Ideas:
* Having a split screen with two videos, an abstract and a performance.
* Creating a video of abstract and also live footage of the band to project over the performance.
* Videos interwinded at certain points to show close ups and longer shots at the same time.
* Themes of fire and water.
* Using the themes of fire and water in slow motion, such as water balloons popping, and objects on fire.
*Focus on extreme close ups in performance video, but also long shots because of projection.
* Use of projector as light source.
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Choice of Artist
Sculptors
Sculptors are a local Birmingham band. They are in the alternative rock genre, and have an experimental sound. They are influenced by artists such as Radiohead, Muse and The Smiths. They play gigs around the Birmingham area and have played at venues such as The O2 Academy, The Barfly and The Rainbow.
We have decided to do one of there songs because they have depth to their sound and there always seems to be a strong sense of emotion to the music. This is good for our music video as it allows us to develop our own connotations from the themes that are presented.
The song we are doing is called 'Fall'; the song incorperates expansive space like guitar parts with emotional vocal lines.
Sculptors are a local Birmingham band. They are in the alternative rock genre, and have an experimental sound. They are influenced by artists such as Radiohead, Muse and The Smiths. They play gigs around the Birmingham area and have played at venues such as The O2 Academy, The Barfly and The Rainbow.
We have decided to do one of there songs because they have depth to their sound and there always seems to be a strong sense of emotion to the music. This is good for our music video as it allows us to develop our own connotations from the themes that are presented.
The song we are doing is called 'Fall'; the song incorperates expansive space like guitar parts with emotional vocal lines.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Possible Locations
Carbon Studios
Carbon studios is in Kings Norton, Birmingham and is in close proximity to us. It offers rehersal rooms for bands to practice in. It would be good to film there as the rooms are pretty plain and this would allow us to be able to use a projector in there. Also the lights have a dimmer switch.
Rich Bitch Recording Studios
Rich Bitch is close to Kings Norton in Selly Oak, It offers rehersal rooms the same as carbon room; it has a bigger selection of rooms and also has live rooms. Rich Bitch is where our Artist Sculptors currently reherse.
Song Lyrics Sculptors-Fall
Sculptors-Fall 3 min 40 sec
Take what you give
It's not me
It's not me
Burn away
Don't burn away
Chorus
Creeping up the backstairs
Creeping up the backstairs
They'll find me
They'll find me there
Coming through the front door
Through the front door
They'll find me
They'll find me there
Forget what you said
It's not me
It's not me
Don't fall away
Don't fall away
Chorus
Interlude
Chorus
Take what you give
It's not me
It's not me
Burn away
Don't burn away
Chorus
Creeping up the backstairs
Creeping up the backstairs
They'll find me
They'll find me there
Coming through the front door
Through the front door
They'll find me
They'll find me there
Forget what you said
It's not me
It's not me
Don't fall away
Don't fall away
Chorus
Interlude
Chorus
Monday, 12 October 2009
Video Analysis- Lost Cause
Joe Stark
Music Video Analysis
Lost Cause by Beck (Version 2)
Music Video Analysis
Lost Cause by Beck (Version 2)
What did you enjoy? The video like the song compared to most Beck songs is stripped down. The Music is mostly acoustic and relaxed, and video is also relaxed. It uses strong camera shots, camera positioning and lighting to create the effect it wants, such as putting emphasis on the singer, beck, or on an instrument being played.
What could be improved? At points in the video the images are purposely stuttered, this is used for dramatic effect, but in my opinion it makes the video hard to watch. The glitches are also out of time as well which can grind on the viewer. Also, although I like the videos relaxed approach, but by about three minutes in the viewer could start to get bored because the shots get slightly repetitive and do not develop.
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What narrative is being constructed? There seems to be no apparent narrative as the video is a performance video; however there are other shots added in, but most of then are just close ups of the singers face in another location. This does not really create a narrative.
What do you think about choice of talent, mise-en-scene, props, costumes and location? As the video is mostly performance the talent needs to be the band themselves, to perform the song. The props are just the musical equipment, the costumes are the bands everyday clothes and the location looks like somewhere where the band would practice. Most shots just focus on the basic performance and this is then manipulated by changes in speed and lighting position etc.
