The dance scene will be filmed first so I want to have a clear idea of how I want it filmed so Harrison knows exactly what I'm envisioning. I researched many music videos, fashion films and live performances until I found aspects that inspired either the filming or lighting.
This liberating dance scene will take place near the end of the 5 minute film and will be the first scene shot completely in colour. This scene represents She's feeling of escape from society's hold. The scene where She starts expressing herself through the use of coloured powder paint will be entwined with this dance scene to portray the ultimate sense of freedom. The dance scene will be purely in She's imagination to fully showcase her liberation through an abstract, expressive dance sequence.
(ActionLeo, 2013.)
Filming(starting 00:47)
In this music video the camera isn't stationary for the entire dance routine, the camera is constantly moving to different angles, closeups and speeds to focus on the dancer's body movement. This more artistic style of filming makes the dance look more expressive and technical as hones in on the impressive dance moves without showing each transition. This quick editing also puts less pressure on Louise as she will know that if she messes up, that section can just be cut out in editing. There is a mixture of speeds within the clips, some at normal and some slowed down, adding a dream-like, ethereal effect. The clips become shorter near the end, building tension and excitement, which is something my film can adopt to build up to when She sees a demon of her past and then whole mood and pace of the film suddenly changes. There are a range of close-ups, mid shots and wide shots, drawing your eye to certain aspects and parts of her body movements and because it keeps the viewer interested.
CLICK HERE FOR MUSIC VIDEO
(THUMP, 2014).
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| Studio without projection. (THUMP, 2014). |
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| Studio with added projection. (THUMP, 2014). |
Filming
The camera movement is deliberately unsteady at times to give a chaotic, raw effect. I noticed that the camera didn't actually move as much as it looks because the dancer stays in the same place but the flickering editing and moving graphics make it look like there's lots going on and therefore keeps the audience engaged. The closeup shots of the dancer's body draw your eye to focus on the beautiful, intricate movement by focusing on the detail, rather than being distracted by other aspects. The pace constantly changes throughout, from sped up movement with quick editing to slow motion closeups, to complement the music and keep the viewer guessing what's going to follow. This change of tempo emphasises certain content, for example, at 00:32 the dancer is put in slow motion as the music builds up to the beat drop and then the clip is suddenly sped up when the beat drops, emphasising the musics climax. I haven't finalised the music for my film yet; however this is definitely a technique I will want to incorporate.
Lighting
The lighting is kept dark throughout the dance scenes to create mystery, with coloured side lighting to emphasise the dancer's silhouette. This combination creates ambiguity as the dancer's identity and movements are not made clear. I envisioned my dance scene to have very bright lighting in a big abandoned room; however I think that could almost show too much detail and therefore not create as much excitement and tension and I think the studio makes it look more editorial and abstract as the dancer could be anywhere. A quick bright flash appears throughout the video to the sound of the main beat, emphasising the strong beats. Harrison said the dancer was shot against a black white studio wall and then a moving graphics were projected on top as it was being filmed. I think the added graphics definitely add the interest in this music video as otherwise it would look very plain with just a white background. However I don't think the use of graphics would work in my fashion film because the powder paint would not be visible, making it look messy and over crowded.
(SHOWStudio, 2016.)
Filming
The dance scenes within Alchemy are fast paced, with short clips and quick transitions, reflecting the strength of the two dancers as they appear to fight a mystery battle. The dancers are shot from multiple angles and zoom depths, giving a chaotic effect and keeping the viewer constantly engaged as they have to follow the quick editing. It looks like the dancers perform a continued sequence; however the hectic, fast paced editing makes it look disjointed and unclear, making sure it doesn't look static or like a stage performance. The music compliments the fight throughout, making sound effects for the models' movements and adding strong beats whenever a sharp move it made. I think this worked effectively because the music emphasised any movements made, making them seem more dramatic.
Lighting
It looks like it's been shot in a studio because the background is completely black with no hint of content. This gave an editorial, high fashion feel, almost like a moving photoshoot, because all the attention was on the styling and dancers' movement. The dance scenes are shot in black and white, which mine will not be as they will portray escapism and freedom; however the strong lighting on the dancers complements the strong style of dance and dramatic music, adding the to over all power scenes. The lighting shines down from above giving them harsh shadows, emphasising their features and movement. The black background and harsh lighting gives a very dramatic look; I could incorporate it by using light to capture the powder paint as it would stand out against the blank background.
(AnomolousVisuals, n.a.)
Click to watch video
(AnomolousVisuals, n.a.)
Lighting
This music video incorporates smoke in the dance scene which moulds round the dancer to emphasise his movement. Most of the smoke is white; however there are flashes of red at the bottom of the frame which inspired the use of shining coloured light through smoke to create an atmospheric, yet expressive setting. I think there is too much smoke used in some scenes because the viewer loses the dancer's movement, therefore losing the impact. I will talk to Harrison about using smoke and how to make sure the volume of smoke doesn't cover the dancer. I think the use of smoke could complement the powder paint because they will both add different texture but with the right ratios could create a beautiful, yet powerful scene. In my film the surrounding smoke could represent how She now feels she can move freely even when being smothered by society's opinions and expectations.
I will talk Harrison through all my research so we both understand what to incorporate and experiment with in the test shoot.
References:
ACTIONLEO, 2013. "Young & Beautiful" DANCING IN THE RAIN (Lana Del Rey tribute - starring Sarah Smac McCreanor) [viewed 5th February 2017]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umQqeKN3O68
THUMP, 2014. Foreign Beggars x Alix Perez - "Modus" (Official Video) [viewed 5th February 2017]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52Mldri1Oq0
SHOWSTUDIO, 2016. ALCHEMY: Leonard Wong / AyaBambi / INSIDE FLESH [viewed 5th February 2017]. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GRjdIrYxGk
ANOMOLOUSVISUALS, n.a. Promotional Music Video Gaika Machine [viewed 4th February 2017]. Available from: http://anomalousvisuals.co.uk/portfolio-posts/machine-ep/#2
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