Actor Decisions

                          

Location Scouting

I knew I needed multiple locations, so I spoke to my family, friends and anyone I knew that could help. To make a video look certified and official I believe original and a range of professional uncommon locations. When I went through my plan I tallied up what I would need to fill my video and to link the theme together. They all had to be pretty abandoned, 'away from society' and original. This was the list of locations needed.

- Dark room looking like it is away from society.

- Abandoned Building

- Bar/Pub
- Wasteland to drive a car on.

- Derelict Area

- Skatepark

- Beach  

'Dark Room'

After thinking what the best location would be for the actors 'home' I thought the best place would be a caravan. It would go well with the 'druggy' theme to represent a 'hillbilly' 'gypsy' kind of look. Also it wouldn't create too much problems with putting the props up etc. As it would be a simple design, which would mean we could just add props instead of clearing out a room. Also the owner wouldn't be as bothered if we decorated their caravan oppose to a room in their house. My friend has a caravan, I kindly asked for her to send me a photo to see what I was working with. This is what she sent me..

I knew this had potential, as this would be one of the main locations I had to make sure it was perfect. I got a few props ready just for a little preparation in the caravan. I got some ripped cloths and put them up as curtains to see how it would look. This is what I got and was happy with..

'Abandoned Building'

To fit with the theme of my music video I believe abandoned places would correspond with the theme of 'away from society'. As there would be no one else there apart from them, to central to focus on them two and the drugs that drives their relationship. To find abandoned places I began to research on the internet. I found a very helpful site which gave me a few abandoned places I could try. 

I tried a few of these locations which looked like they had the most potential. Most of the ones I tried were fenced off which made it impossible to get in. The best one I found was fenced off but was easy to get over and this is what I found.. 

But unfortunately all the buildings entrances were blocked off. Because it was so heavily fenced off it didn't appeal to me due to safety and legal reasons, so I decided to look elsewhere.

I started to research around Derbyshire and stumbled across an abandoned mental asylum which looked very promising, it was based in 'Aston-on Trent' in Derbyshire. The website gave me background information and a load of pictures..

I decided to visit this for myself to see the potential of this location.

These are the parts of the hospital grounds that have potential to fit my plan..

Outside the Main Grounds..

Outside the Reception..

Outside an Entrance..

 Entrance..

Main Hall..

Cafeteria.. 

Table/Bar..

 Derelict Land..

Disco Hall..

All these spots have massive potential and fit my 'abandoned' theme. This is the location I am going to use for the 'Abandoned Building'.

'Bar/Pub'

To fit my theme of 'hillbilly' social outcasts kind of theme I wanted to find an old antique looking bar or pub where the characters could have a scene of eating, drinking and doing illegal drugs in the toilet to run parallel with their 'adventure' in the music video. I knew a friend that lives in 'Ockbrook, Derby' which is a little village and asked him if he knew anywhere. He recommended the 'Royal Oak' so I went down to have a look. 


 

This location was perfect to fit the theme as it is old fashioned, with all the aspects of an old pub that I imagined.

'Wasteland for Joyride'

For this location I wanted a place where I could film a joyride on a wasteland. So a surface with some sort of dust or gravel would be perfect to capture some nice shots with the dust flying up etc. A location with this and a nice bit of background to give the location some character would be perfect. I spoke to my Dad and he knew someone with a farm, with a barn on. He took me down to the location to see if it was suitable for what I was looking for.

This farm suited my needs perfectly, with a bit of character and a nice area to drive a car on as the dust will create a great cinematic feel. I will use this location as my Dads friend said it would be fine once I let him know the dates of filming etc. 

'Derelict Area' 

This location will be a empty rundown area to give me some basic establishing shots of the couple. Quite simple, but perfectly linking in with the theme. I knew the 'Cattle Market' in Nottingham City Centre had old rundown kind of places so I decided to take a look. This is what I found near that area..

                                                        

  

The first location was very appropriate for my theme and would fit the abandoned location idea. The second place I went was fully fenced off, this was not so good for a location as it could cause security issues, or even health and safety risks. So I am going to use the first option, as I like the graffiti on the wall and the blue colour on the panels, as I think once it is colour graded it will look like it has character.

