Introduction to Music Video

Finally, Maya, Freya, and I have finished our commercial. From this experience, we have learned an vast range of new things. We learned how to use Pinnacle Studios. However, this time around, I am solely working with Maya instead of Maya and Freya. The reason for this is because we feel like Freya did not put in as much effort as Maya and I did. From the commercial, I learned how to use the storyboard to my benefit. By using the storyboard, it kept us on track with the filming process. Yet, I still need to improve my editing skills as it was a choppy process, due to the lack of knowledge we had on the program. But, making the music video allows us to reuse this program and do better this time around.

Maya and I chose the song "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande. We chose this song because we both love the holiday Christmas. We felt that it was a good time to use this song, as December is approaching. This song is about Ariana's love for the holiday, and wishing she had her loved one with her on Christmas. She expresses herself by stating that she hopes next Christmas she will have her loved one with her and she won't be alone.

"Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande is the Christmas Songs genre. The conventions of Christmas songs are meant to bring winter vibes and jolly feelings. This is accomplished through shots and angles at medium close up, extreme close ups, high angles, and wide angles. The medium close up is for detailed feelings shown on the actor. The extreme close ups can be used for signs of emotion. High angles are used to show a different perspective to the actor. Lastly, wide angles are used to show the full image of what the actor sees along with the audience. This song has an array of jolly and upbeat Christmas music in the background, as most Christmas songs in celebration of the holiday do. This adds joyfulness to the music. To add, common editing ranges from the addition to red and gold colors to winter aspects such as snow flakes. 

1) For the costumes, in this genre they are mainly warm clothing that looks cozy. The reason for this is because Christmas is a chilly season, so it is very important to stay warm.

2) For the lighting, it is typically dimly lit as it takes place outside while the sun is blocked by the clouds, causing outside to be cold. This lighting portrays a cozy feeling, rather than a suspenseful one.

3) For the actors, they have to seem joyful and relatable, because then the audience is able to connect to this feeling. Christmas is a very cozy holiday as it is cold, so the actors would have to keep the mood happy and light.

4) For the makeup, the females are typically wearing red lipstick, since the colors to Christmas are red/green, red/gold, or red/white. They are normally wearing heavy makeup which contains bold eyeshadow along with eyeliner and mascara.

5) For the props, to get in the Christmas spirit, most videos have stockings, a Christmas tree, ornaments, a gingerbread house, milk and cookies, and candy canes. This is to bring the Christmas spirit in the house, and to make the video feel more like Christmas.

6) For the scene, it will most likely take place somewhere in the snow, or by a fireplace to bring a cozy feeling. The video either consists of coldness, warmth, or a mixture of both.