Research on Original Alice and Wonderland

I researched the traditional Alice and Wonderland so that I could gather a greater understanding in how to create my own version of the fairytale. However, filming our own music video, we decided on the narrative of Alice and Wonderland, but with a more 'dark' twist to suit the lyrics and to push the conventions of the genre.

I found that the traditional book was copied through the many copies of the films. The disney film had the same aspects as that of the book and the latest disney with Jonny Deep, also had the same aspects but the boundaries were pushed.

During the planning and filming of our music video, I will have scenes with that from the book, to make it easier for the audience to make a connection. The scenes that are more likely to be used are the famous and most known.

Prezi of camera and angles

Copy of To understand technical conventions of a music video on Prezi

Ideas for music video

After deciding the theme for the music video of 'Alice and Wonderland' we came up with more detailed ideas to use whilest filming the video.

• The lyrics within the song is about how the artist feels misplaced and alone searching for the one that she loves. From the lyrics, we decided to make Wonderland deserted with only Alice left. The reason for this is that the narrative will follow the lyrics.

• Due to the fact that there is no one in wonderland we will still have the remainds of the scenes, so that the audience will understand clearly what is going on. So there will be the tea party table with the remainders of the cups, saucers and empty chairs.

• Another scene we thought of is the tree where the chisher cat sits, however there will be no cat, just the empty tree.
• Alice could also be walking down empty hall ways with faceless characters walking past, so there is a sense of belonging from a time where she just missed.
• To end the video, we thought of her walking into a room or though trees (where the queen of hearts belongs) and cards falling constantly over her as she walks though. Just before finishing the video, she would place the crown that belonged to the queen on her head - implying that she has no become the queen of wonderland.

Initial Ideas for Music Video

After contacting an unsigned artist and requesting a song that we could film, I listened to the lyrics to brainstorm some ideas. The ideas that our group came up with was 'Alice and Wonderland' theme. However, we would push the conventions and twist the original story line. The reason for this, is that it would create a narrative storyline, which is required for many indie music videos and to lower the chance of the overall product to become less clieche.

The theme would be 'Alice and Wonderland' however it would be more 'gothic' and 'dark'. This is so that the lyrics and video will have a connection with the song. As a group we have brainstormed some ideas that could be used within the video.

Audience Research Results

The second person I interviewed was a boy ages 15 that enjoyed indie music, however wasn't his perfered music genre. Due to the fact that Alex wasnt an indie fan, there was not a lot of information that I collected.

Alex Jones
15

1) What clothes do you wear?I wear chinos most of the time; however I do wear jeans occasionally. Along with that, I wear Polo’s or plain t-shirts.  

2) Do you follow indie artist's style?I don’t really follow an artist style; I tend to follow a trend more than anything.

3) Do you see indie artists as an icon/Role modelIndie artists are inspirational due to the fact that they are individual to unique to them. Many people aspire to them and the success that they have made.


4) What key aspects attract you to indie music?The variation of music that indie can produce, like the beats change between different songs.

5) Do you go to gigs on a regular basis?Not particularly.

6) When was the last gig you went to?A couple of months ago.

7) In indie music videos, what do you expect to see? And why?I expect to see the instruments that they have used, if used? And the artist itself.

 
8) Do you expect different things from different indie artists?There are different types of indie music, so I guess there are different expectations.  

Audience Research Results

After writing the questions for the Interview, I asked various people, both male and female, that would answer my questions. I then asked the people if they wouldn't mind being filmed while I interviewed them, however the people I asked didnt feel comfortable enough.

Jessica Quinn - Indie Fan

18

1) What clothes do you wear?
I tend to follow the trends of many female indie artists. I tend to wear many dresses with cropped jackets with ankle boots. Although when the weather changes I swap the dresses with tight skinny jeans or leggings. This is what most of my wardrobe is filled with, although I do have many pieces of clothing that I just throw together depending on what mood I wake up in.

2) Do you follow indie artist's style?

Yes, I would say I do. I Love looking through magazines and following the latest trends in what my favourite artists wear.

3) Do you see indie artists as an icon/Role model

Hmm, I guess I do. Many indie artists follow in what they believe really, like in what they wear and the songs they sing. Each artist is individual and all different. I see them as a role model with how they follow in what they believe in, which sets the trends. For the fashion and clothing, it’s more of an icon for me.

4) What key aspects attract you to indie music?
I love the individuality that each artist has and with the connection to their music. There is such a variation in the artist’s music.

5) Do you go to gigs on a regular basis?
I go to gigs, but I am not so sure if I would say a regular basis

6) When was the last gig you went to?
About two weeks ago?

7) In indie music videos, what do you expect to see? And why?
I expect to see many shots of the artist, especially if they are solo. I feel that indie music has a connection to their audience. The clothing that they wear is important in a music video, as many viewers that are a fan of the music follow their favourite artist’s fashion.

8) Do you expect different things from different indie artists?
I suppose I do. There are different types of indie genres, so I guess for each genre the audience expect different things.

From this information that I gathered, I saw a trend in Laurens answers with the fact that she follows the trends of fashion, so this could be taken in mind when thinking of ideas for the filming of a music video.  
 

Genre

David Buckingham - 'Genre is not simply given by the culture, rather. it is in a constant process of negation and change'


What does the indie genre want:

• Different to mainstream
• Stand out
• Low quality budget
• Authentic
• Challenge
• Rejection
• Inclusion
• D.I.Y - Hand held, Low light
• Does something different 
• Natural Surroundings
• Instruments
• Artist identity
• Genre performance 
• Narrative - Rise to stardom

Cross genre: Where artists are in a particular genre but use conventions from other genres

Hybrid: Combination of two genres 

How I could use this information for filming of a music video:

From brainstorming ideas of what people want from indie music, it provides information that i should require within the filming of our music video. In most cases of indie videos there are a narrative story line, taking this idea, i could produce a story that is in connection with the lyrics in the chosen song. 

Artist identity will be featured heavily throughout the filming of the music video. The reason for this, is that fans of the indie genre expect many shots to be filmed with the artist.  

There will be the sense of a low budget film, due to the fact that its purely a D.I.Y music video. 

To push the conventions of this genre, the use of natural surroundings could be twisted into a abstract image. Along with the natural surroundings that would be altered, the narrative aspect could also be changed to a way that is not expected.