Aura music video draft 2

Here is the second draft of the Aura music video.  I have discovered a way to finalise the video and still be able to edit it.  

As you can see I have highlighted the poison in this version as I felt in the latter it was to quick and simply implied rather than made a fact.  Using the poison symbol helps the audience understand better and will also help the illiterate understand the video.  

Aura Choreography Part 7

Here is the long front shot of the dance, shot on location in the drama studio with the lighting.  I shall use this copy in my music video but I felt this copy should be placed on YouTube as it highlights all the hard work myself and my dance trope and dance teacher have all put in to it.  As like all music videos I shall pick only the highlights to be featured in the video, as we have put many hours of work into the overall dance I believe it can also stand out on its own as a very interesting and entertaining video.  This could also be placed in my behind the scenes video as it would allow my 'fans' to copy the dance routine.  

I feel this video will help give recognition to all the hard work my dancers and the dance teacher have put into the project and will give a pre edited version for you and myself to admire.

Aura Music Video draft

After shooting my music video I now have to edit it.  Here is a video shot from my phone of what I have already edited.  This is the first full draft that I have completed, I shall now carry on editing and polishing this draft.  

As I have shot it through my phone some of the shots are slightly out of focus and not synched exactly.  This is due to the fact the it is filmed from my phone looking at my laptop.  The quality is a lot better on my laptop and all the shots are synched properly.  I have decided to film the draft through my phone as if I finalise the video now I will not be able to edit it further.

  

Chameleon fancy dress

Looking towards costumes for my music video I felt long, black, hooded cloaks would help to give an atmospheric look to the music video.  As the filming of the music video drew closer it was obvious   I would not be able to receive these costumes through the post in time.  Looking closer to home I decided to try and contact my local fancy dress store. 

 Chameleon fancy dress shop is in the next town, so I decided to contact them through email from their website.  After two polite attempts I received no reply to my disappointment.  As I still required the cloaks I decided to venture into the shop and ask personally.  To my disappointment the only cloak I could find was a Dracula styled one that did not have a hood. 

 I feel rather disappointed as after my many attempts to contact them (that fell on deaf ears) I had to travel to the store and they didn't have any anyway.  I am slightly annoyed as if they had replied to my email I wouldn't of had to travel to the store only to be disappointed.    

Their customer service was average at best and it has left me disheartened as they used to be a very reliable and friendly business.  

I have now shot my music video without the capes.

Facebook Messenger Chat

To help keep in contact with my dancers we have set up a Facebook chat.  As I have just turned 18 and a sixth former their are many rules when becoming friends with the younger years on Facebook.  It was seen inappropriate for me to set up a chat with my dance trope as they are in the younger year. To combat this, my dance group created the Facebook chat and then added me to it.  This shows those who will ask questions that I in fact didn't create the group chat and it was the dancers that invited me.

Although I feel this is a very silly rule as practically it is the obvious thing to do, I understand the school has to look after the safety of its pupils and protect them at school but also online as well.

As I was added to the chat it shows how it was the dancers choice and they feel safe communicating with me in this way. 

Filming

After a very productive day of filming I can now start the process of editing.  I believe I have enough footage to create an entertaining music video.  Although not all went to plan.  I was not able to have the dramatic opening of the doors in the music video as the doors I intended to use fell off their hinges as we tried to open them.  If I want to have the doors in my music video I will have to wait for new fire escape doors to be fitted.  

Although not all went to plan, overall I feel very happy with the footage we have taken and am looking forward to editing the footage.

Here are the group photos taken at the end of the day.

Weather Report

As a section of my music video is shot outside it is important the weather is suitable to film.  Although I wouldn't mind shooting outside in the rain (as it would give a foreboding atmosphere to the filming) I have to look towards the practicalities of filming in the rain.  I have other performers in the music video and they need to be looked after and kept healthy, shooting out in the rain could induce illness.  Also shooting in the rain may effect the camera we are using.  

Looking towards the weather report it is clear the morning will be more appropriate to film, the afternoon looks unsettled and could contain rain and hail.  I shall arrange the filming to commence outside and then we shall move into the drama studio.

Sedan Chair part 4

This is the completed sedan chair, it has taken many hours to create and decorate.  

Looking at the chair I believe it looks very effective and will fit in well with my music video.  Using the dark colours of black and greys I believe it creates an evil and menacing looking chair.  Looking towards the practicality of the chair, it is able to support my weight easily and all poles have been sanded so to give comfort to the carriers and stop splinters.

