MS:Technical analysis

Duck sauce-Barbra Streisand 

• After completing this activity i have discovered that the videos of this genre have a very high cutting rate. The majority of the shots that i analysed were around 1 second to two seconds in length.
• What i also noticed is that because of the high cutting rate there is no need for transitions within the music video, there is also a high usage of shallow focus shots which are saturated and over exposed which is used to make the footage look more joyous. 

Group: Skills from AS to A2 - Location Reccie

The clear difference between our location reccie at A2 compared to AS was the change of brief which meant we went about filming differently. At AS we had to think about how every shot was going to fit into our narrative so that we obeyed the 180 degree rule and allowed for continiuty editing. Conversely at A2 we did not have these restrictions, this allowed us to have more freedom to try more experimental camera techniques. Personally for us this meant we could experiment with shots that we would use slow motion with. Due to the experience we have gained since our last location reccie we have learned valuable skills in how best to utilise our reccie. Here are some of the ways in which we have improved and this reccie differed from AS.

• Used planning to use time as efficiently as possible
• Gained experience so taking the shots and spotting good ones was more natural
• Learned took same shot from different angles
• Took more footage so that we definitely have enough when we are editing
• Took more filler/ meat shots
• Used initiative when filming
• Set up quicker due to experience
• Used reccie better as saw the ,ink bwtween the practice and actual filming
• More ambitious with our shots
• Planned what kind of shot we were going to do before we got ther
• The urban location changed the use of mise-en-scene compared to the woodland area of wilderness woods
• Knew how best to use the composition of shots to our advanatage

TW: Music Video Research

Experimental/ Abstract Techniques
Adrian Lux - Burning

The use of costume in this video adds enigma codes to enable an otherwise simple narrative to become interesting. Without out the use of the mascot costumes the concept would be straightforward and boring but it turns it into an interesting idea. This video has shown me that an unusual use of mise-en-scene can improve a music video drastically, this is something that we could not try in our film opening at AS as verisimilitude had to be constructed. I'd like to try and implement this idea into our video.

 

http://petapixel.com/2013/02/10/bts-slow-motion-music-video-shot-using-one-continuous-18-second-shot/

Group: Brighton location reccie

On Thursday the 19th of September we went on a group trip to Brighton. We were given a list of shots which we were to practise and shoot, the list below shots these different shots which we were expected to perform as well.

1. MLS panning establishing shot.
2. Height angle shot.
3. Low angle shot.
4. Footage for a time lapse.
5. POV handicam shot
6. 360 pan
7. Tracking shot
8. Close ups.
9. Pull/push focus.
10. Location change shot.
11. Foreground shot.
12. Time lapse shot.
13. Experimental slow motion shot for twixtor.

We had previously scouted for
good spots in Brighton which we thought would be good locations to shoot at, one of these places was the new skate park which has been recently finished after construction had started near the beginning of the year. We liked this location as it was inspired by the classic Californian style design which is commonly seen in skateboard films and in music videos as well as the fact that it is surrounded with a busy backdrop which includes flowers,rich green crass and the main road which leads to the heart of Brighton.

While at our location we managed to film some footage which we will be able to use in our final piece. One of our best shots while at the skatepark was a high angle CU of a skater as he grinded the side of the bowl. This shot and many other shots was filmed using Max's grip which allowed us to perform smooth handheld shots. In addition we filmed some filler shots, which we can use in our final production, of visually interesting graffiti and artwork. The use of the pull focus ability on the camera allowed us to alter the composition of the shot to our suiting. We discovered that having the main object in clear focus did not always produce the most desirable looking shot. This is reflective of music video conventions as the camera techniques are much more experimental than that of film and TV production.

The location reccie was a success for us as not many problems occurred. The weather is a key obstacle for us in our production and we were fortunate that while we were at the skatepark the sun had broken through the clouds, also due to the white concrete even in the cloudy moments the shots looked bright enough. Another obstacle we had to overcome was to make sure that anyone we filmed had given us permission, everyone we asked was co-operative with the exception of a few who said they didn't want to be filmed so we made sure to avoid them in the shots.

MS: Music video Anlaysis

Coldplay 'The scientist'

Representation 

The stereotypical representations of youths are being reinforced with one shown riding around in an urban area on BMX and some young black men playing basketball. These are very stereotypical and are being reinforced by the artist maybe because with the video being played in reverse it gives a different outlook on the stereotypical things that these groups are doing such as playing basketball. One dominant belief that is challenged is the type of person who comes from an urban area. The lead singer is walking around an inner-city area but from his costume, non-verbal language and the audiences cultural understanding of urban areas the typical people from urban areas is being challenged. The artist may have done this to show that he is different to the stereotypical people and you don't have to be a specific type of person to be from an urban area.

This track is very different to the genre that tyla and i have decided to use for our music video production, it follows suit to a number of conventions that are typical to its genre that is alternative rock but it also has some un-conventional aspects such as the fact that it is played in reverse from end to start.

