group planning

Planning lighting and sound

Lighting

We made use we film our music videos during the day so we have the daylight a that is the perfect lighting. We went London during the day so we can get the right lighting. A week before filmming we took the cameras to London and did a test to see if the lighting is good to film or wether if we need additional lighting.

The shots that were filmed in the bedroom we used spotlights that lit up the whole room. These created a rich effect. When filming green screen lighting is the most important factor. This means that if the lighting is bad chroma-keying is rather hard to achieve. When filming the green-screen we had a back light behind the green-screen and one at the front. We also filmed the green screen outside to make it more better and easier when editing.

Sound

The only sound that was needed while filmming was the song itself. While filming we used youtube as there was a video with the song lyrics. We played the song on the iPad so the artist can sing to the camera. For our music video we purchased 'Glass-heart' by leona Lewis on itunes. This cost us £0.99 , we then dragged that into final cut.

Planing Editing

The importance of editing

Editing is the most important part of any sort of digital production. Editing allows a bad production to be very good. Different shots are combined through editing by following the script. Editing requires heavy technology and through these software's one can achieve a professional looking music video. Editing involves using techniques such as jump cuts, dissolve and fade etc. Editors put the required clips in order to create the music video. These clips can be cropped and resized using editing through software's.


Montage
A montage is when various clips are juxtaposed in a fast-pace fashion. In a music video this can be used with the beat of the music. We will be using montage during our music video when the beat of the song goes fast. The series of clips in the montage will include combination various different clips which will symbolize the song beat. It will give alot of information regarding the storyloine of the music video. The fast-pace will set the mood and each clip will have something different. I our music video will include clips with greenscreen and without aswell as various smalle clips from the music video.

Split screen
Split screen is when the screen is divided into two or more sections. There is a seperate video being plyed in each of these section.This creates effect and it is a major editing tecnique. In my music video i will be using split screen when the couple in the music video are walking togather and screen splits and both charactersb are ina  different section of theb screen to show heart break

Green screen
The process of using green-screen is known as chromakeying.We will be using green screen tyo film the artist singing. The greenscreen clips will then be edited. We will be using different colour tints in  the background for these clips. These clips then be used with the montage with the fast-paced music in the background.

Fast pace slow pace / juxtaposition
Fast-pace is when the clips move fast and slow-pace is when clips move slower. In our music video we will be using a mixture of both fast-pace and slow-pace editing. Fast-pace diting will be used in the montage so the fast music is matched with the clips. Slow-pace editng is used when the msuic in the song is calm the slow-pace editng will create effect.

Planing artists image

Makeup 

An artists make-up says alot about their image. Each types of makeup styles say something about the type of artist and how the artists feels. In the music video the artist will be seen wearing three different makeup styles. Each makeup style shows her emotions and that has an effect on the audience. The scene in bedroom where the artist is seen crying and looking at stuff that reminds her of her lover she is seen wearing makeup which is quiet nude. This will symbolise that she is sad and depressed and will show her in a vulnerable state. It can also show that she has given up on life as she is at home dressed down.

Another shot is when the artist is performing to the camera she will be wearing brown smokey eyes; As this is a performance she needs to be more dressed as she will be singing in front of the green screen. The makeup also goes well with the song as its a pop music genre with a dance aspect to it.
The next shot is the smashing of the Glassheart. We decided that the artists image should be different to what she has in other shots as when she is smashing the glass she is full of anger. We decided that we will be having smokey black eyes and red lipstick. This shows her anger and frustration when she is smashing the glass. The makeup goes well with her rebellious behaviour.

Another look is when the artist is seen walking in london with her love. This shows happy times as she is with the one she loves. We decided that she will have less makeup as its a typical day. This will include eyeliner and pink lips. This will add some colour and shows how she feels.

Hair
Hair is another aspect of an artists image. Each types of hairstyles says alot about the artists image wether its tight curls for an edgy look and loose curls for a softer look. We then decided that when she is seen sitting on the bed looking at the things from the box given to her by her love she will have wavy hair which may show that she was dressed up the night before and maybe she has slept over the curls from last night. This shows she is sad and has given up as she doesn't care about how she looks.

When the artist doing the performance infront of the green screen she will dressed in a more edgier and sexy look. She will have a curly-do with alot of volume. This is conventional to a pop music video as one would expect heavy makeup and hair in a pop music video.

Another shot includes the smashing of the glass. This scene shows the artist full of anger and rage and the hair should define that anger. We decided as a group that the artist will have dead straight hair. This goes well with her makeup and how she is feeling.

Another shot when the artist has flashbacks when she is with her love walking up london. She will have a softer look which means loser curls. This can suggest that she has made an effort to spend the day with the one she loves.

 Messy hair; this shows her frustration and how angry and sad she feels. This was done by back combing her hair to give it volume. We then used our hands to mess the hair up.

 This is the performance aspect of the music video and in this shot she has loose curls. These curls give her a more softer look as she is surrounded with love hearts.

In this image the artist is singing to the camera and crying. In this shot we went for more of a simple look. She has straight hair which is not dead straight to show how sad she is.












