Research and Planning: Lyric analysis

Research and Planning: Test shots

As a group, whilst discussing our ideas for our music video we decided to film in a studio which we found. We took test shots to create a rough idea of what it would look like and if it would work. We used the lights and used different colours to see the different effects:

However, as a group we found that the studio was not appropriate for our music video as it was more for bands. And it was not ideal for us to film in there as we found that it would not work due to the size, walls and the space:

However, we still used the time to practise our shots against the blank wall and learnt how to change the lighting and see the effects and outcomes of it, either good or bad. 

We then did some test shots in a second location which was the subway and we found that the lighting was good and it created the urban atmosphere to match the mood/tone to the song:

These particular shots stood out to us as a group as the depth of field was effective, they are all different type of camera shots which we would find very useful when it came to actually filming our music video. It created the gritty and urban environment for our music video.

Research and Planning: London Grammar - Nightcall

The style of this particular video and a few others by London Grammar is quite simple, dark and slow. The band is shown in a plain green field, which is quite dark and the soft key lighting centres the band:

The camera movement in this music video is smooth when it moves from one part to the next without any cuts:

Whilst the camera movements is still smooth and no cuts, it goes to a close-up of the band to show them performing:

When the camera moves to show the narrative of the story, it shows people, however they are frozen as they are not moving so it looks like a picture but whilst the camera is still moving:

The lighting is consistent throughout the video whilst also relating to the mood/tone of the video, as it is slow, dark and quite mellow. This is video is interesting as it has no cuts at all, it is filmed continuously. Therefore, as a group we can take these ideas and elements for inspiration of our own video. 

Research and Planning: Casting and props

Casting:

As a group we had to find someone who would fit the voice to the song which we have chosen by London Grammar, one member of our group had an idea of someone who we could cast. Her name is Kitty and we all agreed that the voice would match her. She also has a similar appearance to Hannah Reid who is the lead vocalist from London Grammar:

Make-up:
We decided that Kitty would have quite a natural look consisting of mascara, eye liner and a dark lipstick.

Costume:
Whilst listening to the song, we pictured her wearing either black jeans or leggings with a vintage top and black boots, such as:

Props:

Whilst analysing the lyrics to the song, we decided to have red sand thrown in the air as it links to a particular line of the song, the video will be in black and white but we would have the sand in colour to stand out. We had also decided to smash some glass and burn a letter which links to the narrative of the video. 

Research and Planning: MAGIC! - Rude

'Magic!' is a Canadian reggae fusion band, composed of songwriter and record producer Nasri on lead vocals and Mark Pellizzer, Alex Tanas and Ben Spivak. In 2013, they released their debut single, "Rude", from their debut album Don't Kill the Magic. The band is signed to Sony Music Entertainment and is also partnered with Latium Entertainment in addition to RCA Records in the USA.

RCA Records (Radio Corporation of America) Records is an American flagship recording label. RCA Records is the second-oldest recording company in US history.

Sony Music Entertainment is an American music corporation owned and operated by Sony Corporation of America.











The music video is both performance and narrative based, as there are parts where the band is performing and other parts showing the narrative of the video. The lead singer of 'Magic!' Nasri, had been in an unhealthy relationship with a previous girlfriend. One day after an argument erupted and she became harsh, Nasri began singing the lines "why you gotta be so rude/don't you know I'm human too" in what he describes as a "dark vibe". However, the concept did not work with the band well, so it was revised and eventually made into a man talking to a disapproving father of his lover.

Performance based and the narrative of the song is shown constantly back and forth throughout the music video.
Performance based:

                                         

  

All the scenes which show the band performing, they are shown performing in a garage which creates a very American theme as most American bands would practise in their garage. 

Narrative based:

The majority of the narrative scenes are filmed as mid-shots and occasionally some close-ups to tell the narrative clearly. 

Mise en scène:

• Setting and location

The music video was filmed mainly in the house showing the narrative and the garage showing the band perform, creating the typical American setting. The setting and location relate to the song as the lyrics of the song tell a story, and the setting/location helps tell the story. 

• Costume and make-up 

The band wears one costume for the majority of the video:

Three of the band members are wearing jackets, skinny jeans and a coloured top with one band member wearing a coloured shirt and skinny jeans, the clothes which they all wear are typically what a band would wear, this therefore conforms to the stereotype of boy bands wearing skinny jeans and jackets. However, one of the band members (member wearing a red jacket) wears a rasta beanie which gives off the reggae vibe which relates to the style of the band's songs which is reggae.

They then wear a second costume towards the end of the music video as they have to in order to tell the story as it is the wedding scene, which consists of suits, shirts and smart tops:

• Camera work

The majority of the camera movements are fairly fast when filming the scenes for the narrative However, whilst filming the band performing in the garage, the same shot is used, the camera is at a low angle shot which therefore looks up to the band, whilst the band can look down. This could suggest that it relates to the lyrics "why you gotta be so rude? Don't you know I'm human too?" so Nasri (lead vocalist) is standing up to the father who is not allowing him to marry his lover:

• Lighting and colour

The lighting in the video mainly consists of natural lighting, when filming the garage scenes, the colours are quite dull. Towards the end of the music video, it goes into the evening, and therefore it is darker lighting and lights are used in the garage to brighten it up, it also gives a warmer and happier feel which connects to the narrative as he eventually gets married to his love: