Lady Jane Grey & Gorilla by Paris Virgo

Motif

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 10:16:44 UTC

In our first choreographic devices lesson we all worked on a creating a simple motif and then developed it uses techniques such as rondo, levels, reverse. I created a simple motif that we later used as our base for our piece.

This is a clip of how we developed it by including another person into the motif.

Motif development

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 10:31:47 UTC

To further develop the motif I had an idea to include the whole group. Changed the levels of the motif and added some people moving in the opposite direction.

Motif developed version in our final piece

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 10:37:12 UTC

We used this developed version of the motif in our final piece.

Development of motif in freedom section

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 10:49:45 UTC

This is a development of the motif I created in the freedom section to show how it continued throughout the piece changing ever so slightly based on the concept such as freedom. This shows its relevance to the story of lady Jane grey and how she once was blindfolded to be executed but now taking it off because she has found her freedom.

Development of motif in fight section with partner

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 10:58:35 UTC

I’n this rehearsal we focused on the fight scene in which me and my partner (Isla) are battling. I’m in the freedom section (good person) and Isla is in the Hip Hop section (opponent). Using the motif I developed it by covering the opponents eyes (Isla) to show that villains in the story (executioners) was once covering lady Jane’s eyes.

Motif and how it links with the piece

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 11:10:10 UTC

The motif links to the story of lady Jane grey as she was executed whilst she was blindfolded. I wanted this to be highlighted throughout to remind the audience of her tragic fate. Seeing the hands covering the eyes to resemble the psychical blindfold she wore and how it feels being blind in her last moments.

Lady Jane grey painting

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 11:40:36 UTC

I had the idea to recreate the painting of lady Jane grey at the start of the piece and then to break away from the painting to tell to story of our piece. This included ladies in waiting as seen in painting as well as the executioner and lady Jane herself as the main elements we had to recreate. I also had the idea of the ladies in waiting being attached to lady Jane to show how much they didn’t want her to die. Clinging onto her in her final moments. To recreate the painting further the executioner is standing away from her to signify that her death is inevitable.

Painting development

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 11:48:28 UTC

I further had the idea to recreate the painting at the end of the piece to signify that lady Jane grey will forever be stuck in this moment of time. This shows rondo as we made a loop back to the beginning. It was also my idea to create a development of the painting in which we changed our positions slightly into a contorted version to show the audience that the story we was telling throughout our piece has a different feeling. Highlighting that lady Jane grey had fought for her death and gone through so much to try change her fate.

Painting and the story line of the piece

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 11:57:35 UTC

I had the idea of ‘what if?’ This is the concept of what if Lady Jane grey didn’t die? and that her fate could be changed. In the painting she has no voice and no say in what was to come of her. This piece showed that if we could see what she was feeling and thinking and what she wanted it would have come to a different conclusion. The freedom section highlights her being free of her death and the fight scene shows the battle she had mentally, fighting off the executioner and the people (Queen Mary) who decided she was to die for treason. This explores the ‘what if’? concept. ‘What if we could change her fate?’

‘What if she didn’t die?’

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 12:01:44 UTC

This links to the start and ending of our piece being the development version of the painting as the last moment in the piece is the contorted version of the painting compared to the original. This shows that we changed her story but the sad reality is that lady Jane grey will forever be stuck in a painting of her tragic fate.

Painting development

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 12:05:12 UTC

This is an AI reconstruction to the painting showing that she is no longer wearing the blindfold and she is free. Whilst everyone around her is blindfolded and left how she was left in her final moments. We reconstructed this on our piece as well, as Lady Jane Grey Is the only one who is not wearing the blindfold at the end.

Painting development pt2

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 12:09:25 UTC

I had the idea that lady Jane grey would not be wearing the blindfold at the end of the piece whilst everyone else did. This is development of the first painting we recreated to show the flip between the start and the finish. This also shows a development of rondo.

Costumes

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 12:23:23 UTC

For the costumes I had the idea for lady Jane grey (Ashton) to be wearing white to mimic lady Jane who was in all white in the painting. Lady Jane grey wears all white including her blindfold to show that she was innocent and pure. This also highlights that she’s the focus of the painting and the story. I then had the idea for the executioner (Chloe) to be wearing all black to contrast the good and bad as black is opposite to white. This mimics the intentions of both people in the painting. They also both wore trousers and a shirt in there colours to show the similarity but how they are from different sides of the story.

