This music video has particularly memorable and inspirational moments to it. The first being the time lapses which were shown in the sky as the cloud movements were sped up. This is an easy and effective way of showing a length or period of time which tends to reflect thought processes and in this case intense emotions. This idea is constantly reinforced through the dim lighting especially when the boy is singing on the bed alone to himself. The fact he is in his bedroom could be significant as it suggests he seeks a place of comfort at such a lonely hour. This theme of isolation could be included into my group and I's music video. In this scene he is also reflecting on a fight that occurred between him and another boy. The audience can see this through the black and white effect which in this case symbolises reminiscence. I feel that much of this music video is based on reflection and reminiscence. Another scene I particularly found memorable was where the boy was sitting by the fire and it was evening, and the sky and pinky blue colour. The composition of this shot was very good, (a form of mid-shot). This really captured the peacefulness and serenity of the mood in that scene. Throughout the music video the actors who were playing the characters were professional and focused and never once broke character. This is such a massive and arguably the most persuasive part of the whole music video as it is the actors and actresses who sell the message of the story to the audience. Overall, it was an excellent music video, although not the same concept as my group and I's music video, definitely one I would take inspiration out of.
Wednesday, 24 December 2014
Student Music Video Analysis
This music video has particularly memorable and inspirational moments to it. The first being the time lapses which were shown in the sky as the cloud movements were sped up. This is an easy and effective way of showing a length or period of time which tends to reflect thought processes and in this case intense emotions. This idea is constantly reinforced through the dim lighting especially when the boy is singing on the bed alone to himself. The fact he is in his bedroom could be significant as it suggests he seeks a place of comfort at such a lonely hour. This theme of isolation could be included into my group and I's music video. In this scene he is also reflecting on a fight that occurred between him and another boy. The audience can see this through the black and white effect which in this case symbolises reminiscence. I feel that much of this music video is based on reflection and reminiscence. Another scene I particularly found memorable was where the boy was sitting by the fire and it was evening, and the sky and pinky blue colour. The composition of this shot was very good, (a form of mid-shot). This really captured the peacefulness and serenity of the mood in that scene. Throughout the music video the actors who were playing the characters were professional and focused and never once broke character. This is such a massive and arguably the most persuasive part of the whole music video as it is the actors and actresses who sell the message of the story to the audience. Overall, it was an excellent music video, although not the same concept as my group and I's music video, definitely one I would take inspiration out of.
Thursday, 20 November 2014
Thursday, 13 November 2014
On Going Weekly Production Diary- What have you done this week?
This week I have completed The Record Industry, the most expensive music videos (two of which were Madonna songs) and the History of the music industry. I have learnt a lot about the music industry for example the improvement of technology throughout the years which is fascinating thinking how much we rely on technology. I have also covered some of the big names of the decades!
Week 7- On Going Weekly Production Diary- What have you learnt this week?
This week I have completed my Video Analysis which was the song 'Thinking out loud' by Ed Sheeran set by my Media studies teacher. I had a lot of fun analyzing this music video as I saw a different side to one of my favourite artists. I have also looked at 5 music videos that I could recreate looking for simplicity but effectiveness whilst thinking about how I could incorporate these techniques and edits into my music video that I will start very soon. Later on in the week I completed my Director Case study looking at the auteur Floria Sigismondi's work.
Wednesday, 12 November 2014
Sunday, 9 November 2014
Britney Spears Research
Since our group and I have chosen a Britney Spears song from the 90's I figured I'd do some research into the artist herself.
Friday, 7 November 2014
Song Choice- Britney Spears Don't Go Knockin' on My Door
After much deliberation this is the song choice our group and I have chosen to do for our music video.
We figured it is an upbeat, catchy song and so would be able to make a stereotypical pop music video. We have played this song to multiple media classes and they have really enjoyed the song choice so we are all very excited to start as soon as possible! Our concept for the music video was that there was a boy who is chasing a girl (who plays the pop star).They have previously been in a relationship. However he has been unfaithful and a liar in the past and so she no longer wants anything to do with him. He tries to interfere with her life but Britney is not having it! I am going to be the star in the music video as I will be lip syncing the song however our group are not looking to recreate any of Britney's other music videos that have been done before. We want to create a more modern pop video that fits in with conventions today. Looking back at past videos I noticed that Britney danced throughout many of her music videos and so our group have decided to keep this concept as it is still very much relevant and it would not be a conventional pop music video without the dancing. I am taking charge of the choreography which I will be starting within the next few days as I figured the earlier I start the better. Preferably I am thinking to have two backup dancers. This requires a lot of rehearsal time I am aware, however I am up for the challenge! :) P.s. I will be posting videos in rehearsals to keep you up to date with my progress!
