Cast Changes/Update - Planning

Due to unforeseen circumstances the casting choices I had originally made for my music video had to be adapted.  I decided to keep Will as my lead male protagonist, this is because I have previously worked with him in my AS media coursework. In addition, his looks go well with the characterisation of the character - as they are aesthetically identical.

However the female protagonist has changed due to convenience of filming dates etc. I had previously cast Rachel Cox however due to timetabling issues and a looming deadline, I had to make the executive decision to change cast members to Eleanor Casey. Similar to Cox, she has long blonde hair and blue eyes. In addition she drives which meant that she was able to get cast and crew to location settings when necessary. I did take a risk by casting Casey as she has no recent acting experience and therefore i was hesitant to provide her with the most emotionally demanding role, however as It is a music video the clips she was featured in was short and there was no dialogue. 

Ancillary Research - DigiPaks

A digipak is the type of packaging that is used for either CDs or DVDs. It is typically made from either paper or cardboard ad comes in a plastic holder for one or more disks. The colour and design of a digipak varies from artists to artist, as each artist has their own individual style.

They became popular in the early 2000's and are used for special editions and albums. Stereotypically they have a gatefold, similar to a book but made of card or paper. They are designed to fold into a CD case and can have any amount of panels.

The back and front of the CD is usually the main artists of the song or album while in inside of the digipak usually has information about the artists, lyric books or future tour dates. Sometimes the digipak includes special edition exclusive content. The theme of the inside, including the colour and images, is less abstract compared to the inside, where is it more words and less colour. The case itself is usually a clear plastic, and then the image that you can see is what is printed onto the front of the digipak.

Usually they have a large image on the front of them which is eye-catching - grabbing peoples attention - and often resembling either the single on the album or the artist. That same image is then also used on the front panel of the digipak.

Digipaks benefit the artist and their music, as it is a promotional aspect that brings awareness to the artist and encouraging consumers to buy and listen to their music. A fan buying a digipak demonstrates loyalty to their artist.

Cast Photographs - Planning

Today we took photos of the two main cast members for the purpose of mise-en-scene for phone backgrounds, framed photos in the home and social media etc. I wanted to capture both posed and candid photos that appear like a realistic relationship. 

Photographic Storyboard 1st Draft - Planning

This is the first phototgraphic storyboard for my music video using people/body doubles to imitate what my actors would be doing during the music video through a series of images. I had selected vital scenes to remind myself how i want them constructed.

The protagonist in bed with boyfriend. This shot will be used in the initial part of the music video, introducing the audience to the story.

A wider shot is used to give more perspective and location to the audience to give them a dietic centre. It will also give them an impression of a happy relationship as it is two people in their most vulnerable position together. 

A shot of the couple's feet allows the audience to see a wider picture 

She wakes up on her own in a cold filter suggesting this may be reality. 

close up shot of the girl asleep

over the shoulder shot in a car; showing her POV

Over the shoulder shot in car; showing his POV and their happiness

the couple together in the car having fun

the girl on the hill flying the kite

medium shot of the girl flying the kite

close up of the girl flying the kite

close up of hands holding the kite

close up of hands holding the kite

medium shot of girl holding kite before letting go

couple together holding hands close up

couple walking together 

couple walking away wide shot

Couple laughing from the front wide shot

wide shot of couple

close up of feet walking

Lyric Analysis - Planning

You can live your little dream for so long
You can follow anything until your dying day is done - connotes to audience possibility of loss
So long, so long, so long - saying goodbye

You can ride your little high for so long
You can give all that you like, but when the kite begins to fall - repetition of kite motif
Hold on, hold on, hold on

Then you say
I am the one that you want
You don't love me like anyone - love shown in relationship
You don't love me like anyone

So hold on

You can live beyond your means for so long - repetition of the idea of loss
You can fray along the seams but I will fix you when you're done
My love, my love, my love

So I say
You are the one that I want
I won't love you like anyone - represents the idea of shared love in the relationship and their desire for each other and no one else
I won't love you like anyone
You are the one that I want
I won't love you like anyone
I won't love you like anyone

And we know it's hard
When we're caught in the middle - protagonist is torn between holding on and letting go
And we've got this far
Caught up in our bubble
So if I seem inspired
Or my laughter doubles
It's because I'm feeling every little movement that you make

You really took something
As I cannot make a sound - the loss is unbearable for the protagonist
You really took something
As I cannot make a sound

You really took something
As I cannot make a sound
You really took something
As I cannot make a sound

You really took something
As I cannot make a sound
You really took something
As I cannot make a sound

At all
At all
At all

Risk Assessment - Planning

Classification - Planning

Although my music video is based around the romance genre, there is a narrative twist on the genre itself making it a slightly darker romance containing grief and bereavement. Conventionally in a darker romance there is a large amount of music videos that contain adult themes that wouldn't be suitable for a younger audience as they may not understand the themes of the narrative. Due to this i have decided to have a classification age of 12 as the storyline is more suited to an older audience.

According to the BBFC:

Films classified 12A and video works classified 12 contain material that is not generally suitable for children aged under 12. No one younger than 12 may see a 12A film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Adults planning to take a child under 12 to view a 12A film should consider whether the film is suitable for that child. To help them decide, we recommend that they check the BBFCinsight for that film in advance. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a 12 rated video work.

There may be nudity, but in a sexual context it must be brief and discreet.

Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Moderate sex references are permitted, but frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

As a result i believe that my music video production fits into the guidelines of a 12/12A.

Camera Angle Ideas - Planning

Wide Angles

From my research into music videos, I have found that most shots are wide angles to give the audience the wider image of whats going on. This is also so that the location can be into shot as the location is a key convention of music videos. Therefore it is important I show off the location as well as my characters.

Close Up's

As the narrative is very important to my music video, I found that storyline music videos have many close up. This is as close up shots capture the most emotion of the character especially considering my storyline shows the protagonist reflecting on her past love.

Overall, I will keep this research in mind when creating my storyboards.

Props - Planning

In my music video I aim to have a variety of props that will both convey the conventions of the genre and also add context to the narrative that I have chosen. In different locations I will have different props that will construct the scene correctly. The initial shots I will have a couple in bed fading to a girl on her own in bed. I will take short shots of items in the room to reflect the stereotypes of a 'break-up' situation; eg, a box of ben and jerry's ice-cream, a hot water bottle on the bed and photos of a couple on the wall. This immediately shows the audience that there is something wrong and creates an enigma for context. Then in an over-the-shoulder shot context will be given in the form of texts saying 'i am so sorry for your loss' and texts to the male protagonist asking 'where are you'.This will signify to the audience that there is something wrong and there is depth to the story.




The kite is the most significant prop of my piece as it is the symbol of holding on whilst letting go. It will be used as a motif throughout the music video through cross cut editing of the past relationship and the current - which is the kite. I will attempt to fly it in a remote location such as Avon Dasset. I also want a red kite to connote feelings of love and lust that comes with a relationship as well as to juxtapose the colour of the environment around the protagonist.