“It's like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were. And sometimes you didn't want to know the end… because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing… this shadow. Even darkness must pass.” - JRR Tolkien
After discussing the song 'You Don't Own Me' from this post, I felt like showing some more of the footage I took through this song as well! It's such a great song, and was SO FUN to use as the sort of 'blue print' for my editing.
A2 Media 'You Don't Own Me' Possible Clip Collection
This was SO FUN to make, and I love the mystery behind editing sometimes; making the pieces fit together to make a potential 'master piece'; and with the music leading it's journey, it's so much more satisfying when it's finished.
I know I've been doing A LOT of music blog posts, but it's useful for me to keep track on what songs do suit the purpose of my trailer... and it's a difficult thing, choosing which one's best; even if it's only going to be heard for about 10 seconds!
But after watching the X Factor, I took a liking to one of the songs sung, so tried to find it. The song was 'You Don't Own Me' originally by Lesley Gore but an artiste called 'Grace' done a new version which has a lot more attitude and passion!
I wasn't a fan of the rap in the song, though, (I felt it disrupted the flow) so fortunately found a video which cut it out and extended it by 50 seconds!
Grace - You Don't Own Me - Edited version
I just love the attitude in this version and how empowering it is! This song could be, though complementary to my trailer's narrative, it could be rather contrapuntal too, since she isn't really rebelling against a man, as such, but with herself by doing all these sexual things. I could totally imagine a snippet of the chorus (about 49 seconds through - the chorus at 3:38 is especially beautiful) used near the middle-end of my trailer with parts of Alice putting on a 'performance' (her sitting the wrong way round on a chair comes to mind, whipping off her hat, letting her hair fall down her shoulders, comes to mind) with perhaps cross-cuttings of her boyfriend threatening her.
I remember when I first saw this trailer last year, I just found it so beautiful; it really got me in touch with my beliefs and broadened my imagination again, and when I found it on my 'recommended' YouTube list this afternoon, I just had to analyse it from a media perspective (especially since it's categorized as a 'drama' genre)
Son of God Trailer
"Come with me"
"What are we going to do?"
"Change the world"
For a start, lets talk about the stunning music of this trailer:
Son of God Trailer music 1 - Bestowal
The gradual build up of the trailer, starting from the beautiful introduction of this song (which builds up in drama) which almost embodies the slow movement of the sea; the first visual thing we see:
I adore the cinematography here with the range of shots, especially that gorgeous underwater shot of Jesus tracing his hand over the sea. The editing is rather contrasting with some slower then quicker straight cuts, but since this is portraying a scene within the first 30 seconds (not with loads of jump cuts to different situations) it's gives way for a steady build up of drama and narrative.
I especially love the straight cut into the 20 Century Fox ident at the key quote 'Change the world' which kick-starts the build up of the song.
Another aspect of this trailer I love is the 'bridge' of dialogue in the very middle of the trailer, finishing one piece of music to the next just after Barabbas mocked Jesus.
Then the second song sounds...
This switch in music indicates the most climatic part of the film; the music used are also quite contrasting; one a dramatic instrumental, the other a dramatic, almost 'folk-y' vocal piece.
I'll definitely be using a contrast of sound elements in order to reveal the escalation of the narrative of the trailer; perhaps having a snippet of a 'vocal' piece of music, and having an instrumental piece of music which would be a brilliant way to help me understand the journey of the trailer; especially since it'll be a longer cinematic.
I've taken inspiration from 'Her' originally when it came to the 'shower' scene I filmed in this post as you can see from this GIF:
Except in this gif, its obviously in a different context and resembles his isolation and loneliness, especially when you see him again in the jump cut as he walks the streets alone, arms folded.
But there're other elements of Her I feel I ought to take inspiration from; namely the sorts of 'capturing everyday life' things I could film, such as the gifs below...
I love the opening of the trailer; starting with peaceful piano music with establishing shots of first, our protagonist then the skyline of the city he's in. Perhaps I could do with a few more establishing shots within my trailer.
I love the fade/dissolve aswell between the scenes in order to provide a gentle transition between shots. Whereas some straight cuts would add greater pace and drama! I also love the shot of him alone in the elevator with the mass of other people; Theodore central in the background, as if his isolation is central to his misery.
I also love not only the content of the first shot of Theodore in bed, talking with Samantha, but the complete colour and lighting transition; from dark and grey to light and orange! I'd definitely want to use such transitions and contrasts myself in my trailer.
I certainly am in need of some awesome rotating and tracking shots like these! But I have to be fairly practical in what I could do too, keeping in mind the equipment I have as well...
What I also love about the film 'Her' is the ending:
Especially this part when he's seemingly embracing someone whom he probably imagines to be Samantha... Perhaps this could occur in my trailer, especially when it comes to the 'virtual' characters in my trailer.
Here's a small warning: there's a bit of 'back' nudity in these videos, just a glimpse, so it's nothing too much! And the moan/sigh in the end was deliberate to add to the 'suggestion' of what Alice could be about to do. But I did enjoy experimenting with the camera angles reflecting through the mirror. I have been doing a lot of single shots of the protagonist, I know, but I will eventually get on with more 'panning' and 'tilting' shots with scenery and such things.
Shower Shots version 1
Shower Shots version 2
I have been careful to make sure in the filming and editing process that I wasn't 'crossing the line' of what was or wasn't appropriate. But I hope I got the balance right here; since I didn't want to be a coward and not show a suggestion of what she was doing; or else the narrative wouldn't show through enough!
Oh, and I managed to figure out a really brief synopsis for what the trailer is about!
"A loving but insecure girl tries to escape her harsh life by taking the fantasies of lonely, online lads (of whom she builds unique, individual, genuine bonds with) on her own shoulders. They all experience some form of virtual love and indulgence from her which, in their own realities, is usually deprived of them."
I've just been casually listening to songs on YouTube, then came across a few songs I used to love and wondered if they'd be appropriate for my trailer...
Bad Apple - Music Box version:
This song is originally really fast paced (I'll post the original song below) but I was wondering whether to have more 'creepy' elements to the song; especially since there is an 'Alice in Wonderland' sort of influence in my trailer.
One thought I had for perhaps, the opening of my trailer was that it'd be a dark room, and like how hypnotists sway a pocket watch in front of their subject, perhaps I could have the opening submerged in darkness and I'll swing a light to-and-fro over my face (close ups) and different parts of my body (hands, legs, neck) to emphasise the secrecy, then perhaps she hears someone coming and she goes 'Oh gotta go!' then it'll go onto the rest of the narrative.
Bad Apple - Original English Dub
Bad Apple - Piano Version
I'm thinking, to avoid 'copyright' I could use a piano version (with permission from Youtuber) and perhaps dub over the singing myself, or just keep it with the piano version to give a more peaceful mood.
Bad Apple - Remix
I do love this remix of the song, but I still think it lacks a particular 'drama' I'd probably want to have incorporated. Yet the sort of 'techno' elements to this song could compliment the 'online' 'webcam' references of the trailer.
Romeo and Cinderella - Piano Version
I'm always so impressed by such piano skills! But I think the song 'Romeo and Cinderella' could fit better with my music video than Bad Apple. If I was to slow down this song, then it could be rather fitting!
Romeo and Cinderella - Violin Version
I much prefer this version since, the two instruments (including the piano in the background) adds a lot more depth and the violin, more drama! If I use Romeo and Cinderella, I'll probably ask the Yotuber if I could use this cover for my trailer.
