Draft Feedback

This lesson, Mr Andrews gave me feedback for my Design Suite (Three Column Script and Justification). It turns out that I actually used the shot list template instead of the three column script template... these stock images perfectly express my frustration at this point.

Below it a list of things that Mr Andrews had given more for feedback. As well as answers to some questions that I had asked him.

• First and foremost: the template.... I now have to download the Music Video 3-Column Script template off blackboard and transfer all of my information into there
• When putting info into the "Length of Shot: Duration" section of the table, I must include the length of the shot when edited into the music video, as well as the time of the music video e.g. ( 3 seconds, 1:45 - 1:48 )
• If I chose to have a shot in slow motion,  for e.g. a 3s shot edited to be 6s in the music video, I must say that the duration is for 6 seconds, and then in additional notes I would explain that the shot music be quick-framed and shot in half time.
• I must also justify why I am choosing to use slow motion in my music video. Mr Andrews asked me "Why?" and I figured that, because the music video is set in a childhood setting, it would be suitable to be in slow motion as when you look back on a childhood memory, it is usually a little blurry and not entirely clear. Having some shots in my music video that are in slow motion will capture this element
• Under the sound column, I must write down the lyrics that are going to be sung during the shot. So I must match the shots to the music and the lyrics.
• I must add "mise en scene" and "colour palette" to my justification and talking about editing within the cinematography paragraph

Long/Close Up Shots

In the middle of my brainstorming I had a cinematic idea (is that even a word?)!

I thought it would be cool if  at the beginning of the scenes of the film I use establishing shots and the actors would be revealed in mid shots and long shots. Then, by the end of the film, I aim to reveal them in more close ups. And doing this would be a metaphor - just like the lyrics in the song. The couples relationship is at standard, and CryBaby wants a stronger and closer relationship, and to take it to the next level. This can be reflected through these cinematic choices, because at the beginning of the song, the film is shown in mostly long shots, but then by the end it would be revealed in close ups to give that sense of next-level intimacy compared to how it was previously.

I later decided that doing this would be too hard, especially because the vision I have for a lot of shots require a variety of types of shots all throughout the storyline of the film. It would be quite difficult to go through with this idea.

Even though I am not going to be using this idea, it was something worth sharing as it was (it think) a clever concept, and relevant to my understanding and interpretation of this song.

Training Wheels Brainstorming

FTV Brainstorming Ideas

Sets

• Pre-school classroom
• Playground
• Driveway outside their house 

Props

• Bicycle

Actors

• Melanie Martinez “CryBaby
• Male Actor “Johnny”

Costume

Melanie Martinez’s costume as Crybaby

Black and pink hair

Childish outfit

Johnny

Ken barbie doll outfit

Tight fitting

STORYLINE

Classroom Scene

• They begin in the classroom, CryBaby and Johnny are drawing pictures, she looks over at him
• Johnny is drawing a picture to a note that says “To CryBaby: you’re my best friend - Johnny”
• CryBaby is drawing a love heart to a note that says “To Johnny: I love you - CryBaby”
• Johnny finalises his drawing and shows it to CryBaby. CryBaby hesitates giving him her drawing because she knows it will shock him.
• It will be clear that CryBaby wants their relationship to be more than just a friendship, she wants to take it a step further.

Playground Scene

• CryBaby and Johnny are running around the playground, playing hop scotch etc.
• He follows her across the monkey bars and up the ladder 
• They muck around, going down the slides, fireman poles
• CryBaby begins to climb on the outside of the playground, hanging off the side and standing on the railing, Johnny looks shocked and scared for her safety
• She calls out to him, telling him to do the same, but he is too scared
• CryBaby then climbs on top of the roof, she stands up and looks around and motions for Johnny to join her, she puts her hand out for him to take
• He tries to climb over the railing but is shaking and is too scared
• The end shot shows Johnny on top of the roof, implying that he has successfully made it up with the help of CryBaby but it definitely was a struggle.

