‘Saudade’ Non- Narrative Music Video

Project Concept &

Planning Documents

Alimur Rahman

1120754

Non-narrative music video: A dreamlike reality can be produced by non-narrative music videos as

images and music combine to produce an emotional effect.

Hundreds of scenes can be cut into a clip lasting just three minutes. This constant shifting of theme

resembles the structure of dreams. Non-narrative music videos shadow a loose theme rather than a

story. Often the theme is drawn from many angles in a short space of time. Conceivably the influence

most similar to dreams is the use of images with powerful mental associations. These work like

symbols, calling to mind thoughts that would typically take much longer to express.

Non-Narrative Music Video: Saudade

Duration: 3-4mins

I am planning to produce an emotional piece on the seriousness of cancer patient not seeking help

and receiving the correct treatment. Also how the 21st Century has produced ways for individuals to

have deep interactions with one another without ever meeting. The theme is based on an emotional

music video which has a soundtrack behind it with powerful lyrics, based on “intangible love”. As we

live in the 21st Century there are various technologies from online chats, social networks, text

messages, instant messaging which bring societies close. In my music video, I will be portraying this

relationship via “blackberry emails” which brings my 2 characters extremely close even though they

have never met face to face.

The story is basically about a guy who falls in love via email. He then learns that there are things in her

background that affect them from meeting each other. The absence between them only makes his

heart grow fonder to the point he loses reality and believes he’s with her in spirit, until her past catches

up and creates tragedy and twist.

This music video is called “Saudade”. “Saudade” is a Portuguese and Galician word for a feeling of

nostalgic longing for something or someone that one was fond of and which has been lost. It often

carries a fatalist tone and a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never really return. It

was once described as “the love that remains” or “the love that stays” after some is gone. I have

assembled this particular name for my project because this single phrase identifies my project as an

emotional piece of work. Also in the assignment brief I could instantly see that it meets the project

concept specifications.

Project Concept:

Proposal/Synopsis:

Characters:

Male: The story of the male character is he has fallen in love with a woman he has never met because

of her secrets he feels like he is always left in the dark (shadowy theme). His deep obsession and

concern for his love makes him usually believe that he is with her in his bed all the time

Female: The female character role is more exposed as the story unfolds with her having cancer. Her

smiles make us unaware of her situation and condition where as he is always upset. Her character is

“sexy” and “pompous” and makes you understand why he is extremely attracted to her.

Plot: He never meets her but they grow a relationship and she dies with cancer and she never wanted

chemotherapy.

Resolution: His with her emotionally and she’s with him spiritually.

In conclusion for my non narrative music video, I will analyse particular features such as the

appropriate audience and the criteria of the brief.

The male character is presented as being gullible, venerable and puissant. This gives him an almost a

weak character whose strengths show up through his puissant. This gives the audience the impression

of him being mawkish. The male actor is also presented by wearing primarily dark colours; black and

grey, giving the audience the impression that he’s always in the dark but never oblivious when it comes

to the female love interest. In addition the male character displays his obsession and concern for his

“Saudade” love makes him visually believe his with her in his own bed. His obsessions are driving him

crazy leading him to investigating her condition in order to help, however to know avail he is not

successful but stays ambitious towards his goals helping her.

The female character is shown as being prestige, down to earth and slightly promiscuous. Her

innocence is constantly highlighted throughout the scenes as she is communicating with the male via

email which portrays she has feelings for him but there is something in the way. Her not wanting to see

him makes her insecurity stand out when not wanting to be acquainted. The female character is shown

to wear bright colours which show the contrasts to the mood of her environment. This lets the

audience assume she is happy with life till you realise that she meets a tragic end. The black contrast at

the end makes the audience more sympathetic to both their cases because it lets you understand his

motion throughout and makes you realise she has been in denial throughout.

The location for my non narrative music video is set indoors in a comfort zone. In the very first scene

the female is in her room surrounded by bright colours. It typically displays a female room which

highlights her innocence. Also a key part in the sequence, as from the very first scene the female is

shown as feeling comfortable clearly in her room wearing her night clothes. The scene looks very dark

but the colour makes it look rich. The two characters being placed in their own comfort zone makes

the audience aware at one point they are in a normal relationship however there is no physical

interaction. However the male character finds his comfort zone within her establishment in his mind,

which makes the audience more certain she’s in a better place than him.

Treatment/Outline:

The lighting is also another very important element within this music video, as all the shots are in very

dark lighting with fade in transitions. The fade in colour makes the audience subconsciously know

something bad is going to take place. Moreover, the lighting and the scenes itself almost seems like a

physical sight of the male characters personality, as everything seems very dark and dangerous

compared to her more vibrant environment.

The music and sound effects are also important factors that help give the story its tense tone. As this

being a non-narrative music video it is a simple illustration to the story however the visuals display the

details within the sound track. The style of the soundtrack is a slow rhythm and blues feel which brings

out an emotion which makes the audience feel more sympathy towards the visuals (giving you a deeper

insight of what’s going on).

In conclusion, the moral based behind the story is that cancer is treatable and there are various patients

not seeking treatment. I believe this music video will appeal to young and the elderly because

everybody has the possibility with suffering with cancer. Also with in the new generation technology

affects people in different ways, as people become attached together via email.

His devotion to meeting her face to face has become much more intense over time because he falls in

love then discovers he may never obtain his obsessions when she tells him she has cancer. The line

states “Have not even met you but I’m feeling like I miss you” confirms that he has Saudade love.

My original idea was to come with a non-narrative music video. I have sat down and viewed various

non-narrative music videos on “YouTube” and “Vevo”. The video that caught my eyes and inspired me to

produce a music video like this is “J-Cole-Lost Ones”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-vQ_VsTkn0

“J.Cole” is a German-born American hip hop recording artist and record producer from North Carolina.

