Group: 'Backwards and Forwards' Test

This short clip is taken from our Brighton footage and is a first try at walking backwards and forwards idea we got from the 'Eleven Eyes' video by Heights. We are very glad we got the opportunity to test it and, actually, it was rather well achieved; for a first attempt, the illusion of it all seems to be masked by the number of shots, and the effect of it when put to the music is what we aimed for - somewhat peculiar. Next time, on the real shoot, we will move the character less but compensate by moving the camera more and making it up of more than two/three shots. Starting with a CU of the shoe was effective in starting the shot as it matched the next shot of him walking at MS.

Group: Practice Shot - 'Seeing Self' Sequence

This is a rough test of the 'Seeing Self' sequence we plan to use in a precinct. It was fairly hard to envisage how we were going to do it, but when it came down to it, it wasn't actually all that difficult. Having listened to the part of the song it is for whilst watching it, the effect it has is the one we were looking to achieve - a disjunctive, uncomfortable look and feel. For the real thing we want to make sure we are filming in a relatively built up area; that way the character 'clones' blend more in to the crowd but are still very noticeable. It was useful to attempt this sequence because from the offset we new it was an ambitious one and one that none of us had ever considered trying before; we can now take what we have learnt to filming the sequence better on a track at a continuous low angle for the real thing.

Group: Location Recce - 'Seeing Self' and 'Walking Backwards and Forwards'

This is Tunbridge Wells Precinct, the location we have in mind for the 'Seeing Self' and 'Walking Backwards and Forwards' sequences. We chose this location because of the amount of people that walk down it - adding to the illusion - alongside the fact that it has some greenery. The shops themselves could be a bit of an issue as they are out of contact with the mise-en-scene, but if shot how we intend, we will be able to mask them. It's a convenient location as well, being more-or-less central to where we all live.






















Despite the possible issue with the shops, this recce has proved that our sequence could actually work here due to the amount of surrounding people and the rater wide pathway down the precinct. Having done the 'Backwards/Forwards' sequence in Brighton, it was easier for us to imagine it here as well and it does indeed work; as for the 'Seeing Self' sequence, it has highlighted that we need to test that out before the pitch in order to decipher whether this location is right.

Group: Location Recce - Alleyway Sequence

This is the location we want to use for the second pre-chorus, first part - from the lyric, "you're too mean.." to "from the top of my lungs" where the character is running in slow motion down the alleyway, frustrated and confused about what is going on. We thought this alleyway was apt because its east to locate - right by Dan's house - and its claustrophobic. The general mise-en-scene is dark and gloomy and derelict, lit only by one street lamp the lighting is also restricted which will look good in black and white and connotes confinement and seclusion.







Doing this recce has helped us anchor the sequence to the track; now we know the area we are filming in, it's easier to imagine where to stress certain emotions based on the light levels - roughly depicted by the flash in the photos.

Group: Location Recces - Benches

This is the first bench that we looked at. We intend to use this one for the first chorus where we overlap shots of Dan walking past and sitting next to himself on a bench. We liked this location because of the style of the bench, the tree, and the full green grass; all of which contradict the sombre mood we aim to incorporate in this sequence. The shot with Dan in, is roughly the framing we want to use, but it needs to be straighter and perhaps a little bit further out. In black and white, this will be the closest we get to emulating the 'Sweater Weather' aesthetic with all the luscious Californian surroundings.

This is the second bench that we found and again liked. It is a different style to the other one in that it is far more simplistic, and the surroundings are not as dense in colour whilst still being picturesque; this could connote a deterioration of mental state and awareness. This one shall be used for the second chorus for the above reasons, it's further on in the song and further on in his journey as a character thus suggesting a decrease in mental stability. The framing in the bottom image is most like it will be: straight and distant.

















These recce's were useful as it cleared, in our minds, how the chorus sequences are actually going to look as initially we were envisaging there not being enough space to have a level shot at a reasonable distance so that the main character is in view and the 'clones' are as well - but there is plenty at the chosen locations and now that it is visually there, it is easier to imagine.

Group: Audience Research Feedback

Here is a copy of our questions that we asked 5 people over Facebook:

1. Do you know the band? If yes write down a list of words including colours, images or moods which you might associate with them.
2. Do you think the band would be in their music video? If so, how would they appear?
3. Listen and look at the song lyrics. What do you think the meaning of this song is?
4. Close your eyes and listen to the track. What do you think of when listening to this song? Any particular locations?