How technically adept is the video? The video is not extremely technically adept, but it does use freeze frames, stutters and slow motion. The video is mostly based around its simplicity.
Does the video illustrate, amplify or contradict the lyrics and music? Is it Appropriate? The video because of its simplicity puts emphasis on the lyrics. The line ‘Is that what you thought love was for?’ is emphasised by a close up of the singer as he gradually turns his head.
What do you think is the intended target audience? The target audience for this video would be a Beck fan as it is a performance video and shows the artist performing the song. It would appeal to the modern generation as it is modern twist on a folk song.
What TV channel would you expect to see this video on? This video would be shown on a alternative/rock music station such as MTV2. This is because the song doesn’t have a mainstream audience, it would have more of a cult following.
What could be improved? At points in the video the images are purposely stuttered, this is used for dramatic effect, but in my opinion it makes the video hard to watch. The glitches are also out of time as well which can grind on the viewer. Also, although I like the videos relaxed approach, but by about three minutes in the viewer could start to get bored because the shots get slightly repetitive and do not develop.
-
What narrative is being constructed? There seems to be no apparent narrative as the video is a performance video; however there are other shots added in, but most of then are just close ups of the singers face in another location. This does not really create a narrative.
What do you think about choice of talent, mise-en-scene, props, costumes and location? As the video is mostly performance the talent needs to be the band themselves, to perform the song. The props are just the musical equipment, the costumes are the bands everyday clothes and the location looks like somewhere where the band would practice. Most shots just focus on the basic performance and this is then manipulated by changes in speed and lighting position etc.
How technically adept is the video? The video is not extremely technically adept, but it does use freeze frames, stutters and slow motion. The video is mostly based around its simplicity.
Does the video illustrate, amplify or contradict the lyrics and music? Is it Appropriate? The video because of its simplicity puts emphasis on the lyrics. The line ‘Is that what you thought love was for?’ is emphasised by a close up of the singer as he gradually turns his head.
What do you think is the intended target audience? The target audience for this video would be a Beck fan as it is a performance video and shows the artist performing the song. It would appeal to the modern generation as it is modern twist on a folk song.
What TV channel would you expect to see this video on? This video would be shown on a alternative/rock music station such as MTV2. This is because the song doesn’t have a mainstream audience, it would have more of a cult following.
Video Analysis-Blinded By The Lights
Joe Stark
Music Video Analysis
Blinded By the Lights by The Streets
Music Video Analysis
Blinded By the Lights by The Streets
What did you enjoy? The video is a narrative set to the lyrics, but you would expect the setting to be a club and not a wedding. The characters are drinking heavily and taking drugs; which is at juxtaposition to the setting of a family wedding. The video also uses camera shots following the main character, but the camera wobbles as he does and the camera is directly in front of him.
What could be improved? The video is quite explicit so it would not be able to be shown on most music video channels for most of the day so the song would not get much exposure. To improve this they could make drug and sex references more subtle instead of being so explicit.
What narrative and themes have been constructed? The narrative follows the course of a series of events across one evening at a wedding reception. The theme of drugs and alcohol feature strongly throughout the video. The narrative follows the main character played by Mike Skinner, but it also follows the events of the male and female he is trying to find. The video uses themes that shock and has sexual reference and scenes which show sexual acts.
What do you think about choice of talent, mise-en-scene, props, costumes and location? The video stars Mike Skinner as the main character the artist is playing the main part himself instead of using an actor, this shows he is diverse as he has to act. The video is set at a wedding which seems at contrast to the lyrics as you would think it would be set in a club. This is a good concept as it is different to what the viewer thought he might see. The costumes fit in with the wedding feel as they are al wearing tuxedos, but as the night goes on the all become less formal as they get more and more intoxicated.
How technically adept is the video? The video shows range of technical skill as a lot of the shots are lit in strange ways. Also the video contains a well crafted plot which comes through with the camera work. The video doesn’t have the technical skill of say an animation, but for a shot video there is a high level of craftsmanship.
