Planning: Lighting and colour

Lighting and Colour

What is lighting and colour?

Lighting and colour is an important part of video production. This is because different lightings and colour setups have different meanings depending on the scene. Lighting can be used to convey unique and/or relatable moods and atmosphere. This depends on the type lighting. Colour can be used as a way to help support or create deeper meanings to a scene through connotations and interpretations.  

Lighting

Different angles of lighting

Under Lighting - The lighting is coming from below the person. This is mostly used when the portraying a character is dark, evil or scheming something. Under lighting gives a distorting effect on the character. This type of lighting is used mostly on Antagonists.

Top-Lighting - The Lighting is coming from above the person. This type of lighting is used highlighting the features of a character creating a glamorous look, and mostly on used characters that have good intentions or in heroic scenes, therefore it's used mostly on protagonists.

Back-Lighting - The light source for backlighting is usually behind a person. Not much light is used for backlighting since they make silhouettes on the character this is useful when you only want to see a shadow of a character.

Types of Lighting

Low Key - The lighting is dark with small areas of light which also creates a shadow.

Low key lighting is when there is low lighting in some small areas in others areas there isn’t any. With this type of lighting

High Key - High key lighting appears more natural and realistic to our eyes, therefore, the lighting effect is heightened

The lighting used in music videos from the first day to now has changed and lighting has widely become a common element of music videos. Natural lighting, such as from the sky, street lights when its dark, cars driving by and even the sunlight, are drawn upon for assistance in a music video, with no extra effects or authentic lighting used as they have the ability to have as much impact as authentic lighting. High key lighting is the most conventional as directors use it to retract from the negativity; darker lighting brings to a music video. Backlighting is commonly used in indie genre music videos.

Conventional colour in music videos

The main issue with a mainstream music video is that different genres use different types of lighting and colour to convey different effect and feeling in the music video. Colours play a key role in the music video, for example, Rock bands or heavy metal are unlikely to wear bright colours. And would wear dark colour and surreal colour mixes. Pop music videos usually use brighter colours in their music video.

Conclusion

For the final music video. Our group must come up with a decision on what type of lighting will be using. As a group, we decided that we should use natural lighting and top lighting to carve an angelic silhouette out of the main character rather than record it outside with the weather not being reliable enough, as a sunny day would be a most preferable time to record our music video. After carefully looking at other hip-hop music videos with an upbeat tempo, rhythmic groove and innocent vibe, which is primarily what my group has gone for, it is safe to say that they have acquired the director to film with brighter colours, and conventional lighting for hip-hop, which are commonly the primary colours on the colour wheel.

Planning: Locations

Location

Location is an important factor to consider in a music video when we are planning. The locations in our music video must fit with the narrative and the scenery. We decided on the final locations when we are planning our storyboard. This was based off feedback from our questionnaire as well as research we did about our target audience as well as the genre we are doing. The main focus was to have a variety of locations and settings for the final music videos also because of the feedback we received from our questionnaire allowed us to make a few important decisions on how were going to film.

Chosen Locations

Stratford Westfield

Relevant to lyrics.

It doesn’t relate to lyrics however it does relate to the narrative and the setting of the song.Take place within a busy city area.

Relevant to Genre

The location is relevant since most Rap would take place in busy areas or in suburbs.

Relevant to target audience

Areas may be familiar to the audience in regard to popular young people in which young people usually have seen around along with tourists.

Describe location

It's outside central London however within zone 2-3 so it's still busy and popular with young people and tourists.

Advantages of location.

Familiar buildings in the London area.

Potential problems and how you will overcome them

This area is always busy especially on weekends so we can go on Sundays to film.

Existing video that has influenced you with this idea.

The use of famous locations in Chicago in Chance - Angels.

Ponders End (Silver Street)

Relevant to lyrics.

It doesn’t relate to lyrics however it does relate to the narrative and the setting of the song. Where the song takes place within a busy city area.

Relevant to Genre

The location is relevant since most Rap would take place in busy areas or in suburbs.

Relevant to target audience

Areas may be familiar to the audience and is

Describe location

It’s the suburbs with 4 large very flats in the suburbs of north London. This area is surrounded with residential homes.

Advantages of location

It’s the suburbs which is relevant to the song in regard to narrative.

