Unit 29: Day 1 of Music Video Shoot

Monday 9th November

Today was our first shoot day! Finally, after lots of planning and preparation we went on location to Saltburn-by-the-sea to shoot 2/3 of the scenes for our music video. 



From left to right: Kelsey, Reece, Ben, Matty, Taylor & Jess

Meet Quality Productions!
Director: Taylor
Director of Photography (camera operator): Matty
Assistant Director: Ben
Production Manager: Jess (me)

Brandon: Reece
Jenny: Kelsey

After a 30 minute train ride we arrived in Saltburn and straight away the director and DoP started collecting shots - these were establishing shots. The 2 establishing shots we collected were of the 2 locations we were using - the cliff and the pier. Traditionally these shots are used at the beginning of the sequence as they set the scene and explains the location. These shots don't need to last long but long enough for the audience to take in what they are seeing, these shots are important as it explains future events, and puts things into context.

Then, we proceeded onto the first scene which is split into 2 - the first taking part at the top/start of the pier where the characters seem reasonably happy and content in their relationship, the second part taking place at the end of the pier where the pair break up and the murder that is implied in the song takes place.

Part 1: This included some shots of the empty pier and then we did a shot of the couple walking down the pier. These were very static with most taking place with the use of the tripod. There was one shot where Matty walked behind the couple which did not use the tripod. We shot all the tripod shots first keeping the tripod in the same place so that consistency and continuity is achieved. 

  





Here is the first time we set up the camera, Matty and Taylor are checking to ensure they like the shot and setup.














This was a very interesting shot - it started out of focus which then slowly focussed in, then the couple's holding hands came into focus. They then walk down the pier together.

Part 2: This took place at the end of the pier, it was very windy and cold here compared to the start and this was very obvious. We used a range of camera angles here, including using the shoulder stand. We spent more time doing blocking here as we had more to film - here we see the couple argue and then Brandon accidently kill Jenny.

Matty and Taylor are behind the camera, watching the scene play out ensuring that both characters are in shot.





We used an over the shoulder shot to show the scene from another angle - we did this scene numerous times from a range of angles.





Because of the weather Matty and Taylor had to hold tightly onto the camera numerous times, just for the fear of something happening (Kelly has enforced lots of fear into us).





I really liked this shot because the angle doesn't show much - a close up of Jenny's hand, I feel that this links nicely with the starting shot of the couple holding hands.



Here, Matty is using the shoulder stand, this is useful for movement shots - this allowed Matty to follow Brandon down the pier.  

Matty and Taylor getting a shot of the cliff we went to next from the pier.



And with those thumbs up, that's a wrap! (for scene 1)

Now onto what was classed as scene 3 but actually appears as scene 2 - this is because it was added after the original ideas. For the cliff scene (scene 3) we took a lovely 30 minute uphill climb. The cliff allowed us to have the pier in the background as well as some 'crazy' shots that described Brandon's thoughts and feelings of the time - he's just killed his girlfriend and he was freaking out. Up here was worse than the end of the pier - it was incredibly windy and because of the section we'd chosen to film and the types of shots we were using it was very hard for anyone but Matty (camera operator) to be behind the camera watching the shot. Also, another difficulty we found was lip synching, the wind was very strong and loud meaning that it was hard to hear the music but the wind did work in our favour as it helped accelerate the craziness and unorganised feel we wanted to achieve.

The cliff we filmed on.

This was taken from the cliff showing the pier we had filmed onto, we used this in the background of some shots.

We were very careful when on the cliff avoiding the edge at all costs, one shot was shot from Matty laying on the floor filming upwards but he stayed away from the edge. There are less photos taken from the cliff mostly due to the fact that it was very cold because of the wind, we used the tripod less (not shown in photos) so that we could have more free shots that were less static and allowed more movement. 



And with this thumbs up from the director that's a warp!! (excuse my windswept hair)

Speaking on behalf of everyone we had a great day today! 2 scenes down, 1 more to go which will take place Tuesday. We have learnt lots today about filming on location especially in particular weather conditions but overall we got lots of experience and shots that will be useful in the future and editing.