Main Task - New Drafted Storyboard

Having now annotated our lyrics, and drawn our new initial idea, we have now completed our draft storyboard of the new idea, featuring our Christina Aguilera song. We still are to seek permission for the song formally, but this will take place in due course. Below are the three sheets on which we have drafted our ideas, including notes on lighting, camerawork, editing, and transitions.

Shots 1-7 - click to enlarge

Shots 8-12 - click to enlarge

Shots 13-15 - click to enlarge

Main Task - New Storyboard Idea

The new storyboard has been drawn very briefly, and once final details are decided, each shot will be drafted accordingly, including notes. Below is the initial idea drawn up to give a basic idea of what we plan to do.

Main Task - Annotated Lyrics

Having decided to change our music video idea, we have annotated a set of lyrics to give a basic guide and to help us create a storyboard specific to the requirements of what we have in mind. It includes shot numbers corresponding to our rough idea storyboard, which is posted here. It also has notes which will relate to each shot from the draft storyboard.

Main Task - Original Video

As mentioned earlier in the week, Naomi and I have decided to change our song and storyboard, to Christina Aguilera's 'You Lost Me', which was released as a single earlier this year. The video for it is primarily a narrative-concept based video, and is below.

Main Task - New Idea

Having looked into the feasibility of creating our Florence + the Machine video, we have decided that, with hindsight, the key components of the idea is actually very difficult to create, due to the need for extra equipment that is not available to us.

Therefore, we have come to the decision to change our chosen song and storyboard, and create a new idea. The song in question is 'You Lost Me', by Christina Aguilera.

For this reason, our initial storyboards will be used as back-up ideas if necessary, but concepts from each of them will feature within the new idea.

Although Christina is a signed artist with RCA Records, we are going to seek permission to use the music from the record company.

Alongside this, she has also created a concept-based video for the song, which is above on a later post. We do not plan on using any of these ideas.

Research - Storyboarding

A storyboard is a set of detailed images which tell the story, shot by shot, of a film or video. It should contain information, such as lighting, camera shots, editing techniques, transitions, and actors involved in the shots. They are usually drawn, which allows for the creator to change things and add more detail than a computer program could make.

For our coursework, we will make a draft storyboard, which will tell the basic synopsis of the story, and once this is all finalised, create a detailed storyboard, depicting everything that will happen within every shot.

CLICK TO ENLARGE STORYBOARD EXAMPLE

Research - Camerawork & Editing

Camerawork

The camerawork within creating a niche is crucial in making a successful music video. John Stewart, of Oil Factory, says that 'the music video is essentially having the aesthetics of TV commercials, with lots of close ups and lighting being used most prominently for the star's face.' Close-ups in music videos feature prominently, and this adds intimacy between the artist and the audience. everything that happens within the video, whether it be the order of the shots, or the way the cameras are used, are completely intentional, and the sequence of these events help add meaning to the footage. Using specific types of camerawork helps to create a dynamic feel, such as trombone shots, and angled shots.

Editing
A big form of editing within the music video is fast cut montage, which adds very short, milli-second clips together, to create a few seconds of footage, where multiple viewing is needed before seeing every shot. Also, using split screens between two sets of shots help add a dual effect - giving the audience two sets of images and two sides of the story at the same time. Colourisation of shots, whether it be black-and-white or over-exposure to a certain colour, helps adds a different aspect to the video. Another frequently used editing technique are digital effects, using CGI and other technology to add different types of graphics and shots to the footage.

CLICK TO ENLARGE EACH IMAGE

Research - Branding

The best way for a band to market themselves is through branding. By choosing the right font, logo and text for a band, and putting it on as much merchandise as they can, they will be broadcast around the world through free advertising.

The Beatles
Even after splitting in 1970, The Beatles are still as big a hit today as they were then. The merchandising has become a sort-of 'cult', as it is the attire of those who deem themselves to be indie fans. T-shirts, ties, badges, mugs, signs - all sorts can be sold with their logo on it, knowing that it will be bought.

It helped the band keep their name alive well after the split, and is still sold today because people from abroad see The Beatles as synonymous to Britain. It is something that people across the globe want to take home as a souvenir, and this has continued spreading the popularity of the band. Its a very successful way to merchandise, as it is easy to make, and it also helps them get noticed, and makes people take note.