After finalising our shot list we put our skills to use and created a small test shoot, showcasing a variety of shots and angles giving the music video look.

What went well:

• We have managed to include a variety of different angles and compositions, to show diversity.
• throughout the post production we edited the clips together so that it cut on the beat or the lyric, this allows the video to incorporate variation and cuts smoothly at the right time.
• All shots are steady and in focus which shows professionalism.

Even better if:

• We should have included a wider range of shots so that our video doesn’t look repetitive and boring.
• Have our artist/actor know the lyrics so that it flows well and does not look cheap, furthermore if they could sing the song instead of miming it. this would make it more realistic
• Upload footage straight away, we only had 10 seconds of footage as we timed it wrong, therefore we went out to film on another day, which then was wiped of the camera as we didn’t upload in time.

From this task I can take away the knowledge I have gained using the camera, and remember to upload footage right away.

Above is our production meeting agenda for the shoot that takes place on the 17 May 2019.

We created this so it enabled the shoot to go swiftly without any issues, it allows us to consider everything we are going to need and allows us to divide the props and costumes between each other. Overall this helps us be more organised and confident that the shoot is going to succeed.

Above is the risk assessment for our shoot on the 17 May 2019.

The risk assessment is essential as we will be filming outside of school with general supervision, this means that part of the day will consist of having no supervision. The risk assessment highlights the possible hazards we will face, and shows we have found a way of preventing the risks from happening.

In this task we had to contact and send an email/message to the artist who’s song we are using, asking if we were able to use the song. The reason for doing this is it prevents copyright allegations. Lizzie messaged Chase via Facebook considering we couldn’t find his email address, and asked if we were able to use his song ‘Mirror’ in our music video.

This is the group pitch we decided to go with, The song is called “Mirror” by Chase Goehring. We pitched this idea to Miss Hales, to ensure our idea would be successful. This allowed us to get significant feedback on the pros and cons of our idea and showed us what would be a better route.

Teacher Feedback:

• Separate the narrative from the performance, you can do this by making the performer wear a costume that is closely related to snow white however doesn’t have to be apart of the fairy tale.
• Make the story a more sinister version of snow white, more gore to incorporate all ideas.
• Use the snow white theme as more of an intertextual reference moreso then base the whole song around it.

Above is the moodboard that me and my group created, we gathered 15 images that presented our star in a certain light. We gathered the images from: Twitter, Articles online, google and pinterest. We then analysed each image, depicting how we felt based on the image.

After we collected our images we had to decide on a meta narrative, this is an over arching story about the artist. We then created a mood board on how we think the star is represented, some of the images show how he interacts with his fans through twitter.

The star image theory was innovated by Richard Dyer, the theory is based around 3 elements, construction; how the star is constructed through music videos, magazines or advertising, Chase is constructed as being an innocent, friendly young Ed Sheeran. The star as a commodity; stars are produced to create profit of merchandise and the star as an ideology; stars will represent certain social groups and views and will therefore create certain ideologies, Chase has ginger hair this will appeal to many people with similar characteristics.

Richard Dyer also talks about the paradox of the star, which states that the star is Extraordinary; this shows the star as amazing and talented. Ordinary; shows the stars as casual, who drive cars, go shopping and most importantly fail exams. Present; this makes the audience feel like they’re with the star, this is mainly showcased over social media, such as: twitter and Instagram. finally absent; this portrays the star as distant with his fans, this is shown at interviews and concerts when the fans can’t get within touching distance of the star.

I will use Dyer’s theory to portray my star as extraordinary, I will do this by having my stars costume as exuberant and observable as possible, however I will also concentrate on illustrating the star as a teenager who can still enjoy his life, my star is constructed to being this hippy, fun and enthusiastic character, this may not be his true identity.

From what we gathered he was just a regular student who took piano lessons for fun. However, he started pursuing music in high school and found his first fans on YouNow. He taught himself how to sing and play ukulele and guitar. He began to write songs and upload YouTube videos for his fans who called themselves Chasers.  He competed on Season 3 of the US version of The X Factor, where he made it past the auditions but didn’t make the live shows.

In this task we had to decide on our final song choice and came to a conclusion that My song allows us to open up a wide range of ideas and allows us to explore our imaginative and innovative creations. The narrative idea emerges mine and Amie’s ideas into one creating a darker more sinister fairy tale based around Snow White, Instead of being that iconographic innocent story line it’s going to incorporate ominous and deep themes that distort the viewers opinions.

After many attempts to edit and finalise the pitch we have finally finished it and collaborated all ideas into one.

In this task I am going to be analysing a music video from a previous student, from the list of videos I was given I have decided to analyse ‘Bruises’ originally by Lewis Capaldi. In doing this it will allow me to understand what works and doesn’t work when creating a music video, furthermore it will also ideas and techniques I can use when coming to create my own music video.

Appropriate to task: 

Yes I think that the music video does follow iconic conventions of a traditional music video. The use of the transitions between shots and the distorted effect is very good. The use of linking the narrative with the performance was a good choice and shows us the story from both sides. The actors are well coordinated and the shots they have used such as his hand when he is playing the piano is very well presented and shows the typical conventions of a music video.

Variety of shot distances:

The music video tends to only use mid shots and above waist, however doesn’t include a many close ups which I think would have topped this as it truly shows emotion. Although the shot of just the female actors feet and legs was very creative and shows a sense of individuality. The use of the shot where the piano cuts of his body and leaves you his head is very good and craetes a feeling of isolation.

Mise-en-scene:

The use of costume used throughout the video is very subtle, however works very well. The use of the white shows a sense of purity and redemption, it also shows that the two actors have a metaphorical bond. Location is very interesting and is set in a grimy, old delapordated green house, this relates to his pain and hurt he’s feeling. the lighting is very high key and minimalises the use of shadows, this creates a sense of an abstract place. the make-up and hair on the female actor is plain and ordinary, showing that a music video doesn’t need a lot to make it stand out.

Editing For Meaning: 

The editing used throughout this video is quite slow and moderated and jump cuts between shots to show disorientation. The use of the hallucination slows down the video completely and shows his neurotic persona. Although at the start the video starts with quick edits to show the passing of time.

In my opinion I would have given this video full marks, the reason behind this is that it is visually pleasing top the audience, it also uses clear use of mise en scene and camera shots to reflect the inner emotions of the characters.

This will benefit my music video as I now have an inkling into how music videos work in order to achieve full marks, moreover it has shown me how little budgets can go a long way and that I don’t the simplest of ideas can be effective

In this task I had to create a group agreement with my other group associates. Above is the details of ourselves and the team.

This was important for giving each individual a role within the group, and gives an insight into our strengths and weaknesses. This will help make the shoot go quicker and flow much easier.

In this task, I had to choose a song that I would pitch to my teacher. This included a narrative mood board, performance mood board, annotation of the lyrics and also songs that have inspired me. Choosing the song was rather easy to me and I found a song that had lyrics that I found was easy to base a good structured narrative around.

This pitch allowed me to innovate a new and unique idea to my group which ultimately made decision making much easier to choose from, the idea I had for my narrative was, a snow white look alike walking through a field and coming across an apple, not knowing it was poisonous, she takes a bite, this leads to her looking in a ‘magical’ mirror in the field and receiving hate. This is where the performance ties in, as the performer; dressed as prince charming, is then singing to her telling her that shes better than society. I had planned on ending the video with the performer walking through a mirror to get her and then end with them walking through the mirror to his castle.