Research - Costume, setting and location

In pop music video's there is a wide ramge of costumes, setting and locations which are used depending on many things such as the budget, audience, lyrics, theme and so on. There are so many pop video.s with completely different storylines and therefore the costumes differ as well as there setting and location. I will be analysing two music video's which share the same genre - 'Pop'.

First 'Hear attack' by Demi Lovato. 

This music video has three different costumes used however the costumes  are either black or white..even when she is wearing white there is black paint standing out on her. This paint is not only on her however it is also In the background as well as In the beginning and the end of the music video. Reasons why the colour black May have been used is because it may be seen as quite a negative colour as it has negative connotations; heart attack is seen as a dark thing and this may relate to the theme and colour of the song. Two dark scenes are used; this May have been used to show her emotions as she feels alone may be and in the dark. The white setting may present purity however this purity may be shown to be ruined through the dripping paint and the effects added to show an explosion of dark paint. A microphone is the only prop that this singer used; this May have been used for her to let out her feelings in a loud way just as the black paint is showing loud/big explosions. 

The next music video that I have chosen to analyse is 'Disco Love' by The Saturdays. 

Similarly in this music video there is also three different costume, setting and location used even though this is not one artist however it is a girl group. This music video is more positive since the lyrics are also positive. The costume goes from casual in a field do old styled and bright In a skating rink and then urban and party cloths in the party. All three of these costumes blend in with the setting; having three seperate parts to this narrative has a really good impact on the audience as it entertains the a dn shows the three separate time periods. The theme is different to 'Heart attack' since there was only two colours used and the emotion was sad whereas in this song there is a variety of colours and and the emotions are fun and excited. Props are also used in this video to show that everything they do is fun..they are smiling and laughing while fixing the car/van- the spanner and screwdriver is shown this. Additionally one of the members are curling their hair - having fun also. 

By analysing these two music video's I feel that I have a lot of option when making my music video and artist. Looking at these artists will help find a look for the new artist which will be created along with the style of the artist and the way he/she may be seen in the music video. 

Research - AS down with the trumpets remake

At the end of AS we were out into groups and attempted a remake video of 'Down with the Trumpets' by the two young male artists Rizzle Kicks. Whilst analysing this music video we established that there was a lot of base tracking used in this music video. The use of base-tracks helped structure the music video very well and allow it to look neat. 

When making our re-make of this song we used various base-tracks. This helped us when we was editing the footage to structure it. The whole point of base tracking is to help allow the song and the camera work to flow; this allows editing - cutting parts up a lot easier. 

Below are the 5 base-tracks we carried out as we only remade the beginning of the song. 

Some parts of the base-tracking were quite difficult and other parts were straight forward. In my opinion remaking this music video improved my skills in media and allowed me to have new ideas for the music video me and my group will be making this year. 

Research - Copyright Permission

I have sent a copyright request to a record company since when making a music video to the song we will need a copyright permission sent off for consent. I have found the email address through internet research. My group will not be doing this song however this is just a practice example of how the copyright permission should look like. 

Research: Appeal of Music Videos

Appeal of music videos from Amirul Islam

Reseach: Reflection on Progress

Reflection on Progress from AS to AS

The variety of software/technology used in my blog.

I feel my blog this year round is a whole lot better in many ways. I've taken all the stuff I learnt from last year into account and actually utilised the resources I have online and outside. By resources I mean,software's and websites such as Powerpoint, Prezi, Wordle, GIF's and Timetoast. I am pretty sure I will be using these more in the future for my blog as it makes huge blocks of writing seem less impressive. The the different visualisations in my blogs create a more eye-catching and interesting approach to delivering information and research which might interest the reader a bit more. I feel it also demonstrates a sense of versatility and creativity as it separates ourselves from other people who write in just huge blocks. Lastly, I think the constant change in technology helps keep the blog entertaining and not boring as I think my blog from last year did. However  I think from last year, my blogs about the 7 evaluation questions are my best work so far as I put hours of effort in some of them. You're probably getting bored as you read a huge block of writing that's gone on for far too long but that's one improvement I could possibly make? 

Write less and get straight to the point?

or 

Use other different types of software/technology to present my blog

or 

Use more examples in my work 

I think overall i'd give myself at least a 15 out of 20 as I think I presented my work through a variety of technology and included beneficial information from extensive research. 

Research: Base-tracks and Markers

Remake of Music Video in AS

Last year, for three weeks we were told to recreate a music video and the group I was in remade the song "Hey Ya" by "Outkast". In these three weeks we told about the use of base-tracks and markers. Base-tracks are scenes/shots which are filmed in one go whilst the artists sings and markers are where a point in the song is marked so you can align with the footage from the base-track by using the sound. The significance in base-tracks and markers is they make editing a lot quicker as you can align all your footage together as they are played to the same beat at the same time. 

The digipack for the song

RESEARCH - PAST MUSIC VIDEOS (review)

05. Saskie Logan, Louis Chapman, Emily Ospina Ruiz, Nawar Seleh from 283goswell on Vimeo.

STUDENT VIDEO REVIEW

I liked this video due to the edits of the reverse effect with the edits and the way the camera spins around in a handheld fig rig. The edits and shots are edited to the beat. there are split screens used. The artist makes eye contact.

There are great shots of the artist in different locations.

HOWEVER

Some shots are not all filmed by moving the camera like music videos do yet some filming is done as a still camera which is not a good effect for this song. The close ups don't go further than cutting the top of the head and the shoulders.

Some of the framing in the shots are off. In my opinion I believe that the camera was focusing more on the location and settings than the actual artist; trying to get the beauty of the scenery in the film instead of the artist. 

Research: Skills Audit

Development in Research Skills from AS To A2

I feel my skills in researching have developed in some way or another compared to last year in AS. I think I spend a lot more time actually researching stuff for our blogs whilst also spending a bit of time presenting it but I'll tell you how i do that in another blog. I feel for researching in A2, it becomes a lot more independent as we don't get much off out teachers. We have to come up with out own conclusions about theories whereas last year we got handed the information but just had to reword it and post it. But in A2, we're expected to decipher it ourselves for example Mulveys theory on males gaze. I feel my research skills have improved since last year as I have spent a lot more time doing it. 

Research: Creating a Brand - Synergy and Cross Media Convergence

Creating a brand synergy and cross media from Amirul Islam

Research: The Saturdays - Disco Love - Brief Account of Costume, Setting and Props

The music video for The Saturdays - Disco Love: 

Research: Analysis of Costume, Setting and Location

Analysis of Costume, Setting and Location in a Music Video from Amirul Islam

If the music video links do not work in the slideshow, feel free to watch it from beneath! 

Research - Skills audit

Think back to the research that you conducted for your AS practical work; how have your skills in research develop since then? Write a short summery of these developments.

In my opinion from last year i have improved a lot on my research skills. I feel that this year i have learnt thoroughly about music video specialists such as: Andrew Goodwin, Vernalis and Miulvey. I feel that i have understood what all three of these people have had to say about music video's and  I feel that i have researched and found evidence on their theories. 

I have thought carefully about what genre and artists I would like to do my music video based on and therefore I feel whist researching these artists i gained a few ideas which would help me in the production. Examples of these ideas would be the style of some artists which make them different. Lady Gaga is different because of her style and Emeli Sand is different because of her hair. In many cases there is something special which makes an artist different - weather it is big or little. 

Additionally i have looked into what the function of a music video is whereas last year i do not feel that i looked that into what the function of the beginning of a movie is for. I feel that i learnt a lot about the audience; what they are expecting and what would entertain them. 

Lastly but not least I looked carefully at previous students' work from last year - this piece of research allows me to have an idea of what I should and should not do in order to make my music video look professional and have a special touch. 

Research - Mulvey's theory

Abida; Mulvey theory from 09041996

RESEARCH - A review of my favourite previous students work

https://vimeo.com/home/myvideos/page:10/sort:date/format:video

 My favourite previous students work was group 21's. Reasons for this is because i like the song choice as i listen to this genre of music in particular; additionally it had parts of the camera shots which seemed to look professional and appealing.

I like the way the camera comes to the artist and faces the face of the singer in the first shot; we automatically know how this singer looks like. She is also breaking the 4th wall to allow me to feel involved as it feels like she is looking right at me.

I also like the shots of the piano as sometimes in music video's we would see an instrument which is being played and in this case it is the piano. I like that this shot is repeated.

I like the use of fades when both of the singers are singing at the same time; it brings an aspect of togetherness and shows a connection between the singers. This transition looks good and goes with the music

Additionally i like the eclipse used in this music video with the cars at night. In my opinion i find this professional at it shows time pass by and i have seen this use of eclipse in other professional music video's. It gives the audience a break from the singers' face and introduce a new shot and location.

Lastly but not least i like the ending of the music video as the two artists walk away from the camera together even though they were separate in the beginning. In the beginning the camera comes to the singer and this is different to the end as they are making the exit and the camera is not.

Overall I really liked this previous students' music video and thought it was good; personally i would change a few things to make it look a bit professional.

RESEARCH - Function of a Music Video

Research - Synergy activity

I have chosen to do some research on Emile Sande. The reason for this is because she specialises in Pop and is a really well known artist. Her hairstyle makes her stand out from other singers as it it shown on her album covers and music video's.

