Evaluating our Preliminary Task:
For our preliminary task, what we had to do was create a swede which involved choosing a music video that had already been produced and then create our own version of the same video and it had to be one minute to one minute and 30 seconds in length. The video that my group decided to do was 'You Belong With Me' by Taylor Swift. Just below you can see the storyboard that we created for our swede:
You can watch our swede just below:
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1) How have you constructed key shots and included camera shot, movement and angle?
Above you can see some of our very beginning shots which were successful in matching the shot types and timings of the official music video. In this GIF you are able to see the medium shot of the boy talking angrily on the phone which then cuts to a wide shot and matches the timings of the official music video.
Here you can see another GIF which shows other key shots that we constructed. In this sequence we included two medium shots and a medium close-up shots. It begins with a medium shot of the boy walking past the window and the camera then cuts into a medium close-up, showing the girl's face in more detail. Although small, this detail was key in constructing this specific part of the video which we successfully created.
On the other hand, we had some difficulty creating some of the shots which were filmed through windows. For example, in the shot below you can see that it is not exactly matching to the same shot from the official music video.
Because we were shooting our swede at school we were relatively limited in what we could do and we were unable to find a two buildings which were next to each other and had windows on the side facing directly each other, which is what is seen in the official video. As a result of this we had to improvise and film some scenes inside, without a window in front.
In terms of camera movement, there was not actually much camera movement needed for this video, with the only shot significantly needing some movement being the very first shot.
This is the shot of the two houses (just one building in our video) in which the camera zooms in on the houses. In our video we accidentally zoomed out instead of in which is not very noticeable but it is definitely a mistake we have picked up on and will ensure that it does not happen again.
For camera angles, we mainly used eye-level shots and no extreme angles were used.
2) How have we used mise-en-scene?
Above you can see some of our very beginning shots which were successful in matching the shot types and timings of the official music video. In this GIF you are able to see the medium shot of the boy talking angrily on the phone which then cuts to a wide shot and matches the timings of the official music video.
Here you can see another GIF which shows other key shots that we constructed. In this sequence we included two medium shots and a medium close-up shots. It begins with a medium shot of the boy walking past the window and the camera then cuts into a medium close-up, showing the girl's face in more detail. Although small, this detail was key in constructing this specific part of the video which we successfully created.
On the other hand, we had some difficulty creating some of the shots which were filmed through windows. For example, in the shot below you can see that it is not exactly matching to the same shot from the official music video.
Because we were shooting our swede at school we were relatively limited in what we could do and we were unable to find a two buildings which were next to each other and had windows on the side facing directly each other, which is what is seen in the official video. As a result of this we had to improvise and film some scenes inside, without a window in front.
In terms of camera movement, there was not actually much camera movement needed for this video, with the only shot significantly needing some movement being the very first shot.
This is the shot of the two houses (just one building in our video) in which the camera zooms in on the houses. In our video we accidentally zoomed out instead of in which is not very noticeable but it is definitely a mistake we have picked up on and will ensure that it does not happen again.
For camera angles, we mainly used eye-level shots and no extreme angles were used.
2) How have we used mise-en-scene?
Our main use of mise-en-scene was through props and décor. We used a variety of props, mainly for the shots showing the girl's bedroom, such as books, magazines, jewellery, deodorant and a blanket. The blanket, along with a table, was used to create a makeshift bed as, because we had to film our preliminary in school, we did not have access to an actual bed so we had to improvise.
For lighting we used mainly quite light and kept the lighting the same as the music video. In terms of costume we had a range of different outfits because during the beginning of the music video, there is a sequence of the girl singing into the mirror but lots of different shots are used to show her in different outfits. Below you can see this sequence which shows the number of outfit changes that we had to make:
For these range of costumes we tried to make them look as similar as possible to the actual musk video by using similar items of clothing and similar colours.
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| Above you can see an image of our makeshift bed in comparison to the same shot from the official music video |
For lighting we used mainly quite light and kept the lighting the same as the music video. In terms of costume we had a range of different outfits because during the beginning of the music video, there is a sequence of the girl singing into the mirror but lots of different shots are used to show her in different outfits. Below you can see this sequence which shows the number of outfit changes that we had to make:
For these range of costumes we tried to make them look as similar as possible to the actual musk video by using similar items of clothing and similar colours.
3) How have we edited our preliminary task?
