Types of Productions
Drama
Soap Opera
Neighbors, Days of our lives.
Multi Camera approach (eg. high key lighting), Less Budgets, Faster Turnaround/More Volume, repeating storylines.
Series
House - Mad Men - Good Wife. CSI, Law and order. Rush, Underbelly
Single Camera "Movie" approach (eg. harder more dramatic/realistic lighting, lens choices), bigger budgets, Slow Turnaround (12 - 25 hours/eposodes per year), serial but through, twisting plots and character development, or stand alone structures with series character arcs.
Which one doesn't belong?...
TVC,
Corporate,
Training,
Documentary.
Content wise: Documentary - because they usually arn't selling a commercial product, and have a narrative motive.
Technique wise: TVC because they can often have a strict narrative
But they may also make use of techniques which Corporate, Training and Documentaries use:
Voice Over
Subtitles/Supers/Bullet Points
Talking to camera/Walk and talk
Interview.
Reenactment/Demonstration
Stock Footage/ Stills
Music.
Animation.
Music Videos
Music Videos are the most liberal and free in the use of all techniques. These are often applied in new and innovative ways....
Live Event Coverage....
Live events must are covered as part of a larger program (such as a band documentary), used as settings for music videos, showreels of live permances, or recorded for later viewing by pleple unable to attend.
Examples - Concerts / Stand Up / Festivals/Sports/Games/Telethon
Political Debates
Wedding.
Seminars.
Qustions to ask when filming live events which will influence coverage approach....
What Do you want to use it for?
What Coverage should I get For the Edit?
Single Camera or Multi Camera?
Overview of a Music Video Production
Getting the Project
Find Band
Choose Song/Talk Concepts and Approach/Budget (talent Meeting)
Get References from Band.
Script/Treatment
Pre-production
Art Department Costume/Style/Location
Equipment organisation.
Crew organisation.
Play BackPreparation.
Shot List - Storyboards
Schedule
Lighting setup plan.
Call Sheets
Production – Crew Structure/Possible roles
Producer
Production Manager
Runners
Unit/Catering/Amenities.
Cinematographer.
Gaffer.
Best Boy.
1 Elictrics
Grips
Key Grip.
Camera Operator
1AC - Focus Puller.
2 AC - Loader / Data Wrangler/Split Operator
Art Dep
Wardrobe/Stylist
Stand by Props
Makeup Artist
Location Scout
Director
Directors Assistant.
Continuity/Script Supervising
1 AD Forman on Set. (boss on Set)
Playback Operator
Choreographer
Post-production (roles)
Editor
Assistant Editor
Visual FX
Colour Grading.
The Treatment.
Step 1 – listen and brainstorm
“EMPIRE STATE” Brain Storming Ideas
Alicia Walking streets on NYC (cold)
Dingy Jazz On stage playing piano. Club Dress up nice and shit. Mairkes it to nicer apartment
Beam of God Light
Slow Motion and normal Motion
Regular People Cut Aways
Wind in hair
Blured Light Effect
Timelapse
coin throw wishing well
Performance Section -
Old school theatre solo at end lights come on - big crowd
Dark room camera rotates around her she's in different locations
Curtain pulls back to reveal band
Her dreams come true through the clip
Alicia on top of Empire State looking down on streets
Mixed Approach Performance/Narrative
New York Cuttaways. Follow a few people trying to make it - storyline.
Pocket full of dreams - People pulling papers from pockets
Raining
Night Performance based different locations
Alicia as angel.
Alicia Singing in on grand piano in jazz club
Playing Piano on top of Skyscraper Cutting to Lyrics.
Video Portraits of NYC Subcultures. Different Classes
Alicia walking down path near what is happening in lyrics
NYC Subway different stations see Alicia.
Empty Theatre with Piano. Alicia in Manhattan and in Empire state building.
Time square performance (and on big Screen). Time lapse BG Alicia in Normal Motion.
Alicia Lit BG under lit. Walks with camera.
Alicia Slow Mo Sync iconic NYC (eg. Hotdog)
Birds Eye view of NYC
Central Park Slow Mo Working
No Alicia. Follow stories of before and after of peoples dreams.
Step 2 – Reference.
Look online or in books and Magazines and use other works for inspiration, guidance, and visual techniques.
Step 3 – Song Breakdown
Break the song down into its timings eg:
Empire State of Mind Breakdown.
Introduction
0sec– 21sec
Verse1
21sec – 1min3sec
Chorus1
1min3sec - 1min34
Verse2
1min34 – 2min15sec
Chorus2
2min15sec - 2min46sec
Bridge
2min46sec - 3min1sec
Chorus3
3min1sec – 3min30sec
Step 4 – Scripting
Write your script to fit the song Breakdown. This can also be done in an editing program using title cards as shot or scene descriptions. This can also help with timing.
Step 5 – Synopsis/Budgeting
Wrtite a synopsis describing your approach to the music video (eg, style, look, locations editing techniques e.t.c). This is often a good time to put together a budget as you will have an idea of the scope involved.
Step 5 – Round Out Treatment.
Include the following details:
Project Name and Deadline ,Date, Cient Name, Key Crew, Shooting Format, Delivery Details, Budget Outline. A Synopsis, a timed script, and reference material.