Life Swap

Life Swap;
After joining up with Georgia, we chose to produce a reality television programme that will be aired on a Saturday night at 19:30pm. We thought that a reality show could be more appealing to the age range that we were aiming to reach. Age 15 and above tend to watch programmes that are aired during the daytime as they are not necessarily at college, university or work.

On of our inspirations that we used as an aid in creating our show is the common reality television show, Wife Swap. This programme is very popular through the same age range that we were attempting to target so we thought if we follow this idea, it would instantly appeal to them. Instead of swapping just one person into a similar environment as they usually live in, our programme takes a middle class/higher class person and allows them to live the life of someone that isn't as privileged as them. This allows the audience to see how living in completely different environments can effect peoples ways of living and attitudes.

By asking 18 strangers from different background if they would watch our programme, we gained some interesting feedback and it is shown in the table below.

Title;  
- LifeSwap

Genre; 
- Reality

Aired;
- Time - 19:30pm
- Day - Saturday

Target Audience;
Aged 15+ (mostly female but possibly male as well)

Synopsis;
This programme is based on a popular reality show that is already aired as a daytime television show. Linking this show to my show that i have previously created, it may come across in the same aspect but instead of just swapping an element of the family - the wife - into the same sort of environment that they are used to, LifeSwap takes one member of the family and swaps their whole lives with an underprivileged person such as someone living on the streets. We thought that this would be a good idea for a programme because it can show the audience how lives can be effected when they are put into situations that they are not used too and also how peoples attitudes can be changed. This can also prove to the world how hard it can be for some people to cope with life on the streets or life with no money.

After going around the class and finding out whether their character would watch our show, here is the feedback that we gathered;

Feedback;

• Dylan - 28 - Male - Aggressive and involved with drugs; YES
• Freddy - 22 - Male - Loud and works as a cleaner; NO
• Susan - 80 - Female - Grumpy, Old Woman, Lives on her own and she is retired; YES
• Molly - 19 - Female - Timid, Studying Maths; YES
• Lucy - 22 - Female - Jobless and Sporty; YES
• Fiadhe - 24 - Male - Jobless, Uneducated and nice but easily agitated; YES
• Albert - 27 - Male - Interested in animals and works as a stripper; YES
• Abbie - 30 - Female - Blunt, Heartless and works as a doctor; YES
• Martin - 27 - Male - Expensive taste and is a sportsman; YES
• Valerie - 18 - Female - Quiet, Mysterious and she is currently a student; YES
• Michael - 19 - Male - Photography Student, very reserved and earning minimum wage; YES
• Alfie - 25 - Male - Autistic, Schizophrenic and is currently unemployed; NO
• Conor - 20 - Male - Singer/Songwriter, Joker; YES
• Abdul - 19 - Male - Amateur football player, Quiet, Moneyless; YES
• Colin - 18 - Male - Aspergers, Student, Political Activist; YES
• Jarvis - 26 - Male - Racing Driver, Sporty, Friendly; YES
• Jessica - 23 - Female - HotHeaded, OutSpoken, Singer; YES
• Mary - 26 - Female - Loud, Unemployed, Homeless; NO

When looking at the feedback we gained, we found out that 83% of the characters that were created by the class would watch our reality television show.

Audience

By using our character profiles, we turned our new characters into potential audience members that we later used in a survey. After every member of the class had created a character profile that will enable them to use their newly created characters in their short stories and as a class we put them all together to find out all their different backgrounds.

Character List

• Dylan - 28 - Male - Aggressive and involved with drugs; 
• Freddy - 22 - Male - Loud and works as a cleaner; 
• Susan - 80 - Female - Grumpy, Old Woman, Lives on her own and she is retired;
• Molly - 19 - Female - Timid, Studying Maths;
• Lucy - 22 - Female - Jobless and Sporty;
• Fiadhe - 24 - Male - Jobless, Uneducated and nice but easily agitated;
• Albert - 27 - Male - Interested in animals and works as a stripper;
• Abbie - 30 - Female - Blunt, Heartless and works as a doctor;
• Martin - 27 - Male - Expensive taste and is a sportsman;
• Valerie - 18 - Female - Quiet, Mysterious and she is currently a student;
• Michael - 19 - Male - Photography Student, very reserved and earning minimum wage;
• Alfie - 25 - Male - Autistic, Schizophrenic and is currently unemployed;
• Conor - 20 - Male - Singer/Songwriter, Joker;
• Abdul - 19 - Male - Amateur football player, Quiet, Moneyless;
• Colin - 18 - Male - Aspergers, Student, Political Activist;
• Jarvis - 26 - Male - Racing Driver, Sporty, Friendly;
• Jessica - 23 - Female - HotHeaded, OutSpoken, Singer;
• Mary - 26 - Female - Loud, Unemployed, Homeless;

After considering all of this characters as audience members of a Sci-Fi/Action programme being aired at 19:30 on a Saturday Night named 'Space Fright. We gathered together the results and found out that 27% of the characters we created would watch this specific Saturday night programme. 

The Results;

• Dylan - 28 - Male - Aggressive and involved with drugs; YES
• Freddy - 22 - Male - Loud and works as a cleaner; NO
• Susan - 80 - Female - Grumpy, Old Woman, Lives on her own and she is retired; NO
• Molly - 19 - Female - Timid, Studying Maths; NO
• Lucy - 22 - Female - Jobless and Sporty; NO
• Fiadhe - 24 - Male - Jobless, Uneducated and nice but easily agitated; NO
• Albert - 27 - Male - Interested in animals and works as a stripper; NO
• Abbie - 30 - Female - Blunt, Heartless and works as a doctor; NO
• Martin - 27 - Male - Expensive taste and is a sportsman; NO
• Valerie - 18 - Female - Quiet, Mysterious and she is currently a student; YES
• Michael - 19 - Male - Photography Student, very reserved and earning minimum wage; NO
• Alfie - 25 - Male - Autistic, Schizophrenic and is currently unemployed; YES
• Conor - 20 - Male - Singer/Songwriter, Joker; NO
• Abdul - 19 - Male - Amateur football player, Quiet, Moneyless; NO
• Colin - 18 - Male - Aspergers, Student, Political Activist; YES
• Jarvis - 26 - Male - Racing Driver, Sporty, Friendly; YES
• Jessica - 23 - Female - HotHeaded, OutSpoken, Singer; NO
• Mary - 26 - Female - Loud, Unemployed, Homeless; NO

Final Cut Pro ShortCuts

Create new bin;
- CMD +B

- Right click to open shortcuts menu

Make the playhead go to the end of a clip;
- Home

Move the playhead forward or to the next point;
- Down Arrow
Move the playhead forward or to the previous point;
- Up Arrow

Frame back;
- Left Arrow

Frame forward;
- Right Arrow

Move playhead 1 second to the left;
- Shift + Left Arrow

Move playhead 1 second to the right;
- Shift + Right Arrow

Play clip backwards/reverse;
- J Key

Stop the clip;
- K Key

Play in slow motion;
- J+K Keys

Play clip sequence forward in timeline or canvas;
- L Key

Rewind the clip;
- Shift + SpaceBar

Set an in-point;
- I Key

Remove the in-point;
- ALT + I Key

Set out point;
- O Key

Move playhead to out point;
- SHIFT + O Key

Remove the out-point;
- ALT + O Key
Remove both in and out-points;
- ALT + X Key

Select default selection tool;
- A Key

Hide Final Cut Pro;
- CMD + H Key

Save Final Cut Pro,
- CMD + S Key

-Save as final cut pro,CMD + SHIFT + S

Final Cut Pro Quiz

Question 1;
What are 3 different ways to open Final Cut Pro?
- Dock
- Finder
- Desktop

Question 2;
What 4 modifier keys are often used as a shortcut to initiate functions or demands?
- CTRL (Control)
- CMD (Command)
- SHIFT
- ALT

Question 3;
How can you access the shortcut menu?
- CTRL + Click
- Right Click

Question 4;
Where do you find the import command?
- File Menu

Question 5;
Name 3 ways to open the clip in the viewer?
- Double Click
- Drag to the viewer
- Select + Press Return

Question 6;
Besides clicking the play button, what key can you use to play the clip?
- Spacebar
- L Key

Question 7;
What key moves the playhead forward and backwards one frame?
- Left Arrow Key
- Right Arrow Key

Question 8;
How do you mark an 'In Point' and 'Out Point' on a clip?
- I Key (In)
- O Key (Out)

Question 9;
What button in the canvas do you press to edit the clip?
- Overwrite (RED)

Question 10;
What visual indicator on the viewer can help you identify the first and the last frame?
- Film Strip will appear on the right of the viewer.

Question 11:
When viewing an audio instead of a visual clip you see?
- Wave Form

Question 12;
What are 3 ways you can create new bin?
- CTRL + Click in the grey area
- CMD + B Key
- File + New + New Bin

Question 13;
What are the keyboard shortcuts for 'SAVE', 'HIDE' and 'QUIT'?
- CMD + S
- CMD + H
- CMD + Q

Final Cut Pro Interface

Lighting Basics

Types of Lighting

Hard Lighting - Creates strong shadows, Usually used from behind the actor or to spotlight them

Soft Lighting - This sort of lighting is used to fill an open space such as living room or open studio space

3 Point Lighting;
When you have your actors in position, you can light them up in 3 different ways;

1. Back Light - This creates a fine line behind the actor, separating them from the background. This tends to be a hard light.
2. Key Light - Used to light the face, add detail and this also tends to be a hard sort of light.
3. Fill Light - This is different to the other two points. This type is used to canvas a space or to light up the entire area.

FACT..
Cameras aren't as powerful as our eye are at picking out light. Our eyes are better at adjusting to light in different situations. Different lighting may take longer to adjust too but our eyes will always adjust more than a camera lens.

Sound Basics

Types of Sound
- Background Noise;
    - Sound made by the environment in the set.
- Diegetic;
    - Sound that is naturally made such as dialogue and sounds in the environment.
- Non-Diegetic;
    - Man-Made sounds such as sounds that are created on a computer to fit in with the visuals.
- VoiceOver;
    - Speech that is recorded live to go over the top of the visuals.
- SFX (SoundEffects);
    - Noises that are added in during post production to improve the sound of the film.
- Dialogue;
    - Speech said by an actor live on set.

Ambient Sound;
    - People Talking
    - Chairs Creaking
    - People Breathing
    - Pen lids Popping

Microphone
- Clip Microphone
    - Clipped onto the actors costume, very limited range and used for mostly stage productions and reality shows.
- Boom Microphone
    - Directional, very powerful, it needs to be pointed in the right direction to be able to collect the right piece of sound.

Merging of Characters

By merging my own character that i created with another member of the class, I created this story that involved both of them in a equal manner and shows a clear like between them.

