Roles, Costumes and Props

Main Roles:
Hamlet- Conall
Ophelia-Maria
New Boyfriend- Fintan

Costumes:
Dress
Silver Jewellery
Black Suit
Dark Jeans

Props:
Ship Necklace
Coin/Necklace

Shot Locations:
South Park
Broad Street/Turl Street
Cornmarket
St. Michaels
Queen's Lane
Bridge of Sighs
Botanical Gardens
Christ Church, Dead Man's Walk
Exam Schools
Emma's bathtub

Narrative For Our Music Video + Lyrics

The song we have chosen is 'Closer To You' by The Coronas, which details the relationship between two people. Below is a wordle of the lyrics, showing the most important, or most used, words of the song.

My love, how does it know?
How the hell is she home?
Oh my god, she's home

You had me long before you could know
The back of my mind I couldn't get you to go
And as our conversation came to an end
I found myself closer to you again
Closer to you

I'm not sure where I stand
The best nights can't be planned

You had me long before you could know
The back of my mind I couldn't get you to go
And as our conversation came to an end
I found myself closer to you again

Several signs had led me to this place
Don't fancy my chances if it's left to fate
Something told me to take that chance
The whiskey may have had something to do with that
And a girl outta nowhere appeared
She told me to kiss you and then dissappeared
And the music it started to end
I found myself closer to you again
Closer to you
Closer to you

You had me long before you could know
The back of my mind I couldn't get you to go
And as our conversation came to an end
I found myself closer to you again
Closer to you

We interpreted the song as a story- a man simultaneously wants and does not want to be with someone. He's half her friend, half her lover.  

Ophelia by J.W. Waterhouse, 1894

After having come up with our interpretation, we asked others what they thought the song meant, and
realized that our interpretation was quite different from those we asked.
While choosing our song and reading lyrics, I had been working on a side project (A2 Art)  with a friend, focussing on Ophelia, and when reading the lyrics above, interpreted them in a similar Ophelia/Hamlet style. Therefore, our music video will be inspired by this- an almost modern re-telling of Hamlet.

Our narrative will consist of three settings or "strands", focusing on the couple Ophelia and Hamlet.
The first will consist of Hamlet, walking through the city at night, stopping people and 'telling' people his story, through the lyrics of the song.
The second will take place in a dark forest with Ophelia walking/running around in confusion, immediately creating a contrast to the business of the city.
The third will be a variety of still shots of Summer in separate bathtub in evening wear, symbolizing their drowning in emotions, inspired by Ophelia in Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Chosen Song

Our chosen song is "Closer To You" by indie Irish band The Coronas. I had previously not heard of the band, but Conall (the other member of the group) introduced me to them after having returned from a summer camp in Ireland. The song already has its own music video, which we realized after choosing the song and coming up with a vague concept/narrative, but we both thought the video was rather uninspired, although in its own way visually appealing. Our video will be completely different, and hopefully more interesting, than the one they have released. The song is quite long, meaning we will have a lot of time to fill, but we hope that won't be a problem. If it is, we will simply stop when the instrumental part begins at around 2:47.

Hidden

I found this postcard among by books and thought that this would make for a fantastic music video. An unknown woman in a wooded area, dressed in a formal white dress- creating a sense of ominousness and mystery. I think songs that would be compatible are "Closer To You" and "Blind Will Lead The Blind" by the Coronas, suggested by my group partner.
This could be filmed in the park next to the school, and the white dress could be bought from a charity shop.

Reading Festival 2013

This year, I managed to attend the Reading Festival with a friend. The music performed across the three days was very varied and has introduced me to new musicians and the music video's accompanying the songs.
 Below are some of my favourite songs that were performed, along with their music videos.


The Blackout- Children Of The Night

This video incorporates that perfect family ideal, soon to be trashed by the "children of the night", interspersed with segments of the band performing the song. I like the use of shadows instead of people to convey the message of "night". 

The Blackout- Save Ourselves (The Warning) 
Continuing where "Children Of The Night" left off.

Editors- Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool
This is quite possibly one of the strangest and creepiest music videos I have ever seen. Each scene depicting a serious message, often paired with the sign of the illuminati. The director said " Ultimately the video paints a truthful picture of the lies which affect our current state of existence in a (so called) free world. From the moment we’re born we are controlled, manipulated, and led astray from what really matters in life – freedom"

Editors- Smokers Outside The Hospital Doors






U N F I N I S H E D 

Inspiration: "PLUSH" Film

So far the stills, music and "trailer" released from PLUSH look interesting.
The official synopsis reads: After losing her band mate and brother to a drug overdose, rising rock star Hayley finds herself in a downward spiral. The second album from her band Plush is received as a critical and commercial disaster. She finds new hope and friendship in Enzo, the replacement guitarist who inspires her to reach new creative heights. But soon their collaboration crosses the line sexually and Hayley, who is married with two children, retreats from Enzo’s advances. As Hayley slowly discovers Enzo’s dark and troubled history, she realizes she may have let a madman into her home and that her mistake may cost the lives of people closest to her. Not exactly groundbreaking or original material, but interesting enough to use for a media project.

As far as music videos are concerned, the trailer might as well be one. However, what I really love the almost gritty feel of the scenes- I'd really like to make a music video that's quite dark, violent and punk rock. Again, the colours are fantastic, I love the dark blues contrasting with the yellow/golden light. The scene in the trailer with the cellophane wrapped around a woman's face looks interesting- dangerous to recreate, but could be done on a model. It would be a very "obvious" music video, but I think that if some of the conventions were broken, it
could make for a very interesting music video.


OFFICIAL TRAILER


TEASER 1


OFFICIAL RED BAND TEASER

My Attempt At 1950's Twisted Housewife Ideal

I am increasingly inclined towards a 1950's homelife music video. In order to see how it would be done/set up, I have taken the pictures below.

        

                                                                                                                          

                     

                                                                                                              
                                                                               

  

                                   

           
I decided to create various different characters: two middle-class, homemaking women, two upper-class, languid ladies,  one unsatisfied wife and mistress, one single, attention seeking lady and one working class, depressive, alcoholic wife. If I were to create a music video, I would most likely explore the characters of some or all of these women- their situation, relationships, weaknesses etc. 





Models: K. Clarke and E. Slater
Photographs: Maria Uebele