Cinematography

Cinematography 
During the filming of our music video I took charge of cinematography, involving the framing of shots, focus, lighting, camera angles, shot types and mise en scene.
Lighting
One key aspect that i had to take into account was that we had decided that our video would be predominately black and white therefore I had to look for specific areas of contrast that would look especially effective once the black and white filter had been added. Due to this I used the sun and natural light in order to create contrast as well as the solid colour of the props and costume when outside, however once inside I had to use artificial light from photography lights, which I had arranged for us to borrow as well as using the natural light from the windows to the full extent. For example within the smaller room in which I chose to shoot the shrine scene, I placed the shrine itself right next to the window to ensure that the images would be clearly illuminated as well as casing interesting light across the shots, however I also positioned an extra photography light in front at an angle to the shrine to make sure that everything was visible but also again creating interesting shadows by placing the light at an angle. This was also true when the band entered the room as I placed another light behind them to silhouette their figures which again I though would be effective in black and white.

Light source behind the band

Placing the bag man in front of the sun I thought made him seem more mysterious and almost god like due to the rolling clouds behind him as we wanted him to be seen as an omnipotent figure so this signified this aspect.

Again i added an extra light source as this close up shot of the woman would be emphasised, I organised an elderly cast as i thought that it would help to signify the videos indie nature due to the usual approach, intertextuality can also be seen as we took inspiration from Depeche Mode.

Camera movement
I used vertical panning shots from a low angle in order to create a ominous feel as well as creating a narrative enigma effect.

I used this especially with the bagman in order to cast him as a dark and dangerous character which then helped to re enforce the fact that he was a danger to the band by following them. It also gave me scope to include the puddles of water on the floor to create a mirrored reflection of the bagman which gave the impression that he is a powerful force that is above the natural order due to this doubled effect. As well i felt like it was aesthetically pleasing. Again I used an upwards panning shot but this time of Sam (the lead singer) in order to signify this higher status in the band as the front man.

Most shots were filmed using a tripod to uphold the professional look of the video, however some were handheld in order to create a grungy feel through the partially shaky shots to signify the indie genre of the band. 

Shot types
I used a lot of varied shots in order to create the look of a realistic music video. I used a significant amount of 3 shots as even though Sam as the lead singer is seen as a more central member of the band, i still wanted the band to be seen as a collective.

Within the cafe scene I wanted to take advantage of the age of the elderly cast and use their features to show the bands originality, which i did through the use of close up shots. I also used close up shots of the band in order to highlight the bands surprise as well as the bagman who's most stand out features were the markings on the mask. 

Mise ene sene
In order to create a link between Sly antics past music video "Intro" and to again re enforce the grungy feel of the video I chose the location in mind that it contained a lot of graffiti as well as a variety of large and small open spaces. I used this to my advantage by framing the band in the mist of the graffiti through a combination of medium and long shots to show their journey through the warehouse. I also got hold of three identical retro wooden chairs and an old lamp which were used at the end which added to the indie genre.

As well to help make the shrine as realistic as possible I bought a hundred candles which we set up along side a board that contained printed out images of the band.