For costume Adrian will dress in the same style as Neyo. Neyo is presented in his music videos dressed as very smart while he is wearing the suit and a hat, which is the image Neyo is trying to portray to the audience. Ne-Yo is mostly dressed like this. The fact that it is common for him to dress like this is important because it links to the genre he sings and the target audience he appeals too.Therefore for our music video we are going to have to make this familiar and dress Adrian in the same way.
Neyo also appears wearing casual clothes in either jeans or a tracksuit. Therefore this image of Ne-Yo shows him as a kind of rebellious youth. His outfit is very stereotypical for his age and and for male gender. Neyo wears alot of jewerlly, which is stereotpical for a R&B singer. However, Neyo has his ear pierced whereas, Adrian does not. Therefore Adrian will have to wear quite a bit of jewerlly to portray himself as a R&B singer.


The woman in the music videos usually dress casual (i.e top, trousers, boots or plain shoes), except when they are in clubs (eg in the music video 'because of you' the woman are wearing extravagent clothes). They mainly wear plain colours, eg in the music video 'mad' the woman is wearing dull colours black and grey which reflects her emotions which is grieving. Therefore for our music video we have to think carefully about the colours we are going to use and the symbolic codes they give off to the audience, to help reflect Adrians and Danielles emotions in our music video. Women in Neyo's video are also portrayed as seductive, this is done to attract the audience (males) while also making Neyo look desireable (to females). Therefore voyerism is also used. In Neyo's music videos the women are shown as wearing two different types of styles of clothes, casual and more seductive. We will use this in our music video as it helps move the storyline along as it helps adds narrative and shows Danielle is cheating with another man when she dresses more seductive and when she is casual shows she is with Adrian.

From music video 'because of you.' - seductive clothing.













From the music video 'When you're mad.' - Casual clothing.













The music video 'because of you' is a good example of Neyo's style in clothing as it has the extravagent suit which is sequined, while also having the plain t shirt paired with a basic hat.





















Neyo's music video 'part of the list' also is a good example of Neyo wearing his signature look of the suit. Whereas, the woman is shown wearing casual clothes.

Casting

When it came to our music video and casting who was going to be in it, we learnt that from our AS coursework last year we needed reliable people who were going to be serious about it and not mess around.

Therefore when it came to casting Ne-Yo this was a vital decision. We picked our friend Adrian as he enjoys acting, and was apart of a school production where he was acting and singing. He is also reliable.























For our female protagonist we used our friend Danielle. However, due to circumstances she could not do it.
















Therefore we had to replace Danielle with Christianna's sister Yoda. We chose Yoda because she is also reliable and conveniently already knew Adrian so it caused no awkwardness while filming.

Props

These are some of the Props that are going to be used in our Music Video. Some are influenced from Neyo -

Mobile Phone that Danielle uses to cheat on Adrian with.
Top Hat that Adrian wears which is in the same style as Neyo.
A picture frame showing a picture of Adrian and Danielle. Showing happier times.
An alarm clock showing '6.45.' It shows and represents the cheating that is occuring.
Dinner that Adrian cooks for Danielle.
Jewerly and accessorises - that links to Neyo, influenced by him.

Music Video Treatment

Adrian is playing the artist Ne-Yo, and Danielle is playing the part of his girlfriend. Danielle is cheating on Adrian, and he knows but he acts like he doesn't.
It starts off with bedroom when Adrian is trying to sleep. His girlfriend however creeps in. She's on the phone to the man she is cheating with. She then get's off the phone and gets back into bed, unaware that Adrian is still awake. The song then starts. It is then morning and Danielle gets up while Adrian is laying there singing.
Danielles phone then rings and she takes the call outside the bedroom. He is then singing infront of the wall.
At the third verse, their then are flashbacks to when they were happy and things were good. We are going to show it's flashbacks by tilting the camera and making it black and white. This will give it the effect that it's in the past. Also flashbacks when they argue and she storms out. Ne-Yo does a lot of singing infront a of wall, so this is what we are going to make Adrian do.
One of the scenes flashbacks are going to be them holding hands walking a long a river. It then turns to present them walking distance from each other while she texts.
When Danielle is with her man she is cheating with, Adrian will be trying to call her. There will be a close up of her rejecting it. Adrian is then angry and smashes a picture of them.
While Danielle is going around the house getting ready, he follows her singing, but she goes to the bathroom and slams the door. Their both on either side upset. They can both kneel down and have their heads in their arm. Identically the same, but either side of the door.
They can also be sleeping and when Danielle wakes up she realises Adrian was trying to put his arm around her. When she realises it, she pushes it off her and gets up.
He also tries doing things for her, for example making her dinner, but Danielle makes an excuse and leaves. He then throws the dinner in the bin.
It ends with Adrian singing against the wall.

