I would really like to create a natural make up look for our female lead. Most of the scenes that we will include in our music video will be in environments personal to the couple and therefore I would like it to obvious that the woman doesn't feel pressured into making enormous amounts of effort for her partner. The majority of shots will only include the couple and therefore there is no reason for the female lead to wear heavy make up. I think that it is important that we represent the woman with minimal make up in order for the viewer to recognise her as being very real and natural. The blusher and bronzer used in this image also emphasises the cheekbones and highlights the models eyes.
I really like the brown and rose gold tones of this make up, it is very beautiful however not too much of an over statement. The eye-brows are also lightly drawn on, this will allow them to be seen by the camera but not draw attention away from the eyes.
I think we will use a nude lipstick for our female lead as this will draw attention to the lips (using gloss). This is a much simpler colour, rather than a bright bold pink which will not fit with conventions of a Pop Acoustic music video as generally less bright tones are used in order to not over stimulate or over excite the viewer.
In this shot, the hands playing the piano as well as the piano keys have been shot in high angle and also tightly framed. Therefore, the movement of his hands is the main focus of the image and consequently the viewers attention is drawn to his skill. In order to make sure that the image is not to dark a hint of the background is also included in the frame (green grass), to lighten composition.
The painting is the main focus in this shot and therefore the woman is left of frame with only half of her head being included in the shot so that the paining can be fully seen.
I really liked this use of framing and angles because similar techniques are used to show the viewer both of the potential lovers' and their first meeting. For example, the male is shown looking into camera in a low angle and medium close up.
A matched cut is the made to show the woman looking up at the camera in a high angle medium close up. This implies that they are looking directly at each other as she is on the ground and he is physically above her.
I also like this use of framing as it shows the male in left of frame in a closeup shot as well as the secondary actor at the right of frame in medium close up. This gives the shot increased depth as well as allowing the viewer to believe the off screen action of the beautiful girl walking into view as well as showing two reactions.
This use of framing shows the closeness of the couple. They are shot in a medium long shot, right of frame. This leaves a lot of space to the left of the frame. However, the couple are not filling the space because they are locked in a tight embrace.
Centre framing allows the cinematographer to symbolise equality, mutual respect, complete happiness and a shared love between a couple.
Using long shot and framing the action in right of frame allows the viewer to also notice the Mis-en scene.
I like this low angle shot because it allows the viewers to ficus on the couples smiles as they embrace. The extremely tight framing and use of close up also shows that the couple have become infatuated with each other and at this moment are oblivious to surroundings as they are focused only on each other.
This use of framing allows the viewer to identify the object which is causing the actress distress. The medium close up allows the viewer to recognise the emotion.
How this research has influenced my planning:
I really liked the use of matched cut to show someone looking back at another person. This was achieved by using high and low angle to show looking up and looking down.
Sam Smith, 'Leave Your Lover':
From looking at this music video I can see that it is important for your actors to look natural in their movements. For example in this shot the two actors are making direct eye contact and they appear to be absorbed in the communication. In order for the viewer to truly believe in the narrative the camera shouldn't be acknowledged. I will also make sure that my actors show appropriate facial expression. For example, in this shot the male appears to be making a joke to which the female actress responds by convincingly laughing. The proxemics of this shot (positioning the two close together) convinces the viewer of a close relationship. Both actors postures is slightly hunched so as to appear casual but not so much for them to express a introvert attitude.
The three actors in this shot appear to be having fun together. The camera is not acknowledged at all in this shot as they have their backs to the camera. I think this is an effective way to make the situation appear natural and therefore makes the viewer believe that the group are genuine friends. They are running with arms outstretched which suggests a sense of freedom and adventure. From analysing this video I can see that gestures are very important in creating meaning within the media. If I were to create a shot like this it should be controlled e.g. telling them exactly where to run from and where to run to. In order to make sure I can position the camera well enough to film the entire action.
The three are very close in this image. It is important that if I want to create a shot like this I try and make my actors feel comfortable as if the actors express any discomfort towards each other the viewer will not believe in their relationship.Although the woman is only on one of the mans shoulders the closeness of the group is shown through the gesture of the other man. He has been told by the director to place his hands on the woman shoulders to symbolise his continuing relationship with her, despite more people entering her life.
Placement of eye contact is also very important when attempting to create meaning. For example the mans eyes are still focused on the woman even though she is dancing with someone else. This could symbolise his constant connection with her at all times.
The movement of the arm across a persons body shows a tight embrace and therefore the closeness of their relationship. Although the two men are the focus of the camera; in order to create verisimilitude, the woman (who is still in shot) looks on laughing. It is very important that even though a person may not be directly involved with the action that appropriate reactions are still seen on screen.
