Friday 17 December 2010

Wednesday 15th December - Digi pack begins...

OK, so again the shoot didn't go to plan. Due to band members being ill, and not being able to complete the shoot. So instead we did something far more productive, we began our digi packs. I really enjoyed using Photoshop again, its so easy and fun to use. And its the only programme i know how to use! So i started playing around with my ideas, and used my plan to lay out all the panels. Here is a little preview.

 I started playing around with fonts and stuff, which i loved doing! The background i got off Google, along with the 'B' which we have used all through our campaign.
The bullets and lips, i just added because i felt it needed a little extra thing to spice it up!!
However this isn't finished, still need to complete the other four panels and the insert!





But I'm loving it so far!

Wednesday 8 December 2010

So close to the end...

OK, so we have had an awful week.
Last week we were faced with snow, which lasted the entire week meaning that the school was shut!! Meaning that we couldn't film the last remaining pieces of our story board!! Then this week came and some group members were ill and i wasn't in, so we thought all going bad and not to schedule as we had planned to be finished and start editing this week. So, on Monday the half of the group started a rough edit on iMovie as final cut has not been uploaded to the new Macs yet. Looking at it today, started to get really excited for the final product. Also today we luckily got to film small easy cuts to put in, and we also continued to edit.
The schedule has been re done for Friday, that should be our last day of filming and then editing the whole thing!!
WHooooop.

Monday 29 November 2010

3rd Shoot...

OK, so today we decided to shoot odd bits we had left over from the story board. Pete wore his red tie, so we shot many scenes with him and they looked wonderful. So Friday should be the final day for filming for us then its a WRAP! Hopefully, fingers crossed.

Monday 22 November 2010

2nd Shoot

Ok so we plan to shoot the second time. With some hiccups Ellis forgot the storyboard, so we had to watch the animatic and remember what shots we had to use. Also Peter forgot his red tie so we couldn't include any shots of him. So we thought OH DEAR, but we resolved this by doing individual shots of just the band in our changed of outfits.

Here's to the 3rd shoot on Friday! WHOOP.
Till next time Nanceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Digipack plan and poster plan!!

 In toady's lesson we planned and drew our how our digipack and poster would look like here it is;


The colours i used are both similar to show the pattern and style of the group.





 
 The leopard print shows rebellious side to the band. Also a stylish print.
 Here the similar theme runs throughout for the audience to notice who we are and what were about.

Wednesday 17 November 2010

Wednesday 17th November - Our first shoot!

So second time lucky, we decided to shoot! We checked with the teacher and asked her if we could use her room during the morning, and she said it was only available last lesson in the afternoon. So we thought rather than waste the time, we thought we would so the photo shoot for the digipacks and film later.
So we got all dressed up, and began shooting in the IT room with the green screen, as there was no available black backgrounds. At first we had trouble getting the lighting perfect, after that was sorted, the camera became an issue. As it was a long exposure most of the pictures were 'blurry' and out of focus, there was limited space as well for us to act our positions, so this became a challenge. We over came this by shooting individual pictures for our digipack, and getting 'quirky' pictures that we could use. This worked well given our limited time and space!

Then came the afternoon, we set up in the drama room on the stage they had, and the lighting looked perfect! But then came a problem no one had brought the music! So we found a way around that too, there was a computer, so we played it out of the speakers and it worked perfectly.

So we started filming, and then collected our microphones from the music department and everything was set. We began filming the performance scene, and all of us gave it our all! And really got into it. We managed to shoot the whole song, and then addition scenes that we thought would work.
So together the day went really well, and to plan.
We plan to shoot, on Monday and Wednesday to finish !

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Wednesday 10th Novemeber - Lets shoot...maybe not?

Today we pitched our idea to the class and got great feedback on our idea and things we couldn't and should include. These were;
- not to stick too much to visuals and lyrics
- make sure lighting is perfect!


Whilst our plan was to shoot today, we decided against it, to do some test shots of lighting in our location on site. As it is in black and white we wanted to see what lighting looked right and what didn't. Here is our favourite shot, although i am blinking this type of light is perfect for our video.


Tuesday 9 November 2010

Tuesday 9th November - Rich Mix, Music Video Conference.

