http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxDrVUrSvI
Aspects of performance/mode of address
Direct mode of address has been used in this music video as Lily is talking about her relationship but also indirect mode of address has been used too as it is narrative led. There are no dance routines in this video and the element of performance is through Lily Allen.
Narrative
There is a flashback used at the beginning which makes it non-linear however the narrative appears to be linear. There is a clear beginning, middle and end. At the start she talks about how her boyfriend leaves her and sleeps with another girl. In the middle she gets her own back on him without him knowing and at the end he comes back to her.
How does the video create an image for the star artist/band?
From this video the image that is created for Lily Allen is that she is an independent woman getting her own back on her boyfriend. She is a normal girl, who is not superficial but is also strong and powerful.
How do the visual elements relate to the song illustration/amplification/disjuncture?
The music video amplifies the song because she took action against her boyfriend but the video is also about her being wrong.
Mise En Scene
Lily Allen is wearing colourful, bright clothes with big gold earrings and white trainers. This is her trademark look which is seen throughout the video frequently. Her style is realistic to the audience and believable. Her boyfriend is also wearing normal clothes which are also relatable for the audience. The video is set in normal places for example a cafe and a club and an alleyway, urban surroundings.
Use of Camera
There is a zoom on Lily’s face to show that she is sad. There is a tracking shot of her walking down the street. Over the shoulders shots have been used to get the character’s point of view and perspective. Various close-ups have been used to magnify certain people and things. A high angle shot has been used of the men trashing Lily’s boyfriends place. Mid shots have been used in the music video. A montage of close-ups has been used to give a variety. The use of a hand held camera has been used for the scene where Lily’s boyfriend gets in a fight this is effective for this part of the video.
Editing
The editing matches the beat/pace of the song. Eye-line matches have been used to see what Lily sees. Shot reverse shots have been used to show one character to another. The editing is quite fast paced at the beginning of the music video.
Representation
Lily Allen is represented as a normal yet strong woman who people shouldn’t mess with. The room that she is in at the beginning symbolises her and how she feels. The youths within this are represented negatively and are shown to be stereotypical. It is set in a working class area, where everything appears to be negative such as cafes.
Special Effects
The last shot could possibly have been used on a blue screen.
Genre
The genre for this video/song is pop, it is easy listening and the lyrics are catchy. The lyrics in this song also rhyme.
Audience
The target audience for this particular music video is for a female audience aged from 13-19 year olds.
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Chemical Brothers – Hey Boy Hey Girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64szVQugrAo
Aspects of performance/mode of address
There is no performance in this music video it is narrative based. Indirect mode is address is used.
Narrative
Linear narrative is used because there is a clear beginning, middle and end. The main girl is obsessed with bones. The boy picks on her resulting to breaking her arm. In the middle the girl grows up and goes to a nightclub. The end, she goes home. All is in a clear line.
How does the video create an image for the star artist/band?
The woman creates an image for the band. The actual visuals also create an image for the band. This music video revolves around the dance music culture. Raves and drugs. This type of music is popular amongst the target audience. The video is indirectly promoting the band. The artists’ image isn’t as important as the music for the target audience.
How do the visual elements relate to the song illustration/amplification/disjuncture?
The music video amplifies the meaning. All of it is very literal as the lyrics demonstrate ‘Hey Boy, Hey Girl’ There are boys and girls everywhere. Even though there is very few lyrics, the video gives the lyrics the meaning, reinforces it.
Use of Camera
There is the use of tracking down the school bus to establish where the beginning is set. There is a close-up of the main girl reading a book. She is the one who we as the audience follow throughout the music video. There are zooms used of the main character to establish that she is our focus. There is a slightly high angle shot used in the museum to show girls vulnerability being on her own in the museum. There is also a low angle inside to show how big all the dinosaur skeletons are and how inferior they look compared to the school girl. Extreme close-ups of the girl’s face are used to show her emotion. There is also a low angle shot used when the girl falls over in the museum this has been used to show that the boy is dominant and that reinforces he is the bully. High angle shots have been used of the girl to emphasize that she is weak and vulnerable.
Special Effects
Dubbed music has been used in the toilets to signify that the setting is now in a nightclub. Strobe lighting has also been used in the club to make the video realistic and relatable for the target audience. Everyone is shown as skeletons in this music video and this is shown through CGI.
Genre
The genre for this video/song is electronic, dance music. The lyrics are repetitive which is memorable for the audience and is catchy.
Audience
The target audience for this particular music video is for around 16-30 year olds both male and females. This is the type of music they would listen to before they go out in general or to a club.
