Unit 24: Writing for Television and Film Task 2 - Researching other people's stories

The Spider and the Fly is a poem by Mary Howitt, published in 1829. The first line of the poem is "'Will you walk into my parlour?' said the Spider to the Fly." The poem tells of a cunning Spider who ensnares a naïve Fly through the use of seduction and flattery.

My understanding is that this story type is about the Spider's use of flattery and charm to disguise their true evil intentions and the Fly's naivety.  

Red Riding

The 7 minute short Red Riding, directed by Louis J. Parker and Dominique Miranda is a film based on my story type.

http://www.thesmalls.com/film/red-riding-short-fantasy-film

3 Act Structure

Act 1 - Set Up

In the beginning of the film we are introduced to the protagonist and the antagonist. As the protagonist is happily dancing in the forest alone we see the antagonist sneaking up and watching her from behind a tree. He creeps up to her while her back is turned and as she turns to face him, he winks and smiles. The pair kiss and begin to dance together, running throughout the forest. Like a game of cat and mouse, the protagonist is always in front of the antagonist. Suddenly he disappears and she is left alone for a brief moment in time. He appears behind her and holds her arm with a sinister feel, showing power over her in a threatening situation.  This is the inciting incident/catalyst that draws the audience in.

Act 2 - Confrontation

The action begins to rise in the middle act. The protagonist tries to escape the antagonist but finds herself in a worse situation as she has injured her leg falling. As she frantically tries to find a way out of the forest (that gradually gets thicker and darker) the antagonist stalks her, like a predator hunting his prey. He takes slow steps, knowing he holds the upper hand.

Act 3 - Resolution

The protagonist reaches a dead end, the antagonist has caught her. As she struggles and falls backwards, he suddenly reaches for her and the screen goes to black.

In this short film, the dancing resembles speech. There isn't any physical talking, but the characters talk through movement. When they first meet we can see the anticipation as they circle each other, trying to suss each other out. The antagonist uses his good looks and charm to seduce her, leading to a kiss. After they kiss (which the antagonist instigates) the tone is lighter as the protagonist starts a game of chase laughing. However, the antagonist doesn't seem to be as happy. After entertaining her game the antagonist decides to take a sinister approach. He grabs her violently and pursues her until she is stuck in a dead end. He finally gets what he was after the whole time.

My short film will loosely follow the same three act structure, with the characters talking online.

Characters

The story is a modern day fable exploring the terrifying notion that people may not always be as they seem, it follows the well known fairy-tale characters Little Red Riding Hood and her meeting with the Big Bad Wolf.

The protagonist - Red Riding Hood

She is a naïve young girl dressed in red enjoying dancing in a forest. Although she doesn't speak, her innocence is portrayed through her graceful movements and facial expressions. She is quick to dismiss the situation in which she meets the antagonist and falls for his enticing smile straight away.

The antagonist - The Big Bad Wolf 
He is a predator hunting his prey; in his eyes the young girl. He is dressed in black and grey, straight away this makes the audience realise he is a dark character compared to the colourful Red Riding. He walks slowly but surely and always keeps his eyes on the protagonist. He charms her into thinking he's something he's not.

Unit 30: Advertisement Production for Television - Class Task

Today we began our next unit, advertising. We had to find some information about

BARB; Broadcaster's Audience  Research Board

They provide weekly UK audience figures and offer a minute by minute breakdown of viewing at regional and national levels.

They carefully select a panel of private homes and an average is taken. This consists of 5100 households, which each represent 5000 other households across the UK.

We then looked at where we encounter advertising such as; YouTube, any channel except the BBC, websites, newspapers.

We were asked about what adverts are memorable. When I think of adverts the first thing that pops into my mind is the John Lewis Christmas adverts (it doesn't help that it's nearly Christmas) this is because they make me feel a certain emotion when watching. This is called immersive advertising; when you are emotionally invested/involved. Another advertisement I find memorable is for Go Compare (not for the right reasons) they have the most irritating man in the world singing the most annoying-ily catchy song! As soon as the company realised how memorable this character was they used it repeatedly in every advert, making sure a link was made and when thinking of a comparison website people would start singing the song/jingle stuck in their head.

