Additional Shots

Further Filming

While editing, It is clear to see that I will need more locations/backgrounds to keep the audience interested and active. When Esther and I last filmed in London, we were unable to film in front of iconic British Locations such as Buckingham Palace and Big Ben like we planned, as we ran out of time because we found so many unique locations in Shoreditch. Therefore we have planned to go into London on the next Sunday we are both available. 

However, I would also like more indoor and basic locations to vary the shots as much as possible. Therefore I have planned with Esther to film one day after Sixth Form this week.

We will start in school, and then travel around our area to find various shots.

In school locations:

• Basket Ball Court
• Common Room
• Classroom
• Computer Classroom
• Tech Classroom 
• Library
• Corridor 
• Toilets
• Saffron Hall?

Out of school locations:

• Paint shop
• Food shop
• My kitchen
• Park
• Gym
• Pub
• Water fountain
• Fishing Deck
• In front of a statue
• Bedroom
• Fast food restaurant
• Fancy Dress shop
• Hair/Nail Salon
• Bowling Alley
• Arcade
• Swimming Pool
• TV Shop
• Car Sales Area

Travelling to Locations

Travelling to Locations

Thursday

On Thursday, I will be driving to Esther's house and taking us both to Audley End Train Station. From Audley End station, we will get the train to Cambridge Train Station. We will then walk from the train station to the various locations. Esther will then stay in Cambridge to film her own music video with her group. However, I have to be back at Audley End Station by around 3:40, as I have work in the early evening. 

Friday

I am going to pick Esther up from her house, I will then drive back to my house, where my mum is going to drive us to Epping train station. From Epping, we will then go to Brick Lane (closest train station is Whitechapel). We will then decide from there, what location to travel to next. I will purchase a day travel card for Esther and I, so we will be able to travel round London easily. Esther needs to be back by 6, therefore we will need to bare this in mind on the day. 

We will decide on Thursday what time we shall leave on Friday, as we will have a better understanding of how much time we will need. 

Preparation for Filming

Preparation for Thursday and Friday

In order to be as prepared as possible, I have done the following steps:

1) Put the song 'We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off' in a separate playlist, so I don't have to scroll down to the bottom of my songs every time I turn on my Ipod at every different location. 

2) I downloaded a London Underground App on my phone, this way I will be able to travel round London easier. In theory, this app will also prevent Esther and I from getting lost, which will reduce the amount of time wasted. 

3) I typed up a page full of information to carry around with me, such as the equipment list, photograph lists, location ideas and train station list. I think this will keep me on track when filming, as I will be able to refer to this page when filming.

4) I have also downloaded the '100 Places of Dance' onto my phone. This way I will be able to show shop mangers, or land owners what I am aiming towards. As I plan to film in several locations, I have decided not to contact any shop owners in advance, as there is no guarantee Esther and I will make it to the location at the allocated time given to us. This is because we are likely to come across places that have plenty of background/locations on the day, therefore timings are impossible to predict. 

Weather Predictions/Revised Filming Dates

Weather Predictions/Revised Filming Dates

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Esther is no longer available to film on Wednesday as planned on my 'Revised Time Plan' post. As result, we have decided to film in Cambridge on Thursday, as Esther will be filming her own media project in Cambridge from 4pm onwards. Therefore, we don't have to worry about traveling back in time. Then we will be filming in London on Friday for the whole day on Friday.

I decided to look at the weather report so I could plan in advance for any changes needed. 

Cambridge:

I realised that the weather would be slightly overcast, therefore I have planned Esther's costume to fit with the weather.

London:

I am very concerned about the weather report for Friday. At the moment, there is a 40% chance that it will run. This will cause continuity problems, if it is raining in most of the shots in my music video (as most shots will be filmed in London).  This will make the transitions in locations look confusing. I wouldn't mind if it was raining in some locations, but if it rains the whole day in London, then the connotations will challenge stereotypical pop music videos.

Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment

1) Filming in Busy Spaces
(High risk) Filming in busy locations could lead to many possible risks. Such as equipment being knocked over and damaged, Esther or myself being knocked. The busier the space, the easier it is for people to steal equipment or belongings without Esther and I realising. As a result, production of the music video might not be able to continue until the issues is resolved. In worst case scenario, a bag containing our train tickets, money and phone could be take meaning we have no way home. To avoid this, I will wear a backpack or a over the shoulder bag, as I am less likely to leave them in a vulnerable space. I will also assess the business of every location, to identify potential risks.

2) Filming on uneven grounds
(Medium Risk) In the dance routine Esther will be jumping and twisting, therefore she will be able to concentrate on the ground surface. If the ground is uneven then Esther is most likely to fall over or stumble. In worst case scenario, Esther could fall over and unsure herself. If Esther is injured she would not be able to perform or dance this would mean production would have to stop until she is better. Even if Esther was only to stumble slightly, the dance routine would be inconsistent which would make editing very difficult. To prevent this from happening, I plan to check the area Esther will be dancing to check for anything.

