This post contains a mini project that helped us learn how to shoot a music video. We shot out verse as a group and then created this post together. This blogpost is written by me (Audrey).
Lesson Description:
My teacher gave each group a verse from the song 'Here Comes The Sun' by The Beatles. We had to plan a scene which included various camera work (movement and angle) and edits. The goal was to be able to test out our camera work idea for our final project so that it flows seamlessly between shots. We aim to shoot properly and improve our camera work by testing out different angles and movements to capture and convey a storyline.
Pre Production
The song 'Here Comes The Sun' is a pop-rock song which wasn't really fitting to our project's genre (pop) and the overall vibe of the song. But this song was chosen as a whole class as it was a popular song that we all recognise.
Our Media Studies teacher, Mr Nick, had given my group a short verse to shoot which were compiled together to produce a whole music video for the song. My group (Kalista, Chelsea, and Rara) had gotten the second chorus.
Here is the lyric sheet and a few notation regarding the storyline and camerawork planning. We apologized if it is a bit messy and hard to read as it was a rough outline.
We were also tasked to create a simple storyboard to lay out the flow of the camerawork as well as the mise-en-scene and other actions that would be captured in the scene. This helped us to organize the shots and keep track of what we needed to shoot. Our teacher gave us only a few minutes to plan both of the lyric sheet and storyboard so it was only rough outline for us.
Here is the storyboard that was made by me (Audrey). I apologize if the drawings aren't detailed and messy notations.
Production
As our time was limited, we had decided to film at a nearby sink/washing room as it included a big mirror. Our idea was to utilise the reflection from a mirror to capture the actions and face of the characters in the scene. This was also a unique camerawork which we had planned to use for our project which is why we decided to test it out.
Our actress was just the members of our team (Kalista and Rara) with Rara being the lead and Kalista being the side character.
Here are some behind-the-scenes pictures that I took as we were setting up:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19OHN2Td7YwuSd0v_Fox0XdjzRIBKDHTg?usp=sharing
Here is the Google Drive file link of RAW video clips which included camera tests, shoot attempts (failed and others), and bloopers.
The shooting ran smoothly as our members were familiar by our communication style so there weren't any problem there. And we also had a connection with ideas for camerawork and plotline so that we were always agreeing on a discussion.
Post Production
I had edited the clips together and made sure that the song matches the scenes along with the lipsyncing of the actors. I utilised the application Capcut as it was a free, easy, and fast platform to edit videos. It only took a while to finish the project in one period of Media Studies class which was advantageous for the group. We were also familiar with the application which made it efficient.
Our idea was simple which does not include any special effects or color-grading as we decided to keep it natural. This was due to convenience and we wouldn't be applying this editing technique for our music video project as we want to create a visual appeal for the audience.
Here are the few steps that I did for editing:
1. Compile final shots
2. Add the song (download the audio from Mr Nick's file)
3. Cut, crop, and adjust the video clips according to the correct time frame
4. Make sure the lipsync matches the song
5. Turn down the audio volume of the clips
Step 2
Step 5.1
Step 5.2
Here is the final result:
Here is the Google Drive file link in case it doesn't work.
Problem:
There weren't any significant problem throughout the processes of production. Me and my teammates were able to collaborate together as we plan out the details of the pre-production together in under than 20 minutes. Although, our plan wasn't followed exactly based on the final results. There was another angle shot (POV) with the same actions in a scene which we planned to use with a quick cut to capture the character's face clearly to showcase the performance aspect of the chorus clip that we had already recorded. We planned this out initially as it was one of our ideas for our big project so we decided to test it out. Although, this idea wasn't executed well which made it unprofessional and odd if we decided to insert that shot. The timing of the chorus also does not support the use of cuts to show another angle.
Another problem would be that the cut from the first scene with our side character walking to the sink to the second scene with the lead washing her hand was a bit un-neat. I was the one who edited it and saw this immediately and was unsatisfied with the results.
Solution:
We decided to discard the idea of using another angle to showcase performance. We think it flows better without the shot.
As we had no time left, we decided to leave the transition as it was as we had no time to reshoot.
Future Plan:
Next time, or in the real project, if we want to shoot different angles we have to make sure that the timeline flows well with the song. Duration mustn't be too short to fit several quick cuts of different angles and other camerawork.
Next, we must make sure that the shoot the scene long enough and make sure that the last action shot is similar to the action at the beginning at the next scene to make sure it transitions nicely so that the music video can flow easily. This helps creates a flawless flow of the storyline for the audiences.
And last but not least, to shoot with the proper equipment so that the quality of the film is nice and professional.
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𝑺𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
For this mini project, I can say that I can certainly manage my time well for the production as I am able to finish and complete the filming and editing in one lesson. The planning also does not take many time which was very convenient for us all (me and my group). We had our goals and planning set in each other's mind and we get each other so that communication and other processes were so much easier. This is why we were able to get things done easily and quickly. I enjoyed this mini project which makes me feel more positive about the real project. I learned from many mistakes about camerawork and the editing throughout this mini project which is beneficial for me and my group when creating our real project, to avoid our mistakes as we know what to do and what not to do. We also tested out camerawork that we had planned for our project which gave us an early heads-up and insight.