Title; How The Other Half Lives

Tagline; Money cant buy everyone's happiness

Synopsis;
Michael has lived in a small council house since he was born. Living life without a male figure in his life was hard but having to help his mum fund for the house was even harder. Michael's mum refuses to mention his dad's name so when his mother dies, Michael had to learn to live alone and work 10 times harder to be able to fund for the house. Earning minimum wage isn't always enough to live on so when Michael's godfather turns up, he sees how much Michael is struggling. Deciding that the best thing to do is to seek help from Michael's dad, he introduced the pair to each other. The pair go on a life changing journey throughout the film, Tyson, Michael's dad has to change from being a gambling, money orientated man into a respectable father figure. Whereas Michael, who has grown up with minimal possessions and money has to learn to accept that his father is there to help him. He soon realises that trying to make a way in the world himself wouldn't work but doesn't want his father to know that he can easily by his way back into his life.

Character Profile 2

Name - Tyson

Age - 50

Gender - Male

Nationality - African

Sexuality - Straight

Dress Sense - He seems to wear a lot of designer clothes such as Hobbs and Ralph Lauren.

Personality - Always seems to be happy because he has a lot of money and isn't in any debt.

Friends and Family - He knows he has a son but he doesn't know where he lives. He has a best friend called franklin who is Michaels godfather.

Relationship Status - Divorced

Health - He is very healthy, not much fat on him and of a healthy build

Ethnicity - Black African

Religion - Not Applicable

Appearance - He is a 6 foot tall, muscly man who has short black hair and a good dress sense.

Background - He was born in Ghana and lived there until he was 24 at what stage he moved to England and began a new life in Nottingham.

Body Language - Quite up himself, thinks he knows everything and really cocky

Traits - He can come across as really kind to his family but really aggressive when it comes to gambling and money

Occupation - Retired but claims that gambling is his full time job

Living Conditions - Mansion in Nottingham

Motivations - To keep all the money he already owns and maybe get richer

Goals - To stay as a millionaire until he dies

Financial Status - Extremely wealthy, higher class

Education - Finished school at sixteen and went straight to work but he is really good with numbers

Habits/Vices - Drugs, gambling, money

Languages - English, African

Skills - Good at gambling and very clever when it comes to numbers

Hobbies - Football, gambling, golf, money

Like/Dislikes - He likes nice women, nice cars and expensive but he doesn't like people who try to take his money, getting beaten at poker and poor people.

Character Profile 1

Name - Michael

Age - 19

Gender - Male

Nationality - British

Sexuality - Straight

Dress Sense - Dark Clothing, mostly jeans and a casual t-shirt, a hoodie and either vans or doc martins.

Personality - He is quite reserved and quiet. He keeps himself to himself and acts very secretive. Hes personality is effected by this family life in the past.

Family and Friends - His mum and dad separated before he was born. He grew up with his mum in a small council house and doesn't have many friends as he doesn't feel comfortable around strangers.

Relationship Status - Single

Health - He is a casual smoker and occasionally steals to fund his habit

Ethnicity - British

Religion - Catholic

Appearance - Short black hair, shaved at the sides and longer on the top. About 5'6" in height and quite clean skin

Background - Comes from a broken family home causing him to be very quiet and reserved. He rebels against the rules and does everything he can to help his mum keep the family home that he has grown up in. His dad left before he was born so he didn't know he had one.

Body Language - Confident around people that he knows but quiet and subdued around big groups of strangers. He's not very confident with confrontation either.

Traits - He can be really chatty with people that he knows but he doesn't like being away from his comfort zone. He finds comfort and confidence when he is behind the camera.

Occupation - Working in a low budget warehouse, lifting and carrying boxes and earning minimum wage.

Living Conditions - Small council house that he has grown up in. Its all he knows and its hard to live in such cramped conditions.

Motivation - His mother supports him as much as she can but with money being short, she isn't able to fund his education so he takes it upon himself to learn more skills and techniques to be a professional photographer.

Goals - To become a word-wide photographer and be able to fund for his mum to live a stress free life.

Financial Status - Currently earning minimum wage and trying to keep up with the rent on his family house

Education - Studied media in college but didn't get to finish the course due to funding issues.

Habits/Vices - Smoking is one of his main habits and effects his life a lot.

Languages - English

Skills - Captures specific moments that helps him produce professional standards of photos but is unable to produce them and sell them on to make money.

Hobbies - Art, Photography, Music and watching videos.

Likes and Dislikes - Professional photographers, arts, films, working for a living protecting his mum from danger of depression and stress related illnesses.

Character Profile - Pitch Perfect

I used a character out of my favourite film, 'Pitch Perfect' and created a character profile for them. I found out that just by watching the film, you can find a lot out about a character and it is easy to write about them.

Character Profile

Name - Becca

Age - 19

Gender - Female 

Appearance - White, brown hair, wears dark, dull colours.

Body Language - Independent, seems to be in her own little world, keeps herself to herself

Relationship Status - Single

Family - Mother; Unknown, Father; works as an english lecturer at Becca's University, Stepmum; On holiday, Becca doesn't get on with her very well

Sexuality - Straight 

Personality - Reserved, gets on with everyone, confident 

Background - Unknown

Skills - Singing, DJing, MusicMaking 

Financial Status - Middle Class, can afford Uni Fees.

Hobbies - DJing, Singing, MusicMaking

Occupation - Student

Goals - To move to LA and become a music producer

Nationality - American Citizen

Living Conditions - University Flat 

Habits - Singing in the Shower

What You Need to Know About a Character

These are some of the important characteristics that directors generally need to know about a character;

- Name

- Age

- Motive

- Gender

- Sexual Orientation

- Financial Status 

- Physical Appearance

- Religion 

- Hobbies/Interests 

- Ethnicity 

- Confidence 

- Body Language

- Background

- Family and Friends

- Personality 

- Nationality 

- Traits 

- Occupation 

- Home Town

- Relationship Status 

Music Video Analysis Essay

    I chose to analyse Jason Derulo's video that accompanies the song 'What If'. The producer director of this video was J. R. Rotem. Derulo's songs are mostly based around the pop genre and this one does exactly the same. Working with the general characteristics of a pop video, Derulo has managed to create a slow pop song that fits in with all the conventions that are usually seen in a video in this genre.

