Final Cast and roles

 

We have decided to cast Beth Oram and Callum Arthur's to play the parts of the couple in our music video as we feel like they have the best connection and chemistry in front of a camera which is what we need. It also helps that they are a real couple so we can get the kinds of emotions and facial expressions that we want when filming close ups. One problem we might encounter would be the fact that they don't have any acting experience however hopefully we will be able to get some natural shots and they will work together well which is the main aim.

For the parts of the elderly couple we are going to cast the grandparents of Will Stammers, this is not only because it will be much easier for them to act at our desired setting but also because they seem willing and enthusiastic which is what we need. 

 

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Updated initial plot ideas

 

We aim to use a young couple aged 17-19 as the main actors. The idea is that they are passionate and devoted to each other for life. The couple transfer their lust in the form of sex. The couple are immature and don't fully understand the situation, unfortunately due to these circumstances they are forced into an abortion. Life for the couple becomes increasingly more difficult because of this decision. Cracks appear within their relationship which is seen clearly with the use of camera angle, emotion, actions and finally how the scene evolves showing them as elders.

Scene 1: signifies the couple as happy, they find out about the pregnancy.

Scene 2: they undergo the abortion process.

Scene 3: the relationship appears to crumble. Domestic violence and arguing.

Scene 4: shows them as an elderly couple.

Actors
Beth Oram: girl within the couple.
Callum Arthurs: boy within the couple.
Mr Slater: clinic doctor.
Dianne Stammers: Beth as elder.
Malcom Stammer: Callum as elder

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Casting ideas

Characters within idea- 

Girl 

Boy 

Doctor 

Extras - 4/5 

( Maybe other family members) 

Casting ideas- 

The couple-

Emily Durston and Charlie Woodrow
Meghan Kelly and Tom Coath
Abigail Lewis and Charlie Frazer
Beth Oram and Callum Arthurs

Charlie and Abigail

Meghan and Tom

The elderly couple/actor-

Reverend Slater

Wills grandparents

Mrs Hogg 

Miss Tremblay

Reverend Slater

Older couple auditions

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Location Ideas

*A park- with a tree, a lake, sunshine ( pathetic fallacy) 

* Garden 

* House 

* Baby's room 

* Doctors surgery ( or a look a like) 

* Streets 

* Beach?

Surgery- scene 2- 

When the couple finds out that they are having a baby, the scene will take place in here & create a scan. Screen. Change the furniture around, draw curtain too, remove documents and remove bedding to make it look more like a professional working environment. ( Tuesday is a no but any othe time after school) 

  

Scene 1- the period of time where we are establishing the happy, passionate relationship between the couple and how relaxed they were etc... Creating suspense 

Satalite view of where we are hoping to film - in the forest area, the lake, shed etc...

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Song choice and the lyrics (effects of them)

Little talks

 

 

 

We decided on this song for a number of reasons. First of all, the lyrics and wording of the song conforms with the idea of sadness and loss, in this circumstance, the loss of a child however obviously it can be perceived in a number of ways. The beat and rhythm of the song also fits well with the idea of hope and then despair. In the parts of the song where it is upbeat and lively, we were thinking of including scenes of the couple having fun and celebrating the prospect of their child. Filming in parks, gardens, kitchens and general domestic areas would encourage the audience to relate with the video however they would also highlight the universality of loss and having to deal with it. When the song gets more melancholy and slow, we were going to introduce the idea/shock of a miscarriage and therefore show, using camera angles how family's can break down/fall apart. obviously there are lively and slow parts throughout the entire song so we were thinking of editing in flashbacks of when they were preparing for the child; in order to evoke empathy and build up the atmosphere.

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Research

Music Vid 1: Hello World- Lady Antebellum

 

Good/Bad- It is a great music video as is emotive and camera shots are used to evoke empathy, the way in which close up shots are used to focus in on expression evokes both joy and sadness, creating a very emotional narrative within the song.

Original?- The way in which the camera flicks from the family, to the man to the actual band singing the song is creative and original because it causes the audience to engage with it and feel something.
 

