Me and my group then had to complete a risk assessment form for our Narrative part of our music video. We completed this to make sure we are safe when filming this part of our music video. We went over any potential hazards or risks which might occur and the action required to control the risk.

We filled out this group production form so we can make you sure we are well organized and when and how we can both commit to this music video. By communicating with each other we have collaborated as a group and have come up with this agreement. This will help in the future because we can see our roles and responsibilities we have as part of this group.

please click on the image to see PDF

Here is mine and Chloe’s feedback on our pitch we made for our own music video:

Positive Feedback:

• Good narrative
• Nice MES
• Simple story
• Lots of different shots and camera angles can be used
• Good song choice
• Lots of detail can be shown

Goals:

• Think about how perspective can be portrayed
• Think about the locations which are going to be used
• Maybe don’t include flashbacks and show this with facial expressions instead
• Think about the two singers and how it’s going to be shown
• What and where are we going to dhow the performance/ lip syncing
• Outfits – think more about clothing and makeup ?

By creating a pitch and getting feedback from my teacher has helped me with the structure of my narrative and performance and how my star image can be portrayed in my music video. It has also allowed me to see what works well and what I need to improve on and look at.

After presenting my mini pitch I then went on to think of another song I could use because the song I had chosen before was quite long and didn’t have much beat. I also couldn’t really think of a specific narrative. I then had a look at some more songs and found the song ‘prisoner’ by Miley Cyrus and came up with a good narrative to then go back and speak to my group about which we then agreed on and wrote up some more about. Reasons why chosen:

• I think that good MES can be portrayed
• There are many different storylines you can use for this song
• easy to visualise and can match narrative to the lyrics
• It has got a good beat which narrative can be edited to
• energetic, fun, dramatic
• I was inspired by this song

Before we got into groups I had to make a mini pitch on slides where I included some ideas of some songs, ideas, locations and performance/ narrative. I then used this as a mini pitch and to help put forward my initial ideas to my allocated group.

By creating a mini pitch and listening/ watching several music videos, will help me in the future to see what kind of narratives work and the MES which is used it music videos to help convey a particular genre/ meaning. By listening to these songs it has also allowed me to get an idea of what songs would be good to make a music video to and how lip syncing is shown along side the narrative/ storyline. I have found out that music videos are also very important in helping to portray the star and their image. A positive music video will encourage viewers to listen to more of the artists songs or find out more about the star.

I have had a look through the videos of the Guernsey Media Youtube channel from a year ago and my favourite one I have looked at is –  Bury a friend

Technical conventions: The lip-syncing is really good and is mostly all on time and matches the music. The composition of the shots are really clever and well put together. The framing is really cool where she uses the scissors as a prop in front of the camera adding depth.

Narrative/performance: An equal amount of narrative and performance has been used in this video. The performance is really well edited and lots of good camera angles have been used. The performance doesn’t really portray a story but it does link to the song   The narrative is also good and props still have been used to add meaning, close up shots are good so you can see the lip syncing clearly.

Star representation: The star has been represented as very unique and different which helps to make the music video stand out from the other I have watched. The star is deconstructed and portrayed as talented and a powerful character with the MES matching the style of song.

Video style: really good MES has been used in this clip to help decode the specific genre, target audience and star representation. This music video will help build a positive star image and promote the artist. It has also been filmed in a very clever way with lots of different camera angles being used. It has also been edited like ‘glitching’ to add to the atmosphere and vibe.

From analysing some previous music videos it has helped me to get an idea of the kind of genres, costumes and locations I could use. It has also helped me to gain further knowledge about how narrative and performance is used and the kind of props which add to the genre.

I have looked at a specific music video in detail: decode key conventions, how Mes is used to portray a genre, star image and how they are perceived. Narrative and performance is key for a good music video and have looked at how illustrative moments can help convey a deeper meaning.

Name of performer and song and duration: I chose the music video – Chained to the rhythm by Katy Perry to do a detailed analysis which is 4:01 minutes long.

Theme/ subject: The genre of this music video is Pop which is portrayed using MES which is suited. Some of the main themes which are portrayed in this video are Dystopia and the idea that we are all living life through this kind of lens, A hamster wheel is also used to represent the idea that we are all stuck in this constant circle and we are trapped.

Generic features: The star is instantly recognised as a pop star because lots of key MES is used to portray this such as the costumes are all bright, sweet colours. The main star also has bright pink hair which adds to the theme of sweetness and links back to pop. The makeup which is worn is also bright and dramatic which helps the main star to stand out. The makeup helps to portray the star as bubbly, fun and happy. The lighting that is used is highkey and bright. The setting is conveyed as somewhere sweet and dreamlike, surrealism is used to convey this even further with the use of candyfloss trees etc. The sound of the music is very upbeat and has a steady beat which relates to the idea of perfection and happiness relating to the genre. The dancing is also put together and done on the beat of the music which makes the music video look more eye catching.

Narrative analysis: This music video is an example of amplification which has some illustrative moments. Illustrative moments adds a storyline and highlights the theme of this dream like American life which is portrayed further by the use of actions, props, settings, costume. The main star in the music video is the singer herself, this represents the star as popular, talented, friendly. It also portrays her as very powerful and that she is in touch with society. It breaks down the fourth wall and makes the song and music video a lot more personal and direct. This makes the star seem more down to earth and relatable. The fact that she has also chosen the song title ‘ chained to the rhythm’ creates irony and the idea that she is really portraying what matters to her.

Technical conventions: Lots of different camera angles and edits are used in this clip. For example her lip-sync is spot on and clear what the lyrics are which highlights talent. different camera angles such as: long shot, PED, pan, tracking shots are used to create meaning on a deeper level and allow the audience to connect. The video is designed to look visually striking because it is very aesthetic with the setting, costume, hair, makeup and props which all match. The bright colours and this dream like setting is used to make the star come across as more desirable and gives her idea on what she thinks this American dream life is like (helps portray a perfect word by everything matching).

By completing a detailed analysis on a music video I have learnt how a genre is conveyed using MES. This will help me in the future when it comes to making my own music video as I know have a better idea on the key conventions and how are star image is portrayed.