The document details a research and planning process for creating an R&B music video, focusing on the theme of love, the audience, and mise en scene. The author analyzed techniques from three existing music videos, including camera shots and editing styles, to inform their own production choices. Pre-production efforts included location scouting, prop selection, scheduling, and creating a storyboard to outline the video structure and shots.

1. Research & Planning
I researched various music videos to influence my ideas on the
audience, camera shots and mise en scene.
Mise en scene
Audience
The music videos that I looked at
Since my partner and I already helped me decide on the setting
agreed on the genre being R&B, we and costume of the model. Most
automatically assumed that the R&B music videos are based in
targeted audience would be aimed at everyday settings such as the
teenage and adult boys and girls due home & the road. This gives a
to the fact that R&B is usually based natural feel. I also had to make the
on the theme of ‘Love’. lyrics fit the setting.

2. • I looked at three R&B music videos that had some of the same ideas that I wanted to use. I looked at Ciara – Sorry
(a love song expressing how she feels about her lover and his mistakes influencing her actions) There are some
moments where she is sitting down on a couch thinking to herself which my partner and I used for our actor
sitting on the bed. This music video uses a lot of slow pace zooming in to reflect the singers mood of being sad
and in deep thought.
• The close ups used throughout the video (beginning middle and end) become more frequent when it gets to the
climax to show that the artist is getting more emotional. We used this same idea for when the lyrics get more
emotional. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DLA8Be7P9w
• The second music video I looked at was Nicki Minaj – Right Through Me (also a love song expressing the ups and
downs in a relationship and managing to get through it. The same technique of using flash backs in the music
video is also used. Even though it has a fast pace of cutting the use of shot reverse shot is used when the male
and female performers are arguing in the video. Extreme close ups are used on the artists face for emotion when
cutting away from the drama in the video. The regular cut away suggests that this is the way the artist is thinking
about the series of events. I want to use this editing technique so that the audience are able to keep track of the
storyline and to portray why the artist is saying certain things. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=_DLA8Be7P9w
Thirdly, I looked at the music video Chris Brown – Yo (Excuse Me). (A R&B music video where the singer describes a
girl he likes from outside a shop window and describes what he would do to impress her)
All three of these videos have a natural feel because they all are based in everyday locations such as (Ciara & Nicki
Minaj) in the home and (Chris Brown) walking down the street. In the Chris Brown music video, the use of
tracking expresses the movement of the actor and how long he is following the girl for linking to how attracted
he is to her (showing emotion). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn_6LC4loY8
At the beginning when he is in the shop getting told off by his employer, a focus shot is used on Chris Brown while his
employer is blurred in the background. I have tried to use this technique in our music video. A medium pace
zoom in on his face stopping at a medium-close up shot of the singer portrays his sudden thought of being
distracted by the girl.

3. Searching for a location
• We researched together various hotels that
we were going to use online.
• We looked at various prices.
• When planning the location, I visited a hotel
which we were going to use to start with
before our plans had changed.

4. Props
• We had to make sure that we were able to find
the right props to fit the video. We suggested a
ring (box), candles, a mobile phone, and
utensils for when the boy is waiting on the girl
at a date in a restaurant during the flashback.
These are quite basic things that we are able to
get for the video shoot.

5. Pre-production
• Our pre-production includes release forms,
production schedules, risk assessments etc…
This was used to help us with organising planning the
video whether it was the location, costume, camera
shots or getting particular goals done by a certain
date. We were issued sheet with a table showing each
of the days of the week so that we were able to plan
out the what we were doing clearly. This was so that
we could at least follow some kind of schedule even if
we were still unsure about certain things. This helped
us make goals for us to reach.

6. Storyboard
• We made a storyboard for a brief understanding of what we
would want the model to do when recording and the camera
angles & editing techniques that we would use in the
flashbacks as well.
• E.g.
• Close ups of the important moments and facial expressions
• Zooming in to built tension
• Tracking
• Shot reverse shot
• Cutting on action

7. Setting Up for Recording
I had to keep in contact the model that I was to use for the music video.
We arranged to meet at her house where she had a double bed and a
window close to it which is what I was looking for in our music video.
We had to make sure that the timing of the lip syncing was right so
she memorised the lyrics and I brought cue cards just in case.
Before we were able to record the lip syncing part of the music video, we
tested out some camera techniques in class to see if it would work. I also
practiced using the camera in my own time.
During Recording
After each take, I looked over what I had just recorded to
make sure that it looked right.
After Recording
We have a limited amount of time to edit and add
special features to the video we create.