    A relationship between the lyrics and the visuals is key in any music video. Some videos act like just some visuals put together to show either the band playing music and a few additional shots of other situations but some can generally tell the story along with the lyrics acting as a step in for the narration. In this video, some of the lyrics are repeated throughout the song. 'What if' is a good example of this as it is the most common lyric throughout. Derulo repeats it constantly and it becomes quite striking to the audience. It is also mostly said when the shot is a closeup or medium shot of Derulo. By doing this, the audience can see the emotion that is being felt and can guess what is happening at that point of time. 'What if' is a very striking phrase and gives the audience the idea that Derulo is regretting what has happened in the past and what he would do if he could change it. The words 'What If' are used a lot in reality aswell so the audience are able to connect to the song more. The slow motion that is used, continues throughout the video. It helps link the pace of the song to the pace of the visuals. The lyrics in this song can also be thought to be quite catchy and will stick in the audiences mind for a while. This can also help sell the song and make other people aware of it.

    Making sure the music matches the visuals is very important when it comes to a music video. If they done match it can become very confusing for the audience to watch and they may not understand as well as they would do. The music in this video is really relaxing and suttle, making the audience feel at ease with the song and it also makes the lyrics more emotional. With the music flowing at the same pace as the visuals, it isn't overpowering the audience's minds and allows them to concentrate on what is being said in the lyrics. The music matches the visuals really well in this video making it easier to understand and also to follow.

    By using closeups of the artist, the video appeals more to the audience. Most videos that fit into the genre of pop use this method to sell their videos. In this particular video, the close-ups on Derulo occur during the most important parts of the song. When the lyrics 'Baby, What if' are sung, a montage of closeups and mid shots show Derulo's emotions and feelings that are potentially being portrayed. By using these certain shots, it makes the audience want to watch on, giving them the feeling of sympathy for the artist and get a general feeling for what they are going through. This video can relate to reality in more ways than one. The story that is being shown in the visuals is a very realistic event and it happens more than once every day across the world. Also it can also be said that the lyrics being sung can portray the feeling of regret and loss. It gives the feeling that Derulo wants to 'Go back in time' to change the past to improve the future. With the lyrics, music and camera shots all out together, it shows Derulo as a big, protective male figure at the beginning but as the video progress' it shows that he does have emotions and that he does have feelings towards what has just happened in his life.

    The notion of looking isn't very common in this video. The costumes of the actors aren't as revealing as they could be. The female characters costume consists of really short shorts and a low cut top. This can be seen as quite revealing but isn't as bad as some other costumes that are worn in some other music videos. The only voyeurism in this video is when the couple are unpacking and starting their new life together. The audience can sometimes feel like they are intruding and standing in the room with them. It can make the video quite awkward and strange to be in.

    Most of Derulo's videos contain a story. This one in particular fits in really well with the story telling part of a video. The story that is told is taken very seriously and it related to reality really well. This video shows a contrast between the 'Big Man' Derulo is usually portrayed as and the emotional character he is playing throughout his video. The intertextual references that are shown in this video are used really well to link Derulo's videos in with either his other videos or other videos that contain similar lyrics and music.

    This video is very narrative based meaning that the video is based around a story. Its either being told in the lyrics or being portrayed in the visuals. In this particular video, the story that is being shown is being reversed as Derulo insisted in changing the past to help save his loved one in the future. It can be seen that Derulo is blaming himself for the death of his girlfriend and regrets everything that happened since they met. He can feel that if they didn't meet then none of this would have happened.

    To conclude, this video is narrative based and portrays a story that can be seen as striking by the audience. The use of the close ups and mid shots on the artist are used really well for two important reasons. Number one; to sell the video. By using lots of shots of the artist, it will appeal to the audience more and it will help the audience connect with emotions and feelings being felt by Derulo and number two; to portray the emotions felt by the artist making the audience feel the same way or to feel sympathetic towards them. Voyeurism isn't a major issue in this video but it is common in pop videos that they is some source of looking throughout the video. The relationship between the music and the visuals in this film have a really good connection, having a slow pace video really fits in well with the slow paced music. Adding to the previous point, the relationship between the lyrics and the visuals almost has exactly the same connection as the music and visuals does making all these elements work really well together.

Music Video Analysis 3 - Everything Has Changed

Track Name; Everything Has Changed
Artist/Director; Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran

Genre Characteristics
General Examples;
- Rapid Cuts
- Basic Location
- Costumes
Detailed Examples;
As this video is based around a story, to save time, the director decided to make loads of different shots into one creating a montage. The location is basic e.g. a school and it makes it more natural and understanding. The costumes also relate to the artist as they are wearing the same thing as their parents.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals
General Examples;
- Two Children
- Spending time with each other
Detailed Examples;
The lyrics in this song really link well with the visuals in the way that the children are getting to know each other and becoming increasingly close. It also acts as the narration for a love story using the lyrics 'You'll be mine and I'll be yours'.

Relationship between music and visuals
General Examples;
- Link to artist
- Guitar
- Slow
Detailed Examples;
The music in this video links well to the artists that are producing the song. The use of guitars links well with the style of music both Swift and Sheeran tend to focus around. Sheeran is always knows as the man with the guitar and Swift tends to focus around country style music.

