Here is the shooting diary we devised for the weeks after shooting
7th September - 11th September:In this week we looked at what type of music video we wanted, pop, rock, indie, electro, metal etc. Alot of ideas we had circulated the rock genre but we felt too many other groups were doing this so we've decided to do a dance or electro video. Want the story to be quite spooky and haunting, maybe with an old boyfriend/dead coming back for the girl or a memory. I think if it's going to be an electro/pop video we should make everything really fast and quick. Lots of close-ups but lots of shots at different angles too. Scenes should be shot in an old type house and then in a forest.
14th September - 18th September:Look into the general meaning of the song we've chosen called 'Little Soul' by a relatively unknown band called H2SO4. The lyrics are very simple, they only sing on small parts. I think we're going to use the 'Little Soul' title as indicating of the characters as being pathetic, like the singer is patronising them calling them a little soul. There are alot music videos with lots of good editing techniques and storylines i.e; Blink 182 - All The Small Things and Paramore - Decode.We've decided that myself and Hannah Yarde will be the main 2 characters and our 3rd member of the group Matthew Steven has chosen to remain more behind the scenes and work on editing and camera techniques. We have started to prepare a pitch on powerpoint showing the ideas that we have come up with for our video.
21st September - 25th September:We have wrote the storyboard out in 4 pages, this being the main outline:Girl is having nightmares but she doesn't know why. She can hear this music but it's completely torturing her. She then starts to feel this demon like presence, the one who's singing this song and she can see the demons reflection everywhere where she is laughing and singing to her, trying to draw her in. The girl gets up to get a drink but drops the bottle on the floor and it rolls under her bed, where she finds a box addressed to her. She opens it and finds a vintage dress but has no idea why and who gave it to her. Along with the music that she cannot escape from and this newly found gift, she thinks she is going crazy so she runs to the bathroom to wake herself up. She calms herself down by running the tap to fill up the sink to splash her face, hoping for a bit of normality. When she turns back around the freshen herself up the water has turned black which just adds to her being more frightened. She looks up at the mirror and sees the demon standing behind her, well and truly petrified at this point she runs out the bathroom but trips up and falls on the floor hitting her head and passing out. When she wakes up she is in a forest wearing the vintage dress that she found in her room earlier before. Shes totally baffled at this point so starts to run away from the demon who has put her in this position. She keeps seeing her appearing everywhere, laughing and singing to her. The girl then realises that shes getting no where and begins to ponder the thought of asking the demon why she is here. On doing so, she sees the demons reflection staring back at her. It then reaches her hand out of the mirror to the girl, inviting her in which the girl accepts. Quickly, you see the hand pulling her in and straightaway a shot of the girl falling on top of her bad - as if she had just fallen out of the entire scene. She then wakes up glad it appears to have been a nightmare, but she flips back her quilt and sees she wearing the dress in her nightmare. Terror quickly sinks in where we then see the demon walking towards her bedroom slowly, then we cut to the girls face looking up in shock and then cut to the demon standing at the door.We have wrote this in cartoon form in images so it is easy to see the video will be produced.
28th September - 2nd October:Sorted out the animatic using scenes from storyboard, and then uploaded to blog. We then prepare to film by booking out the equipment we need from media and then we schedualed a plan in which we film according to. We've made a list of shots needed in the house, such as nightmares in bed, walking shots, falling on the bed and such. Then forest scenes are set to be done shortly afterwards, make sure we have proper costume and lighting needed for the day.
5th October - 16th October:Filming of all the footage in progress, all of the scenes are day scenes so we've had to film over a period of a few days as being the time of the year, nightime sets in pretty soon! Weve also had to reshoot a couple of scenes just to recapture some of the spooky elements that we initally wanted for the video. In this period, we managed to get over 240 pieces of footage to choose from and then we began to edit the video as much as possible. The blog we updated as much as we could in these weeks, updating it everytime we finished our rough cuts and what not.
19th October - 25th November:In this month long period, we edited nearly everyday for as long as possible. We have edited the blog too with out animatic, rough cut video, final dvd covers and such. We decided against using photogrpahs on the dvd cover and inlay as we wanted to see if we could achieve a successful cover without the need to photography.
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Rough Cut & Feedback
Here is the rough cut to our music video for 'Little Soul' by H2SO4. As you can tell, the video is very far from being finished, with very minimal footage and editing. However, in comparasin to our finalaized version of the video, a lot has been improved. A lot of editing ranging from jump cuts and flashes to ghosting, has improved the overall look, feel and quality of the video, and it generally look professional and effective. Below is the feedback we recived during viewing viewing of the rough cuts.
- Add fast paced editing
- Add good Nebula effects.
- Even out the contrast.
- finish cutting and editing.
Similar Band Research
Pet Shop Boys
"Pet Shop Boys are a British electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasionally guitar and Chris Lowe on keyboards and occasionally on vocals.
Pet Shop Boys have sold about 100 million records worldwide. Since 1986, they have had 42 Top 30 singles and 22 Top 10 hits in the UK, including four Number Ones: "West End Girls," "It's a Sin," "Always on My Mind," and "Heart."
At the 2009 BRIT Awards, Pet Shop Boys received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. The duo's latest album, entitled Yes, was released on 23 March 2009."
I decided to research the Pet Shop Boys, as they are also and electro-pop band who have an inpact on the same age of the public that H2SO4 do now.
"Pet Shop Boys are a British electronic dance music duo, consisting of Neil Tennant, who provides main vocals, keyboards and occasionally guitar and Chris Lowe on keyboards and occasionally on vocals.
Pet Shop Boys have sold about 100 million records worldwide. Since 1986, they have had 42 Top 30 singles and 22 Top 10 hits in the UK, including four Number Ones: "West End Girls," "It's a Sin," "Always on My Mind," and "Heart."
At the 2009 BRIT Awards, Pet Shop Boys received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. The duo's latest album, entitled Yes, was released on 23 March 2009."
I decided to research the Pet Shop Boys, as they are also and electro-pop band who have an inpact on the same age of the public that H2SO4 do now.
Magazine Advert & Rough Cut
Here is our magazine advert which, as you can see, also matches formal codes and conventions. You can also see that our album is featured on here. we all feel as a group that this is a successful magazine advert which features sponsers and adopts a good colour scheme, which is good to attract attention of the viewer. All of the colours and layouts match with each other, and we feel that this is together, a good collective. We also have a good variation in fonts and sizes, this will overall attract the viewer. We also decided to included the original album artwork as we felt it would encourages readers to buy the album, knowing what they are buying and how it would look.
Here is our original design and rough cut for the magazine advert;
Below is some of the refined feedback we recieved from our original rough cuts;
- Add more colour.
- Refine original images.
- Include album artwork.
- Make it more visually advertising.
As you can see we have vastly improved and revamped our final design of the magazine advert. We have changed most of the design according to the feedback we recieved.
DVD Cover And Inlay
Here you will find our DVD front cover, reverse and spine. You will also find our inlay to go with the DVD and the tickets which you win with the DVD. As you can see the DVD matches the formal codes and conventions used, not only with our CD and Magazine advert, but with other music DVDs. Both the DVD cover and the DVD inlay tie in codes and conventions and as you can see link in very well. The colour schemes, fonts and layouts compliment each other, and as you can see, have a strong visual link. We decided to have a competition with tickets as the inlay, simply beacuse this is something different to feature. We also thought that including the tickets would be an extra bonus to feature within our project.
Below is the original rough cuts for both the DVD and the insert;
Here is the feedback we recieved from the original rough cuts we recieved;
- Include more editin
- link design and layout to the magazine cover and disk sticker
- Include more reviews
- Make the design interesting.
As you can see we have vastly improved our final design of the DVD and the inset as you can see. We have changed most of the design according to the feedback we recieved.
Monday 23 November 2009
Thursday 12 November 2009
Research on the band.
The band we chose to use for our music promo video is H2SO4. Below is a little bit of background information about the band
Songwriting is what H2S04 used to create its version of blending pop, rock, and technology into a sound that wails with raw energy. The band formed 30 miles outside of London in Kent when Graham Cupples (lead keyboardist and programmer), Darren Till (another keyboardist and programmer), and James Butler (vocals and bass) were experimenting with some remixes. At that time Cupples was leading Mortal and Code, both techno in style. Till played with Code and Butler was doing the vocals and bass for Lobster, which was previously known as Sulpher and expressed a more traditional style of rock. Mixing the three talents together created a reaction like H2SO4, the chemical symbol for originality, the chemical compound that burns you so smoothly you may not be aware its happening. The trio found they had created an area between electronica/techno and rock that was powerful and fluid.
We chose the song 'Little Soul' as this was a very popular club song used in gay bars and clubs across northern america. Also featured on the populary American hit TV series, Queer and Folk, this is a great 80's disco tune loved by almost everyone who heard it.
Songwriting is what H2S04 used to create its version of blending pop, rock, and technology into a sound that wails with raw energy. The band formed 30 miles outside of London in Kent when Graham Cupples (lead keyboardist and programmer), Darren Till (another keyboardist and programmer), and James Butler (vocals and bass) were experimenting with some remixes. At that time Cupples was leading Mortal and Code, both techno in style. Till played with Code and Butler was doing the vocals and bass for Lobster, which was previously known as Sulpher and expressed a more traditional style of rock. Mixing the three talents together created a reaction like H2SO4, the chemical symbol for originality, the chemical compound that burns you so smoothly you may not be aware its happening. The trio found they had created an area between electronica/techno and rock that was powerful and fluid.
We chose the song 'Little Soul' as this was a very popular club song used in gay bars and clubs across northern america. Also featured on the populary American hit TV series, Queer and Folk, this is a great 80's disco tune loved by almost everyone who heard it.
Friday 6 November 2009
Album Cover Planning
This is our original inspiration for our album cover. We decided to take a photo of both Hannah and Kirsty and have them split down the centre to form one face made with the two photos. We decided to encorperate a lot of Photoshop editing and we would be creating a 'Deluxe Edition' of the CD with two unreleased bonus tracks. The CD would also come with a limited edition visual artwork book. However if this will take too much time, we will not incorperate the visual artwork, however we feel that it would be an effective extra touch. We also plan on having the cover either very vibrant and colourful or very dull and monochrome, yet effective. Both styles can suit the genre of the music to some extent. We will start off by taking both photos and overlaying them with each other on Photoshop, this will give us a good transisition between both photos and transmitting some sort of image. It will also intertextualise with the music video quite well, as both of the models will be wearing the same costume as they did in the music video itself. We aim for the photo to represent insomnia of the mind and confusion, with both photos linking in and giving reference to one another. I feel that a heavy use of photo manipulation and editing will help me give a more bold and impact effect on the viewer as it will highlight the issue of the video.
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Magazine Advert Planning
This is our original inspiration for our magazine advert poster. We decided to keep formal codes and conventions from the album cover, and have both Hannah and Kirsty, who are feature din the music video, have their faces on the split screen idea you can see above. The elements of electronica and disco ties in well with the genre of our song. I believe that this can also tie in with the album cover, as the distortion of the main image again represents insomia of the mind, or can to some extent. both of the fonts and styles will fit formal conventions which will match the video, as the main image selected on this advert will be from the same photo shoot, and will represent features from the music video, with elements such as the costume and make up. A good idea from my point of view, would be in include visuals from the limited edition visual artwork book, which would also be an extra attraction to the CD. Below you can see our initial ideas sketch and first draft for the magazine cover.
Sunday 27 September 2009
Roles For Filming.
