Focus Group of Location

I conducted a focus group of eight individuals; I showed them various pictures of all the locations I am planning to use, such as bedroom, bathroom or other living areas. I proposed the question to them on why they believe my location is successful, if they believe it to be so.

These are the answers I received:

To conclude. I personally find my locations to be successful and so do others. They are successful in others opinions are the lighting is bright, therefore will be easier to film. The white walls almost make a blank canvas to film, so will be more successful. The bedroom location conforms to an indie genre, as it includes various indie objects; such as band posters, instruments and decorations. The bedroom is also feminine therefore emphasising genre through the location and the idea of a girl dominated theme. Indie videos are filmed in these types of location therefore I can make clear reference to the locations in my video. 

Location

I recently took pictures of the locations I plan to use. These pictures emphasise how clean and empty the locations are. The walls are white and so are the furniture is plain and simple coloured, this would be successful as it looks like a set that would typically be used in music videos, as you usually find a white, plain set. White backgrounds are ideal as it makes the actors stand out more in front of a white background. The house location looks more like a set than a home that has been lived in. 

When officially using this location to film, I will need to clear towels, toothbrushes and wires, etc to make the location look tidier and more aesthetic to audiences. 

After completely my research, I personally feel these locations reach my audiences expectations and would be found typically in an indie music video.

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Treatment

The outline of my idea is subverting the traditional conventions of an Indie video by having female protagonists being sexually attached to each other rather than a male. My idea consists of two female best friends who finally realise they are attracted to each other, despite the relationship being emphasised it is not accepted from society. The friends partake in various activities, such as shopping, getting ready, travelling, etc.

The opening shot is focused on the main actress; this shot will focus on her appearance, makeup and hair style. The opening shot will also focus on the mise en scene; the setting and the location. Finally in this shot the next actress will appear, their friendship will be emphasised. These shots will be in the main actresses perspective and her eye line shot will always be towards the other actress; to connote that the attraction between the two. Firstly it will be a close up shot to focus on certain features of the main actress. Then the camera will switch to an establishing shot to show the actress and the setting. The pan shot will be used when she is doing something, for example meeting her friend. The eye line shot will be used when focusing on looking at her friend and together.

My closing shot will be the two of best friends, intimate and together. The shot will be intense as the two are staring at each other and close, the two are staring at their facial features, especially their lips as they will be positioned to kiss. The moment will be slow and intense, eventually the closing shot will be the two together and kissing, sharing an intimate moment. The shot will be used is a two shot to show the intimacy between the two girls.

Brainstorm

Possible Actress (Yasmin)

I believe this actress will be most successful to be my main actress in my music video. She will be most successful as she is an aspiring actress, therefore my video will look more successful as she obtains the ability to act, meaning the video will look more professional and realistic. She conforms the conventions as she wears dark clothing and shoes such as desert boots and the brand of converse. Her make up is successful as she wears dark eye make up and lipstick. She looks natural and attractive, therefore the audience would be more interested to view the media video. Her hair is natural and easy to work with. In my opinion, she would be the best actress for music video, as I am close to yasmin, I know her personally, she is reliable and a good actress.

Location: Bedroom

This is the location I plan to use to video when creating the music video. This location is extremely feminine which will fit into the theme of the video. The bedroom is also ideal as it includes many objects which target my audience; such as band posters, instruments such as guitars and bunting. This is ideal as it fits with the genre and the genre is also emphasised throughout this location. When filming however I will clear the space to make the bedroom look less 'lived in' and tider as you would typically find tidy and clean locations in music videos.

Possible Actors (3)

This could be a third possible actress. I believe Jess would be successful as my model for my music video as she conforms to the genre and emphasises this 'cool' image which is expected of the audience. She has dark, natural hair which is preferable and ideal for the image I am creating. Jess also dresses in dark clothing and minimal make up; dark eyeliner, mascara and pale powder. Her interests suit the genre; smoking, gigs, music and going out to certain places in London such as Camden and Shoreditch.

