Classwork: Stardom

Here is a theory that we learned from class today,  the theory of Stardom.

Theory of Stardom by Richard Dyer which helped us build our star’s image for our music video project. Richard Dyer’s theory suggests that celebrities are constructed by media institutions to attract their target audience and promote their product. The celebrities are portrayed as a mix of relatable qualities (to appear ordinary) and unique traits (to appeal to fans). It focuses on how the image of the star is vital to the marketing to build both commercial success and a deep emotional connection with fans.

Celebrities are appealing due to 5 main reasons: 

1. Love: We are fascinated with the love lives of the stars, can also feel a romantic affiliation with them

2. Ordinariness: We like to see them doing routine things, living normal lives just like our own

3. Success: We like the idea of overnight success, and failure before success. This appeals to our

4. sense of fair play. (Why we like reality TV so much)

5. Consumption: We are fascinated by the huge material wealth brought by media success. Not just

6. luxury homes and cars, but also strict dietary regimes set by expensive nutritionists, holidays etc.

7. Dream turned sour (downfall): fascination with the exploitation of their misery

The google docs below is created by Audrey & Rara, and also me (Kalista) & Chelsea identifying different celebrity. 

Reflection: building this stardom for a music video character is a rewarding process, especially with the research involved. By looking into celebrities like Jennie Kim or Olivia Rodrigo, I get a deeper understanding of what makes their public personas connect with fans. Exploring Jennie's edgy, stylish reputation and Olivia's relatable, raw vibe gives me real inspiration for crafting a character who feels both iconic and grounded. Through this research, I can bring in subtle details whether it’s fashion choices or personality quirks that add authenticity without exaggeration. It’s a great way to balance that unique appeal of stardom with a more relatable side, making the character feel genuine and memorable.

Claswork: Technical Elements

 Here I will be summarize all of the technical elements that will be needing when executing the music video project

Camera angles: 

Close Up (CU): Focuses on a character's face or part of an object, emphasizing emotions.

Extreme Close-Up (ECU): Highlights specific details (e.g., eyes) to intensify emotions.

Medium Shot (MS): Shows the character from the waist up, allowing for body language and facial expressions.

American Shot: Frames characters from thighs up.

Long Shot (LS): Shows the full body in relation to the environment, emphasizing action.

Extreme Long Shot (ELS): Shows the character at a distance, focusing more on the setting.

Establishing Shot: A wide shot that introduces the location, setting the scene.

Point of View (POV): Shows the scene from the character’s perspective.

Reaction Shot: Shows a character’s reaction to an event or dialogue, revealing emotions.

Over the Shoulder Shot: Frames one character over another’s shoulder, common in dialogue.

High Angle: Looks down on the character, making them appear weaker or vulnerable.

Low Angle: Looks up at the character, making them appear powerful or intimidating.

Dutch Angle: Tilts the horizon, creating a disorienting effect that indicates distress.

Camera movements:

• Panning:

  • Horizontal or vertical movement of the camera to follow a subject.
  • Draws focus to specific elements or reveals surroundings, adding spatial context.

• Tracking Shots:

  • Camera moves toward or away from a subject, often using a dolly.
  • Creates a sense of approaching or retreating, enhancing the viewer's immersion.

• Zooming:

  • Enlarges or reduces the subject without moving the camera.
  • Emphasizes details but can be distracting if overused; good for documentary-style effects in MV.

• Tracking (Sideways):

  • Camera moves left or right, often on a track.
  • Follows characters or actions across the frame, engaging viewers by aligning with movement.

• Crane/Helicopter Shots:

  • Camera is elevated off the ground for expansive views.
  • Often used at the beginning or end of a scene to set the location or to conclude with a wide perspective.

• Tilt:

  • Pivots camera up or down, often for POV shots.
  • Useful for following a character’s gaze or scanning scenery.

• Handheld:

  • Operator carries the camera, creating shaky movement.
  • Adds immediacy or realism, often used in action or emotional scenes for raw effect.

• Steadicam:

• Camera is stabilized in a harness for smooth movement.
• Allows fluid, floating shots in complex environments, adding a dreamy or eerie feel often seen in MVs.

Mise-en-scene

mise-en-scene is a term that refers to the visual elements that a director or filmmaker controls within a scene to convey meaning and mood. The term is French for "putting in place" or "stage". 

Some key aspects of mise-en-scene include:

Setting: The time and place of the scene, including the location, scenery, and environment. Setting can help establish mood or foreshadow events. 

Costumes and makeup: Clues about characters that can include clothing, hair design, and makeup. 

Lighting: Sets the mood and guides the audience's vision. 

Staging of actors: The movements and performance of the actors.

Edits

- Cross-Cutting: Switches between multiple storylines or actions happening simultaneously to build tension.

- Continuity Editing: Joins shots in a linear flow, keeping time and space consistent.

- Fade: Gradually fades one shot out and another in, often to show time passing or transition scenes smoothly.

