Research and Planning- Filming Log.

Date:- Tuesday 30th October.
Location:- Holiday woods- Windsor.

Today we filmed more of the narrative based aspect of our music video. However today we had the actors so we filmed the majority of them running through the woods. We followed our storyboard as well as filming some extra clips that we could use. Again we had problems with timeing and it got much darker towards the end of our filming. However we could use this to show the passing of time. I think the filming went really well and we will import the footage after the holiday and start to piece it together in time to the music.

Research and Planning- Filming log.

Date:- Monday 29th October.
Location:- Holiday woods, Windsor.

Today we started filming the real footage for our music video. For this location we are filming the narrative based section of our video. The filming went well, as we filmed the establishing shots and the threat shots. However the weather took a turn for the worst and rained, which meant that it was very dark. We tried using the light on the camera but itonly wrked for close-up shots and created a greenish hue on the footage. We will import the footage onto the macs and see whether we need to film these aspects again after half term or whether we just need to edit the lighting.

Research and Planning- The Steadicam.

When we go and film we will be using the Steadicam to achieve steady shots. It is useful when we do tracking shots and pans of our band preforming.
Here are some images of the steadicam and the setting that the weights must be on to match the weight of the camera.

Research and Planning- Editing techniques/ lighting and colour.

In class today we decided to experiment with different effects that we could use on final cut pro. We needed to find out how to make the shot lighting look darker to give it a gloomier feel. To do this we played around with the effects until we found how to change the saturation and the white and black balance. We also found a video on YouTube that helped us put a strobe lighting effect on our footage.

After watching the video we applied the effect to some test shots. We decided to use post production methods as we only own a couple of small strobe lights which wouldn’t be as effective as bigger lights or the effect. After research we also read that using actual strobe lights can create bad quality shots as the camera doesn’t pick up as much detail, so we will be using this post production method instead. At first it was quite difficult as we needed to get an understanding on what the colour levels did and how much or how little to adjust them. However the final product is quite effective and I am very happy with it. Here is our final experimentation:-

To make a strobe light effect on final cut pro we first chose the footage we wanted, and then duplicated it, placing each piece of footage on top of each other in layers. Then we altered the top layer by making the white level higher which made the scene brighter, we also changed the saturation and mid tones slightly so that it didn’t go grainy. We did this with the second layer, but in the opposite way, increasing the black which creates the effect it was filmed in the dark. After this we used the video transition effect Blink which means the video alternates between light and dark, as if it were filmed with strobes. We then changed the speed of the blink so that it was quick and more strobe light like.I found this experimentation very useful and we will be using this for some of our actual footage.

Research ad Planning- Storyboard.

We have now finished our storyboard which we will use when we film. It includes the timings that the clip is shown in time with the music and cuts. It also has a little more detail that the drawings couldn't explain.

Research and Planning- Technical skills within a metal genre music video.

I have looked at the camera and editing techniques used in this video 'Empyreal' by Sylosis. I looked at this video because Sylosis are a heavy metal band, so it is useful as inspiration for shots that we could use in our video.

0:06:- Extreme close up of light. Blurred.

0:08:- Quick cut to candle, tilt up to reveal a man's face. 

0:11:- Quick cut to low angle shot. Side view of band playing in a cave. The camera has a tilted angle. 

0:12:- Close up of guitarist, light shinning behind him, creating a silhouette effect. 

0:13:- Close up of other band member playing, camera tracks him movement. 

0:14:- Close up of guitar and quick cut to drummer in with the beat.

0:16:-Close up of mans face. Poorly lit light, with a sudden intense light come on in with the beat. Very disorientating.

0:18:- Low angle, tilt shot of guitarist.

0:20:- Extreme close up of possible arm/ hand of the man as the footage is blurred to add disorientation.

0:21:-Close up of man at eye level. Camera slightly moves with the motion of the man.

0:24:- Quick cut to medium close up of drummer. 

0:25:- Medium close up of guitarist, slight low angle. 

0:29:- Medium shot of band. Focused on lead member. Quick cut to extreme close up of man.

0:36:- Extreme close up and tilt up mans arm to face.

0:51:- Close up, eye level (straight angle) of singer. 

1:00:- Medium long shot of band playing. Slight low angle. This could create a sense of dominance.

1:14:- Low tilted angle, long shot of band that has had a wave movement edited onto it.

1:57:- Straight shot/ medium shot of man lying on the ground. The camera slowly zooms in. 

2:26:- The camera is tracking the man walking through the cave.

2:38:- Close up, establishing shots of carvings in the cave wall that then focuses on the man looking at them.

2:55:- Close up of the mans hands feeling the stone with quick cuts to monsters in the stone. 