Bicycle Scene

• Johnny is riding a bicycle down a street with Crybaby standing on the bars on the side of the back wheel and holding onto his seat
• She whispers into his ear and he laughs, they smile and have a good time
• They come to a big grassy hill that goes downwards, they look at each other and smile cheekily, mentally agreeing to get a thrill out of riding down the hill (I love everything you do... - chorus)
• CryBaby clings onto the back of the bike, laughing and enjoying the wind in her hair
• They stop and turn the bike around and both begin pushing it back up the hill, CryBaby constantly looks at Johnny romantically as he looks off into the distance cluelessly
• CryBaby then begins to take off the training wheels off the bike
• Johnny rushes over and asks what she is doing 
• He is hesitant as he watches CryBaby remove the training wheels
• They get onto the bicycle without the training wheels, Johnny is very scared and CryBaby is excited
• They go down the hill and Johnny steers the bike very badly, he is very wonky
• They fall of the bike and end up getting a few scratches and they look at each other, thrilled and excited, wanting to do it again

DRAFT Shot List/Justification

Below is the draft that I submitted for my design suite assignment (that entails a shot list and justification for creative choices). The reason why the shots are currently in pink is because they are a part of one scene. I will soon create shots for 2 other scenes that will be indicated a different colour. Then in the end, I will rearrange all of the shots from all of the scenes to go in order of the music video. Basically, each scene will start near the beginning of the song, but must end towards the end of the song, so the music video will be jumping through different scenes throughout. (if that makes sense)

