Music Video Production & Development Process (Behind The Scenes)

This blog post, written by me (Beatrice), outlines the filming process for our Component 3 Music Video. It includes behind-the-scenes images accompanied by detailed descriptions of the challenges we faced each day, the solutions we implemented to address them, and the steps we took to make improvements throughout the filming process.

Classwork : Multi-cam Editing

This blogpost details the work I did on how to edit with multiple cameras. My group and I filmed the footage from different camera angles but, I edited the clips alone. My teacher provided a template for the blog post.

What is Multicam Editing?
Multicam editing is the process of editing footage of a single scene or subject recorded from different cameras and angles. Showing the same scene or subject from different angles helps make the video more dynamic and visually captivating for your audience

Shooting
Our subject , a classmate, stood in the centre of the room and did a short performance. My group stood around the subject to record the performance from different angles. You can also see members from other groups because we did this lesson as a class. To make it easier to synchronise our cameras, the teacher clapped at the start of the scene. This allowed us to line up the video in the editing process and ensure that the transitions would be smooth. Without this simple action it would have taken a lot longer to sync the videos.

BEHIND THE SCENES IMAGES  ↓ 

Here are the different camera angles from my group members:
1. (mine)
2. (ray)
3. (jas)

Editing process :

• Upload the videos to CapCut
• Detach the audio of the clip you wish to use in the final video.
• Find the ‘clap’ marker on the audio.
• Line up the video files together.
• Cut where I want the edit to happen
• Don’t delete the clip, just lower the opacity. This way it can be used again later.
• Mute all clips except for the one you want to use.

SCREENSHOTS OF YOUR EDITING

Here is my final edited video:

(upload it to youtube)

Reflection: Although for fun, I've edited multiple videos before this. Hence, I didn't really find anything challenging aside from having to rush during the process due to the slow internet connection. It took some time to upload the videos into the shared google drive folder that my friend made and it took even longer to download the clips. However, something new I learned from this was the 'opacity technique' that my teacher used (where you would hide the unused clips instead of deleting it) 

How will this help your project? What did you find challenging? What is there anyway to simplify this process?

Shooting Practice : Music Video

This post, written by Rachelle and me (Beatrice), contains a mini project that helped us learn how to shoot a music video. We shoot our verse as a group and then created this post together.  

Our teacher gave each group a verse from 'Here Comes The Sun' by The Beatles where we had to plan a scene which included various camera work and edits. The goal was to get us to practice continuity when filming as well as lip syncing for our final music video project later on. Below is the verse chosen for us by our teacher.

We were first given 15 minutes to plan and create a storyboard for our scene. I (Rachelle) made the storyboard, however, my teammates Jasmine and Beatrice helped to think of ideas for the scenes. The storyboard is pasted below.

After that, about another 15 minutes were given for us to film our clips.

Here are some of the behind the seen footage that I (Beatrice) took during the process ↓

As seen above, Rachelle was in charge of drawing the storyboard while Jasmine was in charge of editing.

Here is the link for the video incase of any technical difficulties → 'Here Comes The Sun' - Verse 2

Below outlined the problems we faced during the filming of this mini project, the solutions we implemented, and what we would do to improve when working on our upcoming music video project : 

Problems : 

• When we were assigned this mini project, we faced unexpected heavy rain, which didn’t align with the song’s cheerful and bright theme - especially given the title, 'Here Comes The Sun'.
• The hallway we chose for filming had a constant flow of people passing through, which was both distracting and visually disruptive in the footage. Additionally, it caused delays as we had to wait for people to clear the area, while also having a time limit for the filming process. 
• The heavy rain made it difficult to hear the song we were supposed to lip-sync to, especially with other groups filming nearby and contributing to the noise.
• With only three members and two of us acting, we couldn’t follow our teacher’s advice to use two cameras, as we only had one person available to operate the camera.

Solutions : 

• Due to the rain, filming outdoors wasn’t an option, so we decided to use the hallway to take advantage of natural lighting while staying sheltered. Initially, we chose a hallway near the school’s toilet and lounge, but the high number of people passing through made it unsuitable. To avoid disruptions, we relocated to the hallway near our classroom on the opposite side of the building.
• Listening to the song became another challenge, especially when using the 'tracking' camera movement, as it required us to move farther from the music source (phone). To address this, we came up with two solutions, such as carrying the phone with us while filming or placing it midway along the filming path, which allows us to hear the music clearly as we move forward. 

