Preparing for your individual role
Mise-en-scene (typically this role needs to be fulfilled by both members of the group) - Provide details of costume, hair/makeup, actors, setting, set dressing (how you will make the set look interesting), lighting, colour, etc. In particular it is important that you discuss what sort of star persona you are creating, what messages do they communicate?
Camerawork - What movement and how much? What angles? What shot distances.? (for example if you want a performance how many different camera positions will their be and why/what will they be?)
Editing - how will the editing match the track? Lip synching? Cutting on the beat? Use of transitions? Split screens? Other effects? Is there going to be a strong link between the music and visuals in other ways? (instruments? Dancing? Etc.) Is it going to edit between different scenes? (Performance? Narrative?)
Before you begin anything, you must complete:
- A detailed storyboard (digital or sketched)
- A comprehensive shot list
- A detailed location research document
- Costume designs
- Requisition documentation
- Complete health and safety documentation
Shooting guidelines
In order to maximise your grade, it is essential to include a variety of technical codes and visual codes. This list may seem overly didactic, but following it will ensure you include a variety of visual and technical codes
Specialist editing techniques
There is a vast amount of different editing techniques that you can use in your music video. Some of these are very specific to music videos, and can completely change the pace, atmosphere and meaning of a particular sequence.
Watch a range of music videos, making notes on the visual and technical codes employed. In particular, pay attention to editing techniques.
How can you emulate these techniques using the resources you have? You will almost certainly have to research this using YouTube.
Watch a range of music videos, making notes on the visual and technical codes employed. In particular, pay attention to editing techniques.
How can you emulate these techniques using the resources you have? You will almost certainly have to research this using YouTube.
Technical codes
- Three different shot types
- An extreme close up
- A long shot
- A high/low angle shot
- High key lighting
- Varied pace of editing
- A temporal effect (time lapse, slow mo, reverse, fast forward, freeze frame…)
Visual codes
- Generic iconography
- Use of graphics (could be extremely brief)
- Distinctive mise en scene
- Two distinct facial expressions
Other
- Consideration of modes of address