MV in the Making

Sunny Day Filming

Over the Thanksgiving break, I got in contact with my actor and we started filming.  We filmed on a Wednesday morning with some impromptu props that we found. Instead of filming at the beach, which we still plan on doing, we filmed at my house in the grass to get the close-ups that we wanted. This helped us closely match the conventions of an indie video with multiple locations. We also decided to ditch the tripod for these scenes because the handheld shots gave a more authentic, homemade vibe. On the morning of the shooting, we were not able to get the fruits like we wanted before so I decided on getting fake flowers to surround our actor with and to put in her hair. This would give her a more ethereal feel and lessen the amount of editing we'd have to do for a rustic vibe on the video. 
  While filming we ran into some trouble with the sun. While we did want natural lighting for the video, it was difficult for the actor to look into the camera with the light in her eye. It was also difficult for me to see the screen of the camera with the sun right behind me. However, I fixed that by changing the position of the actor. Instead of having her eye-level with the camera and staring towards the sun I had her lay down while I stood over her with the camera. The first set of videos was not quite right because I did not stand directly over the actor which caused the camera to point into her nostrils. After going over those clips, I decided to re-shoot those scenes but this time, standing directly over. We had the actor laying on a blanket instead of the grass because we wanted the black dress and floral pullover that the actor was wearing to really stand out. The fake flowers that we had would not be as prominent if it was in the grass.
  When we went to film at the beach we did not have as many problems as before. We already had the blankets and flowers ready for the filming so it didn't take as much time as before. While filming at the beach we decided to forego the tripod altogether so we didn't get sand on it and so the whole film would be shot handheld. It would be better for the video to not have constantly changing conditions. After I approved the first shots I decided to just continue with handheld shots. With the weather being more desireable at the beach we managed to get more shots from there. At this part of filming, I managed to get the mandatory shots necessary but also get some experimental shots that would just add to the aesthetic of the video being a trailer. 

Experimenting Begins

   This weekend (11/22 - 11/24) my partner and I did not film. Neither of us had time this weekend so we decided to refine everything we already have. I spoke to the actor of the music video and we ran through some of the extra things we could do. Because the genre of our song is Indie Pop we can add endless things to the video without changing much. The original amount of props that we had planned before was minimal. So we were thinking of things that we could add to it. Because the length of this video has to be around 1 minute and 15 seconds I decided that I wanted the video to be more like a trailer. That fact doesn't change much in the storyboard but it does affect editing just a little. I picked out the specific part of the song that we will use, all the way up to 1:12, and how the ending and beginning will be. The way the actor of the video acts doesn't have to go with the lyrics of the song but the actor WILL be singing so, I want some of the lyrics and actions to correspond in some type of way. For example, the songs name is "Froot" so I decided that I wanted to include fruits for the ironic effect.
   This weekend I also experimented with the make-up that the actor would have on. In indie pop videos there are a lot of close-ups and the actor usually has on make-up the help accentuate their character. By that I mean if the artist is trying to give off a playful and carefree vibe then their make-up would be bright and dramatic colors that show all over their faces. A more mysterious or calmer music video would have natural or close to natural make-up.  If it's not prominently shown through make-up then it shows through with lighting, hair, or even props. The lack of props can give off a simpler vibe to your video while more props create more action and things for the audience to see. If nothing about the actor sticks out then the setting will. For this music video, I want to shoot on the beach so the makeup and hair of the actor will be more dramatic. The video will be a narrative video. This will have the audience more interested in the video. Another thing that I will emphasize is the outfit that the actor will be wearing to further adhere to the conventions of indie music videos. 

Music Video Storyboard

     

1. Mis-en-scene
2. C-  The actor will be wearing a variety of dresses and possibly outerwear depending on the weather. They will be wearing a black dress for the main scenes  so it doesn’t take away from the background. 
3. L- We are filming at the beach around sunset. This video will not have a consistent lighting, mainly because we are using natural lighting. We will film right before the sun starts to set but the actor will be constantly moving so the lighting will be affected. The most dramatic lighting change we’ll have is from backlighting. 
4. A- We will only have one actor and she’ll be the main focus of this video. She will be singing into the camera. 
5. M- The actor will be basically living in the moment, singing and dancing in the video. 
6. P- We will be using fruits like apples, grape, peaches....
7. S- There is no set design because the feeling is supposed to carefree

1. Sounds
2. The song ‘Froot’ and the actor mouthing the lyrics. 

1. Editing 
2. While editing we will be cutting the different shots together that align with the storyline. In typical indie pop videos this type of editing is normal because they are made to look more like low budget videos. 