Next time : 

• To improve for our upcoming music video project, I believe we should start filming well in advance of the deadline. This will give us more flexibility and prevent rushing, especially in situations beyond our control, like unfavorable weather. By having extra time, we can wait for better weather conditions that align with our mood board and plan. This will ensure that the final result matches our vision and maintains a high standard of quality.
• Since we’re planning to use two actresses from our team, it would be beneficial to bring a tripod for the filming process. This will enable us to use two cameras, as recommended by our teacher, allowing for a smoother filming process.

Reflection : My role in this project was the cameraman. I enjoyed this task because although we had to retake several scenes ; either because we felt awkward with people watching or because we laughed at how some shots turned out, we still had a lot of fun throughout the filming process. However, filming was a bit challenging for me as my hands were shaky at times, which I felt affected the quality of the footage and made some scenes less satisfactory. I also wasn't able to take pictures of the behind-the-scene during the filming process because we had to retake the scene a couple of times while rushing to finish it on time. Therefore, it was quite hectic. I think for me, this project has been a valuable learning experience, as it helps us identify areas for improvement. For example, bringing a tripod would make filming steadier and more professional. It also highlighted the importance of preparing for unexpected challenges and starting the filming process early. By doing so, we can address any unforeseen issues, such as unfavorable conditions or problems with scenes that we only notice after reviewing them.

Music Video Development

 This blog post details the development of key elements in our music video, including the selection of the casts and the naming of our artist, along with the reasoning behind these decisions.

The part below is written by Jasmine : 

Star(s) name: 
Rachelle 
Name Ideas:

• Wynona

• WyNa

• Nana

• Willow

• Heath

• Scilla

• Iris

• Primrose

• Daphne

• Viola

At first, we were kind of lost in the direction we wanted to go to in terms of the stage name. After discussing and brainstorming, we decided to make our stage names flower related. We had this idea after realizing that it would be pretty interesting if the stage names of both of the artists in this song could conflict with one another so it would be a cool coincidence in relation to the music video which is about a separation of friends. Learning this I decided to search up flowers that bloom in the winter as it would contrast to the stage name of the other artist whose name will be related to a summer blooming flower (Jasmine).

Jasmine

Name ideas:

• Jasmine

• Dahlia

• Clematis

• Poppy

• Daisy

• Lily

• Marigold

• Zinnia

• Vinca

• Peony

Jasmine’s (my) name was the main inspiration for keeping our stage names flower based, so we decided to keep the name of the artist and the stage name the same.

(More information and development will be added during the second term of this project)

Filming Schedule & Preparations

This blog post, written by me (Beatrice), details the preparations we made before filming our music video. This includes the preparation of props and equipment, and setting up a filming schedule that my team and I made to manage and organize the production process.

Pre-production reflection : Since we haven't started the filming process and have mostly been focusing on completing other blogs, we haven't decided on a specific date to film the music video. However, we're aiming to begin filming early next year. Although the exact schedule isn't finalized, this allows us to give the team an early heads-up, increasing the likelihood that everyone will be available and punctual on filming days, which allows the filming process to go smoothly. I think by creating this schedule, it will help to keep us organized as a team, and ensuring smooth communication. By planning together,  we can outline each step clearly, keeping everyone informed and on the same page. This preparation will help us avoid disorganization and allow us to stay on track, which makes the filming process much more efficient.

Post-production reflection : 

Location Scout & Risk Assessment

 This blog post, (made by Rachelle), details the location scout and risk assessment that my team and I have discussed and deliberated on in order to pick the most suitable locations to film the scenes in our music video.