 
Clothing

Clothing tells the audience the type of person the artist is, For eg a leather jacket can suggest a person is rebellious ; however a loose top suggest the person is care free and doesn't care about what people think.

When the artist is doing the performance aspect of the music video she will be wearing a sequence dress and heels. This will give her a more edgier look as in the performance aspect of the music video the artist needs to look like as if she doesn't care and i loosening up.

Cinematography

Cinematography

Cinematography involves art of camerawork. This includes camera shots and camera angles.

Mid shot 

This is a shot taken at a medium distance ; this is a shot between a close up and a long shot. A medium shot enables to view from the waist up. It focuses on body language aswell as facial expressions. This shot allows the audience to look how the character is feeling aswell as what the characters body language says about how the character feels. We will be using a mid-shot when the main actress in our music video will be looking at a picture of her and her ex-love. She is seen ripping the picture in anger. This is conventional to the pop genre as her behaviour is rebellious which is typical to see in pop .music video. Her ripping the image shows her anger and frustration and that relates to her rebellious behaviour typical in pop music video. She feels angry and is heart broken as she loved someone who doesn't love her back.



Close-up

A close-up is when the camera focuses on one part of the shot. This could be the face , feature or a prop. A close up allows to focus one thing that a director wants to focus on as it may symbolize something. It allows the audience to seethe shattering of the glass close to the screen.








long shot ( walking near London eye )

A long shot is when an audience can see everything that goes on in a scene. This includes the background , the props aswell as the artists present in the scene. In my music video I have used a long shot when the couple in my music video is walking near london eye and messing around.This allows the audience to see where the artists is being filmmed and everyhting that is present in the scene aswell as the body language of both the actors.

planning, setting and iconography

Planning Setting and iconography

Iconography is used to describe the visual language of a music video. This tells a lot about what is going on in the music video. For eg. if its a dance music video and a club scene one would expect to see Champagne glasses and bottles.

Setting is the place; gives a viewer a better understanding of the music video. This means if a dance music video is taken place in a club the audience will have a better understanding of the genre.  

Setting 

The locations we decided to film our music video are as follows:

• Strand : This place looks a bit dull and this is similar to the song and the main actresses feelings as she is heartbroken and the place symbolises her feelings. We will be filming the singer walking down that area heartbroken. 

• London eye : We will be filming the couple walking while holding hands with London eye in the background. This will symbolise happy times and flashbacks of when they were together. 

• Millennium Bridge: The Millennium bridge is another location that we will be shooting the couple walking together having a good time aswell as the main actress singing on the bridge expressing how she feels. 

• Embankment: We will also be filming in Embankment which is near the London eye. Filming the couple walking and laughing together. This area is near a river and that makes a relaxing atmosphere which may show main actresses feelings as she feels happy with her love. However her feelings change when the camera moves back to the present and how she feels. 

• Bedroom: We will also be filming the singer in the bedroom; this shows her upset crying and singing to the camera expressing herself. Various shots of her in the bedroom including her crying and her going through a box with pocessions of the guy she loved. She seems to be getting angry and getting rid of the things that remind her of him. This is conventional as she is heart broken.

• Outside (smashing Glassheart): We will be filming the chorus outside as we have decided to smash a 'glassheart'. We will be filming this outside due to safety reasons. The smashing of the glass will also be used for the montage that we will be creating. this is conventional as one would expect rebellious behaviour from a pop song. 

Iconography 

• box ( necklace , jewellery , teddy bear , pictures , flower ): This is one of the significant prop in the music video. This box will include various things that will be associated with their relationship. 

• Different shaped glasshearts : The song is called 'Glassheart'  and the different shaped glass is used to symbolize the chorus of the song.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• paper hearts : We had decided to use paper hearts. We will;; be using the paper hearts by making the artist blow them in a park. This shows she doesn't care anymore. 

•  crystal hearts: We also used small crystal hearts. This was when the artist was singing to the camera. The small crystals were used to blow to the camera. The artist blows the hearts towards the camera and this shows attitude and that she doesnt care even though she is heart broken. 

Record Labels

There are many Major record labels in the UK. One of the biggest UK record labels are Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music, EMI and Warner Music and these can be classed as oligopoly of the music industry. Below is the list of artist that are signed with major record labels mentioned above.

• Sony Music Entertainment - Shakira, Christina Aguilera
• Universal Music Group - Will.I.Am, Drake
• EMI - Conor Maynard, Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Warner Music - Green Day, Michael Buble

These record labels have smaller companies that are known as subsidiary. These subsidiaries allows record labels to categorize their music into different music types.

Sony
Epic Records - Ozzy Osbourne
Columbia Records - Aerosmith
RCA Records - Chris Brown
Universal:
Def Jam - Jay Z
Universal Records - Lil Wayne

 EMI:
Blue Note Label Group - Paul McCartney
Capitol Music Group - Katy Perry
Virgin Record Group -  Genesis
Warner Music:
Asylum Records - Ed Sheeran
Maybach Music - Rick Ross

• These major record labels have links with other forms of media such as TV and film. For example Warner Brothers are popular for  their contribution in TV and Film.They have produced the most successful TV show called 'Looney Toons'. They also have the most popular film series 'Harry Potter'.Sony music entertainment is part of sony Corporation that have created different platforms such as TV, Film , laptops , tools etc.  

