Response to our Questionnaire

I will make a post later in the week in reference to the collation of the response to our survey looking at who exactly our target audience member is, and what our audience thinks of our videos.

Band members

 Zak Kenny - Lead guitarist 

 James Blake - Bassist 

 James Korolus - Lead Singer

 Conner Rutland - Singer and guitarist 

 Callum Woods - Drums 

Location

Here is a picture of where we filmed. There will be a more detailed analysis of the room with where we placed cameras to follow.

Filming update

We arranged to film at Earth Studios in Sprowston on the 19th of December. Although this wasn't our original plan, as we were hoping to film at Taverham High School, we were still pleased with the size of the location and the independence given to us to complete all the filming we needed to get done. We arrived at 13.30 pm and filmed until 15.00 pm. We were happy with what we had recorded and made sure that we had more than enough recorded than necessary just to be sure. 

Update on filming

We are hoping to begin filming this Thursday, the 15th.

Band Members

James Korolus - Lead singer

Connor Rutland - Singer/Guitarist 

Zak Kenny - Guitarist

James Blake - Bassist 

Callum Woods -  Drummer

Update on filming

There have been problems with filming, as we were meant to shoot last night, however the drummer (Callum) was ill, and so we have had postpone filming. We hope to begin filming next week, but we will keep you updated on our progress.

Video update on progress

Video analysis

This is a video by Kill Switch Engage, and although it is a metal video, it is nothing like any other videos which I have so far seen for this type of music. This is because the video comprises of plasticine models in place of the musicians themselves. I will not be using any of the characteristics show in this video, however I thought I should reference the fact that metal music videos are appearing to become more diverse as the music genre branches out.

Update on filming

Hopefully we will start filming on Thursday the 1st of December, however this may be subject to change. We will keep you updated on our progress.

Cuts

Vocals - during the song there will be two different types of vocals sang. These will be screamed vocals, and more clean vocals. The screamed vocals will occur frequently - an example shown of where they will occur is during verse 2:


I'm sick of plain corpses crash and burn, no face no recognition 

just empty eyes and clotted blood, with no expression 

from new born child to rotting man, to just conceived make the incision

sign here to have your name engraved in bold, in f'ing bold

And an example of where clean vocals will appear is in the chorus:

I am, I am the watch tower 

I watch, but I only watch them die 

the irony is that i'm suicidal 

but I cant jump off myself 

For the transitions on and surrounding the screamed vocals, the pace will be very fast to reflect this hectic nature. This will contrast with the slower transitions that will be used with the more clean vocals, however it is important to note that these transitions will still be fast in order to keep the audience interested, whilst also committing to the forms of the Metalcore genre. 

Music video comparisons

Here is a video that I believe shows what we are looking for in terms of transitions and shot speeds. Both the transitions and changes between shots are all very fast - connotations of this being the hectic nature of the music, and if we look further the resemblance to the lyrics. I believe that our video will also be similar in that it is solely performance based (as ours will be) and features some similar shots.

Music video comparisons

Here is a music video that we believe will eventually look similar to ours. The shots featuring the band performing are the shots that we are most interested in as that will be what is featured in our video, and of particular interest is the visuals; e.g. how the lighting is restricted, the fast transitions, and the varied shots.

With reference to a previous post 'Test shots - Lighting and Colouring', the lighting shown in this video is very similar to what we would like to use in our own video. However, the colouring of the shots in this video is not similar to what we will possibly be using, and so I will continue looking for other videos which feature this trait.

The band members positions are also of importance, as we will be using a similar method in the way that the members of FEAR THE UNKNOWN are placed. (drummer at the back etc).

Here are three shots that we will be using in our video: The first shot is one that focuses on the guitar; the second focuses on the band as a whole; and the third is a mid-shot focusing on a guitarist.

Band Picture

Band filming - Contact with FEAR THE UNKNOWN

After our latest post in which we recieved a reply from Taverham High School, we have got into contact with FEAR THE UNKNOWN in order to try and find a suitable date and time in order to shoot the video.

We shall keep you updated on our progress.

Band filming - Contact with Taverham High School

Test shots - Lighting and Colouring

This is just a simple test shoot showing the ideal colouring and lighting that we will be using in our music video. It is also a chance for us to show some of the shots we will be using, and length of the shots. We have also used 'Ken Burns' in the editing of some of the shots, which we hope will enable us to make the video and the shots within it more dynamic. 

