Here, once we had our footage our group spilt into two. Monica and I edited our version of the ‘disco’ genre music video, while Morten and Cameron edited the other. This really helped us to make sure everyone got a chance to edit the music video. We had to make sure we met the criteria for lip syncing and also ensure the cuts were to the beat of the music.Moreover, we also had to represent the conventions of this genre in the video- this included things like costume, setting and the actual star.
From this, we learnt just how important it is to match the lip-syncing to the music, this made our videos look a lot more professional and realistic. Moreover, in this task we were also given the opportunity to really get familiar with the tools we will be using in the near future and therefore when we reach this point, we will be a lot more prepared to edit our music videos. The tools we used were things like the razor tool, we also managed to successfully use a green screen. This will be very useful when editing our music video and therefore, hopefully we will be able to edit a lot more efficiently later on.
Please click on the image above to see the full production meeting agenda.
For this task, we had to fill in the above form to complete the production meeting agenda. This table displays everything about the ‘dummy mash-up’ video and who is actually responsible for what. We has to indicate the location, outline of performance, who the performers are, what the costumes are, the props and then finally the sequence. By outlining all of the above things, we were able to be a lot more organised and therefore make sure we gathered everything we needed.
This document helped us to be a lot more organised and therefore save time when actually filming our section of the music video. Moreover, it will also help when making my actual music video. Due to this task, I am now much more aware of how to complete a production meeting agenda document. In the future I will be able to therefore, once again become a lot more organised when completing the task of filming my music video.
Please click on this image to see the slideshow we produced.
Linked above is a slideshow that my group and I put together. It involves a various amount of shots that we found throughout a number of different disco music videos. We created this document by first gathering moments to screen-shot in a range of music videos that we thought were interesting. Moreover, we made sure each of these shots involved the conventions of the ‘disco’ genre, this enabled us to really see what elements would work best when creating our own rendition of this music category.
Furthermore, I think this task will be useful in the future. This is due to the fact that I can refer back to these at a later date, especially when creating my part of the ‘dummy mash-up’. I have also learnt that shots like long shots, close ups and mid shots are all conventional to the disco genre. Perhaps demonstrating theres something frantic and exciting an the random transition of shots within this genre. Tracking and handheld shots also seem to be frequently used. This could be showing us that there is always motion and constant movement throughout this genre, showing its appealing fun attitude. WE can also see that high angles also seem to be used, as this often captures the genuine excitement and fun the people in these videos seem to be having. Here, I will be able to replicate shots that I think will work well and therefore really link my product to that of the music videos displayed in my work above. I will also be able to use this when creating my future music video as well. Although the genre may not necessarily be that of disco, I now know how to analyse a video to really ensure that the shots being used fit the genre being displayed. Therefore, because of this I will really be able to indicate what music category I am focusing on throughout my video.
Please click on the image to view the entire document.
Above, is the production meeting agenda for the re-shoot of our narrative scenes. We decided to reshoot as we wanted more footage that would display the emotions we wanted our female performer to portray. Furthermore, we also felt the need to incorporate either locations that would make the narrative a lot more visually interesting for the target audience. These added scenes included the performer partaking in some charcoal drawing and also a close up visual of the same charcoal being hit on a drum. We believed these scenes were necessary elements in our narrative and therefore due to this, we believe our video as a whole is now more appealing for the audience. There is much more of an emotional connection between the individual and the performer, which is what we were aiming for from the beginning. It has also enabled us to include more visual metaphors, enabling us to make the more artistic video we were aiming for.
Evaluation of the shoot
We believe that this narrative shoot went a lot better than the last. This is simply because we focused more on specific shots we wanted and therefore had a much more strategised approach to the filming of the shots we wanted to achieve. Moreover, we also directed our performer a lot more effectively meaning we were able to gain more footage in the time frame set, resulting in much more useful and precise footage that will move our video forward. Furthermore, we also had a major focus on achieving more close ups of elements like the performers hands and feet, this resulted in much more artistic and meaningful shots that will make our video appear a lot more intention and appealing. We also believe that the wider diversity in our footage now will help to improve our product immensely and so we hope that these shoots will lead us in the right direction to eventually finalising out product. Aside from the actual footage, we were also a lot more organised with our equipment. We were able to quickly set up our cameras and tripods, whilst ensuring that our camera were fully charged. This led to there being no disruptions and therefore our time was used a lot more effectively to film as much footage as possible.
