- Type
- Music Video
"Floating" - Low vs Diamond PItch
A man floats aimlessly through the city until he found what he was looking for.
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0:00-0:23 Opening
Our main character - let's refer to him as "Guy"- is floating around Los Angeles, looking for something. What I mean by floating is that while other people are walking, his feet never actually hit the ground. This can be achieved cheaply with a stop motion, in camera effect where we have our character jump from spot to spot. I included a very basic example that I shot and cut myself using an inexpensive DV camera.
What I like about this is that while he is floating around the people around him are on the ground going about their daily business basically in a time-lapse format. Right from the start this separates GUY from everyone else.
0:24-0:35 The Band
Now on the band. First CU on the guitar right when it kicks in and then pops out to get more on the band who is backlit and in silhouette. Let's keep them mysterious for now. Back in tight on the lead singer's face just as he sings, "Your sister came down..."
0:36 - 1:13 GUY/Inter-cut Performance
Back on GUY. He is still meandering around LA. Looking for something. The hope is to shoot as if our character were a small figure drawn into to these great paintings of scenery. The idea is that the city is overwhelming (which it is) and he is a small fish in a huge, expansive pond. But there's still beauty that is communicated within it.
Now that our formula is set we can inter-cut shots of the band playing. Something with the feel of an abandoned factory. Yes it sounds cheesy but I'm not a fan of most performance-based videos it has to be different. Low vs Diamond is also hovering around like our main character giving the two a connection. Although it's a tedious process, it makes for a unique feel. Something that the people watching won't forget. Still back lit, not giving us much more than the outlines of their bodies and hair cuts.
1:14-1:56 Performance, Guy & Build Up
Low vs Diamond becomes a little more lit up when the guitar kicks in here as we cut back and forth between our lead and them. As GUY is walking around, we get the sense that he is looking for something but it's difficult to find in the city. There's a great line here that parallels the scene description- "Drowning in a city full of blueblood..."
1:58-2:02 The Turn
Guy comes to a stop at an intersection, hovering about. Still sad, his eyes scan the window in front of him. He notices something across the street in the reflection and turns around to see: "SISTER" a girl around his age hovering just the same way his is. To me, it's not important whether or not we establish if she is actually his sister or not or what their relationship is. We'll leave that up to the viewer. What we do know is that she is of importance to GUY. She smiles when they make eye contact and -
2:03- 3:02 The Chase
- BAM. The chase is on. The song really ramps up the emotion here and so does our story. Now GUY is chasing after her as she is running away playfully leading him on.
We continue to cut back and forth between the chase and LvD performance. The band is now fully lit with light bursting around them. Shots are quicker cut of the guys jamming out but of course still hovering. When we come in tight on the LvD guys we can cheat this feeling of floating by taking out every 3rd frame in post or so.
Another important point is how this song works as a gradual crescendo in terms of emotion. The energy slowly cranks up with every second and we parallel that visually. Now our shots around city become lighter in tone as GUY enthusiastically follows her.
3:03- End Connection
GUY finally chases her up to the top of a hill over looking the city, where she stands facing away from him. He floats up next to her and the both slowly let their feet touch the ground. He puts his around her and they hold that pose. magic hour.
Low vs Diamond continues to perform, this time with their feet on the ground. We slowly dolly out of the room as the music fades.
Our main character - let's refer to him as "Guy"- is floating around Los Angeles, looking for something. What I mean by floating is that while other people are walking, his feet never actually hit the ground. This can be achieved cheaply with a stop motion, in camera effect where we have our character jump from spot to spot. I included a very basic example that I shot and cut myself using an inexpensive DV camera.
What I like about this is that while he is floating around the people around him are on the ground going about their daily business basically in a time-lapse format. Right from the start this separates GUY from everyone else.
0:24-0:35 The Band
Now on the band. First CU on the guitar right when it kicks in and then pops out to get more on the band who is backlit and in silhouette. Let's keep them mysterious for now. Back in tight on the lead singer's face just as he sings, "Your sister came down..."
0:36 - 1:13 GUY/Inter-cut Performance
Back on GUY. He is still meandering around LA. Looking for something. The hope is to shoot as if our character were a small figure drawn into to these great paintings of scenery. The idea is that the city is overwhelming (which it is) and he is a small fish in a huge, expansive pond. But there's still beauty that is communicated within it.
