Gilles Tardy

Choosing the brief

Originally short film was preferred, but because of lack of inspiration for a subject, I have chosen to go for the music video brief. This makes it easier for me to have ideas as the music is inspiration, I have more experience at editing and building around music, and if at any time I find my idea for a music video to be worthy of a short film then it can easily be converted as such if still in early stages of production.

MUSIC!
THE most important aspect, for obvious reason. Quality of a song with good potential for a music videos must have: - Phases of evolution - Clean, crisp and distinctive sounds and beats for more effect through editing - And of course, I must also enjoy it myself

Candidates for music

Even though I have at trance/dance music such as Testio and rock such as good charlotte, my current greatest candidate is a remix of a song by Depeche Mode entitled Personal Jesus (The Stargate Mix). It has some incredible evolutionary stages shifts, very clean sharps sounds and also has the extra twist of the theme of the lyrics, that have potential for hidden meanings around Christian ideas, which the lyrics leave you guessing whether this is pro or anti religious.

And for ancillary texts

I will do: - A cover for the albums release on DVD - A magazine advertisement for the DVD

I have chosen these as they are closely related, and I am more confident with creating complex design and pictures than to create a webpage, which is the third option.

My desired effect from this brief

I want it to feel surreal, that, is my main aim. I also want the video to reflect its audio counterpart in terms of timing and mood. A music video can allow itself to more artistic and abstract in its expression, I intend to use that fact to its full potential to impress the viewers. While this is the case I do still want my video to have a semblance of a storyline or twist, but not necessarily a message, just, good, fun. I also want to retain a certain loyalty towards the artists, gratifying fans with possible references or symbols linked to the band.

Ideas on production aspects

Music is about mood, and one of the greatest factors in video to set the mood is location. It is vital. I have thought for time being that an empty and abandoned locale would be good for this song, also public interference would be minimal.

Ideas on production aspects

Actors are still a mystery to me, in all aspects: gender, number, appearance I am however thinking of a central performance role, not necessarily male, that will reflect but not sing the lyrics, with possible extras occasionally.

Ideas on production aspects

Equipment wise I will be equipped with 2 cameras. One for bulk of filming and another for alternate shot and to be used as a microphone (even though its usage as the later would be limited for a music video). I will also be using a standard tripod. I however yearn for a dolly mechanism and/or arm mechanism and/or rail mechanism for moving shots. These as so much more life to videos and are another source of originality of which I am keen on. The main camera is a Casio ex-fh25, with many capabilities such as: Wide angles Extreme close ups Depth of field Slow motion capture HD film And others I intend to use all of these advantages from this camera for my production.

Ideas on production aspects

The main camera is a Casio ex-fh25, with many capabilities such as: - Wide angles - Extreme close ups - Depth of field - Slow motion capture - HD film - And others I intend to use all of these advantages from this camera for my production. The second camera is a Sony Bloggie, which I used for my AS production. Whilst video is not as good as the Casio, the sound seems crisper. And due to there being an optical zoom on the Casio, sound is disabled when filming with zoom controls activated.

Ideas on production aspects

Other possible equipment for production would be: Some filming in Super 8 format, I have a camera and a projector, only new film is needed which can be easily found. This would give my video an interesting production value if this film effect was desired. It would also be in my own interest to try filming and developing with such film. - I also have a (very) high quality Sony Omni-directional conference microphone I have salvaged from being discarded from a workplace. While possibly futile for a music video, it could bring as much high quality production value for sound as the camera if used properly.
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Ideas on production aspects

Software wise I will most probably use Sony Vegas Pro 10, my usual editor to which I have great experience in. I also intend on using and learning to use the Adobe Premiere Suite mainly for after effects, which I hope I will be able to rely on for a lasting impression in the video, mainly centred around spot colouring effects at the moment. I may attempt (again) at trying to use Avid, as it is a common editing suite at higher education.

Ideas on production aspects

As for a production schedule it is still not set, but I do wish to finish and settle on a script / shot list by Christmas.

Audience research

As I stand I think that the people who will watch my video would be the same audience as Depeche Mode, with a younger twist, due to the trance tendencies of the remix.

Q&A

I am open to questions and suggestions FIRE AWAY!!