Here is my original sketch;

As you can see I have kept to my original design and it looks very similar.

Aura Choreography part 6

Before the filming of the music video myself and the dance trope decided to have one last rehearsal of the choreography to make sure we all knew it but to also arm us all up before we start the long day ahead.  This is the video taken from the dance studio a few minutes before we ventured outside to film we the sedan chair.

From this video you can see we are well prepared and compared to my original rehearsal video you can clearly see the improvements.  This can also be used in a behind the scenes videos for the fans of 'Up and Coming' to watch or maybe a little tease of the video to come.

Music Video Offerings

In my music video I require a few props.  My story for the music video is based around offerings given to the leader by his tribe.  I settled on 5 different offerings; fruit, sweets, drink, jewellery and perfume.  Before I start filming my music video my offerings need to be set up on their trays so they look aesthetically pleasing.  Here are the trays set up and ready to go;

I do not have a picture of the sweet offering as they needed to be kept in their packaging to keep them fresh and to keep them hygienic.

Burqa

Originally the song Aura was named Burqa.  Before the release of the song Lady Gaga made it known it was to be named Burqa.  It was later changed due to pressure surrounding the controversial topic and accusations around racism.  There have been many hints to the original name, for instance in the song she has the lyrics 'Enigma pop star is fun, she ware burqa for fashion.', she also has performed many different version of this song live but whilst wearing a mask.

 

      

 

I have decided to link my music video to Burqas with the use of lighting and makeup, having only light shone upon my eyes and also having a line of black makeup over my eyes.  This is again another intertextual link and will also link well to the music.

 

 

Spray Paint

Spray paint is a very easy way to paint large objects quickly and evenly.  As the complete back of my sedan chair and the two masks need to be painted I decided to use black spray paint.  This will give a very even colour and is very time efficient.

 

Here are the objects just after I have sprayed them;

As you can see from the pictures they are very effective and have an even coat.

 

In the interests of safety I spray painted outside in a well ventilated area, and wore a mask.  This also minimises damage caused to the home.  Like all spray paint it has an age restriction of 18, thankfully as I am 18 I was allowed to buy it after I had shown them my ID.  

 

Sedan Chair part 3

As I am now creating my Sedan chair I also have the task of making it look the part.  As you have seen from my previous post the chair is under construction and the basic frame is now completed.

My task now is to make it look tribal/evil, here is the result so far.

 

 

As you can see work is well underway and near to completion, I am creating the decoration from cardboard so to not add additional weight and make it too heavy to carry.

 



face masks

To help differentiate my guards from the slaves I have decided to use masks.  The use of the masks will help to hide their identity (so I can have the guards featured in my dance as well) and to also minimise the need for acting and performing.

Looking towards the style of masks I wished to use I looked up Lady Gaga's first performance of Aura at her iTunes festival set.  As you can see from the picture Lady Gaga is wearing a half mask.

This look is reminiscent of the burqa and hides majority of the face.  I then started to search the internet of similar masks, they were very expensive and would take to long to reach me.  

I then started to create them.  Using plastic masks used in drama I decided to cut them approximately in half and then paint them black.  Here is the result;

I feel these are very reminiscent of Lady Gaga's mask and also slightly creepy and intimidating, this trait will help to make my guards look more imposing and evil.  This will also give me an intertextual link.

Aura Choreography part 5

After spending another hour with my dance troupe we have finished the dance.  As the choreography has now been completed I can now decide what particular shots I would like/require in the music video.  I can now complete my advanced storyboard.  

Before I can film my music video I now have to complete the decoration for the Sedan chair and gather all of the props needed.  

As the dance is now completed I am leaving the dance class to practise and rehearse.  I now can continue to organise the day of filming and get permission to allow the dancers a day off timetable to film.

Background To Story

Many great music videos contain a good and well rounded storyline with a decent background storyline too. 

Set in the far future, the music video for 'Aura' focuses on one tribe.

Set after some sort of apocalypse (a meteor, catastrophic global warming, nuclear war etc) small tribes now wander the Earth.  Turning to savages, the tribes are very territorial and are always on the hunt for new shelter and protection.  Food is very low and they are forced to eat what they can find.  Some technology can still be found and used but it is very rare and extremely valuable.

