After researching about narrative I was shown different theories concerning the structure of the narrative.
Tzvetan Todorov gave the idea that conventional narratives are composed of five stages: a state of equilibrium at the outset, a disruption of the equilibrium by some action, a recognition that there has been a disruption, an attempt to repair the disruption and a reinstatement of the equilibrium.
The narrative of most music videos is kept short and consists of many shots being edited together. This would be because the song averaging from 2:30 and 4mins does not give the artist enough time to tell the whole story, however there are music videos such as Lady GaGa's- Papparazzi which has an extended narrative opening with no music.
Because my music video is based on a strong narrative I am going to have a brief narrative at the beginning of my video with no music, however this is hardly going to be long as all the narrative will be explaining that the main character is under going an exam. This will be followed by a short narrative at the end which I hope will give a sad and emotional edge to the video.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
100 greatest music videos
After watching a few of the top 100 greatest music videos I came up with a few basic idea which would contribute to the making of my music video.
Duan Duan were one of the first bands to create a music video that based it self around wealth and high lifestyles. Because my video is based around romantic acoustic guitar music I feel that this kind of theme is out of the question.
After watching Bjork, All is Love (directed by Cris Cunningham) I saw the extent to which music directors go to in order to create visual master pieces. Despite the fact that I do not wish to use any special effects I would like to exert this kind of motivation when it comes to making my music video.
Basement Jaxx-Wheres your head at? gave me some insight into why people create some music videos in a groteque manner. Some videos take a direct jab at certain subjects, in this case the music industry where they use a mental asylum full of mad scientists and monkeys to represent the directors and the producers. the video itself was quite wacky yet actually entertained me. Such video effects for me would be possible yet the theme and genre could possibly be put into my own video.
The use of back and white in music videos were mainly used to represent the film of the 1940s. After assessing this idea I came to the conclusion that perhaps black and white would not suit the theme of my music video.
Frankie goes to Hollywood-Two Tribes was perhaps the first music video that came with a political representation and message. The fight in the ring between Reegan and Gorbechev gave many viewers a reason to see the ending, as many would have grown up in this political conflict.
It has been suggested that for more information I should research Cris Cunningham and Jon Arkanand as they the more sought after music directors.
Duan Duan were one of the first bands to create a music video that based it self around wealth and high lifestyles. Because my video is based around romantic acoustic guitar music I feel that this kind of theme is out of the question.
After watching Bjork, All is Love (directed by Cris Cunningham) I saw the extent to which music directors go to in order to create visual master pieces. Despite the fact that I do not wish to use any special effects I would like to exert this kind of motivation when it comes to making my music video.
Basement Jaxx-Wheres your head at? gave me some insight into why people create some music videos in a groteque manner. Some videos take a direct jab at certain subjects, in this case the music industry where they use a mental asylum full of mad scientists and monkeys to represent the directors and the producers. the video itself was quite wacky yet actually entertained me. Such video effects for me would be possible yet the theme and genre could possibly be put into my own video.
The use of back and white in music videos were mainly used to represent the film of the 1940s. After assessing this idea I came to the conclusion that perhaps black and white would not suit the theme of my music video.
Frankie goes to Hollywood-Two Tribes was perhaps the first music video that came with a political representation and message. The fight in the ring between Reegan and Gorbechev gave many viewers a reason to see the ending, as many would have grown up in this political conflict.
It has been suggested that for more information I should research Cris Cunningham and Jon Arkanand as they the more sought after music directors.
Friday, 2 December 2011
Proposal for music video
Song lyrics:
Proposed story line and characters: Main character (main vocal) sitting in an examination room about to set AS paper. Small band gathers outside at the main door and starts playing. Pushes paper away and starts to remember whee he should really be, starts singing. At the start of the main chorus he gets up and dashes out of the door follewd by the band who are frantically chasing him. Must make it look like that main character is oblivious to the fact that the band are with him. Character singing on different modes on transport for a duration. When the song reaches the instrumental 3/4 of the way through the main character will reveal flashbacks of the time he spent with what appears to be ex-girlfriend. Rest of the video is that main character (followed by the band) making his way into an apartment. When song finishes character knocks on the door by the girl from his flashbacks, she gives him a sorry look and closes the door in front of him, the band splits leaving the character to walk home alone.
