Thursday, 25 November 2010

Props/Costume List

Props -

The only prop we are going to use is a American Nickel in our music video, as it relates to the lyrics at the time we've chosen to show it, it is the only props as most successful HipHop music videos don't have props in them.

Costume -

Artist 1 -

Black Flat Cap - Goes with the HipHop genre, and shows 'attitude'
Black 'I love Haterz' T Shirt - Goes With genre and relates to lyrics
Black Normal Fit Jeans - Commonly seen in HipHop Videos
Black Shoes - Look Plain and simple yet effective
Black Leather Look Jacket (With Hood) - Shows attitude and gives artist with something to play with. The leather look is on purpose as he's a struggling artist he wouldn't be able to afford a real leather jacket.
Artist 2 -

Trilby Hat - Shows a more expensive style and fashion sense
Black sun glasses - Goes with HipHop genre
Black Trench Coat - Shows he has money and no attitude (a different side to 'HipHop')
Grey Jeans - Looks simple but effective, and fits the genre
Black/White Trainers - Fits genre
Jewelry - Goes with characters situation and fits genre.

Shot List

Oxford Steet -

Long Shot : We decided to use this shot to get the whole of artist 1 as he walk
s down oxford street, as it lets the audience to see the whole of his body and the artist performance can
be easily seen

Extreme Close Up : This is going to be used for when the artist
looks up at the camera for the very
first shot of the first verse, its a good shot to go with what the artist is doing and it doesn't show too much to the audience and keeps them intrigued.

Estate -

Establishing Shot : We have agreed to use this shot for when artist 1 walks by an
estate. This shot would look effective as is shows the whole of the estate and the artist would look small compared to it which would relate to the feeling for th
e lyrics being said at the time

Carnaby Street -

Mid Shot : As a group we've decided to use this shot for when artist two is standing by Carnaby street, as it will show a good length of him as well as of the scenery behind him. This would look effective as its a nice background so it would go with the character and the style he/she is trying to portray, in addition it show a nice amount of the artist so the audience get a good look at him.

West Field -

Over the Shoulder (Follow) : This shot will be used for both artists, and will be done from the bottom of their backs to just above their heads as it would look nice with the people walking around him in shot over his shoulder, in addition the audience will be able to see the artists as they looks around.


Thursday, 11 November 2010

Brief

The task i have been set is to make my own music video with 2 other people in my class, to a song of my choice by researching the conventions of a music video and applying the conventions however in my own way to my music video. In addition, i have been asked to create a CD cover for the song of our choice, advertising the single of the song, like it has never been released.

Wednesday, 10 November 2010

Analysis Of Music Video

Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta feeling - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSD4vsh1zDA

Cinematography:
  • Most of the shots are close ups and mid shots of peoples body parts especially of the women in the video, making it more interesting to the more male audience.
  • There is also many establishing shots whenever the settings changes, this is show they are in a new environment and to maybe why their costume has changed.
Mise-En-Scene:
  • The actors and singers all have very 'odd' and different clothing, which is a very pop culture thing, so it helps to associate this video with a genre.
  • The videos shot in night, with very dim lighting, to emphasise the fact is a club or party song, where there isn't much light.
Editing:
  • Towards the end of the song, the songs slows down and begins to build up again for the drop, and just before it drops, there a blur effect. This was added in to give the effect your there at the club and jumping around with them, like your also drunk and jumping around.
  • Throughout the video, there are several white flash's there very short but are done to the snare in the song.
Performance:
  • At the start of the video their facial expressions are normal, however as the song build ups so does their excitement, like a party. This was done so the audience could relate to it and feel like how they do before a party getting ready.

Tuesday, 9 November 2010

Analysis Of Music Video 1

Lost Prophets - Rooftops - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NI1dDIpB6k0




Mise-En-Scene:



  • Majority of the band if not all wear black or wear mostly black clothing throughout the video, black clothing being a stereotypical things to wear for this type of genre, it helps associate its genre to the audience


  • The lighting is very low and dim, helping convey its 'emotional' message


  • the few teenagers playing as characters in the video are very stereotypically 'rocky' with piercing and the long black hair.