Costumes first idea

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 12:28:15 UTC

Me and Mackenzie had an initial idea that everyone’s other that lady Jane grey and the executioner would wear nude and beige colour costumes. This would mimic the look of a painting as if we wear the colours of paint itself.

Costumes idea pt2

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 12:29:56 UTC

We all collectively created a group Pinterest board for ideas on what the costumes should be.

Costumes pt3 final decision

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-07 12:39:58 UTC

I further examined the painting and realised that lady Jane greys ladies in waiting were all wearing red dresses. One of her ladies in waiting is holding a red dress which was lady Jane’s greys dress before she took it off to get executed. This shows that she was wearing a white dress under her red dress further showing her innocents under the crime she was accused of. As a group we all collectively decided to wear shades of red to highlight that we are her ladies in waiting. This further brought the focus more to the executioner and lady Jane grey (Ashton and Chloe).

Music suggestions

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-12 13:11:33 UTC

As a group we all had suggestions on what music we think would suit the storyline of the piece and each specific section. We then divided to create a shared Spotify playlist of all our suggestion. Each person was allowed to add 3-5 song suggestions. We then pitched our songs to the group with ideas on what sections and styles would be used to match the storyline. This therefore helped us create the structure of the music when editing.

My music input

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-12 13:16:30 UTC

One of the songs I suggested was called SOLO by Bdash. This is an instrumental piece that incorporates different rhythms and unique beats creating a strong eerie feeling. I thought this would match the Hip Hop section as it’s based on the executioners part in the storyline. A few of us made the suggestion that this section should be a Hip Hop style as it contrasts with the use of contemporary and lyrical styles we used throughout the piece. This shows the difference between light and dark within Lady Jane Greys story. This song gives a strong and intimidating feel to give the audience a clear understanding about the executioners (Chloe) intentions towards Lady Jane Grey (Ashton).

Hip Hop section music final piece

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-12 14:00:44 UTC

Did we have roles?

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-12 14:08:35 UTC

Throughout the process of choreographing our piece we all put in equal effort with ideas and suggestions to all parts of the process. This included lighting, music, costume and choreography. Our group never lacked in ideas and input which helped us work together well as we tried everyone’s suggestions and added/ embellished them along the way. We therefore didn’t have set roles in the group. However, when it came to certain sections such as duos in the fight scene or the Hip Hop/ Freedom section we all choreographed in those groups so everyone had a role in that sense. All in all, I think this concept really worked for our group as we were all on the same page with ideas and therefore made the storyline more understandable and interesting.

Roles with cleaning

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-12 14:13:57 UTC

During the last rehearsals of our piece we decided to clean the piece throughout changing small details to make sure it gave the right feeling and look from an audiences point of view. This is when we split off into our smaller groups depending on section to clean elements of the choreography. For example, the freedom section was cleaned by me, Ashton, Eva and Mackenzie as it was our section.

Lighting ideas and input

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-12 14:20:28 UTC

In our first rehearsals we talked about lighting and had a few ideas of how it would link to the piece. I thought the lighting could reflect the emotions Lady Jane Grey was feeling as well as show a difference between what separates her from the executioner. For example, red gives a more evil presence and blue gives a more innocent presence.

Red lighting

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-12 14:26:51 UTC

My main idea was to have red light depict a more evil presence (executioner) or a more tragic reflection of her death. The red lighting also falls into the “what if?” Concept as it shows the anger she could have been feeling towards to people (Queen Mary) who ordered her death and ended her life at a young age. The red lighting is used in the Hip Hop section to show the Execution and the extended versions of the executioner (cast members). The red lighting was also used in the fight section with a flashing effect to show a more dramatic effect as it was a battle between Lady Jane Grey and the executioner.

Blue lighting

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-12 14:38:15 UTC

The blue lighting used throughout the piece was the other half of my idea to portray Lady Jane Greys emotions and what she was feeling during her final moments. It also represents her innocence as a young girl who was burdened to be queen. The blue lighting throughout the piece is bright and continuous to reflect the Grey Ladies story and how it lives on forever. To show that she won in the end. The blue lighting is seen mainly in the freedom section to highlight that she is finally free of her death and all the responsibility that was placed upon her. The blue lighting is also seen at the very start of the piece when we are leading Lady Jane Grey (Ashton) to her death. This shows that she is innocent and must of been feeling sad and desperate.

Section 1 before that painting

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 18:04:21 UTC

In this section me and a few others in the group had the idea to lead Ashton (Lady Jane Grey) to the painting as if she was being carried and forcefully taken to her execution. This perfectly links to the original storyline of the piece as Lady Jane Grey is blindfolded at getting lead to a stool that her head will be placed on and be killed. My first idea was for us to incorporate the motif in this section as it’s the first time the audience would see the theme of the piece. This however didn’t work out as we wanted to incorporate lifts in the first second to give the affect that Lady Jane Grey I’d being taken to her death.

Spotify playlist link

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 18:17:15 UTC

Section 2 Painting/ Pathos

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 18:22:57 UTC

As I mentioned in the painting and storyline section my thought process was to recreate the painting and then break out of the painting as if Lady Jane Grey was alive and telling her story from her point of view. We then each had the role of creating a few count of eights for this section and then we pieced it together to create product.

Section 2 Painting/ Pathos

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 18:36:47 UTC

My idea for this section was to keep the physically hand covering the eyes to mimic Ashton (Lady Jane Grey). This further shows that we are representing extensions of her.

Furthermore, the clump at the back after this was my idea to show how Lady Jane Grey was trying to control us (her feelings) at the very start.

Section 4 Battle scene

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 18:41:20 UTC

The first movement in the battle scene was choreographed by me. My idea was to show a more impactful entrance at the start of this scene to show how Lady Jane Grey was fighting for her freedom.

Section 4 Battle scene me and Isla ‘s duet

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 18:47:34 UTC

In the fight scene me and Isla came up with our own duet to show the battle between the executioner and Lady Jane Grey. We also incorporated the motif in a developed version to show that it was still relevant to the storyline at this stage.

Section 5 Freedom section

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 18:53:17 UTC

Everyone in the freedom section choreographed moments within this part of the storyline. We all had similar ideas on how we wanted to represent Lady Jane Greys freedom. For example, me, Eva and Mackenzie portrayed an extended version of Ashton (Lady Jane Grey) this is why our movements are similar/ if not the same throughout this section.

Hip Hop and Freedom Section

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 18:55:59 UTC

My thought process for these two section was that the group will be split into Executioners and Lady Jane Greys to represent extensions of these main characters in the painting.

Section 6 Blindfold scene

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 19:01:02 UTC

In this section we all had equal input in choreographing. I had the idea for half the groups freestyle to be slow whilst the other half was a more fast paced freestyle to contradict each other. The use of the motif was also used in this section in a developed version.

Blindfolds

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 19:03:49 UTC

We all wanted to wear blindfolds within some part of our piece to represent Lady Jane Grey as our initial idea was that everyone would become her at some point in the story line. This was before we collectively decided that Ashton would make a perfect Lady Jane Grey. We kept the idea that everyone will wear the blind folds at some point but as representations of Lady Jane Greys feelings.

Section 7 Painting final position

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 19:10:02 UTC

The last section was us all getting back into the painting this was my idea as I thought it would represent the fact that Lady Jane Greys sad reality is that she will forever be stuck in a painting and that the “what if?” Is just a concept and nothing more. My thought process for this was that Aston would be the last person to join the painting to hightlight that it’s her story. I also thought that changing the painting to a more contorted version to show that she has told her story and no one told it for her, so her outcome is the same but different and overall has a different effect and feeling from an audiences point of view. This is a use of rondo.

Sources

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 19:19:05 UTC

Adams, S. (1996) The Dilbert principleDatamation, [Online] 42 (13), pp. 22 Available from: https://go.exlibris.link/w3Fc2B1f. [April, 2025]

Bazaar (2025). Little Simz: what you don’t know about me . [online] Youtu.be. Available at: https://youtu.be/yr1ftQOeC_I?si=qapjbn03qyrkb9aA [Accessed 11 Apr. 2025].