Other Examples of R&B Music Videos

Research into other R&B music videos. I did this research to help me understand the ususal conventions of R&B music videos, therefore I can have a better understanding of what to include in my music video. I have concluded that this R&B music video included a lot of girls, flashy cars, money, jewerlly and flashy clothes.

Neyo - Mad

I researched into Neyo's music videos to help me gain a further understanding of what Neyo typically does in his music videos, and what the style of his music videos are. This will help us when it comes to making our music video.

Neyo - Closer

Neyo -Because of you

Neyo - Storyline and lyrics

Neyo - Lie to me Lyrics

Lie to me, lie to me, lie to me, lie to me
Lie to me, lie to me, lie to me, lie

I just wanna be NUMB
I don't wanna feel a thing
I don't want reality
Actually, reality stinks

How about we just pretend
That your cellphone didn't even ring
And that I wasn't on the other side of the door
Listening to everything, tell me another lie

I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie
I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie
I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie
I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie

Lie to me, lie to me, lie to me, lie to me
Lie to me, lie to me, lie to me, lie

Please make me believe (make me believe)
That there's nobody for you BUT me (for you BUT me)
When I ask who were you talking to
Tell me it was KIMBERLY

Tell me THAT last night you didn't leave
After you thought I was asleep
Krept back in that 6:45
Tell me it was just a dream

Baby I need (I need), desperately (desperately), desperately (desperately)
To believe you
'Cause I won't be held (won't be held), responsible (responsible)
For what what (what what), what I might do

Baby I need (I need), desperately (desperately), desperately (desperately)
To believe you
'Cause I won't be held (won't be held), responsible (responsible)
For what what, what I might to do me another lie

I don't wanna know what I know to be true (don't wanna know, don't wanna know)
What I need you to do, tell me another lie (another lie, yeah)
I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie (oh)
I don't wanna know what I know to be true (don't wanna know, no no)
What I need you to do, tell me another lie
I don't wanna know what I know to be true (hey, hey)
What I need you to do, tell me another lie

Tell me another lie
Tell me another lie
Tell me another lie
Tell me another lie

I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie
I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie
I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie
I don't wanna know what I know to be true
What I need you to do, tell me another lie

Timeline Of Music Videos

Conventions of R&B Music Videos

I have looked at the Conventions used in R&B music videos, which I will use when it comes to making my music video.

Letter to Def Jam

Research into other R&B artists

I have decided to look at other music videos and compare them to Neyo's. Therefore I have researched other best selling R&B artists, and have looked at their videos and the storylines and R&B conventions they use in order to help me with my music videos. These are some of the artists I have looked at.

List of some of the biggest selling R&B/ Hip hop albums of all time in the United States:

1. Micheal Jackson - Thriller.
2. Whitney Houston - The Bodyguard.
3. Prince - Purple Rain.
4. TLC - CrazySexyCool.
5. Mariah Carey - Music Box.
6. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life.
7. Usher - Confessions.
8. Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
9. Boyz II Men - Cooleyhighharmony.
10. Toni Braxton - Secrets.