Does the video illustrate, amplify or contradict the lyrics and music? Is it Appropriate? The video amplifies what happen in the lyrics almost exactly; however the music is at contrast to the setting of the video. This makes for a mixture of equilibrium and disequilibrium.
What do you think is the intended target audience? The video is targeted at a younger audience maybe below 30. The video is slight strange as it shows drug taking and alcohol abuse in wedding which is normally a family environment.
What TV channel would you expect to see this video on? I think you might see this video of UK MTV, but it would only be shown after watershed. Therefore I think its main exposure would be via the internet (YouTube etc.)
What could be improved? The video is quite explicit so it would not be able to be shown on most music video channels for most of the day so the song would not get much exposure. To improve this they could make drug and sex references more subtle instead of being so explicit.
What narrative and themes have been constructed? The narrative follows the course of a series of events across one evening at a wedding reception. The theme of drugs and alcohol feature strongly throughout the video. The narrative follows the main character played by Mike Skinner, but it also follows the events of the male and female he is trying to find. The video uses themes that shock and has sexual reference and scenes which show sexual acts.
What do you think about choice of talent, mise-en-scene, props, costumes and location? The video stars Mike Skinner as the main character the artist is playing the main part himself instead of using an actor, this shows he is diverse as he has to act. The video is set at a wedding which seems at contrast to the lyrics as you would think it would be set in a club. This is a good concept as it is different to what the viewer thought he might see. The costumes fit in with the wedding feel as they are al wearing tuxedos, but as the night goes on the all become less formal as they get more and more intoxicated.
How technically adept is the video? The video shows range of technical skill as a lot of the shots are lit in strange ways. Also the video contains a well crafted plot which comes through with the camera work. The video doesn’t have the technical skill of say an animation, but for a shot video there is a high level of craftsmanship.
Does the video illustrate, amplify or contradict the lyrics and music? Is it Appropriate? The video amplifies what happen in the lyrics almost exactly; however the music is at contrast to the setting of the video. This makes for a mixture of equilibrium and disequilibrium.
What do you think is the intended target audience? The video is targeted at a younger audience maybe below 30. The video is slight strange as it shows drug taking and alcohol abuse in wedding which is normally a family environment.
What TV channel would you expect to see this video on? I think you might see this video of UK MTV, but it would only be shown after watershed. Therefore I think its main exposure would be via the internet (YouTube etc.)
Video Analysis-Knives Out
Joe Stark
Music Video Analysis
Knives Out by Radiohead
What did you enjoy? What I enjoyed most about this video is its abstract nature. The video follows a surreal storyboard with very abstract events occurring. The video has a game of operation happening to a real person, a skeleton with a heart playing a guitar and the singer having roast chicken for feet and people trying to eat them. Another fact that I like about this video is that it is all filmed in one unedited shot, which means all actors and props would have to have been put in place and removed as the camera moves around.
What could be improved? The only problem with the video is that it is impossible to follow the narrative. The viewer can pick up on certain things the video is trying to represent, but the video is that abstract it is hard to see what message is trying to be portrayed. Although this may be viewed as a flaw, it could be the message that the artist and director is trying to project.
What narrative is being constructed? The video has two running narratives, what is happening in the room and what is happening on the TV screen. The TV screen is an easier narrative to follow as it shows a couple on a train, at first they seem happy, but then they start fight, but then they make up when the male character gives the female character a huge wedding ring. The narrative in the room seems to be a series of random occurrences in a hospital room with very surreal happenings.
What do you think about choice of talent, mise-en-scene, props, costumes and location? The video actors include the bands singer, a woman and various extras as hospital staff. The choice of the singer as the main character works well as the quirky events suit is famous quirky nature. The props in the video are very good, such as the life-size operation board, this gives the video a well produced feel. The use of on location, a small room, also helps to give the video a claustrophobic feel.
How technically adept is the video? The video has a high level of technical adeptness, it use CGI and as uses a consistent one shot feel with the video flowing smoothly. The use of the TV screen as well and the way it layers over the top of each other also show a high level of technical skill.
