Day 3 Filiming on the stage

After school today we filmed at school in the hall, on the stage.

We arranged for our dancers to meet at 4.00 to film the dance scene along with our main singer.

We asked everyone to arrive dressed to save time. Once everyone was here me and Vicky set up the equipment. I also learnt how to do the lighting so i went to put on the stage lights whilst Hannah and the dancers practiced.  

After this we began filming we took many shots and filmed the dance many times, we used our planning notes and research to help storyboard the type of shots we needed, this helped save time and understand the shots needed.

I filmed shots such as:

• Close ups of shoes, faces and jewellery - Use of motifs and iconography  (Goodwins Conventions)
• Establishing shots to introduce the setting - Various locations 
•  Low angle shots to mix up the shots - being creative with the camera

On a whole the filming was successful. 

I have also decided to stay after school on Monday to upload the filming from the camera on to IMovie.  

Editing Part 2

After filming the chorus at the train station with the dancers and  Hannah as well as verse 2 and 3 with Hannah. I uploaded this on to the mac and opened a new project. I thought it would be best to open each section of the song in a new project then put it all together at the end  to speed up the editing i.e. we could both work on the different projects as the same time. 

I edited both verses 2 and 3 whilst Vicky edited the tunnel. 

I found editing verses 2 and 3 quite simple as i knew i wanted to include many shots where the lyrics would match the visual. For example, walking gun - where i put a shot of Hannah walking then next shot was Hannah holding her hands in the position of a gun. My story boarding helped me to film these shots. Furthermore this was also conventional in music videos. 

Painting the stage wall

One of our locations for some of the dance shots in the school stage. The back wall was originally painted for a Willy Wonka production, however we wanted it black to fit in with the conventions of a cool and up-to-date music video for our shots so have re-painted it.

Editing Part 1

Today i stayed after school and uploaded the filming from Maria's apartment onto IMovie. Whilst this was happening i began to download the song so it was ready. After uploading the footage onto IMovie i began opened a new project, moved the footage into the new project which i called 'house shots av' and decided to watch it through and start cutting parts i didn't want.

Using my storyboard i was able to see what shots i needed. However i had a change of mind. Instead of starting with Hannah opening the door into the house i began with close ups of items around the house for example the shoes, nail polishes, canvas, flowers ect. I added markers to try and change the shot on the beat. This was tricky at first but i began to become familiar with the beat.

Day 2 Filming in the tunnel

Today we filming in the tunnel at Denham Station. We met up at a dancers house as it was a few minutes’ walk away and discussed again what was going to be happening asked if everyone had everything they needed. We was all set and walked over, they were dressed so we were on time.

The dancer began rehearsing with Hannah whilst me and Vicky set up the equipment such as the tripod, dolly and the cameras and ensured they were in the right mode.

After this we began filming. I started off doing the establishing shots; we did this a few times to ensure it would be right. After this I did midi shots and then lots of close ups on Hannah and her jewellery such as her watch and necklace. Furthermore I did close up of the dancers face and low angle shots of everyone. After this we thought it might be cool to use the silluet and I filmed this as we thought it looked cool. I also did backwards tracking with the camera using the dolly, of the dancers walking towards the camera as well as doing a long shot from behind as they walked off. Also I thought it would be good to have a shot of the dancers and Hannah walking past the camera whilst we stood on the side to show them going past. We were happy with the shots we got and  we thanked the dancers and said goodbye. As finished earlier than scheduled we were able to go to the train station with Hannah to do the other shots.

After a quick change of clothes and a lunch break me Vicky and Hannah went into the train station and on the platform filmed verse 2. Verse 2 included many close up shots of actions so they matched the lyrics with visuals for example the walking gun and secret bomb. I again filmed midi shots and establishing shots as well as some tracking backwards as well.

After Hannah has a quick costume change we decided to film on the bridge verse 3. I did shots of Hannah from on the platform whilst she walked up the bridge i.e. a close up of the shoes, walking across the bridge whilst I stood at the platform and zoomed in. Also I then went to the other side and filmed her walking towards the camera. As it was not raining we couldn’t show her wet hair, however we did have a back-up plan and used took shots of her with an umbrella so we could make it look like it was raining.

Also as the train went passed Hannah I stood in front of it and sang the line ‘I’ll be rolling like a train’. 

Weather - Filming Day 2 - Tunnel and Train Station

On Saturday we are wanting to film at Denham Station in the tunnel with Hannah and the dancers and train station with only Hannah.

Luckily it is not forecast to rain at all on Saturday but unfortunately will be quite cold (7 degrees) so we have let all the dancers and the singer know to bring warm clothes to wrap up in for when we are not actually filming. There is also a cafe near by so we can get some warm drinks.

