【Egg Hunting】#20 -Reflection On Final Music Video Work

After we have finally finished off the music video ‘Good Vibes and Regrets’, it was a relief for all of us. Such experience was the first time ever since the beginning of the Bachelor for each of us; it was extraordinarily unforgettable and entirely beneficial for our future study and career path.

As we looked back to our original concept of the plan, comparing to the final edition. Several differences could be spotted the primary storyline, however, and the central idea was kept as the same. During the pre-discussion and planning, we had an online interview with NeuMark. Based on that we understood his free-spirited character prefers to turn away from being pigeonholed into a specific genre. True to his words, his music and online appearances in the last five years show him as a character of polarity. So with our project, we aim to take advantage of this multi-faceted personality and at the same time, to showcase an image that is identifiable yet, unique and true to NeuMark – sexy and often whacky but charming.

 

Reflecting on the final edition, it was reasonably successful for us to reveal such multi-level of stages of different characteristics. Throughout the whole music video, NeuMark was able to represent three types of personalities. In the first scene, he appeared out with energetic and open chill vibes then turned to a more sexy, laid-back mood till the last scene with his charming enthusiasm. Also, we were satisfied that NeuMark himself was happy with the outcome because ‘Good Vibes and Regrets’ is one of his most proud works, intended to his ideally to portray a “very playable music”, or music which can be played anytime and anywhere.

However, due to limited time and resources, we weren’t able to produce the best outcome of what we could. The editing was time-consuming, and the group members had their own personal life events so we couldn’t contribute hundred percent of our strength for this project though after what we did the best we could. There were some details that could be improved more for the smoothness of the whole music video, such as the transitions of the stages and scenes would alter the effect of the meaning of the story. Instead of just showing the audience what they saw, making the audience expect or wonder what is going to happen would be more successful and exciting.

We incorporated elements from the music video for Korean-Pop band B.A.P.’s “Stop it” and the commercial for BuBuGao mobile MP4 player. The female character in B.A.P.’s MV couldn’t see the male character who is around her. Though we were able to produce the final version with our own ideas and combinations of modern trending music melody and storyboard. Great appreciations for everyone who contributed and helped with this project, otherwise this won’t happen.

Also eventually this is our first project of producing music video, crucial and pleasant experience, there’s still a lot more to learn and improve, but we all felt proud and treat this as one big step towards our future path.

【Egg Hunting】#19 -Set Report

During this spring semester, I was delighted to be able to have a period of time of music video production. The experience was various and substantial, us four as a team took different roles and contributed each of our best strength working together in order to finish the music video. Chloe assumed the part of production design and camera operator; Grace was the producer and lighting. Jenny worked on camera & cinematographer and I’m the main editor of the whole music video. We used facebook messenger to keep each of other in contact with planning and discussing, our goal was to create a viral video which serves the musician and his music which can be broadcasted on the famous channel.

The production process was planned out during the tutorial and after school hour through online messenger. We have first made the connection with our musician Neumark and got his approval of using his music track for this assessment and invited him to be part of our shooting production. Also, Jenny found our female role, Paola; she had some experience of modeling and acting. It was great to have her on board with our team; the whole shooting progress was fluent and well done due to the connection between actors and production team had no issues. We all attended discussions when there are varieties of opinions and eventually pick out the best one and proceed to have different shoots for general reviews and availabilities for multi choices. As the final story concept, we decided on a romance scene where the lady was seeing her true love after putting on the headphones during ‘Good Vibes and Regrets’ playing.

At the first stage of the production, we chose to shoot at Docklands on a sunny day which represents the youthful vibe of the general girls in the current century, primarily the environmental settings were perfect to start out the music video for a delighted and joyful view. Due to the shooting had to be done in the public open space, it wasn’t as smooth as in the studio due to various uncertain factors such as pedestrians, traffic, and weather etc. Especially the sunlight was too strong which affected the camera lighting, we had to pause the shooting frequently and wait for the sunlight to become less intense.

Afterwards, we headed to a spa to shoot the second scene. The reason of that is we thought the water flow would be a significant effect and match the music track melody. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to book the whole place long enough to finish off the shooting though we had to apologize to a lady who wanted to use the spa during the production.

Finally, we finished off the last scene in a K-Box (a Korean karaoke). Multiple lights,  as the background for a flirtatious effect, and the costumes would elevate the whole scene to next level. Which all of us thought it was a great ending.

【Egg Hunting】#18

Just finish all the final cut with color correction. Just wanna to introduce the music video’s storyboard we present.

In the beginning, the music video will start off with a scene of the female leaving her apartment, then before she starts to walk she puts her earphones in and a close-up shot of her phone shows that she is playing the song Good vibes and Regrets by Neu Mark. As she hits the play button the music starts and after the intro and the song get into the part where lyrics come in, Neu Mark appears in the scene, flirtatiously lip syncing towards the female, however, the female doesn’t see him. Since the lyrics are very repetitive, there will be a pattern of Neu Mark appearing into the frame but in different settings such as the street, carwash, pool, gym and etc. In each setting, Neu Mark will be serenading the girl and making suggestive gestures as he lipsyncs to the clueless actress. The song comes to an end with the scene of Neu Mark and the female in a Karaoke bar as Neu mark is singing into a microphone and the female lead watches him. Then as the female comes draws nearer to Neu Mark they make eye contact and it cuts there.

【Egg Hunting】#16

After Rohan gives us the rough cut feedback, we decided to reshoot the environmental footages:

TIME LOCATION SHOTS
DAY Docklands environmental
Traffic
wheels; low camera
car park parking meter
parking signs
Night Southbank
bridge; long exposure

 

And we also decide to shoot some details of the actress as well. However, she will not available at that time so we decided to shoot with another actress for some hand and foot details.

