Shot Lists

Below are several shot lists for the different sections of the video

Group 4 Shot List for Opening Narrative


Group 4 Shot List for Closing Narrative

Location Research - Grovelands Park

We are most likely going to use Grovelands Park as the setting for the majority of our music video.

Below are the main entrances, which we'd use for the first few shots plus two photos of the park itself:

Another option for our location is Alexandra Park. Although it is slightly further from our houses there is a larger flat plane of grass which would be useful for shooting our video. However, on Saturday afternoons there are football matches being played so it would restrict our shooting time.

Storyboarding Session

Here are some pictures of our storyboarding session:

 

Location Research

Below is a possible alternate location that we could shoot at.

It's a two minute walk from my house and there are lots of paths/path varieties which could make interesting shots:

Mascot Research

As a group we have delved through various websites in order to find the best prices/possible alternatives to a Panda Suit (which is proving difficult/expensive).

Here are the options:

In The UK (panda suits)

Panda Mascot Deluxe Unisex Fancy Dress Costume

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panda-Mascot-Deluxe-Unisex-Fancy-Dress-Costume-One-Size-/270748642420?pt=Adult_Fancy_Dress_UK&hash=item3f09e06c74

Panda Fancy Dress Bear Costume

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panda-Fancy-Dress-Bear-Costume-Panda-Mascot-/260823222646?pt=Adult_Fancy_Dress_UK&hash=item3cba468976

Panda Bear Animal Costume

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panda-Bear-Animal-Costume-Luxury-Fancy-Dress-Quality-/320612381539?pt=Adult_Fancy_Dress_UK&hash=item4aa5fcb363

Soft Plush Panda Full Body Mascot Costume

http://www.adflyer.co.uk/clothes-and-accessories/fancy-dress-clothing/unisex-fancy-dress-clothing/soft-plush-panda-full-body-mascot-costume-visit-www-mybuyboos-com/792412

Abroad (panda suits)

Panda Bear Mascot Costume

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Panda-Bear-Mascot-Costume-Fancy-Dress-Adult-Suit-Party-Dress-/270829951117?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0eb9188d

Deluxe Smiling Panda Bear Mascot

http://www.joyfay.com/us/deluxe-smiling-panda-bear-adult-size-mascot-costume.html

Long Plush Panda Bear Mascot

http://www.joyfay.com/us/long-plush-panda-bear-adult-size-mascot-costume.html

Alternatives (in the UK)

Hire a Lion

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hire-Lion-Mascot-Suit-/230589215782?pt=Adult_Fancy_Dress_UK&hash=item35b0303426

Hire a Chimp

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hire-Chimp-Monkey-Mascot-Costume-/380267444141?pt=Adult_Fancy_Dress_UK&hash=item5889b4b7ad

Research into Radio 1's Target Audience

While researching target audiences and Radio 1's audience for the proposal Jess and I found out some interesting statistics that could help us in thinking further about our marketing campaign.

Audience Profiles: Women C2DE and Men C2DE

Women C2DE - 45% of them listen to Radio 1 and localised radio stations everyday
Men C2DE - While they listen to the radio less regularly than women in the C2DE category they tend to appreciate more music based stations

Audience Profile: Young People

• It was found that young people (i.e. 15+ in this survey) listening to Radio 1 has risen to 11.7 million listeners a week
• A 1/3 of 15-24 year olds listen to the radio through their phone at least once a week

We thought the most interesting statistic that we found was about how frequently a significant amount of young people use their phone to listen to the radio. This got us thinking that it would be a good idea to exploit this platform for our marketing campaign through the use of mobile apps, which could be from downloading samples of the artist's music to an exclusive fan world or a game where you mix your own music.

Daft Punk - One More Time (Radio Edit) Timecode

Daft Punk Radio Edit Timecode

Daft Punk - One More Time 'Album Version' Timecode

Daft Punk Album Version Timecode (Group 4)

Plan of Action for this week

We have set a target to have all of our pre production processes by the end of this week so that we can start filming either in the half term (which would be most ideal for us) or at least to be completely ready for when we come back from half term. The agenda we have set is as follows:

• Discuss final details of narrative and brand image (Tuesday) and go over this with Ms B (Wednesday?)
• Secure Mascot Costume (ASAP) (Monday)
• List Possible Actors (Monday)
• Time Coding (Tuesday)
• Storyboard (Wednesday)
• Shot List & Shoot Schedule (Thursday)
• Actor Contracts + Equipment Release Forms (Thursday)

Dancing Inspired videos

After todays feedback we know for certain that are music video is going to feature a dance routine

This video is from 2002 and features just one main dancer who is occasionally supported by backing dancers. The routine, however is very complex and specific to the pop genre.