The persuasive strategies used by advertisers who want you to buy their product can be divided into three categories:

Pathos - An appeal to emotion

An advertisement using pathos will attempt to evoke an emotional response from the audience. This can either be a positive emotion (happiness from a family enjoying themselves together) or a negative emotion (pain from a stressful situation).

Logos - An appeal to logic or reason

An advertisement using logos will give you the evidence and statistics you need to fully understand what the product does. The logos of an advertisement will be the 'straight facts' such as, a innocent smoothie contains two of your five a day. 

Ethos - An appeal to credibility or character

An advertisement using ethos will try to convince you that the company is more reliable, honest and credible. Resulting in you buying the product. Ethos often involves statistics from reliable experts such as, nine out of ten dentists agree that Colgate whitening is better than any other brand. Often, celebrities will endorse a product to lend it credibility.

Audience Responses

Denotation: is the common sense or everyday meaning of a sign; for example, a red rose is a garden plant. This is it's denotational meaning.

Connotation: In using a name or label which our audience has used before, we suggest not only the meaning we intend but also a varying range of personal memories of other occasions when this word or label has been encountered. These memories/thoughts which we inspire by using these labels is connotation.

An image of the Queen's crown (the denotational meaning) makes me think of a weekend trip to London with my Grandparent's years ago (the connotational meaning).  
If you make the connotations that the producer of the media text meant you to make, then this is called a preferred reading.
If you make different connotations from those which the producer intended you to make, then this is called an oppositional reading.

Unit 29: Music Video Production - My finished music video

Unit 29: Music Video Production Task 2 - "Daylight" 9/11/15

Today we began filming our music video! 

Me, Chloe and Harvey arrived at the location (Kane's house) at 1pm will all the equipment (camera, tripod, mic and two lights). We began setting up and testing to check if everything was working properly.

Then we had some dinner while going through our paperwork! We went through our storyboard and shot lists and began a mental timeline of how the evening would go.

Just before 4pm Audrey arrived. As the actor who was playing the business man could not make it, Kane had to step in for the role. After a quick costume change we then began filming the scenes with the Business man and his wife; starting in the dining room, followed by the kitchen and then the front room scenes.

After an hour and a half in the makeup department Keiran arrived for the Old Man scenes... In his AMAZING make up.

Although things didn't go to plan we got all the shots we needed and overall the day was a success! I had a lot of fun and can't wait to continue/finish filming the Soldier scenes on Friday.

Unit 29: Music Video Production Task 2 - "Daylight" 05/11/15

Today we continued our pre-production paperwork. 

I worked alongside Kane (Director) for most of the session to complete our storyboards and develop our ideas into visuals we can follow. 

I also contacted our chosen actors asking if they'd be interested in taking on a role. We were successful and now have five excited individuals ready for work: 

Sam Brown, as the soldier and main focus of the video. 

Bobby Howard, as the soldier's girlfriend. 

Anesu Nhari, as the business man. 

Audrey Cook, as the business man's wife.

Kieran Dixon, as the elderly man. 

My two year old son, Bradley Cooper, will also be involved playing the soldiers child. 

I also worked around the actors to find suitable dates/times that suited us all. Filming will begin Monday the 9th and continue Friday the 13th. 

We finally spoke to the Make-Up students about their availability to help with our project and will be seeing them on Monday. 

Later today I will be ordering the soldiers costume online ready for Friday.  

As a group we have decided to meet at college late Monday morning to acquire the equipment needed and begin setting up at our first location. Ready for a 5:00pm start. 

I can't wait to get started. 

Unit 29: Music Video Production Task 2 - "Daylight" 02/11/15

Today we began our pre-production paperwork.