Production Title: Training Wheels

Page  1  of 2  . Director: Nicole Hoskins

Length of Shot: Duration	Shot Description and Visual information: Shot type, camera movement, position, angle.  Location	Additional Shot Notes:  lighting notes, action etc. Voice-Over, Dialogue, Sound FX etc. Additional notes as shots are gathered.
3s	Shot Type: Extreme/Long Shot Camera Movement: Slowly moving forward towards action Position: Middle of the room Angle: Slightly high angle Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBaby and Johnny sit at a small table, colouring in and drawing, and concentrating really hard. They are the only ones in the room Music: Training Wheels  Additional Notes: CryBaby and Johnny are played by adult people, so they will look proportionally large in comparison to the classroom, this long shot is to establish that Actors Notes: Innocent 5-year-olds again
4s	Shot Type: Medium-Long Shot of CryBaby and Johnny at table drawing Camera Movement: Still Position: On the other side of the table capturing both the actors Angle: Straight On  Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBaby and Johnny sit on the same side of a small table colouring in. CryBaby then looks over at Johnny admiringly with love and then back to her drawing. Music: Training Wheels  Actors Notes: Johnny is very invested in his drawing and doesn’t notice CryBaby looking over at him lovingly. This is the epitome of their relationship, as Johnny doesn’t realise how much CryBaby likes him.
3s	Shot Type: Mid Shot of Johnny at the table drawing Camera Movement: Still Position: On the other side of the table capturing just Johnny Angle: Slightly high angle looking down on him Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: Johnny continues colouring in his drawing intensively Music: Training Wheels  Sound FX: Additional Notes:
4s	Shot Type: Medium Shot of Johnny’s drawing Camera Movement: Still Position: Left side beside Johnny’s head looking down at his drawing Angle: Very high angle, not birds-eye Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: Johnny’s drawing is revealed, it shows a message that says “To CryBaby: you’re my BEST FRIEND - Johnny” with a drawing of them underneath, he continues to do the finishing touches. Music: Training Wheels  Sound FX: Additional Notes:
5s	Shot Type: Mid Shot of CryBaby at the table Camera Movement: Still Position: On the other side of the table capturing just CryBaby Angle: Slightly high angle Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBaby looks at Johnny and his drawing, a little disappointed, and then down at her own completed drawing Music: Training Wheels  Additional Notes:  Actors Notes: CryBaby is unhappy because she wants to be more than just ‘best friends’ with Johnny, and she knows that he thinks that he is not ready.
2s	Shot Type: Medium Shot of CryBaby’s drawing Camera Movement: Still Position: Right side beside CryBaby’s head looking down at her drawing Angle: Very high angle, not birds-eye Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBaby’s completed drawing is revealed, it says  “To Johnny: I love you - CryBaby” with a drawing of a love heart Music: Training Wheels  Additional Notes:
3s	Shot Type: Medium-Long Shot of CryBaby and Johnny at table Camera Movement: Still Position: On the other side of the table capturing both the actors Angle: Straight On  Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBaby puts her elbow on the table and sinks her cheek into her palm while she watches Johnny. Music: Training Wheels  Sound FX: Actors Notes: Johnny is still oblivious to CryBaby watching him, as he finishes his picture. CryBaby is still unsatisfied with their relationship
4s	Shot Type: Mid Shot of Johnny  Camera Movement: Still Position: On other side of table revealing Johnny Angle: Straight on Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: Johnny completes his drawing, puts the pen down, holds the drawing up and turns to show CryBaby Music: Training Wheels  Sound FX: Additional Notes:
3s	Shot Type: Mid Shot of CryBaby, over the shoulder of Johnny Camera Movement: Still Position: On the left side of Johnny’s shoulder Angle: Straight on Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBaby smiles at the drawing with a smile and Johnny passes it to her Music: Training Wheels  Additional Notes: Main focus must be on CryBaby, Johnny should be slightly out of focus and so should the background Actors Notes: CryBaby is trying to be happy with the drawing Johnny has given her, but she is clearly unhappy
4s	Shot Type: Medium-Long Shot of CryBaby and Johnny at the table Camera Movement: Still Position: On the other side of the table revealing Johnny and CryBaby Angle: Straight on Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBaby takes Johnny’s gift and holds her own drawing to her chest Music: Training Wheels  Sound FX: Additional Notes: All of the medium-long shots that are of the two actors in the same position can be done in one take and edited into the correct order within the other shots Actors Notes: Johnny is looking at CryBaby with an innocent anticipation, CryBaby is very conflicted at this moment, whether to show her drawing to him or not.
2s	Shot Type: Medium-Close-Up of Johnny’s face from CryBaby’s perspective Camera Movement: Still Position: From where CryBaby sits Angle: Straight on Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: Johnny smiles, waiting  Music: Training Wheels  Actors Notes: Johnny looks into the camera as if looking into CryBaby’s eyes
2s	Shot Type: Medium-Close-Up of CryBay’s face from Johnny's perspective Camera Movement: Still Position: From where Johnny sits Angle: Location:	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBay looks uneasily at Johnny (the camera), and then peeps down at her drawing one last time Music: Training Wheels  Actors Notes: CryBaby looks into the camera as if looking into Johnny’s eyes
4s	Shot Type: Medium-Long Shot of CryBaby and Johnny at the table Camera Movement: Still Position: On the other side of the table revealing Johnny and CryBaby Angle: Straight on Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: CryBaby decides to hand her drawing over and curiously watches his reaction to it. Music: Training Wheels  Actors Notes: CryBaby had been wanting to get through to Johnny for a while and this was her first attempt at giving him a clue that she likes him more as a friend. Johnny takes a while to read and analyse the drawing.
4s	Shot Type: Mid Shot of Johnny, over the shoulder of CryBaby Camera Movement: Still Position: On the right side of CryBaby's shoulder Angle: Straight on Location: Pre School Classroom	Lighting: Natural daylight, classroom lights, cool light on main characters   Action: Johnny’s reaction is caught Music: Training Wheels  Additional Notes: Johnny should be the main focus, so CryBaby’s shoulder and everything in the background should be out of focus Actors Notes: Johnny’s face slowly becomes confused as he tilts his head to the side. He then realises that she really likes him then looks up at her with an expression that doesn't really give CryBaby an indication of whether he likes her back or not
	Shot Type: Camera Movement: Position: Angle: Location:	Lighting: Action: Music: Training Wheels  Sound FX: Additional Notes:

Nicole Hoskins

Mon 17th Oct 2016

Justification

Bicycle Prop:

Obviously, because the lyrics of the song is about a girl and a boy on a bicycle, I am going to incorporate this concept in my music video. Although the original music video has the same thing, I do not intend to ‘copy’, as it is a crucial part of the story that needs to be included in the film.

CryBaby character:

Melanie Martinez's style is so childish and has many references to childhood activities and objects (eg. teddy bears, training wheels[hence the title], pacifier, mrs potato head doll) and in her music videos, Melanie Martinez's plays a character named CryBaby where she, a grown woman, dresses up as a small child and acts like one. This is the character that I am using in my music video, in order to stay true to Martinez’s signature music video style.