Group:
Kirsty Foy
Hannah Yarde
Matthew Steven
Roles:
Hannah Yarde: Object of fear, the 'demon' or the 'music' that wont escape the victim mind (kirsty). Refuses to leave her alone, finds the whole thing amusing, entices her closer to 'madness'. General costume will consist of dark clothing, back combed outrageous hair and demonic makeup.
Kirsty Foy: The victim being tortured by the music/demon. The girl who cannot escape without hearing or seeing the demon person/the fear. General costume will consist of everyday clothing, pjamas in the bedroom/bathroom/house scenes and vintage white dress for forest scene, with minimalistic hair and makeup.
Matthew Steven: Off screen role. Editing and camera work, documentaries, planning and photography. Album and magazine design and editing.
Kirsty Foy
Hannah Yarde
Matthew Steven
Roles:
Hannah Yarde: Object of fear, the 'demon' or the 'music' that wont escape the victim mind (kirsty). Refuses to leave her alone, finds the whole thing amusing, entices her closer to 'madness'. General costume will consist of dark clothing, back combed outrageous hair and demonic makeup.
Kirsty Foy: The victim being tortured by the music/demon. The girl who cannot escape without hearing or seeing the demon person/the fear. General costume will consist of everyday clothing, pjamas in the bedroom/bathroom/house scenes and vintage white dress for forest scene, with minimalistic hair and makeup.
Matthew Steven: Off screen role. Editing and camera work, documentaries, planning and photography. Album and magazine design and editing.
Friday 25 September 2009
Analysis - Music Videos
Music Video Analysis.
When choosing which music videos to analyse, I decided to choose one concept, one performance and one narrative, as well as two combinations. I feel that this would give me a big variation in genres and styles of videos.
Music Video Analysis 1: Britney Spears - 'Every time' (Narrative)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UQzHaOG2uI
This music video defies it's pop genre characteristic, as it is not your stereotypical pop video. A stereotypical pop video would be bouncy and high energy, quite often including teenagers and a very conceptual basis. This video on the other hand, tells quite a sad story,or who seems to be Britney Spears herself. A very slow moving yet effective video displays an array of emotions which are easily portrayed to the viewer.
There is a very strong relationship between the lyrics and you can see, as you hear the lyrics; "My weakness cause you pain" you clearly see Britney lying in the bath, naked with a very neutral tone to the shot, portraying a clean and pure yet venerable image as it is a high angled shot. She places her hand on her head, and sees that her head is bleeding, at the same time, time man who she arrives with, places his hand on his head, and looks in dismay. The man seems to be less venerable and more in control, as he is show from a low angle. Also, both of the characters removed their tops at the same time, this may show a connection or bond between the two characters, the same as when the man realises that Britney is drowning, he comes in and lifts he our gracefully, this two shot shows the strong relationship between the two characters and the difference in emotions between the argument and the rescuing.
The music in the video is slow and calm, which corresponds with the visuals quite well. As you can see, the video has a very neutral colour scheme, which in itself, shows innocence and purity, but so does the music, I feel this also amplifies the impact on which the music video portrays the song to the viewer.
A few close-ups and focuses on Britney show her innocence and purity, but not particularly for any benefits of the record label or any kind of motif she may possess. I think especially in the 3-4 second shot of Britney turning around, you can see how bare and venerable she is, having wet hair could symbolise that she is clean and her innocence is reflected in the colour scheme.
There is quite a lot of reference to the notion of looking at the beginning and towards the end of the video, in particular the paparazzi which focus on the main character both on the way into the building and on the way into the ambulance. This also shows the relationship between both of the characters and the man. The man has throws a pile of magazines at the photographer and pushes him away, as he gets more outraged, the photographer gets more amused and continues taking pictures. Britney on the other hand pulls him back and stops him from attacking the photographer, which may exploit her gentile and sensitive nature.
I personally think that this video is a very good one to study, as it defies it's typical genre characteristics and shows the audience another side of the artist. I also found that this music video formulated well with the theory of Andrew Goodwin's, extracted from, Dancing in the Distraction Factory (1992 Routledge).
Music Video Analysis 2: La Roux - 'Bulletproof' (Concept)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOYufRHQSms
I personally found this video slightly hard to fully analyse in details, so to help me, I decided to base this video on the theory of Stewart Lordy. His theory was that the majority of visual effects came from Fashion, Cinema and Artistic Photography.
From the very beginning of the video, you see the visual effects that take place. We see black strips that lead up to an image of the artist's name 'La Roux' in the background. As the visual effects get closer, they seem to bring life to the objects around her, as when she starts singing she sits up and a light comes on above her head. This may relate to the song title 'Bulletproof' implying she will never die.
I think that this particularly music video demonstrates strong genre characteristics for the Electro-Pop genre. This includes a lot of visual effects, enhancements and a high energy and high impact video. As there is only one person in the band, there was no performance or narrative correspondence.
There is a small relationship between the lyrics and the music video as it mainly has to do with the fact that she's has gone round repeating the situation she's singing about and she doesn't want to get into another relationship, she just wants to have fun, according to the line: "been there, done that, messed around. I'm having fun, don't let me down. I'll never let you sweep me off my feet." This colourful and energetic video gives a nice fun feel to the video.
There is also quite a good relationship with the music an the visuals. Almost all the way though, you can see the camera angles rapidly change to go with the beat of the song, also, as La Roux is walking, you can see squares on the wall flash to the beat of the song. This enhances the song and also makes it more energetic.
There are a few good close-ups on the singer here, especially on her fact. This is possibly due to the demands of the record label and incorporating motifs to go with the artist. Typically speaking, the motif being portrayed here could be her hair, which is a very unique and individual, and may not be, as common motifs include symbols, beats or movements.
There is a lot of reference to the notion of looking in this video. as you can see, towards the end, the screen splits up into what looks like shattered glass, and it makes up a collage of the singer, in all her outfits throughout the video. This could be to portray the feelings and emotions in the song, and bring them together as one. There is also notional referees when the singer is standing in a square, and the camera zooms out to an even bigger version of the singer, sitting with her back against the wall.
I think that analysing this video has helped me study and gain a good sense of the conceptual side of music videos, however I don't feel that it is that strong as a narrative or performance based video would be.
Music Video Analysis 3: Lady GaGa - 'Paparazzi' (Narrative & Performance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOrKLUlh-To
This video does not demonstrate typical genre characteristics. This music video is pretty much a short film, which you can tell from the first shot, which are the opening credits of the music video. Just like a film, it goes through the cast and crew then showing: "Lady GaGa In: Paparazzi" The video the focuses on the garden, and having close up shots of plants and flowers, creating a serene environment, before going into the house, which is shown at a low angle in the background of the shot. As entering the house, the camera focuses on very classical aspects of the house, such as the fountain, chandelier and the terrace. After which, the camera focuses on piles of money, which, differently have "The united states of Lady GaGa" printed on dollar bills. After watching Lady GaGa and her man on the bed, we are then taken to the terrace where they have a fight, when he doesn't stop harassing her when seen my paparazzi. When she is pushed off the balcony you see her lying on the ground, with photographers crowding her. This is the start of an image known as 'Death By Fashion'. We then see short clips of models around the house grounds, dead, in the latest designer trends. This, does not stereotypically fit with the pop genre of this song, however, it just makes the video more interesting and appealing.
There is a very strong relationship between the lyrics and the video. You hear the line "Baby you'll be famous, chase you down until you love me, Papa-Paparazzi."This could be describing the fact that Paparazzi, in this day and age, are driving celebrities to insanity after having their life under constant scrutiny. However, the video doesn't totally correspond with the lyrics. Although the video shows a very strong and clear story, it doesn't correspond with the lyrics with such strength, which is in some respects,quite contradictory.
The story behind this video explains the great life of one celebrity, who then loses it all after the paparazzi force her boyfriend to throw her over the edge of the terrace when he didn't stop harassing her in front of the camera. After falling down and, seemingly dying, the song starts when a car pulls up to the house, and she steps out wearing a neck brace, and is carried into a wheelchair. After which she is wheeled up, into the house, and then gets into a full, gold bodysuit with crutches, and dance to the chorus. This may seem offensive and discriminative towards disabled people, however, it is representing the fall of her character, and developing from a wheelchair to crutches represents her getting on and rising back to the top. When she is seen lying on the chair, you get the sense of sleaze, seeing Lady GaGa in a skimpy, all leather piece. This is followed up by suggestive hand gestures, corresponding with this make-up she could be represented as a prostitute. After which, you see images of the 'death my fashion' theory i mentioned before. After this you get another shot of Lady GaGa on the chair, but this time she is with three other girls. This shows voyeurism when they start to kiss as all our are being shown for one specific purpose. This also represents her sexuality as bisexual. This scene quickly jumps to a more faced paced and high energy performance, of GaGa dancing, in white jumpsuits, with small dark patches of ruffle. This could indicate her transition from all dark, to coming back into light and representing her more innocent side. After the performance, we see very dark scenes of the main character dancing, with close ups and very fast paced cuts, this takes us back to the next scene, where she is back with her original boyfriend. As the magazine suggests, she is 'The new It Girl' which leads you to think that maybe nobody knows that she has come back. the next shot shows GaGa poisoning her boyfriend, quickly being arrested and taken to jail when caught. However, she confesses to the police that she killed him, and when she is taken away, newspaper articles show headline's of "She's back" and "We love her again".
There is however, quite a strong relationship between music and the video, as the music is fairly classically set, and so is the video. As you can see the classic mansion with terrace, big garden, piano and large bedroom. The old fashioned cameras, newspapers and screen credits also show this.
there is a lot of reference to the notion of looking, ranging from the cameras, to the newspapers. there are also quite a few close ups on shots such as her peace sign tattoo which could be a demand for a motif. There is also a lot of inter textual reference with the magazines, newspapers, films and stories.
This is, by far my favorite video, of all time. Simply because of the fact it is set as a story and has been elaborated and extended very well.
Music Video Analysis 4: Paramore - 'Crushcrushcrush (Performance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-NjVaSNNgg&feature=related
This music video is entirely performance based. However it goes against the stereotypical idea of having the band on stage and performing as if at a concert or gig. The band in this video are performing in the desert. The video also has a small idea of concept, which does not demonstrate genre characteristics of rock.
The camera pans around the band which could possibly be representative of vulture in the desert, making the band vunerable, which could have some relationship with the lyrics. Throughout the duration of the video, a lot of cuts are made to focus on the spies in the desert, which ties in perfectly with the line of the song; "They taped over your mouth, scribbles out the truth with their lies, you little spies". Even though this video is shot in the desert, I think that the colours are quite vibrant and still stand out.This could possibly be to highlight the vibrancy of the lead singers (Hayley Williams) red and orange hair, this could be a demand of the record label for a motif to associate with the band.
There is frequent reference to the notion of looking, with the spies of the desert watching the band through binoculars, and frequently cutting from a shot of the spies with the binoculars to a point of view shot, of the band through the binoculars. Even though there is a lot of reference to the notion of looking, it is not in a voyeuristic manor, but to get across the point of the song.
There is some inter textual reference, possibly to the film, 'The Hills Have Eyes' which consists of deformed people/spies living in the desert, in ruins left over by people who have visited.
Over all, I think this is one of the mos successful performance music videos I have seen, as it incorporates a small amount of conceptual reference, which makes the video a lot more interesting.