'Skatepark'

For the skatepark I wanted an old looking skatepark. So I thought the typical white coloured skatepark would look good with graffiti and ramps all around. I knew Long Eaton in Nottinghamshire had a nice one like this called 'West Park'. I went to have a look and was instantly happy.

   

                                        
    

This has a lot of opportunities for nice scenes. As there is a lot of seating space for the couple to be 'chilling' and there are lots of ramps for them to be messing around on. I am going to use this location for my video.

'Beach'

For the beach shots, as the beach is at least 2 hours away I didn't want to go there to location scout, this one would be more of a risk. As I wanted it to be just them on a beach with a fire, I want the beach to be anonymous and out of the way of living people or buildings. As the closest sea side is Skegness I started to look on google maps to see what I could find to help me find a place like this.
 

 
 
Just south of Skegness I noticed a golf club and a big beach area and then the sea. There will be no buildings in sight because of the golf club in between and it is way out the way of Skegness mainland to avoid pedestrians.



I looked on Google Earth to get a better view of this to see what is there..

From Google Earth I can see there is a massive amount of land between society in the mainland to this beach. It looks like there is a sandy wasteland with greenery, going into lighter sands, then into wet sand and then eventually the beach. This will give me multiple opportunities in which type of beach to use. It is away from buildings and people. Which gives me the opportunity to build a fire and film how I planned. This seems the right location to find on the day of shooting. I will get directions to 'Drake Road' which is the nearest road and hopefully this location will deliver.

Basis of Music Video

Basis of Music Video

I have decided on producing a music video which is 100% narrative with no performance. My intentions would be to be really creative in producing a storyline and create a video that is completely different to any other video on the market. With the track all narrative I have a lot of time to play with, with this I could establish a story that goes on in reality, I could use camerawork and editing to represent the characters that good that some people could relate, or see it as a reality. I want to deliver a message through this video that drugs and illegal substances if abused can be very bad and that a relationship shouldn't be dominated and drove by this. The story line will consist of the two characters being isolated from society in a dark room, looking like they never leave. The room being cramped with drugs, alcohol and pure trash. The couple will be happy in here, also in other locations. As the video carries on they will begin to argue and slight glimmers of them going slightly 'loopy' yet denying it. This idea will develop through the progression of the track, it starts to get really heated. Arguing and the intake of substances will increase to a point where they are going mad. They start getting in trouble, maybe joyride a car, or steal something as they realise they have not money. This spiral of emotion increases, with a massive climax in the track the video will run perfectly and then the male characters takes too much and kills himself. Through camera work and editing this climax can be achieved to portray how the characters are feeling to a point where it looks like reality. A nice idea I thought of is that at the start of the video, the female characters will be on the beach next to a fire, drinking and looking at a note. The looks dysfunctional to the video which may bring confusion. But at the end of the video, the edit will return to this scene, and viewers will realise it is the suicide note, and it all links up. When this is planned out, it could be very successful in portraying a story.

Brainstorming Ideas

When I was brainstorming, I came up with multipul ideas that all had potential, here is the plans of the rough ideas I came up with..

'Girl Going Psychotic'

Main Theme - The theme would be half narrative half performance. The girls would slowly be going crazy over something that is going on in her head. It would be in an obssessive way. She would be sat on her bed with a shrine wall behind her to signify her obsession. She'd be acting like she was going psychotic on her bed, cutting to shots of her looking in the mirror, alone in a dark house etc. The narrative would be progression, running parrallel to the pace of the track. The performance would be in a derelec area/abandoned area, in the dark with big spotlights. She'd still be in character, maybe will an alcohol bottle in her hand, performing the song.

'Video Based on Reality Involving Gangs, Police + Poverty'

Main Theme - The theme would consist of half narrative half performance. The preffered track would be a rap song talking about life. The video would be illistrative to the lyrics. Nice cinematography would be used to establish and capture lifestyles and 'rough' areas, portraying where the artist has been raised. The narrative would capture real life situations and aspects of life the rapper has been through. The performance of the video would be the rapper performing in a interview room type location looking like he is rapping to a police officer. But the twist at the end, the camera will spin around and show he is rapping to himself. This can be done through 'multiplicity' in the editing process.