As well as beginning a shot list, scene breakdowns and storyboards I wrote and posted our casting requirements on the appropriate Facebook page to enlist actors. 

I included a copy of our music video treatment so that the actors could understand and visualise our idea before volunteering to be in it. 

I feel that all of the team are really enthuastisic and completing work to a good standard, as well as in our time limit. 

Unit 24: Writing for Televison and Film - 1st Story Idea

I have chosen the original story type, the spider and the fly.
The target audience: 15-18 years old - Youth Audience


My idea for a story is about the binary opposites, a killer and the protagonist.
My synopsis is:

Beyond the Safe Zone lies darkness shrouded in mystery and secrets. 17 year old Isabel has always craved to learn what's out there. On her 18th birthday she and her friends sneak away to discover what they've been kept away from all their lives... or who.

Unit 29: Music video Production Task 2 - "You're Beautiful" cont.

Conventions

Lyric interpretation in music videos is when the lyrics match the visuals on screen, when the video actually links to what the artist is singing. Aqua's 'Barbie Girl' shows this perfectly. The characters, setting costume and scenes follow the lyrics strictly. 

Extending or consolidating song's meaning in a music video is when mise en scene is used to further push the deeper, subtle meaning of a song.

Allusion in music videos is when an artist slyly refers to a circumstance from outside the music industry. Taylor Swift uses this in her video for 'Love Story". As it compares to the famous literature love story of Romeo and Juliet.

Links to other artists is when a video includes a reference to another artist. 

Techniques 

Cutting to the beat in music videos tends to make use of the tempo of the track to drive the editing and may emphasise particular sounds by focusing on instruments etc. The White Stripes 'Hardest Button To Button' uses cutting to the beat throughout the song.

Effects include stop motion, green screen and CGI. Michael Jackson's first ever music video for 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough' began the birth of the green screen era. A space effect is used in the background as Michael performs his first hit. The post-production technique chroma key is also used in this music video. As green screen is used, the video process of laying two images/videos together is needed. 

Miming and lip sync is used in lots of music videos. Nickelback's 'Rockstar' includes different people miming along to the bands recorded song. This adds some fun and entertainment as people relate to the scenarios of the song. 

Multi-Mage is a technique used when multiple videos are on one screen. Example's video for 'Kickstarts' uses this to show all the characters and different scenarios revolving around the theme of love. 

Camera Movements in music video may accompany movement of performers or used to create a more dynamic feel to stage performances e.g.. circling performers on stage. Close-up's are used to show the artist as a star but also as a commodity for sale like a product. Kiesza's 'Hideaway' is an example of a one shot, tracking shot.

Unit 29: Music Video Production Task 2 - “You’re Beautiful”

A music video is a short film that combines a song with imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Music videos use a wide range of styles, conventions and techniques to make them original and interesting. 

The main purposes of music videos are to:

Promote the artist

Increase a songs popularity and income 

Use the extension of outlets to appeal to a larger audience; through social media, YouTube and music channels.  

Synergy is when a video is used alongside another product. An example of this is in Kick Ass 2 when Union J's music video is actually played in a memorable scene in the film. 

Producers use strategies to change a music videos image in an effective way. 

Styles

Popular music genres pop, rock and rap will all have certain styles of music videos relating to that type of music. A generic rap video will normally consist of the rapper himself and his 'entourage', this can be seen in Dr.Dre's "Still D.R.E.".

This music video contains many of the common traits found in rap videos such as; drugs, cars, women, alcohol, money and blatant expressions of machismo.

A dance/techno music video will at least have one shot in a club/party setting; reflecting the style of the audience. They are set in an exotic location, giving the feeling of a party and summer. This is how they want the audience to feel when listening/watching the track. Basshunter "All I Ever Wanted".

In-concert and ‘as live’ footage is a popular style of music video with bands.  It's obvious Korn's "Right Now" is a live footage music video as we see continuous shots of the members of the band and also the audience.

