Music Video Chosen Location.

To decide what locations we wished to feature in our music video we looked at locations which would fit in with our genre of music and most importantly be suitable for the theme of the video. As the video would revolve around a party we thought that it would be best to film in a disused or derelict building, with some scenes shot in woodland areas, due to the plot of the video. However, as we may have encountered some problems with permission when filming in a disused building we changed our minds and thought it easier to simply film in a location we could easily gain access to. Such as a room of a group/family member or friend that would enable us to still create the look of a derelict environment. Below is an image of the location we used to film the 'indoor/party' scenes of the video.

The location shown is group member Cally's garage/outhouse building, however. None of the items within the image are used in the video. We felt that this location was ideal as it gave the appearance we wanted due to the bare walls and cement flooring, adding an element of abandonment. Also, due to there being changes in the amount of people featuring in the video this meant it would look less like a big party. However, the size of the room played to our advantage as the relatively large number of people compared to the size of the room meant that it still looked like a busy atmosphere. Below is an image we used to film the opening sequence of the party, which actually depicts the end of the party as the video is shown in reverse.

The location is where we orginally planned to film the scenes of the party, however as we could not gain access to it we decided to film the opening scenes from an angle which would make it look like group members Nikki and Cally were leaving the party - so that it seemed the rest of the video had in fact been filmed in the same place. The image below is the final location that we used in our music video.

The location is a woodland area situated near to where the disused building is located. This meant that we could easily film both scenes at the same time and helps create the illusion that the area is desolate and isolated rather than where they were actually filmed. The location also allowed us to display the time scale of the video, as the sky enables the audience to see that it is the morning after the party when the ending scene of the video can be seen which is at night. Below is the location of the final scenes, showing group member Nikki's house, being persuaded by Cally to go to the 'party'.

Full Storyboard and Shot Types

To ensure that we, and each of the cast members within our music video know what they are doing throughout the recording proccess we created a storyboard containing what/who will be featured in each shot along with camera angles, movements and shot types. This is very important as it will allow the recording process to be done as quickly and efficiently as possible, by avoiding any confusion between cast members and where/how the camera should be placed. It will also mean that we will be organised, knowing what props/actors need to be in each place at a particular time. The full storyboard can be seen below. 

For the purpose of the plan, we felt it would be easier to contain each shot that will be featured at the end and beginning of the video as this is where the narrative is. The middle (party scene) will be a variety of short, fast-paced clips similar to that of a montage, therefore we decided to only include a few of the shots that we would definitely like to include in the montage. Other clips will be used, however they will be based on the behaviour of the cast members at particular moments when we position the cameras in the correct position during filming.

Music Video Location Recce

Before filming our music video, we must ensure we have considered every aspect of health and safety by answering the recce questions.
Are there any potential hazards that could pose a potential health and safety risk where your music video will be taking place?
Due to the locations we will be filming in - woodland areas and abandoned places, there are several hazards that could present serious risks. For example, when filming in woods there will be objects such as rocks and branches which could present a trip hazard. Also, in the abandoned place there may be tripping hazards and dangerous items such as sharp objects.

What will you do to ensure these risks are minimised?
To ensure the risks are minimised in the woodland area we will choose a small area, that we will tidy should there be any rocks or broken branches lying around. For the abandoned places that we will film in we will clean the area first to get rid of any potential hazards using the appropriate methods.

Will the time of day/weather affect the outcome of the music video?
Due to part of our music video being filmed outdoors we need to make sure that it is not windy or raining - similar to the conditions of our photoshoot so that we do not damage the equipment and so we get the best conditions possible to allow us to shoot our video. However, we would like to film part of our video at a late part in the day which may not give us enough time to capture all of it in one day meaning we may have to spread the filming over several days.

Have you considered lighting? What about the problems of natural lighting? Will you need to use a flash?
Due to the time of day we will be filming we may need extra lighting for the location and the camera to make sure that everything will be visible enough in the scenes.

Do you need permission to record your music video in the location you have chosen?
As we are filming parts in woodland areas we will not need any permission. However, as we want to film parts in an abandoned area we will need to ensure that the area is in fact abandoned and is not anyones private property.

Are other people likely to be an issue for you?
For certain parts of our video we will be filming in public places so other people could walk past and cause an  issue for us. However, if this is the case we will simply choose another location or ask the people politely to move until we have finished filming.

Are you reliant on lifts/props/friends' equipment/models? How have you planned that these things will come together at the appointed time?
Our music video will be featuring a large number of people, to make sure that it looks proffesional. This means that we will have to get in contact with as many people as possible in order to arrange a suitable time that everyone is available to make. Our equipment will be property of the college so we will need permission from our lecturer before we can begin to record.

Location Ideas - Music Videos.

As the theme of our music video revolves around a party, the other members of my group and I decided to choose an urban location to film as it will add to the videos atmosphere. Below are some images similar to the location that we will choose.

We chose an abandoned, run down area to add to the atmosphere, as in our research we found that these areas are popular in TV shows such as Skins which is popular with out target audience. It may also allow them to find our music video more interesting and easier to relate to.

Time Management (5 Weeks Until Deadline)

As part of our A2 media studies coursework we were required to complete several posts relating to research, planning and inspiration to create the initial ideas for our music video, CD Digipak and Magazine advertisement. After we had looked carefully at the inspirational texts we had chosen we then created the flat plans for our products and the subsequent first drafts. In order to improve our products as much as possible we sought feedback from our peers and lecturers regarding our print tasks and made changes through several drafts. At this point in the course, we have successfully completed all aspects of our printed tasks. Therefore we have now begun the proccess of producing our music video.

With 5 weeks to go until the deadline we have completed the following tasks:

• The initial plot idea for our music video.
• The conventions we will try to include from our chosen genre of music.
• Costume/Make-up/Character ideas.
• Chosen Soundtrack.
• Rough draft of our storyboard and shot types.

The above tasks have provided us with sufficient planning to create our full storyboard and shot types to create our music video - which will be produced in the next five weeks. However, to ensure this is completed we must complete the following tasks:

• Decide on the final location/s for our music video.
• Complete the appropriate recce to ensure that all health and saftey issues are properly assessed to make sure everyone is safe.
• Choose and collect the props that we would include in our video.
• The shooting and filming of the music video.
• The editing of the music video and adding of the soundtrack.

Peer Feedback - Digipak & Magazine Advertisement (Final Drafts)

To make sure that we have created products that look both professional and appealing to our target audience we thought that it would be a good idea to seek feedback from our peers. As they themselves are members of our target audience. To get the feedback we desired we printed out our tasks and glued them onto large pieces of paper so that our peers would be able to write any comments and opinions they thought appropriate. We filmed their participation in the feedback which can be seen below.

However, the feedback given cannot be read on the video so to display the feedback in a way that can be easily read we took images of the pieces of paper. Which can be seem below.

Magazine Advertisement Fourth Draft

This is the fourth and final draft for our magazine advertisement. Although we were pleased with the third draft and orginally intended for that to be the final draft we felt it would be benefical if we reconsidered the design of the advertisement like we had done with the inside sleeve and front cover. Also, the departure of one of our group members meant that we had to res-shoot the photos and therefore change the image on the advertisement. After we had made the changes to maintain consistency we found that we were again very pleased with the draft and would use it as the finished product.