Setting: School hall, train, car, school boarding corridor.
Length- roughly 3 and a half minutes.
Format- Mini DV and editing using Final Cut Express
Style:
Genre, mood, influences, claims to originality: This is an acoustic guitar, up beat pief music. Emotional spiritual music.
Camerawork: Im going to work with close up on the main character, with reverse zoom and zoom. When character is running through streets I will use far shots to capture both the main character and the band.
Length of shots: Shots are going to vary from a few seconds to about 1 second due to the quick beat of the song.
Movement and action: There will be alot of quick panning as well as various zoom shots.
Visual qualities: Im planning having bright light during my video, however when my character reaches the apartment I am planning on lowering it. I want to emphasize the use of colour as well in this video.
Proposed story line and characters: Main character (main vocal) sitting in an examination room about to set AS paper. Small band gathers outside at the main door and starts playing. Pushes paper away and starts to remember whee he should really be, starts singing. At the start of the main chorus he gets up and dashes out of the door follewd by the band who are frantically chasing him. Must make it look like that main character is oblivious to the fact that the band are with him. Character singing on different modes on transport for a duration. When the song reaches the instrumental 3/4 of the way through the main character will reveal flashbacks of the time he spent with what appears to be ex-girlfriend. Rest of the video is that main character (followed by the band) making his way into an apartment. When song finishes character knocks on the door by the girl from his flashbacks, she gives him a sorry look and closes the door in front of him, the band splits leaving the character to walk home alone.
Setting: School hall, train, car, school boarding corridor.
Length- roughly 3 and a half minutes.
Format- Mini DV and editing using Final Cut Express
Style:
Genre, mood, influences, claims to originality: This is an acoustic guitar, up beat pief music. Emotional spiritual music.
Camerawork: Im going to work with close up on the main character, with reverse zoom and zoom. When character is running through streets I will use far shots to capture both the main character and the band.
Length of shots: Shots are going to vary from a few seconds to about 1 second due to the quick beat of the song.
Movement and action: There will be alot of quick panning as well as various zoom shots.
Visual qualities: Im planning having bright light during my video, however when my character reaches the apartment I am planning on lowering it. I want to emphasize the use of colour as well in this video.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Audience
The audience that this video is targeted at would be those who enjoy listening to country music or guiter based music. Those who also enjoy Irish based music would also be interested in watching this video.
Because my song has a strong narrative I think that those who like songs that leave a message will be interested in watching my music video as well as those who have a desire a new kind of music. My video will allow me to connect with characters giving my video a sense of personal identity. The narrative and setting of my music video has a string sense of diversion, where my character escapes the pressures of his life and goes out to seek who and what he truely wants.
Because my song has a strong narrative I think that those who like songs that leave a message will be interested in watching my music video as well as those who have a desire a new kind of music. My video will allow me to connect with characters giving my video a sense of personal identity. The narrative and setting of my music video has a string sense of diversion, where my character escapes the pressures of his life and goes out to seek who and what he truely wants.
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
History of the music video.
Video killed the Radio Star
Bohemian Rapsedy- Too complicated to be performed live so was made into a music video. This was the first big music video and unlike the typical music video produced by people like David Bowie or the typical music video we see today, it was strictly performance based with no narrative to personal identity. Because visual affect were extremily limited at this time, the most basic technology was used to create the pentagon-like effect of the band singing.
1955- Phase, teenagers introduced. People went wild. This paved the way for a radical change into how the music industry was going to opertate.
1980- David Bowies music video upsets industry as musicians were making money off of a different art. However due to the fact that this new concept was young at the time it was accepted and the idea caught on wih other artists.
