Lesson Overview 28/09/2010- Laurie Ewen

• Came to a realisation that former idea for music video might be too depressing. Agreed that an idea with a more 'cuteness' might be more appropriate and less boring as a visual experience for the audience.
• Decided to change protagonist to a homeless teddy bear, as opposed to a homeless man. This was done to give us more creative ideas to work with, and it adds more depth to the plot, without too high levels of depression, yet empathy can still be felt for the character.

Possible 'actor' for homeless bear- Meryl Cariaga, Diranjeet Sohi

We have been searching eBay and other internet sites for a bear to act the part of the homeless bear. This following link shows a bear we are considering for the role.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Me-You-Bear-Grey-Tatty-Teddy-/250701221152?pt=UK_Dolls_Bears_RL&hash=item3a5ef50d20#ht_500wt_1154

EDIT: In the end, we did not purchase this bear. Laurence found a suitable bear in a charity shop.

Pitch Feedback- Diranjeet Sohi, Meryl Cariaga, Alex Brown, Laurie Ewen

After our presentation, there was a brief Question & Answer session for our chosen music video, where the rest of the class had the opportunity ask questions about our video.

• One of the points highlighted by one member of the class was the last scene of our video, which shows the homeless person contemplating suicide (but leaves the audience guessing). They were wondering how we would be able to film this, and we explained that we would not actually film him committing suicide, as this would be too explicit and also difficult to film realistically.
• Another point highlighted was whether there would be enough variety of shots in our music video. This was a good point, as we need to be careful about having a lack of different shots, and make sure there are a variety of locations used to make the video more interesting.
• The last point made by a member of the class was clothing of the people in the background, which isn't the main focus of the video so its something we are not concerned about.

Pitch- Laurie Ewen, Alex Brown, Meryl Cariaga, Diranjeet Sohi

Research

}Name of artist: UNKLE

}Song: Lonely Soul

}Released in 1998 and found on the album Psyence Fiction.

}Produced by DJ Shadow

}Record Label: Mo’Wax

}Genre: Trip Hop

Mise En Scene

}Costume/Character: Homeless male, scruffy hair, baggy clothes, old and worn out shoes. Wondering aimlessly, searching for someone to care/love for him.

}Lighting: dark and eerie, dull weather if available.

}Setting: Partly city and partly local, this will convey how the inner city is busy, full of people where no one cares for the homeless.

}Framing: 1 or 2 POV shots to show life from his point of view, tripod will be used to show professionalism, as it will be steady.

}Props: Cardboard with "lonely Soul" written on it when a chorus will come on, or in places the character will see/passes. Blanket, a tin.

Narrative

Begins with a homeless man, sitting alone, isolated, searching his pockets, looking for food, he then realises there is no food left, which motivates him to get up and search for someone to offer him some. This is where he wonders with purpose.

He uses his cardboard sign for sympathy, hoping for someone to care for him, he then encounters a person who shrugs him off.

He then begins to lose a sense of life and hope, and searches for a place to relieve his pain, to contemplate suicide.

Conventions

}Performance- Our Music video will subvert this typical convention, as it will not have any performance

}Length- It will be 3 minutes and 45 seconds long, this follows typical conventions.

}Editing – cuts, special effects

}Hook - The perception of a homeless man in London

}Dramatic Lighting

}Choreography- Again, we subverted this typical convention as there will not be any choreography.

}Costume

}Dull Colours

Reason why we had chosen this music choice:

}We decided to choose this music choice because it has a clear message in the lyrics and the tone.

Unfortunately there was a technical error whilst recording our Pitch, and as a result only the second half of our pitch was recorded. In the first half, all members of the group spoke about the planned music video, including details about mise en scene, setting, research into the track and the plot.

