Preliminary exercise: Research and planning

Research and planning blog tasks
Create a blogpost called 'Preliminary exercise: Research and planning' and complete the tasks below. 

Now complete the following tasks:

1) State the song you have chosen for your preliminary exercise.

Thats How You Feel by Drake

2) Choose at least three music videos similar to your concept and watch a clip or more from each. Make bullet-point notes on everything you watch, commenting on camerawork, editing and mise-en-scene.

Drake – God’s Plan

Camerawork: handheld shots, documentary-style realism, close-ups on Drake with wide shots of environment.

Editing: quick cuts, moments of slow motion for emotional emphasis.

Mise-en-scene: everyday people, real-life locations (streets, shops, schools), emphasis on authenticity.

Travis Scott – Goosebumps

Camerawork: distorted lenses, lots of close-ups, experimental shots with surreal colours.

Editing: fast-paced, strobe-like transitions, jump cuts to match beat.

Mise-en-scene: night-time settings, psychedelic visuals, dark lighting with neon highlights.

Future – Life Is Good ft. Drake

Camerawork: mix of performance shots and storytelling (working-class settings like restaurants/garages).

Editing: split-screen editing, changes in tone and pace depending on who is rapping.

Mise-en-scene: urban backdrops, casual costumes, props linking to work life vs. luxury life.

3) Write a short music video treatment for your extract (this is basically a script for your TikTok music video). You can find an example of a treatment here. If you are making your real coursework then feel free to use the treatment from your summer project.

Scene 1: Opening / Brand Image

Starts with a logo projection on top of a building, symbolising identity and success.

Wide aerial shot to set tone and branding of the artist.

Scene 2: City Observation

Tracking shot of a tall building, introducing the city atmosphere.

Cut to a car moving through a roundabout, filmed from a distance to capture energy.

Car-to-car shot: camera inside one vehicle recording another car overtaking — suggesting motion and competition.

Scene 3: Performance Moment

Wide shot in a theatre, artist filming from above the crowd.

Flashing lights and crowd movement to convey power and attention.

Scene 4: Urban Flow

Walking down a road at night, surrounded by car lights and red traffic glow.

Tube station shot: camera remains still as train moves past, symbolising time and motion.

Scene 5: Reflection

Projector screen showing a boxing match, all surroundings dark — symbolises inner struggle and conflict.

Car interior scenes: artist records city lights through the window; juxtaposes mobility and confinement.

University common room scene: reflection captured in a glass window, referencing introspection and duality.

Scene 6: Real-Life Fragments

Gym scene: camera on the floor capturing people working out — raw and unfiltered.

Bus stop shot: artist waiting as cars drive past, motion blur symbolising life’s pace.

Escalator scene in shopping mall: framed between two escalators, emphasising movement and repetition.

Bus rooftop shot: city view from above, calm yet detached.

Bridge scene: view of central London and boats — symbolic of ambition and journey.

Scene 7: Resolution

Still shot on a street as a car drives past — a reflective pause.

River flow shot symbolising time passing and perspective.

Close-up of escalator moving upward, hinting at growth.

Final car shot from backseat view, artist facing forward into the dark road — closing the cycle of reflection and control.

4) Write a shot list containing EVERY shot you plan to film AND additional shots to create flexibility when editing (in a music video you will find you need FAR more shots than you think, particularly close-ups). These additional shots can be close-ups, alternative angles or something more creative. I advise using a simple table on Microsoft Word/Google Docs to set out your shot list - you can find an example here (this is from narrative filmmaking but the same format can be used for any video project). 

Shot list

5) Plan your mise-en-scene: what iconography are you including to ensure your audience understands the genre and style of your artist? Plan your settings, costume, make-up, props and lighting.  

Iconography of Rap / Drake-style Aesthetic:
Urban realism mixed with sleek visuals.
Cars, roads, streetlights, reflections, and handheld energy.
Night-time and neon tones to match the beat’s intensity.
Performance-focused visuals balanced with isolation shots.

Settings:

Rooftop (logo scene).
City streets and roundabout.
Car interiors and motorway.
Underground tube station.
Theatre / hall.
Bridge and river.
Mall / escalators / airport.
University common room.
Gym floor.

Costume:

Streetwear: hoodie, cap, black jeans, trainers.
Chain or subtle accessory for understated confidence.
Consistent colour palette: blacks, greys, dark blues (reflects mood).

Make-up:

Natural.

Rely on lighting and angles rather than styling.

Props:

Phone (used for self-filming and symbolising connection).

Car, LED light, projector screen.

Everyday items in background (gym equipment, escalators).

Lighting:

Natural city light at night (orange and red tones).

Use of car headlights, dashboard light and neon reflections.

Mixture of cool and warm LED hues to reflect emotional contrast. 

6) Plan a shooting schedule that will ensure everything is filmed by the deadline. Include when, where, who is required, planned equipment and any other aspects you need to arrange. 

Day 1 – Rooftop + Intro

Record logo projection and establishing shots.

Capture both handheld and tripod versions for flexibility.

Equipment: phone camera, tripod, LED light.

Day 2 – City Night Walk

Film walking scenes, red light reflections, and car-on-roundabout shots.

Use stabiliser for smooth tracking.

Capture ambient street sounds for atmosphere.

Day 3 – Car Interior Performance

Parked and moving car scenes.

Film both passenger POV and front-facing lip-sync takes.

Equipment: phone camera, dashboard light, optional LED panel.

Day 4 – Transport / Urban Settings

Tube, bus, escalator, bridge and river sequences.

Focus on framing movement — trains, boats, traffic.

Capture extra establishing shots for transitions.

Day 5 – Interior / Everyday Scenes

University common room reflection shot.

Gym floor shot (natural realism).

Record multiple takes for smooth editing flow.

Editing Week

Import and organise all footage.

Sync to That’s How U Feel beat.

Add overlays, split screens and smooth transitions.

Music Video