The particular tribe focused on in the music video are searching for new shelter to protect themselves and their leader from the corse weather and other tribes.  The leader of the tribe has recently taken his leadership by force and now has become power mad.  Under the original leader the tribe was well looked after and peaceful, now the tribe are weak and down trodden.  The new leader is power hungry and enjoys making the poor even poorer and enjoys increasing his power.  

Demanding offerings from every single member of the tribe (apart from his well looked after guards) he enjoys watching his 'servants' grovel and give their food and possessions away to him.  Failure to produce an offering results in death!

Although treated badly the tribe cannot run away from the leader as on their own they would simply die on the wasteland or at the hands of a rival tribe, they are also too weak to leave or start a rebellion against their demanding leader and this is one of the reasons why he starves them (to preserve his power).

Mad Max

Looking for some inspiration for the themes of the post-appocolytic world the tribe featured in my music video will live, I have looked towards other music videos and films.  

The Mad Max film franchise seems to fit my ideas along with the music video for Duran Duran's 'Wild Boys' and 'Union Of The Snake'.

Looking at the Mad Max trailers I really enjoy the clothing and the hot and dry and slightly desperate atmosphere it creates.

Looking towards the costumes and sets I would really like to emulate the whole look (although this would be near on impossible with no budget).

Duran Duran's music videos for 'Wild Boys' and 'Union Of The Snake' also create the same sort of atmosphere and they too have similar costumes.

This has now inspired me on the aesthetic of my music video and in particular the Sedan chair I am trying to create.

Vinyl

Within the last few years the sales of vinyl records have rose approximately 49%.  

With their retro look and 'better sound quality' the sales of vinyl records have rose dramatically.  Often seen as a collectable item many 'indie' artists now release their work through records.  

After the near extinction of the vinyl record it has now become an item to collect and admire.  Many fans to this day still enjoy putting needle to grove.

However with their increased popularity it has become very difficult to create the quantity needed.  Only a small handful of companies still create the vinyl record and they have started to become overloaded with orders.  Not many companies still create machines to produce records, so the machines out their are very rare and very expensive.  The machines out their now are in constant use to keep up with the demand and are running almost 24 hours a day,  this results in the machines becoming overloaded and needing to be repaired.  

As the machines can only produce approximately 125 records per hour the orders have started to mount up and now orders are being made a year in advance.  Specialty records (scented, glow in the dark, coloured) have clogged up the waiting list even more.

Although the record business has grown, investors are still not pledging money into it.  They still see records as a dying medium.

Here is a quick illustration of the figures courtesy of the Wall Street Journal.

Social Media (Facebook)

In the digital age all artists are now using social media to connect to their fans.

 

Social media is an extremely helpful way to keep in contact with fans, every part of the artists day can be recorded and viewed by their fans.  

I have now created a Facebook page for 'Up And Coming'.  Helping to connect to fans it is also a way to advertise new music and products.

This also links to Maslow's hierarchy of needs as it helps the fans belong and boosts their self esteem.

Here is a link to the Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Up-And-Coming/455894847893852

As you can see I have already started to post photos, videos and teasers to the page.  This will encourage 'Up And Coming's' fans to watch the videos and will feel apart of a group.  

  

'Froot Of The Month'

As the release of Marina And The Diamonds new album 'Froot' draws closer Marina has been giving her fans (her diamonds) a 'Froot Of The Month'. 

Every month Marina will release a new track from her upcoming album and to mark this release she has created a 'Froot Of The Month'.  Each month a new fruit shall be chosen to become the 'Froot Of The Month' and this results in a new song becoming available and new limited edition merchandise to be purchased.  A new 'Froot' shall be available each month until the release of her album.  The first 'Froot' was grape and the last shall be apple. 

With each new 'Froot' a new set of limited edition merchandise becomes available for a limited time.   This idea links to the AIDA theory of media; 

•  Marina has Attracted attention with the release of her new album 
• Marina has created Interest with her 'froots' of the month 
• Marina has created Desirable merchandise to purchase
• Marina has created a call to Action as the merchandise is only available for a limited time

This also fits in with Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs as it creates a sense of belonging to a group (Diamonds) and also esteem as they all feel they have achieved something by getting a limited edition item.

I believe 'Froot Of The Month' is a very clever marketing scheme and I would like to use a similar scheme for 'Up And Coming' second album 'Outspoken'