Scary Phone Calls, COMPLETE

YES. An hour later, I phoned Marketing for Banham Zoo and the assistant, who had already received my email from early in the week, has allowed me to film in Banham Zoo! I'm allowed to continue with my original plan, but the only problem that she had was if I tried to sell the footage/photos I take within the zoo. This wasn't something I was going to even contemplate anyway so everything is fine!
OH YEAH. 

This also means I can continue with my storyboards and finish them by next lesson!

About the band; GIVERS

GIVERS are an indie pop group that was formed in Lafayette, Louisiana in 2009. The current band members are:

-Tiffany Lamson (Vocalist and Percussionist)

-Taylor Guarisco (Vocalist and Guitarist)

-Kirby Campbell (Vocalist and Drummer)

-Josh LeBlanc (Bassist and Guitarist)

-Nick Stephan (Flautist, saxophonist and Keyboardist) 

All previously been active in Cajun and Zydeco music communities in LA.

On 1st February 2011, GIVERS signed with Glassnote Records and in March the same year TIME named them 'Ten Acts That Rocked South Southwest'. They also performed their first single 'Up Up Up' on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, it features on EA Sports Fifa 12 and US television series Glee (Season 3, Episode 15)

Glee's Version

  

Unknown to me until todays lesson, Glee, the US TV series, covered Givers - Up Up Up in there latest series. In there version they use the song in a very uplifting way. The majority of the Glee kids head off to a theme park and enjoy their day off school there having fun. Quinn had recently had a car accident which had left her temporarily disabled so couldn't go with the rest of the kids. Artie, the permanently disabled character, takes Quinn to a skatepark where a whole group of disabled people are skateboarding, BMXing and other sports. This of course is very uplifting for not only the upset character Quinn, but for the audience as these kids we assume cannot do regular sports like this, but are proving that they can. They show us that although they are not as physically on par with normal people they can still partake in the same activities, even some that even abled people cannot do.

This in itself is incredibly uplifting and rewarding for the audience to watch, and also a different take of making the audience happy and associate happy connotations with the song. Although I will not be using disabled people in my music video, I do hope to create the same level of excitement and happiness that Glee's version does.

Scary Phone Calls.

So today I phoned up Banham Zoo and asked for their permission to film within their zoo. The assistant on the line asked me what I would be filming, and for what reason and then directed me to another phone number which I needed to call in order to obtain their permission. At this moment I'm unsure whether they will allow me to film or not as this number went straight to an answering machine so I will try again later today, or tomorrow.

Just an Update on Today's Lesson!

Today I continued with my storyboard, I've now finished all the scenes for the beginning instrumental part of the song. Whilst storyboarding, I've realised how many shots must be taken in such a short amount of time to look effective, so currently I have 17 'boards for the first 30 seconds. Unfortunately I cannot draw anything more from this point on-wards because I plan to use the 'Banham Zoo' location, but there is a risk that I may not be allowed to film within their zoo. 

So, I have sent an email to Banham explaining my situation and my aims and am awaiting a reply. If they say yes, then I can continue with the zoo idea. If they say no, I'd have to put 'Plan B' into motion, and use different date scenarios within Bury St Edmunds. This would also be the most cost effective second option, but hopefully still look authentic. If not, I'll have to quickly brainstorm some other possible locations for a realistic looking music video.

Fingers crossed the zoo says yes!

Locations: Banham Zoo

The main setting for the narrative of my music video is with 'Banham Zoo'. I've chosen this zoo as it is very close to home, so will cost little to get there, can entrance fees will be free due to Tesco Vouchers. But the main reason of choosing this zoo is because of the variety of animals and the possible film opportunities it presents. The zoo has many opportunities to get up close to the animals, like the meerkat or giraffe feeding experiences, which could present some awesome shots for animal close ups and such.

"Meerkat Feeding Experience"

"Giraffe Feeding Experience"

Banham also has an interactive area were visitors can get close to goats and pigs, which again, presents more chances of close up animal shots, and also scenes involving the characters for the narrative. The Zoo also has a "Birds of Prey Demonstration" where eagles and vultures fly around a paddock above the audience. This could be a great chance for shots, but I'm unsure if this particular event is running during October, as the website is unclear. 

But what I'm most excited about, is the chance to film Ring Tailed Lemurs, face to face, with no fence or glass separating them. This area of the zoo is called "Lemur Encounters" which is where you can walk about this small area and interact with the lemurs. This could incredible for the narrative, and great for animal close ups too. 

                 

Overall the zoo has many good points and excellent chances for filming. I'll definitely try and use this location for filming, if allowed. I've just sent off an email to the zoo asking permission to film there, stating my objects of the day. Hopefully Banham will contact me back soon so I can continue my storyboarding of the Zoo section. 

Here is a link to the website of banham zoo if any additional information is required/wanted/curious about!

 http://www.banhamzoo.co.uk/Default.aspx

Media Concept Presentation

This is a presentation containing my original ideas in detail that I presented to the class.