3. Pre-Production: Visual Planning
• This section is concerned with the visual planning of your music video
• You should use this section to develop the sequencing or your video,
establish the relationship between the visuals and the track itself and
create a structure for you to follow when filming
• It is important that you ‘pre-visualise’ the video before you make it; it
will make filming and production a more streamlined process
• The following tasks are part of your visual planning
• Pre-visualisation and concept boards
• Storyboarding
• Shot list
4. Pre-visualisation/Concept Boards
• Tool for exploring the direction and visuals
• Provides inspiration and information for the “look & feel”
• Presents key moments in your video
• A means to sketch/plan ideas
• Information on colour/lighting
• Defining the “mise-en-scene”
• Include as much here as you like, but keep it relevant to the
production, the following slides have been left blank for you to
approach in your own way, add more as you need to
• Extension suggestion: edit a short sequence of clips that have
inspired or influenced your video [similar to this:
http://io9.com/5941145/this-directors-video-pitch-for-hunger-
games-might-be-better-than-the-real-movie]
7. Structural breakdown
• Breakdown your track into it basic sections [e.g. intro, verse, chorus,
verse, etc] and apply broad visual ideas to each section
• You can use this as the master template for your production, then
add more shots to each section when you develop your full visual
plan
8. Structural breakdown – 1/3
Section [e.g. verse,
chorus, bridge, etc]
Approx
duration
What happens, visual elements, shots Notes of technical aspects/requirements
Verse 1 0:22 At the beginning will start with the
zoom close in the pianist for 8 seconds
until the singer starts singing.
The music start and the camera zoom in
into a medium shot on the singer.
For the first shot I will need just a
camera and a tripod.
For the flashback moments I will
put some effects. For example,
black and white.
Verse 2 0:23
0:39
A first flashback of the couple chilling
out together.
Zoom out to the scenario again and
zoom close to the pianist for about 5
seconds.
Zoom out to the scenario from the
front.
Get medium shot in the singer from the
right side now.
I will use the camera to catch both
sides of the room.
In this part I will add a effect
between the scenario to the
pianist.
Verse 3 (Chorus) 0:40
1:02
Then the flashback again but in another
moment of the couple spending time
together.
Go back to the studio.
Zoom out but close to the singer, in the
front and move slowly to the right side.
Depending on the lights of the
studio I might need lights to
record.
In the flashbacks I will only need
the camera.
9. Structural breakdown – 2/3
Section [e.g. verse,
chorus, bridge, etc]
Approx
duration
What happens, visual elements, shots Notes of technical aspects/requirements
Verse 4 1:03
1:18
Zoom close into the pianist hands in the
instrument.
Then zoom into the singer.
In the flashback the guy was sad and his
girlfriend was with him.
Back in the studio and close to the
singer.
Flashback- Zoom into a phone in the bed
with a picture of the couple.
Verse 5 1:19
1:34
Back in the studio with the whole
scenario.
Zoom closer to the singer before the
part “There’s no turning back now.”
Verse 6 (Chorus) 1:35
2:05
Zooming out from the singer but stay in
medium shot so that could fit all the
scenario in the screen.
10. Structural breakdown – 3/3
Section [e.g. verse,
chorus, bridge, etc]
Approx
duration
What happens, visual elements, shots Notes of technical aspects/requirements
Verse 7 2:06
2:29
This verse will be recorded in a medium
shot from the front but focused on the
singer. From both sides, right and left.
To record around them I will only
use the camera.
Verse 8 (Chorus) 2:30
2:43
Flashback – couple again spending time
together in the city and random places.
Verse 9 2:44
3:15
Back again into the couple.
They was spending time together as
couple.
Then go back to the studio filming close
to the singer.
The flashback will be moments of
them but when editing it will pass
quickly.
Verse 10 3:16
3:24
In the end of the music medium shot of
the singer.
Turning the lights off in the studio.
11. Storyboarding
• Your storyboard should bring your idea to life
• Provide an idea of the sequencing of you video
• Provides a basis for production
• Suggested online storyboard creators are:
• https://www.storyboardthat.com
• http://www.pixton.com [very complicated]
• http://www.storyjumper.com [allows you to insert your own images]
• Alternatively, hand draw or photograph your storyboard and scan or
copy to insert it onto your slides
• There are lots of tips collected together on Blackboard!