3:12:- Medium close up/ low angle of lead member playing guitar. There is a red lighting and no other members in the frame. This shows his importance as he plays the solo.

3:30:- Quick cuts to the entire band playing in previous cave. Lighting is back to normal. Low angle used again.

3:39:- Close up of water reflecting light on to the cave walls. Quick cut to a long shot of the man in a cave pool.

3:43:- Extreme close up of the man's blind eyes.

3:49:- Extreme close up of the man's cut/scared arms. 

3:57:- Extreme close up of the man's hands scooping up water.

4:15:- Close up/ straight angle of the man lifting his head. 

4:17:- Same shot as 4:15. The camera starts to shake and a bright light engolfs the man. This is cut up with loads of quick cuts made up of different angle shots of the man's face to show his reaction. These shots are very confusing and uncomfortable. 

4:52:- Long shot of the man sat on the cave floor. Straight angle. The harsh lighting has gone and the man slowly droops his head. symbolizing the end of the song.

The video's main story is cut up with loads of performance shots, using low, tilted angle shots and extreme close ups of the instruments and band members faces.

This video is full of really interesting camera angles. The most effective being the tilt to the camera angle which creates an uneasy and disorientating effect. It has been very useful looking at these camera techniques and I will be experimenting with similar shots for our filming.

Research and Planning- Lyrical analysis of This is Annihilation.

This is my lyrical analysis of our chosen song:-

This is Annihilation Lyrics.

We have now been given the lyrics to our chosen song which means that we can continue storyboarding but include reflections to the lyrics, and create a stronger meaning behind our storyline.

We live in a heartless society,
void of all empathy,
drowning itself.
I don't want to bring down your glass house,
But this time it's coming down now either way.

Heed my words,
You will fall,
Your sense of self importance,
Will fucking kill us all.

I'm watching the poison come from your mouth,
Spreading your venom like rats in a plague.
Goddamn, if I hear just another word leave from your fucking mouth,
You won't be saved.

Heed my words,
You will fall,
Your sense of self importance,
Will fucking kill us all.

This is not a war,
This is annihilation.
This is not a battle,
This is eradication.

Heed my words,
You will fall,
Your sense of self importance,
Will fucking kill us all.

Audience Research. Audience's Thoughts.

To get an understanding of how to market our music video I went out and asked some people questions about the song. I first played the song to them with out showing them the lyrics as most people do not understand the lyrics from the first listen. This then meant that their thoughts were based on the atmosphere of the music and instruments used. I then played them the song again, showing them the lyrics, to see how their thoughts changed.

1. What are your Thoughts on this song?

Leelu- Exciting / Science fiction / battle because of the tempo.
Zeba- Thunder / Danger.
Sadia- Exhilarating.
Rebecca- Cool.
Jade- My two friends who sing screamo/ different /energy.
Amy- Cool / Like nightmares.
Krutika- Problems / Mystery.

2. What effect does it have on you?

Leelu- Adrenaline Rush.
Zeba- Pumped.
Sadia- Scared.
Rebecca- Happy.
Jade- Annoyed.
Amy- Intense Emotions.
Krutika- Head Banging.

3. What images does it bring to mind?

Leelu- Zombies.
Zeba- Lots of head banging / fire / flashing lights / drummer.
Sadia- Falling off of a roller-coaster.
Rebecca- Graveyards / Fight.
Jade- Slipknot / Flashing Lights.
Amy- Nightmares.
Krutika-  Man with long hair playing the guitar going crazy.

4.  How do you think we should advertise this song? (magazine/actors).

Leelu- Kerrang! Magazine / Metal Hammer Magazine.
Zeba- Kerrang! Magazine /  long dyed hair / Skinny.
Sadia- Kerrang! Magazine / Eye liner / Piercings.
Rebecca- Kerrang! Magazine / Side fringe / Shaved heads.
Jade- NME Magazine or TV / Kerrang! Magazine / Tattoos / Metal Studs.
Amy- Full sleeved tattoos / Piercings.
Krutika- 18 Rated / Performances. 

5.  After looking at the lyrics, what are your thoughts now?

Leelu- Murder / Anger / Rage /  Politics.
Zeba- Political / A stop message.
Sadia- Antisocial?
Rebecca- Angry /Society is mean and judgmental.
Jade- The world is cruel / people are horrible / the song is having a go at the glamorized world?
Amy- Anger / wanting to change things.
Krutika-  Psychopathic / Emotional.

After doing this questionnaire I found that some ideas are changed after reading the lyrics and that thoughts become more meaningful and powerful after reading the lyrics. This has been useful because i can use some of these thoughts when filming and thinking about branding and marketing.