Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Andrew Goodwin Music Video Theory
1. The video above is Jay-Z ft. Rihanna & Kanye West - Run This Town, this new music video is directed by Anthony Mandler. The song is catorgised as hip-hop as there is both rapping and singing featuring popular artists known for their work in this genre. The video compliments the confidence/arrogance needed for the style of music, as the video portrays each performer as a leader. This is done by them almost preaching to crowds and always being at the front so they are the ones we are looking at.
2. There are many examples of times when the lyrics are illustrated or amplified by the visuals, for example, the first line of the lyrics says, 'feel it comin' in the air'. This illustrates the crowds that that have been marching in the last shot, it represents a revolution. Another example is the lyric 'only thing thats on my mind, is who's gunna run this town tonight'. This is illustrated by a possible power struggle, the people with weapons and torches have taken over an area. After Rihanna sings this part of the song, the video cuts to the three leaders, the three people who are the stars of the song - Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West. The next part where Jay-Z answers Rihanna's question is where he says, 'we are, yeh I said it, we are' (1:13) is amplified by his minions standing behind him.
3. The video cuts to the beat of the song and as with most hip-hop the beat is clear and repetitive and so the cutting is made a very interesting is some places. For example, at 1:24 and 1:27 the pace the cutting speeds up cutting between close-up's and long shots of Jay-Z and this is done because there is a drum roll fill giving the opportunity to do so. The video to the song does not illustrate the instrumental parts of the song, maily because most of the song is either rapping or singing. The beat of the song serves the purpose of enhancing the flow of the lyrics and so the video illutrates the lyrics not the instrumental. There are very clear changes of pace within the video as Rihanna's singing is slower than Jay-Z and Kayne Wests rapping. Therefore when she is singing her part of the video the cutting slows up and when the other two come in to it it speeds up to go with the flow of the music. An example of this is at 0:49-0:52 when the camera lingers for 3 seconds before cutting, this is rare in the rapping sections which tend to cutting in close then back out long - really mixing up the distance and framing of the shots.
4. The three stars in this track get as much video time as they do in the music. What I mean is that when Rihanna is singing she is always on camera and Jay-Z isn't. When Jay-Z and Kanye West are rapping Rihanna isn't in the shots. Due to Kayne Wests verse being late in the song we only really see him until 3:30. We see him in the background of the group shots but he is never the focus and our eyes are never drawn to him. The image of the band is slick and powerful. Everyone is dressed in black and looking very stylised - you wouldn't see anyone walking down the street dressed like that. Rihanna's outfits are not like the outfits in other videos of this genre where women tend not to wear much. The appeal is of her power and confidence and this is in edition to her being a really good looking woman.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Lighting Research
I'm going to look in to different lighting styles within this post, and learn about how lighting creates a feel and a mood in music video. The direction we want to go with the style of our music video can be decided tomorrow when we have a meeting. The first set are of Desaturated and Stylized lighting whereas the second set are Saturated and Colourful.
BLK/Class Treatment Pitch Feedback
After a very successful treatment and pitch to the class not much was said to improve upon. We had called our music video performance/concept based using Goodwins key music video theory and the class were a bit puzzled as to where the conept came in to it. We explained that the concept was about doing something, reaching for what you want in life. We explained that this is shown through performance as the energetic performance matches with the lyric 'Start Something'. We have also used feedback to make the decision to swap our vocalist actor. Nick who was originally on vocals in now on guitar and Simon is now lead vocals. It was also mentioned that we needed a clearer structure for the music video. Which is something we need to discuss in our next group meeting.
4 P's - Music Marketing
a) What band/artist related products can audiences buy?
Products which audiences can buy range from the music that they produce which comes in many different formats, such as cds, downloads and dvds. Other products include the bands merchandise which fans buy to be associated with the artist usually consisting of mainly clothes and posters. A lot of money also gets spent on gig tickets as fans want to see there favourite bands live.
b) Where can audiences buy/listen to music/merchandise/hardware?