Here, we were given the task of really exploring the ‘star image’ of the genre we are researching. This involved us using the website ‘pinterest’. We were able to compile a number of photos of many different ‘disco’ artists and pictures which we felt really related to the genre as a whole. Moreover, this task has really helped us to discover what we need to do to make the artists starring in our dummy mash up video really look the part. We have also identified that the ‘star image’ of this genre also connotes feelings of fun, excitement and dance. It almost portrays a feel good attitude to all that listen to the music produced by this genre. These repertoire of elements allows us to really understand that these particular conventions are closely linked to this genre.
From this task, I have learnt that ‘star image’ is probably one of the most important factors of an artist. This really links them to their music and therefore their genre, meaning they automatically set up a ‘contract’ with their audience, as certain things are expected from them due to their image. Furthermore, this has taught me that displaying the correct paradox of an artist is very important. Performers have to be very carefully constructed when it comes to their own, individual ‘image’. This overall ‘Star Image’ is known as the artists ‘metanarrative’ (also known as the big story) , often stars have to change their ‘metanarrative’. This is due to the fact that they often need to keep their fans interested. I have also learnt that at some point in a performers career, they will be viewed as ‘extraordinary’. We start to feel as if we can relate to the person, however on the other end of the spectrum we also know that perhaps we can never be liked them- this is known as ‘the paradox of the star’. This helps the audience to remain intrigued by the star they idolise and therefore from this task, I can see just how important it is to perfect the image of the star. Moreover, I believe this will help me in the future with the development of both my dummy mash up video and my music video.
In this task, we had to look at our allocated genres and explore them in some detail. This therefore involved us creating a collage and then annotating it with adjectives that we personally thought was applicable to the genre we were looking at. My group were given the music genre of ‘disco’, due to this we looked at bands like ‘The Jackson 5’ and ‘Abba’ as they were very successful artists during their time. Here we believed that this genre was quite ‘out there’ and so we allocated words such as ‘energetic’ and ‘friendly’ to this genre. We also discovered that each particular band have their own ‘repertoire of elements’ that really make them particular to the genre they are trying to portray. By putting forward these conventions they are able to be categorised into the genre of music they want to produce. For example, the ‘repertoire of elements’ for disco would be things like bright colours, fun music and a lot of energy. We also learnt from this task, that directors of music videos must look at what the audience wants. They do this by following the traditional conventions of the genre they are displaying, this is therefore known as a ‘blueprint’. Furthermore, by recognising this ‘blueprint’ we will recognise that it actually forms part of the ‘contract’, this is in fact known as a mutual agreement with the audience.
Please click on the image to view the annotated lyrics.
For this task, we were given the task of producing a small music video for the song ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ by Justin Timberlake. The class was spilt up into groups, each were given a section of the song. However the twist was that each group were allocated a different genre. My group were given the task of making a ‘disco’ themed music video. Once this happened, we next had to annotate the lyrics of the song and pick out things that really demonstrate conventions and features of our genre.
Moreover, this was extremely useful to us as we learnt how important the lyrics are when trying to represent the genre and look of the performer/star. This allowed us to really plan what our video would include and therefore look like before we even started to produce it. This meant we were a lot more organised when it came to shooting the actual video. Furthermore, this will help us in the future when making our real music videos. It has taught us just how important it is to really link the video to the lyrics and therefore also the star to the lyrics, to really make a conventional looking video. The indicates that it will also allow us to really stick to the contract we will eventually develop with our audience.
Please click on the image above to view it in more detail.
For this task, we were told to pick one of the previous students’ videos and the assess it ourselves using the assessment criteria document. Therefore, I then went on to pick the music video ‘Bros’, this is simply due to the fact that I really liked the video. Although it is quite simple, it is really well done and therefore I think it was probably marked quite highly.
In my opinion, I think this group did ‘hold a shot steady’. Most of their shots are well held and only those that are meant to move do.