 It portrays the vibrant atmosphere and really makes the viewer feel as if they are present; showing how much of a great time they have witnessing the band live.

Animation is the use of drawings to illustrate lyrics and meanings. This style is continuously used in music videos; Steven Wilson’s “The Raven That Refused to Sing” is a great example.

This style of music video creates an intense atmosphere with it's imaginative and thought provoking short. It brings the haunting story of the song to life, linking with the lyrics. The simple animation style, based largely on the gentle movements of hand-cut paper models, fits the mood perfectly. Interpretative music videos encourage the audience to create their own interpretation of the meaning behind the song, this music video also does just that. Along with the lyrics,

"(the raven sings in a dream)
Sister I lost you
When you were still a child
But I need you now
And I need our former life
I'm afraid to wake
I'm afraid to love".

I think that the meaning behind the video is about loneliness and loss. The old man is at the end of his life and is waiting to die. The raven who visits him is a image of his older sister, who he lost when he was young. It seems that since then he has isolated himself in the woods and is now ready to be with her again.

Narrative music videos are often fragmented cutting between story and performance. Close up's on screen allows more intimacy than seeing a stage performance, allowing for observation of facial features, singing or simply allowing the audience to see the artist living 'their life'. Madonna's "Papa Don't Preach" is a storyline about teenage pregnancy and a girl who wants advice from her Father.

The music video follows a story's 3 act structure. The beginning, shows a time lapse of the main character 'Madonna' growing up with her father as the only parent figure. When she is older she meets a boy and they become lovers. The middle, she finds out she is pregnant and is shunned by her friends, she now faces the issue of telling her father and asking his advice. The end, she reaches a new resolution  as her father doesn't preach and comforts her.

Impressionist music videos focus on the more artistic images and the use of colour. Red Hot Chilli Peppers "Can't Stop" video was inspired by the One-Minute Sculptures of Erwin Wurm.

Surrealism: "a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature which sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images." Music videos of this style tend to be unconventional and different. 30 Seconds To Mars's "Hurricane" (censored) is a music video that is very unorthodox.

The band have put together a set of different images with some intertwined storylines to create a music video showing the darker corners of their artistic creativity.

Parody music videos imitate the style of a particular genre with deliberate exaggeration for comic effect. This "Bad Blood" parody by Bart Baker is for entertainment.

This music video is for the simple reason to entertain and make people laugh by imitating Taylor Swift's version. They change the lyrics to add to the comedy. This will result in more views and recognition for them, especially people who dislike Taylor's song version.

Referencing/Homage is a style of music video that can refer to a famous film, character or anything well known for either a short period of the video or the full duration. "Last Cup Of Sorrow" by Faith No More is a perfect example.

 The video references to Alfred Hitchcock's film, Vertigo; from the costume, to some of the most memorable scenes. The opening rooftop scene, the plunge into San Francisco bay and the belltower sequence complete with the famous Hitchcock zoom.

A pastiche music video is a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period. An example is, Robert Palmer's "Addicted To Love" imitated by Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like A Woman". 

The same setting and background, the same makeup and even most of the same shots. I range of master shots and close up's.

Styles of some music videos are influenced by the outside world, such as commercials/advertising. Some may advertise a way of life, for example Fergie's "Glamorous". 

This music video promotes the working-class lifestyle, compared to that of the wealthy.

Unit 29: Music Video Production Task 2

Director - Kane

Director of Photography - Harvey

Assistant Director/Production Designer - Chloe

Production Manager/Script Supervisor - Me

Script Advisor

The Script Supervisor ensures that the finished product makes continuous verbal and visual sense, during pre-production they check the script for any errors and/or inconsistencies and prepare estimated running times.

They develop story synopses and character breakdowns.

They check the shooting schedule to ensure that the required scenes will be shot and covered from all required angles, distances, etc. working as part of the camera department.

During the shoot, they work closely with the Director to anticipate and solve any potential problems.