Free radio channel, no channels were on there so MTV was placed on there. This was a great opertunity for music artist to show their music videos on a music video exclusive channel.
Originally there were very little songs put on air. The Company made a gamble that if they made enough money then they would be able to afford more songs. This worked and as time went by more and more music videos and beenout on air.
Bohemian Rapsedy- Too complicated to be performed live so was made into a music video. This was the first big music video and unlike the typical music video produced by people like David Bowie or the typical music video we see today, it was strictly performance based with no narrative to personal identity. Because visual affect were extremily limited at this time, the most basic technology was used to create the pentagon-like effect of the band singing.
1955- Phase, teenagers introduced. People went wild. This paved the way for a radical change into how the music industry was going to opertate.
1980- David Bowies music video upsets industry as musicians were making money off of a different art. However due to the fact that this new concept was young at the time it was accepted and the idea caught on wih other artists.
Free radio channel, no channels were on there so MTV was placed on there. This was a great opertunity for music artist to show their music videos on a music video exclusive channel.
Originally there were very little songs put on air. The Company made a gamble that if they made enough money then they would be able to afford more songs. This worked and as time went by more and more music videos and beenout on air.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Intitial Research
When looking at acoustic based music or Indi music I have come to the conclusion that the music videos illustrate something unconventional. There is always something going on which no other music video has done before. For example Cave music video uses a setting and a story board which is unique compared to any other music video out there.
Textual Analysis
Name of track-Cave
Artist Director- 2010 Universal Island Records Ltd. A Universal Music Company.
Genre characteristics-Acoustic, freedom based? Like most acoustic based music videos i found that this one had an unconventional theme. The video concentrates on the band together, there is the sense of the bond between people and the way they ride together really expands on this . Motor cycles, the band does not actually perform the song, there is a secondary band of well dressed musicians who use their instruments and play for them. this adds to the unconventional theme of the video.
What is the relationship between lyrics and visuals?- The freedom of travel represented by country setting and mopeds. There is however no relevance to a cave. Example of "Live my life as its meant to be." The beach in the background may represent freedom.
What is the relationship between the music and visuals?-Querky acoustic country music relates to the country setting and beach setting.
Are there close-ups of the artist and star image and star image motifs?- Many close ups on the lead singer of the main band, focued on the lead singer with short shots of rest of the band. the same applies for the secondary band on the beach where the lead singer hold most of the camera focus.
Is there referance to the notion of looking?-I did not find any reference to the notion of looking.
Are there intertextual references?-I did not find any textual references in this music video. I had a few ideas about the exchange of guitars and mopeds being related to the film once upon a time in Mexico however it is to vague to be called an intertextual reference.
Is it performance based narrative based or concept based?- The video seems to more performance based. the playing band on the beach is a key example of this and the driving on the mopeds on the country lane. However there is a great deal of singing by the lead singer of both bands and the close up shots clearly identify this.
Artist Director- 2010 Universal Island Records Ltd. A Universal Music Company.
Genre characteristics-Acoustic, freedom based? Like most acoustic based music videos i found that this one had an unconventional theme. The video concentrates on the band together, there is the sense of the bond between people and the way they ride together really expands on this . Motor cycles, the band does not actually perform the song, there is a secondary band of well dressed musicians who use their instruments and play for them. this adds to the unconventional theme of the video.
What is the relationship between lyrics and visuals?- The freedom of travel represented by country setting and mopeds. There is however no relevance to a cave. Example of "Live my life as its meant to be." The beach in the background may represent freedom.
What is the relationship between the music and visuals?-Querky acoustic country music relates to the country setting and beach setting.
Are there close-ups of the artist and star image and star image motifs?- Many close ups on the lead singer of the main band, focued on the lead singer with short shots of rest of the band. the same applies for the secondary band on the beach where the lead singer hold most of the camera focus.
Is there referance to the notion of looking?-I did not find any reference to the notion of looking.