When editing the video, we used the following aspects to get our ideal shot. 

• Exposure - 92%
• Brightness - 8%
• Contrast - 55%
• Saturation - 21%
• White point - red 

Equipment List

Camera 1 – CMOS, 6.1, Mega pixal, still image recording

These are some high quality cameras, and will allow us to produce some good footage of the band. we will be using either 2 or 3 of these cameras, dependent on how many that we are able to use. 

Camera 2 – Sony handy cam, HDV, 108i/min DV

Although this type of camera is not as good as the CMOS camera, they are still useful, and we will be using either 1 or  of these cameras, dependent on how many of the CMOS cameras we can use. 

Tripod  - Manfrotto tripod, (190 x B) 

We will be using the tripod within all of our shots bar one, the reason for this being that we would like no movement for most of the shots. Keeping the footage calm for the audience to view would increase their profile, this being one of the key attributes to an up and coming band like FEAR THE UNKNOWN. We will be using as many tripods as there are cameras for our filming. 

WatchTower lyrics - analysis

The Watch Tower – Analysis

Verse 1

I'm sick of myself, blood drips down my foundations – scene of death

I have to watch their bodies fold, under the pressure – suicide (because of stress/anxiety)

a shattered spine a broken skull, the least of my expectations – emotionally, physically and mentally

if I had a pound for each one id be made of gold, of f'ing gold – many people commit suicide

Pre chorus 1

the elevator goes up, but only bodies fall down – no one comes down it (watchtower) alive

they're falling off my head, and losing theirs on the ground – jumping from the tower - dieing at the bottom

Chorus

I am, I am the watch tower – States who the watchtower/singer is

I watch, but I only watch them die – can only watch (can't move/inaminate)

the irony is that i'm suicidal – The tower want to commit suicide, would stop others from doing so, can't

but I cant jump off myself – another reference to 'his' fixed state

Verse 2

I'm sick of plain corpses crash and burn, no face no recognition – once dead, un-recognisable

just empty eyes and clotted blood, with no expression – no soul, they're not human anymore

from new born child to rotting man, to just conceived make the incision – any form of person commits suicide

sign here to have your name engraved in bold, in f'ing bold – its making a statement

Pre chorus 2

the elevator goes up, but only bodies fall down – no one comes down it (watchtower) alive

they're falling off my head, and losing theirs on the ground – jumping from the tower - dieing at the bottom

Chorus

I am, I am the watch tower – States who the watchtower/singer is

I watch, but I only watch them die – can only watch (can't move/inaminate)

the irony is that i'm suicidal – The tower want to commit suicide, would stop others from doing so, can't

but I cant jump off myself – another reference to 'his' fixed state

Bridge

This is: manslaughter, mass murder – the suicide is caused by those who put the people in that situation

you're not a f'ing martyr – there is nothing noble about committing suicide

constrain you, i'd brain you – would stop them, but can't

but I don't have limbs and neither – would stop them but can't

will you when you hit the floor – when they hit the ground, they will also be inaminate

Fake gods won't save you anymore – what they previously believed in (religion etc) is of no help anymore

Chorus

I am, I am the watch tower – States who the watchtower/singer is

I watch, but I only watch them die – can only watch (can't move/inaminate)

the irony is that i'm suicidal – The tower want to commit suicide, would stop others from doing so, can't

but I cant jump off myself – another reference to 'his' fixed state

Storyboard - Introduction: Continued

Shot 1 -

• Whole shot of band
• Cameras 1 and 2
• Establishing shot - promo shot

Shot 2 -

• Lead singer
• Camera 6
• Mid shot

Shot 3 -

• Guitarist/singer
• camera 8
• Close up

Shot 4 -

• Drummer
• Camera 5
• Mid shot

Shot 5 -

• Lead guitarist
• Camera 7
• Mid shot

Shot 6 -

• Bassist
• camera 4
• close up

Shot 7 -

• Drummer
• Camera 5
• Mid shot

Shot 8 -

• Lead guitarist
• camera 7
• close up

Shot 9 -

• Guitarist/singer
• Camera 8
• Mid shot

Shot 10 -

• Bassist
• Camera 4
• Mid shot

Shot 11 -

• Exchange between shot 7 - 10
• Fast editing

Shot 12 -

• Lead singer
• Camera 6 and 1
• Close up, and mid shot

Shot 13 - continued throughout whole of song

• Mixed shots between all of the cameras
• Fast editing
• All members of group included