In 2009, he became the first artist to sign to “Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Label”. What really got me going was

that, Cole’s lyrics perhaps most strikingly deal with issues such as abortion and the consequences of

growing up in a fatherless household. However, these themes are incorporated alongside more

introspective issues such as relationships, family problems fame and attempting to be successful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cole_World:_The_Sideline_Story

Hence, my music video will be titled “Saudade” for a solid reason due to it reflecting to a feeling of

nostalgic longing for something or someone that one was fond of and which has been lost. It often

carries a fatalist tone and a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never really return. It

was once described as “the love that remains” or “the love that stays” after some is gone. Moreover, it

will portray the similarities as “J.Cole-Lost Ones” however the twist towards my music video are; the male

and female lead they never ever got what they try accomplished and the perception never gets to a

happy point. It mainly relates to “J.Cole-Lost Ones” music video but his lyrical verses are about an

abortion whereas mine is about cancer.

Research: Main Inspiration

Here are various screenshots I have print screened from the actual footage of “J.Cole-Lost Ones”.

During production, I will be focusing on these same angles ECU, Wide Angle and 2 Shots just like

the director did for this emotional music video. Also, I am planning to shoot my music video

with similar lighting and my location to be set in a bedroom http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-vQ_VsTkn0

Main Inspiration: J.Cole-Lost Ones

Screenshots

.

Brief Brainstorm:

SAUDADE

Music Video

(Short film Non-Narrative)

Plot:

Falls in love through

communication but she meets her

demise before he dies

(Only meets at death)

Her physical attraction

is an obvious reason to

him falling in love

Story about a girl that

he falls in love with over

the phone

Premise Cancer story with a powerful

soundtrack which lyrically describes

the story scene to scene

(She won’t accept chemotherapy)

Sets/Props/Costumes:

Black suit to represent Death

Flowers

Bedroom

2 BlackBerrys screening the relationship

over the phone

5 Characters:

Girl- Saudade love

Guy

3 Guy Friends for only one shot

The transition between

grayscale

to colour signifies her life

being more vibrant

Sketches & Visual Plans:

Sets, Props & Scenes

Sketches & Visual Plans:

Characters & Props

Here is a mood board I have created. I have uploaded all my

visual effects I have in mind into a photo collage

Mood board:

Storyboards:

Gantt chart:

SHOOTING SCHEDULE - PART 1

Title: Saudade

Writer: Alimur Rahman

Date: 20/01/2013

Date: Date:

Programme Start: Programme Completed:

Proposal Start: 13/12/2012 Completed: 15/12/2012

Treatment Start: 16/12/2012 Completed: 20/12/2012

Secondary Research Start: 21/12/2012 Completed: 22/12/2012

Storyboard Start: 23/12/2012 Completed: 31/12/2012

Searching for Location, Actors(5/01/2013-8/01/2013), Props, Agreements from cast memembers(15/01/2013-18/01/2013), researching the estential equipments needed and release forms from cast & location (22/01/2013-26/01/2013)

1/01/2013 Completed Everything: 31/01/2013

Production Start: 12pm-6pm (5/02/2013-10/02/2013) 3pm-7pm (12/02/2013-16/02/2013)

5/02/2013 Completed: 16/02/2013

Post-Production Start: 10am-2pm(18/02/2013-23/02/2013) 2pm-6pm(24/02/2013-28/02/2013)

18/02/2013 Completed: 28/02/2013

Final version: Final touch will be conducted roughly

about 11am till 3pm for the 1/03/2013 1/03/2013 Completed: 1/03/2013

PRODUCTION SCHEDULE - PART 2

Title: Saudade

Writer: Alimur Rahman

Date: 20/01/2013

Production Equipment Required:

Lights, Camera, Tripods, Loud Speakers for Audio Soundtrack, Smoke Machiences, Colour Contrast Filters, Track for Panning Shots,

Crewing Requirements:

Anything what my actors and actress needs such as: food, make up, travel, schedules, risk assesments

Actors:

2 Main Characters: Jaron Williams-Male actor Natilia Joseph- Female actress Additional Cast Memebers: 3 Actors Selim Annhas Alimur Rahman Jordan Douglas

Transport Requirements:

Public Transport: Underground Car: To carry the equipments

Props / Scenery:

Blackberry, digital photos, flowers, suits, bed sheets, bedroom, laptop, baggage, smoke,

Post-production Requirements:

Computer PC & Apple Macs, Monitors, Editing Software: Adobe after effects, Priemere Pro,

Lighting grid/Plot:

RISK ASSESSMENT SHEET

Title: Saudade

Writer: Alimur Rahman

Producer: Alimur Rahman

Director: Alimur Rahman

Date: 25/01/2013

Filming on Location

Possible Hazards:

1. Wires

2. Over Heating

Solutions

1. Keep the wires and plugs in one directon and make sure they do not loop. Avoid current shock

2. Make sure you stay away from flamable stuff and always have a fire extingusher around

Contacts

Alimur Rahman: 07960452352 Jaron Williams: 07503607594

Emergency services

In a case of serious emergency and you are requiring for an Ambulance, Police or Fire Brigade Call: 999 Call Alimur Rahman for any other emergency services

Sound Score:

Editing & Post Production:

References: Reading List: *H Zettl, Sight, Sound and Motion: Applied media Aesthetics. Wadsworth, Division of Thompson Learning 5th Edition 2007. J. Cole - Lost Ones. YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2013 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-vQ_VsTkn0

"Cole World: The Sideline Story." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Jan. 2013. Web. 31 Jan. 2013.

THE REST OF IT IS MY OWN COPYRIGHT DUE IT ME FILMING MY OWN MUSIC VIDEO WITH MY LYRICS