Are there intertextual references?-I did not find any textual references in this music video. I had a few ideas about the exchange of guitars and mopeds being related to the film once upon a time in Mexico however it is to vague to be called an intertextual reference.
Is it performance based narrative based or concept based?- The video seems to more performance based. the playing band on the beach is a key example of this and the driving on the mopeds on the country lane. However there is a great deal of singing by the lead singer of both bands and the close up shots clearly identify this.
Song choice
I have come to a decision over what song I will base my music video on. I have chosen "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons because of the energy which the song releases. I came to the conclusion that The Sound of Silence did not give me alot to work with visually due to the slow pace of the music. However the pace of "Little Lion Man" can allow me to use a variety of camera angles and shots which will help create a more energetic music video.
Action Plan
14.11.11-set up blog
14.11.11-action plan
14.11.11-discuss songs and decide songs
21.11.11-initial research
14.11.11-contact artists for permission
21.11.11-history of the music video
21.11.11-textual analysis
30.11.11-genre research
30.11.11-story board for music video
30.11.11-history of the music video
2.12.11-audience research
2.12.11-cast list, location
5.12.11-Create Story Board
Work on scene plannings
Shooting Schedule
Work on directors, Cris Cunningham and Jon Arkanand
12.12.11-Casting notes
Mise en scene
10.1.12- Choosing the cast
12.11.12- Post storyboard
post cast list and location.
14.11.11-action plan
14.11.11-discuss songs and decide songs
21.11.11-initial research
14.11.11-contact artists for permission
21.11.11-history of the music video
21.11.11-textual analysis
30.11.11-genre research
30.11.11-story board for music video
30.11.11-history of the music video
2.12.11-audience research
2.12.11-cast list, location
5.12.11-Create Story Board
Work on scene plannings
Shooting Schedule
Work on directors, Cris Cunningham and Jon Arkanand
12.12.11-Casting notes
Mise en scene
10.1.12- Choosing the cast
12.11.12- Post storyboard
post cast list and location.
I have recently over the past few days tried to get in contact with the manager of Mumford and Sons whos song "Cave" I would very much like to base my music video on. I have done this so that I can avoid any copyright issues concerning me using their music and posting it on the web. I am still awaiting a reply and hope that such permission may be granted. My email went as follows...
Dear sir
i am currently undertaking a media A2 course requiring me to create a music video. I am interested in the music that Mumford and Sons makes and would like to use the song "Cave" for my project. I am emailing you for permission to use this song due to copyright issues.
I hope you can get back to me and provide me with this permission and allow me to work with their great music.
Yours
Freddie Sayer
Dear sir
i am currently undertaking a media A2 course requiring me to create a music video. I am interested in the music that Mumford and Sons makes and would like to use the song "Cave" for my project. I am emailing you for permission to use this song due to copyright issues.
I hope you can get back to me and provide me with this permission and allow me to work with their great music.
Yours
Freddie Sayer
Thursday, 17 November 2011
genre, audience and narrative
The genre of my music video is going to be acoustic based/indi. I found this genre to be the most suitable for my video because I have a friend who plays solo and a group of friends who were recently in a band together. Both of these options are capable of playing an acoustic based song. I also feel that this kind of music makes more room for a narrative based music video, which is the kind of music video which I prefer.
I feel that making the music video narrative would allow me to use my imagination far more than if I just did a performance based one. The music video of Little Lion Man was performance based and I feel with a song like that you could do alot more.
I feel that making the music video narrative would allow me to use my imagination far more than if I just did a performance based one. The music video of Little Lion Man was performance based and I feel with a song like that you could do alot more.
Possible song choices
For this A level music project I am considering using an acoustic based song. this would simplify the amount of organisation that I would need to do and it also allows me to play around with the resources I already have. I could either do a solo performance or use a band, it is depending on which song I choose to use. my possible choices are Heartbeats by Jose Gonzalez, Cave by Mumford and Sons or The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkal, the latter two require a band.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)