Saturday 25 December 2010
Friday 24 December 2010
Thursday 23 December 2010
Evaluation Task One: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Music Video Still Shots:
1) This is a medium-shot, which pans across some flowers with sparklers amongst them. I think this shot is really effective as it allows the audience to see more of the image rather than a simple still shot. This creates a prolonged attentiveness, which is connected to the idea of a dream.
2) Demonstrates lip-syncing in perfect time with the music, which makes the video look very professional and skilled in terms of the editing/ ambi editing skills.
3) Here is a Close Up Shot of the main subject. This is an example of the Indie-Genre as the make up and backdrop are unique and based around individuality. This is again connected with how the audience recognises our artist as alternative.
4) This is like a photographic shot as there is no movement. This shot shows the dream theme, as the mise-en-scene is unusual. We incorporated this shot to show the skill of ambi-editing that we have developed during this process.
5) This shot demonstrates the lighting used in our music video. There were police cars on the road, and I saw the effect it had though the stain glass window, I thought it fitted perfectly with our dreamlike idea so I filmed it. I really like this shot because it is very atmospheric.
6) This shot is a close up of a couple of objects in a bedroom, which are very colourful, which matches the vibrancy of previous scenes in our music video.
7) This is an Extreme Close-Up of the subjects’ lips. This is an inspired idea from the ‘Rocky horror Picture Show’ and to the make up used in the music video ‘You Came Out’ by We Have Band, an alternative band. This further reinforces the music video, as it is an unconventional method of approach to conveying lyrics.
8) This is a shot of a flaming bat, which follows the enchanting theme of the music video. Also it is a connecting symbol of the bands logo and name- Bat for Lashes.
9) This is close-up shot of a chandelier that is in the same bedroom as all the other unusual, colourful objects in the previous and following shots in the music video. This shot shows how the colourful and unusual objects we chose to include in our music video creates a mystical atmosphere.
Real Music Video Still Shots
1) This is a medium shot of Rihanna. There are lots of bright colours, which convey the songs pop genre. The colours and flowers are pretty which also shows Rihanna’s girly style, which is similar to some of the shots that we used in our music video.
2) This is a long shot of Lady Gaga and Beyonce dancing in their video ‘Telephone’. Both women are wearing very skimpy clothes, which suggest that the record company is using body image as a selling point.
3) This shot highlights intertextuality due to Gwen Stefani and the mise-en-scene representing an Alice in Wonderland setting. The strangeness of this conveys the electro-pop genre.
4) The colours and the symmetry of this shot show that the music is quite serious. The colourlessness and the symmetry creates a weird atmosphere which correlates with the music as it is quite alternative.
5) This shot of Taio Cruz in front of half naked women convey the RnB influenced pop genre and connotate the promise of sex. This shot shows just what we didn’t want to include which is women being used as sexual objects to sell the music/product.
6) This shot is quite similar to a shot we have in our music video of sparklers next to some flowers. This shot is visually beautiful, with the colours and the way its been lit. This portrays the artist’s femininity, and personal style.
7) This is a medium close up of Lady Gaga; this shot shows the artist’s alternative pop genre. The shot shows the artists creativity as it shows her wearing cigarette sunglasses. This again shows the artists distinctiveness, which I believe we have done for our music video with the different mise-en-scene within it.
8) This demonstrates great lighting skills as it lights all subjects well but with some shadowing which creates a supernatural and moody atmosphere. This is eerie effect is established throughout the video using lighting.
9) This shot is lit very well as it creates an unnaturally beautiful scene. This shot has a similar atmosphere to shots in our music video as it quite magical and dreamlike. The mise-en-scene is very interesting and stunning to look at, which makes the video more attractive to watch.
1) This is a medium-shot, which pans across some flowers with sparklers amongst them. I think this shot is really effective as it allows the audience to see more of the image rather than a simple still shot. This creates a prolonged attentiveness, which is connected to the idea of a dream.
2) Demonstrates lip-syncing in perfect time with the music, which makes the video look very professional and skilled in terms of the editing/ ambi editing skills.
3) Here is a Close Up Shot of the main subject. This is an example of the Indie-Genre as the make up and backdrop are unique and based around individuality. This is again connected with how the audience recognises our artist as alternative.
4) This is like a photographic shot as there is no movement. This shot shows the dream theme, as the mise-en-scene is unusual. We incorporated this shot to show the skill of ambi-editing that we have developed during this process.
5) This shot demonstrates the lighting used in our music video. There were police cars on the road, and I saw the effect it had though the stain glass window, I thought it fitted perfectly with our dreamlike idea so I filmed it. I really like this shot because it is very atmospheric.
6) This shot is a close up of a couple of objects in a bedroom, which are very colourful, which matches the vibrancy of previous scenes in our music video.
7) This is an Extreme Close-Up of the subjects’ lips. This is an inspired idea from the ‘Rocky horror Picture Show’ and to the make up used in the music video ‘You Came Out’ by We Have Band, an alternative band. This further reinforces the music video, as it is an unconventional method of approach to conveying lyrics.
8) This is a shot of a flaming bat, which follows the enchanting theme of the music video. Also it is a connecting symbol of the bands logo and name- Bat for Lashes.
9) This is close-up shot of a chandelier that is in the same bedroom as all the other unusual, colourful objects in the previous and following shots in the music video. This shot shows how the colourful and unusual objects we chose to include in our music video creates a mystical atmosphere.
Real Music Video Still Shots
1) This is a medium shot of Rihanna. There are lots of bright colours, which convey the songs pop genre. The colours and flowers are pretty which also shows Rihanna’s girly style, which is similar to some of the shots that we used in our music video.
2) This is a long shot of Lady Gaga and Beyonce dancing in their video ‘Telephone’. Both women are wearing very skimpy clothes, which suggest that the record company is using body image as a selling point.
3) This shot highlights intertextuality due to Gwen Stefani and the mise-en-scene representing an Alice in Wonderland setting. The strangeness of this conveys the electro-pop genre.
4) The colours and the symmetry of this shot show that the music is quite serious. The colourlessness and the symmetry creates a weird atmosphere which correlates with the music as it is quite alternative.
5) This shot of Taio Cruz in front of half naked women convey the RnB influenced pop genre and connotate the promise of sex. This shot shows just what we didn’t want to include which is women being used as sexual objects to sell the music/product.
