Ben FoldsSky HighA treatment by Rhys Stevens

CONCEPTThe concept is based on the universal theme of a break up. The song itself has quite a sad and somber atmosphere to it, which I will translate into the video using a variety of special effects and camera techniques, such as track and dolly to create movement.

The setting/location and lighting of shots will play a big part in creating a mood which compliments that of the song, for example some parts of the video will be shot in a forest type setting with a desaturation filter added to create a flat, washed out feel. Each of these elements has been picked specifically with the main theme of the track in mind so that they sit naturally and add to the impact of the song.

NARRATIVE The story behind the narrative is key to putting across the meaning of the video, it is important that this story fits with the mood and atmosphere of the song lyrics. Because the song is about a breakup, I feel it should have a link to the main character’s feeling of losing someone.

This narrative disagrees with Todorov’s narrative theory insomuch as there is no resolution or restored equilibrium to the relationship at the end of the video.

LIGHTINGThe lighting used will create a warm yet washed out look. This look is used for two reasons; first to accentuate the feeling of sadness that is tied to the main theme running through the video. Secondly, because that sort of look and feel is a convention of the genre.

CAMERA + SPECIAL FX

I would like to vary my camera shots as much as possible using a wide range throughout the video so as to keep it interesting to for the audience watch.

For example, one of the video FX I would like to use is someone fading out as the rest of the frame stays the same, almost like how the people fade out of the picture in the Back to the Future film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8k0YKv9zE4 To give this as much impact as possible I want to audience to see the whole scene and so an (extreme) long shot must be used.

For the more subtle emotional parts of the video, close up will be used to show the emotion on the actors’ faces.

PERFORMANCEBecause this song is quite slow and from a genre in which less is more, I feel cheapening it with a dance routine would be the wrong move for the video. Therefore, the acting and performance of the action on screen will be very minimalistic and subtle to add impact.

It will also contain cross cuts between the main narrative and the band playing the song in the studio.