Messaging the artist

Reflection

We messages the artist of our song (‘SKIN’) to ask for permission to use her song for out music video. We stated it was for educational purposes as it is for our course work and will not be used in anything more.

Final pitch

Filmed Presentation

Unfortunately, due to the YouTube access within our school, this video has been taken down.

Reflection

We found this feedback on our pitch very useful as it shows us how to improve and what is working out of our ideas. It has given us a better idea and understanding of what we are needing to portray and how we represent this narrative. Our teacher gave us helpful feedback which we are going to take on board and consider for our music video. This has helped us piece our music video together in our heads meaning we can really visualise what it’s going to look like now.

6 Positives:

•  Good aesthetic to show her elegance.
• Appropriate locations for the genre.
• Paint scene shows she isn’t letting anything get under her skin.
• Appropriate model for the song choice.
• Variety of scenes so it won’t get too boring.
• Good storyline.

6 Improvements:

• Add another significant narrative – her moving on from her ex.
• Focus on facial expressions.
• Is there going to be scenes showing her upset? or is it all going to be her showing she isn’t phased?
• How many flashback scenes are there going to be?
• Use correct mes en scene for the genre.
• Use a variety of mes, camera shots and techniques throughout.

Redesign of Pitch

Reflection

This pitch shows our final song choice and our ideas for it. We chose the song I used in my mini pitch (SKIN) because it would be more practical with the people we know that can be our star model. After reading the lyrics and listening to the song multiple times we were able to understand the clear narrative and therefore come up with the themes and issues for our music video. The main theme and issue is the main star was in a relationship which has now ended. He wants her to be mad/ upset, however she isn’t ( or is hiding the fact she is) and he doesn’t like her being happy. But she doesn’t let him get to her. This is illustrated by the lyrics ‘ even you can’t get under my skin’.

My Mini Pitch

Reflection

This is my mini  pitch that I will present to my group. I will also listen to their ideas and we can then decide which idea we are going to follow and then compromise on other ideas. I chose this song because it is simple and appropriate for the model I am planning on using. When listening to the song, I can visualise the narrative and ideas about how I am going to portray this. It will be a fairly elegant music video meaning this is how I would need to make my star image come across. For example, MES would be neutral make-up, floaty dress and curled hair. The location would be a field and it supports the cottage core aesthetic.

Our Table

Reflection

This is mine and Amber’s table to show how we are going to go about planning and filming our music video. It includes who is in charge of what and what we will do if somethings goes wrong or we have a disagreement. We have both signed it to show that we agree with the statements made. Overall, we decided that communication is key and that is how we need to solve all of our problems as soon as they arise as we don’t want to leaver it and let it get worse.

Favourite Video

Reflection

Technical conventions:

• In this music video there are many lip syncing scenes which are done really well and you can tell the model knows the words.
• There is plenty of editing and flashing between shots on the beat which creates suspense and a variety of emotions.
• Many different shots have been used and they are constantly making the most out of their entire frame.

Narrative and performance

• Both narrative and performance shots have been used in this music video.
• The narrative helps the audience understand the story they’re trying to portray.
• The performance shows the audience she knows the lyrics and therefore implies she understand the meaning behind the song.
• A mixture of the two sill help the audience engage with their music video.

How has the star been represented?

• The star has been represented and an independent young female.  She is strong and powerful.
• However, throughout the video there is a creepy atmosphere creating suspense and an eerie feeling. She can come across as scary and threatening.

How has the video been styled, designed, filmed and edited

• The whole video has a weird feeling to it which relates to the song and the lyrics within it.
• As stated before, the editing of the clips to the beat of the music helps to convey this feeling.
• The artists make up and mes en scene also portrays the intimidating star image as the make up can come across as scary (looking like bruises) and the clothing looks ruined and old.
• This video promotes the artist as I feel it is the same sort of vibe/ feeling they were wanting  to show. Billie Eilish is the original artist and often follows this style.

Detailed Analysis

Music Video Reflection

For this task, I watched the music video multiple times before and whilst answering the questions on the sheet above. Answering these questions really made to think about and focus on parts of a music video you would never really think about when just watching it. It has really helped to better my understanding of what music videos need to include in order to be successful and get the narrative across.

Analysis Table

Reflection

For this task, I deconstructed 4 music videos and analysed each of them. This allowed me to see what conventions work well within music videos. I also observed how MES, the narrative and the star image work together to tell and story and make it easy for the audience to know what is happening and also what the genre of music is. I watched 3 mixed videos ( narrative and performance) and 1 pure performance video. I much preferred the mixed videos and therefore want to do that in my music video. This task has really helped me gain ideas for the style of music I want to use, MES and content ratio. It has also helped inform me what a good music video looks like.