LIGHTING PLAN

PERFORMANCE SCENES

For the performance scene we wanted to create a three point lighting set up so that we could create an interesting yet effective scene. We decided that by using two soft boxes for backlighting it would create a halo effect and also a lens flare. By achieving lens flares it makes the shot appear more interesting as the camera movement makes the lens flares move across the shot. We also have considered using a soft box as a fill light so that we could create a ‘glamorous’ appearance for the star image. We also wanted to create a slightly dark and ‘moody’ atmosphere so that it is parallel to the music and lyrics and so this creates a relationship between the lyrics, the song and the visuals. 

 

NARRATIVE SCENES 1

We decided that using a reflector for the outside narrative scenes would be the most effective as we could reflect the light onto the subjects without making the scene appear too bright or artificial. We also wanted to create a romantic mood and so bright artificial lights would not help to create this mood and so by reflecting natural light from the sun it will create a natural glow on to the subjects and will add to the soft and romantic atmosphere.

 

NARRATIVE SCENES 2

As we decided to film in a small room we thought that big bright lights would not suit the atmosphere or setting and so we considered using a reflector so that we could reflect the diegetic room light. We also thought about using lamps and more diegetic lighting so that we could create a sad and lonely atmosphere.

 

Though lighting we have been able to experiment with different atmospheres that would go with the song and also the scene. We wanted a contrast between bright and happy lighting for the romantic scenes and the sad scenes where Shqipdon is by himself. This also allows the audience to differentiate the different scenes and also adds to the fragmented narrative.

DEAF HAVANA 'HUNSTANTON PIER' MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS

The music video for Deaf Havana’s song ‘Hunstanton Pier’ begins with a shot of a film flashing with writing on. This suggests that the song is about the band’s memories and so this immediately creates a relationship between the visuals and the song. There is an establishing shot of Hunstanton Pier and so this creates a relationship between the visuals, song and the title of the song as it is called ‘Hunstanton Pier’ as well as being the location of the music video. At the beginning of the music video, the pace of edit is at a moderate speed with long shot durations and so it matches the speed of the music, which is at mid tempo and allows the audience to see the lip syncing. A medium long shot that moves in introduces us to the singer and this is because singers are usually the most recognised members within a band.
 

The use of a long shot allows the audience to see the band members in one shot. There a different shot changes where we see a close up of each of the different band members. This allows the audience to see the band’s signature as well as creating a star image for each of the band members and so they can all be recognised. Long shots of the location and scenery have also been used as iconography to help to reinforce the idea that the music video is based on Hunstanton Pier and so it creates a relationship with the song and lyrics. Another long shot has been used to show the vocalist walking through a field of poppies; this gives it a summery feel and adds to the happy atmosphere of the song. The use of natural and soft lighting helps to add this summery and happy atmosphere as there is not much contrast and the scene is well lit. It also gives the vocalist a ‘glamorous’ appearance which is typical within music videos. The shot then changes to a close up of his hand where the audience is able to see his tattoos; the tattoos help to give a suggestion the genre of the music video.
 

A relationship between the visuals and the lyrics has been created as the lyrics are ‘I said I would be lying if I didn't say I hate the city and the pier and the fresh sea air’. The lyrics are matched with shots of London, Hunstanton Pier and the sea. This is indicative of music videos as it is part of Goodwin’s theory and so this makes it more interesting for the audience as well as including codes and conventions of music videos.

Having the camera moving out slowly from a long shot of a beach allows the audience to see everything that is happening. This has been made especially effective as the clip has been sped up and so this makes it appear fast paced because of the quick movement of the people and so it matches the speed of the song as it begins to speed up at this point. The music video is both performance and narrative based as the audience are introduced different people that the band have met within their lives and so this creates a relationship between the visuals and the lyrics as well as having the vocalist lip syncing as part of the performance part of the music video.  

The close up of the sand castle and the bucket and spade have connotations of summer, sand and sea and so this adds to the summery atmosphere. The different locations and landscapes have been sped up and so this creates the sense of time passing by quickly, this may represent life and how it seems to pass us by quickly. It matches the speed of the song as the tempo of the song has increased. The pace of edit has also increased in speed and so this matches the speed of the song. The use of a kind of Polaroid effect is used to give a sense of time as Polaroid is quite old now and so it gives a sense of time passing. It is also used as a transition from one shot to another, this give a kind of summery atmosphere as the colours are quite subtle yet warm.

 

The band are made very prominent within the frame as they are centralised, the clip has also been sped up and so everybody appears to move past them really quick which also adds to the idea that time is moving quickly. Rhythmic cutting has also been used to match the speed of the song as short shot durations of the people within the music video appear to flash onto the screen on the beat of the music. As the song slowly begins to slow down the pace of edit also begins to slow down and there are longer shot durations so that the speed of the visuals matches the speed of the song. The last shot of the music video shows the band standing around the ‘Hunstanton’ road sign, this relates to the title of the song as well as creating a subtle message which makes the audience remember the music video as well as the title.
 

I have analysed this music video as within our storyboard we have a shot where Shqipdon is standing in the middle of town. This was the music video where I got the idea from. After reviewing our ideas I don’t think that we will be using this idea within our own music video but it has given me an insight into what a music video can look like if you alter the speed of a shot by using slow motion or increasing the speed.

