Logo for our company

I have designed a logo for out production company in order for it to go on the digipak, and this is the result. We decided during planning that we would like it to be dark coloured, preferably black and red in order for it not to be too similar to the planned colour schemes for our video and digipak. Therefore, I took the colours into consideration and made the logo black and red.

Technology trial: Final Cut Pro X 1

Today we were introduced to Final Cut Pro X , and the basics of the software.
Before we actually got to use the application, we went out and did some experimental filming with our media class, to see how different types of shots would affect the outcome and what they could be used for.
After we finished with the filming, we connected a hard drive and the memory card we had in the camera to the Mac.
We then opened Final Cut, and created a new event in order to be able to save our work, and then we created a new project, in order to test out and remember how to do it when we actually gather all of our film fragments for our music video.
Not only that, but we also learned how to import our song in the mp3 format onto the timeline, alongside all of the film parts.

Research: Todorov Theory

Planning : Principle photography: stars

During this photoshoot, we wanted to take some photographs that could either go in the music video, or on any of the ancillaries, therefore we made sure there is a variety of poses, facial expressions and types of shots (close ups, medium close ups...)
We wanted to try out a shot which would symbolise conflict or some sort of disagreement, therefore we thought about trying out such a pose. Although there isn't a link with the audience, such a shot could be incorporated in the music video in order to show the audience that there is negativity between the two stars, and that they do not see eye to eye.

Just for experimentation, we wanted to see whether making interesting/funny facial expressions would work with our music genre/video. Although the photos are interesting, and do engage with the audience, we are unsure whether they are suitable. However, from these shots it can be assumed that the star is a lighthearted person, this way showing more of an identity.
For these shots, we took inspiration not from a music video, but rather from photoshoots of other stars and the way they pose, for example this shot of Matty Healy, who's genre is slightly similar to ours.




These shots have sepia/vintage filters on them, which were inspired by the lyrics of the song, and the Adele- Hello music video. Using a sepia filter gets rid of bright colours, which then makes the focal point the star. Muted colours in general are favoured in indie music videos, therefore we thought that using this filter would be a good idea.








We wanted to take some simple two shots of the stars together, and by themselves to show the audience their faces and help them recognise and build a relationship in this way. Because our star is only launching, we wanted to take some close up shots of the male with his face being clear. In the music video, we would like to show his face as much as possible when he is being filmed in order to make the debut music video successful and hook the audience, making them interested further.
When taking photos of the actress, we tried to shoot her in poses that would be more suitable for the music video rather than the ancillaries, as she is not the star in the music video. We tried to capture her mid thought, and when she is moving. When thinking about the shots, we wanted her to look natural and avoid shots that look forced.

We wanted to experiment with this risky shot which signifies rebellion and disagreement. However, at the same time, we wanted to make it more appealing to the audience, therefore we have the female with a fun facial expression. The reason why we wanted such a vulgar shot is because of our audience, who are late teens and people in their twenties, who are discovering themselves and have views on the world that is around them. When we analysed the song of our choice, the clear views on the world are also shown through the lyrics, and we wanted to portray this in a raw and visual way.

Planning : Photo Shoot 1

Research: Harry Houdini

Whilst looking at our lyrics, we noticed the constant use of the name Houdini, since we didn't know who he was, I decided to do some research about him, and found out that he was a famous stage magician and an illusionist, who was most known for his escape facts. When learning that he was well known for that,and the fact that his escape acts are what brought him fame and wealth,and realising that our ideas for our music video were linked to escapism I felt that we could try and incorporate a symbolic shot that tributes to him.
After looking at some images of Houdini on the internet, I found a lot of them were photos of him handcuffed and chained, and therefore I feel that we could incorporate a shot of someone trying to break our of handcuffs.
I believe that we can use 'The handcuff king' as a symbol to the idea of escapism within our video.

Planning: meeting with our actors

Today we met up with the two of our actors and discussed the types of costumes that we would like them to wear for our music video. We also spoke about the type of makeup and locations we would like to use for our music video.
When discussing the hairstyles with the actress, we decided that having her hair kept natural would be the most sensible idea due to the fact that she has naturally wavy hair full of volume. We mainly concentrated on the female actress's costumes today and got some ideas for her makeup, we came to a conclusion that we would like a messy/ grunge style makeup for her at some shots, however, for others we were planning on having soft neutral makeup that would be kept at a minimum.
After this conversation, the following day I contacted the actress again and we discussed the costumes further on regarding the video and the principal photography, and we came to an agreement that so far we will use three contrasting costumes for the female, and three for the male.

Research: meaning behind the suits

For our music video, we wanted to include symbolism, and whilst looking into the lyrics of our chosen song, we saw some that could be linked to games, and instantly thought of cards. We would like to use a card as a symbol [Barthes] within our music video, similarly to Where is the love? by Black Eyed Peas with the use of a question mark.

Whilst looking into the meaning of the Ace of hearts, the main meanings behind the card that I found were linked to emotion, relationships, love, desire for affection and finally- selfishness.

I believe we can use this meaning when discussing the issues within the modern world and the greed that has taken over it. Not only that, but also, we can link the card to emotion and desire, since we will try and stay away from the idea of making our music video about love. 

We would incorporate this card by placing it in different shots, and not necessarily in a direct way. For example, if we have an interior shot, it can be somewhere in the background: on a wall, the card resting on the bedside table...