'Video in Film Studio'

Main Theme - The theme will be based massively on performance. With the main performer under big spotlights. This will give me a chance to show off my camera work with a simplistic based video. I would add choreographed dancers into the video. I would add quick cuts between performance and dancers parralell with the beat to show off my editing qualities.

'Drug Prominant Relationship'

Main Theme - The video would consist of strickly narrative with just 2 actors. The two charactors will be in a relationship, heavily involved with drugs. The storyline would consist of them being happy and enjoying life together. Then they start going slightly 'loopy' off the drugs, which portrays their emotion of paranoia, depression, anxiety and anger. This develops and they begin arguing badly. There would be a massive climax of them doing drugs, going 'pyscho', arguing badly, getting into trouble, realising they have no money. Which will be a massive climax and worlwind of emotion which leads to the male charactor killing himself. The overall idea would be the charactors away from society, to represent this the locations would consist of abandoned places, with no one around but just them. 

'Video in Studio and Rehersal Rooms' 

Main Theme - The video would consist of performance. They would be performing in a rehersal room. I would add inserts from the studio where they would record from in a documentary kind of style, capturing natural moments. In the editing process I would add 'noise' to the video to add an old school effect onto it which could work very well.

Final Decision ..

I have decided I am going to develop the 'Drug Prominant Relationship' idea, as I think this has the most potential. Having a strickly narrative video will allow me to express more and play with my creative ability. I can express a story that may happen in life, and with so much time to play with it means I can go to loads of locations, direct actors and be original from other videos on the market.  

Video Analysis - The 1975 'Chocolate'

 'Chocolate' was released by the English Indie Rock band 'The 1975'. The song was released, appearing as track three, on their debut studio album 'The 1975' on the 4th of March 2013. The Music Video was first seen on YouTube on the 20th of February 2013 and to this current date has 2,707,487 views.                                                                                              



Camerawork

Movement - All the movement in this video is very smooth. For example the sliding shot at the very start. It is slow and smooth allowing the viewer to have recognition of what's happening within the shot. As the shot slides toward the lead singer the focus is pushed down the pipeline framed to the right. This is aesthetically pleasing, whilst the pushing of the focus is directing attention on the lead singer. 

Whilst the camera is moving around the male and the female, it is moved by some sort of steadicam to create a really smooth feel. This represents his 'love' for the girl, as he cannot get her himself I'm assuming this scene is some sort of dream. It shows he shares an affection for her in a none aggressive/angry way, represented by the smooth calming camera work.

The tracking shot whilst the band is in the car is still very smooth. But in this shot it is not as simplistic as the others. This gives a slightly more busy feel to the video with the background changing frequently as they're in a moving car. It lets the background do the movement and works very well.

Framing - Throughout the video the composition frequently remains very central around the band together. This directs the focus to them, especially having a very simplistic set, this emphasises the bands presents.

The main concept of the whole video is about a girl that the singer can't get because she has a boyfriend. When he is dreaming about the 2 of them, they're very big in the shot filling the whole screen, remaining central and the main focus. This reflects how important them two together is to him. But when he is on his own, the framing puts him off centre, almost showing loneliness how is away from everything on his own. As he is looking down a lot of the time it really enhances the 'lonely' state they are trying to portray.

Editing

The editing sticks to the simplistic theme, with straight cuts all the way through.

The shot length remains quite consistent throughout the video. Cutting on the beat, synchronised with the song gives it a really nice flow and the shot length seems to stay the same yet flow perfectly to the feel of the song.

The only visual effect I spotted was when the singer was alone there was some sort of distortion.

This effect is used when it has the side angle of the lead singer, it fades in and out of the shot. This simple effect added to the minimalistic video could represent that his head and thoughts are a mess. Portrayed through the distortion effect looking like his head is distorted by his feelings.

Colour Grading & Lighting

In this video the colour grading has a big part to play in the look of the video. It creates a quite dark, sad mood. The simplistic background contrasts with the silluetted characters to create the sad focus on them. This is achieved by having a high contrast, by adjusting the levels to bring the darks out more. Also through colour correction the shadows are slighlty boosted whilst the highlights were probably dropped. All these aspects create that slow, dark atmosphere.