Storyline:

The song’s lyrics are about a woman wanting more from her relationship with her partner. She uses the metaphor of ‘taking off training wheels’ to meaning ‘taking the relationship to the next level’ or ‘going the next step’. Martinez’s original music video reflects this message, but in a very subtle way. I planned to make this message clearer in my music video, as it will make it easier for audiences to understand and relate to. The storyline of my music video entails a girl that really likes a boy in preschool, they always exchange drawings, sit next to each other in class, and play together; however, the girl looks at the boy wanting more from the relationship. Although the storyline is very childish and only represents a low-level relationship, my aim is for teenagers and adults to understand and relate to it as well as the characters are grown-ups. By putting them in the young environment, audiences can pick out metaphors in the storyline and relate it to their own experiences with love.

Childhood Setting:

My music video is going to take place in three different locations: the playground, a classroom, and outdoors on a grassy hill. This is because these three locations are where most children spend their time (or at least where they used to), so Martinez’s ‘child-like’ music style is reflected in the settings and her young-minded character is in a very like-wise environment.

Cinematography:

I aimed to use long shots to establish the setting an the situation the two characters are both in, and then closer up shots to reflect the intimate relationship that CryBaby seeks. 

Music Videos

HOMEWORK: watch music videos and take notes

Over the past few years, when I have watched certain music videos I have been moved and inspired. Some artists that I can think of that I have definitely remembered are Sia, Melanie Martinez, Pentatonix, Stromae, and Ariana Grande (may be a little bias because she is my favourite artist ever). So I have decided to take another look at some of these music videos and take notes on them. 

SIA
When I think of Sia, I now think of her amazing song-writing reputation, her strong voice, and Maddie Ziegler (dancer). I also think of the incredible music videos that she has produced recently; Chandelier, Alive, Elastic Heart and The Greatest - all of which had somehow managed to make me cry the first time I watched them. My question is how is she so successful in producing music videos and why are the always so popular? I already have an idea of the answer to this but I am going to watch the music videos again and take notes on how they are successful.
Chandelier-
Monotonous lighting: brown shades, pale green, black, 
Maddie dances freely throughout an 'abandoned house'
One shot film - no cuts
Maddie interacts with the set and props in a very unusual way, she changes character a lot.
Her movements can be analysed to be very symbolic to the lyrics
Dark hallway with only one light, maddie bends over backwards and performs an 'exorcist' position (idk how else to describe it haha)
In General-
A theme that Sia maintains throughout most of her videos is a bob wig that is half black and half blonde
Sia also has lots of meanings and storylines in her music videos


MELANIE MARTINEZ
Soap/Training Wheels-
With this music video, Martinez did a double feature making the two songs into one music music video thtat had a storline with this boy names Johnny. CryBaby loves Johnny and calls him over to confess her love for him, but then she rushes into the relationship causing him to disappear to his other girlfriend. What Melanie Martinez likes to do is to act very crazy and attached in her music videos like a crazy little child, she also adds in glimpses of her eyes being large to represent innocence and childhood. 

STROMAE
Papaoutai-
This is one of my favourite songs/music videos of all times. It is about a boy whose father hasn't been there for him, so he asks "Father, where are you/where have you been?" The music video is very aesthetically pleasing, and depicts a world that looks like ken/barbie dolls and dollhouses. The dance style of the song is shown through the contemporary dancing of the actors. I just really like this video as the story  and relationship between the boy and his father is very clear and clever.

20th October Design Task Notes

3-column Script - NOT SHOT LIST
Justification (at bottom of the document) - why you made the music video the way you did

• Why I made the music video the way I did...
• What are my choices were
• Why am I doing them?

Number each shot in my 3 column script

Have table at the bottom (not shot list) that is the shooting order

Training Wheels - Melanie Martinez

Melanie Martinez is one of my favourite artists, she has a very distinct style and writes songs that have depth, a story and large symbolism. This is why I am interested in creating an alternative music video to one of her songs.

One of my favourite songs of hers is Training Wheels. Here is the link to her music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKBB1VufWCg and below are the lyrics.

TRAINING WHEELS LYRICS

Riding down, riding down

My hand on your seat

The whole way round

I carry band-aids on me now

For when your soft hands hit the jagged ground

Wheels aren't even touching the ground

Scared to take them off but they're so worn down

Promise I won't push you straight to the dirt

If you promise me you'll take them off first

[2x]

Love everything you do

When you call me fucking dumb for the stupid shit I do

Wanna ride my bike with you

Fully undressed,

No training wheels left for you

I'll pull them off for you

Letting go, letting go

Telling you things you already know

I explode, I explode

Asking you where you want us to go

You've been riding two-wheelers all your life

It's not like I'm asking to be your wife

I wanna make you mine, but that's hard to say

Is this coming off in a cheesy way?

