Location Research

During the decision making for the content of our music video, the location was considered carefully baring in mind a few factors: the availablity of the place and the suitability to our genre/song. Based on these factors we selected four different locations to film our music video. We decided to choose a few locations as music videos from the dance genre typically demonstrate this. However, we chose not to select any more locations due to practicality reasons and to not confuse the audience. 

Maidenhead Town

During the deconstruction of the lyrics to our chosen song, the mention of 'downtown' initiates the song. Furthermore, during the exploration of synaesthesia, our focus group evoked an image of following a journey of the character. Using these two points, we decided to include exterior shots of the streets in a town when the street lights are on. We specifically want to include the lights on the high street as they are fluorescent coloured which coordinates with the convention of fluorescent colours in music videos from the dance genre and our video. However, we will need to consider the safety of filming on the streets and the general public. In addition, the natural lighting may be too low when the street lights turn on which may effect the quality of our footage, therefore, we will be prepared to bring lighting equipment.

Dance Studio

Initially, we contacted local schools with dance studios requesting permission to use their dance studios for filming purposes. However, a large hiring fee was involved in order to pursue this option. Nevertheless, we managed to acquire permission to film at a local dance studio through one of the dancers in the cast. This choice of location is ideal as it is local and all the cast members are able to travel there. We were not too particular with the studio, as long as it had a mirror wall which we could film the dancers from and looked like a generic dance studio for the location to be clear to the viewers.

Home

As part of our video, the protagonist is shown practising at home to show her determination and dedication towards dance. It would be realistic that the character is practising in her own bedroom, however, there is the issue with filming practicalities in a particularly small space in order to get a range of shot sizes. Having said that, we decided to film in the loft of my house which is converted into a bedroom. This is ideal because it includes the furniture of a bedroom which adds realism to the setting, furthermore, it is spacious enough to film with a range of shot sizes.

Theatre

Lastly, at the end of the video, the dancers will be shown performing on a stage to make it clear to the audience that this is their final piece. We contacted Norden Farm in Maidenhead which is a 'Centre for the Arts' as they encourage creative work from students. This location would be ideal as it is large in comparison to using our school's facilities and allows us to experiment with a range of shot sizes. In addition, they have a better quality lighting system which will allow us to create our ideal lighting for the music video. Overall, our music video would appear to be better quality with a grand finish if it were to be filmed in this venue.

However, we have explored other options in case we are unable to obtain permission from Norden Farm: our school's dance studio or main hall. The dance studio would be ideal as there is an area where performances are held with a lighting system. Similarly, the school's main hall has a stage with a lighting system.