【Egg Hunting】#15

As the main editor of our group. This is the first time I edited the music video and I search a lot of tips for editing music video.

Editing may be challenging for some, but having a plan and storyboard is a great way to begin constructing a rough cut.

To begin, you’ll want to import all of your footage into your editing program. From there, watch everything you’ve shot. Do this before you start breaking down the raw footage. This way, you’ll become familiar with the content. You’ll know exactly what you’re looking for and it’ll be easier to find. This allows you to work with speed and efficiency. If you start making a rough cut before watching all of your footage, you risk missing something important or unique.

When making a music video, using B-roll is a great way to transition between clips or expand on the story. Our advice: structure your video around the lyrics. Drag and drop all of the clips that actually contain the lip syncing (you can follow along with the song by going line by line) and then add B-roll to that footage or move it around to your liking. Your final step will be muting your clips and then tossing in the vocals. You don’t want distracting background noise!

Once you’ve watched your rough cut for the first time, start making changes! While the rough cut is, well, a rough cut, and you do have some work ahead of you, you’ve taken the first step. Congratulations are in order.

【Egg Hunting】#14

Our Production Outline:

DATE ACTIVITY REMARKS
Mon 6 Nov Group Formation “P.Y.T.”;

Draw up Collaborative Contract;

Engage with possible musicians;

All members to research on NeuMark’s music & style;

Individually brainstorm on possible creative direction

Tue 7 Nov Artist NeuMark (Joshua Bienstein) to share specific song
Thurs 9 Nov Track “Homeless”

Track “Good Vibes & Regrets”
(both on google drive)


First interview with NeuMark

(uploaded to google drive and FB group)

Each member to:

  • Listen to both tracks
  • Read interview
  • Share at least 2 to 3 vids on “inspiration” folder (google drive) by Sat 10 pm
Sun 12 Nov Brainstorm possible concept for both tracks

Decide between “Homeless” and “Good Vibes & Regrets”

Mon 10 Nov Due: PB 1

FINALISE CONCEPT

Thurs 16 Nov Due: PB 2

STORYBOARD; production

Thurs 23 Nov Due: PB 3 (part 1) project pitch
Mon 27 Nov – Confirm Talents and Production Schedule

– Confirm Shots List
– Borrow Equipment

Tues 28 Nov – First meeting with Paola
– Scout and confirm locations

– Sample shots

Wed 29 Nov – Official shoot with both talents
Thurs 30 Nov – Return Equipment

– Consolidate Expenditure

– Upload Footage

– Start Editing

– Draw up Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

– Jenny’s cam and Even’s lenses with Chloe
Mon 4 Dec – Environmental Shots/Cutaways

– Continue editing

– Forward MoU to all talents involved

Thurs 7 Dec Due: Rough Cut
Thurs 21 Dec Due: PB 3 (part 2) final vid

Due: PB 4

 

【Egg Hunting】#13

Our Shooting list:

LOCATION TIME No. SHOT TYPE DESCRIPTION LYRICS
Street outside Apartment 1 Wide Shot Girl walking on streets; moves towards camera
2 Medium close up; Camera angles down; Pans Up Girl stops in front of camera; jacks headphones into phone
3 Close Up Profile of Girl as she puts on earphones
4 Detail Phone interface; Girl plays Good Vibes and Regrets
00:00- 00:15 Wide shot of walking and environments She walks on the street listening to music
00:16- 00:18 Close Up (Side) shot She sits down (on the grass) and closes her eyes (Looking for somebody)
00:19- 00:36 ? Revealing Neumark
I’ve been searching everyday and every night Find another woman who makes me feel alright A sweet competitor to my old ties I burned all my bridges coz she fed me lies
00:37- 00:39
00:40- 00:43
[girl walking]
(fed me lies) [N singing in kbox]
Carpark/Car Wash 00:44- 00:52
00:52- 01:12
01:13-01:14
01:15- 01:21
01:21- 01:37
//////
(Chosen love, your chosen love)
All I need is, sweet beats and oxytocin im dancing in space and I’m lost in motion. The groove is in my fingers but you’re in my sights – got them tight hips, she rocks them nikes

I like these nights. We can go all night. [ kbox]
(Chosen love, your Chosen love)

Apartment Pool/Spa 01:38- 02:07
02:08-02:09
02:10- 02:18
02:19-02:22
02:23- 02:29
Shots of girl entering and exiting the
SPA area. Close up shots of N.
Shots of girl and the environment.
Sitting together side by side in the SPA area.
He is singing to the girl.
She smiles. Another Cigarette. Now this is getting intimate. I live for the, good times and regrets, fresh vibes with the best. Now I am not ashamed that my people are insane. It’s all the same.

And bitch we can’t be tamed why don’t you step into our domain

(Chosen love, your Chosen love)

KBOX 02:30-02:48
02:49- 03:06
03:09- 03:25
03:26-03:29
03:29-03:36
Shots of Colorful drinks
Shots of Kbox environment
Shots of N and girl
She smokes another cigarette now this is getting intimate I live for the good times and regrets fresh vibes with the best
She smokes another cigarette now this is getting intimate I live for the good times and regrets fresh vibes with the best

(Looking for somebody)

【Egg Hunting】#12

 

The shooting day.

【Egg Hunting】#11

 

 

Today our group do the test shooting with the actress. We go through the shooting place, the camera position and lighting, etc to ready for tomorrow’s real shooting.