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17. Shot List
• Your shot list should contain the sequential breakdown of what you
need to shoot for your video – it is both a creative tool for planning
and practical tool for filming
• It should work in partnership with your storyboard
• It will be your working document when you film
• It should contain the shot number, scene number, shot description,
framing and action you will see
• It should also have information on performers in the scene and other
props, etc
• Shot list template is on Blackboard in the pre-production folder.
18. Shot No. Shot Type Estimated
duration
Description/notes (e.g. camera movement, specific directions for performers, etc)
1. Close Up. 8 seconds. Pianist.
2. Medium
Close Up.
15 seconds. In the singer from the right side. In this shot the main focus is the singer.
3. Mid Shot. 12 seconds. The couple will be in the sofa in the living room talking.
4. Medium
Close Up.
4 seconds. In the singer again from the right side.
5. Long Shot. 9 seconds. Flashback of the couple. In this scene they will be in a park together.
6. Medium
Close Up.
4 seconds. Back in the studio.
7. Long Shot. 9 seconds. Back in the same flashback where they
8. Close Up. 2 seconds.
1:06
Pianist again. Verse 4 starts.
9. Medium
Close Up.
4 seconds.
1:10
Singer.
10. Medium
Close Up.
2.5
seconds.
“There were tears in your eyes.” Flashback where the she hugged him
when her boyfriend was sad.
11. Big Close
Up.
5 seconds. Phone screen where she would be calling her boyfriend and he wasn’t
answering it. The phone will be on the bed. Shot from the top to see the
contact name and the phone call.
12. Medium
Close Up.
5 seconds. Back to the studio. Record the singer from the right side.
13. Mid Shot. 4 seconds. Flashback. The guy stand his hand to her, she take his hand. He pulls her
close for a hug. This will be inside a house.
14. Medium
Close Up.
3 seconds. Left side, start the shooting above the singer shoulders to up.
15. Close Up. 3 seconds. Record from the right side of the singer.
16. Medium
Long Shot.
2 seconds. Shot the whole scenario.
19. Shot No. Shot Type Estimated
duration
Description/notes (e.g. camera movement, specific directions for performers, etc)
17. Medium
Close Up
6 seconds. Again right side of the singer.
18. Medium
Long Shot.
3 seconds. Shot of the scenario.
19. Medium
Close Up.
5 seconds. Right side. Make the camera focus on the singer.
20. Close Up. 10 seconds. On the singer.
21. Medium
Close Up.
7 seconds. Record the pianist and then move the camera slowly back to the singer for
the verse 7.
22. Medium
Close Up.
19 seconds. Singer.
23. Close Up. 5 seconds. Record the singer from the right side.
24. Medium
Long Shot.
7 seconds. Flashback – The couple will be in town walking. I will shot this in the night
where the lights in the town will be on.
25. Medium
Long Shot.
8 seconds. Flashback – Back again, they will be spending time together.
26. Medium
Long Shot.
8 seconds. Flashback – They will be in the kitchen making some food.
27. Medium
Long Shot.
4 seconds. Flashback.
28. Medium
Close Up.
9 seconds. Back in the studio. Record the singer from the side.
29. Medium
Long Shot.
11 seconds. Back again in the flashback.
30. Medium
Close Up.
2 seconds. Close shot in the left side of the singer.
31. Medium
Long Shot.
6 seconds. Film the whole scenario.
21. Production Group Info
• Include names, contact info, and defined roles at difference stages of
production, using a table is suggested
Name Contact info Roles
Lauryn - She will be the singer.
Patricia 07388 008647 She will be the girl in the
flashback.
Buddy - He is the girl’s boyfriend
in the flashback.
22. Location information
• Information and images of your location[s] for filming
• You should have address details, clearance/premissions for filming,
recce photos and floorplans [including camera, equipment and
cast/crew layouts]
• Where possible, have a plan B fallback location option
• Assess each location for any issues and suggest solutions
23. Location information
Millennium Bridge
York YO23 1LR
High Petergate - York
Museum Garden
Museum St, YO1 7FR
Rowntree Park
Terry Ave, YO23 1JQ
Could be cold and
wet, I need to be
carefully when
shooting in there.
