Filming Update

I have been focusing all my time recently on ensuring that I get all filming done on time and to the standard I want, I therefore haven't focused on my blog as heavily over the last few weeks. This post is an update to say that I have stuck to my schedule and only have 2 filming sessions left until I have filmed all key scenes for my music video, so far the process has run smoothly, with my actors being co-operative and helpful and all shots working well. Although some shots were harder to get, such as the horse running towards the camera, as I wasn't able to control the horse and ensure it does as I imagined, but I did manage to get the shot in the end and feel it works well. I feel that my piece is coming together well and will be a successful video. Below is a couple of photos I have taken while out filming -

Schedule

Now that I have decided on all aspects of my video, as well as deciding upon each shot and scene, I must begin to film, I need to organise my time effectively to ensure I get all my filming done on time and so that my actors are aware of when they will be required to film. I have decided to create an Excel Spread sheet for my schedule, it specifically shows when the filming will be, about how long it will take, what scenes will be filmed then, the location, actors required, props required and costume required. I feel by laying out my schedule in this way it is clear, easy to understand and organised, it allows me to be sure that myself and my actors are constantly aware of filming deadlines and it helps me to be sure I am on track to completing my video. From this I can specifically see the dates, time periods, etc. of my filming, I can therefore stay organised and also tick off when I have completed each shot. I have also left myself with around a week after I finish filming to do any extra shots required or to re-do shots, this enables me to ensure that all my shots are perfect. Below is my schedule spread sheet -

Props

After considering all other aspects of my music video, I needed to discover what props I would require and ensure that I have these props ready for when we start filming so that the process runs smoothly. I only need a minimal amount of props within my video as much of it is based on the actors themselves and imagery through filming, but below are the props required and when they are required for -

Cigarette - Within the first scene of my music video I will be shooting my main character inhaling smoke for the line 'breathe your smoke into my lungs', therefore I will need a cigarette for her to be able to do this shot

Car - Following this shot and lyric comes another one of 'in the back of the car with you I stare into the sun', I will therefore need a car for a short period of time to film this metaphorical shot

Shower - Throughout I will be including cleansing shower shots to show my main character washing away her pain, therefore I will require a shower to do these shots

Mobile phone - I want one of the fights within the video to be over her being on her mobile phone, to show how he would 'lash out' over small issues, therefore I will require a mobile phone prop for one of my fighting scenes

Bed/ Bed sheets - Another one of the fights will take place on a bed and therefore it is essential I have one for when I am filming, I also require a bed sheet for my main character to wrap around herself when she is in the shower

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

Costume

Costume is a key aspect I need to consider for my music video, for many actors costume becomes an iconic prop that they are recognised for, it can also be used an symbolism for a character and their emotions. Therefore, when deciding on costume for my 2 characters I took careful consideration into the colours and style of the costume I chose as I had to ensure that it was suitable for the character, fit in with my music video and storyline, and was also representative of the characters emotions.

For my male character, my chose of costume was simple, I wanted him to wear the same costume throughout as he maintained the same emotions throughout as angry, violent, with a hint of regret. I wanted him to be relatable to my audience and therefore needed a costume that was simple and 'everyday', I therefore decided on basics of jeans and a navy jumper, although this is very simple it is very effective and creates him as a neutral and everyday character that could be representative of any person. His emotions never change and therefore nor did his costume, but by choosing dark colours I showed the anger and deep violence within him.

For my female character, I needed to take more consideration into what costume she wore as well as what colours they were. I knew that when she was escaping I wanted her to wear white, to represent freedom and cleansing, I also wanted her to wear this colour within the shower when she is washing away her pain and therefore again cleansing herself. I felt that because she was escaping it needed to be some form of 'floaty' and elegant clothing to show her freedom and joy, I therefore decided on a long white baggy dress that would flow in the wind. I felt that if I was to get my character to wear this costume within her escaping scenes it would represent her happiness and freedom.

In juxtaposition to this, I wanted her to wear dark, tight and casual clothes within her abusive scenes, I felt that this would be a good way to show how when she's with her violent boyfriend she feels the opposite of when she's running away, the dark colours will represent the negative and trapped feelings she has, and the tightness of the clothes will again show how she is trapped within them like the relationship; the opposite to her floaty dress which shows herself and her body are free. I want this outfit to be very casual and therefore show how the beatings are a normal, and daily routine, by having her wear a dark hoody with jeans and a black top, it shows the dark and negative colours but also subconsciously shows the audience how the violence is a daily thing and that it has become casual like her clothing.


I feel all my chosen costumes are suitable and represents the emotions and storyline well, I hope the audience view them as suitable and relate the emotions of the characters with the costumes.