Business @ the Speed of Thought(1999) Strategic finance (Montvale, N.J.), [Online] 80 (11), pp. Available from: https://bolton.summon.serialssolutions.com/2.0.0/link/0/eLvHCXMwrV3NS8MwFH9oJ7LT_MQ5P4L3apsP0xxE3XDs6OwQPY02SfHUTjcP_vcmbVJQYSdvgUB4JI_3ld97PwCCL6Pwl03gRYIlLhJdR7RcSiVjwZQJF1RslMBWttMheZ2y5yeSum7ppUNZehNZ221VSVsyv8JYJJQyQW8X76HlkLJ_rZ5QI3NEC-pGXDOyCR1s0i0aQGf4OBlN208GTJtOOYZpmBDy8scc1z5m3IMvL04NsG4hJnlliZ9dz9fPIY7_JfsO9PygaXTfqNIubOhyD7Y9MH4fzv0S3SETNaJ0YRwfqgo0e7NMP6sDuBg_zEaT0Eszd3q6nLeikEMIyqrUR4CE0lFGMmUSo4zGnAtLOZXlMso5zk121IfBmoOO1-4OoNvMPbCIwRMIVh-f-hS2mps8cw_0DVN1rCQ. [April, 2025]

Copple, B. (2023). 11 basic video editing principles for budding filmmakers | Descript. [online] www.descript.com. Available at: https://www.descript.com/blog/article/11-basic-video-editing-principles-for-budding-filmmakers.

Duran, J. (2023) Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Dissenter and Her WorkFeminist theology, [Online] 31 (2), pp. 226–235 Available from: https://go.exlibris.link/0f4Rb2GM. [April, 2025]

Figgis, M. (2007). Digital film-making. London: Faber And Faber. Available from: https://www.faber.co.uk/product/9780571305032-digital-film-making-revised-edition/?srsltid=AfmBOoq8AbA0f24R1gDgo-lr0B8fUUDs4dwz_9XvhD_Bt4N-t98mosNP. [April, 2025]

Simz , L. (2025). Gorilla . [online] Youtu.be. Available at: https://youtu.be/K7xzmkpwNoA?si=A_SAwKq6Ol1Lr9Kq [Accessed 11 Apr. 2025].

Historic Royal Palaces. (2025). Lady Jane Grey. [online] Available at: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/lady-jane-grey/#gs.lkau2a [Accessed 11 Apr. 2025].

James, S.E. (2018) Lady jane grey or queen kateryn parr? National portrait gallery painting 6804: Analysis and historical context. Cogent arts & humanities,[Online] 5 (1), pp. Available from: https://go.exlibris.link/z0GtlcyT . [November, 2024]

Kleon, A. (2012) Steal like an artist: 10 things nobody told you about being creative. 1st ed. [Online] New York: Workman. Available from: https://bolton.summon.serialssolutions.com/2.0.0/link/0/eLvHCXMwdV07b8IwED5VsJSpBapSKLI6dEtFEoKTMUGgri0oUqfI2EZCpEHCob-_Z8dJSx9jBut89qe7z5d7APje08T5YRPoNvS4tw2lYbSUc8HdKBBIF4SLINCR7VXiv70E6au_ssmFqukFaAMa701CCM8PJ4FXooutNgc9fvlrdhkijJoe3BEN9EiDtdMAMtDT6BCg9vnuUvTuoe3CU38jEe4wtUcLg9anVOiYKgG_bLVxQMsraEtdlXANF7LowtDSSNw1eSRnNR6qC510p04sJ_GxVD3o6YzdnOS7vSSsIBopquzDaLlYz5-dSmpmgzhZpZV_A63iUMhbIMKVTCfZUSbYlE0428xmfCKkDKdCzCJ_AA_f1Mg-cvPzVWVnug6g_6ecAZBa2cyss5mi2SKZo9sLI-rd_bN0CJfIKbwqSjGCVnk8yfv6EMfQjuMkScfmWj4BwhCcpA. [April, 2025]

Lady Jane Dudley (née Grey) ('The execution of Lady Jane Grey') by; after Green; Paul Delaroche, published 1849 (1833). (2014) ed. [Online] : .Available from: https://go.exlibris.link/6M3y3lgH . [November, 2024]

Ma, J. (2022). What Is Hip Hop Dance? | STEEZY Blog. [online] steezy.co. Available at: https://www.steezy.co/posts/what-is-hip-hop-dance.

