Monday 29th

Alfie. I didn't know how else to get in contact with you!!
I'm really sorry about yesterday, I have got tonsillitus. Argh!! I did go and see Andrea.
I should be in for Wednesdays lesson. :)

29th September 2007

This was supposed to be our first day for filming, but none of my group where here apart from me. So i decided to do some more research and more blogging, finishing the analysis' of other videos. So i have decided to move our camera loan for Wednesday 4:10 on to Friday 9:00am.

Test Footage

Test footage from 24th September

This test footage helped us testing the different shots we are going to use, lighting, and helped Alfie to practice his miming skills.

We filmed this test footage outside long road school, which is not the location we are actually going to use, however we could not get to the location and back, and still have time for filming on the day as it was late into the lesson time had to do this.
The locations differ in that the street we are going to use does not have any cars, so it will not distract the audience from the main character. It will also have shops along the side to make it look more like a nice colourful street that matches the lyrics.

Camera Allocation - Teacher Post

Make sure you discuss and plan your filming times now. You can start filming next week, assuming you have returned your signed camera loan letter.
Cameras can be used in your usual class blocks (just for that hour and a half), in addition groups can book out either one weekend (Fri 16.10 - Mon 9am) or two overnights during the week (excluding Friday night, for example Tuesday 16.10 to Thursday 9am).
There are around 60 music video groups and nowhere near 60 cameras! Book your camera slot as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Shot List

Shot 1: Close up on a cardboard sign spelling out 'Curbside Prophet'.

Shot 2: Bus pulling up with the Alfie on, Alfie gets off bus, Kate Holding a sign Saying 'By Jason Mraz'.

Shot 3: Shot in front of actor turning on iPod to listen to the selected track, and starts walking down the street.

Shot 4: Tom Passing a guitar to Alfie, and follows behind Alfie as he walks down the street playing the guitar.

Shot 5: Close up of Alfie's face singing along to the lyrics, with people waking by.

Shot 6: When the lyrics ' now, now, now' is heard, the camera will jump in stages into a long shot of Alfie in the street will people around him, and this is when the audience is introduced to the first follower.

Shot 7: Close up of Alfie's legs dancing to the song, merrily, making it feel like a happy, upbeat song.

Shot 8: Alfie and his first follower, Tom, walking down a narrow street, camera shot from high above, to show the impression of others looking in on whats going on. And as the lyrics quote "amounts up to nothing in the end", Alfie will raise his hand up in the air, to show that its not going to get him down, because he's happy.

Shot 9: Shot from opposite side of road, will show that Alfie has gained another follower.

Shot 10: Shot outside a pub of Alfie Raising a glass, as the lyrics quote:"raise a toast".

Shot 11: Alfie will mime to "hop in the truck" lyrics to add more effect as well as Alfie singing.

Shot 12: To the chorus again and it will show 3 followers, and all of them following Alfie as he is singing merrily.

Shot 13: More miming to lyrics of the next verse e.g "with my guitar", close up of guitar and "my ghetto hats cocked right" Alfie will mime moving his hat to the right side of his head.

Shot 14:
All the ladies say,
“Yo, that kid is CRAZY!”
We got the backstage Bettie's takin’ more than they can get
They say, “whats up with M-R-A-Z?"
The line in the song sounds like an older woman singing it so we are going to try and find someone older to say it, if not we will have a group of girls all saying it together.

Shot 15: When the music starts to fade out.. Alfie will sit down on a bench and everyone who was following him will disperse and carry on with normal life as if it never happened e.g. people will walk of talking. Alfie, while sitting on the bench, will then take out his ipod, and the music will turn into background music.

Props

Champagne Toast (Raising a Glass)


Alfie's Spanish Guitar



Cardboard Sign

Filming Days

Test Footage: Wednesday 24th September
Editing: Thursday 25th September



First Day of filming: Monday 29th September ////

Second Day of filing: Tuesday 30th September////

Monday 1.50pm til Wednesday 9.00am////]

These days have now been moved to Wednesday 1st October-Friday 3rd October.

Actors

Singer: Alfie

Follower 1 (Guitar): Tom

Follower 2 (Toasting): Nadia

Follower (Board holder): Kate

There will be three main followers who are a focus point within the music video. We will then gather friends to make up the rest of the majority.