Music Video Analysis 5: Cheryl Cole - 'Fight For This Love' (Concept & Performance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMiy_UsrPDs
This video demonstrates quite clearly the pop genre characteristics, from the choreographed dances and backup dancers, to the layout and shots of the video. The video starts off with a close up of Cheryl Cole's face, you can see, out of focus, in the background, her back up dancers, who are all female, which could indicate some issues of female empowerment. Almost all of the shots in this video are mid shots which cut to close ups on her face. A lot of close ups on the face of the signer and used to capture the emotions, as it is quite a sad song, the close ups on her face portray sad emotions, which also interlinks with the lyrics and music.
There is a very strong relationship between the lyrics and the visuals both illustrative and amplifying. The lyrics written on the screen illustrate this as well as the dance when the line "We gotta' fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for this love." are heard, you see Cheryl and the dancers performing fighting movements, which amplifies the fact she is fighting the love.
There is also quite a deep relationship between the lyrics and music and the visuals as a lot of the close ups of the singer illustrates sad emotions, and seeing as it is a sad song, it flows well.
There is also a lot of voyeuristic reference to the notion of looking, but not exclusively for the male form, as the video is an all female video, It could be argued that it has been made so, exclusively for men, or for female empowerment.
Personally I really like this video, and feel that it is a true and realistic representation of pop videos.
When choosing which music videos to analyse, I decided to choose one concept, one performance and one narrative, as well as two combinations. I feel that this would give me a big variation in genres and styles of videos.
Music Video Analysis 1: Britney Spears - 'Every time' (Narrative)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UQzHaOG2uI
This music video defies it's pop genre characteristic, as it is not your stereotypical pop video. A stereotypical pop video would be bouncy and high energy, quite often including teenagers and a very conceptual basis. This video on the other hand, tells quite a sad story,or who seems to be Britney Spears herself. A very slow moving yet effective video displays an array of emotions which are easily portrayed to the viewer.
There is a very strong relationship between the lyrics and you can see, as you hear the lyrics; "My weakness cause you pain" you clearly see Britney lying in the bath, naked with a very neutral tone to the shot, portraying a clean and pure yet venerable image as it is a high angled shot. She places her hand on her head, and sees that her head is bleeding, at the same time, time man who she arrives with, places his hand on his head, and looks in dismay. The man seems to be less venerable and more in control, as he is show from a low angle. Also, both of the characters removed their tops at the same time, this may show a connection or bond between the two characters, the same as when the man realises that Britney is drowning, he comes in and lifts he our gracefully, this two shot shows the strong relationship between the two characters and the difference in emotions between the argument and the rescuing.
The music in the video is slow and calm, which corresponds with the visuals quite well. As you can see, the video has a very neutral colour scheme, which in itself, shows innocence and purity, but so does the music, I feel this also amplifies the impact on which the music video portrays the song to the viewer.
A few close-ups and focuses on Britney show her innocence and purity, but not particularly for any benefits of the record label or any kind of motif she may possess. I think especially in the 3-4 second shot of Britney turning around, you can see how bare and venerable she is, having wet hair could symbolise that she is clean and her innocence is reflected in the colour scheme.
There is quite a lot of reference to the notion of looking at the beginning and towards the end of the video, in particular the paparazzi which focus on the main character both on the way into the building and on the way into the ambulance. This also shows the relationship between both of the characters and the man. The man has throws a pile of magazines at the photographer and pushes him away, as he gets more outraged, the photographer gets more amused and continues taking pictures. Britney on the other hand pulls him back and stops him from attacking the photographer, which may exploit her gentile and sensitive nature.
I personally think that this video is a very good one to study, as it defies it's typical genre characteristics and shows the audience another side of the artist. I also found that this music video formulated well with the theory of Andrew Goodwin's, extracted from, Dancing in the Distraction Factory (1992 Routledge).
Music Video Analysis 2: La Roux - 'Bulletproof' (Concept)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOYufRHQSms
I personally found this video slightly hard to fully analyse in details, so to help me, I decided to base this video on the theory of Stewart Lordy. His theory was that the majority of visual effects came from Fashion, Cinema and Artistic Photography.
From the very beginning of the video, you see the visual effects that take place. We see black strips that lead up to an image of the artist's name 'La Roux' in the background. As the visual effects get closer, they seem to bring life to the objects around her, as when she starts singing she sits up and a light comes on above her head. This may relate to the song title 'Bulletproof' implying she will never die.
I think that this particularly music video demonstrates strong genre characteristics for the Electro-Pop genre. This includes a lot of visual effects, enhancements and a high energy and high impact video. As there is only one person in the band, there was no performance or narrative correspondence.
There is a small relationship between the lyrics and the music video as it mainly has to do with the fact that she's has gone round repeating the situation she's singing about and she doesn't want to get into another relationship, she just wants to have fun, according to the line: "been there, done that, messed around. I'm having fun, don't let me down. I'll never let you sweep me off my feet." This colourful and energetic video gives a nice fun feel to the video.
There is also quite a good relationship with the music an the visuals. Almost all the way though, you can see the camera angles rapidly change to go with the beat of the song, also, as La Roux is walking, you can see squares on the wall flash to the beat of the song. This enhances the song and also makes it more energetic.
There are a few good close-ups on the singer here, especially on her fact. This is possibly due to the demands of the record label and incorporating motifs to go with the artist. Typically speaking, the motif being portrayed here could be her hair, which is a very unique and individual, and may not be, as common motifs include symbols, beats or movements.
There is a lot of reference to the notion of looking in this video. as you can see, towards the end, the screen splits up into what looks like shattered glass, and it makes up a collage of the singer, in all her outfits throughout the video. This could be to portray the feelings and emotions in the song, and bring them together as one. There is also notional referees when the singer is standing in a square, and the camera zooms out to an even bigger version of the singer, sitting with her back against the wall.
I think that analysing this video has helped me study and gain a good sense of the conceptual side of music videos, however I don't feel that it is that strong as a narrative or performance based video would be.
Music Video Analysis 3: Lady GaGa - 'Paparazzi' (Narrative & Performance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOrKLUlh-To
This video does not demonstrate typical genre characteristics. This music video is pretty much a short film, which you can tell from the first shot, which are the opening credits of the music video. Just like a film, it goes through the cast and crew then showing: "Lady GaGa In: Paparazzi" The video the focuses on the garden, and having close up shots of plants and flowers, creating a serene environment, before going into the house, which is shown at a low angle in the background of the shot. As entering the house, the camera focuses on very classical aspects of the house, such as the fountain, chandelier and the terrace. After which, the camera focuses on piles of money, which, differently have "The united states of Lady GaGa" printed on dollar bills. After watching Lady GaGa and her man on the bed, we are then taken to the terrace where they have a fight, when he doesn't stop harassing her when seen my paparazzi. When she is pushed off the balcony you see her lying on the ground, with photographers crowding her. This is the start of an image known as 'Death By Fashion'. We then see short clips of models around the house grounds, dead, in the latest designer trends. This, does not stereotypically fit with the pop genre of this song, however, it just makes the video more interesting and appealing.
There is a very strong relationship between the lyrics and the video. You hear the line "Baby you'll be famous, chase you down until you love me, Papa-Paparazzi."This could be describing the fact that Paparazzi, in this day and age, are driving celebrities to insanity after having their life under constant scrutiny. However, the video doesn't totally correspond with the lyrics. Although the video shows a very strong and clear story, it doesn't correspond with the lyrics with such strength, which is in some respects,quite contradictory.
The story behind this video explains the great life of one celebrity, who then loses it all after the paparazzi force her boyfriend to throw her over the edge of the terrace when he didn't stop harassing her in front of the camera. After falling down and, seemingly dying, the song starts when a car pulls up to the house, and she steps out wearing a neck brace, and is carried into a wheelchair. After which she is wheeled up, into the house, and then gets into a full, gold bodysuit with crutches, and dance to the chorus. This may seem offensive and discriminative towards disabled people, however, it is representing the fall of her character, and developing from a wheelchair to crutches represents her getting on and rising back to the top. When she is seen lying on the chair, you get the sense of sleaze, seeing Lady GaGa in a skimpy, all leather piece. This is followed up by suggestive hand gestures, corresponding with this make-up she could be represented as a prostitute. After which, you see images of the 'death my fashion' theory i mentioned before. After this you get another shot of Lady GaGa on the chair, but this time she is with three other girls. This shows voyeurism when they start to kiss as all our are being shown for one specific purpose. This also represents her sexuality as bisexual. This scene quickly jumps to a more faced paced and high energy performance, of GaGa dancing, in white jumpsuits, with small dark patches of ruffle. This could indicate her transition from all dark, to coming back into light and representing her more innocent side. After the performance, we see very dark scenes of the main character dancing, with close ups and very fast paced cuts, this takes us back to the next scene, where she is back with her original boyfriend. As the magazine suggests, she is 'The new It Girl' which leads you to think that maybe nobody knows that she has come back. the next shot shows GaGa poisoning her boyfriend, quickly being arrested and taken to jail when caught. However, she confesses to the police that she killed him, and when she is taken away, newspaper articles show headline's of "She's back" and "We love her again".
There is however, quite a strong relationship between music and the video, as the music is fairly classically set, and so is the video. As you can see the classic mansion with terrace, big garden, piano and large bedroom. The old fashioned cameras, newspapers and screen credits also show this.
there is a lot of reference to the notion of looking, ranging from the cameras, to the newspapers. there are also quite a few close ups on shots such as her peace sign tattoo which could be a demand for a motif. There is also a lot of inter textual reference with the magazines, newspapers, films and stories.
This is, by far my favorite video, of all time. Simply because of the fact it is set as a story and has been elaborated and extended very well.
Music Video Analysis 4: Paramore - 'Crushcrushcrush (Performance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-NjVaSNNgg&feature=related
This music video is entirely performance based. However it goes against the stereotypical idea of having the band on stage and performing as if at a concert or gig. The band in this video are performing in the desert. The video also has a small idea of concept, which does not demonstrate genre characteristics of rock.
The camera pans around the band which could possibly be representative of vulture in the desert, making the band vunerable, which could have some relationship with the lyrics. Throughout the duration of the video, a lot of cuts are made to focus on the spies in the desert, which ties in perfectly with the line of the song; "They taped over your mouth, scribbles out the truth with their lies, you little spies". Even though this video is shot in the desert, I think that the colours are quite vibrant and still stand out.This could possibly be to highlight the vibrancy of the lead singers (Hayley Williams) red and orange hair, this could be a demand of the record label for a motif to associate with the band.
There is frequent reference to the notion of looking, with the spies of the desert watching the band through binoculars, and frequently cutting from a shot of the spies with the binoculars to a point of view shot, of the band through the binoculars. Even though there is a lot of reference to the notion of looking, it is not in a voyeuristic manor, but to get across the point of the song.
There is some inter textual reference, possibly to the film, 'The Hills Have Eyes' which consists of deformed people/spies living in the desert, in ruins left over by people who have visited.
Over all, I think this is one of the mos successful performance music videos I have seen, as it incorporates a small amount of conceptual reference, which makes the video a lot more interesting.
Music Video Analysis 5: Cheryl Cole - 'Fight For This Love' (Concept & Performance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMiy_UsrPDs
This video demonstrates quite clearly the pop genre characteristics, from the choreographed dances and backup dancers, to the layout and shots of the video. The video starts off with a close up of Cheryl Cole's face, you can see, out of focus, in the background, her back up dancers, who are all female, which could indicate some issues of female empowerment. Almost all of the shots in this video are mid shots which cut to close ups on her face. A lot of close ups on the face of the signer and used to capture the emotions, as it is quite a sad song, the close ups on her face portray sad emotions, which also interlinks with the lyrics and music.
