Planning and Production

Initial Idea's:

Christmas - Michael Buble

Christmas markets
Ice skating
Christmas tree up
Christmas shopping

Initial Ideas

Clean Me Up - Thomas Headon

Image and lyric match
Colour theory
Narrative
Lip syncing

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"

(Christmas)
The snow's coming down
(Christmas)
I'm watching it fall
(Christmas)
Lots of people around
(Christmas)
Baby please come home
(Christmas)
The church bells in town
(Christmas)
All ringing in song
(Christmas)
Full of happy sounds
(Christmas)
Baby please come home
They're singing "Deck The Halls"
But it's not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
(Christmas)
Pretty lights on the tree
(Christmas)
I'm watching them shine
(Christmas)
You should be here with me
(Christmas)
Baby please come home
They're singing "Deck The Halls"
Not like Christmas at all
I remember when you were here
And all the fun we had last year
(Christmas)
Oh if there was a way
(Christmas)
I'd hold back these tears
(Christmas)
Oh but it's Christmas day
(Please)
Please
(Please)
Please
(Please)
Please
(Please)
Please
(Please)
Please
(Please)
Please
Oh comin' home
Oh babe
You know I need you
Oh comin' home
(Love, love, love, love)
I gotta have you
(Love, love, love, love)
You know I need you
(Love, love, love, love)
Oh love, oh love
(Christmas)
Woohoo...
(Love, love, love, love)
I gotta have you
(Love, love, love, love)
I said nanananana...
It's Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas... yeah
Yeah... Lalalalala...

Sometimes my bedsheets smell like you in the morning after
I'm left to fix shit on my own when you're already home
You must've left out my window when I was sleeping
And you took my sweatshirt
Along with my feelings

My friends keep telling me that I should just probably forget you
It's not that easy when you're constantly wearing my clothes
I know the plan was just one night and act like strangers
But I told a lie
'Cause I crossed my fingers
(Awesome)

Perfume on the sink
And my breath still smells like drink
I can't feel my head or think
And I gotta work today

This mess is worse than what I thought
It's not just clothes thrown on the floor
I've done this too many times before
And that's why I need you to
Clean me up
And that's why I need you to
Clean me up
And that's why I need you to
I need you to

My mum keeps telling me to get all my life together
But she doesn't know you 'cause you only arrive at night
But then you're leaving when she's waking up in the morning
I swear she'd love you
If you'd stay for breakfast

Perfume on the sink
And my breath still smells like drink
I can't feel my head or think
And I gotta work today
This mess is worse than what I thought
It's not just clothes thrown on the floor
I've done this too many times before
And that's why I need you to

Clean me up
And that's why I need you to
Clean me up
And that's why I need you to
I need you

And that's why I need you to
Clean me up
And that's why I need you to
I need you

I still keep my window open for you
I still keep my bedsheets dirty 'cause of you
I still keep your perfume in the bathroom sink
And if you come back please excuse the the mess and don't touch anything

I'm watching you
Dancing on my table in our living room
Liquid confidence, another drink or two
And then maybe, ah, maybe I'll talk to you
And this ain't easy, you catch my eye and come over to see me
And tell me why are these familiar faces surround the scene
But you are all I see

And I don't know your name
But I'm good if you're game

So if you wanna go
You and I can run all night and stay awake 'til dawn
No one would even have to even know that we had gone
We can find somewhere to be alone
(Somewhere we can be alone, somewhere we can be alone)
So if you wanna leave
I know so many places that we could be free
And we could watch the sunrise, while the city sleeps
We can find somewhere just you and me
(Somewhere we can be alone, somewhere we can be alone)

You're getting closer
Why waste time? We're only getting older
And in my mind I have already told ya
Rehearsed it over and over
I want to know ya, know ya

I barely know your name
But I'm good if you're game

This ain't easy
You catch my eye and come over to see me
And tell me why are these familiar faces, surround the scene
But you are all I see
(Somewhere we can be alone)

So if you wanna go
You and I can run all night and stay awake 'til dawn
No one would even have to even know that we had gone
We can find somewhere to be alone
(Somewhere we can be alone, somewhere we can be alone)
So if you wanna leave (if you wanna leave)
I know so many places that we could be free (that we could be free)
And we could watch the sunrise, while the city sleeps
We can find somewhere just you and me
(Somewhere we can be alone, somewhere we can be alone)

Alone -

Dylan

Image and lyric match
Colour theory
Narrative
Lip syncing

My main idea for this song, Christmas, is to have it like a video montage and have the people in it participating in different Christmas activities (Christmas markets, Ice Skating, Shopping, Putting a tree up, etc.) I would have it filmed on a phone to show it is more of trip down memory lane and not a movie in a sense. When editing this part of the music video I would make it look like it has been filmed on a old camera. However, for the end of our music video on the "Love, Love Love" fade out we swap to a proper camera and end with the Video montage pausing on a couple under mistletoe kissing and a cutting to the back of a man sat alone with a Christmas tree up and slowly zooming out.