3) Filming in extreme weathers
(High Risk) As I will be filming in the late October, the weather is unpredictable and likely to be raining or overcast. If it is raining, my equipment such as camera, speaker, and phone would get damaged. Not only would this prevent production, it would be very costly and timely to replace this equipment. This would ultimately delay my project, and prevent any editing from happening after half term. To prevent this from happening, I plan to bring at least one umbrella to cover the camera, speaker and phone. This will stop water from damaging my electronic equipment. 

4) Wires from Equipment 
(Low Risk) Though I aim to only use wireless electronic devices, such as my speaker, I will bring the wires with me just in case the battery runs out. There might also be wires around in other locations, which could cause Esther or myself to fall over. To prevent this from happening, I will ensure the wires are not in our way. I will move them into a safe position.

Parental Permission

Model Release Form

Esther, my star, is just under 18. Therefore, I have asked Esther's guardian to fill out a Model Release Form. 

I have blurred the bottom of the image to protect personal details. 

Props and Equipment List

Props and Equipment List

1) DSLR Camera

I plan to use my own DSLR camera, a Nikon 3300, as I am more familiar with the settings and how to set it up exactly how I need to. 

2) Lens

I am also using my own camera lens, Nikon, as it produces sufficient quality picture for my music video. I will also be able to keep the zoom set up exactly the same over the few days of filming.

3) Tripod
I will again use my own tripod, as I marked the tripod exactly where how the tripod should be set up. Therefore the height in every shot will be the same. 

4) Several SD Cards
I will bring all the SD cards that I own, as I will be filming the whole dance routine in every location. Therefore I will be filming a lot of footage.

5) String/Yarn
I tie the string to one leg of the tripod, and cut it to the distance needed between Esther and the tripod, this way Esther will be in the same spot every time. Esther will also be able to position herself independently, while I set up other equipment in each location. This will reduce the amount of time taken to set up in every location, which will maximise the time available to film in various locations.

6) Blunt Scissors
I will need scissors to cut the string. I will only need blunt rounded scissors, as the string/yarn will be reasonably easy to cut.

7) Speaker
I will need a portable speaker, so Esther has music which she can dance to. This will ensure that Esther's timing is right, which will make the transitions in locations smooth.

8) Extra Batteries/Charging Wire
I am going to bring spare batteries for the speaker, so if the original batteries run out, we can continue to film. I will also bring the charging wire, so If we use internal locations I will be able the speaker even if the batteries run out. 

9) Ipod
I will bring an iPod with me to play the song from. Using a separate iPod will reduce the chances of the iPod running out of battery.

10) Iphone/Ipad

I will download '100 Places of Dance', and a video of the dance routine to my iPhone or iPad so I can show owners of potential locations my ideas and intentions. 

11) Money
We will be using trains to transport to different locations in London, therefore I must have enough money to pay for Esther and I to travel easily. I will also need to provide Esther with food and drink so has enough energy to perform and dance.

12) Umbrella
The weather is very temperamental therefore, I must have at least one umbrella to hold over my camera if it starts to rain, to prevent my equipment from getting damaged. 

13) Equipment List
I will bring my equipment list with me, so I can use it as a check list to ensure I have everything. I will also refer to it when I need equipment.

14) Shot List

I am going to make a list of possible backgrounds/locations I thought of in the post 'Possible Locations/Shot', so I can use for inspiration when filming.

15) Pen
I am going to bring a pen will me onto locations, so I write down possible shot lists found on the day. This will mean I am less likely to forget potential locations. 

16) Spare camera battery?
I would ideally like to bring a spare camera battery when filming, however I am struggling to find one that I can use. I have considered purchasing another one, however they are relatively expensive when you consider the money I will be spending on travel and other elements which are constructing my music video. Therefore a spare camera battery isn't compulsory but preferable. 

Revised Time Plan

Revised Time Plan

I've planned to film over the half term, as I would have more time film. However, It has again proved difficult to find a time that Esther and I are both free. 

I have decided  we would be need a full day for when we go to London, and at least a half day, preferably a full day for when we go to Cambridge.

After speaking to Esther I created this time plan, so we could decide which days would be best. We have agreed Wednesday would be the best day to go London, and have decided that we should go to Cambridge on Friday, as there is possibility Esther might need to work Friday evening. 

I have organised with my mum to take and pick us from the train stations on Wednesday and Friday, this way Esther doesn't need to worry about transport. 

Location Recce

Cambridge Recce

Over the weekend I went to Cambridge to scout for potential locations and background I can use. I tried to find locations which are reasonably close together, so I would be able to film the dance routine as many times as possible. I also aimed for various different locations, such as quiet vs busy, modern vs traditional. These photos are just a few of many photos I took.

