Thursday 5 December 2013
Picture Board
This is a brief picture board of the ideas that I have had about props and locations, this is just to give a flavor of my music video design.
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Monday 2 December 2013
Genre Conventions
Mis-en-scene
Quite often in indie/rock music videos it is very common to use a vintage style or a look that has been used before. The use of leather jackets and 'Elvis Presley' hair styles are common in those music videos that edge more towards the rock side rather than the Indie. However it is also quite common to contrast this with the 'mods' look from the mods and rockers in 1964. The development and contrast between the mods and rockers is not shown in many indie/rock music videos as quite often this is just showing them combined. In my chosen music video I have decided to stick to a 1940's vintage theme showing a smart look however with a slightly rocky theme.
This suit and image is taken from the 1940's. It is smart and textured with a matching hat. This is the style and main outfit that I will use for the male, not only does it fit into the 1940's theme that I will achieve but also it does represent the middle class look i am going for.
The masculine edge to this costume also helps re-enforce my feminism theme as I have decided to look at Laura Mulvey's theory of the 'male gaze' that women are looked at as sexual objects. However in order to keep to conventions some of my camera angles may intentionally sweep up and down her body although I will keep the character of the male as a figure, therefore reversing the ideology.
The 1940's saw a massive change for women and feminism as at this time the Second World War was well in place and women were being employed as factory workers etc. in order to keep the economy running. My music video will have a historical political message of women becoming workers and having a higher place in society.
The original image of a 1940's woman is in the house in a household environment however I will symbolise how women have come to power in my music video through the murder of her husband/partner.
The images above symbolise the change in feminism throughout the second world war. The costumes in all images are cinched in at the waist to show off a woman's curves and the dresses although feminine were all at a respectable length.
Although household women and mothers were usually seen dressed like this. The 1940's was the genre where women became viewed as sexual icons more as pin-up girls were idolised by men at war and looked upon as attractive figures.
Pin up girls:
The three images below show pin up girls which were printed in magazines and on small cards for men. The curled pinned up hair was stereotypical for a women from this era and is easily recognizable as a pin up girl hair style.
The contrast between pin up girls and working girls is completely different although the hair style is still kept the same. This is the hair style which I will use in my music video. The symbolic imagery of the hair and the look makes my female model look very feminine and instantly recognizable as a woman from the 1940's.
Cinematography
The camera angles in the images are similar to those of 1940's films and through research I have realized that these are also similar to the angles in the images. For most of the scenes showing the women it is a long shot to show the whole body as a 'sexual icon' however at certain points they use an extreme close up to highlight the beauty and femininity of the model. In Indie bands, these are most commonly male dominated and are not often used to view a man as a sexual object. However when women are seen in indie/rock music video's they are quite commonly attractive and using pan angles up the body almost as if it was Laura Mulvey's 'Male Gaze'.
Editing
Quite often it is from cut to cut with some slight layering over fades. But this is very rare. Most commonly you would see cuts to cuts. This makes the music video seem short and snappy, this also re-enforces and helps out the montage sequences that are often seen in these music videos.
Sound
The sound is quite often diagetic and continuous through the music video just playing the song itself. However quite a lot of the time non-diagetic sound is used but only to set the scene really.
Quite often in indie/rock music videos it is very common to use a vintage style or a look that has been used before. The use of leather jackets and 'Elvis Presley' hair styles are common in those music videos that edge more towards the rock side rather than the Indie. However it is also quite common to contrast this with the 'mods' look from the mods and rockers in 1964. The development and contrast between the mods and rockers is not shown in many indie/rock music videos as quite often this is just showing them combined. In my chosen music video I have decided to stick to a 1940's vintage theme showing a smart look however with a slightly rocky theme.
The masculine edge to this costume also helps re-enforce my feminism theme as I have decided to look at Laura Mulvey's theory of the 'male gaze' that women are looked at as sexual objects. However in order to keep to conventions some of my camera angles may intentionally sweep up and down her body although I will keep the character of the male as a figure, therefore reversing the ideology.