Music Video Planning

1. Costumes

None of our actors will be wearing Fort Lauderdale High School apparel; it would not follow the music. Instead, our actors will be wearing a dress or very "bougie' clothes. Since it will be on the beach, the actors will most likely be barefoot. They may wear sandals if they choose to. 

2. Lighting

Like other indie pop music videos, my music video will not have any artificial lighting; most of the lighting will be natural, as it comes from the sun. 

3. Acting

As of right now, we are thinking about having the actors wear a black dress since that is an article of clothing that both of them own. I have not decided if the actors should lip-sync or just "act out" the song. 

4. Makeup

My actors will be wearing "natural makeup." On the camera, it will look like they're wearing little to no makeup; the whole point is to make the actors look like natural beauties. We will only be using makeup to correct imperfections. For instance, if one of the actors has patchy eyebrows, I will have them apply tinted brow mascara or fill them in with a brow pencil. I will also have them apply minimal highlighter to the highest points of their faces to accentuate key features. 

5. Props

Like other indie pop music videos, there will be many props that fit with the surroundings and the lyrics of the song. We will have different fruits in the video that plays off of the irony of the title of the song.

6. Setting 

I will be filming my music video to the song "Froot" on the beach. Since it is a public establishment, I will not be asking for permission, unless I want to film by the lifeguard tower. If it is raining on the day that I am supposed to film, I will have to reschedule the shoot for another day. This will not change our music video since the location will remain the same. Safety will be my number one priority while we are filming the music video. I will wear my seat belt while I am in the car. I will not text and drive while I am on my way to the beach to ensure that I get there safely.  If the waves are really high or there are rip currents, we will not be getting the water under any circumstances. However, I doubt that our actors will be getting in the water for the music video anyways.

Schedule

I have two blogs due by Thursday at midnight; we have to turn in the planning blog and the storyboard blog. The planning blog is supposed to include possible locations, costumes, lighting, makeup, props, setting, and the schedule. The first filming blog is due on November 25th. During Thanksgiving break, which is from November 27 to the 29th, we will not have any assignments or blogs due. The second filming blog is due on December 2nd. The final version of the music video with all of the edits and transitions is due on December 9th. On December 11th, our critical reflection questions will be due to the class email. 

ReplyForward

Music Video Blog - Research

        Today, I am starting my research for my new project. The project is a music video. This is a great transition from the commercial project. In that project, I learned the storyboard is something that's very essential in the filming process because it helps keep you on track while filming. Another essential aspect is the tripod. The commercial is shorter than the music video so the shots were not that complex. Now, however, the shots need to be more deliberate and go with the mood of the song. Therefore, if there is a bass drop and more EDM like beats then the camera should go along with it. I will also have more consistency when it comes to props, movement, and placement. I will also film more. In the last project, the number of clips that I could use was very limited so the quality was not the best. With this project, I will ensure that I have enough footage to help make the editing process less tedious.
For my music video, I have chosen the song "Froot" by Marina. All of Marina's music tends to be classified under the genre "indie pop." Indie pop originates from a mixture of pop music and alternative rock. Most indie pop music videos tend to have establishing shots, long shots, medium close up, and some times, extreme close-ups. If the artist really wants you to see something important, there will be an extreme close up. One of the most important things in any indie-pop video will be the scenery. There will rarely be any other angle that is not eye-level, because most creative directors make you want to feel like you are there. There may also be birds-eye views for the establishing shots. Indie pop also has many tracking shots to keep the realism. In indie pop music video, there will usually never be any artificial lighting; most of the lighting will be natural, as it comes from the sun. The make-up changes with the vibe for the song. If its a calmer more vintage song, the make-up is light and simple. If the song is bright and energetic then the make-up is more colorful and changes between scenes. It is used so the audience can get a feel for the type of character in that video. The props used in these videos are usually seen as props of opportunity. They look casually placed in the location. Like a bike in the park or a bat in a baseball field. The setting of these videos are usually made to look low budget or actually are. They are filmed in a city, a park, or a house, it is usually a very simple set.

