Our aim for this shoot was to get our performance shots done as well as re-shooting the wide shots and the Nintendo 64 shots. Below is our shot list for the shoot, the shots highlighted in bold were the ones we did not get done. We were unable to film the Nintendo 64 shots as we did not have access to the console during our shoot and the superhero shots did not get done because we ran out of time towards the end of our shoot.
Our shot list
The shoot started late due to really bad traffic which meant we did not start filming until 3pm when we had the studio from 1:30pm. Also we were missing an amp so Gavin had to go home to get his own for us to use.
Kayvon, Gavin and Alice in between takes
Me directing Alice and Gavin
Me adjusting the glidecam
However, once the shoot started we were very productive. Alice, Gavin and Kayvon's performances were much better than they were at the beginning of the project due to the fact that we have been shooting for 3 weeks now and they have become a lot more comfortable in front of the camera. Below is a video comparing their performances from the first shoot to those from this shoot.
Our next shoot is on Thursday 27th November and I will schedule the shots we did not get done for then.
This shoot was one of our longest, being from 1:30pm - 9:30pm, so we scheduled a lot of setups because we knew we'd have time to do them. Below is a list of the shots we needed to do.
We managed to get all of our shots but were slightly pushed for time as cleaning up after props such as the VHS tapes and the toilet paper took longer than we'd expected.
Me setting up the shot
Cleaning up the toilet paper
The group making the popcorn box
Preparing for the next shot
All of us felt that the shoot went really well and we now have less to shoot on saturday.
Today's aim was to get through a large proportion of the props shots. Below is the shot list we made for the shoot.
Our shot list
Because this shoot was shorter (7:30am - 12:30) we only did props shots as it meant no costume changes and an empty set. We shot the setups with the Hula hoops, Monopoly, Twister, Slinky, Jenga and the Nintendo 64.
The band in the Jenga setup
Kayvon cleaning up the silly string
Me setting up the camera
Overall this shoot went really well, we got a lot of our setups done which means we can continue editing them.
This week, alongside shooting, we worked on our shoot schedule, edit, album cover and band personalities.
Shoot Schedule
We were slightly behind in our schedule so I revised our shoot schedule and made time for shots that we had not managed to complete. For example we moved the performance glidecam shots and the Nintendo 64 shots to our shoot on Saturday 22nd November.
Our revised shoot schedule
Edit
We have started editing our footage so that we don't have as much to do when we go into post-production and so that we can find out if we need to reshoot anything.
Screenshot of our edit so far
Album Cover
Now that we have our publicity shots we have started editing them onto our album cover designs. This design is not our final one so we may still change it.
Band Personalities
Following feedback on our performance shots, we decided to go more in depth into the personalities of each band member as they were not being portrayed fully on screen. For each member we came up with more characteristics and a name. We also looked at other artists that Gavin, Alice and Kayvon could take influence from.
For Kayvon we looked at George Ezra and Rob Milton from Dog Is Dead.
George Ezra
Rob Milton
For Gavin we looked at Daniel Harvey from Dog Is Dead
Daniel Harvey
Daniel Harvey
For Alice we looked at Hayley Williams from Paramore
During this shoot we had from 12:30 until 17:45 after school. We had scheduled to shoot more props shots and confetti shots after school. During the afternoon we filmed the setups with the silly string and the party poppers, below is a video of some of our footage.
A few days before, I used Facebook to ask our friends if they would help by throwing confetti at the band. 8 people turned up to the shoot to help us.
The Facebook message
We positioned them on chairs above the band and far enough back that their shadows and hands did not appear in the shot. Two people were also positioned behind the camera with confetti canons.
Us and our volunteers clearing up the confetti after a take
Below is a video of some of the footage we shot:
Overall the shoot went well and we got all the shots that we had planned to.
For this shoot we had planned to shoot our unfinished balloon shots and to take photos for our publicity photographs and album cover.
Kayvon setting up the lights
Alice on set
For the first part of the shoot we focused on the balloon shots as we needed to get them done because the balloons would deflate in the next few days. We managed to get them all done and then moved on to publicity shots. Below is a short video of some of our footage.
I thought it would be a good idea if we got our friend Alex Reid to help us take the publicity shots as she is has a great photographic eye. She came during her free periods and at lunch, both Alex and I took the photos and directed the band. We decided to have two costumes for the publicity shots to provide variety.
One of our publicity shots
Alex taking photos of the band
Alex taking photos of the band
Overall I think the shoot went really well we got everything we needed to. However, I would have liked to taken a few more publicity shots so we had more options.
This Saturday we shot from 8am until 1:30pm in the Seward studio. We scheduled to shoot all of our performance shots and the balloon shots but we overestimated the amount that we could get done, considering it was our first shoot. We shot about two thirds of what we planned and as a result have to change our shoot schedule to fit in the shots we didn't do.
Us moving the balloons onto the set
Gavin on set
We started by shooting a wide shot of 'Pilgrim' performing. However, as we had not had any performance rehearsals it took a while for Alice, Gavin and Kayvon to get comfortable in front of the camera. We spent some time just going through the song with me giving them direction and notes until we had a performance that we were happy with. Below is a video showing the progression in performance from the beginning of the shoot compared to the end of it.