There is a very strong relationship between the lyrics and the visuals both illustrative and amplifying. The lyrics written on the screen illustrate this as well as the dance when the line "We gotta' fight, fight, fight, fight, fight for this love." are heard, you see Cheryl and the dancers performing fighting movements, which amplifies the fact she is fighting the love.
There is also quite a deep relationship between the lyrics and music and the visuals as a lot of the close ups of the singer illustrates sad emotions, and seeing as it is a sad song, it flows well.
There is also a lot of voyeuristic reference to the notion of looking, but not exclusively for the male form, as the video is an all female video, It could be argued that it has been made so, exclusively for men, or for female empowerment.
Personally I really like this video, and feel that it is a true and realistic representation of pop videos.
Analysis - DVD Covers
Music DVD Cover Analysis.
When selecting the DVD's I would study, I made sure that there was a varition of genres and years produced, as well as a variation in visual references.
DVD Cover 1: P!nk - 'I'm Not Dead Tour' (2006)
http://www.plazacool.com/attachments/product/images_1-2818.jpg
This DVD cover has consists of three images taken from the concert on which this DVD supports. The artists logo rests in the centre of the DVD cover and fits in well with the dark and seductive colour scheme. Both the classic font and the colour scheme (Blacks and Reds) form a seductive looking cover which is backed up by the heart aound the logo and the seductive looking outfit. the main image of P!nk singing while holding her arm out, shows us, in full, the singer. By holding out her arm, you can see her tattoos which, you automatically pick us as a stereotypical 'rock chick' images. This also co-insides with the dark colour scheme, DVD cover design and the motor bike on the front cover. I do like this DVD cover, and it is appealing as I have the DVD myself, however there is still a bit of negative space which may look better filled.
DVD Cover 2: Michael Jackson - 'The HIStory World Tour' (1997)
http://cdn2.ioffer.com/img/item/111/572/555/o_VPBljd3OsxiHwUg.jpg
This DVD cover shows Michael Jackson, in a somewhat futuristic suit that he wore on his (1997) HIStory world tour. The front cover looks a bit plain and unappealing, and possible lacks particular eye dents, however, the suit draws attention and would perhaps make the viewer question whether it is Michael Jackson or not. The title 'The HIStory World Tour' is a sort of pun,in the sense that history is taken for 'his story' and not 'history' which also may appeal to the target market.
DVD Cover 3: Rihanna - 'Good Girl Gone Bad Live' (2007)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaxJvuIBxpI/SFbNpeSzoXI/AAAAAAAAAWs/I2nDvUL5pPg/s400/Rihanna+tour+dvd.jpg
This DVD cover, again, shows an image taken form the artists featured tour.However, this DVD cover is taken up by the whole image, which is effective and the colour scheme is dark,which reflects on the title 'Good Girl Gone Bad'. This may represent Rihanna's bad side coming through. The cover goes well with the artist's name and title, as they are both a purple and white gradient with an emboss on the edge. I think this DVD would appeal to a lot of people, but because of the genre of music it may appeal to more young adults/teenagers. However from the look of the picture, the genre looks morerock/gothic than the pop genre it is.
DVD Cover 4: The Pussycat Dolls- 'Live In London' (2007)
http://www.cool.ucoz.org/_nw/1/51722.jpg
This cover is a bit different to the other as it features an image on the front taken from a photo shoot and not tour footage. I really like the layout and design on this DVD case as the colour schemes of black and red compliment each other very well, and also the outfits of each of the members of the group. There is a however a slight heirarchy with the lead singer been slightly infront and not level with the othe rmembers of the group. The reverse cover also looks every good, adapting the same colour scheme and logo with shows consistency and remaining codes and conventions. The tracklist on the reverse is somewhat hard to read, but at the same time it is visually appealling.
DVD Cover 5: Girls Aloud - 'Tangled Up: Live From The O2' (2008)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e5/Girls-Aloud-Tangled-Up_DVD.jpg
This DVD cover again fits previous codes and conventions by using a main image or tour images as their feature on this cover. However the images used on this DVD cover have been edited to create a violet, smoke like effect. The colour may be there to represent the femininity of the group, or even female enpowerment within the group. The box plain and simply addresses what the DVD is, by having only three features; The Artist name, main photo and DVD title. i think this is a very appealing DVD cover and would appeal ages ranges from 9-16.
DVD Cover 6: Paramore - 'The Final Riot!' (2008)
http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg451/YO_SAM_YO/paramore_dvd.jpg
This DVD cover, again shows images from the tour, however, one image was taken of each of the band members and cut and formulated into one image which streches across the cover. The same image goes accross on the reverse cover. Again, the black and red colour scheme fits really well, and seeing as the main image is black and white, the red really stands out and draws attention to the bands name. All in all this is a visually appealing and well done DVD cover, however I don't think it's enough to appeal to people buying it, I feel there is way too much negative space and not enough going on, on the cover.
DVD Cover 7: Madonna - 'Drowned World Tour' (2001)
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005QX8H.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
This, I feel, is a very interesting cover, as you don't relaise what Madonna is doing in the cover, until you turn it around and relaise she's lying down and singing. Apart from that image I don't like this DVD cover. It is too plain and not appealing enough. The image seems too cloudy, the colours and position of text also hurt your eyes a bit and you have to turn to fully undertstand it.
DVD Cover 8: Gwen Stefani - 'Harajuku Lovers Live' (2005)
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5682/hllivelo8.jpg
I really like this Dvd cover. I think it is classic yet original, and defies the conventions and stereotypes of it's genre. For it's genre being pop music, I think it really strays off into the rock category and doesn't look like a typical pop DVD. I also really like the fact that Gwen Stefani has used on of the images from her original 'Love.Angel.Music.Baby' album photo shoot, imstead of taking live images. I also like the fact she has re-named the tour, and not kept it named after the album. I think this album cover is very visually appealing, and is by far my favorite.
DVD Cover 9: Beyonce - 'The Beyoncé Experience: Live' (2007)
http://www.starpulse.com/news/media/beyonceconcertdvdfeat.jpg
I again like this DVD cover, as Beyoncé had a completely seprate photo shoot for this DVD cover, and it really suits the title. The title; 'The Beyoncé experience Live' really goes well with this image, and it sounds more than a concert, it sounds like something which is going to mark your life. I also realy like the colour scheme of this DVD cover and think it really doe appeal to potential buyers.
DVD Cover 10: Muse - 'The Absolution Tour' (2004)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTjfpMROuDh05CD-27pYV6F-eVbpjT0l0CRtDRkZZNnM3l1l6vCGIgtSCz_eFMq-yMi9CPNgLbxUrxlQCrim7qQP3mqNTh_6wAgOfQrqVgrU4F47V0ScRpfhMg__04dbQIbEyIy_x/s320/404px-Muse_Absolution_Tour_DVD_cover_2.jpg
This is the only DVD cover of the ones i've selected that I'm not 100% keen on. I think that it is too bland and plain, however, it gets the point over with what it's about, I just don't think it's too visually appealing. However, it does leave somthing to the imagination. The main image used is also that used as the album artowkr for the bands album: 'Absolution'.
When selecting the DVD's I would study, I made sure that there was a varition of genres and years produced, as well as a variation in visual references.
DVD Cover 1: P!nk - 'I'm Not Dead Tour' (2006)
http://www.plazacool.com/attachments/product/images_1-2818.jpg
This DVD cover has consists of three images taken from the concert on which this DVD supports. The artists logo rests in the centre of the DVD cover and fits in well with the dark and seductive colour scheme. Both the classic font and the colour scheme (Blacks and Reds) form a seductive looking cover which is backed up by the heart aound the logo and the seductive looking outfit. the main image of P!nk singing while holding her arm out, shows us, in full, the singer. By holding out her arm, you can see her tattoos which, you automatically pick us as a stereotypical 'rock chick' images. This also co-insides with the dark colour scheme, DVD cover design and the motor bike on the front cover. I do like this DVD cover, and it is appealing as I have the DVD myself, however there is still a bit of negative space which may look better filled.
DVD Cover 2: Michael Jackson - 'The HIStory World Tour' (1997)
http://cdn2.ioffer.com/img/item/111/572/555/o_VPBljd3OsxiHwUg.jpg
This DVD cover shows Michael Jackson, in a somewhat futuristic suit that he wore on his (1997) HIStory world tour. The front cover looks a bit plain and unappealing, and possible lacks particular eye dents, however, the suit draws attention and would perhaps make the viewer question whether it is Michael Jackson or not. The title 'The HIStory World Tour' is a sort of pun,in the sense that history is taken for 'his story' and not 'history' which also may appeal to the target market.
DVD Cover 3: Rihanna - 'Good Girl Gone Bad Live' (2007)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kaxJvuIBxpI/SFbNpeSzoXI/AAAAAAAAAWs/I2nDvUL5pPg/s400/Rihanna+tour+dvd.jpg
This DVD cover, again, shows an image taken form the artists featured tour.However, this DVD cover is taken up by the whole image, which is effective and the colour scheme is dark,which reflects on the title 'Good Girl Gone Bad'. This may represent Rihanna's bad side coming through. The cover goes well with the artist's name and title, as they are both a purple and white gradient with an emboss on the edge. I think this DVD would appeal to a lot of people, but because of the genre of music it may appeal to more young adults/teenagers. However from the look of the picture, the genre looks morerock/gothic than the pop genre it is.
DVD Cover 4: The Pussycat Dolls- 'Live In London' (2007)
http://www.cool.ucoz.org/_nw/1/51722.jpg
This cover is a bit different to the other as it features an image on the front taken from a photo shoot and not tour footage. I really like the layout and design on this DVD case as the colour schemes of black and red compliment each other very well, and also the outfits of each of the members of the group. There is a however a slight heirarchy with the lead singer been slightly infront and not level with the othe rmembers of the group. The reverse cover also looks every good, adapting the same colour scheme and logo with shows consistency and remaining codes and conventions. The tracklist on the reverse is somewhat hard to read, but at the same time it is visually appealling.
DVD Cover 5: Girls Aloud - 'Tangled Up: Live From The O2' (2008)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e5/Girls-Aloud-Tangled-Up_DVD.jpg
This DVD cover again fits previous codes and conventions by using a main image or tour images as their feature on this cover. However the images used on this DVD cover have been edited to create a violet, smoke like effect. The colour may be there to represent the femininity of the group, or even female enpowerment within the group. The box plain and simply addresses what the DVD is, by having only three features; The Artist name, main photo and DVD title. i think this is a very appealing DVD cover and would appeal ages ranges from 9-16.
DVD Cover 6: Paramore - 'The Final Riot!' (2008)
http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg451/YO_SAM_YO/paramore_dvd.jpg
This DVD cover, again shows images from the tour, however, one image was taken of each of the band members and cut and formulated into one image which streches across the cover. The same image goes accross on the reverse cover. Again, the black and red colour scheme fits really well, and seeing as the main image is black and white, the red really stands out and draws attention to the bands name. All in all this is a visually appealing and well done DVD cover, however I don't think it's enough to appeal to people buying it, I feel there is way too much negative space and not enough going on, on the cover.
DVD Cover 7: Madonna - 'Drowned World Tour' (2001)
http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00005QX8H.08.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
This, I feel, is a very interesting cover, as you don't relaise what Madonna is doing in the cover, until you turn it around and relaise she's lying down and singing. Apart from that image I don't like this DVD cover. It is too plain and not appealing enough. The image seems too cloudy, the colours and position of text also hurt your eyes a bit and you have to turn to fully undertstand it.
