Proudtion Note - my reflection on the shoot

Overall, my filming for my music video went very well and I was able to obtain all the required footage. As planned, I was able to stick with my schedule and managed to film my music over two days.

However, on the second day of filming, the actor that was meant portray the female protagonist’s “new lover” in my music video did not turn up. I decided to continue with the filming, especially as everything else was in place and I was concerned about the weather changing. Therefore I decided it would be better to source another actor and continue filming.
I also experienced problems with controlling the direction of the smoke produced by the smoke machine, which was easily affected by any changes in the direction of the wind. Also the amount of smoke produced by the smoke machine was underwhelming. Despite this , I feel that I have managed to get enough usable footage.

shooting schedule

I am planning to shoot my music video in two days, as I am concerned the weather will change, thus hindering the atmospheric qualities of my my dream sequence which takes place outdoors. Furthermore, the fact that I am borrowing a smoke machine for the dream sequence means it will have to be returned fairly quickly.

In my opinion two days should prove enough time in which to shoot my music video. In order to achieve this goal I will have to be very organised and manage my time effectively. My actors have agreed to start early and shoot until all of the desired footage is filmed. I aim to maximise the efficiency of my shoot by filming the footage relating to the present on one day, meaning that only the male protagonist will be needed on the first day of the shoot. I will shoot the dream sequence and the flashbacks depicting the male protagonist memories (including the argument) as well as the male protagonist’s delusions regarding the female protagonist and her new lover, on the second day of the shoot, where I will require all three actors to be present.

Props needed on day 1

As previously mentioned, the shots of my male protagonist, which denote his present torment will take place in the location of a room in my garage ( post labelled "Photos of filming locations and a discussion of costume")). I have already set up this room for the shoot as it is currently not used. The props and mis en scene elements that I have already incorporated are as follows: a sofa, a writing desk, a chair, pen, writing pad, small table with, empty bottle of vodka which I will fill with water, empty bottles and beer cans, various posters, two photographs, a guitar, mat, more beer cans and general clutter. However, I still need to source a fresh rose.

Props needed for Day 2

For the dream sequence I will need a smoke machine, engagement ring and ring box.

For shots that represent my protagonist’s memories and delusions, I will need the following props: photos, wine and wine glasses, guitar and candles.

Animated Storyboard

You can view my animated storyboard by clicking here

Photos of filming locations and a discussion of costume

Note: I apologise for the spacing in this post. I have spend hours attempting to fix the formatting issues in this post but have my attemps have been in vain.

My audience research highlighted the need for multiple locations and therefore I decided to shoot my music video in three different locations. I believe that the use of multiple locations will help the audience understand the narrative of my music video.

A small room in the back of my garage

I choose this location as I felt the small size of the room would allow to create a sense of intimacy and isolation as I plan to use it to film all the shots which denote the present, during which my protagonist is alone and tormented by his memories of his lover. I also felt that this location would allow me to manipulate the room’s mis en scene in order to achieve my artistic vision.

In order to prepare the room I have incorporated the following mis en scene elements:

• A poster denoting Slash – inter-textual reference that pays homage to the rock genre




• A poster denoting “The Joker” – used to connote my male protagonist’s mental state




• Empty bottles and beer cans – help to represent my male protagonist as an alcoholic.




• Acoustic guitar – connotes my male protagonist’s identity crisis as it is not an electric



• guitar, which are typically used in an alternative rock music videos.




• Clutter and mess – connotes the male protagonists is confusion – he is lost and his life is out of balance.



• Photos – used to signify the presence of a past relationship.
  


• Writing desk, writing pad, pen and chair – adds realism to room and serve as potential props for my male protagonist to interact with.



• A mat – adds further realism
  

Photots denoting the above mis en scene elements

I also plan to incorporate a fresh rose as a mis en scene element and will buy that a day before the shoot.

My living room

I plan to use my living room as the location where the flashbacks in my music video will take place. I feel that this is an appropriate location for my desired purpose, as it is a big room which is bright and colourful, and therefore would provide a contrast when compared to the location where the present will be filmed. I also feel that the fire place in my living room can be used to create a romantic atmosphere, further providing an atmospheric contrast between the present and the past (which is shown through flashbacks).

My Garden

In my opinion, my garden will prove a suitable location in which to film my dream sequence. I feel the use of a natural environment will once again provide a good contrast to the previously discussed locations, which are both indoors. I also feel that this the privacy of this location means that I will not face any difficulties that may arise from filming in public locations such as people walking through shots. I will however, have to be cautious when filming in order to avoid unwanted shadows (clearly visible in the above location photos) ruining my shots.

Other creative decisions – costume

I want the costume worn by my protagonists to be modern and representative of ordinary people in our current society. I feel this will help my audience to identify with my protagonist. Examples for possible costume include jeans, tee shirts, jackets, etc. In order to create the illusion of time which is a crucial concept in the non-linear narrative of my music video, my actors will have to change costumes during the shoot.

I also want the female protagonist to wear something that is red. The use of the colour red is often used to connote danger and therefore will my audience with an insight into how the male protagonist retrospectively views the female protagonist - she is a deceiver who cannot be trusted.

However, it is important to emphasise that the male protagonist’s perceptions of the female protagonist is likely to be bias(as I am planning to represent him as an alcoholic) and therefore cannot be trusted.