Christmas -

Michael Buble

For our costumes, as it is a realism video, we are planning on having everyone in their own Christmas/winter clothes. Naturalistic make up and hats and gloves. We want people to get the idea that it is winter time from this. However, we also want the outfits to use colour theory. As much as I want the clothes to be greens, red and whites to show the Christmas theme, I also want the clothes to show the hidden sadness in the song through blues, black and greys. so I will need to find a balance between these. Matching pj's for one of the scene's where he is under the mistletoe, just to show the couple. Furthering this we can use Reindeer antlers and Santa hats when going round the Christmas markets or when doing karaoke to further the idea of Christmas. I also think Christmas props are key at any chance we get, for example: Mugs, Christmas trees, etc.

My reasoning behind this idea is because the song is quite an up beat song but the lyrics have a sad undertone to them. I think this style of music video will make you listen to the lyrics more and help gain a better understanding of what the singer is feeling and where theses feeling are coming from. I also feel as it will show the positives and negatives of love at Christmas.

The lyrics go hand in hand with the theme of the song. It will show the joy's of Christmas but also the heart break the character feels through the song. We are planning on having this as a narrative and concept piece. We will show two different perspectives, a pov and a outsider perspective.

My main idea for this song is to start by having the main character wake up in bed without any music playing and reaching over to find it empty. The music would then start and he would be looking directly into the camera and lip syncing the full time. He would get out of bed and start by throwing his clothes on. He would be walking round his house and the lyrics would line up with what was happening on screen. He would also do a little dance as he is completing everyday household tasks and as the song is coming to an end he would collect his car keys and walk to his car he would get in and the camera would go round to the front as he lip syncs the last part. It would end the same way it began with natural sound and he would drive away.

Clean Me Up - Thomas Headon

As this piece is also a realism piece and there is only one character, their will only be one outfit. However, I will have him gradually add more to his outfit so it builds and changes slightly as the music video goes on. For example, when he wakes up in bed he will be in shorts and a vest, from there he would add a pair of jeans, a top and then as he is leaving the house a jacket or a hoodie. I will also show colour theory through his costume he is singing about his feelings so I would have him in a blue jeans to show sadness, red top shop to show love/lust and then finally is hoodie would be black as the lyrics in the song state that this relationship is a secret and no one knows about it. Following on from this, the props I would use in this music video would be the ones that matched the lyrics. So far example I would use a perfume bottle, clothes on the floor, a glass of liquid that looks like alcohol, a plate of breakfast food, etc. This will help people visualise it better.

My reasoning behind this idea is because it is quite a medium pace song but up beat. I also feel like a narrative video will work best with this song as the lyrics are very visual. I also feel like this visualisation that you would be able to get from this video will show the effects of young love that it is hard to tell if it is reciprocated or not. It will be very simple but deliberate and aim to show the mans feelings

The lyrics and the beat of the song goes hand in hand. His feelings can be shown through the beat. He isn't mad or sad about this girl. He is excited and clearly wants more than what she is giving. for this full song I only want a few cuts, five at most. I want the camera to mainly follow him around and just track him. I want him to be singing to the camera the entire time.

My main idea for this song, Alone, is to start by having a girl sat a couch at a party lip syncing, Straight away after the first line it would cut to a guy, matching the lyric, hen back to her lip syncing. she will continue lip syncing as the opening verse continues and they do actions that match the lyrics. Once we get to the verse I would have them only doing what the lyrics say and acting out what she is singing about (but no lip syncing). This pattern would repeat through out the song except at the end. Once we reached the end of the song, I would have them away from the party but she would look at the guy and sing the last line to him and then end it by watching a sunrise and the song plays out.

Alone -

Dylan

As this video is set in a party, I will have the lead girl in a party dress, trainers and natural makeup. Everyone else in the background will follow this type of wear (smart casual). As the song progresses her outfit doesn't change but when she is away from the part her hair will be up in a messy bun and she will be wearing the man's jacket. For props I will use red cups and empty bottles that look like alcohol ones, to emphasise the party vibe. Other props that I would use would include flashy lights and speakers. Overall, I would want people to be able to understand where this thought came from meaning I want it to be very visual. To complete this I would have the lyrics match what was happening on the screen. For example when the line "You and I can run all night", I will have them running down a street at night looking back at each other and smiling with joy. Another key part that I would want people to visualise is the line "You catch my eye and come over to see me." As it is key with their story.