LILY ALLEN 'SMILE' MUSIC VIDEO ANALYSIS

The music video for ‘Smile’ performed by Lily Allen is both narrative and performance based where the artist is present and is portrayed as a character within the narrative. Lots of mid shots and close ups of the artist have been used to promote the star and to create a more prominent star image. The use of a mid shot introduces us to the artist as the camera moves in on her. This creates a star image which is used to introduce and promote the artist. A close up has also been used to create a star image as well as showing the audience the artist’s iconography that makes them recognisable.

Long shots have been used to make Lily Allen appear alone and isolated which makes her the focus of the music video as well as creating a relationship with the lyrics. “Never been on my own that way just sat by myself all day.” This reinforces part of the narrative as it contrasts the idea of being happy and smiling and suggests what she was like before she was happy. The use of continuous camera movement makes the music video flow better and makes it more visually interesting as well as matching the atmosphere of the song and visuals. Having handheld camera shots makes it appear like a documentary and it makes you feel like you’re there and so this creates a sense of voyeurism.
 

This also presents the focus on looking and so we are looking into her ‘secret and personal life.’ Within the music video Lily Allen addresses the audience and so this allows the audience to create a kind of ‘bond’ with the artist and also adds to the sense of voyeurism. The face pace of edit and rhythmic cutting goes with the fast pace of music and so it matches the feel of the music as well as the energetic and happy atmosphere. The location of the performance section of the music video takes place in a bedroom and so this goes with the idea of being upset and crying in your bedroom.

It also contrasts the sense of being happy and also the vivid colours of the room. Soft lighting has been used to make the scene appear natural and also creates a lack of shadows as well as highlighting the face and making a more glamorous appearance. Bright vivid colours have been used for the costume for example, pink eye shadow and a green jumper, as this makes the artist appear more prominent as well as insinuating that she is happy, which goes with the theme of the song. Diegetic lighting is coming through the window in the shot which has a sheet over it, the sheet acts as a filter and diffuses a yellowy light. Yellow has the connotations of happy and joy which matches the theme of the song. A glow filter has also been used in order to add to the happy atmosphere of the song and enhances the vivid colours.

 

This has helped me understand more about creating atmosphere and how bright and vivid colours can help to enhance an atmosphere. The use of lighting has helped to create a happy atmosphere as well as highlighting the artist’s face which creates a ‘glamorous’ appearance for the star image.

RISK ASSESSMENT

For the planning of our music video we had to complete a risk assessment, this is to avoid and prevent risks and accidents occurring during filming. It also made us consider how we wanted things set up and experiment with different positioning. The risk assessment is as follows:

Location: Town/Christchurch Park

What could cause harm?

Road traffic could be main hazard.  

Crowds of people.

What is the likelihood of this happening?

If concentration is not applied then injury could occur.

Who or what would be harmed?

All involved in the production and also people in surrounding area.

How much harm?

Dependant on the situation could be minor or a major incident.

Location: Josh’s House

What could cause harm?

Steps leading to house, pavement and slippery grass if wet.

What is the likelihood of this happening?

A minor incident, if there is a lack of concentration and attention and also dependant on weather conditions.

Who or what would be harmed?

All involved in the production and also people in surrounding area.

How much harm?

Dependant on situation could be minor or a major incident.

Location: Suffolk One

What could cause harm?

Studio lighting wires, unnecessary objects within filming area.

What is the likelihood of this happening?

A minor chance, unless proper attention is not paid to surrounding area and equipment.

Who or what would be harmed?

Anyone that is participating in the production could be harmed.

How much harm?

Dependant on incident, burns could occur if falling on lighting.

SHOT DESCRIPTION

 

SHOT TYPE	LOCATION	SHOT DURATION	DIEGETIC/NON- DIEGETIC SOUND
Establishing shot	Town	3-4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Shqipdon	Town	2-3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Long shot of Shqipdon	Town	3-4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Medium shot of Shqipdon	Music Studio	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Shqipdon	Music Studio	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Shqipdon walking	Street	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Shqipdon holding the camera	Street	4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Over the shoulder shot camera	Josh’s House	2-3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Ella and Liam	Josh’s House	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Shqipdon	Josh’s House	3-4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Shqipdon picking up photos	Music Room	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of stop motion	Music Room	4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Long Shot	Park	2-3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Circular Tracking Shot	Park	5-6 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Shqipdon	Park	3-4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Ella	Park	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close Up of Shqipdon	Park	4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Medium close up of board and Shqipdon	Music Room	3-4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
High angle of Shqipdon	Music Studio	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Shqipdon	Music Room	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Extreme close up of Shqipdon	Music Room	2-3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Mid shot of Shqipdon	Music Room	3-4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of hands ripping photos off	Music Room	4-5 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Shqipdon	Music Room	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of hands ripping up photos and letting them fall	Music Room	4-5 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of photos falling	Music Room	4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Ella	Park	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up – Tracking shot of Shqipdon	Music Studio	3-4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Ella and Shqipdon	Park	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Ella	Park	3 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Ella and Shqipdon holding hands	Park	4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Photos falling again	Music Room	4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Close up of Ella	Park	3-4 secs	Non diegetic music sound track
Fade in of photo of Shqipdon and Ella ripped into two	Music Room	4-5 secs	Non diegetic music sound track

 

Creating a shot description list has allowed us to keep a record of all of the shots that are needed within our music video. However we thought that I would be a good idea to film the shots for longer than what is actually needed as this would allows us to experiment and fit the shots together better in the editing process.