Research - Analysis between Rock and Pop conventions

Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal 

Alien Ant Farm's version of Michael Jackson's 'Smooth Criminal' fits within the semiotic of rock ideology. We can understand that they have taken on the rock ideology with this song because of the video being a live performance with a drum kit and electric guitars. This therefore relates to Andrew Goodwin's theory of how music videos can have different meanings / different genre characteristics. Mise-en scene is presented in a variety of ways throughout this video. For example, at 0.53 a girl jumps into the swimming pool wearing a blue bikini and a wolf mask. This therefore shows how they are portraying an inteextual reference of being rebellious and carefree. Being rebellious is a trend throughout the rock genre, this is also emphasised at 2.10 when a car explodes as soon as someone jumps onto it. Going back to the beginning of this video, there are fans in the background that are holding a 'we <3 A.A.F' sign. This portrays how all band cultures have fans and that there isn't a main focus on just one of the artists, they are all equal in this video. The costume in this music video is quite simplistic since the artists are mainly wearing the same; jeans and a t shirt or a tracksuit. The setting of this music video is outside to show how they are putting on a live narrative performance for their community, since everyone is enjoying themselves. The 'stage' where A.A.F perform is set in a boxing ring. This connotes how they are resembling the rock genre which is stereotypically seen as heavy and aggressive, which is exactly what a boxing ring brings, as well as ansxt. 

Another intertextual reference in this video is at 0.31 when the band members lean forward. This shows how they are taking on the move that Michael Jackson did in this video. This is done since they are covering his song, and part of the audience watching this video may also be fans of Michael Jackson. Another intertextual reference in this video is the monkey. It shows how they are being different however, also relating it to Michael Jackson. 

Research - Feedback from questionnaire

Below are the results from the questionnaire:

Question 8 was an open question since we wanted to find out peoples favourite artist. the responses we got to this were:
1. Oasis
2. Wolf Alice
3. Beyonce
4. The Weeknd
5. Run the Jewels, My Nu Leng, Rebel Sound
6. One Direction
7. Micheal Jackson
8. The Weeknd
9. Bring me the Horizon
10. One Direction
11. Mariah Carey
12. The Weeknd
13. The Weeknd

Planning - Recce / Location Shots

Location Choices ...

Within our music video, Lola and I have decided to choose four different locations to film our music video. I think that by having a range of locations will help to make the video more complex and interesting for our target audience when watching the video. The following four locations are: Recording Studio, Jack's House, the Pit at SWCHS and the Dance Studio at the Rhodes Centre in Bishop's Stortford. 

These locations will enable us to put our story board together when it comes down to filming in these different locations.

Planning - Mise-en Scene

Props

• Piano 
• Table 
• Whiteboard 
• projector 
• Different coloured lighting (dark colours - dark blue, purple...) 

Costume

• Actress to wear all black for lip sync and performance 
• Lip sync: dressy Black top, black jeans, wavy hair, heels. 
• performance: Black leotard under black lace dance tights

Make-up 

• lip sync: red lipstick 
• performance: Dark full on smokey eyes. 

Lighting

• Performance: dark and low key lighting 
• Different coloured spot lights that fit in with the mood and atmosphere that is being created when the performer is dancing 
• Shadow on face when lip sync 
• Silhouette 

Set Design 

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Planning - Draft Storyboard

Research - example shots that might be used in my video

Example Shots 

Below are a variety of shots from music videos that have influenced my idea on what types of shots I can use in my music video. I really like the shots from Rihanna's video 'What Now'. This is because I love the way the footage has been super imposed on top of the other piece of footage. This is shown in the first picture on the left. 

Star Image (Second Take)

What is a star? 

A star (according to Richard Dyer) is interchangeable since those known as a 'star' are known to be stars of media texts or in other terms ' pop performers' or 'pop stars'. However, there is a distinct difference between whether as a consumer of different media texts, whether someone is is a pop star just by identity or whether they are just known for performing in pop music videos. Most stars nowadays are known through the publicity of their management which helps them to promote themselves as well as their music. This is shown through different platforms of media such as newspapers / magazines where they will be willing to make a story out of any 'star'. It helps the star's image contain a USP and also brand recognition. 

Early star image

For example, in Madonna's earliest videos in the 1990's she made a representation for herself by wearing a conical bra. This then became known to everyone around the demographic group that she appeals to, and it therefore became the next thing to talk about. 