Considering it was our very first shoot, I think it went well. We did not shoot everything we had planned to but what we did shoot we were happy with.
This week was all about preparing for our upcoming shoot on saturday. We prepped our confetti, brought in costumes for approval and made decisions about the album cover and publicity shots.
This week's agenda
Publicity Shots
Having scheduled our publicity shots to be taken during our studio session on Wednesday 12th November we started planning the specifics. We decided on:
- LS, MS and MCU shots
- Direct and indirect address
- No props
- Plain background (white or colours)
- 2 costume changes, one for promo shots and one for the album cover.
- Specific costumes
Our notes on publicity shots
Poses
When deciding on our poses we looked at our research and thought about ones that would suit that band's image, our initial ideas are:
- The lead singer in the front middle with the other two members either side.
- The lead and the bassist in front with the drummer at the back.
- All standing the same distance from the camera but with the lead doing something that makes him stand out.
- Shots of the band messing around and having a laugh.
To provide variety and to differentiate between different setups we decided to have 3 different costumes, one each for performance, props and the superhero setups. Gauntlett's fluid identity theory states that in order to engage an audience artists need to have variations on their identity in their music videos, Pligrim's multiple costumes helps towards this by providing variety.
Research
Before we decided on the costumes we researched the styling and dress of similar artists for inspiration.
Kayvon & Gavin
For Kayvon & Gavin we looked at the style of artists such as George Ezra, Dan Croll, Bombay Bicycle Club, Lewis Watson and The 1975. Although we wanted them to look visually, similar Kayvon had to stand out as he is the lead. To connote this we decided that Kayvon would always be more dressed up than Gavin so he stood out more.
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Kayvon & Gavin's costume influences
Alice
Alice's costume inspirations were Kristen Stewart, Alexa Chung, Mila Kunis and Zoe Saldana. We liked their relaxed, tomboy style and felt it would suit Alice well. We didn't wanted Alice's character to be too girly as it would clash with Kayvon & Gavin's image.
Alice's Costume Influences
Final Costumes
Having done this research we made final decisions on costume based on what Alice, Gavin and Kayvon owned.
Performance
The band in performance costumes
We decided that this would be the most dressed up setup, as a result they are all wearing button-up shirts. However, each band member is wearing theirs differently; Kayvon has his done all the way up, Gavin has his top button undone and Alice is wearing hers open over a crop top.
Props
The band in props costumes
As this setup is intended to connote the band's playful image, it is very casual. Being the lead, Kayvon is still the most dressed up in a t-shirt with an open button-up shirt over the top. Alice is much more dressed down in a jumper and jeans; as is Gavin in a t-shirt and jeans. Their outfits are much more suitable for this setup where they are playing and messing about with props.
Superhero
Because superheroes were a part of almost everyone's childhood, we decided that dressing the band up in superhero costumes would fit in with the video's theme of nostalgia. We had access to three costumes: Superman, Batman and The Green Lantern, which were worn by Kayvon, Gavin and Alice in succession.
Publicity Shots
This set of publicity shots was intended to connote Pilgrim as a cool, indie band. The colour scheme of grey, white and black against a light grey background give the images a sleek feel. Choosing from the clothes that the group had brought in, I wanted them to be dressed up but with casual elements.
The feel of these shots is a lot more casual as the band are dressed in t-shirts rather than shirts; and trainers as opposed to leather converse and boots. This setup connotes the band's playful image which we have heavily emphasised in the music video, creating synergy between the photos on the website and the video.
This shoot combined the cool and playful aspects of the band's image. Lighter colours as well as a bright white background made it playful whereas the button-up shirts and serious poses made it cooler. I feel that this is the costume that best represents Pilgrim's image.
Hair & Make-Up
During our make-up & hair meeting with Olivia we discussed how indie artists tend to style their hair & make-up. Looking at artists such as Dog Is Dead, George Ezra and Dan Croll; we found that they tend to keep their hair looking natural and not too stylised. We felt that this would apply well to Gavin, Kayvon and Alice. However, Alice will be slightly more styled as we felt that it suited her character.
Dan Croll
George Ezra
Kayvon & Gavin
To stay with the natural look, Olivia suggested leaving Gavin and Kayvon's hair as it was and just to apply a little bit of hairspray to keep stray hairs down.
For their make-up we applied foundation to give the skin a smooth, flawless look. As Gavin has a fair hair colour we applied a light brown colour to his eyelashes and eyebrows so that they would not look washed out.
Alice
To fit with the aesthetic of the band we also kept Alice's hair natural. However, because her hair is naturally quite curly she straightened it a bit to make it look a little styled and longer.
For Alice's make-up we took influence from Hayley Williams from Paramore as she was one of Alice's character influences. Alice wore foundation to smooth the skin, a darker brown colour on her eyebrows and mascara, eye shadow and winged eyeliner to make her eyes stand out.
