Understand the techniques of music videos
To create this animatic music video, I drew out each shot we see in the music video of 'The Pretender' by the 'Foo Fighters'. I then put the music video on one corner of the screen and used my drawings beside the video and switched to a different drawing when there is a new shot in the video.
In order to make a music video interesting, you have to include a wide variety of shots. You also have to edit in time with the song because if the music is fast and the music video includes a lot of slow paced editing, it can look like the video does not go with the music and make the whole video look weird.
The mise-en-scene also has link with the song. In 'the Pretender' by the Foo Fighters, it shows the band playing the song in a big empty hall. Also the editing and all the techniques used in this music video, goes with the song, adding to the over feel of the music video.
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
Friday, 10 October 2014
Unit 29 - AS1 - Task 3
Understand the techniques of music videos
In this video I edited a couple of clips of people in animal suits dancing to a song in the background. In this video I used the following techniques; Cut to the beat, adding special effects and using split screen. I felt that in the video that I have embedded below, I have successfully carried out these techniques. 
Cutting to the beat is basically just cutting to another clip in the video in time with the beat of the song. To do this in the music video, I had to closely listen to when theres a significant beat in the song and place a marker there. Considering that theres a clip before that beat, I would cut that clip and cut to another clip. The beginning of the music I edited to, it was essential that I done this as there is an obvious beat to work around. 
Adding special effects to a music video can be anything from applying filters to the video to video transitions in between shots. I added special effects by mostly adding filters and distorting the video to make it look unusual. I done this at a point in the song where the song changes a bit and sounds different compared to the rest of the song, so the video goes along with the music and changes as the music changes.
Split screen is using two different clips and putting them on the same screen with one video on one and side and another video on another side. In my video i used two clips of animals dancing on either side of the screen.
Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Unit 29 - AS1 - Task 2
Understanding the styles and conventions of music videos
Every music video has different style and conventions to them.
Different forms of music video such as digital or stop-motion animation; in-concert; "as live" footage; studio based; cinematic
Stop-Motion Animation
Stop-motion is the process of making a static object looking like its moving all by itself. This is done by taking a picture and moving it slightly in between each picture. When you put all of the pictures together and play them fast, it will look like they are moving by themselves.
In-Concert
This is a music video that uses footage from a live performance from the artist instead filming all new footage of the artist miming the song. In this music video they could either use the pre-recorded song over the live footage or just play the live song with the live footage.
Studio Based
These are videos that are based in the music studio. It shows the artist miming the song in the studio.
Different styles of music video such as a narrative based; impressionist; surrealist; pastiche; parody; homage; intertextual.
Convention 2
Illustrate - Music videos can use a set of images to illustrate the meaning of lyrics & genre, this is the most common.
Amplify - This is similar to repeatability. Meanings and effects are manipulated and constantly shown through the video and drummed into our vision. A good example of this is The Script - 'Hall Of Fame' which is about people who can achieve anything they want to. The video shows a boxer and a ballerina becoming really good even when all of the odds are against them.
Contradict - This is where the meaning of the song is completely ignored by the music video. A good example of this is Eric Prydz - 'Call On Me'. The video shows women stretching and working out which has nothing to do with the lyrics, or the meaning of the song.
The different forms of which music videos can give each individual one a different feel to it. Some forms of music videos can include; digital, stop-motion animation, in-concert, studio based and cinematic. A good example of stop-motion animation music video is Fleet foxes's 'Mykonos';
The animation of the shapes can create a relaxed-mellow mood which goes hand in hand with the feel of the song.
Coldplay's song 'Fix You' is a good example of a music video that is presented as an in-concert video. The beginning is not in-concert just Chris Martin traveling to the concert.
Convention 3
Andrew Goodwin's third convention is that the visuals in a music video will almost always have a connection to the pace of the music/song.
A again the video can be edited so that it either illustrates, amplifies or contradicts the beat of the song.
E.G: Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know?'
In this video, it just shows a sound wave fluctuating depending on the music. This video does not try and convey any meaning of the song whatsoever.
Convention 4
Andrew Goodwin's fourth convention is that across all music videos the demands of the record label will attempt to develop a motif (a reoccurring style) that regularly is portrayed across their work.
They often demand that lots of close-ups of the artist are used to help create a clear visual style/image.
E.G: Lady Gaga
Like all of her other videos, the video shows
Convention 5
Andrew Goodwin states in his fifth convention that in music videos there are frequent references to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
E.G: Rihanna - 'What's My Name?'
In this video we see Rihanna wears really short shorts and we see the camera focusing on her bum and we also Drake looking at her bum. It clearly focuses around Rihanna's image the whole music video focusing her.