Cinematography:



  • there are a lot of pans of the singer while he sings, also showing the band behind him, showing the quite hectic type of music this is


  • Majority of the shots are close ups on the bands or actors faces, showing there facial expressions in their scenario, thus being a emotional song it helps the songs cause.


Editing:



  • The few shots where the teenagers begin to scream, the song it edited to the shattering glass from the car windows and wine glass, thus giving it a more powerful effect on us.


  • At the beginning of the video there is some rhythmic editing, while the music builds up they how the band one by one until the music properly begins and it cuts to the lead singer


Performance:


  • throughout the whole video the actors and band do not smile, but have very serious facial expressions and keep them throughout, this helping to portray the mood of the overall song to the audience

Analysis Of Music Video 2

Good Times - Roll Deep

Cinematography -
  • Majority of the shots are mid shots and close ups of people and body parts, used to show the hectic lifestyle and to interest the viewers
  • There are several pans showing groups of people dancing and jumping

Mise-En-Scene -

  • Bright vibrant colours to make it seem more 'lively'
  • mains characters normally in the middle of the screen to show their importance

Editing -

  • Majoirty of the edits are simple and are straight cuts to the next shot
  • Several graphic match fade outs to keep continuity
  • Slow mo's to create tension.

Monday, 8 November 2010

Analysis Of Music Video 3

Cinematography

Mise-En-Scene

Editing

Performance

· Loads of establishing shots showing the scenery of where the music video is taking place

· Several clothes ups of clothing

· Characters are wearing very vintage and old clothing

· Very traditional scenery, helps conveys song message

· Simple edits throughout, however slow motion effect is used once, thus showing time spent and time change

· Characters walk and act very ‘old fashioned’, they keep their heads high and walk with a strong posture


Song - London, London - Denendra Benhart

Sunday, 7 November 2010

Analysis Of Music Video 4


Kanye West - Stronger


Cinematography:


  • A lot of camera shots are medium shots showing his clothing well
  • There are some close ups of his face showing his new 'trendy' glasses which fans would want.
  • Long shots used to show his surroundings however there no far away enough to give them away

Mise-En-Scene:

  • Throughout the video he's wearing 'trendy' clothing for example the white suit and shutter shades
  • He's against a plain wall in some parts, which give the video a sense of realism and he could of filmed it anywhere.
  • On the other hand, some of the setting is a very odd place, keeping the viewer interested.

Editing

  • Not every shot is edited to the music however majority are.
  • The colours on screen at some parts are edited to give the video a confusing edge so people get the whole robotic vibe.
  • some of the shots have very very little pauses when the singer is singer as its when the shots are being cut to the music however, its purposely done to make the singer look out of sync.


This video clip demonstrates the edit i was describing how it makes the singer look out of sync, in addition it shows the 'trendy' glasses i also mentioned.

Saturday, 6 November 2010

HipHop Video Editing

In HipHop videos the music is normally edited to the music, however not in a repetitive manor, its edited for certain parts where nothing significant is happening.

Editing:

  • Most of the edits are simple cuts to the next clip

  • Fade ins and out are sometimes used to edit between to clips, however its done if the edits match's whats happending in the music. For example, if in the song theres a loud bass sound and it slowly fades out, the fade out edit will be used for a transition for the next clip.

  • Graphic match's are sometimes used once again if it can relate to the music.

  • The shots are cut to the beats of the music.

  • Pans are used to show travel and help show the story of the song.

  • Superimpositions are not really used as it dosen't suit RnB songs, unless its used in the intro or outro.

Example 1 : Lil Wayne - A milli

For example, in this music video the cuts are done to the beat of the song, which raise the tension and interests the viewer.

