New Concept

Due to the slightly unpractical arranging of the groups, this has placed myself and Rachel behind some other groups in terms of development meaning we were under pressure to form and agree on an idea together before we can move on to the next stage. Thankfully, I feel we have managed to do this.

Our new concept still centres around an indie boy-band. It was a genre that both myself and Rachel showed and interest in and felt comfortable working with. Having a band as opposed to a solo artist obviously allows for more visual stimulus, which is likely to prove useful when cutting the video as there is always something you can revert back to in times of need. After what was quite an effective brainstorm, we had an array of elements at hand that we just needed to sew together with a concept. I went home and listened to the songs we had in mind repeatedly to see if I could find any inspiration. I did come up with something, that was well received by Rachel the following day.

The idea is to essentially create a music video based around the production of a music video. The video would start with the band in a studio setting with one-tone walls, no furnishings or decorations. The band are in the positions you would expect to find them in for a performance, but they have no instruments and they are wearing basic clothing (white t shirt/black jeans). The music then starts and the lead singer begins to lip-sync and the band begin to mime their instruments. Over the course of the song, 'crew' members then appear in shot and start to dress the band, the set and manually give them there instruments. The band carry on nonchalantly as if the is normal, and if anything slightly annoying. Once given they're instruments the crew and dressers continue to pester them by styling their hair, putting extra clothing items on them. This is all happening while other crew in the background are bringing the studio to life (e.g. painting the walls, rigging neon lights.) The band are bemused by this as they are just trying to play their song. If done well the we should have two totally opposing images at the start and end of the video, which the audience should find pleasing. The majority of the shots would be long and held to show the process, with some cutting to the emotions of the band. They're will be bits of handheld to make it look purposefully messy at times and possibly even a birds-eye shot so that the fact they are in a set is clear, which in turn overtly shatters the facade of the 'music video' concept. This is largely a visual concept idea as opposed to being narrative based. Some audience members may find it entertaining as well as effectively creating an interesting star image for the band. This is that they clearly find the process of making a heavily commercial music video draining and boring, and really just care about the music.

There are two songs that we currently have in mind for this concept. Both are quite bold and we feel they both suit the concept to some extent. The benefit of this idea is that it not totally dependant on the song due to its lack of narrative. This means that our decision in this respect is malleable. Our final decision can be made once we have assembled a cast for the band and considered both the pros and cons of each. The songs are 'Oxford Comma' by Vampire Weekend and 'Stand By Your Gun' by George Ezra.

  

Thematically, this video bears resemblance to The 1975 'Girls' video which attempts to effectively create a similar star image of a nonchalant boy band who care little for their own marketing as artists;

Both myself and Rachel understand that the basis for this idea is interesting, but it needs another element to make it sustainable for a three minute video. Furthermore, I have already done preliminary research into the conventions of an indie/rock band for my former idea for my previous group, so therefore have a head-start with this work. Tomorrow, we plan to hold a another private pitch with Luke to gain his opinion and see if he has any supplementary ideas that could bring it forward. We will hear this before acting any further.