As a group we decided that revolving our production around a central theme would not only enhance the video visually, but would also create a strong base for a motif or brand that we could build upon later for our ancillary tasks.
Finding the theme...
After listening to the lyrics, we found that the underlying message of the song is that of constant, natural change in society. The lines "they'll name a city after us; then they'll say it's all our fault" relate to the fickle nature of the mass public as they sway in their support of icons, heroes or celebrity figures. The section of the chorus; "we're rummaging for answers in the pages" again links to this in the sense of a media obsessed/controlled nature.
However, alike the song itself, we didn't want to boldly parade this message as we felt this may have destroyed the essence of the lyrics. Instead, we have opted for a more subtle, subliminal illustration of the words. A notion of change which everyone can relate to and recognise - The Seasonal Changes.
Once we noted down the length of instrumentals and the lyrics, we were able to appoint each season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) to a verse. (Coincendently, the verse dubbed as Autumn actually begins with; "We wear our scarves just like a noose") We also decided that we wanted the chorus to remain separate from the verses, so in such sequences we have decided to use an indoor setting; focusing on the performer playing the piano which features so prominantly in the song.
Subsequently, we began to deconstruct each verse in order to match specific images with the lyrics. If you listen to the song, you should be able to identify a strong, jumpy beat in the background and this is what we want to fit our editing style with. Therefore, there will be a frequent use of jump cuts in our Music Video.
Our Final Shot List....
Instrumental - 11 seconds - Close up shots of the piano keys being played by our performer. The angle will change on every other beat, creating an arch which will strecht over the piano. Jump Cuts will be used as the transition between them.
(SPRING- we have engineered this sequence to be very young, upbeat and inventive by introducing an element of camera tricks and stop motion into the frame)
- Line 1 - Close up of performer's face
- Line 2 - Jump cut to a mid shot; performer has not moved in the frame.
- Line 3 - Jump cut to a long shot; again the performer has not altered their position in the frame.
- Line 4 - Sudden jump cut back to a midshot/close up (we will have to trail this transition beforehand to ensure what shot type works most effectively) of performer blowing bubblegum. During filming the bubble will inevitably pop, but it may be effective and fitting with the 'feel' of this season if we manage to capture the natural reaction to this event and include it.
- Line 5 - Same shot as before but we have edited it in a way that the performer is in the same position but is now holding a camera. The flash forms the transition into the next month. (Match on action with the flare of the sun?)
Instrumental - 5 seconds - Still or panning shots of the surroundings; identifying those that specifically relate to spring.
(SUMMER - Similar to spring we want to make this sequence youthful, but with a more pronounced use of stop motion)
- Line 1 - Long shot (the camera remains in this position throughout this sequence) of performing jumping out from behind the furthest bush/tree in the frame to perform lyric.
- Line 2 - Jump cut. Performer appears from the opposite side of the frame, seemingly by magic.
- Line 3/4 - Follows the same routine. Performer progresses closer to the foreground each time.
- Line 5 - Performer appears infront of the screen. Close up/extreme close up of her face.
(CHORUS - we want these sequences to have an air of sophistication about them and so will be based on a soley monocromatic theme with a black&white effect applied in post production)
- During the main bulk of the chorus we will rotate the camera around the piano by means of a dolly.
- During the four lines of "It's contagious" we will focus of close ups and mid shots of the performer singing from certain points in the room.
(AUTUMN - Showing the contrast from the two previous seasons Autumn will be largely natural and organic in it's approach. Transitions between footage will be softer with fluid threads of continuity running throughout. We plan to apply a subtle hint of sepia tone to this sequence.)
- Instrumental/line 1 - no lip syncing - A hand-held camera tracks the performer as she walks through the forest, kicking leaves etc. This is meant to look very natural as if the camera is not there; adding a completely different influence to the video that will 'shake it up' for the audience.
- Line 2 - lip syncing begins again - Close-up featuring half of the performer's face resting against the bark of a tree.
- Line 3 - Close up of the performer's hand amongst the leaves and earth.
- Line 4 - Mid shot/close up of performer singing through leaves.
(CHORUS - similar sequence of before)
Instrumental - 25 seconds - 17 seconds is extended footage from the chorus. The further 8 seconds may be silent shots linking to the Winter sequence (eg a shot of the performer looking though a frosty cobweb etc)
(WINTER - same principle as Autumn, however we will once again emphasise the jump cuts in the sequence to play on the theme of winter and the frosty, static image it entails. Since this verse is comparitvely fast paced compared to the other three, many lyrics will be paired up in one shot.)
- Line 1/2 - Long Shot/ mid shot of the performer remaining in a largely static position next to a statue; as if she has become one.
- Line 3 - Close up of performer's face against the grass (which, if all goes well, should be thick with frost and will compliment her hair and makeup perfectly)
- Line 4 - Very high angle shot, again looking down on the performer as she lays almost frozen amongst the frost.
- Line 5/6 - Close up shot taken from the side profile of the performer as she sings directly to the face of the statue.
- Line 7 - Extreme close up of the performer's lips as she sings; perhaps through a spider's web which will look beautiful if covered in dew drops....fingers crossed that we will be able to find one!
(CHORUS - " ")
- Same routine as before; however the line "It's contagious" is repeated eight times here, so each line could be paired with a sample from each season to tie the video up.
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