Commercial

There was a break in the editing process of the commercial because of the computer malfunctions. Once we gained access to a new set of computers, nearly a week later we got straight to work. There were only 14 computers available that had the editing program on it so everyone had to share a computer. This put a little strain on the editing process because the computers were slow and there was also other groups project on your editing program. However, once we got over the problem with the quality of the computers, what came next was the quality of the editing program. We used pinnacle studios to edit our commercial which is a pretty easy program to use if, you are patient. With the pressure of finishing your commercial in time to blog about it, it's pretty hard to be patient with the program. My partner and I took turns watching over the clips while deciding what the keep and what not to which, took up quite some time if I'm being honest.

    The plan that we originally had for editing before went straight out the window because of the time limit that we had. The first thing I did was download the clips from my google drive onto the computer. After that I went to import it into Pinnacle Studios but, I couldn't find it. With that obstacle in the way, I went through my notes looking for where the clips could have possibly gone or if I did something wrong but, I found no solution. That resulted in me trying to get the clips under a different category than they have on Pinnacle Studios. The folders that they had in the import station of  Pinnacle Studios had absolutely nothing showing up in them. Neither my partner or I knew what to do so I just went into autopilot, from taking photography last year, and started messing with the settings of the videos. I'm not completely sure what I did but I managed to get the videos directly into Pinnacle Studios without having to import anything.

      After we got the videos in the real work began. We took the clips that we wanted in 100% and put them in order. The shots the outcome after we put all the clips together was not only too short but also not smooth at all. So the first thing I did was separate the clips so I could edit each individually. I made the first clip, the establishing shot, longer and smoother than it was when originally shot because the shortness of the clip made the transitions seem choppy. I also added a fade-out into all of the clips because it also helped in keeping the clips continuous and not too startling at all the very noticeable cuts. I also wanted to slow down some of the zoom-in and zoom-out clips but, I haven't figured that out yet. I want those clips to be longer so when we do the voice over we have time to include all the relevant information necessary. 

Editing

Last Thursday we filmed our commercial and today we were supposed to edit our commercial today but the editing software, Pinnacle Studios, on the computer is not working. Therefore, we will not be able to edit our video today or go through the trial and error of the editing process. Because of the computer problems we have to transfer the videos to our Google Drive or to a flash drive. This was probably a last-minute problem because we, my other group member and I, do not have a flash drive. Therefore, I had to drag the file into my google drive and keep them downloaded there while the computers got fixed. Luckily, we already had our editing processes planned out while filming so editing still should happen easily.
   
If Pinnacle Studios would have been working we would first start by importing all of the footage into the software. We already had everything on the computer from when we dumped on Thursday. I named everything in the order necessary so the editing process would be easier. I would've imported everything in the ideal order that it would be in the video. I would've then listened to all the audio that was taken when recording to see the ideas that we had at the time. Then create a planning sheet with everything that we would've done for each take that we had. The first thing that I was planning on doing was using the extreme close up shots to experiment on the type of effects I wanted on the video. While filming I was thinking about ways to have our commercial different from other Starbucks commercials. I wanted the commercial to have more of a natural, handheld, old school vibes. I would've seen if they had any effects that gave that type of vibe. I chose the extreme close-up take to experiment on because its a very simple take and I would've seen everything that the different effects would have to offer.

If the effects worked out the way I wanted I would apply the same effects on all of the clips after editing all the clips. The takes were filmed to seem like a one-shot commercial so I would have to do the minimum when it came to editing. I would also detach the audio that was on the clips. I was planning on putting inserts into the clips explaining what beverages that Starbucks has to offer. It would've been of the drink that we had in the commercial and additional drinks that they offer in that same line. In support of that, I was going to figure out how to do a voice-over on the editing software. In the voice-over, I would be explaining the inserts and something that involves the actor. If the editing software does have the effects that would make the video seem more old school my process would be a bit different. While the takes were filmed to look like a one-shot, the edits of an old school video would be a bit jumpier and very obviously not a one-shot.

