We have now marked all the music video rough cuts you have submitted, and you should have received feedback and a grade via email (if you haven't, it's either because you missed the assessment or for another reason: please bug your teacher if you think you're owed an email!). This should hopefully give you some pointers on what to focus on for the last couple of weeks of the music video project.
However, as we marked these, we kept suggesting the same feedback again and again. It's clear that there are some really important things that almost everyone needs to focus on. So check out the list below, and see what you should be including in your music video
Three things to include in your music video
1 - Performance shots
Performance means performing the song. Performance can involve singing (i.e lip syncing), dancing and/or playing an instrument. You can be as creative with these shots as you like. Remember that a lip syncing master shot is unlikely to work as a mid shot: we won't be able to see the lips! Better yet, make it a close-up (with just the head of your performer), or even an extreme close-up (with just a pair of lips!
2 - Shots establishing a celebrity
Look back at your rough cut, and be brutally honest. Is it clear who the performer is? Do we know who's the celebrity? Or is it just a bunch of people in a park, hanging out, going for a walk?
You MUST establish a personality for your performer. You MUST show the audience that they are special and important. So think: what's the craziest thing you own that you could wear? What makeup could you apply to show your personality? What props could you use to show your power and confidence?
3 - Lots of different shot types
Mid shot, mid shot, mid shot. It's dull, it's repetitive, and it looks nothing like a music video.
If your music video does not have at least three extreme close ups then you're frankly wasting an opportunity.
Here are some things which look really good in extreme close up:
- Eyes
- Mouths
- Ears
- Flowers
- Insects
- Flowing water
- Painted nails
- Car engines and bike chains
- Wires
- Coins