The 1940's saw a massive change for women and feminism as at this time the Second World War was well in place and women were being employed as factory workers etc. in order to keep the economy running. My music video will have a historical political message of women becoming workers and having a higher place in society.
The original image of a 1940's woman is in the house in a household environment however I will symbolise how women have come to power in my music video through the murder of her husband/partner.
The images above symbolise the change in feminism throughout the second world war. The costumes in all images are cinched in at the waist to show off a woman's curves and the dresses although feminine were all at a respectable length.
Although household women and mothers were usually seen dressed like this. The 1940's was the genre where women became viewed as sexual icons more as pin-up girls were idolised by men at war and looked upon as attractive figures.Pin up girls:
The three images below show pin up girls which were printed in magazines and on small cards for men. The curled pinned up hair was stereotypical for a women from this era and is easily recognizable as a pin up girl hair style.
The contrast between pin up girls and working girls is completely different although the hair style is still kept the same. This is the hair style which I will use in my music video. The symbolic imagery of the hair and the look makes my female model look very feminine and instantly recognizable as a woman from the 1940's.
Cinematography
The camera angles in the images are similar to those of 1940's films and through research I have realized that these are also similar to the angles in the images. For most of the scenes showing the women it is a long shot to show the whole body as a 'sexual icon' however at certain points they use an extreme close up to highlight the beauty and femininity of the model. In Indie bands, these are most commonly male dominated and are not often used to view a man as a sexual object. However when women are seen in indie/rock music video's they are quite commonly attractive and using pan angles up the body almost as if it was Laura Mulvey's 'Male Gaze'.
Editing
Quite often it is from cut to cut with some slight layering over fades. But this is very rare. Most commonly you would see cuts to cuts. This makes the music video seem short and snappy, this also re-enforces and helps out the montage sequences that are often seen in these music videos.
Sound
The sound is quite often diagetic and continuous through the music video just playing the song itself. However quite a lot of the time non-diagetic sound is used but only to set the scene really.
Tuesday 19 November 2013
Monday 18 November 2013
Friday 15 November 2013
Thursday 14 November 2013
Betty Grable
Betty Grable - an extremely influential and important pin up girl of the 1940's.
In my music video I will use extracts of her life and make symbolic references to her relationship with Harry James.
This image (left) is Betty Grable's most famous image. Her 'million dollar legs were what 'helped America win the war'. During the documentary above I found out that Betty Grable was pregnant here with her first child. This image was considered one of the most famous pin up girl images and has been compared to Marilyn Monroe's dress blowing shot. I will recreate this exact image in my music video to make a contextual reference to Betty Grable.
In my music video I will use extracts of her life and make symbolic references to her relationship with Harry James.
A small section of this documentary is about the domestic abuse that Betty Grable suffered from her 2nd husband Harry James. I will convey this matter in my music video as my video is a political statement about the hardships of pin up girls in the 1940's and how they were supposed to 'keep smiling' throughout.
This image (left) is Betty Grable's most famous image. Her 'million dollar legs were what 'helped America win the war'. During the documentary above I found out that Betty Grable was pregnant here with her first child. This image was considered one of the most famous pin up girl images and has been compared to Marilyn Monroe's dress blowing shot. I will recreate this exact image in my music video to make a contextual reference to Betty Grable.Friday 8 November 2013
Linking in with storyboard...
At this current time I am in the process of creating my storyboard. Using this template:
However for one section in my music video I will have my two actors looking at 3 short snippets from three movies from the 1940's. The era that I am setting my music video in. These videos will be:
(0:47 - 0:58)
Thursday 7 November 2013
Research into women in the work place, 1940's.
These are images I found from a website (see below) taken from a book made for industrial bosses on how to introduce women to the workplace during the Second World War.
Thursday 24 October 2013
Music Video Questionnaire...
This is a questionnaire I will hand out to thirty people about music videos. This will run alongside my music video so that I can receive the most accurate information from a variety of sources.
Tuesday 22 October 2013
Things I'm not going to do...
Stereotypical and overdone music video ideas...
Trees.