The internet has recently taken over from high street shops as online sites such as Amazon and Play have become more favourable compared to HMV and other retailers. Downloading is now popular, this applies to both paid for content and illegally downloaded music. Bands myspace pages also offer fans a chance to hear their music. All of their videos can also be freely viewed on sites such as Youtube.
c) Give 2 or 3 examples of paid-for/subscription based and free products.
Products which audiences can buy range from the music that they produce which comes in many different formats, such as cds, downloads and dvds. Other products include the bands merchandise which fans buy to be associated with the artist usually consisting of mainly clothes and posters. A lot of money also gets spent on gig tickets as fans want to see there favourite bands live.
b) Where can audiences buy/listen to music/merchandise/hardware?
The internet has recently taken over from high street shops as online sites such as Amazon and Play have become more favourable compared to HMV and other retailers. Downloading is now popular, this applies to both paid for content and illegally downloaded music. Bands myspace pages also offer fans a chance to hear their music. All of their videos can also be freely viewed on sites such as Youtube.
c) Give 2 or 3 examples of paid-for/subscription based and free products.
- Record companys sometimes give out free sampler cds in places like magazines to give their artists greater exposure. Both Epitaph and Roadrunner records have done this in recent months.
- Mailing lists are also very popular among artists as they keep the fans up to date on breaking news.
d) List between 5 and 10 examples of creative music marketing strategies (including at least 3 internet based examples).
- Saosin gave fans the chance to be credited on their album booklet if they texted in their name to a given number. Example of subambulant marketing.
- Radiohead let fans decide on how much they wanted to pay for their new album. They were the first to do this and it has recently spread to other media platforms with the new 'Championship Manager' video game poised to do the same.
- Slipknot posted a video on youtube and their myspace 'encouraging' fans to go to their shows on their 2008 US tour.
- If you preordered Enter Shikari's new single online you got the service charge on your gig ticket discounted for a show on their upcoming tour.
DYM MARKETING FEEDBACK
Matt - the extended deadline has been and gone, and your marketing research remains incomplete. Please post your work on the 4Ps of music marketing asap.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Lostprophets - Start Something
Lyrics
Start today, now show us how you feel
Make your way, it's time to choose
Have my say, I know, I know what I see
Have my say, they think you'll lose
For all this to mean so much to me
For all this, you make a move
Pass you by, it's all in this life you have
Pass you by, goodbye to you
[Chorus:]
1, 2, 3, 4 Move
If you don't stop there, you'll make it through.
Stop dreaming, start something
When it's in your hand just start anew
It's ok to use your ability
You must know, it's hard to choose
Time will tell, it's hard that the way you feel
means you always seem to lose
Seize the day, the one that you left behind
It seems so strange that you don't move
Frozen still in front of your own lights
Win or lose, its time to choose
[Chorus]
1, 2, 3, 4 Move
If you don't stop there, you'll make it through.
Stop dreaming, start something
When it's in your hand just start anew
A Closer Look
The location we visited on Tuesday injected a healthy dose of morale in to the group, and in this post I will look in to just what was so special about it, apart from the lovely management, flexibility, props, lighting extras and of course as Nick rightly pointed out in one of his posts the microwave.
To start off, here is a picture of most of the main warehouse space. If your looking at this and thinking - it's a mess, there's no space, this is exactly what we thought when we first walked in. Then we learnt that we can move whatever we want, so all the stuff against the far wall with the window is going to be moved out the way to make space. We thought if we shoot during the evening when it starts to get dark we could create some cool lighting effects - especially if we use a fair portion of our budget to get strobes. One idea which I think struck a nice chord with the group was putting up a white sheet to cover the window. A possible problem maybe finding the time to move all of the clutter at the back of the room.
This is a shot in the same place as the first one but is more deeper in to the room. The ladder to the far right of the picture shows a step ladder which we intend to use for high angle shots to add general variety to our camerawork. This is a technique we plan to test during our test shoot.
The next photo while showing more of the space also shows a number of carts which are basically dollies (see red arrow). They fold out and while being able to take amazing amounts of weight, are so so so so so smooth and will therefore give us a chance to do cool arcs and tracks.
