Preliminary Task

this clip is a short 40 second clip allowing us to practice using the programme and getting the conventions and techniques that are needed in our genre of music to be put into a music video.
The song we used was Ben Howard- Keep Your Head Up, this song is in the genre of indie pop, however this song is more upbeat and happier than what we are planning to use for our final project. 


We found this task easy as we already have learnt the skills and techniques using the camera, and the certain shots and camera movement needed to be in a music video, there was a few problems when filming due to weather conditions as we wanted the shoot to look sunny and warm and unfortunately for a full week it rained and we were unable to use the location we wanted as it would of been too muddy and wouldn't get the effect we wanted to achieve for the music video fitting with the song. Luckily the day we decided to film it was sunny and was perfect for the type of setting and scenery we wanted to achieve. 
We wanted the video to look very natural, we tried the effect of home videoing. Some of the shots were simply shot when walking in-between the different location we were travelling too ( 0.10-0.16) trying to make the effect more realistic and making it more natural, as this technique was used in music videos that we were researching e.g. Ellie Goulding- Your Song. 
The first thing that stands out of this video is the colour and the contrasts of the picture, we wanted to create a summery and bright image on the screen we thought by changing the colour wheel and brightness it would create this effect, however I don't think this has worked as it is too bright and off balanced and I thought a sepia colour effect would have worked better to create a more golden and warm effect on the screen. I think the colours on the screen in our video are more cold colours of blues, purples which is the complete opposite effect to the song and the tune and atmosphere it creates. 
We kept with the conventions of the genres typical music videos of nature and outside locations, and I think our locations of a corn field and woods fits well with the conventions. Using the pan shots and long shots to show the setting of our location, showing the natural scenery. 
I think the two shot of me and Sarah running through the cornfield (0.22- 0.25) is really effective showing a happy and summery mood and shot to the music video, and I think this shot should be incorrupt into our final project somehow. 
Because of the research we did we learnt that there was alot of closeup shots and landscape pannings showing the setting of the video and the close-ups to focus of the artist. We thought this was an essential convention of indie pop music video that we needed to include. 
The close up shot of the poppy (0.36) we used the same contrasting settings as the previous shots however we wanted to make the poppy stay red as it would be eye catching and stand out against the purple screen behind it, we used an effect which allowed us to trace the outline of the poppy and create a wall around it to make the colour of the petals stay red rather than the colour settings behind, we thought this was really effective and would like to use this again in our final project as it makes object stand out and can symbolize important objects in videos. However because the poppy is moving in the wind the colour of the poppy fades into the background colour, so if using it in our final project we need to make sure if the object is moving we trace round each movement it does so it doesn't change colour and fade into the background. 
The shooting went well, we managed to get all the shots needed and wanted, we used all the necessary shots needed in a typical indie pop music video, I think the location we used was perfect for the song and fitted with the tune and melody of it, also the costumes of everyone in the shots we wanted to have a festival and summery feel to the video, wearing shorts and dresses show a warm and fun atmosphere.  
We did have over 20 shots to use giving us plenty of choices to put into this short clip, this is something we need to also remember in our final project as by having a numerous amount of shots allow us to have more choices to find out what shots work where and if shots are good enough to be put into our video. 
When editing we had problems with the saving which meant we had to keep redoing clips and effects that we had done which didn't save numerous times, however apart from this the editing went well we mainly used jump cuts which were typically used in the research of videos we saw, because we have used the programme before it was easy enough to use the video clips on the timeline and put all the clips together using the transitions and effects. 

Problems

We decided as a group to film our Preliminary task on 11th July, however due to the weather being to rainy and windy we couldn't do this date, we did want some rain to be in our weather however the rain was too heavy and wouldn't be effective and look good to film for our first task, it would be too difficult to film and the camera shots would be taking over by the rain and the people in each of the shots would have been too difficult to see. 


We filmed on the 12th July, this was perfect weather for what we wanted our shoot to look like, it also is similar to the type of weather used in the music videos we researched for our genre of 'indie pop', this shows our video as being more professional and realistic to other music videos in our genre of music. 

Preliminary Task

For our Preliminary task we will be using the song "Keep Your Head Up" by Ben Howard, we want to keep within the melody and style of the song we are wanting to use for our main project. The song is very chilled and relaxed having a more summery feel to the song. We want to keep the video the same as the song and tune of it so it's similar and not too out of touch with the theme.

• Outside/Natural/Nature- fields, trees, sky, cobbled streets, streams
• Festival Clothing- linking with summer
• Long shots, dolly shots, closeups
• Have three people in, doing fun/playful movements- skipping, running, hop scotch, hullahoops.
• Slow motion effects- concentrating on the playful and fun side of the video

Lana Del Rey- Born to Die Album 

Shown in her video she is very unique and strong in how she represents herself as an artist, this is also shown in her album cover, instantly the audience can see the artist, she is positioned centrally on the image she is looking directly at the camera as if she is looking at the audience, the camera is at a low angle towards her making her look strong and superior, representing herself as this type of women. Her outfit is white which suggests she is pure and innocent, this is appropriate as her album talks about her struggle in love so implies she is innocent in love, she stands out against the natural background of the sky and trees, this natural theme is in all 'indie pop' music videos and artists albums. Continuing with the innocence and purity of the artist the writing of her name "Lana Del Rey" is in white which conotates this as well, having the letters in bold and capital letters make them. 