(00:00 - 00:13)
Rain Drops
(00:26 - 00:33)
Breaking Objects
(02:26 - 04:21)
Sat in a bath
(complete music video)
Filmed in school/college
(complete music video)
Of course all of these ideas are dependant upon the genre of the music video and the band or artist that are being filmed however in general i do feel these ideas are overdone and easy. Therefore to challange myself I will not include any of these ideas as not only does it not fit with my genre, but they are also too overdone.
Textual Analysis 3...
Arctic Monkeys - Why'd you only call me when your high?
This music video is a-lot more like my chosen song and genre, and the narrative is also quite similar. There is no lip synicing at all through this music video which I think makes the narrative flow better and makes the artist seem completely different from the actual song. Almost like a short film to music. This is the same effect that I want to create with my music video, the sort of disorientation in this music video comes from the cinematography and the shaking camera, this is because they have used a hand held camera so we can almost feel that we are also on drugs and in the unstable position that he is in. The dark leather jacket and vintage hair style also helps re-enforce the vintage look and the indie/rock genre.
The vintage relived style is popular in many indie/rock music video as the genre itself first originated in 1980's America therefore the development from the 1980's is esspecially important as many argue it is a 'genre stook in time'. However quite often alot of music video's focus on the 1940's/50's and 60's. This is because not only does this make the viewer more intreeged but also adds a different and cool edge to the music video itself especially with the costuming and other elements of the mis-en-scene.
This image of the Arctic Monkeys (a band formed in 2002 and still going today) has similar style to these images taken of men in the 1950's and 40's...
This evidently shows that the indie/rock genre keeps the music modern but likes to keep the style older and vintage looking. This mis-en-scene is the design that I have decided to adapt.
Monday 21 October 2013
The Making of Katy Perry's Wide Awake Music Video...
Looking at how this music video was created has really inspired me to create more with my camera angles and costuming and how it is important to relate to the setting and the scenery.
Monday 14 October 2013
The 1975 Interview
An Interview with Matthew Healy the lead singer of The 1975. He talks about the tour in America and trying to break the music industry, as well as the meaning behind the band name.
Friday 11 October 2013
The history of music videos...
Elvis Presley - Thats Alright (Mama)
The Beatles - TV Promos
Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
Saturday Night Fever
Video Killed The Radio Star
David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes
Monday 7 October 2013
Thursday 3 October 2013
Textual Analysis 2...
Coldplay - The Scientist
Coldplay are an indie/rock band who are a little bit different with their style of music video's, this is because they are an indie and rock band who stereotypical reject society's ideologies and create their own rebellious ones.
The narrative of this music video is that the man and woman were in a car crash where the woman is killed by going through the windscreen, the man then runs into a town and ends up laying on an old mattress in the middle of a busy city. The whole music video is in reverse.
The opening shot:
Chris Martin lays on a mattress in a white t shirt and black trousers and shoes. We see a extreme close up of Chris Martins face, this slowly pans out, at this point we are not aware that the music video is in reverse, it is only at 0:35 that we realise that it is in reverse however this is a clever effect because Chris Martins mouth is still going forward and lip synicing the actual words. This makes the music video alot more interesting to watch.
The video then travels back in time with Chris Martin still singing normally, this then takes us to a basket ball court where all the shots are reversed, however in a strange way this sort of fits in as at first it does look like the editing is not in reverse. Although this has nothing to do with the music video itself it is just an interesting sequence to watch and helps develop the plot within the non-chronological narrative.
Everything for the video has been filmed in chronological order where the director has created a narrative, however to add to the audience's intrest this has been reversed. Although I do not particularly want to use this idea within my own story board I do think it is an interesting technique.
The thing I am taking from this music video which I wish to create in my own is the fact of a strong narrative between a relationship, a man and a woman. I also would like my narrative to be based around a murder therefore I have looked at this music video to see how the director has chosen to represent a death as I wish to do this sensitively and with care. In this music video although both of the characters at first seem equal, the underlying meanings do not represent the same ideology. As the man is driving, this could represent that he has control over the situation.
Monday 30 September 2013
Wednesday 25 September 2013
Textual Analysis...
Grease - We Go Together.
Grease was written and composed in the 1970's however it is set in the 1950's this is evident from the fashion that is used.This careful use of mis-en-scene makes us believe it was filmed at the time of which it is set. The filter that is placed on the camera gives that vintage effect and it is this style of editing that makes the music video believable and realistic. This is what I like to call the 'Instagram effect' as there are a range of different filters that you could use to represent a selection of different time periods and the technology available then. The cinematography used is often a hand held camera or a track this allows us to follow the actress's or actors as they move about the frame. This is essential in this music video as the cast are very fast moving because this reflects the tone of the piece. Because this music video is taken from a film the audience recognize the characters and the story line from the film itself. Therefore the mis en scene is meant to represent this, especially the costume. From the image above you can see that the costume not only just fits with the 1950's style but also to individual characters. I will now analyse two of the characters costumes...
Rizzo's costume:
This is a very plain and simple dress with a sinched in waist, this is a typical 1950's tight dress that aims to show of the curves. The simplicity of the dress with matching plain accsessories show that Rizzo is a confident character who doesn't need anything complicated. In some ways Rizzo is seen as the more tom boy of the group as compared to the other characters she is quite masquiline. However she is also considered to be the most experienced of the group. This is shown through the relationship (in the above music video) with Kenickie, the camera angle when they pass the screen (1:11) is on a track however sweeps up her body, this is the male gaze that attracts the audience. Laura Mulvey's theory of the male gaze states that women are portrayed as sexual objects and the slow sweeping camera angle up her body is meant to be like the male's eyeline. This is exactly what i want to create in my coursework music video.
This compares with
Jan's costume:
Jan's costume is very simple and matching with a simple orange shirt and a orange blouse. She doesn't appear to be wearing allot of makeup and her shirt is extremely bright. This makes us stereotype her and assume she is the "geeky" one of the group. This back's up Tessa Perkins theory of stereotyping based around costumes. It is interesting how the director of the film and therefore also the music video, has places these two contrasting characters (Rizzo and Jan) in the same friendship group as they are completely different.
Not only is this just shown in the costume choices but also in the cinematography, the theory of the male gaze Laura Mulvey's theory, backs this up. Laura Mulvey commented that women are seen as 'sexual objects' as the camera angle often skims from up the feet to the top of the body. This is shown in Rizzo's screen shots however Jan is not seen in the same way therefore supporting the idea of stereotypes within the media industry.
Grease was written and composed in the 1970's however it is set in the 1950's this is evident from the fashion that is used.This careful use of mis-en-scene makes us believe it was filmed at the time of which it is set. The filter that is placed on the camera gives that vintage effect and it is this style of editing that makes the music video believable and realistic. This is what I like to call the 'Instagram effect' as there are a range of different filters that you could use to represent a selection of different time periods and the technology available then. The cinematography used is often a hand held camera or a track this allows us to follow the actress's or actors as they move about the frame. This is essential in this music video as the cast are very fast moving because this reflects the tone of the piece. Because this music video is taken from a film the audience recognize the characters and the story line from the film itself. Therefore the mis en scene is meant to represent this, especially the costume. From the image above you can see that the costume not only just fits with the 1950's style but also to individual characters. I will now analyse two of the characters costumes...
Rizzo's costume:This is a very plain and simple dress with a sinched in waist, this is a typical 1950's tight dress that aims to show of the curves. The simplicity of the dress with matching plain accsessories show that Rizzo is a confident character who doesn't need anything complicated. In some ways Rizzo is seen as the more tom boy of the group as compared to the other characters she is quite masquiline. However she is also considered to be the most experienced of the group. This is shown through the relationship (in the above music video) with Kenickie, the camera angle when they pass the screen (1:11) is on a track however sweeps up her body, this is the male gaze that attracts the audience. Laura Mulvey's theory of the male gaze states that women are portrayed as sexual objects and the slow sweeping camera angle up her body is meant to be like the male's eyeline. This is exactly what i want to create in my coursework music video.