6) This shot is quite similar to a shot we have in our music video of sparklers next to some flowers. This shot is visually beautiful, with the colours and the way its been lit. This portrays the artist’s femininity, and personal style.
7) This is a medium close up of Lady Gaga; this shot shows the artist’s alternative pop genre. The shot shows the artists creativity as it shows her wearing cigarette sunglasses. This again shows the artists distinctiveness, which I believe we have done for our music video with the different mise-en-scene within it.
8) This demonstrates great lighting skills as it lights all subjects well but with some shadowing which creates a supernatural and moody atmosphere. This is eerie effect is established throughout the video using lighting.
9) This shot is lit very well as it creates an unnaturally beautiful scene. This shot has a similar atmosphere to shots in our music video as it quite magical and dreamlike. The mise-en-scene is very interesting and stunning to look at, which makes the video more attractive to watch.
Wednesday 22 December 2010
Evaluation Question Two; How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
Video and Digipak Images
The first two images are from the digipak and the other two are from the music video. The first image links to the image below it from the video as they both include focus on the eyes. The still shot from the music video shows the whole face, but we tried to draw focus on the eyes by using large false eyelashes. The first image also links to the image next to it, which is also from the digipak; they match through the colour theme and the intensity of the colour in the eye. We decided to focus on the eye/eyelashes due to our band name ‘Bat for Lashes’.
We decided to focus on facial features to demonstrate that attractiveness does not need to be judged on body image. We wanted to sustain continuity with our products that is why we chose to focus on a few things such as eyes, lips and hair.
We decided to have a running colour theme on the digipak to reinforce continuity, we chose the red colour as we were inspired by a shot from our music video where I am surrounded by fairy lights and candles. We decided to do this as we wanted all our products to have a similar theme so that our target market is able to recognise products that were ours.
Evaluation q2
Evaluation q2 Images
Here are some images taken from the music video and digipak. The colours used are bright and similar throughout; we decided to do this to establish continuity. We wanted the audience to feel an intimate connection, which is why we chose to have close ups of artist’s mouth singing, which also shows off the tongue piercing. Due to the tongue piercing being established in the music video, when the viewer sees the image where the tongue is again exposed on the digipak they will know that the two products are linked.
As you can see they all focus on the mouth and tongue, and show off the subjects piercings. The first image shows the subjects facial expression that portrays an air of cheekiness and the piercing relates to the indie/ alternative genre. This is because piercings aren’t seen often in mainstream music and are less socially acceptable making it relevant to our chosen niche market of individual/alternative music.
The first two images are from the digipak and the other two are from the music video. The first image links to the image below it from the video as they both include focus on the eyes. The still shot from the music video shows the whole face, but we tried to draw focus on the eyes by using large false eyelashes. The first image also links to the image next to it, which is also from the digipak; they match through the colour theme and the intensity of the colour in the eye. We decided to focus on the eye/eyelashes due to our band name ‘Bat for Lashes’.
We decided to focus on facial features to demonstrate that attractiveness does not need to be judged on body image. We wanted to sustain continuity with our products that is why we chose to focus on a few things such as eyes, lips and hair.
We decided to have a running colour theme on the digipak to reinforce continuity, we chose the red colour as we were inspired by a shot from our music video where I am surrounded by fairy lights and candles. We decided to do this as we wanted all our products to have a similar theme so that our target market is able to recognise products that were ours.
Evaluation q2
Evaluation q2 Images
Here are some images taken from the music video and digipak. The colours used are bright and similar throughout; we decided to do this to establish continuity. We wanted the audience to feel an intimate connection, which is why we chose to have close ups of artist’s mouth singing, which also shows off the tongue piercing. Due to the tongue piercing being established in the music video, when the viewer sees the image where the tongue is again exposed on the digipak they will know that the two products are linked.
As you can see they all focus on the mouth and tongue, and show off the subjects piercings. The first image shows the subjects facial expression that portrays an air of cheekiness and the piercing relates to the indie/ alternative genre. This is because piercings aren’t seen often in mainstream music and are less socially acceptable making it relevant to our chosen niche market of individual/alternative music.
Tuesday 21 December 2010
Evaluation Question Three: What have you learnt from your audience feedback?
I received and noted down feedback from people within my target audience about our rough cut, also during a few of our lessons we all watched each others music videos and gave each other feedback, with this I then created the above word cloud. I used a word cloud as I thought it was an interesting and effective way of formatting my feedback. The first cloud consists of a lot of constructive criticism, with words like ‘change shots’ and ‘change cuts’. This prompted Cleo and I to analyse and reflect upon our rough cut to discuss what changes we could make to our music video to improve it. Without this feedback, the music video may not have made such substantial progress and be as effective as it has turned out.
Through this feedback we reflected and realised that we needed to change some shots, including some from the beginning of the music video where there was some erratic shots of the subject that didn’t make sense. In order to improve this, we changed the footage to images that were a lot visually and technically stronger in creating our music video.
Some people within our target audience said that some of the footage was too dark. So to improve this, we changed the lighting in the video in order to brighten it up making the subject clear to see. This worked very well and added to the overall look of the music video.
The second word cloud I made is full of positive comments from people within our target audience about the final master of our music video. After Cleo and I used the constructive criticisms and feedback about our rough cut and made the all the required changes, the feedback received for the final product were very positive.
To prevent any of the dark shadows being as prominent, we chose to use bold colours and lighting. Comments which were common were about how well lip-synced our footage was edited. Cleo and I were both really proud of this because this was an aspect that we found a bit challenging and at times quite tedious. So receiving such positive feedback about it was very reassuring and great to hear.
Our audience also really liked the bat motif and the fact that this particular shot closed the video with a fade out; they thought it was visually really strong as well as being appropriate to the band and genre. The most essential comments were about the genre of the band. People from our target audience said that they believed we had achieved an ‘alternative’ ‘indie’ and ‘unique’ music video through our footage, effects and use of ‘exquisite’ colour and objects like the dinosaurs, dolls, lips and fire.
On the whole, we received many more positive comments about the final master than the rough cut; this was good because the initial ‘negative’ comments are what helped us develop our music video. The final master is what was most important to get positive feedback for, and the fact that it did and it received a lot of positive comments, showed just how important the initial comments about the rough cut were in developing our music video so it reached a much higher standard. So getting feedback at the different stages of our music video process was really useful and helpful to us.
Sunday 19 December 2010
Evaluation Question Four: How did you use new media technologies in the construction, research, planning and evaluation stages?
Logos
Here is a mood-board I made of showing some examples of the new media technologies we used in the construction, planning, research and evaluation stages of the music video. New Media Technologies have influenced our project in a variety of ways, and had they not been so advanced, Cleo and I wouldn’t have been able to create the music video we wanted and made.
Cleo and I were a bit rusty with using Final Cut as it was a while since we last used it for our AS project. When we first opened Final Cut Pro, it seemed we were bombarded with lots of unfamiliar of drop down boxes, applications, toolbars and buttons, which was a bit intimidating. So firstly we had to get to grips with the program, and we had a lesson where we went over the basics of using the program, which we both found very useful. We also found some Final Cut tutorials on YouTube, which provided us with a better understanding of how to use the software.
Here is an example of a really helpful tutorial program that we used:
After playing around with the software to get used to it and its different features, we eventually began to understand how it worked and we became more confident using it. Final Cut Pro was the base for creating our music video; we used it to edit the footage together, add effects and link the music to the video, focusing on lip-synching and ambi-editing. Without Final Cut Pro I don’t think we would have been able to achieve what we wanted for our music video. I think that Final Cut Pro is an excellent piece of software, which enabled us to be as creative as we wanted and produce a high standard visual product with a low very low budget. The fact that many large budget movies have used this program also show how advanced it is and a lot can be achieved from it.
At college we used Mac’s in class, prior to the making of the music video I had used Mac’s in my own time as my family computer is a Mac, but I have never used it for anything complex like making a music video. Using the Mac’s meant we were able to use Final Cut Express which was really good as without this we would not have been able to include any special effects at all. This would have meant that the shots of the subjects lips- the main focus of our music video would not have been so flamboyant and neither would the shots of me with the candles around my head, as we changed the lighting and contrasts in these shots to make them more stunning.
The idea of us not being able to have these shots makes me believe that we would have made an unsuccessful music video, which would look unattractive, and unprofessional.
When our music video was finished using Final Cut Express with the Mac’s. The next step was our promotion for the product and the band, which without the Internet I don’t think we would have been able to do so well. This is because we would not have been able to present our music video on different social networking sites such as Facebook, of which I personally have a page. So when Cleo and I put up our music video on the site we both encouraged friends and family to watch it and leave comments, so without technological advances, we would not have been able to do this.
Additionally, Cleo and I would not have been able to upload our video onto Vimeo or YouTube without these advances, and any other methods of exhibition would have been very pricey. Also without HD cameras we would not have been able to have the crisp appearing footage because we would be using the standard DV cameras meaning our video would not be of the high quality it is. Below is an image of HD vs. SD and as you can see, the difference is very clear, and had we used SD in our music video, it would have caused considerably negative results.
This is a screen shot of our music video on YouTube, which proves how important the Internet was for us, as without it we wouldn’t have been able to receive over two hundred views or any feedback.
Here is a screen shot of my blog, which is where all of my work is available to see:
The blog holds all of my work on it, from the initial analysis of music videos to the final master, and without the Internet and Internet based programs such as YouTube and Scribd; this would not have been possible. All in all, I have learnt that we have been very lucky to have such advances in New Media Technologies available to us. I take for granted the use of the Internet every day, but through this project I have realised what a vital role it plays in the world, let alone its role in making this project. With the use of the Mac's and practical aspects like using the HD cameras, we have been able to create the music video we aimed to achieve. Through using a variety of New Media Technologies I now have gained a better understanding of how great an influence New Media Technologies have had upon the outcome of this project.
Here is a mood-board I made of showing some examples of the new media technologies we used in the construction, planning, research and evaluation stages of the music video. New Media Technologies have influenced our project in a variety of ways, and had they not been so advanced, Cleo and I wouldn’t have been able to create the music video we wanted and made.
Cleo and I were a bit rusty with using Final Cut as it was a while since we last used it for our AS project. When we first opened Final Cut Pro, it seemed we were bombarded with lots of unfamiliar of drop down boxes, applications, toolbars and buttons, which was a bit intimidating. So firstly we had to get to grips with the program, and we had a lesson where we went over the basics of using the program, which we both found very useful. We also found some Final Cut tutorials on YouTube, which provided us with a better understanding of how to use the software.
Here is an example of a really helpful tutorial program that we used:
After playing around with the software to get used to it and its different features, we eventually began to understand how it worked and we became more confident using it. Final Cut Pro was the base for creating our music video; we used it to edit the footage together, add effects and link the music to the video, focusing on lip-synching and ambi-editing. Without Final Cut Pro I don’t think we would have been able to achieve what we wanted for our music video. I think that Final Cut Pro is an excellent piece of software, which enabled us to be as creative as we wanted and produce a high standard visual product with a low very low budget. The fact that many large budget movies have used this program also show how advanced it is and a lot can be achieved from it.
At college we used Mac’s in class, prior to the making of the music video I had used Mac’s in my own time as my family computer is a Mac, but I have never used it for anything complex like making a music video. Using the Mac’s meant we were able to use Final Cut Express which was really good as without this we would not have been able to include any special effects at all. This would have meant that the shots of the subjects lips- the main focus of our music video would not have been so flamboyant and neither would the shots of me with the candles around my head, as we changed the lighting and contrasts in these shots to make them more stunning.
The idea of us not being able to have these shots makes me believe that we would have made an unsuccessful music video, which would look unattractive, and unprofessional.
When our music video was finished using Final Cut Express with the Mac’s. The next step was our promotion for the product and the band, which without the Internet I don’t think we would have been able to do so well. This is because we would not have been able to present our music video on different social networking sites such as Facebook, of which I personally have a page. So when Cleo and I put up our music video on the site we both encouraged friends and family to watch it and leave comments, so without technological advances, we would not have been able to do this.
Additionally, Cleo and I would not have been able to upload our video onto Vimeo or YouTube without these advances, and any other methods of exhibition would have been very pricey. Also without HD cameras we would not have been able to have the crisp appearing footage because we would be using the standard DV cameras meaning our video would not be of the high quality it is. Below is an image of HD vs. SD and as you can see, the difference is very clear, and had we used SD in our music video, it would have caused considerably negative results.
