Filming our stop motion:

• Today we planned to film our stop motion sequence for our music video, we tested out different concepts but unfortunately we did not suceed today, as the lighting was not what we wanted. The lighting seemed extremely dark, however many artifical lights we used to try and correct this it did not seem to work, as you can see from the pictures above.

However today was a learning process, as it taught us that we are going to use a predominantly white room alongside a reflector in order to create the bright, vibrant aesthetic that we want to achieve. It also taught us how important lighting is, even with stop motion as it creates a dynamic to the shot.

Next lesson we plan on correcting our errors by carrying out the process i mentioned above as well as adding the backdrop that we created. We plan on using mid shots and close ups predominately, as these shots would be conventionally used by weather stations, in order to focus on the weather girls face and the weather itself. We are going to make sure various close ups are used as this will create star image as well as portraying the significance of the barbie within our music video; it being the desirability of something fake and artificial, which is unrealistic, however imaginable. 

Stop motion box background:

Today we created the backdrop for our stop motion miniature studio that is going to be a key aspect within our music video. As you can see above we painted it ourselves in order to try and achieve a background similar to one you would see on a conventional weather channel. We especially wanted our backdrop to look cartoon like, as we want it to match the quirky, dynamic feel of our stop motion, and our music video in general.

Camera Shots Whilst Filming

 These are examples of sam lip syncing and general camera shots of when we filmed the chorus for our music video. We used a 2 point lighting system for our chorus, with a reflector to reflect the light from the 'whiteness' of sams head box. We did this in order to create a very light, bright atmosphere, with a stark contrast between the white box and sams face, as well as the blue background. We chose a blue background in order to reflect his 'down, blue mood' as he cannot have the weather girl, she is simply a figment of his imagination. Whilst filming we came across a few minor obstacles as we filmed with the normal room lights on and it didn't create the dynamic effect that we were after. We then turned the lights off and just had the key and the fill light on, and this made all the difference, and create a bright, vibrant effect that we wanted to achieve.

We tested out a number of different shots and camera movements whilst we were filming. A key thing that we knew we wanted within our music video is constant camera movement as we realise that this is important to achieve a professional, sophisticated video, whilst keeping the audience engaged, rather than focusing their vision on one specific shot.

We then decided to put the barbie on top of the box, sitting with her legs hanging down, to create a quirky fun looking shot. For this we used the rule of thirds in order to bring dynamic to our shot... as well as keeping the audience intrigued with different props and shots within the chorus. Within the editing process we are planning to use rhythmic editing alongside the chorus in order to emphasise the lively beat of the track as well as creating a professional, alternative aesthetic to our music video.

Our Main Prop: Barbie

This is our main prop within our music video, a conventional barbie doll. We are using our barbie doll as a stop motion prop in order to create a 'desirable' woman for our protagonist within our music video, weather girl. This compliments the lyrics nicely, as we are trying to create visual and lyrical matching. We chose a red dress for our barbie as it is a conventional 'passionate, sexualised' colour which conveys connotations such as lust, passion and desirability. We are using a make shift box in order to create a miniature studio for the barbie to present the weather, we are specifically using 'i stop motion' in order to achieve this. We will also be using the barbie for frames such as sam driving looking to the side of him and there will be a close up of the barbie, which will portray sam's imagination and desire for the barbie to be there.

Process Of Painting Our Head Box

This is our group in the process of painting our head box for our music video. We decided to paint it white as we are filming in a black room, therefore creating a vivid contrast through colour and aesthetic.

This is the finished product and we are very happy with it as it looks very white
as we intended. It is perfect for what we want to create within our music
video, which is a quirky, indie, unique feel. 

We picked our own box to perfect the fit with sams head, as we are going to cut a whole out of the bottom of the box for it to sit on his shoulders, so when he is lip syncing it will create a Tv screen effect. Throughout painting it we realised it needs alot of coats therefore spending quite a while painting it, we then figured out it would have been easier to stick white paper on the box, so we know better for next time

Our head box: Key prop for the mise en scene within the chorus

This is our box that we have chosen for our chorus section of the music video. Becky went to the coop and asked for any cardboard boxes that they had spare, and this is the one she chose as it is a perfect size for what we are after as it is going to go over sams head and fit round it, almost like a tv screen. We are going to paint this white as we are using a black background as this will create a vivid contrast between the two colours. Also we are going to be using a reflector so the white will allow the light to bounce off the reflector and create a soft/high key image.

Plan for our stop motion box

This is a diagram of our stop motion box that we plan to use. The green screen is a key feature of it as this is going to the backdrop for our weather girls movements and actions, which will create a great contrast. We are also using white cloths at the sides of our stop motion box in order for their to be a diffusion of soft light throughout. We believe it is vital to plan our props and locations before hand as it makes the filming process a more efficient one

Miniature props for our video

A vital aspect to our music video is a minature stop motion studio that we are going to stage as a barbie weather girl is presenting the weather with a green screen behind her and miniature cameras and props which will create a querky, voyeuristic image. These are our own miniature props that we created out of lego, as we believe they look similar to the real things . We decided to create a mini studio as we believed it was a querky idea that goes alongside the indie genre appropriately. There are also intertextual references with Katy Perry's - 'your so gay' as she also used a barbie as a desirable character as well as miniature props to create a realistic feel.

Practicing Voyeurism

When searching through a box of lego we found this, and we thought this was an effective example of voyeurism which is common in most music videos. Andrew Goodwins theory of voyeurism is extremely popular as it gives the sense of secreacy and privacy being broken, which is what audiences want to see. Looking through a window is  often used as it suggests trespassing into the artists personal space which is often what male audiences specifically want to see.

