Planning setting and iconography

Settings and iconography in music videos are fundamental in communicating not only the genre of the song but depicts artist representation and helps build a relationship between the audience and artist. It is also necessary because it makes the audience gain a deeper insight into the artists lifestyle and understand their lyrics more so because of this. Therefore, each form of iconography and each location are there to fulfil a purpose whether that be to display genre characteristics or develop a relationship therefore increasing the artists success. 

The performance during any music video is very important because it allows the audience to build a relationship with their favoured artist which may result in an increase of success and fan base too. For the performance element of our music video in which the artist will sing into the camera gaining fundamental eye-contact with the audience, we plan to shoot in front of a large white wall. This is because we would like our performance element to be referred to throughout but be simplistic and natural looking. We want to achieve a simplistic outcome for our performance because after conducting research we found that it will follow genre characteristics.  It also allows the viewers to focus their attention on the artist and they are more likely to believe the lyrics she sings as they can visually see her emotions as she performs. In turn this will mean the viewers can build a relationship with the artist primarily based on her performance talent. 

lyrics are evocative therefore provoke emotion amongst audiences therefore a relatable figure to many

For the narrative element of our music video (which we have chosen to have the majority of the duration of the song alongside snippets of performance) we have selected to shoot at a local skatepark. Not only is the skatepark easily accessible for our group/actors but it is littered with visually appealing graffiti which adds to the misguided vibe of the artists boyfriend, hence why he spends so much time there.
Our main focus for the narrative element will be drawn upon the skatepark throughout, mainly because the lyrics refer to the location 'hangs about at skateparks' throughout. We also believe the atmosphere of the skatepark will correlate to the overall feel we want to communicate with our chosen Indie song.  Skateparks are often associated with young males wanting to escape reality therefore the location fits in nicely with our song and the specific lyrics: 'he's just misguided I think' Skateparks are also known to attract young people which is relevant to the audience in which we are targeting who consist of teenagers who enjoy music of the Indie genre. This is evident in the style of clothing we have chosen our actors to wear for example beanie hats and trainers, typical of Indie teens. Therefore, the Indie stereotype has been highly influential in regard to our settings and iconography we have planned to use.Although the central focus point of this location will be the artists love interest there will be a secondary focus on the people surrounding him which will depict a sense of loneliness also evident in their relationship. We would like to portray the skatepark as a 'thinking place' for the artists boyfriend and somewhere he can escape to to consume alcohol and consume his personal thoughts.  





We have chosen specific iconography to create desired effects on our target audience audience and also to assist in developing/enhancing the narrative and performance elements within our video. 

Another aspect of our narrative element will be shot in a field at night where we aim to use sparklers, fireworks and a red flare; all symbolic of the relationship depicted throughout the artists lyrics. Light will be the reoccurring motif throughout our video, therefore we have planned the iconography to be based around the use of various light sources. 




Sparklers will be used to emphasise the struggle of the artists relationship with her boyfriend. Once the spark has disappeared it will hold a symbolic purpose of their relationship also losing its spark. We also plan to include a scene in which fireworks ar                                                                                 e shot into the sky in the dark field location which communicates their rebellious attitudes and will also symbolise their relationship to be colourful once the fireworks are in the air but then dark when there is nothing left but ash. We would like this particular scene to appear chaos therefore we will employ fast-paced editing in juxtaposition to slow-paced editing used throughout which is relevant to her boyfriends behaviour which is deemed as dangerous. 

An additional light source will come in form of a lighter for the boyfriends cigarettes to capture his addictive personality and disorderly behaviour. We hope the use of light will communicate the idea of 'shedding light of a situation' which also relates to the artists word choice throughout her lyrics, trying to understand why her boyfriend is 'misguided'




Lastly, we aim to shoot in a forest at sunset, also to capture natural light. We believe the use of sunset shooting is romantic and feminine, therefore drawing attention to the artist in her thinking space as her boyfriends place to escape is the urban skatepark. The stark juxtaposition of locations we hope will also present contrasts in their relationship as they two have very different representations throughout. The artist will be portrayed to be vulnerable and relatable for her target audience whilst her love interest will be shown to be destructive and rebellious; therefore two contrasting images conveyed through not only the use of editing and cinematography but setting and iconography too. 

We will also use a guitar, in which the artist will be playing when performing her song. By having the artist play her guitar provides the audience with a short representation of her and therefore encourages them to build a relationship with her as they are more familiar with the artist. It gives them an insight as to who she is and what she can provide as an artist in the music industry. Also, the audience can relate to such instrument whether it be from interest or the ability to play it themselves, enabling the artist to become easier to relate to. Therefore, our chosen settings and iconography help build the fundamental relationship between the target audience and artist.

The settings we selected to use have been intentionally selected as they appear conventional to the Indie genre:

London is a conventional location within many Indie music videos as it is a diverse location which unique characteristics; subverting mainstream locations within Pop videos such as a club with vibrant lighting. London is perceived to be unusual and therefore is used in Indie music videos to portray the unique image and sound of the artist. 

By selecting a Skatepark in Southbank by the famous landmarks, it conforms to genre characteristics and also creates the stereotypical image of an Indie male. Although our chosen actor cannot skate, the location of a skatepark presents his laid back and rebellious nature.

A quiet field at night is a form of a natural location which is arguably conventional to the Indie genre as it is deemed to be simplistic. Indie music videos are conventionally do not adopt an 'over the top' attitude. Therefore, in order for the audience to feel like they can relate to the video and song, natural locations are often used. We hope that our chosen field location will portray to the audience that the artist is down to earth. Therefore, it will be easier to relate to our artist rather than an artist of a different genre as the lifestyle of which an Indie artist has is more achievable and generally more recognisable too.

Lastly, iconography we hope to use such as fireworks and lighters are not specifically conventional to typical Indie music videos. Despite this, they are natural sources of light which will be referred to throughout rather than stage lighting/strobe lighting which would be used in a Dance video for example. In contrast to this, showing the artist playing guitar is one of the main conventions recognised in Indie music videos which we aim to echo and mimic. This is because many Indie artists are seen playing an instrument (mainly guitar, drums of piano) which therefore proves to their target audience their dedication and talent which can be demonstrated through live performances within their music videos.