Music Video Pitch (feedback)

Music Video Pitch

Planning

Today, we analysed the song together and decided to plan our storyboard. Although we knew which ideas to incorporate due to brainstorming various concepts prior to the course starting, we decided to split the song into 3 stages: beginning, middle and end. Doing this helped us, as it organized our ideas and put them in order. We also paid attention at the lenght of the song. This also helped with deciding when to start our 3 sections and when to end them. 

Etta Bond - Ask Me To Stay

"Ask Me To stay" (lyrics)

I’m packing my bags

There’s nothing more to say, but goodbye,

You’re watching me leave

How can you not ask me to stay, just ask me to stay

It's like there's no more pain

You're coldhearted babe,

still you're not fazed

I call you a bitch

And then I walk away.

So leave the key under the mat

Tonight the sky is turning black

Baby I’ll be coming back for you

I’ll be back for you

I’ll be back for you

You should have asked me to stay...

Asked me to stay...

Is there someone else?

I feel like there’s more to what you say,

You get in my face

But you broke my heart just yesterday

And you think it’s ok,

You thought I’d be ok

Be serious baby

You dropped this bomb, intent to decapitate

So leave the key under the mat

Tonight the sky is turning black

Baby I’ll be coming back for you

I’ll be back for you

I’ll be back for you

You should have asked me to stay...

Asked me to stay...

Enjoy this babe

Feel relieved

Zip my bag up

I didn’t wanna leave,

I'll destroy you

And then you’ll see

Be broken hearted

And you’ll ask to stay just like me...

Ask, Ask me to stay...

(x2)

Decision

My partner and I decided to use the song "Ask Me To Stay" by Etta Bond. This is because the ideas that we explored for this song were more realistic than the ones for "Ask Me To Stay" by Metric. As the first idea includes many characters and thus, working with a wide range of people, we ultimately figured that it would be easier to manage work with a restrained number of people. We also found the second idea better due to the fact that love is a universal theme that more people can empathise with. Thus, our video would target a larger audience than the first idea.

David Guetta- Titanium ft. Sia (Case Studies)

Synopsis:

The music video starts with a boy sitting on the ground in a school’s hallway that appears to have been destroyed. As the song starts, he gradually begins to get on his feet and makes his way throughout the building. As he walks, he notices a teacher who appears to be terrified of him, and quickly closes the door while calling for help.  The boy gradually realises that de debris surrounding him is his fault and hurries up. We then see the teacher rushing out of the building towards a car that seems to belong to a policeman. As she explains the situations, she quickly points to the protagonist who appears in distance. We are then following the boy who is cycling on his bike. As he does so, we observe that he is hurrying up and makes a lot of effort to get to his destination. He then enters what looks like his house and notices that the destruction of his school has been published in the news. Scared, he rushes in his room and tried to pack his rucksack so he can run away. In the meantime, the authority has located him and tries to get into the house. The boy rushes to the entrance from what looks like his backyard and tries to get out of the house. We then see him walking through the woods and as the night sets, we see him being chased by the authorities who have located him again. He eventually gets caught and put on the ground by one of the policemen. The video ends with the boy emerging his super powers and the policemen getting hurt by it.

The reason why I chose this video is because I find the storyboard interesting and rather simple to follow. The video is not made in a complicated manner and the only special effects used are the telekinesis powers of the protagonist. The music video is extremely narrative and focuses on the story throughout the entirety of the video. What I find interesting is that the lack of artist does not seem to affect the production. On the other hand, it seems to help it, because the melody of the music fits with the video. This aspect captures the viewer’s attention, because the music video seems more realistic. The main theme for this song also seems to explore the idea of “helplessness” and “loneliness”. The boy is thus forced to cope with a situation that cannot handle is continuously overwhelmed and confused by his unexpected situation. He appears solitary and left out, which we get from his teachers disdain, the indifference of the joggers that pass him by, and most importantly, the absence of his parents which implies that they have left him alone.

