Mini-Vid planning

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Mini vid tracks from DB3igs

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We have 4 lessons this week (Thursday is HE Fayre; Georgia also away Weds), in which you'll be working on the 1st of 3 practical projects this summer term. We start out small and build with the following two.
The outcome of this 'Mini-Vid' (my term, not recognised terminology) task will be for each group to produce a music video for 30+ seconds of their chosen track ... follow the steps below!

USE THE STORYBOARD, CALL SHEET etc TEMPLATES YOU CAN DOWNLOAD FROM THE TOP LINKS LIST

MINI-VID TASK: THE STEPS FOR MONDAY LESSON

1. You need a pen and your memory stick.
2. Form into two groups. Once you have ...
3. ... I'll assign each person one Mac.
4. Each Mac has a folder called MINI-VID. Open it and you'll find an MP3; you'll see a lyric sheet on the keyboard which you can use for writing on.
5. You each have TEN minutes from now to individually listen to your track and write down an idea for a music video, using 30+ seconds from the track, which must be possible to shoot in one period and/or overnight (you can book out the HD cams). Each group member must appear in the video, but you can include as many other non-Media students as you wish when filming
6. The group should now get together at one of their computers and each in turn share their lyrics sheet, play their MP3 on low volume, and pitch/describe their idea/s to the group. You have FIFTEEN mins to do this and then agree which is your favourite track + idea.
7. Make sure each person copies the MP3 and lyric sheet on their own memory stick
8. Each group will then pitch their idea to the other group, and we will all discuss this and brainstorm, with any thoughts and suggestions, including existing vids you might want to watch for further inspiration.
9. If there's any time left each group can start listing (1) locations (2) sequence of filming (3) filming roles [including band/performers, dancers, or narrative/concept characters: it may well be that some people take up multiple roles; you can work with as many non-Media folk as you wish, you just need to act fast to confirm availability + willingness] (4) mise-en-scene requirements including props, costume, make-up. You could also start working on a shotlist. Once you've completed those you can fill in call sheets.
10. HOMEWORK FOR TUESDAY LESSON: Blog on this process, including your own idea + that chosen by the group. Call the post MINI-VID TASK: INITIAL IDEAS

MINI-VID TASK: THE STEPS FOR TUESDAY LESSON

Complete planning + start filming if possible. To complete planning you need to [each of the following need to be blogged on, you could share this work as you go, and share the posts]...

1. Confirm the idea: you should be able to summarize this in one paragraph (which one of you can shortly blog, and the others can copy this post: MINI-VID: THE CONFIRMED IDEA)
2. Confirm which section of the track you wish to use (note the timings; you could now setup your Final Cut project and import the MP3)
3. Write down a list of the characters involved, including each fictional character, performer, dancer etc (remember that each group member must play at least one character; you can work with as many non-Media folk as you wish, you just need to act fast to confirm availability + willingness)
4. Confirm and list any location/s involved
5. Confirm the shooting schedule (think about how many different setups are required + how many times you'll want to shoot each sequence from different angles to create shot variation; you need even more shot variation for music vids than film)
6. Produce a basic storyboard [do not waste time on this: stickmen + words will do fine!!!]
7. Put all the above together into a call sheet. As you'll be on screen at some point each role will be shared to some extent, but...
8. Agree on who will be the producer (responsible for ensuring all props/costume are organised, and on the shoot telling the director + cinematographer which shot is next, ticking these off, and making notes on any additional shots taken as coverage)
9. Agree on who will be the main cinematographer.
10. Agree on who will be the director (responsible for instructing performers on what to do, whether that be body language, lines for lipsynching, dance choreography, movement, etc)

Once all thats sorted out, remembering you need to blog on all this, plus the experience of the shoot, editing and final vid for Monday, you can start the shoot! Remember we are away on Thursday at the HE Fayre (and GB on Weds). Ideally you'd have your footage ready to upload and begin editing on Wednesday, otherwise you're leaving yourselves with just Friday to edit and export to hand in.