Types of camera shots

Here is an idea of the different types of shots I have discovered are used in music videos to portray meaning. I have recreated these shots to show the meaning they hold, and to practice how I might use these in my music video.

Planning - Location Information

In order to film my video I have had to organise and plan the location of my filming. In this post, I'm going to identify and assess the locations that I'm using in my video.

Southwark Park
Gomm Rd, London SE16 2TX



Southwark park is going to be the main location for my video because it has multiple places within it that suit my video project. The bandstand, pictured above, is one such example of this, as it made for some dynamic shots, and is a memorable location which will stand out in the mind of the audience. Plus, it makes for an interesting contrast between the big-band, orchestral music commonly seen playing in bandstands and the electronically produced dance music that will actually be backgrounding these shots. These contrasts are often present in dance music videos as dance music itself is typically a merge of different genres and cultural elements.
There is also a section of the park which has tended gardens and a lake. The garden creates a junglelike effect that I aimed to create for the video game character which would match the terrain she is played in, and create the effect that she is suddenly in real life. 
Additionally the lake is the perfect setting for the kiss scene as it has a dreamlike, hazy look; given by the drooping willow tree, sparkling lake, climbing tropical vines, and a general fantasy facade.

There are a number of risks and issues that can come with filming in Southwark Park. For example, the park often holds community events in which the parts of the park get closed off. This could have been an issue, however we made sure to schedule filming so as to not coincide with one of these events. Another huge risk was the general public. To avoid shots being ruined or having continuity errors by people enjoying the park, we made sure to film in early afternoon on a weekday. This ensured minimal people at the park, as they would typically be working or in school, leaving us with a relatively empty place to shoot. 

Osbourne's House
Bermondsey, South East London

I decided to use one of my actors homes as the second location for I only used it in a few shots. The house has a lived-in, homely feel to it which is vital to my main character; as he wants to stay cooped up in his house playing video games. Therefore, it's the perfect environment for this character. 
The room I used for these shots are lit low-key, which creates a warm, cosy, up-close-and-personal effect. This created the cocoon-like imagery of our nerdy protagonists room; getting across the idea of his hermit, obsessive personality.
The setting also made for some nice establishing shots showing the protagonist moving from his house to the park - Bermondsey is full of bustling, city roads, typically teeming with red London buses, enabling me to get some iconography across the audience. 

There weren't many risks associated with this location, besides the typical risks and dangers that come with using the laptops and other technology. It was difficult, however, to achieve lighting that was suitable enough to film in - the house wasn't designed with filming in mind, so we had to employ extra artificial lighting and blinds to create the desired effect described above.

Artist Moodboard

I drew most of my inspiration for my artist (and my final music video!) from the revival of 90's culture. Many current trends in fashion, music, art, and film draw heavily from the 90's era. Additionally, as the target age range is 16-25, they'd have grown up in the nineties and the early noughties, so they'll experience nostalgia and resonate with the aesthetic. 

This moodboard depicts the artist that is being portrayed in the website and music video. I drew inspiration from the late 90's and early 2000's nostalgia that is currently trendy and popular in culture at the moment. This era of nostalgia appeals greatly to my target age range of 16-25 as it the period of time in which they grew up in, so it is appealing to them. The vibrant colours are reminiscent of that era, and are also very present in the dance music video genre. The additions of current celebrites (such as Ariana Grande, Khloe Kardashian, the Hadid sisters, and Miley Cyrus) alongside popular celebrities of the nineties, (such as Britney Spears, the Spice Girls, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Aniston) shows the resurgence of nineties fashion and how the trends are prevalent in popular culture today - a popular culture which is both carried, and influenced, by dance music.

Casting

Here I'm going to identify the actors/models that I'm going to use in my music video and subsequent website. I have mentioned how the casting choices would affect my potential audience. I have stayed very close to the industry standard; for there is not much diversity in dance music videos.