Institution and Audience

The band themselves are very mainstream and appeal to a wide audience range which is the reason why they have become so successful since their formation. Their music videos receive a large amount of air time die to their popularity and thus as a follow on from hearing their music people would want to re-consume the band but by watching their music videos on web 2.0 platforms such as youtube.

As for the institutional contex of the video,coldplays record label EMI who are a major record label who are known worldwide.They would have some say in the style of video Coldplay make to ensure they stick to conventions of their genre and don't stay too far from the star image that has been created for the brand.
Using Goodwin's theory, when listening to this song the synaesthetic effect it gives is an emotional mood which is amplified by the music video because it is about a car crash where someone has died which is emotional and is reflected by the song. In addition the lyrics play a part by influencing the visuals of the music video.The line 'I'm going back to the start' is clear evidence of why the music video is playing backwards.The music video also shows Barthes theory of the'grain of voice' which sees the singing voice as personal to the singer and therefor the audience is able to see that the song is telling a story about the singer. This is further expressed by the breaking of the fourth wall which clearly shows the singer as the story teller. Goodwin would describe this video as illustrating the meaning of the lyrics with some amplification as the video is quite artistic in the way that it is in reverse.

During the video, Dyer's theory of paradoxical 2 is shown as the lead singer is seen to be both present, as he breaks the fourth wall at the beginning of the video but also absent, as shown towards the end when there is no breaking of the fourth wall or lip-syncing. The 'star'of the band is further constructed by mise-en-scene with costume being important. During the video the lead singer puts on a leather jacket which from the cultural code i would associate with being "cool". The video also develops the band's meta-narrative because it tells a story of losing someone close to you in an accident which could potentially be your fault. This creates a sense of sympathy towards the band as the person watching can mentally relate to the situation and would be able to relate the guilt felt to other past situations.

Different social groups are represented in the video being men,women,young black men and white teenagers. Firstly, the most prevalent social group is men who are represented in the video by the lead singer.

 

Chris Martins representation of him in the video is that he is from an urban background as shown by the location for the majority of the video. In addition there are numerous camera shots from a low angles that are lower than eye-level which gives indication that he is of importance and dominant within the video. Finally when he puts on a leather jacket his costume has connotations of being normal with plain white and black clothes but on the other hand the leather jacket has connotations of being more masculine and trendy. Secondly, white youths are given quite a typical representation from the male perspective as if seen hanging around in an urban setting casually riding on a BMX a person would not think this to be abnormal. This is a very typical view of white youths from urban areas and suggests they have nothing better to do than hang around.

MS:Auteur analysis.

Can music videos be seen as more than just a commercial for the artist?

• I feel like music videos can be seen in a way that depicts them as more than just a commercial. This is because many videos have been produced which are seen as more of an art form.

• Michel Gondry directed the music video to Daft punks song 'around the world', when watching this production i see it as more of a artistic performance rather that as a commercial to promote the artist.

• Music videos do not have to always be commercials for the artist as more often that not they are about experiences that the artists have had. This could also be seen as a form or commercialization as if the artist is re-telling parts of their life story it causes the audience to feel connected and engaged with the artist.

• I do feel that artist do primarily use music videos as a form of advertising. This is backed up the the huge number of extreme close up shots of the artist which show the artist in spectacular and lavish ways. I feel that now in the 21 century the artist is more based around commercialization rather than actually producing music as people are attracted to publicity,money and the lifestyle attached.

Ever long- Foo Fighters:

• The nature of the song is reflected by the dark toned video which is very much like a dream as the characters are shown to be dreaming with each other.
• The video and soundtrack both complement each other as it is very enigmatic and unconventional.

Human behavior: Bjork

• The dark colours and toy animals which are used in this music video reinforce and make the storyline very enigmatic, this is because they show the artist as becoming smaller and smaller and then coming across a hedgehog, teddy bear and then going into space.
• Because of the enigmatic questions posed it makes the audience want to re-consume it as it is very hard to understand.

The chemical brothers:Golden path

• This song is about someone trying to escape their current life which is shown to be dark and unhappy and start a new and happy life.
• A contrast is shown between the two, this is done by showing a clear colour difference. The person is shown to be thinking about a new life when it changes from grey scale to a world of colour signifying happiness and fun.

TW: Auteur Analysis

Can music videos be considered more than just a commercial for an artist?

Spike Jonze
Praise you - Fatboy Slim

• Video has a playful atmosphere which link with the sound of the song
• Use of low quality camera makes video seem authentic and that the audience is part of the crowd
• Creates repeatability for audience, suggesting it is an advertising technique
• Concept is unique and original
• Seems as though the performance was not intended for the video 
• The absence of the artist and lack of conventional characteristics of music videos suggest that the is not just an advertisement
• I think that the original concept and experimental media techniques shows that it is a piece of art 

Chris Cunningham 

Come to Daddy - Aphex Twin

• there is an extreme use of enigma codes throughout, creating mystery for the audience. These have been developed through mise-en-scene techniques such as props, costume, casting and non verbal language. For example the use of children dressed in frocks, which have connotations of innocence, is juxtaposed by the masks they were combined with their chaotic actions.