Folk Genre Research

As we split up our tasks 50/50, Luke has found some ideal research on the Folk genre. It includes the history of folk, the different styles of folk including folk rock, electric folk, and folk metal, Artists such as Bob Dylan etc. Also it includes the instruments mainly used in a folk song.
Here is the link to his research:
http://a2medialukebamber.blogspot.com/2010/12/folk-genre-research.html

Camera Angles

After researching music videos made by folk bands such as Fleet Foxes, Bombay Bicycle Club, Grizzly Bear, The Maccabees etc. I concentrated on the camera angles used. For the majority of Bombay Bicycle Club's music videos, the shots consist of extreme close ups, long pans, and jump shots. Also I noticed that the camcorder is purposely handheld without the use of a tripod to give their videos a more amateur look, possibly? I think this technique works as it makes the video seem more quirky and rustic! I believe the more complex music videos are made by Fleet Foxes as they have an older style of work e.g. overlaying shots, slow panning, medieval fonts etc. Here are a few screenshots of their work:

Bombay Bicycle Club - Dust on the Ground

Fleet Foxes - He Doesn't Know Why

The Maccabees - First Love

Lighting

I do not wish to concentrate on the lighting for this music video. This is because I will be using iStop-Motion, therefore it would be extremely tricky and almost impossible to keep the lighting the same all the way through a shot, especially when recording outdoors! Even indoors.... I could black out windows in the room, but I believe it would be more interesting if the lighting would change. An existing music video 'End Love - OK GO' record the whole music video in what seems to be a public park. The lighting continuously alternates throughout the video, but the main attraction is the subject matter, in this case, the four men dressed in vibrant clothing! Because I am using more than one person in my video, I believe the video would look more interesting if the lighting changes!.

OK Go: End Love from Rockonlelkek Staff on Vimeo.

Next Week's Achievements

By next week I intend to finish recording our own version of 'White Winter Hymnal' using GarageBand, start recording the first few scenery shots, and record me and Luke miming my version! Because of the weather conditions, I am debating on whether to use less outdoor scenery as I did not intend to include snow. Also it would be a challenge to keep the paper heads in the same place, same angle etc. with the wind! To overcome this I could either take a wind-braker and place it close to the heads, or I could record the majority of my footage indoors. I believe this would still be effective, and interesting. I had an idea of someone holding my camcorder out of my sun roof of my car whilst driving. Going down bendy roads, and capturing awesome scenery! I could then delete the clips I do not wish to use (using iMovie).

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