Wednesday, 17 October 2007
My focus group
Iam now going to create a focus group to help me develop the initial ideas I have for my music video. I will have a group of 5 girls aged between 10 and 16. This will be the age group my video will be aimed at, as it is a pop song and is usually aimed at a younger audience.
Thursday, 11 October 2007
The main ideas for my video
The narrative and the performance are a huge part of music video, and I think it is important to consider how I will use them in my video.
Narrative
The main theme of the song, is visiting many different places in on a Saturday night, I think this is a very interesting idea, as it could subtly be showing the unity of people throughout the world, as Hilary Duff sings 'Theres something going on, anywhere I go, tonight.' This shows that all people in every city are the same and no matter where you go on a Saturday night, something will be going on. Therefore, I have decided to use a narrative of 3 different people, in different places living their everyday lives, which also emphasises the lyrics 'living life day - to day' but on a Saturday night, they all get ready and go out, what I will also use to show the idea that they are all the same is show them changing many different outfits, however, when they leave their houses, they are all wearing the same outfit.I will also use some random images of things that are culturally specific in each city or just simply remind the focus group of that city. I will do some more research into the ideas of my target audience.
Cinematography
What I think is very important for my music video is the use of close - ups and extreme close - ups to the artist, as a lot of my research into music video has shown me that the industry use the music video as an opportunity for the audience to connect to the artist. A close up of the artist also meets this idea of having access to the performer which hasn't been available to the viewer before, the camera is very close to the artist, making the audience feel close to the artist.
Mise-en-scene
The main settings for this video will be 3 different bedrooms, and parties, although some of the video will be in a car, emphasising the lyrics 'I need to get away tonight.' The talent in the video will be wearing very dressy clothes and shoes, showing them going out on a Saturday night.
Narrative
The main theme of the song, is visiting many different places in on a Saturday night, I think this is a very interesting idea, as it could subtly be showing the unity of people throughout the world, as Hilary Duff sings 'Theres something going on, anywhere I go, tonight.' This shows that all people in every city are the same and no matter where you go on a Saturday night, something will be going on. Therefore, I have decided to use a narrative of 3 different people, in different places living their everyday lives, which also emphasises the lyrics 'living life day - to day' but on a Saturday night, they all get ready and go out, what I will also use to show the idea that they are all the same is show them changing many different outfits, however, when they leave their houses, they are all wearing the same outfit.I will also use some random images of things that are culturally specific in each city or just simply remind the focus group of that city. I will do some more research into the ideas of my target audience.
Cinematography
What I think is very important for my music video is the use of close - ups and extreme close - ups to the artist, as a lot of my research into music video has shown me that the industry use the music video as an opportunity for the audience to connect to the artist. A close up of the artist also meets this idea of having access to the performer which hasn't been available to the viewer before, the camera is very close to the artist, making the audience feel close to the artist.
Mise-en-scene
The main settings for this video will be 3 different bedrooms, and parties, although some of the video will be in a car, emphasising the lyrics 'I need to get away tonight.' The talent in the video will be wearing very dressy clothes and shoes, showing them going out on a Saturday night.
Important factors to consider in my music video.
Throughout my research into music video, I have found many aspects of some music videos that I would like to use in my own. However, what I feel to be most important about my music video is the important factors of music videos in general, which add quality to the song for the audience and these factors are important to consider in the industry when trying to sell a star image to the consumer.
Richard Dyer once said that "a star is an image constructed from a range of materials." The materials used to make up a star image are important in the media industry. The whole star image is made up of much more than what the star looks like, the image of the star is based on the songs they sing, the album/single cover sold to the audience, the media coverage they through television,magazines and newspapers and their live performances. However, it can be said that the most important part of the star image is the music video presented to the audience before the songs release. The music video can have a huge impact on the decision of the audience, if the video is not good enough, the audience can immediately make up their minds as to whether or not they like the song.
The video of a new song can be used to reinforce a previous image that has been presented of the star or it can be used to take the star's image into a new direction. The idea of voyeurism is also often presented in music video, with female stars being used to attract the male audience, and at times, the same is used the other way around. However, very often women are also used to flatter the male ego of a male performer in their videos. This is one of the factors of music video that makes it appealing to the audience.
Another aspect that the industry can use to make people enjoy the music video for their performer, is the use of intertextuality to other music videos, movies or even television programmes. Sometimes, it is made to be humourous, mocking another band/performer, and whilst appealing to some, it can lose the performer respect if they enjoy the music by the performer being mocked.
The main aspect of music video that I will focus on in my video is the use of a combination of performance and a narrative. Although songs never really have a complete narrative, the video often draws on some of the lyrics in the song and creates the whole story in the video. A good example of this, is the video I found earlier in my research by Maroon 5, which uses the idea of the song, and completes the story for us, without the song doing so. What I believe is also effective, is the idea of the narrative being in non-linear order, creating an interesting mood in the video.