MORGESON, F.P., REIDER, M.H. and CAMPION, M.A. (2005) SELECTING INDIVIDUALS IN TEAM SETTINGS: THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SKILLS, PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS, AND TEAMWORK KNOWLEDGEPersonnel Psychology, [Online] 58 (3), pp. 583–611 Available from: https://go.exlibris.link/9nK35gVN. [April, 2025]

Verified (2025). Little Simz ‘Gorilla’ official lyrics and meaning . [online] Youtu.be. Available at: https://youtu.be/ZObO6VQK2r8?si=DHE1JX_m3pX-oREj [Accessed 11 Apr. 2025].

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5eGpRNnwXgoEmHgaQRnRMr?si=-Qewo6-iSgqCyauIr8hDhw&pi=icCikJcETgOox

Creative Brief Link

parisvirgo05 — 2024-12-13 19:40:30 UTC

Walking

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-07 10:59:50 UTC

My motif for this piece was to incorporate different styles of walking. Adding different groves to each walking frame such as bouncing with minimal arm lines to add focus to what my legs were doing. I played with different camera angels mostly shoots of my feet and legs to highlight the walking as my motif.

First motif Gorilla

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-07 11:13:47 UTC

In the first sessions of choreographing I had the idea to incorporate walking as the motif. This aligns with my concept of traveling throughout the day by walking to different locations. This shows a visual representation of how my character ‘Little Simz’ talks about her background and how she became an artist.

My first idea Gorilla Music Video

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-07 11:21:46 UTC

My first idea for the piece was to recreate the music video for Little Simz Gorilla as if I myself was a representation of Little Simz but in the form or dance. I wanted to embody her personality, style of music and fashion sense to give a version of the music video that feels like her vibe.

Researching Little Simz

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-07 11:22:03 UTC

Research music video filming

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-07 11:22:20 UTC

1). Film with the light behind the camera

2). 0.5 on camera to get wider shoots (can also give fish eye effect)

3). Use variations of speed in some clips

4). Use filters/ effects for example CCTV footage

5). Use overlay to create a split screen

6). Using one body part for example the head to show a change in angle

7). Filming in 4k HD on IPhone

Ideas of the video break down

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-07 11:34:20 UTC

My idea started with using outside locations such as the streets to film most of my video to give the appearance of UK scenery. I then came up with some possible locations such as a bus stop to incorporate the traveling system in the UK as well as corner shops to show a more authentic look and feel everyone can relate to. Little Simz is an artist that talks about her background growing up in the UK within her lyrics making her relatable.

My first idea Pt 2

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-07 11:45:57 UTC

My main idea for this piece was to take the audience on a journey of Little Simz daily life as a regular person, as if no one knows who she is. However, there is cctv footage of her wherever she goes throughout the day. The camera being the main focus by acknowledging it’s filming her every move. In her song Gorilla she raps about her success and how she “came up”. I’m using her confident personality to rap and dance to the camera as if the cctv is the only thing recognising who she is.

Day and night

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-07 11:55:22 UTC

As I am filming Little Simz day to day life I wanted to incorporate day footage and night footage to show the audience that this is video is shot over a 24 hour time frame. Using the bus stop in the day and night scenes as well as the corner shop in the night scenes to incorporate the bright shop lights contrasting with the dark night scenery.

How the motif links

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 11:19:57 UTC

The motif links to my piece as the concept is about Little Simz taking a journey throughout her day to different locations. The way to get to these locations are walking. This shows the audience that the development of the motif reflects the development of her day. For example a simple walk to the bus stop at the start of the day later develops with an added grove towards the end of her day.

Second motif Gorilla

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 11:28:07 UTC

In my second session of choreographing I decided to add another motif that can be developed and changed over the course of the video. This was footwork. By adding different clips of footwork such as ‘cutting shapes’ or ‘rat stepping’. My idea was to have most of these clips shot from a low angel just to get the feet in frame.

