The Use of Technology In Filming

So far during out filming process we have used the most basic equipment provided by our college, this being a small hand held video recorder, a tripod for the camera and a memory card to store all our film on. The reason we decided to only use this equipment is because of the outdoor urban settings that we wanted to use for our video.

In addition to this, none of the members in our group had previous experince with any of the other equipment, and although the option to learn was provided, we decided that we should keep our use of equipment such as greenscreens limited in order to get the best most appropriate footage possible, rather than trying to adapt our ideas so we could make the most of the equipment.

The camera we have used for most of our filming is compact, but more than capable of helping us gain the desired shots we need for our video, allowing us to improve and adapt them in the editing process. The tripod on the other hand has helped us greatly in creating consistently well positioned shots due to its ease of use when putting the camera in obscure positions. The adaptable legs and adjustable height have helped us create some interesting angles for shots to be used in our video.

However, there are a number of downfalls to our equipment used in comparison to that availible.For example, equipment such as fig-rigs would enable us to create effective tracking shots, unlike the camera we use, that is only effective in a stationary postition. In addition to this, better quality of footage may have been achieved through use of the colleges green screen, as poor weather and lightening may effect our more organic approach

Here is a 'Green Screen' in use

The Creative Process

The idea for our music video was derived from inspiration from a number of other music videos. We felt that the general feel of the music video should be dark and in some ways confusing to match the song. In order to achieve this we looked at music videos from various artists, including pendulum, of whom our song belongs too. By looking at a number of their videos such as 'Watercolour' we influenced our costumes based on theirs in order to keep the style of the band throughout, this style is that of dark, but casua clothing. The props on the other hand were unique to us and only a limited number are used in the video.

We developed a number of ideas whilst researching videos by artists such as pendulum themselves and other 'drum n base'artists and electronic rock bands such as Prodigy. Link to Prodigy's 'Omen' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMVTKOoy1uk). What we found interesting about this video was its use of both performance aspects, when the band is on stage, along with the fast cutting of the video to the beat of the music. This is something we decided we would like to incorporate in our music video. We were also intrigued by the use of the young girl in the video, her attendence in the video added an eary effect, whilst aslo slowing down the pace fo the cuts.

The monochrome theme along with the special effects ideas came from our belief that black and white created a more polished, professional feel to the video. On the other hand, the special effects ideas, such as one idea in particular that features cold air changing into sound waves, came from ourselves as we researched in detail the meaning behind the confusing lyrics of the song. Other special effect ideas came from images and videos such as those seen when using music playing software to play media, or on radios and stereos as song are played. These include abstract lasers and bars thats move across the screen to the beat of the song.

Originally we discussed a number of ideas and have adapted them gradually as our filming has progressed, such as with the use of some camera shots. For example, the planned shotlist included a side by side two shot of the two main characters in the video, however, due to the difference in height between the two, we felt that the shot ended up looking tacky and unprofessional. We also discussed ideas such as the use of some animations and special effects, which we later decied were too advanced for our group to successful complete, such as the use of laser effects, as mentioned previously.

Overall, all of our group contributed in crafting the final idea for our video as a number of different ideas were adapted to suit both our capabilities and the song/video. In addition to this the new ideas and creative decisions for both the basic filming, and effects to be added during the editing process were developed as we progressed with the filming of the video.

Shot List

Close up of one of the characters hand opening a door to reveal the other character stood in the middle of the room

Extreme close up of the character in the middle of the rooms eyes as he walks towards the character by the door

Medium shot of the feet of the character walking towards the door

Two shot as the two characters begin walking together away from the open door

Two shot as the two characters sit down on bench with different speeds. The speed of the general public will be extremely fast, unlike the two characters who will be slowed down.

Close up of a breath of cold air/smoke. As the song begins to drop an effect will be used on this shot to make the breath begin to appear as sound waves.

Two shot of the characters sat on the bench. The screen will appear to move/vibrate as it is effected by the son

As the screen moves the camera will gradually begin to change to monochrome.

Costume Analysis

In the music video of Witchcraft the band members are clearly shown to be wearing dark, primarily black clothing. The effect of the dark clothing adds a mysterious almost nightmare feel to the music video. We feel that due to the nature of the song we should continue this theme throughout our own production, however with a number of our own features. We intend our video to be more intense than the original and the clothing of the cast will effect this with the use of hoods and possibly make up in order to reach the desired effect.

1.Long shot of the sun from a side angle.
2.Slow zoom on the sun from a canted camera angle.
3.Mid shot of Luke sitting on a Step.
4.Close up of Luke's head looking down.
5.Close up of Luke's Face looking up.
6.Medium shot of Luke walking slowly.
7.Long shot of Luke walking down the street.
8.Long shot of Luke walking half way through the Road.
9.Extreme long shot of a coach going past the road.
10.Close up of the Coach going past and Luke disappeared.

Analysis - Location Shots

This is an alleyway in the middle of Manchester and is a very suitable location for parts of our music video. It is very fascinating how the light comes through from the end of the passage; it makes the scene have a purpose as if it was going somewhere because the light symbolizes the end of the road e.g. The Finish. As of yet we don’t know which scene would take place here but I am sure that after we have filmed a few scenes we would need some more footage and this is where this analysis of filming locations would come into consideration.