The lyrics are very important for my music video as well as the beat. I feel that it shows the type of atmosphere and her feelings. It gives of the vibe that she is looking to escape this boring party life and wants to explore more of the world with someone she barely knows. I feel like I will use a lot of fast cuts in this song.

Feedback, Reflection and Contingency Plan:

Feedback:

Christmas, Michael Buble-

When I presented this idea to my group for feedback, the first note I got was to include establishing shots, they said that this will help the audience get a better understanding of what time of year it is and what is is about. Another thing they said that would really help bring this video to life would be a POV shot. Personally, I don't want to include many of these and feel like I might use one or two. One thing that they said I'm going to struggle with is people in the background of my shots, which would be the case if filming anywhere. They suggested that I could simply ask them if they mind and it would give a more realistic look. Not only this but they mentioned I could use a split screen to show the couples breaking up, as it would be more easy than each one individually. I think this is a great idea and I will probably use this at the end. I was struggling to find a way to insert lip syncing into my music video, but then some mentioned that we could do Karaoke in the feedback group and how it will help us, and more of a Christmas feel.

Clean me up, Thomas Headon-

I didn't get much feedback for this idea. However, the group did say that for costume and my idea, casual clothes would go best and suit the style of video. They also mentioned the use of colour theory and how this would help me get the meaning of my music video across. They did mention how wide shots and long would be good for my idea and will help establish setting and background. Not only this they mentioned how the use of an odd close will and a more intimate feeling and amplify the meaning of the song. They did say they feel like I could include more character roles, just by having them round the house and in costume, which the audience could decipher and understand who they are. However, I feel like this would take away from my idea of it being purely focused on him and his feelings. However, I might do this for the line about his mum.

Alone, Dylan-

Once again, I didn't get much feedback on this idea, yet they did say that a split screen would be good hear, showing each of there reactions to each, with an over should shot. They said think it will play really well with the lyrics and help break from just her POV. They said they really liked my idea of lip syncing how it was going to help make the piece more enjoyable and less confusing. It will help tell the story. They also said how this song will be a good song to cut on beat too as it is fast and slow tempo at certain points and will allow me to use different length clips. Finally, they also mentioned the use of colour theory and how it will amplify the feelings of the characters in my music video.

Reflection:

From this feedback, I have taken into consideration how different types of shots will allow me to establish the background and give a better understanding to the story and the characters. Not only this, but when filming I am going to consider the use of colour and how certain colours will help me show meaning, feelings and establish time of year. Furthermore, the use of cutting on the beat will make the video more easy to watch, rememberable and over all more catchy to a viewer, rather than I video that has no structure to it. I am also going to take into consideration when editing the use of a split screen, I fell like it will help me show multiples sides of a story at once, which will help me, rather than wasting extra footage which will help tell a story. Finally, even though I am planning on taking all this way to help me film and edit, the last thing that stood out to me a lot. Was the use of lip singing and how this will help break the video.

Contingency Plan:

When we are filming, we may come across some issues with our locations, people not showing up and weather. For example, when in Primark, filming our Christmas shopping shot's, we may be asked to leave, due to us not being allowed to film in there. If this is the case, we as a group has decided to move our filming to the twilight trail where we can show the Christmas vibes and have different shots on the trail. If people don't show, we simply have asked our friends to be on stand by and willing to step in if needed. This would be our hardest thing to sort out if it happened. With it being winter time it is obvious that weather is going to be the hardest thing to control. If the weather is bad and not what we need for our video, we will simply do all the indoor filming task, like: Ice Skating, Shopping, Decorating Christmas tree. However, we will also have to wait then for a more suitable time to film these other locations and when the weather is good. Any other factors that we may come across on the days, we will have to be solved then and we will have to figure it out from there. Most things are easily solvable the only that we will struggle with is the weather.

Lyric Analysis:

(Christmas)

The snow's coming down

(Christmas)

I'm watching it fall

(Christmas)

Lots of people around

(Christmas)

Baby please come home

In the first seven lines of the song, we straight away can understand what type of song it is. The opening line is "Christmas" which signifies what time of year it is and what the song is initially about. The second thing that straight away stands out to me is the line "snow's coming down" it establishes setting and surrounding, and even the line "lot's of people around" also backs this statement. However the latter line can also show the loneliness of the character due to the ending line "please come home". This suggest that he is missing his partner and is feeling it more now that it is Christmas and he is surrounded by other people who get to share the holiday with someone else.