We are going to employ a sense of voyeurism within our music video as we are going to film a scene of him waking up in bed with constant camera movement, suggesting we are almost there, looking at him through a disclosed space. We believe this will be very effective within our music video as it relates to many pop/indie videos which are out there currently, also representing Goodwins theory.

Risk Assessment

 

In order to be able to film, we need to take into consideration a Risk Assessment, to ensure what could happen and cause harm throughout the filming of our Music video.

1. What could cause harm?
Whilst filming, someone could easily fall down the stairs, as their main focus will be on shooting the shot, to make sure the lighting and camera shot is in the correct position. As their main focus will be on this, they may become unaware of their surroundings.

2. What is the likelihood of this happening?
There is a very low risk of this taking place. However, it may accidentally happen, therefore we all need to be aware of our surroundings, to ensure no one is seriously injured.

3. Who and what could be harmed?
Any member of the group could easily be harmed throughout the process of filming. This could be done easily by tripping over a wire laying on the floor. Of course if any member of the group was to trip over a wire, with the camera in their hand, the camera would also be harmed, therefore causing damage and disruption to our filming schedule.

4. How much harm?
The amount of harm is very severe, ranging from either a cut of a bruise, to a broken limb. It is hard to tell what type of injury will be taken place, as it's hard to tell what harm will be caused, to either a member of the group of the camera.

5.Applying the following priorities, how will this risk be managed?
The risk will be managed by reducing or substituting.

Practicing Stop Motion

Today we completed a test run of using stop motion, in order to conclude whether or not we were going to utilise this in our final video. We had to create our own studio with our own plastasine characters, using a specialised camera specifically for stop motion. Using iStop Motion on the mac we then completed our clip by moving the characters inch by inch in order to create a sophisticated look frame by frame.

What we learnt: - We learnt that istop motion processes the frames extremely quickly therefore next time we must be more precise with our movements, which will hopefully create a more continuous image.

We also found out that we must be carefully not to place our hands in the frame, otherwise it ruins the whole frame and we have to go back to square 1, this occured a couple of times as we werent experienced using the equiptment, however now by completing this task i believe we have the skills to develop and construct a professional looking stop motion for our actual video.

Star Image Task: Website Analysis

• A website is a strong aspect that contributes to an artist's star image. It is a promotional as well as an information source, as it provides its audience with different purchase options related to the star as well as vital information. 

This is a print screen of Justin Bieber's current website. The rule of thirds is being employed in this print screen which creates a well thought out beautiful shot. There is also a mid shot of Justin, creating a voyeuristic feel as well as focusing the main projection on him, which for Justin Bieber is neccessary, as teenage girls want to focus simply on his looks. The colour scheme of black and white also makes him stand out, creating a professional, sophisticated look. 

As you can see on the print screen, there are promotional aspects as well as vital information about the artist , which makes this a well thought out successful website in terms of creating a strong star image 

Star image task: Album cover

Lady gaga is a key iconic figure within modern pop culture. Her star image is vital to her success, as her 'mad and wacky' image is ultimately what provokes the audience's attention. Therefore her album covers must be strong, fierce and just as thought provoking as her image itself. This album is called 'the fame' which is clear through the image of her glasses. As this was at the beginning of Lady gagas career, sunglasses were an iconic object associated with her, therefore creating a continuous star image.

A close up takes up the whole frame of the album, suggesting a direct address to the audience as well as show casing her features and her flawless image portrayed on the cover. This is emphasised by the vivid high key lighting used which creates an angelic, vibrant image.

Star Image Task

• The star image construction within a generic music video is often created by a variety of close ups and performance based shots in order to highlight the artists own specific image and personality. Significantly when an artist/band takes pride in playing instruments this is key in portraying their star image, as this shows raw talent and also to remind the audience that they are real musicians. If instruments are not part of the singers package, lip syncing is used in order to replace that performance aspect, therefore taking pride in their talent as well as show casing it in the best possible way; often backed up by technical lighting as well as a professionally constructed mise en scene. 

• An effective example of a strong star image seen within a music video is Ellie Gouldings newly constructed 'starry eyed' video. Within the first couple of shots the star image is set out immediately as their is a voyeuristic side close up of Ellie with her earphones on, suggesting she can not see of hear the audience looking, therefore conforming to Andrew Goodwin's theory of voyeurism (the pleasure of watching.) 

Like several music videos, star image is often created by utilising a narrative based video as well as performance in order to showcase their talent, body language, image and all the other vital things. Ellie goulding does this within her music video as she has a specific seperate section of the video, running parellel with the narrative in order to portray her lip syncing, therefore highlighting her singing talent. When this section is in vision, the lighting is extremely significant as it enhances a flawless, glamorous image. It looks as if a classic 3 point lighting scheme has been used in order to create that effect. Which contains of a back light which is evident as it has created a halo/glow look to ellie's hair and facial features; as well as a key light and a fill light which are used in order to balance the light in order to create a high/soft effect to the frame. Soft lighting is generically seen within pop videos in order to create that flawless image which undoubtably makes the star look more attractive, therefore boosting their overall star image. 

A varied range of camera shots are employed to create that famous star image. Close ups seem to be the main shot used in order to successful portray a star image, within this video there are several. Foe example...

Close up of ellie are significant in creating her star image as they highlight her beauty as well as her querky style which is ultimately what her fans want to see . This is also emphasised by the lighting used which is extremely soft which enhances this glamorous image, enhancing her features offering direct address. Another example of an effective shot used within this video is a high angle shot, which is linked directly to voyeurism, making her look vulnerable and submissive which is a desirable aspect that the audience cling to, as well as her being more relatable.