Practice Brief 03- Music Videos MUSIC VIDEO

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Practice Brief 03- Music Videos INSPIRATION AND PLANNING

 

Practice Brief 03- Music Videos INSPIRATION

Millie Kelly

Music Videos that are set in schools: 

  - Britney Spears – “…Baby One More Time” (1998) 

The video starts with Britney sitting in a classroom, bored as the teacher lectures. When the school bell rings, the music kicks in and the students burst into dance. The “…Baby One More Time” music video by Britney Spears is one of the most iconic pop videos ever — and it’s set almost entirely in a high school. The use of the set being in a high school links to the brief and where we I will set my practice music video.

 -  Charli XCX – “Break the Rules” (2014)                     

The video is set in a high school / prom environment: Charli and her friends skip school, cause chaos, crash the prom. Some of the visual moments include: a school bus being trashed, a disobedient prom scene, rebellious behaviour in a school setting. The use of the setting and the school bus link to the brief so I will use this as my inspiration. Charli XCX was also only 21 when the music video was made so it links to the brief and how I will make my music video.

-Drake – “Best I Ever Had” (2009)          

Shots of Drake interacting with the team, cheerleaders, in a high-school/athletic context — blending sports, school imagery, and celebrity cameo appearances. Though the song is romantic/admiring, the video opts to emphasise team dynamics, uniforms. The school/high-sport setting gives the video a playful yet aspirational tone. The setting of this music video is a gym and a school so it links to the brief also. 

 

 - Rihanna-  "Found Love in a Hopeless Place" (2011)          

The video uses a raw, cinematic, and almost documentary-like style, blurring the line between music video and short film. It draws from British realism, handheld camera, gritty environments, naturalistic acting. Fast cuts, strobe-like montages, and jumpy pacing mirror the chaotic, euphoric, and self-destructive cycle of the relationship.

 

- Olivia Rodrigo – “Good 4 U” (2021)                                     

Saturated colours — especially electric blue, cheerleader yellow, and fiery orange — evoke both high-school brightness and emotional volatility. Rodrigo performs as a cheerleader — symbolizing forced positivity and social expectation. Olivia Rodrigo was 18 when the music video and it is set in a school so this is good inspiration for when I complete my practice brief.

Planning for my music video:

Valerie- Amy Winehouse

I plan to incorporate all the typical conventions that I have discovered in music videos, such as having a narrative, lip-syncing, using mise en scene and having an element of performance included in my music video. 

The narrative will follow a successful school band who don't have a main vocalist/ singer. The music video will follow the protagonist (the singer) who will eventually join the band after seeing a poster, saying that they need a lead vocalist. The music video will start in equilibrium (the band playing on their own) then the equilibrium will be disrupted by a problem (the band unfortunately don't have a singer) and the band will recognise the disruption. Then the music video will show the attempt to resolve the problem and disruption to the equilibrium (the band putting out a poster advertising the band and saying they need a lead vocalist) and then finally the music video will reach equilibrium again (the vocalist joining the band). 

Before the lyrics begin- The music video will set the scene and establish the storyline. Will show clips of band playing here, also show a sign on the door of the music room saying 'School Band' to reinforce that this music video is set in a school. 

Well sometimes I go out by myself- Will show my protagonist (the singer) lip-syncing to establish that she is the main character of the music video. This will be shot with a controlled source of light- maybe with a cool toned blue light. Which will serve as a counter-type for the music video. Shots pf the band members playing their instruments - use loads of different angles and shots. 
And I look across the water
And I think of all the things what you're doing- Will show the band playing but clearly struggling to play well, as they are missing the vocals for their song. Shots of the band members rolling their eyes and shrugging will be put in here, as well as a shot of the microphone not being used. 
And in my head I paint a picture

'Cos since I've come on home- The band will begin to make a 'Singer Wanted' sign on the computers (will film on one of the common room computers) and then put the posters up around school. 
Well my body's been a mess- More lip-syncing from the protagonist to continue to show that she is the main character. This shot will be filmed in a controlled source of light again. Same blue and cool toned lighting. 
And I miss your ginger hair- More lip-syncing
And the way you like to dress- Main character will find the poster. Will do a medium long shot  tracking shot of her finding the poster and rack focus of the behind of her head to the poster. Then show her tearing the poster down. 
Won't you come on over?
Stop making a fool out of me
Why don't you come on over Valerie- Vocalist sings along with the band playing. Equilibrium is reached. 
Valerie, Valerie, Valerie?- The guitarist and bassist will be playing their instruments and will look at each other and smile and nod in agreement that the new vocalist is the perfect fit for the band.