Does it engage with the audience? Yes. It is incredibly engaging and captivates the audience by using a multitude of camera shots and angles for effect, the music is also melancholy and has quite a slow beat adding to the atmosphere.

Music Vid 2: Wake me up when September ends- Green Day

 

Good/Bad- I found the clip compelling for a number of reasons, the music fits well with the narrative and the camera angles as well as the editing (putting together of the clips) are used for effect in contributing to the story within the video.

Original?- It is original because the music does not play throughout the entirety of the clip, there are scenes where dialogue is used to help the audience learn more about the narrative. The crying and screaming also creates empathy, dialogue is used to create emotion and when the song plays again it adds to the overall atmosphere.
 

Does it engage with the audience?- The audience can relate to the emotions portrayed through the use of close up shots to show expression and medium shots to show body language. The close up shot of the couple at the start shows them kissing and enforces the idea of love and passion. The music also conforms to the narrative in that it is about love. At the end when he leaves her, the dialogue scene of them fighting shows that something bad has happened, it evokes pity as we feel sorry for her, camera work shows her crying and looking distressed.

Music Vid 3:  Avril Lavigne- When you're gone

 

Good/Bad- The ways in which editing and transitions are used to flick between the different narratives is effective because it enables us to empathise with people of all ages. The close ups of facial expressions and photographs also evoke empathy and pity as they allow the audience to relate to the characters within the narrative. I also like how, at the end, editing is used to get rid of the 4 walls surrounding each person, almost enabling them to be free and with their loved ones.
 

Original?- It is original because it tells the narrative/story through a variety of perspectives and different age groups. Teenagers, adults and OAPs - love story and emotion through close up shots showing how different people are effected by heart break and loss of love ones etc. ^^

Does it engage with the audience?- It engages with the audience in the fact that it evokes pity and emotion. The sound and the camera shots allow us to see how people feel and are effected by loss. It also causes us to relate with the people in the video as we know people of each age group and have been affected by one of the things portrayed.

 

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Plot ideas ( initial)

 

 

The idea is that we establish the setting with a close up shot of the couple, celebrating over the news of their prospective child. - perhaps a close up shot of their joy and the expressions on their faces to provoke empathy, emotion etc... 

> then the scene changes to another of them finding out- passion etc and relaxed, excited vibes > news of miscarriage as music changes, medium wide Shots of them arguing and fighting, woman not eating and not sleeping, the breakdown of their relationship. 

> as the music gets more light hearted and upbeat, flashbacks to when they were preparing for the child, getting the room ready and buying the baby clothes and furniture. However it keeps switching back to the misery that they are in. 

> Final scene - both lying in bed, woman emotionless/expressionless and man leaves, packs his bags and drives away. Close up shots of both of their faces to show how it's effected them. 

( perhaps at the end we could have a zoom out crane shot to show how their life is a microcosm of the world and of relationships when things go wrong etc) 

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Task

In preparation for A2 coursework we have been given a trial effort over the next month to produce an original music video, and accompanying original CD cover for the release of the song. I will be working with Zoë Desgland and Will Stammers and we have been given the following songs to choose from:

Likewise, we have been given two conditions to include in this video - we were told to film in at least 6 locations and with actors and actresses outside the ages of 11-21.

We then swapped one of our cards for 'sweet nothings' and had to make the choice between these two songs. We went for 'Little talks' by Of monsters and men for the following reasons:

* It is a flexible song as can be interpreted in a number of different ways 

* There are both upbeat, enthusiastic parts and more mellow, emotional parts to the song meaning that we can do more with it 

* Both female and male singers- relatable and also more diverse, situation can be viewed from both characters points of view 

 

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Roles within the group

Instead of allocating specific roles for each member of the group, our collaboration will involve us working together to create each element of our video so that it is as effective as possible.

Organisation and timing- Laura

Filming- ALL

Editing- ALL

Directing- ALL

Organisation- ALL

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Welcome

Hi, my name is Laura Walker and my blog will document the ideas and processes I will go through during the A-Level Course. Enjoy!

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