NEA - Music Video Brief
The brief
2024 - 2025
You work for an independent media production company.
You have been given the task of producing a three-minute music video for a rock song* by a fictional band/artist signed to Universal and two pages for the working website for the band/artist.
You may use an existing song for your music video (this does not need to be copyright free).
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The web pages must promote the band/artist to its target audience and enable fans to interact with them.
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Summary of brief requirements:
• Statement of Intent (approx. 500 words).
• Music Video: One, three-minute music video.
• Distribution channel: Content must be age appropriate for young adults from the age of 16.
• Number of web pages: One homepage and one linked page.
• Cross-media production target audience: A primarily 16–25 year old middle market audience that likes to be entertained.
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There must be a clear sense of branding across the two elements of the cross-media production.
TASK 1:
Complete research into: Universal
Research the company stated in the brief from the exam board, produce a google slides or an illustrated post on your blog on the history and the structure of the company.
From this you should learn about the artists/bands who are most associated with the company and what this tells about the ideologies of the company. About page link
TASK 2:
Research three bands/artists that are associated with the company stated on the exam brief. Can you identify a particular genre/s that the company are linked with?
You will need to produce a google slides or an illustrated post which should include the music videos for all three.
From this you should learn about the artists/bands who are most associated with the company and what this tells about their representation/branding.
TASK 3:
Complete detailed research into: two music videos
Select two music videos (these could be from the same artist/band) and produce detailed deconstructions of the videos analysing:
Cinematography
Mise en Scene
Editing
Sound (connection between the lyrics and the visuals)
You can gain a lot from this task - it is time consuming but done well, you can learn a lot about conventions, ways to construct narratives, how to pace your video as well as learning about how to create band/artist identity.
TASK 4:
Select your chosen track, artist/band
Select your chosen track. This track needs to be at least three minutes long but I would advise that you do not select a track which exceeds this too much.
Write a post on your blog about why you have selected this track.
Present the current artist/band for the track on your blog along with at least two of their music videos - add your justifications of what you like about these videos.
TASK 5:
Copyright permissions
Find our who owns the copyright permissions for track that you have selected and write them a draft letter requesting permission to use the track - this letter should be added to your blog.
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TASK 6:
Create an audience profile: https://www.uktribes.com/
Read through the definitions and descriptions of different audience types and use google docs or google slides to create your own audience profile. Write how you will ensure that you will meet the expectations of this audience and how you will attract your target audience.​
TASK 7:
Demonstrate your understanding of the conventions of your genre.
The exam board may have defined the precise genre of music or they may have alluded to a genre through the linked production company.
From your current research - produce a list or mind map of the conventions that you understand to be associated with this genre of music. What key elements must you include in your music video to ensure that you meet these conventions?
Initial Plans
TASK 8:
Prepare a presentation to pitch to the class your initial plans. This should include:
Chosen track
Ideas for artist/band name
Potential narrative ideas
Themes/key elements that you intend to include
Analysis of the lyrics
Consider how you can make this as visually exciting as possible and ensure this is also added to your blog.
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TASK 9:
Research websites
Research band websites for your genre. Analyse them for:
typography
images
fonts
backgrounds
layout
logos.
How is the artist/band is represented through these creative decisions?
Produce two textual analysis and display on your blog.
From completing this you should learn about the conventions of websites as well as supporting you with ideas of how to plan your own.
Consider your branding
TASK 10:
Design a logo/brand icon for you chosen artist/band - this should be used in both the video and the website so you will need to consider:
typography
colour
font
image
You should add a blog post which explains your creative decisions.
Developed Ideas
Now you have chosen your track - how many performers will you need? Plan your narrative and consider how many people you will require for your filming.
Create a story plan for your video with a brief synopsis. You will need at least two characters to meet the brief.
Prepare to pitch your full plan to the class.
TASK 11:
Casting
TASK 12:
As you will direct your music video, you will need to secure actors to perform for you.
Upload photos of your chosen performers with an explanation of why you have cast them.
Location Recce
TASK 13:
Costume/make up plans
TASK 14:
Storyboard
TASK 15:
Shot list
TASK 16:
Shoot plan and shoot featuring the artist/band
TASK 17:
TASK 18:
Create a draft for your website
Use paper to plan out your website. Remember one page needs to be the homepage. Use existing sites to help guide you to plan. Produce a labelled draft to indicate which hyperlinks will work.
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TASK 19:
Initial footage
Complete an initial shoot