Group meetings

 Group meetings today! So we had group meetings today in class where we discussed our projects and gave feedback. It was really cool hearing about their projects and weighing in on their ideas. For my own project, I got some ideas on what to do for my music video that were super helpful.

They agreed with the ideas I already had and that the video should represent mental illness and anguish, but gave me some cooler ideas of how to do that too.

My friend Beatriz told me I should try something where my subject, the artist, is shown without much movement but the background behind her is changing and flashing at a high speed, to show the theme of life moving on and not being able to keep up. I though this was definitely something I could play around with, maybe using a green screen. 

Another idea thrown my way when I mentioned my contrasting ideas of heavy lightning and summery fields was to use both and have the contrast represent her mind, while the fields show how life is going on. I also loved this and definitely want to try it.

All in all group meeting was an awesome opportunity to both give and receive feedback!

Looking deeper at the lyrics

So i am really needing to plan out this idea for the video now so I decided to take a deeper look at her lyrics so I asked her to send them, here they are. 

 my best friends got this boyfriend and she's happy so I'm happy for her

my brothers moved out at 16

he's done the hard work

i still feel 14 in quarantine drinking alone i still feel 14

it's true i miss it not the drinking

but the drugs were so real

if i could go back id let it kill me

so i don't have to be here

think my dads dying he won't admit it

but he's on his way out

i'd be surprised if 10 years go by and he still is around

rehab changed me well not really

I'm still fucking insane

need some meds that fucking work

so i don't blow out my brains

every day it feels the same

it all blurs together now

i try so hard to stop the cycle

god i wish i knew how

alle gar videre    

og tiden gar for fort

jeg klarer ikke tolge med

translation:

everyone moves on

and time goes by too fast

I can't figure it out

So I'm thinking I really want to highlight the story she's telling but indirectly and not overtly. I want the message to be buried a little deeper. I am thinking I want to represent mental illness and just overall mental struggles that people who would relate to this song, and the target audience would relate to.

One idea I have that I think would be super cool, is showing a contrast from living her life to a representation of her mind to really touch on the main theme of life going by when you're not ready. Its still super up in the air so updates coming soon!  

Some decisions...

 So after speaking with my advisor Ms Stoklosa, we decided I should go with the song ADULT. It suits her style way more as well as gives me more creative freedom to do some unique stuff. The exact idea for the music video though is still in the works. Update you all soon!

Research

Time to research! I felt that her music really fits into the indie and alternative pop genres so I started looking at music videos in this genre. I first looked at some that were more rock Indie rock than pop such as: 

Rainbow Kitten Suprise - WorkOut

The Neighborhood - Daddy Issues

As I realized it was more pop I started looking for stuff that was more similar and found these that I really liked.

Keep It Average - GRLwood - Music Video

Zevia - why do i exist? (Official Music Video)

After that, I realized her music reminded me a lot of the stuff Billie Eilish used to make when she was very centered around being emo and depressed. Looking at some of her music videos I realized I was right and these were definitely more the style I see my own music video being. 

One thing I noticed across this genre was there was a cryptic story told. Not something super clear like a love story or growing up, but something showing the message of the song. Rather than something like a promotional music video. I also noticed there is usually one main character who has a very blank look. A lot of them focused on going through life without emotion, which I feel is the same direction her songs go too. 

I think I have set on doing her song called ADULT from her latest album release DISSIDENCE, PERMANECE. The song is about time going on and things changing but still feeling stuck in the past. It also talks a lot about her personal struggles with drugs and alcohol. It is very slow but still pops. One thing I may ask her to do is re-record it with me to make her voice more clear on the track. I could do this as BECON-TV if needed. The teacher over there has an audio recording studio.

The other song I am considering is Nathalie, her latest single released about her best friend. It is more of a slow pop less alternative song, and I think the other song represents her brand as a whole better. But I do love both.

Schedule Planning...

 So as I am starting to plan, I know it will be best to have a plan and stick to it, as much as possible, so here I have laid out how I am going to tackle this project. 

This week 2/12-2/18

Research music videos in a similar style, talk with artist, select song and aesthetic for brand

Week 2 2/19-2/25

Planning, planning, planning....

Storyboard and shot list, find locations, actors if needed

Work on social media page

Week 3 2/26-3/3

Work on costume design, equipment list, prop list, finalize locations and dates to film

Work on social media page

Week 4 3/4-3/10

Finalize planning

Work on social media page

Film! 

Week 5 3/11-3/17

Edit, finish up video

She said yes!

 UPDATE: The artist I talked about in my last post agreed to work with me on my portfolio project. I am so excited. Now time to pick a song, and start research and planning. 😁😁🎉🎉

Time for something new

 In my media studies class, we just finished up the last of our preliminary projects and now we are moving into the portfolio project! The last project we did was a film marketing project, we were given stories from the creative writing class and had to create a trailer, a teaser, a movie poster, a line, and an overall marketing campaign. The film I worked with was a Rom-Com about 2 "cupids." Their job is to find people's matches. One of them is already distinguished, while the other is working on "earning his wings." The new cupid eventually falls in love with the subject he he supposed to find a love for and gives up being a cupid to be with her.  I think this project has really helped me prepare for my portfolio project, especially with the promotional aspects. Anyway, now it's time to move on and start something bigger! 

For my portfolio project, I have had this really cool idea ever since I re-connected with an old friend recently. She has been making music for a couple years now and I thought it would be so great to do the music promotion package option and use her. I just reached out to her today and I am hoping she agrees! 

She is already on Spotify under the name Tired In Pink and has an album out as well as an EP and a few singles. I love her music and style so much. It's very alternative, and her newest album is very trippy and colorful. This is her album cover. It's called DISSIDENCE, PERMANENCE. Dissidence means going against policies and established political or religious systems, doctrines, beliefs, policies, or institutions. Permanence means permanent. So the title really emphasizes the album's overall theme of being out of the ordinary and sticking it to the man. While I wait for her response I am going to look into what else I could do but right now I am really praying this works out. Keep you all posted!