- Jump Cut: Quickly shifts between similar shots to create a jarring effect, emphasizing emotional change or passing time.

-J-Cut: Audio from the next scene starts before the visual cut, creating a smooth transition.

-Montage: Assembles a series of images or clips to tell a story or show progression.

-Cutaway: Briefly shifts focus to something outside the main action, helping to orient the viewer.

-Cutting on Action: Cuts from one shot to another right in the middle of an action for a seamless effect.

-Graphic Match (Match Cut): Links two scenes by aligning visual elements from one shot with the next.

Reflection: Learning all these technical elements is fun for me because I have already had some exposure to them in Grade 11, so they feel more familiar now. I enjoy experimenting with different techniques and seeing how they can transform a scene or convey specific emotions. It's exciting to realize how each camera movement or editing style can add depth to a story, and I feel more confident using them now that I have learned the basics. It is rewarding to see how much I have progressed and how I can now apply these skills to my own projects.

Storyboard

This is my storyboard for my music video project

This storyboard is created by my team mates Audrey and Chelsea

STORYBOARD COMP 3 - THE WEEKEND (BIBI, 88RISING)BY Chelsea

FIXED STORYBOARD COMP 3 - THE WEEKEND (BIBI, 88RISING) by Audrey Reflection: The storyboard was mainly created by my teammates, as we divided the tasks to work more efficiently and save time. Each of us took on different roles so we could focus on specific aspects of the project. Although my teammates took the lead on designing the storyboard, I actively contributed by sharing ideas for the scenes, particularly when it came to camera angles, mise-en-scène, and location choices. For example, I suggested how certain shots could emphasize the emotions of the star or how we could use props and lighting to reflect the character's development throughout the video. Collaborating this way allowed us to combine our strengths and come up with a more cohesive and creative plan for the music video. It was really satisfying to see how our individual ideas came together to shape the overall vision for the project.

Lyric Sheet

Here is the lyric sheet that me and my team mates did for our song 'The Weekend' by BIBI, here we leave comments on what ideas and vision that we have for our music video

We also did it on google docs, where we spent most of our time there brainstorming and giving ideas through the comment sections.

        

Below is our final lyric sheet using the application, Mural: 

Reflection: during our brainstorming sessions, we had different perspectives that sparked some disagreements. At first, Rara and I wanted the Star to have a more feminine and innocent persona, while Chelsea and Audrey envisioned her as a confident, bold character. This created some uncertainty as we struggled to fully enhance our ideas. However, we managed to find a solution by embracing our differences. We decided to incorporate a plot twist: starting with the Star appearing innocent and fragile, but gradually revealing her true personality by the end of the video. I’m really excited to bring our ideas to life because this brainstorming process has boosted my creativity and critical thinking skills, forcing me to think about what’s realistic and achievable for us as a team.

Moodboard

This is my mood board for my music video project, our chosen song is 'The Weekend' by BIBI, 88rising

MOODBOARD

Reflection: I had much fun collecting pictures for the mood board as I think putting our plan into suitable images are really exciting to do. Me and my team mates have different slides to differ our ideas and what we pictured. Slide 1 (Chelsea), slide 2 (Rara), Slide 3 (Audrey), and Slide 4 (Kalista, me). We mostly find our inspiration through Pinterest and most of us has similar ideas on what our Star would look like, their clothes, their style, etc and also the vibes that they brings which makes us even more excited to continue this project. 

Location Scout and Risk Assesment

 This is my location scout and risk assessment for my MV project, this is made by Me (Kalista) & Rara 

Reflection: going through the risk assessment and location scouting process has been an eye-opening and valuable experience. It has taught me the importance of thorough planning and preparation for every aspect of a shoot, especially when it comes to managing potential risks. For example, while scouting locations, I realized how much goes into choosing the right spot. The advantages and disadvantages of each location really made me think about how the setting can impact the entire shoot. I learned that flexibility is key, whether it’s a cafe or a friend's house, understanding how to work with the location's limitations, such as lighting or space, is crucial to maintaining the flow of the shoot.

Moodboard

 Here is the mood board for my music video project

Song Research

 Here we will look in detail at our song choice 'The Weekend' by BIBI & 88rising released in 2021.

