Scouting - Weird Sky

School Hall:

The first area that I considered shooting was the school hall, namely due to the stage and lights and curtains. I could perhaps better control the lighting and even use some of the theater props within the music video - perhaps a chair and a TV as seen in my animatic. The free space would also give me an area to easily photograph Jack for the stop motion segments. I might even be able to get some good performance shots due to the stage, which I could easily implement into the performance sections; the stage allows for me to get some low angle shots and ensure the performance clips conform to convention with the mise-en-scene.

The issue with the hall is that controlling the lights is rather complex and I would have to get permission from the school to shoot in the hall at certain times, additionally there might be some issue with the logistics of organising for Jack to come to school and shoot the video (given that he is not from my school and would therefore have to gain permission prior). Additionally, the hall is prone to people walking in and out, possibly disturbing the shoot. There are also classes going on nearby, which might be disrupted by a music video shoot - especially one in which I will likely be playing Jack's music aloud.

School Music Rooms:

The second location is the school's music rooms in the music department. These areas are filled with music equipment and therefore recording Jack's performance clips would be quite easy, plus we wouldn't have to struggle to transport his instruments. An issue would again be getting permission for Jack to come into school, but also organising a time within school-hours as he is also at sixth form elsewhere. This issue perhaps suggests that school is not an ideal location for recording the music video - despite all of the positives.

There are some clear positives to the music rooms in that they are quite sound proof and have a reduced echo, albeit this wouldn't necessarily affect the video as the music will be added in post. However, these music rooms typically have music lessons going on in either other smaller rooms or in the major class rooms, in which case my shoot might disrupt those lessons (and I wouldn't be permitted to do that). Another issue seems to be the size of the room, it is unlikely I'd be able to film the entire thing in this one location but it's also rather small making it difficult to record Jack and really get those wide shots with a plain background.

Niamh's Old House:

Niamh's old house was the last place that I decided to look into, namely because she suggested it after I complained about having no location to shoot at. It is relatively messy as they're currently using it as a place to store antiques and old stuff. This messiness might be obstructive but I could use it to my advantage by perhaps moving toys out of shot and making a squalid setting. This setting would reflect the draw backs of psychedelia's drug associations. Such conditions perhaps associating the drinking of milk with drug use, especially given the connotations of a messy house. This can also create a negative reality.

A negative reality would provide an excuse for Jack to go adventure into a fantasy world as a means of escape within the video's narrative. Plus the location could be darkened as to link back to Cellophane by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Additionally, there is enough materials in the house to work with and create a setting that is maybe interesting and weird enough to suggest Jack is quirky, or add some humour to the video. For example, there is an unplugged microwave we could have Jack get the milk from in the beginning of the video - this being weird since milk isn't usually found in such a place.

There is no electricity on in the location and so the lighting would have to be done by some other means, plus we'd have to ensure the cameras were charged as there'd be no way of charging at this location. Interestingly I did manage to find a sofa and a MAC screen, which we could use as a TV screen since it would be difficult to transfer a television to the location. An issue again might be lighting as the screen would not emit light since there is no electricity in the house. With this in mind, Niamh does have a powerful light that she uses for her YouTube vlogs, which I'm sure I could borrow.

Apart from these essentials, there are some other things around the house that we could use in order to add to the unkempt aesthetic of the setting. There are some old vinyls and a record player which I'm sure we could put in frame, I did consider having Jack play the song on the record player and having the music come in at that point however that seems rather redundant given the music video idea we have decided upon. Nonetheless, it might suggest Jack's musical knowledge and capacity with these items in shot. There are some newspapers too which we could lay down around the area.

Perhaps the best part of this location is how it seems I can also film the performance clips and not just the Jack watching TV section. Upstairs are empty rooms, one of which is bright white and has a large window with natural lighting. This area is perfect for shooting the performance and stop motion bits as the background would be plain, allowing for easy Photoshop work and would even make the 'cloning' in Premiere easier - since there would be no background to really match up, to ensure continuity. In fact, the plain background also allows for me to add in some nice overlays and colours to the clips. With this in mind, I believe I would have to shoot the performance section first and get in a quick photography session while there is still enough daylight.

The biggest issue I can see will be either the weather or the lack of electricity, each dictating the lighting situation. Additionally, it might be difficult to transfer Jack's musical equipment but the house is relatively close to his so this shouldn't be an issue. Niamh's mum did say that she would have to deliver the keys to the house likely on the day, as they're at the caravan which she will be going to before the shoot, which I organised for next weekend. This might be an issue if she turns up late but even then it wont have set us back by much anyway, at least if we film early enough to give us enough time for the overall shoot.