Music video theory+Pete Fraser's 10 step guide

Pete Fraser's '10 step guide'

Step 1

• Film test footage of yourself experimenting with different camera techniques
• Learn to lip-sync with a small segment of the song you have chosen
• Do a karaoke multi-angle version of the track for fun
• Watch some music videos in the same genre as the one you are going to film and take notes on props,camera angles,locations etc
• Do test shots to try out effects that you may want to use
• Check any 'quirks' of the camera
• Make sure you have tripod (and 'shoe') to use
• Do you know the editing program? - experimenting before you edit the main video
• Have you got the music and audible source?

Step 2

• Be careful about what song you choose it can be a mistake to go for a well/known artist - or your favourite artist
• Make it short ( 3 minutes 30 sec, maximum)
• Choose a track which stimulates some visuals
• Make sure the whole group agrees on the final choice
• Be prepared to listen to the song alot of times

Step 3

• Pitch the material with a strong and simple idea
• Have a clean concept which is workable
• Be realistic in your plans
• Be original, use other students to inspire and guide, not to rip off
• Be prepared to compromise with the rest of the group
• Film the presentation for the blog
• Get a sense of what the conventions are, look closely at them and break them down to see how they work.How do they use verse and chorus? How do they use the beat and rhythm? How do they showcase the star? How much do the visuals relate to the lyrics? What is the concept?

Step 4

• Storyboard - you can always shoot extra ( use post its)
• Plan people , places, props, costumes
• Get everyone's mobile numbers
• Aim to shoot early ( next 6 weeks if possible) not up against end of Dec term deadline
• Make sure your performers have reheresed and know the words ( they have to be up for it aswell)
• Always remember the basics, tripod, camera (charged)
• Remember to work round work commitments, school commitments and social activities
• Plan for the worst, logistics is the key words

Step 5

• Use it to link ideas together, the glue of your work
• Videos that influence you (Youtube)
• Research the genre in detail!
• Photos that give you ideas
• Take recce shots on location and post them
• Do an animatic of your storyboard
• Put up all your ideas including screengrabs of work in progress
• Be 'media rich' and use your blog as a 'journey'

Step 6

• Shoot the performance at least four-five times with different set-ups, angles etc
• Make sure you have plently of cutaways to objects, items of interest (why?)
• Experiment with extra angles and lighting changes
• Don't forget : lots of close ups and variety of shots
• Enthuse your performers-they must give it plenty!
• Shoot more than you think you will need
• Check the weather report
• Health and safety
• Locations, choice of clothes and correct props at all times

Step 7

• Organise so it is easy to find
• Don't capture stuff you don't need, it is very hard getting the music video just right
• Break it into managable chunks
• Upload as soon as you can
• Be critical with your footage, if it doesnt work, shoot it again

Step 8

• Synch up performances first
• Get the whole picture rather than tiny details
• Cut and cut again
• Aim for a dynamic piece of work ( rhythm is key)
• Do any effects work last
• Upload a rough cut to your blog and get feedback asap
• Be ruthless with yourself, if you like a couple of shots but they don't seem right in the context of the whole video then don't use them

Step 9

• Get feedback where ever you can and the sooner this come the better
• Upload video to your blog via Youtube
• Post links on twitter
• Send it to the actual artist?
• Ask for honest opinions, don't just ask your mates

Step 10

• Unlike the real world, you'll have to produce an evaluation
• Take advice about what is needed (read the 'bible')
• Make use of your blog at all times and when finishing the blog order everything correctly

Carol Vernallis

Four key concepts

• Narrative
• Editing
• Digesis
• Camera Movement and Framing

Narrative

• - The video is a visual response to the music - There is not necessarily a balance between narrative and performance - The narrative may be a partial, fragmented narrative - The video may pose questions that it will not answer - May be a running montage theme

Editing

• - Editing will match the musical phrase or the beat - The video may break many of the 'rules' of continuity editing - E.g. You may see - jump cuts, breaks of 180 degree rule and extreme jumps in time and space - E.g You may not see - smooth transitions, match on action and an even pace throughout

Digesis

• - The sound may be revealed slowly - Characters may move to the music, E.g. dance sequences - Some frames may be more important than others - There may be gaps in the audience's understanding of the story - in time, space, performance and narrative.

Camera Movement/Framing

• - When it comes to shot types, extremes are very common (extreme close up) - The style of framing and movement are usually a continuing theme that is distinctive to that video/genre - The master shot and close up shots are used frequently