It is important to establish settings and props as they are some of the most basic components in a film of any genre. Settings need to be established so test footage can be carried out. This way we can tell which settings are most likely to work. Props need to be gathered so there is less confusion on the day of filming. Props are necessary both to work in harmony or contrast with the setting but also to boost understanding and illustration of the plot.
Here is a video of the settings I may use within my music video:
Music Video - Settings and Props from
Holly Jones on
Vimeo.
Here are the props I have added into my music video later on:
To emphasise the age of the two character's within my story I've included a plastic pirate telescope and eye patch. These two props are related to pretend play, in which the two characters are partaking in within the music video. The obviously plastic toys add a sense of immaturity. In the music video my characters use the telescope to scan the horizon as a pirate or explorer would. The eye patch is more for comic value and compliments the telescope.
This is the chest I will be using as the front of the 'rocket ship'. In my music video, the male character drags this chest up the hill. The female character runs over and helps him carry it. This prop sets up the perfect scene to show two friends working together on a project. The chest itself looks a lot like a picnic hamper and so when placed in the field it works quite harmoniously with it's surroundings.
These fairy lights play a vital role in building the 'rocket'. I purchased battery powered fairy lights so they could be easily transferred up the hill I was filming on without having to bring along a large power source or extension cables. In my music video, the fairy lights are the finishing touch on the 'rocket'. The two characters place these lights all around the 'rocket', giving it a sci-fi look. As well as adding an otherworldly effect, they also provide soft lighting for the characters as the sun sets. This gives the ending scenes of my music video that soft, pleasant glow that is needed to spark some sort of optimistic emotion within the audience.
In the final scenes of my music video, the two characters stand in front of their 'rocket' and let off sky lanterns. Sky lanterns are like large, paper bags with a small, flammable patch attatched to the bottom. As that patch is lit, it fills the bag with hot air, causing it to rise. These lanterns can then float away. I wanted to use these in my music video so that I could show some sort of launch. So even though the 'rocket' can't actually fly away, letting these lanterns off represents some connection with flight and the sky.
The most important prop in this music video are the cardboard boxes. I have been collecting these boxes for a while in order to give me enough materials to build the 'rocket'. The boxes I have chosen vary in size and shape. When they are put together, it will look misshapen, giving it that home-made touch.
The wheelbarrow will be the characters' main haulage device for the cardboard boxes. In the music video, the female character runs across the field with a wheelbarrow full on boxes. This shows the female's resourcefulness. The wheelbarrow is very light and so the actor will be able to pick it up with ease. The green paint adds more colour to the scene and will blend well with the grass in the field.
What have I learnt?
- I have weighed out the options in terms of setting and concluded that the hill would be better due to the natural source of light and access to the open sky (to relate with the theme of the song and to safely release the sky lanterns).
- I now have a clear list of the props I need to gather together for filming. This saves me time later when I could be using the spare time for more filming.