They liaise closely about continuity with other departments including sound, costume, make-up and hair, props and lighting.

Skills

• Observation
• Attention to detail
• Have stamina to remain alert during shooting
• Able to take precise and detailed notes quickly and efficiently
• Excellent organisational skills and a practical approach to work
• Have good communication skills and show sensitivity when working with crew
• Able to remain friendly and calm in challenging situations
• Able to collaborate and work as part of a team

For Script Advisor I am most looking forward to developing the characters, working closely with the director to solve any potential problems and also working with the other potential departments.

Production Manager

Production Managers are in charge of the 'below-the-line' budget. This covers costs relating to the crew and the practicalities of running a production.

In pre-production, they estimate the materials needed and prepare draft budgets.

Once the overall budget has been agreed, Production Managers help Producers to recruit crew and suppliers.

Production Managers oversee the search for locations.

Skills

• Be dynamic and highly self-motivated
• Able to react calmly under intense pressure
• Have good planning and admin skills
• Highly organised
• Be a good negotiator
• Experienced at creating and managing budgets

For Production Manager I am most looking forward to recruiting crew and beginning to find locations for shooting, getting ready to start filming. I think I'll be good at this job because of my lifestyle. 

Unit 29: Music Video Production Task 1

Today we delivered our individual pitches. I didn't put forward my idea as well as I had hoped/planned. I think this was because I've never experienced a pitch before and my nerves got the best of me. However I am pleased with my notes as I included everything needed and completed the list to the best of my ability. 

My mood board showing consideration of performers style/image

Lyric analysis and length of product

My notes containing the main points I covered

My written proposal covering:

The title of the track and artist

The intended audience

An indication of the style/creative concept to be used

A summary of content

My music video production is for the track 'E.V.O.L' by the artist, Marina and the Diamonds.

The intended audience is girls and women of the age 16+, this will be because Marina's image is one that girls look up to; she is glamorous and wears clothes of a Hollywood star.

My video will loosely follow a narrative based storyline of a relationship 'gone wrong' and have lyric interpretation with most lines.

My creative concept revolves around Marina playing the beautiful pop-indie star in a toxic relationship, however she is continuously singing/preforming and acting flirty to the camera all the way through the video. She knows the camera is always there, but the other characters do not.

My videos first scene location is in a bedroom. The shot used will be birds eye, looking down on Marina and her lover laid in a pool of cut out hearts on a bed. (This shot will be cut into throughout the video.) Marina wearing a leopard print coat and stockings, with smudged pink lipstick and a head of tight curls will sing to the camera (lines 1-5). She then turns to her lover, who has his back to her and is fast asleep and sings the following two lines.

An over the shoulder two shot then shows both main characters getting ready; their reflections can be seen in their individual mirrors. Marina will be wearing a white shirt and applying her red lipstick while her lover perfects his hair. On line 9, they both look at each other and fake smile; pretending everything is fine.

This is then followed by a mid-shot of Marina stood in front of a plain white background, holding a huge cut-out heart. As each letter is said again and again, "L","o","v","e", there will be less than second editing changes as Marina moves across the screen; with the letter on the heart changing, almost spelling out the word on screen. The phrases, "do you love me?" and "love is evil" however, will be close ups of Marina singing directly to the camera.

Next is a wide shot in a Bar, the two main characters are on a date night. Marina can be seen sitting at a table in a glamorous black dress, red heels, red lipstick and holding a wine glass; while singing to the camera. She notices her lover flirting with a blonde girl at the bar and on the lines 19-20 he turns to Marina and they both fake smile, pretending everything is fine again. During the next two lines (while singing) Marina pours a drop of glittery evil potion into her Lover's drink.

Lines 23-24 cut back to the beginning master shot and lines 25-26 cut back to the bar; showing the Lover sipping his poisoned drink in a mid two shot. As the chorus starts again Marina nods towards the blonde at the bar and her Lover starts to get annoyed, he slams his hands on the table.