We like the idea of a big group dance going on, almost like a flash mob. The Cha Cha Slide by DJ casper is a grear example of this but obviously the video would have required lots of time and planning which we do not have. Although we like the idea of this as it is a massive performance revolving around just one artist/main performer; DJ Casper. Naturally this would be our Panda.



Party Rock by LMFAO is another great example of an alternative to a flash mob. The idea is that everybody is having a good time and dancing and we can take alot of inspiration from this video. Furthmore, our artist identity is a about a dj duo, so we can take influence from LMFAO.

Group Proposal Feedback

After the pitch we recieved feedback on the overall idea from the teachers, below is a summary of the issues and suggestions that were raised.

Strengths of the Pitch

• Concept of hidden identity
• Radio 1, NME, In New Music We Trust are good platforms for marketing

ISSUE: 2 DJ's makes it too similar to Daft Punk (especially as it is their song)
SOLUTIONS?: Consider having a solo DJ rather than a duo. This would also eliminate the need for a second costume (i.e. the monkey) and hopefully make the practicalities of costume much simpler.

ISSUE: The ending of the video needs to be more definitive, how will the group dance dissolve? what will cause it to end?
SOLUTIONS?: Visually create the ending, e.g. They all watch him, then leave together and look up at the london zoo sign. There is then a cut between the panda and the sign.
Another alternative to this could be having a warden make the crowd clear off, therefore providing the link for the dance to end and for the crowd to disperse.

Suggestions

• Documentary Style
• Make it look natural and simulate a real event
• Concept of realism & Documentary Conventions
• Observational Camera
• Cinema verite
• Remove camera from direct position and have lots of movement (whip pans, close-ups, etc.)
• Localised Promotion - build up to gain the attention of NME (maybe through a journalist giving positive reviews)
• Ditch Monkey
• Focus on the public walking past
• Dance off with kids sitting around/members of the public (play on stereotypes)
• Kids on bikes/playing football
• Romantic Couple
• Young Mum
• Dog Walker
• See panda through others eyes
• Establish the park beforehand, and slowly build up the reveal of the panda

Target Audiences: Primary = Students (Uni Circuit, Clubs), Secondary = Family Audiences (Mums/Dads/Kids)

GROUP PROPOSAL: Audience Profile

Our music genre is dance/techno, a genre particularly popular amongst younger members of society such as students. For that reason our target audience is young males and females aged 16-24. Interests of these members of our target audience enjoy going to clubs, dancing and socialising, which are all aspects of our music video. The song could be played in clubs, danced to and the video is a massive social event. Furthermore, the target audience is the same as that of listeners for Radio 1, which is station where we plan to promote our music and most common users of social networking. This means that our marketing campaign is well suited to out target audience.

GROUP PROPOSAL: Artist Identity

Our artist is a duo, Sam and Alex, who are a DJ team called Absynth.  They have their own independent label and therefore are allowed more creativity and freedom in both their music and videos. The two DJ’S never appear in their music videos as we are trying to emphasise the absurd and give no reason for why the action is taking place. The DJ duo are two best mates who combine their love of technology with their love of music, making dance songs and rhythmic beats for everyone to get down to. We want the two guys to look well dressed, but have something geeky/unique about them such as 3D glasses which takes them away from being generic and boring. The duo is inspired by successful pairings of Chase & Status and 2 many DJS, shown below.

Part of the idea behind our duo is the theme of the unknown and unpredictable, evident in our video. The duo do not appear in the video, and we are thinking that this strategy of hiding the identities of the two will run throughout our marketing, with the bands image being unknown. For the cover shoot, the duo could wear masks, but still be suited and booted. We might also have their two bodies merging together in a collage effect, swapping over body parts. This idea has been inspired by dance due Daft Punk, who conceal their identities with helmets as well as Deadmau5 who also hides his persona when DJing. 