In the second half, we had a q&a with the rest of the class, where we welcomed queries about our planned music video

Initial Ideas - Diranjeet Sohi, Meryl Cariaga, Laurence Ewen, Alex Brown

Style: Low lighting/bleak atmosphere

Setting:City/Locally

Use of conventions:No performance will be used, focus on narrative, Characters

Influences:

Costume: To Portray a homeless person - casual

Make-up:Ruggedness

Mood/atmosphere: Pensive, bleak and dark

Props: Cardboard with "lonely Soul" written on it, or in places the character will see/passes.

Character: Homeless male character, wondering aimlessly, searching for someone to care/LOVE for him.

'Lonely Soul' by Unkle - Pitch Preparation

Name of artist: UNKLE

Song: Lonely Soul

Released in 1998 and found on the album Psyence Fiction.

Produced by DJ Shadow

Record label: Mo’Wax

Genre: Trip Hop, which was quite popular in the 1990s. The genre was established by Massive Attack with their album, ‘Blue Lines’, which was created as “music for the head”, rather than for the dance-floor. Therefore it is quite a downbeat and mellow style, similar to ambient.

Song does not have any music video, although there are a few unofficial versions on YouTube. They have produced videos for some of their other tracks, such as Burn My Shadow, which uses fast cuts and passionate acting to display the distress of the protagonist who wakes up with a timed bomb strapped to his chest.

Other videos have also been made to promote Unkle’s music, for such tracks as ‘Rabbit in Your Headlight’ and ‘Be there’.

The target audience for Lonely Soul, as well as other trip hop music, is young adult, approximately between the ages of 18 and 35.

Lonely Soul by Unkle - Unofficial Video

Style: Low lighting/bleak atmosphere

Setting:City/Locally

Use of conventions:No performance will be used, focus on narrative, Characters

Influences:

Costume: To Portray a homeless person - casual

Make-up: Ruggedness

Mood/atmosphere: Pensive, bleak and dark

Props: Cardboard with "lonely Soul" written on it, or in places the character will see/passes.

Character: Homeless male character, wondering aimlessly, searching for someone to care or pay attention to him.

Narrative:

Lesson Overview 14.09.2010

At the beginning of the lesson, the teacher asked students to share information about the music videos which they annotated for homework.

• Class discussion about dos and don'ts of music videos
• Researched music online to help decide what tracks to use
• Watched previous students' work
• Shared ideas about project music video with rest of group

The History of Music Videos

1930's-1940's

Although the great depression had occurred within the 1930’s not all music was depressing. In fact music was the only thing which brought people “alive” again.

The depression was a time when many people were without jobs. Money and food were scarce, so people looked to music for inspiration. The music of the 1930's wasn’t sad, and depressing, it was jazzy, and happy, so it gave people inspiration, and something to cheer them up. The popular kind of music was jazz. The main instruments were piano, clarinet, saxophone, and trumpet.

In addition to this, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers played a huge role in music in the 1930’s. They had featured within films where they had not only sung and acted, they danced, which had a great influence on the audience. Most of their music were feel good and innocent, ones that would unquestionably attract the elder generation today.

In the 1940’s Soundies were introduced. These were jukeboxes which had the ability to play 3 minute music videos, thus making it the earliest form of music videos. They were situated in nightclubs, bars, restaurants, factory lounges and amusement centres. Soundies covered all genres of music, from classical to big-band swing, and from hillbilly novelties to patriotic songs. This allowed all audiences of different genres to listen and watch to their preferred song genre. However due to the introduction of the Soundies, prevented record sales to decrease, as the population of the Soundies had grew throughout the nation. Furthermore, the introduction of the Soundies was thought necessary as it was used to combat the television.

1950's

This decade entered the Birth of Rock and Roll. At this time the hit “Rock around the clock” especially became popular in 1955, from this, the nation had learned not just a new style of music, but a new style of dance, ‘Swing’. The “Feel’good’ innocence of many 50’s music represent this era respectively, this is due to the post World War 2 in America. The young people of the time, teenagers, had not struggled through the war years. They were looking for something more exciting, something new. They discovered the vitality in Rock and Roll.