This is a screen shot of our music video on YouTube, which proves how important the Internet was for us, as without it we wouldn’t have been able to receive over two hundred views or any feedback.
Here is a screen shot of my blog, which is where all of my work is available to see:
The blog holds all of my work on it, from the initial analysis of music videos to the final master, and without the Internet and Internet based programs such as YouTube and Scribd; this would not have been possible. All in all, I have learnt that we have been very lucky to have such advances in New Media Technologies available to us. I take for granted the use of the Internet every day, but through this project I have realised what a vital role it plays in the world, let alone its role in making this project. With the use of the Mac's and practical aspects like using the HD cameras, we have been able to create the music video we aimed to achieve. Through using a variety of New Media Technologies I now have gained a better understanding of how great an influence New Media Technologies have had upon the outcome of this project.
Thursday 9 December 2010
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Initial Magazine Advert Idea
This is a draft of our initial magazine advert idea. We decided to use the same images from our digipak as we want it to be recognisably connected to the album and the artist. We chose to have large font so that it is easily read by those flicking through the magazine, thus grabbing their attention, and make them want to buy the product. We chose NME's opinion to be quoted on our advert, as it is a highly respected magazine that concentrates on alternative music, which is the genre of our artist.
Saturday 20 November 2010
Friday 19 November 2010
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Intertextuality:
“The idea that a given text is a response to what has already been written, be it explicit or implicit; the reference to another separate and distinct text within a text”
An example of intertextuality is of Rihanna wearing this helmet, which is a clear modern twist on Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse.
An example of intertextuality is of Rihanna wearing this helmet, which is a clear modern twist on Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse.
Using Photoshop:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
These are images which show we both were able to use the software, Photoshop to create a more visually powerful image. At first neither of us really knew how to use photoshop, but after a college workshop we learnt the basics and became much more confident using the program and experimenting with it.
After:
Before:
After:
These are images which show we both were able to use the software, Photoshop to create a more visually powerful image. At first neither of us really knew how to use photoshop, but after a college workshop we learnt the basics and became much more confident using the program and experimenting with it.
Tuesday 16 November 2010
Monday 15 November 2010
Digipak Research
Today me and Cleo looked through all the different digipaks we had for research. We found that digipaks can vary from being quite simple and plain to ones that have extra things in it. Things you can fond in a digipak are song lyrics, competitions, posters of the band/artist, and messages from the artists/band to the fans. So for our digipak we are going to have song lyrics for the song 'Pearl's Dream' and a poster. All digipak themes relate to the artist/ band genre and their personalities. So we are going to do the same and match our digipak to our artist and genre.
Saturday 13 November 2010
Sunday 7 November 2010
Ananlysis of Rough Cut
This is our rough cut and a lot of work needs to be done if we are to reach the level we want to achieve.
For example, the opening does not have any establishing shots; only erratic shots which look very unprofessional and unplanned. This is because we have managed to get the bulk of the editing done meaning that anything else which needs to be inserted will be allot simpler because the basic outline of the footage is evident.
We intend to change the first shot of the pink lips to something much stronger in its tone in order to make the opening far more powerful than its current weak state.
All of the footage that seems irrelevant like the subject looking unprepared will be replaced with video recordings that will be significant and related to the music video.
The footage is lip-synced in time so all of this type of footage will remain in the same place and we will work around the valid clips so that we do not need to change everything.
When the blue lips change to pink at 0:28-0:30, the syncing is not as good as it could be so this is something we will need to review and make changes to.
Up until we the big close up of the subjects lips painted grey and purple, there is an equal amount of footage for each change of scenery, however this clip lasts too long and we intend to shorten this by inserting another clip towards the end of the purple and grey lip image.
During the purple footage, at 1:28, Cleo and I will insert different footage in order to make it less lengthy.
From 1:37-1:42 there is simply a prolonged shot of the subjects lips painted blue and pink which is unnecessary and so will be cut.
This happens again at 1:44-1:50 and so this will also need to be cut for the same reasons.
The footage from 2:00-2:08 needs to be re-looked at as again the blue lips are prolonged and shots of other colours of lips could be inserted, and the shot of the cat needs to be removed as this was placed into the music video rough cut accidentally.
2:20-2:22 needs to be removed as the subject was not fully ready for shooting and is so behind in terms of the timing.
This happens again at 2:37-2:39 and so this footage too will be cut.
At the moment there is not a definitive ending of the music video, however, we have planned to fade-out footage of the flaming bat to close the footage. After we make all of the above changes, the music video should be finished and to a very high quality.
For example, the opening does not have any establishing shots; only erratic shots which look very unprofessional and unplanned. This is because we have managed to get the bulk of the editing done meaning that anything else which needs to be inserted will be allot simpler because the basic outline of the footage is evident.
We intend to change the first shot of the pink lips to something much stronger in its tone in order to make the opening far more powerful than its current weak state.
All of the footage that seems irrelevant like the subject looking unprepared will be replaced with video recordings that will be significant and related to the music video.
The footage is lip-synced in time so all of this type of footage will remain in the same place and we will work around the valid clips so that we do not need to change everything.
When the blue lips change to pink at 0:28-0:30, the syncing is not as good as it could be so this is something we will need to review and make changes to.
Up until we the big close up of the subjects lips painted grey and purple, there is an equal amount of footage for each change of scenery, however this clip lasts too long and we intend to shorten this by inserting another clip towards the end of the purple and grey lip image.
During the purple footage, at 1:28, Cleo and I will insert different footage in order to make it less lengthy.
From 1:37-1:42 there is simply a prolonged shot of the subjects lips painted blue and pink which is unnecessary and so will be cut.
This happens again at 1:44-1:50 and so this will also need to be cut for the same reasons.
The footage from 2:00-2:08 needs to be re-looked at as again the blue lips are prolonged and shots of other colours of lips could be inserted, and the shot of the cat needs to be removed as this was placed into the music video rough cut accidentally.
2:20-2:22 needs to be removed as the subject was not fully ready for shooting and is so behind in terms of the timing.
This happens again at 2:37-2:39 and so this footage too will be cut.
At the moment there is not a definitive ending of the music video, however, we have planned to fade-out footage of the flaming bat to close the footage. After we make all of the above changes, the music video should be finished and to a very high quality.