Mise En Scene
The children on the bus are wearing school uniform which shows that they are all on a school trip. The main character, is wearing a black when she is in the club all grown up. Everyone else in the club blend in, they are not typically dressed for a rave maybe even an illegal rave. The mise en scene represents the target audience because of the clothing and where it is set. When the girl drops her water bottle in the toilet, we as the audience assume she has been taking drugs because of the dance culture. Drugs have negative connotations and the hallucinating skeletons reinforce this.
Editing
Slow motion has been used when the school children are running to the museum. The idea of the chaos children running is effective. Slow motion has also been used when the girl falls down in the museum which makes it look dramatic. The fast paced editing is used to match the beat of the music. At the beginning the editing is slow but builds up throughout the video. Elliptical editing has been used with the girl to show the girl growing up. At the nightclub when the girl comes out of the toilet, the editing appears to get faster but when she comes out of the club the editing is slow, slow motion.
Channel
The music channel that this particular song would probably be played on would be MTV Dance.
Representation
The video is indirectly promoting dance culture. It exposes raves and drugs and the culture in general as a whole negatively. We as the audience don’t know if the girl is on drugs but we assume she is as she sees all these skeletons because she was obsessed from when she was a child. The blonde boy is represented as a horrible, nasty person. This stereotype of person is usually represented as a nice boy. Nothing in this music video makes sense.
Aspects of performance/mode of address
There is no performance in this music video it is narrative based. Indirect mode is address is used.
Narrative
Linear narrative is used because there is a clear beginning, middle and end. The main girl is obsessed with bones. The boy picks on her resulting to breaking her arm. In the middle the girl grows up and goes to a nightclub. The end, she goes home. All is in a clear line.
How does the video create an image for the star artist/band?
The woman creates an image for the band. The actual visuals also create an image for the band. This music video revolves around the dance music culture. Raves and drugs. This type of music is popular amongst the target audience. The video is indirectly promoting the band. The artists’ image isn’t as important as the music for the target audience.
How do the visual elements relate to the song illustration/amplification/disjuncture?
The music video amplifies the meaning. All of it is very literal as the lyrics demonstrate ‘Hey Boy, Hey Girl’ There are boys and girls everywhere. Even though there is very few lyrics, the video gives the lyrics the meaning, reinforces it.
Use of Camera
There is the use of tracking down the school bus to establish where the beginning is set. There is a close-up of the main girl reading a book. She is the one who we as the audience follow throughout the music video. There are zooms used of the main character to establish that she is our focus. There is a slightly high angle shot used in the museum to show girls vulnerability being on her own in the museum. There is also a low angle inside to show how big all the dinosaur skeletons are and how inferior they look compared to the school girl. Extreme close-ups of the girl’s face are used to show her emotion. There is also a low angle shot used when the girl falls over in the museum this has been used to show that the boy is dominant and that reinforces he is the bully. High angle shots have been used of the girl to emphasize that she is weak and vulnerable.
Special Effects
Dubbed music has been used in the toilets to signify that the setting is now in a nightclub. Strobe lighting has also been used in the club to make the video realistic and relatable for the target audience. Everyone is shown as skeletons in this music video and this is shown through CGI.
Genre
The genre for this video/song is electronic, dance music. The lyrics are repetitive which is memorable for the audience and is catchy.
Audience
The target audience for this particular music video is for around 16-30 year olds both male and females. This is the type of music they would listen to before they go out in general or to a club.
Mise En Scene
The children on the bus are wearing school uniform which shows that they are all on a school trip. The main character, is wearing a black when she is in the club all grown up. Everyone else in the club blend in, they are not typically dressed for a rave maybe even an illegal rave. The mise en scene represents the target audience because of the clothing and where it is set. When the girl drops her water bottle in the toilet, we as the audience assume she has been taking drugs because of the dance culture. Drugs have negative connotations and the hallucinating skeletons reinforce this.
Editing
Slow motion has been used when the school children are running to the museum. The idea of the chaos children running is effective. Slow motion has also been used when the girl falls down in the museum which makes it look dramatic. The fast paced editing is used to match the beat of the music. At the beginning the editing is slow but builds up throughout the video. Elliptical editing has been used with the girl to show the girl growing up. At the nightclub when the girl comes out of the toilet, the editing appears to get faster but when she comes out of the club the editing is slow, slow motion.
Channel
The music channel that this particular song would probably be played on would be MTV Dance.