The meanings behind the ace of clubs that I found whilst doing some research were the thirst for knowledge, night, wealth, masculinity, labour, luck, will and happiness.

Although it seems that due to it being a black card, most connotations would be negative, it is interesting that they are mostly very positive.

When thinking about how we could use this card within our music video (if we will at all), we could use it to represent our star image, as this card represents masculinity.






Diamonds represent warmth, light,wealth,Career,Values,Security,Judgment, adult responsibility. I believe we could use the symbol of this card when addressing the inspirers and their thirst for travel. In general, we could use this card when describing the positivity in what we have in the world today, however, I am not sure whether we will be discussing that at all within our music video yet.

Finally, we have the Ace of Spades, which is the card that I would like to use the most within our music video due to the deep dark meanings behind it. Also known as the death card, it also symbolises life (ironically) intellect and action. I would love to use this card because of how contrasting the meanings are, such as life and death, and how this card connotes danger just as much. I believe that we could use this card with its felxible symbolism as a sign (Barthes) within our music video, and include it in our advertisements and the digipak.
 

How this research influenced my planning and creativity:

• I now know the meanings behind playing card symbols and we could use each one of them for different purposes and connotations, thus including symbolism and greater depth within our music video

Research: music video analysis 10 - Beck- Loser

Genre: Indie
Style: Narrative, Performance based





How this research influenced my planning and creativity:

• We could use binary opposites in our music video as well as in this one
• Dancing to show the more carefree side of our stars could be incorporated
• The symbolism behind masks and gestures EG: death waving in a friendly manner

Planning group post: organising principle photography

This is the plan that our group came up with on deciding on how we will split the principle photography, and we decided to share the things that need to be taken care of equally, so everyone gets a task of similar difficulty. Although Ryan and Rhea have a date set when they need to finish the photography, the reason I do not is because of the fact that I first need to contact the actors and find out when they are available, which might not be this weekend.

group post Planning: beat script

The general concept of our music video is romanticising nostalgia. Instead of being a stereotypical narrative, this video will be exploring the concept of utopia and how the modern day life is dissatisfying to young people.
Intertextuality will be referenced by mentioning The Wizard of Oz as some of the lyrics refer to Dorothy and yellow bricks being the yellow brick road.
The video will involve the singer just as much as the actress, as they both hold similar significance within the music video.
The actors will express their dissatisfaction with the modern day life through symbolism and through facial expressions/acting and body language.
The video will begin with opening credits and the title slide of the song. The colour yellow will be implied throughout the video in small aspects as this is the symbol of intertetxtuality.
Whenever the star image will be shown in the music video, a large amount of the shots will be closeups/ medium closeups as this displays the star to the audience and helps build a relationship between the audience and the rising star.

Research: Treatment for our music video

music video research 9 : Angles in similar music videos

Research: Costume/makeup ideas for the female role

After doing some research and looking at indie/ indie rock videos, I have spotted some female actors within them and captured their outfits. What I noticed is that within these videos the actresses are either dressed in a 'careless' fashion which appears comfortable and daring, such as the outfit of the girl wearing multiple tops, but all of them unbuttoned, or, some of them are very feminine and make a statement, such as the silk snake kimono, or the classy white blouse with a black ribbon around her neck. After looking at the makeup that all of these girls are wearing, I came to a conclusion that some of them are either natural, or messy, as if stayed on the actresses face for too long, which gives them an adventurous, daring vibe, and what I really like about that is that this makeup opposes the gender stereotype of a traditional woman, and goes beyond, by portraying these women as independent individuals who do not dress to appeal to a male (Mulvey).

How this research influenced my planing and creativity:

We will experiment with natural/messy makeup
Get the female actress to have loose, natural, messy hair
Experiment with interesting/daring costumes for the female to represent her and the genre well

Planning: Actors and Star image for our music video

We have recently asked two of our friends to star in our music video, the reasons why we chose them is because of their cooperativeness and willingness to go in front of a camera and listen to what we have to say to them. I think that they will be excellent actors due to the fact that both of them have done some sort of performing in the past and I think that they will suit the genre of our music video perfectly due to the fact that their daily attire and lifestyle are quite close to what our genre is, so using them as stars should give more of an authentic feel to our music video.

Research: Indie codes and conventions

Research institutions: YouTube

Research: target audience research 1 analysis

The conclusion that I came to after looking into the data that I gathered:

We will have to work really hard in order to make sure that the audience understands that the genre of the music video is not rock, but indie rock. We will try and achieve this by getting very genre specific makeup, props and costumes, also, we will have to be very selective with our locations in order to avoid cliches.

For the physical releases of the music, we will have to make sure that we sell CDs and nothing else due to the fact that the audience mainly purchase CDs, however otherwise they do not buy anything, and rather concentrate on the digital music than than the literal.

Also, if our star was real and legitimate, we would definitely set up a YouTube and a Spotify account. The results show that the majority of the audience use these in order to listen to music on a daily basis, therefore these would be the main things to get for our star, apart from social media links, which are actually the second most important thing for a rising star to have, according to our audience, therefore having  Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook accounts would be vital in order to be a successful performer, as with those social media links, it will be easier to show how distinct and unique the artist is, and many people will be able to follow on updates without any effort.