Group Discussion

Today we decided to get together and have a group discussion. The aim of this was to enable us to express our current views, thoughts and ideas to each other so that we could ensure that the entire group felt satisfied with the decisions being made about where our video is heading. We thought that this was a good time to have a discussion about this as we have now completed a number of textual analyses and our audience research, so we could confidently present ideas to the group.
The main aim of the discussion was to determine:

1. Who will feature in our music video and what role they will play
2. What the video will consist of (narrative/performance, camera techniques, mise-en-scene)
3. Possible locations and who in the group will take photographs of these to present back to the group for feedback
4. Clothing: As we have chosen a track by a group, we need to ensure that whoever features in our music video looks like a group, with an appropriate image in relation to the genre
5. How we will convey the mood of the track (isolated, confused, frustrated, lonely, desperate)

1. The Script are a three-piece band, consisting of Danny O'Donoghue (lead vocals and keyboard), Marc Sheehan (guitar and vocals) and Glen Power (drums and vocals). For this reason, it is clear to us that 3 people will feature in our music video, playing each of these roles. We have decided that we will play these roles, as this way we can control the circumstances as a group and do not have to rely upon others for our coursework. We are all determined to do well in this project and this way we can ensure that we do. The roles have been assigned as follows: Danny Vigar - lead vocals and keyboard, Mark Pratt - guitar and vocals, Tom Morton - drums and vocals. We all feel comfortable with these roles and are sure that we will deliver a convincing performance. We have also decided to include a narrative aspect to the video, with shots of the lead singer and his ex girlfriend that he is singing about. This means that we will have to find a female who is willing to act this role in the video, and although we are trying to minimise our reliance upon others, we each have a number of friends who are trustworthy characters that would be willing to play this part. Furthermore, this role will not be needed very much, possibly only in one location which will be used as a flashback shot. In theory, this should not take long, and therefore we are not asking too much. This will also present the hetro-normative discourse that is prevalent among mainstream popular culture texts today, representative of The Script.
2. Being heavily influenced by The Script and their music videos, as we want our video to be representative and similar in its style, we have decided that our video will consist of performance and narrative shots. These will be shots of the band performing the track, and shots of the lead singer with his ex girlfriend that he is singing about. This way, audiences will easily understand the track and the music video, and it will give a similar aesthetic to those in mainstream music today. We have chosen to film the performance shots in black and white, and the narrative shots in colour. This will reinforce the mood evoked by the track, connoting sadness and loneliness at the moment as he wishes he was back with his girlfriend when he was happy. The contrast in colour will not only illustrate these moods easily, but it will also avoid any audience confusion between the two aspects, enabling them easily recognise them. We may even include some shots of the lead singer walking and singing in the same location as the flashbacks, and cut between the two, so it appears as if he is walking through the same location he was at with his girlfriend because he misses her so much and is there for the memories. We are also keen to include a number of filler shots that will reinforce representation of the bands authenticity, through shots such as them laughing in a music studio, joking around together, tapping their hands/shoes to the tracks beat. We will also need to include a number of close up 'meat' shots of the group, especially the lead singer, as this is prevalent in the majority of music videos that we have studied as it meets the demands of the record label. This is key if we want our video to appear professional. As the tracks is called 'Before The Worst', and the lyrics, such as 'let’s take it back to where it all went wrong' suggest the song is about how the singer wants to resolve any issues his relationship had that resulted in a break up, we think it would be a good idea to have some off the flashback shots as an argument, between the lead singer and his love, as well as shots off the two appearing happy in their relationship. This would work well nearer the end of the track, as it would build up to a climax as audiences would follow the love story narrative.
3. In order to convey the moods of sadness, loneliness, and frustration we have decided that desolate locations would work well with this, where the only focus is the lead singer. The possible locations for this include: Coastal areas such as Brighton and Beachy Head in Lewis, as well as run down industrial estates such as that in Tonbridge, and the cliffs at Dover. Possible locations for the performance shots include the drama studio at the school as this has a plain black background similar to that in studios. Ideally we would like a studio for these shots, as this would give a professional aesthetic. However, this may be difficult to find with no budget, although some contacts may still prove to be useful. We also spoke of using the music studio in the music department as this would reinforce the authentic image of the band that we are trying to present. Luckily, due to this representation of the band, we do not need extravagant locations. Simple brick backgrounds will work well with close ups as this presents the band as 'normal' which is our aim.
4. As we want to present the band in terms of their authenticity and 'normality', we aim on dressing casually, with clothing such as jeans, hoodies, trainers and t-shirts. We have also considered how the shot will look in terms of colour. For example, if the background is bright (such as a white studio) we aim on all dressing in dark colours such as black. This will not only make us look like a group, but will help us stand out in the shot and draw the focus onto the group. In the flashbacks, the mood is very different, much calmer and happier. For this reason, we have decided that 'natural tones' should be used such as greens and browns. These autumnal colours will connote warmth and relate well with the love story that we present.
5. The chosen locations will be key in reinforcing the mood of the track. Isolated locations such as coastal areas, empty industrial estates and forests will help convey the sad and lonely side of the track. Shots in a studio that are edited to be fast pased will help convey the confused, frustrated and desperate aspect of the track. The contrast between colour and black & white shots will help to reinforce this, as will the clothing the characters are wearing and close ups of the couple show audiences the emotion on their faces.

During our discussion we also discussed possible lighting techniques. We understand that it may difficult to control the lighting on location, so we will have to boost/reduce this post production. However, we are keen to create high contrasting lighting effects in locations where we can control the circumstances, such as the drama department or even a studio if we can find one. Directional lighting such as a spotlight would be perfect in drawing the audience’s eye to the band members, ensuring that the focus is entirely on them. We have also thought of using coloured lights as this will help convey mood, such as red for anger or blue for sadness.
We also discussed the camera techniques we wish to use, and are keen to use the rule of thirds throughout our work, framing subjects in the far left/right corner of the shot as this will give a professional, almost photographic aesthetic. This would be perfect during the flashback shots with a slightly blurred wash over it and a heavily shaking handicam, giving the feel that the audience is looking back into the lead singer’s memory. A variety of camera angles will also make the video stand out. Rather than straight forward profile shots, we aim on placing the camera in original, innovative places and considering the depth of field. We aim on using a dolly with the tripod for some shots, such as during the performance shots, as although it may be hard with little experience and no budget, we are keen to a give a professional aesthetic to the video.
Overall, our group discussion has proven to be extremely useful and worthwhile as we have all left it knowing exactly what we want to and how we need to get there.