Now that our formula is set we can inter-cut shots of the band playing. Something with the feel of an abandoned factory. Yes it sounds cheesy but I'm not a fan of most performance-based videos it has to be different. Low vs Diamond is also hovering around like our main character giving the two a connection. Although it's a tedious process, it makes for a unique feel. Something that the people watching won't forget. Still back lit, not giving us much more than the outlines of their bodies and hair cuts.
1:14-1:56 Performance, Guy & Build Up
Low vs Diamond becomes a little more lit up when the guitar kicks in here as we cut back and forth between our lead and them. As GUY is walking around, we get the sense that he is looking for something but it's difficult to find in the city. There's a great line here that parallels the scene description- "Drowning in a city full of blueblood..."
1:58-2:02 The Turn
Guy comes to a stop at an intersection, hovering about. Still sad, his eyes scan the window in front of him. He notices something across the street in the reflection and turns around to see: "SISTER" a girl around his age hovering just the same way his is. To me, it's not important whether or not we establish if she is actually his sister or not or what their relationship is. We'll leave that up to the viewer. What we do know is that she is of importance to GUY. She smiles when they make eye contact and -
2:03- 3:02 The Chase
- BAM. The chase is on. The song really ramps up the emotion here and so does our story. Now GUY is chasing after her as she is running away playfully leading him on.
We continue to cut back and forth between the chase and LvD performance. The band is now fully lit with light bursting around them. Shots are quicker cut of the guys jamming out but of course still hovering. When we come in tight on the LvD guys we can cheat this feeling of floating by taking out every 3rd frame in post or so.
Another important point is how this song works as a gradual crescendo in terms of emotion. The energy slowly cranks up with every second and we parallel that visually. Now our shots around city become lighter in tone as GUY enthusiastically follows her.
3:03- End Connection
GUY finally chases her up to the top of a hill over looking the city, where she stands facing away from him. He floats up next to her and the both slowly let their feet touch the ground. He puts his around her and they hold that pose. magic hour.
Low vs Diamond continues to perform, this time with their feet on the ground. We slowly dolly out of the room as the music fades.
Comments (25)
CalvinsWagon Haha. Thanks for the support Julia. I have not yet been asked for a DNA test. Unsure as to why the delays but I'll just remain patient and hope we all get an answer in 4 days!
November 14, 2008Juliah Rueckert So - this is my favorite... but what's UP with the constant delays? Are they ordering DNA tests on you guys or something? It took less time for me to qualify for a car loan!!! This was supposed to be over 6 weeks ago!!! Good luck, anyway. Godspeed!
November 14, 2008billionairOrange Something about this video seems to fit -I hope it gets made.
November 3, 2008Titanium22 The pitch was really creative and effective. Frankly, I've never seen that floating idea before, and I thought it was really cool. It fit the song perfectly. I think it would be one of those videos that immediately stands out when you see it on TV. Great job.
October 30, 2008Lesa Kitching Floating is a definite hit for a piece like this. It is very self-explanatory ( nice to understand without entanglements) Great flow, as a writer myself I always likes to see works that have a beginning middle and ending. You have my vote.
October 28, 2008Andre Martin Excellent concept. Love the floating idea, which gives a wandering type of feel. Honest and simple, just like I like it. Great job.
October 27, 2008John Cha simple, effective. looks like a dream i once had, so I have to vote for this one. Just throw in a strange hybrid cow-dog for a David Lynch effect, and a few more guys.
October 26, 2008CalvinsWagon thank you bradonhhh, botoaster, rickels, and misstopanga. incredibly generous comments. the last thing i wanted to do was bore anyone who decided to watch it and I'm appreciative you took the time. I believe in the concept and to create a visual for an amazing song WITH a budget and crew would be a luxury.
October 24, 2008Rickels Great pitch!!! Make this video NOW. Great premise, you put a ton of hard work in the presentation and it's evident you have the directorial chops. Winner.
October 24, 2008botoaster I LOVE this pitch. I work in artist management and not only does it achieve superiority creatively but it also does so from the business sense... It's not ridiculous financially and I like how the idea makes it clear who the band is. A lot of directors have used performance sequences (because it works) but you found a way to do it creatively so that it also ties into the overall plot, connects with the song and stands out amongst other videos.
October 24, 2008This idea evokes emotion and conveys a message... There's purpose in it and I think it's what a band would look back on in 10 years and be proud of. I hope it wins!!!!!