Hello! Welcome to my A2 Media Studies Blog. You will find texts, videos, podcasts and pictures on this blog that all contribute towards my final A-Level grade. Enjoy!
I have decided that I want to have a mixture of urban and countryside shots for my music video. I think I would like to open the video within the urban, and then integrate urban and country shots throughout. Here are the locations of the countryside and of the motorway bridge:
Motorway
Country track
Open fields
Motorway bridge
Track leading up to motorway bridge
I believe that I can get some really effective shots here. Ideally, the motorway bridge could be one location for a flashback, as well as the country track. In terms of the urban shots, I have decided that I am going to film in Bicester in the Kingsmeadow area- there are many areas that aren't very busy but will provide the perfect back drop for the video.
I have been thinking about where I would like to film, as well as what would be most appropriate for my genre. If I had a larger budget for this video, I would ideally like to film the majority of it in London as it is urban, vibrant and offers a huge variety of different sets and locations.
Busy crowds
Tower block- lower class, in keeping with my theme and genre
The London Underground- could be very effective if filmed correctly
Obviously, these are just the ideal locations I would choose if I had more money, longer time and easier access to London. What I can learn from these initial ideas however is the types of shots I want to get, but just closer to home. I believe this to be very achievable so once I have really thought about the story line of my video I will then research and view many potential locations.
I have thought long and hard about what song to use for my project, and after lots of research and evaluating, I am going to go with Plan B's 'Deepest Shame'. I feel this to be the best option as it is from the genre I like and the lyrics in the song are dramatic and I can match them with a story.
I have written to Warner Music Group who Plan B are signed to to seek permission to use their song.
Ideally, if I had a much larger budget, I would have liked to have cast Kaya Scodelariowho is best known for playing Effy Stonem in Skins. I feel she has the look which I am going for (young adult, dark hair, dark features) and having seen her acting on Skins, I know she would be perfect for the video. However, I have found the perfect alternative, in the form of my friend Imogen. Imy is a dancer and has had a lot of acting experience and completely fits the brief.
In order to further my research and thought process for my music video project, I deeply analysed two music videos: 'Just One Last Time' by David Guetta, ft. Taped Rai and 'Sweet Nothing' by Calvin Harris ft. Florence Welch. I feel it enabled me to think more clearly in the kind of think I want to create. Click here to view my power point presentation.
Black and white, giving the impression that she is at a bad time in her life which is backed-up by her homeless state.
She is very central in many of the shots making her centre of attention.
Lots of close ups to show her vulnerability and state of mind.
Watch her state deteriorate as we see how she is resorting to prostition, shots of her putting her make up on and leaning seductively in car then shots with a client.
Targeted Audience
Teenagers and young adults.
Young character and shows the urban culture.
Majority of audience probably go out at the weekends, perhaps this video is to show the dangers of drugs and hostility.
Drake ft. Rihanna- Take Care
Typical Conventions
Lots of slow camera movements.
Shots on snowy mountains and a misty sky.
Many shots of Drake, close ups and wide shots.
Some scenes in black and white, others with an orange tint to the light.
Lots of close ups of Rihanna to show who he is rapping about.
Shots of a bull which connotates to power, fighting and dominance.
Shots of a forrest fire which indicates danger and passion.
Targeted Audience:
16-25
Quite mature themes
Chase and Status ft. Plan B- Pieces
Typical Conventions
Shots of the artist in the singing booth to introduce the artist/character]
Story progressing to make the video seem real.
Dark lighting to give the sense of a sinister atmosphere.
Shot of the reactions from the men when they are watching the tape.
Subtitles
The tape that is playing is edited to make it look very eerie and obviously like the people in it shoudn't be doing what they are doing.
For my A2 project, I am making a music video. This music video beneath is exactly the kind of thing I would like to base it on. It has given me a lot of inspiration, and the song is without doubt a definite contender.
I love the lighting at the start, so you can just see Plan B's silhouette underneath the spotlight, and the close ups of the lady on the street looking on. I also love the part where she holds her palm up to the camera and there is writing emphasising the lyrics (2:08). It is obviously a very powerful video with a deep meaning.
-sense of the viewer being involved (camera sometimes hand held)
I now need to work out what genre of music I would like to do my music video on and then find a song to match my genre. I would like to film it to a song which has an element of sadness about it, but would also like to include some kind of club/party atmosphere.