I went quite early in the morning on a Sunday, therefore Cambridge wasn't very busy when I got there. However, it allowed me to find subtle locations such as the pathway in the photo above. I also like the idea of having pedestrians in the background of some shots, such as the man blowing bubbles (in the image to the right).

Having visited Cambridge, I realise that I will definitely need to film over two days, to be able to have as many different locations as possible. It was roughly a 30 minute drive to the train station, and then about a 10 minute on the train. Plus walking to the different locations, took me around an hour, therefore I will have to be efficient when filming. 

Planning For Digipack

Digipack and Poster

Digipack

Many of the photos I plan to use are location shots from my music video. Therefore I need to plan carefully where I need to photograph Esther, and what angle shot I should use to achieve the digipack I have planned.

1. Close up of Esther against graphiti background
2. Long shot of Esther against graphitti background
3. Row of Telephone boxes
4. Long & Wide shot of Esther at location (Esther to left of the frame, using the rule of thirds)

Extras
I plan to take some extra photos so I can experiment with different compositions and layout ideas for my digipack. I imagine I will find many locations and potential photos while on the days I film, but the following are extra photos I have planned in advance:

1. Close up of Graphitti wall
2. Esther by the telephone boxes
3. Various Location shots

Poster

1. Long shot of Esther posing

I might be able to take the long shot for the poster when on location, however if I find it difficult to remove the background I will use the photographic studio in school to capture Esther against a plain background.

Extras

1. Long shot of Esther holding her digipack
2. Close up shot of Esther
3. Medium shot of Esther holding her digipack

Digipack Ideas

My Digipack Ideas

A digipack can have 8 or 6 sides, and can hold 1 or 2 different disks. 
I have decided to create a digipack with 6 sides, as they are more common and less hassle to pack away every time it is opened. Using the measurements to the left, I have roughly sketched out my initial ideas for my digipack below.

Above is my initial idea for my poster. I imagine the poster being hung up in windows at stores that it would be sold such as HMV. I included a picture of CD, and social network icons so viewers would know where else they could find information about my star.

Artist Poster Research

Individual Female Pop Artist's Posters and Adverts

Above are posters and adverts found in magazines, raising awareness of the artist's tours and album release. All of adverts are in the same colour schemes and graphic fonts as the CD covers. Some of these posters have a small image of the CD cover so then their target audience would know what to look for. This will make finding the CD easier as the target audience will already know what it looks like which is likely to result in more sales. 

All adverts feature an image of the artist, however the framing is more varied than the CD front covers.  For example, in Taylor Swift's poster a long shot has been used. I personally really like this, as there is more background area for key information. 

The key information included on most posters include: 

• The artist's name
• The release date of the album
• Social Media sites
• Artist's website
• Tour Dates
• Support Acts

I have also noticed that most of the backgrounds are either plain or blurred so the text would stand out more. I will bare this in mind when producing my advert/poster.

Dance Routine Practise

Dance Routine Practise

It has taken me a longer than expected to prepare a dance routine for the music video. It is important that the dance routine is contemporary and fits with target audience's ideology. I had initially planned to send Esther a video of the dance routine so she could learn it independently, however now I realise it would be more efficient to teach her the dance routine, so we could make changes together before filming. Due to time restrictions, I was unable to teach Esther the whole dance routine, but I think it is a good place to start. Below is a time lapse of myself teaching Esther the dance routine:

Time Plan

Time Plan

I had initially planned to film on a bright sunny day, so the lighting and backgrounds would conform to stereotypical pop conventions. However, I am aware that the longer amount of time spent planning and research, the less dry days and sunny days there will be. But my planning and research is vital to produce a music video which appeals to my target audience.

I had hoped to film over a weekend when the weather had been ideal, but Esther and I both have commitments such as work, university open days and Esther's modelling. As result, I am going to have plan carefully when we can film. 
In a few weeks time, we have half term. I think this will be the best time to film, as we would be able to go early in the morning and travel to London, and leave when we have filmed enough shots. 

Pitch

6th October 2015 

Today I prepared my pitch on a Microsoft Office Powerpoint. I have summarised my intentions, inspirations, and target audience so I can pitch my idea to my class tomorrow.

7th October 2015

Today I presented my pitch to the class, here is the video: 

Once I turned off the camera a few students ask me questions:

'Will you film the whole dance routine/lip sync at every location?'

I will film the whole dance routine in every location, as it will make editing easier for me. I realise this will increase the time spent filming, but it will reduce the amount of time spent editing, as I won't have to figure out what time each dance move is meant to be on screen. 

'Will the cuts between locations quicker?'

