In modern day, music videos are considered a highly effective marketing strategy to boost the artists exposure of sound based media. Music videos act both as a compliment to the story; emphasizing narrative points. And also as a means of effective promotional material.
However, this is the modern understanding of music videos. Ideas in which were not entirely invented overnight. The development of video aided music was a gradual process and is believed to have started as early as 1894 (Edward B. Marks and Joseph W. Stern - The Little Lost Child, 1894). This conceptual piece was not entirely a recorded video, nor did it contain video at all. The musicians devised a 'Stage Gimmick' in where they would project images behind them to accompany the lyrical content of the song. Because of this, the chord progression and lyrics were not the only cause of emotion - but so was the images displayed. In a way, this can be compared to a modern day projected PowerPoint; The speaker announces information with the aid of an image slide.
The compilation of images were not only used to assist lyrical content; But also to help sell their composition. In the time of composition (1894), the technology to record audio tracks was non existent. Because of this, the artists produced the piece in form of sheet music. However, print based media was way into production around this time, and the accompanying imagery was an excellent selling point and marketing strategy. Those who purchased a sheet copy will receive the narrative imagery, and the composers themselves can display these through their "Magic Lantern" image projector.
The "Magic Lantern" was one of the first developed projectors of the 17th century, and was perfectly synced up with the tempo of the performance (in which time it will change slide). This was the earliest known visual based music composition. And, although not a revolutionary creation for the industry, it was the concept piece that propelled likeminded artists to experiment and develop their ideas with pre-recorded visual aid.
Disney's Fantasia was believed to be the second music video ever created. There is a lot of debate towards the subject, but Disney's Fantasia is a video accompaniment to a classical music composition. Released in 1940, Fantasia is an animated feature length movie, accompanied by music. Unlike the silent movie era, the music in this film reacts to actions on screen. This is because the entire movie was based off of classical music and its themes. This meant that everything on screen was telling the story of the music being played. Once again, it is not the conventional music video that we are familiar with today; But it did convey a concept that would help build the foundations that propel creatives to produce video based musical compositions.
Modernized beliefs on music videos and their origins can be found back in 1975 with Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 1975. This particular style of music video was unheard of until this time, however it set the standard for videos yet to come. The fact that every detail of their elaborate live set was perfectly captured on video is what propelled the music video industry to its next creative level. The popularity of having a portable copy of their live experience is the demand that everyone needed. This could also be an example of the origin of modern day streaming services - An audience wants to view their live set whenever they feel like it, and so now have that as an option. This sudden spark of creativity was not only defining music of its era, but also the entire future of the media industry.
This particular video is considered to be the first ever promotional piece of video based music material. Not only seen as influential to its time, but also for modern day. In 2018, the song was the most searched for on YouTube, even considering that its video was not accessible on the web until 2008.
So, how were they viewed before the birth of internet streaming?
Well this is where the era of MTV comes to play.
Reoccurring trends (and themes) in music videos - genre theory
Examples of rock music videos (genre comparison)
Surrealism cinema (relation to music videos) - post modernism (grey album, black mirror) reception theory (this is America) end of audience theory
Post modernism is from an Era of decomposition and degradation, proving theories as false and
Apocalyptic media
How to create Music video
Costume Design
Costume design is a crucial part of the production. If the costumes do not look believable, then the concept of a futuristic setting will crumble. My challenge is to create 3 almost identical soldiers. I need to research into prop and costume creation in order to determine how I can achieve a big budget look on a small budget production.
Costume sketches -
Adam Savage is a professional prop and costume maker. He is responsible for the way that costume design has changed over time. Savage normalised foam and latex costumes in exchange of the fibreglass and silicone costumes that cinema had familiarised itself with. This meant that anyone could create cinema quality costumes with garden foam and a glue gun. Tested, is his internet brand. They are a team of costume and prop fabricators posting videos online to display budget costume and props for movies and cosplay conventions. This is helpful to me as it gives me an insight into what it takes to create a costume for my production.
Taking their advice on board, I began with looking into EVA foam templates. I had originally considered using a high density resin. This would mean that I could make perfect copies of the costume with every cast I produce. The issue was the scale of the costume pieces. These would have been very expensive to make (£100 per square meter of resin).
Because of this, I stuck to EVA garden foam panels. They were found in my shed and consist of a 1x1 square meter of connectible foam pieces. I now knew that I had the material, I just needed to create the costume itself.
As I am not skilled enough to create them myself, I searched ETSY for craft patterns. I had many options available, all ranging in price and design. I knew that I wanted a futuristic helmet pattern with a vertical visor slot.
I had found 3 helmets that suited my original design idea. I believed that I could adapt these designs to look closer to that in which I originally intended.
Finally, I chose the 2nd pattern. This is because it already contained the vertical slot in which I included in the original design. I found that it would be easier to adapt a design that looked closest to that which I wanted - Rather than adapting one from scratch. I didn't want to give myself more work than I needed to in the short time that I had.
After purchasing the pattern for the asked £5.40, I printed the pattern to a scale of 100% (a 1-1 scale). These pieces came out as an abstract mess of lines and colour. I was confused on how to assemble this as there4 was no included documentation or video instructions. For this, it would be a matter of trial and error. Cutting and sticking the printed parts together until I achieved the look which matched the one on screen.
Props
Costume
Pyro
VFX
Music Production
Music Mastering
Music distribution
Location
My location choice is a crucial part of the shoot. The setting is important to help tell the story that I want. For instance, A 1900s western filmed in 2000s New York will contradict the setting of the shoot.
For me, I need a barren field. The space needs to look as if it is home to outcasts of society, who are trying to live the 'off gird' life.