Does the video illustrate, amplify or contradict the lyrics and music? Is it Appropriate? The video does not follow the lyrics, but it does seem appropriate as the lyrics themselves are abstract and somewhat weird. The only thing in the lyrics that resonates in the video is constant reference to a mouse in the lyrics, and the singer head at the end is digitally put on to a mouse’s body.
What do you think is the intended target audience? The band and its videos have always been intellectually challenging, so the target audience would be someone who would question the moral and ethic values of the video and ask questions.
What TV channel would you expect to see this video on? This video might be shown on a mainstream video channel such as MTV because the band are so popular, however the bands more challenging music such as this song does not get as much airplay as there older more commercially viable material.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vgMYcMROcc
Music Video Analysis
Knives Out by Radiohead
What did you enjoy? What I enjoyed most about this video is its abstract nature. The video follows a surreal storyboard with very abstract events occurring. The video has a game of operation happening to a real person, a skeleton with a heart playing a guitar and the singer having roast chicken for feet and people trying to eat them. Another fact that I like about this video is that it is all filmed in one unedited shot, which means all actors and props would have to have been put in place and removed as the camera moves around.
What could be improved? The only problem with the video is that it is impossible to follow the narrative. The viewer can pick up on certain things the video is trying to represent, but the video is that abstract it is hard to see what message is trying to be portrayed. Although this may be viewed as a flaw, it could be the message that the artist and director is trying to project.
What narrative is being constructed? The video has two running narratives, what is happening in the room and what is happening on the TV screen. The TV screen is an easier narrative to follow as it shows a couple on a train, at first they seem happy, but then they start fight, but then they make up when the male character gives the female character a huge wedding ring. The narrative in the room seems to be a series of random occurrences in a hospital room with very surreal happenings.
What do you think about choice of talent, mise-en-scene, props, costumes and location? The video actors include the bands singer, a woman and various extras as hospital staff. The choice of the singer as the main character works well as the quirky events suit is famous quirky nature. The props in the video are very good, such as the life-size operation board, this gives the video a well produced feel. The use of on location, a small room, also helps to give the video a claustrophobic feel.
How technically adept is the video? The video has a high level of technical adeptness, it use CGI and as uses a consistent one shot feel with the video flowing smoothly. The use of the TV screen as well and the way it layers over the top of each other also show a high level of technical skill.
Does the video illustrate, amplify or contradict the lyrics and music? Is it Appropriate? The video does not follow the lyrics, but it does seem appropriate as the lyrics themselves are abstract and somewhat weird. The only thing in the lyrics that resonates in the video is constant reference to a mouse in the lyrics, and the singer head at the end is digitally put on to a mouse’s body.
What do you think is the intended target audience? The band and its videos have always been intellectually challenging, so the target audience would be someone who would question the moral and ethic values of the video and ask questions.
What TV channel would you expect to see this video on? This video might be shown on a mainstream video channel such as MTV because the band are so popular, however the bands more challenging music such as this song does not get as much airplay as there older more commercially viable material.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vgMYcMROcc
CD Covers
C.D Cover Analysis
Joe Stark
Hail to The Thief By Radiohead
The cover has no title or artist name on its front. This is used I think to focus on the artwork, and because the artist is so popular fans will notice as by the artist.
The way the black drips into the blue or the sea, to me could resemble pollution moving into the sea from the city. It could also represent how American society bleeds its way into the world and infects other countries society.
Artwork as with all Radiohead albums since The Bends (1995) is by artist Stanley Donwood. Abstract artist who is close friends with the band and has also produced collabatory work with singer Thom Yorke.
Cover features very bright and strong colours. Lots of variation of colour helps to attract attention.
Artwork is like a grid map of a city close to water, each block with a word in is like a shop etc in an American city i.e. New York. The album could be seen as an attack on America and all the words seem to link to either a fault or a section of American society. The title ‘Hail to the Thief’ could be seen to visualize a country run by a thief i.e. George Bush and how America and probably the rest of the world has it metaphorically bow to him.
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