Production Log - Shooting: Day 1

Today was my first day of shooting, in which I got all of the footage needed with actor Zak Labiad.

I was using some of the equipment for the first time, so setting up took a little longer than expected. I experimented with lighting positions to check what made my actor look best and minimized shadow.

A problem I had was that, towards the end of the day when I shot my outdoor scenes, the sun had moved past the trees in the garden I was shooting in, meaning the patch of grass I had to obtain my jib shots was severely reduced (for the shot to look like it was taken in the middle of the field, Zak could not be lying in shadow).

Overall, I found today's shoot to be very successful, and I feel that the experience of setting up the lights in relation to the mirrors and the actors in relation to the mirrors, will make the next three shoots much easier.

Storyboard

Here are pictures of the storyboard I have devised of how my music video should look.

Animatic

Production Log - Selecting Locations

Over the past week, I have been considering potential locations for me to shoot my music video. I have decided that I need to use a studio or backdrop for my performer, as that will conform to the R&B stereotype. I have noticed it is a convention to have performers as successful as Justin Timberlake to be shot performing in a separate location to the narrative.

As I have four separate storylines, I need four separate locations for my actors.

The shopaholic character needs a location that represents her obsession with material things, therefore I'm considering using a room that is very luxurious looking, with vibrant colours to show off her materialism.

The vain character is a model, so I will need a photoshoot location - for example, a street or a woods - and a room from her home that she will be taking her make-up off in. This is why I'm thinking a bathroom would be a good idea, because, where the shopaholic is dressing herself up, the vain character is stripping back the 'mask' of make-up etc. that is placed on her when she models.

The heartbroken character needs a location that will showcase his loneliness. I have a few ideas, such as a lone park bench or a bedroom. I am yet to decide the direction I'm going to take. 

The weird character will need two locations. A home location and an outdoor location. For the home location, I am unsure at the moment what is best to highlight what he represents. For the exterior location, I have the idea of using a large, open field to highlight how ostracized he feels.

Production Log - Casting

This week I have been considering who I will cast for my music video.

Firstly, I need a performer who will be able to lip sync the song and move/perform in a way that you would expect Justin Timberlake to. Therefore, I have decided to cast A Level Drama student Nick De Cruz.

I also need four actors to play the four characters in my video. I have two male characters and two female as, though JT has a predominantly female fan base, he does have a large male fan base also (compared to other younger male artists such as Justin Beiber or One Direction who are more specifically targeted at females).

I have decided to use model Philippa Aedy to play the vain character who is a model. As she is a part-time model herself, I feel that she will be able to bring some past experience into my video to make it more accurate and 'real'.

For the shopaholic character, I have used another A Level Drama student, Rhian Mitten. Again, her previous acting experience will help in the filming of my video, as it will be easier to direct her to produce what I want. Furthermore, her 'girl next door' image will allow the audience to relate to her character, who is largely relaltable to the primary target audience.

For the weird character, I have chosen another A Level Drama student, Zak Labiad. He has a very unique look, which I think works brilliantly for this character. Also, his experience as the lead in an amateur production of the 39 Steps will mean he is better equipped to be the central character for my narrative. He is very tall, and has styled curly hair which I feel will help create the unique character I envisioned.

Finally, the heartbroken character will be played by Sohrab Cooper, also an A Level Drama student. As this character is probably one of the most relatable to the audience, I feel that his 'laid back' appearance will male him extremely relatable to the audience.

Music Video Plan - Shot by Shot

Props List

Moodboard

Above is a moodboard of images I collected to portray the ideas and style of the music video I intend to create. Through this, I have tried to include images that illustrate the ideas I have for each 'section' of the video. For example, I will have people writing their insecurities on the mirror, so this relates to the two bottom left images and the bottom right image.

Initial Planning Ideas