Making the ordinary extra-ordinary

A2 Media Studies – G324 Advanced Portfolio, Pop Promo Planning

Making the Ordinary Extraordinary

One of the key features of a pop promo is to make the ordinary appear extraordinary, whatever the situation.  The combination of camera shots and angles, lighting, mise-en-scene and editing combine to present to us a world that is somehow extraordinary.

1. For the pop promo you have been allocated analyse how the ordinary is represented as extra-ordinary.  Make detailed notes on how the micro-elements combine to make the ordinary appear extraordinary;

·      Camera shot, angle and movement (pay close attention to focus and shot distances)

·      Lighting (where is the light source positioned? What is the light source?)

·      Mise-en-scene (where is it set? How has it been set out? Costume, props?)

·      Editing (Think about match on action, pace, rhythm)

·      Performance (Is the acting controlled and convincing?)

2. Using the keys cmd+shift+4 take screen grabs from the pop video that illustrate how each of the micro-elements is used to make the ordinary feel extra-ordinary and represent the artist as a ‘product’.

3. Using the screen grabs, create a 5/6 frame annotated storyboard that clearly demonstrates how the world of the pop video is made to feel extraordinary.