Edited Footage (Erith Pier 1)

We shot our second segment of filming at Erith Pier. Due to our model change, this footage now featured Katie as our model. We found this location to be beneficial as it is really empty and open spaced which will also allow us to film the dance sequence here. We also found that the natural lighting, especially the use of the sun during the golden hour which created a romantic feel we wanted in our music video. The sun created a soft, gentle look on film and highlighted the model's face, particularly during the close up shots. 

We particularly liked the use of the Golden Hour filming with the sun fading into the background which highlighted the model's face. The miming scenes were not as succinct as we would have liked due to angle of which the model was at which made it hard to tell she was miming. As it was our first time shooting with Katie she was understandably nervous and this was conveyed in the video as she also repeatedly swayed, meaning the camera had to move slightly in order to capture the full frame. We are aware that miming is extremely difficult to achieve professionally but feel that this needs re shooting at a better angle so it is clear that the model is actually miming. 
The profile shots of the model, in our view, were a success, however due to issues with the tripod the camera angle is positioned below the model which we did not particularly like. We would re shoot these types of shots at a higher angle.The close up of the model's face miming is something we wish to re shoot as we liked the close up angle yet the hair over the model's face was not something we wanted as we felt it distracted from her eyes- her main feature which we wished to emphasise. 
The walking shots were successful in terms of the sun in the background which is what we had set out to achieve along with the 'industrial' setting we aimed for as this provides the impression the model could be anywhere. Nonetheless, the actual angles were not high enough meaning when the model walked past, shown in the panning shot, the top of her head was out of the frame. Additionally, when the model walked toward the camera she was centered in the middle of the shot, which did not mean she was framed successfully. We wish to re shoot this scene with use of the 'rule of thirds', meaning the model will instead be slightly to the right, with the pole to the left, creating symmetry without being too two dimensional which does not create an interesting look. 
The panning shots of the scenery here with the sun are successful, although possibly jumpy in certain areas. We wish to use this take in our final copy so would editing the beginning slightly to remove the initial shakes. 

One of the major issues we faced, on reflection, was the model's outfit as this was too heavy due to the thick woolen black coat. The texture of the coat did not fit with the cotton white dress which the model was wearing and the silk scarf. The texture was too heavy compared to the lighter textures of the dress and scarf. We also did not care for the clumpy boots and have instead decided to use ballet pumps as this creates a delicate look which we are aiming for considering the use of nature within our video. 
We have decided to remove the coat  yet keep the dress and the scarf. We are aware that when shooting the video our model will have to be outside and will therefore be extremely cold so will be taking extreme measures to try and keep her warm in between takes. This is to ensure we are controlling our setting of the video. 


In Attendance: Katie (Model), Danielle and Hannah 
Video by Rosie  

Proof of Filming (Erith Pier 1)

Initial Edited Filming (Hall Place 1)

The filming we shot in Hall Place was varied in the sense of usability for our music video. Rosie, as our editor, arranged the footage in sections to make it easier to analyse. 

Section A: Animal Life 
As a rule we decided to use nature in our opening scene of the music video. Due to the environment of which we shot these scenes, the main wildlife was primarily geese. The shots of these animals are shaky due to the lack of a tripod which was have realised is essential for a professional, steady shot. They still have potential to be used in the opening of our video if slowed down although we are reluctant to do this, mainly due to the use of water birds not being in our initial concept for the video. We were testing shots really here due to our absence of a model which proved problematic. 

While Rosie was editing the footage, she suggested that a clean cut from clip to clip was rather harsh, not fluid enough for the type of video we are making which is basically a soft ballad. Instead, a fade was used as a transition from one clip to another. We do not plan on using this in our final piece as we hope there will be more flow from clip to clip instead of jumping as this does. 

As a group we quickly established that our most successful shot in this section was the birds flying although it was noted that the unwanted object of a lamp post is in the shot. This has made us more aware of our surroundings when filming as we do not want any extra anomalies in the final cut of the video.

Section B: Leaves 
This was purely a testing shot, determining how we can film from different angles and then assembly these in a video. We filmed the dropping of a leaf many times from numerous angles. Although meant ideally for testing purposes, we could use this footage as this conforms to our concept, more so than the use of the previous section, and would be particularly effective towards the end of the video, where the model walks through the nature. 

Section C: Interaction (Hugging)
Similar to the previous section, this footage is the same action shot from numerous angles, edited in such a way which the camera appears to be rotating around the people and then moving away. Rosie also incorporated a fade transition to show that time had progressed before the previous clip as a way of explaining why the shot had moved from a still shot of the bench to the two people walking. This kind of clip would be used the the first section of our music video if we chose to use it.

Section D: Every Day People 
This section was rather challenging to shoot particularly as we were trying to participate in covert filming in order to achieve the 'day to day' clips. We took inspiration from the initial Birdy video as that music video uses this type of footage. We tried to film actions that were not necessarily noticeable in day to day life, such as a man closing down his shop. These shots are extremely shaky, primarily due to the lack of a tripod and also due to the camera being used on a moving bus- which is not the smoothest of rides. We soon discovered this is not necessarily going to be achievable in our music video to the degree we wanted to include. 