Representation
The video is indirectly promoting dance culture. It exposes raves and drugs and the culture in general as a whole negatively. We as the audience don’t know if the girl is on drugs but we assume she is as she sees all these skeletons because she was obsessed from when she was a child. The blonde boy is represented as a horrible, nasty person. This stereotype of person is usually represented as a nice boy. Nothing in this music video makes sense.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
(I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be) Free / One - The Lighthouse Family
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeCAkrg4fNE
Aspects of performance/mode of address
The aspect of this performance shows thoughts of people on a train, their lives, what they go through. Direct mode of address is used in this music video. The man on the train is in the band, we as the audience know this because he walks up and down the train looking down the camera. The camera is tracking. There are no dance routines in this music video, is it all narrative based, which relates to the performance which is within the narrative.
Narrative
The narrative is non-linear because of the use of flashbacks into people’s lives. There is a clear beginning, middle and end. At the beginning everybody gets onto the train. In the middle, the star artist sings to them and at the end, everybody gets off and walks into the light going up the escalator – from the dark to the light.
How does the video create an image for the star artist/band?
There are close-ups used of the star artists face to indicate he is our main focus. From this video it suggests that the Lighthouse family lifts people’s lives. They send a message to the audience. The video also creates a cool, laid back image for the band. They appear normal which relates to the audience as they blend in. The star artist is the protagonist in this video as they woman is taking this hand and leading him.
Use of camera
There is an establishing shot at the beginning of the video to show the train track. Tracking shots are used throughout the video to follow the man down the train. Over the shoulder shots are used to get the persons point of view and perspective.
Representation
Everyone on the train looks like working class or lower. There is a status divide between the star artist and the passengers. Even though he blends in, he takes his hat off as a sign of respect. The lead girl has blonde hair and conforms to the stereotype. (Traditional) She has pale porcelain skin which highlights her beauty as she glows at the top of the escalator. There are religious connotations demonstrated through this music video as the underground signifies hell, the top is heaven and the people move into the light. The main girl has angelic qualities. The star artist cleanses the people’s soul on the train and his band member acts like a disciple because he follows him.
Special Effects/Editing
Flashbacks are used to reinforce the idea of the people’s problems. Fades are used to illustrate this. The special effects in this particular video is simple and is used though the editing techniques. The transitions are smooth from one shot to the next.
Genre
The genre of this video/song is soulful pop/contemporary soul. The beat of the music allows us to identify the genre. Ages 25-40 might like the Lighthouse family because it is easy listening, mellow also the Lighthouse family are from the 90’s.
Mise En Scene
The artist is wearing a black leather jacket, black pants and a black hat. He stands out from everyone else on the train. There is a contrast between the train and the train station – packed train and empty station. Because it is set on a train, people can relate to the public transport. The passengers on the train are dressed in mundane clothes, normal clothes. The woman stands out as she is guiding the star artist through the train. The use of the lighting is bright at the end.
Editing
Match on action is used as the girl takes the mans hand walking down the train. There are straight cuts used. Slow paced editing is used in time with the music. Dissolves are used to look into the peoples lives; it shows how sad they are. Eye-line match is used so that we as the audience can see what the star artist is looking at and so we can associate with the main character.
Channel
The music channels that this particular song might be played on would be Magic, VH1 and smooth they are more of a mellow music channel and targeted for an older audience.
Aspects of performance/mode of address
The aspect of this performance shows thoughts of people on a train, their lives, what they go through. Direct mode of address is used in this music video. The man on the train is in the band, we as the audience know this because he walks up and down the train looking down the camera. The camera is tracking. There are no dance routines in this music video, is it all narrative based, which relates to the performance which is within the narrative.
Narrative
The narrative is non-linear because of the use of flashbacks into people’s lives. There is a clear beginning, middle and end. At the beginning everybody gets onto the train. In the middle, the star artist sings to them and at the end, everybody gets off and walks into the light going up the escalator – from the dark to the light.
How does the video create an image for the star artist/band?
There are close-ups used of the star artists face to indicate he is our main focus. From this video it suggests that the Lighthouse family lifts people’s lives. They send a message to the audience. The video also creates a cool, laid back image for the band. They appear normal which relates to the audience as they blend in. The star artist is the protagonist in this video as they woman is taking this hand and leading him.
Use of camera
There is an establishing shot at the beginning of the video to show the train track. Tracking shots are used throughout the video to follow the man down the train. Over the shoulder shots are used to get the persons point of view and perspective.
Representation
Everyone on the train looks like working class or lower. There is a status divide between the star artist and the passengers. Even though he blends in, he takes his hat off as a sign of respect. The lead girl has blonde hair and conforms to the stereotype. (Traditional) She has pale porcelain skin which highlights her beauty as she glows at the top of the escalator. There are religious connotations demonstrated through this music video as the underground signifies hell, the top is heaven and the people move into the light. The main girl has angelic qualities. The star artist cleanses the people’s soul on the train and his band member acts like a disciple because he follows him.
