Research into the BBC production

I had the opportunity to look at some of the equipment and production techniques of the BBC because they are filming at the school I attend. I asked questions about the camera which was a Sony FS7 Mark 1, including how to operate and utilize it. I also held it so that I got used to holding a camera in preparation for my filming. I also looked at how they used the microphone to record audio for the documentary. He explained about the physical elements of the microphone and how he uses it to record audio. I held the microphone and operated it using the gadget. I had a chance to ask questions about how they went about filming the documentary, including different camera angle, different types of shots etc. Although they film documentaries and not music videos, it was extremely useful to hear about how they film and the techniques they use. It was an honor to speak to professional producers in the industry and I will definitely try and apply their knowledge to my music video to make it look as creative and professional as possible. I think taking this opportunity has really benefited my filming and has made me a much better producer.

Task 16 - Genre Research

Foals - Birch Tree (Indie Rock)

Learning comment

This task was vital to complete as I have found the key codes and conventions of music videos in the rock genre. When planning and filming my music video I will need to make sure I stick to these codes and conventions so that the video is appropriate for the rock genre of music. This includes editing timings, camera angles, locations, fashion, make up, band and narrative. I looked at three examples of music videos, "Chelsea Dagger", "Pompeii" and "Birch Tree". Things I concluded were that they use simplistic and common camera angles, simple narratives, etc. Nothing was too overproduced and complicated as these are characteristics commonly found in pop videos. I am going to try and keep my video very simplistic to suit the rock genre.

Task 8 - Music Consumption

Music Consumption from Tom Cornock on Vimeo.

Learning Comments

We took part in an interview and asked each other questions about music videos, including which videos we watch, why we watch them, what we like about them and if we download them. This process was important in understanding what the appealing aspects of music videos are and what people our age thought about music videos. When we make our own videos, this information will help us to know what we need to include in the video and how to carry it out in order to make the most entertaining video we can. We found out that we like narrative videos, as they are more entertaining to watch and we can resonate with them more.



Focus Group from Tom Cornock on Vimeo.

Learning Comment

In this task we give each other feedback on what we liked and disliked about previous students music videos. This gave us a chance to identify what audiences like about music videos and what to include and not include in our video. This was a very useful task to complete and will able us to know the most enjoyable and entertaining aspects of music videos. Everything we liked about previous students videos we will try in integrate into our own video in our unique way.

 

Learning Comment

Upon completing this task, I have learnt how different people interpret music videos using several different theories. This has made me think about how my video could be interpreted and is something that i will need to take into consideration what I produce my video. Different social class and other factors have an impact on how people view music videos and it is important that I think about this when creating mine.

Task 7 - Analysis of music videos (Theory)

Analysis of music videos using theories. from Tom Constable

In this task I analysed a music video using several different theories. This allowed me to analyse further than i usually would and see different aspects of music videos that I wouldn't have initially seen. When creating my music video I am going to try and integrate these theories into it so that it has all the elements of a professional music video. I need to think about my narrative, different character types and the lyrics of the song I am going to use so that it features all the aspects of a music video.

Task 7 - Music video analysis (Representations of genres)

Learning Comment

I have identified how music videos play a massive part in how artists are represented, through mise en scene, camera angles and shots, editing and sound. Each genre will be represented differently through these codes and conventions, and when I film my music video, I will need to make sure the representations fit the genre of the music. I will need to make sure the location, characters clothes and aesthetic of the video are suitable for the genre of the song.

Task 7 - Music video analysis (Different types of videos)

Performance based music video

Catfish and the Bottlemen - Kathleen

This music video is an example of a performance based music video, as it focuses on the performance of the band, rather than a narrative. The whole video takes place in one location, the studio, and the the band members are the only people that are shown. This performance based video is used by Catfish and the Bottlemen so that focus is centered on the music and the band; nothing else. There is no character types, narrative elements or anything. These type of videos are popular with rock artists as the cost of production is low, so they can't afford anything too emphatic. Furthermore, rock bands are concentrated on their music rather than the commercialism side of the industry, so having a different style of video isn't suitable for them.

Narrative based music video

The 1975 - Robbers

Narrative based music videos are where the lyrics of the song are told through a story line shown in the music video. The music video for "Robbers" by the 1975 is an example of this, as there is no footage of any members of the band actually performing the song. Instead, the story of the song is portrayed. The lyrics of the song are about a toxic relationship, but they are so into each other that neither of them can see how its ruining their lives. The title "Robbers" refers to how they are stealing each others happiness. In the video we see the couples happy relationship, before it starts doing them no good. They start to argue, before deciding to carry out armed robbery at a gas station. This links directly with how they are stealing each others happiness, just like they're stealing money from the shop. The man gets shot, which is a consequence of their toxic relationship. This song is a perfect for a narrative based music video, as the meaning of the song is shown really well. It also follows Todorov's theory, as they are happy at the start (equilibrium) and then their relationship starts to go downhill and they start destroying each other (disruption). In terms of Vladimir Propp's character types, they could both be seen as the villains, as they are the ones stopping each other from finding their goal of happiness.

