Adele is a great example for Pixie Lott to relate to, im not saying that they match vocally (because no one can top Adele's voice) I mean they relate in terms of genre, fan base and the most obviously, they are both young and recent.
I thought i'd give a brief analysis to Adele's video of 'Someone Like You' as not only do I love this song and its lyrics but I feel that the simple concept of the video can help us expand ideas on our own video.
The Mise en Scene (in terms of all Setting, Props, Clothing, Lighting and Body Language) are the same throughout and there is no cuts to the filming until 3:52 where there is a cut then a transitional fade that happens twice. So for 3 minutes and 52 seconds the video was continuously filmed in one take.
Like Pixie Lott's 'Cry Me Out' video, the film is completely stripped down of it's colour - I guess the purpose of the black and white effect is for the audience to listen to the lyrics being sung as well as the voice singing the lyrics (I know this is definitely the reason for Adele's video, not too sure about Pixie's - her b&w was a bit random). The transitional fades were spot on - I would love if we could add that to our video as a way of jumping from one scene to another, the effect works well with the pace and feel of the song. Slow, soft and mellow.
There isn't much in this video that i can deeply analyse on or take onto developing, apart from her outfit and body language. Her thick 'warm' looking coat is the type of Mise en Scene I am after, a nice wooly scarf would've completed that look and her quickly styled hair is perfect for the situation Charlie is in (bedhead sort of look) due to sleepless nights and depression. I plan on taking the way Adele walks, looks and sings to the camera further as this type of acting goes with the rythme, lyrics and pace of 'Cry Me Out'
This video was uploaded by the courtesy of Vevo with permission given from Mercury Records (Pixies label).
Vevo is a music website, a joint venture among a 3 out of the 4 major music companies: Sony Music, Universal and EMI. Vevo is just another way an emerging artist can advertise, depending on what label they are signed to. As Pixie is signed to Mercury Records partnered to Universal, can license her videos to the music website - which is available on YouTube a fast growing video sharing website!
A scene starts 2 seconds before the music is played, like i mentioned in our pitch we plan on adding camera cut ins on objects (like the phone and a wall clock) with diegetic sounds (traffic, clock ticking) although in the music video itself this only lasts 2 seconds before the piano starts playing, however its possible and simple for us to extend this to 4-5 seconds. Not too long as we dont want to drag the intro, just quick snaps of this and that then music starts.
I've noticed from the first verse that in Andrew Goodwin's teminology, Cry Me Out is in fact Disjuncture. Most of the shots in the video are just on Pixie Lott posing about - not much acting, or even frames of the guy she is telling to 'cry her out,' he is only seen at the beginning and end!
*0:00 - 0:06 seconds*
Our music video will remain as Amplification, thankfully we picked a song with well spoken (or sung shall i say) lyrics that make sense. We will follow along a concept where she is singing the lyrics which she hopes telepathically gets into his head that its time for him to get over her - however she is not being truthful to herself as she slightly misses him to. Its only near the end where she sings and means it!)
Original music video's types of camera shots:
Performance and Presentation of Artist:
As this music video was created when Pixie Lott was only just starting out as an artist it is crucial for her face to get the recognition it needs in order to sell! This video contains masses of frames of her making eye contact to the camera, this may be because of the fact of getting the audience to remember her face, but could also mean she is trying to connect to the song and involve the audience into it, maybe even because the audience or who she expects is watching it the guy the song is to, her body language could also back this up as at one point she points to the camera when the lyrics are "pics on your phones proves you weren't alone" she points and sings "you' at the same time which could be considered as her singing directly. I've screengrabbed the main frames of her giving eye contact.
Due to our video being Amplified to the lyrics, there has to be a cut down on eye contact to the camera, as this ruins the whole atmosphere of the 'story-telling' concept. However, as Charlie Jayne is also an emerging artist her face needs the recognition she could get, so maybe in the base track will we add a few shots of her making the direct contact to the camera - as well as the camera having extreme close ups.
Effects:
One very obvious effect used throughout the whole video would be (yes you've guessed it) the use of BLACK AND WHITE. Now according to my two lovely media teachers, the use of black and white effects should be avoided, as this is a music video colour in a way promote more, also its a slight cheat to the quality of an image. Although it is recommended to avoid this effect we still wanted to use it in some parts of our video, as having a black and white effect really adds to the sadden atmosphere of the song as well as to the mise en scene. Having told our teachers this, they agreed to let us, they said "if you were to use black and white, then the content in the frame must be spot on as that is what you'll be judged on" We understand that there are only a few things, like camera work that work well with B&W. This will be kept in mind at all times.
