Music Video - Evaluation

Prior to the performance, we arrived at the venue with all the required equipment in order to set up safely and orderly. For camera 1, we taped down the tripod in front of the barrier, in order to limit the possibly of the set up becoming a safety hazard. This also meant that there would be less of a chance for the camera being damaged by any accidental moving of the tripod. During the performance I remained mindful of where I moved around with the two other cameras. Although it was vital to get a variety of shots, I had to stay alert at all times, to avoid potential injury to others, or damage to the equipment.

In order to get a sufficient amount of footage, I filmed throughout the gig and not just during the chosen song. I was able to capture a selection of audience shots, performance shots (from each band member) and various filler shots.

One major disadvantage that I encountered, was not having control over the lighting set up, however from my previous experience of shooting gigs, I made sure that I had equipment which was going to benefit my filming the most. I used lenses that allow a low aperture setting to compensate for low lighting, as I would need a relatively fast shutter speed to capture movement without much motion blur and a low iso to reduce graininess.

Prior to starting the editing process, I went through all the clips I had shot and organised them into categories, such as drum shots, guitar shots, bass shots, audience shots etc. This helped to speed up the overall editing process, as I was able to access the footage I needed with ease, without having to sift through each clip individually.

Both myself and the band decided to have the video in black and white. When comparing the raw footage (which was shot in colour) to the edited monochrome sequence, we found that the desaturated version has much more aesthetic appeal. As stated in the extract below, I feel that the use of black and white in this instance has a more elusive meaning, it has been used particularly for visual impact, as opposed to a means of conveying any deeper significance.

As the audio track was over five minutes in length, I felt that the biggest challenge was creating a sequence that didn't have a repetitive or dry feel to it, therefore I made use of all the footage I had shot and incorporated overlay during the outro. This visually reflected the heavier section of the song, by representing the dense structure of the final crescendo. 

BUTLER, J G. (1994): Television: Critical Methods and Applications. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Music Video - Shotlist

Music Video - Shooting Plan

Taking into consideration the given deadline for this unit, I have decided to shoot a live performance video with my clients 'Flight 15', as well as the studio performance which we initially agreed upon, in order to ensure that I will have a sequence completed in time. I have taken visual influence from various existing music videos, in order to form a shooting plan.

Although live performances are particularly spontaneous in nature, I found that by watching and analysing other live/stadium performances there are universal elements that are present in a majority of them.



When focusing on a specific song it is vital to capture parts of the live performance that reflect the track. To do this with success, I have decided to use a multi camera set up so that I have a diverse array of shots and plenty of filler shots to use throughout the video.

Camera 1: 
Tripod - Master Shot

Camera 2:
Tripod - Front of house

Camera 3:
Handheld/Steadicam - Audience shots/Close ups of band members

It would be visually effective to focus on the vocalist in order to convey the lyrics, equally shooting the other band members would work to illustrate and amplify the music at times.
I intend to get a variety of filler shots to add more visual dynamic to the overall piece, such as; filming the band setting up/leaving the stage, reaction shots from the audience and head shots of band members during the performance.

As I will be filming in a live environment, I will need to consider all health and safety aspects that I may encounter. It would be beneficial to keep all my equipment in front of the audience barriers in order to minimise chances of injuries to others and damage to any of the equipment.

Music Video - Planning

Flight 15 - "Glitter and Gold" 

For this unit, I have been in contact with a local band about producing a music video for them.  After deciding upon a song, we have started discussing the style and theme of the video.

Collectively the band have developed the idea that the video will be a studio performance, however set in the 1950's. As the bands sound predominantly fits into the rock genre, Goodwin would suggest that the style of the video would contradict the music itself, offering an alternative perspective which increases visual appeal and allows the viewer to develop their own interpretation of events. I have started to plan the visual and technical elements of the shoot, as well as any health and safety aspects I may need to consider.

The band have selected a location; a relatively large hall including stage space for them to conduct the performance upon. As well as the band themselves, there will be extras playing an audience. As there will be a large amount of people at the shoot, I will have to consider the placement of my equipment, so that I avoid the risks of injuries to others and any damage to camera or lighting equipment.

Although the video will predominantly conform to the genre of studio performance, the fact that it will be set in a different time era almost produces a narrative in itself. I have looked at existing videos set in other time periods for visual influence and have considered various visual features; In order to make it conspicuously clear that the video is set in the past it would be worth experimenting during post production with black and white filters to see if that manifests an authentic feel.

Music Video - Research

Research findings

I conducted some initial research into music video production in order to develop some understanding in what makes a successful sequence. I analysed the theories of Carol Vernallis and Andrew Goodwin and applied them to various music videos. Collecting secondary findings before hand, provided me with a better foundation to begin planning my own work; I was able to develop a deeper understanding of the styles of music video and the editing techniques that they make use of.

I first began by applying the theories of Goodwin and Vernallis to a selection of music videos from different genres. Doing so allowed me to produce more valid findings, as opposed to looking at just one genre of music. In addition to this, I conducted semiotic analysis to examine other aspects of each sequence, such as the meaning behind different camera shots, mise en scene and the purpose of each edit/cut.

I produced a short questionnaire which allowed me to gather primary data on what makes a successful and appealing music video. Although the results varied depending on personal choice, there were some clear trends. I used a selection of questions that would give me an insight into peoples preference, such as:

What do you look for in a music video?

What is your preferred genre of music video?
- Stadium Performance
- Studio Performance
- Location
- Narrative
- Conceptual/Experimental

What makes a good narrative?
- conceptual/experimental
- relatable themes
- metanarrative

Is star image important to convey in music videos?

As a result of the multiple choice layout for some of the questions, the results provided me with quantitative findings which were easy to collate into an ordered format. The open questions offered me rich data in a qualitative format, giving a deeper insight into what I should include in my music video and most importantly, what genre I should choose.

Following this, a focus group allowed me to gather further primary research, however more directed towards my own work.  I had already conducted enough research prior to this, to develop a few ideas to pitch to the group. I found that people suggested a studio performance, as opposed to narrative would work best for the band and song that I have selected.
I would have preferred to present the song to the group, so that I could get more directed feedback, however the band were still in the process of choosing a song.

Once the band had sent me the chosen track and a rough idea of what they wanted the video to entail, I began researching accordingly. The band had decided to contradict the style of their music by having the visuals represent a 1950's style setting. I analysed "Buddy Holly" - Weezer and "In Bloom" - Nirvana. I found that common features in both these sequences, like the monochrome and static effects, manifested an authentic feel of the time period they were set in.
As Goodwin would suggest, visuals of this manner contradict the music. As well as opposing the conventional preconception of star image in relation to an alternative rock band. 

Music Video - Planning

Visual Mood board - Idea 2

Music Video - Planning

Although I have been in contact with a potential client for a music video, I am not certain that I will be able to complete the task in line with the given deadlines, therefore, I have decided to look at existing songs to base a video upon.



With this song, I feel that there is much scope for experimentation and there is a clear opportunity to develop a conceptual narrative, which will compliment the almost illusory feel that the music possesses. Musically, there is a steady tempo and a very repetitive feel, which would work to create visual repetition. The lyrics hold quite a personal essence and to amplify this, I would like to base the sequence upon a single subject.

To combine both the musical and visual elements, I plan to have the subject walking through a single location in a cyclical manner, this will act as an illustration of the lyrics in the chorus; "Feel like a brand new person. But you'll make the same old mistakes". I think that it would look more effective to have the subject wondering through the location oblivious to his surroundings, with a neutral expression, whilst around him there are repetitive mistakes being carried out again and again.

Visually similar to the style of this video: