Our mood board

Music video remake from AS

Sophie, Orrie, Olamide, Jaleesa - Britney Spears

Final song choice

Leila and Orrie explaining our final song choice...

Our first ideas

Song Ideas

            We are looking in to the pop genre with possible other sub-genres for a female artist.

Initial Ideas:

Short List:

After researching our shortlisted artists we came across Jessie Ware. We found that the song of hers 'Strangest Feeling' has a slow verse and faster chorus which is exactly what we are looking for. This is a strong possibility for us as it has no music video, allowing us to be more creative.

We have a lot of ideas for making a music video for this song but we think the pace may be too slow so we are going to keep researching

Jessie Ware - Strangest Feeling

Genre: R&B Pop/Soul

     

What could we do with our video to this song?

• A lot of effects (fast/slow motion) 
• colour filters
• Time-lapse
• Repetition shots
• camera movements (panning, rotation, over shoulder shots)

We are also looking at Aluna George who also falls in to the R&B Pop genre. We are definitely going for a song in this genre, but we will continue our research further before coming to a final decision.

Reflection on progress.

Reflection on Progress

 

Compared to my AS year I think I have progressed extremely well with my blogging. Out of 20 marks I would give myself a 15 for my blogging. Compared to last year I am much better at using different types of ICT to present my work, for example using GIF maker. Also the level of detail of my blogs has also improved. In order to improve further I think I need to manage my time a bit better, blog more outside of the check list and use even more types of ICT to present my work creatively for example using 'slide share'. Finally, another way I have progressed with my blogging from last year is the amount of blogs I have. I am blogging much more frequently than I did last year and taking more time to make sure they are presentable and well organised. 

Analysis of costume settings and props

Homework analysis of costume, setting and location and props

Video 1

Katy B – Lights on

Costume – 

·         3 costume changes

·         Heavily dressed up when she’s out

·         Costume links to genre by the casual and night club looks, very

Setting/location

·         3 locations

·         Outdoors – going out dressed up look

·         Well known locations such as clubs and outdoors

·         Very typical locations for this genre

Props

There are no props used.

Video 2 – Amy Winehouse

Costumes 

·         3 costume changes

·         She’s dressed in white whenever she’s outside

·         Dressed casual when in the hospital place

Settings/ locations

·         4 locations – house , outside house, hospital , other room

Props

·         Saxophone

·         Trumpet

·         Guitar

·         Drum kit

·         All link to this genre

There are many costume changes in music videos, normally in each verse and chorus there is a different costume. The costumes are tend to reflect the videos genre, soul is a more casual everyday look where as Katy B’s RnB is casual and party. For the grime , the locations are very teenager and young adults associative where as the soul is more casual and everyday. There aren't much props used in pop, grime, dub step whereas in souls and indie rock there are more visuals of the instruments.

Laura Mulveys Theory

Laura Mulvey

Laura Mulveys theory is that in most music videos, men are portrayed as more dominant and the women are objects. We nearly always are watching from a males point of view, meaning we are always judging the girls through a male stand point as the girls are normally always dressed to appeal to the male gender.

Pitbull - hotel room service is a good example of this, The girls are all dressed in very revealing clothing. the camera starts of with a shot of a woman's behind . the whole video consists of girls being dismembered by the camera while Pitbull is look very classy and in a suit as if he is the boss, the more dominant one.

Carol Vernalis Theory

Carol  Vernallis                

Carol believed that from observing music videos,  the rules of ‘continuity’ are not followed, instead they are broken apart which attracts the attention to what is on the screen. The edits used are very obvious again to grab attention to it. There are a lot more jump cuts used but there is always a master shot ( base track) which is used to structure the video and lastly the camera moves in time with the music, majority of the time.

In Primadonna – Marina and the Diamonds, there is no continuity editing, there are obvious editing such as the effect that makes the shot look old and that we’re watching it through a TV and the camera moves in time with the music.

Andrew Goodwins Theory

Andrew Goodwin's theory.

Dancing is the distraction factory.

Andrew Goodwin believes that's the traditional narrative analyses doesn't  apply to pop videos but the approach is used differently compared to novels and films.

Reasons for different narrative structures;

·         Songs don't pose traditional narrative structures ( normality-problem-solutions )

·         The singers are used for both, narrating and as a character

·         The singer breaks the 4^th wall which is looking directly into the camera ( to involve the viewer )

Relying on repetition

Majority of pop videos rely on repetition such as repeating images in the way the song repeats a chorus or line. We are able to familiarise ourselves with songs genre due to the fact they also tend to repeat parts and rhythms of other songs ( intersexuality) which use the certain expectations. The song will be shown on TV, played on the radio and used in advertising film or TV making the song familiar through repetition.

Pops songs and videos have a form of closure and ending. The ending is reflected in the structure of the music; building to climax or consist repetition before fading out.

There are 3 types of relations between songs and videos ;

·         Illustrations – video tells a story : “ Pap don't preach – Madonna”  dance is used to express the feeling and mood in this song.

·         Amplification – New meaning that doesn't contradict with the lyrics but adds layers of meaning.

·         Disjuncture – Little connection between lyrics ad video/ video contradicts the lyrics. “Michael Jackson – man in the mirror” songs about realisation but video consists of radical world events.

Videos can have recognisable features such as Michael Jackson with his yelps and twirls

Women are represented as objects, i.e. Madonna and Beyoncé are presenting themselves for males to look at. However they constantly look directly back at the viewers through the camera and cease to be passive.

Different instruments are used and represented by different objects, i.e. rack the casbah - the clash use footage of armadillo when the piano plays

Videos will try an appeal to a wide range of audience

Songs and videos can be written for certain movies with the video including images of the movie into the video. E.g. Céline Dion my heart will go on ( TITANIC)

Copyright clearance

These are my copyright clearances!

What is the function of a music video ?

What is the function of a music video?

A music video is a story/ film like video illustrated through a song. It usually has one person as the main focus accompanied by dancers and images which interpret the lyrics.

Its main function are –

·         To attract a wide large base and wide range of audience

·         To entertain and give out messages

·         To promote themselves as an artist

·         To make money (sell) by selling concert tickets, merchandise, and download music

I would say the music video by katy Perry – Roar is an excellent example of a good music video

This music video consists of many special effects which engage the viewer. From the very beginning is starts of with a cartoon like effect. there are It is more of a story rather than just random scenes of the artist. Katy perry is the Narrator and character in this video. The camera is nearly almost always moving in every shot, using a range of low and higher shots to create a certain effect. The mise en scene used in this video is very good as it makes us believe she's in the jungle. There are plants, animals rocks and waterfalls which all illustrate the jungle scene. The lighting is very bright and also the way she is dressed , in leaves and leopard print clothes help convey the jungle feel. She looks at the camera plenty of times ( breaking the 4th wall ) and she is dismembered by the camera, for example just shots of her legs, her chest area etc.

Development skills from AS-A2

Development skills from AS to A2

During the AS year of media, i learnt a variety of different skills which will be very useful to be using in my A2 year. There will be many more new skills i will also have to learn during A2. Below is a picture of a table with my skills challenges and positives from AS. I have also shown what i think the skills, challenges and positives will be in my A2 year.

Synergy

After competing the synergy activity in class on a number of artists' album covers, album trailers and music videos, I was insspired to analyse Aluuna George in this context. Aluuna George is an artist of the 'R&B Pop' genre we are looking in to so I may gain ideas from her work that I can use to contribute ideas to my group's work.


     Debut album 'Body Music' cover

The mis-en-scene of the album cover was the first thing I looked at. I noticed that a simple white font is used for the album and artist name on top of a black background. The artist is in dance position, holding her hands up as if she is in a box. The mirror effect of the background makes it look as if she could be in a dance studio. The bacground also includes repetitive mirror images of a male. Her clothing also works with the dance theme.




The link and some screenshots from the Album Release Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyfbKaNlarI



The album release video included a picture of the album cover to create a link between the two for the audience. The black and white background and font theme is reinforced in the album release video by the black background and white font in the same style.





The video includes extracts of the music videos of singles from the album. This furthers the connection, and also reminds the audience to watch the full music videos. In the extract from 'You Know You Like It', a shot of the man from the album cover is shown, as well as people dancing, a theme I noticed from the album cover.