Wednesday 20 October 2010
Visuals: Inspirations and Influences
Andy Warhol's colouful artwork has provided us with great inspiration for our work. I love the vibrancy and how the image contrasts the different colours.
Here is an image that is used to represent the film 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show', which has heavily inspired our music video. This is because we loved how the image instantly draws your attention, and as the image is of lips we realised how it would fit perfectly to have as part of our lip synching scenes. Also both Cleo and I saw how it would be excellent to have the lips as our central focus because of the fact that lips themselves hold a lot of connotations.
Here is a screenshot of our version of the lips from our music video:
Monday 11 October 2010
Final Storyboard;
This is our final storyboard for which Cleo and I worked on after re-evaluating our initial storyboard. We took into consideration shots which we wished to include that were absent in the initial storyboard. We feel that this will make shooting very clear as we will avoid shooting any footage which is not needed. We planned this story board step by step and in great deal. I now feel ready to start shooting as we have strong ideas set in place.
Sunday 10 October 2010
Existing Music Video Director, Mattias Montero:
Mattias Montero
Mattias Montero is a director of photography, whom has made many short films and commercials as well as music videos. One of his works includes a music video for Bat for Lashes. Most of his concepts are seemingly straightforward, but he has a genius ability to create rhythmic and ornate videos.
Here is the music video for ‘What’s a girl to do’ by Bat for Lashes. Mattias Montero shows how his precise positioning and movement in front of the camera creates a more elegant and haunting atmosphere within the video. Also both the choreography of the riders and the constant backwards movement of the camera created a fantastically eerie and ominous tone. I also appreciate how it goes against most other music video conventions, as it does not include any ambi-editing because it is all taken in one long shot.
I love the lighting used in this video because it captures the absolute beauty and essence of each object in each frame. The motion of the water and the lighting creates a crisp and stunning visual. All together Montero has created a series of spectacular images that are just fascinating to watch.
This music video for ‘I’m good, I’m gone’, by Lykke Li is sensational as you can see how Montero has thought about each little detail for each frame. With some of the frames being completely symmetrical and all the movements are strange and original it creates a weird and ominous tone. The ambi-editing is extremely well done meeting the beats 100%.
Saturday 9 October 2010
Our Music Video; Explanation
Basically, through all our research we have decide to make our music video very abstract. This is because most of the feedback we have received from those within our target audience have said that they much prefer music videos that stand out because they are different. Also many have stated their dislike for the cliche videos that show nude women dancing for the entertainment of "wealthy" men. Many have said that they enjoy watching music videos that are visually interesting and different. Some even said that they like it when a video doesn't really make sense or have a storyline, as they like to re-watch the videos and create a meaning from it for themselves. Therefore Cleo and I have decided that we want our video to be a little bizarre and not make sense, which also goes with our initial idea of making the video seem very atmospheric and dream like. As dreams never really have a beginning, middle or end and hardly ever make sense, but we can create meaning from our dreams by pondering them.
Friday 8 October 2010
We Make Band- "You Came Out"
We looked at this music video as it is by an alternative, which is the same genre as Bat for Lashes, band called We Make Band. We already had the initial idea of using face paints, and by watching this video we saw how effective the use of them could be. They have successfully correlated the changing face paint with the ambi editing, which I think looks really effective, so we are going to incorporate this in some way into our music video.
These are some of the images we thought were very visually impressive. This is because of how the colour contrasts with the paleness of the skin, and creates an eerie atmosphere which is quite surreal. We want to try and create this effect for our music video as we want it to be dreamlike, eerie and atmospheric.
These are some of the images we thought were very visually impressive. This is because of how the colour contrasts with the paleness of the skin, and creates an eerie atmosphere which is quite surreal. We want to try and create this effect for our music video as we want it to be dreamlike, eerie and atmospheric.
Thursday 7 October 2010
Treatment;
Treatment:
Song Choices:
· The XX ‘Crystallised’
· Bat For Lashes ‘Pearl’s Dream’
When we first received the specification at the beginning of the summer before the end of the school year, me and Cleo were going make a music video for the song ‘Crystallised’ by ‘The XX’. This was our first song choice as there is a definite and consistent beat throughout and we know a group of friends in a band who were willing to help us with ‘band’ scenes.
We then however changed our minds by the time we returned back to school in September, this was because ‘The XX’ had become a very mainstream band and we thought it would be difficult to recreate a video that would be distinctively different to the official one. Due to this we changed the song choice to 'Pearl’s Dream’ by Bat For Lashes. This was because this artist is also part of the Indie genre but is less mainstream. So as a pair, we thought this would be better as we could be as creative as we wanted and as the song is more abstract, we are be able to make a more abstract video. We decided to keep to the same name as the original band as we like it and it also fitted well with the ideas we wanted to achieve. We decided on to keep the title for the song also, as it is also relevant to our theme and would give the audience and indication of what the music or music video would entail. We also wanted to not change the name because we thought it was a good indication that the music video would be about possibly being in a dream like state, or something enchanting as ‘Pearl’ and ‘Dream’ connote such imagery. Furthermore, the incidence of the word ‘Dream’ would allow us to be fairly abstract when filming as dreams can be like rapid changes in thought or trains of thought which outsiders may not fully understand.
Our music video would begin with abstract shots of artistic and photographic images involving vibrant colours in order to establish a dream-like feel. We would then show rapidly moving shots of the camera cutting to the subject’s lips in numerous different colours and patterns. This would give the idea that a story is about to unfold or be told by the artist due to the closeness and intimacy felt by the mouth/lips. There would also be shots of sparklers to signify the possibility of hazard or something exciting about to commence.
There would then be medium shots of the subject lip-syncing the song and telling her story about the dream and a place that she knows she must go but does not know where yet; ‘There’s a place I must go, It’s not a place I have seen, But I’ll get there in a blue dream’. These lyrics are we will use blue imagery; like big close ups of the subjects lips and flashing blue lights etc. The fact that the lyrics state that ‘It’s not a place I have seen’ is why we will use abstract imagery; the audience are as aware of the events as the artists which will leave them wanting more.
The music Video will continue to develop upon this basis; abstract and artistic shots to correspond with the Indie/Alternative genre, and rapidly changing imagery to match the idea that there is an element of confusion due to the music video being based upon a dream and the idea of the unknown.
We want to use the motif of a bat in our music video in order to demonstrate that this is a ‘Bat for Lashes’ music video. Chloe and I plan to use matches or flammable gel to create an outline of a bat and set it on fire. This will also build tension from images of the sparkers as they will be developing into flames as the video reaches its climax.
We plan to close the music video with the motif of the bat on fire and fading out with the music. We believe that this will leave our audience wanting more as the ending will be left ambiguous just like waking from a dream causes uncertainty and the desire to ask questions about what has just happened.
Our shots will consist of;
• A Close-up of a jar full of colourful objects surrounded by a blanket of angels.
• Another close up at a canted angle of a blue deer surrounded by candles with a tiger-fur back drop
· A zoom in and out of coloured globe.
• A long shot of police cars with blue flashing lights.
• A medium shot of a large cross made from candles.
· A zoom in to candles.
· Different shots of the subjects lips changing colour at an extremely fast rate.
• A close up of a purple bird ornament.
· A Medium shot of colourful toy elephants.
• A long shot of a pink china doll with candles also in the shot.
· A zoom into a multi-coloured chandelier
• A big close-up on the subjects lips painted pink and blue.
• A medium shot of sparklers.
• A medium shot of a colourful ornament.
· A big close-up of the subjects lips changing from a snarl to a smile.
· A cut back to the shot of the subjects lips painted pink and blue.
· A mid shot that cuts away to blue flashing lights
• a cut back to a big close up of the subject lip-syncing; blue and pink lips.
· A medium shot of the subject with face paint on surrounded by candles and red decorative lights.
• a zoom out of the chandelier.
· A Medium shot of the subject with face paint on with a pink background.
· A pan of a bed of roses entwined with sparklers
· Big close up of Subjects lips painted gold and blue.
· Match cut to big close up of subjects lips painted purple and grey.
· Close up of sparklers.
· Big close up of pink lips.
· Long shot of toy dinosaurs lying on zebra background.
· Close up of bed of roses and sparklers; without pan.
· Birds-eye-view shot of bat made from matches being lit with a match.
· Medium shot of purple sparkers.
· Medium shot of green sparklers.
· Low angle close up shot of bat on fire.
· Low angle medium shot of a bedroom with a mirror decorated with necklaces, a cross and flowers.
· Big close up of Magenta and pink lips.
· Zoom in to green dinosaur.
· Close up of fire being blown out.
· High angle shot of the sky.
· Pan of bed of roses and sparkers overlaid with sparklers from earlier shots.
· Medium shot of the subject overlaid with sparklers.
· Birds-eye-view shot of bat on fire.
· Fade out.
Song Choices:
· The XX ‘Crystallised’
· Bat For Lashes ‘Pearl’s Dream’
When we first received the specification at the beginning of the summer before the end of the school year, me and Cleo were going make a music video for the song ‘Crystallised’ by ‘The XX’. This was our first song choice as there is a definite and consistent beat throughout and we know a group of friends in a band who were willing to help us with ‘band’ scenes.
We then however changed our minds by the time we returned back to school in September, this was because ‘The XX’ had become a very mainstream band and we thought it would be difficult to recreate a video that would be distinctively different to the official one. Due to this we changed the song choice to 'Pearl’s Dream’ by Bat For Lashes. This was because this artist is also part of the Indie genre but is less mainstream. So as a pair, we thought this would be better as we could be as creative as we wanted and as the song is more abstract, we are be able to make a more abstract video. We decided to keep to the same name as the original band as we like it and it also fitted well with the ideas we wanted to achieve. We decided on to keep the title for the song also, as it is also relevant to our theme and would give the audience and indication of what the music or music video would entail. We also wanted to not change the name because we thought it was a good indication that the music video would be about possibly being in a dream like state, or something enchanting as ‘Pearl’ and ‘Dream’ connote such imagery. Furthermore, the incidence of the word ‘Dream’ would allow us to be fairly abstract when filming as dreams can be like rapid changes in thought or trains of thought which outsiders may not fully understand.
Our music video would begin with abstract shots of artistic and photographic images involving vibrant colours in order to establish a dream-like feel. We would then show rapidly moving shots of the camera cutting to the subject’s lips in numerous different colours and patterns. This would give the idea that a story is about to unfold or be told by the artist due to the closeness and intimacy felt by the mouth/lips. There would also be shots of sparklers to signify the possibility of hazard or something exciting about to commence.
There would then be medium shots of the subject lip-syncing the song and telling her story about the dream and a place that she knows she must go but does not know where yet; ‘There’s a place I must go, It’s not a place I have seen, But I’ll get there in a blue dream’. These lyrics are we will use blue imagery; like big close ups of the subjects lips and flashing blue lights etc. The fact that the lyrics state that ‘It’s not a place I have seen’ is why we will use abstract imagery; the audience are as aware of the events as the artists which will leave them wanting more.
The music Video will continue to develop upon this basis; abstract and artistic shots to correspond with the Indie/Alternative genre, and rapidly changing imagery to match the idea that there is an element of confusion due to the music video being based upon a dream and the idea of the unknown.
We want to use the motif of a bat in our music video in order to demonstrate that this is a ‘Bat for Lashes’ music video. Chloe and I plan to use matches or flammable gel to create an outline of a bat and set it on fire. This will also build tension from images of the sparkers as they will be developing into flames as the video reaches its climax.
We plan to close the music video with the motif of the bat on fire and fading out with the music. We believe that this will leave our audience wanting more as the ending will be left ambiguous just like waking from a dream causes uncertainty and the desire to ask questions about what has just happened.
Our shots will consist of;
• A Close-up of a jar full of colourful objects surrounded by a blanket of angels.
• Another close up at a canted angle of a blue deer surrounded by candles with a tiger-fur back drop
· A zoom in and out of coloured globe.
• A long shot of police cars with blue flashing lights.
• A medium shot of a large cross made from candles.
· A zoom in to candles.
· Different shots of the subjects lips changing colour at an extremely fast rate.
• A close up of a purple bird ornament.
· A Medium shot of colourful toy elephants.
• A long shot of a pink china doll with candles also in the shot.
· A zoom into a multi-coloured chandelier
• A big close-up on the subjects lips painted pink and blue.
• A medium shot of sparklers.
• A medium shot of a colourful ornament.
· A big close-up of the subjects lips changing from a snarl to a smile.
· A cut back to the shot of the subjects lips painted pink and blue.
