Props/ Locations/ Actors

To create a realistic and authentic music video for our chosen song, we would need quirky and eccentric props; this was found in our Indie music video research, and is a particularly similar style to the band Foals, where the song has been taken from. Through storyboarding, we decided to use multiple props within shots as well as single prop shots; we would need to collect a large, varying spectrum of props to allow for a genuine looking video. The use of stop motion along with video footage will create an interesting and aesthetically enjoyable video for the audience; it will hopefully keep them tentative to the plot and hooked as they watch. Instruments were decided as the foundation for a props list; our research into typical audience needs and wants for a video found that the majority of bands use live and studio based performances with their instruments, such as guitars, basses, drums, keyboards and amps.

As a group, we listed ideas for props we could each bring in; although we want to create a genuine and authentic video, we however do not have a large sum budget to work with. Below is a list of the props we would be able to use incorporated within the music video, and that would fit into the eccentricity of the Indie music genre.

We decided to use kinetic props that the band would be able to work and play with. Also featured would be musical props of 2 guitars and drumsticks; within the storyboarding we decided to not use a full drum kit, but to have the quirkiness of just the drumsticks. This still keeps the live musical aspect amongst the video, but as in many other videos, gives a sense of abstract realism, allowing the audience to think about the drumkit rather than it being a literal tool.
The use of spray paint and glitter gives colour to the video, a highly important factor. As the chosen song is very upbeat and fast paced, it was important to create an engergetic vibe across the screen. The band would also be able to interact with the props as well, rather than simply having shots of props then shots of the band.

The locations for the video have also been considered; due to the use of spray cans and paints, it was an obvious choice to shoot in an outdoors location. It would therefore make sense for a section of the video to be filmed outside, to create contintuity and cohesion within the plot. As well as an outdoor location, the use of a white background or studio is a key element; the colourful props would be lost within a coloured, busy background and therefore pop out and catch audience attention. The choice of mulitple locations was taken from the research into Indie band videos; it is considered the norm to include various locations to create interest, and also more simply, to make the video look better. However more particularly within the Indie genre, bands are increasingly using plain white studios or backgrounds, allowing the personas of the bands themselves to carry their own "colourful" characters over the screen.

The results of our online questionnaire as well as existing video research showed us that we would need to use boys as actors for the band members. Of the 9 bands researched, none contained female members. This is emerging as a generic factor within newer, upcoming Indie bands; there are few females seen within Indie bands; our research pointed in this direction too. 

The actors we would be looking for, would ideally already wear labels such as Topman, H&M and vintage clothes, to fit with the stereotypical style of a male Indie boy or fan (see stereotypical Indie fan below). This again correlates with pre existing music videos and our own research into band members.