Summer revision (Music Video)

In this blog post, I'll be explaining the research I have done for music videos. This is done in order to show my knowledge of music videos; in order for me to film my own video as a part of a Media class project. This knowledge of the subject will help to understand the making process of a music video, and will teach on how to make the best video I possibly can. In terms of the project itself, I will be working on and handling everything myself. The filming, lip syncing and editing will be done by me. However I'm planning on getting outside help to assist the filming, and will be included as extra characters in the video.

Pop video Analysis One: Daft Punk Get Lucky.

This video is a promotional product because both of the main artist (Pharrell Williams and Daft Punk) are featured throughout the whole video; due to the fact that this song is promoting these two artist. What makes this video work is the editing, and how well it matches with the song. The pacing matches the track with each cut happening every time the chords or the rhythm changes in the track. This helps to fit well with the upbeat and high energy tone that the song has. This is also shown with the performances of the artist, specifically the way the artist perform in front of the camera along using energetic movements, along with their facial expressions showing that they're enjoying the moment. Overall this fits with the tone of the song as a happy fun song. This fits well with the genre of pop music videos, because all music videos need to have editing and performances that matches with the audio; in terms of tone and pacing.

Pop video Analysis Two: Bruno Mars Treasure.

Like the last video, we can tell this is a promotional product because the video features the main singer, in this case Bruno Mars. This is due to the fact that Bruno is the artist, and the video is promoting him and his song. The thing that makes the video effective is the performance by Bruno himself and his back up dancers. The high energy of their movements and vocals matches well with the tone and energy that the track uses. Along with the bright colours on the green screen background and the lights on stage make the video look more upbeat, which matches with the feel of the tune. This fits well with the genre mainly because this contains the high energy that most pops songs and their videos have.

Rock music video Analysis One: Foo Fighters-The Pretender.

The reason this video is a promotional product is because the artist is featured throughout the whole video; due to the fact that the song is what their promoting along with the band themselves. The main thing that works in this video is the energy that the song uses. This is shown through the pace of the editing that is used in the video during the massive amounts of quick cuts throughout the song. But also the energy is shown the movements of the band members and how much of that energy is being put into their actions and movements while playing their instruments; this can be also heard in the vocals of the lead singer due to how load his projecting his voice. All of this perfectly blends together with the tone of the song.  A lot of rock music videos have a fast pace so they can match to the song that is used, this is the reason why this video fits into the genre of rock music videos.  But also like other rock music videos, it's clearly filmed in a studio, along with their amps and speakers to produce the sound of their instruments.

Rock music video Analysis Two: All These Things I've Done-The Killers

We can tell this is video is a promotional product due to the fact that, the artist is featured in the whole video; and their logo is featured in parts throughout the run time on a wooden board. The editing shows a fewer amounts of quick cuts than normal rock videos that changes scenes constantly, however this does fit nicely with the slower and sombre tone of the song. However the pace of the editing picks around the time the chorus' section of the song starts; with the scene and shot cutting every time the guitar changes a note or strumming pattern. The tone is also reflected very well with the use of turning the video black white, this helps to show off the tone of the songs sombre nature. This video fits into the genre of a rock music video by having the main artist featured throughout the majority of the piece. And also the video does feature an upbeat pace which matches the energy the song uses.

Conventions of a music video: 