This is another possible location for a few scenes of our music video. This is a great location for some fast cuts back and forth and some video sped up into double time cut to the fast beat. This location would be very interesting at night as the outline would be quite dark but the lights throughout the middle would make the whole passage way look like a light box.

This is a possible location of an abandoned warehouse that is located on Warwick road, Old Trafford. We would be filming the intro scenes here. Although the background of the warehouse is the main attraction, in some of the scenes we would have close ups of the actor’s facial reactions and many abstract shots.

This is a possible filming location for a small amount of scenes; this is because the music would suite fast movement of the camera and fast cutting between different locations. I think this is an excellent location as the music video we are going to be doing is a fast beat and changes all of the time. We would like to film this section of the video when it is quite dark, as we want it to look like a dark alleyway with light coming through at the end.

Pendulum 'Witchcraft'

Production Treatment

Group

The group consists of Luke Burgess, Jordan Butler and Umar Latif. The reason we decided on this group is due to the wide range of skills between us, in addition to this we believe that we will work well together due to our friendships outside of lessons, and our intense focus on achieving the best result possible.

The Video .

The video will be for Pendulum's Witchcraft. This is an unusual song but nevertheless one that we believe we can achieve great success with.

Duration - 3 minutes 56 seconds

Audience

The target audience for the video will be those aged 15 and above, those mainly into the drum 'n' base genre of music. The reason for this age range is due to the complexity of the song which some of the younger generations may struggle to understand, in addition to this the style of the music video will be dark and intense, something that younger children may not appreciate and may even be fearful of.

Video Outline

The video will be based on two male characters, and then a number extremely fast cut monochrome shots. The video will then slow down as the performance elements come to the forefront, these will include a wide variety of shots, including part of the song being played on guitar.

At the beginning of the video the two characters will be seen relaxing in an urban setting. During this part of the video close ups of the characters facial features will be used to set the intensity of the video, areas of their faces such as their eyes will be co-aligned with visuals of much more random objects.

As the beat of the song begins to turn the style of the video will change, the color will turn into black and white, and props concerning the characters will be effected by the sound of the track, for example smoke may begin to appear as sound waves. The video will be cut accurately to the beat of the music.

Once the song kicks in the monochrome shots will begin featuring the characters searching an urban setting (Manchester's Northern Quarter), which is when the performance element of a guitar being played is apparent, this will be used throughout the sequence as the lead guitar becomes more prominent in the song. The others performance elements will be mixed in as the video moves from shot to shot.

The video will end when the camera turns back into color and everything appears calm, this shot will be short due to the sudden ending of the song.

Suggested Elements

• Performance - Guitar playing, characters searching etc
• Costumes - Dark, casual clothing
• SFX - Monochrome, laser/sound waves/abstract effects
• Key Locations - Manchester's northern quarter.

Recording Days

The main base of the filming will be done over a two week period, with additional shots being taken as the video is edited and improved. We approximate that up to 15 hours will be used to film, including the change of locations, costume changes and several attempts at each shot in order to get the best result. Our main filming time will be during media studies lessons during the 2-3 week period, and in our free time outside of college, this is largely due to the travel distance to each other.

Calvin Harris - Bounce feat. Kelis

Calvin Harris - Bounce Feat. Kelis (Analysis)

The video starts with a couple fighting like a conventional love story but you know it wont be a conventional love song. This is evident when the beat drops and it is electro house style music. The Technical aspects of the music video include many close ups, long shots and fast cuts to the beat. An example of an extreme close up would be on a tennis ball that has bounced then is caught.

There is some lip-syncing used when Kelis appears, this part looks like a desert location where there is a mini performance. Some parts of the video have the camera panning round the actor in the video I think this looks very effective because it is cut to the beat and is relative to the narrative part of the video. Around the 2-minute mark of the video there is some intertextuality to Elvis Presley In Vegas.

Pendulum - Watercolour

Pendulum - Watercolor (Analysis)

The technical aspects of the video are very unusual much like the song, but non the less good. The use of camera shots are very effective, such the extreme close up of the human at the beginning of the video. In addition to this the there are also some interesting shots featuring the sky and moving clouds. The performance of the artist in the video is well done, the lip syncing is performed accurately when used.

The lighting used throughout is generally dark but effective for its purpose in the music video. Most of the video is monochrome until near the end when some light variants of color is used, mostly beige. The costumes in the video are simple as the band members and crowd are dressed normally. The mise en scene of the video seems to be at an evening gig, but with a strange twist due the approaching meteor in the sky.

Overall, I feel that this video is successful due to the unusual mise en scene, the use of monochrome, and the excellent performance of the band.

Oasis - The Masterplan

Oasis - The Masterplan (Analysis)

The technical aspects of this video are very good, although unusual. The video is in the style of artist LS Lowry following the Manchester theme. The camera positioning/that of the viewer is mostly the distance of a long shot, featuring the members of the band walking the streets of manchester past recognizable parts of the town, such as the Maine Road football ground, previously home of Manchester City Football Club.

The cut rate of the video is very slow, as is the song making the video perfectly suitable for its purpose. Due to lack of performance as it an animation, no lip syncing or costume is relevant, however the characters are dressed to suit their own 'mancunian' style.

In my opinion, what makes the video particularly successful is the recurring manchester theme along with the slow cut rate matched with the slow, warming song.