Example 2 : Chris Brown - Deuces

For instance, in this music video the video is cut to the beat however the music then speeds up for a second where the the editor has show to clips 'flashing' on top of on another.

Example 3 : The Dream - Love King

In the above music video the shots are simply edited to the song, and for the faster paced secion the edits are a lot more faster

HipHop Video Mise-En-Scene

In all hiphop music videos, the artist(s) where clothing which suits their style of music or they lyrics or their personal image despite what is popular or stereotypical. So a slower more serious artist would wear more bland colour and more serious colours like a leather jacket, but then a more vibrant artists would wear clothes who showed of their personality more, for example colourful clothing and trainers

Mise-En-Scene:
  • It depends on what type of RnB it is, however typical RnB music videos have the singer dressed in 'baggy' clothing for a male and tight 'erotic' clothing for a female. The clothing will be linked in with the environement they are in, for example, if it was set in a jungle, they would be wearing 'jungle' related clothes.

  • The setting is related to the song itself, if the songs talks about drugs, its would normally be set in a scenario where drugs are likely to be distributed and found.

  • Props are rare in RnB music videos, the most common prop would be the characters jewellery or a car.


  • Lately most successful music videos have broken the sterotypes of a rnb music video and have filmed in a place where it related to the music rather then doing it where most are filmed, for example, a club, party as its cliche.

  • there isn't many vibrant colours in the music videos, and if there is its either the a part of the costume or a part of the background, never both and never a lot of either.

  • Depending on the type of RnB song, the video will be in a well lit area or set in a darker, less well lit area.

Example 1 : Trey Songz - Last Time

For example, in this music video the artist is wearing more 'manly' clothing to go with the style of the song, he's wearing a black leather jacket and black jeans, these colours show his masculinity and seriousness.

Example 2 : Young Money - Bedrock

For example, in this music video the male artists are all wearing comfortable and fitted clothing, some have slightly more baggy clothing while other have a more 'their style' clothing. The female artist is wearing lingerie and colourful clothing to empathize the 'sexiness' of her and her personality.

Example 3 : Usher - Hey Daddy

In the bottom video the artist is wearing a fitted blazer, a white shirt, black jeans with white trainers. These clothes show a mature hip hop singer who's got 'swagger', in addition the clothing is also what some dancers wear which relates to him as you can clearly see him dancing in the shot.

Conventions Of A HipHop Video

The conventions of a RnB music video:

Mise-En-Scene:







  • It depends on what type of RnB it is, however typical RnB music videos have the singer dressed in 'baggy' clothing for a male and tight 'erotic' clothing for a female. The clothing will be linked in with the environement they are in, for example, if it was set in a jungle, they would be wearing 'jungle' related clothes.


  • The setting is related to the song itself, if the songs talks about drugs, its would normally be set in a scenario where drugs are likely to be distributed and found.


  • Props are rare in RnB music videos, the most common prop would be the characters jewellery or a car.


  • Lately most successful music videos have broken the sterotypes of a rnb music video and have filmed in a place where it related to the music rather then doing it where most are filmed, for example, a club, party as its cliche.


  • there isn't many vibrant colours in the music videos, and if there is its either the a part of the costume or a part of the background, never both and never a lot of either.


  • Depending on the type of RnB song, the video will be in a well lit area or set in a darker, less well lit area.


Cinematography:





  • There arn't any complicating camera shots in RnB music videos normally, most of the shots are normal shots where whats in shots differ.


  • A common shot on a lead singer is a medium shot, however it is never held for a long time.


  • The camera only looks up or down on the singer if its in the lyrics, its never done to show status


  • If there is a dance group in the video, the shots will jump back and forth between the singer and the dance group when they are dancing.


  • The establishing shot is used fequently to show a surrounding, but its used to show parts at a time.


Sound:





  • The lyrics are mimed, there are rarely on a live performance.


  • There are no sound effects in the music videos


  • Sometimes there is a small intro to the music video, which show how the singer gets into the current situation or the song.