Close-Ups
General Examples;
- No Closeups
-Artist isn't shown until the end
Detailed Examples;
This video is tightly based around a story. The little ginger boy and the girl in the white dress are being portrayed as Sheeran and Swift when they were younger. Then at the end the big reveal is that it is infact their children and this is when the first shot of the artists are shown.

Voyeurism
General Examples;
- Pervy
- Looking at children
Detailed Examples;
Some of the voyeurism in this video can be seen as quite perverse as the audience are having to watch two little children doing what they normally do in their everyday lives. Watching them from a distance can also make it quite awkward but make the audience see how sweet young love can be.

Intertextual References
General Examples;
- Pace of this song
- Relates to each artist
Detailed Examples;
The pace of this song relates a lot to the artists other songs. Sheeran and Swift both have slow songs like this on their albums and after collaborating, they mixed both of their similar styles to create a song that the audience can see the link between the two.

Performance-Based or Concept-Based or Narrative-Based
General Examples;
- Narrative-Based
Detailed Examples;
This video is tightly based around a story that shows two children growing closer and closer to each other and then finally finishing school and meeting their parents who in this case are Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. The two children are replicers of their parents when they were younger and it can be seen as strange to think that their children are so close but the parents (Swift and Sheeran) hardly know each other.

Music Video Analysis 2 - What If

Track Name; What If
Artist/Director; Jason Derulo

Genre Characteristics
General Examples;
- Slow Motion
- Artist singing on his own
- Costume
Detailed Examples;
Derulo shows that he has his own style by wearing a black leather jacket. The use of the slow motion during the majority of the video isn't common for a pop video but it works really well with the pace of the song and also lyrics.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals
General Examples;
- 'What if'
- Repeated
- Pace Matches
- Slow Motion
Detailed Examples;
The lyrics 'What If' are constantly repeated throughout the video adding the feeling of regret to the emotions that are already being portrayed. The slow motion is also continued throughout most of the video. This helps link the pace to everything else.

Relationship between music and visuals
General Examples;
- Relaxing
- Suttle
- Emotional
- Story being told
Detailed Examples;
The music that goes with this video is really relaxing and subtle, making the audience members feel quite at ease but the lyrics make it more emotional. The music also goes really well with the pace of the visuals linking in well with the use of slow motion.

Close-Ups
General Examples;
- Of Derulo
- Establish Emotions
- Helps the audience feel the artist's emotions
Detailed Examples;
The close-ups that are used in Derulo really make the audience understand how upset and broken Derulo is after he has lost his girlfriend. It makes the audience really focus on him and what he is saying, making them think more about the lyrics.

Voyeurism
General Examples;
- Not Common
- Make the situation awkward
Detailed Examples;
The way voyeurism is portrayed in this video is only in the way that the audience is watching the couple start their new lives together and you go on a journey with them, going over how they came to meet but it can feel quite awkward at some points.

Intertextual References
General Examples;
- Big, Butch Man
- Has feelings and emotions
- All men cry
- All men have feelings
Detailed Examples;
Derulo is portrayed as a big, butch man moving in with his girlfriend and doing all the manly jobs around the house, treating his girlfriend to a meal etc. but as the video progresses his feeling surface and the audience get to see another side to him.

Performance-Based or Concept-Based or Narrative-Based
General Examples;
-Narrative-Based
Detailed Examples;
This video is very narrative based, telling a the whole way through. It goes through hoe Derulo wants to change the past to improve the future even if that meant not meeting the girl of his dreams and living their lives together.

Music Video Analysis 1 - R U Crazy

Track Name; R U Crazy
Artist/Director; Conor Maynard

Genre Characteristics
General Examples;
- Rapid Editing
- Costume
- Multiple Locations
- Artist singing on his own
Detailed Examples;
All of the factors above can be seen in most music videos that are produced in this century. A lot of the locations can help relate to the issues being portrayed in the song and also the costumes are either casual or smart-casual.

Relationship between lyrics and visuals
General Examples;
- Good strong link
- Feel Emotions
- Match the tone of the music
Detailed Examples;
'Theres no second chance for us' relates really well to reality and maybe some of the lives of the audience. It can also help the audience to be able to feel the emotions of the singer and the situations that they are in.

Relationship between music and visuals
General Examples;
- Pace of the visuals
- Changes with the pace of the music
Detailed Examples;
As the music begins to slow down, the visuals also do. The fast paced sections of the video are mostly seen with during the faster sections of music. This impacts the audience and takes them on an emotional rollercoaster.

Close-Ups
General Examples;
- Capture the audience's attention
- Sell the video
Detailed Examples;
By using a lot of close-ups on the artist, it can help to draw in a specific audience e.g. fans of the artist. It will help sell the video and help it get more views on social networking sites. Because of this, the record company makes more money.

Voyeurism
General Examples;
- Their Relationship
- The emotions between them
- The Arguments
- Corridor Scene
Detailed Examples;
By using the shots that they did, the audience feel like they are involved in their relationship and they get more of an insight of their emotions but it can also seem like they are intruding in their personal space.

Intertextual References
General Examples;
- Pace is similar to other songs
- Pace is similar to other videos
Detailed Examples;
The pace of the song and the visuals are similar to other videos. This makes it more rememberable and noticeable when people go to watch it. It's also more effective because Maynard can relate tp what is happening in the visuals.

Performance-Based or Concept-Based or Narrative-Based
General Examples;
- Narrative-Based
- Performance-Based
Detailed Examples;
This video is about an ex-girlfriendthat Maynard wanted to rant about but didn't want to name making part of the video narrative-based. By performing with a band at the beginning of the video adds to the performance side of the basis.

