Animation Set

 

These pictures show that the animation sections of the final product have started together. At the moment the final part of the song is being worked on and will be edited to be at the end of the video. Over 900 photos were used to create seconds of animation. The photos taken will be put into editing software to have a smoother pace.  



 

Mise-en-Scene

These are the main scenes throughout the video:

• The desk scenes (live action)
• The blank background scenes (animation)
• The underwater scenes (animation)
• The fighting scene (animation) 
• The wedding scene (animation)

The desk scenes - The camera remains close to the female protagonist, symbolizing the constant fear being watched and judged. She is sat at a desk surrounded by props (lamp, pencils, magazine, ect.) providing a claustrophobic feel, making the audience feel as uncomfortable as the character feels. It is only when she leaves the ripped magazine and mask behind and leaves and she feels free from her fears.

The blank background scenes - These scenes include nothing but the characters and the occasional item (love heart, roller coaster). This puts more focus on the characters, yet the idea of an open space surrounding the characters gives a more refreshing feel compared to the previous introduction live action scene. This symbolizes an opening to a new world and a new perspective on life, creating a fresh start. 

The underwater scenes - These parts involve the most character interaction, colours and activities and development of the plot. The contrast between this and the previous scene shows how bright and positive the world can be as long as you don't let the negatives hold you back. 

The fighting scene - This is the only scene that involves any hint of violence, and rather than focus on dominating colours such as red or black, the background is once again white. This is to keep focus on the characters while showing nothing in the background, suggesting that the battle with society and the high expectations will always be there. This is shown with the blank background giving no indication of time passing, showing the problem has always been there. However to keep in mind the target audience and positive message in the song, the battle is not taken too seriously, using intertextuality to reference fighter video games such as "Street Fighter" and other games in this genre, to include not only females but males from the target audience (although this does not mean that males will not like the childish character designs or that females will not like video games). The battle is very quick, making it humorous along with the fact that a young male is tapping his forehead against the Earth in order to defeat it. This technique also suggests that the need to be perfect has be embedded in our heads by the world around us, therefore this mind set must be stopped. The fighting reference goes further with a character select screen with both the male and the world having wild blonde hair with a piece of cloth tied around their head, which may remind some of battles in Japanese anime. As for the game reference, there is a health bar for each character with power level bars showing how powerful they are with the male's being thirty six, while it world's is (another reference) over nine thousand. This, in theory, means that the world wins however; it is the male's strong will power that breaks the world.   

The wedding scene - This scene is gives an upbeat, positive tone, with all of the characters together and getting along without fear of violence. They are dressed for the main protagonist's wedding; however, they are still themselves and have not changed because society demands it. The colours are bright yet not over bearing, showing a peace. This reflects the positivity in the song.

Representation

Sexuality - The male and female protagonists share a conventional relationship in the music video. Although modern society has developed an open mind to love with the same gender, music videos appear to remain behind the times and avoid using homosexuals. The pattern has recently been broken by a music video "Take Me to Church" by Hozier which involves a relationship between two homosexual men. 

The stop motion in the final product shows a stereotypical relationship between a male and female, resulting in some of the target audience to believe that it isn't open minded, however, the final product is only one of many interpretations of the lyrics. The message is still the same, showing that no matter whom you are and if you can only see the negatives in yourself, there will be someone there who sees the positives and loves you for who you are. There is no reason why someone can't look at the video and vision it with two males or two females. This is the same as "Take Me to Church". While some watch the video and see two men, they may find their own interpretation of the lyrics and vision heterosexuals instead. It is this interpretation people develop that can be shared using the visual communication of a music video. 

Female protagonist's appearance - The female seems to follow Mulvey's theory that females are seen as innocent and pure however, this is not the case. Indeed the character may seem "pure" but that does not mean she is perfect. She doubts herself and hides in fear of being judged by the negatives she sees in herself. She loves the male protagonist and shows this many times throughout the video but this once again does not mean she is perfect. Her fear effects the loved ones around her, as she shuts them out, making them worry about her. Her confidence does progress however throughout, showing her development as a character and becoming less of a paper character and more of a real person, allowing her to be a relatable character for the target audience members who are also effected by the low confidence and pressures created by the media. Her purple top symbolizes that she is loyal, while yellow shows that she is a very bright and happy person (seen more as the video goes on). Blue shows she is natural and kind, while pink shows she is girly and bubbly.


Male protagonist's appearance - The male may follow the conventions of being a hero and saving the female, however he like the female is not perfect. While he helps his girlfriend find herself, he is hit by the world, symbolizing that he also deep down feels the pressures given by the media, showing that the need to be perfect happens to both genders however, he is able to fight back, teaching his girlfriend that although the pressures will always be there, it should not stop her from being the girl he loves - herself. Green shows he is natural and honest while blue shows he is kind and easy going most of the time. Red shows his romantic side, but also shows fear and danger as he tries to protect those close to him.


Some may believe that because the skin for the characters is different to that of the singer, the video is not open minded. Once again it is down to interpretation. The reason why this was done was to show that not matter who you are (age, race ect.) love is out there for everyone, not just the singer. The male protagonist represents John Legend's lyrics not the John Legend himself. These are two different people going through the same type of events with their lover, showing it happens to everyone not just one person.

The Story in 29 Steps

1) The scene opens revealing a close up of the font of a female in live action wearing a white mask, revealing to the audience as she does not believe in herself.

2) The camera then quick cuts to a medium shot of a wooden desk. On this desk there is a clear view of a blank piece of paper, a HB pencil and a magazine with showing an air brushed model. This displays the reason for the character's low confidence. 

3) There is a close-up of the paper. The scene fades to white. The scene of the desk reappears with the mask laying face up next to the paper, with the girl nowhere to be seen.

4)  In a close up, there is the girl in a cartoon looking shocked. The camera then zooms outwards into a long shot to show her new look. The background is plain white like the paper on the desk.

5) The camera has another close up of her face, which the camera now rotates round to show the back of her head but also introducing the character stand in a long shot (the boyfriend).

6) The camera returns to a close up of the girl who smiles and turns her head slightly to the left, suggest she is shy.

7) Both characters stand facing each other, smiling, with the camera in another long shot.

8) A cut out being like a roller coaster ride and drawn track suddenly materialises out of nowhere and both characters get onto the roller coaster. The camera follows throughout with a tracking shot.

9) The roller coaster in an long shot shoots up into the air and follows the tracks into the sea

taking the characters to the next part of the song.

10) An underwater scene could be used here with the singer and the one he is singing to, along with a blue and background as well and made up ones e.g. Mermaids

11) The boyfriend reaches down and reveals the same magazine shown in live action, but is now hand drawn. The Boyfriend winks, leaving the Girlfriend with a quizzical look.

12) Both character exit the roller coaster.

13) The singer rips the magazine in half and lets go of it.

14) The magazine floats upwards towards the surface leaving bubbles behind.

15)  The bubbles form the shapes of a trophy.

16) The singer tries to grab it bit it pops except for one large bubble.

17) He hugs his Girlfriend and a she smiles.

18) A tear escapes her eye floating upward and forming the word "beautiful".

 19) The large bubble suddenly gains a pattern that is similar to the world, but also grows two bubble arms with boxing gloves and floats towards the Girlfriend. The Boyfriend he jumps in

 punches the bubble and it pops with a comic style Pop appears in its place inside a pop art spiked circle. 

20) A hole could appear in the ground, sucking both characters into

a tunnel filled with sad looking blue musical notes.

At this point they fall out of the tunnel which is a bright light with

images a wedding bells, linking to the "ringing" and also to the idea of a wedding ring.

21) Both characters are now holding hands, swimming towards the bells.

22) The scene turns completely white.

23) At this point, lyrics to the song appear when sung e.g.

the first line will appear and will then be replaced by the next line

24) A table could appear with two cards with a heart image on the front

25) The table disappears and a wedding scene replaces it with the two characters dressed in wedding outfits.

26) There could be a white scene once more.

27) The scene changes against, showing the desk in live action showing the piece of paper with the wedding scene, the person's (the girlfriend) hand with a wedding ring on one finger.

28) Next to the paper are two heart cards and the magazine ripped in half.

29) The scene slow turns black, ending the video. 

Common Craft Videos

After researching, I have discovered a YouTube channel known as "Common Craft", which shows videos and tutorial for animation with hand crafted characters. It has a variety of tips that will come in useful when creating my final product, therefore I will using these animation tutorials as a guide line to making my music video.

Different Expressions

Main Characters

Characters and Items



Music Video Conventions

Goodwin and Mulvey Theories

Design Ideas - The Underwater Scene

During the song, there will be a scene where both main characters ride a cut out image of a roller coaster that follows tracks into the ocean. The characters will come across a number of underwater wildlife. These are some of the design ideas for the objects and creatures seen during this scene.

Bubbles would be everywhere, mainly in the part of the song "Even when I lose I'm winning". This will be the part where bubbles form the shape of a trophy. The bubbles need to be a shade lighter than the ocean background colour so that they can be seen easily.

Seaweed would cover the ocean floor along with crabs to add life to the surroundings. This works well as the orange for the crab stands out better against the green seaweed, showing a verity of colour. This therefore adds a lot of character to the new area, becoming the complete opposite to the previous blank background in the last scene.

There is also an octopus lying on the seabed, adding more visuals. However, it may need to be away from the female main character, as she wears purple and would not draw attention to her when next to a purple octopus.

An occasional seahorse and fish will swim past in the background to make the underwater would have motion and seem more realistic.

The designs are in the same style of the previous character designs, representing the fact that they are all connect, allowing the Boyfriend (Singer) to express his feelings to his Girlfriend.

Location and Crew

I will be creating the characters, animation and filming. The filming will take place in any quiet meeting room available in school, while doing a live action my bedroom where the props (desk and chair) are located.

Equipment

                                                                                                     


Camera (FUJI FILM HD X 5 Zoom)

This camera can both take photos and film HD videos, making it the footage higher quality. One placed in a tripod, it will be used to take photographs for stop-motion animation, with a zoom to get a closer look at the card characters made. Filming for live actions will also be very important to piece the whole video together, into a narrative story.







Camera Tripod

The tripod is an important piece of equipment that allows the video to be filmed who out and any shaking due to being held by hand. It also allows the animation to be created with out need to keep adjusting the camera angle, unless it is needed as the camera stays in place.





Camera (Canon X 45 Zoom)

This camera has a greater zoom and quality compared to the FUJI camera. Although the Fuji is capable of filming in HD, the Canon is able to capture moving images at in a wider scale.





                                                      
Computer 

This is what will be used to edit the final product on Adobe Premier. It will also be used to create questionnaires, results, presentations, evaluations, creating an album cover and advert. All of this will be posted onto Blogger.  





Card

Card will be the material used to create the characters and final lyrics in the animations scenes in the final product.








Black Fine liner pens (0.1, 0.2, 0.5)

The pens will be used to draw the characters and final lyrics, giving them an innocence, cartoon look.






Scissors

These scissors will cut out shapes drawn on card.







Glue

Glue will stick parts of the card images together to make one item.











Blue Tack

Blue Tack will allow for keep separate card pictures together so that they can be moved for the animation without risk of pieces being moved by mistake.

Props List

Although most of the final product will be made with animation, there shall be a live action scene both at the beginning and at the end. These parts will involve all of the props used.

White mask - This will hide the identity of the main character when shown in live parts of the music video to show her lack of self-esteem and fear to be seen and judged badly. The white represents her innocent side, yet in need to explore the world around her, to understand who she is.

Piece of paper - The paper is the background and destination of the music video. The paper is also white show the lack of knowledge she has about how much she is adored by her loved ones. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Pencil - A pencil indicates a hand drawn area that the main female character will explore throughout the video.

Magazine - Magazines are often full of perfect looking models who are admired by people reading the magazine. However, most models are air brushed, making them fake which has resulted in both males and female trying to look perfect. The magazine represents the character's thoughts about herself.

Desk - A desk is where most of the props and placed, setting the scene for the rest of the music video.

Chair  - The chair is what the female character sits on before being pulled into the animation and after she exits it.

Lamp - A lamp is like a spot light on the scene and main character, showing her importance throughout. It also shows the audience that she feel like everyone looks at her in a negative manner.

Wedding ring - The ring shows love and passion, showing the female character how much she is admired by others. It also points out that the animated evens may not have been in her head but really happened as she wears the ring after the animated wedding scene. This is shown by the fact that she does not wear the ring until this point.

