Monday 29 December 2014

Filming Schdeule


Above, is my shooting schedule my music video. Due to work all weekend, plus other commitments during the week and the availability of my actors, this is the only day we are all free, so I aim to capture all my footage in this one day. I have documented the time we will be a the location (excluding the travel time), the location, what is being filmed at that location and what the actors will be wearing.

Sunday 21 December 2014

Video briefs: Costumes



Clothing 

  • An all black outfit- For the main actress (Maritta). This will be worn in scenes where she is revisiting the places she visited with her fried when she was alive. (Black coat, hat, shoes) The idea of all black represents the mourning of the actress's friend.


  • Normal everyday clothing- These will be worn in the flashback scenes by both the main actress and her friend 



  • Black T shirt- May or may not be used, if used, will be for the performance scenes of the main actress only on the roof top car park
Props

  • Phone
  •  

  • Bag

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Storyboard

This is the story board for my music video and hopefully everything should stay on plan when we actually film. Below the numbers in each box correspond with the numbers below which give detailed explanations of what is happening in each scene and the camera shots/angles I intend to use. 



1) The first scene is of Maritta and Fatou in their first location. Here there will be talking and laughing and generally enjoying each other's company. 

Camera angles/shots:
Shot reaction shot - To show the relationship between the two and highlight how they interact with one another.
Close up - Again to emphasise their facial expressions as they communicate happily with each other 

2) Scene 2 will be a present day scene where Maritta is sat now alone on the bench, feeling depressed and lonely as her friend is not there with her.

Camera angles/shots:
Over the shoulder shot - To show the empty seat where her friend previously was and create a closer tie with the audience so they can feel closer to Maritta and her loss.

3) Moves on to second location of a restaurant setting. Maritta meets Fatou and they decide what to get on the menu and take selfies, chat etc.

Camera angles/shots:
Wide angle shot - To show the setting of where Maritta is and to also show Fatou entering the frame.
Shot reaction shot - Again to show the connection and closeness between the friends as they embrace.
Close up - Of the menu to emphasise the fact that they are ordering their favourite treats together 

4) Maritta is now in the present revisiting the restaurant, she is looking downcast and the menu is now not exciting as she lets it fall helplessly onto the table. 

Camera angles/shots:
Mid shot - To allow the audience to see that Fatou is not there anymore and also to show Maritta's sluggish demeanour now that she cannot feel the same about her favourite restaurant as her friend is absent. 
Close up - Of the menu again, but it serves as a contrast as the context and ambience of the restaurant is not the same due to Fatou not being there.

5) The final location is shopping in a makeup store, the girls are excitedly looking at the makeup and testing and showing each other the products and colours.

Camera angles/shots:
2 shot: Maritta and Fatou will be stood close to each other and the 2 shot will allow their close friendship to be clear to the audience to their proximity to one another.
Close up - Of Fatou's hand as she swatches an eyeshadow colour, the beauty and sparkle of the colour, represents her friendship with Maritta, however makeup is only temporary and washes off which also represents the situation when Fatou passes away. 
Wide shot - Used to show the location of where Fatou and Maritta are in the shop

6) Last scene, Maritta is looking at the mirror at her reflection, she is trying on some makeup, however she cannot shake the empty feeling of not being there with Fatou so she leaves the shop.

Camera angles/shots:
Over the shoulder: To see Maritta's reaction through the mirror reflection as she tries on the makeup and also to capture her emotion just before she leaves. 







Monday 15 December 2014

Actor profiles

MARITTA



 As Beyoncé is an urban, RnB singer, I thought it would be appropriate and logical to cast someone who had an urban look about them as the lead. Maritta, fitted this image as she has big curly hair, similar to how Beyoncé often wears her hair. Acting/modelling is also something Maritta is very comfortable with and also does alongside her studies, so I could guarantee that the job would be completed and to a good standard.

FATOU



I cast Fatou as the supporting role, as like Maritta, she also has a stereotypical urban look that would help the video be easily identifiable as an RnB/Beyoncé video. Her beautiful box braids, are a hairstyle also sported by Beyonce, so viewers would associate her with a look they have also seen Beyonce wearing.












Monday 1 December 2014

Analysis of the lyrics

This song is from Beyonce's latest album which is self titled. When I fist listened to the album, amongst the more popular, catchy songs such as Drunk in Love and XO, Heaven was the stuck which stuck with me most. I found it very relatable, and I felt the simplicity and length of the song would be perfect to take the song and explore the song in a variety of ways. 

The first verse to be directed at the person Beyonce has lost, in this case her miscarried baby. The idea that she fought, suggests it was a long battle and through the struggle she in turn became a stronger person as  a result. The "secrets" may refer to the future thoughts of her unborn chid that she'll never get to see. 

The hook, repeats the phrase "heaven couldn't wait for you" This line is almost a mantra Beyonce now lives by in order to comfort herself over what has happened. 

The line, "we laughed at the darkness" appears to be the fluster of emotions expressing themselves in the form of laughter. Often, when people are confronted with uncomfortable situations they sometimes laugh, as more of a coping mechanism as opposed to in a humorous manner. "So scared that we lost it" could be Beyonce's fear of going crazy or mental after what she has been through, this is further evidenced by the description of how they "stood on the ceilings". 

After the hook has played twice more, each time sung with more passion and intensity, the words of the 'Our Father' are spoken in spanish by a lady. This is prayer often said at funerals, and the line "Your will be done" in particular, is used again to reassure the loved ones left behind that it is part of God's will to take back that person which sometimes offers comfort to the loved ones.