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
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.
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.
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.
Institutional Information
Suicide squad is a 2016 film based on the DC comics antihero team (with the same name) distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. The film is written and directed by David Ayer and stars a massive emsemble cast of top bill names including Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Cara Delevingne and many more. In suicide squad, a secret government agency led by Amanda Waller (Viola Davis recuite imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions and save the world from a powerful threat in exchange for reduced sentences in prison. Suicide squad premiered in New York City on August 1st 2016 and had a strong debut that set new box office records, the film grossed over $745 million worldwide, making it the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2016. Despite the general negative reviews from critics; about the plot, directing and characterisation. Robbies performance recieved praise and the film won multiple awards for hair, makeup and acting.
Target Audience
In the US, the age rating was PG-13 however in the UK the BBFC rating was 15. This is due to the violent and sexual nature of the film. The target audience for this film would be to action film fanatics who enjoy fast paced action with violence. A secondary or wider audience would be fans of the DC comics who want to see the films adaptation of the comics.
Narrative
(0:03) We are introduced to a high security prison corridor setting, that is dull and dark suggesting a sense of unease. (0:05) We then hear someone screaming to get out of their cell, creating an enigma, are they being held there against their will? Who's the bad guy? (0:08) The first character we are introduced to is Harley Quinn (Robbie) from a low angle shot connoting despite her in superior status in a prison cell, she is content with life in the hope that the joker will come and save her. (0:12) We then see Deadshot (Smith) looking towards the camera into the distance with light shining onto him, connoting hope despite the dull environment around him. (:013) We are then shown an over-the-shoulder shot of him looking up into a small window in his cell, suggesting an element of feeling trapped with no way out. (0:17) The audience is opened up to the superpower element of the narrative with El Diablo, shooting fire out of his hands.
(:21) The audience is introduced to a new setting around them and it is three people at a dinner table, in formal office wear with serious facial expressions. This connotes they are discussing something serious and as it is a cross cut edit from the antiheros it suggests that it is something to do with them. (0:26) We see the Warner Bros. icon and the DC Comics Icon. This engages a wider and secondary target audience of people who have previously enjoyed Warner Bros. films or DC Comics.
(0:28) We see shots of men in black high security suits on, with helmets and security shields with someone yelling 'open the gate'. (0:29) We see deadshot ready to fight back despite the abundance of soldiers in front of him. We are then shown cross cut editing of all of the antiheros being released from their cells. (0:39) There is a slight comic relief element when Boomerang is released from a body bag and starts punching people. (0:42) In this shot we see Harley Quinn stand up and say 'hi boys' with a big smile on her face creating a sense of unease as she is the only one that doesn't fight back.
(0:45) At this point in the trailer, the audience is given context on the characters, and briefly how they got into prison. This includes quick shots of all of the characters and a government official saying 'shots people', 'eats people', 'burns people', 'you're possessed by a witch' and 'she's just crazy' with a shot of Harley Quinn hysterically laughing. (0:53) We then see a quick clip of her threatening to kill everyone and then blaming it on the voices in her head. This adds a quick comic relief element to the film, suggesting that its not just all action. We then see a government official say 'here's the deal' in a voiceover whilst the audience see action shots of government helicopters, recks and ruins of a city and multiple gunshots. (1:16)(1;17)
The trailer then fades to black for a millisecond before the Joker appears (Leto) hitting someone in the face. By waiting this long to show the Joker, the trailer has created excitement and intrigued the audience to find out more about this character. (1:24) We then see him shooting people and laughing hysterically suggesting that hes the ultimate 'bad guy' of the plot and that he is a sadistic character. (1:29).
Then from (1:37) we see lots of fast paced action shots to reflect the fast paced nature of the film, intertwined with the captions 'worst heroes ever'. (1:58) We see the classic story of the Joker and Harley Quinns love when they are in the giant vat of mild acid together also creating a wider audience as there is an element of love in the film. (2:06) We have another comic relief moment where Harley Quinn steals a handbag from the front of a store because 'we're bad guys, its what we do' before walking off with it over her shoulder. (2:16) We see the name of the film in a comic like font surrounded by multiple colours suggesting an unreal element linking to the unrealistic narrative of the film. On top of the caption we see the top billed cast to entice fans of those actors.
Sound
The trailer's soundtrack is a cover of Queen's bohemian rhapsody by Panic! at the disco. Which has multiple parts of the song allowing for different moods within the trailer. In large moments with many gun shots (1:39) the editors have matched the beat of the song to the gunshots to have an almost comedic effect.
Institutional Information
Baby driver is a 2017 action crime comedy film written and directed by Edgar Wright, starring Ansel Elgort. The plot follows 'baby', a young getaway driver and music lover who must work for a kingpin. The film recieved critical acclaim and has grossed $224 million worldwide against a production budget of $34 million. The film is best know for its choreography, in which the actors' timing and movements are synced with the soundtrack.
