Initial Shot Ideas

Many music videos feature a variation in camera angles and shots. I want to use a vast array of locations, camera angles and editing techniques in my music video to make it exciting and dynamic. I have began thinking about different, interesting, camera shots that I think could be used in my music video. Planning shots will allow me to produce a higher quality final product as the camera work will be more complex and will present my large skill set behind the lens. 

I started my planning by drawing out some rough ideas on pieces of paper. I find this helps me visualise my final idea much better. These rough sketches and notes can be seen in the image below.

Rough sketches and notes for shot ideas

The song is about missing the way things were in the past and this is why I want to use locations I used to visit as a child. There is a possibility I could also use old photographs to link in with the past too. I would have to ensure they looked like they were taken 10-15 years ago so they appear to be from my childhood and if I am in any of the pictures I may have to try to use ones where you can't see my face clearly because the child needs to look like it is Jordan. One music video that uses flashbacks for effect is that of "Everything has changed" by 'Ed Sheeran' and 'Taylor Swift'. The video for the song shows two children playing together (who deliberately look like Sheeran and Swift). At the end of the video the children end up being the son and daughter of the two singers. However, the idea of the music video makes it seem as though it is a flashback and that Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift are being shown through the two youngsters. Here are some screenshots I've taken of the music video.

Shot of the two children representing Taylor Swift, left, and Ed Sheeran, right

Shot of Taylor Swift and young girl made to look like her

 Another shot I want to use in my music video is one where I would position the camera on a tripod in an open area such as a park or on the beach and then Jordan, the star in the video, would stand in different places on the beach for each shot. I would then record a small amount and then when I edit the footage I'll use fast editing to get the different shots of Jordan in different places in a fast pace sequence. With the camera staying in the same position, the only thing changing in the frame will be where Jordan is standing. 

Another shot I want to use is a tracking shot which will follow Jordan as he runs through a country road. A road near my town goes through an area of thick woodland and creates a nice setting for filming as well as photography. My aim is to mount a camera to the outside of a car and/or hold a camera by my side as I cycle along side Jordan who will run down the road. The shot will look good as my tracking will keep Jordan in focus and will create blurred trees and woodland in the background. I plan to use the shot in my music video within the chorus which features the line "wish we could turn back time...". I may edit the shot so it's played in reverse as this matches the lyrics and makes the action more interesting. As well as the reverse edit I could put the piece in slow motion as this would add more detail and would give an extra element for the audience. Below are some pictures of the roads and woodland that I plan to shoot some of my music video within.