Photoshoot from filming day 1 + 2

During the filming on day 1 + 2, I also did photoshoots to be used on the website and for the album digipack.

Outside locations:
Some of the pictures from the shoots at the two outside locations will feature on the website.

Sample of Images:






Holding Cell:
The location was perfect for this as the lighting was unique, creating the shadows and I was able to get a variety of shots in order to work with later.
A selection of the images will be feautured on the website and a couple will be used for the album digipack.

Sample of Images:

Filming Diary - Day 2

Location:
Holding Cell - Shire Hall

People Needed:
Myself
Isabelle Lunn (Performer)

Props:
N/a

Costume + Make-up:

Costume;
Lace Leotard
Wet look leggings
Black high heels

Make-up + hair:
Hair styled down, slightly curly
Same make-up as outside shoot

Equipment:
Camera
Tripod
ipod + Docking station
small flood light

Objective:
Film lip sync to the whole song with variety of camera angles and movements
(close ups, medium lengths, zoom etc)
Film movement without lip sync for cut aways.

Photoshoot - used for website + album digipack

Objective met? Yes



Filming on location 2:

Filming Diary - Day 1

Location:
1. Brick Bridge
2. Dirt Track

People Needed:
Myself
Isabelle Lunn (Performer)

Props:
Fake Barbed Wire
Chain

Costume + Make-up:

Costume;
Fur Coat
Black Dress
Knee High Socks (Black)
Black Heels

Make-up + hair:
Black gems on eyes
Red lipstick
Hair up in tight ponytail

Equipment:
Camera
Tripod
ipod + Docking station
Car head lights

Objective:
Film lip sync to the whole song with variety of camera angles and movements
(close ups, medium lengths, tracking etc)
Film movement without lip sync for cut aways.

Photoshoot - Used for website

Objective met? Yes

I used a call sheet to document all the information neccessary from the shoot, from the location, people needed, equiment needed, task that needed to be complete and whether I had met my objective.



Filming on location 1:





Filming on location 2:

Props

Outside shoot;

- Large chain

The large silver chain will be a representation of the stereotypical 'bling' that is associated with gangstas, as well as giving the performer something to hold and use whilst performing. It also gives another focus for the audience.

- Black sunglasses

Sunglasses are a stereotypical accessorie for a 'gangsta' to have.
In order to make them glamorous, to represent the female touch of the character, stand out in the music video and be classed as different and unique, I customised them by covering them with black gems.







- fake barbed wire



The fake barbed wire will represent the female being 'tough'.

Equipment + Lighting

Equipment needed for each shoot;

- Camera
- Tripod
- Ipod + Docking station
- Lighting
- Still camera

Outside shoot;
Due to no electricity I intend to use car head lights in order to provide enough lighting for the camera. It will also fit in nicely with the representation of the shoot.
The lights will give a unique effect, compared to the other shots.



The low key lighting will also help to represent the 'dark' and 'secret' feel to a 'gangstas' lifestyle as well as the unlying representation of the dark issue of domestic violence.
The tripod will prevent the camera from shaking where unwanted and the ipod and docking station will allow the performer to lip sync to the song easier.

Old Cell -
I will use a small flood light in order to light the old cell, creating shadows and a unique lighting look.
The shadows will create both a high key and low key lighting look, which will help to represent the two personalities of the female character;
The strong, independent female with a 'gangsta' lifestyle
and the fragile and vulnerable female that has suffered the domestic violence.

Modern Cell -
Again, I will use the small flood light, as the location is fairly well lit to begin with. I want to create high key lighting to help represent vulnerability.
The high key lighting will show purity and innocence of the female, and help to highlight the vulnerability. It will represent, not only the performer, but the issue of domestic violence and the group of women that have or are suffering from violence.

Brad Rushing - Music videos + Budgets

In a seminar at Loyola University, New Orleans, cinematographer Brad Rushing discusses how to design a music video that it’s creative, memorable, and cool – and most importantly appropriate to the artist and song – and recounts the recent history of the major labels and their shrinking music video budgets.



Budgets

How much can I expect a music video to cost?

In order for a production company to answer this question somewhat accurately, at least one treatment needs to be written so a budget can be estimated based on the actual project requirements. Music videos can go from a couple thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the treatment and the format in which it's filmed.

Treatments
At the beginning of every music video project, there is a need to work with the artist to define a desired treatment. A video treatment, also known as video concept, outlines information with regards to what the music video will be about. Conceptually, a music video could show the artist performing the song in front of a live audience or by itself; alternatively, a music video can also present a story line where certain situations and storytelling takes place. Furthermore, it can also be an experimental exercise where random images are shown to complement the music in a more abstract way. All of these angles constitute the treatment, or concept, of a music video.

However, a video treatment goes beyond this exercise of defining the overall direction of the video. The treatment goes down to describe the kind of locations, situations, stories, images, look and feel, tone and color, pacing and so on of the music video. Even though most treatment writers don't follow specific guidelines or structures, a well written treatment is one that can successfully communicate complete ideas to artists.
We have had the chance to write several music video treatments for several artists where different ideas and angles were presented for them to consider. Also, a video treatment can help with the process of creating the production budget where items identified in the treatment are included in the budgeting process.

Summarizing, a music video treatment is the starting point of every project. It allows the production company to communicate its ideas to the artists and it allows artists to make decisions regarding the direction of their video. The treatment also helps production companies to write production budgets that are accurate and that give artists a complete view of what to expect when embarking on the production of their music video.

Make-up & Costume representation

For the outside and old cell scenes, the character needs to look hard and stern, to show she is tough in order to represent she can stand up for herself and other females.

In order to do this, the make-up needs to be big and bold and more make-up needed to be applied than in normal day to day situations in order to show up on camera.
- We had a couple of practice sessions to make sure it was perfect for filming.

The dark eyes, large eye lashes and red lips represent a strong and independent female.

For the outside scene I decided to style her hair up and slicked back, again to represent her being tough and stern.




For the old cell shoot I will style her hair down, as this is the main shoot and will be the base of the music video, it is important to express some sex appeal, which is stereotypical to performance videos.
Her hair down and slightly curled will give off subtle, but enough sex appeal.
Her make-up will remain the same as the outside shoots, for the same reasons.

The modern cell -
In the modern cell, I want to represent women's vulnerability.
Her hair will be up but messy and her make-up will be smudged, so she appears she has been crying. The vulnerability contrasted to the stern look of the other shots, will give a nice balance to the video.

Costume;
In terms of costume, I managed to get hold of everything I listed in my detailed plan.
The 'gangsta' look for the outside shoots will represent the character being tough and standing up for herself and what she believes in. The stereotype of gangstas always being male will be challenged and will represent that women can be tough and independent themselves.

The lace and leather look for the old cell will give the stereotypical sex appeal of performance music videos.

The nude colour jumper for the modern cell, will represent the vulnerability of women suffering domestic violence.