The lighting is very interesting. There is a soft light on the charactors whilst there is a bright light behind the band. This naturally creates the shadow like look surrounding the band with dimmed highlights. This lighting method also really emphasises the smoke when the character is smoking which is really aestecially pleasing.

What I Learnt?..

What I learnt whilst evaluating this music video is that the use of lighting, camera work and editing can  enhance the mood and feel you are going for. By increasing the contrast and shadows, then dropping the highlights can create a real dark mood. Also by dropping the saturation can give you a calm feel whilst working with the slow camera movement. So the main thing I learnt was not the concept of the video, but the way it has been produced to create a certain atmosphere. 
  

Magazine Advert Analysis - '1975 - The 1975' Album

In this magazine advert it is very minimulistic following the 2014 motto of 'less is more' idea. Straight away due to the central composition the attention is drawn to their recognisable logo in the centre of the ad. They have used multipul techniques to draw the attention to the right place, first of all the central composition. The text is also heavily supported by this glow that surrounds it with dark colours all around the glow. This also draws attention, in a way where is portrays the logo (the band) as important and shined upon. This immidiate recognition is brought out through repeatability through their logo appearing everywhere.

On their digipak, their artwork, their videos and everything else publicized by them. The text is almost unreadable, but yet you still know it says 'The 1975' and it carries out an unclear factor which is mysterious. With the box and the text being almost like tube lights sets their theme as quite old school. This is carried out throughout their creations, as their image, proving consistancy works. The photo is very monochrome also backing up this idea of the old theme, and is done in a way where everything they make or advertise is aestetically pleasing due to the theme and simplicity.

The photograph is very simplistic in order for this method to work, in order to do this they have seperated the text about their album from the photo, to not lose attention. As the viewer has recognised the band they will then go to the text to read about the advertisement. The text is very simple yet again, getting straight to the point with no confusion. They have avoided information overload to ensure what the viewer reads, they will remember.

I have learnt from this band that simplicity attracts attention, and the composition of the photo can draw attention to where the creator wants to draw attention. This are very simple techniques which I will carry out in my ancilleries.

Album Artwork Analysis - 'The 1975 - The 1975'

This is all the art work linked in with the 1975's album 'The 1975'. I realise I have to produce a digipak for the ancillary texts, but I believe reviewing this artwork can really help me. Their Digipak is very plain, I thought these photo's are more interesting and more linked into what I would produce for my digipak.

Theme

All the artwork links in with the same theme. They're all black and white, all quite grainy and link in the the single name in a subtle way. The image has a subtle link for example the last 'The City' single artwork presents bright intense lights mixed in with subtle lights. As the lights are a blur, and as seen with no real concept, if you look into it it does link with the city lights at nighttime. I think this is the theme 1975 was trying to pull off throughout their artwork. For example the 'Sex' single artwork was just showing a quilt, which doesn't have a direct link to the title, but just a subtle link. This is what I was intrigued by as it was quite mysterious and left the viewers thinking.  

Detail to Colour

All of the artwork is in black and white. They're at a very high contrast bringing out the shadows and dimming the highlights. The result of this is the mysterious look, not revealing every detail due to the dark atmosphere. It sets quite a dark dimming mood on the artwork, but definitelyy looks a lot more creative and meaningful than a cheesy photograph of a band that is shot to sell. 

Composition and Framing

When I was reviewing the composition and framing I came to realisation that the most interesting artwork has an odd composition. Like all these artworks, for example the 'Settle Down' single, it has a random composition but it works. That originality draws attention to the subject as it wouldn't be considered as normal. When it comes to the framing, it is either really tight, therefore not revealing a lot, adding that mysterious impact. Or the framing of the subject is just off centre. Yet again this isn't going by the rules but it works. For example the 'Settle Down' or 'Robbers' artwork has an off centre framing. The band or models are slightly off centre, to a point where it looks like they're meant to be central. This purpose has really drawn me in to why they have done it, and the only conclusion I can think of is that it is more interesting than a typical band photograph.

Effects

The effects used on these photos are predominately blur and added noise. The blur is purposely put on to create an unclear effect. This corresponds with the mysterious theme throughout. The noise is added on most of the photo's to give it that old, antique, 'film' look. There bands style is quite 50's, 60's, like their music videos they like to keep it monochrome. I've learnt consistancy throughout all their art is important in keeping a look and image.  

