Costume, props and, makeup for existing music videos:

Costume props and makeup of existing music videos:

This music video by a student Layla Obi uses the simplicity of costume, props and makeup in order to create a simple yet creative music video. The fact that no clothing is visible within the shot represents purity and innocence of the artist and possibly enabling some members of the audience to find a connection with the individual. Similarly to costume, the makeup used is simple. The lipstick is dark, and bold red representing the power or even independence of the individual , however, along with the simple eyeliner, little eye makeup and an extremely natural complexion, the video is kept simple and the lyrics and focus of the music is more understood by the audience. 

   

 Layla Obi also uses a variety of costume changes throughout the music video, although all of which are simple, stylish and following a similar trend of some kind if shirt or jacket that is undone. Doing this grabs the attention of the audience and ensures the main focus of the music video is the artist throughout. This possibly could have been used as a method of star iconography. 

Costumes are used to appeal to different target audiences. The jeans, hat, bomber jacket, and converse trainers represent the style of the younger generation, allowing them to connect to the video, finding an aspect to link to and feel part of a community increasing the audience of the music video. Clothing however, is still simple for example it is all black, this ensures the audiences main focus will be on the surrounding areas for example the graffiti wall behind the character.

 Props within the music video are also kept simple. The fairy lights used within the second shot create a link between the lyrics and the music video, while being blue, indicate the innocence and purity shown with the use of costume and makeup, as well as creating a calm and relaxed atmosphere and mood amongst the audience. The camera used within the first shot above adds almost an eerie or unusual feel to the video, while also continuing to link to the lyrics about lights, keeping a clear connection between lyrics and what's shown on screen.

Analysis of lighting:

Animatic

Animatic: 

Storyboard

Storyboard:

Treatment

Treatment:

The song that we have chosen is all about female empowerment and independence, therefore we aim to ensure our music video represents the power that women hold. It all begins by four different shots in various locations introducing the pop group/band. Firstly there is an extreme close up of a girl applying lipstick in a car mirror, which will last approximately 5 seconds. This shot will be relatively well lit with natural lighting. Then it cuts to a different medium shot of another band member in her working environment/office shuffling paperwork and not looking directly into the camera. Each shot will be fast paced before quickly jumping into an establishing shot of a girl looking through clothing items in Bromley shopping centre. The last of the introductory shots will be another establishing shot of the final member of the group sitting on her laptop in her bedroom, wearing girly pj's.

Another set of four will be shown before jumping into choreography. This particular shot will be of the first girl getting out of the car, introducing lip-syncing at the line beginning with 'Hold up...' We will then go into a shorter shot of the girl in the office standing up from her desk and leaving her workplace. At this point there is another lip-syncing shot of the girl leaving the shop at the line ' I'm a machine when I do it...' The closing shot before dancing shows the girl in the bedroom putting her slippers on and tracking of her feet walking away.

On the line 'You're the man...' the dance choreography begins with all four performers pointing the sky and bringing it down. Throughout the duration of the video the dance routine will continue showing aspects from different viewpoints, e.g. establishing, extreme/close ups, low angles in order to empower the individuals and represent their superiority, as well as side views from both left, right and also behind. The dancing scenes will take place in central London around the London Eye and Trafalgar square. At the time of filming it will be night time, however, Christmas lights will be present and serve as forms of additional lighting sources, as well as the filler lights we will be using. These will create a contrast, highlighting the importance of characters.
The rap scene will take place outside of Harrods and he will be wearing a coat with a hoodie and trainers. The camera will track him as he walks along a busy street and shallow depth of field will highlight him among the crowd. He will be looking directly at the camera as if he is talking to the audience, using hands gestures to enable the audience to feel engaged. We will use a variety of camera shots also within the 47 seconds of rap such as close ups and side angle views. At the line 'Independent woman' there will be a medium low angle shot of a woman walking with attitude to represent the independence that she has.

Towards the end of the music video we will edit two of the four performers into one single shot while they lip sync to the line 'you're the man'. We will then finish the video on fast paced flashing images of parts of London e.g. expensive cars, shops, lights, and motorbikes as well as the four band members lip syncing 'bike, bike, bike, bike'. The very final shot will be of the band, flicking their hair in rhythm and turning away from the camera.

Music video plan

Music video plan: