Planning Cinematography (changes made)

What is the purpose of cinematography?

Cinematography is effectively used in a music video so that the audience can see a visual interpretation of the song. Different camera shot create a specific desired effect on the audience in order to appeal to them. Therefore cinematography is a vital aspect of the production process, for it not only allows the audience to visually witness what is happening, but it also encourages them to interpret such visual, for different camera shots/angles are chosen specifically to effect the audience in the desired way. For example, if it was desired to make the audience feel empathetic toward a character, a high angle may be used for this is suggestive of vulnerability as they are being look down upon, implying a weakness in contrast to another character or the situation itself. If the same effect wanted to be created but a low angle was used, this may become disorientating for the audience, as low angles conventionally imply power, for the audience are looking up to the character and therefore is indicative of strength. On the other hand, directors may chose to use contrasting shots so that the narrative seems more unpredictable to the audience, in which case engaging their attention; however the consequence of confusing the audience may increase.

What cinematography will you include and why?

Close up of guitar

During the narrative aspect of the music video, there will be a range of the artist singing, and the artist singing with a guitar; in which we plan to get a close up of. Be having a close up of the guitar, this will increase the appeal of our music videos for two main reasons; the first being that it provides the audience with more information about the artist, that she can play guitar as well as sing and therefore will indicate her true talent. Such representation is conventional to the indie genre as the genre itself is a response to mainstream genres such as pop, in which the artists are typically constructed in order for consumption. However, if our artist is represented as talented this will increase the appeal from our target audience as they will recognise the artist as dedicated and talented, qualities that are favourable to them. Secondly, by identifying that the artist can play guitar, this may provide the target audience with a similarity to the artist as they may be able to play guitar or another instrument themselves, thus allowing them to build a relationship with the artist and therefore encouraging them to maintain an interest with the artist. Furthermore, the significance of the close up is vital, as the effect previously spoke of could be created with a mid shot; however a close up increases the engagement between audience and video, for they must focus on the guitar as nothing else is on the frame, thus providing a much more intimate feeling between audience and artist.

Mid shot of artist

When the artist is performing, a mid shot will be used as this provides an effective balance of engagement; not so far away that the audience cannot see the artist, but not so close that they feel overwhelmed. Richard Dyer's theory argues that an artist must remain both present so that the audience can connect with the artist, know more about them and build a relationship; but also absent, so that the audience maintain their interest through enigmatic mystery, thus using social networking sites etc to fulfil such questions of what they are doing, what are they wearing etc etc. A mid shot creates a similar effect. The artist will be present for the audience to connect, but not entirely present that they become uninterested, also created by the balance of narrative and performance aspects. This particular shot could be argued to be both conventional and unconventional to the genre, for it is present in some but not all indie music videos.

Here is an example of an indie music video that has chosen to have a performance based aspect however, has chosen not to use a mid shot but rather a long shot. The long shot has highlighted the live performance aspect of the video, for the viewer can identify the stage, the band and the background as being coherently a live performance, shown by the green rectangle around the frame; a convention of the indie genre. therefore this shot will appeal to the target audience as it emphasise the down to earth nature of the artist, that he is interested in the music he is making live, rather than being on a stage the song playing from a stereo, again favourable to the target audience of an indie artist. However, if the artist were to use a mid shot, exampled by the red square, such effect wouldn't be created and therefore this could arguably decrease the appeal, for the audience could not recognise the live performance.

On the other hand, here is an example of another indie music video in which the artist has chosen to use a mid shot which we can recognise as the position of the camera is fairly close to the artist, exampled by the red square, but the audience are still able to see the background, exampled by the green rectangle. In this song, the artist sings of strong emotions much like the artist Nina Nesbitt in her song Noserings & Shoestrings, our chosen song. The mid shot of the artist intensifies the emotion he speaks of, as the shot creates the effect that both artist and audience are close in proximity and therefore encourages them to engage and empathise for the artist. Contrastingly, if the artist were to have chosen a long shot similar to Passenger, such effect would failed in creation, for the audience may feel they cannot connect with the artist as they are too far away.Therefore, we felt that a mid shot would be more effective during the performance aspect of the music video as it allows the audience to connect and build a relationship with the artist.

Establishing shot of skate park

Our music video will consist of more than one location and therefore it is vital to notify the audience when and where the locations change to, as they may become confused. Also, the video consists of both reminiscent memories and their present relationship so the establishment of location may assist in indicating which is which. Locations of the music video include the forest, a skate park and a plain white wall. The performance aspect will be a plain white wall and therefore wont require an establishing shot, however we plan to establish both the forest and skate park; the forest being a particular convention of the indie genre as nature is commonly highlighted in such videos to signify the simplistic, minimalistic and purity and the artist and their talent in order to appeal to the target audience. The establishing shot of the skate park will highlight the characteristics of the artist's boyfriend as being isolated from her and therefore will imply their present relationship.