Shooting Our Pop Video

On Thursday 11th November, our media group filmed the song L.E.S Artistes for our pop video, in the Hurtwood House Studios. I felt that our shooting day went really well, we filmed all the shots needed to complete our storyboard and as a group we worked well to achieve really interesting and creative footage.
The cast and crew assembled at 8.50 and instantly the cast went to hair and makeup whilst the crew set the studio up for our first set. We chose to film the roof top sequence first, as this was perhaps our most important shot and we knew it would take time to rehearse the band and set the studio. Once the set and cast were ready, we firstly rehearsed the band and went over how we wanted them to perform the song. After two rehearsals, we decided to start filming our initial shots. We firstly filmed the whole band in wide shot, and then we decided to film a series of close-ups and pans. It took time for the band to warm up therefore; our initial shots weren’t as strong however, with time the band started to really get into and by the end of the roof-top sequence they were on top form. Perhaps, looking back we might have decided to film the roof-top sequence last as the band would be fully ‘warmed-up’.
Once completely, all the necessary shots for the roof-top sequence. We set up the prison sand changed Ruby (the singer’s) costume and makeup, so that after lunch we could instantly begin filming. After having lunch, all the crew and cast met at 1.30 and began to film. I felt the prison set looked particularly effective; when we first filmed the sequence in wide we thought that the bars on the set looked too clean for a prison. Therefore, we decided to use brown paint to create a rustic effect on the bars. The set now looked complete and we decided to re-shoot the wide shot again. After going through ideas and suggestions with Ruby as to how she was to perform the song (head flicks, eye contact, dancing around etc) we began to race through a variety of different shots (close-ups on the face and body etc). I felt that Ruby did really well in the prison sequence because her movements and eye contact with camera created this star-image that we knew was crucial for the success of our video.
Once completing the prison sequence, we quickly changed and assembled the set for the tunnel sequence. This was a lot easier to set up as the tunnel was already prepared and apart from lighting most of the tunnel sequence relies on editing to create its depth and mise-en-scene. After Ruby’s costume change and the set was ready, we began to film the tunnel sequence. I loved filming this section because although it was quite simple to film. It was fun exploring the shots we could use to convey the ‘star-image’ of Ruby. We decided to use a variety of low angle close-ups and slow pans to emphasis Ruby’s dominance over the camera which created powerful and striking footage.
Overall, I felt that our shooting day went really well. I enjoyed playing a variety of different roles from hair and makeup, camera and directing the cast. I felt that as a group we were organised and worked really well as a team to make sure our cast and crew were comfortable and knew what they were doing. Looking back, perhaps we could have had a few rehearsals before our shooting day, so that our cast were fully prepared.

Creating our Storyboard

Once completing our timeline and discussing possible studio layouts. We began to construct our storyboard. We decided to divide the song up into sections with a simple story running through it (a girl escapes from jail, through a tunnel to the top of a rooftop where she then escapes by a helicopter). It took time to construct the storyboard as we knew we needed the camera angles and shots (low-angle close-up on the eyes, hands and lips etc.) to create the powerful star image of our female lead singer. We also wanted the shots of the all male band to further this idea of the female lead’s dominance and power. However, we also wanted to use fast jump cuts and creative shots to emphasis the upbeat tempo and lightness of the song which would enable our band, and the song to appeal to a wide demographic.

Studio and Performance Layouts

Once completing our timeline, we began to look at possible studio layouts which would compliment the song and fit in within our timeline.

Creating our timeline

After choosing the song L.E.S Artistes, we knew that in order to create a successful and logical storyboard we needed to create a structured timeline. We initially just divided up the lyrics and the music and noted down the times of the chorus, new verses etc. However once completing the basic timeline we noted and highlighted key moments within the song that stood out for an interesting or specific shot to put in our storyboard (for example any drum rolls or important lyrics we wanted to emphasis in our video). Highlighting the key moments within the song will greatly help us when writing our story board as we have a specific and clear structure to follow.

Other Aritsts on Universal Records

Track Choices, why did you choose that song?

Our group have found choosing a song rather challenging as we have wanted to find a song that would appeal to a wide demographic and still be edgy and young. Initially we were looking at dance tracks for the band's first single such as; Jefferson Airplane’s ‘Don't You Want Somebody To Love?’ and Robin S’ Show Me Love’. We also have been researching songs with a similar band formation to The Escape such as; No Doubt. However, after some debating we have decided to avoid doing a classic dance track or something very well known and chose to look at songs written by less known artists. This is where we have found L.E.S Artistes written by Santo Gold. The song seems to be perfect for our band because not only is the song fresh and unknown, the strong female lead vocals and regular intervals of instrumental incorporates the whole band.