Convention 6
For his final convention Andrew Goodwin states that music videos often are filled with intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc)
E.G: Jennifer Lopez - 'I'm Glad'
This video is based on a film called 'Flash Dance'.
Every music video has different style and conventions to them.
Different forms of music video such as digital or stop-motion animation; in-concert; "as live" footage; studio based; cinematic
Stop-Motion Animation
Stop-motion is the process of making a static object looking like its moving all by itself. This is done by taking a picture and moving it slightly in between each picture. When you put all of the pictures together and play them fast, it will look like they are moving by themselves.
In-Concert
This is a music video that uses footage from a live performance from the artist instead filming all new footage of the artist miming the song. In this music video they could either use the pre-recorded song over the live footage or just play the live song with the live footage.
Studio Based
These are videos that are based in the music studio. It shows the artist miming the song in the studio.
Different styles of music video such as a narrative based; impressionist; surrealist; pastiche; parody; homage; intertextual.
- Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics
- There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals.
- There is a relationship between music and visuals.
- The demand of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist.
- There is frequent reference to the notion of 'looking' (screens within screens, filming, cameras) and particularly voyeuristic (pleasure through looking) treatment of the female body.
- There are often intertextual references - mostly to film, television and popular culture.
Convention 1
Andrew Goodwin clearly states that different genres of music use different key conventions in the videos:
For example Rage Against the Machine's music video would look completely different to Miley Cyrus's.
For example Rage Against the Machine's music video would look completely different to Miley Cyrus's.
Convention 2
Illustrate - Music videos can use a set of images to illustrate the meaning of lyrics & genre, this is the most common.
Amplify - This is similar to repeatability. Meanings and effects are manipulated and constantly shown through the video and drummed into our vision. A good example of this is The Script - 'Hall Of Fame' which is about people who can achieve anything they want to. The video shows a boxer and a ballerina becoming really good even when all of the odds are against them.
Contradict - This is where the meaning of the song is completely ignored by the music video. A good example of this is Eric Prydz - 'Call On Me'. The video shows women stretching and working out which has nothing to do with the lyrics, or the meaning of the song.
The different forms of which music videos can give each individual one a different feel to it. Some forms of music videos can include; digital, stop-motion animation, in-concert, studio based and cinematic. A good example of stop-motion animation music video is Fleet foxes's 'Mykonos';
The animation of the shapes can create a relaxed-mellow mood which goes hand in hand with the feel of the song.
Coldplay's song 'Fix You' is a good example of a music video that is presented as an in-concert video. The beginning is not in-concert just Chris Martin traveling to the concert.
Convention 3
Andrew Goodwin's third convention is that the visuals in a music video will almost always have a connection to the pace of the music/song.
A again the video can be edited so that it either illustrates, amplifies or contradicts the beat of the song.
E.G: Arctic Monkeys - 'Do I Wanna Know?'
In this video, it just shows a sound wave fluctuating depending on the music. This video does not try and convey any meaning of the song whatsoever.
Convention 4
Andrew Goodwin's fourth convention is that across all music videos the demands of the record label will attempt to develop a motif (a reoccurring style) that regularly is portrayed across their work.
They often demand that lots of close-ups of the artist are used to help create a clear visual style/image.
E.G: Lady Gaga
Like all of her other videos, the video shows
Convention 5
Andrew Goodwin states in his fifth convention that in music videos there are frequent references to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
E.G: Rihanna - 'What's My Name?'
In this video we see Rihanna wears really short shorts and we see the camera focusing on her bum and we also Drake looking at her bum. It clearly focuses around Rihanna's image the whole music video focusing her.
Convention 6
For his final convention Andrew Goodwin states that music videos often are filled with intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc)
E.G: Jennifer Lopez - 'I'm Glad'
This video is based on a film called 'Flash Dance'.
Friday, 3 October 2014
Unit 29 - AS1 - Task 1
Understand the purpose of music videos
Music videos can be very influential when listening to music, it puts images and scenery to a song and can put the song into context. It can also give a particular artist an image that you may imagine when listen to their music from when you see the music video. The promotion of a music video for this matter is very important.
Often artists are sold as a brand and the music video acts as a product of the brand (artist) in order for people to get into the artist and buy lots more of his/hers songs. For some artists the 'image' is of greater importance than the quality of the product. However this is not always the case, other times it is the song and the meaning of the song that is sold, and the artists 'image' is not really important in order to get into the artist.
A good example of an artist that rely heavily on their image in order to gain success are a band called 'Ok Go'. Their music videos arguably outshine their music and are mostly known for their creative music videos;
Before promo video's became popular if the artist was unavailable they would have their music broadcast and accompanied rather then dancers.