To achieve this, I have looked into suitable locations in my local area. Ideally, they need to have toilet facilities (as the shoot is long hours), forgiving of loud music, and compatible with my pyrotechnical needs.
My first find was a roadside field in Heacham.
- 57 Lynn Road, Heacham PE31 7JQ
This location consists of 3 roadside fields. I would like to use this location because of the overgrown grass and battered concrete.
The advantage to filming here is the easy access due to the fact that it is by the main road (and a short drive to town). It is also not surrounded by any other buildings. Because of this, sunlight will not be restricted throughout the day and I will always have the set lit up.
The issues this location faces is that the fields surround a home. This means that playing loud music until late at night could be a challenge as it will disturb the owner and his work. Another issue is the fact that there is livestock surrounding the location. Too much noise could disturb them and upset the land owner. The primary issue to filming here is the fact that I could not let off pyrotechnics on the location. As the set is so close to the road, smoke could obstruct the view of drivers and cause an accident in which I would be responsible.
My second consideration is Jimmy's Field in Snettisham.
- 14 Beech Road, Snettisham PE31 7XG
Jimmy's Field is a scouts field that is free for public camping and temporary stay as long as they have the permission. As the current state is, the camping ground is Closed. For me, this is the perfect opportunity to film for. The ground is currently empty, and yet usually available to the public. The grounds have toilet access and is out of the path of traffic.
Currently, I believe that this is my best option for filming. The only downside is the fact that the grounds are so well kept. The grass and gravel is so immaculately maintained that I could not sell the effect that the set is a barren. To help with this, I will need to work a little more on set design.
As the field is a business, the contact information is easy to get a hold of.
This is almost perfect.
Location Documentation -
LOCATION SHOOT AGREEMENT
THIS
AGREEMENT made this Monday, April 26th,
2021 by jack Godfrey (College West Anglia).
1. IDENTIFY OF FILMING LOCATION. Grantor hereby agrees to permit to use the property located at Jimmy’s Field in connection with the
motion picture currently entitled ARCSfor rehearsing, photographing,
filming and recording scenes and sounds for the Picture. Production Company and
its licensees, sponsors, assigns and successors may exhibit, advertise, promote
and otherwise exploit the Picture or any portion thereof, whether or not such
uses contain audio and/or visual reproduction of the Property and whether or
not the Property is identified or identifiable, in any and all media whatsoever
now known or later devised in the universe in perpetuity.
2. RIGHT OF ACCESS. Production Company shall
have the right to bring personnel and any equipment onto the Property and to
remove same following completion of its use of the Property hereunder.
Production Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to photograph,
film and use in the Picture the actual name, if any, connected with the
Property or to use any other name for the Property.
3. TIME OF ACCESS. The permission granted hereunder shall be for the period
commencing Tuesday, May 11th,
2021. The period may be extended by Production Company if there are changes
in the production schedule or other unforeseen delays such as due to weather
conditions. The permission herein granted shall also apply to future retakes
and/or added scenes.
4. PAYMENT.
Due to the nature of the project and the fact that it’s a no-budget project, we
aren’t able to offer financial compensation.
We will provide an on-screen credit to your business in the end titles
of the production. The wording can be
decided between you and the Production Company.
5. ALTERATIONS TO LOCATION. Production Company agrees that (with Grantor’s permission) if it
becomes necessary to change, alter or rearrange any equipment on the Property
belonging to Grantor, Production Company shall return and restore said
equipment to its original place and condition, or repair it, if necessary.
Production Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Grantor from any
against any and all liabilities, damages and claims of third parties arising
from Production Company’s use hereunder of the property (unless such
liabilities, damages or claims arise from breach of Grantor’s warranty as set
forth in the immediately following sentence); and from any physical damage to
the Property proximately caused by Production Company, or any of its employees,
representatives or agents. Grantor warrants that is has the right and authority
to enter into this Agreement and to grant the rights granted by Grantor herein.
Grantor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Production Company from and
against any and all claims relating to breach of its aforesaid warranty.
6. RELEASE. Grantor releases and
discharges Production Company, its employees, agents, licensees, successors and
assigns from any and all claims, demands or causes of action that Grantor may
not have or may later have for libel, defamation, invasion of privacy or right
of publicity, infringement of copyright or violation of any other right arising
out of or relating to any utilization of the rights granted herein.
The
undersigned represents that s/he is either rightful and true owner of the
Property or empowered as agent or otherwise to execute this Agreement for or on
behalf of owner.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their names and seals as of the
date first above-written.
PRODUCTION
COMPANY:
By:__________________________
GRANTOR
By:__________________________
Drafted
by Jack Godfrey-Long
Any
questions – 07707667050
ThatJackGodfrey@gmail.com
This documentation will be forwarded to the land owner before shoot. Ideally, 2 weeks before production begins. This way, the company has the time to consider agreement.
This documentation will help me and the owner lay ground rules and establish each others needs.
The documentation will also hold up in court in case of any arising issues before/during/after production.
Music Video Treatment
A video treatment is a document to be sent to the client, the production manager, director, and producer to establish an overall tone and aesthetic for the shoot. This helps bring everyone involved up to speed and agreeing on the shoot. This is helpful to ensure that the client knows exactly what they are getting when the final render is forwarded to them. They can see a range of the shot types, costume design, visual aesthetic and timeframe before production begins. If the client is not happy, and changes need to be made - This is the ideal time to do so.
I have already created a pitch for a dummy clientele. That being said, all I need to do is slightly alter the pre-created pitch in order to appeal to my client directly.
Modernized beliefs on music videos and their origins can be found back in 
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