Being the driving creative force in a film's production - visualising and defining the style and structure of the film, then bringing it to life
Carrying out duties such as casting, script editing, shot composition, shot selection and editing
Acting as the crucial link between the production, technical and creative teams
To do this role, you will need to:
have exceptional artistic vision and creative skills
have unerring commitment
have a deep passion for filmmaking
be a strong and confident leader
make decisions
delegate and collaborate with others
have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
inspire and motivate the team
have an extensive understanding of the entire filmmaking process, from both technical and creative points of view
pay attention to detail
remain calm and think clearly under great pressure
have great self-belief
be determined to succeed
Directors are responsible for creatively translating the film's written script into actual images and sounds on the screen. They are ultimately responsible for a film's artistic and commercial success or failure.
Directors may write the film's script or commission it to be written, or they may be hired after an early draft of the script is complete. They must then develop a vision for the finished film and work out how to achieve it.
During pre-production, Directors make crucial decisions, such as selecting the right cast, crew and locations for the film. They then direct rehearsals and the performances of the actors once the film is in production.
They also manage the technical aspects of filming including the camera, sound, lighting, design and special effects departments.
During post production, Directors work closely with Editors through the many technical processes of editing, to reach the final cut or version of the film.
For this job I am going to be a strong leader and also be very decisive to try and create the best possible final product. I will be very involved in what the rest of the team is doing to give them help if they ever need it. I will make sure the all of the crew and cast are happy and understand their job.
Alan was first drawn to music at an early age. Beginning as a drummer, his love for instruments quickly grew to include the bassoon, clarinet, saxophone and guitar. Writing his own music and forming numerous bands during his early school days, his musical life would lead him to the Berklee College of Music in Boston where he was to enroll as a composition major.
As a guitarist in Cochran's popular band, Alan toured America. Continuing to explore his love of music, he moved to Hollywood and the result was his first movie score with 1972's "The Doberman Gang (1972)".
He would score a number of small films during this period before breaking through as a television composer during the second season of the hit series CHiPs (1977)
Silvestri's talent for percussive melodies would particularly impress Robert Zemeckis, who gave the composer his breakthrough score in the action-comedy hit "Romancing the Stone (1984)".
Both director and composer were suddenly propelled to a hugely successful collaboration that would include the "Back to the Future (1985)" series, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)", the Oscar-winning "Forrest Gump (1994)" (for which Silvestri received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Score), "Contact (1997)", "What Lies Beneath (2000)", "Cast Away (2000)" (for which he won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition), "The Polar Express (2004)" (whose song "Believe", co-written with Glen Ballard, won a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song), "Beowulf (2007)", "A Christmas Carol (2009)" and "Flight" which was released on November 2nd, 2012.
Through the years and over 100 scores, Alan has distinguished himself in many genres, from action sci-fi (Marvel's "Avengers Assemble (2012)" and "Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)") to thrilling suspense ("Predator (1987)", "The Abyss (1989)"), to galloping westerns ("Young Guns II: Blaze of Glory (1990)", "The Quick and the Dead (1995)"), youthful fantasy ("Stuart Little (1999)", "Lilo & Stitch (2002)", "Night at the Museum (2006)" trilogy) rollicking comedy ("Father of the Bride (1991)", "The Parent Trap (1998)", "What Women Want (2000)") and heartfelt drama ("The Perez Family (1995)", "Maid in Manhattan (2002)"). But whether composing orchestral action, or tender melodies, Alan Silvestri's work has always been identifiable by its keen sense of melody and theme. He has won 2 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score) for Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey: Standing Up in the Milky Way (2014) and Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music for Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)
The idea of "Back To The Future" came from the writer wanting to know if he would have been friends with his father if he went to school together. He then developed the idea and created an entire story for the idea.
The script was rejected over 40 times before it was made.
The intended audience for this music video would be from 13 upwards as the song deals with topics such as death that may not be suitable for a younger audience.
The music video will mainly be a narrative but with some elements of performance. I think it is important to create a music video that matches the lyrics of the song and conveys the story successfully.
"Daylight"
Here I am waiting
I'll have to leave soon
Why am I holding on?
We knew this day would come
We knew it all along
How did it come so fast?
This is our last night but it's late
And I'm trying not to sleep
Cause I know, when I wake, I will have to slip away
And when the daylight comes I'll have to go
But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close
Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own
But tonight I need to hold you so close
Oh-whoa, oh-whoa, oh-whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Oh-whoa, oh-whoa, oh-whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
Here I am staring at your perfection
In my arms, so beautiful
The sky is getting bright, the stars are burning out
The idea is all about how people are spending their last nights together. The idea featured 3 separate groups of people who are spending their last night together for a variety of different reasons such as leaving to go to the army, Going away to another country for work and someone dying.
The entire video would be set over the course of one night, it would consist of people enjoying themselves with their families and friends before having to leave when the sun rises. The video would be mainly narrative based but would have some small elements of performance.
