(M2) Ensure that recorded footage reflects generic conventions

For our music video, we made sure to follow the main codes and conventions for music videos of the EDM genre and more specifically The Prodigy's genre. Our video will use similar shots to The Prodigy's other music videos, which is a darker, fast paced style with expressionistic action.

To ensure that we knew the conventions of our style of music videos, we used the original Firestarter music video by The Prodigy, as well as various other example of EDM music videos that we could find on YouTube.

Location/Mise-en-scene - 

In order to stick to the conventions of this style of music video, we decided that filming outside in a forest-type area was a good idea, as it was winter time when we recorded meaning that the sky was naturally darker. However, because of this we needed to ensure that the camera settings were correct to fit in with the lighting, this means adjusting the aperture and iso to allow the camera to capture more light whilst also not overexposing the footage.

Lighting - 

In the Prodigy's 'Firestarter' music video, the lighting is very dark, and uses bright lights on the members in the video. This could almost be considered chiaroscuro lighting, which is used throughout the video to make it feel more ‘rough’ and ‘rugged’. This is used in collaboration with the style and feel of the music, which is very heavy and complex.

Our video was shot outside. This means that - without professional equipment - it would be very difficult to change or manipulate the lighting as the natural lighting would overpower it, and it would be too dangerous to film at night in the woods.

Performance -

Furthermore, in keeping with the EDM genre, our performance-based video features a lot of audience engagement from the protagonist. This is not only similar to The Prodigy’s own music video, but other videos of the same style and genre. Whilst he speaks the lyrics of the song, the protagonist will point to the camera, look at the camera and gesture towards the camera as if he is communicating with the audience. We made sure to get these styles of shots when recording as we knew, from previous research and watching music videos, that the EDM genre is very well known for including audience engagement and direct address. The lyrics of the song also include lines such as ‘you’re a Firestarter’ which creates a perfect opportunity for a shot with direct address. 

Conventionally, in an EDM style music video, the character conveys a confident/eccentric personality as they move and mime to their music. We feel that the shots that we got perfectly represented the performance theme here. Our actor did a great job at recreating the insane style that the artists of this style of music represent.

Camera - Shot Composition, Types and Movements -

With our camera movements, most of it was handheld as it provided a more intense, dramatic experience rather than using a tripod to keep steady video. We incorporated unstable camera movements, handheld style and we also had some shots which used spins and the character grabbing the camera. This conveyed a violent/rough style of video which is what we wanted to create based from the feeling of the song its self. 

This is different to The Prodigy's conventional style of music video, as they usually sue the same feeling and style but with static shots which are edited very quickly to provide the video with pace. We decided to try the handheld style as we felt it fit them theme of the music better, and made our video different from the original Prodigy music video.

When composing our shots, we took inspiration from other EDM style music videos. In most of these videos the protagonist/character is centralised in the frame, usually with a long or medium shot type. In most performance based videos, the character will always (or mostly) be central frame, so we decided that when recording we needed to be aware of that and make sure to make most of our shots central. 

Most of our shots used this perfectly, as they were centered around the character and his movement, and were in line to be used for our final video. It is important when composing a shot to perfect the framing of the protagonist/subject, which is what we did during production to make sure that the finished shots looked correct.

Comparisons - 

Comparing our footage to videos of the same genre, we looked at the music video for Darude - Sandstorm. This video features a chase scene which runs for the majority of the video. Conventionally, we have similar shots to this chase theme swell as the way that the video is structured.

- Entertain,

- Abstract visuals and narrative - with no story,