Equiptment Used to Shoot My Video

The tripod I used was very cheap, this meant that panning using the movable top made the image blurry. instead of using this I panned manually by picking the tripod up. this made the image smooth whilst keeping the camera stable. 

Canon 600D
My video was edited to be in slow motion, up to 100% slower. So the settings I used in terms of frames rates were 50 frames per second. This means the camera samples still images at a much faster rate to create a more smooth flowing video, so when the image is slowed down, it doesn't jump from frame to frame. generally, the conventional camera settings used in a filming situation, whether it be a music video or a film, are 24 frames per second (typical Hollywood film settings) or 25 frames per second (typically used in Europe). The reason these frame rates are used so much is because the human eye sees things at these frame rates. if the frame rates were as high as 500 fps and shot in normal time, the video would look slightly strange as the human eye isn't used to seeing that many frames in real life.



18-55 mm lens
I used this lens for the majority of the shooting because of the stabilization of the video because of the low zoom. this meant that the shots were steady, even when the camera was hand held. also, its easy to keep in focus because of the shallowness of the lens, however the depth of field isn't as pronounced. A disadvantage to this is that you have to hold the camera very close to the thing you're filming.




55-200 mm lens
I used this lens for shots such as filming the burning pile of leaves. this is because of the depth of field it creates as well as being able to film it from far away, which helped prevent the camera from getting burnt. A disadvantage of this lens is that it goes out of focus easily when the camera is moved. Also, its sensitive to movement so filming can look shaken when the camera is handheld; however when using a tripod this is greatly reduced.

The main reasons I used a tripod was for still shots and shots where I needed to use the zoom on the 55-200mm lens. I used the tripod for the larger lens because it's more prone to camera shake and going out of focus when the subject moves. Foe example, when I filmed my artist in the rowing boat on the lake I used this lens and panned the camera using the tripod.

Video Style/Genre

I have chosen an abstract style for my video as I think this best suits the mood of the song. Also, listening to the song, I noticed a vague effort in the pronunciation of the lyrics by the artist, meaning that the story may not have been reflected. However, I still think the mood and feeling from the song will represent connotations of what the song is about. For example, the connotation of fire being a destructive physiological burden for the artist.
The use of imagery in my video is used to create a disturbing image of what the artist is expressing through the song, and alternatively, what she is physically seeing. An alternative motive for the imagery is to engage the audience to think freely and interpret the hidden meanings for themselves. for example the use of fire throughout, combined with the use of darkened eyes, derelict buildings etc.

I gave gained inspiration from a number of videos, including Euan Baker's video from 2012



I have chosen to take certain aspects from this video including the use of psychedelic shots, such as the circular, fish eye style images. I like the use of the branches in the background overhanging the lake representing an eerie mood. I have reproduced this in a darker, more sinister representation in one of my shots.

Costume Mood Board

I wanted to represent the artist in a haunting, naive yet slightly classy way, because of the lyrics of the song are expressing a confusion towards her love for a man who doesn't feel the same way, with a dark twist that isn't explained. I thought the costume would be appropriate as I wanted the video to have a "lack of reality" feel. I think if the artist was dressed in 21st century clothing, the video would be less "dream like" for the audience. I also wanted to portray a feeling of confusion, so that the audience can't pinpoint certain things, such as what year the video is set in, where, exactly, the character is.

Also, I want to have the artist in barefoot, even though most of the video will be shot outside. this will link with the use of location (eye-saw locations, that aren't pleasant to look at), and will juxtapose with the quality of the dress she is wearing. The connotations behind these choices are:

• I want the locations to represent her mind- confused, lost, messy
• I want the dress to represent how she portrays herself- Beautiful, naive and pure.
• And I want the lack of shoes to represent the fact she feels lost and has nowhere to go. Also that she's vulnerable and "treading on thin ice".

Narrative analyse

Uses and Gratifications, linking to Laura Mulvey's "Male Gaze"

this video doesn't apply to Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory as the representation of women in this video isn't sexualised. This shows that even though the target audience is prehaps not exclusively males, that males still may decide to consume this media, regardless. Furthermore, men may idolise the singer/songwriter and simply want to listen to his music, with a representation of the song through the narrative. As the song is about the singer being on tour for months on end, not seeing his family. He is documenting all the great places he has been and how he'd rather be at home with his family. Working men and Woman who spend a lot of time away from home may empathise with the singer, as well as couples who have been separated for a length of time.
In my opinion, the main purpose of this video is for people to empathise with the singer, rather than sending out hidden messages. However there are connotations within the narrative, such as the fact the singer is visualising his wife as he is in a hotel room, shows his loneliness and discontent. Also, the use of close up as he is writing on a notepad, suggesting that he is writing the song in the video as he's alone. There are also flashbacks as he visualises his wife such as the medium shot of her pushing open the curtains and walking through them.

Kate Domaille's theory

According Kate's theory, the video has taken the structure to represent "Orpheus" which is the loss of something personal. This is confirmed in the line where the artist sings "I never thought you could leave me, I figured I was the one". Arguably, the video also has features of Achillies which is "the destruction of the previously flawless" in explanation to this, in theory, before the singer went on tour everything was ok, however, after he goes away there is a "fatal flaw" that leads to destruction.
Also, the obvious feature of her theory is "Romeo and Juliet" which means "a love story"

Rick Altman's theory

Rick Altman would say that the video gives audiences "emotional Pleasure" by triggering an emotional response, possibly linking to the empathy of the audience member, relating the a past experience that the audience member has had.