Filming Process

For our Starbucks commercial, I played the part of the actor. In the morning I had to go buy our prop, which was a cup of Starbucks tea. I brought it to school and had our teacher hold it for me so it would be filled for filming. My partner signed out the SD Card, Camera, and Tripod while I get our storyboard and the rest of our props. I picked out the spot where we would film. While the whole senior patio, where we filmed, fit for the storyboard; I wanted a place that would have good lighting and minimal background distractions. We ended up in a table right around the back of the patio near the walkway. I chose that spot because of the transition from the split-screen to a wide shot smoothly. This took some time because I was trying to line everything up with the storyboard we had created.

After we found the right location I started setting up the camera and tripod. I was first trying to figure out whether or not we should do the handheld shots first or the pan shots on the tripod. I decided on doing the pan shots first because I figured they would be more stable, reliable shots. I did the majority of the setting up of the camera and the angles while trying to keep everything consistent. The first take was a long shot of me walking down a path for our split-screen scene. We took that shot a couple times because a group of people ended up being in the background. I wanted to do the scenes in chronological order so even if some shots didn't go well I still wanted to continue. The first set of pan shots were taken with my glasses on. That's important because of the consistency that we needed. Even though the table placement was fine there was a bench in the way that would be hard to avoid. I wanted the scene, that would be the split-screen going into one, to merge smoothly. Therefore I wanted to experiment with some tracking shots of me after I passed the camera. 

Before we started the tracking and handheld shots we did some eyelevel shots of me sitting down with the drink like planned. That took a bit of time because we wanted to get the timing right but we eventually got a good enough shot. After we got the essential shots we did some establishing shots and some zoom-in and zoom-outs for the other side of the split-screen. I checked the gallery on the camera to watch the shots that we took and realized that at some point during filming that I took my glasses off. Because of that, I went through the footage that we at least had one of each take with my glasses on and off. We had to retake some for quality sake and some just for back up. I even thought of some different takes that we could do that would minimalize editing or make the transitions smoother. After we filmed and reviewed everything, we gathered our equipment and went back to class. When we reached class I did the dumping of the footage onto the computer while my partner put the equipment back. We started off with about 17 videos that we took and I started to organize and decide whether I wanted to keep it or not. I didn't want to completely get rid of the footage that we took with glasses on so I labeled each clip with what was happening and if my glasses were on or not. In the end, we ended up with around 11 videos of clips that were good enough for the commercial that we'd put together.

Storyboard

In this commercial, we will use

• An extreme close up 
• Zoom
• Voice-over
• Split screen
• A tracking shot
• Pan
• Long-shot 
• A close up
• An establishing shot
• Eye level angle
• A handheld shot

Editing Lesson Blog

To get a camera we must first fill out our form, groups of up to four people can check out a camera. The camera MUST come back the very next day. All of the equipment is numbered so you AND your teacher can know which equipment you have. Every time you get a camera you need to sign out your equipment. For the camera, you use the sign-out form that goes into your period folder. For the tripod, SD, and SD reader you have to sign out on the paper on the front table. Always return your equipment to the proper place so others can use it. NEVER pass around through groups to avoid items being misplaced. Always be extra careful with the equipment. Close the tripod before you change locations, put the camera back into the bag, and keep everything together at all times.
  For editing, we will be using the software Pinnacle Studios. First, you have to dump your footage into the computer. Before you start you need to open a new folder for the videos to put all of the footage into. Put the SD card into the SD reader and insert it into the computer. Your footage would typically be found in DCIM where it will be organized by the dates and times that the camera recorded. Therefore your camera must have the correct time and date on it for easier navigation. If it is not in that file DO NOT PANIC and check Private. In private you will click the AVCHD folder then the only folder in there and then you'll click STREAM. STREAM will have all the videos in the SD card and all you have to do is find your footage. Highlight your footage and drag it to the new folder you created. After you have it in your folder, take out the SD reader and put the SD back into the camera and the SD reader back in the bin. Every time you take footage do not forget to dump it.
   After you dump all of your footage you import it into Pinnacle Studios. When using Pinnacle Studios you MUST BE PATIENT. Click import, click the plus sign next to desktop and click on your folder. Check all the clips you want to import and hit Start. Drag those clips that you have just imported and bring it to AV Track 2. AV tract two is where all the video content will be. The red playback line will take you through your footage if you just slide it from left to right. If you click the razorblade at the top then you can cut any scene that want. Just use the playback slider and drag it to the beginning of what you want to cut off. The section will turn orange and you can just click the backspace button to get rid of it. AV Track 1 is the layer used to place things on top of your video, like a title or edits. You can add those into any clip you want and modify it as you please once it is attached to a clip. AV Track 3 is for sound. You can detach the audio of the video by right-clicking the area and pressing detach audio in the options box. This will bring that audio into AV track 3 where you can decide to delete the audio or not. When you are done editing you click the export button on the program and export it into the folder you created. The type must be an MPEG-4 and the preset must be at best quality. When done exporting, check your folder to see if it is done correctly then exit out of Pinnacle Studios.