The back of the album cover is different compared to the front, its more bold and eyecatching due to the colour of the background, the red conotates love and romance which fits in with the theme of her album. It looks professional as the text is kept the same on both the front and back cover. 

Kate Nash- Made of Bricks

Comparing the single "Foundations" to the album cover, there are themes and similarities that link the two pieces together. The album itself it very cartoon effect, as if its an imagery world to the artist. The background is very dark using the gradient of colour to blue then to black, this could conote the dark side to her album and how her album is mostly about love and the effects of it. However the yellow house which standouts and draws the eye of the audience to it instantly could imply happiness which the colour yellow conotes, by having the house in yellow it could suggest this house is her happiness and she is high spirited around here however the blacks surrounding her house could imply darkness and unhappiness of the world, this is also shown as the house is much lighter then the rest of objects on the album cover, this also implies the sense that this is her happy place she goes to away from the bad things in her life.

The artist is in an eye catching

The artist is wearing a red dress, the red suggest danger, romance and love this could be the key characterisitcs of the artist and the character she plays in album. She is positioned in the center of the cover, she standout and the audience is drawn directly to her as the red stands out amoung the red making her eyecatching.

The writing is rotated and quirky keeping with the characterisitics of the album, the colour of white stands out against the dark background, the white can suggest innocence and purity of the artist.

The video is colourful which is shown in the album cover as well, its quirky and unique similar to the single, she keeps to her own style away from other typical album covers in the music industry.

Themes

When looking at the research conducted on 'indie pop' music videos, there is a theme of nature running through all the videos, making the videos warm and cosy as the shots of the scenery contain images of trees, flowers, water or beaches, giving a very natural and realistic setting for the audience of the artist to relate to, e.g. Ben Howard's video Old Pine is set in a country/rural setting. I think this is a effective way to relate to 'indie pop' music as the songs are mostly about love and the different settings and props used in this nature theme can become a metaphor for love. There is uses of long shot and medium shots of the scenery with the artist in it, this creates a romantic setting with the sunsetting behind.

The camera movments and shots are mainly focused on the artist in the different shots, keeping the audience eyes and attention always on the artist of the song, the camera also makes the artist looks directly at the camera as if they are telling their story directly to the audience making them involved more and grabbing their attention of the video.

Because these are the main themes through all the music videos of this genre, I think this would an effective theme to use in our own as it would fit in more with the typical music videos for 'indie pop' in the industry making it seem more professional.

Ben Howard

Ben Howard- Old Pine

This song and music video presents alot of natural imagery an lyrics which link well both together as the video is shot outside using beaches, the sea, fields, road shots comparing these different areas to the relationship between him and the person he is singing about, bringing in the love of nature and the beauty of nature.

The first shot of the video is off a wheat field blowing in the wind. The use of the medium shot has some of the grass focused in the foreground while the background is out of focused, this makes the field feel at more depth making it more rich. The lighting in the shot from the backlight suggests the sun is rising, this could imply this is a new start, the lighting is very natural bringing a peaceful and soft setting and atmosphere to the beginning shots, there is also a lense flare where the light is hitting off the camera this brings a more warm and bright colour to the shot making the setting more realistic and full of life. The melody fits in with the swaying of the wheat in the wind as the song is very soft and relaxing fitting in with the breeze of the wind.

There are numerous medium and close up shots of Ben Howard walking through the field of wheat (0.19- 0.40) these shots contain the artist walking through the grass and field, touching the grass and tearing up pieces of grass as well, this could suggests to the audience he is on his way to somewhere, the way he is fiddling with the grass makes it seem he is thinking of something- being in his "own world" as if he is on a journey somewhere. His clothes are average atire and what people would wear normally during the day, his clothes are dark wearing blacks and greys, however I think this is effective as the darker his clothes are the more warm and rich the background of the field which also makes the eye focus on the artist as he stands out against the background with the dark colours contrasting. Through this sequence when making the tranisitions from shot to shot the lighting is used, there are flashes of red, yellows and oranges that hit across the screen from then sun, again using a lense flare which makes the straight cuts more natural, the lighting makes the shots warm and vibrant atmosphere.
The sequence uses a dolly shot using camera angles around the artists body it makes the shots have more movement and also as if the audience is on this journey with him following his footsteps behind him watching where this journey is going to take him.

After this simple sequence of walking there is a striking image of waves hitting across a cliff. The contrast of colours comparing to this shot to the walking sequences is much darker as there is blacks, browns and dark blues compared to the reds and yellows used previously. This gives a more threatening and darker image of nature, implying that it is dangerous and untamable, which links to the theme of a love song, as love can be both dangerous and threatening so this images of nature are a metaphor for this messge of love. I think this is also effective as when this shot comes on the singing starts so it stands out more and grabs the attention of the audience. 