Location Scout & Risk Assessment – Rachelle

Location
Address:	Bali Farm House [https://g.co/kgs/UPdYCid]
Scene:	Friends playing around and having fun
Advantages of location:	The space that we can utilize for filming is very big as Bali Farm House’s field is very wide. This means that we can use that space for various filming opportunities such as extreme long shots. Furthermore, this large space is ideal for when we have to shoot scenes that has a lot of movements (e.g. spinning around and running around with friends) The natural lighting in this place gives a soft and nostalgic feel to it, this matches with the theme of our music video.
Disadvantages of Location:	Bali Farm House is located in Singaraja, which is 2 hours away. This may be inconvenient as we’d be wasting 4 hours in total to go back and forth. Not only this but the petrol needed to go here would also be more costly. Furthermore, transporting the equipment would be a hassle to do especially if we happen to accidentally leave something behind.  There are lots of animals in this place (chickens, alpacas, etc.) so it may be a rather noisy place to film in. Moreover, it may cause distractions to us when filming as some of these animals roam free in the field. This is because they may go in the frame while we shoot, therefore requiring us to reshoot the scene all over again, taking time off our day. Entrance fee is rather expensive (IDR 175.000 which is about $11, this is considered pretty costly in our country)
Alternatives:	Bedugul Asri [https://g.co/kgs/5pnnnje]
Risk Assessment
Risk:	Who is at risk:	How to avoid risk:	High, Medium, Low risk:
1. Rain	Actresses might get sick due to the rain Props may also get damaged	Check the weather forecast and pick the best date to go (a sunnier/more dry day) Bring umbrellas just in case it rains	Medium – Rainy season in Bali typically occurs from October to March. We will probably film our music video around this period, so it’s more likely to rain.
2. Diseases from animals	Some animals in Bali Farm House such as the chickens may potentially carry diseases (e.g. chickens), this can cause sicknesses to the actresses	Try to stay away from the animals, or choose places in the location that is far from them Wear masks to wear when not filming/during break to reduce the risk of contracting those diseases Consume vitamin before going there to boost immune system	High – Diseases contracted from animals can be dangerous. However, the chance of actually contracting it is low as long as we take care of our body and immune system.
3. Sun exposure	Excessive exposure to the sun can lead to sunburns, dehydration, or even heat strokes. The entire cast and crew can be affected by this.	Wear hats and apply sunscreen before arriving and make sure to reapply the sunscreen every few sessions to avoid sunburns. Bring water bottles to the location and if not allowed then buy water from the cafe inside the farm house.  If one of us feels hazy, or even if we don’t, we should make sure to take breaks in between each scene.	Medium – Bali’s climate tends to be very hot most of the time so the chance of getting dehydrated, sunburnt, or getting a heat stroke is rather likely. However, if we follow the right precautions, then we can reduce this risk.

Location
Address:	Sanur Beach
Scene:	Separation scene
Advantages of location:	Easily accessible  The entrance to Sanur Beach is free, therefore we can save costs for this and put the money on props or other things instead. Just like Bali Farm House, Sanur beach has natural lighting which can give a nostalgic feel to it, matching our music videos theme. Moreover, Sanur would be most suitable since it’s located more closely to most of us compared to most other beaches.
Disadvantages of Location:	Sanur is a very popular beach both among locals and tourists, so it tends to be very crowded most of the time. This means it may be difficult to shoot scenes where the two artists have to be alone.  The air on the beach is very damp. From my own experience, this can really ruin the artists’ hair, which may alter the vibe or the original hairstyle that we gave them. In some parts of the beach, they will have ceremonies and/or parades at night so this may disrupt our filming since we’re planning on using diegetic sounds of the waves for some of the beach scenes, in which the sounds from the parades and ceremonies may overlay the audio.
Alternatives:	Nyang-nyang beach
Risk Assessment
Risk:	Who is at risk:	How to avoid risk:	High, Medium, Low risk:
1. Rain	The entire cast and crew members may get sick due to the rain (e.g. flue). Moreover, if the rain happens to ruin one of the props then the money used to purchase it will be wasted.	Bring umbrellas and check the weather forecast. There are lots of places and cafes to seek shade in on the beach, so when the rain starts to drizzle, we can immediately go to a nearby cafe or a stall.	Low – Just like in Bali Farm House, we will probably film our music video around the rainy season period, so it’s more likely to rain. However, since Sanur Beach is located in a lower terrain, it’s less likely to rain.
2. Windy weather and sand	During the evening to night, the weather tends to be very windy on the beach. This may cause the sand to be blown with the air. This sand can then get into our eyes when filming, which can cause infections and other eye problems when not treated properly. The whole crew and cast can be affected by this.	When not filming, it’s better to bring glasses to prevent sand from coming in the eyes Another way could be to check the weather forecast and go when the weather is less windy.	Low – although this is likely to happen, the damage it can potentially do isn’t fatal. We can easily wash out the grain from the eyes with mineral water.
3. Dark lighting	Most parts of Sanur Beach get really dark at night, especially the areas that don't have many cafes, stalls, or shops near it. This can cause both the crew members and casts to trip on things, slip, or fall as they have difficulties trying to see.	Search for an area where there are bars or cafes that open until late at night so that there are some lighting, this prevents us from shooting in complete darkness.	Low – the risks of filming in a very dark place can be dangerous, despite so, the solution is very simple and easy to do so we can very easily avoid this risk.

