production schedule

Recording lights

This is a short video made by ben of recording lights. Using his Microkorg xl and the logic pro 8 programe on his macbook to edit the recording.

Detailed Synopsis

The initial idea we had from our previous synopsis idea has changed quite drastically, though the general idea that was behind it has kept in place. The more knowledge and feedback we had fromaudiences gave us more of an opportunity to better our previous ideas. This is what we eventually we came up with.

The video starts myself being introduced first, straight away after ben being introduced to make sure the focus is on the both of us. The bokeh lights drifting across the screen in front of us keeping the linking theme of lights that has been presented throughout our pop package. Then coming to my verse where the focus is put on me straight away with the use of the me being centered and midshots and close shots. An important range of shots used to keep the scene interesting with different cuts of ben inbetween as a quaint reminder that the focus will soon be on him. The chorus then begins the narrative, starting with me looking lost in a forest through a view finder which represents me being watched by someone else, then a high angle shot of myself running through the woods. Leaving the audience wondering why and what i am running from. Then to be revealed when you see a pan upwards of Ben with a camera to provide the workings of the narrative that he is the one looking for me. Throughout the chorus we cut to studio shots also.

Then to bens verse where we use lots of different shots consisting of close ups, mid shots, and different angles. We use two cameras to that we can get different angles whilst still keeping continuity. There are also some shots of Ben 'posing' for the camera creating an upscale star image for himself. Also placing in a shot of me, same as before to keep the focus on the both of us as a band. We then begin using lots of out of focus shots we had place inbetween to keep a good range of difference within the whole piece.

Towards the end of the second chorus we get to the purpose of what I am running towards. The light up box in the wall which represents safeness. The shots coming up towards this are very distant or high angled to make it seem i am unsafe and looking for some kind of reality to hold onto. After the box is found that is the first close up of just me and my face looking serene to represent me finally finding something that is real. Which relates with the lyrics of the song. 'You show the lights that stop me turn to stone they shine when I'm alone'.

Towards the end of the video the shots are just different ones of Ben and I in the studio bring the focus back to the artists before the video ends. Once again this heightens the star image as the focus is purposely being put on them so they are noticed. This also helped by the mis-en scene will be based around golds back and creams to keep it quite sophisticated giving us a glamourous image. Co-ordinating outfits to an extent which is very popular in the pop industry, but giving each of us an individual twist with contrasting colour items to give us individuality at the same time.

We will start filming for this soon the ideas we have come up with have outdone anything we even could have thought of at the beginning of the project. This detailed description will help us majorly when it comes to filming as it gives us a literal step by step guide of what we want. Some of the effects we want will come in with editing at the end, but most of it will be done when filmed.

Getting to know the band

When did you form your band? What inspired you to make music together?

Ben: We didn't really "form"... We started recording a little over 2 years ago in my bedroom with garageband and a really bad microphone! Our inspiration was probably our similar taste and appreciation for a good melody and lyrics.

Kira: What brought us together was our broad interest in music and the fact we just got on really well! I think it was just natural for us to start recording.

Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?

B: At the moment, we're focusing on covers though we do write both separately and together. I don't think there's a theme to my songwriting, I just write whatever I'm thinking about at the time without worrying if it fits a topic or set of other songs.

K: I'm exactly the same, writing music about relationships, people, situations... there really isn't much of a theme! I think eventually, the songs we do decide to bring through and produce will have a loose subject but right now, we're just writing about what's important to us whether that's a breakup or social issues! It's a really broad thing for us.

What's your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?

B: The ultimate direction... I'd have to say it's just being able to perform and for people to hear our music. Obviously the direction we're taking right now is writing our own material, having done covers for so long.

K: No! (laughs) We're doing it because it's fun and it's just something we want to do - fame and fortune would be an awful reason to get into music! It's our last priority!

[written by ben halliday]

About The 'Band'

kira and Ben are covering Ellie Goulding's song '
salt skin' of her 2010 album - 'Lights'
They are two eighteen year old students studying at Suffolk New College. They have known each other for four years and record covers every now and then, for fun as they share a love of music. They like a diverse range of popular music, But for this cover they are concentrating on an artist they both admire in many ways.

Ben Halliday has had a high interest in music and the industry

for around five years. Within these five years he has broadened
his vocal range with singing lessons and self taught himself to play the synth, aswell as learning the art of producing.He has a self made mini studio at his home where he can write and record songs, including covering his favourite inluencial artists which include Frankmusik, DepecheMode and La Roux. He is always one step ahead of the music trends, knowing about underground artists before they become in the pop culture scene.

Kira Knight has has always had a love of music from a very young age. From memorizing and singing along to her dads music in the car,

to performing in front of her high school with her old band. There has always beena diversity in her music taste. It's not about the trends and what's the most popular around. It's about the bare bones of good music making that interests her when listning to artists. The lyrics that means something, beats and melodies created from scratch Her favourites includeParamore, The cure and an all time classic that is Madonna.

Audience profile

Above you can see an example of our target audience for the pop promo.

These guys are the classic arty type with a flair for the abnormal and creativity;

on the left, is Lumière and the right, Daniel. These are our model audience and

who we're aiming our music video at - classic examples of those who revel in

music like ours.

Lumière and Daniel are graphic art graduates and fashion fiends. Age 19 and 22,

the pair live separately in quirky Camden and Brighton, studying postgraduate

creative literature and Daniel, fashion design. Living in cities, the two regularly

attend live underground music events, meticulously scour independent kitsch

boutiques and love high fashion with a playful twist.

Upon finding free time, Daniel rehearses with an electronic band in Hove. He

is a singer and also plays guitar and drums; they perform regularly, covering

South England. Lumière is a Disney fanatic and has a love of all things sparkly.

She is a freelance writer and photographer, compulsive dancer and lives alone

with her two puppies; Hank and Dolly.

Both are music enthusiasts and have a strong appreciation for electronic-acoustic

music. Some of their favourites include; Goldfrapp, Florence & The Machine,

Frankmusik, Diana Vickers, Peaches and Little Boots. As both posses an artistic

background, they prefer simplistic, effective and edgy music videos. Daniel's

favourite is 'Remedy' by Little Boots - according to him, the strong creative

element of the music video compliments the song perfectly without overshadowing

the music which he believes is important. Lumière's is 'Train' by Goldfrapp

as she loves how risqué the video is in a tasteful way and the rawness of it

combined with the powerful art direction and visuals.

By Ben Halliday

Mock Advertisment and CD cover

These are some ideas Me and ben both mocked up for our pop promotion. The top CD cover is a mock up by Ben and the Bottom two by myself. The main theme we have both used between our ideas are the bokeh lighting. The out of focus lights that we want to be one of the main theme in our music video.

I tried to use the colour theme of black and gold also which not only stands out when it was in the shops but also it gives it a classy theme for the bands image. It represents being bold and standing out. The stars in the background of the CD cover gives it a more glamorous image. Stars ideologies are things like hollywood walk of fame. The picture on the front is angled like a paparazzi picture. Giving the impression that people are already interested enough in us to want to take our picture. The advertisement has the same background theme but has a more photoshoot picture of us. As it is the first thing that people would probably see in the windows first. Giving us the star image that we need to promote us.

This will also link to aspects of our video so all three elements will be comparable. Thus keeping them all relatable, so when people see one or the other they will be reminded of our pop promo as a whole.