Performance and narrative based music video

John Newman - Love Me Again

 This music video is a combination of performance and narrative. The narrative side of the video revolves around a woman and a love interest. The video follows them as they chase each other around a venue, whilst their respective families try to stop the relationship from happening. This is an example of binary opposites (Levi-Strauss), as the couple represent good and the families are bad. There is also evidence of Propp's character types in the video. The woman acts as the Princess/reward and is the end goal of the man. The woman's family are the villains/antagonists as they are in the way of him achieving his goal and don't want him to accomplish it. Narrative techniques such as this help to create a good music video, as it's engaging for the audience and is almost like watching a film. Meanwhile John Newman is performing the song on the stage at the venue, which reminds the audience of the music. This is a good balance of performance and narrative to keep the audience interested in the song and the plot at the same time.

Concept music video

Alt-J - Breezeblocks

This music video is unique, as it has been filmed and then put in reverse. This makes the audience make assumptions that the husband has killed his wife and put her in the bath. However, as the video progresses we discover that it was the ex wife that had kidnapped the mans current wife, causing the man to kill his ex wife in self defense. Putting the video in reverse is a very clever idea and isn't common. Concept videos are based around an ideas that are unique and different, such as putting the video in reverse. There is no performance element to the video, just narrative. This video is probably one of my favourite music videos as it is really interesting to watch and engages me throughout the whole thing. However, my attention is often taken away from the music as i'm concentrating on the visuals. If done well, concept videos are some of the best as they are very unique and are a much different experience to normal videos.

Learning Comment

Upon completing this task, I have found that there are many different types of music videos. These range from performance videos to narrative based videos, and many have a mixture of them both. I have learnt that when I film my music video, we will need to decide how much of the performance element to include, and how much narrative to include. I will need to find the balance between the two as I don't want either part to dominate the other, I also need to make sure the type of video I make is suitable for the genre of music.

Task 7 - Music Video Analysis (Codes and conventions of different genres)

Task 1

Learning Comment

In this task I have learnt how the codes and conventions of music videos change between genre. When i make my music video I  just make sure things like camera angles/shot, location and costume are all appropriate for the genre of my music video, otherwise it won't look right. They differ massively between each genre due to the style of music and audience. I need to make sure the codes and conventions of my video suit the style of music and appeal to the audience.There are lots if things to consider and this task has definitely helped me with this.

Task 6 - Analysis of Student Videos

Learning comment

I have learnt that a range of camera angles are needed to make the video interesting to watch and engaging. The best videos I analysed have a wide range of camera angles and shots, which make a much better video. The time lapses used worked really well in one of the videos, and this is what I might try and implement into my video. When I'm planning my video, I will need to think about how I'm going to make it as entertaining and interesting as possible. Different camera angles and shot are key to a good music video, and so I will need to plan what shots I could do so I meet this criteria. Special effects can also work, but they need to be used in moderation and can't look over the top. Special effects is something that I'm considering using in my video.

Task 5 - Branding Research

Please click here to view my website.

Please click the above link to access the website.

Learning comment 

From completing this task I have learnt how important branding is for an artist. It allows them to be more successful which is why most artists have adopted it. I have also learnt how artists create their own brand. It is also relevant for me because I will need to think about branding when I create my digipak and poster. The colour, clothing, mise en scene etc will all create the branding for my artist, and so I will have to think about how i want the artist to be viewed by the public.

Task 4 - Analysis Of Digipak Adverts

Learning comment

I have learnt that digipak adverts can be very important in the promotion of albums. Things I need to include on the advert include an image, the artist name, the album name, ratings and reviews of the album, artist website and where it can be bought. They also need to be representative of the genre of music they are promoting.

Task 3 - Analysis Of Digipak's

  Learning comment 

From completing this task I have learnt what a digipak is and why they are important in the sale of CD's. When I produce my digipak, I will need to make sure that it suits the artist and genre of music it is for as this will make it appeal to the audience and attract the secondary audience through the use of imagery. The edit, colour theme and style all differ between different genres. I will have to include the codes and conventions of a digipak, such as a front cover, track list, lyrics, and information on the artist, album, single. The production and distribution companies and other credits will also have to shown on the digipak.

Task 2 - Analysis Of Music Websites

Learning Comment

From completing this task I have learnt that music artists style and design their websites depending on the genre of their music and how they want to represent themselves. This includes colour themes, fonts and images. I will need to make sure my website is appropriate for the genre of music so it appeals to the audience. It will also need the standard features of a music website, such as links to ticket information, tour dates, how to buy music and the merchandise shop.

Task 1 - History Of Music Videos

Please click here to view my website.

Learning comment

There are many things i have noticed in the development of music videos over time. One of the main changes is that they have gone from being performance based to narrative based. For example Jackson 5's "ABC" to Ed Sheeran's "Galway Girl". Modern music videos also contain a massive variety of shots and are very quick paced. I will need to implement these features into my video to make it modern and successful. Using short cuts and many different shots will help the video flow and be entertaining.