Final Animatic

Analysis

When Alfie was drawing the pictures for the Animatic, he decided to draw a picture or two for each verse of the son. Currently the video doesn't fit the lyrics, but the audience can get an overview of the shots that we are intending to use in our final video.

Shot 1:
The word Curbside Prophet is spelt out on a board held up by a person, (only visible by their hands)

Shot 2:
Zoom out of the close up of the board to show someone sitting in front of a shop holding the board, a bus pulls up with the actor on, and the homeless actor switches the boards to say "by Jason Mraz".

Shot 3:
A shot of the actor turning on an iPod to start listening to our chosen track 'Curbside Prophet'- Jason Mraz, but our actual shot won't show the iPod screen, it will show the actor turning it on from a front view.

Shot 4:
Actor will start walking down the street, from a side on shot singing along to the song, walking merrily to the beat.

Shot 5:
Shot of a passer by handing a guitar to the actor, as the lyrics quote "picked up a guitar in the mix", then the actor will sing and play guitar for the rest of the song.

Shot 6:
The person who passed the actor the guitar start following the actor, as if to show the actor as a 'Prophet', and having followers listening to his teachings.

Shot 7:
Close up of the actors face singing along to the lyrics, with people waking by.

Shot 8:
Close up of the actors legs dancing to the song, merrily, making it feel like a happy, upbeat song.

Shot 9:
Actor and his first follower walking down a narrow street, camera shot from high above, to show the impression of others looking in on whats going on. And as the lyrics quote "amounts up to nothing in the end", the actor will raise his hand up in the air, to show that its not going to get him down, because he's happy.

Shot 10:
Camera changes angle again to the opposite side of the road from the actor, to show he has enticed another person from the street to stop what they were doing and follow him.

Shot 11:
A mid shot of the actor pretending to raise a glass to a pub/restaurant as the lyrics say "raise a toast".

Shot 12:
The last animatic shot of ours is a close up of the guitar, to fit the lyrics "with my guitar here".

Pitch Feedback

We presented our pitch to the class mainly, Alfie! We presented the song we were pitching for and thankfully no one else was pitching for it too. The song was Jason Mraz - Curbside prophet. (See Pitch Below)

General Feedback was that it was a simple, but effective idea. It will be easy to construct and produce. It was likened too some previous videos.

Some Suggestions:

Spreading the word Through holding signs with messages/lyrics e.g. Lyrics being written on the board running alongside the actual music.

Another point was that we needed a lot of shot variety, e.g. Long Shots, Mid, And Close ups. To emphasise certain parts of the music video such as the vast amount of followers through a long shot or Panning shot and perhaps on the particular instrument he may be playing e.g Guitar through a Mid shot. Close up of hands etc.

It was also suggested that we include certain cut away shots. So the Music video doesn't become samey. So perhaps cutting away to him singing in a room and then fading this in and out of the music videos story.

Teacher Feedback

The work you have done on overall mise en scene, locations and props is good. You need to write up the feedback you received on your pitch.
Also write up your full shot list.
Good work so far.

Teacher Feedback

The work you have done on overall mise en scene, locations and props is good. You need to write up the feedback you received on your pitch.
Also write up your full shot list.
Good work so far.

Images for Research

Location:

Considering Cambridge is so Accessible to us all. The majority of filming will be done in and around Cambridge.

Props:

The Sound of a guitar is strongly Present in the Video, therefore in tying it with the character actions within the song.

Mise En Scene:

Because of the time of the year, it will be set in early Autumn. Allowing us to use natural light to its full potential, and easily giving us the effect of a morning to night video as the day comes to an end. This will also help to wrap up the Video and indicate to the viewer that the Prophet has done his job.

Costume:

We wanted the character to be in casual clothing. Doing nothing but the norm. However this contrasts against the point that he is a Prophet spreading the word and having followers.

