Reflecting on filming

Reflecting back on the first time filming 

Overall the first time we filmed went to plan and we got all the shots we wanted, so we won't need to go back and film at this moment in time. 

We planned to film for no longer than two hours (ended up only taking us an hour and a half) in the morning because we wanted to get the best natural lighting and this worked out well because it was a clear sunny day so the sun was shining through the windows creating good lighting and we didn't need to use any lighting sources of our own. 

The only aspect of the filming process that didn't go to plan was that we were going to use a different room in the abandoned building for our filming but before going to that room, we looked in the area that we've used for the music video and we decided we much preferred it compared to the room we were initially going to use because it was a bigger space, with less safety hazards e.g broken floorboards and glass. And the lighting was much better too. With this in mind we had to change our camera angles and develop the dance into fitting the space and coming up with ways she can interpret the dance into all the different rooms, like they do in the actual Chandelier music video. 

Copyright law

http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/68934-unit-g324-advanced-production-guidance-document.pdf

"There are 13 multi-media briefs outlined in this unit.

 Q What does OCR state in the specification in regard to these briefs?

 All material for all tasks to be produced by the candidates with the exception of nonoriginal sound or image material used in a LIMITED way in video/radio work… For music video, permission should be sought from the artist for the use of the audio track.

 Q What does this mean for centres?

 Brief 1 Music Video Promotion Package 

OCR respects the rights of artists and labels and requires centres to ensure materials submitted for assessment are not infringing copyright law (the onus being on centres to interpret current copyright law). If centres use found audio material OCR moderators are not in a position to police such actions: it is the responsibility of centres and candidates to ensure appropriate permissions are sought. As copyright permission plays no part in the assessment criteria, candidate marks will not be automatically penalised. However, centres should be aware that they may potentially be breaching copyright law and this is at their own risk (full links to current copyright law can be found in the appendix of this document). For example, if a candidate places found audio material (accompanying their video) for download on a website homepage they create for a band as part of this brief then this would be at the centre’s and candidate’s own risk if copyright law is infringed. 

Copyright free options available for Music Video in G324:
 • Approach local bands and get permission to use their material
 • Approach unsigned bands on ‘My Space’ etc and get permission to use their material.
 • Collaborate with music department/students in your centre on the project
 • Create your own music or sound track."

Lyrics

Chandelier

Sia

*The lyrics I've highlighted give the 'hints' to what the song is about and showing what emotion the song is touching on. 

The song is a long metaphor for partying to excess and about the emptiness and pain that accompanies alcoholism and substance abuse. The lyrics relate to some of the clips we have filmed, for example, "I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist" is shown by our dancer because she's dancing around the abandoned building care free and not thinking about anything else but the dance. Another example of the lyrics inspiring our choice of clip is "Party girls don't get hurt", this helped us decide on the 'party' scene with the disco light because our actor is showing her distress and the close ups show her crying. The lyric "feel my tears as they dry" is reflected in my text when my older actress draws two blue lines (neon paint) underneath her eyes to represent the tears Sia is singing about and "sun is up i'm a mess" is shown again in the neon paint scenes when she has lots of mixed neon paint all over her face and hair to show the 'mess'. 

Analysis of the lyrics: 

"Party girls don't get hurt, can't feel anything when will i learn, i push it down, push it down." - used drugs and alcohol to hide the pain. 

"I'm the one for a good time call, phones blowing up, ringing my doorbell, i feel the love, feel the love".- she threw parties to feel appreciation from others and thought the partying and drinking would make her feel better. 

"1,2,3,1,2,3 drink".- drinks drink after drink until she's too drunk to remember anything. 

Party girls don't get hurt
Can't feel anything, when will I learn
I push it down, push it down

I'm the one "for a good time call"
Phone's blowin' up, ringin' my doorbell
I feel the love, feel the love

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 drink

Throw 'em back, till I lose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight

Sun is up, I'm a mess
Gotta get out now, gotta run from this
Here comes the shame, here comes the shame

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 drink
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3 drink

Throw 'em back till I lose count

I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier
I'm gonna live like tomorrow doesn't exist
Like it doesn't exist
I'm gonna fly like a bird through the night, feel my tears as they dry
I'm gonna swing from the chandelier, from the chandelier

But I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Help me, I'm holding on for dear life, won't look down, won't open my eyes
Keep my glass full until morning light, 'cause I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight

On for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
'Cause I'm just holding on for tonight
Oh, I'm just holding on for tonight
On for tonight
On for tonight

Story Board- First Draft

 This is the story board for our original ideas of how our music video is going to look and what scenes/clips will go where. 

These are the first shots of our storyboard.

1. Close up of dancer pulling the red cloth above her head. 
2. Wide shot of the dancer dancing in the abandoned building. 
3. Medium shot of Phoebe looking into the camera. 
4. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
5. Tracking shot through a hole in the door following the dancer. 
6. Medium shot of phoebe flicking her hair around. 

These are the next set of shots. 

1. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
2. A medium shot of Phoebe standing on the side and pulling her hands down her neck. 
3. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
4. A tracking shot of dancer in a graffiti room dancing around it.
5. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
6. Wide shot of dancer dancing using the prop. 

1. Medium shot of Phoebe touching her neck. 
2. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
3. Medium shot of Phoebe flicking her hair around. 
4. Wide shot of dancer dancing.
5. Medium shot of Phoebe grabbing her head. 
6. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 

1. Medium shot of Phoebe grabbing her head. 
2. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
3. Close up of dancers feet doing a turn. 
4. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
5. Close up/tracking of dancer going around a pole. 
6. Wide shot of dancer dancing.

1. A medium shot of Phoebe standing on the side and pulling her hands down her neck.
2. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
3. Medium shot of Phoebe's back whilst she plays with her hair. 
4. Wide shot of dancer dancing. 
5. Tracking shot of dancer doing Penché.
6. Medium shot of Phoebe with arms in the air. 

1. Medium shot of Phoebe looking away from the camera laughing. 
2. Panning/close up of dancer smiling. 

Recce & Location shots

This is the location we've decided to use for the dancing scenes because i feel like it goes with the theme of the song and it can reflect how the girl is feeling e.g. run down. 

Originally we were going to use this location for our black back drop but had come to the conclusion that actually it wasn't suitable enough for our music video because it looked too much like a 'school setting', this is how we came up with the idea of changing our original location to another. 

The location we then decided on after that was the dance studio in the school because it's a large space, so we won't be too cramped whilst filming but also it has a large black curtain which covers up the whole mirror. We thought this would look best for our music video because it'll look professional and give the effect of a black backdrop, which is what we were wanting. 

Lighting Plan- Abandoned building

Scenes at the abandoned building 

For the most part of the scenes in the abandoned building we'll be using available lighting because it gives a heightened sense of verisimilitude, this will add to the realism of the music video which will make the audience feel like the scene is real and they'll be able to relate to the emotions of the song. If on the day the lighting isn't as bright as we're wanting we'll add an alternative standard light to give more brightness, if needs be. 

Lighting Plan- Dance studio

Dance studio with black back drop

The only lighting in this scene we'll be using is 'disco' lights, to portray a party/club scene to emphasize the alcoholism.