In order to decide dates, we created a facebook group chat, to check the availability dates for when to shoot. As h is the star image we revolve our dates for when he is free, and then tell our further actors them dates to see if they're free.
We currently have the dates October 24th and October 25th.
We have also asked for permission from out star image, Julian, if we can borrow his Piano for the intro shots.
After the focus group reserach, the concept of the video has had to change, therefore we're going to use some of our original ideas however have them reminiscing instead.
Beat Script
Ben Austin will be sat at a piano and reminiscing about the good times he has with his girlfriend whilst singing directly into camera.
Will show him running her a bath, them walking together in the park, them sat on a beach, them playing consoles in a home, and drinking cups of tea whilst watching Shrek.
There will be intertextuality of him finding her on tinder with an over the shoulder shot.
Ben Austin will then see his girlfriend walking away with another boy, and a slow motion shot of him dropping the heart pendant necklace.
What did you imagine for each verse? - bubbles, piano, close ups What ideas do you have for the second verse? - parks, SRS, handheld camera Do you like the use of handheld camera? We're not sure on the next part, what do you guys think? - shrek intertextuality, nostalgia VCR, links to visual tea. What do you think the song means? How do you imagine their relationship? (me and my partner worry laugh) Do you like the use of computer games- social comment- capitalism- chucking money away? Do you like the use of flashbacks? Do you all prefer narrative music video for this music video? Are you all hearing it negatively? Do you like being an active audience and spotting social comment? What representations would you like to see of female and male in music video? Do you imagine black and white, colour or both? Equal shots of the female and the male or more of a certain one? What outfits do you imagine them wearing?
Analysis of the results: After asking questions to a small focus group of my peers, they all had a completely oppositional readings.
They understood the relationship completely different to how we did. For example we had planned our narrative around the idea that the singer and his love interest were in a happy relationship.
However, the target audience focus group heard the song differently, and understood it as the male being more interested than the female.The the man is completely head over heels in love with her while she is not interested.
This point of view is un stereotypical as in the media is a common representation that the woman is more interested than the male.
One member of the focus group suggested that we begin the music video with the introduction of the female love interest. Although the idea suggested was interesting, we decided that this idea does not fit the brief which asks us to launch a new star. It is more suitable for the first shot to introduce our star, Ben. After we suggested the idea of the star playing the piano the group appeared to respond positively to this idea especially because they recognised it was a piano dominated track.
A member of the group also suggested we include a montage of the memories he is singing about which is a very good idea and something that we had previously seen in the Taylor Swift music video 'White Horse'. It is useful to know that this would still be an effective editing technique which we will definitely use in our music video after a member of the group independently suggested it.
The group imagined hair flicking which we had previously imagined for the line 'you should never cut your hair, coz I love the way you flick it off your shoulder'
The group responded well to the hand held camera - and didn't seem to comment that the use of it was unprofessional. It was implied that this would make the music video more personal e.g it looks like he has filmed her and these would then be old tapes.
Intertextuality with Shrek - group responded well, seemed humorous.
'would you ever feel guilty if you did the same to me?' - this was a line that Rhiann and I were previously very confused about concerning the meaning. However the focus group suggested that this meant the relationship was 'very one sided'. Originally, we intended the reading of our music video to be a traditional happy love story. Both characters in the relationship would have a mutual love for each other and the narrative would centre around their unwavering happiness. However as Hall suggests audiences read and understand a text according to their cultural upbringing the focus group had an oppositional reading and seemed to think that the relationship was not a happy one. This narrative would be more compliant with Todorov's theory of the loss of equilibrium in a once happy relationship which is now an unstable one. We think that this alternative idea would make the narrative more interesting. One girl said that 'She is out all of the time' and that he is more in love with the girl than she is with him. Therefore we may include a theme of unfaithfulness in the narrative.
Computer games - capitalism comment - spending money - no real comment, perhaps this is too much of a mature concept for our younger target audience. I don't think a young audience particularly wants to be that much of an active consumer like Blumler and Katz suggest.
The focus group also suggested that we should include flash backs - I like this idea of memories which we will include in our music video.
The target audience had a negotiated reading of our idea of narrative throughout. They said they would like a narrative - entertainment but still maintaining an element of performance.
Heart pendant - One member suggested we use a beach location.
In the conclusion of the song the focus group suggested that the star has to eventually give up and let go of the relationship.
Representations - The focus group were appreciative that stereotypes of a boy girl relationship were broken.
The target audience said that they imagined some of the music video being black and white like we said therefore in terms of Morley's readings this reading was dominant. A black and white effect would be good to use on the memories.
They also suggested that we only see small glimpses of the female love interest - they would like to see more of the male.
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.