DVD Cover 8: Gwen Stefani - 'Harajuku Lovers Live' (2005)
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5682/hllivelo8.jpg
I really like this Dvd cover. I think it is classic yet original, and defies the conventions and stereotypes of it's genre. For it's genre being pop music, I think it really strays off into the rock category and doesn't look like a typical pop DVD. I also really like the fact that Gwen Stefani has used on of the images from her original 'Love.Angel.Music.Baby' album photo shoot, imstead of taking live images. I also like the fact she has re-named the tour, and not kept it named after the album. I think this album cover is very visually appealing, and is by far my favorite.
DVD Cover 9: Beyonce - 'The Beyoncé Experience: Live' (2007)
http://www.starpulse.com/news/media/beyonceconcertdvdfeat.jpg
I again like this DVD cover, as Beyoncé had a completely seprate photo shoot for this DVD cover, and it really suits the title. The title; 'The Beyoncé experience Live' really goes well with this image, and it sounds more than a concert, it sounds like something which is going to mark your life. I also realy like the colour scheme of this DVD cover and think it really doe appeal to potential buyers.
DVD Cover 10: Muse - 'The Absolution Tour' (2004)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTjfpMROuDh05CD-27pYV6F-eVbpjT0l0CRtDRkZZNnM3l1l6vCGIgtSCz_eFMq-yMi9CPNgLbxUrxlQCrim7qQP3mqNTh_6wAgOfQrqVgrU4F47V0ScRpfhMg__04dbQIbEyIy_x/s320/404px-Muse_Absolution_Tour_DVD_cover_2.jpg
This is the only DVD cover of the ones i've selected that I'm not 100% keen on. I think that it is too bland and plain, however, it gets the point over with what it's about, I just don't think it's too visually appealing. However, it does leave somthing to the imagination. The main image used is also that used as the album artowkr for the bands album: 'Absolution'.
Analysis - Album Promo Videos.
Album Promo Video Analysis.
I chose to do the following five videos as it gives a selective variation of years and genres to compare and extract ideas from.
Album Promo Video 1: Lady GaGa - 'The Fame'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LpIo71AIWY
This video starts off with Lady GaGa's UK debut song 'Just Dance' which corresponds well seeing as it it the first song shown. After seeing a few seconds of the music video for 'Just Dance' you come to shot of Lady GaGa wearing a lightning bolt. This also corresponds well with the fact that the name of the song is flashing in the bottom left hand cornor of the screen, as if to symbolize lightning. This is also good for the artist as a blue lightning bolt is one of her many trademarks. After seeing the clip of the song, the artowkr for the single comes up saying "One of the hottests acts on New York's club scene". Quotes are often well used to promote albums, this is somthing I might incorperate into my video. After which her signature lightning bolt comesout to the screen before playing a clip of her mini film; 'The Fame: Part One'. Finally, a deep voice introduces the album, artist and where to buy the album.
I realy do think that this trailer does well, I feel that an energetic promo video has high impact on the viewer,and gives them more reason to buy the album. Especially using techniques such as listing the singles that are on the album.
Album Promo Video 2: Thousand Foot Krutch - 'Welcome To The Masquerade'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xLySx4zXck
This is by far my favorite promo video. Starting off with an images of a girl wearing a mask,and then changing the camera angles to different points of her face while having the name of the band with a slight opacity overlay. After which the camera moves to a shot of the three band members standing over a sign which displays the name of the band, then with really good visual effects and editing, the girl disappears, leaving only the mask, which then trancends into a banner which comes down and reveals the date that the album is in store. I really like this promo video and I think that it's really effective and classic, which defies the stereotypical definities of the rock genre, and transends more into a classical genre, except the music.
Album Promo Video 3: Paramore - 'Brand New Eyes'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wnll8dGsFo
I really enjoyed this promo video. It starts off with a fade from black transition to a shot taken from the bands recent tour DVD. As they camera descends into a shot of the band. From behind the crowd, you hear the bands lead singer (Hayley Williams) shout the name of the band, which is a really good way of appealing to their fans and drawing attention to the video. After which, the video cuts to a part of one of the bands most successful music videos; 'Misery Business' and while the video is playing, text along the bottom of the screen shows all the awards, achievements and nominations that the bands previous album won. Shortly after, the video cuts to another of their singles 'Crushcrushcrush' again, with all the awards and achievements. All the way through both clips of the singles, the video jump cuts in between the music video and footage from the gig, and as you can see, the gig is shot in all black and white. This could be to age the video and keep it like an old fashioned rock performance or just to add a bit of class. You then get cut to a scene from their new song Decode, which is quite dark and limited colour. This also corresponds well with the scenes of black and white concert footage. It might be representative of a new era or a different path for Paramore. After this clip the Name of the artist and release date comes on screen and quickly flashes off, to re appear on a black background. I think this is a successful video and may use some of the methods used in my video. This video sells the new album well to the target audience, as well as leaving a bit of mystery as to what the new album is called or going to be like.
Album Promo Video 4: Michael Jackson - 'HIStory'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyDQUvPti5Q
I think that this video is amazing. It is such a high budget film, as you can tell the promo has been shot extremely well done with many amazing visual effects. The video tells a story of Michael Jackson as a celebrity, as he is, but with the following and lifestyle as, a king of the world. From having a controlled march in the city, to having riots and his huge statues are revealed, and having soldiers dancing. This video attracted millions of fans, and informed the world of the long await release of HIStory. The video was shot with such precision and accuracy, and because of the impact Michael Jackson and his music has on the world, everyone knew it was him, so he only needed to put his name and the album name, to promote it. This video is shot quite dark with minimal lighting, however attention is easily drawn to Michael Jackson because of his outfit, the video keeps getting darker, until the statue is revealed, and the video lights up. I think shooting this video as a small film was a really great way of promoting this album and was of high impact to all ages and target audiences.
Album Promo Video 5: Madonna - 'Celebration'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKHyq-htiLc
I also really enjoyed this video. With no newly shot material and no voice over, it's a perfectly formulated definitive hits collection. She incorporates pop art styled transitions for in between the clips of her videos she has used. She made a timeline of videos which were edited into the pop art style. Getting towards the end, she used pieces of images to create her face, and the video focus's on the album cover at the end. I think this is a very energetic and high impact, which is sure to appeal to her new and old fans. This also incorporates genre characteristics, such as the bright color and pop art editing for the dance/pop genre.
I chose to do the following five videos as it gives a selective variation of years and genres to compare and extract ideas from.
Album Promo Video 1: Lady GaGa - 'The Fame'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LpIo71AIWY
This video starts off with Lady GaGa's UK debut song 'Just Dance' which corresponds well seeing as it it the first song shown. After seeing a few seconds of the music video for 'Just Dance' you come to shot of Lady GaGa wearing a lightning bolt. This also corresponds well with the fact that the name of the song is flashing in the bottom left hand cornor of the screen, as if to symbolize lightning. This is also good for the artist as a blue lightning bolt is one of her many trademarks. After seeing the clip of the song, the artowkr for the single comes up saying "One of the hottests acts on New York's club scene". Quotes are often well used to promote albums, this is somthing I might incorperate into my video. After which her signature lightning bolt comesout to the screen before playing a clip of her mini film; 'The Fame: Part One'. Finally, a deep voice introduces the album, artist and where to buy the album.
I realy do think that this trailer does well, I feel that an energetic promo video has high impact on the viewer,and gives them more reason to buy the album. Especially using techniques such as listing the singles that are on the album.
Album Promo Video 2: Thousand Foot Krutch - 'Welcome To The Masquerade'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xLySx4zXck
This is by far my favorite promo video. Starting off with an images of a girl wearing a mask,and then changing the camera angles to different points of her face while having the name of the band with a slight opacity overlay. After which the camera moves to a shot of the three band members standing over a sign which displays the name of the band, then with really good visual effects and editing, the girl disappears, leaving only the mask, which then trancends into a banner which comes down and reveals the date that the album is in store. I really like this promo video and I think that it's really effective and classic, which defies the stereotypical definities of the rock genre, and transends more into a classical genre, except the music.
Album Promo Video 3: Paramore - 'Brand New Eyes'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wnll8dGsFo
I really enjoyed this promo video. It starts off with a fade from black transition to a shot taken from the bands recent tour DVD. As they camera descends into a shot of the band. From behind the crowd, you hear the bands lead singer (Hayley Williams) shout the name of the band, which is a really good way of appealing to their fans and drawing attention to the video. After which, the video cuts to a part of one of the bands most successful music videos; 'Misery Business' and while the video is playing, text along the bottom of the screen shows all the awards, achievements and nominations that the bands previous album won. Shortly after, the video cuts to another of their singles 'Crushcrushcrush' again, with all the awards and achievements. All the way through both clips of the singles, the video jump cuts in between the music video and footage from the gig, and as you can see, the gig is shot in all black and white. This could be to age the video and keep it like an old fashioned rock performance or just to add a bit of class. You then get cut to a scene from their new song Decode, which is quite dark and limited colour. This also corresponds well with the scenes of black and white concert footage. It might be representative of a new era or a different path for Paramore. After this clip the Name of the artist and release date comes on screen and quickly flashes off, to re appear on a black background. I think this is a successful video and may use some of the methods used in my video. This video sells the new album well to the target audience, as well as leaving a bit of mystery as to what the new album is called or going to be like.
Album Promo Video 4: Michael Jackson - 'HIStory'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyDQUvPti5Q
I think that this video is amazing. It is such a high budget film, as you can tell the promo has been shot extremely well done with many amazing visual effects. The video tells a story of Michael Jackson as a celebrity, as he is, but with the following and lifestyle as, a king of the world. From having a controlled march in the city, to having riots and his huge statues are revealed, and having soldiers dancing. This video attracted millions of fans, and informed the world of the long await release of HIStory. The video was shot with such precision and accuracy, and because of the impact Michael Jackson and his music has on the world, everyone knew it was him, so he only needed to put his name and the album name, to promote it. This video is shot quite dark with minimal lighting, however attention is easily drawn to Michael Jackson because of his outfit, the video keeps getting darker, until the statue is revealed, and the video lights up. I think shooting this video as a small film was a really great way of promoting this album and was of high impact to all ages and target audiences.
Album Promo Video 5: Madonna - 'Celebration'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKHyq-htiLc
I also really enjoyed this video. With no newly shot material and no voice over, it's a perfectly formulated definitive hits collection. She incorporates pop art styled transitions for in between the clips of her videos she has used. She made a timeline of videos which were edited into the pop art style. Getting towards the end, she used pieces of images to create her face, and the video focus's on the album cover at the end. I think this is a very energetic and high impact, which is sure to appeal to her new and old fans. This also incorporates genre characteristics, such as the bright color and pop art editing for the dance/pop genre.
Chosen Song
Chosen Song:
H2S04 - Little Soul
The song that we have chosen to do is by H2so4. This early 1900's electro/dance song was featured on a hit American show; "Queer as Folk". We originally decided to do 'Teenage Wasteland' by The Who, however we all decided to change to song to a more upbeat song. We ended up changing a lot of our planning but we were happy with the final decision, this also helped us improve our taken footage and re-shoot the video.
H2S04 - Little Soul
The song that we have chosen to do is by H2so4. This early 1900's electro/dance song was featured on a hit American show; "Queer as Folk". We originally decided to do 'Teenage Wasteland' by The Who, however we all decided to change to song to a more upbeat song. We ended up changing a lot of our planning but we were happy with the final decision, this also helped us improve our taken footage and re-shoot the video.