Planning - shot list

Panning

A panning shot will be used in my music video towards the beginning. A panning shot is done by the camera stabilized on top of the tripod, and the leaver from the tripod will enable me to move in whatever motion around the area of location. This will enable the shot to look smooth and effortless.

Pulled Focus 

I plan to use a pulled focus shot between our couple holding hands and the back ground that they will be shot in. I believe that a shot like this will give a lot of effect as it will let the audience see both things in the shot and give them an idea of where the two holding hands are but also shows the 'love' between them as it says in our lyrics. Also, I think that I will also include a pulled focus shot when the couple give each other a 'hug'. This is because it will create effect and gage how the actors are feeling. 

High Angle 

We are going to use a high angle shot during the performance of our dancer when there is going to be a bright spot light on her. We think that this will give a good effect as it will highlight her isolation and show that she is alone which is what we want. This angle will be shot at our school in what we call 'the pit' since it has a lighting system and a space to look down on the performance being done below so we cam achieve the high angle that i want. 

Low Angle

I am going to use a low angle shot in my music video in shots where the actress (Lauren) is on her own in the room. This room is going to be the pit, and she will have a single spot light on her. I think that by adding in a low angle, it will contrast from the isolated lonely feel we are trying to portray, as well as dominance and how she has no fear, and that she is a dominant character throughout this music video. 

Long Shot 

When filming shots of the couple we have chosen to be in our video we will include some long shots to get the location in so the audience can see them together. Also, my partner and i plan to film a time lapse of a busy street at night time to give the effect of loneliness to the audience so they can relate our actresses feelings. 

Medium Close Up

I want to include this shot because it adds a lot of variety to my footage. This particular shot also shows emotion through the close up of the character's face.

Mid Shot

The main mid shot that we are going to include is going to be of our couple from the middle of their body down. We are not going to have any shots of their faces or even their heads as we believe that it will give a good but interesting sense of the unknown. 

Close Up 

Will be using this type of shot throughout my music video to show emotion on the actresses face clearly. This is so that the target audience can fell what she is feeling, and relate to her.

Super Imposed 

Super Imposed shots were the shots that I have wanted to included in my music video from the very beginning. This is because I feel that it will create complexity towards my music video. However, these will only look good in the post production (Editing) .

Research - Lighting Research and Examples

For my music video I really think that the lighting for the performance parts need to be low key. This is because the lighting needs to fit in with the dark minimalistic atmosphere that the choreography within the dance is creating. 

From the shots are shown below; I really like the way in which the lighting changes as the music starts to crescendo, as soon as the dancers change their position. I think that this contrasts really well with the different conventions that can be created. 

In addition to these lighting examples, I also want to use a single spot light on the actress when she is dancing on the stage, as well as when she is in a different location such as; the pit and it is just her in the room and I am trying to make a vulnerable / isolated feel. This therefore connotes with how she is 'crazy' in love. 

Research - Market Research Questionnaire

For this section of research, Lola and I are going to undertake primary research on what demographic group our video is going to be aimed at. I think that the best way to gather this information is by doing a questionnaire, since answers will be honest. The questionnaire consists of ten questions, that will be answered by different demographics to give us an idea of who our audience will be. From this, we will be able to think about the way in which we construct our video so it attracts and entices our audience. 

This questionnaire is going to be done on Survey Monkey since it is an easier method to gather information since it puts the results collected into percentages and graphs. gives us a much clearer insight. 

Below are the questions that have been sent out for our target audience to respond to: 

Planning -Voice over analysis for exemplar performance video

Theorists

STUART HALL 

Stuart Hall is an audience theorist. He looks into audience positioning, dominant, negotiated and oppositional readings. 

Dominant reading: The most common interpretation and the audience fully accepts the preferred reading for example; women in rap videos are purposefully treated as objects and sexualised. - Mainly the clothing that they are wearing in the video is what sexualises them the most. 

Negotiated reading:Middle ground interpretation because the partly believes the underlying code but mainly accept the preferred reading. 

Oppositional reading:Challenges the dominant reading as their social situation influences their opinion. 

JUDITH BUTLER

Judith Butler approaches voyeurism in a different way. She does this by showing how gender is performed, as well as challenging the view that voyeurism is only concerned with objectifying women, and as the audience, whether or not we feel comfortable seeing the way in which women are being portrayed. 

LAURA MULVEY 

Laura Mulvey also looks at voyeurism. However, she approaches it in a completely different light as to how Judith Butler does. This is because she looks more into the visual pleasure of voyeurism. Sees how it can be more simplistic. 