Direct eye contact with the camera should only be made if the singer is singing into camera. facial expression shows a lot about the singers current mood with in the narrative. This is a good use of communication between singer and audience as we can see that he is saddened from his eyes. The singer in this video appears as though he is really singing live. This is achieved by using a recored track while singing and asking the actor/actress to sing along to the track.
Pointing to events that we can't see on camera allows the viewer to believe that the situation of the music video is real e.g. life is still continuing around the actors.
Sam Smith, 'I'm Not The Only One':
Obvious change in facial expression allows us to see changing mood. For example she is smiling and then this expression slowly changes to sadness. Without communicating to the viewer through speech. The actress still manages to convey that the emotion she shows to her husband is a facade and that she is truly emotionally damaged.
If you ask your actor or actress to cry on screen it is very important that it looks believable. E.g. like in this shot, the woman is hunched over and her face appears distorted because her concealed emotion is being released. The audience his allowed to experience this severe sadness with talented actors/actresses.
How this research has influenced my planning:
Conventions: Actors/actresses shouldn't look into camera while performing actions which contribute to the narrative.
Show change in emotion with close-ups.
Direct actors/actresses to act in a very specific way. Tell them where to place hands, where to direct their eyes as well as what emotions to show, in order to show emotions, how to demonstrate a close relationship.
I really like the editing technique which involved disguising the jump cuts with the movement of the sheets over the camera.
I also like the slow transition of the record to the firework which I may be able to re-create in the editing phase of post production on FinalCutProX.
Taylor Swift, 'Back to December':
I really like this costume for our female lead because the woman in the video is represented as being very casual. The 'Star Image' which is created is that of someone who is spending the day relaxing with someone that she feels completely comfortable with and therefore does not feel the need to wear extravagant clothing or heavy make-up. This representation is exactly what we want to create for our female lead as she must look completely at ease with her lover. I think it is also important that we do not use clothes which appear unattainable to people of lower and middle class background as it is imperative that the target audience is able to relate to the characters in the music video.
The use of loose fitting clothing e.g. the plain white vest top and cardigan is symbolic of her complete comfort. The woman is therefore represented as being confident in her body and not continually striving to impress for self worth. We would like the audience to recognise these qualities in our female lead because this would imply that our star treats her very well within the relationship.
Taylor Swift, 'White Horse':
Once more cardigans appear to connote a person who is finding comfort. In the context of this video the woman has just suffered heartbreak. In popular culture, women are often represented as wearing large unfaltering clothes following a break down of a relationship. We do not want to create this representation and therefore instead of choosing dark colours for our female lead we will chose lighter colours like pink and white (shown above). However, I really like the woman's hair in this video. The stylist has chosen to make it look effortless and casual.
I prefer the hair style in the video I have shown previous to this one. Although I like the curls, they seem a lot more controlled and I think I would like to create a messier curl which starts from the roots. However I do like the fishnet dress on top of the white vest top. We are using a beach location for some of our music video and I think that this classic beach look harmonies well with the colour of the sand.
Selena Gomez, 'Kill em' With Kindness':
The woman represented here appears of higher class compared to the women in previous videos. Although most radiated a sense of 'normality' that people could relate to, Selena Gomez is represented here as a extremely fashionable celebrity which isn't the representation I would like to create.
Selena Gomez, 'Good for you':
I will definitely use a white T-shirt very similar to this one as it will be easy to attain and also very inexpensive.
Laura Mulvey's theory of the 'male gaze' is highly relevant in this music video. Although Selena Gomez is wearing a large T-shirt which is not accentuating her figure she has managed to sexualise the outfit by choosing to include no trousers in her costume. As well as this she also has wet hair. This technique is often used to imply sexual desirability. It can be argued that Selena Gomez has chosen this outfit in order to attract a male fan base although I believe it is healthy to express your sexuality if you feel comfortable and you enjoy it.
I also like these ripped jeans. As well as being a fashion trend the rips may also connote a carefree attitude. Once more, the models hair is down which is beginning to appear as the ideal way to imply a relaxed manner.
The Vamps ft. Demi Lovato, 'Somebody to You':
I think this outfit would look very good in many of our outside locations as the cardigan Demi Lovato is wearing would blow dramatically when the wind blows.
