Filming day 2

Scene: 2
Location: Surrey Quays Arcade
Time: 4:30pm - 5:20pm
Duration: 50mins
Total amount of breaks: 1

Currently my filming schedule is not being followed according to plan, my actors consistently keep experiencing on going family and private dilemmas  which has interrupted our ability to film as frequently as I purposed.
Today during the day, I had to complete my other school homework and during the afternoon, I met up with my actors Bemi and Lewis to film. My decision was to film in Surrey quays arcade.

I used my new camera to film in this scene, however because of the time of the day (afternoon/evening), and the lack of lighting inside the arcade, it was very dark which reduced the quality of the music video. Thankfully the arcade was not too busy, however the inclusion of people increased the realism of this scene. I struggled with getting my actors to fully act in front of others in the arcade, as they were extremely shy, however after many takes, and many motivational speeches they loosened up and got into the acting spirit.

The duration of our filming time, was cut short, because one of my actors (Lewis) had to attend a very important family dinner. Which resulted us stopping and returning home.

This scene, involved a narrative, where Lewis and Bemi had to act as if they were in love, and act out what a usual couple may do when they go out, which consisted laughing facial expressions, smiles, and great eye contact with each other. However they also had to act out a hate scene, which involved countless arguments and angry facial expressions, and also involved them being upset with each other.

lighting, makeup, costumes, location Scene 2

Scene  2
This scene just briefly involves  the couple Bemi and Lewis having a good time in the arcade, this scene involves laughing facial expressions, smiles, and just generally enjoying each others company. However this scene also involves, anger, and arguments with both of them. This related to the lyrics of my music video.
Time line
Costumes
Below is what I have informed my female actor (Bemi) and my male actor (Lewis) to wear on the following filming date The theme is casual, effortless dressing, for this scene. I have chosen for Bemi to wear a checkered shirt, to connote confusion and uncertainty of her relationship with Lewis, however on the other hand I have chosen for her to wear this because of the busy scene in the arcade, I want her to stand out from the dark background in the arcade. The leggings, jacket and beanie hat, are all black I chose this colour,as the majority of my target audience said that they will expect to see black clothing in my music video. (evident in the results from my primary research)
The majority of my target audience voted that the fashion and clothing of an Artist are the most important factor in an R&B music video.

Location and Lighting

Above is Surrey quays arcade. I have chosen this location because I was inspired by Rihanna 'We found love video' which represents Rihanna in her relationship, there is mass confusion in  her relationship, which features love and hate scenes with her partner. I am aware that arcades are often really busy on the weekend, which is why I have decided to film in the weekday, which I assume, it may not be as busy. I have already gained permission to use this location, when me and Bemi went there to ask whilst we attended our friends birthday, and the manager granted us his permission, as long as we don't exceed our filming period on each game, so that others can also use it. If for some reason we cannot use this location I have decided that we should just film in the Bowling alley, which is inside the arcade, but is on the opposite side, that way Bemi and Lewis can play bowling whilst acting as if they re in love and hate each other. I have decided to bring my flash flight for additional lighting for I am aware that the arcade will be dark

Hair and Make up

I have decided that Bemi's make up should be as natural as it can be, to connote her innocence in their relationship, and to contradict the busy-ness in the arcade location. However this challenges the codes and conventions of a R&B music video, as they usually wear heavy make up to stand out.  She will have no evident eye make up, to increase the realism of a effortless day out with her boyfriend towards the audience.  Bemi will have a beanie hat on, with her hair coming down on both sides. This is to moreover emphasise her natural make up and her casual outfit. 

Filming day 1

Scene:1
Location: Hither green
Time: 5:10pm - 7:30
Duration: 1:45mins
Total amount of breaks: 0