It was only after the success of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" that it became regular practise for record companies to produce promotional videos for artists' single releases. These videos could then be shown on television shows, such as 'Top of the Pops', without the need for the artist to appear in person.
Brian May said the video was made:
A)So the band could avoid miming such a complex song on 'Top of the Pops'
B)As they would be unable to appear on the programme every week as they were scheduled to appear on tour (It was number 1 for 9 weeks).
Making a music video can also gather more income for the artist. It not only promotes the song and the artist, all of their other work. It can also influence people to go and see them live which ultimately gets them more money. In a music video they can also advertise products, like Christina Aguilera advertising perfume in her video 'Not Myself Tonight';
A music video can be played on various types of media outlets such as; music channels, CD sales, websites or downloading it. Whenever it is played on any of these outlets, the artist will get some money out of it. Working with other companies is also a good way to get an artists music video out there. For example, Adele wrote a song for the movie 'Sky Fall' for the James Bond franchise. So both Adele and the James Bond movie would advertise each other. This is known as synergy.
Major Record Labels
The music industry is dominated by four multi national corporations;
Vevo is a music video website owned and operated by Universal Music Group, Google, Sony Music Entertainment and Abu Dhabi Media. Vevo offers music videos from three of the "big four" major record labels: Universal, Song Music Entertainment, Warner Music and EMI Records.
Independent
There are a huge number of small companies with little or no financial connection to the majors. These companies often concentrate on a small number of acts, within specialised niches in the industry, Hip Hop, Rap, Electronica and dance.
Artist Self-produced
These videos have the smallest budgets and are usually unknown artists. Making a video and uploading it to a website such as YouTube can lead to great success. For example Justin Bieber uploaded videos of him singing to youtube and got very popular through it.
Music videos can be very influential when listening to music, it puts images and scenery to a song and can put the song into context. It can also give a particular artist an image that you may imagine when listen to their music from when you see the music video. The promotion of a music video for this matter is very important.
Often artists are sold as a brand and the music video acts as a product of the brand (artist) in order for people to get into the artist and buy lots more of his/hers songs. For some artists the 'image' is of greater importance than the quality of the product. However this is not always the case, other times it is the song and the meaning of the song that is sold, and the artists 'image' is not really important in order to get into the artist.
A good example of an artist that rely heavily on their image in order to gain success are a band called 'Ok Go'. Their music videos arguably outshine their music and are mostly known for their creative music videos;
Before promo video's became popular if the artist was unavailable they would have their music broadcast and accompanied rather then dancers.
It was only after the success of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" that it became regular practise for record companies to produce promotional videos for artists' single releases. These videos could then be shown on television shows, such as 'Top of the Pops', without the need for the artist to appear in person.
Brian May said the video was made:
A)So the band could avoid miming such a complex song on 'Top of the Pops'
B)As they would be unable to appear on the programme every week as they were scheduled to appear on tour (It was number 1 for 9 weeks).
Making a music video can also gather more income for the artist. It not only promotes the song and the artist, all of their other work. It can also influence people to go and see them live which ultimately gets them more money. In a music video they can also advertise products, like Christina Aguilera advertising perfume in her video 'Not Myself Tonight';
A music video can be played on various types of media outlets such as; music channels, CD sales, websites or downloading it. Whenever it is played on any of these outlets, the artist will get some money out of it. Working with other companies is also a good way to get an artists music video out there. For example, Adele wrote a song for the movie 'Sky Fall' for the James Bond franchise. So both Adele and the James Bond movie would advertise each other. This is known as synergy.
Major Record Labels
The music industry is dominated by four multi national corporations;
- Universal
- Sony Music
- Warner Brothers
- EMI
These are referred to as 'The Majors'. The majority of these are backed by conglomerates with stakes in other industries such as; Film, TV and electronics.
Most of these 'Majors' own, or license, a series of smaller subsidiary companies in order to reach different kinds of audiences in different kinds of genre.
- Columbia
- Island
- Syco
- RCA
- Virgin
These companies are known as 'major-independents'.
Vevo is a music video website owned and operated by Universal Music Group, Google, Sony Music Entertainment and Abu Dhabi Media. Vevo offers music videos from three of the "big four" major record labels: Universal, Song Music Entertainment, Warner Music and EMI Records.
Independent
There are a huge number of small companies with little or no financial connection to the majors. These companies often concentrate on a small number of acts, within specialised niches in the industry, Hip Hop, Rap, Electronica and dance.
Artist Self-produced
These videos have the smallest budgets and are usually unknown artists. Making a video and uploading it to a website such as YouTube can lead to great success. For example Justin Bieber uploaded videos of him singing to youtube and got very popular through it.
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