Rhythm and Blues, Often abbreviated to R&B

Research into R&B genre which is the genre of my music video I am going to create.
Stylist: Jazz
Origins: Blues (esp. jump, electric), Gospel, Traditional Pop
Cultural Origins: 1940s- 1950s, USA

Typical Instruments: Drum Kit - Double Bass- Saxophone- Horns - Piano - Organ- Electric guitar - Vocals - Background Vocalists

Mainstream Popularity: Significant from 1940s to 1960s; iconic afterwards

Derivative Forms: Funk - Ska - Soul - Rock and roll

It is a genre of popular African American music.
The term has subsequently had a number of shifts in meaning:
In early 1950s and beyond - the term rhythm and blues was mainly applied to blue records. Style of music contributed to the development of rock and roll. It developed from and incorporated electric blues , as well as gospel and soul music.
By the 1970s - rhythm and blues contained soul and funk.
In the 1980s - a newer style of R&B has developed, this is known as Contemporary R&B.

Contemporary R&B is a music genre that contains elements of hip hop, R&B and Pop music.
Artists of Contemporary R&B music in 1980s are Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder , Smokey Robinson, Lionel Ritchie etc.
Artists of Contemporary R&B music in 1990s are Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, TLC, Lauryn Hill etc.
Artists of Contemporary R&B music in 2000 are Beyonce, Usher, Nelly, Ashanti, Ja Rule, Neyo etc.

Neyo's Music Videos

I have decided in order to make a music video of Neyo's song, I need to have an understanding of what Neyo ususally stereotypically includes in his videos. Therefore I have done some research into what he includes in his music videos and
what is similar. While also showing what differs in his music videos and is different.
is Music Videos usually contain a love theme. On all of his music videos he has a storyline that links into the song, consequently helping tell a story.
For example in the music video 'Part of the list' he is in a music shop looking at CD's, when he sees his ex girlfriend walk in, he says hello to her and then she introduces him to her fiancee. Then the music starts. Then he tells the story of what happened between them. It also ties into his other music video 'Mad.' So consequently the music videos link and tell a story.
This is why I want to do a Neyo music video because, I want to create a music video that tells a narrative and is interesting for the audience to watch and relate to.

How does Neyo's Music Videos differ?
Neyo Music videos mainly contain him dancing and him having a narrative to is videos. Which lately in his latest album 'Year of the Gentleman' he is making them all link. Telling a longer story, which consequently seems like a short film.
In Neyo's video 'Closer' he makes this video different to the others. It has lyrics featured in the video, which he does not usually do.

Neyo

For my media Coursework year 13 I am going to be making a music video using Neyo's song 'Lie to me.' Here is some research into Neyo the artist.

Shaffer Chimere Smith
Born : Ocober 18, 1979
Better known as his stage name: Neyo
American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, actor, and occasional rapper.
He has also written chart-topping songs for other artists. Some include Beyonce (Irreplaceable), Rihanna (unfaithful and Take a Bow), Cassidy, Mario Vasquez (Gallery) Marques Houston. However he is best known for co-writing Mario's song 'Let me Love you.'
Neyo took his time developing as a successful songwriter before he released his platinum debut solo record. On his pair of solo albums the songs, 'In my own words' and 'Because of you,' Neyo proved his talent in the music industry.
'Year of the Gentleman' album
Neyos third album 'Year of the Gentleman,' was released internationally on August 5, 2008. Neyo explained the thinking behind the title of his album was 'Top me 'Year of the Gentleman' is all about a persona, a swag and a charm. I made an assessment of the music bussiness. And, in my personal opinion, the essence of the gentleman is absent right now. Everybody kinda looks the same, everybody's kinda doing the same thing, everybody's kinda rude and full of themselves. Whereas a gentleman is calm, courteous, kind, charming.....So that title basically represents me trying to lead by example, and showing these cats what it is to be a gentleman in this business still.'
The album done very well due to the songs, 'Closer,' 'Miss Independant' and 'Mad.'
The album was nominated for many awards, one including 'Album of the year.'

My Skills audit at the beginning of A2

Production Schedule

Third Filming Session - 24th March 2010

We filmed for the third time due to the problems we faced while filming the second time round. We however completed our filming and got the necessary camera shots needed. We also improved better on the lighting and sound, so you could hear the characters when they are talking instead of the interference of the wind. Improvement was seen through these camera shots and our filming as we used a tripod, this gave us good camera shots.

However we still faced certain obstacles such as one of the boys still did not turn up to film. So one of our members of the group Imani had to take his place.

Storyboard for our Thriller Film

Improvements for thriller film

When filming the second time we came across many obstacles. However we are going to film again.

