preliminary task 3- research and planning

For my final preliminary task, I chose to create a short lyric video. This will help me with my main task because I will be able to try and take the lyrics from a song and turn them into visuals that fit. I will be working in Final Cut Pro, a program that is new to me; which I am both excited and nervous for.

Initially, I had the idea to create a mixed media video. That would require me to take the footage I filmed, cut it up into still shots, print them, draw over them, scan them and them line them up with the lyrics in post. This idea was very exciting; however I realised that I just don't have the necessary time right now, and I would rather try out that concept when I have more time instead of just doing it quickly and probably badly. So I decided that I should go with something a little more simple. Maybe I will use the mixed media technique in my final project, I think it would be interesting to try it out.

So, I then tried to choose a song. It took some time because I needed a song that I could quickly come up with a visual concept for. I chose this song that I really like and that I always come back to because every lyric is very relatable. The song is called "Kids" by Current Joys. I chose these lyrics at the end: "Oh, I'm no longer a kid / And everything has changed / There's nothing in my heart / And lightning in my brain / So listen up you kids / And hear what I say / Don't listen to your brain / And follow your dreams".

I feel like the meaning of the song is pretty straight forward, when you grow up and you are not a kid anymore and suddenly people treat you like an adult, it is very easy to feel nostalgic for your childhood especially if you feel like you haven't figured out your life. I turn 20 this year, and I know that I'm barely an adult but the societal pressure to know yourself and have your life and future figured out fully by the time you turn 18 is something that I think a lot of people my age struggle with. This song, with how moody it is from the instrumental to the lyrics, kind of reminds me of the fact that even if you want to pretend that you are still just a kid (the first few verses start with "I'm just a kid"), life doesn't wait around for you and you still have your adult responsibilities. This is the main idea I want to portray.

I chose my filming location with a lot of intent. I'm going to film in the park where I spent a lot of my childhood. Obviously people have no way of knowing that but personally it just adds another layer of meaning for me. The first half of the video will be all these shots of me in the park like going on the swing and the slide. Then, in the middle I want to have all the footage be reversed. The video will end with some shots of the park being empty.

For the lyrics, I will probably draw out my own font because I like doing it and it adds another level of effort and customisation. I don't need any props, all I need is my camera and tripod. I will have my mother with me, to help with pressing on the record button as I will film myself. She will also help me for when I need to set up the shots, so that I can see how I can frame it the best way possible.

As for the editing, I'm going to work in a new program. I will also be trying colour grading for the first time, which I am nervous for. But I think it will be alright.