Thursday, 6 November 2014
The Veronicas- You Ruin Me analysis
I have chosen to analyse this music video as one scene is set on a blacked out stage with a bright light shining down onto The Veronicas. This has been an idea my team and I have considered to incorporate into our music video and I know a hall that we could use. Richard Dyer's Star Theory could be applied here also as the twins are evidently the centre of attention in the music video justified by lots of close up and mid shots of the two. The scene whereby there is a blacked out background and they are directly addressing the camera could link to Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze theory as the bright lighting is highlighting their beautiful faces arguably designed to appeal to males. There is a substantial amount of lip syncing which links to Andrew Goodwin's theory as there is a relationship between lyrics and visual. At the beginning it may appear as though it is going to be a performance music video as there is an establishing shot of a building at the beginning which looks like a theatre as it states on a billboard, "TONIGHT THE VERONICAS PRIVATE SHOW". However they use this theatre as a stage for their singing with no audience which although occasionally is seen, it still subverts a stereotypical performance music video. There is an illustrative relation of visuals to the song as it is partly a narrative music video.
Saturday, 1 November 2014
Friday, 31 October 2014
Wednesday, 29 October 2014
Song ideas for my music video
1. Destiny's Child- Confessions ft. Missy Elliot
2. Christina Aguilera- Express
3. Britney Spears- What you see
4. Christina Aguilera- Keep on singing my song
5. Alicia Keys-How it feels to fly
6. Britney Spears-Don't go knocking on my door
7. Rihanna-Photographs
8. Katy Perry- Pyramid
9. Destiny's Child-My time has come
10. Rihanna-Stupid in love
Tuesday, 28 October 2014
Week 6- What have you done this week?
This week I have done some analysis on Hozier's new song Take me to Church. I have also done my lyric video to Girlfriend by Avril Lavigne and searched for 5 potential music videos I could recreate
Friday, 17 October 2014
Hozier - Take Me To Church
This song is by Hozier, an Irish recording artist. This song was released last year (2013) and is in his EP called Take Me To Church. In this music video there were a group of people who were chasing a man for being gay. This music video is about how gay people in some parts of society are still very much not accepted. Andrew Goodwins theory where the lyrics and visuals link could be applied here however in the second line of the song Hozier references a 'She' even though this song is about a gay couple. This would have have been done intentionally by the artist to appeal to a wider audience as although there are an increasing number of gay couples (maybe due to the legalisation of gay marriages), they are still a minority in comparison to the amount of heterosexual couples. This in itself could be suggestive and highlight that gay people are still not as accepted as heterosexual people. The line, "I was born sick but I love it" also portrays the limited social acceptance of gay people in society, to the point where he views himself as "ill" as though being gay were a disease. The music video was in black and white perhaps to make the audience feel empathetic towards the victims in this as it sets a negative tone. I feel as though I would be able to recreate much of this music video as most of the time the man was running and it was mostly set outside in fields or woods and the house. Some of the props included people in bandanas around their faces with hoods up and holding flares, all of which would be easily accessible and therefore could be recreated. Hozier did not feature in this music video therefore Andrew Goodwin's Star Theory cannot be applied to him as he was not the centre of the music video, rather it is focused on the unnaceptance and problems that the gay community face, with the two men in this music video serving as a microcosm of this. This was effective in Hozier portaying a strong, powerful and heartbreaking message as these problems are still very much prevelant in our society today.
Thursday, 9 October 2014
Wednesday, 8 October 2014
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Maroon 5's 'Animal' Music Video
Maroon 5's 'Animal' music video came out yesterday. Having watched this I am both shocked and disgusted. The role the woman plays in this music video is merely a victim as the male is portrayed as a predatory figure. At the beginning of this video Adam Levine seems innocent as he is working in a butcher's and has spotted a girl (who is actually his wife in real life called Behati Prinsloo!). However during the course of the music video we begin to see that Adam Levine sees this woman as more than just a crush. Later on in the video we see him creeping into her apartment and sleeping next to her and caressing her in her sleep. This completely changes our perceptions of the role Adam Levine plays in the music video. These distressing imagery continue as there is a scene whereby Adam and the woman are kissing and blood is being dropped over them and they are covered (I hope they used paint!). I believe this is symbolic of animal's blood. There are scenes whereby he is stalking her and taking pictures of her to add to his collection. There is a strong link therefore between the blood and the extreme sexual connotations, however it is not crazy that might confuse him with an axe murderer! This video is quite disturbing as it does not portray the meaning of love as conventionally seen in pop songs, rather Adam Levine plays the role of a stalker whilst comparing the meat that he sells (as he is a butcher) to the women. One could view this video as misogynistic as the women is viewed as something that is to be hunted down and killed like an animal. The lyrics sing, "I'm preying on you tonight [...] hunt you down eat you alive just like an animal'. In my opinion this metaphor is suggesting that his intentions are disturbingly provocative on his behalf much more than hers. This is therefore reducing the women to the status of an object linking to Laura Mulvey's theory the Male gaze.The fact that throughout the whole music video she has no idea that she is being stalked suggests she would be less compelled to him if only she knew! I find it a coincidence that this music video has been released when it did as recently there are increasingly becoming more stories and articles of feminist movements and behaviours that are being expressed through the media. For example Chanel's co-opting feminism at Paris Fashion week. Also, recently there have been numerous celebrity nude photos being leaked online and on top of that there have recently been headlines of sexual assault. Not my favourite work of yours Adam!
Sunday, 28 September 2014
Thursday, 25 September 2014
Ilianna's Lip Sync Video
This is my Lip Sync Video to Jessie J's Who's Laughing Now which proved a difficult task. It was a particularly fast song which made the lip syncing harder however it was fun to film!
Wednesday, 24 September 2014
More Ideas for my music video
I have continued searching for more ideas for my music video and have found Pharrell's Happy!
This music video did not show any challenging editing tasks, they simply showed long shots of various people dancing which I feel I could include. What made this video work was how the lyrics were synonymous with the concept- that everybody is happy!
As well as this, the casting directors have made this music video appear as though the cast was randomly selected off the street to fit the care free tone of the music video. This was creative as if you look carefully they have chosen people of all race, gender and build to dance to the music, perhaps portraying one thing they all have in common... they're all happy! I think it helped that Pharrell has filmed in many different locations as it further illustrates the infinite nature of this emotion. This could be suggesting everywhere he goes people are happy and free spirited.
This music video did not show any challenging editing tasks, they simply showed long shots of various people dancing which I feel I could include. What made this video work was how the lyrics were synonymous with the concept- that everybody is happy!
As well as this, the casting directors have made this music video appear as though the cast was randomly selected off the street to fit the care free tone of the music video. This was creative as if you look carefully they have chosen people of all race, gender and build to dance to the music, perhaps portraying one thing they all have in common... they're all happy! I think it helped that Pharrell has filmed in many different locations as it further illustrates the infinite nature of this emotion. This could be suggesting everywhere he goes people are happy and free spirited.
- This video one the BET Award for Video of the Year
Another music video I have been looking at which has sparked a lot of controversy in the media is Robin Thicke's 'Blurred Lines'. Although I personally do not like the message behind this as I think it objectifies and marginalises women, I do feel as though the editing and layout is obtainable. For example throughout the video there was simply a pastel pink screen with Robin, T.I and Pharrell singing and rapping in front of it which would not be difficult to produce. I also liked the fact there was a clear colour scheme which consisted of red, white, purple and black. Also throughout the video there was writing over the top of the music video saying, "#THICKE" "#BLURREDLINES" which is an idea I could do as part of my music video, e.g. linking the lyrics to the music video (Andrew Goodwin)
I am also looking at some editing which looks more tricky as I want to challenge myself and the group I will be working with to produce my music video.
I will post again to update you on other more challenging editing that I have found which I would like to consider for my music video
Ideas for my Music Video
I have been looking at a music video from my favourite upcoming artist Kehlani and have seen an idea which would be more than achievable to replicate for my music video
In this music video the majority of the scenes are with Kehlani and Tia NoMore singing and rapping with a white screen behind them. This looks effective as they are both wearing black which contrasts nicely with the background creating a slick and clean look.
Saturday, 20 September 2014
Week 4- On Going Weekly Production Diary- What have you learnt this week?
As well as this I have critiqed Nicki Minaj's latest single 'Anaconda'
Friday, 19 September 2014
2. A2 Media Studies Music Video Analysis- Rolling in the Deep
I think this A2 Music Video looks very professional. The filter of black and white makes the video seem much more intimate and sincere. I do think that the male could have played a bigger part in the video and the lip syncing was not as spot on as the Carshalton Boys music video. Nevertheless, the editing was slick and the places they filmed seemed to match the mood and tone that the song portrayed. I particularly liked the idea of the transition between the river and the boy and girl suddenly soaked, that was creative!
Thursday, 18 September 2014
1. A2 Media Studies Music Video Analysis- Can't Hold Us
This Music Video produced by Carshalton Boys College is a conceptual music video. What really attracted me to this music video was the clear, thorough and thoughtful concept that ran throughout. The props and the clothing used have mirrored these clear and obvious representations. For example, the two boys wearing striped clothing with masked faces showed evidence that they played the role of criminals. The main character within the music video was presented as a business man. This music video was thought provoking, funny and captivating and with the use of consistent editing, the video was continually evolving making the audience want to watch till the end. I particularly enjoyed the use of the cartoon-like imagery, where they used intertextual references, drawing on themes from comic books. I found it a very creative and inventive idea which fitted in with the plot of the video. Only one thing I would criticise is that in some places the person filming could have used a steadier hand. However at the beginning I gained the impression that the unsteady camera was to create tension, allowing the audience to predict that a climax is going to happen. I loved the editing techniques used in this music video and will use this as inspiration for my music video to come.
Chosen Video Analysis Nicki Minaj - Anaconda
I have chosen to analyze the Nicki Minaj Anaconda Video as my chosen video analysis. I feel as though this video highly focuses on Laura Mulvey's male gaze whereby Nicki Minaj has chosen to dress in very revealing and provocative clothing. The camera focuses on the curves of the female body and there is a link between lyrics and the music video as she sings about promiscuous behaviour whilst dressing in a similar fashion. There is the suggestion therefore that this music video is mainly aimed at males. I do feel as though due to Nicki Minaj being a very well known artist, she is more than aware millions of people would view this music video and so she intended to convey herself in this way. She portrays women including herself in a very sexualized manner as she self- objectifies throughout the music video. In my opinion I believe that this behaviour is a step back for women as this reduces women to the status of objects.I personally do not feel there was much purpose in her creating this music video as she is already a self-made international superstar, well known for her rapping. Everything in a music video is a choice from the first move to the last edit, and her reasons for creating this may have been that she knew sexual content sells to the consumer, and her being a massive superstar suggests that her intentions of selling a big hit record were apparent.
Friday, 12 September 2014
Thursday, 11 September 2014
Video Analysis- James Arthur
At the start when James Arthur enters the scene which appears to be in a small town, there are groups of people visible in the area however none of the groups seem to be integrating with one another. Further, no one seems to recognize James Arthur as he heads towards the stage in the centre of this local town which appears to be near a pub. As he sings the atmosphere progresses as people engage more with the music. This song could be a representation of the journey that James Arthur has been through to becoming a pop star and getting to where he is today. Notice, there are a variety of subcultures within the music video in which there are different genders, ethnicities, personality's and ages perhaps suggesting that anyone can like James Arthur's music. For example James appeared to have a band, where the backing singers were black women and the other members were both black and white men who all seemed to be enjoying his music. This could be a way of James selling his music and targeting his music to all gender, ethnicity, personality and ages to the general public in order to help gain himself a wider and more diverse fan base. This is as opposed to just make doing with the fans he has gained whilst participating in ITV's talent content 'X Factor'. The fact that during the end of the song, the scene was set at night time and everybody seemed to be engaging with James and his music may well symbolize his sudden rise to fame 'overnight' almost quite literally. The message behind this song is a message to the fans perhaps indirectly thanking them for their support as the song title states, "You're Nobody Till Somebody Love's You" suggesting that if fans did not love and support his music nothing would have happened and he would still be living in his one bedroom bedsit. This song is almost a recovery to some of the comments that he had made which made him come across as homophobic. Aware that he may have lost a lot of fans from that meant that he had to comeback with a song that reached out to everybody telling them no matter who you are or where you come from my music can appeal to everyone.
Friday, 5 September 2014
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Some more Inspiring Music Videos
1. TINASHE- 2 ON
I love this music video as I love the dance! This links to Andrew Goodwin's Theory the idea that visual and lyrics link as she lip sings the words of the song at the camera.
2. SURVIVOR- DESTINY'S CHILD
I love the repetition of "I'm a survivor" and how Destiny's Child really play the glammed up role of survivors
3. LIKE A BOY- CIARA
I like that the music video is in black and white as it grips the audience as it is something different, stripped back and plain. It also makes the lyrics seem much more intimate so they will be able to relate to a wider audience as Ciara gives the impression she is performing to you.
