How Research Has Affected My Idea

I wouldn't say research has changed my idea, rather it has enhanced it. My vision for the better half of a year now has been to make this music video centring on the themes of love, passion, death, suicide, domestic abuse and arson (Go big or go home). That has never changed. But as time went on and I delved deeper into my research I was able to mould my characters and plot into a more cohesive and harmonious concept. 

For example my protagonist, Rob Kingdon, was originally meant to commit the act of arson to get a form of sexual gratification. But upon in depth research, I found that a very small percentage of arsonists are driven my a sexual desire, the greater majority do it because of anger and frustration. So that was one way in which research affected my idea.

A music video I found called Hunger of the Pine' by Alt-J was also a big inspiration for me. 

It's a cinematic masterpiece and is oozing 'edge'. Which is what I wanted my music video to do. I studied the opening 'running scenes' to try understand how they filmed it. Then I tried to emulate it, as seen in this blog post. I also liked how he poured the jerry can of gasoline over his head in the end, I thought it was bold and daring. So I wanted my protagonist to do something similar, in his final act of arson.