Shooting Schedule

Saturday 23rd November - Tunnel

Friday evening - pick up cameras (ensuring they are fully charged), tripod and speakers from school

Saturday:

11.30 - Crew members arrive at Denham station and go to tunnel to set up

12.00 - one crew member stay with equipment in tunnel and other go and collect singer from the train station

12 - 1.00 - film shots with singer only

1 - 1.15 - break

1.15 - 1.30 - set up ready for dancers arrival at 12.30

1.45 - 2.30 - film the dance sequence once through (allowing for re-shoots)

2.30 - 3.30 - lunch for all at cafe (bring equipment and money with us)

3.30 - 4.30 - film dance sequence 3 times (including close-ups of dancers and singer)

5pm - pick up for dancers and singer

5.15 - pick up for crew members

(If time do shots in the train station with Hannah only, if not then arrange another day)

Equipment List - Tunnel

We sent this as an attachment in the Facebook group chat so everyone was aware of what they needed to bring.

Crew members:

• Cameras X2 (fully charged) 
• Tripod 
• Speakers and iPad (for playing the music) 
• Umbrella's (incase it rains) 
• Money (for hot drinks and food) 
• Phone (fully charged)
• Storyboards 
• Notepad and pen 
• Snacks 

Dancers: 

• Come with outfit on (leotard, tights and converse), make-up done (heavy but natural, fake eyelashes, natural lips, eyeshadow) and hair done (messy ponytail, black hair tie). No jewellery except pearl earrings
• Bring hairspray, hairbrush, spare hair tie, clips etc. 
• Coat/ warm clothing for when they are not dancing 
• Phone (fully charged) 
• Money (for drinks, snacks, lunch etc) 

Singer: 

• Come with outfit on (leather leggings, crop top, statement necklace, hoop earrings, heels), make-up done (heavy but natural, fake eyelashes, eye-liner, red lipstick, red nails) and hair done (down and wavy) Clothes for the train station are already with crew in a bag.
• Coat/ warm clothing for when we are not shooting
• Phone (fully charged) 
• Money (for drinks, snacks, lunch etc)

Filming Day 1 - Apartment

Today was the 1st day of filming.

Whilst planning i decided one of the location we would use would be the an apartment to show Hannah's lifestyle. So we began filming here. I used a friends house as after observing several locations i believed this was the ideal one! 

We decided to film during our study periods as it me, my friend Maria and Hannah were available.


Whilst i was setting up the Hannah was getting ready. I had to set up the tripod for our establishing shots and high angle shots.

Using our risk assessment i also had to make sure everything in the house was safe and items were out of the way to prevent anyone from falling over and ensure all the items were in the correct location of the house i.e. the shoes in the right place.

 I also had to be very specific, putting them in height order and ensuring the colours were put together. after i did this i decided to take close ups of the shots in the house such as flowers, shoes, pictures. After this i decided to do the shots of Hannah in the mirror as this looked cool.

Later we were joined by Vicky who then helped to do some of the close ups midi shots in the kitchen whilst i did shots of Hannah including high angle low angle and many close ups especially of her singing and the alcohol for the lyrics - 'Breaking the rules'. I also used to shot reverse shot to film Hannah walking into the house.

Planning the first day of filming - (apartment location)

To ensure tomorrow is successful everything needs to be fully prepared therefore I spent today's lesson organising the following things:

Who we needed for this shoot – Hannah only (Popstar)

Mise en scene – Clothing – crop top and jeans

Where/location – Maria’s (Our friend) house as she lives round the corner from school so it no transport arrangements were needed. Also her apartment is very modern and quirky which appeals to our target audience. Asked Maria if we were able to use her house for a few hours and ensured it was tidy with the relevant items out we needed.

What’s happening – filming the beginning of our music video here. Initially we had the idea of ink in water however we decided to change this as this may be a bit boring and although we didn’t want a narrative throughout the story we decided to make some of the video match and have some of it mixed it up.

When – Period 5 and 6 and we were to continue into lunch. Seeked permission from our teacher to see if we were allowed to go in our study periods, luckily this was granted.

Items needed – 2 camera’s and a tripod, shot list, storyboards and risk assessments. Collected equipment and took it to Maria’s after school today so it was all set for filming tomorrow.

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Potential editing and video effects idea

Whilst watching the video ‘You know it’ featuring Nelly Nicki Minaj and Pharrell it gave me some editing ideas with reference to changing of shots.

The editing was done quite cleverly as shows changed using different transititions. This added effect to the video as it was unique and made the video quite eye catching. This may be something we could use in ours.

Also the video is in black and white which is different and the ‘splash’ of colour in each clip is quite effective as this is not usually done. We may also decide to use this as it may add some contrast into the video making it more attention-grabbing and fascinating as people will watch it many times we need it to be very memorable.

Filming Dates Sorted

After discussing with Vicky and Hannah, these are the proposed filming dates:

• Tunnel: 23rd November
• Stage: 29th November

We Facebook messaged the dancers and they we all able to attend!

We are also filming the shots at the apartment with Hannah on 20th November during our study periods as Me and Hannah are both free at the same time.

Bits and Bobs to do

Today we had little bits and pieces to do. relating to our music video planning.

Here is a list of what we did:

Went to see the art teacher to ask about the painting the background of the stage as its themed with the last musical the school produced and this wouldn't fit in with our music video. Therefore we had to make the necessary arrangements to fix this.  

Then we went to Junior House to collect the smoke machine. However this was not working unfortunately so we are unable to use this!

We also contacted the Bursar to inform her of when we were filming.