Today all of the class went to Rich Mix, in Shoreditch High Street where they was hosting a music video conference.
It was held in the Rich Mix arts centre where we had talks from Pete Fraser who wrote; Teaching Music Video. He gave us tips about how to make the perfect video!
Here is Pete's blog -  http://www.petefraser.co.uk/
 Pete gave us some background and history on music videos. He showed us Colour Box, by Len Lye one of the first videos put to visuals and music.



Then he went onto explain the current day, and how people now imitate a video shot for shot to get views possibly on the Internet. Here was one that stood out to me,




Finally he gave us 10 steps to music video success, which was -

1. Limber up - learn to plan, test shots, remake existing video
2. Choose track
3. Treatment - clear concept, plan everything, props, location
4. Blog - keep a blog of all ideas
5. Know your equipment
6. The shoot - shot times, storyboard, extra angles
7. Capture footage - label everything, organise
8. Edit - cut again, dynamic, whole picture
9. Screening - feedback
10. Analysis



Also Liz Kessler who is a music video commissioner for Academy Pictures. Here  is her work, and who she has worked with!

Aired Video titles Artists Directors


2006-Feb Sewn the Feeling Caswell Coggins

2005-dec Ballad of Paul K McFly Corin Hardy

2005-oct Nothing but green lights Tom Vek Adam Bartley

2005-sep Push the button Sugababes Matthew Rolston

2005-aug Destroy everything you touch Ladytron Adam Bartley

2005-jun Your woman Tyler James Phil Griffin

2005-may CC (you set the fire in me) Tom Vek Adam Bartley

2004-nov This is the last time [version 2] Keane Howard Greenhalgh

2004-sep U stood up V Ben Taylor

2004-aug Caught in a moment Sugababes Howard Greenhalgh

2004-jul Can U feel it? V Otis & Ben

2004-may Meet you on the other side Kid Symphony Gav $ Luke

2004-apr Never been a rockstar Kid Symphony Jamie Morgan

2004-apr In the middle Sugababes Matthew Rolston

2004-mar Five colours in her hair McFly Gav $ Luke

2004-mar Blood sweat and tears V Phil Griffin

2004-jan Somewhere only we know [version 1] Keane Corin Hardy

2004-jan Alone Mark Owen Phil Griffin

2003-sep Hole in the head Sugababes Matthew Rolston

2002-sep Celebrate your mother the Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster J.T.

2002-jul Round, round Sugababes Phil Griffin

And alongside her was Corin Hardy, music video director. He has worked with bands like Keane, Paulo Nutini, The Horrors and Prodigy.
He gave a speech about his carrer and life within the industry which i found really interesting! He started i the art department and worked his way up. He has a passion for graphics and drawings in his video which make thm very distinctive. Here is my favourite;
The Horrors - She is the new thing,



Here is hes blog, http://www.corinhardy.com/

Monday 8 November 2010

Production Schedule...

  • Wednesday 10th November

0900 - 1125

Drama room scenes only, with just the band.

  • Need to bring
Costumes
Hair straighteners
Red lipstick
Fake Eyelashes
Make up bag
Barbie doll
White sheet


           

Monday 8th November - The final animatic and The banners

Today we finally finished our animatic after four hours of lesson time! This helped us to lay out all the shots that we were going to use and ones that we thought could work better in the real shoot. The the animatic really helped us, and made us all excited for the real shoot.
Here are some pictures.....
















So after that, we starting thinking of a day were we could begin filming. This is going to be Wednesday 10th November, during our period one and two. We are going to bring in all our props and costumes and start shooting the easier scenes first.
Finally we went through our props list and started putting together a 'To Do List' of things we needed for Wednesday, so as a group we started creating banners for one scene in our video. Here was what we came up with...






Wednesday 3 November 2010

Wednesday 3rd November - Final Storyboard and Animatic

Today we finished our story board and concreted our final ideas start shooting next week!
We also started our animatic to get a preview of what our video will look like.

Here it is!

Till next time Nance,

LOL

Friday 29 October 2010

Props List for Music Video and Photoshoot...