Analysis of Similar Videos.
Similar Music Video Analysis
As part of research, we decided to analysis four music videos, that are similar o our ideas for the music video we are going to make.
Similar Music Video Analysis 1: Lady GaGa - Bad Romance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsthwTUTylQ
This video relates to our video idea as the video includes a lot of fast editing and a lot of shots, scenes and ideas used represent distorted visual imagery which is also relative to our video. A lot of ideas such as Lady GaGa on the bed in the last scene gives us a sense of juxtaposition which is also used in our video, when Kirst wakes up in a forest with a pure white dress on. It gives the viewer a sense of realisation and makes them question whether or not there is a meaning behind it and what is actually going on. In terms of viewing, our video includes a lot of dark and dull scenes, with unusual things happening. This is the same for Lady GaGa's video. The other thing that is included, is an extended intro and outro which is not in the original radio edit of the song, which we could plan to include in our video. There is a lot on contrast between scenes and there is also a strong artistic element, which we plan on incorperating in our video. There is also a strong element of horror within both videos, which relates well with the dark editing. However this is quite a bit of voyeurism included in this video, which we do not plan on incorperating within our video. The final relation between the two videos is the idea of lyrics relating to visuals.
Similar Music Video Analysis 2: Paramore - Decode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpvai3DQ0Co
This music video relates quite a bit with the forest scenes, however it does not include a lot of meaning behind the video and is more conceptual than anything. The editing is fast and the video has the same sort of hue and contrast but is a bit lighter. The meaning behind the videos are different, simply because of the fact that our video is more narrative, and this video is more conceptual.
Similar Music Video Analysis 3: Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta' Feeling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMxASjxRk1w&feature=fvst
This video begins with shots of people going out clubbing like teenagers or young adults would do, matching the typical saying of on Hollywood Boulevard. After which all of the band members are shown getting ready to go out, the jumping shots in between the band members and the people walking on the street who could possibly be going to the same party that the band is. When the beat kicks in, the band are shown at a house party with a lot of other people who were seen coming to the party. Matching lyrics with visual for parts such as; "Drink from my cup" and showing a typical outlook of house parties with people getting more drunk throughout the night. I think this, combined with a few other music videos would be really good to show in out music video, because of that fact that our music video gives a sense of distortian and confusion that you obviously get from being drunk.
Similar Music Video Analysis 4: Marilyn Manson - Tainted Love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoYmSKdDkW0
This video shows another stereotypical American house party, with the dominance of rock genre.
Marilyn Manson starts by entering the party and taking over the DJ and making every aware that he has arrived. He starts by pushing the jocks out of the way without even looking at them. After which, the goths that arrive with Manson take over the DJ and dancers, who are stereotypically black, and start dancing in the same style, which may be seen as slightly discriminative or racist and saying that white chicks are better. I think this video also defies stereotypes of the genre, as it is a punk/rock video but taking a R&B or Pop edge. This video is also very dark and somewhat disturbing. Not too many edits are used in this video and it is not slow paced but not too fast. The end of this video defies stereotypes even more when Manson is in the almost all pink bedroom with the cheerleaders. This video isn't one of my favorites, however I think it is good and relative to our music video and song, because of the dark scenes and fast editing.
Similar Music Video Analysis 5: P!nk - Sober.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89V7hvEmSD8
I really like this video, as it matches the song really well. Although it isn't a typical party video I think it can relate a lot to the song we have chosen. The video starts focused in a city and its landmarks, and the camera then follows onto a TV in someones house. After the music kicks in you see P!nk lying on a bed, and then sitting on a couch in a different outfit. During this video you get the idea that the image of her in the brown outfit is her mind, or her viewing events, as this song is describing how someone makes her feel and how she can feel as good as this sober. After which, she gets off the couch and walks through the party and goes through like a cycle of events, before coming to a completly conceptual idea of her being trapped in a box. She is in all white, with white hair in a white room, this could symbolize purity and also could symbolize solitary confinement. A lot of fast edits, special effects and flickering really adds the effect of the video, which I really like, but they are only present when she is in all white in the box. All in all this video matches the lyrics visually and conceptually and I think this is a very effective video. I think that it is a very strong role model to go along with when filiming and editing our video. This video also has a good meaning behind is, which can kind of relate to our chosen song.
As part of research, we decided to analysis four music videos, that are similar o our ideas for the music video we are going to make.
Similar Music Video Analysis 1: Lady GaGa - Bad Romance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsthwTUTylQ
This video relates to our video idea as the video includes a lot of fast editing and a lot of shots, scenes and ideas used represent distorted visual imagery which is also relative to our video. A lot of ideas such as Lady GaGa on the bed in the last scene gives us a sense of juxtaposition which is also used in our video, when Kirst wakes up in a forest with a pure white dress on. It gives the viewer a sense of realisation and makes them question whether or not there is a meaning behind it and what is actually going on. In terms of viewing, our video includes a lot of dark and dull scenes, with unusual things happening. This is the same for Lady GaGa's video. The other thing that is included, is an extended intro and outro which is not in the original radio edit of the song, which we could plan to include in our video. There is a lot on contrast between scenes and there is also a strong artistic element, which we plan on incorperating in our video. There is also a strong element of horror within both videos, which relates well with the dark editing. However this is quite a bit of voyeurism included in this video, which we do not plan on incorperating within our video. The final relation between the two videos is the idea of lyrics relating to visuals.
Similar Music Video Analysis 2: Paramore - Decode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpvai3DQ0Co
This music video relates quite a bit with the forest scenes, however it does not include a lot of meaning behind the video and is more conceptual than anything. The editing is fast and the video has the same sort of hue and contrast but is a bit lighter. The meaning behind the videos are different, simply because of the fact that our video is more narrative, and this video is more conceptual.
Similar Music Video Analysis 3: Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta' Feeling.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMxASjxRk1w&feature=fvst
This video begins with shots of people going out clubbing like teenagers or young adults would do, matching the typical saying of on Hollywood Boulevard. After which all of the band members are shown getting ready to go out, the jumping shots in between the band members and the people walking on the street who could possibly be going to the same party that the band is. When the beat kicks in, the band are shown at a house party with a lot of other people who were seen coming to the party. Matching lyrics with visual for parts such as; "Drink from my cup" and showing a typical outlook of house parties with people getting more drunk throughout the night. I think this, combined with a few other music videos would be really good to show in out music video, because of that fact that our music video gives a sense of distortian and confusion that you obviously get from being drunk.
Similar Music Video Analysis 4: Marilyn Manson - Tainted Love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoYmSKdDkW0
This video shows another stereotypical American house party, with the dominance of rock genre.
Marilyn Manson starts by entering the party and taking over the DJ and making every aware that he has arrived. He starts by pushing the jocks out of the way without even looking at them. After which, the goths that arrive with Manson take over the DJ and dancers, who are stereotypically black, and start dancing in the same style, which may be seen as slightly discriminative or racist and saying that white chicks are better. I think this video also defies stereotypes of the genre, as it is a punk/rock video but taking a R&B or Pop edge. This video is also very dark and somewhat disturbing. Not too many edits are used in this video and it is not slow paced but not too fast. The end of this video defies stereotypes even more when Manson is in the almost all pink bedroom with the cheerleaders. This video isn't one of my favorites, however I think it is good and relative to our music video and song, because of the dark scenes and fast editing.
Similar Music Video Analysis 5: P!nk - Sober.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89V7hvEmSD8
I really like this video, as it matches the song really well. Although it isn't a typical party video I think it can relate a lot to the song we have chosen. The video starts focused in a city and its landmarks, and the camera then follows onto a TV in someones house. After the music kicks in you see P!nk lying on a bed, and then sitting on a couch in a different outfit. During this video you get the idea that the image of her in the brown outfit is her mind, or her viewing events, as this song is describing how someone makes her feel and how she can feel as good as this sober. After which, she gets off the couch and walks through the party and goes through like a cycle of events, before coming to a completly conceptual idea of her being trapped in a box. She is in all white, with white hair in a white room, this could symbolize purity and also could symbolize solitary confinement. A lot of fast edits, special effects and flickering really adds the effect of the video, which I really like, but they are only present when she is in all white in the box. All in all this video matches the lyrics visually and conceptually and I think this is a very effective video. I think that it is a very strong role model to go along with when filiming and editing our video. This video also has a good meaning behind is, which can kind of relate to our chosen song.
Storyboard.
Here you will find our storyboard, this links in order with our video, however some of it has chaged when we came to editing our video, below is an overview of the story;
The Story(in short above)Girl is having nightmares but she doesn't know why. She can hear this music but it's completely torturing her. She then starts to feel this demon like presence, the one who's singing this song and she can see the demons reflection everywhere where she is laughing and singing to her, trying to draw her in. The girl gets up to get a drink but drops the bottle on the floor and it rolls under her bed, where she finds a box addressed to her. She opens it and finds a vintage dress but has no idea why and who gave it to her. Along with the music that she cannot escape from and this newly found gift, she thinks she is going crazy so she runs to the bathroom to wake herself up. She calms herself down by running the tap to fill up the sink to splash her face, hoping for a bit of normality. When she turns back around the freshen herself up the water has turned black which just adds to her being more frightened. She looks up at the mirror and sees the demon standing behind her, well and truly petrified at this point she runs out the bathroom but trips up and falls on the floor hitting her head and passing out. When she wakes up she is in a forest wearing the vintage dress that she found in her room earlier before. Shes totally baffled at this point so starts to run away from the demon who has put her in this position. She keeps seeing her appearing everywhere, laughing and singing to her. The girl then realises that shes getting no where and begins to ponder the thought of asking the demon why she is here. On doing so, she sees the demons reflection staring back at her. It then reaches her hand out of the mirror to the girl, inviting her in which the girl accepts. Quickly, you see the hand pulling her in and straightaway a shot of the girl falling on top of her bad - as if she had just fallen out of the entire scene. She then wakes up glad it appears to have been a nightmare, but she flips back her quilt and sees she wearing the dress in her nightmare. Terror quickly sinks in where we then see the demon walking towards her bedroom slowly, then we cut to the girls face looking up in shock and then cut to the demon standing at the door.
Animatic.
This is our animtic. basically a moving storyboard taking into consideration movements and timing needed for the apporaopriate shots for the actual video. below is a very brief run down of the story and plot;
- A teenage girl begins to hear music, which directly links to a demon and it begins to torture her, no matter what she does she can not escape.
- Forest scenes: Running through the trees covered in dirt, leaves, wearing old fashion costume as if gone to another time. Running away but keeps turning back to the camera to give the illusion it is the 'demon' who is chasing her.
- Lots of overlapping shots of demon laughing as it emphasises the creepyness of it.- Alot of sped up bed shots, cant get to sleep/tossing and turning etc.- Wash face in bathroom but sees reflection in mirror. Water turns black etc.
- Screaming lyrics and screaming in general to be used in overlap.- End of song, follow footprints into bedroom, walking very slowly.
Initial Ideas.
- A teenage girl begins to hear music, which directly links to a demon and it begins to torture her, no matter what she does she can not escape.
- Forest scenes: Running through the trees covered in dirt, leaves, wearing old fashion costume as if gone to another time. Running away but keeps turning back to the camera to give the illusion it is the 'demon' who is chasing her.
