Generic Research- Sven E Carlson

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Research (Generic)- The Phone Call

The Phone Call 

Whether I choose to create a music video or a documentary, the text will be a moving image. Therefore, in order to create media to the standard expected by an audience, it is vital for me to practise making a short film (almost like a trial run), to become familiar with the whole creative process, and to develop my skills and understanding for the technical skills (such as camera work and editing) that I will be needing when using both the hardware and software.
This is especially important for me, as I have no previous experience of filming with an DSLR camera and little experience using editing software.

Research (Generic)- Theorists

Research (generic) - Budget Music Videos

Despite the proliferation of hardware and software, it is still difficult to create a music video to the same degree as a Kpop/KR&B/Soul music video. This is due to the large budget available that is spent on high calibre filming equipment, props, lighting, costume etc. The magnitude of the production of a Kpop video can be seen in this behind the scene clip below for BTS's, 'Blood, Sweat and Tears' music video:




To overcome the obstacle of having to adhere to the codes and conventions of  relaying materialistic wealth, with an extremely small budget , I looked at low budget music videos and considered how they would have been made. I also noted what made these music videos effective as well as their drawbacks so that I will be able to apply this knowledge when producing my own music video.

Below is a sample music video from a website called 'Budget Music Video', who claim that they are "able to produce the best low cost high quality music videos on the market". However when watching their music videos, such as the one below, I disagreed. I felt that the use of mis-en-scene could have been much more effective in a sense that they could have provided the audience with a wider range of shots, which would allow more opportunities for more engaging and faster paced editing. In addition I felt that  the codes and conventions of the genres they were trying to portray were loosely understood, ultimately resulting in a amateur-esque media product.

Therefore, I did some more research to find a music video that I would able to emulate. I found Zico's, 'Bermuda Triangle' that was similarly filmed on location sets, however, were much more effective as they suited they were far more aesthetically pleasing, while being more suited to the tone of the song.


In consequence to my research, when planning my music video, I will look for locations that are strongly reflective of the genre, the song itself and the brand image of my artist.

Planning- Pitch for Advanced Portfolio

Proposal

Name	Isabella Browse
Form (documentary, music video)	Music video
Genre/sub genre	Kpop
Major influences-what existing products would you like to emulate?	Due to my low budget , I would like to create a music video emulating a K indie or K Hiphop (sub genres of Kpop)  as they are created with a low budget yet look professional and appropriate to the genre. Seventeen ft. Ailee, 'Q&A'; a music video compiled of lots of aesthetically pleasing short abrupt cuts of the artists lip syncing/acting and props. Bright but soft lighting and colourful mis-en-scene reflect the theme of the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk01FiCAk50 Kard, 'Oh Nana'; relays the cool, underground vibes of the song mainly through the use of dimly lit sets and coloured lighting. Other scenes are filmed in real life locations that are easily accessible, such as a graffiti-ed wall, while still conveying the cool/underground representation.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPTcKSVAEvA
Music video-what song is it? Can you get permission or prove that you have sought permission? What is the narrative of the song? Is there an existing video for it?	I have yet to find a song that I am able to use for my music video. For the song has to be in English in order for my artist to be able to lip-sync, and until now, I have been unsuccessful finding a song that holds atmosphere that I can create what I have in mind  that also has appropriate language.  However, I do know that I am going to create a music video (regardless of the genre) with a performance, rather than a narrative as I think that it is easier to film a professional looking music video with my budget, focusing on producing an aesthetically pleasing text.
Organisation
When, where and whom are you going to film?	I am planning to film in real life locations as apposed to a studio, that will enforce the representation of my artist. I am going to film during the summer holidays. I am going to film some friends that I know are confident and are fans of the Kpop genre.
What equipment are you going to need to use/borrow?	I am going to borrow a camera and a tripod from the school.
Approved/rejected

Research (Generic)- Music Videos

This post contains a compilation of shots from a number of different music videos that seem achievable with my existing knowledge and skills in cinematography.


1)


via GIPHY

• Series of short takes of props/artist with brightly coloured backgrounds to represent the happy, 'young love' themed music. 
• These props are things that I already own
• Due to the tight frame, it can be easy just to use a coloured wall or a large sheet of coloured paper to recreate something like this.
• The lighting is very soft. This can recreated using natural sunlight or artificial light and a makeshift light diffuser. 

2)

via GIPHY

• Again, lots of cutaways shots of school related images.

3)


via GIPHY


via GIPHY

These shots are both quite similar and I think it would be very effective to recreate this look if my chosen song is slow paced. However the colour palette and lighting in these shots are very dramatic. Therefore, if I were to facilitate the colour palette and lighting in my own music video ........

Research (Generic)- The Night Mail

The Night Mail is a significant piece of film that influenced British Film culture in the 1930's and 1940's and it is not unreasonable to say, that it has influenced the way in which modern day documentaries are constructed and portrayed.

Similarities of 'The Night Mail' to modern documentaries:

• Facts and figures about the topic being documented were included 
• Cutaway shots of related topics were included
• Footage is filmed at locations rather than studios 
• Non-diegetic music is used 

Differences of 'The Night Mail' to modern documentaries:

• Lack of interviews, whether it would be vox pop, expert opinion or subject opinion
• There would be more narration or a presenter 
• The documentary's purpose could be to persuade as well as entertain and inform
• Even though the pace is somewhat similar to modern documentaries, I think that modern documentaries are slightly faster.

Research (Generic)- The Night Mail (Documentary)

Research (Generic) - First thoughts

Research- Music Videos


Music videos are known for having high production values, more prominently for the pop genre. However, the genre that is most notoriously known for having breathtaking visuals and highly executed music videos is Kpop. From watching Kpop music videos of different sub genres, I have already identified numerous codes and conventions e.g soft lighting for romantic songs and shallow focus.

There are many indie Kpop videos that have the same quality of execution, yet, appear to have a much smaller budget. 

Example of high budget music video:

This music video is mainstream Korean through and through. Therefore it comes with no surprise to see costumes of high fashion, numerous studio sets and lots of special effects. This is all due to the large company (YG Entertainment) that the artists are signed to, which is almost considered as one of South Korea's conglomerates in the entertainment industry.


Here is an example of a music video with a much smaller production value:


This video has a much more softer and more humble feel to it; with location sets, lots of cutaway shots and little to no special effects. Nonetheless, the video meets the expectations of the indie music genre in the same way the previous video met the expectations of mainstream pop.