Props list for the music video will be;

Description                              Where                                 Price
-Red lipstick                            Nancy's own                        FREE
-Phone                                    EEN own                             FREE
-Gun                                        Nancy's own                       FREE
-Chair                                      School                                FREE
-Black and white sheets          Nancy's own                        FREE
-Glass of wine                        Nancy's own                        FREE
-Mirror                                   Ellis's own                           FREE
-Carrier bags                         Nancy's own                         FREE
-Computer                            School's own                        FREE
-Microphones x3                  School's own                         FREE
-Banners for crowd               Need to be made                   FREE

Props list for the photoshoot will be;

Description                             Where                                Price
-Barbie's x3                              A shop                              £3

Costume List for Music Video and Photoshoot...

The costumes for the music video and photoshoot will be;

What                                  Where From                       Price
-Leopard print blazer          Nancy's own                       FREE
-Black Blazer                      Ellis's own                          FREE
-Black Blazer                      Emily's own                        FREE
-Red Tie                             Peter's own                          FREE
-Black Skinny jeans x3       EEN own                             FREE
-Heels x3                            EEN own                             FREE
-White shirt                        Peter's own                           FREE
-Black trousers                   Peter's own                          FREE
-Black shoes                       Peter's own                          FREE
-Casual top x3                    EEN own                              FREE
-Casual bottoms                 EEN own                              FREE

Location List for Music Video and Photoshoot...

The location's for the music video will be;

Location Description                             Where                                Price              How long?
-Drama room/dark room                     School                                 FREE               2-3 hours
-Danson Park                                    Nancy's House                      FREE              1-2 hours


The location for the photoshoot will be;

Location Description                           Where                               Price                   How long?

-Drama room                                      School                               FREE                  0-1 hour
-Green screen                                      School                              FREE                  1-2 hours
-Location for green screen                   London                            FREE                  1-2 hours

Thinking About Audience...


Wednesday 20 October 2010

Wednesday 20th October - Final Ideas and Story Board...

Here we needed to concrete our ideas into a music video format so we sat down together and carefully thought out every detail.
Where each shot would be, what it would look like and how it would flow.
The song and the video flow together and are closely linked but we didn't want our video to be too attached to song so we changed bits up, to break up the lyrics.
Here we drew out the sets as simplistic as possible and the shots as detailed as possible, to make every shot as real as it will be!!!

So we began our story board of our indefinite ideas....

Wednesday 13 October 2010

Our Mood Board...

This is our mood board. This sets the overall look for the music videos.
Here we put background pink to show that it is a girl band. We added the skulls to show that the band has 'edgy' and 'rebelelious.'




The 'B' is going to be used for the font in our name. Standing for Bullets and Barbies .






This explains our influence from the video 'Vogue,' we were inspired by the photographic element and the emphasise on the lighting.


We got stills from the Internet and close ups of the shots we liked to use.


Here we explain in detail our strong emphasise on lighting. Also shows how we would like to use split screen as an editing technique.


Here is an example of a closeup......>









This image of the 'B' is going to be used throughout our fonts on the CD over and Digipacks.


In the video we are also going to use the red lips and the black face, which explains this.





This explains our costumes for the video. And where our inspiration is drawn from, 'Independent Women,' shown by Beyonce, Rihanna and Ciara.













This is going to be Peter's look for the video. Stylish yet 'charming' as during the video he attempts to be a player!!






Wednesday 13th October - Our ideas for the video.



During this lesson we had a sudden rush of all ideas we were inspired and felt went with this independent song.

The video we envisioned was...
  • 'Vogue' inspired - black and white, emphasise on lighting
  • Flashing transitions
  • Red lips and tie being highlighted items - danger, love
  • Split screen
  • Independent look, not too feminine
  • Blazer, skinny jeans, dark makeup
  • Low camera angles
  • Girls being bugged by boy (Peter)
These overall rough ideas, will be developed in a later stage.

First, as a group we wanted to change our band name, we wasn't a fan!!!! So we decided to brain storm ideas of names. As a band that is edgy and independent, we didn't want a name that was too feminine but also showing us as a girl band!!
We looked at names in different languages - Avec L'Amour, which meant 'With Love' we found too feminine.
We wanted to 'rough it up,' so we started thinking about girl toys and we thought 'Barbies' which we liked, and to contradict this we used 'Bullets.'  
So together we are, 'Bullets and Barbies.'
As an image we like this -

So we began making our mood board for out video, to piece together our overall look of the video...

