Research and Planning: Lip-syncing Sample Exercise (2)

Lip-syncing Sample Exercise

Initially, in order to check our ability to:

• operate a camera 
• lip-sync accompanied by music in the background 

We decided to do a test of the the song we are going to choose for our music video. We also did this to determine if we would need to use certain lighting or sit with ambient, natural light, and even then what layout we would go for (our actress in the middle of the screen, or the right/left sides of the camera. We ultimately found no differences between lighting and no lighting so decided to just simply stick with general, natural lighting. This could have been because the area we decided to film in, an open courtyard was well lit.

For this video, Lia lip-syncs to the song of "Feeling Myself" by Nicki Minaj, featuring Beyonce.

"Change the game with that digital drop,

know where you was when that digital drop,

I stop the world.

*beat* *beat*

Male or female it makes no difference,

I stop the world,

World: stop. Carry on."

The problems that we will encounter during the music video filming are varying. We have to take into account the environmental effects on our hearing of the music and eyesight so we can focus on the camera and film a good shot. Another problem will be the timing of the high definition, original song file to Lia's lip syncing, which might be too fast or too slow. As it was too fast pre-editing, we used the slow motion and speed up function in order to match it perfectly, so that would solve our problem.

Research and Planning: Lip-syncing Sample Exercise (1)

Lip-syncing Sample Exercise

Initially, in order to check our ability to:

1. operate a camera
2. lip-sync accompanied by music in the background 

We decided to do a test of the the song we are going to choose for our music video. We also did this to determine if we would need to use certain lighting or sit with ambient, natural light,  and even then what layout we would go for (our actress in the middle of the screen, or the right/left sides of the camera. We ultimately found no differences between lighting and no lighting so decided to just simply stick with general, natural lighting. This could have been because the area we decided to film in, an open courtyard was well lit.

Moving on, for this video, Lia lip-syncs to the song of "Under Control" by The Internet. 

Research and Planning: Storyboarding

When creating our storyboard we knew it wouldn't match the music video exactly as we were going for a conceptual music video and we were also filming on location which meant there was a lot of factors that might have hindered us from achieving the camera shots/angles we hoped to achieve. 

A lot of the storyboard are various ideas that we had for the music video that we hope to try out and then we'll review the footage later. We decided to structure our music video like this because its conceptual based and therefore it's hard to determine how it'll turn out. Ideas for a good shot might not look as visually pleasing as we had originally hoped once we look back on it; likewise we might have really good ideas for shots but when it comes to filming on location it might not work or unforeseeable factors might prohibit us from filming. 

We hope to include a variety of angles and shots that fit with the conceptual theme as well as using clever editing to show match on action. We gained a lot of inspiration from both Western and international artists and their music videos; the idea of using a cleverly editing match on action is something we want to try as we feel it'll make our music video stand out and link nicely with the concept that we are hoping to achieve. Low and high angle shots is another thing we hope to try as it makes the content more interesting for audience members to watch, it forces them to watch from another angle that they're not used to watching content from - therefore it stays longer in their head.

Overall, we want the music video to have a chilled, relax sort of vibe about it. We want it to be aesthetically pleasing to watch and therefore hope to have a colour theme that runs throughout. We want the visuals of the music video to reflect the message of the song, that the protagonist has it under control but there's an element that is slightly slipping, a facade. 

Research and Planning: Institutional Research

When creating an artist or band, it's important to think about who can promote them, manage them and produce their music the best. With so many record labels across the own, some major, some independent it's important to consider who our artist would be signed to and why.

The Internet, the group we took inspiration from, are signed to two record labels:

• Columbia Records
• Odd Future Records

Columbia Records:
Columbia Records is an American record label which is owned by Sony Music Entertainment, one of the 'Big Three' music labels across the world. Founded in 1887, it's headquarters are in New York City and they sign artists of many different genres. Some of their well known artists include:

• Adele (Soul/Pop)
• Beyoncé (R&B/Pop)
• Calvin Harris (EDM)
• Daft Punk (Electronic/House)
• Earl Sweatshirt (Hip Hop)
• J Cole (Hip Hop)
• One Direction (Pop/Rock)
• The Script (Pop Rock/Soft Rock)

The majority of their artists focus on pop music which strays away from the kind of music The Internet and our artist wishes to make; however they do manage artists and bands who wish to create an alternative sound.

Having plenty of funding means that being signed to this record label allows Lia Tamera to get promoted very well and gives her plenty of opportunity; however being signed to a record label so big means that she might often get overlooked and her personal wishes on her music, concept and overall sound won't be taken into account.

Odd Future Records:

Odd Future Records is an independent recording company founded by Tyler the Creator, a member of the Hip Hop collective Odd Future, in 2011. With it's parent company being Sony Music Entertainment, it is a subsidiary record label company. Created as a means to solely release music from Odd Future, which at the time include the members from The Internet, it focuses on a niche market of music genres:

• Hip Hop
• Alternative Hip Hop
• R&B
• Neo Soul
• Hardcore Punk

This record label better suits the musical tastes of The Internet and therefore our artist too. With only a handful of artists and groups signed to this label, it means that our artist, Lia Tamera, would be able to produce music that fits to her style.

However, being an independent label means that they wouldn't get the funding to promote and market Lia Tamera as an artist as well as a major music label company could. She would, on the positive side, have her opinions heard and valued as often independent music companies care more about the music they produce rather than how much sales they make.

Research and Planning: Analysis of Chosen Song - Under Control by the Internet

Song Analysis

Research and Planning: Copyright

After we decided on which music track, we need to ask the record label for the copyright permission in order for us to be permitted to post our eventual non-profitable music video onto social media, such as YouTube.

Here is a screenshot of my email that I wrote and sent to Sony Music, considering that Columbia Records is a subsidiary label.

Research and Planning: Band and Artist Biography

The Internet Biography

Background Info:
The Internet are a hip hop, neo soul band formed in 2011 consisting of six members, two of which were Odd Future members. The Internet achieved a lot of their popularity as Syd and Matt belonged to Odd Future and so many of their fans support both groups.

Their Breakout:
The Internet achieved a lot of their popularity as Syd and Matt belonged to Odd Future and so many of their fans support both groups.

Discography:
Purple Naked Ladies - released 2011
Feel Good - released 2013
Ego Death - released 2015

Lia Tamera Biography

Background Info:
Lia Tamera is a solo artist who focuses on indie soul, whilst incorporating elements of R&B into her style of music. Born 9th of November, Lia considers her inspirations to be one large spectrum, from currently hiatused pop boygroup "One Direction" to ex-Odd Future members turned global sensation "The Internet" to world reknowned Asian female rapper "Kisum."

Her Breakout:
BBC Introducing is a programme created in 2007 to help aspiring musicians breakout into the industry. After submitting an EP she created on her own, BBC helped support Lia by playing her music on their various radio shows which allowed her music to be heard on a wider scale and attract attention of fans and industry labels. Her breakthrough came as she joined the independent record company: Odd Internet.

Current:
Her debut album, 'The Kids Aren't Alright' is set to be released in summer 2016. She will further promote this on BBC's Introducing stage at major festivals such as Glastonbury, T in the Park and Radio 1's Big Weekend.

For more information on BBC Introducing click here.