Health and Safety

Before we could start filming our music video, we had to think about possible risks. Because of this, we had to take out a health and safety risk assessment before filming. Before assessing the area, we need to make sure that we identify the problem and then come up with a solution.

1.       Props

We only have two props; a guitar and a stool. The guitar will have to be in a case to make sure that nothing happens to it. Both of these props must be in a safe place when not in use to make sure that they are not lost or damaged.

2.       Costumes

The costume must also be kept in a safe place to make sure that it doesn’t get lost or damaged. We are only having one outfit in our music video so clothing must be kept clean and it must be kept in a place just for costume. Having a hanging rail for the costume will keep every neat and tidy, ready for filming.

3.       Technical equipment

When filming, we need to make sure that we have good lighting to have the effect we are hoping for in our music video. Sound will not be an issue as the song will be added in the post-production stage and we are not having any other sound. But we will need to make sure that everyone is quiet during filming as the performer will need to concentrate on lip-syncing. All technical equipment must be kept in a labelled box to prevent damage and also so we know exactly where it is.

4.       Filming problems

As we will be filming outside, the weather will need to be decent as we will need to keep up the continuity. It would look odd it was sunny for one second and then suddenly there was snow on the ground. However, we have backup days for filming in case we aren’t able to film one day. Sound will not be a problem as it will all be added afterwards, using premiere pro. Our school is currently a building site due to building a new school so this may create a lot of noise. We want it to be as quiet as possible so Bella can lip-sync as well as she possibly can. However, it is not all bad if she isn’t completely in time as it can be edited later on. The camera will need to be fully charged before filming to prevent running out of battery during filming. After filming, footage will need to be uploaded onto the school system straight away to prevent being damaged or lost.

5.       Fires or drills

We are filming in a school which increases the chances of having a fire drill. As Bella is the only person, we will both make sure that we know exactly where the fire exists are and where to line up in the event of a fire. As we are filming outside, it is unlikely that we will be affected by the fire drill, but as we are at school, we will have to be wary in case something does happen.

6.       Interruptions

       It is likely that there will be quite a few interruptions as we are filming in public places. However, we have chosen isolated destinations so hopefully there won’t be too many interruptions. If we are interrupted, then we shall explain what is happening and ask them to kindly leave or be quiet. 

Codes and conventions of an indie music video

Performance

A lot of artists in the indie genre tend to feature a live performance in their music video. This is to keep the focus on the actual music and the talent of the artist.
Recently, there has been a narrative included in the music video to break it up and give it a story to keep the audience interested. This allows the artists to compete with similar artists who have narrative videos that are heavily  based on a story to make it memorable.  In the indie genre, there are artists who use live performances in their music video, for example Passengers Let It Go features him singing with shots of him and his band behind the scenes to break up the music video. Live performances promote the artists as the audience to feel as though they are building a relationship. It also shows the audience that the artists can actually sing live. An example of a live music video is All Time Low’s Lost in Stereo music video.

Narrative

Narrative music videos are popular with most genres. However, in the indie genre, narrative videos aren’t as popular as performance videos as artists are like showing their audiences that they actually can perform and build a relationship with their audience.

However, narrative music videos are a great way to stand out from the crowd as artists and bands can be as creative as they like due to new technology. Narrative videos also hold peoples attention better than live performance as the audience will want to see what happens. An example of a narrative music video is Ellie Goulding’s video for How Long Will I love You. The video is actually taken from the forthcoming Roger Michell short film “Tom & Issy”. So not only is this promoting Ellie Goulding, it is also promoting Roger Michell’s film. 

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene is important in indie music videos. A lot of indie artists have their own look and don't like to follow crowds. They can create their own look through the use of props and their appearance themselves. 

Props can change a music video completely. For example, in the music video for National Anthem by Lana Del Rey, she is posing around her glamorous and clearly expensive house. This suggests that she is wealthy and well respected in society. 

In a lot of indie music videos, instruments are often essential, especially an acoustic guitar. I decided to follow this convention by having the artist play an acoustic guitar in my music video. An example of artists playing instruments in their music video would be Ed Sheeran’s Lego House, where he is shown playing his guitar throughout the video.

Costume is also important in indie music videos as it will give each artist their own identity and set themselves apart from everyone else. Unlike pop artists looking very glamorous and expensive, a lot of indie artists tend to stick to casual clothing. For example, in Ellie Goulding’s music video for The Writer, she is simply wearing a sleeveless shirt and high waisted shorts.

Sound

Diegetic sounds are often used throughout the music video to help set the atmosphere. For example, in the music video for National Anthem by Lana Del Rey, she ends the song with a small speech and it begins with fans screaming. 

Different effects can be added to the sound to create a certain atmosphere. Effects are not often used in acoustic music videos as they like to concentrate on the artists talent rather than distorting it. 

Camera

Full length shots are used to show the setting of the video and give us a clear view of the artists and their outfits. This is important in indie music videos as artists can be seen as style icons and therefore need to be seen fully. The setting also needs to be seen to help the audience understand the message behind the video.

In indie videos, crane shots are used for live performances as it allows the audience to view the artists from different angles and it will also help them focus on the artist throughout the video. Crane shots are useful for continuity as it hardly leaves the artist.

Tilts and pans are used to make the setting clear and can move from left and right so the audience can see the full set. This often helps tell the story as it may be a key feature in the music video.

Close ups are the most common shots as it introduces the audience to the characters or artists. This may be done to highlight what the artist is singing or to portray a certain emotion.

Editing

With new technology, editing is relied on a lot as it can make or break a music video. Usually in indie music videos, editing is mainly used for smooth transitions between each shot.

Fast and slow cuts between shots should reflect the pace of the music to truly be effective. 

Effects can be added to completely change the look of a music video. In indie music videos, it is very common to make a music video look as though it is old and worn and being played from an old tape. Black and White is often used to portray this but sepia is also used to make it look rustic and sometimes vintage. For example, the music video for Someone Like You by Adele is completely in black and white to show the emotion of the song.