Steve Archer once said "Often, music videos will cut between a narrative and a performance of the song by the band...Sometimes,the artist (especially the singer) will be a part of the story, acting as a part of the story, acting as narrator and participant at the same time. But it is the lip-synch close - up and the miming of playing instruments that remains at the heart of music videos." This is what I, personally, consider to be the main aspect of music video to create star image and appeal to the audience. The use of performance in the music video, allows the audience to make a connection to the performer and the use of them living day-to-day life in the video(mainly through the use of narrative including the artist) allows the audience to access the artist in a new way, which are not possible by viewing the star on stage. Through the use of close - up, role playing through the narrative and mise - en - scene, the artist is presented in a number of ways which make up the star image.
Richard Dyer once said that "a star is an image constructed from a range of materials." The materials used to make up a star image are important in the media industry. The whole star image is made up of much more than what the star looks like, the image of the star is based on the songs they sing, the album/single cover sold to the audience, the media coverage they through television,magazines and newspapers and their live performances. However, it can be said that the most important part of the star image is the music video presented to the audience before the songs release. The music video can have a huge impact on the decision of the audience, if the video is not good enough, the audience can immediately make up their minds as to whether or not they like the song.
The video of a new song can be used to reinforce a previous image that has been presented of the star or it can be used to take the star's image into a new direction. The idea of voyeurism is also often presented in music video, with female stars being used to attract the male audience, and at times, the same is used the other way around. However, very often women are also used to flatter the male ego of a male performer in their videos. This is one of the factors of music video that makes it appealing to the audience.
Another aspect that the industry can use to make people enjoy the music video for their performer, is the use of intertextuality to other music videos, movies or even television programmes. Sometimes, it is made to be humourous, mocking another band/performer, and whilst appealing to some, it can lose the performer respect if they enjoy the music by the performer being mocked.
The main aspect of music video that I will focus on in my video is the use of a combination of performance and a narrative. Although songs never really have a complete narrative, the video often draws on some of the lyrics in the song and creates the whole story in the video. A good example of this, is the video I found earlier in my research by Maroon 5, which uses the idea of the song, and completes the story for us, without the song doing so. What I believe is also effective, is the idea of the narrative being in non-linear order, creating an interesting mood in the video.
Steve Archer once said "Often, music videos will cut between a narrative and a performance of the song by the band...Sometimes,the artist (especially the singer) will be a part of the story, acting as a part of the story, acting as narrator and participant at the same time. But it is the lip-synch close - up and the miming of playing instruments that remains at the heart of music videos." This is what I, personally, consider to be the main aspect of music video to create star image and appeal to the audience. The use of performance in the music video, allows the audience to make a connection to the performer and the use of them living day-to-day life in the video(mainly through the use of narrative including the artist) allows the audience to access the artist in a new way, which are not possible by viewing the star on stage. Through the use of close - up, role playing through the narrative and mise - en - scene, the artist is presented in a number of ways which make up the star image.
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Developments in Music Video
During my research into music video, I was looking at development in music video. A good example of this is the video for Kleerup featuring Robyn 'With every heartbeat.' Like Composition in Blue, the video uses a lot of colour and shapes moving around. However, the clear development is the use of performance by the artist combined with the stop animation.
This is just one example of development in music video, and shows an important feature in music video today, and that is the connection the audience makes with the artist. It seems to be very important in music video today, that the performer is seen, to allow the star image to be created. However, what I find unusual about this video, is the continuity throughout, there seems to be no change in the video, the whole thing is purely performance and these colourful shapes moving around, so, although it is a development from the original Composition in Blue, the video is still very much the same thing going on, with a few interesting angles used to make the video a little unusual.
This is just one example of development in music video, and shows an important feature in music video today, and that is the connection the audience makes with the artist. It seems to be very important in music video today, that the performer is seen, to allow the star image to be created. However, what I find unusual about this video, is the continuity throughout, there seems to be no change in the video, the whole thing is purely performance and these colourful shapes moving around, so, although it is a development from the original Composition in Blue, the video is still very much the same thing going on, with a few interesting angles used to make the video a little unusual.
Monday, 8 October 2007
My moodboard
To get a sense of the feel I want for the video, I have created a moodboard using photoshop.
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Carlsson's theory
Through my research into music video I have been looking at Sven Carlsson's theory about Music Video Analysis. Carlsson says that 'Music Video is a form of audio - visual communication in which meaning is created via carriers of information such as; (1) the music (2) the lyrics and (3)the moving images.' He talks about music video being a combination of performance and conceptual clips, and lyrics being combined with images to create meaning to the audience.
Carlsson also says that the director will come up with a few ideas for a music video,and these ideas will be repeated and varied throughout the video. Re-arranging these visual motifs is said to be the key to making the music video work. He says that a music video is a combination of the provocative modern art tradition and a cultural interpretation of the teenage rebellion.
Carlsson also says that the director will come up with a few ideas for a music video,and these ideas will be repeated and varied throughout the video. Re-arranging these visual motifs is said to be the key to making the music video work. He says that a music video is a combination of the provocative modern art tradition and a cultural interpretation of the teenage rebellion.