 

Text

The text and their bands logo is also very consistant throughout. The logo is very basic, what I've found out if the logo and text is too complicated, it is an overdrive in your brain and doesn't come across as aestically pleasing. Simple text and logo designs works very well is sticking in viewers heads, because it is striking and easy to remember. Also including simplicity doesn't draw attention away from the artwork/photographs. Simple text with a nice themed photograph seems to work the best.

What I've Learnt ..

What I've learnt from this is to create a theme and stick to it. Consistancy throughout the artwork seems to work the best. I really liked the mysterious theme which was quite unclear, I think I might add this idea into my own digipak, as it draws attention and is more artistic and creative than a stereotypical digipak. As my music video will be a story and therefor creative, I want to keep consistancy throughout. Also I have learnt simple text doesn't draw attention from the artwork and strikes the viewer better than tonnes of information that they'll forget. Everything I have learnt I will carry out in my own digipak. 

Magazine Advert - 'Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull'

The magazine advert for Kings of Leon was very simple providing the viewer with crucial information and crucial information only. The simplicity of this advert is significant as it instantly gives you the band name, the album name, and the release information. Instantly you take recognition of this. Simplicity is used so there is not an overload information, for example, the viewer will not see this, see loads of text and information and go away and forget, because they were piled with too much. If this were too happen the viewer wouldn't care that much and just forget. But by piling the viewer with the same information and the same text and logo's over and over, even if they didn't want to they would remember. This is what is happening with this poster. 

With the simple background the logo of the album is instantly signified and shown as importance. The background or simple text doesn't draw any attention away from the logo. The logo's colours is the only colour on the page, which instantly gets the attention. The logo itself is seen throughout the artwork of the Kings of Leon album. The repeatability factor is crucial, it will drill into people's heads and when people see this or any similar design of this on a diner etc, they will instantly think of the bands album. Which creates recognition for the band and the album, therefore enticing the viewers to buy the album to see what it has to offer.

Also the logo sticks to the bands theme of southern america, almost cowboy style. This consistency runs throughout the albums artwork, the videos, promotion and music, which has a sense of originality to their band as all there work is themed, and consistent like no other. People are attracted to originality, which would be their plan to gain popularity and sales for their album.

The text on this advert is very simple. This doesn't create confusion, so the viewer can recognise exactly what they're reading. This has more of a chance of the viewer remembering the information. The simplicity is a way of highlighting important information and signifying logo's, text etc. Because the band is so established there is no need for them to be shown in their promotion which massively grants them with the opportunity of simplicity and gain all the positives from it.

What I've Learnt .. 

I have learnt the factor of repeatability though logo's and style of artwork. Through repeatability, recognition can be gained, remembrance of the artwork and information will be gained. I have also learnt that simplicity is a really effective way of highlighting importance. I have learnt when and where to use simplicity for it to work. My intentions for my advert is for the audience to remember the information and be attracted by the promotion of the album enough for them to buy it. So I will incorporate the correct balance of simplicity for mine to be effective. Also use constancy throughout the artwork to gain recognition for the band to increase popularity, I can do this through using the same logo's, the same style of photographs and text. I have learnt a lot and will carry out these methods into my own practise.    

     

Digipak Analysis - 'Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull'

The Kings of Leon - Mechanical Bull's digipak is really nicely set out, it sticks to a theme which runs through the video 'Beautiful War' and the magazine advert, providing the band with consistency. The album was released on the 9th of December 2013 and was very popular. Here is there digital booklet for the album..

Front Cover

The front cover is very simplistic with no photography, simply outlining the album title and the logo of the album. Instantly this portrays a theme that is carried out throughout the video's the advert and the ban in general. The southern american old school 'cowboy' theme. This is outlined in their music and their style of play. The consistency of this theme is really nice as there is no faults in the mood. The logo seemed to be like a logo of an old bar or diner from the south, with the bright lights and the tube lit letters. This highlights the name of the album instantly and it is a logo that would stick in your head. There is no confusion which works very well.

