Problem With the Software

After I finished filming I copied my files off the memory card and onto my laptop so I could pick the scenes that were filmed well and then transfer them to the iMac which I use at school to edit. I then deleted the file's off my camera so one of my friends could borrow it for his filming. When I moved the files to the macs to use on iMovie, however the format my camera uses is .MTS which doesn't work on iMovie. When I asked my teacher for assistance, my teacher explained that for the files to work I needed to plug the camera into the Mac with the data on the memory card on the camera. But as I just said I deleted them for the space. I then also tried to convert the files, but it then lacked in quality of my 720p camera and was pixel-ated. So currently I am using a variety of conversion software and different formats  to see what happens. If the worst comes to worse then I will have to re-film my music video.

My Filming schedule

I planned to film my film on Friday 16th March at 13:00 in Woodthorpe Grange Park. I filmed the footage of my protagonist and his 'Girlfriend' We filmed here for around 45 minutes and then we started filming the other section, in my house. On location we shot the scenes of the couple both getting along and then having an argument. I managed to tweak certain scenes to make them feel more unique such as the shot of the drink with the camera under the glass as the boy takes a drink, and the moving close up whilst he is drunk and tired. The filming went smoothly each shot was achieved in around 2-3 takes which I will pick the best one's for my video.

Spike Jonze

For this project, I have been researching other music video directors. Spike Jonze is a well known director for both film and music videos, but mainly for music. He has made videos for artists like DaftPunk, Beasty Boys, Fatboy Slim and Kanye West, showing his diversity in the field. 


When he graduated from high school and began working as an editorial assistant at 'Freestylin' magazine. In 1991 he helped found the magazine 'Dirt' which was a spin off from 'Sassy'.  


His first music video was to film footage of some people skateboarding for 'Sonic Youths' "100". The video that really made an impact for Jonze was for "Sabotage" by the Beastie Boys, which was based on the 1970's cop shows. The video itself won 4 MTV Music Awards, including 'Best Director'. Following his success he went on to design a innovative  and interesting video for Weezer's "Buddy Holly" which is a song by an Alternative band.


He continued to work on both music videos and started on adverts, he made videos for the likes of:

• R.E.M.
• The Breeders
• Puff Daddy
• The Chemical Brothers
• Bjork

And adverts for:

• Nike
• Sprite
• Nissan
• Coca-cola

His enjoyment of his work also introduced him to acting, as he was in a few TV spots and is the leader of the dance group in Fatboy Slim's 'Praise You' music video, which he also directed. 


He then moved on to film, where he directed the black comedy, 'Three Kings' which he also had a cameo in it. He later went on to direct 'Being John Malkovich' for his efforts he received an Academy Award nomination for best director. 


In 1999 Jonze married Sofia Coppola, a former actress and director - daughter of the acclaimed Francis Ford Coppola.

Shot List

I am currently unsure of ALL of the shots I want to use but I am pretty confident of the first minute and  a half. And I have a strong idea of the ending of my video.


The video will start on a black screen which will fade to close ups of instruments; such as a Piano, Microphone, Drum Kit and Guitar.

At around 15 seconds I would like a Long Shot/Establishing shot which tracks in a gentle curve like fashion resenting them on stage.

When the drums kick in there will be a close up of the bass drum pedal as it beats in time with the music.

On the line "Trouble keeps me up at night" there will be a "crane" shot of the protagonist laying in bed with his eyes wide open. I want this shot to be taken in different lighting as it will prove useful when creating the finished video.

As the first line of the lyrics begins, there will be a close up of the lead singer singing it or miming, but edited so his mouth is in time with the words.

I would like a shot from in a car looking out at the window, passing a sign that states "Welcome to Paradise" as the lyric Paradise is sang.

As the song begins to get into full swing, we are introduced to the protagonist through a number of shots showing him on a journey to find new love and reminisce the girl he used to love. For this I'm going to use a variety of shots of all sizes whilst he walks down a street.

• A long shot tracking him
• A use of the shot that is used in Requiem for a Dream, I don't know what its called but its fixed to the person as they walk and is a medium close up. The actors don't take any notice of it.
• A Point of View shot of him walking. Probably varying in the angle of the camera allowing shots of the sky, other passers by and a shot of his feet as he's walking.
• I'm also interested in adding a very low angle shot of the protagonist, or a shot from underneath his feet. and tracks along underneath him.

When the chorus kicks in the colour also appears and there is a flashback-esque mood with glare and a use of bright colours. The shots I use during the verse will also be shot with his lover so I can cut from the present to the past and keep the vibe going.

At the very end of the video, the last shot is going to be a high angle "Crane" from the top of a room. The boy and girl will be spinning together with close ups of their faces and at the end they both fall on the floor laughing and having a good time. Alternatively in the present - which I will cut to on the beat, the boy on his own will be wandering around, drinking from a bottle, also insert another RFaD shot of him becoming more of a state, and ending with the same high angle shot but of him falling onto the floor.