When we reviewed all the footage in the editing suite, we chose to discard the low angle shots as parts of them were out of focus and never had the people fully in the shot due to there constant movement. As well as this we had too many long shots of the band, which lacked engagement with the audience. For this we replaced several long shots with close ups and medium shots where the audience would be engaged. For example, after our first draft of our music video when Bennie started singing he head was down, no one could see his face and his hair was covering everything. As we felt this unengaged the audience from the very beginning we decided to re film and replace the shot with Bennie looking straight at the audience we instantly engaged them.
In order to create the narrative we had to film each part of our storyboard. Once we had done this we put all the shots in the editing software and started positioning the shots according to the story board in order for the narrative to be clear to the audience. Eg. If the video started with Gail and John the narrative would have a whole new meaning. Once we had sorted out the narrative we started swapping shots round wich fitten better with the timing of the song without changing the narative e.g. bennie walking down the street (which he does a few times).
Through out the music video we made sure when we changed shot that the cut was to the beat. We did this as it is a convention of music videos in genral and the cuts would look unnatural if they were not cut to the beat perfectly. In oder to achive this we listened to the song and looked at the visual as one and would reposition the fottage or cut it short in order for it to cut to the beat. A perfect example of this is the first couple of seconds of the song. The song starts with the drummer tapping the hi-hat (cymbal) 4 times. For each tap we had a different shot of Bennie and Gail happy together.
we played the song through speakers wile the band was performing in order to keep them in time. As the band was lip singing when we put the footage into the editing software we could only hear the song in the background. This made it easy to match up the lip syncing as we had to make sure the song in the background from recording fitted up perfectly with the music we had placed in the editing software. Due to the lip syncing task we were set at the begining of this course we were all capable of sorting the lip syncing in the video.
During editing I think that editing the performance element of the music video worked really well as we were able to edit all the shots we took into the video. As music videos have no real structure we were able to be creative with the oder in which we placed each shot as we recorded the band playing the shot a several times from different angles .
Although, I think the editing was a success if I was able to refilm and reedit, I would instruct Bennie to not move around as much as we has to discard several shots as Bennie kept hoping in and out of the frame, this was particually during the close up shots.
On there first day of filming, we set up at my house as we decided it would be a good location as part of the narrative.
In order to create the lighting for this shot we had to arrange the lighting and the equipment in the following way.
This set up allowed us to create a shadow-free shot the majority of the time, however this did not work the whole time due to the amount of sunlight coming through the window.
A week before the filming we sent the cast the production schedule (as can be seen on previous posts). On the day I picked up all the actors and took them to my house where the rest of the group was waiting with the equipment was set up waiting to start filming.
In this section of filming we used over the shoulder shots, match on action shots, close ups, medium shots, two person shots and tracking long shots.
On the second day, before we could set up at the location we had to pack up all of the equipment from its original location and drive up to London.
After we had packed all of the equipment into the two cars we were taking, we had to drive in the center of London, Parking at Waterloo Station
When we arrived at the tunnel, I started setting up the drum kit while my partners set up the camera, tripod and outdoor lighting kit.
We set up the drum kit in front of the graffiti in order to create a background which fitted the bands image and fitted the genre. We then placed the camera and equipment on the other side of the tunnel, making sure pedestrians still had sufficient space to walk behind us. We also set up a small speaker close to the band so we could play the song, making sure the band would stay in time with each other, this would also make it easier to match up the lip-syncing as we could listen to make sure the sounds matched against the song we had used for the editing software.
In order to manage the band effectively we created a timetable for the band and crew to ensure they would be on time an know what to expect from the day.
We sent the timetable 5 days before the day of shooting in order to give the band time to organised their around the filming.
As well as this we sent them all a costume list (look at previous posts) in order to maintain that the band fitted the genre and more importantly fitted their star image of being an organic band. In order to maintain all this we have to control what the band wore on the day.
Altogether, I think the day was a success as we were able to obtain all the shots we wanted as well as keeping to the time frame. As well as this we worked well as a team which made the day a lot easier for everyone as their was no tension about people not getting their way with a certain shot. Although the drummer was not able to come to the filming, the band couldn't have been better, they were all on time, they were wearing the right things, they came prepared knowing the song of by heart and they has in rehearsed it together in advance to make it perfect.