This scene is supposed to be effective cause it was the last one. We were supposed to finish this with a close up, consequently creating immense suspense. We wanted it to be slow so it could create the most tension. However the character who played the role did the scene too fast and is seemed quite rushed. By filming this again we can overcome this obstacle and improve it by getting the character too look directly at the camera and to decrease the speed.

When we were filming we decided to use a torch due to it being dark. However the problems we faced while filming this scene is that, when the three characters were walking the lighting of the torch was very mainly focused on one character, and therefore it did not look professional. We can improve this by filming the scene again and not using the torch. We can also put the characters standing under the street light which will act like a 'spotlight.'

Although the red lightning in the background looks good as it creates tension, and the red background is quite symbolic as it creates a sense of danger and makes the audience feel quite unsettled.

The problems we faced here were that the lightning was extremely too dark. Also when we were zooming into the hand the camera angles were shaky as we did not use a tripod, which also made it look unprofessional. We could overcome this by getting one of the characters to use a light on their phone to shine on the hand and blood, or maybe a torch light that one of the characters are holding to focus in on the hand and blood. We can also use a tripod when doing the close up and when zooming in, this will make it look more steady and professional.

Second Fiming Session - 10th February 2010

We filmed for a second time because we needed to start the filming again and needed to make the improvements to our previous attempt, as the main camera shots were mainly focused on one character and the camera was in various places quite jerky. We managed to finish the majority of the filming this time.

However we did face some obstacles filming the second time around. We got to the Park and it was snowing quite heavily. However it did not last long and consequently we could continue our plans of filming. When we were filming in some parts of it the quality of the sound was not that good, this was because the sound of the wind was very loud and it cancelled out the dialogue made from the characters. Consequently we will have to dub over this in order to hear the charcters talking so the audience can understand the storyline.

We also had some problems when we had to make the fake blood by using flour, water, red colouring and ketchup. The first time around it did not go to plan as it was too thick, however the second time around it worked. We also made sure the battery was completely charged as during our previous attempt at filming the battery had died and we could not finish.

First filming session - 7th Febuary 2010

The filming did'nt go as well as planned.
All entrances of Broomfield Park were locked. We ended up having to relocate the whole scene to Pymms Park.

There were a few problems with getting the camera ready, e.g. assembly the tripod correctly and making sure the picture was bright enough to film.

We covered the first part of the opening, with the 3 boys walking towards the camera, spotting the hand and the blood on the boxes as well as them recognizing the tramp and deciding to steal the bottle.

Improvements to make: For the next filming sessions we will need to improve our timing of recording, e.g. make sure everyone is ready before recording to ensure unecessary bits are not filmed, we will need to practice familiarizing ourselves more with the camera so that we master how to perform basic functions, we should also make sure the actors practise their lines as well as practising acting actively so that the filming process will run a lot more smoothly.

Evaluation of Preliminary Task

We started practising filming with a camera for the first time through the Preliminary Task. This was a practise for our real final filming and a good experience as it gave you an insight into how to use the camera, and how to practise using a variety of different camera angles. It is designed to show our progression from the initial task to the real short thriller opening. In our Media class the different groups viewed our Premilimary Task and evaluated it by giving us critical information back.
The information we received was the camera was shaky, they could not properly hear the dialogue as it was not that clear. Another group said that there is Good match on action and a good arch shot, however the camera is shaky, and the dialogue was hard to hear also. The lighting was also too dim. Consequently the comments we received from the other groups concluded that the camera was shaky and the dialogue was unclear.
During our Preliminary Task our group had some problems with trying to include all three of us in the Task. We also made plenty of scenarios before producing the final Preliminary Task as run throughs and practising the different camera shots and angles needed. We did also have some problems with keeping the camera steady.

Working Title Finance

It may still be working on a finished version of its company's name, but Working Title Films has become an established film production company with several hit titles behind its belt, including Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones's Diary, Atonement, and Frost Nixon. Through the company's association with the Coen brothers, it has also produced Fargo, The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Burn After Reading, and A Serious Man. Working Title Films maintains its status as an producer of independent art films (mostly British romantic comedies and literary adaptations) while having a distribution agreement with its owner, Universal Pictures.

