Screen Test

This blog contains the screen test of actors that might be use for our music video, component 3. The content of this screen test was done by me (Tisha) while the videos were edited by Kimora. 

What is a screen test? 

As screen test are mostly use in order for directors to be able to see different actors performing a role that is needed. This screen test has a purpose as it allows to see actors perform and whether they are the right match or not.

For this project we decided to make a screen test that shows several people we think would be good and fits the criteria of our artist. The video below is our screen test of the people we ask to lip sync following the song, this was done to see people's confidence on screen and body gestures. 

Screen Test #1 -- Artist (Full Song)

Before we had the screen test, we already have an idea on what kind of actor that we want in a list which include: 

✔️ Is female, around 16-18 years old

✔️ Is confident and not camera-shy

✔️ Has charisma and star quality 

✔️ Will match the aesthetic we planned 

✔️ Is comfortable with love scenes that require close contact

Throughout the process of making the screen test, we didn't only ask girls to lip sync with the song but we also ask our friends who were guys too even though they do not fit in the list category. By doing this, it allows us to also see which would fit more better by having our options open. Where at the end we decided to pick with the #3 actor which is our friend and teammate Kellie. 

FINAL CHOICE: 

From all of the people that was in the screen test, Kellie was the one that fit exactly with our artist criteria especially from her personality. Kellie was also very expressive when lip syncing it as well as she was very confident, to which this skill would be good for our actors performance during the music video. 

---------------------------------------------------------------

Even though we needed to find our artist, we also need to find a guy that would fit the artist style as the person will need to be the artist lover. So we decided to ask several of our friends who were boys to say the line that the character will say which is "is this seat taken?". 

Screen Test #2 -- Love Interest 

As we have picked our artist being Kellie, we wanted to find a love interest character that would look perfect together to create a believable on-screen chemistry. So we followed a criteria of the love interest being: 

✔️ Is male, around 16-18 years old as well

✔️ Is confident and comfortable on camera

✔️ Is comfortable with love scenes that require close contact

✔️ Can act naturally/happily with Kellie

In oder to pick our love interest, we did an elimination process to narrow down the option as some people were uncomfortable to act out a love scene while some were also already in a relationship which would be awkward if they were to act the scene out together with Kellie. From these options, we also analyze them from their natural environment which include see how they talk the line in a friendly way but still showing confidence. We also eliminated people who were camera shy because if we were to choose them, they could create an unnatural feeling of the narrative. After a few discussion with my team, we decided on actor #4 being Karl. 

FINAL CHOICE

Karl has the most confidence in saying his line while as well have a good understanding of the scene which showed the best performance of being interested to the artist but at the same time friendly. Karl was also Kellie's close friends (which now has become boyfriend), which means they are able to act out love scene that require close contact without feeling awkward around each other. Because of their relationship together are close, creating the scenes will have an advantage as they would look more natural during on-screen relationship. With their connection, we decided to not create a chemistry test as they already know each other well without creating awkward scenes.

Reflection: Throughout creating this screen test it was not too challenging but it allow me to understand how important casting was in order to create a believable media product. Due to having limited people to cast, the team decided to make everyone also try out for the main artist role which include I needed to also lip sync the song. Even though it was a fun experience, I realize how it was a really hard thing to do. Both in acting out the confidence while lip syncing in order for audience to feel the artists emotion just through the visuals but at the same time they can feel the feeling from the narrative from both of the characters chemistry together. 

This screen test was a really important part of pre-production, because having a clear criteria of our actors it made it more simpler in deciding on our actors easily as well as it can become efficient during shooting the scenes. As our music video heavily focuses on performance as the main focus to express meaning to audience.