Potential problems and how you will overcome them

The main issue is that we’re are filming in a residential area so we need to be careful where we film and at the same

Existing video that has influenced you with this idea.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we decided the best course of action was to use various locations that fit the narrative of our music video which shots around a city that were also conventional to the genre. The shots include city centre locations like Stratford and waterloo and locations in the suburbs like Ponders end. Additionally, may use areas that  We need to ensure that locations that we chose correspond to our music video narrative and will be beneficial to our music video. However, for some scenes, we may need to use a green screen this would mean we would need to use the drama studio. In addition, we have identified advantages and disadvantages to each location and potential issues. 

Planning: Initial ideas

Initial Idea

After we chose our groups we all shared our initial ideas and then narrowed it down to 3. The final music video had to be pop or R&B, the music video had to be unique and wouldn’t be well known. Once we picked our final 3 we need then to take into consideration the narrative structure, microelements, cinematography and advantages and disadvantages of the music video. Below is the final 3 music videos that we chose.

Idea 1 - Michael Kiwanuka - One More Night

The music video falls within soul and pop genre and is filmed on an inner city estate. Starts off with a tilt shot, however, the editing technique of letterboxing the frame gives it a widescreen look. The camera tilt downwards we see the main character in the establishing wide shot of the music video then. This connotes as the character being alone but independent. From here onwards it's mostly filmed as a crane shot the camera then zooms towards the main character, this gives the audience a connection the main singer. The wide shot ends up as a medium close up the singer blows a bubblegum which bursts which show that the character has a relaxed attitude. and a straight cut is used to zoom to a passer-by than another straight cut is used to go back to the main character then the camera pans out to show that he’s on tilt and is mostly filmed from a low angle. The narrative is about how he wants to keep dancing for another night and keep dancing till the morning. The cinematography used throughout was mostly done by using crane shots. 

Mise en scene

The costume that is used in the music video are casual clothing showing how it’s a normal day for most people and the main character is wearing clothing based if he was going to a party. This was Jeans and a T-shirt. The lighting that was used was high key lighting however throughout most of the music video the use natural lighting was used to enhance the video. The main iconography of the film was the main character wearing a skirt. And the setting took place in what appears to be an Inner City Townhouses/Council Estate.

Idea 2 - Elliphant - Purple Light

The music video falls within the pop genre and is filmed outside a nightclub and in some alleyways. The music video starts off with a crane shoot of the camera moving towards the main character. The noticeable mise en scene elements that is a scene that is the effective use of lighting throughout the entire music video with bright neon lighting as well as the use of back lighting and high key lighting. The use of cinematography ranged from medium closes up of the artists.

We also came up with some additional ideas such as
Chance the rapper – Summer Friends. This didn’t have a music video as such but we thought we could be entirely original since we could interp the music video using the lyrics and entirely original with the music video. The music video itself comes under both soul and rap which would be interesting to portray in the music video. 

Questionnaire.

As a part of our planning, we needed to also do some research and get feedback on people perception of a music video and our ideas. We all created questionnaires around the music video, the genre, public opinion as well as artists. The questionnaire was useful in the research and we have managed to gather some good data and feedback from the questionnaire. which we used to help finalise our idea  Below is my questionnaire and I asked around 30 people to complete this questionnaire.

Conclusion

Overall, the initial ideas that we have come up with are beneficial to our groups. It has allowed us to look at the advantages and the disadvantages of each song and for us to decide on what song we should pick or look at something else completely. The song we wanted to pick should not be a song in the pop genre. After that, we then decided to create a questionnaire and regroup later to come up with some ideas. We are thinking about going with Michael Kiwanuka - One More Night However we do have some reservations with that song and how effective it could be done the fore we maybe also looking at another song entirely.

Planning: Pre-production paperwork

Pre-Production Paperwork

As part of our planning, we needed to complete some production paperwork. This is essential for our music video because the importance that came with the paperwork. The paperwork includes consists of risk-assessments, location recce, risk assessments and other additional important information. These documents highlight risks, get permission from actors and was vital to complete this paperwork before we started to film.

(Not Fin)

Risk Assessment.

Client Release Form

Production Schedule

Planning: Group roles

Group Roles

Introduction

The Group roles are made up of various roles that are essential for a music video. The production roles will consist of the main roles. Producer, Director, Editor, Location Manager, Lighting Operator, Storyboard Organiser, Camera Operator, Costume, Hair and makeup, Storyboard organiser and Cast Control. We nominated someone for each role that is suitable and capable of doing each role. This includes looking at member strengths and weakness and the production is based on our abilities and experience.  

Roles

Producer

Emeka: As a group, we have decided to make Emeka the producer. The main reason why is due to the quick and helpful decision he makes, as well as considering input from the team. Also, he is proficient at dealing with problems we may face during our filming stage as he is already experienced from last year when he was producer for the short thriller opening scene. He has practical communication skills which will help the whole team as he can deal with the cast and crew in an effective manner.