· A mid shot that cuts away to blue flashing lights
• a cut back to a big close up of the subject lip-syncing; blue and pink lips.
· A medium shot of the subject with face paint on surrounded by candles and red decorative lights.
• a zoom out of the chandelier.
· A Medium shot of the subject with face paint on with a pink background.
· A pan of a bed of roses entwined with sparklers
· Big close up of Subjects lips painted gold and blue.
· Match cut to big close up of subjects lips painted purple and grey.
· Close up of sparklers.
· Big close up of pink lips.
· Long shot of toy dinosaurs lying on zebra background.
· Close up of bed of roses and sparklers; without pan.
· Birds-eye-view shot of bat made from matches being lit with a match.
· Medium shot of purple sparkers.
· Medium shot of green sparklers.
· Low angle close up shot of bat on fire.
· Low angle medium shot of a bedroom with a mirror decorated with necklaces, a cross and flowers.
· Big close up of Magenta and pink lips.
· Zoom in to green dinosaur.
· Close up of fire being blown out.
· High angle shot of the sky.
· Pan of bed of roses and sparkers overlaid with sparklers from earlier shots.
· Medium shot of the subject overlaid with sparklers.
· Birds-eye-view shot of bat on fire.
· Fade out.
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Weather Forecast For Filming
Document 2
For our filming that needs to be outside, we are going to film on sunday. This is because, according to the forecast, it is going to be dry, plus we are both free to film. So we are going to meet at 5 at my house to shoot the firework scenes in the garden.
For our filming that needs to be outside, we are going to film on sunday. This is because, according to the forecast, it is going to be dry, plus we are both free to film. So we are going to meet at 5 at my house to shoot the firework scenes in the garden.
Tuesday 5 October 2010
Prop List and Locations
Prop List:
Face Paints
Fairy Lights
Sparklers
Matches
Candles
Dress
Tiger faux fur
False Eyelashes
Locations:
Chloe's House/ Bedroom
Lancaster Road
Molly's House
Chloe's Garden
Face Paints
Fairy Lights
Sparklers
Matches
Candles
Dress
Tiger faux fur
False Eyelashes
Locations:
Chloe's House/ Bedroom
Lancaster Road
Molly's House
Chloe's Garden
Monday 4 October 2010
Lighting Training
Today we had a lesson about lighting. We learnt of the effects of the Filler lights, Back lights and Key lights. We also learnt that when you use all three together its called '3 Point Lighting'. After we watched a tutorial, the lights were moved back and turned off, because then we had to recreate the lighting. This gave me a good understanding and gain practical skills about creating effective lighting.
Key Light:
This light is placed to one side of object. This can be used effectively as it creates a shadowy effect which can give an atmospheric feel. So we might use this for our music video.
Fill Light:
This light is used to fill the shadows which are created by the key light.
Back Light:
This light is placed behind the subject. If it is the only light then it causes the front of the subject to be very dark and hard to see. This may be used effectively if you want to create an eerie atmosphere.
Key Light:
This light is placed to one side of object. This can be used effectively as it creates a shadowy effect which can give an atmospheric feel. So we might use this for our music video.
Fill Light:
This light is used to fill the shadows which are created by the key light.
Back Light:
This light is placed behind the subject. If it is the only light then it causes the front of the subject to be very dark and hard to see. This may be used effectively if you want to create an eerie atmosphere.
Initial Storyboard
This is our initial storyboard. Here is a breakdown of each image.
1) Extreme close ups of candles.
2)Close ups of roller skates with sparklers attached.
3)Medium shot of subject (Chloe) singing with a setting of candles and red fairy lights to match her red hair.
4)Extreme close up of subject's lips with face paint on.
5)Cut to subject's lips with different face paint on them.
6)Ambi-editing on lips; lips change colour to beat while subject sings.
7)Really fast editing of lips changing colour; like flashes.
8)Key, Fill and Back-Lights on drummer.
9)Different shots of subjrct holding snake.
10)Close-ups of eyes changing colour.
11)Close-ups of eyes shut and changing colour.
12)Subject blinks to bring the close ups of the eye shots to a close.
13) Bat in flames to end the music video (Playing on the title of the band 'Bat for Lashes).
Sunday 3 October 2010
Target Audience Opinions
Here we got a group of 10 people that fitted our chosen target audience, which is for 15 years+. We asked them for their opinions on music videos, what they like and what they don't like etc. We then created a mood-board of their quotes so Cleo and I have something to refer to when we plan for our music video.
Target Audience
Here we asked some people from our target audience what they liked and disliked in a music video. From the information we received, we decided to do a video that is unusual. This is because they both said they disliked the cliche of relationships being portrayed, and the videos which have women dancing around in revealing clothes.
