First cut of the video

This is the first edit, no transitions or FX, just synced up to the track.

Enjoy!

Influences for my video

Influence #1 - Coldplay 'Shiver'. Directed by Grant Gee.
A small informal video recorded in a rehearsal studio of Coldplay's. First video to gain them major daytime airplay on MTV. Simplistic really, I don't care for the song but I love the setting.

Influence #2 - Weezer 'Sweater Song (Undone)'. Directed by Spike Jonze.

Famed Weezer video which was shot in one take using a steadicam. Despite the primitive method of production, the video cost $60,000. The band played to a sped-up version of the song in playback, and in postproduction the video was slowed down to sync with the song - thus giving the illusion of slow-motion. This was the 15th take of 20; by this stage the band has abandoned all sense of seriousness. I like the method of production, and the fact the video doesn't have any underlying plot.



Influence #3 - Garbage 'Stupid Girl'. Directed by Sam Bayer.

Shot in the mid nineties, Stupid Girl was shot in a studio-lyke environment. Bayer then took the film reels, spliced them and put them in his bath, applying deliberate scratches and abrasions to the footage. I like the simplistic nature of the song and the video.

Video treatment - Version 2 (final version)

Due to limitations, I was not able to shoot crucial footage which contributed to the narrative part of this music video. Faced with the limitation, I opted to make the video purely live based; a relaxed video of the band playing the song in a 'sessions' style location.

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Detailed Treatment:

*NO FADE IN*

Direct cut to G playing intro to 'Accosted'. Accentual cut to Lee playing drum fill, which proceeds to cut to the band playing the song together in the same room. Cut to the band with swapped positions. Cut to G playing by himself, then to the band again. Cut to various angles of the band playing together, then the camera pans handsfree around the band. At 'stop, stop', the song pauses and a short section of the band laughing with diagetic sound is played. The song then begins again, from the viewpoint of someone watching the drummer. Cuts to G playing guitar, then cuts back to the band. From now on it, a series of random cuts of different viewpoints of the band members, various cuts of the band swapping positions and then ending the song together.

*FADE OUT*

(Sorry about the vague ending to the treatment, it was hard to define in pre-production so it really came down to the post-production outcome. Will update whenever i've analysed the finished product!)

Video treatment - Version 1

The lyrics portray a band who has become too big for it's boots, relishing in fame but completly forgetting about their humble beginnings and how people helped them become the band they are; whether from going to their shows, buying their CDs or just telling their friends.

The video is about a guy, called Ronan, living a normal day in metropolitan Newry. He is portraying the famous person. He has a little man that follows him around with a big head mask, mocking Ronan's apparent 'big head'. Through out the video, the stalker appears in all portions of Ronan's normal Saturday - from waking up and getting dressed, brushing teeth, doing hair, meeting friends, going for coffee, shopping etc.

Through-out the video, it cuts backwards and forwards from the band, Heathrow Yesterdays, playing in a living room. It shows the band swapping instruments, and playing to a non existant audience.

As the video draws to a close, Ronan becomes less of a primadonna. The little man comes home with him and is sitting beside him watching the band playing. The song ends and Ronan is sitting watching the band, and the video fades out.

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Detailed Treatment:

*FADE IN*

Shot of Ronan lying asleep in bed, various cuts to different angles. First shot is shot above bed to get full profile of him. You hear the alarm buzzer. He wakes up, the little man with a big head is beside him evidently sleeping (snoring). The sound of the alarm is the intro to the song Accosted.

It then cuts to the band playing momentarily, moves back to Ronan getting out of bed. It cuts to Ronan brushing his teeth in the mirror, then the little man comes into shot in the mirror point of view.

Ronan then leaves the bathroom and begins to get ready. The little man is sitting on the bed throwing clothes at him. Ronan starts to straighten his hair and the little man starts messing his hair up from behind. Ronan becomes frustrated and pushes the little man down, and continues to fix his hair....

*This treatment is not applicable anymore due to lack of permission to shoot certain footage. Amended treatment will be up momentarily*

Day 1 of shooting..

..wasn't exactly pleasant! lol. Nevertheless, I got some good live footage on tape from the band rehearsal that I should be able to edit into the video narrative quite nicely.

I've got the lyrics for the song too:

'ACCOSTED' by Heathrow Yesterdays. Copyright 2007. Lyrics by Stephen Hughes.

It didn't take too long for the wrong side to show up again
You know it's always the same (same)
I know they've got too far from the fun, now their looking for fame
Don't they know it's a game (game)

Now I would be embarrased to play
So stop stop stop the charade, it's time
Stop stop the charade, it's time

Now don't get me wrong, if there's a will there always two ways
Isn't that what they say (say)
To me it seems to much, it's just like the problems they face
You know their not gonna change (change)

If I said that, now, I'd be ashamed
You better stop stop stop the charade, it's time
Stop stop the charade, it's time
Stop stop stop the charade, it's time
Stop stop, the charade, it's time

Well it's fine
Fine
Oh, you know its fine

Nothing's gonna change
Their always the same
There's no-one to blame
For what you've become

Their trying too hard
Oh, it won't pay.
Yeah.


I'll check in soon.

My first music video..

I've decided on the track i'm going to produce a video for.

The track is Accosted by my band Heathrow Yesterdays.

Here's a link to the song on LastFm.