Storyboard + Animatic

I have drawn up some storyboards that will help to act as a rough prompt of what shots I will be hoping to film within my music video. 

I have chosen two locations, A theatre type setting with a stage, contrasting the outdoors of the sea. 

I am hoping to capture to indie genre through the use of focusing my music video on the live performance elements which will illuminate the music of Florence. This will create a powerful impact because of the live movements.

 

I like these type of shots, on the seats of the theatre, It is a different location, and highlights a more sensitive side to the performance, the empty audience will highlight the vulnerability and sensitivity of the performance, and show the exclusiveness. 

This is fitting as the song focuses on self-expression and demons, so this will be a fitting setting as it will allow for a vulnerable environment. 

I like the mix of close-up to medium shots, which will be fitting within my sequence, keeping engagements within the audience.

The second lot of storyboards I have done are at the beach, this works well with the inclusive theatre environment before, with the vast open seaside, where it shows freedom and raw qualities. 

I will be filming within winter so there should be an atmospheric quality to the sea, which will set a moody tone to the video. 

It will also be a great opportunity to use panning shots across the wide open beach, and use filler shots, to not just be focused on the actress. This will increase engagements and interactivity between audience and actors. 

I have then used more storyboards within the stage, the use of the microphone will allow for shots that will use depth of field, and create interesting images, with silhouettes and outlines, within the light shining. 

I then created an animatic with each of the parts of my storyboard, to my selected song for my music video. This would provide me with a basic understanding of what I will be hoping to do, and to provide me with experience on cutting to the beat

Here is my final animatic;

http://youtu.be/PzA4l485QAM

I then uploaded my animatic onto my youtube channel, and in class discussion was able to gain feedback from it.

 Here are some of the comments that I received: 

- Nice selection of shots, relevant to the music

- Some type of narrative, maybe develop this later?

- Good editing pace, to the beat and not too fast for the song

- Meets conventions for an Indie Music Video

- Great use of equipment and shots, maybe have more filler shots? Shot focused on objects and not on locations or singer

- Use more movements, panning shots etc. 

- Effective use of sequence of close-up, medium, long and location shots, work well to keep audience engagement within the video. 

- Quite repetitive shots, maybe a third location? Or a type of action, or natural shots of the actress, maybe use more actors within some shots.  

*UPDATE*

However when arranging a date to film on, I had problems getting my stage location, and therefore had to come up with a back up. I therefore decided to film it all in a beach location, but in different parts, so the beach, the sand-dunes and the sea. 

This would still show diversity in locations, and hopefully the sea footage would look unique and different. 

Combining all of these natural environments will hopefully work really well in creating an indie vibe in my music video. 

Props and Costume.

Props
I will be using natural props like, wood, flowers, straws etc. To highlight the natural and raw essence of the music. The interaction between my actress and the prop will provide dynamics within my music video, which will be useful for filler shots. 

Later on I also decided to add in another prop, a notebook, which my artist was filmed writing down lyrics in, this was done to add a narrative throughout my music video. Also making the video more personal, and showing a direct relationship between the song lyrics with the emotion. 

Costumes
From my research I have seen that one of the most important factors for an indie music video is the fashion. There is a clear style within these videos of a very fashion conscience female artist with a unique and bohemian style. I have looked online on clothing sites such as http://www.topshop.com and  http://www.urbanoutfitters.com to provide me with more ideas of items that are seen throughout the indie style. 

This is one of the outfits that my model will be wearing within my music video. 

I like the brown and orange colours in the top and jacket, as they compliment each other and give a bohemian boho style which meets the convention of the indie-acoustic genre. 

I like the way the skirt provides a lighter side of the outfit, through the flouncy, joyful like qualities which makes it more quirky like other female artists that I have looked at like Kate Nash and Marina and The Diamonds.

The whole outfit altogether has an organic type of vibe, which looks cool with Jodie's hair colour and style as well, as it's big and wild, looks very natural, which will compliment the natural settings that I will be using to film at.

iCal

To manage my coursework timings, I have created iCals to help me complete tasks within a certain time.

Here is my iCal for the months of September, October, November, December and the start of January.

Over the course I have found using iCal has helped me to manage my time and provide me with objectives throughout the week to help me stay on track and have all the relevant parts of my coursework complete.

In september my main aim is to research music videos to gain a better understanding of convention and ideas for my final music video. 
I will be researching video within the indie/acoustic genre. 
I will also start researching some of the same artists posters, for tours, and album releases. 

This was especially important was i was away for 3 weeks in India, and therefore as i wanted to film my music video whilst over there I would have to have gathered data for my target audience, conventions, actress, location and storyboards before I would leave.

Location and Actress

After carrying out research, I have decided to use two different locations. 

I have gained inspiration for my first location from videos from Florence and the machine and Mumford and sons, as they use a performance area, like a stage and use effective lightning to create an atmosphere.

For my second and main location, I have chosen a beach. Living in Jersey provides the perfect beach environment, and I will be filming on St Quens beach.

I have filmed some of my locations, to practice some of the shots that I may use within my music video.

I believe my beach location will highlight the natural and calmness in the music video, away from the busy city etc. to a tranquil and isolate location. With the sun sea and sand. 

I have carried out auditions for the actress who will be the female solo artist within my music video.

From my auditions I really liked megan, as she showed enthusiasm, but some parts of the audition her lip-syncing was unclear, whereas georgie throughout gave a clear and precise lip sync of the song.

However even though Jodie wasn't auditioned I am picking her to be my main actress in my music video, because of her enthusiasm and interest into the project. Jodie is 17 and has a past in acting and singing this will help within my music video and I believe will give me a successful project.

I also believe Jodie's style and look will fit the convention associated with female solo artists within the indie genre.