Initial ideas for my music video

Mood-board of my initial ideas (powder paint)

This mood-board reflects the artistic, 'stylised' way in which I want to use powder paint throughout my music video in this effective (music video 'based') way. The use of vibrant  colours and different ways in which to allow powder paint to become the main aspect (feature) of the video as well as being able to include (keep a focus) on the actors/cast is shown/explored through this mood-board (including shots of couples and friends while using powder paint-the two different aspects becoming the main features of the shots). 

Existing video-based examples of my initial ideas

 

This example idea is an 'Essentials for Education' video for 'enough food for everyone-IF campaign'. This is a very good example of the initial ideas I have in my head for my music video. With focuses on specific people (couples etc.) as well as the group with the initial 'powder paint fight' is the central idea for my music video (in accordance to Wilkinson-Afterglow). I particularly like the opening of this video as it focuses (goes through) the main characters of the video after the powder paint 'fight' has happened; the initial (central) part of the video being the actual fight meaning that it almost looks as if its looking 'back' onto the fight (with two tenses and therefore two main aspects to the video). 

This already existing music video that uses powder paint throughout as a key aspect is a good example of the ways in which I intend to incorporate powder paint as a main visual aspect but not 'take over' the loose narratives I want within my music video (as it does within this existing music video). Being to fairly pop-based (sounding) dance music, this example music video is a good example of how well the concept of 'the powder paint fight' goes well with this genre of music (my chosen track by Wilkinson). My favourite part of this video that particularly inspires me (gives me ideas for my own music video) is the concept of people 'crashing together' and creating powder paint in an expressive/explosive way. I also like the main part of the powder paint fight where Kesha is places 'in front of it' lip-singing; an idea I could use when making my main actress lip-sing to my chosen track for certain parts of the chorus. 

This is a 'mass' example of some of the ways in which I want to use powder paint as a main aspect of the video but in a way that doesn't distract from the characters (actors) within it. Being to a dance genre song (by dance DJ Calvin Harris) further shows how well powder paint 'fights' goes with this genre of music; creating a 'fun' and also expressionistic (stylistic) feel to the video/the song.

Contacting the recording company

Contacting the recording company (RAM records)

I researched and found the producers of the ‘Wilkinson-Afterglow’ track. The company behind this was RAM Records, from their official site I found a ‘contact information’ page and sent an email requesting permission to use this track.

^Above is a screenshot of the email I sent to RAM Records, however unfortunately I haven’t received a response. 

My chosen track for my music video

Wilkinson-Afterglow

Even though the dancing's done

Don't worry 'cause the night is young
Who cares where we go
We're ready for the afterglow

Someone hold the sunlight back
'Cause we want this night to last

Smoke and lasers, love and ravers
Afterglow, we're ready for the afterglow
Lights and action, strong attraction
Afterglow, we're ready for the afterglow

Love and ravers
Strong attraction

Afterglow, we're ready for the afterglow
Afterglow, we're ready for the afterglow

We're ready for the afterglow! [3x]

Even though the dancing's done
Don't worry 'cause the night is young
Who cares where we go
We're ready for the afterglow

Someone hold the sunlight back
'Cause we want this night to last

Smoke and lasers, love and ravers
Afterglow, we're ready for the afterglow
Lights and action, strong attraction
Afterglow, we're ready for the afterglow

Love and ravers
Strong attraction

Oh, oh
Afterglow, we're ready for the afterglow
Oh, oh
Afterglow, we're ready for the afterglow

Why I have chosen this track

I believe this track would be ideal for creating my music video as the song itself as a dance piece of music fits very well with my final 'vision' and the 'feel' I want to my music video as an end result. This track is a very good fit for the type of video I want to create as its both upbeat at some parts to it (e.g. the main chorus) and slower paced beats in parts (e.g. the beginning and end). This will allow me to edit my video in accordance to visuals-including a range of shot lengths (pace of editing) and also different types of post-production effects (e.g. slow-motion). With a track like this I will be able to do so effectively and in accordance to the song/track itself (matching the music with the visuals).

When casting for my video I believe that this track would allow me to focus on two different narrative strands (going through the different actors and the main powder paint fight)-when looking at my initial ideas (the post after this one) it is clear how I wish to do so; a track like this with a variation in pace (instrumental and vocals) allowing me to do so effectively and in the specific way I want to (when including post production editing with this). 

Wanting to produce a very stylistic and 'fun' video means that when selecting a track like this not only will the visuals be interesting but also the music (the visuals I wish to create corresponding with this well). Including lyrics such as 'love and ravers' and 'strong attraction' will mean when including the couple I wish to use (cast/actors) within the video; lyrics like this will correspond to the visuals with still a 'fun' feel to the track (being an upbeat dance piece of music) meaning that the powder paint element to it will still correspond to the song effectively. Therefore when creating a fairly concept-based music video with 'noose' narratives (including specific 'characters'e.g. the couple and group of friends) means that this piece of music will allow me to do so well effectively as it will correspond well with the visuals I intend to create (the final video).  

(The post below shows the 'merits of using this song in my own music video'-some more reasons for why this track is suitable for the style of music video I wish to create)

Short-list of tracks I like the idea of using

 Audience research

After exploring the merits of using four different tracks I decided to do some audience research when considering the selection of one track to use for my music video.  Asking my potential audience for the music videos means that when creating it I will be sure that the track itself will appeal to the audience I am targeting at, the track itself having a large influence on the success/fell of the video (how I will create it).