Portfolio - Google Drive

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8Y3qghWoOpLdkpQdzk5NmF0UU0/edit?usp=sharing

Storyboard for my Short Film

Shot 1;

This shot shows a POV shot out of the window of a train. As the country side is speeding past, faded images of people in the army fighting for their country and also for their lives.

Shot 2;


This shot is a wide shot of the O'Donnell's new family home, the tatty door and the ripped curtains shows the downgrade they are having to undertake.

Script for my Short Film

FADE IN

INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE

POV shot looking out of train window at the countryside as it speeds past like lightening. A flash of white light and then a [MS]of a middle-aged woman - JULIE O'DONNELL, sitting on the train seat with a bag on the seat next to her. She looks upset but trying to stay strong. Shot Reverse Shot between the Julie and her son, MIKE O'DONNELL, as they talk on the train, trying to pass the time. 

JULIE

He will be okay you know, your father is a strong man and he knows what he's doing. Im sure he'll be home in no time.

MIKE

[Angry]

How do you know? He won't even know where we've gone. I don't even see why we have to move. We were fine where we were. 

JULIE

[Sympathetic]

Its complicated son, Im sure you'll love it down there.

EXT. GETTING OFF THE TRAIN ONTO PLATFORM

Julie and Mike arrive at the station and as the train doors open, it cuts to a front door slamming shut and dust flying everywhere. 

INT. NEW HOUSE HALLWAY

The house is painted orange with nicotine stains and smells like mould and damp. A [LS] of Julie and Mike as they stand in the hallway of the building they now call home. 

Julie

[Sighs]

Welcome home..

Mike

This will never be home

Mike storms upstairs leaving Julie alone in the hallway. 

INT. KITCHEN

Julie is cooking dinner and Mike is sitting at the makeshift kitchen table writing things in the dust that lay above it.

JULIE

Are you going to wipe that table or am i going to have to do it myself?

Mike looks up and gives Julie a really evil glare and then looks back down and carries on drawing in the dust. Mike is already hating the new house and its surroundings. Julie sighs and carries on cooking. 

EXT. SCHOOL PLAYGROUND

The second day of being down south and Mike has started his new school. Nervous and anxious, Mike walks around the school playground alone with his backpack hanging off his right shoulder. His uniform isn't quite right yet with a tatty old jumper and trousers that are a bit too short for him. The school bullies taunt him for looking different and having no friends. 

Bullies

[Tauntingly]

What is that? Where has that come from? He stinks...

Montage of taunting, arguing and abuse that happens to Mike in school. 

INT. HALLWAY OF NEW HOUSE

After running the distance home, Mike slams the front door behind him and slumps up against it. Julie, who is again preparing dinner, calls out to him. 

JULIE

[Shouts]

How was your first day? Did you make any nice friends?

MIKE

[Shouts back angrily]

I HATE YOU! WHY DID WE HAVE TO MOVE? IF DAD WAS HERE, NONE OF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED!

INT. MIKES BEDROOM 

Mike slams his bedroom door behind him and flops onto his bed, head in hands, crying. As the anger inside him begins to fire he begins to trash his room, throwing family pictures and other objects in all different directions. Whilst this is showing, there are faded pictures of the bullies at school laughing at him and his mothers face as she looks at him with disappointment. 

MIKE 

[Screams]

AGHHHHHHHHH!

Last Scene

INT. LIVING ROOM

Julie is sitting on the sofa, writing a letter to her missing husband in the hope that he would receive it and come home to them. 

Julie 

[Voiceover]

Dear My Darling Husband, Harry,

A lot has changed since you left, I worry about you everyday, thinking the worst but hoping for the best, thats what they say isn't it, everyone says 'oh he'll be okay, he's a fighter' but they dont know what its like to be me. Mike hasnt taken the news very well either, he's gone. Noone knows where he is and it's made losing you even harder to cope with. Both my boys, out in the world, all on their own. I pray every night that you are both okay and will return home safe and soon. It hurts to think that I may never see you again or you might not even receive this letter. I long for a hug from you and to feel safe in your arms again. I will never stop loving you and... 

SILENCE.

INT. HALLWAY 

Two battered army boots are left near the door and footsteps are heard walking further and further away. 

INT. LIVING ROOM

Harry walks into the room wondering where everyone is and finds Julie sitting on the sofa sobbing.

HARRY

Julie? Where's Mike?

Julie turns round slowly to find her husband standing in full army uniform in the doorway leading from the hallway into the living room. She slowly gets up, walks over to him and grabs him tight. Not letting go. 

Julie

[Crying]

He's gone!

INT. LIVING ROOM

Julie hands Harry the letter she had just finished writing and the shot fades out.

FADE OUT

Script Analysis - Scream

FADE IN

ON A RINGING TELEPHONE.

A hand reaches for it, bringing the receiver up to the face
of CASEY BECKER, a young girl, no more than sixteen.  A
friendly face with innocent eyes.

		CASEY
	Hello.

		MAN'S VOICE
		(from phone)
	Hello.

Silence.

		CASEY
	Yes.

		MAN
	Who is this?

		CASEY
	Who are you trying to reach?

		MAN
	What number is this?

		CASEY
	What number are you trying to reach?

		MAN
	I don't know.

		CASEY
	I think you have the wrong number.

		MAN
	Do I?

		CASEY
	It happens. Take it easy.

CLICK! She hangs up the phone.  The CAMERA PULLS BACK to
reveal Casey in a living room, alone.  She moves from the
living room to the kitchen.  It's a nice house.  Affluent.