In terms of editing, the video starts with a zoom-back, its effect being of introducing the main character. The video follows by tilting the character as he is sitting in a fetal-ball as a sign of protection.  It then continues to tilt several other images of the surrounding, which ultimately makes the viewer aware of what might have happened. The camera follows with an establishing shot while zooming out again in order to avoid making the video too ambiguous. This also helps because it gives the viewers and overall look of how the situation is. A medium-close up occurs with the camera tilting up as the character also get on his feet, which suggests that we are going to follow his journey throughout the entire video. As we are following the boy, a shot reverse-shot occurs when he first sees the teacher who appears to be afraid of the boy. This particular effect helps the viewer understand that the boy is the cause of the disaster and thus makes the story much clearer. The camera then continues following the protagonist with a medium shot The cutting rate is also gradually increased, and a series of jump cuts occur, from the teacher rushing to the policeman, to the little boy, to the policeman speaking with the lady, and then to the boy again. This alerts the viewer and makes them aware that the protagonist is in danger.  As the boy runs away with his bicycle, a series of close-ups appear which focus on a part of the boy’s body while cycling. This also shows his tension and aggravates his situation. As he approaches what his destination, the video is less fast paced, which implies that as he approaches home, he feels more and more secure. We then get an establishing shot of his house, and as he enters we see a close up to his face looking shocked. This reaction is immediately explained by another cut to the TV where we are shown the news of his school being destructed. Scared, he runs to his room to pack. As he does so, we get a close up to his rucksack, this implying that he is planning to run away. This is suddenly destructed by what looks like the authorities, who located him. The video then zooms in to the front door while it jump cuts the boy trying to get out of the house through the backyard. This created tension as the protagonist is restrained by time, the zooming replacing a clepsydra. When the front door breaks, the protagonist uses his telekinesis powers and escapes the situation. As the environment changes, we also get a new establishing shot of the woods, while the camera pans while following the character. This keeps happening as the main character is caught, and put on the ground. The camera then presents him from a bird’s eye view in order to show him vulnerable. A series of shot-reverse-shots occur, in order to show both the police’s reaction and the child’s. While the policemen keep shouting at him, he gets back to the fetus-ball position, this way emerging his special powers.

Overall, the video is both directed to adults and pre-teens, because it engages with a story that engages with supernatural ideas. As the main character is also a kid, we could say that the video might also have a didactic meaning, which is to not do anything reckless or out of control. In the same time, the song talks about being courageous and brave. Together, they might persist on the idea of being courageous to do the right things in life, and not taking reckless risks.

The video ultimately inspires me, because I am mostly aiming to create a video that is both meaningful and with didactic values. Therefore, it teaches me to think before scripting the characters actions and also making them very obvious in order to not confuse the viewer,

M83- Midnight City (Case Studies)

Synopsis:

The music video starts through a character that walks into what looks like an institution for children with special abilities. Here, they seem to be tested in a very dull and isolated environment, and as the video progresses, we immediately realize that the children are not happy with being there, but rather forced. As the mysterious character walk into the room and is successfully places at a table, we learn that he is a little boy by what looks like the age of 10. His presence however seems to disturb the rest of the children and shortly the entire room looks at him suspiciously. The viewer also gets the impression that the boy has the attributes of the leader, mainly because he makes himself remarked without effort. After this introductory scene, the background changed and we are introduced to what looks like their dorm room. Although night, everyone seems to be awake aside of the new boy. The rest are also suggestively staring at him which results in him waking up.  United, they also seem to control a very high amount of power which ultimately gives them the chance to escape the institute by breaking the door.  As they escape, we are following them through the woods until they encounter a building that looks like a warehouse. In this particular place, they also seem to test their powers, as well as getting to know one another. Suddenly, we are following the boy that leads them on the roof. As he watches the sunset, the other children seem to follow him. The video ultimately ends with them staying close to each other until the sunset is over. In this scene, the video focuses on their eyes and the viewer observes how they seem to acquire a very unusual colour.

The reason why I picked this music video is mainly because it does not follow the conventional style in which the artist has to be present. Throughout the entire video we only see the children and their story, which makes it extremely narrative and linear. What is also extremely interesting is that the ending does not finish the story, but rather gives an unfinished feel, which engages with the viewer’s imagination and encourages them to imagine the ending themselves. The main theme of the video seems to be the supernatural as well as abused children. The reason why I think this is because the children seem to be exploited for what they are. We get this especially at the beginning of the video, when we see the children being supervised by adults. We also get this impression when the children are breaking the door; here we see that they are locked, which prevents them from escaping. As the children do not seem to be attached by any place or objects, they can be mostly perceived as solitary beings. However, their union does appear important to complete their escapade.

In terms of editing, the music video starts with a pan, a tilt, a high angle as well as various zoom in shots in order to introduce the characters. These effects are heavily used in the first seconds of the video in order to give an overview of the main characters. As they escape from the institute, a canted angle is used which gives the viewer an insight of how the place looks like. As the camera follows the children running away, a worms eye view occurs which shows the passing of time. The forest scene ends with a tilt in which one of the children causes tricks the adults that were looking after them. As they escape from the forest, an establishing scene introduces the place where they run away to, in this case, the warehouse. Again, an establishing shot and worms eye view occurs in order to get the viewer used to the new scene- the inside of the warehouse. Here, a series of special effects are used, in order to show the telekinetic powers of the children. As a result, various objects are flying and getting smashed, which shows the frustration of the kids. They are mostly filmed from an over the shoulder view which shows how one of the children are manipulating the objects. The producer also uses a tilt, which allows the viewer to see the every aspect of their powers. We ultimately see the leader going on the roof, with a high angle looking down at him. A medium close up follows, this showing his emotions through the details of his face. The rest of the children follow him and together they are watching the sunset. Again, special effects are used to make their eye colour more noticeable and lit, which ultimately gives them a special aura.

