The genre of my track is alternative rock as there are multiple songs within in this genre I've been able to comply common conventions of alternative rock which can be adopted in my music video.
1. Camera Movements
The main goal, aim within alternative rock music videos is to highlight the 'musicianship' of the band. Close-ups and extreme close up shots are used on the various band members to emphasise their musical talents. For instance, the guitar or drum solo just before the last of the song.
Additionally, wide shots are often used to represent the band as well as a whole, as well as to show the equality within the band.
2. Editing
As alternative rock tracks are often fast paced the music videos are cut to the beat of the drum of guitar rhythm.
3. Performance based music videos
Performance based music videos can help build up a star image for the band . Having a star image means that the audience can recognise the band by their style or look.
4. Narrative based
Bands often use narrative based music videos in order to make it engaging for the viewer, this in turn encourages the viewer to keep watching. The narrative often contains humour which can be seen as a style which can form the star image.
5.Lighting
Diegetic studio lighting is often adopted and is especially effective as the use of high key lighting makes the band appear flawless and glamorous .
Additionally, diegetic backlighting creates a silhouette of the band elevating their status making them seem important.
6.Iconography
Iconography is very important as it makes a part of the bands signature which allows the audience to recognise them.
Saturday, 4 October 2014
Friday, 3 October 2014
What is Alternative Rock ?
Is a genre of rock music that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s . Refers to the distinction from mainstream rock music additionally referring to underground rock artist that received mainstream recognition that seemed to come from punk music.
Alternative rock however is a very broad genre, differing from its sounds, social context and its regional roots.
By the end of the 1980s magazines and zines ( Fab-nzines) radian airplay had increased , the eminence and highlighted the diversity of alternative rock sub genres including gothic rock , noise pop and jangle pop.
Despite this alternative bands in comparison to other genres of rock and pop music at the time there success remained limited. With the breakthrough of Nirvana, the popularity of the grunge and britpop movements in the 1990s, the success of creed, matchbox twenty, Radiohead, the success of some post- britpop groups like Coldplay and the emergence of several alternative rock bands during the late 90s early 2000s which included The Strokes, Interpol and Franz Ferdinand which led to the term change from alternative rock to indie rock.
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By the end of the 1980s magazines and zines ( Fab-nzines) radian airplay had increased , the eminence and highlighted the diversity of alternative rock sub genres including gothic rock , noise pop and jangle pop.Despite this alternative bands in comparison to other genres of rock and pop music at the time there success remained limited. With the breakthrough of Nirvana, the popularity of the grunge and britpop movements in the 1990s, the success of creed, matchbox twenty, Radiohead, the success of some post- britpop groups like Coldplay and the emergence of several alternative rock bands during the late 90s early 2000s which included The Strokes, Interpol and Franz Ferdinand which led to the term change from alternative rock to indie rock.
The Crookes
- Origin: Sheffield, England
- Genre: Alternative rock
- Memebrs: Russell Bates, George Waite, Daniel Hopewell, Tom Dakin
- Formed: 2008
- Albums: Chasing after ghosts ( 2011), Hold fast ( 2012), Soapbox ( 2014)
The Crookes named after the Sheffield suburb where Saunders and Hopewell initially met, gained popularity in 2008 after recording a live session on BBC radio 1 which led to Steve Lamacq to declare them his favourite British band of the year also describing the band as having "ambition and flare and singer with a beautiful voice, one those special, poetic voices which dips and soars above their jangling guitars".
They released their first single " A Colliers Wife" in 2009, followed by single " Bloodshot days" in 2010, There music style having been compared to artists such as Vampire weekend, Belle and Sebastian, The Housemartins and The Smiths.
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Focus Group feeback
For the past couple of lessons our class has been showing each other our soundtracks that we are going to use for our music videos and created a brainstorm on the basis of four points:
-Genre /audience
- Storyline
-Brand image
-Style of dance or performance elements
We worked as a class to give inspirations and help create unique music videos that will have an impact as well as develop concepts of our classmates . Alicia and I received feedback from the class and we all agreed that the song belongs to the alternative rock genre.