Today I filmed scene 1 in hither green .  Unfortunately my my video camera that I was originally intending  to use to film my first scene broke, thankfully I have re ordered another camera online, however I am still awaiting for it to be delivered. Using my initiative I decided to use my replacement alternative, camera; my iPhone to record my music video, I am aware that the quality will not be great, however if I have extra time towards the end of the week, I hope to re record scene 1 all over again, as it was filmed when it was getting dark. and my additional lighting equipment was not as successful in brightening up the location. I think that my biggest downfall to the success of my music video is the season; for we are in the autumn period, and unfortunately it gets dark very quickly. Moreover because I am in full time education, my available filming times are mostly after school, and the weekend, which is not conveniently long enough, for me to meet the day time period.
Reverting back to my primary research, it presents to me that my audience  preferred my music video to be a narrative based video involving a male and a female. This is why I have decided to use Lewis and Bemi in this scene. This scene is also known as the 'come across' scene where Bemi comes across Lewis (her ex boyfriend) on the road, however it turns out to just be a random stranger. Moreover my target audience elected that the 'lighting' is the least important factor in an R&B music video.
 I am unfortunately still scouting for another male actor who can be the 'second face' of Lewis. Hopefully by the end of this week I would have found him. I am going to make numerous of phone calls to my male friends, I will explain the aims of my coursework, and what I expect of him, in my music video, with the hope of him granting me his permission, and his willingness to be involved in my music video.
My actors were very co operative, however at times they did find it difficult to consistently concentrate, not laugh, and follow directions effectively and appropriately. In my next shoot, I will be more assertive as a director, by placing great emphasis on time, and directions expected.
However in contrast I believe that it was a successful day of filming, in terms of the fact that there were very minimal disturbances, at the location, and my actors performed extremely well, moreover they had great connection in front of the camera.
 My plans for my future filming sessions is to film a short scene of Kevin just walking past Bemi. When I am editing this scene I hope to present the 'come across' scene to my audience Lewis's face and Joshua's face, in the same position and frame, to make it look as if they are 'one' in the point of view of Bemis imagination by continuous editing.
Below is a snap shot from my real footage:

lighting, makeup, costumes, location Scene 1

SCENE ONE -

This scene is just where Bemi and Lewis walk past each other on the street, and Bemi thinks he looks a little bit familiar, 'are you sure we haven't met before' (linking the lyrics to the visuals, which follows Andrew Godwin's theory of linking the lyrics to the visuals). However it turns out not to be Lewis however just a random boy. (the revelation of the different boy will appear at the end of the video)

Above is my unfinished story board, for one of my scenes in my music video. Where the girl and they boy walk past each other on the street. She recognises him, and so does he. I have made this little production on windows live movie maker, I previously just recorded it on my iPhone. This scene will be involving various shots such as:

Long shot: To introduce the main artist, and to introduce the audience to the scene and location. Moreover to present the movement of the boy and the girl on the street.
Medium shot:
Close up sot: To present importance, and also show relevant emotions shown through the facial expressions. The emotions I will be directing my actors to show are
- Confusion
- The girl recognises the boys face
Shot reverse shot: So that the audience can be aware of each others perception of the situation
Point of view shot: To present what the boy and the girl are viewing (each other)
Tracking shot: To show the movement of the boy and the girl as they walk past each other

The time line

This is an important area of my planning . It will allow me to place a time frame on each shot and fit perfectly with the soundtrack. From creating a video storyboard I am able to see what frames need to be a certain length perfectly in relation to the song. Creating a plan like this improves time management and organisation, so that I know exactly what to film, for how long, which characters need to be in the shot, and whatever props and visual aids I may require.
Costume
Towards the right is what I have informed my female actor (Bemi) and my male actor (Lewis) to wear on the filming date 26/10/2012. The theme is casual, any other day outfit, for the first scene.
I have chosen a turquoise colour for my female 'artist' to wear, because this colour connotes an emotional  imbalance. This heavily relates to the narrative of my music video. There is no specific colour scheme in this scene as it will be filmed at night time, so therefore, a colour scheme may not be as effective towards the audience as much as I want it to be.The majority of my target audience voted that the fashion and clothing of an Artist are the most important factor in an R&B music video.
I have challenged the stereotypical codes and conventions of an R&B music video, in terms of the female expectations. I have not exposed her, for as Laura Mulvey suggested that this is purely for a Male Gaze. I avoided this convention, however I dressed my female ;artist' quite sexy in a tight pencil skirt, and a pet plum style top, just to have her right to dress up and be sexually attractive, which supports the Post Feminism female gaze approach.
In contrast I have followed the stereotypical codes and conventions of a male featuring in an R&B music video, as I have appointed him to wear , a hoodie and baggy jeans with trainer these all represent an urban aspect in the R&B genre, however I will not be having him go topless, which is commonly presented in an R&B music video.

Bemi                                                                             Lewis

Location 

This is where  intend to shoot Scene 1. I want to film it during the evening where there is some natural light coming into my video. I have chosen to film my first scene here, because during the evening time of the day, the lights on the pole appear, this crates a really pretty setting for my music video. Hopefully if I film whilst it gets pitch black, I hope the additional lights help brighten up the scene.

Hair and Make up
I have decided to suggest to Bemi, to have long weave with a middle parting in the middle, as I noticed that middle parting weave was extremely popular in R&B soul music videos. Beyonce often has this hairstyle. It is very feminine and looks classy and attractive.