Thursday, 20 September 2007
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Other videos by the artist
During the research process, I think it is important that I look at other videos by the original artist. From this video in particular, I have gained some ideas for my video. The video uses performance which is very similar to the original idea I had of having the artist performing in a dark room with only a microphone. What I like about this shot, is the use of the wooden floor showing the real emptiness in the room. I would like to use something like this in my video, as I think if the performance was staged in a room with a carpet it would look amateurish.
What is also very interesting about this video, is the combination of cartoon and the real life action. This has been something I have been planning on doing in my music video since the beginning of this project. What is good about this video compared to Maroon 5 and Timbaland is the video appeals more to girls rather than boys.
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Maroon 5 - Wake Up Call video
The video for 'Wake Up Call' by Maroon 5 meets many important factors of music video. The use of narrative alongside the performance is a characteristic found in many music videos today. The band are seen performing the song in a deserted area and this is very effective. It almost makes this part of the video look like a home video. The camera angles used in this part of the video are very interesting. They allow the viewer to see the whole of the band so that they are able to make a connection to the artist.
I think this is very important in music video and I will be using a performance in my own video.
What I also like about this video, is the use of a more subtle comic style. This is created by the use of some of the lyrics, like in the Timbaland video, coming up on the screen as the performer sings them.
The words are also written in an interesting way to meet the tone of the lyrics.
The most striking element of this video to me, however, is the use of the narrative alongside the performance and the use of the lyrics written across the narrative, it makes the video seem more realistic and is striking to the audience.
The use of shots such as above also makes the lyrics have more impact as it is set in a dark, almost deserted room, and this makes the audience see how scary the story of the song actually is, which cannot be fully presented to us through the use of performance alone.
What I find most interesting about the video is how the use of this comic theme makes the video appeal to an older audience, even though this theme should be used to attract a younger audience. Furthermore, the use of the action in the video being portrayed as an actual movie is very effective and I would like to use a similar idea in my music video.
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Hilary Duff Lyrics
There's people talking
They talk about me
They know my name
They think they know everything
But they don't know anything
About me
Give me a dance floor
Give me a dj
Play me a record
Forget what they say
Cause I need to go
Need to getaway tonight
I put my makeup on a saturday night
I try and make it happen
Try to make it all right
I know I make mistakes I'm living life day to day
It's never really easy but it's ok
Wake Up Wake Up
On a saturday night
Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine
London, Paris maybe Tokyo
There's something going on anywhere I go
Tonight Tonight
Yeah, tonight
The cities restless
It's all around me
People in motion
Sick of all the same routines
And they need to go
They need to get away Tonight
I put my makeup on a saturday night
I try and make it happen
Try to make it all right
I know I make mistakes I'm living life day to day
It's never really easy but it's ok
Wake Up Wake Up
On a saturday night
Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine
London, Paris maybe Tokyo
There's something going on anywhere I go
Tonight Tonight
Yeah, tonight
People all around you
Everywhere that you go
People all around you
They don't really know you
Everybody watching like it's some kind of show
Everybody's watching
They don't really know you now(They don't really know you)(They don't really know you)
And forever
Wake Up Wake Up(Wake Up Wake Up)
Wake Up Wake Up(Wake Up Wake Up)
Wake Up Wake Up On a saturday night
Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine
London, Paris maybe Tokyo
There's something going on anywhere I go
Wake Up Wake Up
On a saturday night
Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine
London, Paris maybe Tokyo
There's something going on anywhere
I go
Tonight Tonight
Yeah, tonight
They talk about me
They know my name
They think they know everything
But they don't know anything
About me
Give me a dance floor
Give me a dj
Play me a record
Forget what they say
Cause I need to go
Need to getaway tonight
I put my makeup on a saturday night
I try and make it happen
Try to make it all right
I know I make mistakes I'm living life day to day
It's never really easy but it's ok
Wake Up Wake Up
On a saturday night
Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine
London, Paris maybe Tokyo
There's something going on anywhere I go
Tonight Tonight
Yeah, tonight
The cities restless
It's all around me
People in motion
Sick of all the same routines
And they need to go
They need to get away Tonight
I put my makeup on a saturday night
I try and make it happen
Try to make it all right
I know I make mistakes I'm living life day to day
It's never really easy but it's ok
Wake Up Wake Up
On a saturday night
Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine
London, Paris maybe Tokyo
There's something going on anywhere I go
Tonight Tonight
Yeah, tonight
People all around you
Everywhere that you go
People all around you
They don't really know you
Everybody watching like it's some kind of show
Everybody's watching
They don't really know you now(They don't really know you)(They don't really know you)
And forever
Wake Up Wake Up(Wake Up Wake Up)
Wake Up Wake Up(Wake Up Wake Up)
Wake Up Wake Up On a saturday night
Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine
London, Paris maybe Tokyo
There's something going on anywhere I go
Wake Up Wake Up
On a saturday night
Could be New York Maybe Hollywood and Vine
London, Paris maybe Tokyo
There's something going on anywhere
I go
Tonight Tonight
Yeah, tonight
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