A2 Production: Deciding what brief to choose

We have been looking at which to choose for our Advanced Portfolio; either creating a music video or a short film.

I like the idea of the music video as music is by far my favourite art. If I were to do a music video, I would do it for a song by my favorite band: Arctic Monkeys. Below are some examples of videos they already have:

'R U Mine?'

'One For The Road'

In terms of the treatment, these two examples follow a common theme. They are both filmed in black and white, and both feature the band as the main characters in the video. Both also end with the band playing the song in an outdoor environment. These two songs are from their latest album, 'AM', and you can see how the style of the band has evolved in their videos by comparing these to examples from their first album; 'Whatever People Say I am, That's What I'm Not'. 

'Fluorescent Adolescent' 

'When The Sun Goes Down'

These earlier examples also have similarities. There are both set in the Monkeys' home town of Sheffield, and both show a side of the city that is not the sort of thing the tourist board would advertise. In contrast to the latest examples, these earlier videos have a definite story line which is easier to follow, and goes well with the lyrics of the song. I particularly like the story of Fluorescent Adolescent, where they cleverly show how futile rivalries like that are in a very stylised way by having the clowns and the rockers. 

If I were to make a music video, it would probably prefer to create one of the later style as I prefer the later songs, however living in Britain it would be much easier to film in the style of the earlier videos as the later examples are all filmed in America and have some American themes. 

The other brief is to create a short fiction film, which would allow me to be much broader in the range of genres and themes that I can explore. As much as I would love to create something to go with a 'Monkeys song, the temptation of being able to have a blank canvas to create what I want is very inviting. I will have to discuss with my group which brief would suit all of us, as to ensure input and effort from all parties it needs to be one that suits all of us equally.