Due to the recovery of the war, the rise of teen music had taken over the music industry. This was particularly influenced by Elvis Presley. His main target audience was focused on teenage girls, particularly from his appearance, genre and manner, specifically his signature move, the hip gyration. He had also appeared in Feature films were he performed. Not only did these feature films promote his music, it had promoted his talent in acting and performing.

The 195o's was the entry route of the new social change where the elder generation is replaced with the younger generation.

1960s

The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were the biggest bands in the 60s, often competing with each other. They performed in many countries.

The 60s was the decade where concert films emerged. This included live performances and interviews of the artists and bands. It gave the bands and artists further promotion and showed their audience type/preference.

There was a growth of rock and pop in the 1960s. These films were youth orientated, as there was a rise of the teenager through acts like Elvis. To combat the popularity of The Beatles, The Monkees were created in America. They had their own tv show which acted as promotion for their music. The Beatles starred in A Hard Day's Night which combined acting and sampled music. It also reflected the social issues at that time. A Hard Day's Night was directed by Richard Lester and portrayed their immense popularity.

1970s

In the 1970s, concert films developed which had performance and interviews, examples being the open air rock festivals such as 'Gimme Shelter' in the USA in 1971.
A definitive moment in the 1970s was when Queen released 'Bohemian Rhapsody' in 1975, where they released a video of 6 minutes in length with a combination of performance and the abstract 'trailing heads' scenes, which was very different from the much longer concert films and feature films. Queen were anxious about how critics and fans would take this change, but it was successful as the song remained in the charts at number 1 for nine weeks becoming a huge commercial success and is the 3rd biggest selling single in the UK. This video set the way for other music videos in the future, especially the 1980s.

1980s

The 1980s spawned the rise of MTV, a music channel which allows viewers to watch music videos at any time of the day. The television station was created in 1981 for the USA and was hugely successful, leading to the show being broadcast in MTV Europe four years later. A definitive music video for this era was called 'Money For Nothing' by Dire Straits, and this was heavily promoted towards MTV, with bold references to the show. By 1985, there were approximately 18 million viewers of MTV.

In 1982, Thriller was released, which subverted the typical conventions of a music video. It was directed by John Landis, and the budget was similar to the cost of many feature films in the era. The video is often considered by critics and polls as the greatest music video of all time, and this is because of many reasons. The duration of the video is 14 minutes, making it the longest music video to ever be broadcast on MTV. It is also based around a strong narrative including dialogue from Michael Jackson who plays several roles. The song structure is also unusual, as it is unlike the typical 'verse-chorus-verse-chorus' norm of pop songs. This is in addition to focussed choreography which helps to reinforce the varied talents of Michael. Sound effects are also used, as well as shots which hold on a freeze frame and voiceovers which help to enhance the dark atmosphere.

Music Videos - Dos and Don'ts

Music Videos - Dos and Don'ts

Do:

• Edit in beat to the song
• Variation of shots
• Appropriate mise scene
• Style suits genre
• Appropriate lighting
• Compelling narrative
• Represents audience
• Appropriate setting

Don't:

• Cuts are out of time with the music

• No variation in shots (with exception)

• No direction in the narrative

• Lighting doesn't suit mood

• Doesn't represent audience

• Poor acting

• Use of very familiar clichés

'The Test' by The Chemical Brothers- Conventions of a video - Laurie Ewen

The music video for The Chemical Brothers' track, 'The Test' follows quite strongly the familiar conventions of rave music videos in the 1990s. In this era, the use of mind altering drugs were quite common in ravers, and the video is similar to the psychedelic videos of the 1960s with the inclusion of varied bright colours.

The video follows a narrative: a girl is experiencing an 'acid trip' as a result of taking a psychedelic drug, and you see the perceptions of the world from her perspective, and in contrast, reality. For example, in part of a reality scene, the girl is walking down a beach with quite dull colours and a dark sky. The perception of the girl in this scene is then shown and the lighting in the shot flashes while her hands are seen to turn into a liquid form as she waves them above her head. She is then confronted with a girl who has one eye, as well as being confronted with several other supernatural elements.