Planning - Ideas Mind Map

Planning - Our song choice

Myself and my partner Lola came to a final decision on the song that is going to be used for our music video. We have chosen the song 'Crazy in Love' by Sofi Karlburg, which is a cover of the original song by Beyoncè. We both agreed to do this song because when coming across it, we both really loved the different tones that this song brings, as well as the slow, lyrical feel which is probably different to the other types of songs that are going to be produced within our class. However, we had to use this cover of the song since we couldn't use the original since Beyoncè is a signed artist. This version of the sing was also used in a film, which is why the ballad version was used. 

I think that by using a song like this, it will enable us to think about the different technical codes that would fit in well with lyrics as well as including visuals. 

Lola and I both have many different ideas for the types of shots and little bits of narrative that we can use for this song when we start filming. I think that it is great that we are both so passionate about producing a video to this song because it means that we can pull both of our creative minds / ideas together and produce something that is of a high standard. I can't wait to see the finished product. 

Planning - Treatment

The genre of the song we have chosen is a pop song however, since it is a slowed down version of the original song and a cover by Sofia Karlburg, it is much calmer that the stereotypical pop song that is upbeat and medium - fast paced. This pop song has more of a lyrical and ballad feel to it, which is what I liked about the different variations that this genre could have. It allows the audience to connect with the song and the actor singing it, as it has a definite meaning behind it. 

Since this video is based around the pop genre, I think that the majority of the audience watching it will be females. This is because I think that this type of song is more appealing to females since it is about love and relationships, and by creating a video to this song, they feel like they can relate to it since most teenage females are going through this stage in their lives. 

With a lot of discussion, we decided to not base the whole video around a narrative. Even though most songs about love and relationships are based around a story, we feel like we need to be different and stand out from the crowd a little bit. This is because most love song videos are too narrative focussed and can become a little bit too over the top, and that is definitely not the type of video that we are going for. However, we have decided that we will add a couple into the beginning verses of the song, with a few shots of them in one of our chosen locations to relate to the title of the song; 'Crazy in Love'. The rest of the video is mainly based on performance, since that is they type of visualisation that we want to put forward. 

In our video, there isn't going to just be one person that is representing 'star image'. This is because we are going to be having various people in the video to do different elements such as; narrative, lip syncing and performance (dance). However, we will be using the same person for the lip syncing and performance, so initially, the girl that we have chosen; Lauren Simpson will be playing a big part for the star image of our music video. Nonetheless, she won't be having anything to do with the narrative of the video, so in conclusion, she will be representing the star image for the performance and lip syncing whereas the two actors for the narrative will be representing the star image for that particular section.

Planning - Lyric Analysis

Below, are the annotations of the lyrics that myself and my partner Lola have made. 

These annotations are based on what we want to include in our video  verse by verse.

Research - Star Image

Star Image - Demi Lavato -Skyscraper

Star Image is portrayed in different ways throughout Demi Lavato's music video; Skyscraper. This is shown from the close up shot at 0.23 seconds where Demi is looking directly into the camera where she is trying to connect with the audience so that they can try and feel the emotion she is going through. It is coming across as personal towards the audience, through the deep connection that they can gage from her eyes. 

 Mise-en scene in this video is also important towards the star image of Demi. This is because since it is only her in the video, and she is walking around a large deserted place, she is looking more isolated. However, since she is wearing a long white dress which is emphasising her purity throughout the song, since she is conveying different stages of emotions throughout this song. These emotions are; sadness, determination and power. 

The different angles throughout this video present the different emotions that she is going through. At 1.08 the angle is a low angle of her. This is showing her importance and how she has power throughout, and how she has no fear, even though the connotations throughout this video are representing her as being lonely. She shows how she can break through that and has the confidence to do so. 

Research - Analysis of generic music video

Birdie - Skinny Love

Skinny Love by Birdy, has influenced the decision of my music video in different ways. This is because it has a lyrical feel to it, and that is what myself and my partner, Lola are trying to portray in our video. Especially since we are going to be adding elements of performance in the video. The lighting throughout this video is very low key for example, at 0.16 seconds, there is a medium close up shot of her silhouette. This creates a moving atmosphere for the audience, since there are slow motion shots of her moving through the house on her own. This is something that i would like to do in my music video since it will help to emphasise the mood and atmosphere that is being shown through the song, and it also helps the audience to recognise the difference between the narrative and the performance of this music video. 