On the left is the front cover of Emile Sande's album: 'Our Version of Events'. The font looks quite formal, however the picture of her is very eye-catching. The main colours that are used here are various shades of black, grey and white. Her hair is already white; her hair makes her look special; she would not be seen as just an artist however would be a memorable artist as she has something different.










On the right is the back of the album cover which consists of the names of the songs which are in the album. The font and layout of the back of the album is very like the front of the album. There is a barcode at the back of the album too so that customers can purchase this album.

Below is Emile Sande's music video: 'Net to Me'.

In this music video there are a lot of links between the music video and her album cover. Firstly similar colours are used in both the album and music video. This is done to show that there is a relevance between the two. Also in the music video there is a spotlight on Emile Sande to make her clear; there is also a spotlight on the drummer; by doing this the instruments are features; the drummer and the drums and Emile Sande and the piano. Later on we also see her shaking the tambourine. Various shots are used in this music video; this is done very well because it allows me to notice many things such as the way she is playing the piano; there are also shots where Emile Sande and the drummer are playing - this is my favourite camera shot. 

Additionally in her music video: 'Clown' similar colours are used; although in this music video she does not play any instruments; she just sings. Even though she shows not play instruments in this music video there is a narrative in the music video to go with the song.

Similarities within the two music videos:

1. Same hairstyle
2. Same style (Black clothes) 
3. Same colours used (Shades of Black, Grey and white) 
4. She has a spotlight on her in both music video's. 

Similarities within the album cover and the music videos: 

1. Hairstyle
2. Clothes (BLack) 
3. Colours used 
4. Similar font (On the album and second music video) 

RESEARCH - Synergy

Synergy & Cross Media Products

Need to create a CROSS MEDIA PROMOTIONAL PACKAGE to PROMOTE the new album of our Artist and music video for a single relased from that album.

Aim to PROMOTE and make artist RECOGNISED and creatre a connections between cross-media promotional packages. This is a common convention of Real Media Text (RMT).

James Arthur - Impossible

 

MUSIC VIDEO: Flashbacks in Black and White for most scenes. 

Album Cover: Black and White. Bold text. X-Factor logo.

Features that can be seen across both are the Black and White - greyscale video and album cover. Artist branded by X-Factor flash backs and featuring his mentor Nicole Scherzinger. Also this artist is branded with his arm tattoos to add attitude and mood to his songs.

PLANNING - Shortlist of Potential Songs

SHORTLIST.

( 6 Potential Songs )

1. Ellie Goulding - In my City 

2. Ed Sheeran - Grade 8

3. Emeli Sande - Imagine

4. Birdy - Maybe

5. Katy B - 5am

6. Passenger - Circles

*Research all done using iTunes and Youtube to confirm the song does not have a music video. (Double Checked) and all UK Artists.

Research: Review of Previous Students Music Video

I decided to pick this music video as one of my favorites as I feel it was superior in editing compared to the rest of the music videos. The thing which really made this enjoyable to watch was the florescent colours, the epileptic edits and use of mise en scene. They edited the whole thing to the beat of the song such as the alternating colours when the climax of the song happens.

The whole music video had this fun and bubbly atmosphere which made it the perfect pop music video. However I felt the arrangement at the start was unusual due to the fact the voice started but we saw no lips moving.Nevertheless, I think the editing made up a hugely as it went well with the song and genre. 

Research: Laura Mulvey's Theory

"In a world ordered by sexual imbalance, pleasure in looking has been split between ative/male and passive/female. The determining male gaze projects its fantasy onto the female figure which is styled accordingly" - Laura Mulvey, 1992

Laura Mulvey is a feminist who invented the term “Males Gaze”, a term which she mentions in the quote above. Mulvey begins to criticise the media as they are the people who have encouraged the sexualisation of women. The quote insinuates that the female body is a sort of sexual object for men who posses strong sexual desires. However, Mulvey’s use of the males gaze suggests that she thinks that audiences including females have to see women as sexual objects from a male’s perspective due to their portrayal. This theory can closely be linked with the women starring in music videos although it does vary in genres. 

The first example which demonstrates the theory about "Males Gaze" would have to be within the music video, "Single Ladies" - Beyonce. The music video features three women including Beyonce wearing skin tight outfits exposing their legs and arms whilst what would be considered as provocative dancing. Her exposed body will attract men who have them strong sexual desires and it may even draw in some females who find Beyonce's body inspirational in an attempt to fulfill their desires for the perfect body. Also, the absence of men, may make Beyonce more desirable for the male audience due to the fact, it will seem like a personal performance for him as no other men are around to watch and place their gaze upon her. 