The establishing shot displays a numerous amount of props. The cigarettes show someone perhaps plagued by addiction who is possibly using it as a vice in order to escape emotional turmoil. As the video and song lyrics progress we discover that the male protagonist is singing about a tumulutous relationship. Because they are creating a mess on the table top and have not been cleared away, we can suggest that this is symbolic of his current emotional state as he is unable to focus on anything else but his troubled relationship. The dying plant and peeled away wallpaper symbolise the decaying of a once fruitful relationship. I really like this use of Mis-en-scene as it introduces the sombre mood of the song and video immediately.
The low key lighting of this shot further connotes the depressed mood of the singer. The camera slowly tracks forward while the singer remains almost motionless. There is something very unconventional about this movement of the camera because as a viewer it made me very aware of the use of the cinematographer.
As the camera continues to track towards the singer they appear to be walking to the right which looks as though the person is hiding. This further implies that someone may be watching the singer. The use of just one shot to film this tracking from the establishing shot and eventually to the singer makes the video feel very real because it doesn't appear edited or manipulated. Therefore we connect emotionally to the singer.
The camera continues to track forwards until the singers face is shown in a medium close up. We know that the the room is cold as we can see the singers breath condensing. Again, this makes the video appear very realistic. The low key lighting creates shadows on the singers face which is symbolic of his low mood. He then begins singing 'i was sleeping near the edge'. This lyric represents a change in the relationship as before the lyrics were reminiscent of a happier period in their relationship.
At 0.57 seconds into the video there has still only been one shot used. The camera slowly pans to follow the movement of the singers head as he turns it slightly to the right. I believe that this connotes that everyone of the singers emotions have been documented in this song as we are able to follow his actions very closely as well as his thoughts. The singer wears all black and is therefore represented as being in a depressive mood. Dyer suggests that a 'star image' is always created and in this case a very mysterious and clearly emotionally damaged man is presented to us.
When there is eventually a cut it is disguised as the camera pans down to the singers black leather jacket and then upwards again, from the same place. The setting is the same although it is an earlier time of day so we are aware that time has passed. This shot captures James Bay's signature hat which he very frequently wears which helps him to create a 'star image' and make jim recognisable.
As the lyric 'slamming doors' is sung, a new prop is introduced to the Mis-en-scene in the form of fire. This is an example of Goodwin's theory that there is always a relationship between the song and visuals as the fire is symbolic of rage and violence being suddenly introduced into their relationship as it was the video.
The audience can actually see the singer thinking here, as he looks down appearing in deep thought contemplating the relationship.
As he begins to sing though he looks up again. The lyrics are 'if this is all we living for' which is not sung into camera so we assume this is an internal thought. As he begins to sing 'why are we doing it, doing it, doing it anymore' it is implied that he has had a moment of realisation.
Once more, the second cut in the music video us disguised by panning to his jacket and then up again. The lyrics also link to the visuals as James bay sings 'how refections change' to his literal reflection which implies he is re evaluating himself and his relationship.
The Mis- en scene appears to have slightly changed here and the audience is reminded that a lot of time has passed which shows his lengthy contemplation.
There is then a cut to an arc shot which is symbolic of his thinking. The ASL has very noticeably decreased now and I think this is because his contemplation is over and he has finally decided to escape the destructive relationship.
The spreading fire is once more used as a symbol of an out of control relationship which he is trying to escape.
Over cranking is used for dramatic effect and to emphasise his difficult decision to 'let it slide' as he refers to ending the relationship through the lyrics.
At the end of the song it is ambiguous as to whether the two have reconciled or whether they have ended their relationship. Both could be symbolised through the driving away from the fire as they have left their troubled past behind them. James bay sings 'let the ashes fall'. Ashes usually symbolise death and destruction which could suggest the end of a relationship.
This video breaks conventions as there are only 22 shots throughout the entirety of this music video. The ASL decreases as more action is filmed.
How this post has influenced my planning:
Showed me how to make singing into camera very interesting with different camera movements especially panning and tracking.
Use under cranking which will be added in editing (post-production)
Use symbolism (Barthes) to create meaning (e.g. the fire in James Bay 'let it go'.
Sing into camera for important lyrics that you want to emphasise as being current thought of the on screen characters.
We will lower the light intensity levels on FinalCutProX in post-production.
I think we will use a nude lipstick for our female lead as this will draw attention to the lips (using gloss). This is a much simpler colour, rather than a bright bold pink which will not fit with conventions of a Pop Acoustic music video as generally less bright tones are used in order to not over stimulate or over excite the viewer.
The low key lighting of this shot further connotes the depressed mood of the singer. The camera slowly tracks forward while the singer remains almost motionless. There is something very unconventional about this movement of the camera because as a viewer it made me very aware of the use of the cinematographer.
The audience can actually see the singer thinking here, as he looks down appearing in deep thought contemplating the relationship.