We have edited our preliminary task primarily by making sure that our own shots match the timings and lengths of the official music video. However, we have also made use of editing through shot transitions. For instance, the first shot of the two houses then fades into the second shot, so for our video we applied this transition through the use of the editing software Final Cut Pro, an image of which you can see below:
We have edited our preliminary task primarily by making sure that our own shots match the timings and lengths of the official music video. However, we have also made use of editing through shot transitions. For instance, the first shot of the two houses then fades into the second shot, so for our video we applied this transition through the use of the editing software Final Cut Pro, an image of which you can see below:
Other than transitions, there was no major editing needed for our swede, making it relatively easy to edit.
4) Performance-wise, how important is this? Is the acting or performing convincing?
The acting and performing throughout the music video is convincing and well-portrayed for the two different characters. However, as we were limited at times for props, at times it was difficult for the actors to give convincing performances.
You can see an example of this above. For these shots of the official music video the boy peers through the window behind his curtains but unfortunately we did not have access to any curtains and had to use a white board instead which was difficult for our actor to use as a curtain, making his performance at this time a little less convincing.
You can see an example of this above. For these shots of the official music video the boy peers through the window behind his curtains but unfortunately we did not have access to any curtains and had to use a white board instead which was difficult for our actor to use as a curtain, making his performance at this time a little less convincing.
5) How well planned were you? Are there any ways in which you could have been more prepared?
In terms of mise-en-scene we were very well-planned because we brought all the props we needed on filming day, including costumes and accessories. On the other hand, we had only vaguely discussed the different locations that we were going to film in and when it came to filming day one of the locations that we had planned to film in was being used so it was not available. Eventually the room became free but it meant that the filming process was delayed slightly. When it comes to our final product, we will discuss the various locations that we will use and make sure that they are available for us to use when it comes to filming.
6) What have you learnt from completing this task?
One thing that I have learnt from completing my preliminary task is that music videos require many, many different shots which means that they take a lot of time to film, telling us that we need to plan ahead when it comes to our final product. Because music videos require such a lot of planning, my group will need to ensure that we have done our research ahead of time and that we have planned the various different aspects of our music video, including storyboarding, different camera shots, angles and movements, editing and mise-en-scene.
As well as this, I have also learnt that music videos need to focus on the identity of the artist and their portrayal in the video. For instance, with this Taylor Swift music video of 'You Belong With Me', she becomes an actress and plays a specific character during the video and the video is centred around the character that she plays. So if we decide to characterise our artist within our music video we need to focus the video around their character, in order to successfully sell the artist to the viewer.
Lastly, one other thing that I have learnt from this task is that music videos use many close-up shots, primarily of the artist, again, in order to successfully sell what is on sale. Although I primarily learnt this through creating my own swede from the 'You Belong With Me' video, this feature is common to all music videos and is also a key point in Goodwin's theory. As the vast majority of music videos employ the use of close-ups, we will include several of these shots in our own music video as a way of using some of the conventions of music videos.
7) Overall, how effective has your contribution to this task been?
One thing that I have learnt from completing my preliminary task is that music videos require many, many different shots which means that they take a lot of time to film, telling us that we need to plan ahead when it comes to our final product. Because music videos require such a lot of planning, my group will need to ensure that we have done our research ahead of time and that we have planned the various different aspects of our music video, including storyboarding, different camera shots, angles and movements, editing and mise-en-scene.
As well as this, I have also learnt that music videos need to focus on the identity of the artist and their portrayal in the video. For instance, with this Taylor Swift music video of 'You Belong With Me', she becomes an actress and plays a specific character during the video and the video is centred around the character that she plays. So if we decide to characterise our artist within our music video we need to focus the video around their character, in order to successfully sell the artist to the viewer.
Lastly, one other thing that I have learnt from this task is that music videos use many close-up shots, primarily of the artist, again, in order to successfully sell what is on sale. Although I primarily learnt this through creating my own swede from the 'You Belong With Me' video, this feature is common to all music videos and is also a key point in Goodwin's theory. As the vast majority of music videos employ the use of close-ups, we will include several of these shots in our own music video as a way of using some of the conventions of music videos.
7) Overall, how effective has your contribution to this task been?
My personal contribution to making our preliminary task has been very effective. In terms of producing the swede, I was largely responsible for props and costumes which are key features of mise-en-scene and on filming day, I brought a range of props and clothes needed. Also, I helped assisting with camerawork and cinematography which ensured that certain shots were framed and angled correctly.