Arist Identity: Name

Possible Names:

Our Band Identity is a creative, absurd, duo DJ team, with an idependent label who are slightly geeky.

AbSynth: I heard about a deathly strong alcohol/spirit called 'Absinthe' and thought that could be a decent band name. I then decided to make it a play on words, using 'Synth' as our music is very techno-like and includes lots of Synths. Absynth is taken at parties, by predominately young people (our target audience), and connotes 'fun', but also 'rebellion'. I thought making it AbSynth, instead of Absynth would bring out the geeky side of our duo and also put emphasis on 'Synth'. It's very original.

Electroylsis: Our music features the 'Electro' genre, and the chemistry topic of 'Electrolysis' is geeky, but also sounds like it could work as a band name.

Osmosis: Our music is contagious, is almost passed on from one to another via a disease (virus).

Cosmic Pollution: Geeky, techno...

The Institute: We are independent, 'we are our own insitution'.

Evolution: Growing up, generating public interest.

GROUP PROPOSAL: Marketing Campaign

As our band are independent and are part of their own record label, our marketing campaign won't be completely typical. We will have a large focus of our campaign on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, with accounts on both, as well as having free Facebook events to promote our music.

 We will also utilise YouTube, as we will have teaser trailers of our music video as many other bands do to create interest, showing short snippets with '1/2/3 days to go' as the message which would intrigue the audience, leaving them wanting more. As well at posting videos on YouTube, we will have the pair DJ at universities around England, which targets our core audience (18-25 year olds) and will create buzz about our artist. They will also play at underground clubs promoting their music as this kind of event is popular with our target audience who are interested in dance/techno music.

In terms of more tradition marketing, we will aim to get our music on to Radio 1. This is now the BBC describes the Radio 1 service:

'The remit of Radio 1 is to entertain and engage a broad range of young listeners with a distinctive mix of contemporary music and speech. It should reflect the lives and interests of 15–29 year olds but also embrace others who share similar tastes. It should offer a range of new music, support emerging artists – especially those from the UK – and provide a platform for live music.'

We feel this fits our DJ's really well as they are a debut duo and they have a particularly strong live appeal. Our target audience also matches up nicely with Radio 1's meaning we will have the most effective reach. We could also get our music played on 'In New Music We Trust' which is a scheme allowing under the radar music to reach its target audience, giving less well known artists a chance to break into the industry which would be really great for our group. It would also be great to get exposure from a DJ like Pete Tong (Radio 1) who specialises in dance music.

We were also thinking about potentially advertising/being featured in the magazine undertheradarmag.com/ which describes itself as 'The solution to music pollution' and helps undiscovered music talents take the next step on the ladder. As this isn't directed at the mainstream audience it would be a great way to target a more niche audience and to focus on people who care a lot about the quality of the music.

GROUP PROPOSAL: Practicalities

Locations

• Park Scene - Grovelands Park 
• Zoo Scene - London Zoo 

  

Cast

• Sam, Jess, Alex and I will all make appearances in the video
• Sam and Alex will also be the duo DJs 
• Ordinary Public - these will be unrestricted roles, as we can recruit our friends and family to help us out with the video as the extras only have to dance and act like they are having a good time, therefore this should be easy for us to find actors

Costumes

• Panda Costume
• (Other Animal) Costume

• Ordinary Public Costumes

Props and Extras

• Ghetto Blaster
• Step Ladder - to help with HA's
• 2 Camera's on the shoot

GROUP PROPOSAL: Video Treatment

The video starts with a Panda walking normally through a park, passing members of the public and carrying a ghetto blaster. He stops in the middle of a large open green space, puts the ghetto blaster down and presses play. When the music starts, the panda starts to dance in the middle of the park and therefore drawing attention to himself. A confrontation would then occur between the panda and another animal (yet to be decided) in the form of a dance off. The crowd would then build around them, as more and more people become curious about what is going on. During the middle of the song, there is a quieter section where we would see the panda dance alone, and his opponent would then start to copy his moves. Gradually the audience that has gathered around them would start to join in with the dance routine as well, which would produce the effect of a flash mob. After the dance routine is finished, the crowd will disperse and the panda picks up his ghetto blaster and starts to walk out of the park, with the music still playing out of the ghetto blaster. The video would end with the audience seeing him enter London Zoo, as if he was returning there after a day out. 