For the performance part of the video we used long shot, wide angle shots, close ups, medium shots, low angle shots, high angle shots and a crane shot (although it didn't work). We used these shots as it matched the conventions of a post hardcore rock music video as well as wanting to get a diverse range of shots and perspectives of the band. We wanted to make the performance as realistic and believable as possible so that it would appeal to our target audience therefore we tried to film as many close-ups and wide shots of thye band performing to emphasis their organic nature and rebellious star image. As well as this, using a wide range of shots would make cuts more interesting. Filming each shot for the whole song allowed my group and I to pick the best footage for each section of the video.
As shown above, we created a time table in which we tried and succeeded to stick too throughout the day. Leaving ourself sufficient time for each task allowed us to meet our targets and not feel stressed about not completing the task in time.
Firstly in order to keep the mise en scene we firstly, looked at several locations where our background would fit the mise en scene.
After we had chosen to use the graffiti tunnel, we conducted a photo shoot in the tunnel to see how it suited the band's image and genre of music. Once we had decided that the location was suitable for the band we organised the dates for the music video.
As well as this, to maintain the mise en scene we carefully decided what each band member should wear on the day in order to keep the mise en scene and to help create the band's image.
Lastly, we made sure that the instruments if possible fitted the mise en scene of the genre. If the member of the band had more than one of each instrument we would choose which one they should bring to the day of filming as it best fitted with the mise en scene and the band's image.
In order to maintain continuity throughout recording we made sure that all cuts were kept to the beat. Without this, some of the cuts would have looked out of place and the video would not run smoothly.
As well as this, we made sure that the band members did not change clothes throughout the performance as it would than represent a different point in time.
One way we could have improved was each shot should have been filmed twice, by two different people. Unfortunately, we were unable to use the low angle shots as they were recorded badly and there was too much camera shake. If this was recorded twice we may have been able to use the second set of footage, diversifying the range of shots. As well as this, I would have tried to manage the lead singer's movement more as it was hard to do close ups as he kept jumping and moving around.
Personally, I believe we worked well as a group as no one undermined someone else's instructions even if they did not agree with them. As well as this, if there was a disagreement, the group would come together and instead of arguing we would come up with the best solution.
However, throughout the recording and planning the responsibility was not evenly shared, which I would try and improve if the task was set to us again.
Out of all the responsibilities needed to successfully and efficiently complete our music video I feel as though I did my fair share as I was responsible for sorting out that the equipment got to the correct location, this included a drum kit, drum sticks, camera, tripod, other tripod, outdoor lighting kit, dolly, camera, tape, monopod, a small cam corder and speakers.
As well as this I believe I contributed high quality footage to the group. As I am a photographer, I has experience with handling cameras from past photoshoots and filming and editing events such as parties. With this experience I feel as though the shots I had taken will end up in the final music video.
Korn are an American nu-metal band from California. Korn are similar to my artist, although they are slightly heavier than Pierce the Veil and The Perfect Fall.
I looked at Korn's website to get some inspiration for The Perfect Fall's website.
Korn's website has a dark background which is seen on all pages. Moreover, the main focus of the page is the band logo at the top of the screen. Furthermore, the website is themed around their new album, 'Paradigm Shift', with the side panels featuring the album artwork. This is not only to promote their album, but to also attract their target audience as it is their album artwork. The name at the top and the album artwork on the initially draws the audience in and portrays the idea that Korn are an organic band as they are being sold on the music and their name rather than their looks.
The tabs at the top are quite conventional of artists websites. Home/News/Tours/Music/Photos/Videos/Store is quite common. However, as Korn are a world-famous band they have a page called 'Community' where other fans of Korn can interact and share ideas and videos. However, I will not use this feature in my website as The Perfect Fall are a new artist.
This website also includes a latest news/updates section on the homepage - for my artists website, I will not be using a news page and instead I will incorporate the news section into the homepage.
According to my teacher, this is how to make a successful music video:
The essential idea of what we are doing is manufacturing a band for a song, and this will be that bands first release, and it's our job to make the video successful
We will start with the image of the band, ensuring that their style is fit for the style of the song and that they will know how to play the instruments required so they can realistically mime the track. Then we can create a concept for the video that will blend well with the music.
The band we are creating obviously has no fanbase, so it is up to us to get them out there via various marketing techniques and digipacks.
The best type of music video contains three different strands: a performance element which the label think is vital as it acts as a fail save; a lip sync element (just simply singing in a situation with very few props); and lastly a narrative element (the story), which will be led by genre and style. The music video will then consist of constant cutting between these strands, keeping the video exciting and interesting.
We were advised to make a 'Mood Film' or prezi involving a set of images or a simple video to create a short film to demonstrate the ideas for the final product to help clarify the idea and help identify any potential problems.
