Filming the Music Video at the Beach

Katelyn and I filmed our music video this past weekend. We completed filming all of our shots and I do not believe we will have to re-film. Also, while filming we made sure that we took numerous takes for each desired shot. This meant Katelyn and I spent about an entire day filming plus setting up for it. A majority of our shots required the putting together of props to create the perfect setting. For example, towards the end of the music video, there is a shot of Katelyn baking cookies. In this scene, we needed to make the cookie dough, spread flour on the countertop, and shape the dough. I enjoyed working with Katelyn while setting up for the shots. This is because we got to bond while planning the perfect angles and overall shots for the music video. I am very pleased with how well Katelyn and I work together. We were able to use what we learned from the commercial, so I hope to continue to learn with each other and improve our filming projects. To explain, this time when filming Katelyn and I made sure to start recording a bit before and after our desired part. This is because when editing for our commercial if our takes were longer it would have been easier. Therefore, this time around we will have an easier time when it comes to editing for our music video.
Part of our music video will take place during sunrise. Thus, Katelyn and I had to wake up at 5:30am to get to the beach in time to set up the camera. This was a little bit of a struggle as I was extremely tired, but Katelyn handled the little sleep well. Now looking back at our takes, I feel it was worth waking up early and being tired as the sunrise adds to the setting. Additionally, there was a scene that included my dog. I was a little concerned if my dog would cooperate with the filming. To my surprise, with the motivation of a few treats, we were able to get some very successful takes. These few scenes are great examples of how smooth and successful the filming process went for Katelyn and me.
When filming we used the camera provided by the school along with a tripod. The tripod was useful as I have shaky hands and would not have been able to film Katelyn with a steady shot. Also, Katelyn and I were able to both participate in certain shots with the use of the tripod. Today in class, we moved all our takes from the SD card onto a flash drive. This is when I found out that we had around 90 takes which seems like a substantial amount. To sum up, I am excited to start editing because I feel there are going to be many takes to choose from. My favorite part of filming was definitely the cookie scene as I was able to express my creativity through the decorations on the cookies. Personally, the hardest part was waking up early for the sunrise, but I was able to overcome that quite quickly. Based on this filming I would choose to work with Katelyn on another filming project in the future. I cannot wait to learn how to improve my filming skills in class when looking back at our takes.

Storyboard for Music Video

 In our music video, Katelyn and I plan on using numerous types of camera angles, movements, and shots. The camera angles range from zoom to high angle to eye level. For example, the high angle will be used to show Katelyn making the cookies so her hands will show as they carefully shape the cookie dough. The camera movements are pan and tilt. The tilt will be used in our first shot to capture Katelyn walking towards the sunrise at the beach. Meanwhile, the pan will be used near the end of the music video when Katelyn is eating the cookies all alone. Thus, capturing the idea that she has nobody around supporting her. To add upon, the camera shots are all unique: wide shot, close up, medium close up, and medium shot. Katelyn and I decided when to use which camera shots by thinking of the surroundings and background we wanted to capture in each shot. Furthermore, our editing process will be quite complicated as Katelyn and I want to make quite a few edits. These edits include transitions between shots such as a fade in and dissolve. Also, Katelyn and I will make sure the shots continuously flow smoothly throughout the whole video. The song this music video is based on is Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande.

Planning for Music Video

Katelyn and I are planning to film the music video outside and inside my house. The filming will also take place on the path to the beach as well as at the beach. A problem we may face is the weather considering part of our music video will be outside. The solution to this is to look at the forecasted weather in advance to change the filming date or be ready to film the whole video indoors. Part of our music video will include a motor vehicle. This means Katelyn and I must be cautious and make sure to wear our seat belts. In addition to this, we must be careful of pedestrians or other cars. We plan on including numerous types of props. These props will range from cookies and milk to stockings. Katelyn and I plan on using my puppy in this video. Additionally, costumes will consist of red, white, and gold colors. To fully bring the Christmas feel we will also wear a Santa hat. This class we are working on storyboarding as well as this blog. Our plan for the next class is to finish storyboarding as well as the blog for the storyboard. To add on, this weekend we will hopefully complete the filming of our music video. So, the classes afterward we can work on reviewing our shots and writing the blogs.