Different effects are also used in the video to enhance the portrayal of the experience that the protagonist is having. For example, blurring is used in some parts to increase the feelings of being 'on an acid trip'. The pacing of cuts also increases in some parts of the video to similarly intensify the rapid movements that are seen by the protagonist.

The video is successful in representing the audience as in the 90s, the term 'acid trip' was a familiar term for most followers of dance music, and the emotions and perceptions created by the use of psychedelic drugs are shown through the use of different techniques. In addition, there is a scene in which a large number of people in a rave are shown, and this is an important aspect of electronic dance music which can appeal to listeners of the genres within.

Lesson Overview 6/9/10

In this lesson the class received information on what to expect in this school term. We were given constructive criticism as a whole class. It was explained to us that most of the videos we made previously were not as good as they should be. Therefore, our teacher showed us other student videos and asked us to note the positive and negative aspects of each. He (the teacher) gave us the marking criteria and insructed us to give our own grades/levels along with reasons why. What he didn't give us was the actual grade, so that we could break each convention and aspect down, and study them in order to make a decision.

We watched each video, making notes on what we thought stood out and what didn't work. This was a vital experience because in order to learn, we had to look at previous videos. They were examples of what to do and not to do, which was needed so we didn't make the same errors. Now we had looked at others, we had some idea of what we were going to do.

It was agreed that length of editing should match with the tempo of the song. If the song is fast and upbeat, the cuts should be quick. If a slower, gentler song then the cuts should be slower. In addition it is important that the mise-en-scene suits the genre. For example, we witnessed a zombie-style rock video. Unfortunately it didn't work because the lack of costume and props. It also lacked effect on the audience because of the poor acting. However, it was clear that the producers had a good idea, it just wasn't executed properly. Lighting was also important because it set the tone of the whole video. Music videos generally stick to a clear narrative however some didn't, but still managed to create meaning. Furthermore, the miming needs to be perfect. If it is off even slightly, it spoils the effect. Framing was an issue for some, because heads were cut off and it just appeared sloppy.

This lesson was crucial because we were able to distinguish the typical conventions of different music videos.

'Papercut' by Linkin Park - Conventions within a Video - Diranjeet Sohi

Linkin Park- Papercut

Within the video, mise-en-scene creates an eerie gothic setting. The camera moves from a dull, old fashioned room with little furniture to a dark unused kitchen. The band- apart from the lead singer- are dressed quite casually. However like the lead singer they have typical spiky hair. The leader singer displays his loud hair along with his tattoos which reinfoce that this is a rock video. The video cross cuts between performance of the band, and the creepy room beside them showing skeletons wrapped in wire and fishnet giving the feeling of being trapped. Ants crawl over the net and a net is dipped into a bath filled with water. Again, through the use of props puzzling images are created. The net moves as if a creature is underneath it, creating fear. Writing is then shown etched on the wall which appears to be quite disturbing. This is typical of a rock video, as rock music explores human emotions and deep thoughts which portray the lyrics or the themes of the lyrics. At one point the camera focuses on the word Paranoia which is also in the lyrics. The video is now reflecting the lyrics. The dark room represents the dark corner of their minds, voicing their fears. This paints a picture of the narrative. There is no beggining, middle, and end like some stories in music videos. This video reflects a certain theme as discussed within the lyrics. In addition, it uses lighting to create shadows as if it's a horror film.

Suddenly the distorted body/creature bursts at the change of tone. The bridge is slightly brighter. Dragonflies burst out symbolic of freedom. There is an imergence of other creatures who move quite frantically. Again this matches the lyrics as they are going crazy: "whirlwind inside of my head". These creatures are trying to break into the band's room through the walls and portrait. The video ceases when the creatures stop.