1.  1 The artist of the song will perform in the video. This is done to show who the artist of the song is, in order to promote the song and or album.
2.     The song will play throughout the whole video start to finish.
3.    They artist also lip syncs along with the music that's being played in the video. Which is done to show who sings the song on the track.
4.      The artist will perform in the video in a band or perform in a group or on their own. Which is done to show all the members of the group and what they do together as performers.
5.          Music videos contain camera shots that usually set in around three to four different locations. This done to make the visuals look more interesting for the viewer.
6.          The artist  will dress in an outfit which will match the video's tone or style. The purpose is to make the look of the costumes and locations feel and look consistent with each other.
7.     The video will often be filmed in a studio. Mainly because it's easier to film in a controlled indoor environment, rather than a field or a street; and not have the people and items in the environment interrupt the shoot.
8.    The video will often contain a narrative or a story. This can done for two reasons. One to make the video for interesting for the viewer. Or two it'll fit well for theme or subject matter of the song.
9.     Music videos will often use fast camera movements. Depending on the mood of the song, this will match the tone and pace of the music. For example a slow pace song will have slower camera movement.
10.     Close ups or mid shots of the singer will be used. This is done to given more focus to the main singer to identify him as the lead. But also it allows the viewer to see the emotions of the singer during the viewer.
11.    High angle and low angle camera shots.here will also be a wide range of movements and different shot types, and different angles.
12.    The footage and editing will cut to the beat of the song. This is mainly done to make the pacing and tone feel consistent with each other. In other words, a fast track will have a video with fast paced editing.
13.    Quite often slow motion will be used. This can be used to make a scene more dramatic, or give more attention and clearer focus on something happening on screen.
14.     Music videos would be more focused on a concept rather than a story or narrative. This can be done to fit with the songs theme or subject matter or topic.
15.    When artist lip sync to the music, they look into the camera and make eye contact with the audience. The reason for this is so the artist can address the message of the song and lyrics to the viewer of the video.

 Low Budget Ideas:

·         The Fix- Just Got Paid:

      The first tip I've learned from this video, is to make sure that video has a variety of different and multiple shots of locations and performs in front of the camera. Such as there multiple scenes in a house, with some of them in a typical long range shot, while others are close ups of the performers lip syncing to the music. But also i need to keep the video interesting with multiple things occurring; such as the dancing and lip syncing seen in this one. With that said i also need to make sure the editing matches the beat of the tune in order for the pacing and tone to be consistent with each other. 

·          Imogen Heap- A-Ha:
       A tip that can be founded from this video is that the setting or settings of the video need to match the tone and theme of the song this is going to. Whether it'd be the lighting, the time of day you shoot the scenes (night, day, winter, summer etc) and also the location itself. Such as this video that uses darker lighting to fit with the creepy vibe that can be heard in the music track, the la, la, la section near the beginning also adds to the atmosphere the song is making. Secondly I've also learned that the use of quick cuts can help with the pacing of the video. Because in terms of shots, there is something always on screen cutting away to something else every other second throughout the whole video; with the footage only slowing down during the chorus and bridge sections. This does however fit perfectly with the fast pace that the music and vocals use throughout the majority of the video. 

Music Video Tips:

1) Make sure to plan out every idea in advance. These ideas include: Camera shots, locations, costumes, choreography etc.
2) Plan and draw a story board the shots you'll be filming, and also decide what order they'll be in. 
3)Do research into what you'll be needing. In other words, look out for the locations you want to use, and see whether you can film there, if that's the location you want to use. 
4) Purchase and collect all props and costumes days or even weeks before you start the shoot, whether your on location or not.
5) Film multiple takes of the same shot or film it again from a different angle. This could help you if one of the shots you have doesn't look good, or has one of the actors has made a mistake while filming.
6) Learn the lyrics to the song your lip syncing to, this will make the lip syncing more convincing on camera.
7) When filming in multiple locations have a different costume or items of clothing for each location; in order to make the video look more interesting, or to match the location your filming on.
8) If something goes wrong on set, have a back up plan to fix the issue, i'd suggest you think of the possibility's before heading of to the location shoot. 
9) Get permission to film on the location you want to film at. Book the location days before shooting. 
10) Make sure that a list of equipment, props and costumes are made so you remember what to bring onto the set and other locations. 

Love Never Felt So Good Music Video Evaluation:

1) I think that this particular shot from the video is effective due to the actions that happen in the shot. I say this because the energy of the dancing and the actions the main singers perform, this helps to keep up the video's pace and energy that matches well with the feel, pace and energy that the song; which is used through out the video.

2) The reason that i feel this scene from the music video is effective is because of the wide range of locations that this sections uses. Whether it'd be the class room, the scene at the disco and the multiple shots in front of the green screen. This method of swapping back and though between locations make the video more interesting for the viewer to watch, rather than constantly focusing on one particular location the whole time.