Possible Actors (2)

This is my second possible actress. I do not believe this actor will be as successful as the first actress, Millicent Sharratt. I believe Katie Moss will not be as successful as she conforms more to a genre of Pop. This is because she wears a lot of make up; dark powder, various amounts of mascara and dark highlighter. Her hair is also bright and long, which is not what you stereotypically see within indie music videos. In comparison also her clothing is bright and includes colours of pink, which is not what you'd see within an indie music video. Therefore I shall not be using this actor as she will not be as successful to the first actress in comparison.

Possible Actors

This is my first actress I wish to use as my main actress for my music video. I believe she will be ideal as it suits the genre of Indie as she conforms to genre; the dressing and the make up. The dress sense conforms to the genre as she wears flannel shirts, trousers and cropped clothing; which is all dark clothing. The make up also suits the genre as it is minimal makeup with dark eye shadow and dark lipstick. Her hair is natural in colour and style as it is naturally brown and can be messy. Personally Millie conforms to the genre also as she attends festivals, which is stereotypically what the audience would participate to in their spare time.

Genre Moodboard

To gain an idea of the ideal star image of an Indie genre, I collected various images of different bands which conform to an indie genre; the bands include The Wombats, The 1975, The Libertines, Catfish and the bottlemen, Swim Deep and Wolf alice. Over all the bands all conform to the same stereotypes; dark clothing, skinny clothing, casual make up and same brands. Each indiviual of the band looks 'cool'. This moodboard gave me a collective idea of the ideal image my actors and actresses should look like.

Idea For Music Video

My initial idea for my media A level music video, was to have a narrative music video, a storyline between a heterosexual relationship. However this relationship was negative and 'rocky' and included the use of drugs, sex and alcohol. Although, I decided to change my idea of my music video to fit within the genre of Indie music. The storyline is controversial; includes a relationship between two female best friends who end up realising they are attracted to each other. However, throughout the music video it is emphasised how this relationship is not accepted in society. The song I have chosen to use for my music video is below, Settle Down by The 1975. 

Target Audience

Star Image

The audiences of indie rock are  There are different style images for indie media products, for example Arctic Monkeys is a perfect example of a Indie type style of music, the band wear leather jackets, black skinny jeans. white t-shirt and sunglasses, this is an example of the English type of Indie music. An example of the American type of indie music star image would be the kings of Leon, who have a messy look with beards and dark clothing. 

A typical indie look for girls would be plain make up in comparison to artists in the current charts and artists who conform to pop genre of music. Artists such as Jessie J is different compared to artists conforming to an indie genre. Jessie J wears typical an extreme amount of make up just to look for for the cameras, as her videos would typically be shown on television channels and she would receive more media coverage than artists who conform to an Indie genre, as their music is only shown on youtube and radios, typically you never seen Indie artists in the news more than chart or pop music artists. The two pictures below emphasise the difference in make up; one pop artists who is wearing an extreme amount of makeup and difference colours, whereas the other is the lead singer from an indie band named Wolf Alice who is wearing hardly any makeup and looks natural. 

The two genres have a different style of clothing as well; as Indie clothing is dark, casual and usually different prints. For example Ellie Roswell is wearing dark clothing with a paisley print shirt with the brand converse, which is stereotypically what you would find an indie artist wearing. In contrast artists such as Miley Cyrus who conforms to a pop genre, is wearing bright, skimpy clothing which would stand out to the media and audiences. This also conforms to the idea of the Male Gaze as she is wearing as little as possible and this would attract male audiences and the media's attentions, therefore gaining her more publicity.

Answers To Questionnaire

I received all ten answers back from my questionnaire of which font is most preferable to the public. The majority of the audience picked the first one which was Century Gothic, which was a sans serif font which appeals to more audiences and looks more successful as a font. This font is used mostly in media and magazines, which is knowledge I learnt from last year when I created my music magazine.

I was provided with a range of answers; including how the Century Gothic font fitted more towards my genre and because the font is sans serif font it makes the font stand out more.

As a conclusion I will use the first font as this was the most prefered therefore would appeal to more audiences and make the media product more successful.