The use of cinematography has also helped to make a final decision of what song to do. This is because most of the shots are made up of medium close ups or close ups of the artist. This is an important way to express emotion out to the audience so that they can feel some sort of relation with the artist. 

The narrative of this video is strong throughout. This is because it is quite a passionate song so a strong narrative is needed in order to emphasise the convention. 

Overall, the technical codes, narrative and performance throughout this music video has influenced some of the ideas that i think need to be conveyed into the production of my music video. 

Research - Analysis of generic music video

Analysis of Dance video - I Know by Shift K3Y 

This video consists of a varied amount of different shots starting from; medium shots to medium long shots and long shots, of the girl from behind. The female is in the centre of the frame throughout the shots of this whole video. As the beat and timing of the music starts to increase, the editing shadows it, making the clarity of the editing sharp and changes straight onto the beat. This is really effective for a video like this, since the most of the shots in this video are just of the girl walking through different places on holiday. 

By the shots throughout this video only being from the back of her, making that the central viewpoint for the viewers, it therefore makes the viewers of the video feel like they are following her every move and she is taking them along with her on her journey. This is also known as the 'notion of looking' from Andrew Goodwin's theory. 

In this music video there are a wide range of shots and locations used, which makes it interesting since there isn't a set narrative to the video. This therefore makes me interested as the viewer since there are different locations, props and costumes used. 

Research - Deciding on music genre

Deciding on music genre

During our lesson on the 8th September, I started to think about the song choices for my music video. I came to the decision that I wanted to focus on the dance genre, since I have been analysing music videos with completely different genres, and I feel that this genre allows a lot of flexibility within the convention, and is more abstract. However, I think that a dance genre will give us the opportunity to edit the video in a different unique ways since a lot of the editing would be cut to the beat of the song, making it sharp and more interesting for the audience. 

Trying to pick a genre that was suitable for the ideas that we each had, claimed to be quite a hard task. This is because Lola and I both want to find the best genre that can convey our ideas to its full potential, so that we are producing something that is memorable and catchy towards our audience. 

However, after having another discussion about ideas and techniques with my partner, Lola Gray, we both felt like doing a slower, more meaningful song, that would have elements of sadness, confidence and determination would be better in order for us to fit in the types of shots that we are thinking about including into the music video. It will also be a little different to the other videos that are going to be produced throughout the class. It has more of a lyrical feel, and I think that we will be able to add more depth into it this way.  

Research - Goodwin's Conventions of music videos

Music Video Analysis: 50 Cent - In Da Club 

The genre of this song is Rap. Rap stereotypes are shown throughout this music video, and i have analysed them all in the analysis below: 

Within the Mise-en Scene of this music video, 50 cent is portraying himself as the stereotypical rap singer. This is because for the costume of this video, he is topless showing off his muscles and the girls in the video are wearing minimal clothing too. This is because it gives out the ideological message for a rap video that women are being sexually objectified. 

50 Cent himself, is wearing a sweatband around his head. This shows how he is into self improvement by going to the gym all the time. At 0:59 seconds, he is with a group of people who are wearing jewellery such as; long neck chains and religious symbol chains, as well as baggy tracksuits and baseball caps. 

Props used such as gym equipment and alcohol portray how they want to show off that they have money to buy all of those things and go to clubs all of the time. And by showing how they have money makes them look ostentatious. This therefore relates to the ideology of success.

The lighting throughout the video is very dim but that is because they are in a club and they want it to relate to the audiences’ needs and wants as much as they can in order to make it look realistic. 

The angles used especially at 0:52 is a close up of his face singing upside down. This shows how he is trying to portray himself as heroic. The medium shot of him at 0:55 seconds of him doing crunches / sit-ups could show how he has shared values. How he is pulling himself up from a poor start which is making him look humble.  

The editing is sharp and fits in well with the club atmosphere. Makes them look unique. 

Therefore, the ideological message that could be interpreted from this music video is that, they want to be able to show their triumph and that is through wealth. They want to be able to find people who can relate to their struggle. Another way of expressing this towards the audience is through cultural appropriation. They think this is cool to behave like this because they like to be rebellious. Taking symbols and signs from other cultures and adopting it in their own unique way and style.