Thursday 7 October 2010

Analysis of Digi Pack - Micheal Jackson


 The cardboard sleeve around the outside of the CD cover is in a metallic shine showing how this re- release is imitate 25 years edition. This edition was released for the 'hardcore' fans due to its personal photographs
The main image shows a younger image of  Micheal a pre surgical look. This classic still is from the music video Thriller. As an over look the cover is very bland, there are no stand out colours or fonts. Showing that he is already an established artist and doesn't need to attract new fans.



The title on the front cover is is written with '25' over the top again showing the re-release and the success of the album,with written 'The world's biggest selling album of all time' this shows the consumers popularity of the album.
This picture shows a pre-surgical look of Micheal, with his natural hair. This shows his youthful look, and possibly how he wants his fans to remember him by, this look when he was at the height of his game.
The red sticker attracts the consumer and with the interest of the recent artists makes it more popular with younger generations which appeal to the consumer today.




On the left is an iconic still from the video 'Thriller'. This is an insight into the DVD, and shows the audience a 'tease' of what to expect. This also can encourage the common consumer to buy the digipack. The image is of the focus of him, in the centre of the frame making eye contact to the consumer. Which also encourages the consumer to purchase, as it looks like Micheal himself is looking at the consumer. As he is wearing red and has 'devilish' eyes, this possibly could denote his personality, as this is contrasted in the other image on the right. Here he is dressed in white and is posing with a smile, showing a more lighter side to his personality. The light is also glowing, showing a 'heavenly' contrasted to the 'devilish' image. This again is a posed photo shoot, so this has been created for a CD cover. He is holding a tiger, showing his extravagant personality that the consumer all know and love.







Wednesday 6 October 2010

Production Brief...

Wednesday 6th October - Choosing our Briefs!

In today's double lesson, we decided our groups to work in for our music video project. In my group is Ellis, Emily and Peter. Together i believe we could make something amazing!!!

Then we decided to choose our brief of the music genre and song. After much deliberation we decided, "Good Girlz Bad." This was the tried we decided would fit our group. The 4 piece band we changed to 3, because of there only being 3 of us! Peter will be used in the video.

The band are independent, hates WAGS, and love travelling and new skills.

Our next challenge was to pick the song, the song choices we had were
- 'My Lovin' - En Vogue
- 'No Scrubs' - TLC
- 'I know where its at' - All Saints

As a group we couldn't decide on our song, so we did some research into our favourite songs and bands that fitted this criteria...
Destiny's Child - Bugaboo

We all loved this song, and had amazing ideas when we heard it !!!

Our SONG!! - Bugaboo - Destiny's Child

Heres the song we have chosen, but to not be influenced by the video. Heres just the song;

Monday 27 September 2010

Song BMG Biography....



Sony BMG Music Entertainment was a global recorded music company, which was a 50–50 joint venture between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG. The venture’s successor, the again-active Sony Music Entertainment, is 100% owned by the Sony Corporation of America.
Sony BMG Music Entertainment formed in 2004 when Sony Music Entertainment and Bertelsmann Music Group merged.


Sony BMG Music Entertainment formed in 2004 when Sony Music Entertainment and Bertelsmann Music Group merged.


With his new position Mr. Schmidt-Holtz will have overall management responsibility for the company and be based in New York. Mr. Lack, as Chairman of the Board, will lead the company's public policy and industry , and operating responsibility and oversight for the theatrical film business of Sony BMG, and be based in New York.


The joint venture SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT was formally announced on August 5, 2004. It is 50% owned by Bertelsmann and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America. It encompasses some of the most influential and successful record labels in the world and a wide variety of recording artists, and operates worldwide. Schmidt-Holtz and Lack were instrumental in joining together to begin the negotiations and ultimately implement the joint venture.

Mr Schmidt - Holtz said...
"I am honored to be asked to lead Sony BMG and to take us forward as a leader in music and entertainment. I know a deep commitment to our artists and our shareholders is shared by our employees worldwide, and by working together we will continue to grow Sony BMG as a creative powerhouse." said Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, CEO, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT

1. The subsidiary labels that SONY BMG own are one of the Big Four music companies, and includes ownership and distribution of recording labels such as Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records, Jive Records, RCA Victor Records, RCA Records, Legacy Recordings, Sonic Wave America, and others.
 