[2x]

Love everything you do

When you call me fucking dumb for the stupid shit I do

Wanna ride my bike with you

Fully undressed,

No training wheels left for you

I'll pull them off for you

(Love everything you do)

(Let me ride my bike with you)

(No training wheels left for you)

[2x]

I love everything you do

When you call me fucking dumb for the stupid shit I do

Wanna ride my bike with you

Fully undressed,

No training wheels left for you

I'll pull them off for you

Here are the symbolic references in the lyrics that I found on this website http://genius.com/Melanie-martinez-training-wheels-lyrics : 

Cry Baby is attracted to a boy who seems to be not interested in her.
He’s on a bike and is able to get away when all she can do is hold onto his seat while he’s riding–which doesn’t work out too well because bikes move faster than regular walking.
She now keeps a pack of band-aids handy when he falls from riding his bike. Which is very likely seeing as she’s got a grip onto his seat.
Crybaby knows a lot for her age. So maybe she’s making him fall on her purpose so she can nurse him back to health.
When you’ve had training wheels on for a very long time (in this case both are affected), they tend to bend up (don’t even touch the ground) after parking the bike on alternating sides.
Now, they are pretty much a dead weight or kind of like a “blankie” for the rider/owner (the guy) is scared of losing. In this case, they represent his hesitation to commit himself and ride with Cry Baby.
Crybaby promises to the boy that once he shows he wants to commit to the relationship and lay all his insecurities out that she won’t end up hurting him in the end.
Training wheels are attached to bicycles in order to maintain a cyclist in proper balance. As they get older, they become more conditioned to feeling comfortable. They become confident enough to take the training wheels off, but also become vulnerable to toppling over and losing their balance.
Melanie wants to get serious, insisting that she can be of help in relinquishing his fear of commitment. He can call her out on her flaws, yet it proves he’s invested in a way that implies they’re ready to move things further. It takes the bond of true soulmates to be bold and not hold back anything.
She wants them to be metaphorically bare and naked in each other’s presence—all of their insecurities are laid out, and without the training wheels they can get hurt, but she wants to take the risk with and for him.
The phrase “letting go” is representing Melanie and this person letting go of the safety and getting more serious in their relationship.
She has to keep repeating herself and reassuring him that she won’t hurt him like he has been hurt previously but she’s getting tired of having to prove herself so she explodes.
How you can see in the next lines, she’s asking him to be in a relationship.
He has been in serious relationships previously and knows he could get hurt.
Cry Baby wants him to commit to her, but does not want to say it outright.
She thinks the line is very cliché and is asking herself if it is too cheesy.

By knowing these symbols and metaphors within Melanie Martinez's lyrics in her song Training Wheels, I am able to create my own meaning with this song and visualise a whole new music video with the basic knowledge of the song. This is because it would be very hard to study her music video and try to re-create it without knowing the core elements of the song. 

BRAINSTORMING IDEAS:

• Obviously, because the music video is about a girl and a boy on a bicycle, I am going to incorporate this concept in my music video. In no way am I copying her original music video, but it seems like a very crucial part of the story that needs to be included in the film.
• An idea that I thought was because Melanie Martinez's style is so childish and has many references to childhood activities and objects (eg. teddy bears, training wheels[!!], pacifier, mrs potato head doll) I could have my main characters in the music video be children. However, the only reason why I wouldn't go through with this plan is because Melanie Martinez's theme is that she plays a character (named CryBaby) where she, a grown woman, dresses up as a small child and acts like one. [I will ask Mr Andrews about the task, hopefully I am able to change the concept in my recreaction of the video]
• A storyline that entails a small girl that really likes a boy at kindergarten, they always exchange paintings and sit next to each other in class, however the girl looks at the boy wanting more from the relationship. [The only problem with this idea is that there MIGHT be a slight suggestion of child exploitation because the lyrics say 'fully undressed, not training wheels left for you' even though it means metaphorically 'naked' and comfortable with each other.]