Actual Location

Actual Location

The location we chose was a farm in Acton Trussell, as it was easy for us to get to and had the right types of environments suitable for our music video. After gaining permission from Maizy’s grandparents, we moved the fences in the barn, drove cars onto the land to use the car headlights for lighting, use any of the animals (if we required them), and had access to the farmhouse for electrical plugs and extension.

Because we had full access to the site and no time restrictions this location was far more suitable than the other locations we looked at,

The Oak Tree 

The Oak tree, located just to the side of the farm house, is extremely tall and old. From a distance it creates a picturesque pattern, especially against a clear sky. The trunk of the tree is approximately 2.5 metres wide, thus meaning it is very sturdy and therefore poses no potential danger to any one or any equipment whilst filming.

We decided to use the oak tree as one of the main focuses in our music video. Our lead singer (mimer) will be positioned around the tree when we film the shots including him. We decided that by creating shots from various angles would show off different views of the tree as well as the lead male. The old oak tree is also symbolic of something 'dying' - the relationship that is referred to in You Could Be Happy is over therefore we thought that the 'dying' aged tree could represent the recently failed relationship. At the end, the singer has to let go of the oak tree which is symbolic of the letting go of the relationship.

The Barn

The barn situated at the farm is also extremely old and dated. The walls are made from concrete and wooden boards which also depicts a 'prison' or somewhere one could feel 'trapped'. This is where the dance routine will be shot and will help to symbolise the woman in the failed relationship before the break up as it is suggested through the lyrics that she was trapped, "Do the things you always wanted to, without me there to hold you back, don't think just do..." On the day of filming, we shall have to clear  the area where the dance routine will be performed by sweeping up the majority of the hay that is on the ground - we do still want a rustic, natural looking environment so we won't worry too much about the neatness of the area. We will also assess what could potentially be dangerous around and inside the barn and remove anything that could be a risk.

The Fields/Animals

The farm house is surrounded by 25 acres of land (fields) and has stunning picturesque views all around them. The fields are separated into different 'segments' creating lots of smaller fields. If we need to, we are able to move the fences which separate the fields to make larger areas to work in. The horses are in the 'main' field day and night so we can move them or even use them if needs be. There is enough room for the horses to run and walk in large shapes. To portray the freedom of the woman sung about in the song after the breakup of the relationship, we have considered using one of the horses being led around the fields by a person (who would resemble the man) and eventually have the creature running free on her own to reflect her new found freedom since breaking up from her partner.