2. The music industry is transitioning from a single product model to a different service model licensing, broadcasting, marketing, on-demand services. Bertelsmann sold its stake because it's a traditional, horizontally-integrated media company. Sony bought it because it's a vertically-integrated company well equipped to take advantage of it's inter-divisional synergies. that this is a victory for vertical integration in a period of diversifying revenue opportunities for music.
Bertelsmann is a content and distribution company. Besides the record label, its main holdings are book and magazine publishers and broadcasters. They make money by producing and distributing information, which is eventually paid for by advertisers and shoppers.
 
3.Sony profits from its money manufacturing consumer electronics, producing films, and licensing its formats e.g. Blu-ray, Playstation, and even owns some retail. Even though the company does profit from recorded music, its music division can be an asset for the company. This is because the music can be licensed on friendly terms to Sony's movies, games, and distribution portals, and can be used to support new technology formats.

Wayne Isham - Music Video Director.

Wayne Isham born 1958 is an American music video director who has directed music videos of many popular artists; such as, Kelly Clarkson, *NSYNC, Sheryl Crow,Madonna, Avril Lavigne, Bon Jovi and many others.
Waynes signature trade marks are Nested Zooms and Technocranes. Waynes personal quotes; 'No Wayne, no pain!'

Watching these videos in class we found a repeated theme of all videos resembling a performance element, on stage and to an audience.
For each genre with a similar audience showed familiar scene and atmosphere. For example Bon Jovi's videos 'You gave love a bad name' and 'Living on a Prayer' showed intimate 'backstage' setting followed with a performance to the crowd in an arena. Showing Waynes unique style and 'stamp' on music videos.

Watching Wayne's videos made me analyse his style and critique his videos. From the mise-en- scene down to extras all followed suit with the genre of music. In Enrique's video for ' I Like it' and Ricky Martin's video 'She Bangs' which attract similar audiences both show party scenes, sexuality, SFX and Pop influenced. Showing that these are factor which audiences of this genre are attracted to.


Tuesday 21 September 2010

Rough Trade Records

File:Rough Trade logo.svg
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London, United Kingdom. It was started in 1978 by Geoff Travis. Geoff Travis was traveling in North America and amassed a huge record collection as he moved from coast to coast, He then shipped these records back to the UK which became the basis of the Rough Trade Shop. The label grew out of the Rough Trade Shop, founded by Travis in west London in 1976. The Label was set up in 1978 and also went into the distribution business. Distributing amongst others "Joey Parratts" first band The Flying Brix. It became independent from the shop in 1982, then went bankrupt in 1991, ruining quite a few smaller record labels to which money was owed. Rough Trade was relaunched in 2000.

Rough Trade specialised primarily in European post-punk and other alternative rock of the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the late 1980s Rough Trade branched out by issuing an eponymous album by Lucinda Williams. Other early signings included Agitpop, The Raincoats, Young Marble Giants, The Smiths and Scritti Politti.

Monday 20 September 2010

Madonna - Queen of Pop

Analysis of Music Video - The Pretender - Foo Fighters



"The Pretender" is a song by the American alternative rock band Foo Fighters. The music video was directed by Sam Brown. It is presented in letterbox format which shows pans, zooms, tracking shots.

 It consists of the band performing the song in an open space with many strip lights on the ceiling. Behind the band is a large red screen, which is thick and solid, the video is very imitate and puts the audience within the space almost like there watching with the pans and zooms. The music here demonstrates the genre characteristics, with the instruments being shown and the band playing alone, showing the 'rock' characteristics.
The image of the band are fairly typical and follow suit to the genre, baggy jeans and long hair.
The band is then faced by what appears to be a riot police officer, who stands behind a black line on the floor. He has the number 21 on his bullet-proof vest. This possibly showing how they may be in trouble with the police, causing them to use a 'SWAT' like team of officers. Enforcing there 'bad' reputations of a rock band.
 As the song continues, he is joined by more riot police officers. As the quieter bridge begins, the video slows down as the officers charge at the band. Just as the band repeats the song's louder chorus, the screen suddenly explodes and a red liquid erupts from the red screen overwhelming the police officers but affecting the band to a lesser extent.
In the video their is not a strong link between lyrics and visuals, but the 'angy' content suits the visuals perfectly.