Target Audience
The age rating for this film is 15 suggesting that the themes and nature of the film is for an older audience, perhaps between 15 and 30 who are interested in crime and comedy films. A similar fanbase might be fans of the 'fast and furious' films.
Narrative
The opening scene of the trailer shows a school style room with a plan on a chalk board with 4 men sat around the table watching the plan being explained. Once the dominant male in dark with glasses begins speaking the camera shows 'baby' (0:02) placing earphones in his ears appearing like he isn't listening. Cross cut shots of the plan, the other three men, the dominant males mouth and 'baby' are thrown together along with music to build atmosphere. When the question is raised about concern of the getaway driver not listening to the plan, 'baby' removes his earphones and recites the plan word for word immediately causing a role reversal making him the most dominant male in the room and makes him appear intelligent despite being the youngest individual in the room. This immediately gives the audience the impression that the main protagonist is witty and clever and also creates an enigma of whats in store for the character.
(0:36) The logos and sponsors of the film are shown and the music restarts along with an engine starting. We see people with balaclava's on running out of a big building with guns immediately suggesting crime is involved and that the protagonist is an anti-hero. (0:39) Whilst he's driving the getaway car, context is given through a voice over of his boss saying 'you're the best in the business' paired with multiple sirens following his car.
(0:52) The audience see the anti-hero say to his boss 'one more job and i'm done' suggesting that he wants to get out of this job and build a better life for himself. (0:56) We see the initial credits in a cartoon-esque city; connoting the setting to the audience. (1:01) We are given more context about the anti-hero 'baby' when his boss tells the other criminals 'he had an accident when he was a kid' in a blase manner. This creates an enigma for the audience, wanted them to know more about his story and what happened to him and how he became part of this world at such a young age.
(1:10) In this shot we see the love interest of the film enter. We see cross cuts of their initial encounter and the future parts of their relationship suggesting that they progress forward in a healthy relationship. This part of the story will appeal to a wider or secondary audience that like or enjoy romance rather than just crime or action. We then see cross cuts of his dangerous career (0:15) when there is a dead body in the boot of a car and their relationship (1:19) and his internal conflict of which one to choose.
(1:26) At this point in the trailer it appears that his boss is the 'bad guy' manipulating him into still working for him by using his 'waitress girlfriend' as a threat. (1:34) We see the couple on the phone to one another creating a getaway plan to run away from his boss and to run away together.
(1:42) Comedy is also shown when the person in the passenger seat assumes they are going forward but instead he takes him backwards in order to get away in the unconventional way; that isnt so obvious. We then see crosscuts of him running from police, his car being tracked by helicopters and the camera being surrounded by police cars with sirens.
Towards the end of the trailer we see cross cuts of what else is to come in the film (1:55) 'we're getting out, i have to end this' is a suggestion of the moment when the couple are running away from his boss. (2:00) We see snippets of people with guns and cars on fire, creating an enigma 'did they get out okay?'. (2:04) We see a shot of baby's boss shooting a gun in the opposite direction of baby and his girlfriend, however the audience still fears 'have they been caught?'. (2:05) We see the list of names of actors in the film; creating a wider or secondary audience of people who like actors such as Jamie Foxx who has a big fanbase. After this we see a shot (2:08) of foxx talking about hostages, to further implement the idea of him being in the film. (2:09) There is a car underneath a lorry suggesting the action that the audience will be in for. (2:13) We see the couple kissing with blue lights on them, denoting that they are surrounded by police cars with their sirens on and connoting it is a sad moment where perhaps they may have been caught by the police.
At the end of the trailer we see a longer clip (2:19) revealing more of a comedy element to the film of Baby stealing a ladys car. When she appears distressed about her bag in the passenger seat, we see baby (2:22) look slightly guilty. This is when he spins the car around and says 'i'm sorry ma'am' and throws her bag towards her (2:26) before driving off. (2:28) She then says 'what the f' before being cut off with a trumpet noise and the directors name.
Sound
Sound is a major part of the narrative as the film is renowned for matching the actions on screen to the music. This is apparent right from the start of the trailer (0:02) when baby puts earphones in and then music starts. (0:06) when a piano starts, he mimics the actions on the table in front of him, having a comedic effect to the audience. It is also effective for later on when he's asked if he's been listening and despite appearing like hes been distracted, he recites the plan word for word. (0:13) Baby's boss knocks the table twice in the exact same timing as claps in the music that he is listening to. When he takes his headphones out the music stops. Furthermore at (1:38) when music starts up again, every beat has a movement. (1:40) (1:41) (1:42) then when the music fully starts back his vehicle moves, creating momentum again.