Bemis make up should be very slightly natural, as it promotes innocence and purity, however this challenges the codes and conventions of a R&B music video, as they usually wear heavy make up to stand out.  She will have no evident eye make up, to increase the realism of a 'casual day out' towards the audience. 

In contrast Bemi will wear a subtly bright pink lipstick/lip gloss to stand out in the dark setting.  The pink colour connotes femininity, it can also be connected to romance, love, and friendship  which plays a huge role in the narrative of my music video.

Story boards

Potential Actors & Shortlist

Today I made numerous phone calls. On the phone I explained the purpose of my phone call, by explaining  what was expected in my media coursework. I managed to get hold of 6 potential actors for my music video. I have assessed their potential credibility to acquire my role. For my music video I will be needing one boy and one girl.

I called my friends and associates: Paris, Ramel, Nisha, Victoria, Bemi and Lewis.

Underneath are 'Instagram' pictures of my potential actors.

Name: Nisha

Age: 18

    Ethnicity: Mixed Black and Chinese

     In Full Time Education  

Name: Paris

Age 18

Ethnicity: Mixed Black Caribbean and White

In Full Time Education

Name: Ramel

Age: 17

Ethnicity: Black Caribbean

Part time employed and Part time in education

Name: Victoria

Age: 17

Ethnicity: Black African

In full time education

Name: Lewis

Age: 18

Ethnicity: Mixed Black Caribbean and White

Unemployed and Not in Education

Name: Bemi

Age: 18

Ethnicity: Black African

Not in full time education

                            This picture above was found on facebook. It is of Bemi and Lewis.


I have been looking through my potential cast members. I have taken into account the their looks, and they all potentially fit the R&B Soul genre. It is common that actors in a music video are often from some sort of a Black origin or ethnicity. I have also taken into account their availability. and it seems that Nisha Paris and Victoria are all in full time education.; This clearly suggests that they may not be fully available or be dedicated to my music video 100%, that is why I have decided to remove them from my potential cast list, as they may not be as available. Ramel declined my proposition, as he says he doesn't want to be on camera or be viewed by any others.,

I have come to the light that Bemi and Lewis are currently not in full time education so therefore they are going to be more available and therefore be more dedicated to the production of my music video. I have arranged filming dates, on a time table. The green highlighted boxes represent the days that filming is meant to take place, and my actors Bemi and Lewis are expected to be present, as most of the filming dates are in the half term also. I have gained verbal consent from both of them over the phone, explaining that my music video will be shown to the examiners, and my media teachers, and they have agreed to allow me to use them as my actors

Bemi and Lewis will be excellent for the role of my actors. The narrative involves a love story behind a couple, and as seen from the picture above, Bemi and Lewis seem like they have a natural connection in front of the camera. I hope that this will be conveyed in my music video, to create realism towards my audience.








30th October 2012 (update)
So far, my filming schedule has not been followed effectively, either one of my actors are unable to meet the date, or both of them, family crisis. I am struggling to re schedule dates, however I am trying to film as much as I can in one day so that my actors are satisfied.

Roles & Responsibilities before filming

Health and Safety
1) No filming in appropriate locations:
 - Before I start filming I will research accessibility and availability of that location, moreover I will attend that location before hand to ensure that it will be an appropriate location that I have permission to film on.
2) Check the safety of the locations e.g. roads
- Before I start filming, I will check the safety of locations, I will look out for danger signs such as hazards  road signs etc.
3) Minimise the risk of theft of equipment
I will ensure that I bring a handy bag to place all my equipment in, and moreover always place it right next to somebody, or carry it along with me.
4) Ensure that an adult is aware of our whereabouts, and also ensure that I have my phone with credit on it
5) Check that all my equipment is working before I leave my house
I will always charge my battery, and always check my battery status, moreover I will always check my memory status
6) Ensure that I have permission for filming if necessary
If I will be for example filming on private property, I will try and get verbal permission or some form of consent before I start filming
7) Always film with an additional person
This is to make sure of our own safety and guidance of all our equipment
8) Ensure that I have permission of those I will be filming.
This can be either verbal or written.

PERMISSION ?

http://www.islanddefjam.com/default.aspx?labelID=62 (official website)

I have emailed the chairman of Def Jam records, of whom I found on the Internet, because it was very difficult for me to find the initial email address of Def Jam Records, however I found the Chair man's email address on wikipedia, and apparently he is always very interested in what the audience have to ask him. So I am hoping that I get a reply in return.
I briefly explained my purpose of the email, which explains that it is ONLY for my media studies coursework. I wrote this email to avoid allegations of copyright, against me or my school.