Intro to Music Video

For the music video, I will not be working with Katelyn, unlike in the commercial when I worked with Katelyn and Freya. This time around, Katelyn and I are not working with Freya as we feel she did not contribute to the previous commercial. From the commercial, I felt the storyboarding process was completed well and helped me throughout the whole process. This is because when filming my group and I knew exactly what shots to film in order to waste no time. However, I need to improve on my editing as some valuable time was wasted trying to read my notes to understand how to do certain edits. I feel that I am naturally going to understand how to use Pinnacle Studios more as I continue to use it. Thus, I will improve this time around for the editing of the music video.


Katelyn and I chose "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande. We chose this because Christmas is coming and we both love the feeling during this holiday. I really enjoy this time period because it brings a winter feel that I miss out on, here in Florida. Additionally, the song lends itself to tell an easy story about searching for a Christmas and wishing for a loved one to come back.

"Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande is in the genre of Christmas songs. The conventions of Christmas songs are meant to bring winter vibes and jolly feelings. This is accomplished through wide and close-up shots at eye level as well as high angle. The wide-angle shots allow the audience to see all the actors celebrating Christmas which brings joyfulness. Furthermore, the close-up shots allow the audience to focus on the emotions of the characters during this time period which includes thrill and pleasure. Numerous Christmas songs have a similar sound of jingle bells or jeering. This is because it correlates to happiness and Christmas. To add upon, common editing ranges from the addition of red or gold colors to winter aspects such as snowflakes.

1. Costumes are generally warm clothing that looks soft to touch. This is because Christmas takes place during winter, specifically at the end of December.
2. The lighting is dim, but not in a suspenseful war. Rather the dim lighting portrays a cozy winter feeling.
3. The actors must seem relatable and joyful because then the audience can connect. To explain, Christmas is already a happy holiday so the actors' job is to keep the mood light.
4. Makeup should be festive whether this is a red lip or gold eye shadow.
5. Props should be common to items used on Christmas. A few obvious props come to mind: a Christmas tree, stockings, and cookies with milk.
6. The setting would most likely be somewhat cold in the snow or in a cozy house. These relate to Christmas as it takes place during the winter and people try to stay warm in their homes.

Editing Process

Today in class we were supposed to complete all the editing. However, my group and I were unable to do this because of technological difficulties. These difficulties included Pinnacle Studios closing multiple times while we worked on the edits. This was frustrating as we had to keep on waiting for the software to reopen. To add on, our computer even shut down a few minutes before class ended. The computer did not turn back on. Thus, I believe the computer probably ran out of battery. I hope that our edits saved as we worked hard and made process. Luckily, an extension was given to the entire class because of these technological difficulties. I believe that my group and I can complete the edits successfully next class if there are technological difficulties.
The edits we were supposed to do today in class were rather simple. Our plan was to add sound and titles to the commercial. The sound was going to be music, specifically "All I do is Win" by DJ Khaled. This would have added to our commercial because it paired well with the slogan we chose. Furthermore, Gatorade has many slogans to choose from. Katelyn and I both liked "Win from Within" because we could connect with it. This is because in track we understand the way to win is to believe in yourself and work hard. Katelyn and I were able to successfully add the music and titles to the commercial. But, we are unsure if these edits saved because of the technological difficulties. I am hopeful they did because it took us quite some time to line up the sound with the film.
On the positive side, there are some edits that definitely saved. Katelyn and I chose which takes we wanted to use in our film. We were able to work together to put these takes together and add transitions. This was quite simple for us as we used our notes from the editing lecture. I was surprised to see how well our takes flowed because I expected it to be more choppy. Additionally, once we put all our takes together the commercial was about 26 seconds long. This is the perfect length as our commercials are supposed to range from 25 seconds long to 30 seconds long. I am proud of how well Katelyn and I are able to work together while completing this commercial. This makes me excited to continue to edit our commercial next class. Hopefully, we are able to finish in time which I believe we can.