4. TEARS IN HEAVEN- ERIC CLAPTON
I like where this music video is set as it provides a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. The fact it's set at night time as well make the lyrics so much more sincere. Eric Clapton dedicated this song to his four year old son who fell out of the window out of a block of flats and died. Knowing this was his inspiration also pulls on the audience's heartstrings.5 inspiring music videos
1. This video inspires me as it is the first video that Macklemore has made and the fact that he is independent to a record label highlights his dedication as a singer and performer. This music video is colourful, bright and relevant to up current fashion
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
BET Awards
Watching Usher do a live concert performance! It is evidently a concert performance because there is amassive crowd cheering, there is a stage with lighting and there are choreographed backing dancers
Monday, 30 June 2014
Laura Mulvey- The Female Gaze
This is the opposite to the Male Gaze devised by Laura Mulvey. It is essentially the idea that females are objectifying men. This is seen in films/music videos and adverts.
A notorious advert for this is the Coke advert:
This video shows how women objectify the male as the women stare and giggle when the man takes off his top.
A music video where this is prevalent is Chris Brown's "Wall to wall"
In this video there are girls chasing after Chris Brown and there are lots of close ups of Chris which suggests that the target audience for this is females as it serves towards what the female finds pleasurable. Therefore, Chris Brown is being objectified in this video
Here Andrew Goodwin's theory can be applied as there is a link between visual and lyrics.
Here is another advert in which the men are the ones being objectified. This is shown by their submissive nature towards the woman (Amanda Holden).The advert contains lots of topless men whereby they are playing the role of servants. From the viewers perspective they are merely there for the female audience's entertainment. At the end of the advert one of the men is on all fours and Amanda is resting her legs on his back as if he were in replacement of a stool or foot rest which is the suggestion the man is being objectified here.
A notorious advert for this is the Coke advert:
A music video where this is prevalent is Chris Brown's "Wall to wall"
In this video there are girls chasing after Chris Brown and there are lots of close ups of Chris which suggests that the target audience for this is females as it serves towards what the female finds pleasurable. Therefore, Chris Brown is being objectified in this video
Here Andrew Goodwin's theory can be applied as there is a link between visual and lyrics.
Here is another advert in which the men are the ones being objectified. This is shown by their submissive nature towards the woman (Amanda Holden).The advert contains lots of topless men whereby they are playing the role of servants. From the viewers perspective they are merely there for the female audience's entertainment. At the end of the advert one of the men is on all fours and Amanda is resting her legs on his back as if he were in replacement of a stool or foot rest which is the suggestion the man is being objectified here.
Monday, 23 June 2014
Some more analyzing
After the task set where we had to apply conceptual/performance (studio)/performance (concert)/ narrative to music videos, whilst sitting listening to some of my favourite songs I could not help apply these theories. Here are a few:
This is a conceptual a video as the majority of the time Chris Brown is singing and dancing in front of the camera. He is also at times singing within a large group of people. It could be argued that the first 30 seconds or so is narrative as it is scripted however this is not prevalent throughout the video which is why I would say that it is just a conceptual video.
One Direction's 'Little Things' is a studio performance as there is evidence of the technology equipment you would typically find in a studio including the microphones being used and some music stands lying about. This is not a conceptual video for example because they are directly addressing the audience as if performing to the audience and further playing instruments to suggest that all the equipment they would need for a performance would be in the room that they filmed this song in.
Chris Brown's 'Take you down' is a concert performance as there is an audience screaming for the star and he is also on a stage with a microphone and back up dancers. During the performance it does not cut to Chris Brown in another location therefore suggesting that this is a full concert performance.
Justin Timberlake's 'Mirrors' is a conceptual/narrative. It is conceptual as the video had a theme and the concept was quite unusual. It was a narrative however as it followed an old couple from their youth to their old age.
Nicki Minaj's 2014 song 'Pills and Potions' is an interesting music video as it is a .mixture music video and a conceptual music video. It was a mixture music video as there appeared to be almost foil like material rolling down her eyes as if she were crying however it looked animated. There was also a cloud like material which was created. In this video there was also a link between visuals and the lyrics (Goodwin). It was a concept video as it was a difficult and abstract theme to understand whilst watching the video without lyrics.
Sunday, 22 June 2014
Week 1+2- On Going Weekly Production Diary- What have you learnt this week?
Friday, 20 June 2014
Thursday, 19 June 2014
Wednesday, 18 June 2014
Friday, 13 June 2014
A2 Introduction Brief
"A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo vide, together with a digipak for the album's release and a magazine advertisement for the digipak"
I will work in teams for this brief but these will be confirmed in September. Although I am working in a team we will all be blogging individually what we have contributed to the task in hand.
I will work in teams for this brief but these will be confirmed in September. Although I am working in a team we will all be blogging individually what we have contributed to the task in hand.
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