Theory: Levi Strauss

Test Shots - Hand Held Technique

In preparation for the creation of my music video I felt that practising the hand held camera technique was necessary as if it is not carried out correctly then it will look very bad. For this reason, I arranged for my friend who will be playing the protagonist in my video to come round to my house so that I could practise at filming certain shots used in my video. Some shots worked much better than others such as the tracing shots whereas the high angle shot looked very clumsy when it zoomed in. I added songs to the video clips that are by Arctic Monkeys who I am using for my actual music video; this is to get a better idea of what effect the shots have.

 

• Upwards Pan Shot -
  This looks slightly wobbly and I don't think that using the hand held camera for this shot would complement my video in any way. I think to do this shot it would be steadier if I used a video camera attached to a tripod to ensure there is more balance during the filming of the shot.
• 
  High Angle and Zoom Shot -
  In my storyboard I planned to use this high angle shot in this particular location, I think that this works well as the high angle implies she is vulnerable which follows the narrative however it would look better if it was filmed further away. However, when I was filming I thought it might look interesting to encorporate a zoom into the shot, unfortunately this did not work as it was difficult to maintain a steady hand as I was filming whilst walking down some stairs. From this I have decided that I won't change the original shot desicion. 
• 
  Tracking Forwards -
  There are many tracking shots that I have planned to film in my video and I felt that the hand held technique could add a portrayal of confusion of my protagonist. I found that I had some slight height problems as my friend it taller than I am which caused some difficulty, in future I will use the tripod so that the shot is more steady and I am not cutting out any of the actor. I found the speed also quite hard to maintain and need to ensure that I don't get too close to the actor.
• 
  Tracking Backwards -
  I think that this was the most successful shot. Apart from the camera tilting downwards when I stepped backwards the shot maintained a medium shot and I followed the same pace as the actor.  

Shotlist

1. Group of teenagers talking, long shot, zoom towards the group
2. Shot of the teenagers shoes, close up, still shot
3. Teenagers talking and laughing with eachother, close up, still shot
4. Girl and boy stood against wall laughing -appearing to be a couple, long shot, pan across
5. Girl pulling on some fish net tights, medium close up, tracking upwards following her hand
6. Girl sat on a messy bed with her back to the camera, medium shot, still shot
7. Girl lookign distressed running her hands through her haid, medium shot, still shot
8. Girl walking through a park, long shot, tracking of the girl walking away from the camera
9. Girl sat up against a tree in the park,  high angle shot whilst the girl looks upwards
10. Girl drinking a cocktail, extreme close up of the girls mouth whilst she takes a sip
11. Girl sat at a bar or table looking disatissfyed with her drink, medium still shot
12. Girl and boy holding hands whilst walking through park, tracking long shot
13. Girl is stood in park remenicing as her back is towards the camera, upwards pan of the girl from her shoes to her head, close up shot
14. Girl stood in middle of a path looking sad, beggining with a medium shot and zoom outwards
15. Girl walks up to a bench in the park and sits down, pan of the girl walking towards the bench, still long shot as she sits down
16. Two girls in a busy street laughing together, medium shot, still shot
17. Two boys stood against a wall, one of which is smoking, medium shot, still shot
18. Both girls walk up to the boys who all start a conversation, long shot, pan of the girls walking towards the boys
19. Boy and girl talking to each other smiling, close up, still shot of their faces
20. Girl walking down an empty street, girl looks over her shoulder towards camera, tracking medium shot
21. Boy and girl messing around, boy playfully pushes girl, tracking backwards from the couple, medium shot
22. Girl sat up on bed, falls back onto it, medium still shot
23. Girl closes her eyes as she is lyring on a bed, slow pan is used moving toward girl's face, medium shot
24. Girl walking through a park, shot begins with her opening her eyes to relate to the previous shot, tracking backwards, medium close up
25. Girl walking through a park, long shot, upwards tilt going up to the sky
26. Girl is now running through the park, slow tracking from behind
27. Girl is breathing heavily from the running and stress, medium close up shot
28. Girl runs her hands through her haid, a medium shot from the side, still shot
29. Girl and boy sat against a wall, long shot, still shot
30. Boy handing over a cigarette to the girl, close up, hand held camera effect
31. The couple are smiling at each other, medium close  up, hand held camera effect
32. Shot of an empty park, girl suddenly walks onto screen, long still shot
33. Girl looks over her shoulder, medium close up
34. Girl and boy are cuddled up together, her head on his shoulders, tracking backwards
35. Girl walks onwards in the park, still medium shot
36. Girl is walking down a street and past houses, long still shot
37. Girl is walking up a steep path, high angle, still shot
38. Shot of an empty road, when girl appears the camera pans across
39. Two couples holding hand walk past camera, still shot, medium close up
40. Girl is looking outside a window in her house, still shot, high angle
41. The couple are holding hands and gazing at each other, long shot
42. Girl is sat on her bed with her head hung down, medium close up
43. Girl is seen mouthing "I love you", close up on mouth
44. Girl is walking down a street at a fast pace, tracking, over the shoulder shot
45. Couple are walking together and the girl kisses the boy on the cheek, medium shot
46. Shot of a house, after some time girl appears on screen as she walks on screen quickly and walks into the house and shuts the door, long still shot