Editing:





  • Most of the edits are simple cuts to the next clip


  • Fade ins and out are sometimes used to edit between to clips, however its done if the edits match's whats happending in the music. For example, if in the song theres a loud bass sound and it slowly fades out, the fade out edit will be used for a transition for the next clip.


  • Graphic match's are sometimes used once again if it can relate to the music.


  • The shots are cut to the beats of the music.


  • Pans are used to show travel and help show the story of the song.


  • Superimpositions are not really used as it dosen't suit RnB songs, unless its used in the intro or outro.

Conventions Of A Music Video

Cinematography:
  • If Theres a singer or band, majoirty of the shots will be of them performing, playing a instrument or singing.
  • the scenery will change atleast once, to show 2 different environments
  • The video will normally have a mixture of shot types, making sure they have covered all aspect that they wanted to, in addition each different 'scenario' in a music video will have shots like a establishing shot, and few mids shots to set the area out and to show the character in it
  • Establishing shots will normally be used when there is a scenery change
  • Close ups will normally be used for bands solo's or if the artist is doing a high note solo.

Mise-En-Scene:

  • The artist or band will wear very fashionable clothing, and on some occasions be using new trendy gadgets.
  • The scenery will most f the time be related in some way to the music.
  • Things are sometimes cropped out of the shot to show only what they want.
  • On some occasions there are colour schemes, for example if the artist is wearing yellow, yellow objects will randomly appear, however these objects will have something to do with the storyline.
  • The rule of 3rd is always taken into account to they can make the audience look at what they want to.

Editing:

  • The shots are usually cut to the beat of the song
  • Depending on the genre of the song, superimpositions and special effects can be added
  • If theres a story line, edits like graphic match's are used to move the story line forwards.
  • The music is mimed nearly all of the time unless the video has been designed to have a twist and challenge the some of the music video conventions.
  • Most shots are simple cuts however depending on whats happening in the video or music, it mite be a different cut to go with the music/video or both.

Friday, 5 November 2010

Andrew Goodwin's Theory


His theory was of the music video construction

He identifies 3 diferent approaches to the structure of a music video according to the relationship between the sound and the music.

Illustration:

Music -
The music is cut to the beat of the music (always)

Lyrics -
The video will act/bring the lyrics to like. for example if its a song about a love story, the video will show a love story obviously.

Band Image -
The video is very focused on seeing the singers as singer and the band members as the band; the people in the video will be dressed according to the genre.

The idea is alot about the 'Promotion of the artist'


Amplification:

Music -
Music is cut to the beat sometimes, however times when it isn't, is for when they want to show the features of something or show something openly.

Lyrics -
The message of the song won't be as obvious and less direct, however still may be portrayed in a subliminal way.

Band Image -
Band members/artist will take on a fictional role in the video, for example play characters in a scenario.


Disjunction

Music -
The music is not cut to beat, and if done incorrectly it can make a music video look very unprofessional and badly made





Lyrics -
Images have no link to the lyrics at all.

Band Image -
The band will adopt a image which is unrelevant or the complete opposite to the genre of their music.

This type of music video rely's on breaking all video sterotypes because the band is already so well know the audience would admire it, for example daft punks music videos.


For my music video, by using what ive learnt from Goodwin's theory, im going to use the music and lyrics concept from Amplification and the band image concept from illustration, as it would best fit the genre of my music.

Thursday, 4 November 2010

Vernallis's Theory

'The kindest cut functions and meanings in music video editing'

Pop Video Editing:
In continuity, however it's montage editing, thus the shot do not link with one another or the music.

Rules:
The tules of continuity are broken, there is no continuity.

Prevents time & space editing:
As it's montage editing, there is no need for a story line and for them to take time into account.

Graphic Match:
This is how when two shot are linked together by a factor which relates them, for example if a football was kicked into the air then the next shot would be a shot of the earth.