How the second motif links

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 11:39:52 UTC

The first motif ‘walking’ is taking the audience to different locations. On the other hand, I wanted something to break that up a bit, to show more of the motif than a few 2 second frames. This is how my second motif ‘footwork’ links in. The footwork element of the motif shows a more playful personality to Little Simz character. She is enjoying her day traveling to different locations.

Development of the motif in the video

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 13:06:46 UTC

In the video the walking starts simple then I added groves to the walking later in the video which can be seen in the section where I’m holding the vinyl. Furthermore, the footwork starts off simple at the start of the video then I started to add faster timings and more advanced footwork such as gliding. This shows that little Simz is getting more confident which is reflected in her lyrics “I ain’t got one threat to consider”.

Editing the motif

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 13:11:05 UTC

1). Started by filming on low angels to just capture my legs/ feet.

2). Wanted to add no filters on the parts that were the motif.

3). Changed it so the different developed parts of the motif will have a cctv filter on it to show that my character Little Simz is always being watched and followed by the camera to each location.

First idea video break down

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 13:24:18 UTC

Second idea video break down

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 13:32:32 UTC

Final version idea video break down

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 13:40:15 UTC

Gorilla costume

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 14:22:35 UTC

For my solo I wanted to have an outfit inspired by Little Simz. By watching her interviews with Bazar and music videos such as Gorilla and venom I noticed that her fashion sense is very street wear inspired. This consists of baggy clothing with leather jackets, suits, jean materials jerseys and accessories such as hats and jewellery. This type of style is very gender neutral and really highlights Little Simz masculine dress sense.

Gorilla Little Simz Pinterest

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 14:25:53 UTC

I created a Pinterest board for my solo which had some fashion styles that reflected Little Simz aesthetic as well as location and lighting ideas. This helped me get inspiration for my solo as it shows a visual representation of the vibe and appearance I want for my solo. https://pin.it/5cKnP7GDR

Costume Gorilla first idea

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 14:26:49 UTC

My first idea for costume was to have a more colourful outfit consisting of a lot of layers such as jerseys, jeans and jackets to represent some of the colour she uses in the music video.

Costume final idea

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 14:26:58 UTC

My final decision for the outfit was to have something more black and white or dark colours to represent some of the black and white scenes she has in the music video. This would also contrast with the colour surroundings in the video locations I’m using. I then settled on a suit like co-ord that was black and brown to contrast with the colour used in the locations.

Props and accessories

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 14:27:17 UTC

I used accessories such as a hat and a tie to recreate the ones Little Simz wears in the Gorilla music video. I also used the hat and tie as a prop is some of my choreographing stages which made the final video. I further used a bag to show that my character Little Simz was just going through a normal day this also gives the audience a sense of norm from little Simz throughout the music video. In the middle section of my solo I use a Little Simz vinyl as a prop to show the audience/ camera that my character Little Simz is famous and well known, using the confident personality of Little Simz to prove that to the audience.

Costume final idea

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 14:37:47 UTC

Brown and blacks representing black and white filters used in the music video. This juxtaposes the colourful surroundings which represent the colour used in the music video.

Lighting Gorilla day time

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 16:40:14 UTC

As the video is a 24 hour time frame I am focusing the filming during the day and night to show the duration of a day. During the day scenes I am using the natural lighting.

Lighting Gorilla midday

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 16:43:45 UTC

In the middle section of my solo I transition the location as well as the time it is being shot. During this section the audience will notice that the lighting used is midday/ sun set lighting to show that there has been time passed since the last clip.

Lighting Gorilla night time

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 16:47:51 UTC

During the last sections of the video I find myself outside a corner shop this is a change of location showing that time has passed and Little Simz has travelled throughout the day to a new setting. During this scene it is also night time and I used the strong lights from the corner shop to light up my shot. This is me also using natural lighting as time has passed and the street lights are used at the bus stop scene at the end of the piece when Little Simz returns to the bus stop.

Street lamps

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 16:52:53 UTC

The street lamps I used in my solo also represent that my character Little Simz is unrecognisable creating a sense of solemn. The only thing that is noticing her is the cctv footage that has been capturing her every move all day.