The phone RINGS again.

INT.  KITCHEN

Casey grabs the portable.

		CASEY
	Hello.

		MAN
	I'm sorry. I guess I dialed the wrong number.

		CASEY
	So why did you dial it again?

		MAN
	To apologize.

		CASEY
	You're forgiven. Bye now.

		MAN
	Wait, wait, don't hang up.

Casey stands in front of a sliding glass door.  It's pitch
black outside.

		CASEY
	What?

		MAN
	I want to talk to you for a second.

		CASEY
	They've got 900 numbers for that. Seeya.

CLICK!  Casey hangs up.  A grin on her face.

EXT.  CASEY'S HOUSE - NIGHT - ESTABLISHING

A big country home with a huge sprawling lawn full of big
oak trees.  It sits alone with no neighbors in sight.

The phone RINGS again.

INT.  KITCHEN

Popcorn sizzles in a pot on the stove.  Casey covers it with
a lid, reaching for the portable phone.

		CASEY
	Hello.

		MAN
	Why don't you want to talk to me?

		CASEY
	Who is this?

		MAN
	You tell me your name, I'll tell you mine.

		CASEY
		(shaking the popcorn)
	I don't think so.

		MAN
	What's that noise?

Casey smiles, playing along, innocently.

		CASEY
	Popcorn.

		MAN
	You're making popcorn?

		CASEY
	Uh-huh.

		MAN
	I only eat popcorn at the movies.

		CASEY
	I'm getting ready to watch a video.

		MAN
	Really? What?

		CASEY
	Just some scary movie.

		MAN
	Do you like scary movies?

		CASEY
	Uh-huh.

		MAN
	What's your favorite scary movie?

He's flirting with her.  Casey moves away from the stove and
takes a seat at the kitchen counter, directly in front of
the glass door.

		CASEY
	I don't know.

		MAN
	You have to have a favorite.

Casey thinks for second.

		CASEY
	Uh...HALLOWEEN. You know, the one with the
	guy with the white mask who just sorta walks around
	and stalks the baby sitters. What's yours?

		MAN
	Guess.

		CASEY
	Uh...NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.

		MAN
	Is that the one where the guy had knives
	for fingers?

		CASEY
	Yeah...Freddy Krueger.

		MAN
	Freddy-that's right. I liked that movie.
	It was scary.

		CASEY
	The first one was, but the rest sucked.

		MAN
	So, you gotta boyfriend?

		CASEY
		(giggling)
	Why? You wanna ask me out?

		MAN
	Maybe. Do you have a boyfriend?

		CASEY
	No.

		MAN
	You never told me your name.

Casey smiles, twirling her hair.

		CASEY
	Why do you want to know my name?

		MAN
	Because I want to know who I'm looking
	at.

Casey spins around like lightning facing the glass door.

		CASEY
	What did you say?

		MAN
	I want to now who I'm talking to.

		CASEY
	That's not what you said.

		MAN
	What do you think I said?

Casey CLICKS on the outside light.  A flood light
illuminates the backyard.  Her eyes survey the grounds.  But
it's empty.  No one's there.  She turns the light out.

On the stove, the popcorn POPS.

		CASEY
	I have to go now.

		MAN
	Wait...I thought we were gonna go out.

		CASEY
	Nah, I don't think so...

		MAN
	Don't hang up on me.

		CASEY
	Gotta go.

		MAN
	Don't...

CLICK!  Casey hangs up.  She checks the glass door making
sure it's locked and then moves to the stove as...

THE PHONE RINGS.

She slides the popcorn from the stove, reaching for the
phone.

		CASEY
	Yes?

		MAN
	I told you not to hang up on me.

		CASEY
	What do you want?

		MAN
	To talk.

		CASEY
	Dial someone else, okay?

		MAN
	You getting scared?

		CASEY
	No-bored.

CLICK.  She hangs up.  The phone RINGS again.  She grabs it.

Location Recce

A location recce is a checklist that needs to be completed when choosing and hiring a location. It can be used as an organiser to help you keep note of everything you need to take to the location for filming. It can also help organise your film.

The most important things that you need to make priority are;

Mobile Phone;
This is probably one of the most important things that you need to remember. If anything happens to your actors in a health and safety way, the emergency services need to be contacted. Also if there is an actor that hasn't turned up, you will need to contact them to see where they are. If it comes to them not being able to turn up, you'll have to contact the understudy immediately.

Student ID Card;
You will need to have your student ID on you at all times. In some cases, the manager of the location may ask you what is going on and you will need something to prove that you are students and are only shooting a low budget student film.

Dress Code;
You will need to make sure the dress code fits the location setting and also notify the actors of this and make sure that they know what the are bringing in good time and wont have to rush to prepare what they need.

Availability and Timing;
You will need to make sure that the actors and crew are available for the times that you need them to shoot. Also you need to ask the location manager if the location needed is available at the times that you need it.

Children's Details;
Age of some children may cause a problem. If the child is under the age of 16, they will need parents consent to be able to feature in the film. Plus the parents details will have to be taken incase of an emergency.

Maps/Directions 
Maps and directions will need to be distributed to the actors and crew so they are able to find the location easily and wont turn up late causing time to be wasted. They have to be clear and easy to follow.

How can a location influence a film?

Locations can be key when trying to set the scene of a film. The location is the first thing that is seen in the opening shot of the film. When it comes to setting the genre of a film, the location has to be determined at the beginning of the planning.

The setting in 'This is England' shows that the film is set in the 1980's. The sights of the graffiti on the walls and the council estates also help the audience to understand the characters before being introduced to them.

.