This compares with
Jan's costume:
Jan's costume is very simple and matching with a simple orange shirt and a orange blouse. She doesn't appear to be wearing allot of makeup and her shirt is extremely bright. This makes us stereotype her and assume she is the "geeky" one of the group. This back's up Tessa Perkins theory of stereotyping based around costumes. It is interesting how the director of the film and therefore also the music video, has places these two contrasting characters (Rizzo and Jan) in the same friendship group as they are completely different.
Not only is this just shown in the costume choices but also in the cinematography, the theory of the male gaze Laura Mulvey's theory, backs this up. Laura Mulvey commented that women are seen as 'sexual objects' as the camera angle often skims from up the feet to the top of the body. This is shown in Rizzo's screen shots however Jan is not seen in the same way therefore supporting the idea of stereotypes within the media industry.
Wednesday 18 September 2013
Task Brief
A promotion package for the release for an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the following 3 options:
- a website homepage for the band
- a cover for its release as part of a digipack (CD/DVD)
- a magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package)
I chose this brief as I thought I will have the most confidence and creative ability to do well. I am looking forward to starting research and preparation for my music video.
Transition Task
As a group we have decided to do a Jake Bugg music video of two fingers. We have allocated roles for each of us to follow however we will still work together as a team to assist each other in the tasks.
We have decided to recreate the first one minute of this music video in as closer detail as possible.
We have decided to recreate the first one minute of this music video in as closer detail as possible.
Sunday 8 September 2013
A Little More Music Video Inspiration
I took inspiration from this music video and the song as they took a modern song (a pop song called "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen) and turned it into a Vintage 1927 song. Using mis-en-scene such as the costume (especially of the singer) and the editing, such as the black and white overlay, this song looks as if it was meant to be from the late 1920's.
Chosen Song
Although this song is different to others that I have researched, I mainly looked at those for inspiration and ideas about different styles of pop. However I have come up with an idea that I believe suits this song.
Friday 6 September 2013
Music Video Inspiration
Although this is a rap and pop music video, it is still firmly under the pop genre. The theme of friendship is shown yet again in this music video, this is becoming a common recurring theme throughout the pop music video's (especially with female artists). Therefore if I choose an uplifting pop song sung by a female artist I will be conscious to include this theme.
Music Video Inspiration
This music video has similar theme's to the Bridgit Mendler music video because it also shows themes of friendship. However I really liked the "instagram effect" used on the music video which makes the screen square and I think a little bit brighter. A lot of the mis-en-scene used within the costume is day-to-day wear for young teenage girls in both music video's. This makes the artists seem relatable to the target audience of young teenage girls.
Music Video Inspiration
I really like this music video and the song, I think because it shows friendship and has a bright and happy theme which really does present the pop industry in a positive way which is ideal because the main target audience is young teenage girls. The colours used in this music video are uplifting and the whole narrative of the piece is fun and girly and this is the sort of thing that I hope to achieve (if I decide to choose a female artist).
Inspiration
Today I have begun to look at other music video's to find out what's already out there and to get a clearer idea of what sort of music video I would like to create. I have decided to go for something within the 'pop' genre as this is my favourite and most knowledgeable genre of music. If I do a pop music video I would also have more knowledge of the conventions that this music video needs.
To begin with I simply Googled;
"music video ideas low budget"
I clicked on the first website that appeared this was;
http://hypebeast.com/forums/music/137318 I did not find this website helpful at all as it was mainly suited to a rap genre.
The second website that appeared was;
https://mygigs.com/blog/how-to-make-a-low-budget-music-video/ This is a really helpful website and I feel it would help me a lot during the planning and pre-production stages that I am currently going through. It gave me some very helpful tips on how to manage my cost and look for the best location on a budget.
To begin with I simply Googled;
"music video ideas low budget"
I clicked on the first website that appeared this was;
http://hypebeast.com/forums/music/137318 I did not find this website helpful at all as it was mainly suited to a rap genre.
The second website that appeared was;
https://mygigs.com/blog/how-to-make-a-low-budget-music-video/ This is a really helpful website and I feel it would help me a lot during the planning and pre-production stages that I am currently going through. It gave me some very helpful tips on how to manage my cost and look for the best location on a budget.
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