(Christmas)

The church bells in town

(Christmas)

All ringing in song

(Christmas)

Full of happy sounds

(Christmas)

Baby please come home

In the second seven lines of the song we are straight away hit with religious imagery, "Church bells in town". This is quite powerful as obviously Christmas is a religious holiday and it can sometimes be forgotten by the glitz and glam of presents and food. Moving over, the line "ringing in song" shows the joyousness of the holiday and how everything is more cheerful like "church bells". Backing this up is the line "happy sounds" which just shows how everything and everyone is more cheerful because of the Christmas spirit. However, once again, we have some contradictory as he is singing about such a beautiful and merry time but then begging for his loved one too "please come home". It shows how he has to acknowledge all of this gleeful thing happening around him but can't enjoy it without his missing significant other.

They're singing "Deck The Halls"

But it's not like Christmas at all

I remember when you were here

And all the fun we had last year

(Christmas)

Pretty lights on the tree

(Christmas)

In the third seven lines of the song, Michael once again sets the scene to show that it is Christmas , "Singing 'Deck The Halls'". It is a nice reminder of Christmas traditions like Christmas carolling and also creating an image in our mind. Backing up a point from before is the line "not like Christmas at all." It shows how he can't fully throw himself into Christmas as it doesn't feel that way anymore because "I remember when you were here... fun we had last year". This line shows him finally admitting his loneliness and slight sadness around Christmas this year because his partner isn't with him and he can't seem to forget the time they spent together last year. To end this little section we get the line "lights on the tree" showing the Christmas imagery once again and the traditions that surround the holiday.

I'm watching them shine

(Christmas)

You should be here with me

(Christmas)

Baby please come home

For these five lines, we follow on from the Christmas tree line, singing "watching them shine", showing he is mesmerised by the holiday and what memories it brings. Supporting this is the line "You should be here with me". Highlighting that he can separate his lost love from the annual celebration. Once again we have the repetitive line "please come home", showing how as the song goes on he is more begging her to come back and sounding almost desperate.

They're singing "Deck The Halls"

Not like Christmas at all

I remember when you were here

And all the fun we had last year

These four lines are just repeated from before. Having the same meaning but because they are exactly the same it makes him seem even more hopeless and sound like he is pleading in a way. The line "Not like Christmas at all" has been shortened in this verse which backs up this point of him becoming more sad and lonely.

Christmas)

Oh if there was a way

(Christmas)

I'd hold back these tears

(Christmas)

Oh but it's Christmas day

In these next six lines, we can see how they are different from the ones above they don't talk about Christmas traditions or the setting. He sings "if there was a way" which shows he is coming so overwhelmed with the holiday that his emotions are becoming harder to ignore and that he is finding it harder to distract himself with the traditions of Christmas. Evidence of this is the line "hold back these tears". Showing it's becoming more and more unbearable. Then finally this section is ended with "Oh but it's Christmas day", this highlight's how he feels like he has to be happy because it's Christmas and that he can't feel sad.

(Please) x6

Please x6

After this part of the song there is 12 lines of repeating "please". It can only be seen as one thing, and that is the man pleading for his girl to come back and is more desperate than ever.

Oh comin' home

Oh babe

You know I need you

Oh comin' home

In these four lines there is a shift, he is no longer pleading her to come home, he is simply saying "Comin' home", which could signify to me that he has managed to find his lost love or hope she is able to hear how much he misses her. "You know I ned you" can also show that maybe he is trying to remind her that he is nothing/lost without her.

(Love, love, love, love)

I gotta have you

(Love, love, love, love)

You know I need you

(Love, love, love, love)

Oh love, oh love

Once again, there is a shift in these line's he is just singing about love now "Love, love, love, love". This could suggest that he is no longer feeling lost and that maybe his loved one has come back to him. "I gotta have you" is slightly different from "You know I need you" and it shows that he is addicted to her almost in the same way that people yearn for Christmas. With this little section ending with "Oh love, Oh love." It could simply suggest he is beginning to feel happy again.

(Christmas)

Woohoo...

(Love, love, love, love)

I gotta have you

(Love, love, love, love)

I said nanananana...

It's Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas... yeah

Yeah... Lalalalala...

