The journey of a creative concept

IN THIS POST:

• Final Pitch
• Earlier Pitches
• First Ideas
• Developing the Narrative
• Developing the Visuals/Performance

FINAL PITCH

Pitch v4 emma and louis 15.10.20-2 from LouisHodges3

EARLIER PITCHES

• Pitch 3
• Influence Video
• Pitch 2
• Pitch 1 (Video)
• Pitch 1 (PowerPoint)

FIRST IDEAS

At first, we considered working with a smaller artist (local - use our link to radio ARA to find smaller artists).  Benefits of this include:

• Using the real artist in the video
• This allows for increasing realism (body language, lip-synching)
• Greater marketing opportunity
• Means we can both provide sufficient evidence of directing (as neither of us would be in the video)
• Gives us some professional experience, contributes to a professional portfolio and CV

We analysed Bagboy by the Pixies and explored the idea of doing this.

• Pixies create narrative videos, avoiding awkward lip-synching
• Often create open narratives
• Striking visuals
• Have a unique opinion on promotional videos, provides for detailed research

We decided against this because we wanted to explore a genre we were more familiar with, as we already had striking visual ideas for a Billie Eilish type of video. 

EDITING IDEAS

After watching some past AS coursework, we want to explore creative editing techniques, including:

• Selective cutting (cutting on time with the beat)
• Blurring visuals
• Bokeh
• Slow-motion (technique including filming in 2x speed, potentially lip-synching at this speed)
• Discolouration
• Layering

DEVELOPING THE NARRATIVE

In our original pitches, we pitched naturalistic narratives, much like in this past A2 example. After watching Never Let Me Down Again by Depeche Mode, we decided to adapt our narrative to incorporate more enigmatic elements, becoming more open and abstract.

Previous Narrative Plot Points

• The couple are happy together
• Several shots of them laughing and smiling together
• Taking walks together
• Argue
• The girl (protagonist) walks away
• She becomes post-feminist
• Turns out better now she is alone

New Abstract Plot Points

• Her end visual takes place throughout (as the line between narrative and performance is blurred)
• Couple being happy appears as flashbacks throughout the video
• No argument is shown (only implied, no denotation as to what happened between them)
• Use of colouring to imply different meanings (ambiguity, leaving it polysemic)

DEVELOPING THE VISUALS/PERFORMANCE

Our first idea was for one of our performance shoots to take place in a dark room with a black (or dark coloured) backdrop, with low light.  This is still something we are looking to use, however, this will be the 'background' performance, as it has no specific link to the narrative.

Our main concept for the performance is to be a link with the narrative, as it takes place at the end of the abstract narrative, with Billie travelling back to areas where she was happy with her boyfriend.

We want to incorporate as many striking visuals as possible.  This includes shots like Billie biting into an avocado with the skin still on.  This creates a sense of shock for the audience, contributing to the polysemic plot, however with clear rebellious connotations.  Along with shots, we want to use as many different editing techniques as possible, including: 

• Masking for transitions
• Layering
• Colour correction
• Slow-motion