gives a surreal edge to the video.

Synopsis

The camera cuts to the music in time to five different girls individually lip syncing along to Vanessa in a photography studio, whilst singing they do various different small and subtle dance moves. Repetition of the same shot will be used to coincide with the repetition of the song. Kaleidoscope imagery is then used to give a psychedelic feel to the track. Split screens will be used to appear dream like and abstract. The song will fade out to a girl dancing still with a plain all white background.

Visual imagery from lyrics

"My heart is here right after me" - Use of the word heart creates visual imagery of feminine colors which is often associated with the heart such as pink and red.


"Hey hey wanna play 'cos baby I could go go" - The connotations of this are playful, therefore a close up of the performer would be ideal.

"Waiting in the rain" - Visual images of rain

"Everyday you're running off the phone" - Visual images of a phone
"Everyday (x4) every day day dead day dead day" - Repetition allows for cutting to the music and repetition of the same shot

Lyrics

These are the lyrics for my chosen song 'Vanessa' by Grimes

Oh I've been waiting, definitely

and my heart is here right after me

and my heart, waiting in the rain (x2)

And my heart, it is in with the storm

And my heart, heart, heart

(heart, heart, heart)

hey hey wanna play well baby i can go go

and every other day you're running off the phone, no.

well baby I would call you if I didn't know you but I'm waiting (paying?) for it. (x2)

Oh oh, oh oh, huh uhh, hah uhh.

well baby I would call if I didn't know you but I'm waiting for it.

My heart, oh

and I don't care what you say

but it's the way it goes and it's a happening everyday (like e-very-day)

My heart, oh

And I don't care what you say

But it's the way it goes and It's happening everyday.

Everyday (x4) every day day dead day dead day

Everyday day dead day 

everyday dead day dead day

hey hey wanna play well baby i can go go

and every other day you're running off the phone, no.

well baby I would call you if I didn't know you but I'm waiting (paying?) for it. (x4)

Oh oh, oh oh, huh uhh, hah uhh.

well baby I would call if I didn't know you but I'm waiting for it.

Ahhhhh oooohhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhhhhhh ahhhh ahhhhh oooohh ahhhhhh

Production Plan

Costume & Props
- Turtle Neck
- Black Leggings
- White Socks
- Black Shoes
- Black Skirt
- Black Vest Top
- Green Eye Shadow
- Highlighter
- Black Eyeliner

Location
Ash photography studio
Oak Green Room

Filming Schedule
Monday 1st October (2nd period) - Laken & Yasmin
Tuesday 2nd October (4th period) - Everyone
Wednesday 3rd October (1st period) - Everyone

Editing ScheduleThursday 4th October (3rd period) - Everyone
Friday 5th October (5th period) - Everyone
Monday 8th October (2nd period) - Laken & Yasmin
Tuesday 9th October (4th period) - Everyone

DEADLINE: Wednesday 10th October

Deconstruction & Reconstruction of a Media Text

Names:
Paige Jones - (Producer)
Natasha Majero - (Director)
Laken Baldwin - (Editor & Cast)
Yasmin Burhan (Camera)
Rachel Escritt (Editor)

Title of Media Text:
Countdown - Beyonce

Evaluation Essay

Before I started the media course in 2011 I didn’t know how to use Photoshop to edit photos that could be used on a magazine cover. The photos have to be airbrushed to make the subject look flawless as people aspire to be them as they’re famous or successful hence been on a magazine cover. By the end of the course I had developed the required skills to Photoshop a  photograph to look old as well as the girl look like she has an even and desired skin tone. The photo needed to have an ‘old’ effect placed on it as the magazine was about icons and inspirations and therefore I wanted it to look like the girl on the cover was from the 60’s or 90’s for a grunge/rock effect.  Another digital skill I acquired through the course was how to create and design a digital contents, cover and double page spread worthy of a music magazine such as NME. Using publisher and Photoshop I played around with different effects, fonts and colours to try and make a realistic NME-esque magazine. Using Photoshop I edited the picture for my final front cover. Using the blur tool I blurred the edges around the girl so that she stood out against the background and used levels to create a glow around her, this connotes that she's an Icon and all the focus is on her literally as this edition is about her. Using Photoshop I turned the image 'black and white' this gives the image more of a look of importance.

In order to fully engage with the coursework I had to learn to be creative, this was mainly done through use of colour schemes and layout. Through my research of existing magazines I discovered that they mainly use a colour schemes; such as NME who primarily use black, white and red on their covers. I opted to choose a colour scheme of black and white with lashings of colour from the photos and thumbnails. The reason behind this was to give it a rock ‘n’ roll and grunge appeal to it. I developed the skill of choosing appropriate colour schemes throughout the media course as I realised they needed more thought behind them. The media course also meant that I had to be in tact with my creative side for taking photographs that coincide with the ideology of the magazine. I therefore featured a girl smoking on the front cover as the connotation of smoking is ‘cool’.

To better get an idea of how music magazines operate, and to gain some inspiration, I had to research. I started off by researching NME as I wanted my magazine to be similar to this as I knew I wanted the same sort of audience and artists. Through this I recognised that NME have all the features from the issue listed along the side of the cover however they use one main image for the biggest feature of the issue. Therefore I decided to use the same layout for my front cover. I used one large image of a girl and then down the side I used a few thumbnail images and then had a list of the ‘plus’s’ of the magazine. I also took inspiration from NME’s contents page using the same layout with thumbnail images. Prior to making the contents page and cover I had to plan, therefore I made digital drafts using Publisher. When I eventually made the contents page I just deleted the photos and added mine that I had taken previously. Before I started the music magazine part of the coursework I had to draft a college magazine, it is very different from my final music magazine product as I yet hadn’t developed the skills to make a realistic one. However on the college magazine I still used a similar layout of having all the articles featured listed along the bottom, I think this is because it’s a typical magazine layout and it’s a convention of the music genre. Use of researching helped this though. My college magazine used the colours purple and white as they’re neutral and therefore can be used by both male and female that attends the college.

Influential Media Texts Response Videos

Influential Media Texts And Questions

1) What music video do you envisage when you listen to this track?





2) Which outfit style do you think fits the track


 

3) Which colour theme do you prefer?

 Feminine contrasts -

 Mix and Match -

Simple and classic - 

Bright - 

4) Which Kaleidoscope image would you say fits the track better?

5) Which of these 'Lime Crime' Make up looks would look best for a Grimes music video and for the genre?

1

2

3

4

5

6