The singer would be Either the characters but from the future looking back on there time with their families, or someone who is completely unrelated to the story line.
The video would have a range of different tones throughout the song but always have signals that daylight would come which would remind the characters that they didn't have long left when they just begin to forget.
The video would end with everyone having to leave their friends and family when sun begins to rise and the final shot would be of the sun rising that is slightly sped up before fading out.
The music video will be set in 3 separate locations. Either in 3 separate houses to show a change of location or 2 houses and a hospital. The story will follow 3 different people during their last nights with their loved ones. The shots will flick between the different locations during different parts of the song. The editing will hopefully be used match the pace of the song and will also switch between locations and shots using the beat of the song.
The singer of the song will be either the characters looking on at themselves with their families as if they were from the future or someone who is not related.
The first music video that I will be analysing is "Wake Me Up" by Avicii. The song was directed by Mark Seliger and C.B. Miller.
The music is a mix of Pop and club music. The music video includes the characteristics from both of these genres including product placement, which is fairly common in Music videos for Pop songs and footage from live events and concerts that is often included in club music videos. The artists Avicii often put live footage into their music videos. Lyrical and visual relationship
During the first minute of the music video the lyrics "so wake me up when its all over" are amplified by the main focus' of the video walking through a town filled with people that are staring at them and who seem to be judging them. This illustrates the fact that the main characters are living in a nightmare and no longer want to live in a world where they do not fit in with the people around them. This occurs 38 seconds into the song.
Another occasion in which the visuals on screen back up the lyrics of the song occurs 51 seconds into the song. "I didn't know I was lost" is matched on screen with more shots of the main characters not fitting into the environment around them. This emphasises the key message of the song showing that the main characters really don't fit in to their surroundings. Musical and visual relationship
Visual representation is affected by the music throughout the song. Things such as cuts and pace are
affected by the music. The speed and style/tone of the music are all directly linked to the visuals on screen.
An example of this is when both the song and the editing increase in speed simultaneously. This is during the live footage from a concert. As the music speeds up so does the editing speed. The amount of cuts increases also helping to increase the pace of the song.
An example of how the pace of the song is linked in with the visual representation occurs at the beginning of the song. To start with the song is very slow paced and so the music video matches this. A slow motion effect is used at the start whilst the pace is slow but is then removed as the pace increases. Artist inclusion
During the video not much of the artist is actually scene. During one part of the song a few close ups are used but during the larger majority actors are used to tell the story of the song. However the groups image is strongly put across during the few seconds that they are seen in the clearly match the style that they have been previously associated with. Another way that the groups style is expressed is through the main focuses and characters in the video. The characters that are seen on screen are also dressed in a similar fashion style to the group whilst still matching the setting around them with some differences making them stand out from the crowd.
As with other music videos the same style has been highlighted. An indie look is present during other music videos that have been produced by the band. The notion of looking
Neither the artist nor any of the actors included in the music video are presented in a sexualized manner. An attractive actress is used to present the main character but is never displayed sexually to the audience. The camera work is not used in this way either. None of the shots are used to focus on sexual tone or idea. The first time that we see the main character she is wearing sleep wear. If the band wished to sexualize the character then they would have used costume and exposed her a large amount. However she is wearing a nightie that covers her entire body, this is an example proving that they had no intentions to create any kind of sexual undertone in their video. Intertextual references
In the music there are no links to other music videos, films or TV. However aspects of the stars image are advertised during the song. Things such as clothing brands and mobile companies that are associated with the band are include during product placement with in the video.
An example of then this occurs is during the live footage that is used. During this time you can see a phone being used and the model and company can clearly be identified. Basis of music video
The video is mostly narrative based however it does include elements of a performance based music video such as live footage. Conclusion
In conclusion The music video for the song "Wake Me Up" by Avicii was created for mainly narrative purposes but also for an advertisement of them selves. Product placement is a common occurrence in this video and the stars image is reinforced hugely using clothing and brands. The directors did not see any need to include any sexual undertones within the music video, I believe this is because it would not have matched the style of the music or of Avicii themselves. The music video is directly effected by the pace of the song things such as cuts and effects are used depending on what the music pace is set at. A great job is done at using on screen images to reinforce the messages that lyrics provide throughout the song.
The second music video that I will be analysing is "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars. The music video was directed by both Bruno Mars and Cameron Duddy.
This song belongs to the Pop genre. The song includes multiple characteristics of this genre. The first characteristic that is evident is choreography. All though the choreography is basic it is used throughout the entire video. Many other artist that create pop music also include large amounts of choreography, the best example of this is Michael Jackson. Another thing that this song has which is often seen in other pop music videos is a catchy chorus that can be sang along to. Lyrical and visual relationship.
The song is about someone who is very confident with them selves and their image. The visuals of the music video are used to express the confidence that Bruno Mars' character contains and how he can use it to his advantage all of the visuals amplify the lyrics.
