Music Video Assignment

As part of our first term practical exercises, in groups of three, we were required to produce a music video for any of the songs on the Now That's What I Call Music 53 album. Our group decided to choose You and Me by Disclosure featuring Eliza Doolittle as the track for our London-based music video.

Our music video follows the story of Charlie who loves to hang out with his friend Mike playing video games and pool. However, as the music video progresses, the viewer finds out Charlie is missed at home by his partner, Gemma, who feels he is never there and never helps her around the house. Following an irate arguement Charlie leaves Gemma to hang out with Mike and rejects her calls.

During a hallucination while out drinking with Mike, Charlie sees Gemma on a table behind him sipping a beer. When he looks away and looks back she is gone and he realises he needs to go home and sort things out. On the run home, Charlie imagines coming through the door and hugging her, along with remembering the good times he's had at home watching T.V. with her.

In reality, Charlie arrives home and checks what appears to be the empty flat. As he approaches the living room, the viewer sees Charlie's shocked reaction but not what the cause of this is. This leaves what happens next to the audiences speculation and imagination.

The main purpose of the exercise was to allow all members of the group to gain experience of using a Sony XD Camera. This equipment is a popular camera within the industry due to reliabilty and stability. However, this camera also comes with the practical issue of being very weighty and complicated to use in comparison to the cameras we were using last year, JVC HM100.

The second purpose of the music video was to experience editing using Avid Media Composer. I found the experience challenging but worthwhile, as I now feel I would be able to use it as an editing tool again without needing to take as much time as I did on this music video.

As a group I feel we worked very well together, each bringing our individual skills to produce an interesting and coherent music video, however I do feel more practice with the Sony XDCam is needed to master the techniques required to gain the exact outcome, technical-wise, we want for future productions.

Recent Work Experience

From April 2013, over a five month period, I managed to secure a work experience placement with a Television Production company, Clearstory. Clearstory specialise in factual programmes, including their award-winning documentary, Gypsy Blood. As I have a keen interest in documentaries this was a very exciting opportunity for me.

I began working on two separate BBC programmes based on World War 1 and 2. This gave me increased experience in researching and assisting the production manager with call sheets and the managing directors expenses claims. I also assisted in transporting equipment to Germany for one of the film shoots. This gave me an insight into all the different roles of a production office and how each member relies on the others to make an effective production team.

Further to this, in July, I was given another opportunity to gain experience, this time as a runner on a factual studio show, Sex Box. As well as aiding the production team with the logistics of the show, I also met more experienced runners who both assisted and educated me on the role. I thoroughly enjoyed working on the studio production and do feel, as a result, this is an area I'd like to get more experience in.

Overall, I found my work experience with Clearstory both insightful and interesting; I would love to gain more experience in the industry, especially in factual production.

My Profile

My Profile

Name: Danni Barron
Email: dbarron94@live.co.uk
Location: London, United Kingdom
Transport: Public

Additional Information:
I currently hold a provisional driving licence.

Primary Role Specialisms:
I have experience using Final Cut Pro and limited experience of using Avid Media Composer to edit short films. I also have running experience.

Secondary Role Specialisms:
I have a keen interest in screen-writing and directing, as well as the use of lighting and sound to create specific effects, both in a single camera and studio setting.

Genre Specialisms:
Editing
Directing
Sound

Statement of Intent:
I hope to develop my knowledge and skills in the areas of editing, sound and lighting further throughout the remainder of my university course at Middlesex University; making effective use of the equipment and research materials available to me at this time. I also hope to gain further work experience and find shadowing opportunities relative to my job areas of interest to prepare me for work as a freelancer when my course has finished, predominantly in the area of editing.

Availability:
I am available for work most week days around my university work.

Previous Work:
Job Title: Work Experience
Title: Doha Heroes
http://vimeo.com/37910182

Job Title: Runner
Title: Sex Box
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/sex-box/4od#3584081