As the song is quite upbeat a few story lines were quite similar and included one, a flashback. happy memory in which may be re-enacted from the point of view of the main singer. Another idea included following a group of friends on a day out in the city. It was also said that we need to make sure that our singer and storyline coincide in other words not just a random guy singing to some footage.
From the focus group we have decided that our the target audience is aimed at teenagers the storyline involves a performance based video as we have chosen the storyline which follows a group of friends on a night out and flashbacks of the good times within their friendship. The feedback as a result has given us insight into basing our ideas on our genre.
-Genre /audience
- Storyline
-Brand image
-Style of dance or performance elements
We worked as a class to give inspirations and help create unique music videos that will have an impact as well as develop concepts of our classmates . Alicia and I received feedback from the class and we all agreed that the song belongs to the alternative rock genre.
As the song is quite upbeat a few story lines were quite similar and included one, a flashback. happy memory in which may be re-enacted from the point of view of the main singer. Another idea included following a group of friends on a day out in the city. It was also said that we need to make sure that our singer and storyline coincide in other words not just a random guy singing to some footage.
From the focus group we have decided that our the target audience is aimed at teenagers the storyline involves a performance based video as we have chosen the storyline which follows a group of friends on a night out and flashbacks of the good times within their friendship. The feedback as a result has given us insight into basing our ideas on our genre.
Lyric moodboard
I have created a mood board of images that link with the lyrics of my track. I have highlighted specific words in which should be stressed in my music video.
3 elements of a music video
A performance based music video often show the band or artist mostly performing their song, possibly at a gig or in a studio setting. An example of this is Little comets 'Jennifer '.
A performance based music video includes footage of the band or artist within a relaxed environment whether that be in a studio or on stage. This style of video uses the band or artist throughout the majority of the production. However, because of this the video risks being repetitive and in turn may loose the interest of the audience in order for that not occur the band will need to be relatively established. Performance based videos are often common within the indie and rock genres.
Concept based videos
A concept based music video shows an idea formed by combining all the characteristic of the song. Concept videos usually are combined with one of the two other styles in order to highly entertain their audiences concept videos are often abstract. An example of this being Daft Punks 'All around the world'.
Narrative based videos
Attempt to tell a story ,this might be the artist or lead vocalist of a band but is usually an actor as the band would be performing the song. Narrative based videos often rely on imagery to produce a story for the audience to follow and sometimes feature footage from a film. An example being Taylor Swift's ' You belong with me'.
The search for our artist
At the out set, I assumed that the search for an artists song for my music video was going to be a lot easier that what the reality proved to be.I stated during the summer with the company of a friend to visit a few open mic nights within the local area- Dingwalls , Camden- Harris and Hoole. Barnet and Boyden's kitchen- Barnet. However despite those vista finding an artist with a recorded song proved to be a rather difficult task.
Alicia and I then decided to each contact a few bands. As a result Alicia contacted The Crookes via email and Instagram and myself contacting Pixel Fix ad well as Kill it Kid, despite our efforts no response was given.
A development
Regardless of best efforts during the summer holidays, we still had not found a band. However, alicia thanks to a friends came across the friends brother band Parkgate Avenue we were given the permission to use their song " cold feet" unfortunately would not be able to feature in the music video.In spite of this development a week late The Crookes manger relied to Alicas email giving permission to their song afterglow.
Wednesday, 1 October 2014
Do Modern Music Videos disregard Goodwins theory ? Viewing it as irrelevant /outdated?
Having looked at Goodwins theory of music videos whereby he highlighted six points that are evident throughout the majority of music videos. However as time has progressed music artists are working towards the less conventional ways of music videos.
EXAMPLES
These examples all have music videos that have nothing to do with the lyrics and concept of the music video as a result pushing the boundaries of a conventional music video straying away from Goodwins theory .
EXAMPLES
Hozier- Take me to church
Jungle - Time
These examples all have music videos that have nothing to do with the lyrics and concept of the music video as a result pushing the boundaries of a conventional music video straying away from Goodwins theory .