A long two shot shows Marina standing, walks to her Lover's side and pours her wine over his lap (edited as slow motion). She wipes her hands together and struts off screen, leaving behind her bewildered Lover.

The following shots are back in the plain room but this time Marina is ripping up the hearts and performing solely for the camera's entertainment. There will also be more shots from the first scene with Marina still singing on the bed but this time she pushes her lover off the side of the bed.

On the last two lines a close up of Marina will show her winking and then blowing a kiss to the camera, with a hand full of the glittery evil potion.

My group has been given Kane's idea: 'Daylight' by Boyce Avenue. I can't wait to get started!

Unit 24: Writing for Television and Video Class Task - Sitcom

Undercover: Lines of Justice


"State of mind, high.
 Chance of success, low."


Today my group (Matty, Kane and Taylor) researched the themes of our sitcom idea.

Drug themes

Breaking Bad and Weeds are both TV programmes following drug related storylines, however they only have entertaining characters; the characters and the situations aren’t comedic.

The film’s Jump Street 21 and Jump Street 22 are comedies. There are two main characters that are undercover agents; they portray a funny side to drug abuse.

Undercover Agents

Disguise one’s own identity for the purpose of gaining the trust of an individual or organisation to learn or confirm confidential information, or to gain the trust of targeted individuals in order to gather information or evidence. There are certain risks to being a undercover agent. Some can result in strains in a relationship, the need for secrecy and the inability to share work problems can prove a problem. The unpredictable work schedule along with personality and lifestyle changes can also pose a threat. Stress can be caused by not knowing when the investigation will actually end.

 

Unit 29: Music Video Production Task 1 - Monday 5th October 2015

Today I began my 'Money for nothing' assignment. In my group I was given the task of researching the purpose of extension of outlets for a music video. This included; music channels, DVDs, CDs, websites, downloads and smartphones. I am now going to find some relevant examples and images to illustrate my points. I'm hoping to find; a CD album with music videos on the content, an iPhone with iTunes uploaded automatically, and music channels on a to guide. We have created a joint prezi account for us all to put our information together into a presentation, ready to deliver to aspiring bands.

Unit 24: Writing for Television and Video Class Task - The Unknown

A couple of weeks back I was given the task of beginning and completing a 'What if?' Story structure. The name of my story is, The Unknown. I had to create a synopsis, a brief few lines to give an idea of the story which had to include the main character's name, the setting and key plot points to the story:

The day started off as any other for ordinary, city girl, receptionist Louise, but she has no idea how much can change in a few days... A government conspiracy and a diminishing population; who is left? Or what? 

The profiles for my characters include their dominant impression (outer presence) and their dominant attitude (inner presence).

Main Character 

Dominant impression:

My main character is called Louise and she is in her early 20's. She wears smart casual clothing in and out of work, but always has a pair of black pointed pumps and her laptop bag in hand. Her make up is minimal but continuously on. Louise takes her time moving and her style of speech is very advanced. 

Dominant attitude: 

Louise is very intelligent and has a good general knowledge. She is very driven, passionate and overly caring/emotive. She is also extremely inquisitive which is portrayed in my story as she wants to know what's happening in her workplace. She hardly ever loses her temper because she's always trying too hard to impress others. Louise likes to keep busy and feel as though she's doing all she can, she dislikes not knowing what is going on around her. Her biggest fear is being alone and also doing things wrong. Louise's goal is to leave her "boring" receptionist job and become a world famous writer. She is very self-image driven and makes an effort to be what other people want her to be. She lacks self confidence and has to impress others to feel better about herself. 

Characters 'World': 

Louise's relationship with her collegue Lisa is personal as they are also friends however Louise occasionally gets sick of her friends attitude at work. Louise doesn't have a love interest or any other friends. She is middle class and well educated but she couldn't afford to go to her first choice university, so she accepted a receptionist with a 'top secret' organisation with all expenses paid; this is how she can afford to live in her apartment with a exceptional city view. She was brought up in the 90's by her Grandma as her parents passed away when she was very little. Her Grandma also passed away when she was 16, leaving Louise with no family and taking care of herself. 