Design Idea - Boy (Singer)

This is an idea for the look for another main character. This character is the boyfriend (the singer himself). He is a lot like the Girlfriend for having an innocent appearance, showing that he and she are soul mates. He also has clothing that has a lot of symbolism for his personality. Green shows he is natural and honest. Blue shows he is kind and easy going like a gentle sea. Red shows he has a romantic side.

Design Idea - Girl

 This is an idea for the look of one of the main characters. This character is the girlfriend the singer is singing to thoughout the song. She is innocent looking, with clothing that has a lot of symbolism for her personality. Purple shows she is loyal, while yellow gives the impression that she is a bright and happy person. Blue shows she has natural beauty, while pink shows she is girly and bubbly.

 

Character Design Example

This is an example of what the characters may look like. The character may not be linked to the theme of the final product, as it is Little Red Riding, the characters would be in a similar style. The main difference would be that the characters would be wearing modern clothing, to connect to a modern audience. The character above was created be drawing each part on different coloured card (e.g. hair on brown card, face on white card etc.), with black fine liner pen, to add full colour that could not be achieved with pen or coloured pencils. The card pieces were then stuck together to form one picture. The reason for the child like design is to give representation of the innocence to the song "All of Me".

Shooting Locations

Stop motion animation can allow for different settings. The animation itself will be created in meetings rooms at school. These rooms will have to be booked to be used for myself. These rooms are quiet, private and have enough space to layout all of the equipment needed to create the animation. Some animation will be done in my room as it has plenty of room and allows for work to be done at the weekends.

For the music video itself, the characters will be placed in a blank space, drawing enough attention to them and their relationship with each other. The next scene will be under the sea to match the lyrics "my head's under water but I'm breathing fine". It is here that the characters will meet other characters (mermaid, fish, octopus, the world, crab and seahorse). The final animated scene will be on the beach showing a wedding scene. The live action sections will take place in my room.

"All Of Me" Exploring The Lyrics - Ideas

The song that will be used is "All Of Me" by John Legend. This is because the tune is easy to remember and has a smooth prove which is more approperate for the animationed sections of the final product. Also, the lyrics are very creative can can allow for new and interesting visuals, that be explored in multiple ways. Some of these ideas could be used in the final product.

 What would I do without your smart mouth

Drawing me in, and kicking me out

Got my head spinning, no kidding

I can't pin you down

 

1) This could be a person in live action wearing a mask as

she does not believe in herself, at a desk with a blank piece of paper,
pencil and a magazine with showing an air brushed model.
2) She may be taken into an animated world,
therefore being drawn in.

What's going on in that beautiful mind

I'm on your magical mystery ride

And I'm so dizzy,

Don't know what hit me,

But I'll be alright

1) This could be seeing things from the singers point of view -

being like a roller coaster ride - the drawn figures could be
riding a roster coaster image cut out of a
magazine or printed out, to show the different styles.
2) This roller coaster would have tracks going into the sea -
taking the characters to the next part of the song.
 

My head's underwater

But I'm breathing fine

You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
 

An underwater scene could be used here with the singer and the one he

is singing to, along with a blue and background
as well and made up ones e.g. Mermaids.

'Cause all of me

Loves all of you

Love your curves and all your edges

All your perfect imperfections

Give your all to me

I'll give my all to you

You're my end and my beginning

Even when I lose I'm winning

'Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you, oh

1) Ripping up the same magazine shown in live action,
but is now hand drawn.The singer sees his partner
as being beyond the beauty of the model both inside and out.
2) Losing a race but still having the true price - his loved one.
 

How many times do I have to tell you

Even when you're crying

You're beautiful too

The world is beating you down,

I'm around through every mood
 

1) Tears rolling down a cheek could form the word "beautiful".

2) The world could be in a boxing ring, wearing boxing gloves

about top beat the singer's girlfriend down, but he jumps in

to comfort her, therefore, he is "around for every mood".
 

You're my downfall,

You're my muse

My worst distraction,

My rhythm and blues

I can't stop singing,

It's ringing, in my head for you
 

1) A hole could appear in the ground, sucking both characters into

a tunnel filled with sad looking blue musical notes.