When introduced to the artist Ben Howard, it is a long shot of him of a dolly shot of him walking along a road. It is a very neutral image, the colours are more vibrant and warm against the artists costumes, he is wearing casual clothing which fits in with the mood of the song as being relaxed and calm. The colour of the video in these shots are almost a sepia contrast, this effect using the browns and dark greens give the natural and rich colour to the video giving a warm mood. 

The use of the back lighting of the sun setting, makes the shot warm and vibrant with the brightness of the yellow from the sun, the natural lighting makes it realistic and conveys the theme of nature which is shown throughout the video. It gives a romantic feel to the shot having the medium shot of the sun setting behind the artist makes the eye focus on him as the back lighting is right behind him, making him stand out more in the foreground. 

The video uses bold images to make the shot stand out, the use of the ocean in the video is used numerously to create this picture. The mixes of the dark ocean and browns and blacks of the rocks make the shot striking and stand out. The use of the extreme long shots of the sea crashing upon the cliff gives the previous message of nature being dangerous and uncontrollable, which contrast with the shots of the relaxed and calm scenes of nature of the calm waves of the sea. The lighting of the shot has changed to a duller and darker colour, this shows the mood of the long shots have changed to darker, and sadder tone. In the shot of the calm sea and the sufer swimming it is also a striking image similar to the shot of the ocean against the cliffs but in a more romantic, the lighting reflecting of the sea gives a more realistic and natural effect making the shot look like a "perfect" setting, while having the black silhouette of the sufer against the yellows and blues of the sea making the image of this person stand out and draw the eye of the audience.

There is a close up shot of hands and a fire, the lighting from the fire brings a warm and comfortable mood to the scene, from the colours of the reds, oranges and yellows. The shot is very cosy and warm, concentrating on the hands warming up in the fire makes the audience feel the same, they can image the heat and warmth coming from the fire.

A tilt shot is used on a long shot of the woods, this tilt shot makes the trees seem grand and outstanding, making them stand out in the shot. This shot continues the theme of nature, it is a very peacful scene, the sun beams through the trees which reflects off the camera using the lense flare making the shot rich and the colours of the greens and browns off the trees become more eyecatching to the audience. The camera work is quite shaky like a handheld camera, giving a point of view shot as if the audience are there looking up at these trees making them become involved in the video and making them witness what this artist is visualising.

The camera movement in this shot circles the artist, using also a close up shot so the audience can see the expressions and emotion in his face. This camera movement draws the eye directly onto Ben Howard, making the audience concentrate on what he saying and his message putting through. The circling effect using the camera suggests he is isolated and alone as the scenery behind him is rural and he is all alone so might imply that is in the world alone with nature. Ben Howard is looking directly at the camera making it seem to the audience that is talking to them, making them more involved and wanting to know how the story ends. The lighting of shot is very bright, the sky behind him is almost white this can imply innocence and purity of nature and also love which is denoted through the metaphor of nature being love.

When the music builds up more fast/straight cuts are used of striking and eyecatching images of nature. The colours of eat shot are bold and stand out amoung the screen compared to previous shots used in the music video. It gives a "wow" effect to the audience, it makes them want to be there in these shots and experience it. I think the use of the fast cuts are effective at this point of the music video as it is a build up to the ending, giving a fast pace feel gets the audience more into the video. In each shot the camera movement zooms in to the shot. The high angled shot of the night sky is effective as when zooming into the sky the camera also rotates I think this is effective as it fits into the space as being out there and unknowing, so the spinning effect creates a confused and unknowing effect to the shot. I think these shots are effective for ending the music video as it brings the beginng of the climax to the video.

This out of focused shot of the artist running away can suggest to the audience that he is running back to the beginning or because of the shot after this the setting becomes more dark and dull and the nature shown is dangerous so could imply that he is running back to the danger, but the out of focus shot could be a "cliff hanger" as the audience doesnt know what he is running from and where is going.

The colour of the scene is dark and gradient, it gives a dangerous and dramatic effect to the setting, the crashing ocean against the rocks and the artists being blown away in the wind gives the sense of extreme danger, however their is close ups and medium shots of him and his facial expression show he is enjoying himself by laughing and having fun in this dangerous

environment.

By the end of the music video the dark and dull colour of the different colours begins to use reds, greens and yellows to create the warm and rich colours that have been used throughout the video, giving a warm ending of the video. The end shot is a tracking shot of the road that previously the artist was walking on with the camera driving away from the place he has been standing, this could imply that his adventure is over or he has found what he is looking for. After this shot the edit of dipping to black is used to show the audience it is the ending of the video. 

Overall I think this music video is really effective to show the lyrics and style of the artist, the use of the different shots of nature create a warm and beautiful setting for the video to be shot. The use of the warm and dark colours contrasting against each other throughout the video show the different moods of the shots and what the lyrics are putting across. The use of nature is a good metaphor for showing the good and bad sides of love.