Mise-en-scene

I will be filming in the woods which will give a gritty, dark atmosphere. It creates a sense of loss and loneliness, not knowing where you are. Another part of the video will be filmed inside a house, creating a sense of allowing you to be yourself. It's your home and that's where you can let everything out. I want to contrast these two atmosphere's in my video because it will be reality - we only feel ourselves when we're in our own comfort zone, home.

Dolly Run

Before filming I knew it would be a good idea to do a 'dolly run' - practice run - before hand. It would help me make the shots I want perfect when I film properly. I tested camera angles, shots and lighting. A video will be uploaded soon.

Filming.

I am hoping to film on Wednesday 28th December. With any luck the whole thing should be shot from 1pm until it begins to get too dark. I will be using a HD camcorder with a tripod. I will have make-up and extra clothing on hand for my actress and I will have the music playing on a phone/iPod touch so that it helps her with where the storyline is.

An animatic will be uploaded soon.

Props and More Sound

Chosen clothing.
Cigarettes.
Red Lipstick.

Simple props but they can really add something to the video.

The reason why I want her to be smoking is to symbolise her carelessness. It's only at the end of the video that I want her to be seen smoking so that it's a surprise to the audience when they see it. Females smoking represent power (just like a femme fatale in film noir). In the end she maybe realises that she has the power?
The importance of the red lipstick shows her femininity. It's supposed to symbolise sexiness and adult sexuality. I want to use this because not only does it just go with her look, but for what it symbolises too. She is the femme fatale in this video.

At the beginning of the video I want there to be no sound at all until the music kicks in. There will be no diegetic sound throughout the video while the song is being played but at the end of the video there will be the sound of footsteps going through the woods. I need to test whether to have the footsteps as diegetic sound or create a foley test and put the sound in over the top (non-diegetic).

New storyline.

The story is about a girl who as you can see is heartbroken. She’s walking through the woods but is paranoid that someone is following her (but who?).  As she begins to run she falls and then there is a short flashback to her in her home crying and ripping photo’s apart. She looks down at her arm at one point and there is a bruise. The girl then gets a text from an unknown number saying “He’s not worth it, he’s been unfaithful.” Laying on her floor crying it cuts back to her running in the woods and throwing leaves everywhere in anger. She keeps thinking she hears someone so she lights up a cigarette and walks along the trail in the woods. While this is happening there is a faded  flashback sequence imposed on the top of her running over a hilltop smiling. Camera starts spinning along with her and then she falls back on the floor but in the woods crying. As the song ends she turns her head and lays on the floor looking at the camera. As the music fades out you can hear footsteps at the end of the video.

Sound

This is the version of the song I wish to use for my video and I have contacted the artist to let her know that I will be using it. Written by Gabrielle Aplin and this version was performed live at Maida Vale sessions. 

Stylist Choices for Actress.

I want my actress to be very fashionable as she's representing Gabrielle Aplin's style. I want her to have an 80's -esque style with a modern twist. It will be casual yet fashionable. 

This shows the kind of style I would like my actress to be wearing.  A thick knitted cardigan, thick gold statement jewellery and a printed t-shirt. I would also like her to be wearing light faded skinny jeans or fashion patterned tights with either converse, vans or brogues.

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My actress' hair is fairly short so I would like to make it messy so she looks distressed. I may had in a hair piece like the one above just to finalise the look. Her make-up will consist of smudged mascara (as she will be crying) with smoky eyes and either red or purple lipstick. 

The look that I have chosen for her in the video is also the look that will be on the cover of Gabrielle Aplin's album. You will not see the model's face as it may be covered by her holding a sign with the title information on it. I will explain it more in a separate post. 

I chose this look for my actress as the indie/folk genre of the video fits in perfectly with this look. It's the kind of style that will never go out of fashion and more importantly, it's the style of Gabrielle Aplin. 

Both images are from weheartit.com. No copyright intended.

Camera Angles and Shots

The theme for my video is going to be very dark. I want the audience to feel intense when watching it. Therefore, I am going to need very intense shots and angles. Close ups tend to make the audience relate with the actor (eye contact) so at the start of my video there will be a close up of the actress staring into the camera.

There will be plenty of tracking in my video as the camera will be following the actress through the woods. This gives a feeling of being followed and the audience will hopefully feel like their going on a journey with the actress. Hand held shots will be used so that it will give a little depth to the video in the fact that I don't want the whole video to be stiff with the camera being on a tripod.

Over the shoulder shots, extreme long shots and medium shots will also be used to create a variety of views for the audience. I will use panning in a small sequence of the video but to create a strange, controversial feel to it. The whole video will be shot at eye level with maybe a few sequences at a low angle. This is not only due to the fact I am only equipped with a 5" 6" (estimated) tripod but it will create the perfect atmosphere for the audience. The low angle will create a sense of sadness and depression.

Actress Sorted

I'm still working on a new plot idea but I have my main actress, Alice Bowen. She has the perfect look for my video and her acting skills are really good. I am hoping to film over the next couple of weeks as that gives me enough time to finalise my plot and give Alice enough time to prepare. I have let her know the song, the location and a rough idea on how she needs to act.

Storyline Change.

Due to some casting difficulties I will be changing most of my plot and putting in a new and better idea. I am in the current stage of drafting up some ideas with a concept board and an animatic.