VCE Media Studies

Community collaboration and Year 12 Media

As their main production in Year 12 Media, Xavie Weis produced and directed music video for song-writer and performer Jen Cloher. It’s a wonderful way to create something that exists outside of our classroom environment and you can see the talented creative vision that Xavie put into this amazing production.

Sensory Memory by Jen Cloher.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC6gAmlWhI0

From Xavie's Folio

 I intend to create a narrative and concept music video to the song ‘Sensory Memory’ by Jen Cloher. The genre of this music video will be a combination of indie and art pop. To make this I will be using a EOS 5D Mark III Canon digital camera with stockings tied over the lense, to replicate the look of film footage. I will also be using a PowerShot G11 for sections of the music video. I will use a combination of hand held shots and shots using a tripod. I will use editing techniques to create special effects in my video, and also to do things like colour grading to create certain moods.

I will use artificial coloured lights in some scenes in my music videos to heighten certain emotions, to do this I will need a white light and coloured gels to create the colours. I will also use a reflector to help create even lighting in moments in my music video. I will need a microphone at the beginning of the music video to record the sounds of one of my characters getting ready in the morning. I will use stop motion video at some points of the music video. I will be using many costumes throughout as this will be a big part of the music video.

To do this I will source costumes from my own wardrobe, friend’s wardrobes and op shops, I will also use makeup and hair supplies from my own collection. The main themes I will be exploring are mental illness, appearance and friendship. I will show the friendship between two young women, one of which is struggling deeply with her appearance and mental health, the story will show how her friend helps her overcome and move past these feelings of dissatisfaction. My music video will also cover topics and themes such as love, connection to nature, happiness, childhood, depression, coming of age and perception of yourself.

I will show many scenes where the characters are in nature and playing like they are children. The message of my music is that friendship is more important than anything related to your appearance and you can enjoy your life without needing to feel good about your appearance. I want this to make the intended audience feel comforted and happy and I think it will due to the fact that most girls in the age group I am aiming my music video at are probably experience some kind of issue relating to their appearance.

About Jen Cloher

Jen Cloher (Ngāpuhi & Ngāti Kahu) is a song-writer and performer living on unceded Wurundjeri land in Naarm (Melbourne). Cloher’s taut, terse brand of rock is charged with the static tension that comes with being an eternal misfit; they have spoken truth to power with the shrewd eye that only an outsider can possess. Admirers have naturally gravitated towards Cloher’s incisive, generous songwriting. Over the course of five albums, Cloher has won a J Award and an AIR Award and been nominated for an ARIA and the Australian Music Prize.