Middle Slides

The middle slides consist of the two bottom images and the slow shutter speed shot photo that says 'mechanical bull' These photo's hold the theme of the 'bokeh' lights, which is lights that are out of focus. In the photo with the band in you can still make out where they are and there surroundings, by properly looking at it. By having a really nice shot, wide angle photo with a nice  composition and a vertical linear force, it doesn't matter that it is not focused, as it draws attention. If anything it would draw more attention as the viewer would look a bit closer to work out what is happening, whilst looking at a nice photo. The lights are beautiful in this, and working with out of focus lights, or lens flares are aesthetically pleasing to look at. It is the same with the other photo, it shows the title of the album again just in a more artistic way. You can make out what is says, but like the other photo you have to look a bit closer. It also has the bokeh look, which is nice to look at and backs up the theme of all the artwork. The page that shows the song titles is really significant. It is the only page apart from the front cover to have no bright lights or complex imagery. This is done, alongside the front cover to highlight these pages as important. These two pages, even though they are very simplistic, stand out the most, as they are different to all the other pages. This signifies their importance, therefore signifying the tracks, and the album name. This is done very cleverly and works well with the other slides.

Back Slides

The back slides are just two shots of bright lights out of focus. These are simple, nice to look at and sticking in with the theme. It provides consistency throughout the artwork, also simplicity. I believe if you have 6 pages of photography, all with main stand out subjects, it'd be a subject overload and you wouldn't know what to look at. With a simplistic back, it helps highlight the important pages and artwork that the band has put focus on. But at the same time still providing the digipak with consistency and nice aesthetics. This also gave the digipak to provide the viewers with simple information like the band names, and the company's involved with the band. If the artwork here was too complex it would draw too much attention away from this information.

What Have I Learnt ..

From this digipak the main thing I have learnt is where to put simple ideas in to highlight important slides and the mixture of subject photography and simple images and what provides the digipak with the right balance for in order for it to work. My intentions are to do this in my digipak, so the simplicity and the complex photographs are not too much and not to little to work, providing the viewers with an interesting digipak. I have also learnt that consistency throughout is key to a good digipak, having an on going theme is a key aspect I will stick too whilst making my digipak.   

Video Analysis - 'Kings of Leon - Beautiful War'

'Beautiful War' is a song about the southern American band Kings of Leon. It was released as a single on the 9th of December 2013 on their 6th studio album 'Mechanical Bull'. The video was released on YouTube on the 22nd of November 2013 and as of September 2014 the video has had 5,798,968 views.

          

This video consists of two actors in a relationship. The two start off happy at some sort of party. It soon turns bad down to jealousy and this emotion overruns the male actor and he ends up fighting another man and seriously hurting him. Once he has noticed he has gone too far he regrets it and starts hugging him whilst the police drags him away. Throughout the video it has inserts of the male actor what appears to be in the future, in prison. He is being taken out to ride a bull as a prison activity whilst his other half is in the crowd watching.  At the end he apologises to her. I believe 'beautiful war' is from them fighting and arguing, in result of this bad consequences. But this 'war' is beautiful as there is love, loyalty and forgiveness throughout. This video has inserts from the future, plays with time scape, leaving the viewer questioning what is happening. A really well shot video with a clever theme.

Camerawork

The camera work in this video is beautiful. It has a really cinematic soft picture style. The exposure is set perfectly with all the shots matching perfectly with one an other.

Movement - The camera movement is very specifically planned between the two time scales. During the 'present' scenes, when the male is not in prison it is quite raw. It looks professionally hand held typed shots. This is cleverly used to make the story look realistic. The intensity of the handheld looking shots are differentiated throughout the 'present' time in the bar. When it is happy it is relatively smooth, portraying a calm and happy relationship with no rigidity almost. But as the storyline progresses it starts to get more intense, therefore more shaky. This method is used to build up the tension, to enhance the idea that more is going on as a shaky camera creates more excitement. In this case the shaky camera is present to symbolise their relationship getting heated, down to jealousy and argumentative actions. These methods of a handheld look yet still professional can be achieved through a shoulder rig. In comparison to the 'present' time where the handheld look is used, there is overly smooth, almost still shots of the past and future. Whether it be memories from the past or the look into the future, these ideas are highlighted through camera movement. The past was very happy and calm showing them doing activities together. Smooth camera movement creating a calm presents. Then in the future the still and smooth cameras are used very symbolic, as it really draws out the emotion in the man. Almost like he has gave up in the prison. It's very calm, yet very saddening as the slow camera movement brings out his emotion and lets you embrace his surroundings, creating empathy for him, There is a big significance in the time scape, as the two smooth camera scenes are the past and the future, and these similar movements makes you really compare and contrast these two scenes, analysing where they was as a couple, and where they are once he is in prison, which is a big leap, and linked through the camera work.