Gorilla Little Simz

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 17:07:14 UTC

The concept behind my solo is focusing on the true meaning of it. In her interview with Verified, she believes that her hard work should have payed off. “Surely I should have made it by now”. In my solo the camera is the only thing that notices her every move as she feels like she hasn’t been recognised for all her hard work. The song is full of intricate rhythms that match the groovy vibe and confident personality she shows in the original music video.

Gorilla Research

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 17:54:45 UTC

In Little Simz interview with Verified she talks about her childhood and how she grew up with family and support however was raised without proper facilities and good opportunities. I wanted to show a raw UK setting such as corner shops and bus stops to make it authentic to Little Simz background and upbringing. “Cuts and wounds I hope will never fester”

Gorilla Introduction scene

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 18:05:20 UTC

In the introduction scene I added a clip of me scrolling on Spotify to the song Gorilla to show the audience what my solo is about. The music then kicks in when I click on the song. There is then a flash of small clips of me sitting at the bus stop to show that time is passed and no one is paying attention to my character Little Simz.

Gorilla mid day

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 18:08:19 UTC

In this section I added some choreographed frames of me posing for the camera and rapping some of her lyrics to the camera. My intention for this section was to break up the choreography at the start of the video to show contrast and dynamic in my movement. I further used my prop which was a Little Simz vinyl to highlight that I talking about my character being successful but only the cctv realising that. I further added house choreography in this section to give a more upbeat vibe in this section compared to the simple movement I had at the start of the video.

Gorilla corner shop scene

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 18:08:35 UTC

I filmed outside a corner shop to give an authentic uk feeling.
I filmed at nighttime to show the transition from day to night.
This part of the choreography is vibe and light
Visuals are in the background as the shop lights are bright contrasting the night light

Gorilla bus stop rondo

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 18:08:52 UTC

In this section I return back to the bus stop but at night to show that I ended up where I started and finished my journey. In this scene my choreography was all seated on the bus stop bench to show a more chill vibe. This part of the choreography reflects the simple beats at the end of the song. In this section you see me playing the end of the song on my Spotify and then skips to the next sound to show that Little Simz journey has ended.

Gorilla bus stop

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-08 18:34:31 UTC

My character Little Simz notices a camera on the top corner of the bus stop as if the cctv acknowledges her presence. She then dances using a variety of mix movement inspired by hip hop styles to her song gorilla matching the melody and rhythm of the song. In this section I have a development of the motif ‘walking’ using a wide shot frame.

Lyrics Gorilla

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-09 08:23:06 UTC

The lyrics in the song that I have highlighted here show a direct question that she is asking her listeners. I wanted to recapture the feeling of those lyrics as if I’m talking to the viewers watching me from the camera.

Corner shop Gorilla

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:21:39 UTC

Nighttime location
Bright visual lighting from the shop
Full of visual character and personality
Looks authentic
Uk cultural staple

Bus stop nighttime Gorilla

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:24:48 UTC

Simple lay out
Use bench for choreography
Uk travel staple
Show that I’m returning back to the bus stop from the morning scenes
Street lights give a more lively atmosphere to the simple layout

Bus stop morning Gorilla

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:28:30 UTC

Highlights that it’s the start of the day and the start of my journey
Filmed in the morning exposing the details of the bus stop
Looks authentic and full of character
A simple layout to highlight my silhouette

Street mid day Gorilla

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:33:11 UTC

Not a set location like the other locations
Shows that the streets are a common location
Highlights that I’m traveling to different locations
The background on the scene is open

Effects and filters

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:37:49 UTC

I added some video effects and filters to most of my clips to make it look like a CCTV camera. Between the clips I would transition between a few to show depth and gradient to each scene.

Split screen

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:41:51 UTC

I created a split screen by overlaying the same video clip. I then shorted each clip to be introduced at different points to make it look like there is three versions of me. This also gives the appearance that the CCTV camera is glitching when three versions of myself appear.

Flash clips

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:43:46 UTC

I took a video of myself then cut out the transitions to each pose, shortened them then added them next to each other to make it look like it’s flashing in between each clip.

CCTV angle

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:45:19 UTC

The angle that I used here makes it look like CCTV based on where it’s placed.

Camera movement

parisvirgo05 — 2025-04-11 00:47:26 UTC

The camera is following me at this point to make it seem like the audience is a representation of the camera/ viewers.

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