Another music video which showcases the theory regarding the males gaze is "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You) by Enrique Iglesias. This music video sexualises woman on a whole new different level as opposed to Single Ladies. In this video we witness, a male, Enrique who is in what seems to be a strip club with women strutting their stuff with their bare chests and boobs hanging out. It becomes a perfect example of the males gaze as it shows what the men actually want and how they relieve themselves of their sexual frustrations. It deals with their frustration as the video demonstrates some sexual activity which would appeal to the male audience. The music video always dismembers the dancing women so the focus is on specific parts of the body and again the emphasis on the body parts of a woman attracts a stronger male audience.

RESEARCH - Laura Mulvey

 

LAURA MULVEY

 

SIMPLE WORDS:

 

" Women are objectified and are put on show for men to look at"

                                                                            Emadul Rahman, 2013

 

 

 

An image of an artist is thought out and suited to the narrative of the music video. As an audience we will read this representation and will interpret it based on our cultural references and understanding of what we have seen before. by doing this we will become familiar with that specific style and expect it in all kind of music videos. 

 

 

this music video is supporting Mulveys point about how women are objectified to just stand there and look sexy.

 

A VIDEO WHICH SAYS NO TO MALE GAZE

:O

 

 

This is the one everyone would see as a very powerful objection to Mulveys theory. Which is correct however does not put male artists in a good light, therefore I have found an artist that does not objectify women in his video and they are not as passive.

 

Jay Sean - Down ft Lil Wayne

 

RESEARCH - Vernallis's theory

Carol Vernallis studies editing and camerawork in detail within the music video's. She found that there are so much more edits found in music video's than film - these edits go in beat with the song.

- Jump cuts are used very ofter.

- Base-tracks are used a lot to give the music video a neat structure.

- The camera moves in time with the music.

All three of these points are shown very clearly in 'Lost Generation' by the two young artists, Rizzle Kicks. Throughout the whole of the music video the camera is hardly ever still; the camera always move with the music and the edits are also added in time to go with the music. It could be seen that the camera dances with the music.

1. This shot has an edit which consists of titles

2. This shot has an edit to make this singer leap on to the coach in slow motion. 

 3. All four of these screen grabs are from four different parts of the music video. A base-track has been used to structure this; more than one of the same location can be repeated within the music video when using a base-track. 

4. In the first 20 seconds of this music video there are already 5 jump cuts which have been shown above. 

RESEARCH - Andrew Goodwin

Andrew Goodwin feels that traditional narrative analysis doesn't apply to pop videos due to the fact that they approach narrative from a different angle to novels and films. Reasons for this is because: pop video's are based on the lyrics of the song; pop videos often have the artist as the narrator and character and also the artist usually break the 4th wall as they try and build a relationship with the audience by looking directly at the camera lens. 

Examples would be in the music video 'Best song ever' by One Direction.

In this shot Harry is breaking the 4th wall.

Pop videos also have a lot of repetition of the shots during certain lines or the chorus. This builds a memorable image in the audience's mind. The song becomes familiar through TV and radio. There is usually an ending to a song before fading away; in the 'Best song ever' music video there is a poster of the artists on the wall with 'This is us' written in graffiti to allow the audience to know who they are in order for them to sell albums and have a bigger fan base.

Sometimes the music video of the song may go beyond the meaning in order to catch attention from more audiences and promote the music. Sometimes cross media convergence occurs in music video's. Adell's single 'Skyfall' and the film 'Skyfall' both promote each other to build a bigger fan-base.

The artist Pitbull promotes the film 'Men in black' as the music video has snippets of scenes from the actual film. This music video is the trailer of the film as well as his own music video for his song.

3 types of relationships between songs and videos: 

1. Illustration: The video tells the story of the lyrics.

2. Amplification: The video adds new meaning to the lyrics. 

3. Disjuncture: There is not much connection between the lyrics and video or there is a contradiction between the two. 

Research - What is the function of a music video?

RESEARCH - MUSIC GENRE

MUSIC GENRE

This is the list of the main genres that we could think of within the class. Some of the genres we looked in too.

UK POP ARTISTS.

Collage created by: http://www.photovisi.com/

RESEARCH - Carol Vernallis

THE WANTED, wanted by CAROL VERNALLIS.

The video for GLAD YOU CAME by The Wanted looks at all of Carol Vernallis, perfect to represent her theory.

Edits used to draw attention to themselves at the beginning and few in between.
Cuts are edited to the beat shown in the fast paced clips that are shown at the beginning and threw out.
Loads of Jump Cuts.
Editing Continuity broken, different locations and scenes are suddenly mashed together.