Imi's Media Space: November 2009

Our shoot day was coming up on the 17th November and we had a lot to cover and prepare before the day arrived. Our main factor in our pop video was pedal-power and Colin who was providing us with the lanterns and bikes for pedal-power to light up the performance externally. We had to choose a tree for this performance of the pedal-power and had to give Colin several measurements for this so we would have enough cable and wire for the bikes and how many bikes we would need to power up 14 lanterns. Before the shoot Colin sent us the lanterns which we then had to structure and paint how we wanted them. We decided we would go for block colours of gold, silver, bronze, yellow, blue, green and red, this way the lanterns would be brighter a make a greater visual scene. We also had to prepare the band and the girls that were needed for the shoot which we had trouble with but by the day everything worked out fine. As our shoot was based around bikes we had to find and transport bikes around each one of our sets which was difficult but well worth it.
We did have a few problems running up to the shoot. We had some great members of the band and the girls but several were unable to do it at the last minute so we had to search for 2 boys for the band. This was hard as they had to have this specific image and look about them but by the time we began shooting we found 2 boys which were perfect for the band which you will see in the video. We also found we didn’t have enough bikes due to our 2 Old Dutch bikes had severe punctures and were dangerous to ride. This meant our biking scene was not as effective as we hoped with lots of girls cycling behind the band members however we found that we wouldn’t have been able to fit the girls into the shot so wasn’t much of a loss.
Our day was very productive starting early morning and going on till dark which was not expected as we thought it would have gone on a lot later. In the morning we filmed in the studio where we filmed the performance element, the girls on the bikes and the blue screen. The members of the cast were efficient and easy to work with which was a great help and we new exactly what was needed to be filmed which made it much easier. We then met Colin at Cornhill where he was going to set up the pedal-power around this beautiful autumnal tree. During the time we filmed him setting it up and attaching the lanterns, the bikes and bulbs together to work as one. Due to the lighting conditions during this time I went over to Ewhurst drive with the cast to film the cycling scene where they are cycling down an old country lane whilst I filmed out a back of a van. After this was done we returned back to Cornhill where the pedal-power machines were finished and was just getting dark which was perfect timing for our shoot with the lanterns. It was scheduled well and then we were able to do this last shoot of the day and it was over a couple of hours shorted than expected.
Whilst we were filming we always had the storyboards out too check we were sticking to them closely but found more exotic and different ways of filming during the day. This filming gave are shots more variation and choice to pick from when we begin to edit. The shots looked more unique and original and slightly artistic which gave the video a bit of an ‘edge’ to it. We were continuously coming up with more imaginative and inventive shots so we are not so restricted when we edit.
During the course of day there was a lot of technology involved. In the studio and filming the bikes we used a JVC camera which enabled up to place it upon a tripod and do handheld. It also enabled us to do white balance and make sure the contrast was right. We used a PD170 camera to film the setting up of the lanterns and pedal-power. We used full studio lighting when filming the performance and then the red head lights for exterior when filming the pedal-power performance to give more light so you can see the full extent of the set up.
I played many production roles during the day. I helped setting up at the beginning which included positioning and dressing the cast, the arrangement of the bikes on set and who was cycling them as well as deciding how powerful the lights were going to be. I also helped checking for continuity making sure everyone was in the same outfits for each shot and that the positioning of band and bicycles were all the same. This is vital as otherwise it can look odd and unrealistic when edited. I also helped filming especially in the cycling along the lane where I was filming outside the back of a van on a JVC camera on a tripod. Here I was able to pan and move the camera across the cyclists enabling the shot to fit everyone in and keep it focused. I also did a few static shots of the bikes and I directed their movements to and from the camera to make it look as affective as possible. I enjoyed filming very much learning how to use how to focus, zoom, pan, white balance and lots of other technological applications on the camera.
We made several creative decisions in the day which enhanced our production and choice of footage when we edit. In the studio we filmed the band through the wheel of the bike whilst it was being ridden creating an inventive and youthful image of the band. It also combines with the cycling later on in the video. Also in the studio we did more blue screen shots than we planned with each band individually cycling the bike with their instruments. This again gives us more footage but also displays their energy and youthfulness that their demographic audience will be attracted too. During the Documentary we were more creative by filming little snippets of the setting up, reasonably close up so the audience is occasionally unable to distinguish what it is to create suspense and tension which will make them want watch on to see what’s going on. When filming the bike shots as well as moving shots we also thought of doing static shots of the wheels and the bikes to add creativity to the video. The pedal-power scene we decided not to do much on the tripod but do more moving shots by hand held camera. This makes it look more realistic and that its an actual ‘festival.’ As our demographic audience are festival goers this attracts them towards the band.
I was particularly pleased with the pedal-power and how they lit the lanterns effectively which is seen on film. I also was very pleased with the energy from the band in this part as they looked very convincing and genuine that they were a real band performing in the festive atmosphere. It was visually very effective with the lanterns and everything combined together really worked.
I wasn’t particularly pleased with some of the bike shots in the lane as we were planning on having them lip sinking but this was unable to happen. We realised it was much too hard to do and also we were unable to play the music for the cyclist to hear. The video would have benefited at this scene from more girls cycling in the background as it looked random and off just a few girls but we found they wouldn’t have been able to fit in shot well if there was more.
We kept to the base of our initial ideas but during filming as I said we found new ways of shooting and our shots became much more varied and exciting. Unfortunately we were unable to do the lip sink on the bikes so instead of many bike shots we will have more of the performance in the studio. We are also meant to have a huge crowd around the band and bikes in the night shot but this was unable to happen due to various reasons but I believe it looks more effective and you may have not really seen the crowd due to the light. In the studio we were meant to have 6 girls on the bikes instead of 2, however it did work out for the best as the studio would have got too crowded and there would have been too much going on. Due to the variety of shots we gained we didn’t do all the necessary shots that we did in the storyboard e.g. the beginning of the video. We weren’t planning on having a big studio performance but we managed to get some phenomenal footage from it so this can be applied effectively into the storyboard.
Obviously it would have been better if the band could have lip synced so instead I would have just got the lead singer to lip sink with without the band and girls to make it easier for him. I would have also wanted more girls for the cycling bit to form a bigger crowd and atmosphere. Even though the tree we got for the pedal-power performance was good, if we were able to get the crowd I believe it would have looked more effective with a bigger tree to show the scale of the production.
I consider the day to be a huge success. We managed to get an idyllic band that had energy and charisma which appeals to their demographic audience and attracts possible fans. I am looking forward to begin editing and view the artistic and imaginative footage we got that we can work well with to make an original and exclusive pop video that appeal to demographic viewers.