Sunday 27 January 2013
Collage
I have used iconic images from pop music videos which is my choosen genre and created a collage here it is:
Wednesday 23 January 2013
Conventions of a Pop Music Video
I researched the key conventions of a music video and here is what I found:
Camera shots =Music video's tend to include many long shots, mid shots and close ups, this is to create emphasis artist and there emotions but also the mise-en-scene. Extreme close up are not only to see the emotion on the artists face but to reflect the words of the song with the movement of the lips.
Camera movements =
The camera movement in music videos are mostly to follow or trace the artist or band, they can use a wide range to do this such as tilts, panning and tracking shots.
Mise-en-scene =
Mise-en-scene puts importance on the representation of something, it really relies on the genre and mood of the song in the music video. It helps visualize whatever the concept of the music video is. For example visualizing the lyrics, 'Last Friday Night' by Katy Perry is a good example of this as it is about a teenage girl reflecting on her experiences from Friday night which strongly influences the mood of the video.
Editing =
The pace of the editing fits with the pace of the song. Often transactions between shots are used to create a smooth flow through the video such as dissolve and fade. Jump cuts is a technique use is most updated videos now as it allows a sudden change from one scene to another.
Lighting =
Some music video's use lighting to enhance the artists or bands look by using artificial, but black and white is popular to set the mood it videos e.g. in a sad music video they use black and white to create a dull and sad mood
Award Winning Music Videos
When looking for award winning music video's in the genre pop I came across the MTV Music Video Awards. Most years since 1999 they have had an award named 'Best Pop Video' and I have found a table with the winners and nominees very year, here it is:
It has an upbeat fast tempo so all the shots are fast and catchy. I really like the transaction between shots with transparency and fading in and out of shots. Each star is showcased the perfect amount, with close ups on all of the band individually as well as together; they are showcased really well as a band together always playing and being friendly. You have many visuals that relate to the lyrics in this video such as the girl flicks her hair and looks away in shots. The concept it shown really well with the girl not realising how pretty she is and how much the boys like her.
Here is Britney Spears 'Till the World Ends' which won MTV 'Best Pop Video' in 2011 -
It is a dance beat so they have used a lot of dancers in this music video, with the shots last very very short and changing mise-en-scene this keeps a fast tempo flowing well with the song. Britney is showcased very well with lots of different types of shots such as panning and extreme close ups. The lyrics to the song relate strongly to the video as it is all about dancing and the whole music video is revolved around dance and feeling the beat. The concept of the music video is if you feel the beat you dance till the world ends, but in the end the world doesn't end it survives.
So here is One Directions music video for 'What Makes You Beautiful' which won last year -
It has an upbeat fast tempo so all the shots are fast and catchy. I really like the transaction between shots with transparency and fading in and out of shots. Each star is showcased the perfect amount, with close ups on all of the band individually as well as together; they are showcased really well as a band together always playing and being friendly. You have many visuals that relate to the lyrics in this video such as the girl flicks her hair and looks away in shots. The concept it shown really well with the girl not realising how pretty she is and how much the boys like her.
Here is Britney Spears 'Till the World Ends' which won MTV 'Best Pop Video' in 2011 -
It is a dance beat so they have used a lot of dancers in this music video, with the shots last very very short and changing mise-en-scene this keeps a fast tempo flowing well with the song. Britney is showcased very well with lots of different types of shots such as panning and extreme close ups. The lyrics to the song relate strongly to the video as it is all about dancing and the whole music video is revolved around dance and feeling the beat. The concept of the music video is if you feel the beat you dance till the world ends, but in the end the world doesn't end it survives.
Tuesday 22 January 2013
History of Pop Music Videos
We have chosen the genre 'Pop'. Pop music is hard to define but it is an abbreviation of the term 'popular music', so in one sense pop music is whatever happens to be popular at the time. As a genre, pop music is very electric, often borrowing elements from other styles.
At first, in the 1950s and 1960s, pop music was the same as rock-and-roll music, but slowly it developed into it own genre. The most important features of pop music are:
This is a great pop song with memorable lines and a great music video. I like the way it doesn't have a story line, but it uses a series of the same shots to flow with the song lyrics, and I love the use of extreme close ups on the singer. You can really see how fashion has changed because music video always represents what's popular at that time.
'Whenever Wherever' by Shakira - released in 2002
This pop video focuses on the singer with most shots only including Shakira dancing. I think videos have developed to show more versatility in there shots and mise-en-scene. This video is almost serial 'walking bare foot on the snow' and in place you would normally visit making it more appealing to the viewers.
'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias - released in 2003
This video has more of a story line with many cross shots that help almost explain what's going on. It also concentrates on the love bond between the two characters I like how they show this with many close ups of them separate then of them together.
'Toxic' by Briteny Spear - released 2004
This type of music video create unforgettable recurring characters that reflect the song. They almost make up there own story and keeps you intrigued and interested. The music video also use computer effects and CGI which works well and shows an improvement from earlier videos.
