A2 media studies

Understanding who will watch and emotionally connect with my music video is an important part of my planning. Because my video is interpretive, emotional, and introspective, it appeals primarily to viewers who appreciate deeper artistic expression rather than fast-paced entertainment or performance trends. Research shows that emotional music videos especially those with atmospheric visuals, interpretive symbolism, and slow editing attract audiences who connect through mood and meaning rather than spectacle. For example, a study on how music videos engage teenage and young adult audiences highlights that younger viewers (typically ages 15–25) are more likely to respond to videos that reflect personal emotion, identity questioning, and psychological depth. These audiences often use music and visuals as a way to understand their own emotions and life experiences, making them more receptive to interpretive styles like the one I am creating. This suggests that my target audience will includ...

As part of my pre-production planning, I have considered copyright and media safety to ensure my music video does not infringe on any intellectual property. Using copyrighted materials without permission could result in my video being blocked, removed, or legally challenged, so it is essential to take precautionary measures before production begins. For the song itself, I plan to formally contact the copyright holders, which may include the artist, record label, or production company, to request permission to use the track in my A2 coursework project. This can be done via email, stating the purpose of the project, that it is for educational use, and that the final video will not be monetized. Keeping a record of this correspondence demonstrates professional awareness and responsibility regarding copyright. In addition, any additional visual or audio elements included in the video such as stock footage, animation, or props that may be sourced online will come exclusively from copyright-...

To ensure my music video communicates the intended emotions effectively, I have planned the editing style to align closely with the tempo, rhythm, and emotional beats of the song. Because the video follows an interpretive structure, the visuals do not follow a traditional narrative but instead reflect the character’s inner state. Editing choices such as shot duration, pacing, and transition style are therefore crucial in conveying emotion and maintaining audience engagement. Slow cuts and extended shots are planned for reflective or introspective moments, giving viewers time to absorb subtle expressions and the atmosphere of the scene. Quick transitions, rhythmic cuts, or visual overlays are reserved for moments of emotional intensity or transformation, emphasising shifts in mood without relying on dialogue. The timing of cuts is also informed by the song’s musical structure beat, tempo changes, and lyrical emphasis are considered to ensure the visuals feel cohesive and synchronised wi...

To plan my music video effectively, I created a storyboard to visualise the key shots, camera angles, and compositions for each part of the song. Storyboarding allows me to structure the visuals in a coherent way, ensuring that each shot contributes to the emotional tone and interpretive style of the video. It also helps me anticipate technical requirements such as lighting, framing, and camera movement before filming begins. The storyboard focuses on a mix of shot types, including close-ups, medium shots, and wide shots. Close-ups will emphasise the character’s subtle emotions, while medium and wide shots provide spatial context and show the environment around her. I am also experimenting with framing techniques such as negative space, symmetry, and positioning objects or props to guide the viewer’s attention and support the mood. This approach ensures that every visual element communicates something about the character’s internal state without relying on dialogue or action. I have al...

The mise-en-scene of my music video has been carefully planned to ensure that every visual element within the frame supports the emotional tone of the song. Mise-en-scene includes costume, props, setting, object placement, background details, and overall composition. Since my video follows an interpretive and emotionally driven structure, the visual environment must feel minimal, realistic, and intimate rather than exaggerated or theatrical. In terms of costume, I will use simple, neutral clothing without bold patterns or bright colours. The purpose of this is to maintain realism and avoid distracting from the emotional performance. Minimal styling supports vulnerability and allows facial expressions and body language to remain the main focus. The clothing will blend with the muted colour palette, reinforcing the subdued tone of the video. The props and objects within the frame will also remain minimal. For example, elements such as a window, a chair, soft curtains, or reflective surfa...

The colour palette and lighting style of my music video are carefully planned to reinforce the emotional tone of Everything I Wanted. Since the song expresses vulnerability, introspection, and emotional pressure, I chose a muted and neutral colour scheme rather than bright or saturated colours. The dominant tones will include soft greys, off-whites, beige, and darker shades such as muted blue or charcoal. These colours create a calm and serious atmosphere, allowing the audience to focus on emotion rather than distraction. Muted colours are often associated with realism and subtlety. Bright colours can create energy, excitement, or positivity, which would contradict the reflective mood of the song. By limiting the colour range, the visuals will feel controlled and emotionally heavy. This supports the interpretive style of the video, where mood and atmosphere communicate meaning more than action or dialogue. The restricted palette also ensures visual consistency across scenes, preventing...

To visually develop my music video concept, I created a moodboard that represents the overall aesthetic direction of the project. The purpose of the moodboard is to collect visual references for lighting, colour palette, framing, camera style, and props so that my creative decisions remain consistent throughout production. Instead of randomly choosing visual elements during filming, this moodboard ensures that every choice connects to the emotional tone of the song. The images I selected focus on low-key lighting, soft shadows, and muted colour tones such as grey, beige, off-white, and dark blue. These colours visually communicate seriousness, introspection, and emotional depth. I avoided bright or saturated colours because they would contradict the vulnerable and reflective atmosphere of the song. The lighting references show dim indoor environments with natural window light or soft artificial lighting, reinforcing intimacy and realism. In addition to lighting and colour, I included f...

In order to ensure my music video feels structured and emotionally coherent, I have divided it into three main visual sections: beginning, middle, and ending. Even though the video follows an interpretive structure rather than a narrative storyline, it still requires clear visual progression so that the emotional journey feels natural and purposeful. Each section reflects a different emotional stage of the song and gradually develops the character’s internal state. The beginning section introduces the character in a calm and reflective atmosphere. The visuals focus on isolation and stillness, using wider framing and minimal movement to establish mood. The setting appears quiet and emotionally distant, allowing the audience to observe rather than immediately connect. This creates space for the emotional build-up that follows. The shots in this section are slower and longer in duration, reinforcing the introverted tone of the song’s opening. The middle section represents emotional intens...

For my music video of Everything I Wanted, I have carefully planned the narrative structure to reflect the emotional journey of the song. Rather than following a literal story, the video is interpretive, meaning the visuals focus on mood, atmosphere, and the internal emotional state of the main character. The video begins with a calm and reflective tone, using wider shots and soft focus to introduce the character’s vulnerability and sense of isolation. As the song progresses, the middle section highlights moments of tension and emotional intensity through closer shots and subtle changes in framing, allowing viewers to feel the depth of emotion without relying on explicit actions. By the end of the song, the visuals return to a quieter, introspective mood, creating a sense of resolution and leaving the audience with a lingering emotional connection.  https://www.canva.com/design/DAHCkQc-UZk/RENl5Ert8NhkRDp511urOQ/edit?utm_content=DAHCkQc-UZk&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medi...

After completing my research, I decided that my music video for Everything I Wanted will be interpretive rather than narrative. This means it will not tell a clear story with events and characters, but instead focus on emotions, atmosphere, and visual mood. The reason for this decision is because the song itself is deeply emotional and reflective. It talks about internal feelings, pressure, and vulnerability, which are better expressed through mood and symbolism rather than a literal storyline. My concept focuses on one main character in an indoor setting. The video will use low lighting, muted colours, slow editing, and close-up shots to create intimacy. Instead of dramatic actions, the character will show emotion through facial expressions, stillness, and subtle body language. This approach allows the audience to connect emotionally rather than being distracted by a complex narrative. Research supports that slower pacing and minimal visuals increase emotional impact because they allo...