- Lots of overlapping shots of demon laughing as it emphasises the creepyness of it.- Alot of sped up bed shots, cant get to sleep/tossing and turning etc.- Wash face in bathroom but sees reflection in mirror. Water turns black etc.- Screaming lyrics and screaming in general to be used in overlap.
- End of song, follow footprints into bedroom, walking very slowly.
The Story(in short above)Girl is having nightmares but she doesn't know why. She can hear this music but it's completely torturing her. She then starts to feel this demon like presence, the one who's singing this song and she can see the demons reflection everywhere where she is laughing and singing to her, trying to draw her in. The girl gets up to get a drink but drops the bottle on the floor and it rolls under her bed, where she finds a box addressed to her. She opens it and finds a vintage dress but has no idea why and who gave it to her. Along with the music that she cannot escape from and this newly found gift, she thinks she is going crazy so she runs to the bathroom to wake herself up. She calms herself down by running the tap to fill up the sink to splash her face, hoping for a bit of normality. When she turns back around the freshen herself up the water has turned black which just adds to her being more frightened. She looks up at the mirror and sees the demon standing behind her, well and truly petrified at this point she runs out the bathroom but trips up and falls on the floor hitting her head and passing out. When she wakes up she is in a forest wearing the vintage dress that she found in her room earlier before. Shes totally baffled at this point so starts to run away from the demon who has put her in this position. She keeps seeing her appearing everywhere, laughing and singing to her. The girl then realises that shes getting no where and begins to ponder the thought of asking the demon why she is here. On doing so, she sees the demons reflection staring back at her. It then reaches her hand out of the mirror to the girl, inviting her in which the girl accepts. Quickly, you see the hand pulling her in and straightaway a shot of the girl falling on top of her bad - as if she had just fallen out of the entire scene. She then wakes up glad it appears to have been a nightmare, but she flips back her quilt and sees she wearing the dress in her nightmare. Terror quickly sinks in where we then see the demon walking towards her bedroom slowly, then we cut to the girls face looking up in shock and then cut to the demon standing at the door.
- Forest scenes: Running through the trees covered in dirt, leaves, wearing old fashion costume as if gone to another time. Running away but keeps turning back to the camera to give the illusion it is the 'demon' who is chasing her.
- Lots of overlapping shots of demon laughing as it emphasises the creepyness of it.- Alot of sped up bed shots, cant get to sleep/tossing and turning etc.- Wash face in bathroom but sees reflection in mirror. Water turns black etc.- Screaming lyrics and screaming in general to be used in overlap.
- End of song, follow footprints into bedroom, walking very slowly.
The Story(in short above)Girl is having nightmares but she doesn't know why. She can hear this music but it's completely torturing her. She then starts to feel this demon like presence, the one who's singing this song and she can see the demons reflection everywhere where she is laughing and singing to her, trying to draw her in. The girl gets up to get a drink but drops the bottle on the floor and it rolls under her bed, where she finds a box addressed to her. She opens it and finds a vintage dress but has no idea why and who gave it to her. Along with the music that she cannot escape from and this newly found gift, she thinks she is going crazy so she runs to the bathroom to wake herself up. She calms herself down by running the tap to fill up the sink to splash her face, hoping for a bit of normality. When she turns back around the freshen herself up the water has turned black which just adds to her being more frightened. She looks up at the mirror and sees the demon standing behind her, well and truly petrified at this point she runs out the bathroom but trips up and falls on the floor hitting her head and passing out. When she wakes up she is in a forest wearing the vintage dress that she found in her room earlier before. Shes totally baffled at this point so starts to run away from the demon who has put her in this position. She keeps seeing her appearing everywhere, laughing and singing to her. The girl then realises that shes getting no where and begins to ponder the thought of asking the demon why she is here. On doing so, she sees the demons reflection staring back at her. It then reaches her hand out of the mirror to the girl, inviting her in which the girl accepts. Quickly, you see the hand pulling her in and straightaway a shot of the girl falling on top of her bad - as if she had just fallen out of the entire scene. She then wakes up glad it appears to have been a nightmare, but she flips back her quilt and sees she wearing the dress in her nightmare. Terror quickly sinks in where we then see the demon walking towards her bedroom slowly, then we cut to the girls face looking up in shock and then cut to the demon standing at the door.
Audience Research.
Here is the questionnaire which we placed to our target audience, for the music video:
Age: Gender:
1. What’s your favourite music video and why? What is it about this music video that makes it your favourite?
2. What do you dislike most about music videos? Is there anything in specifically that puts you off music videos or a music video in particular?
3. Do you think a particular genre of music represents music videos better than others?
4. Do you prefer a Narrative (Story), Concept (An Idea) or performance (Live shots) Videos?(or if so a combination of either - state which)
5. Our video is based around the idea of a demon and her victim. Is there anything that you think should be incorporated in to the video?
6. We are going to include alot of demonic effects to help emphasize one the characters, how do you think this could be accentuated?
7. With regards to editing techniques and special effects, is there anything you think should be included that will emphasize the 'demonic' message we are trying to highlight?
8. As with all videos, there is a "killer shot", which in some cases can competely sell a video. Do you have any ideas that you think would be best suited for out video?
Written Feedback:
Out of the 30 people asked, we asked fifteen male(s) and fifteen female(s). We also varied the age range between fourteen and twenty five.
1. What’s your favourite music video and why? What is it about this music video that makes it your favourite?
With the audience research we gathered, around about 60% of people asked, preferred a Narrative video, 10% preferred a performance and 30% preferred a conceptual. Overall, the favoured genre was pop and a lot of people liked aspects such as a very high paced video with lots of edits and costume. This is why we decided to have our video primarily narrative and very high paced.
2. What do you dislike most about music videos? Is there anything in specifically that puts you off music videos or a music video in particular?
A lot of feedback we got from this question, related to boring videos that are apparently too slow. The majority of people we asked like, up to date, high paced videos. However there were a few exceptions, where some people were put off by fast editing and fast paced videos. Another thing which put people off was videos with a bad narrative storyline.
3. Do you think a particular genre of music represents music videos better than others?
Almost every answer we got for this question was Rock. Because a lot of Rock videos include some element of performance (Stereotypically). I think Rock videos tend to have similar storylines too, if they happen to be narrative and not conceptual or performance based.
4. Do you prefer a Narrative (Story), Concept (An Idea) or performance (Live shots) Videos?(Or if so a combination of either - state which)
Yet again, we got a very strong outcome for Narrative based music videos. Not a lot of people wrote down why, but I think it is because narrative based music videos have something that you can link to and think through the video. Also because most songs tell a story or experience, this could be why. An additional point could be down to the fact that narrative music videos tend to have a lot more graphic matches, and key things that link the song and the video directly. Conceptual on the other hand, will be the idea of the artist, and might not always be seen in the same way as they see it.
5. Our video is based around the idea of a demon and her victim. Is there anything that you think should be incorporated in to the video?
There were quite a few ideas for this question, which ranged from the demon being the girl’s memories, or an old boyfriend or a dead family member. However, our favourite idea was to incorporate the idea of a memory, so we adapted on this a decided to use an old prom dress, which takes the victim to places which meant a lot to her, but her vision of it is now distorted.
6 We are going to include a lot of demonic effects to help emphasize one the characters, how do you think this could be accentuated? .
A lot of feedback suggested that emphasizing one of the characters could be achieved by a lot of make-up, clothing and hair. We obviously decided to go with the clothing idea, and choose a dress, which would symbolize the girl’s old prom, which would take her back to a place in which her memories are now distorted.
7. With regards to editing techniques and special effects, is there anything you think should be included that will emphasize the style and genre of our video?
For this question a lot of people preferred fast editing. With a lot of different ideas from flickering to backdrops and blue screens. A lot of people thought, seeing as our video is 90’s Dance/Pop/Techno, that a fast edited video with a lot of flashing lights would be interesting and effective.
8. as with all videos, there is a "killer shot", which in some cases can completely sell a video. Do you have any ideas that you think would be best suited for out video?
Here is out chosen visual feedback;A lot of people wrote for this question, that a time lapse would be effective, for example, setting a video camera on a cliff, recording a sunset and speeding it up.
Age: Gender:
1. What’s your favourite music video and why? What is it about this music video that makes it your favourite?
2. What do you dislike most about music videos? Is there anything in specifically that puts you off music videos or a music video in particular?
3. Do you think a particular genre of music represents music videos better than others?
4. Do you prefer a Narrative (Story), Concept (An Idea) or performance (Live shots) Videos?(or if so a combination of either - state which)
5. Our video is based around the idea of a demon and her victim. Is there anything that you think should be incorporated in to the video?
6. We are going to include alot of demonic effects to help emphasize one the characters, how do you think this could be accentuated?
7. With regards to editing techniques and special effects, is there anything you think should be included that will emphasize the 'demonic' message we are trying to highlight?
8. As with all videos, there is a "killer shot", which in some cases can competely sell a video. Do you have any ideas that you think would be best suited for out video?
Written Feedback:
Out of the 30 people asked, we asked fifteen male(s) and fifteen female(s). We also varied the age range between fourteen and twenty five.
1. What’s your favourite music video and why? What is it about this music video that makes it your favourite?
With the audience research we gathered, around about 60% of people asked, preferred a Narrative video, 10% preferred a performance and 30% preferred a conceptual. Overall, the favoured genre was pop and a lot of people liked aspects such as a very high paced video with lots of edits and costume. This is why we decided to have our video primarily narrative and very high paced.
2. What do you dislike most about music videos? Is there anything in specifically that puts you off music videos or a music video in particular?
A lot of feedback we got from this question, related to boring videos that are apparently too slow. The majority of people we asked like, up to date, high paced videos. However there were a few exceptions, where some people were put off by fast editing and fast paced videos. Another thing which put people off was videos with a bad narrative storyline.
3. Do you think a particular genre of music represents music videos better than others?
Almost every answer we got for this question was Rock. Because a lot of Rock videos include some element of performance (Stereotypically). I think Rock videos tend to have similar storylines too, if they happen to be narrative and not conceptual or performance based.
4. Do you prefer a Narrative (Story), Concept (An Idea) or performance (Live shots) Videos?(Or if so a combination of either - state which)
Yet again, we got a very strong outcome for Narrative based music videos. Not a lot of people wrote down why, but I think it is because narrative based music videos have something that you can link to and think through the video. Also because most songs tell a story or experience, this could be why. An additional point could be down to the fact that narrative music videos tend to have a lot more graphic matches, and key things that link the song and the video directly. Conceptual on the other hand, will be the idea of the artist, and might not always be seen in the same way as they see it.
5. Our video is based around the idea of a demon and her victim. Is there anything that you think should be incorporated in to the video?
There were quite a few ideas for this question, which ranged from the demon being the girl’s memories, or an old boyfriend or a dead family member. However, our favourite idea was to incorporate the idea of a memory, so we adapted on this a decided to use an old prom dress, which takes the victim to places which meant a lot to her, but her vision of it is now distorted.
6 We are going to include a lot of demonic effects to help emphasize one the characters, how do you think this could be accentuated? .
A lot of feedback suggested that emphasizing one of the characters could be achieved by a lot of make-up, clothing and hair. We obviously decided to go with the clothing idea, and choose a dress, which would symbolize the girl’s old prom, which would take her back to a place in which her memories are now distorted.
7. With regards to editing techniques and special effects, is there anything you think should be included that will emphasize the style and genre of our video?
For this question a lot of people preferred fast editing. With a lot of different ideas from flickering to backdrops and blue screens. A lot of people thought, seeing as our video is 90’s Dance/Pop/Techno, that a fast edited video with a lot of flashing lights would be interesting and effective.