Analysis of Music Video - We Made You - Eminem.



"We Made You" is a song by hip hop musician Eminem. Produced by Dr. Dre and co-produced by Doc Ish and Eminem himself.

The singles music video was directed by Joseph Kahn. The video was filmed in Las Vegas and features star appearances by Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Rihanna, Cynthia Nixon, Denaun Porter, Bobby Lee, The Palms hotel owner George Maloof, Melissa Peterman, actress Trisha Paytas (playing Jessica Simpson), Derrick Barry (of America's Got Talent fame) (playing Britney Spears) and pornographic actress Lisa Ann (as Sarah Palin).

Here this video shows the Eminem we all know and love. Here he demonstrates a different side to his ever serious persona.
The video and song have intertexual references, stylistically where they imitate celebrities, theme and narrative follow cuts of all things 'current' including politics. Also the content, subtle references through lyrics and visuals. Which have a strong link throughout.

Here this connotes to an audience Eminems lighter side as an entertainer. In the serious rap industry, he shows he can show the funnier side to his lyrics and the society hes living in.

The song shows the clear rap genre, but unlike anything the audience has heard before by other rap artists, Eminem shows his individuality with videos like this showing that he cant take himself too seriously. The video does not follow the 'rap' genre of codes and conventions. There are no references to violence, girls, sex or drugs, simply just humour. Possibly diverting to the 'pop' in this video. However in contrast to this there are limited 'pop' conventions in this video, his awkward dancing, and humorous close ups stating Eminems unique genre of music.

However this video started some controversy. As the video including the 'Sarah Palin' scandal at the heart of the Presidential race, which of course caused issues within the news. Also an overweight Jessica Simpson and Kim Khardasian being a man, cause up raw within the celeb world. Resulting in Eminem not being too popular!

Analysis of Music Video - ' Vogue' Madonna.



This video directed by The video was directed by David Fincher and shot at The Burbank Studios in Burbank, California on February 9–10, 1990. Filmed in black-and-white, the video recalls the look of films and photography from The Golden Age of Hollywood. Many of the scenes are recreations of  famous photographs.
There was some controversy surrounding the video due to a scene in which Madonna's breasts and, if the viewer looks closely, her nipples could be seen through her sheer lace blouse. MTV wanted to remove this scene, but Madonna refused, and the video aired with the shot intact. The video was edited in Australia for daytime screenings, with the sheer blouse images replaced with slow motion shots of other parts of the video.

This video saw Madonna in a different light to her previous stuff. Here she took on a glamorous, classy look.With emphasise on lighting and black and white the video recreated a photography shoot, shown through the title 'Vogue.' The video has a strong relationship between lyrics and visuals to connote a deep meaning.

The opening demonstrates her constantly re-invention, however still showing her sexuality. Her sexual posing and provocative clothing closely show her sexual denotations. The close ups here occur throughout the duration of the video, again showing her sexual side and emphasise on the 'photography styled shoot.'
Throughout the video, the sets a very simplistic showing the emphasise on shots and lighting, also the constant hint of painting during the opening. Hinting at her theme for the video and her classy image, this is contrasted however in her 'daring' lace vest which is clear to see her breasts showing through.

As this video is based in the 'pop' genre the video does not necessary follow suit to the conventions only one being the dance routine. It appears that her original audience would be 'teens and tweens' but here this video has such a more 'classy' take that which may appeal to older audiences. As her audience may not understand the appeal of this video, and the reasons for it.

The repetitive dance routine shows one of the conventions of the 'pop' music video. However the dance is still up keeping her 'classy' image she is setting, there is no provocative moves. She is dressed in a black trouser suit again promoting her higher class image.

As the video was created to re created famous photographs from people like Marilyn Monroe and Katherine Hepburn their are similar shots of this throughout the video, where Madonna is laying on the piano. This of course showing inter textual references, stylistically by imitating style.