2) At this point they fall out of the tunnel which is a bright light with
images a wedding bells, linking to the "ringing"

and also to the idea of a wedding ring.
 

My head's underwaterBut I'm breathing fine

You're crazy and I'm out of my mind
 

1) Both characters are now holding hands,

swimming towards the bells.

2) The scene turns completely white.
 

'Cause all of me

Loves all of you

Love your curves and all your edges

All your perfect imperfections

Give your all to me

I'll give my all to you

You're my end and my beginning

Even when I lose I'm winning

'Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you, oh
 

At this point, lyrics to the song appear when sung e.g.

the first line will appear and will then be replaced by the next line.

Cards on the table,

We're both showing hearts

Risking it all,

Though it's hard

A table could appear with two cards with a heart image on the front.

'Cause all of me

Loves all of you

Love your curves and all your edges

All your perfect imperfections

Give your all to me

I'll give my all to you

You're my end and my beginning

Even when I lose I'm winning

'Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you, oh


1) The table disappears and a wedding scene replaces

it with the two characters dressed in wedding outfits.

2) There could be a white scene once more.

3) The scene changes agains, showingt he desk in live action

showing the piece of paper with the wedding scene,

the person's (the girlfriend) hand with a wedding ring on one finger.

Next to the paper are two heart cards

and the magazine ripped in half.

The scene slow turns black, ending the video.

Animation Thoughts

For any animation used, at this moment in time there are two things that must be considered that need to be considered.

1. The character design
2. The animation style

For number 1, there will soon be post of hand drawn character designs. At this moment in time, there are no plans to show the faces of any one in live action sections; however this may at a later date. At the moment the facial feathers and hair does not need to match anyone in the music video. The designs will be similar to styles seen in a child’s illustrated book, to represent the innocent message of the song, which is that there is someone out there who will see beauty in you and loved ones will always be aware of this even if the person in question is not.

Number 2 has two methods of animation. One is hand drawn thought out while the other is stop motion. There may however be a chance to combine both through each scene of the music video.

"All Of Me" - Music Video

Copyright Permission Email

 

Song Vote

 To decide which song to use for the final product, 22 people in the target audience (12-16 year old, both gender). The song choices were:

."You Make Me" - Avicii ft. Salem Al Fakir
."All Of Me" - John Legend
."Counting Stars" - OneRepublic

Over all the result showed that "All Of Me" was the most popular, therefore this will be the song used for the final product.

Song Styles

The songs in the previous three posts are ideas for songs that suit the pop style of modern music that suit the theme intended for the target audience, who are aged are teenagers (both genders but may side more with females due to popular bands with the same target audience). The tunes are not too quick, allowing for a better pace for any animation included in the final product. The lyrics such as “My head’s underwater but I’m breathing fine”, allows for a lot of imagery that break the laws of physics in ways only animation can create.  This can therefore allow for interesting visuals for the target audience. At the moment, one of these songs may be used for the final product, however an email needs to be send to have rights to use the song for coursework purposes.   

Song Idea 3 - Counting Stars

OneRepublic - "Counting Stars"

Lyrics

Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Yeah, we'll be counting stars

I see this life
Like a swinging vine
Swing my heart across the line
In my face is flashing signs
Seek it out and you shall find

Old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told

I feel something so right
By doing the wrong thing
And I feel something so wrong
By doing the right thing
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Lately I been, I been losing sleep (Hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard (Hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep (Hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard (Hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

I feel the love
And I feel it burn
Down this river every turn
Hope is our four letter word
Make that money
Watch it burn

Old, but I'm not that old
Young, but I'm not that bold
And I don't think the world is sold
I'm just doing what we're told

And I feel something so wrong
By doing the right thing
I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie
Everything that drowns me makes me wanna fly


Lately I been, I been losing sleep (Hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep (Hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard (hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

Oh, oh, oh.

[ x4]
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I learned

Everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Lately I been, I been losing sleep (Hey!)
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard (Hey!)
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be counting stars
Lately I been, I been losing sleep
Dreaming about the things that we could be
But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard
Said no more counting dollars
We'll be, we'll be counting stars

[x4]
Take that money
Watch it burn
Sink in the river
The lessons I learned