Overall, the video is mainly directed to teenagers and adults. Although it engages with the subject of child abuse, this is rather subtly hinted and not entirely the main theme of video. The supernatural powers are also frequently used in films directed to children or pre-teenagers, this ultimately giving the music video a wider range of audience. The music is also extremely visual and as no cursing words are used, it makes the record very good for most types of audiences. The video also encourages me to use more challenging effects in order to make the music video interesting to watch.

Alexander Rybak- Leave Me Alone (Case Studies)

Synopsis:

The music video starts off with the artist who appears rather helpless and in search of protection. From his appearance, the viewer immediately understands that he is both physically and mentally exhausted, which gives the impression that he went through a shocking series of events. As he knocks at a door that appears to belong to an institution, he explains that he wishes to be admitted in the asylum because a woman is following him. This makes both the guardians and the viewers question his sanity and after this short introduction, the music starts and the rest of the action is focused inside the asylum’s building. As the artist starts singing, he also reveals what has happened to him trough the lyrics. This ultimately explains what brought him in that condition. In the same time, he also walks through the asylum’s corridor, this way revealing the mysterious woman who is following him from behind. The asylum’s inmates also acknowledge his presence and mesmerized by his song, they appear to join his cause. As the video progresses, the artist also seems to gradually get better as well as more confident. His fear disappears and thus, is replaced with anger which makes him confront the woman who is following him. By approaching him directly, he tricks her and with the help of the other inmates, puts her into a straight jacket. She is therefore unable to do him any wrong, and by exchanging places, he is ultimately free to go.

I mostly picked this video mainly because the idea of a story implement in a music video appeals to me and makes the overall experience much more insightful. The fact that the narrative course is consistent also allows the story to have a beginning, middle and end, gives the song much more meaning. Although mostly narrative, it also includes a few performance based scenes, in which the artist is dancing and acts as if addressing the viewer. However, this does not interrupt the narrative course of the video, but instead seems to add more suspense. What is exceptionally interesting about this music video is that the main theme is psychological disorders. Throughout the entire video, Alexander struggles to deal with a stranger who appears to have developed an obsession for him.  The video is more or less, a journey that concerns his fight towards his privacy. The director also uses pathetic fallacy at the very beginning, which also reflects the state of mind of the character/artist. The rain and thunder therefore reveals his feelings, frustrations and more importantly, his confusion. The asylum itself is another important symbol. Although normally, a situation like this should be confronted with the help of the police, the protagonist seeks help at an asylum. The meaning behind his action could be that he does no longer find himself sane and probably thinks that the “crazy girl” is just a projection of his mind.

In terms of editing, the video starts with a long shot, which introduces the character who appears to be seeking for help. The video follows with a series of continuity shots, which traces him to the gate of an asylum where he is forcing his way in. A fade out occurs and the music starts playing. A voice-over also presents his situation while a shot-reverse-shot shows the guardians of the asylum responding to his calls. The pace of the video is also fastened, which shows the protagonist being transported in the hall of an asylum and being dressed in their uniform. Here, a series of close ups and zoom ins and outs emphasise on the atmosphere at the asylum while Alexander plays the violin. A zoom out ends the scene by showing him being taken away in his room. Alexander is then showed through a bird’s eye view shot, which denotes the fact that he does not possess any authority regarding his life. Here, a series of close-ups also shows him in different poses which focuses on the mimic of his face. We are following him on the hall again where a dolly follows his movement from his front and from behind. In the same time, several close ups emphasise the character that chases him and another inmate from the asylum, which juxtapose them and gives the viewer and idea of how crazy people behave. A performance scene then starts right after with Alexander being showed in long and medium-long shots while the camera keeps zooming in and out. The scene changes with the camera tilting on the girl that chases the protagonist, which shows her being pleased by his performance. Another scene shows Alexander from his profile looking at a non-working TV. It girls immediately joins him which makes changes the camera to a high angle. The scene denotes that the characters are confronting one another. The performance scene also continues, in some scenes, the video being extremely fast paced, which foreshadows how traumatizing the experience is for the character within the story.  The ending of second chorus also marks the confrontation of the two characters, which is shown by a zoom towards the mysterious girl, who faints in Alexander’s arms. As the performance continues in the same time, we are also shown a close up of the protagonist’s clothes getting removed. The clothes are also appearing on the mysterious girl, which in swinged back and forth by Alexander’s dancers, this implying that he is well again and her powerless. By the end of the video, she is then showed in a long shot being fully dressed as an inmate. Her face is then showed in a close up, with her smiling and looking satisfied. The video ultimately ends with Alexander leaving the asylum.

