Practical
The lip sync exercise enriched me to
learning and practicing new elements within shooting and editing music videos,
both in preparation for future tasks and it allowed me to gain more relevant
knowledge. To prepare for this task, we were all assigned roles and alternated
between each part throughout. I also completed further research into each role
as I wanted to be organised and this beneficially prevented time wasting. For
instance, I quickly learnt through both research and during the exercise
there’s usually five or six main roles when shooting a music video. For
example, normally the studio should consist of a cameraman, a camera assistant,
a performer, a clapper and a floor manager present. From researching before the
task, it gave me a huge head start during the studio work and boosted my
confidence greatly.
During the time we had in the studio, my
group and I achieved many different things and courageously took on roles we’d
never experienced before. For instance, I started as a performer, basing myself
in front of the camera and then switched to being the camerawomen, then floor
manager and next the clapper. I mostly enjoyed the role of the floor manager as
the floor manager took control of the task and ensured everyone was ready; this
role also included aspects of dialogue; such as, “Standby”, “Playback” and
lastly “Camera Rolling,” This role was crucial and important as it noted
everyone of what was happening and prevented time wasting throughout.
We were located in the studio for the lip-syncing
exercise and were provided with access to high set useful equipment. For
example, during the day we had access to a dolly to lip-sync to the song ‘All
about that bass’ by Megan Trainer. By using a dolly it broadened our use of
shots and added movement and energy.
‘All about that bass’ had a catchy rhythm
and beat to it, allowing an easy engaging tune. I also enjoyed the role of the
clapper, as it was intriguing to have control. For instance, the clapper
involved an iPad that included a copy of the song ready to project but also a
time code for easier use of syncing for the use of editing. For example, when
the floor manager demanded “Playback” the clapper knew when to start the song.
Therefore, the role of the clapper and the floor manager worked collectively
together.
In the studio, we had three backdrops, for
instance, the first was a black wall with a fireplace central, the second was a
green screen accompanied by a red a sofa and the last was a pale white wall
with neon bright lights. I mostly enjoyed shooting in amongst the black wall as
it visually look the best and was easier to identify individuals facial
expressions and mouth whilst lip syncing as the black contrasted with most
characters clothes. Similarly, we used many different camera shots throughout,
such as long shots, mid long shots, close ups, extreme close ups and many more.
We rapidly understood the use of shots is used as a vehicle to build style
through the costume, props, setting and more to connate an individuals star
image; following Dyer’s star theory and Negus’ organic Vs synthetic theory.
Editing
After filming our different shots, we moved
onto the post production including the editing. My class and I used many
different approaches to editing that a generally used when composing a music
video. For example, the main method was rhythmic editing which is one way to
show the relationship between the takes and the rhythm and beat of the song.
For instance, the song echoes clear beats of a drum so we could clearly match
the subject of the face to the lyrics. However, we instantly learnt the pace
and style of the song represents a lot in editing as it changes the dynamics of
either having short duration shots for jollier songs or slow pace shots for
more emotive beats. Personally for this particular song, we used a range of quick
cuts, as the song is upbeat and positive.
We
firstly gathered all our rushes together and renamed our shots to make it
clearer and easier when editing. We then began by syncing all our takes with
the audio track; we achieved this by using the time code method from the
clapper. However, when the clapper wasn’t present in some footage we matched
the strong beat of the song. I realised the bigger the
movements in the rushes, the easier the editing as you can also link the lip-syncing
through that. We then went through each take and chose the best parts to sync.
I understood editing is very time
consuming and takes a lot of precious time as the movement of the takes and the
echoes of the song need to match perfectly otherwise the music video will fail,
so therefore careful and considerable actions need to be applied. I struggled a
bit with the editing, but I will continue to practice before I begin further lip-syncing
practical work.
During the day, I learnt music videos are
filmed differently to TV programs as firstly the character or individual looks
and performs directly to the camera, for instance through the use of direct
address. This is a main feature in music videos as one wants to engage the
audience, however we differentiate different things to conventions of music
videos. However, overall I am pleased I gained new information into music
videos and am looking forward to creating my product soon.
