Other videos - influence for character

Demi Lovato - Skyscraper 

I looked at other current videos that also have a similar tone/mood like the downbeat tone of the song I am using for my own video I looked at the way these videos used the artists expressions and extreme close ups as well as long shots.

One video in particular that has inspired my ideas is Demi Lovato's 'Skyscraper' video, which as the images show, uses long shots, to show the artist walking, and reflecting- to fit with the mood of the song, which is an idea I included in my storyboard. I like the way the costume and setting of the video are using light colours which conotate a peacefulness/innocence that the song promotes aswell. In addition to this, i also like the caemra angles used in the video, the use of the high angle long shots that work well to convey a vulnerability,which is one aspect of the video i will take inspiration from for my own video. The pace of song, including the movements of the performer being slow, and the use of several shots of the performer walking as a way of conveying the performing is reflecting on something, in a similar way to Adele's - Someone Like You video, are other aspects of this video that i will take inspiration from.

alternate versions of performance & styles of my chosen song.

When doing my research, I looked at the promotion of the album titled 'Cinderella eyes' where my chosen music video song comes from, and although the song was never released as a single, and remains only as an album track, the song was performed acoustically for promotion - which is shown in the video above, for several music shows such as 'The Album Chart Show; This performance has given me additional ideas & inspiration for the tone and mood I will aim to convey in my video.

Researching Promotion strategies of new music releases.

I wanted to research the image of the artist that was created to promote the song i am using for my video, so I looked into the ways this was done by first looking at the artists website, finding articles on her explaining the concept of the album and specifically talking about overcoming bullying - which co-insides with the song 'Sticks & Stones' (see a previous post for link to the article/interview video).

I then looked at the promotional photos used to promote the song and album, observing how the artist is conveyed as vulnerable and timid, which the 'Girl Allowed' image and the mirror reflection image (which is also used in the official lyrical video for the song) both show. This image not only promotes the album 'Cinderella Eyes' but links specifically to the song 'Sticks & Stones' which is based on overcoming the vulnerability that bullying causes.

These promotional strategies and the image used for the song have further influenced my ideas on the style (such as costume, make-up) and the character that my performer should aim to convey in my music video for this song.

storyboard scans

Note: as the song I am using - Nicola Roberts: Sticks and Stones - is a fairly slow song, shot changes will not be as frequent/quick changes, and shots will be longer to fit the pace of the song.

Scan of analysed lyrics.

As the scan image shows, I have analysed images within the lyrics and the mood of the song, and made points on ideas for my video, such as the different scenes that the storytelling and imagery in the lyrics of the song could fit well with. I also highlighted the lyrics which i think have the strongest effect to the song, and should have focus on, for the concept of the video.

Filming Schedule

• For the shots in my video that will not include a performer, such as several point of view shots I will be using- I will shoot these scenes over the Christmas holidays.
• The rest of the scenes in my video, that will include my performer- will be shot the first week of January Term (4th - 9th). ready to begin editing the commencing week.

Influential Videos

Adele
As I have previously analysed music videos for codes and conventions of the particular genre I am using for my video, I then looked in more detail at other videos of the same genre that could influence my own work an ideas, such as Adele's 'Someone like You' video, where the scenes of her walking through the parks/ street is a concept I will be including in my video.
I particularly like the idea of editing the video in black and white effect, as i feel it is best suited to convey the mood of the song, which Adele uses effectively in this video.

Kelly Clarkson

In addition to this, I looked at further music videos of the same genre still, which have also influenced my storyboard and ideas. An example of this is in Kelly Clarkson's video for 'my life would suck without you', in the opening scenes when she is on swinging on a swing, and the particular camera shots for thee setting are side angle/view close ups, and mid to long shots, which look effective in capturing the mood of the performer.

Consent for access to filming locations.

For the locations i will be using to film my video, i do not need any formal consent to be allowed access to film, as the majority of my scenes will be shot in locations ushh as my garden and house, and other locations i will use are publically ownded and not private land; such as St. George's Field, which also does not need consent for.

Props List

For the filming of my video the performer will use several props. Some of these props will be already included in the set; such as a bench that the performer will sit on in the Park.)

• Long Mirror ( In Bedroom)
• Ipod Touch & Earphones
• Several Magazines and Newspapers (on Table)
• Bench ( In Park)
• Swing ( In Park)
• 'Geeky Style' Glasses
• Bottle of Vodka

Concept/ Video Idea.

For my music video i am using a Nicola Roberts ballad song, 'Sticks + Stones'. As the lyrics and tone of the song are fairly downbeat/ emotional, and the pace is slow, the concept/idea i have for the video is to make the performer look reflective and remembering the troubles in their childhood, which is the story that the the lyrics convey.
To make this concept adaptable and presented clearly in my video i will shoot the majority of my scenes outdoors, with the performer walking through a field, as walking can be associated with someone reflecting on events.) In addition to this, i am planning on using a black & white colour effect throughout the video.

Similar to videos such as Jessie J's  Who You Are, and Adele's video for Someone like you -which i have taken influence from after analysing, the concept and ideas for scenes and locations are simple and non-complex, i will aim to use good editing techniques to convey the emotion of the song.