Evaluation Q4: How do you think your prelim experience will impact on your approach to next term's music video coursework?

By completing the prelim I have learnt a lot about all aspects of making a music video. Our next project will be to create a music video of our own so this prelim has taught me a lot of new skills that will be useful. This includes learning how to use all the technology involved such as the camera, lights and sound desk. Additionally the performance and lip-sync skills I have learnt will also be useful should I need to perform in my own video or instruct other actors on how to perform.

Below I have summarised what I have learnt from the prelim and how this will be beneficial for pre-production, production and post-production.

Pre-production

Performance Schedule

• Have a clear sense of what genre our music video will be as it will affect styling and lighting decisions
• Schedules for any performance rehearsals or group meetings to discuss set design/lighting/costume
• A clear and detailed shoot board and call sheet so we know the order of shooting, who and what is required for each shot and also to make sure we get all of our shots filmed

Production

• To have a designated assistant director (or all share the responsibility) to make sure the shoot goes smoothly and timings are followed
• Having a variety of footage and takes so that we have options when editing
• Ensuring our performers actually sing along so that all the mouth and throat movements are accurate and believable
• Being supportive and encouraging so that the performers feel comfortable in front of the camera
• Using a variety of lighting set-ups to create different moods as well as making sure all the lights and cameras are set up/handled safely and that no wires are bunched on the floor. Additionally to have someone cable bashing when someone else is filming on the hand held camera

  

  Set up on the day

Post-production

• Having an edit schedule so we all know when we are editing and so that we know how many sessions we are each doing 
• Grading shots using tools such as ProCamp and Three-way Colour Corrector so that it fits the style and genre of the music video
• Discontinuous editing and rapid/montage shot transitions as shown by the gif below

On the whole the prelim has taught me a lot of new skills which will be vital for the production of our own music video as well as making me realise how much time and effort goes into making a music video. The experience of remaking a music video was so positive and so I am really looking forward completing the project next term.