Framing - This video uses a variety of framing. Close ups and extreme close ups are used to show emotion. Mainly used in the future and the past to really get the feel of how the male character is feeling through his eyes, his actions and close ups of props and surroundings.

Also a lot of wide shots are used to establish the scenes, so the viewer can embrace the surroundings to get a real feel for the mise en scene and the theme of the video. This is really important because the whole theme links to the album and in some ways links to band in general. As the album is 'mechanical bull' and the band is from the south and this video is shot and portrayed in a way to enhance the bands image and portrayed as a good visual theme for the album.

Editing

The editing is very clever as it really plays with time scape and the jumping of time throughout. At the start this really gets the viewer wondering why is this man in prison and starts questioning the story line. Encouraging the viewer to carry on watching before it's unravelled. The cuts between the past and future, along with the camera work, links in together perfectly, allowing the viewer to compare and contrast to two times, showing the viewer how rapidly and intense his life has changed, from you later learn from a stupid mistake over jealousy. It really brings out the message, showing you how happy he was before in contrast to his prison life, comparing his emotions, surroundings etc. Also using two bulls in the sequence, one when he's riding a bull in the prison and her in the bar is used as another technique in the editing, giving the viewer another opportunity to think about the time scape, and therefore comparing. The editing is worked perfectly to show all this having evened timed cuts, and working very well.

Another clever editing technique the editor has used is when the character is acting violent and punching his 'brother'. It cuts to shots of the bull. When a bull is angry it is stereotyped as angry, aggressive and not holding back. These carefully picked out cuts help to symbolise the male character as the bull, sharing the same emotion almost as the bull. Highlighting his aggressive behaviour, and now, like the bull, he is trapped in a cage like atmosphere, prison, like an animal.

Also the editor has put the future and the past in super slow motion. This is used so the viewer compares the two time scapes, Also it is used to bring out the emotion the characters are having at that time. Going from really happy in the past, to extremely distressed and unhappy in the future. Showing the effect on what bad behaviour can cause.  

The colour grading on the past and future is beautiful. They match each other in terms of a really soft cinematic colours. It makes the music video almost look like a short movie and is aesthetically pleasing to look at. The grading is totally different in the 'present' scenes, which creates separation between the 3 scenes and really works so that the viewer can understand the jump between times, avoiding confusion.

Mise en Scene 

The mise on scene in this video is really on point. It had to be carefully done to really capture a southern old school look to it with no mistakes. This collaborating with the colour grading really payed off. The old bar, the costumes, the old looking prison, the countrysides with the horses, the bull (portraying the cowboy era) all played their parts perfectly creating a really nice themed video.    

What I've Learnt ..

From analysing this video I have learnt a lot on time scape, the effect of slow motion and the positive impact of the variety of locations and the importance of mise en scene within them locations. The use of time scape was key in the idea of this video and it really gets the viewer thinking and questioning the viewer, therefore wanting to carry on watching. I don't plan to have my whole video like this but I am highly considering a video with a jump of time in certain areas of my video. Maybe at the start and the end, which will reveal the story at the start, at the end. I believe this is really clever and could be really beneficial to keep my audience not bored and keep thinking. In the more intense scenes in my video I am going to include the use of slow motion and fast motion to bring the emotion out of the character, to make the audience feel a certain emotion, I'm not sure what emotion yet, but in this video empathy was created, so I know it's possible to take in my own direction. My main intention in my video is realism, and to pull this aspect off I really need to concentrate on mise en scene like this video has, it has made me learn the significance of set production and how props, costumes and location can set a theme to the video. I have learnt a lot and my intention is to take the positives out of this video, incorporate these aspects in my video with my own interpretation, and hopefully my construction will be a success.