Special Effects/Editing
Flashbacks are used to reinforce the idea of the people’s problems. Fades are used to illustrate this. The special effects in this particular video is simple and is used though the editing techniques. The transitions are smooth from one shot to the next.
Genre
The genre of this video/song is soulful pop/contemporary soul. The beat of the music allows us to identify the genre. Ages 25-40 might like the Lighthouse family because it is easy listening, mellow also the Lighthouse family are from the 90’s.
Mise En Scene
The artist is wearing a black leather jacket, black pants and a black hat. He stands out from everyone else on the train. There is a contrast between the train and the train station – packed train and empty station. Because it is set on a train, people can relate to the public transport. The passengers on the train are dressed in mundane clothes, normal clothes. The woman stands out as she is guiding the star artist through the train. The use of the lighting is bright at the end.
Editing
Match on action is used as the girl takes the mans hand walking down the train. There are straight cuts used. Slow paced editing is used in time with the music. Dissolves are used to look into the peoples lives; it shows how sad they are. Eye-line match is used so that we as the audience can see what the star artist is looking at and so we can associate with the main character.
Channel
The music channels that this particular song might be played on would be Magic, VH1 and smooth they are more of a mellow music channel and targeted for an older audience.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
Music Video
Music Video.
Music videos are a marketing device used by recording companies. The aim is to make the song popular and create record sales. Music videos have been mainstream since the 80's but have existed alot longer. It could be argued that The Beatles contributed to 'the music video' as in 1964 the film 'A hard days night' contains songs from The Beatles and narrative was attempted, therefore it became a music sequence rather than music video. In 1965 The Beatles began to produce film inserts as a promotional tool and other bands began to follow suite. The Beatles led the way with 'Strawberry fields forever' and 'Penny Lane' directed by Peter Goldman and were described as "Avant-garde" meaning experimental but sophisticated, this was achieved by the use of slow motion and other effects that hadn't been experimented with before this.In the 1980's the launch of MTV meant that music videos became more commercial than ever, the first music video that aired on the channel was "video killed the radio star". Music videos became a standard practise for bands, as they could be cheaply produced using high - tech equipment such as the chroma key.
Censorship.
Products need to be censored, Music Videos are regulated by the BBFC, they are mini films hence why they are regulated by a film board.Censorship must be considered when making a music video. In 1991 Michael Jackson's 'Black or White video' was censored as Michael was said to inappropriately touch himself. Other videos that have been censored include 'Smack My Bitch Up'-The Prodigy and 'Rock DJ'-Robbie Williams.
Music Theory.
Some would argue that music videos have made Pop music superficially based on image. Are Pop songs enough on their own to give meaning and pleasure for the audience?"Good music videos, are clips that respond to the pleasure of music, in which the music is made visual, either in new ways or in a way that accentuates assisting associations" - Andy Goodwin 1992 Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics such as dance routines (mainly girl and boy bands). The relationship between lyrics and visuals either contradict or illustrate the lyrics of the song. The relationship between music and visuals will either illustrate , amplify or contradict what is happening on screen. The demands of the record label will include, close up shots of the artist (s), artist (s) may develop motifs which reoccur across the style and the duration of the video. There is often frequent references to the motion of looking/ voyeurism of the female/male body. There are often also Inter textual references.
Questions.
What is the basic function/purpose of a music video?
Music videos are used as a promotional tool, record companies use them to help increase the sales of the song and to make it popular. They are also used to help produce sufficient meaning and pleasure of the song using the video to define the meaning of the lyrics.
When were the first music videos produced?
1965 when The Beatles released "Hard days night", the public saw on of the earliest forms of a musical sequence, during the 80's music videos became more popular and by 81 at the birth of MTV, music videos were at their commercial peak.
How were music videos commissioned?
Most record companies employ somebody whose task it is to commission videos. The video departments of companies will be in contact with AR men who will be in contact with record companies. The record companies report back about a specific band's record sales and overall popularity and later when deciding on a budget for the band's music video, all of this information will be taken into consideration. The record company will pay the fees the music video will cost, but the band will pay it by from their advance or future loyalties.
How much time does a music video take to make?
A music video rarely takes more than 2 weeks to make.
According to Andrew Goodwin, what are the three different ways in which the visuals in a video can relate to the lyrics of a song?
- By the video illustrating the meaning of the lyrics through visualisation by providing an, often, over literal set of images.
- Amplification of visuals making the director the artist, as he/she then develops and enhances the ideas to make the message in the lyrics clearer.
