I was asked to be part of creating a music video for a band named XBad Company, a group formed from previous members of rock band Bad Company.
This was by far one of my favorite experiences of the Digital Media Production to date. It really felt like working within the industry. This shoot was on a much larger scale and more professional level than anything i have worked on previously and a absolute joy to be a part of.
We started early by packing the van in the morning then drove to a studio on the industrial estate in Poole.
This studio was massive, and packed full of stuff, loads of props and the biggest green screen I have ever seen in person. We began by setting up lighting and the green screen ready for when the band arrived so that they could bring in their VW camper van into the studio. When we were set up we got a few shots of the band inside and outside of the van with some models they had hired for the video. We wanted to give the van some movement so Jamie, George and myself took it upon ourselves to rock the van side to side which was an absolute mission, rocking a heavy van with 6 people in was a definate back breaker.
Once we got the shots we wanted we removed the van and set up lighting so that the models could perform their dance routine in front of the green screen. Apart from being a little unorganised due to not having previously worked out their dance routine previous to the shoot. After a few tried the girls got the timing right and the outcome was to a good level. We then included the band with the models and filmed them messing around and dancing together.
Meanwhile two guys from the film production course arrived with a crane to use for the video, this was amazing and definately put the production value of the video up a ton. Using the crane we were able to achieve such nice smooth shots of the band, and being able to film at different heights made the video look so good.
Whilst they were setting up we then got separate shots of each band member playing through the whole song on their own. Once this was over we then put away the green screen and began setting up lighting and equipment to shoot the band as a whole and get close shots and use get the shots we wanted with the crane.
We then took a break and were presented with a rediculous amount of tea, sandwiches and donuts. What A Winner!
After refueling it was time to get stuck into the group filming. Jamie, George and myself got hold of a camera each and began getting shots whilst the crane team were filming with that. Phil had brought his smoke machine with him so we filled up the studio with it, i think the use of smoke really made it look so good.
I really really enjoyed this it was a very very hands on shoot and a really good day.
Here is an old TV performance video of Robert Hart the vocalist.
