Storyboard - First Draft

Here is a collection of drawings which I gathered to give you a brief understanding of what I attempt to achieve! These are not in the correct order as I haven't fully decided which order they will go, however, if I cannot decide I could make a quiesionnaire and ask people what order they would prefer!


Autumn Parks
This location I believe would go especially well with the folk genre as I wish to capture an autumn park! This gives the music video a warm appeal.

This scene could perhaps be the opening scene, with no singing, maybe just soft guitar intro to the song, giving it a more ambient mood. Also using a homemade camera dolly would make the scene more interesting and smoother!

Fields/Farms etc.

I believe capturing english countryside/fields etc. will reflect the folk genre. Also including props as large as tractors (maybe) in the background would look interesting.

I will later find some more fields I wish to include in the video. Being surrounded by fields at home is ideal as its close, and easy to carry equipment!

Talking Orange

I thought that this scene could be recorded by using the macro setting on my camcorder. This scene is meant to be humorous to maybe stop boredom. I want this music video to be extremely spontanious, as well having no meaning with the song!

Seaside

Being beside the seaside will be interesting, however it will be challenging as the wind will be stronger than normal conditions. I may have to use an alternative material for the heads, using card instead of paper!

Household Objects

Again, continue to use random objects and sticking smaller heads to objects such as mugs and cans etc.

Brick Walls

Using brick walls will give the scene a more rugged look to it! Also making it slightly urban. By placing the head to the right, I can add other objects to the wall, such as text. A recent post on this blog has a prototype of this certain scene!!

Making a Dolly

Recording my Short Opening Title Sequence last year for AS Media, I felt it was too jumpy and didn't have any smooth camera movements! I do not wish to make the same mistake this time. I will overcome this by making a homemade camera dolly, using, PVC poles, and skateboard wheels. And maybe a wooden surface to sit the tripod on.

Here is an example of one which I hope to make!

Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer

I found an awesome Music Video which use similar techniques I wish to use for mine! Directed by Stephen R. Johnson. Aardman Animations and the Brothers Quay provided

claymation, pixilation, and stop motion animation that gave life to images in the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqyc37aOqT0

Music Video Research

Whilst researching the conventions of music video I came across this website that was very useful.

1. Credits. Yes, yes, it adds a cinematic element to the video. Yes, yes, it makes everything look professional and epic. Awesome, it’s like the audience is watching a movie. But what’s the major difference between music videos and feature films? Oh, I don’t know, maybe about two hours! Also, millions upon millions of cash. Yes, some videos deserve special admiration for its technical feats but credits? Really? It just looks so pretentious. And if there’s one thing musicians want to avoid it’s being pretentious.

2. Sound effects/dialogue. I’ve watched a lot of videos and this is one kernel of truth I’ve discovered: all music videos aspire to be movies. The director usually wants to be filming a movie, the crew usually wants to be filming a movie and we all know the artist wants to be filming a movie. This leads to silly little ideas like adding dialogue or special effects to a music video. Explosions, heavy rain, bad bits of conversation. Yuck. Is this a MUSIC video? Why are people talking? Why does this feel like a film trailer? Oh, that’s right, everyone’s stuck in a state of arrested development and can’t come to terms with the fact that they’re not Brad Pitt. Deal with it, people! Cut out all the extra bells and whistles, it comes across as stupid and contrived.

3. Too much story. This is the biggest one of all. A music video is best when it realizes the confines of the medium. Let’s be honest: you’ve got a couple minutes to draw in the viewer’s attention and leave a lasting impression. Use those few minutes in your favor! Be creative, be inventive! Try something new! It’s a horrible idea to try and create a larger-than-life story and cram it into the short amount of time. It never works, it looks silly and it lends to parody.

http://www.rocknrollview.com/blog/2009/03/18/what-makes-a-good-music-video/

Prototypes of Music Video

Here are some photos of locations with a cut out head included, just to give you an idea of what the Music Video will look like/include. These are only draft 'prototypes' I have made on photoshop, but hopefully have given you an idea of what we are looking to achieve! Both of these heads will in turn, be moving, and will be in sync with the song!

Chosen Song for Music Video

On my Prezi (Initial Ideas) I had gathered several songs that I thought would suit the

Music Video. Me and Luke decided to use a song by a band named Fleet Foxes, called 'White Winter Hymnal. Here is a hyperlink to the song! Do not pay any attention to the video. Although it is an awesome video, there is no relevance to it! Because it is unlikely to get in touch with the band, I plan to re-record/cover this song, using mine and Luke's voice, a guitar, and some other simple instruments, such as a bass drum, and a tambourine!

SONG!

http://vimeo.com/1309452

Task Management

So far, me and Luke have split up the tasks 50/50. I will be creating a storyboard, designing a CD cover for the DigiPak, searching for locations to film the Music Video, and making a questionnaire. To see what Luke's tasks are, here is the hyperlink!

http://a2medialukebamber.blogspot.com/2010/11/task-management.html

DigiPak

Definition of a digipak (Digi-Pak)!

A Digipak is used mainly for CD singles or special editions of CD albums. The style of a digipak differs from a normal CD case (Jewel Cases) as they typically consist of a gatefold paperboard or card stock outer binding. These cases are capable of holding more than one plastic tray to hold the CD/DVD.

Example of Digipak!

There are various different examples that can be used. For example the one shown is a fairly popular design with a front cover, an inside flap and 6 overal sides. Whereas the digipak for The Gorillaz - 'Demon Days' album has a front cover and 3 inside flaps that fold out, including the front cover, create the shape of a vertical cross showing the 4 band members images around the cd tray, which is in the centre. Also may add attention to the actual CD!

CD Cover research

Here is a link to my Research of CD Covers

http://prezi.com/kyu3j9igwhoj/cd-cover-research/

Music Video Research

After looking at the music videos that inspired me, they all start off with a calm/slow feel to it. Depending on the song, which would reflect the mood of the video. The mood can be represented by colour, speed of shots, the location of the shot etc. I looked at a Music Video called 'Torn On The Platform', from a solo artist named Jack Peñate. Like the other music videos, it starts off slow and steady, however because the song is quite jumpy and a mixture of a alternative/ska genre, the mood picks up rapidly. Like this music video I indend to start off the Music Video at a slow speed, perhaps recording a location in the morning, with the sun rising etc. Me and Luke will record a cover of a song named White Winter Hymnal - Fleet Foxes, which is a soft, and slightly slow song at the start, which progresses in the middle. With the song getting more interesting in the middle, the Music Video will do the same!