The main characters confidence with his own image is indicated through the lyrics "I gotta kiss myself im so pretty". During this line we can see the main character dressed in stylish clothing that compliments his self image. He also kisses his own hand during the song which clearly indicates that he loves himself.
"I'm too hot" are lyrics that are repeated throughout the song and on each occasion the main character is in some sort of situation flaunting his confidence. The first time that this is said he is surrounded by other very confident people who are clearly in admiration of him. This emphasises the power of the character which is one of the indications that the lyrics give throughout the song. Musical and visual relationship.
The visuals on screen are often changed in relation to the pace of the song or even what is being said. The Lyrics "I'm too hot" are always said in a different camera angle during the first section of the song. Before that line is said the camera is usually filming a mid or wide shot but then as soon as the lyrics are sung the video cuts to a lower angled shot. This is repeated numerous time during the song.
Another way in which the visuals are affected by the music is due to the pace. The number of cuts is linked to the speed or pace of the song at that time. For example in the lead up to the first chorus as the amount of cuts rapidly increases in coordination with the pace of the song.
The chorus of the song is very smooth and enjoyable and so the visuals on screen also change. A lot of panning shots are used from a whole variety of different angles. Artist inclusion.
The artist of the song is included in almost every shot of the music video. He is given a very specific look that is very different to the looks that he has had before. Bruno Mars was previously seen as a modern stylish man who was most famous for his soppy style love songs which were very popular. However in this music video he is dressed in a more retro style of clothing in order to have a mush more unique style compared to his other music videos. A lot of close ups of the artist are used leaving you with no doubts as to who the music video is trying to promote. The notion of looking.
The artist is made to look extremely stylish standout in his appearance. This may lead some people to find him attractive but he is not presented in a sexual way. Other characters in the video are also presented in this way using their costumes and also the choreography that is used throughout. The camera work is used to represent style and power, virtues which some people may find attractive but no sexual undertones are included in the video. Intertextual references
No references are included from any of the stars previous work I believe this to be because it does not link with the previous style that the artist had. Bruno Mars was previously seen as a good guy but in this music video he is given a bad boy attitude that makes it a stand out performance, separating it from his other work.
There are also no references that are made to unrelated things such as films or TV programs. Basis of music video
The video is mainly performance based due to the choreography and style of music. However it does contain a few elements of narrative such as characters being placed in situations. Conclusion
To conclude the music video is mainly performance based and is a complete contrast to all of the previous work done by the artist. He is provided with a new look and personality to match his completely new style of music. The artist is hugely promoted within the music video as he is included in almost every shot. The music is directly linked to linked to the visuals using things such as pace to match the editing and the video also does a great job of amplifying the message and points that are put across by the lyrics of the song.
To go "undercover" is to avoid detection by the entity one is observing, and especially to disguise one's own identity or use an assumed identity for the purposes of gaining the trust of an individual or organization to learn or confirm confidential information or to gain the trust of targeted individuals in order to gather information or evidence. Traditionally, it is a technique employed by law enforcement agencies or private investigators, and a person who works in such a role is commonly referred to as an undercover agent
Undercover detectives now get acting lessons on how to better portray villains. Waiting uniformed officers are now mandated at all undercover operations, and backup plainclothes detectives on those assignments wearing highly visible raid jackets are available to help undercover operations. Supervisors must take intensive training programs about managing crises and high-risk operations.
Acting Lessons Included
Uniformed officers are now mandated to be at all undercover operations, along with plainclothes police wearing highly visible jackets, to help undercover officers quickly.
Undercover supervisors are undergoing training programs for managing crises and high-risk operations.
Officers with acting experience are giving undercover detectives lessons in how to better portray villains.
New, specialized psychological screening is given to undercover candidates.
Undercover agents should not be confused with law enforcement agents who wear plainclothes. This method is used by police and intelligence agencies. To wear plainclothes is to wear "ordinary clothes", instead of wearing a uniform, to avoid detection or identification as a law enforcement agent. However, plainclothes police officers typically wear suits, carry normal police equipment and normal identification. Police detectives are often assigned to wear plainclothes instead of the uniform typically worn by their peers. Police officers in plainclothes must identify themselves when using their police powers; however, they are not required to identify themselves on demand and may lie about their status as a police off
Today my team came together to discuss task 1 of our assignment. Task on is a group task where we must create a presentation stating why a band should have a music video. We decided that the best idea was to each take an individual section of the task and research it as much as possible. After that we would then bring all of the information gathered and fit it into 1 presentation.
I received the subject of synergy to research and to find how it would link with a music video to help the band become more publicised and popular
Today we presented task 1 to the class. whilst creating our presentation everyone was given their own area to research and add to the presentation. Everyone managed to find there own information in a great amount of detail. We all presented what we had found and I think that it went very well.