Analysis of Music Video - My Lovin En Vogue



En Vogue is an American female R&B vocal group from Oakland, California. The group has won more MTV Video Music Awards than any other female group in MTV history, a total of seven, along with four Soul Train Awards, six American Music Awards, and seven Grammy nominations.

The video begins with the flashing's of the band, in a 60's style. With backed up hair and silver dresses, this shows their classy look for a older girl group.
The music here demonstrates the genre by the pop, hip hop mix. There are many characteristics of the pop genre, with repetitive dance routines and provocative close ups. Which show the bands sex appeal.
There isn't a strong a relationship between lyrics and visuals. As the video takes place in a studio with limited lighting, and background. Simply just a plain blue and white background. Showing the emphasise possibly on them. The close ups of the solo singer, are very promiscuous, with her being scantily dresses and singing to the camera. This shows strong sexual appeal to the audience.
The overall look of the video has a strong mature look, which contrasts many 'poppy' acts around at that time.

Sunday 5 September 2010

Conventions of Music Videos...

  • Establishing shot to set the mood or scene for the video, EG narrative or genre
  • Mise en scene establishing where it is set / mood for the video
  • Editing usually follows the tempo or beat of the song
  • Certain props an usually resemble lyrics
  • Narrative starts to unravel, story as well as a performance
  • 'Acting' reflects the lyrics
  • Montage editing
  • Camera shot can reflect the genre
  • Close ups of the artist or band

General Research

What is a Music Video?

A music video is a short film or video that accompanies a complete piece of music/song. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings. ...

The first type of music video originated in 1894, which was a type of illustrated song. A set of images were drawn by artists to accompany the song, to depict more of a meaning.
With the influence of film technology called the 'Talkies' this allowed music videos to become more advanced, hence being called 'Soundies'. As they developed in the 1940's they were called 'Promotional clips' mostly used by jazz musicians but also a showcase for comedians and dancers.

The revolutionized music video

The Beatles was one of the first acts to use the music video as a promotional and story teller tool! Still in the format of black and white, following 'talkie' conventions 'A Hard Days Night' was presented as a mock documentary.
There second feature 'Help' was shot in black and white in international locations. It featured a recurring conventions of today's music videos, like close ups, contrasting camera angles and shots. And were the first of this type. The Beatles, began making these promotional clips for distributions globally. This also helped the commuting in places where they could to be in person.


The Beginning of Music Television...

British screens started to view music videos, with the introduction of the long running show 'Top of the Pops' started to show them in the late 1970's, but however where filtered with the more 'dairing' videos.
However in 1981 an American channel was dawning a 24 hour music video channel called MTV, this led by the 1980's music videos would become integral to promote popular music.  



In 1983, the most successful and influential music video of all time was released for Michael Jackson's song "Thriller". The video set new standards for production, having cost $500,000 to film, this set new heights for music videos.

General Research...

Since cinema was invented it created the abilility to birng songs and music to life. Advances in technololgy have tranformed the music video into what it is today.

The early years...
Music videos since 1920's many jazz musicans such as Bessie Smith to accompany popular films.

Bob Dylan
1965 - Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues was credited as one of the first modern music videos.

Pop Music...
Pop music TV shows, 1970 TV's great oppourtunity to promote their artists. They focus on producing short 'promos' early music video which started to replace the live performance of the artistson the TV stage.

Bohemian Rhapsody...

1975 - Bohemian Rhapsody - Groundbreaking  by Queen, marked the beginning of the videomusic era and set the language for the modernmusic video. First to use advanced visual effects.

Technical Codes...

Camerawork - as with any moving image text. how the camera is used and how images are sequenced will have signicant imapct upon meaning.
Camera movement, angle and shot distance all need to be analysed. Camera movement may accompany movement of performers walking, dancing. But it may also be used to create a more dynamic feel to stage performance by for instance constantly circling the band as they perform on stage.

The close up does predominate as in most TV partley because of the size of the screen and partly because of the desire to create and a sense of intimacy for the viewer.
It emphasizes half of the commodity on sale but not just the song,but the artists and particulary the voice.

