Production Pitch

Although I am still unsure on what I am doing in for my A2 media coursework, I made a production pitch using ideas I liked in other music videos I saw, which I would like in incorporate in mine.

This is a very draft idea which I will be updating further on.

Production Pitch by Ellie Bunce

My 'Mockumentary'

On Friday 5th of July, we had an immersion day at school. We were instructed to create a short film in form groups, showing everyone in our form, in ’15 seconds of fame’ clips. We planned our ideas prior to the day. My form came up with doing a ‘mockumentary’ (a mock documentary) called ‘Teenage Planet’.

Our form tutor, Mr Pelling, did commentary for the film with a voice over, which we combined from audio from filming too.

Making the film I could apply my AS knowledge from filming along with my recent developed understanding of documentaries.

Please take a look at our final product above.

Caggie Dunlop - 'Neverland'

Another music video I really like at the moment is Caggie Dunlop's new song 'Neverland'. The former 'Made In Chelsea' has recently began to launch her music (singer/songwriter) career along side her fashion label ISWAI.

I love the use of editing in the video, the triangular shapes, cross between colour and black and white and reverse action shots of the waves crashing on the beach (at 1.01 and 1.22). Although it looks very effective it also appears quite complex so I need to experiment with my editing software before I make an initial decision. One particular editing/shot I like is at 0.36 as the fairy lights gradually become focused, I would love to incorporate that in mine.

The music video has really inspired me to base mine on a beach as I love the calmness and natural environment setting, which hopefully I will be able to find a suitable song to fit. I also really like the use of an underwater camera and was thinking about using one in mind which I could take into the sea, if I do decide to film on the beach.

The video doesn't particularly have a storyline, but instead shows Caggie, on the beach and then at a party (in her natural environment). I think both locations work really well for the song as its relaxing.

The video is quite simple, in terms of the shots, but very effective.

Calvin Harris- 'I Need Your Love' ft Ellie Goulding

I music video I really love at the moment is: Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding's new track 'I need your love'. I love the use of a hand held camera making the filming look like home videos. I would love to incorporate that in my A2 coursework as I think it creates a more intimate connection with the characters. In the video we see lots of different people's journey with the camera but with cuts back to Ellie Goulding and Calvin Harris regularly. The hand held camera techniques is combined with long shots and medium shots to establish the locations and create the scene in which every person is in.

Please watch the video by visiting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtKZKl7Bgu0

'Spellbound'

‘Spellbound’ is a documentary by Jeffrey Blitz, following eight children (Neil Kadakia, Emily Stagg, Ashley White, April DeGideo, Harry Altman, Angela Arenivar, Nupur Lala and Ted Brigham) in the United States as they compete in the 1999 National Spelling Bee competitions. To watch an extract of it please follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAR0LvSo1TM 

The competition gives us an insight into these eight individuals’ lives, their cultural backgrounds and family life. As the film goes on it comes apparent, it was not made to show and promote these spelling bees, but instead show the lives of different children from all over America trying to achieve the same thing. We get an insight in American culture, the nation of immigrants, and their celebrations of champions. When I think of America I think of big cities and rich towns: New York, Florida, Los Angeles. But I can now see that there are also so many deprived and derelict areas too.  A lot of the filming takes place in Middle America where places are very derelict and run down.

The attitudes and family life of all the children are so different and somewhat juxtaposed. Nupur, an Indian girl is doing well, her family appear wealthy, and she is provided with a computer and equipment to help her learn. Whereas, Angela, a Mexican girl, is quite the opposite, her family moved to America for better education, her father works on a cattle farm. They seem more economically disadvantaged to Nupur. When Angela shows us her studying, all is down on paper, cutting and sticking words to help her learn.

There’s also Ted, again his family seen economically disadvantaged. He recently moved to his school and is very lonely without friends. His parents see the spelling bees as a chance to meet new people similar to himself. He is described by his parents as very humble. He attempts to fit in at school but states ‘nobody can understand’. Emily, however, appears very wealthy. We are shown clips of her singing and being very musical, as well as riding horses. It is apparent she has been given many opportunities for her interests. Emily says in a clip ‘I don’t love spelling, I do it to compete’ she carries on explaining that it is because she is competitive. Both children have very different views on why they take part in these events. Emily’s mother says she sees the spelling bees as a ‘family thing’ but also a different form of child abuse.

From just those four children we have already seen a huge contrast in their lifestyles, and attitudes of the competitions. This is what makes the film so interesting. It may be set around the National Spelling Bee competitions but that isn't the main thing.  

The context of the film was very similar to 'Child Genius', a TV show about 21 gifted children, ages 7 to 11, and their battle to the UK's ultimate child genius. Follow link to watch: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/child-genius