Mise-en-scene
The mise-en-scene of the video has several denotations and connotations; especially with character roles within the trailer. The fact that it is current day is established through setting and clothing and the use of an iPod. The boss is clearly the boss because he is always in a suit connoting that he is dominant and manipulative within his character role. The criminals follow common stereotypes of hiw they are portrayed within media such as face tattoos and chains around their necks however they have broken the common codes and conventions of portraying criminals by having a woman not playing a damsel in distress. (2:00) We see a woman with 2 guns - one in each hand- shooting in the direction of the camera. She has been in the trailer all the way through but there is no context of her, not even a name. However she is the symbol of the strong independent women in today's films.
In my music video, there are no 'outgoing' costumes as the conventions of the romance genre aim more towards feelings of reality in creating a realistic romance between two characters in a heterosexual relationship. I want the music video to feel authentic as possible in what seems to be the warm filtered 'functional relationship' and authentic feelings of grief in a cold filter as it needs to be easy for my target audience to understand. At times in the music video, I aim to use colours in order to connote different feelings for the two characters when theres a change of tone in the trailer eg, black and grey clothing when its sadder.
The male character will predominantly wear casual clothing during the trailer to denote a feeling of reality. This will consist of black skinny jeans and sweatshirts to relate to my target audience and appear like the right age.
During different points of the music video the female character will be wearing a variety of different outfits. At the moment when the female protagonist is going outside to fly the kite she will be wearing warm clothing eg, coat, hat and scarf. This is due to this element of the video being filmed outside and it is practical for the actors to dress this way rather than connotations. Furthermore I will be filming in the colder times of November/December and therefore it would be safe and sensible for the actors to dress appropriately. This decision will also be shown in my risk assessment to make sure than my actors are safe and healthy during filming.
In the indoor locations at times after her relationship the actress will be in costume to represent a 'slump' suggesting a stagnant nature to her life and no motivation to move forward. This will include clothing items such as leggings, joggers, baggy jumpers or t-shirts with no make-up or hair styling. This will show the actress in a raw and sensitive nature making the video more personal and unifying the experiences with the audience and allowing a genuine connection between the audience and the actress. This will massively juxtapose how she is in the relationship, even if they are sat on the sofa eating pizza etc. During these times my character will have a healthy glow in the make-up and more structured outfits that are still casual eg, jeans.
I want my music video to have several locations to add diversity and create interest for my audience. Initially, I would like to have the setting of a home connoting a realistic, cosy home environment making the characters in the music video appear like it is a real life situation. I used an outdoor location in my AS coursework so I would like to expand my knowledge in media locations by using an indoor location as it will need to be lit differently and different camera angles to outdoors. Furthermore, indoor locations have common conventions of a romance genre and a domestic, happy relationship.
I would also like to film in an outdoor environment when the female lead is flying the kite. The location is remote and isolated despite being outdoors, suggesting how the female lead may be feeling, following the loss of the male lead. However the motif of the kite and letting the kite go follows the theme of ease as well as emotionally and physically letting go.
As the music video will be showing a relationship of a heterosexual couple, my main protagonists are the primary people throughout the production; especially the girl in the couple. Ideally the two actors will be between 16 and 18 in order to make the structure of a young teenage relationship appear realistic to the audience. This also is great for my production as actors that are the most accessible to me which will make the casting process a lot easier with a a wider range of actors available to me. I would like to cast actors with previous acting experience as it will be less stressful and they would be more likely to take the sensitive nature and themes of the music video seriously and act professionally.
Firstly, I will need to cast a female as I have decided that within the narrative I want a heterosexual couple. I have decided to cast Rachel Cox as my female lead within my music video as she has previous acting experience achieving an A grade at the end of year 11 in GCSE theatrical studies. She has also continued her passion this year by continuing theatrical studies to A-levels where she is also set to receive a high grade. She has also had lead roles in school productions where she was following dark and sensitive narratives where she responded maturely and sensitively; highlighting her variety as an actress.
In regards to physical attributes, I would like the male character to look tall and strong in order to play a dominant lead that other male characters are comparing themselves to. Furthermore, if the male looks strong and resilient there is likely to be more of an impact on the audience of the sensitive nature of the video. Furthermore, I require the actor to have glasses as it also makes the character appear more mentally dominant as well as physically dominant. With this criteria in mind I have chosen to cast William Peckover as my male lead. I want to hire people who have had previous acting experience and Will was a GCSE theatrical studies student two years ago and achieved an overall A grade. He has since gone on to study theatrical studies at A-level and in his first module received an A* Grade as well as starring in my AS media studies production.
Overall, the combination of the pair's dramatic abilities will allow them to create and authentic romance as part of my media production, which is something that can be difficult to display within a music video as there is often no dialogue.
