We began to test with some ideas we had for our digipack photoshoot as we were unsure whether we wanted to stick to the curly hair, soft eyes and natural looking persona and instead try a bolder look as sometimes music videos do not necessarily match the digipack.
We decided to test both and see which we preferred. We decided to try a stark contrast between our video and have our model with straight hair, dark smokey eyes and bold red lips.
This provoked a mixed reaction and after a group discussion we decided that all a good look for a more 'plastic' video, this did not fit to the genre of music we were going for and looked odd. This look would be more suited to a pop video.
For this analysis we decided to conduct further research into the earth Gaia look we have decided for the music video as this ruled out any 'plastic' mis en scene.
After looking at our research, we have decided that our model will have a simplistic, "earthy" feel to her as this will link well with our video. To ensure that we get this feel to the digipack and the magazine poster, we have made some decisions about the make-up, hair and costume.
For the make-up, we felt that having a simplistic make-up with maybe just one feature highlighted (which links to the research) and this will be the eyes as these are the model's most prominent features. The lips will be a pale colour, and there will be some emphasis on the model's cheeks with blusher.
The model's hair will be kept natural and curly as we feel this will work well with the natural, simplistic look we are going for. By using the natural light as well, this will also add a halo-like effect to the model when the sun hits her hair.
In order to make the model look even more, earthy, we have decided to have a floral garland headband in the model's hair, much like this one: For the model's outfit, we plan to have the model dressed in a flowy white, 3/4 sleeved top. We feel that this will link well to the video and maintain the simplistic and pure effect that we gained in the video by using the white dress. The dress that we use for the music video may be used as well if we decided to do a long shot. Front Cover: After looking at our research, we have decided that a close-up shot of the model's face will be the best shot to use for our front cover. Inside Picture: The inside picture will be a long shot of the model, and this is where we will use the dress from our music video. CD: The CD itself will remain plain as this is most like the research we have looked and we feel this will link well with the simplicity of our other ancillary tasks. Back: The back is going to be a mid-shot of the model, however we plan to have the model turning away slightly from the camera in order for the sun to capture her portrait. Poster: The poster will feature a mid-shot of the model, most like from her chest/shoulders upwards as this fits well with the research we have looked at. We still have to plan what colour and what type of font and the general lay-out of the poster. For all of our ancillary tasks, we plan to use the natural light again like we did in our music music video and have the model standing outside sort of interacting with some form of nature as this will link to our overall "earthy" look we wish to have.
After conducting further digipack
research, we decided upon the look we wanted to achieve for our CD front cover.
In the research we conducted, we were inspired by a number of things which
enabled us to produce our final look.
For instance, from our research
we established we wanted to photograph mainly/ only mid-shots and close up
shots for the CD front cover, as this was a regular occurrence.
Also, we liked the use of natural
lighting in Dido image shown below:
We felt the idea of peace and
tranquillity of the outdoors mimicked/ represented the music genre in the way
it is presented to its target audience.
Out of the shots we took there
were 4 predominant poses/looks:
We were happy with the look of
our model, but we had to rethink the backdrop- the dead trees give the images a
sinister look, something we felt contrasted the look we were hoping to achieve.
Because of this we had considered
and decided upon shooting in a different, greener area or our second
photo-shoot.
Thinking about the locations we have utilised already, we decided to take the
second shoot in Hall Place:
The estate has beautiful grounds
which would give us the ‘greener’ backdrop we desire. work by: myself
After analysing the first draft of our music video, with
aid of our teachers, we came up with some strengths and weaknesses in order to
improve our final cut.
Weakness's
- One comment made by one of our teachers is the fact that she is just walking for
the majority of the video. In order to counteract this, we need to try to make
it seem as she is walking for a purpose. The purpose is of course to get to the
field and perform the last section of the song but we need to find a way to
portray more effectively.
- At the start of our video, we wanted Katie to seem as if she were singing
aimlessly, almost under her breath. But after watching it back carefully, it is
very clear to the viewer she is singing as if she were performing. Because of
this we will re-film but from an angle further behind her, but one that still
allows the viewer to see her lips moving.
- Too much cutting at the start of our video becomes slightly
tedious and boring- in the intro when the film cuts between close ups of
flowers it works well but when we see the same cuts between the waterfall,
there is less of an effect. Due to this, we will have to alter this small
sequence.
- After looking at the footage we used of our dancers and feeling it could be
better, we got together as a group to assess the most effective way to film
them. We came to the conclusion to basically film move by move to make sure we
get good cuts.
- In order to give the dancers more purpose and make them fit better into the
plot of our video, we needed to think of a way to introduce them prior to the
dance scenes. Thinking on this, we are considering seeing them physically bump
into the lead earlier in the video
- In the final section of the video we see the lead singing into the camera.
This is framed incorrectly will need to be re-shot.
Strength's
- Very good continuity in a number of shots.
- The shaking at the start of the music video and the clips of the everyday
people link well.
- Rule of thirds used well throughout (apart from the final section)
- The introduction of colour as the music volume increases.
- The tracking shot of the normal, everyday people works really well. Instead
of using a bus, in order to control the speed of the vehicle, we will use a car
next time.
When it came to choosing location/s for filming,
Our video prospects have enabled us to establish suitable locations for our filming. We have three prime locations: Erith Pier, Erith Town Centre and Hall Place.
We managed to travel to Erith Pier in order to take some test shots and do some filming. Here is one of the photographs taken by me (location/establishing shot). Erith is a district of South East London within the London Borough of Bexley on the River Thames.
As proof of filming, more pictures were taken whilst Hannah filmed Katie sections of our pier scene/s.
Equipment used: DSLR camera and Cannon Legria FS306 video camera.