 Overall, the video is mainly directed to teenagers and adults. Although it engages with the subject of child abuse, this is rather subtly hinted and not entirely the main theme of video. The supernatural powers are also frequently used in films directed to children or pre-teenagers, this ultimately giving the music video a wider range of audience. The music is also extremely visual and as no cursing words are used, it makes the record very good for most types of audiences. The video also encourages me to use more challenging effects in order to make the music video interesting to watch.

Idea song(no2)

Etta Bond - Ask Me To Stay

Synopsis: The song focuses on a break up between two couples. Although usually a heartbreaking experience, this song focuses on feelings such as anger - an aspect that is usually attributed to male figures rather than women. By doing this, we are not only aiming to reveal the reality of the situation rather than romaticising it, but also to change the perspective of women being "damsels in distress". The protagonist will therefore be represented as rather "imperfect", thus breaking the fragile and victimised traits given to women.

Idea: The story of the video should be of a girl finding out that her boyfriend is cheating on her. As previously mentioned, the video will focus on the way she deals with the experience, which will be sectioned through the 5 stages of grief. The viewer should be able to see her progress throughout the entirety of the video, which will expose her feelings. As a result, we will be using flashbacks in which the main character reflects on the happenings, the process being ultimately seen as therapeutic for her. The video would therefore start with her packing her bags, which shows her in a rather devastating state. After getting out of the house, a flashback will occur which will reveal her relationship with her boyfriend, but also the reason why they broke up. By reflecting on those thoughts, the character will be able to accept the happenings. The video will also be reversed in order to show the way she dealt with finding it out. We will therefore show her and her boyfriend arguing, but also thep rotagonist having a mental breakdown. The breakdown, although violent, will reveal the shock she is going through. In the end, we will also show the protagonist as imagining herself taking revenge on her boyfriend, this ultimately revealing her subsconscious.

Why this idea: I believe that many teenagers and pre-adult would empathise with this video, as it would represent a situation that everyone goes through in life. It would therefore be didactic and therapeutic, but also will encourage women to overcome their label given by society(which is having to behave as victims to men). The video will therefore empower women and show them that it's ok to feel anger during those situations.

Target audience: We are aiming for pre-adults and teenagers, as many of them would be able to emphathise with this situation. This is because many of them experience "first" love during these stages of life, which can be extremely overwhelming for many.

Song choice (no1)

Metric: Help I'm Alive

Synopsis: The song mainly focuses on the idea of fear, in this case the fear of expressing yourself freely. Because we live in a society in which we are always told what to say or act like, we subconsciously develop a fear of expressing ourselves. Thus, the fear of getting accepted without having to follow certain paradigm can be intimidating for someone. As the lyrics say “Help, I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer” we can notice that the pressure is extremely huge, and the person is developing an anxiety that has to be overcome.

Idea: The story of the video should be of a girl that comes from a family that is very demanding. Her parents want her to be in a certain way and follow a life scripted by them, which doesn’t appeal in the slightest to the girl. Because of this, she grew up being solitary and without friends. She is very depressed because of this and wants to have the ability to express herself without being told what to say. She therefore plans to impress her family and prove them that she is successful without them. To do so, she signs up in a contest and invites her parents. They are not very pleased with their child acting without asking them and thus, they refuse to go to her show. By the end of the video, the viewer acknowledges that she won, as we see her prize left in her parents.

The video should start with the protagonist backstage, looking rather anxious to come on the stage. Here, a series of close ups should follow in order to show her true feelings about the situation. She does not feel ready and to make the viewer aware of how she got there, we see a series of flashbacks in which she is discussing or fighting with her mum. We also see her alone, watching other people having friends and being happy while she is sad and depressed. From the middle of the song, the video should show her on the stage, singing and performing her best. We also see the judges looking rather appalling. However, they are surprised and grant her the first prize. In the end, we should see her trophy on her parent’s bed, with a picture of the protagonist holding it and being surrounded by people congratulating her.

Why this idea: Many teenagers can relate to this kind of situation, in which parents do not let them express themselves. This video would be good in encouraging many people into talking with their parents and convincing them that they are ready to make some decisions for themselves. The upbeat of the song should also give more energy and bump up the adrenaline in peopled body, which can encourage teenagers to discuss with their parents.

Target audience: The target audience should be teenagers, as both the song and the video idea are dealing with subjects such as fear and anxiety.

Production Schedule