- Disjuncture is a way of completely contradicting the lyrics by using visuals and imagery that may be unrelated or something to opposite to what the lyrics may convey.
What is a music video treatment or pitch?
Treatment or concept outlines what the video will entail/show conceptually. Not only this, but the treatment covers location, situation, stories, images, look and feel, colour, the videos pace and many more important factors that need to be considered when planning to shoot a music video.
What are some of the things to avoid when making a student video?
- Not being prepared (not planning), planning what your going to deliver is important to get clear, good quality results.- Being un-researched, researching music video conventions, and the video conventions that go with different genres of music is important, e.g:If you were to use a rock song, you'd show musicianship & energetic performance not dance routines.
Music videos are a marketing device used by recording companies. The aim is to make the song popular and create record sales. Music videos have been mainstream since the 80's but have existed alot longer. It could be argued that The Beatles contributed to 'the music video' as in 1964 the film 'A hard days night' contains songs from The Beatles and narrative was attempted, therefore it became a music sequence rather than music video. In 1965 The Beatles began to produce film inserts as a promotional tool and other bands began to follow suite. The Beatles led the way with 'Strawberry fields forever' and 'Penny Lane' directed by Peter Goldman and were described as "Avant-garde" meaning experimental but sophisticated, this was achieved by the use of slow motion and other effects that hadn't been experimented with before this.In the 1980's the launch of MTV meant that music videos became more commercial than ever, the first music video that aired on the channel was "video killed the radio star". Music videos became a standard practise for bands, as they could be cheaply produced using high - tech equipment such as the chroma key.
Censorship.
Products need to be censored, Music Videos are regulated by the BBFC, they are mini films hence why they are regulated by a film board.Censorship must be considered when making a music video. In 1991 Michael Jackson's 'Black or White video' was censored as Michael was said to inappropriately touch himself. Other videos that have been censored include 'Smack My Bitch Up'-The Prodigy and 'Rock DJ'-Robbie Williams.
Music Theory.
Some would argue that music videos have made Pop music superficially based on image. Are Pop songs enough on their own to give meaning and pleasure for the audience?"Good music videos, are clips that respond to the pleasure of music, in which the music is made visual, either in new ways or in a way that accentuates assisting associations" - Andy Goodwin 1992 Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics such as dance routines (mainly girl and boy bands). The relationship between lyrics and visuals either contradict or illustrate the lyrics of the song. The relationship between music and visuals will either illustrate , amplify or contradict what is happening on screen. The demands of the record label will include, close up shots of the artist (s), artist (s) may develop motifs which reoccur across the style and the duration of the video. There is often frequent references to the motion of looking/ voyeurism of the female/male body. There are often also Inter textual references.
Questions.
What is the basic function/purpose of a music video?
Music videos are used as a promotional tool, record companies use them to help increase the sales of the song and to make it popular. They are also used to help produce sufficient meaning and pleasure of the song using the video to define the meaning of the lyrics.
When were the first music videos produced?
1965 when The Beatles released "Hard days night", the public saw on of the earliest forms of a musical sequence, during the 80's music videos became more popular and by 81 at the birth of MTV, music videos were at their commercial peak.
How were music videos commissioned?
Most record companies employ somebody whose task it is to commission videos. The video departments of companies will be in contact with AR men who will be in contact with record companies. The record companies report back about a specific band's record sales and overall popularity and later when deciding on a budget for the band's music video, all of this information will be taken into consideration. The record company will pay the fees the music video will cost, but the band will pay it by from their advance or future loyalties.
How much time does a music video take to make?
A music video rarely takes more than 2 weeks to make.
According to Andrew Goodwin, what are the three different ways in which the visuals in a video can relate to the lyrics of a song?
- By the video illustrating the meaning of the lyrics through visualisation by providing an, often, over literal set of images.
- Amplification of visuals making the director the artist, as he/she then develops and enhances the ideas to make the message in the lyrics clearer.
- Disjuncture is a way of completely contradicting the lyrics by using visuals and imagery that may be unrelated or something to opposite to what the lyrics may convey.
What is a music video treatment or pitch?
Treatment or concept outlines what the video will entail/show conceptually. Not only this, but the treatment covers location, situation, stories, images, look and feel, colour, the videos pace and many more important factors that need to be considered when planning to shoot a music video.
What are some of the things to avoid when making a student video?
- Not being prepared (not planning), planning what your going to deliver is important to get clear, good quality results.- Being un-researched, researching music video conventions, and the video conventions that go with different genres of music is important, e.g:If you were to use a rock song, you'd show musicianship & energetic performance not dance routines.
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