In the interlude slow motion is used to capture the elegance of the ballet dancers as well as Pixie when she floats up. This effect really interests me as it is a wonderful way for the camera to co ordinate with the slow pace of the song. Also the slow motion was put in a perfect place (the interlude) which usually builds up to a certain climax. In this orginal video the slow motion happens right before the climatic chorus which is a good way of building up tension! Slow motion is also used on the synchronised swimmers, emphasising their moves and the water splashes (to be frankly honest with you i dont understand why that is - maybe because its common for any water related scenes to be in slow motion, i mean look at Baywatch for example...)
We was also thinking of using transitions like fading from one scene to another. Here are screen grabs of the effects used in the original video. These transitons could be used to go from one flashback memory to another (the reminiscing old memories part).
Slow Motion (cannot be shown clearly):
Transition - Fade In & Out:
The song does not have an official lyrical ending, the song just quietens which gives us more interesting ways to end our video. In Pixie's video the last framing was of the mirror she used in the first scene, then the camera fades to black followed by Pixie's Record label.
We have many ideas we would like to end our video with:
- Like the beginning the video will continue for a few more seconds after the song is finished, this means adding diegetic sound again. We could end in the same concept as the beginning (in bed) however she is not alone :P
- Another could be a fade out (like the original) Charlie Jayne looks straight at the camera and sings the last line (this could be a close up or a mid shot of her at the park) then when the song quietens, she walks away from the camera as the camera fades to black...or white.
- Same as above but the camera blurs our instead.
Original Video Ending:
So how will ours differ from the orignal music video?
Well the most significant difference would be from Goodwin's theory of music videos. The original video is more of Disjuncture whereas my group and I aim for a more Amplified Music video, one where it flows, creates a story and moves well with the lyrics - doing so will add more of an emotional effect on the song, it will have a deeper meaning and the song and its lyrics will be taken a lot more seriously. The audience will listen and feel where the artist is coming from and her position in terms of love and relationship. They will connect to her more therefore develop an interest in her image...soon and hopefully become a fan.
We will be starting our first proper filming session on Friday, from the morning, throughout the lesson until 8pm (we need the evening due to having some scenes at sunset.
We will plan to film over at Rosie's House for the first few scenes of the music video, then spend the rest of the day at Alexandra Palace (which is right next to Rosie's House) for the bench base track as well as some 'flashback memories' (the ex boyfriend will be reminiscing the good times of the actress Charlie Jayne (me).
I think the last few scenes will be the evening (we plan on taking some shots around Central London) as to during the test shot day where Sophie, Zahra and I went out to look for locations - we found some interesting places to do some filming at. (Separate Blog: see also - Planning for Music Video: TEST SHOTS OF LOCATIONS)
We will still be keeping the previous outfit of Charlie wearing very warming clothing but maybe she will only be seen in it on the last scenes where she gets over the break up with James. The warming brighter colours should represent her emotions and that she is much more happier than she was earlier in the music video where she will be wearing darker colours.
(So its basically like combining Sofie Gray and Charlie Jayne together into one character instead of two separate characters like before)
Charlie at the beginning of the video: wearing dark gloomy colours, (the oversized jumper, snood and uggs - initially Sofie's outfit)
Charlie at the end of the video: bright warm colours, flowy light material, cute and sweet looking. (summer dress and tights)
The same goes for body language, Charlie will be all sloppy and sad at first, then brightens up later.
Before:
After:
PROPS:
- We are scrapping the idea of the guitar as the song does not contain any source of the instrument. The song contains piano instead and so it is possible for Charlie to be playing the piano in one part - most likely the beginning and interlude as that is where you hear the piano the most.
- The main props will be Charlie and James' mobile phones as they will always get back to checking it (whether they received a missed call or text) this item will be our second base track.
- At one point Charlie will be holding coffee or a cigaretter & lighter.
I stumbled across this outfit and it really stood out for me so i thought i'd share it with you. It could be worn for the outdoor scenes, mainly when Charlie is in the park strolling about with the cup of coffee in her hand:
Charlie Jayne (played by me) will still be starring in the music video as she is the artist, however there will no longer be our emotionally damaged actress Sofie Gray played by Sophie Hughes.
We will still be keeping the idea of having two actors in the video however we are going to scrap the idea of having an ominous presence (ghost like form).