• Moreover, Universal has the biggest market share through film and television and since Universal purchased EMI they have increased the market share as EMI have links with different means of media.

Independents Labels

• One of the independent record label is in Manchester called 'Finder keepers'. There main income is through niche markets. The sell obscure music from different and rather strange genres. They produce these on vinyl rather than cds and online downloads. They do have subsidiary such as 'Twisted Nerve' that promotes local rock bands in Manchester.

•  There is another independent label that is Aardvark Records which is rather small.  record label that is based in Cornwall. These labels promote more upbeat music such as 'Trance', 'House' and 'Dubstep'. They focus more on the music then the 'profit'.  They have been introduced as 'fairtrade' music. Below are some of the artists that are signed to Aardvark records : - 
• Clubfire
• Addicted Graze
• Firedance

According to me independent labels are more successful then major labels as they are branding artists to their mainstream audience. These audiences accept anything they produce. As compared to independent labels that allow unknown artists a platform where they can present their music. This has allowed them to come up with different styles of music and has allowed artists to be innovative rather than following the basic conventions of a specific genre. Major record labels are stuck with the same genre and the same style of music as compared to independent labels.

Independent labels offer more to the audience as compared to major labels. This is because major labels main focus to make profit. Independent labels offer vast talent and music styles compared to major labels. Through independent labels one has been able to look at new types of music styles. Independent labels gives more opportunities to artists as they can be different. However major labels influence the artists often and this sometimes drives artists to start their own record label such as 'Shady records' by Eminem.

inspirations

Lady gaga and her videos are quiet different to normal pop videos. Me and my group member decided that we will be re-branding Leona Lewis. S o i thought that because lady gaga's videos are all different we can steal some ideas to rebrand Leona Lewis.

This is a song called 'stronger' by Kelly Clarkson. Kelly Clarksons music vidoes are quiet similar to the ones of leona lewis as their style is the same. However Kelly Clarksons music videos are more narrative based then performance. The camera shots in this music video are effective.









We are  never getting back together is a song by Taylor Swift. However Taylors swift music genre is 'country' but her msuic videos break the conventions of county genre. Her videos are narrative based and have the perfect representation of  love and getting hurt in love.








This is a song by Rhiana called 'we found love' and this song is a mixture of both performance and narrative however this song has the best representation of 'Young Love'. We could use this in our music video showing to young people madly in love with each-other.

lyrics analysis

Leona Lewis - Glassheart

Baby, I'm staring at a piece of us,shattered on the sidewalk
Tragic broken like a china doll,burning like a gunshot
My heart was beating
And so was yours
We threw each other
Down on the floor
My heart is breaking
It's made of glass
Cause anything that's good never ever lasts

So baby If you love me let me know
'Cause everything that hurts you've hurt before
You're about to tear this love apart
And break another glassheart
So baby if you love me let me know
'Cause everytime we touch, touch's turning cold
Promise that we'll never fall apart
And I'll love you with my glassheart
And I'll love you with my glassheart
And I'll love you with my glassheart

Right now I'm standing in our empty room,staring at the window
I hear music that we used to make,boy play me that crescendo
My heart was beating
And so was yours
We threw each other
Down on the floor
My heart is breaking
It's made of glass
Cause anything that's good never ever lasts

So baby If you love me let me know
'Cause everything that hurts you've hurt before
You're about to tear this love apart
And break another glassheart
So baby if you love me, let me know
'Cause everytime we touch, touch's turning cold
Promise that we'll never fall apart
And I'll love you with my glassheart
And I'll love you with my glassheart
Promise that we'll never fall apart
And I'll love you with my glassheart
And I'll love you with my glassheart

Baby If you love me let me know
'Cause everything that hurts you've hurt before
You're about to tear this love apart
And break another glassheart
So baby if you love me, let me know
'Cause everytime we touch, touch turning cold
Promise that we'll never fall apart
And I love you with my glassheart
And I love you with my glassheart

Read more: Leona Lewis - Glass Heart Lyrics | MetroLyrics

Storyboarding

A storyboard is an essential part of a music video as it allows one to visualize what may there music video look like. The storyboard allowed me to visualize the different things such as camera shots , camera angles , shot types , and lightning , sound. The storyboard also allowed me to organize the sequence of each shots. This will help me when i need to edit my music video as i would know what each shot follows.

The research i carried in terms of vox pop and questionnaires also helped with planning my storyboard. I included the various things that my respondents suggested. This included the different camea shots and editing techniques the audience want to see in a pop music video.

Me and my group members discussed together on the things we want to include in our music video. Once we had the discussion we made a list of these things. We divided the storyboard pages within our group and each person filled in the boxes on the storyboard.

I followed  the sequence of each shots and some of the mies-en-scene choices. However, i made some changes to the locations we choose and added some more as i felt it will make the msuic video better if i have those locations.


Below is my Storyboard