8. as with all videos, there is a "killer shot", which in some cases can completely sell a video. Do you have any ideas that you think would be best suited for out video?
Here is out chosen visual feedback;A lot of people wrote for this question, that a time lapse would be effective, for example, setting a video camera on a cliff, recording a sunset and speeding it up.
Theory Of A Music Video.
I have chosen to analyse Ignorance by Paramore.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJipy8ApsxY
I will analysis the video using the ideas developed and tested by Andrew Goodwin, Andrew Goodwin said that in order for a music video to be a music video it must follow these 6 key features:
1. the music video must demonstrate genre characteristics, for example rock music must have a live performance or have footage of the band on the road, or that a R n B based group must have a certain dance routine or background dancers within it.
2. the music video must have a relationship between the lyrics and the visual, and that link must be either illustrating – showing what the lyrics are saying, amplifying – really making the point that they lyrics are trying to make and contradicting – going against the lyrics. Example of the above could be:
Illustrating – Misery Business - Paramore.
Amplifying – Lady GaGa - Bad Romance.
Contradicting – Blink 181 - All The Small Things
3. the music video must have a relationship between the music and the visuals, meaning that video and music must correspond in some sense .e.g. if it was a rock genre the video wouldn’t show puppies or “mushy” elements, like the above point this will also be illustrating, amplifying or contradicting.
4. the demands of the record label will include the need for lots close ups of the artist and the artists may develop motifs which recur through out all videos, this then shows owner ship but also gives the artist a catch for people to recognise, it can then also be branded and used on products.
5. the music video must frequently reference the notion of looking, with particular attention paid to a more voyeuristic treatment of the female body, this then gives the watcher something to focus on6. Within the music video there are often intertexual references, to mediums such as films, television programs or other music videos.
6. Within the music video there are often intertexual references, to mediums such as films, television programs or other music videos.
I am now going to analyse my chosen video (Ignorance - Paramore) with reference to all of the six above theories placed by Andrew Goodwin.
1. the music video must demonstrate genre characteristics, for example rock music must have a live performance or have footage of the band on the road, or that a R n B based group must have a certain dance routine or background dancers within it:
Paramore have developed and every grwoing rock edge, which is often displayed by a lot of performance and rough cut edges. They have a stereotypical image of a Punk/Rock/Emo genre and are well suited to it. Typically relating to the rock genre, this video contains a strong element of rock scenes. With dark and fast editing used to the beat of the song, the band play contained in a box, with the lead singer, Hayley Williams, trying to draw attention to herself, but failing, which highlights the song name; 'Ignorance'. Typical scenes such as the performance element, headbanging and closeups on the insturments also demonstrate these common charactaristics. For visual aspects, the clothing of the band portays a typical rock sense, and the bright red hair and typically dark clothting also shows this.
2. the music video must have a relationship between the lyrics and the visual, and that link must be either illustrating – showing what the lyrics are saying, amplifying – really making the point that they lyrics are trying to make and contradicting – going against the lyrics. Example of the above could be:
At the beginning of this video, the visions of the video seems to be quite blurred, however after a while you figure out the point of the video, and you realise there is a strong relationship between both the audio and the visual. There is quite a bit of intertextual reference with the extracts of narration and juxtaposition of the light foucusing on one person. Reference between lyrics and visuals is quite strong, as the scopy of 'Ignorance' is foucsed on Hayley Williams (Lead Singer) holding a light to her face, in hope to draw attention from her other band members, linking in with the line "Ignorance is your new best friend". Other shots such as the lead singer dancing is an abstract outfit which could highlight her desperate attention to draw attention to herself and defy ignorance.
3. the music video must have a relationship between the music and the visuals, meaning that video and music must correspond in some sense .e.g. if it was a rock genre the video wouldn’t show puppies or “mushy” elements, like the above point this will also be illustrating, amplifying or contradicting.
This point is a bit harder to justify, as the genre of the song is obviously a rock song, however, some of the charactristics, effects and techniques used in the video are not those of a typical rock genre video. I think some aspects, such as a more conceptual outlook on the video, with themes including a lot more Mise En Scene (Hair, make-up and costume) whereas a typical rock video would contain 90% live performance shots. I do however think that this video would fit a Pop/Rock genre better. A good example of links between audio and visuals would be around the 1:10 mark on the video, where the lead singer starts to headbang to the beat of the music.
4. the demands of the record label will include the need for lots close ups of the artist and the artists may develop motifs which recur through out all videos, this then shows owner ship but also gives the artist a catch for people to recognise, it can then also be branded and used on products.
The only close up for a brand image or motif used in this video, is the flaming orange hair of the lead singer (Hayley Williams). The video starts off with Hayley standing up high, looking around the room feeling slightly confused. You start to get the feel of emotions from the artists, which would allow for the viewer to connect with the artist, giving a bit of a more abstract brand image. As far as motifs go, there are no particular movements, signals or visuals shown that can be branded as something to represent the band.
5. the music video must frequently reference the notion of looking, with particular attention paid to a more voyeuristic treatment of the female body, this then gives the watcher something to focus on. Within the music video there are often intertexual references, to mediums such as films, television programs or other music videos.
There is not a lot of reference to the notion of looking in this video, apart from frequent close ups and draw backs from particular band members. However there is a more voyeuristic outlook on the band. Seeing as Hayley Williams is the only female band member in the group and she starts high up, above the other band members. This could be reference the the fact that she is of higher authority than the other male band members, this could also symbolise some sort of hierarchy. This may also link to an idea that the girl is the prize because she is being shown higher up than the othe rband members.
6. Within the music video there are often intertexual references, to mediums such as films, television programs or other music videos.
There is not a lot of prominant and ovious intertextual reference to films, television and other music videos. However there is reference to artistic sources, with an example of the lead singer dancing in the abstract outfit in the box. There is also reference to a horror/thriller genre. All the way through the video there is reference to something relative to ignorance, but most of it is conceptual and not copied.
Overall I think that this is a good and successful theory to follow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJipy8ApsxY
I will analysis the video using the ideas developed and tested by Andrew Goodwin, Andrew Goodwin said that in order for a music video to be a music video it must follow these 6 key features:
1. the music video must demonstrate genre characteristics, for example rock music must have a live performance or have footage of the band on the road, or that a R n B based group must have a certain dance routine or background dancers within it.
2. the music video must have a relationship between the lyrics and the visual, and that link must be either illustrating – showing what the lyrics are saying, amplifying – really making the point that they lyrics are trying to make and contradicting – going against the lyrics. Example of the above could be:
Illustrating – Misery Business - Paramore.
Amplifying – Lady GaGa - Bad Romance.
Contradicting – Blink 181 - All The Small Things
3. the music video must have a relationship between the music and the visuals, meaning that video and music must correspond in some sense .e.g. if it was a rock genre the video wouldn’t show puppies or “mushy” elements, like the above point this will also be illustrating, amplifying or contradicting.
4. the demands of the record label will include the need for lots close ups of the artist and the artists may develop motifs which recur through out all videos, this then shows owner ship but also gives the artist a catch for people to recognise, it can then also be branded and used on products.
5. the music video must frequently reference the notion of looking, with particular attention paid to a more voyeuristic treatment of the female body, this then gives the watcher something to focus on6. Within the music video there are often intertexual references, to mediums such as films, television programs or other music videos.
6. Within the music video there are often intertexual references, to mediums such as films, television programs or other music videos.
I am now going to analyse my chosen video (Ignorance - Paramore) with reference to all of the six above theories placed by Andrew Goodwin.
1. the music video must demonstrate genre characteristics, for example rock music must have a live performance or have footage of the band on the road, or that a R n B based group must have a certain dance routine or background dancers within it:
Paramore have developed and every grwoing rock edge, which is often displayed by a lot of performance and rough cut edges. They have a stereotypical image of a Punk/Rock/Emo genre and are well suited to it. Typically relating to the rock genre, this video contains a strong element of rock scenes. With dark and fast editing used to the beat of the song, the band play contained in a box, with the lead singer, Hayley Williams, trying to draw attention to herself, but failing, which highlights the song name; 'Ignorance'. Typical scenes such as the performance element, headbanging and closeups on the insturments also demonstrate these common charactaristics. For visual aspects, the clothing of the band portays a typical rock sense, and the bright red hair and typically dark clothting also shows this.
2. the music video must have a relationship between the lyrics and the visual, and that link must be either illustrating – showing what the lyrics are saying, amplifying – really making the point that they lyrics are trying to make and contradicting – going against the lyrics. Example of the above could be:
At the beginning of this video, the visions of the video seems to be quite blurred, however after a while you figure out the point of the video, and you realise there is a strong relationship between both the audio and the visual. There is quite a bit of intertextual reference with the extracts of narration and juxtaposition of the light foucusing on one person. Reference between lyrics and visuals is quite strong, as the scopy of 'Ignorance' is foucsed on Hayley Williams (Lead Singer) holding a light to her face, in hope to draw attention from her other band members, linking in with the line "Ignorance is your new best friend". Other shots such as the lead singer dancing is an abstract outfit which could highlight her desperate attention to draw attention to herself and defy ignorance.
3. the music video must have a relationship between the music and the visuals, meaning that video and music must correspond in some sense .e.g. if it was a rock genre the video wouldn’t show puppies or “mushy” elements, like the above point this will also be illustrating, amplifying or contradicting.
This point is a bit harder to justify, as the genre of the song is obviously a rock song, however, some of the charactristics, effects and techniques used in the video are not those of a typical rock genre video. I think some aspects, such as a more conceptual outlook on the video, with themes including a lot more Mise En Scene (Hair, make-up and costume) whereas a typical rock video would contain 90% live performance shots. I do however think that this video would fit a Pop/Rock genre better. A good example of links between audio and visuals would be around the 1:10 mark on the video, where the lead singer starts to headbang to the beat of the music.
4. the demands of the record label will include the need for lots close ups of the artist and the artists may develop motifs which recur through out all videos, this then shows owner ship but also gives the artist a catch for people to recognise, it can then also be branded and used on products.
The only close up for a brand image or motif used in this video, is the flaming orange hair of the lead singer (Hayley Williams). The video starts off with Hayley standing up high, looking around the room feeling slightly confused. You start to get the feel of emotions from the artists, which would allow for the viewer to connect with the artist, giving a bit of a more abstract brand image. As far as motifs go, there are no particular movements, signals or visuals shown that can be branded as something to represent the band.
5. the music video must frequently reference the notion of looking, with particular attention paid to a more voyeuristic treatment of the female body, this then gives the watcher something to focus on. Within the music video there are often intertexual references, to mediums such as films, television programs or other music videos.
There is not a lot of reference to the notion of looking in this video, apart from frequent close ups and draw backs from particular band members. However there is a more voyeuristic outlook on the band. Seeing as Hayley Williams is the only female band member in the group and she starts high up, above the other band members. This could be reference the the fact that she is of higher authority than the other male band members, this could also symbolise some sort of hierarchy. This may also link to an idea that the girl is the prize because she is being shown higher up than the othe rband members.
6. Within the music video there are often intertexual references, to mediums such as films, television programs or other music videos.
There is not a lot of prominant and ovious intertextual reference to films, television and other music videos. However there is reference to artistic sources, with an example of the lead singer dancing in the abstract outfit in the box. There is also reference to a horror/thriller genre. All the way through the video there is reference to something relative to ignorance, but most of it is conceptual and not copied.
Overall I think that this is a good and successful theory to follow.
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