Saturday 2 October 2010
Lyric Breakdown
Bat for Lashes: Pearl’s Dream (intro lasts for 15 seconds)
There's a place I must go 15-18sec
There's a place I must go 19-22sec
It's not a place I have seen 23-26sec
But I'll get there in a blue dream 27-30sec
Down an ocean road 31-34
Past a sign that says 'good love town' 35-38
Into a darkness where the stars do drown 39-43
Where the starry me needs to be free 43-47
And when the battle was done 1.03-1.06
I was promised my sun 1.07-1.10
But with a thousand nights gone1.11-1.15
To any kingdom I run 1.15-1.18
And when the battle was done 1.18-1.22
I was promised my sun 1.23-1.26
But with a thousand knights gone 1.26-1.30
To any kingdom I run 1.30-1.34
There's a place I must go 1.34-1.37
There's a place I must go 1.38-1.40/1
For my heart is a child 1.42-1.45
That stumbles lonely for the arms of the wild 1.45-1.50
[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/pearls-dream-lyrics-bat-for-lashes.html ]
Hear the desert sigh 1.50-1.53
Sing the city's lullaby 1.53-1.56/7
The giant iris of the wide blue sky 1.57-2.01
Showing me the way 2.01-2.04
And when the battle was done 2.06-2.09
I was promised my son 2.10-2.13
But with a thousand knights gone 2.14-2.17
To any kingdom I run 2.18-2.21
And when the battle was done 2.22-2.25
I was promised my son 2.26-2.29
But with a thousand knights gone 2.29-2.33
To any kingdom I run 2.33/4-2.37
You know that it's time to go up, up, up, up, up 2.46-2.52
Had a big machine riding your shoulders 2.53/4-2.58
FADE OUT
You know that it's time to go up, up, up, up, up
Had a big machine riding your shoulders
You know that it's time to go up, up, up, up, up
Had a big machine riding your shoulders
There's a place I must go 15-18sec
There's a place I must go 19-22sec
It's not a place I have seen 23-26sec
But I'll get there in a blue dream 27-30sec
Down an ocean road 31-34
Past a sign that says 'good love town' 35-38
Into a darkness where the stars do drown 39-43
Where the starry me needs to be free 43-47
And when the battle was done 1.03-1.06
I was promised my sun 1.07-1.10
But with a thousand nights gone1.11-1.15
To any kingdom I run 1.15-1.18
And when the battle was done 1.18-1.22
I was promised my sun 1.23-1.26
But with a thousand knights gone 1.26-1.30
To any kingdom I run 1.30-1.34
There's a place I must go 1.34-1.37
There's a place I must go 1.38-1.40/1
For my heart is a child 1.42-1.45
That stumbles lonely for the arms of the wild 1.45-1.50
[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/pearls-dream-lyrics-bat-for-lashes.html ]
Hear the desert sigh 1.50-1.53
Sing the city's lullaby 1.53-1.56/7
The giant iris of the wide blue sky 1.57-2.01
Showing me the way 2.01-2.04
And when the battle was done 2.06-2.09
I was promised my son 2.10-2.13
But with a thousand knights gone 2.14-2.17
To any kingdom I run 2.18-2.21
And when the battle was done 2.22-2.25
I was promised my son 2.26-2.29
But with a thousand knights gone 2.29-2.33
To any kingdom I run 2.33/4-2.37
You know that it's time to go up, up, up, up, up 2.46-2.52
Had a big machine riding your shoulders 2.53/4-2.58
FADE OUT
You know that it's time to go up, up, up, up, up
Had a big machine riding your shoulders
You know that it's time to go up, up, up, up, up
Had a big machine riding your shoulders
Friday 1 October 2010
Meeting Two
During this meeting we discussed who to have in our video and where we should film and what props to use. We decided to use me in the video as we wanted someone reliable, and as it is our coursework we knew we could only really rely on ourselves. So we both did a lip synch test and decided that I was better at it. Therefore I am going to be the lip synch in our music video.
Thursday 30 September 2010
What makes a successful music video?
Generally, successful music videos are predominantly based around close-ups and mid-shots, some of which will be of the singer or the band. As in most TV this is partly due to the size of the screen as well as to meet the desire of the viewer so that they feel personally connected to their band or artist. It has been stated by ‘John Stewart of Oil Factory’ that he sees the music video as ‘essentially having the aesthetics of the TV commercial, with lots of close ups and lighting being used most prominently for the stars face’.
It could be argued that the music video is a means of advertising; if people who are not yet fans are able to view a music video which is exciting and captivating, they will have a stronger desire to buy the artists records than if they were exposed to an uninteresting music video.
Continually, to maintain audience interest, directors and editors make sure to use the most effective means of editing in music videos. This is known as ‘fast cut montage’ which does not allow the viewer to be immediately aware of what the images are as they move so quickly, meaning that they will want to watch the sequence again to have a greater understanding; thus ensuring a higher level of hits on websites like ‘Youtube’ while keeping the audience interest very high
It could be argued that the music video is a means of advertising; if people who are not yet fans are able to view a music video which is exciting and captivating, they will have a stronger desire to buy the artists records than if they were exposed to an uninteresting music video.
Continually, to maintain audience interest, directors and editors make sure to use the most effective means of editing in music videos. This is known as ‘fast cut montage’ which does not allow the viewer to be immediately aware of what the images are as they move so quickly, meaning that they will want to watch the sequence again to have a greater understanding; thus ensuring a higher level of hits on websites like ‘Youtube’ while keeping the audience interest very high
Wednesday 29 September 2010
Tuesday 28 September 2010
Permission for using song;
These images show that we sent an email to the Bat for Lashes asking for their permission to use their song 'Pearl's Dream'.
Analysis of The Knife- "Pass This On"
This music video is for the song 'Pass This On', by an electro-pop/alternative band called The knife. This music video reflects the bands genre as it is a strange video, which includes a transvestite, which you wouldn't see in a mainstream music video, as it is partially socially unacceptable and doesn't fir in with the stereotypical idea of beauty and way of life that mainstream videos and media portray. The lyrics of the song and the video do not correlate, which again shows it is of the alternative genre. The video doesn't have a storyline as such, but more of an ideal, which is that although you may be unfamiliar with something or unsure, you should just forget your inhibitions and enjoy it anyway, otherwise you will just be left out watching it. This is shown through close-ups of the people with disinterested facial expressions focused at the transvestite singing. However, later on the majority of people decide to go up and dance and enjoy themselves, this is shown through medium shots and medium long shots. At the end you see a medium close up of a girl looking bored by herself, whilst everyone is enjoying themselves. This video shows how the genre of alternative music enables you to be as creative as you like as there are not many convention boundaries within this genre.
Analysis of Lady Gaga- "Alejandro"
This is the music video for the song 'Alejandro', by the pop/dance genre artists Lady Gaga. This music video reflects this genre as it includes dancing. However, in general this music video goes against most music video conventions. For example there are no female dancers apart from the artist herself, and the males are all mostly naked. This is unusual because in most music videos it is women that are used a sexual objects, and dancing half naked. Also the female is shown to have some sort of dominance over the males, this is shown through close ups of the artists face, and medium shots of the dancers. Also the music video itself is quite dark and gothic with the mise-en-scene consisting of religious symbols and the low key lighting, this is unusual for a pop/dance music video as they are usually brightly coloured and jolly. Whereas this music video resembles one from a rock/indie genre, with its dark theme and that it challenges conventions.
Monday 27 September 2010
The Making Of;
This is a behind the scenes video of the official music video "Pearl's Dream"by Bat For Lashes which is directed by Nima Nourizadeh.
Our Song Choice
We decided upon this song because we think it's really atmospheric and interesting. So it enables us to be really creative and imaginative in thinking for ideas for the video. At first we were going to do "Islands", by the XX. We changed our mind because we thought that the lyrics had to much of a story-line, unlike Pearl's Dream which is more abstract.
The XX "Islands"
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