Andrew Goodwin
In order to fully grasp Goodwins theory I am going to apply it to a music video case study. 'You belong with me ' the song by American recording artist Taylor Swift, taken from her 'Fearless' album. It was released on April 18, 2009 and is a country pop song about wanting someone who is with this girl who does not appreciate him at all below I am going to analyse the music video relating back to Andrew Goodwins theory.
Andrew Goodwin identified key features that distinguish music as a form:
1- The relationship between the visuals and lyrics either amplifying it or contradicting the lyrics. An example from ' You belong with me ' is when Taylor Swift sings ' I wear t-shirts, she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers ' we are then able to see the other girl cheerleading and her on the bleatchers , as well as the indication towards her t-shirt .
2-The genre needs to be taken into consideration because each genre has its own music video style and iconography. Examples of conventions of country pop within 'You belong with me ' are camera shots of Taylor having fun and singing along to the song in her bedroom as a result keeping the mood light.
3-He also suggests that music videos are very likely to be voyeristic , according to Laura Mulvey( male gaze ) women tend to be objectified.
4- The demands of the record label will include the need for close -ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style ). Another aspect of this theory are the use of close ups of the artist which are often utilised in order to create a platform between the artist and their fans .
5- A final aspect of Goodwins theory is inter textual references. These type of shots allow the audience to feel as if they were the same as the artist as a result purchasing the same products .
Firstly, look at structure of music when constructing a music videos for the chorus . Secondly, the voice of the song, the artists voice is extremely unique and form identification or trademark s that work well with the star image. Thirdly, what are they trying to convey e.g. sadness, happiness through the lighting who they use in the video.
Narrative and performance
Songs fail to give us the complete narrative? Goodwin explains that music videos should ignore common narrative . It is important in their role of advertising. Music videos should coherent repeatability makes it easier for the advertise to watch over and over without losing interest the artist acting as both narrator and participant helps to increase the authenticity however the lip sync and other mimed actions remains the heart of music videos. the audience need to believe this is real.
Relation of visuals to song
Illustrate- images to illustrate the meaning of lyrics and genre
Amplifying- similar repeatability meaning and effects are manipulated and constantly shown through the video and drummed in our vision
Disjuncture - This is where the meaning of the song is completely ignored e.g. Michel Gondry Foo Fighters fits structure of song complete different narrative aspect of disjuncture
Andrew Goodwin identified key features that distinguish music as a form:
1- The relationship between the visuals and lyrics either amplifying it or contradicting the lyrics. An example from ' You belong with me ' is when Taylor Swift sings ' I wear t-shirts, she's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers ' we are then able to see the other girl cheerleading and her on the bleatchers , as well as the indication towards her t-shirt .
2-The genre needs to be taken into consideration because each genre has its own music video style and iconography. Examples of conventions of country pop within 'You belong with me ' are camera shots of Taylor having fun and singing along to the song in her bedroom as a result keeping the mood light.
3-He also suggests that music videos are very likely to be voyeristic , according to Laura Mulvey( male gaze ) women tend to be objectified.
4- The demands of the record label will include the need for close -ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style ). Another aspect of this theory are the use of close ups of the artist which are often utilised in order to create a platform between the artist and their fans .
5- A final aspect of Goodwins theory is inter textual references. These type of shots allow the audience to feel as if they were the same as the artist as a result purchasing the same products .
Firstly, look at structure of music when constructing a music videos for the chorus . Secondly, the voice of the song, the artists voice is extremely unique and form identification or trademark s that work well with the star image. Thirdly, what are they trying to convey e.g. sadness, happiness through the lighting who they use in the video.
Narrative and performance
Songs fail to give us the complete narrative? Goodwin explains that music videos should ignore common narrative . It is important in their role of advertising. Music videos should coherent repeatability makes it easier for the advertise to watch over and over without losing interest the artist acting as both narrator and participant helps to increase the authenticity however the lip sync and other mimed actions remains the heart of music videos. the audience need to believe this is real.
Relation of visuals to song
Illustrate- images to illustrate the meaning of lyrics and genre
Amplifying- similar repeatability meaning and effects are manipulated and constantly shown through the video and drummed in our vision
Disjuncture - This is where the meaning of the song is completely ignored e.g. Michel Gondry Foo Fighters fits structure of song complete different narrative aspect of disjuncture
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