Student Music Videos

U-32 Wishing Stone


R-17 Each Year

Actual Music Videos

James Blunt-1973


This fits the genre by James Blunt walking down a street to a sad song like most of his other songs, and him looking back on old memories which he is sad about. The relationship between the lyrics and visuals, he singing about being in a club with a girl in 1973, and the video goes from old street to into a shop all colourful as it was in 1973 giving the feeling of warmth, and what it was like for him back then, which amplifies the lyrics to what it was actually like by using visuals too. The relationship between music and visuals is that is a slow quite sad song and the visuals look as if they have been slowed down, which is very effective to show it is a sad song and amplifies the effect of the sadness and slowness of the music in the background. James blunt always shows his face, and keeps the same amount of stubble in all of his videos, and the same scruffy hair, to keep his image the same and so the audience can realise who he actually is. Most of the shots are from in the shops in 1973 looking out at James Blunt singing like you are there looking at James singing, also there are shots from balcony's above James watching him walk down this dead street, as if you where there looking at him, maybe a bit voyeuristic of him. you also do get to see a good looking lady dance in a next to nothing on the breasts dress, which shows voyeurism of the female body too. This video has a little bit of intertextuality of the TV sitcom 'Friends', where they are always hanging in a coffee house, and in the video it cut to in a coffee house with lots of people inside, and he says "i will always be, in a club with you in 1973". which refers to 'Friends' when they are always in the coffee shop together.


Jason Mraz- I'm Yours


Chris Brown- With You

This is Chris Brown's 'With You', and like all his other videos, it is quite a heart felt song for a girl, which fits his genre of RnB. With him dancing in the street fits the RnB genre, with him dancing while getting his message through that he really likes this girl. The lyrics and visuals contradict each other because he is singing about being with a girl, and how she is his sweetheart and hes into her, but she isn't there with him to hear it. Though he could be singing it for her, and hoping she will hear it. With him dancing in the video, this amplifies what message he is trying to put across, showing he is in such a god mood about this girl, it makes him dance and sing when he thinks about her. The music and visuals go together well because it is a quite slow song, and the visuals are nice and slow, most shots are slowed down on him with things going faster in the background, so all focus is on Chris Brown. Cris Brown's record label must want a lot of close ups and mid shots of Chris singing and him doing some of his trademark dancing, which is very smooth and very entertaining to watch. Chris' dancing reoccurs in most of his videos creating a visual style for his videos, and it is expected of him to do his trademark dancing. In this video the cameras sense of "looking" is seen as you are a person who is with Chris, watching and listening to him singing for this girl.

Jason Mraz Research

Jason Thomas Mraz was born June 23, 1977. He is a singer-songwriter, born in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Jason Mraz has many influences including pop, rock, folk, jazz, and hip hop. He has played with many artists such as James Blunt and James Morrison

'Curbside Prophet' was written by Jason Mraz. It was released as part of his first major studio album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, which is one of the lyrics of this song.

It peaked in the charts at 23 on the U.S. Billboard Adult Top 40.

Released 2004
Genre Pop-rock
Length 3:34

Teacher Post: What should your pitch include?

All groups must produce and present a pitch as an integral part of the planning stage. Your pitch is a proposal for your music video to the record company thinking of hiring you:
It must include:

* A clear written summary of the content/key idea for the video (at least 500 words).
The summary should include a reference to performers, locations, props, target audience for the video, reference to research conducted on the band, genre of the band and the song, relationship between the music and the visuals, relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, if the video will conform to or oppose the generic conventions of videos within that genre of music

* 2-4 (embedded) actual music videos which you think are similar to yours or that contain something that has influenced your idea (plus analysis, use Goodwin’s framework for analysing music videos)

* 2 (embedded) student videos which you think are similar (plus analysis)

* 4-6 Images which indicate location choices, overall mise en scene, costumes, props


If there is more than one group pitching for the same song, ensure you have a back-up choice and also try to make your pitch memorable.

Lyrics

Curbside Prophet- Jason Mraz

I’m just a curbside Prophet,
With my hand in my pocket,
And I’m waiting for my rocket to come.
I’m just a curbside Prophet,
With my hand in my pocket,
And I’m waiting for my rocket, ya'll.

Y’see it started way back in Nyc,
When I stole my first rhyme from the M.I.C.,
At A west end avenue at 63.
The beginning of a leap year, February, ’96,
With A guitar picked up in the mix,
I committed to the licks like a nickel bag of tricks.
Well look at me now,
Look at me now,
Look at me now, now, now, now.