The music video for Vevo (internet release)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWR9MR5juWI

The artist is also shown here wearing quite sporty dance clothes, whilst dancing throughout the video.






The mirror image effect of the male from the CD cover once again.








Official music video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmXZuv5BaHg



This shot utilises the black and white theme from the album cover. The artist is once again shown to be dancing. The mirror image effect is also present as the background dancers are mirrored from one side to the other.

What is the appeal of a music video?

What do we as consumers look for in a music video?

More than anything, the audience needs to be entertained by what they see on screen. This is achieved through all three key areas: Mis-en-scene, Camera work, Editing and Sound (the song). Whether the music video uses illustration, disjuncture or amplification it must keep the audience interested. 

Costumes, settings and props (mis-en-scene)

We have analysed Jessie J's 'Nobody's Perfect' in terms of costume settings and props. Above are our finding about the amount of and time between costume and location changes in the video. We have used Time Toast to present our findings.

Costumes: We noticed that there are in total 6 different costumes used. A new costume is introduced at each verse, which are cut back and forth between the outfits we have already seen. During the choruses the editing becomes faster and we see the costumes being alternated almost every second.

Locations: The locations change at the same time as the props. In this video they seem to relate to the costumes, which is common in most pop videos. For example, when Jessie is wearing all white she is shown in a setting which appears to denote heaven (blue background and standing on a white floor). At this point she sings 'i'm not a saint' showing that the mis-en-scene derives from the lyrics.

Props:  The use of props also works with the settings and costumes for each particular base track. The artist wears a halo over head during the 'heaven scene'. There are clocks in the background when she sings about turning back the hands of time. This imagery also coordinates with her outfit as she is wearing clocks on her jacket. 

Analysing costume, setting and location in music videos

My Finding:

1. The amount of costumes used varies dramatically depending on the genre, Pop videos tend to have a number of costume changes and base tracks which are constantly cut from one to another.
2. The costumes tend to reflect the genre, in the R&B pop video and folk video this is shown. However in the alternative rock video the costumes were very neutral to the point where I couldn't tell if it was even a reflection of the genre or not.
3. In all genres, the props are significant. Each video included props that are specific to that genre. 

My favorite previous student video

                

Andrew Goodwin's Theory:

• Singer is the narrator as well as the main character in the video

• Singer looks directly at the camera most of the time

• Images are repeated (cut back and forth between base tracks)

• Closure at the ending as the artist is shown walking away from the camera in to the distance

• Video uses amplification, the girl is walking around as if she’s lost and the effects and edits used at times suggest that she is disappearing (fades, rewind of shot of her walking towards camera) as well as the mis-en-scene when she is behind a gate covered in locks (symbolising her lost love).

 

  (A few of the shots I have mentioned)

Carol Vernallis' Theory:

·    Continuity editing is continually broken. Shots are constantly being changed and cut to the beat to draw attention to what is on screen and keep the viewer interested by the video (camera moves in time with the music which you wouldn’t find in a normal narrative)

·    Special effects are obvious (fast/slow motion, colour filters used)

·    Fade from one scene to the next in fast motion break continuity editing rule

·    Main base track is referred back to throughout the video

Laura Mulvey's Theory:

Although she is not dismembered, the female artist is styled and dressed to look physically attractive. I think that the target audience of the song are majority female, therefore the male gaze isn’t present.

The main strengths are the effective editing to the beat, constant camera movement in time with the beat and use of editing and effects which I think make the video.

This shot shows the artist's whole body, however she is wearing modest clothing and the shot types do not dismember her. This long shot is intended to only show the setting.

Laura Mulvey's theory

Laura Mulvey

Mulvey’s theory suggests that women are usually presented as objects of male desire in the music industry. She believes that women being sexualised in music videos has become the norm. Even women have adopted ‘The Male Glare’, judging women from a male’s point of view. The image of an artist is portrayed through their choice of clothes and styling, the narrative of the music video and the actions of the artist. Mulvey discusses the idea that women are ‘dismembered’ in all forms of media. This is when there is a focus on parts of their body instead of the woman as a whole.  

  Dizzee Rascal - Holiday

Females are constantly dismembered in this video. One of the first shots is a close up of a woman’s upper torso. All of the women are in revealing swimwear which draws even more attention to their bodies. They are even obviously shown as objects of male desire as one of the men stares at a females body as she walks through the door.

The female's body had been dismembered in this mid shot of her torso.

In this tilt shot of the females body at 0:30 the fact that the audience are expected to use The Male Glare is reinforced.

This long shot containing just the female in her bikini draws attention to her body and the fact that she is only wearing a bikini.

Beyonce - Run The World

This video in some ways challenges the conventions of music videos. Beyonce is presented as a powerful woman, this is shown through low angle shots of her and the fact that she is not being dismembered. However, revealing clothes are still worn and eye-line matches of the male audience watching her are used. In these shots the women are dismembered at points. This shows that The Male Glare is present within the video and thus draws attention to the presentation of women in the music industry.

These three shots show Beyonce in a position of power. She is shown with props which would usually be related to masculinity (big dogs, a horse, a car). They are wide angle shots in which Beyonce and her props are the only things in the frame. This keeps all eyes on her and on the fact that she is challenging the gender stereotypes included in a lot of music videos.
   

This shot proves that that the females are dressed and dance provocatively. I feel that these shots contradict the previous shots which portray Beyonce as a strong woman.

This is an eye-line match of the males in the audience. At this point the females are dismembered.

Carol Vernalis's theory

Editing and camera work in music videos

• Editing is much quicker in music videos than in film
• Editing has a rhythmic structure relating to the beat of the song. For example in Rizzle Kicks' 'Lost Generation

I have noticed that during the chorus, the base track scene is changed on every fourth beat. This creates a metrical pattern, reminding the viewer that it is the chorus and drawing them in to the video.

• Usual rules of continuity editing are broken, this draws attention to what is on screen.

• Edits really obvious to draw attention to themselves 

• Jump cuts often used

Continuity editing is broken throughout 'Olympic Airways' by Foals. I particularly noticed it when the man falls on to the mattress. Jump cuts are used and then it is fast forwarded, showing him fall again.

• Base tracks are frequently used to give the video structure
• Camera may move in time with the music

In Rita Ora's 'How We Do' the camera moves in time with the music. The zoom in's/out's and left to right movements in the dancing scenes create the feeling tat the viewer id really involved with what is going on in the video.

Andrew Goodwin's theory

What is the function of a music video?

The function of a music video is to act as a story through a song, although they never follow the normal narrative structure. They are compressed in to a short time to fit with the music and usually one person is the main focus.

Function

1. Devices to create controversy and to attract a larger fan-base 
2. To reach a wider audience 
3. To entertain and engage the audience
4. For the fans to keep up to date with the artist
5. To SELL (tickets, merchandise, downloads)

Ellie Golding's latest single 'Burn':

This is a great example of the classic music video form. There are 2 base tracks which are alternated between during the chorus, as the verse arrives another 2 are introduced (the car and the night scene). The beat speeds up and so does the cutting to the beat, with the base track changing on every fourth beat. There is reference to light throughout the video through the misenscene (the candles, lights, last birds eye view shot of the city at night) Ellie Golding looks at the camera frequently, following the music video convention of breaking the fourth wall. Repetition is used as every time the chorus starts and the word 'burn' is said everybody in the video raises their hands.

Copyright Clearance

Here is a copy of my request for Copyright Permission of 'I Need Your Love' By Ellie Golding and Calvin Harris. I haven't received a reply from the Record Label, however I doubt my group will want to do this song so we will send a request for Copyright permission when he have decided what our final song choice will be.

Useful skills I've developed over the AS Media year

The AS Media course taught me many skills that I will be able to use, improve and hopefully expand on during the A2 course.

These skills include:                                                                               

• How to operate a JVC video camera
•  Editing using Final Cut Pro
• Compressing and uploading videos to the internet
• Inputting titles in to a video
• Understanding what shots to use at which times to convey a certain message to the audience (e.g. close up of character's face to convey their reaction)
• Understanding of rules (180 degree rule, rule of thirds, breaking the fourth wall)
• How to create foley sound and create a soundtrack on Sound Track Pro
• Working in a group and cooperating so that each member's views get taken in to account

Things I found challenging:

• Filming without having had much practice                            
  
• Finding times to film that worked for everyone
• Choosing what to include and what not to

What skills do I need this year?

• A greater understanding of the music industry
• Time management organised in advance to avoid problems 
• Syncing the music and lip singing efficiently
• Use Adobe Photoshop well to create the magazine advert and digi-pack

Practice music video from June

Queen - I Want To Break Free

As we didn't plan the digi-pack before remaking the music video, there are no themes which run through both products. I have learned that planning is key, I will make sure we plan our digi-pack just as well as we plan the music video. 

Nazim, Ian, Leila, Mariam - Queen

However, there is a theme of femininity that runs through both of these products. As the males are dressed as females in the video, i chose for the background of my digi-pack to be pink. 

Synergy (in the same way as task 3).

Synergy

 



Similarly to task 3, I have done research into an artist (Jessie J) in the same genre as my chosen song. I have analysed Jessie's album cover, album teaser trailer, 2 music videos and talked about the features highlighted over all four products.

Task 3- Independent Research.

Independent Research

 

Analysing an artists album cover, album teaser trailer, two music video singles, and what features can be seen across all 4 products.  

 

 

 

Rihanna- Unapologetic Album Cover:

 

 



 

Rihanna- Diamonds:



 

Rihanna- Stay:

 

Advanced Portfolio- Analysis of Costume, Setting and Location.

1. What do you notice about the amount of costumes used in the videos?
There are lots of costumes used throughout the videos, however the main costume changes are in the pop genre- Jessie J. Whereas Adele and Example only wore one costume throughout their videos.

2.What differences are there between the genres in terms of the amount and style of the costumes?
In Jessie J's pop video the costumes are very bright and colourful with lots of different styles. In Adele's soul/blues video she wears a black coat throughout the whole video. Whereas Example wears jeans, a white t-shirt and takes a jacket on and off at points. All three genres portray different outfits and costumes and some help portray the lyrics for example Jessie's outfits.

3. Compare the use of setting and location between the three genres.
The setting and location's are different for all three genres. Jessie's is set in a studio. Adele's is set in Paris, France, on a street and a bar. Whereas Examples main location is his concert.

4. How significant is the use of props in the genres that you analysed?
Some props were more significant than others in the genres I analysed. In Jessie's video she has a money tree, this reflects her lyrics as she's singing about money. Adele doesn't have any props except the props in the bar. She has done this as she wanted to keep her video simple so her audience would focus more on the lyrics and take in what she is singing about. Finally, Example doesn't have as many props as Jessie but he does have some. His main prop is his microphone which we see in his concert shots.

Favourite students video.

Favourite Students Video.

 

 

Andrew Goodwin:

• The singer is the main character in the video as well as the narrator.
• Clips are cut back and forth between base tracks.
• Video uses amplification, the singer is singing about disappearing, because she has lost her love. The singer is walking around looking at times lost and confused, implying the idea that she feels like she's disappearing; no one is noticing how upset she is.
• Singer looks directly at the camera throughout the video- breaking the 4th wall.
• The singer is doesn't present herself as an object of male desire; she doesn't dismember herself. However she does dress stylish, and men would want to look at her.
• Here are a few images to illustrate what I mean when I say the singer looks lost and confused:

 

 

Carol Vernallis:

• Edits are obvious and are used to draw attention such as; fast and slow motion, special effects; colour filters.
• Continuity editing is continually broken to draw attention to what is being shown on the screen and keep the viewer intersected.
• The main base track is referred back to throughout the video.

Laura Mulvey:

• The singer is dressed accordingly to appeal to men.
• Although the singer is not dismembered, we still see the singer through the 'male gaze'. The singer is dressed accordingly and is 'glammed up' to appeal to men.
• Here are a few images to illustrate what I mean when is say the singer is not dismembered: you can see the full length of her body throughout the video.

I think that the videos main strengths are their use of edits and special effects. I think they are really effective and help the video to run smoothly.