Research - Goodwin's Conventions of music videos

Music Video Analysis: Rihanna ft. Mikki Ekko - Stay 

The Mise-en within this music video is set in a bathroom which is coming across as quite enclosing and isolating. However, the costume within this video of Rihanna is that there isn't much costume, and she is naked in the bath. This could be trying to emphasise cleanliness, at 0:18 seconds, making Rihanna feel exposed and pure. 

At 0:48 there is a low angle shot of her bringing her knees up to her chest and bowing her head down. This is emphasising how as an ideology, it is depressing and she is feeling victimised. This also shows her tattoos. At 1:10 there is a medium close up of her face and she is about to cry as she is singing. This emphasises how the ideology within this shot is making the video emotional. 

There aren't many props used within this music video. The only prop used is the bath tub in which Rihanna is in throughout the duration of the whole video. The water in the bath is filled right up to the top which makes her look like she is being enclosed from everything in her life and makes her feel like she can’t escape. 

At 1:38 when the shot changes to Mikki Ekko singing into the bath, it is connoting how he is reflecting upon how she is feeling and her emotions. The lighting of the locations in which they are both in is quite dark. This is to show how the variations of shots and lighting is making them both seem isolated.  

The editing within the music video is very slow paced so that is meets the beats and the rhythm of the song. However, because it is slow, it can resemble part of the ideological message in which is being put forward.  

This message shows the reverse to which what most of the audience want which is happiness and a happy ending. This is because within the sequence of the shots and the meaning of them in most music videos, it emphasises that what people hold dear to them is happiness and wellbeing, whereas that always  doesn't come through, especially in this music video which makes the audience feel sad and vulnerable and feel the singers emotion as they emphasise greatly, to make us as the audience sympathise with them. 

Research - Goodwin's Conventions of music videos

Music Video Analysis: Bon Jovi - Living on a Prayer

The genre of this song is Rock. It is certainly noticeable throughout the music video since the different stereotypes of the rock genre is conveyed throughout. 

The Mise-en scene within the duration of this video stands out as very 80’s. This is shown through the costume in which the band members are wearing. They are wearing clothing in which stereotypical rock band members would be wearing. This includes tight jeans, and leather jackets. It therefore fits in with the time era, and what their audience would expect from them. Us as the audience are first fully introduced to their costume between the duration of 0:37 and 0:46 seconds where we can see the full length view of the lead singer attached to a harness flying through the arena. 

Secondly, the props used within this particular music video are the instruments that they are using / playing. As well as the flashing lights used when they are doing their live performance. The props are shown at 0:17 where there is a medium close up shot of one of the band members strumming on his guitar before he goes out onto the stage. This therefore creates the idea in the audiences head that there is going to be lots of movement within this music video. Following from 0:17 seconds, we are introduced to one one of the lead singers at 0:27 getting set up with a microphone. Therefore portraying how bands of this time always did live performances. The flashing lights are emphasised when a view of the stage is shown at 0:15 seconds. 

The lighting used throughout the whole of this music video is in black and white. This makes it a little bit harder to think about when comparing it to this genre. However, since it is in black and white, it means that they are trying to show their audience when watching this, that they are trying to emphasise themselves as a traditional rock band, by using block colours like black and white which will make the audience remember the video since it is unique to that time. However, at 2:40 the video changes into colour making it more of a modern day video.

On the other hand, there are many different angles that are emphasised nicely within this video. At the beginning where we see the band members at 0:09 is showed the the sillouette of them walking towards the camera. This portrays them as strong people who have lots of control over what they are doing. The medium close up shot of their feet at 0:14 seconds, shows not only part of their costume and what to expect from them but, a variation within this video. The medium close up of one of the singers at 0:46 seconds. This shot is slightly to theft and not centred, but it makes it look effective. The low angle shot of two of the band members at 0:59 seconds shows what it’s like from the stage point of view. Most of the shots after 0:59 seconds are either medium close up shots or close up shots. This is because each of them are singing passionately towards the camera or, playing their instruments passionately. This is so that they are able to emphasise their emotions.

The transitions between the shots at the beginning of the video are quite slow since none of the music has properly started yet. It is simply just a sequence of a backing track playing before any of the shots are conveyed, and the lip syncing starts. The pace of the editing starts to pick up at 1:34.This is because the music starts to begin getting a little bit more lively. 

The ideology within this music video by Bon Jovi, shows how themselves as well as their fans like to have a good time. This is evidently shown through the performers and the audience since they are doing what they love. This is certainly shown through the live performance and how lots of movement is portrayed. It also shows excitement as well as being passionate for the rock culture.