Whereas in a film like Pride and Prejudice, the setting is completely different. You can instantly tell that the characters are going to be upper class and be able to afford nice clothing and other elements.



By seeing these pictures, you can tell how much the film relies on the correct location because otherwise the whole story can become confusing to the audience and also elements like the costume and makeup won't match the scene. It can also be used to establish the time period the film is set in.

Fish Out of Water

Fish out of Water is a concept used to describe a character who is in an awkward or strange situation that they won't necessarily be in. The character doesn't always understand what is going on and may not have a clue what to do. By doing this, the director can add an element of comedy to their film as the audience can easily connect to the confusion that the character is feeling and be able to laugh through it.

A good example of this is in a film called 'The Pacifier' staring Shane Wolf and Tate Donovan. This is a classic fish out of water film as Wolf is assigned to protect Howard Plummer [Donovan] and his family. As the film progresses, Wolf becomes very confused when he finds out that he hasn't actually been assigned to 'protect' the family but to babysit the children on a full-time basis. As Wolf is a fully trained secret agent, he doesn't have any idea what to do when it comes to babysitting. Linking this to the 'Fish out of Water' concept, Wolf is taken out of his comfort zone and placed in a position that he doesn't know any methods to cope.

This is a common example of the fish out of water concept and it is commonly used in films for all different reasons. It makes the film more interesting as it shocks the audience and also helps add the comedy element to the film.

Loglines

A logline is a short synopsis or description written in as less words as possible. It is a general summery of the film and contains some of the key points without giving the main plot of the film away. Sky has a common use for them as the viewer is able to see what the film is about and if it appeals to them. It is said that they should contain up to 30 words but Blake Snyder came up with this idea;

'On the verge of [insert bad thing here], a [flawed hero] has [big thing happens] and [story set-up]. But when [story middle happens] he/she must learn [theme of your movie] before [awful thing that will happen if they fail].'

This became very popular in helping film directors to create popular loglines to help sell and intrigue the particle audiences they have planned to reach.

Music Videos

Andrew Goodwin from Dancing in the Distraction Factory 1992, Routledge, has identified the following features about music videos;

- They demonstrate genre characteristics such as stage performance in metal videos, dance routines for girl and boy bands, etc.
- There is a certain relationship between the lyrics and the visuals which are either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting.
- There is also a specific link between the music and the visuals which are either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting.
- The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups on the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work. Something like a visual style.
- There is a frequent reference to the notion of looking - (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment towards the female body.
- There is often intertextual reference to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc.

Considering that most music videos are either performance-based, narrative-based or concept-based, each of the elements above are used in them.

Narrative: The story that is portrayed throughout the video.

Concept: There is no relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. The video can be really random and nothing to do with the song.

Risk Assessment

A risk assessment is a chart that is filled out in the pre production process of a film. It is when you consider all the dangers that can come to your actors and crew members. Also you have to cover what can go wrong during the production process. As a basic summery, it contains all the health and safety elements during filming.

Some elements that could be considered are;

- Alcohol/Drugs

- Camera Cables/Grip Equipment

- Unstable Structures

- Old, Derelict Buildings

- Confined Spaces

- Electricity/Gas (other than normal supplies)

- Fatigue

- Long Hours

- Fire/Flammable Materials

- Hot/Cold/Extreme Weather Conditions

- Hot/Cold/Extreme Temperature Conditions

- Noise-High Sound Levels

- Radiation

- Smoking whilst on Set

- Stunts/Dangerous Activities

- Working on Heights

- Working Overseas

As a director, it is your responsibility to make sure all actors and crew are safe throughout the whole production process, no matter what conditions you are working in.

Recce Checklist

Things to take:	Complete	Notes
Camera	Y
Mobile phone	Y
Notebook, pen, PDA	Y
Programme risk assessment form	Y
Maps/directions	Y
Student ID card	Y
Brief	Y
Checklist	Y
Talking to people:	Complete	Notes
Confirm ownership	Y
Exchange details	Y
Explain intentions	Y
Discuss fees/contract	Y
Editorial policy	Y
Are passes required?	Yes      No	Yes, to enter the college you will need a ID pass.
Availability and timings	Y	Opening time- 8am-10pm, 6days a week,
Local events	Y	Open evenings
Dress code	Yes     No
Copyright issues	Yes     No
Children’s details	Yes     No
Transport/access:	Complete	Notes
Landmarks for directions	Y	Southend central (train)
Neighbour disturbance	Yes     No
Risk of trespass	Yes     No
Internal access	Y
Vehicle access	Y
Toilets	Y
Traffic control needed?	Yes     No
Shelter	Y
Safety for hazardous environments	Y
Tidal waters	Yes     No
Boats/safety	Yes     No
Camera/lighting:	Complete	Notes
Position of the sun	Y	Compass.
Window direction	Y
Power supply	Y
Size of location	Y
Strobing	Yes     No
TV/computer screens	Yes     No
Is floor level?	Yes     No
Secure place for kit	Yes    No
Cables	Y
Smoke alarms/sprinklers	Yes     No
Sound:	Complete	Notes
Listen	Y
Traffic/roadworks	Yes    No
Aircraft	Yes     No
Electrical hazards	Yes     No
Schools	Yes     No
Weather	Yes      No
Background music/PA system	Yes     No
Air conditional/fridges	Yes     No
Wooden floors	Yes     No
Things for director:	Complete	Notes
Take photos	Y
GVs/top shots	Y
Cutaways	Y
Backgrounds	Y
Events	Y
Additional contributors	Yes      No
Food/accommodation:	Complete	Notes
Eating	Y
Hotels	Y