On the one hand, this rock video carries typical conventions in which it conveys strong, foreboding emotions from the music. The band themselves aren't preened and dressed stylishly like a pop boyband. The lighting is dark as in most, again reflecting darker themes.

On the other hand, the video uses strange props such as fishnets, along with cgi to create a fantasy horror setting. The video mixes performance of the band as well as the frightning yet intriguing creatures.

'Ghost Town' by The Specials - Conventions within a Music Video - Alex Brown

The video for 'Ghost Town' by The Specials is connected to the lyrics, which are politically motivated and about the economic problems and riots of the 1980s.

Many videos from the 'ska' genre use strong bright colours, but this video differs in having very dark and grim colours. The point of using the dark colours is to help represent the streets as eerie and deserted.

There is performance included in the video, where the band is shown lip-syncing to the song whilst driving through the empty streets. The performance is very simple and is purposely showing the band as bored and unpassionate as they have nothing to do. Like most ska videos, all members of the band are included in the video.

The video is shot in various (but similar) locations in London, highlighting the empty streets. There are many different shots, but the idea throughout the video stays the same.

Despite having very simple and bland colours in the video, it is quite provoking and visually appealing as not many videos use such dull colours in such a way.

The cuts between shots are fairly slow with a slow pacing, again highlighting the boredom.

Note: Unfortunatly, the only website which would allow embedding for this video was for some reason National Geographic.

Music Video Conventions

Ska/2Tone - by Alex Brown

This genre became popular in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s, a revival of the genre which was popular in Jamaica in the 1960s. Well known bands include Bad Manners, The Specials and Madness. A lot of ska songs from the late 1970s do not have a music video, like most bands from all genres.

The videos usually contain a performance from the whole band with a unique style of choreography, containing instruments such as the trombone, saxophone and trumpet. Most videos, especially from Madness, use a lot of irony and humour. Strong colours are often used which certainly make the videos stand out. Another typical convention of the ska genre is the fast paced nature of both the music and the videos.

Different locations are usually used in the videos, adding to the variety. For example in 'House of Fun' by Madness, the location constantly alternates between a playing field, a liquor store, a chemists, a barbers and a fairground.
Visual appeal is a large factor in videos in the ska genre, with many different artistic camera shots and fast cuts. In terms of lighting, the videos are usually bright to highlight the strong colours.

There is almost always a lyrical connection with the videos, for example 'Our House' by Madness which is filmed around a suburban house and 'Ghost Town' by The Specials which is filmed around deserted streets.

Rock - by Diranjeet Sohi
All rock videos have the band performing in the video, even if the audience only catch glimpses of them. Usually, the band are dressed in edgy clothing respective of their rebellious personalities. They can also be wearing spikes, metal chains, all black clothing, heavy tattoos and piercings. Of course, these all depend on the subgenres. Rock music expresses many issues/ events/ emotions or they can just be about having fun. Green Day, a popular punk rock band, usually cover controversial topics like the wars in the Middle East in videos like Wake Me Up When September Ends and 21st Century Breakdown. Evanescence, a gothic rock band, deals with themes of life, death, love, relationships and the spiritual. Therefore, their videos use a variety of images. Editing tends to be quick since the songs mostly upbeat.

80s Hip Hop - by Laurie Ewen

Although many of the hip hop videos that have been made in recent years have featured high amounts of concentration on women who assist the rappers and their wealth, in the 1980s, the conventions of hip hop music videos were very different. It was a time when there was a noticeable segregation in the social positions of black and white people in the USA and although the levels of racism were arguably less than it had been previously, the divide in the living conditions of the two ethnicities were often rapped about in the music and portrayed in the music videos in accordance to the lyrical content. Public Enemy, for example, had music videos for songs such as 'Fight The Power', which shows a large group of people of an African/Caribbean descent in a protest environment holding signs and pictures of Martin Luther King. Grandmaster Flash also used shots of poor urban life in videos for songs such as 'The Message', which portrayed the lesser living conditions of black people in America, as well as their struggles with the police.