I'm just a curbside Prophet,
With my hand in my pocket,
And I'm waiting for my rocket to come.
I'm just a curbside Prophet,
With my hand in my pocket,
And I'm waiting for my rocket, ya'll.

Well you’re never gonna guess,
Where I’ve been been been,
And I have no regrets
That I bet my whole checking account
Because it all amounts to nothing up in the end

Well you can only count on the road again
We’ll soon be on the radio dial
And I been payin close attention to the willie nelson style
Like a band of gypsies on the highway while
I’m one man pushin’ on the california skyline drive
Up the coast I brag and I boast
I’m pickin up my pace and makin time like space ghost
Raising a toast to the highway patrol with the most
Put my cruise control's on coast
Cuz I'm tourin' around the nation on extended vacation see
I got Elsa the dog who exceeds my limitation
I say, "I like your style, crazy pound pup!
You need a ride? [*woof*]
Well come on, girl, hop in the truck!"

I'm just a curbside prophet
With my hand in my pocket
And I'm waiting for my rocket to come
I'm just a curbside prophet
With my hand in my pocket
And I'm waiting for my rocket, ya'll.
I'm just a curbside prophet
With my hand in my pocket
And I'm waiting for my rocket to come on
I'm just a curbside prophet
With my hand in my pocket
And I'm waiting for my rocket, ya'll.

See I'm a down home brother, redneck undercover
With my guitar here
I'm ready to play
And I'm s a sucker for a filly
Got a natural ability I'm geared to freestyle
Look at my flexibility
Dangerous at the mike
My ghetto hat's cocked right
The ladies say, "yo, that kid is crazy"
The backstage betties taking more than they can get
They say, "what's up with m-r-a-z?"

Hey, hey, something's different in my world today,
Well they changed my traffic signs to a brighter yellow.
Hey, hey, something's different in my world today,
Well they changed my traffic sign to a brighter yellow.
I'm just a curbside Prophet,
Curbside Prophet now
Curbside Prophet now
Curbside
Come on, now.
Curbside Prophet.
Waiting for my rocket to come...

Pitch

Ideas for 'Curbside prophet'- Jason Mraz


Locations: In and around Busy city. For example Cambridge. Walking along in front of People. passing shops.

Props: guitar, maybe a banjo, bench, iPod

Mise en Scene: Casual clothing, Jeans, natural lighting, set in mid-day light in autumn.

Target audience for the video: General viewing for all ages, because its easy to remember, non-offensive and catchy.

Reference to research conducted on the band: In his video 'Wordplay' he sits on a tree trunk, playing a guitar, we will be using a guitar for one of our props.

Genre of the band and the song: Both the band and song are country/pop, with a jazzy upbeat to it.

Relationship between the music and the visuals: the actor will be imitating playing a guitar, will be walking in beat with the song looking as cheerful as the music.

Relationship between the lyrics and the visuals: The actor will be walking down a street near a curb, the actor will be imitating parts of the lyrics through his actions.

If the video will conform to or oppose the generic conventions of videos within that genre of music: It does conform to generic conventions of music videos, as it is nice, happy music and is no different to any other jack Johnson video

Main Singer/actor to be walking down a street on or near the curb, walking past people on the street with them interacting with the singer and him/her approaching the people on the street interacting and singing to, and about them.

Using illustrative actions which will create a narrative. For example He's a curbside prophet with HIS HAND in his pocket..

Parts of Illustrative Narrative :

F or the part about "picked up the guitar in the mix" - the actor will pick up a guitar lying partly on the curb, or see a person sitting in front of a shop playing a guitar, and invite the guitarist to join him on his journey down the street.

"raising a toast to the highway patrol" - the actor will interpret a raising of as glass towards the road and the restaurant behind him will raise their glasses, we can try to get people to do this for us, but if not the actor could still raise a glass and maybe a car following for the next lyric interpretation, "hop in girl", the driver could raise a glass also.

"Hop in the truck" - actor will act out driving a car and asking a invisible girl to join him, and follow him.

SPREADING THE WORD OF THE PROTHET, CURBSIDE!

Welcome to GROUP 50