Planning Blog: Starbucks Commercial

For our commercial, we will be doing Starbucks. In this commercial, we will be advertising one of the many teas sold by Starbucks. The actor will be coming around the corner and then sit at a table with her Starbucks tea. The actor will not be talking not be talking in the commercial, but it will feature non-digetic sound and a voice-over. The voice-over will have a description of the tea and talk about the details (like the size and affordability. In the voice-over, the narrator will discuss the many different ways that the person viewing the commercial can order Starbucks as well. 

Props    

• Starbucks tea (cup, ice, drink)
• BLOOM bag                                                                                            

Costumes   

• A white turtle neck, blue jeans,and sandals. The actor will be wearing this costume, because this is chic and drinking the tea will make you feel like you're just as chic as the actor. 

Schedule

• On October 7th, we did the convention/codes blog.
• On October 10th, we did the planning blog. 
• On October 14th, we will be doing the storyboard blog.
• On October 21st, we will be doing the filming blog. 
• On October 23rd, we will be doing the editing blog.

Location

• We will be filming in the senior patio, due to its quiet and clean scenery.

Back-up plan 

• If it rains, we will still film in the senior patio. The scenery might even look nicer if it's raining, but we will need an umbrella so the actor and equipment do not get wet.  

Research Blog: Conventions and Codes

For our commercial, we will be doing Starbucks. Coffee commercials like Dunkin' and Starbucks usually feature the same type of sounds. They have non-digetic sounds and voice-overs; the on-screen actors never talk. However, they also have digetic sounds like coffee brewing or the pouring of coffee into a cup. The voice-over tends to use rhetoric appeal and it usually mentions the history of the coffee.

                                                

     It appears to be mandatory for every coffee commercial to include a wide-shot of the focused logo. They feature a lot of repetition when it comes to the brand's logo. Coffee commercials also show the workers doing their job and smiling at the cameras. They usually feature the shop set up and the many different ways you can order your drink: online or in-store.The setting in a coffee commercial will always be in a coffee shop, whether it's inside or outside. 

                                                        

When it comes to angles and props, coffee commercials typically include the same type of mis-en-scene. Unless coffee is being poured, there will usually be an eye level for the whole commercial. When the actors are being filmed, it is from a medium close-up or an extreme close-up. Coffee commercials tend to include many two-shots and over-the-shoulder shots, when customers are included in the scene. When the customer is introduced, they use a tracking shot to show them getting in line. 

                                                          

Introductory

Hi, my name is Paris and I was born and raised in Queens, New York and moved to Florida at the age of 5. I go back every other year in either the summer or winter. Other than New York I also go to Jamaica to see the rest of my family. I was born in New York in the year 2002 becoming the youngest child in my small family of 3, 4 including me. It was just my parents, my older sister and me. That all changed when we, my mom, sister and me, moved to Florida while my dad stayed in New York.

This stage of my life is where the majority of my likes and dislikes were formed. Because of all of the traveling that we had to do when I was young, I am actually terrified of flying. While I do know that it is a completely irrational fear its something that cannot be helped. It's a fear that my family hates with a passion because it prohibits us from having all of the family trips that they desire. While I do wish that this wasn't a fear of mine it can't be helped which is just devastating to me because of all of the missed opportunities. However, when I did decide to take that "risk" I've seen many unforgettable places like Niagara Falls and the Colosseum.

This stage of my life has also made me a very positive person. Many people have entered and exited my life over the years but that hasn't dampened my personality or opinion on life. I am a realist so I won't say that I'm an optimist but I will say that I see many situations in a positive light without being unrealistic. I find joy in the simple things of life like the many colors of the sky, a full moon, thundering rain AND the rainbow that comes after it. Living with so many people, who were very loud by the way, has taught me to be a calmer and graceful person when I was younger and it follows me now and probably will for the rest of my life.