'Since you've been gone' by Kelly Clarkson - released 2004
You can see how the videos have become more diverse for example the video still focuses on the singer using close up shots but using the actual singer at a concert, I really like this idea. Also the shots especially in the middle of this video have more speed and a couple only lasting a second. The pace of the shots in videos have definitely got faster and this inspires me.
'Umbrella' by Rihanna - released 2007
You can definitely see how pop music videos have improved using this one as an example. The shot changes have more range using the water theme to help them, the close us shots don't necessarily show the main character looking directly at the camera up looking up into the camera giving the shots a more sexual vibe. The use of a number of backing dancers instead of just the main singer dancing is also an improvement. The outfits also in this music video have become more revealing, representing how it is more socially expectable. However in some shot Rihanna is bare foot rather serial like the Shakira music video.
'Someone Like You' by Adele - released 2011
This music video uses colour to express the songs genre and atmosphere, for example shots are in black and white and the song has a sad slow tempo. Also the close ups again the singer is not looking directly into the camera giving a feeling that you are watching them and are actually there which is more technical. I like the shot where the camera follows Adele and like how smooth the shot is and how it just flows with her walking. I also think you can see the difference in technicality of editing as there is more techniques in the later music video's for example in this near the end you get the stark overlap of shots with her eye and the scenery.
'I Knew You Were Trouble' by Taylor Swift - release 2013
Increasingly the more recent music video's have a start before the song starts were you tell the beginning of the story relating to the song. This music had a beginning and end to tie the video all in. I like the short fasts shots of this video having recurring shots mostly close ups in the same mise-en-scene embedded with scenes playing from her memory I think I whole idea is very clever.
At first, in the 1950s and 1960s, pop music was the same as rock-and-roll music, but slowly it developed into it own genre. The most important features of pop music are:
- It is easy to listen to and appeals to most people
- It is a fairly short song 3-4 minutes with repeated chorus's and regular verses
- It encouraged dancing by using a beat that is easy to dance to
- It is written in a basic format with melodic tunes and catchy hooks
Here are some music video's from 2000 to the present:
'Fallin' by Alicis Keys - released in 2001
'Fallin' by Alicis Keys - released in 2001
This is a great pop song with memorable lines and a great music video. I like the way it doesn't have a story line, but it uses a series of the same shots to flow with the song lyrics, and I love the use of extreme close ups on the singer. You can really see how fashion has changed because music video always represents what's popular at that time.
'Whenever Wherever' by Shakira - released in 2002
This pop video focuses on the singer with most shots only including Shakira dancing. I think videos have developed to show more versatility in there shots and mise-en-scene. This video is almost serial 'walking bare foot on the snow' and in place you would normally visit making it more appealing to the viewers.
'Hero' by Enrique Iglesias - released in 2003
This video has more of a story line with many cross shots that help almost explain what's going on. It also concentrates on the love bond between the two characters I like how they show this with many close ups of them separate then of them together.
'Toxic' by Briteny Spear - released 2004
This type of music video create unforgettable recurring characters that reflect the song. They almost make up there own story and keeps you intrigued and interested. The music video also use computer effects and CGI which works well and shows an improvement from earlier videos.
'Since you've been gone' by Kelly Clarkson - released 2004
You can see how the videos have become more diverse for example the video still focuses on the singer using close up shots but using the actual singer at a concert, I really like this idea. Also the shots especially in the middle of this video have more speed and a couple only lasting a second. The pace of the shots in videos have definitely got faster and this inspires me.
'Umbrella' by Rihanna - released 2007
You can definitely see how pop music videos have improved using this one as an example. The shot changes have more range using the water theme to help them, the close us shots don't necessarily show the main character looking directly at the camera up looking up into the camera giving the shots a more sexual vibe. The use of a number of backing dancers instead of just the main singer dancing is also an improvement. The outfits also in this music video have become more revealing, representing how it is more socially expectable. However in some shot Rihanna is bare foot rather serial like the Shakira music video.
'Someone Like You' by Adele - released 2011
This music video uses colour to express the songs genre and atmosphere, for example shots are in black and white and the song has a sad slow tempo. Also the close ups again the singer is not looking directly into the camera giving a feeling that you are watching them and are actually there which is more technical. I like the shot where the camera follows Adele and like how smooth the shot is and how it just flows with her walking. I also think you can see the difference in technicality of editing as there is more techniques in the later music video's for example in this near the end you get the stark overlap of shots with her eye and the scenery.
'I Knew You Were Trouble' by Taylor Swift - release 2013
Increasingly the more recent music video's have a start before the song starts were you tell the beginning of the story relating to the song. This music had a beginning and end to tie the video all in. I like the short fasts shots of this video having recurring shots mostly close ups in the same mise-en-scene embedded with scenes playing from her memory I think I whole idea is very clever.