Our new second actor will be Charle Jayne's ex boyfriend played by either Rosie's boyfriend or my good friend Adekunle (who did AS media as well) this all depends on their availability on filming day.
For the meantime, here is a Character reference to Adekunle starring as James (with no surname)
Name: James
Age: 20 years old
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: black/african
Hobbies and Interest: Fifa 12, Drinking and Clubbing.
Personal Items: G-Shock Watch, BB.
Key Features: Muscles, Nose.
Personality: Arrogant, selfish at times, defensive, short tempered.
Favourite Artists: Rihanna, Drake, Eminem.
Favourite Food & Drink: Jellof Rice and Pasta, Cherryade (anything with 'ade' at the end)
Favourite Book: He doesn't read books, just Nuts Magazine.
*Note: the description is all fictional and only describes the Character not the actual actor*
Hello group 34
I know that you've found it very difficult to change your song at the last minute, but your new choice of song fits perfectly with your old concept and so we hope that you won't actually need to make many changes. Charlene - I LOVE your lip singing videos - they are hilarious. But you are actually very good at lip synching though - I think you will be a great performer.
Good luck with the filming - if you need the camera next weekend then let me know on Monday and I will book it for you. Remember that you can also film over night any night of the week.
Keep up the great work.
I have recently been told that we are changing our song, this is difficult for us as most groups have already finished filming. However we have not even started, I was not in the lesson on friday but Annabel has told us that the song Use Somebody is too slow for editing, therefore we needed to change it. we chose to stick with Pixie Lott, so chose one of her other songs either Cry Me Out or On The Edge. Cry Me Out has the same meaning to the lyrics as Use Somebody, so its most likely we will chose that one.
Whilst some of the group were the lesson on Friday me and Tomi decided to do some location shots, this is where we are going to be filming and we hope the weather will stay the same as the weather on this day was perfect.
These pictures are of my room and inside of my house this will be used for the first part of the video.
These two pictures are of the outside of my house in case we need either character here.
These picture are of Alexandra palace and we will be using Alexandra palace for all our outside scenes.
My group and I understand that we are approaching the filming deadline, many other groups are onto finishing off their filming whilst we have only just made this sudden change.
On fridays lesson, before we broke up for october half term, our teacher Annabell told us that using the song Use Somebody is far too slow to edit to. She told us to reconsider our options whether to keep it or not, we had no time to waste so we had to make the decision there and then. Wishing she had told us earlier we still decided to follow up on a teachers advice (someone who knew what they were talking about) and so we agreed to changed the song. It was best to choose another song of Pixie Lott so that most of our blogs would not go to waste - like the artist research. After half the lesson gone already we reviewed all her songs and it came down to two:
On The Edge (Pixie Cover)
Cry Me Out (Pixie Original)
Both of these songs relate to love and relationships, like it does to our previous chosen song Use Somebody, we feel that because of this, we would not have make dramatic changes to our planning, just some tweaks here and there. The concept slightly changes as well as the gender of the actor. We will still keep the base track as well as our chosen locations.
We will be posting up more blogs of our 'Planning of Music Video' to the new song Cry Me Out.
Planning the music video, I have found a lot more stressful, not knowing many people in my group it was hard to get to grips with what we all wanted to do. As our planning is coming along a lot better it is getting easier. Picking the song was one of the easy things to do as well as choosing our locations. Choosing props, costume, make-up and hair, I think was easy for all of us as we all had the same sort of images in our head, and it planned very well. However finding time for all of us to film was extremely difficult as well as the fact that the cameras were not available when we wanted them. So we have all done some test shots which will be put up on the blog. This enables us to do even more planning so when it finally comes down to filming we will be 100% ready and organised. This years planning for me was defiantly more difficult and stressful than last year, but hopefully this will not show in our final film.
Charlenes make-up is to be very fresh faced,clean and young. We will not use much face make-up or eye make-up maybe just a little bit of blusher and bronzer to make her image more sweet and innocent.
As Charlenes hair is quite short our options our limited, so we will most probably stick to having her hair down in a natuaral middle parting with her hair wavey rather than straight. With maybe some flowers in her hair.
We then have decided to choose Charlenes costume as fluid and very indie styled. Such as little dresses lots of pastel colours and maybe some flower prints, for shoes she may wear little boots or pumps, and if its cold then a baggie sort of cardigen with lots of accesories such as rings and necklesses.
