Initial Ideas and planning for music video

Initial Ideas

Once we absorbed the Goodwin theory we were ready to create our own music video, relating to his theory. We went intor groups of three and were chosen a song by our teacher. We were given the song, Feeling Good by Nina Simone.

Firstlty I thought it was a good idea to do some research on the artist to get some background knowledge. Nina Simone was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music. Her musical path changed direction after she was denied entry by the prestigious Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, despite a well-received audition. Simone was later told by someone working at Curtis that she was rejected because she was black.

"Feeling Good" is a song written by English singer-songwriters Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse for the 1965 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd. Nina Simone's version appeared on her 1965 album I Put a Spell on You. "Feeling Good" was released as the lead single from Michael Buble's It's Time. The single was released on April 19, 2005.

Planning

We decided to take a 'heartbreak' approach to the song, meaning the main singer would be waking up after a bad break-up with a boyfriend. And as the song progresses she forgets about him, whilst getting ready. She later hits the town, literally 'feeling good'.

I took into account the concepts of Goodwin's theory in order to plan for the music video:

There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals.

'Sun in the sky'- For theses lyrics we could have a shot of the sun rising, we would have to wake up significantly early one morning and find a good location to shoot this from, but it would create a good effect as the opening of the song too.
'Birds in the sky' we could shoot a crowd of birds flying through the sky to amplify these lyrics.
'River running free' we could shoot a downstream of river flowing freely to emphasise the lyrics being sung here.
'This old world is a new world..' to emphasise these lyrics we could have the singer opening curtains or a window to portray the 'new world'.
'Stars in the sky' For these lyrics it would be a good idea to have a shot of the nights sky, representing these lyrics.
'Freedom is mine' When the singer is singing these lyrics we could have her opeing her front door, running out, symbolising the freedom she has acquired.

There is a relationship between the music and the visuals

The music in the song is quite slow but very powerful, therefore will establish a connection between the slow music and the visuals by having slow paced shots, with the singer moving slowly in a relaxed pace. The transitions could also be slow moving, possibly using fading in and out techniques. As the song progresses the music gets more intense, we could relate this to the visuals by letting the singer grow throughout the video too. For example, she could start off quite reserved and camera shy, then throughout the song, slowly get more confident and by the end of the song she is moving a fraction faster, looking at the camera with confidence. This could also be reflected in her clothes, at the beginning of the song shes could be covered up in her pyjamas or a robe, and then slowly take it off and wear something more revealing like a dress.

There will be a demand on part of the record company of a lot of close up of the main artist or vocalist

 

Using this theory we could have the singer as a main focus of the music video, utilising fully a range of shots of the singer throughout the video, especially when she is singing, close up shots should be taken.

 

There is likely to be reference to voyeurism, particualry in the treatment of females

 

To relay this theory into our music video we could use medium shots of the singer, where her body could be in focus, slowly moveing the camera from her face to her feet. The singer could be wearing something revealing, like a short dress to make a reference to vouyeurism. It may also be a good idea to have a shot of the singer taking off her pyjamas or robe, with them falling to the floor, but not directly showing any part of the body by adding in a quick fading transition.

 

We will also have to take into account the mise en scene of the music video. Within the framework of the shots we could have girly objects, such as flowers and hearts and pink objects to emphasise the role of the female singer and how powerful and confident she becomes by the end of the song. We could also use things like photographs- ones of a couple, exemplifing the singers story.

 

The location of the video will also play an important roll in the production of the music video. It would have to take place in a house. Particularly in a bedroom, where the singer would be upset at first, then getting ready to go out. Stairs would need to be used, as well as a front door. To portray the singer going for a night out we could shoot her in a club singing, this may prove difficult, therefore we woul have to find a stage, possibly use the school assembly stage to shoot this.

 

The last thing to think about are the technical aspects of the music video. This would include lip syncing, which may be a challenge, however one that could easily be overcome with a bit of practice. In the editing we would have to match up the lip syncing with the music. Also in the editing we will use smooth transitions, inclding fading in and out to emphasise the slow moving song.