◊     ‘‘Goes well with my idea, got a good beat’’

◊     ‘’The beat is really ‘now and ‘current’’ (the powder paint will go well)

◊     ‘‘It makes me want to party because it’s up-beat and ‘feel good’’

To summarise my research, the majority of the people I asked said they preferred the track by Wilkinson to the other tracks for the style of music video I would like to create (explaining to them that I want to create an expressive/stylised feel the video).  The quotes above are taken from the questionnaires I gave to people of the age range my video will be targeting (late teens to early twenties), these comments are taken from a section where ‘State why this track is your favourite’.

When looking at the key quotes above reflect how my previous inspiration from ‘Foxes-Let go for tonight’ and my research into Wilkinson (the vibe their music gives off). When conducting this audience research I have been able to see which track my potential audience for my final music video prefer and go with my inspiration/ideas so far. It is key for me to do this audience research as the songs have quite a lot of differences (although they are all within the dance/pop music genre). 

Wilkinson-Afterglow

The merits of using this song in my own music video

• When casting for the video I would be able to pick/show clear roles (a couple, friends and the artist-the person lip-singing). I would be able to do this in a fairly straight forward manner in accordance to the lyrics and the style in which I intend to film my music video. (e.g. the lyrics 'even though the dancings done' will show friends in slow-motion dancing and 'strong attraction' will show the couple within my  casting/the video)
• The song as a piece of dance music would be a good choice when considering the slow-motion and 'fast-forwarding' effects I would like to apply throughout my video-having a large range of upbeat and fast parts within it and more slow (instrumental) parts
• Wanting to do a very artistic/stylised video means that music like this (within the dance genre/with a variation in pace) is a very good choice when using post production effects. I believe that a piece of music such as this one would allow me to do so effectively (with a lot of varied beats/paces etc.) 
• The use of fast-past beats (the music) means that when including a fairly large amount of actors (casting) within the video (5-6) means that I can include a large amount of shots (including a fair amount of the different actors within the video)
• Being around two and a half minutes means that the large amount of post production effects that I intend to use will become more 'manageable' and I will be able to focus more on a set amount of time (being a fairly short piece of music). Therefore meaning the overall video is likely to be a lot more effective/well finished. 
• Wanting to create a fairly concept-based music video with loose narratives (e.g. the couple and group of friends) means that this style of music (this track in particular) will allow me to create this type of music video effectively (and to the style I want it)

Foxes-Let Go For Tonight 

The merits of using this song in my own music video

• The lyrics of the song are almost 'perfect' for the style of music video I want to produce. 'Let go for tonight' and 'let go' being repeated (almost a motif) through the song means that when creating the stylistic video I want to produce-similar to the video that this track has already (I analysed this video for inspiration earlier on in my blog).
• Analysing this video earlier on means that I have been able to see how well the lyrics work with the visuals with this style of music video (concept based with some slight narratives within it) 
• Having a vary in pace (the beat of the songs) means that when doing the style of post production effects I intend to use within my music video will be effective and well 'varied' (become more visually interesting/in accordance to the song itself)
• Wanting to create a fairly concept-based music video with loose narratives (e.g. the couple and group of friends) means that this style of music (this track in particular) will allow me to create this type of music video effectively (and to the style I want it)

Awolnation-Sail

The merits of using this song in my own music video

• This track would be potentially very fitting to my music video as it has an 'expressive' feel to it; with a large range of 'tones' and beats meaning that when creating a 'quirky', artistic video a song like this would become a very good 'fit'
• Although the video would maybe be a good choice for my video it could potentially be too long and become 'boring' 
• The beginning of the song in particular I believe could be a very effective (expressive) opening to the video, being able to use both slow cuts as well as fairly 'slow' cuts (varying in the beat at the beginning)
• The song as a piece of dance music would be a good choice when considering the slow-motion and 'fast-forwarding' effects I would like to apply throughout my video-having a large range of upbeat and fast parts within it and more slow (instrumental) parts
• Wanting to create a fairly concept-based music video with loose narratives (e.g. the couple and group of friends) means that this style of music (this track in particular) will allow me to create this type of music video effectively (and to the style I want it)

Disclosure-You & Me (Flume Remix) 

The merits of using this song in my own music video

• Being a remix of the original, this track (song/remix) would be very fitting to the concept-based video I wish to create. Having a 'dubstep' feel to it, with both 'long' and very fast beats/paces within the video (e.g. the contrast between the opening and the 'drop'/chorus to the song). This would allow me to vary my post production effects as well as the videoing of the video in general (e.g. different tilts/extreme camera angles-fitting with the track very well)
• Wanting to do a very artistic/stylised video means that music like this (within the dance genre/with a variation in pace) is a very good choice when using post production effects. I believe that a piece of music such as this one would allow me to do so effectively (with a lot of varied beats/paces etc.) 
• I personally believe that this song would be a very good fit to the kind of video I would like to create (my final 'vision'); particularly liking the opening to the song as well as the 'chorus' (the way flume has remixed it)-potentially being able to edit the video in accordance to these particular parts of the song (through post production effects/editing)