We chose open ended, qualitative questions in order for the participants to fully respond to the questions asked; therefore we can see different opinions and different readings of the song, and seeing if our ideas so far are similar to that of the target audience.

Here are our results: 

Female, 17

1. Black and white, calm, slow, soothing.
2. Maybe - Just playing as a band, not acting or anything.
3. Not being able to trust anyone, being frustrated at the people you try to trust, being insecure. 
4. Frustration, brings memories back, quite emotive. Kind of like walking back home in the dark after a bad night and being really sad and annoyed.

Male, 16

1. I do know the band, but i basically think of grey and black + white and intimacy.
2. I do think they'd be in the video, but i don't know what they'd appear as.
3. I'm pretty sure its got something to do with a relationship and this girls been sleeping around so he's like "I don't wanna be replaced" or something, but yeah, i'm not sure about that one either. It may be anxiety, or depression or stuff, but i think its a relationship thing.
4. It reminds me of the 90's, it's like gritty and that sorta of thing i guess. I can't really explain that one. Urm it doesn't really remind me of anywhere, but because its quite a dark song, its a little bit hospital sorta thing.

Female, 15

1. I am vaguely familiar with the band and a colour that I think visually represents them is navy, as it is dark and moody however it is not solid and one-dimensional in the way that black can sometimes be. I think the music that the band produces conveys a slight feeling of confinement and a sickness of the monotony of daily life, and a longing for more.
2. Sorry, I'm not entirely sure how to answer this. But, I suppose the band may make some sort of appearance?
3. This song has a few meanings but centrally I think it is about a person who is not fully comfortable with the concept of existence and the fragility of being. Anxieties of replacement and not fitting into the structured modern life, and also of time ticking on can be found in the song; as well as the limitations that can be found in so many areas of life.
4. For me, this song brings images of contrasting locations. For example, a small environment like a bedroom or perhaps even a big glass jar, and then an ambitious or powerful place like the view from a rooftop overlooking a city or even the open sky.

Female, 16

1. Yes, monochrome colours (black white and grey) death, depression, gloom, trying to make the best out of what they have
2. No, because they are more interested in the quality of the music and the visual aspects than their own presence in the video
3. People lying to them, pretending to be their friends. Pretending to like them but they would rather not be associated with them. They want to keep their position in their current status and they are worried about jeopardising their high status
4. Urban locations, for example bars, petrol stations etc. Single person in their car driving round, looking around himself slightly panicked. In song ‘female robbery’ it is about life being faked, I think there is a link between these songs because this one is about how their friends are fake and they are going to be replaced.

Male, 17

1. I do not know that band but I think of dark colours such as grey and blue. I imagine they are associated with heart breaks and boy meets girl situations
2. I think that only one member of the band would be present in the video playing the man who is the subject of the band
3. I think that it is about a guy who is in love with a girl but he is worried that she no longer loves him and is therefore looking to replace him with a better man
4. The song makes me think of my own love life and walking around in rural locations for example fields
   
   

 

 

 

 

Analysis

 

For the most part, the audience research showed that people were familiar with the band and identified the colour scheme we are going to use - black and white. Most also said that they envisage the band appearing in some way, which supports our idea of having the slight bit of performance and perhaps including a filler shot like the one of the band in the car (point).

In terms of actual narrative, we got some different opinions. One person said that they thought of a relationship breaking up which, does actually make sense when looking at the lyrics whilst someone else described the notion of time ticking away.

There was also a range of locations suggested, from sub-urban neighbourhoods to crowded hospital rooms – the sub-urban element is going to be included in our video, but the idea of a busy room is something we may consider.

Overall the audience research has been very valuable; it has assured us of our ideas and also given us some new ones to think about - in particular, the different view on narrative. Incorporating a relationship is something we ideally wanted to avoid; so, perhaps, we could push the idea of solidarity and have anyone who looks at the main character, stare at him. 

Group: Idea For Digipak Design

Here is a rough idea of our album cover; the image on the back cover will also be used as the advert design, but set in front of a field - as that image will be but due to the fact it is drawn, it wouldn't have been clear with the song names over the top of it.