Ancillary Texts: Album Covers

This is the album 'Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not' by Arctic Monkeys. The album cover is very famous and is instantly recognised, although the album cover does not feature the album name on the cover the band name is written in a bold text in the top corner. The photograph used for the album is very simple yet iconic; a man is smoking a cigarette and looking fairly satisfied. He is sat in front of what appears to be a curtain and wearing a basic plain shirt. The mise-en-scene of the cover photo is not extravagant and does not appear to be very exciting as it is extremely plain. However, the use of a medium close up shot adds impact to the image as it foregrounds the man in the photograph, this allows the audience to see closely the man and receive an idea of the band's identity. The image creates realism as there is no abstract elements to this image which allows the audience to relate to the main featured on the front cover. In terms of class, the man is portrayed as working class seen through the use of props as he is smoking which is considered a stereotype of the working class. Immediately this creates an identity for the band who are displaying themselves through the front cover of their debut album; they too are working class and aren't portraying themselves as something they are not which links in with the album title. There is also a theme of black and white as both the photograph and the band logo follow this colour scheme; this adds a vintage look but also connotes that the band are represent themselves in black and white, showing that they are who there are and that only. The band breaks formal conventions by not placing the album title on the cover, although this is viewed as an essential part of an album as it catches the attention of audiences this album focuses fully on the image. The image is very unique in comparison to others as they usually feature the band members on the front, this way the album is individual and will catch people's eye, intriguing them and encourage them to find out more about the band.

This is the album 'Rumours' by Fleetwood Mac. This album cover is also simple yet effective; this album cover features two members of the band which will draw the attention of present fans of the band as they will recognise them. To also appeal to fans, the album cover has the name of the band printed at the top in a fancy text. Beneath the band name is the title of the album using the same text which reinforces the genre convention of the album which creates cohesion of the appearance of the album. The font used for the text is linked to the genre conventions of the music; Fleetwood Mac are a rock band who also come under the genre of blues and rock blues. Due to this, the font is expected to be a very subtle, fancy text and not something really bold and harsh. Furthermore, in terms of mise-en-scene  the costume of the band members also appears to be fancy and expensive. The woman is wearing a long silky dress with a chiffon type shawl which are known to be luxurious types of clothing yet she is also wearing ballet shoes which fits in well with the conventions of music as music and dance is strongly connected. The man is wearing a white shirt with a waistcoat which appears to be formal to match the woman's outfit. Next, the image is in black and white which gives the photograph a vintage look whilst foregrounding the image against the plain, pale backround.


This is the self-titled album 'Jake Bugg' by artist Jake Bugg. The album cover features the artist himself on the cover which follows formal conventions and ensures that the soul focus of the album cover is Jake Bugg. Depth of field is used in the photograph which creates a large impact on the audience as this foregrounds teh artist which is the man purpose of the album cover. The audience expect to see the artist and for them to be on the front cover as this along with the actual music is the audiece's main interest. The background of the image contains different bulidings which makes is apparant that the photograph was taken down a street. This is very similar to the music video 'Lightning Bolt' as the majority of it is filmed down busy high streets. The expression on Jake Bugg's face is quite solemn which refelcts Jake Bugg's personality and album.

Cast

Sophie Chapman - Protagonist
Sophie will play the protagonist of my video. She is a close, reliable friend which reassures me that I can depend on her to not let me down in terms of shooting the video. Sophie also studies Media which is helpful as she will be able to give me advice on how to achieve the best shots for the video as she has the knowledge to do so. Sophie also lives nearby which is essential for the production of my video as it will be much easier to arrange days for filming.

Freddy Josh - Extra Talent Freddy will play the ex boyfriend of the protagonist in my video. He is a close friend and also the boyfriend of Sophie Chapman which is useful as the narrative revolves around relationships which will ensure the acting is believable. Freddy studies Film and Media which is benefitial as a degree of acting is essential and he has featured in coursework for other people which shows he is a reliable actor.

Ellie Hutchinson - Extra Talent
Ellie is also a close, dependable friend who is always happy to help. She will play a friend in my music video and will be used in many flashbacks. I am sure that Ellie's contribution to my music vdieo will be to a good standard as Ellie previously studied Drama and is currently part of a drama group. Because of this, her acting in my video will be believable and ensure that the music video will maintain a strong narrative.

Adam Wilson - Extra Talent
Adam is a close friend who will play a friend of the group in the video. This will not be the first time Adam will star in a music video for media coursework which confirms my expectations that Adam is a suitable person for my own.

Possible Problems with TransportThere shouldn't be a problem with filming with the protagonist of my video, Sophie, as she lives nearby the chosen locations. As she lives in Hull, I should be able to organise a filming rota which should not raise any problems with transport for Sophie. However, the rest of my cast live outside of Hull which I am aware could cause some problems. However, the main scenes that I will be using the Extra Talent in are located in the city centre of Hull, the bus station is also in the city centre which means that there should be any major problems as they can travel by bus and I can meet them in the station.

Changes Made During Animatic

I made many time changes when I was creating my animatic, this was because I found that when I followed the timings I had written down for my storyboard  the lyrics were out of time with the shots.

The first and final verse of the song contained lots of 1 second shots as the pace of the song is very fast however, I had to increase the time of all of these shots up to 2 seconds or even 3, just to ensure that the appropriate shot was shown to match up with the lyrics.

After I had adjusted the timings, the rest of my video fitted into place. The reason I think that I had this problem is because the 1 second edits were too short and needed extra time to chnage from one shot to another.  I found the animatic very helpful as I am able to visualise what my music video should look like and move onto planning when I am going to start filming my music video.

Animatic