Storyboard

Here I created a basic outline of my video with specific camera angles, lighting, editing and repeat shots I wish to use in my piece. 

Shooting Schedule: Updated Concept

Initial Concept: Updated Concept

My new idea includes a protagonist struggling to master drumming in order to get into a music school. Most of the action will take place in a music room whilst the young male protagonist is practising. Other shots will include cut away to how his dedication affects his relationships.

Various camera angles and movements will be used to hold the interest of the viewer when drumming in order to keep the video dynamic and exciting. I will employ various close-ups of the protagonist to promote empathy and emphasise the tension. Quick cuts will be used when the music beat increases to represent the rise in frustration and tension between the relationship, creating an uncomfortable atmosphere for the audience as the protagonist recalls the relationship and experiences these emotions himself.

Much like my original idea, my video will be influenced by another video by the band themselves called ‘Ripped Jeans’ which also shares similarities with the protagonist’s lack of movement, emphasising the dedication of the protagonist as he is seen practising at numerous times. Other influences include the film ‘Whiplash’ which also presents the deterioration of a relationship due to dedication to drumming. I also wish to implement a similar mise-en-scene as this film which is easily distinguishable through cool tones and worn instruments. This emphasises the characters position and reveals his need to escape his position to a better future. Influences from other music videos include ‘L'exquisite Douleur’ by Being As An Ocean which employ the aesthetic and movement I wish to create. Other influences include ‘Hardest Button To Button’ by The White Stripes which also focuses on the drummer as a command for the edit, moving or cutting when they hit the drum. Another film in which I will draw influence is ‘Elephant’ which employs long uncut tracking shots and panning out with the natural lighting which provides extreme realism.

Annotated Lyrics: Updated Concept

Here are updated annotations to the lyrics for my chosen song, I have identified how themes already noted and some new can be referenced in my video. Some already identified themes include; time, repetition, feeling alone. Newly identified themes in light of my new concept include; rigid structure to the protagonist's actions, a sense of success and achievement at the climax of the song. Identify key moments and themes in the lyrics to my song can help to promote ideas and develop the pace or timing of my video through specific identifiers in the lyrics.

Mood Board: Updated Concept

Due to my concept for my music video changing, I decided to create another mood board to brainstorm potential themes for my video. This mood board helped to establish my mise-en-scene, character development and some key action moments in my piece. I have also noted down to key ideas with the visual aid to remind myself of the direction and progression of my video. My initial idea evolves around a protagonists struggle and dedication to mastering a piece of music in hope to further his education in the subject via a scholarship. I have also included images from the film Whiplash, an inspiration to my music video in order to relate the aspects I wish to reference.

Initial Concept

My initial concept includes a young protagonist sitting in an ordinary living room on the sofa. Once sat, they do not move for the entirety of the video however focus shall mainly be on them. The video commences as the background will experience numerous time fluctuation, revealing activity in the room around the protagonist when movement is sped or slowed.

The audience will experience the events as the protagonist does but are firmly placed as a participant or onlooker, giving the familiar sense of voyeurism experienced in music videos.

  

Some influences for this video includes another video by the band themselves called ‘Ripped Jeans’ which also shares similarities with the protagonist’s lack of movement compared with the hyper movement of the background. I also drew influence from aesthetic, the use of distortion of time and the interchange of speed of a shot through video such as; ‘Gods Whisper’ by Raury and ‘Lampshades on Fire’ by Modest Mouse. Also drawing influence through the simplicity and delicate movement of ‘Hallow Talk’ by The Choir of Young Believers.

      
  

Initial Concept Map

In order to organise my ideas and help to clearly plan my idea shot for shot later in my storyboard, i map out each significant change of scene or event according to location in the song. this will also prove useful during the shoot as can be used to cue what part of the song all the events take place.

Annotated Lyrics

In order to gain more insight into my chosen song I explore points for amplification. I discovered themes such as loneliness and distortion of time which can be used in my music video, amplified through the movement and context of my idea.

Mood board

In order to gain inspiration for my music video I comprised a mood board of images and themes that will help me to gather the sense and direction I want to take for my video. The mood board shows pictures of loneliness and depression which are themes i wanted to target in my video. The board centres around an ordinary living room setting which I intend to use as the main backdrop to my video. I also included pictures of long exposure photography to suggest a sense of the movement of time which will also be an important theme in my video.

Chosen Song and Permission from the Band

After brainstorming ideas for each song and looking at the advantages and disadvantages of each, I decided on 'Pepper Tea' by 'Bellevue Days'. I felt that the flow and consistency of the song would aid in developing a motif and building a narrative which could be refined during later planning. The next step was to contact the band and ask for permission to use their song for my video. I contacted them through Facebook as their profile indicated that replies are often received within an hour. As promise the reply was swift and brought good news as the band allowed me to go ahead and use their song, as seen bellow.

Evaluating Potential Music

After listening to various podcasts from the website 'Best of British Unsigned' I selected these three songs to research further as potential choices for my music video.

Title: Orange
Artist: North Atlas
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Genre: Alternative Rock/Electronic Rock
Influences: Biffy Clyro, Nine Inch Nails
Advantages: Clear lyrics to amplify action of video, steady beat gives song movement and directionality
Disadvantages: Repetitive prohibiting narrative growth, heavy beat may distract
Brainstorm Buzzwords: Party, dancing, live action, aggressive, dark mise-en-scene

Title: Pepper Tea
Artist: Bellevue Days
Location: Croydon, England
Genre: Alternative Rock
Influences: Brand New, The Xcerts, Modest Mouse
Advantages: Layers to develop narrative, clear lyrics for amplification, beats build and drop which may aid action
Disadvantages: Slow beat not best for live action, repeat lyrics often 


Title: F.A.C.E
Artist: Lowki
Location: London, England
Genre: Elecronic
Influences: London Grammar, The XX
Advantages: Smooth sound allows more options, allows focus on movement and quality of shots
Disadvantages: Slow beat prohibits movement of action, no clear lyrical theme to amplify 

Researching Unsigned British Music

In order to find a suitable song for my music video I searched the criteria into google. When I had searched for unsigned British bands I came across the website called 'Best of British Unsigned Music'. 

The website produces a podcast every week with unsigned British artists, also providing a map with artists geographical location on which you can click and find out more about a specific band. After listening to some podcast I had discovered some artist i would be suitable and proceeded to research them further.

Setting Up