Editing...
Through the most common form of editing associated with the muic promo is fast cut montage,rendering many of the images impossible to grasp on first viewing thus ensuring multiple, viewing, there are videos which use slow pace and gentler transistions to establish mood.
This is particualrly apparent for the work of many female solo artists with a broad audience appeal such as dido.
Often enhancing the editing are digital effects which play witht the original images to offer different kinds of pleasure for the audience, split screens,colourisation, CGI.

-Fast cut montage
-Multiple viewing
-spilt commanly used
- 35 MM film

Andrew Goodwin’s Theory

Andrew Goodwin has identified a number of key features which distinguish the music video as a form:

There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating,amplifying or contradicting the lyrics.There is a relationship between the music and the visuals, with the visuals illustrating,
amplifying or contradicting the music.Genres are complex and diverse in terms of music video style and iconography. Record companies will demand a lot of close-ups of the main artist or vocalist. Voyeurism is present in many music videos, especially in the treatment of females, but also in terms of systems of looking. Some examples are screens within screens,cameras, mirrors, etc. There are likely to be inter textual references, either to other music videos or to films and TV texts, these provide further gratification and pleasure for the viewers/fans.

This theory was presented in his book Dancing in The Distraction Factory.


 Doing some research on Andrew Goodwin i found this presentation on slide share outlining his theory in detail and making it easy to understand! 

Adorno and Horkeimer...

  • They were sociologists and philosophers.
  • They argued through film, radio and magazines can manipulate the masses into passivity.
  • Easy consumption make people docile and content.
The theory states that culture not only mirrors society, but also takes an important role in shaping society through the processes of standardisation and commodification, creating objects rather than subjects. The culture industry claims to serve the consumers' needs for entertainment, and is delivering what the consumer wants. "The standardised forms, it is claimed, were originally derived from the needs of the consumers: that is why they are accepted with so little resistance. In reality, a cycle of manipulation and retroactive need is unifying the system ever more tightly". By meeting these needs, the industry is manipulating the consumers to desire what it produces. The outcome is that mass production feeds a mass market that minimises the identity and tastes of the individual consumers.

The culture industry claims to serve the consumers needs for entertaining. The culture mirrors society and categorises into height, middle or low brow. This applies to the music industry and video. Due to the capitalism and materialism/ money.

Here is a video to explain this theory;

Thursday 2 September 2010

Case Study.....Beyonce'


One artist who i admire most would be Beyonce Knowles, from here amazing group career with Destiny's Child to and even better career with her solo material. She has been in the music industry from the age of 15 years old, and certainly made an impact becoming one of the biggest super stars of the 21st century.
Her string of music videos, always attract huge audiences and are big hit in the charts, from teaming up with Lady Gaga and Jay Z....
Here's an insight into Beyonce herself.....

BeyoncĂ© Giselle Knowles was born September 4, 1981, The American R&B and pop recording artist, actress and fashion model. Born and raised in Houston. Beyonce' rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time.
During Destiny's Child, Beyonce' released her debut solo album Dangerously in Love in 2003,which became one of the most successful albums of that year, earning her a then record-tying five Grammy Awards.
Beyonce has sold over 11.2 million albums and nearly 25 million singles in the United States.According to Sony, her total album and single sales, when combined with the group, have surpassed 100 million. On December 11, 2009, Billboard listed Knowles as the most successful female artist of the 2000s decade and the top Radio Artist of the decade.In February 2010, the RIAA listed her as the top certified artist of the decade. In 2010, VH1 listed Knowles at number 52 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

My favourite Beyonce' music video.....



I enjoyed this video because the amazing dance routine that became a hit with certain celebrities trying to imitate the dance! And also how simple it was to make but how interesting it is to watch.

Tuesday 29 June 2010

My Favourite Music Video...

1st Favourite:


Right Here, Right Now: Fat Boy Slim

  • The video shows the evolution into man, which i think is really interesting
  • Totally random
  • Doesn't follow the narrative of the song
  • Funny 'Fat' man
  • Animals
  • Different scenes
  • Like a mini film makes you want to watch more to see what happens of the rest of his journey!
2nd Favourite


Ghost: Micheal Jackson
  • Filmic
  • Follows the songs narrative
  • 4 parts - mini film
  • Peals off his face
  • Dancing skeleton
  • The dances!