Preliminary Task Feedback & Storyboard

GOOD POINTS:
Good match on action
Good arc shot


BAD POINTS:
Wobbly camera
Hard to hear what was being said
Lighting too dim
Dialogue was not clear

Working Title Films

Working Title Films is a British film production company, based in London, UK. The company was founded by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. It produces feature films and several television productions. Eric Fellner and Bevan are now the co-owners of the company.
Working Title Films was co-founded by producers Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe in 1983. In 1992, PolyGram became the company's corporate backer. Radclyffe left Working Title, and Eric Fellner, a fellow independent film producer, joined the company. The company produced a variety of films for PolyGram's London-based production company PolyGram filmed Entertainment. An Anglo-Dutch film studio, PolyGram Films became a major Hollywood competitor. In 1999, PolyGram was sold to Seagram and merged with MCA Music Entertainment, to form Universal Music Group. PolyGram Films was merged and sold to Universal Studios in 1999.
Although contractually allowed to produce any film with a budget of up to $25 million, on a practical basis, Bevan and Fellner consult with studio executive at Working Title's parent company NBC Universal. Working Title is located in Oxford Street, London, and is known for having a limited amount of employees. The company also has other offices located in Los Angeles and Ireland.

WT2 Productions
In 1999, Bevan and Fellner launched a subsidiary company named Working Title 2 Productions, commonly known as WT2. The company is an independent film production arm run by Natascha Wharton, and has produced films that include Billy Elliot, Shaun of the Dead and The Calcium Kid.

The Boat that Rocked

1. Who were the intended audience?

Middle aged people. Older people who might remember pirate stations. In the film there is a Godson which will consequently draw the attention of a younger audience.

2. How can you tell?

It is aimed at older people so they can relate to the pirate stations. It also has some scenes with adult nature such as swearing etc.

3. How is the Comedy created?

The characters create the comedy. The way the characters act and the way they talk create the humor in the film.

4. In your opinion, how does it conform to a typical WT film?

Working Title films are british films that have a very british feel to it. The Boat that Rocked has a very british feel to it because in the beginning of the film you see 10 downing street and the snobbish politicians that are in it. It also haves the typical clothes that people used to wear during Britain's 1960's. Also the way people talk in a british accent also emphasizes the setting.

Directors of Thrillers

Alfred Hitchcock
Bryan Bertino
John Boorman
D.J. Caruso
Henri-Georges Clouzot
Joel and Ethan Coen
Jonathan Demme
Brian De Palma
David Fincher
Gary Fleder
James Foley
John Frankenheimer
William Friedkin
Robert Harmon
Mary Harron

Steven Spielberg

There are many thriller films and also thriller television programmes. Prison break and Lost are among a couple of TV shows that use the thriller genre.

Further Research on Conventions within a Thriller Film:-

A scene that is thrilling and eerie will more than likely use lighting of dark colours so it creates that edgy gut feeling of something about to happen. This intrigues the audience and makes them want to know more about what is going to happen in the film. Also lighting of the colour red is another convention that symbolises death, blood and violence. This in a way foreshadows the film as a thriller.
Sounds also lets the audience know its a thriller and a way to show the intensity of a thriller is by having sounds of a loud heart beating, loud breathing etc. This makes the film seem more realistic, and makes the audience extremely and utterly intriuged and at the edge of their seat in suspense.
Another Convention is a vulnerable female protagonist being chased by a dominant/scary male. This is used in many films (e.g. Prom Night)

Location Report

Address: Aldermans Hill, Palmers Green, N13 4RB
Broomfield Park is in the London Borough of Enfield

The reason we picked Broomfield Park as our location for our thriller film is because it has enough open space which is very convenient for our thriller opening, as our thriller opening requires enough space because we have to film people running.
It also has a pathway next to the bench which is good as it will help create tension for the audience when the actors are walking through the park. It helps the audience also focus on them walking. It also has trees in the background which are very eerie when it is dark. There is a playground in this park also which is why we chose it as it has swings and a merry-go-round for our camera shots.

Pymms Park

We changed our location for our filming as when we went to film, the park was closed at night. Therefore we could not film, also it had more street lights.