Moreover, the framing used in this video is also very good. The scenes seem to be well composed for the majority of the time. However, during the band performance sometimes we can only see half of the guitarist. Perhaps this set up could have been composed slightly better than it was.
This music video has a very big variety of shots that do work really well together. We see long shots and we do see a few close ups throughout the sequence, this wide variety allows the video to be a lot more interesting. Moreover, I also think this video is very appropriate to the task.
Due to the fact that this genre of music is ‘indie’, we automatically feel as if its quite youthful and therefore the music has a sense of freedom. This music video displays this perfectly and therefore we can see the connection between the narrative and the music is very well done.
Similarly, the mise en scene has also been well thought out and so fits the music video quite well. Once again their outfits are very casual and therefore show their sense of youth. It is seen as quite simplistic and so this really does catch our eye. However, as the instruments juxtapose the environment in we can see how this is a very big contradictory concept. A few times in this video, we see the characters breaking ‘the fourth wall’. This is a very good use of technique as here we can really make a connection with the band and their performance. We also can see throughout that their ‘star image’ is largely connected to the music and so once again we can relate to them a lot more. However, it can be seen that the setting change at the very end is a bit sudden, due to this the lighting drastically changes and so I feel it does not fit all that well.
The editing for meaning is also very good in this video, we can see they often use blurring and slow motion effects at necessary points (like the throwing of leaves). personally, I think this really relates to their genre and once again works very well for them.
Overall, they have a few very good shot transitions that do capture our attention but overall they are quite standard. One of these is the sort of montage when the red smoke appears, the flickering between the main singer, the drums and the red smoke really make the scene connect together really well and so has a very good effect in the music video.
Furthermore, the sound throughout this video is very good, the music remains crisp and clear and there is no other audio to distract us.
There are no titles throughout this video, however perhaps the name of the band or song would have worked well (however this wasn’t necessary).
Overall, I personally think I would give this work a lower level four.
Moreover, I think this task will really help me in the future development of my own music video. I can refer back to this video and also the assessment criteria to make it as good as I possibly can. Through comparing my video to the document and previous students’ work, I will be able to visually see what actually gets the marks and how I can recreate this in my very own work. This will therefore ensure that what I do is exactly what is asked of me and so this will hopefully help me get the marks I am after.
Please click on the image above to view my analysis on ‘Love Like This’ by Kodaline.
Please click on the image above to view my analysis on ‘Wildest Dreams’ by Taylor Swift.
The detailed study analysis involved us looking at a music video in a lot of detail. We looked at Kodaline’s ‘Love Like This’ and then I personally decided to analyse ‘Wildest Dreams’ by Taylor Swift. Above you can see the template in which we were given, in order to fully analyse each music video we had to complete the above template. This allowed us to really deconstruct each music video to our best effort. The main features which we focused on was: the media form, typical generic features, narrative and performance and lastly the technical conventions.
By completing this task, I can now really see just how much thought goes behind actually envisioning and then creating a music video. Each topic area needs to be well developed and thoroughly planned, however it also really needs to relate back to the artists general image. This therefore means, that the above task has taught us a lot about what is actually needed to produce a music video. In the future (when actually making my video) I can most definitely refer back to these documents in order to help me see what I need to do to make a successful video.
Please click on the image above to view the work I completed.
For this task we had to study a series of music videos that related to typical music video conventions. Therefore, here we had to study the videos carefully in order to understand:
The media form
Technical conventions
Generic features
Narrative conventions
Moreover, this has helped me to really be able to pick apart a music video. I now have a lot more knowledge and understanding about the different aspects a music video entails. I chose a set of seven different videos for this task, I looked at each videos duration, narrative to performance ratio, genre, mise en scene, impact/ appeal, subject matter and finally the type of narrative. By looking at each aspect, I learned roughly the average time of a music video and what each genre of music usually involved in their own music videos.
From this task, I think I will much more easily be able to have a firm knowledge about the general concepts/ conventions of a music video (much like we did for our AS thriller work). Due to this, I will be able to make my later music video as professional as possible, this is because I will be obeying the general conventions.