Motion:
There are lots of motion in these music videos

Edits:
edits such as jump cuts are fequent & lot of different angels are used when recording.

Cropped:
the video can be cropped to show something only the band want, and want their attention on.

Narrative:
There wont be much of a narrative as time isnt taken into account as well as its montage editing.


This theory wont really match in well with my genre, so i would not use this genre completely, however parts such as the faced paced shot can work with my genre if i use it correctly.

Wednesday, 3 November 2010

Low Budget Analysis Of Music Video

Cinematography

Mise-En-Scene

Editing

Performance

· Loads of mid shots to show body language

· Several shots gradually zoom, helping to keep interest.

· Camera effect – feels like where watching them

· Very bland colours, doesn’t take away anything from the video

· Video cut to beat, makes it more interesting

· Throughout video, ‘cartoonized’ effects happen, keep interest.

· Non-diegetic sounds, to help convey what’s in the video

· Characters try to be very comical to keep it more appealing.


Banzai Cooking - Banzai



This video is low budget because of how its set out in terms of setting, story and props.
The setting is very basic, its a simple kitchen, the story allows it to be set in a kitchen and for the story to revolve around the setting.
The props used are very basic, however are important for the story and to keep the videos energy.
By thinking carefully about the story of the song and how they wish to portray it, they have made a very low budget film because of the smart use of the setting, story and props.

Tuesday, 2 November 2010

Low Budget Analysis Of Music Video 1

Cinematography

Mise-En-Scene

Editing

Performance

· Loads of tracking and pans to show singer with setting

· Several focus pulls to grab audiences attention and interest them.

· Simple clothing to convey the genre of music

· All natural lighting

· Singer is wearing red, helps to portray message of the song

· Majority of the edits are simple, makes everything look innocent

· At very start, female character is superimposed into a new setting .

· Character keeps the same facial expression throughout the video


Jenny - Tunng

Monday, 1 November 2010

Micro Elements - HipHop Music Videos

Several Links of HipHop Videos I Analyzed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEcKTTGo18A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IH8tNQAzSs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bALk7WdD4e8




Cinematography

Mise-en-scene

Sound

Editing

Performance

· Loads of close ups show the emotion of the singer and also help convey the idea of the lyrics to the audience

· Pans are used to show the scenery the singer was in, as well as help keep the continuous flow.

· Establishing shots are frequently used as the setting is frequently changed.

· Majority of the close ups and medium shots are looking up at the singer, giving him a high status.

· The singer wears very ‘emotive’ clothes; by emotive I mean very serious and clothing that relates to the song, this then helps covey the message to the audience.

· Singer has very limited instruments and no props, as this then won’t distract them from the music.

· There are normally dancers in the videos, this keeps the temp up and viewer amused.

Often the singer will wear very stylish clothes, however if male, it will be manly clothes and if a women, they would have very sexual orientated clothing.

· Diegetic sound is rarely used, as there no instruments and the videos don’t really consist of props which could be in the video and make sound(s)

The whole song would be lip synced, and if theres parts that are not, there would be something going on to carry the story on.

· Shots at certain points are edited to the music, as this appeals to the audience and it helps keep the song in the viewers head, as it amuses them more.

· The shots pace depends on the music, as it prevents the viewer from getting confused or not be able to take it or understand the video.

· Special effects and superimposition isn’t commonly used, as it would look unprofessional

in most RnB songs.

· Fade outs/ins and wash outs/ins are normally used in when changing a setting as there simple plane yet effective.

In some videos slow motions effects are used to give the viewer time to take in whats happening, for example, a slow motion shot of a really nice sports car.

· Singer portrays a lot of arrogance and ‘cockyness’, this is normally because the music has a arrogant nature and thus to portray the conventions properly, this must be done.

· Singer adopts to role needed and to the style of the song, thus making it more appealing to its target audience and more relatable.

The singer is acting while singing, normally a story is being told.