Technical Possibilities: Lots of Wide Shots, POV Shots (from the opposition), Handheld? (as if it is filmed from the crowd), High Angles and Low Angles

Here are some possible options for our other

Chosen Track: One More Time by Daft Punk

After weeks of planning possible tracks for the project, we have finally settled on a track that we are very pleased with and that fits our concept for both the video and the branding of the artists perfectly. At first when we got feedback from Ms Blackborow, there was concern over how synthesised the voice in the song was. However, in the end we decided that in fact the electronic atmosphere to the song, including the voice fit the idea of a DJ duo well and so we were given the go ahead on this track.

Requesting Copyright Rights for using our selected track

We have sent an email to emi-music asking for their permission to use the track 'One More Time' by Daft Punk for our music video. Below is a print screen image of the email.

The email says:

"Dear EMI MUSIC,
We would be extremely grateful for the rights to Daft Punk's song 'One More Time', to use in the music video we're making for a school project. We are not creating the video for commercial purposes and we in no way intend to profit from the video. Any response would be kindly appreciated.

Regards, Absynth Music."

Animal Costumes in Music Videos

Gym Class Heroes - Clothes Off


While animal costumes aren't the focus of the video to begin with, nearer the end there is a dance battle between people and animals. This then turns into a group dance session. However, the difference between this video and our proposal is that you see the faces of those wearing costumes at some point in the video, whereas the identities of the people in our video wearing costumes will not necessarily be revealed.

Grandaddy - Nature Anthem


This video because it contains two types of animal costumes, one type is a complete body suit and the other is where you can see the person's face. From this video I think that when we decide on the animals in our video, the costumes should conceal the person's face because it does not have the same effect when everything but their face is covered.

UPDATE! Latest Decisions on the Project

Up until this week our ideas have changed quite a lot as we have gone back and forth between two ideas and now we have settled and decided on a completely new idea. The first idea we were discussing was for 'Fast Fuse' by the band Kasabian (2007) and the second was for Craig David's cover of the Stevie Wonder classic 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)' (2010).

Fast Fuse by Kasabian
The initial idea was for a dual narrative and performance video. The performance would take place in a studio with black and white being the only colours of that scene. The main issue with this idea was about the narrative because it would be hard to make it simple and interesting at the same time. Some of the suggestions for the narrative included: a boy and girl bumping into each other, a destructive guy (the lead singer) smashing up the city and a guy sitting in a bare cell (almost like a solitary prison cell) going insane.

Ms Blackborow's Feedback on the Idea
The biggest issue with the idea was that it was too generic and it sidelined us into producing a copycat version of an indie band like Kasabian. To get around this we came up with the idea of having a female drummer in order to widen our audience appeal to girls. However, the narrative was still causing problems in terms of making it interesting.



Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) by Craig David
The concept behind this idea was modernising motown (refer to previous group meeting notes) and consisted of the visuals being very bright and colourful, with the artist performing for most of the video. The narrative ideas we came up with for this one all gravitated around the idea of the artist pursuing a love interest. Most of the video would be situated in a studio where the performance would take place.

Ms Blackborow's Feedback
Quite a few issues were raised with this idea because it heavily relied on someone outside of the group to be able to perform and to do so to a very high standard. Casting the role of the artist would also have been difficult because of the distinctive voice. The video would also be very physically demanding of the actor because they would have to dance well, lip sync and look the part.

The Current Idea
In many ways the new proposal is completely different to the ones described above, but in some ways it is almost a combination of them as well as it involves the idea of an outdoor environment and involves the retro theme through the props needed.

The idea involves a dance off between a Panda and another animal (still to be decided) which would then turn into a flash mob with members of the public joining in and then the Panda returning to the zoo. It would take place in an open space in a park and potential tracks so far have been songs such as Run DMC's 'It's Like That' and Salt n Pepa's 'Push It'. The brand image would be for a duo (most likely Sam and Alex) that are very nerdy and computer geniuses, but they are never seen in their own videos, unless in costume.