Yes, the changes in locations will be quicker than shown in my practise. My practise was primarily to identify issues with this idea, and I quickly discovered that I will have to film in several more locations than I originally thought.

'Will Esther lip sync when she is dancing?'

We are going to have a practise together this week, and see what looks best.

Storyboard

Storyboard

Here is my first drafted storyboard.

 I hope to start my music video on a wall with brightly coloured graphitti. On the beat of the music the title 'Ella Eyre We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes Off Whipped Cream Remix' will fade in, and then fade out on the next beat. Esther will then walk in to the centre of the frame in time to start singing the lyrics.

As Esther begins to sing, the long shot cuts to a close up of her face. I will then cut to different locations on the beats. When the beats become faster, I will cut back to long shot and Esther will begin to dance. I will again, cut the transitions of locations on the beat of the music. 

On 'Just Slow down', Esther will stop dancing, and begin to sing into the camera. At this point I will go back to a close up shot of her face.

The rest of the music video will consist of fast pace cuts and changes in location while Esther dances. I will aim to make the transitions as smooth as possible.



























As you can see in my annotations next to my drawings, I have decided to keep my camera static throughout my music video. After much thought and careful planning, I decided that a static camera throughout would look best. I must have a static camera when long shots are used so the change in location can be seamless, however a static camera is not necessary during the close ups. But I felt that it would look unprofessional to cut from a moving camera to a static camera several times. 
Most music video's feature moving cameras, therefore I am challenging typical music video conventions, however I am willing to take this risk as I believe I will the viewers interested by changing the locations regularly. 

Possible Locations/Shots

Possible Locations/Shots

I am only going to use long shots (LS) and close up (CU) shots in music video,  with a static camera. To keep my audience interested, I am varying the different locations in each shot. In order to produce a music video inspired by 100 Places of Dance I will have to have over 100 different shot locations. This will be very time consuming, therefore it is important to plan and explore as many different options as possible

There are also many other possibilities, however these are just a few ideas.

Mise-En-Scene

Mise En Scene

Costume

Esther will wear a vintage styled denim pinafore, similar to what Ella Eyre wore in the music video for Good Times. However, Esther will be styled slightly more wintery as the music video is set slightly later on in the year. 
Esther will wear a roll-neck jumper and thick tights under her denim dress.

Make-up
Esther will have minimal make up on, just to enhance her features. I believe this is in keeping with Ella Eyre's style and therefore will appeal to her target audience. 

Lighting
I hope to film on day with minimal clouds, meaning that the will be reasonable amount of light. This will portray an upbeat positive mood, but I realise that it will be hard to find a day in October with appropriate weather that both Esther and I can do. Therefore I accept that the video is most likely to be filmed on a overcast day.

Location
The music video will be filmed over various locations in the UK. Many of the shots will be filmed in London.

Props
I will not be using any props in my music video, as there is no narrative and the performance it set in public spaces where performing props wouldn't be available.

Composition
Esther will be in the centre of the frame throughout the music video to show the audience that she is the main focus. 

Preparing My Star

Preparing My Star

I have decided to prep my star now, so she is ready for when I film. I have given Esther a lyric sheet and a video with the dance routine broken down. I believe this will reduce the amount of mistakes when we film, therefore making production more efficient. As well as this, Esther is more likely to feel confident which will be visible when she performs.

I have also told her she can adjust the dance routine to suit her, so she will feel comfortable. However, I have told her to keep a few dance moves the same as they reference 100 Places of Dance. 

Target Audience

Target Audience

After looking at my artist's previous music videos and songs, as well deciding on the content and visuals featured in my music video, I believe I am able to narrow down my target audience more accurately. 

Primary Audience - 
My primary audience will predominately be mid-teenage girls. I have come to this conclusion by looking at Ella's existing audience. I believe the combination of the dance routine and female star, will attract a female audience.  Many of the audience may inspire to be like the star, whether it may be her style, location or dancing. 
The target audience will also be based in the UK, as Ella Eyre is a reasonably new artist.
The target audience most likely to listens to pop music that is successful in the Top UK 40, such as What Do You Mean? by Justin Bieber.

Secondary Audience - 
The secondary audience is very broad. As the song is a remix of a cover of an original song (We Don't Have To Take Our Clothes off by Jermaine Stewart) released in 1986, the song is likely to appeal to the original audience of the song. However, I realise there will also be a large portion of the original audience who do not like the changes. 
Furthermore, I think the music video will also appeal to many males and young adults, as the upbeat dance routine is performed by a female star.
The secondary target audience will most likely listen to other remix's of original songs, such as Easy Love by Sigala which is a remix of ABC by Jackson 5. 


Psychographic -

I think a large portion of my audience will viewers and fans of 100 Places Of Dance, as it will be clearly referenced in my video. The audience of the 100 Places Of Dance has a very wide target audience as it went viral.