Song background:

"The Weekend" by 88rising & BIBI seems to be about a relationship in which one person is not fully committed. The first verse describes a woman who parties all night and is only interested in being with the singer when it benefits her. She expects special treatment just because she is with him. The chorus suggests that she only contacts him on the weekends when she wants to be intimate, and he feels used. He is jumping off the deep end to be with her, but then she disappears until the next weekend. The second verse implies that this behavior breaks the speaker's heart. The bridge indicates that the singer is willing to be available for the woman when she is lonely but knows that she is not a good fit for something long-term. The outro is a repetition of the earlier lyrics and perhaps a reflection of the singer's feelings of being used and wanting more from the relationship. In sum, the song is a critique of a partner who only wants a casual relationship and does not want to invest in a genuine connection.

link: https://www.songtell.com/88rising-bibi/the-weekend#google_vignette

Why do you chose this song:

I chose "The Weekend" by 88rising and BIBI because it really nails the feeling of a one-sided relationship that's both complicated and relatable. The song talks about being used by someone who only reaches out when it benefits them, which brings up a lot of emotions like feeling unappreciated, longing, and heartbreak. I thought it would be perfect for a music video because the tension in the lyrics could be translated visually in a way that helps the audience really connect with what the song is saying. What I love about this song is that it’s got this mix of vulnerability and attitude, and that’s exactly what I want to explore in the character’s arc. At first, the character will seem innocent and emotionally invested, but then, with a plot twist, I want to reveal that she’s actually more confident and in control than she appears, which adds a cool layer of surprise and depth. This contrast between the two sides of her personality really ties into the song's themes and will keep the audience engaged in the story.

How will you make your MV different:

To make my music video stand out, I want to include a plot twist that keeps the audience on their toes. At first, I’ll show the star as this sweet, innocent girl, using soft colors and gentle movements to reflect her vulnerability. But as the song goes on, I’ll slowly reveal that she's not as innocent as she seems. Instead of going for the neon lights and bold colors like in the original video, I want to keep things more grounded with natural colors, I think warmer tones and subtle shifts in lighting. The camera angles will start close, capturing her fragility, but as her confidence grows, we’ll move to wider shots to show her taking control. These changes in the set, lighting, and the way she interacts with others will reflect her transformation, making the plot twist feel more real. I want the audience to feel like they’re on a journey with the character, seeing her shift from one persona to the next.

Refection: I’ve really enjoyed the process of diving into the research for this music video. The song’s themes of a one-sided relationship and the emotional tension between the characters gave me a lot to work with. Exploring the contrast between vulnerability and confidence has been super interesting, and I loved brainstorming how to show this visually. Looking into different lighting, camera angles, and how they could reflect the character’s transformation has really pushed my creativity. It’s been fun figuring out how to translate these emotions into a story, and I’ve learned a lot through this whole process.

Team

This is my team for my music video project

Team mates blog:

- Rara: https://luvraa-regentsmedia.blogspot.com/

- Audrey: https://awdrii-regentsmedia.blogspot.com/

- Chelsea: https://chelstirta-regentsmedia.blogspot.com/

I am Kalista (On the very left), working with my team mates Audrey, Chelsea, and Rara to create our music video project! 

Reflections: At the beginning, my team and I struggled with deciding who to work with for our Component 3 project. We even considered splitting up to work with new people for a fresh perspective, especially since we had already worked together on our documentary project. In the end, we decided to stick together. Our strong bond, the way we think alike, and how easy it is to communicate made the decision simple. We realized that working together is not only efficient, but also fun and comfortable, making the whole process more enjoyable.

Screen Test

To find a star for our music video, we need to conduct a screen test. Here is a screen test video we conducted as a class.

Brief definition:

A screen test is a trial recording or performance used to evaluate an actor's suitability for a specific role, often in film or television but in this case we are looking for a MV Star. It allows directors and casting teams to see how an actor appears on screen, interacts with the camera, and fits the character visually and emotionally.

Advantages of Screen Tests:

1. Visual Evaluation: Screen tests help determine if an actor has the right look, expression, and screen presence for the role.
2. Performance Insight: They showcase the actor’s ability to bring a character to life, revealing strengths and areas for improvement.
3. Chemistry Testing: Screen tests can show how well actors work together in scenes, highlighting on-screen chemistry.
4. Minimizing Casting Errors: They reduce the risk of casting an unsuitable actor, saving time and resources in the production process especially since we did this as class which is efficient to select faster.

Disadvantages of Screen Tests:

1. Pressure on Actors: Actors may feel additional stress in a screen test, which could impact their performance and lead to inaccurate assessments as everyone is being tested at the same time and some people might be shy and feel more comfortable doing it alone rather than in a room full of people. 
2. Limited Context: Screen tests don’t always capture the actor’s full capabilities, especially if the setting or scene differs from the final production.
3. Bias Potential: Directors and casting teams may form quick judgments based on first impressions, which can overlook potential talent.

Reflection: Although I was absent from school during the class screen test, I got some interesting feedback from my friends about the experience. They said it was a mix of fun and awkwardness, especially since being in front of the camera was a first for a lot of them. Some classmates found it enjoyable, while others felt uncomfortable, which shows how stepping into a role on camera can be challenging. Hearing this made me realize just how important a screen test is for getting the right fit for our main star. It allows us to assess if someone truly embodies the character and has the on-screen presence we’re looking for, which can save us from unexpected issues later during filming. This process not only highlights our casting needs but also ensures that the person chosen will align with the character's persona, making the execution of our vision much smoother.