Ready to Start Filming

I am now ready to start filming my own music video, as I feel I have completed my research and planning, and have a good enough idea of exactly what I need to film/do. I have all of my cast members, chosen locations, costumes and props. I also have my own video camcorder and tripod therefore I do not need to worry about having to book them out from school, which may result in me not getting a camcorder when I need one as there are not quite enough camcorders for everyone to have access to one each.

Looking Into Similar Products

I have been looking at other music videos which are of a similar style to mine. As my music video is classified as 'Illustration', I have looked through some music videos from other artists which also fall under this category. I have also particularly looked at narrative videos which are of the subject of relationships and couples etc, as this is the theme for my video. The videos that I have looked at more closely in detail are 'N-Dubz - Ouch' and 'Scouting For Girls - Love How it Hurts'. The reason I chose these two videos to look at are firstly because they both are Illustration/Amplification, but also because they are about the theme of relationships and cheating. Also, 'Ouch' contains a lot of elements of performance, which I am also including in my music video.

Below is the music video for N-Dubz - Ouch:

The music video starts with cross cutting between three different parts of the video. Firstly, a female actor walking alone with large bags, as though she is returning from a trip. This cross cuts to a shot of a male and female together and it is clear that they look as though they are a couple. There is then a short shot of the band to show that this video is by N-Dubz. All of this is in slow motion to introduce the video. This is similar to my own music video as I am also having two stories, one of a male character by himself, meanwhile his girlfriend and another man are together in a different location. Throughout the video there are different elements of the narrative, and also of the performance of the band. The music video is mostly performance from N-Dubz, and the reason for this is because they are a famous well known band, and their image is very important in their music videos. However the narrative story within the music video is of a similar story line to my own. A variety of shots are used throughout the video, and different elements of speed such as slow motion. A lot of close up shots are used within the video, which I think were effective in the story line, and therefore I may take this forward to my own video. However in my music video, there will be not as much performance areas as this video, and will mainly focus on the story.

Below is the music video for Scouting For Girls - Love How it Hurts:

I looked at this video because it is a straightforward illustration narrative throughout the whole music video. Although it is not specifically about cheating, it is however about relationships. The story line follows two male characters and a female character from childhood to young adult. The idea that there are two males and one female character links into the idea of my music video quite well, and this is another reason that I chose to look more closely at this video when looking into similar products. There are a variety of shots used in this music video also which I will consider using myself such as long shots, extreme long shots, and many close ups. Slow motion is used in this video also, and this is something which I am definitely considering taking forward to my own video now that I have seen it in both this video and also 'Ouch'. There are no performance elements in this music video at all, it is simply a straightforward narrative story to match the lyrics and pace of the song. Although most of my video will be similar to this, I do want areas of performance involved in my video, and this is why I believe that the two music videos I chose to look at reflect both of these methods well.

I also looked back at my previous post briefly analysing the music video to 'Daniel Powter - Bad Day'. The reason I did this is because the music video contains split screen elements, and a narrative story, both of which I am including in my own video.

Costume for the Band

I would like the band to all wear similar style outfits, however different colours. I do not mind particularly on the exact outfits worn by the band, as long as they fit into the style I would like. This is because I know that my actors, (Tommy, Callum, Joe and Matthew) all have clothes which fit the style I would like them to wear. I would like them to all wear either straight leg or skinny jeans (preferably), and a plain t-shirt either all of it being plain or with a simple logo on it. The footwear I would like them to wear could either be simple trainers, or a plimsoll/smart type shoe. This type of outfit is the style of the artists, Simple Plan. This means that as well as matching the artists 'look', it also will appeal to the target audience.  Below is an image of Simple Plan, which represents this style. I have also included example images of the type of clothes I would like the 'band' members to wear.

Costume for the Second Male Character

The costume for the second male character, (Matthew Tyler) will be also quite smart/casual. I would like this character to wear straight leg jeans, plimsole/shoes, a polo shirt of a different colour/pattern to the main male character, and a cardigan. This is for the same reason as the other characters; this type clothing represents the age range of my target audience. Below are images of the type of costume Matthew will be wearing.

Costume for the Main Male Character

The costume I am going to use for the male character, (Connor Tullett) is; dark long jeans, a polo shirt, a jacket, and trainers. The style I wanted this character to have is smart casual, and I believe this costume will achieve this. I am aware that Connor already has these items of clothing therefore, as with the female character, the costume will be easily accessible. I would like the clothing to be branded, for example nike/adidas trainers, a voi polo shirt etc. Connor has these brands of clothing so again, this will be possible. I do not mind the colours, although I would like them to be quite plain and not too bright or with eccentric patterns. The reason I have chosen this particular costume is because I think it represents the majority of the fashion for male teenagers/young adults. Below are pictures of the type of costume I have in mind.

Costume for Female Character

The costume for the female character (Joanna Thirkettle) will consist of; black leggings, a plain coloured vest top or t-shirt, a cardigan, and a jacket/coat. There will also be the props of a necklace and/or a ring (simple jewellery). The shoes I would like Joanna to wear will be flat shoes (dolly shoes). I do not mind what colour these are so I will simply use whichever colour Joanna has herself already. I think that this costume represents the clothes in which the target audience may wear, and are currently fashionable for the particular age range I am targetting. Joanna has these items of clothing therefore this costume/outfit will be able to be used without having to purchase anything. Below is an example of the type of clothes Joanna will be wearing in the music video.

Confirming What Props I Will Need

As I have stated in a previous post about props, I will need a variety of props for my video with a small budget for certain items. I can now confirm that I will need the following props: 

- Instruments for the 'band performance' sections of my video. These will need to be asked permission for from the music faculty at school.

- Jewellery for the female actor. This will consist of a ring and simple necklace either gold or silver.

- A digital clock

- A mobile phone

- A note

- Keys

- Food and Drink. This will be for the scene of the couple on the sofa together. E.g. popcorn and drinks.

- Jacket/Coat. Although this is part of the girls costume, it will be taken off and placed as part of the Mise-en-Scene in one scene.

- Wall clock. May already be part of the furniture in the house, however if not one may need to be placed in the room or a substitute prop used.

- A watch for the main male character.

Most of these props will already be available, however a small budget will be needed for items such as the food and drink.