Location
Address:	Regents Secondary School (classroom, hallway, etc.)  https://g.co/kgs/bkWBoHE
Scene:	Lip syncing scenes
Advantages of location:	Since the theme for our music video is graduation and high school friends, shooting scenes in school would be more relatable to audiences that are watching, therefore feeling represented.  The props needed to film are already present (desks, chairs, lockers, etc.) so there’s no need to bring and purchase props. This saves a lot of time as well as effort This location is an area where we are very familiar with, so we know the layout of classrooms, hallways, and any spots so we can quickly set up and move between scenes. Moreover, we’re also able to identify the best angles, lighting, as well as areas that match  with our scene and theme the best, therefore saving the time and effort for scouting.
Disadvantages of Location:	There’s an ongoing construction in our school so the sound from this may disrupt us when filming. Moreover, since our school is located near a main road, the sounds of vehicles can get loud during day time. If we film during weekends, we may need to ask for permission from the principal in order to use the spaces needed.  The school may not allow us to do any changes to the wall decorations and lighting setups, especially since the classrooms have fixed lighting in which most of the time is fluorescent, so this may not match what we want to convey in some of our scenes. However, this can be fixed with editing later on. Even if we’re allowed to move the desks and chairs around, it will take a lot of time to put it back to its original position.
Alternatives:	One of our houses
Risk Assessment
Risk:	Who is at risk:	How to avoid risk:	High, Medium, Low risk:
1.  Equipment damage	A classroom setting can sometimes be cluttered so when filming the crew members may trip and drop the prop or equipment they’re carrying. The people affected by this risk are the crew members responsible for the equipment as well as the equipment themselves.	Make sure to hold the equipment properly and bring it back up just in case it breaks so filming doesn’t have to be delayed for a long period of time. Take breaks in between just in case crew members aren’t too tired of holding props/equipment (to avoid them accidentally dropping it).	Low – this doesn’t cause any health damage or anything too serious to anyone, but filming equipment such as cameras are costly so crew members may really have to watch out.
2. Tripping and falling hazards	There are many cords and cables lying around, as well as chairs and tables, which may serve as a hazard to both crew members and casts.	Tidy up the setting first before starting to film. (fold cords and cables neatly and put them in a place where people won’t trip on)	Medium – falling and tripping may possibly cause head injuries or other injuries. To prevent this from happening, it’s best to be very careful when stepping around, as well as take some safety precautions (bring ice packs or bandages just in case, or just a first aid kit)

(Due to the tight deadline, we weren't able to visit the place this term. Therefore, all images are taken from google for now) 

Pre-production reflection : With mood board in place, we began searching for locations that best match the scenes we envision, aiming to effectively convey the atmosphere we’re going for in our music video. This also gave us a clearer sense of the aesthetic for our music video. However, with the tight deadline, we haven’t had the chance to do in-person location scouting yet. While I suggested some filming locations, I feel I could have contributed more to the search. I did offered to help, however my teammate kindly declined, as she was capable on handling it thoroughly on her own. I think she’s done an excellent job. The location scout will be incredibly useful because it not only highlights potential risks but also provides alternative options if our primary choice becomes unavailable / off-limit for filming. Having these backups means we won’t need to rush for a new location, which will definitely helps us to save a lot of time. Additionally, this process allowed us to consider necessary safety measures, ensuring a smooth filming process and a secure environment for everyone involved.