Secondary Character 

Lisa is also a receptionist at the same place as Louise. They are friends in and out the workplace and also live two blocks apart. Lisa's goal in life is to actually keep a job for longer than two months and find a man to take care of her. She grew up with her parents and two brothers, they didn't have much money. Her only interest is trying to get a lover who can pay for her ideal lifestyle of parties and not having to work. Lisa changes as she realises she must chance her attitude to actually keep people in her life. 

Unit 24: Writing for Television and Video Class Task - Six word story

At the beginning of every screenwriting session I am given the task to write a six word story following a few words given as the title. This is to think over the words that are being used, to conjure up a story in my mind.

Happiness is - A home full of wonderful memories

Childhood Memories - Happiness, and laughter along the way

When I Grow Up - I'll be happy and filthy rich

The Best Thing About This Week Will Be - My early weekend beginning after Thursday

Romantic Gesture - Her eyes, sparkling pools of emerald

My Future Epitaph - Passionate for what she believed in

The Uninvited Guest - His haunting eyes and despairing demeanour

The Reason You Write - To express my most inner feelings

Some Really Bad Advice - Move out, it's so much fun


A message from someone you haven't seen in years - Bearer of inviting or unwelcome news


They can take my life, but they can never take my - Hopes and dreams for the future


Being a writer is - A time limit full of papercuts


The world today is - Hopeful prayers for a better tomorrow 


The thought of this assignment makes me - Doubt my writing skills and imagination

Unit 29: Music Video Production Class Task - The commisioning of a music video

The first step of commissioning a music video is to come up with an idea from a brief from a record label, eg. Warner bros. You then work with some other members of the team to collect the right picture references for your idea; so whoever you pitch for gets the idea visually.

After winning the pitch for the music video, it's pre-production. Choosing cameramen, casting, finding locations, working with the art department, working with a storyboard artist or meeting the clients. It's all about making the decisions and leading the team to deliver what the client wants.

Then it's shoot days, there isn't much time and a lot to film. About two days is out a side for filming. 

The last stage is the post production, focusing on editing, CGI, sound and colour grading. There is a lot of time spent looking at monitors and crafting the piece into a final film.

Emil Nava (a popular music video director, he directs all of Jessie J's videos) says that hard work and learning with practical experience are the best ways to train for music video work. His first experience was as a runner on set of a music video, he made tea and helped with all the different departments where and when he could. Making a positive name for himself led to him progressing up the job ladder until he became an assistant director; where you manage the set and are the mouth and logistical side of the director.

He then started making his own little videos and building his reel. He started taking his show reel around different companies. It's hard work as the competition is very stiff and there a lot of people doing it.

Every time you make something you will learn more, develop your own style and find the route you want to take.

Unit 29: Music Video Production Class Task - Favourite video

Sia - Chandelier music video
One of my favourite music videos is based in a run down, grey apartment, with no colour or life. A young girl plays the main (and only) character in this music video, her gymnastic dancing is transfixing from beginning to end. Sia herself doesn't appear in her own music videos as she hides her identity from the public eye. However, I feel this girl is portraying Sia in every step she takes. Her ballerina moves mimic being moved like a puppet, dancing on her own, arguing to 'invisible people' and crying; accompanied with the song it is hauntingly good. It shows that sometimes the simple music videos can be just as good as the 'out there' crazy ones.

Class Task - My dream job in the film and tv industry...

As I like to think of myself as a very creative person, I would love to be a screenwriter; and of course a director. I'm hoping this course will open new pathways for me, teach me how the industry works and all the different aspects. I also can't wait to learn about the editing side of post-production as that seems really interesting.

Class Task - KATHRYN BIGELOW

"If there is resistance to women making movies, I choose to ignore it. That is because I cannot change my gender and I refuse to stop making movies."