Behind the Camera

Although my research has had a main focus on what the conventions of a music video are. The actual filming and editing of a music video is just as important. As during self- reflection I realised my filming was not of a high enough standard, I shadowed a Film Maker ( Amrit Sembhi) at work. From this I observed how she worked and also gained an insight into different techniques in which I would use when filming my Music Video.



Planning the Outcome before shooting

This shotlist sheet was constructed in order to guarantee a successful outcome from the shoot. This has educated me with a concept of pre-planning and also pre-research into locations. I will create and use a shotlist when making my video as I feel it will provide a strong sense of organisation when shooting.



Granting Access/Permission

Although all the locations were outside in public environments, when shooting permission was needed. This image on the left is photographic evidence of our passes in which was needed to allow us to film. Before this shoot the invasion of privacy and filming of private property never crossed my mind. When shooting my video I will be sure that all the locations of choice are aware and have given permission for me to be filming.




Considering the public

Another factor needed to be taken into consideration was the public. In all locations we were in public spaces in which the public effected the filming either passing us in their travels or observing the scene. I was unaware how to deal with public, but due to us invading their space the public have priority. When filming for my video I will be aware of the public and how they may effect a shot.

After reflecting on my day and observing the footage multiple times this left me with things I still had more to learn about editing the footage, such as; how to amplify sound and eliminate natural sounds. This has led me into looking at more advanced editing programs and borrowing more advanced technology when filming.

This image above reveals how my work was used for professionals to record there development in constructing a Music video on personal sites. The two links below are of both the Artist and the Film maker in which the final music video can be found.

                                          http://www.davidfishermusician.com/



                                                    http://amritpalsembhi.com/




 



 

Development in Programs

When initially starting video experimentation, I used Windows Live Movie Maker to create the videos. This was very limited in terms of editing and also challenging as it was my first attempt at editing video. I will now be using After Effects in hope my editing skills will become more advanced and developed. I also am experimenting with Premier Pro as this works alongside after affects in creating a professional finish.

The work of Andrew Goodwin

Andrew Goodwin is well respected with in the Music video industry. His theories on Music Videos can be applied today although video has progressed and evolved.

Music and Visuals-  One of Goodwin's 5 theories on music videos is thought beats, which is about " seeing the sound". My response is a literal concept in how it explores how I am led to react when listening to two different songs, one a rock/scream song and the second an indie/folk. The use of lines and scribbles heavily portray the emotion expressed but also prove the theory correct.





This podcast below is a different format in which me and Jake presented our different studies of Goodwin and how his studies benefit us as a group when constructing a Music video.

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Suiting the Genre

Some genres can be more easily identified than others but their are a range of features in which categorise the videos within each genre. The use of Mis-en-scene and forms of editing allows the identification of each genre. I feel It is essential to understand how different videos contribute to my genre of study. As me and Jake are constructing a "indie/rock" video the merging of the two genres allow us to use factors from both styles but also challenge us to attract the joint audience. The video "style" such as a live stage for heavy rock heavily contributes on the artists portrayal juxtaposed with live performances.
With the support of the genre portrayal, artists may develop on star Iconography in and out of their own videos which over time becomes part of  a "star image." As previously studied Andrew Goodwin's theory states that repeating certain actions within a video can establish a "trademark." The actions would vary according to the genre of music addressed.

An example of an Artist within my area of study whom creates an original "trademark" through genre is the Rock artist "Pink."

Violence- Throughout the majority of Pink's music videos she is condemning an act of violence against a male figure. This element of superiority works against the stereotype but also addresses the artist as a "rock and roll" figure. Although her aggressive actions are of a violent nature her dress code still allows her to attract the male gaze.

Appearance- As a rock artist the most obvious indication of the genre before hearing the music is the dress code. The tattoos and piercings are supported by black nail varnish and black leather to expose the rock genre and elements of heavy rock.

Explicit terminology- The use of explicit terminology works alongside boisterous behaviour and violence in presenting the stereotypical attitude of " I don't give a f**k" rocker.


Working against the stereotype- In recent music videos Pink's music style has slightly altered to being of a more serious nature with soft voice tones. Therefore her stereotypical videos do not suite the tone of music. In order to portray this seriousness, her make-up is natural supported by her day-to-day dress code. Due to her already having set a trademark globally as an Artist she has the power to contradict it or even alter it.

Boisterous behaviour- Body language is a clear indication of an Artists expression alongside the lyrics. As this video shows her aggressive and violent actions are supported by her behaviour in expressing them. Facial expression also supports this.

The Concept of Speed

When observing and reflecting on my exiting videos, It arose to my attention that the power of speed when filming can present so many different things. In my experimentation with filming an outside location, I felt that any build up of speed presented memories and in my ink experimentation I felt It exaggerated a process. This video is a personal experimentation in finding out the concept of speed and how I can use it in the production of my  Music video. My video shows the journey from the window of a train and to me speed in this video presents time.

In order to express my understanding of different concepts, it is essential I apply them to existing music videos. In this video above titled "Star Guitar" by the Chemical Brothers the scenery matches the musical beats and rhythm.

Music Testing

When creating a music video the most important component alongside the video is the Music. Filming the actual production I feel would provide me with an insight of angles, sound testing, location and also the body position of the artist.





From observing the outcome of my experimentation, I feel that the sound quality doesn't consist of as much clarity as it should. Understanding tuning an editing of music would help when creating my video. I will develop this initial study by looking at the properties of instruments and tuning in more depth.