Practically, we encountered some issues when filming. Our main issue was the model and her accessibility. We soon decided as a group that it would be more beneficial for us, and the model due to her own commitments and transport issues, if we changed our initial model. We have decided to now use one of our group members as the main model as we can count on her accessibility. This was a way of overcoming a problem we were concerned about. 

In attendance: Rosie, Hannah and Katie
Edited by Rosie

Vlog: Our First Filming Session

We created a vlog of our first day filming in Hall Place. We had planned on shooting our final scenes of the music video with our model but we had numerous issues which prevented this. We decided to go ahead and film anyway, but without a model which proved troublesome. The vlog follows us around and shows the differing examples of shots we had taken. This is not the footage we shot to be used in the music video. 

Present on the day of filming: Katie, Hannah and Rosie 
Video created by Rosie

Walking/Tracking Shot: Stanley Kubrick

Director Stanley Kubrick was the first director to use the ‘Steadicam’, a brand of camera stabilizing mount which isolates the shot from the operator’s movements, preventing the camera from shaking. This allows for a smooth shot, even when the camera operator is moving on an uneven surface. 

Before the ‘Steadicam’, the only form of tracking shots was to use a camera dolly, a wheeled mount that rolls on tracks or leveled boards. This was unpractical and a time consuming set up. The other option was for the camera operator to hold the camera manually. 

  

Having tried the manual way of filming, we came to the conclusion that the shake from the operator’s hands was too much for our film, making it look rather amateur, not the smooth shot we feel our video needs considering it is a music video which is supposed to work as a technique to sell something, in this case a song.  The ‘Steadicam’ combines stability, which means steady footage, with the fluid and flexibility of a hand held camera. 

This was used in Kubrick’s film, “The Shining”; most notably the scene where the young boy, Danny, is being tracked as he pedals at high speed through corridor after corridor on his blue plastic big wheel tricycle.

Kubrick used a wheelchair, to film the tracking shots, pushing this around to gain a smooth shot. The wheelchair also worked well as shot was then shown to be at about 18 inches- which was roughly the height of the small child meaning the shot would look like a child’s perspective as intended. The wheelchair had rubber wheels which absorbed the shock which also ensured there was no sound of the wheelchair which could impact the filming.

To achieve this shot a wheelchair can be used and we shall have to partake in some testing shots to try out this technique, seeing if it is viable for our film.

(Research by Hannah) 

Golden Hour Photography Research

The Golden Hour, also known as the Magic Hour, is the first and last hour of sunlight in the day which allows a specific photography technique to be achieved due to the low level quality of light. The light is typically softer and in warmer hues. 

The shadows are normally reduced as the sun is below the horizon. When the sun is near or below the horizon, the sunlight travels through more of an atmosphere which reduces the intensity of the direct light so the illumination comes from the indirect light from the sky which reduces the lighting ratio.

 The blue light is scattered so when the sun is present the light appears redder; additionally the sun’s small angle with the horizon produces longer shadows, creating a moody, darker look. This is especially effective when shooting a ‘romantic’ looking shot. The sun is low and no harsh shadows are created. This prevents any details to be lost because of extreme shadows or blown-out highlights. This technique is particularly useful when shooting landscape or nature related shots although works well when used with a model.

The only limitation with this form of shooting is the lack of time space to shoot in. There is a relatively small window of available to take advantage of in order to achieve the perfect glow. Planning is essential with an idea of the sunset/rise times to ensure the light is used to the maximum effect.

A wide aperture must be used to allow more light to be used in the shot. The lighting, however, changes rapidly meaning the lighting during the first 5 minutes will be distinctively different in another 20 minutes. Shooting for the whole hour is the best way to overcome this so many different variations can be captured. An adjustable white balance is also needed as auto white balance will try to change the light to neutral.

The 1978 film ‘Days of Heaven’ directed by Terrence Malick clearly shows the effects of shooting in the Golden Hour. The film is shot primarily in the early morning, just as the sun rises, and then in the evening, as the sun sets. This creates a warm, romantic glow. 

We plan to use this technique during our own music video. Although out video is mostly in black and white, we plan on using this when shooting in colour to create the romantic look which the light creates. We plan to use this during our pier scenes when shooting the dancers, providing a glow behind them which will be effective with the contemporary dance. We are also looking into using this when shooting on the field as the lead is walking as this will ensure the sun is behind her, giving her a sort of angelic glow after she has ‘helped the people’.  

(Research by Hannah) 

Location shots: Erith Pier

We took a trip to Erith Pier to take some location shots for our music video. We are planning on using the pier along with hall place and the high street. We will base the beginning of our video on the pier along with the dancing segment. 

One of the perks of using the pier is that the location is prominently empty and spans a long distance so will be ideal for wide walking shots. We are also going to use the location when the model looks out to sea as the backdrop is rather industrial which we want to make the video seem real. The concept of the video should be that the location could be anywhere, not specifically London.