Finally, in the very last eight lines of the song, it starts to fade out hinting he has got his love back. However, you could also argue that his love for "Christmas" and "Love, love, love, love" has returned due to the fact that they have both been mentioned in this one little part. bringing a nice conclusion for the end of the song. The song play out with "It's Christmas, Christmas, Christmas, Christmas...", hinting at the stereotypical idea that this celebration is for miracles and filled with magic all because his significant other came back to him, making it a joyful holiday once more.

Music Video Treatment:

Podcast Treatment:

Artist name: Micheal Buble

Song title: Christmas

Record label: 143/Reprise

Genre: Christmas

Target audience: Anyone or younger/teens

Style of music video: Narrative and Conceptual

Overview:

This needs to be an in depth overview of everything that the audience will see in your Music Video. Shots? Scenes? Key lyrics? Camera angles? Editing Techniques?

At the start of my music video I am planning on having a cut to the beat which will show the different locations of the activities we are planning to do (Christmas shopping, Ice skating, Decorating the tree, Karaoke, etc.) When the lyrics start we will start with the people in our video Christmas shopping and record them trying on clothes or looking at gifts. It would all be recorded on a phone. We would use tracking shots and over the shoulder shots. And even some Pov shots.

Characters:

Describe the characters and their character profiles.

The main characters in my piece are Caitlin (blonde and green eyes) and her boyfriend, Hayden (brunette and brown eyes). They will be the couple that my piece is based around. Their friends, who they are doing the festive activities with them, are Millie (brunette and brown eyes), Callum (Strawberry blonde and blue eyes) - couple two - Natalie (Red Hair and brown eyes) and Brandon (Brown hair and brown eyes) - Couple three. All of the characters involved are going to wear something Christmas based. At least one item of clothing that can be seen must be festive wear whether it's a hat or a jumper.

Location:

Outline every location you intend to use and the effect. Why have you chosen them?

All our locations are being used because for the Christmas effect they will ad to our music video.
Millie's house - Easy for majority to get too and a change in location to show another Christmas activity.
Ice skating - An affordable option for an activity choice that is Christmas base and fun.
Christmas shopping - Easily accessible and no money to a little can be spent.
Christmas Markets - A bit more difficult to access but a common activity most will do at this time of year. Once again not a lot of money has to spent here.

The main issue with our music video/locations is that all our activities require money so I have carefully thought about what will be affordable but still fun and Christmasy.

Visual Elements / Mise En Scene / Style Choices:

Costume, Props. General style of the video. How does the Genre link to the audience? Why have you chosen these?:

The general style for our music video falls under narrative and concept.

In our music video our main characters will have two costumes, winter clothes (Jumper, coat, joggers, etc) and Christmas matching PJ's. This is to show the time of year and that they are a couple. I am also planning on having them wear at least one Christmas item such as a jumper or a hat. So that the genre of the music video is more recognisable, even with all the activities.

My second and third couple will only have one outfit and it will also be winter clothes. Alongside with the prop of a Santa hat or Reindeer antlers. Once again it is to help establish the genre. Other than that the only other props I plan on using are the stuff around us at our activities, like Ice skates, food, shopping etc.

Any problems you may come across?:

Locations you can’t get access to? Can be fixed by Chroma Key

There are only three issues I might face when filming: People not showing up, weather and not being able to use locations. If these things happen I have a back up plan for each one.

People not showing up: If this is the case I plan on having a list of friends who are available and willing to step in if needed. Weather: This is one out of my control, however, the only thing we can do is film the stuff we can do today, like shopping, ice skating and the karaoke at my house. We will have to rearrange another time to do the Christmas markets when the weather is better and hope for the best that it falls into my favour. If it doesn't we will change the activity all together to something indoors, for example Christmas baking. Finally, not being able to use locations: the back up plan for this one is more or less the same with the weather one, change the activity to somewhere we can film.

Summary:

Summarise your ideas.

Overall, my main idea for this song, Christmas, is to have it like a video montage and have the people in it participating in different Christmas activities (Christmas markets, Ice Skating, Shopping, Putting a tree up, etc.) I would have it filmed on a phone to show it is more of trip down memory lane and not a movie in a sense. When editing this part of the music video I would make it look like it has been filmed on a old camera. However, for the end of our music video on the "Love, Love Love" fade out we swap to a proper camera and end with the Video montage pausing on a couple under mistletoe kissing and a cutting to the back of a man sat alone with a Christmas tree up and slowly zooming out.

I have planned for anything that could make this difficult to do and I have thought of ways that we can succeed in making a Christmas music video on a budget.