Lyric Analysis

Lily Allen- The Fear

Lyrics are a vital element when referring to the Conventions of a Music video. They act as a script to support the outcome of the video. This song interested me to analyse the lyrics due to the double meanings and also an intelligent risk in which Lily Allen took when singing them. The overall context of the lyrics explores the idea of fame and supposed "success" and how an outsider can be naïve in thinking the life is perfect, Lily addresses the serious hidden issues in which are almost presented as a taboo so the younger society are unaware of the harsh reality around fame.

Supporting Andrew Goodwin's Theory- Lyrics establish general feeling, mood or sense of subject matter rather than offering a coherent meaning. Key lines may play a part in visual. But rarely will a music video simply be presented wholesale.

After reading Goodwin's theory on lyrics, I felt it was vital to link the lyric analysis to the video itself. This lead me to Steve Archers theory on how artists will act as part of the story as well as being a narrator. Lily Allen is a prime example of an artist doing this. In her video she is portrayed as over-joyed almost princess like girl oblivious to the reality of her surroundings and just embracing materialistic objects surrounding her. This oblivious attitude is used to amplify a contrast to the true meanings behind the lyrics but also support the sarcastic intentions.

Video Analysis

Metronomy- Thing for me

My  video analysis addresses the indie element of indie/rock. This video is also a personal favourite, so my analysis will refer to how the video successfully attracted me in being a member of the target audience.


Location- The video itself is the perfect contrast between the real word vs. imagination. The locations are a continuation of enclosed room and outside space in which suggest an adventure, but the props used within the scenes help manipulate the location into something extra-ordinary.

Artist portrayal- The Artists open the song in presenting themselves out of their normal nature. their characteristics are exaggerating in much more of an effeminate manner. This alongside their dress code can only be assumed to be done in order to compliment the song. The fluctuation of "random" outfits compliments the variations of scenes.

Props- In this video the power of props holds more than the power of mis-en-scene. Although the locations of scenes continue to fluctuate and progress, the power of the props make it evident to the viewer the "type" of location.

The Ball- Although this comes under the title "props" the use of the ball controls the progression of lyrics, the rhythm of the music, the movement of the people and most of all the outcome of the video.

People- In this video the power of people are almost in-humanised to suit the unusual nature of the video. To distinguish the band members they are shot in various scenes as a collective.

Lyrics- Unlike the trend of most music videos the use of written lyrics in a karaoke type format is one of the main conventions in this music video.

Double vision- Although I have previously analysed projection, this video portrays projection in almost a comic strip format.

Editing- The high frequency of cuts from shot to shot may feel to extreme and uneasy on the eye, so the use of flow and continuation is essential.

Elements of creativity- I feel the layout of the video in general consists of a variety of creative elements mainly the use of text. I felt editing played an important role not only to this video but to all music videos.

This video is a manipulated version of the original, I analysed it thoroughly and explained my thoughts as the video un-winded. Throughout the video there are grayscale scenes, these I did intentionally in order to depict powerful elements of the film.

what is the benefit of the artists portrayal in this video?- The quirky feel to the video was intentional as unique presentation and an inventive perception will always attract attention. This has inspired me to attempt to experiment and develop initial ideas even if I doubt its outcome. A negative factor would be that the audience is of a indie/rock genre whereas this video has a strong focus on indie. Also my perception of this video may be miss-understood and to scattered to other members of the niche market.


Overall meaning
 After taking into consideration all of my analysis I felt more able to discover a meaning to the song. I felt the video encourages a lack of seriousness supported by the lyrics in suggesting the first attraction between companions in which they "like" each other in more than a friendly manner but not as intense as a relationship. As the lyrics unwind the line "You've got my heart you know" addresses the element of love and how one person cares more than the other. Although the lyrics express emotions the beat of the song and the humour in the video personifies this and almost alienates the situation from reality.



I felt my analysis was to basic, I created a presentation in order to develop on my initial points addressed in my previous video analysis.

Projection Development

This video below presents our developed projection experimentation. After picking up on the previous defects the outcome is of much better quality. Also the footage projected are a variation of my own experimentation footage rather than an un-related video.

Ylvis- The fox

In order to research and experiment video in more was than one, I decided to become more observant and engaged when watching Music Channels. On the 6/10/2013 FYI presented by Poppy Jamie presents the highlighted news in Music and Showbiz in which she mentioned a Norweigan Band named " ylvis" being a "Viral sensation" and receiving over 22 million youtube hits in a week on their single "Fox" . This instantly caught my attention into researching the success of this video.
After reflecting on the process of research and discovery of the video it arose to my attention in the progression of music production and how bands use viral platforms such as YouTube to spread their video as it is fast, free and virtual.

After watching the video thoroughly it became clear that there was an overtone of humour and lack of seriousness to the whole dynamic of the video. I perceived this as a successful risk. The unusual lyrics in correlation with the Abstract costumes and the dance movements made it apparent that these were all contributing factors to the videos success. I therefore decided to test an audience reaction for myself. The video below represents family members of different ages and interests instant reaction towards the video in which helped me further understand its success.

In order to maintain reliability of my audience response, I could only record the first initial reaction, therefore my auto focus on response 2 could not be re-filmed although its video quality was extremely poor.

Exploring the Concept of Projection

Projection- In order to understand the power of projection we tested its effects . Jake maintained a still position while I filmed the projected video. As a collective we felt it was really successful and an inventive yet an original idea to potentially put forward in a music video. As we feel strongly about this idea and want to develop not only the idea but the outcome further we will project on a larger scale of the body and also project my experimentation material. A challenge will be eliminating the shadow for a clearer outcome.