Director

Gulustan  As a group, we decided that Gulustan should be the director. The reason why we chose Gulustan as she has good skills in managing groups. Additionally, she is able to describe her ideas clearly to everyone in the group which makes our roles easier and helps them understand what were trying to do in each scene. As well as giving everyone concise feedback, Moreover, She is able to give back constructive feedback which helped us in the long run.

Editor

Elliot: I was nominated to take on the role of editor as because of my consistent and hard working with his work. In addition, I have a quite thorough and go into detail in with my work which will help us to create an effective music video, iveAlso, Elliot found it interesting and enjoyed editing during AS Media which concluded in him being chosen to do Editing during A2 Media additionalI'vecreated highly decent youtube videos. 

Location Manager

Gulustan: Gulustan was chosen to be the Location Manager. The reason why we chose this role because. She has chosen some suitable locations to film our music video. Also, she has very good communication and negotiation skills which will work on the group's behalf.

Lighting Operator 

Elliot As a group we also decided that I should be lighting operator. The main reason why is because I was well informed of the different lighting techniques as well as what they represent, for example, high key lighting presenting positivity. This can help us with creating the atmosphere and the mood of the music video. Also, my creativity will benefit us using lighting as I am aware where it is appropriate to place the lighting.

Storyboard organiser: 

Emeka- Emeka was nominated to be the Storyboard organiser as he was able to visualise all our ideas and combine it into one initial idea. Also, he asked for input from the group and added it into the storyboard which made it more effective as he will be able to picture each shot. Additionally, he knew the song like the back of his hand which is important when creating a storyboard.

Camera Operator: Gulustan & Emeka

We decided that Gulustan and Emeka should be camera operators as we have knowledge on cinematography techniques and they are confident

with how and which ones to use while filming. 

Costume/Hair&Makeup: 

Elliot:  We chose Elliot to take care of Costume hair and makeup as he is organised and is good with time scheduling which helps as he will be able to know which costume is meant to be worn where. Also, he is passionate about fashion and is successful at combining outfits to match certain genres of music.

Cast Control:

Gulustan: Gulustan was nominated to be responsible for cast control as The main reason was she was able to be serious/professional and gain the attention of the cast when necessary.

Conclusion

Overall, production roles allow us to assign each member of the group with roles that are suitable to qualities and strength and weakness. We decided to allocate roles for who was best suited to that role and certain roles are more significant than others are.

Planning: Editing

Editing

Introduction.

One of the most important parts of the music videos is the editing in the post-production process. They are various types of editing techniques that we can use to make our music video more effective the audience. In this post, I will be discussing what techniques I am planning to use to ensure the music video is entertaining to the target audience.

Fast paced editing.

Since the music video itself is at a fast pace after the first 20 secs. I need to ensure that when editing the music video. This is important especially during the lip-syncing. Because of the nature of the song and the lip-syncing needs to be on point. Additionally, some scenes will need to be sped up which can be done in final cut pro.

Seamless editing

The music video must be also seamless throughout the music video. For the final music video, we need to ensure that it feels seamless. It allows the artist to stand out more in the music video as well as avoid confusing the audience especially since the fast-paced nature of this video and allows a smoother video. It is important that Seamless editing also has a big impact on the audience since it does not confuse them compared to jump cuts (which are usually purposely done). In addition, during our research, task one of the most popular editing techniques in the music video. Is making the music video look seamless.

Jump Cut

It also nesccary at some points in the music video to have a jump cut. In the music video, they are several scenes that require jump cuts. This includes the third scene in which the artist is walking down Tottenham retail park while rapping in which there are several jump cuts to show flashbacks.  In addition, there are several plot points in the narrative in which that there is a need to be a sudden dramatic change.

Slow Editing

One scene in particular that stick out requires us to have an establishing shot, however, this scene needs to be at a slow pace. This can be achieved by using slow motion editing. One of the options I can achieve is slowing the clips down so its playback slower.

Planning: Storyboard

Storyboard.

The storyboard represents the planning of the shots in a Graphical Format. The storyboard allows us to plan the music video shot by shot. And it includes how we are planning to film each shot. The characters, lighting, sound, dialogue as well as an description. This will be extremely useful especially when it comes to filming the final video and during the editing phase. Also we have also identified key scenes and considerations that we need to look at during the filming. Creating a storyboard allowed us to plan the music video more easily.