Chuck Norris
As we have chosen our lead lip syncer our friend Kate that will perform in our music video we have given her the lyrics and shown her the song.
Here are the lyrics:
When I’m down I want to hear your voice so,
Talk for hours and hours don’t want to let you go
Cause only you can put a smile back on my face.
Just one word can change me for the better
Why can’t we stay like this for ever,
so why did I have to go mess it up?
Talk for hours and hours don’t want to let you go
Cause only you can put a smile back on my face.
Just one word can change me for the better
Why can’t we stay like this for ever,
so why did I have to go mess it up?
Its like falling asleep on a railroad track
Or baiting Chuck Norris just to make him mad
Skinny dipping in the pouring rain,
or sending drunk texts to your boss’ phone again!
Or baiting Chuck Norris just to make him mad
Skinny dipping in the pouring rain,
or sending drunk texts to your boss’ phone again!
Swim with sharks just to feel the danger
or flipping the bird to a mean state ranger
No – the dumbest thing I could do,
Is say that I didn’t love you.
or flipping the bird to a mean state ranger
No – the dumbest thing I could do,
Is say that I didn’t love you.
Sitting here i swear i heard a pin drop
What you said just left me in a heart-lock
I kinda froze when you told me that you loved me.
So please take this song as an apology,
a love letter to you but as an MP3
What you said just left me in a heart-lock
I kinda froze when you told me that you loved me.
So please take this song as an apology,
a love letter to you but as an MP3
So listen in cause I think I found a way
to show you I need you,tell you I love you
to show you I need you,tell you I love you
(Chorus)
I need to catch my breath for a minute.
Obsessed so caught up in it,
No point denying the feelings that I’m hiding,
I gotta tell you boy I’m so excited.
Obsessed so caught up in it,
No point denying the feelings that I’m hiding,
I gotta tell you boy I’m so excited.
So would you hold my hand for a second?
Come close cause a whisper’s all you’re getting,
I was dumb and I know I took a while
But I’m finally admitting that I’m so smitten.
Come close cause a whisper’s all you’re getting,
I was dumb and I know I took a while
But I’m finally admitting that I’m so smitten.
(Chorus)
No – the dumbest thing I could say, is ‘I don’t look at you that way’.
Yeah the dumbest thing I could do, is say that I didn’t love you.
Yeah the dumbest thing I could do, is say that I didn’t love you.
Permission to use our chosen song
We emailed Izzy Marie Hill's management asking permission to use her song 'Chuck Norris' and we were really pleased that they got back to us so quickly with the great enthusiatic response. When I spoke to them on the phone they offered to send us a better quality version of 'Chuck Norris' to help us with our video.
So this is our final song choice, a great upbeat number.
Sunday 20 January 2013
Stop Motion Animation
As stop motion animation is something which we have been
looking at using in our music video we started to do some research into
different Stop Motion videos on Youtube to see what inspired us.
Below is a Stop Motion animation that has inspired me:
We also looked at a fellow student Rory Murphy who has produced Stop Motion Animation work for his A level graphics course. His work has inspired us and helped us with our ideas, below are videos of his work:
Unsigned Artists
Looking more into unsigned artists, I heard of this scheme that Radio 1 has started. What Radio 1 has done is create slots in radio time for unsigned artists to promote there music and themselves to the listeners. Whilst looking through Radio 1's playlist of unsigned artists we found one which caught our eye because we loved the upbeat tempo of her music her name is Izzy Marie Hill.
Her music fits the bubbly style we had been considering, so we visited her website to find out more.
There was a range of her other music on her website, but we particularly liked her song called 'Chuck Norris' as it fits with the variety and type of music we wanted out music video to have. Here is her song 'Chuck Norris':
Her music fits the bubbly style we had been considering, so we visited her website to find out more.
There was a range of her other music on her website, but we particularly liked her song called 'Chuck Norris' as it fits with the variety and type of music we wanted out music video to have. Here is her song 'Chuck Norris':
Music Video Planning
Now having finished our preliminary task we have to make some decisions and plan are Advanced Portfolio piece. When planning out music video we have already made small choices to guide out route as our options are still fairly wide. Here are some of the decisions we have made:
- Firstly me and my fellow student Annabelle have decided to work together as we have the same ideas for a music video and think both are talents would be great to combine to make a great music video
- The person who did out lip syncing practice proved to be really great and we have chosen her to shoot out music video, this limits out song to a female singer
- For our song we have both agreed we want something fun and upbeat no sad or dramatic music, so this will help up choose are genre for our music video
- As looking as music video's that inspire us we both like the idea of using 'Stop Motion Animation' in out music video, also included a number of different shots, this will help us with our story-board
- We also want to use music from an unsigned artist as we are aware that it would be much easier to get permission to use there music in our video, websites such as Youtube and Myspace act as a platform for unsigned artist to promote there music so we have started looking in these places.
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