The cool little contrapment in Ben's hands is a floor light the owner showed us. They are powered by double AA batteries and they have 8 of them which we can use. The picture was taken in full daytime light so you can see just how powerful they are. They should be a great edition to our lighting rig. Another picture in the dark:
It's pretty hard to top the light in terms of coolness but something which comes close is the lift which we were thinking of putting a band member in, possibly the guitarist.
To start off, here is a picture of most of the main warehouse space. If your looking at this and thinking - it's a mess, there's no space, this is exactly what we thought when we first walked in. Then we learnt that we can move whatever we want, so all the stuff against the far wall with the window is going to be moved out the way to make space. We thought if we shoot during the evening when it starts to get dark we could create some cool lighting effects - especially if we use a fair portion of our budget to get strobes. One idea which I think struck a nice chord with the group was putting up a white sheet to cover the window. A possible problem maybe finding the time to move all of the clutter at the back of the room.
This is a shot in the same place as the first one but is more deeper in to the room. The ladder to the far right of the picture shows a step ladder which we intend to use for high angle shots to add general variety to our camerawork. This is a technique we plan to test during our test shoot.
The next photo while showing more of the space also shows a number of carts which are basically dollies (see red arrow). They fold out and while being able to take amazing amounts of weight, are so so so so so smooth and will therefore give us a chance to do cool arcs and tracks.
The cool little contrapment in Ben's hands is a floor light the owner showed us. They are powered by double AA batteries and they have 8 of them which we can use. The picture was taken in full daytime light so you can see just how powerful they are. They should be a great edition to our lighting rig. Another picture in the dark:
It's pretty hard to top the light in terms of coolness but something which comes close is the lift which we were thinking of putting a band member in, possibly the guitarist.
Location Reccy
On a cold and rainy Tuesday after school, the group decided to take an uncomfortable W8 bus journey to a warehouse which was potentially a promising location for our music video. After a while of wondering the streets of Edmonton trying to find the place we decided to call our contact for help. Once inside the warehouse I was skeptical of the place as it was nothing like I had imagined and it was to put it bluntly a mess. After a while of chatting to the owner, who was really welcoming and kind, we found out that we could move anything we wanted and create whatever we envision within the space. This was great as it gave lots of options and importantly flexibility. As time went on she mentioned that we can use the drum kit they have, the sound system, the amps, and anything inside the warehouse itself! (theres a lot of cool art). In fact, the answer to all of my questions were, 'Yes, of course'. Things were going really well and the group was on a massive high and for once it wasn't the ganja.
The next thing we learnt was that there was another space above the one we were in which was exactly the same, and due to no one using the room it would be completely empty. Although she didn't have the key to it, and instead offered to make arrangements so we could see it another time. The next place she took us was in another section of her warehouse which featured a long corridor with an old fashioned and albeit creepy lift at the end. There were around 6 small rooms which would be perfect to shoot individual band member shots and with a bit of work we could use the idea of making it seem really claustrophobic - this could be a nice effect. At this point in the tour she left us so we could have a look around and discuss what we had seen so far. I took a few photos and Nick switched on his video camera and recorded the reactions of the group so far. Little did we know with our return to her main warehouse the location was about to get even better.
As we skipped through the rain merrily we entered the main warehouse where we met back up with the owner and she offered to let us have a more detailed look around the place. When we asked about the availability of the place the owner said that it would be free most evenings and practically deserted at the weekend; she even offered to leave us a key if we wanted to do overnight filming! In my next post I will put up pictures and show you all the treasures we found in this heavenly location. Lets just hope it lives up to all the expection we have.
The next thing we learnt was that there was another space above the one we were in which was exactly the same, and due to no one using the room it would be completely empty. Although she didn't have the key to it, and instead offered to make arrangements so we could see it another time. The next place she took us was in another section of her warehouse which featured a long corridor with an old fashioned and albeit creepy lift at the end. There were around 6 small rooms which would be perfect to shoot individual band member shots and with a bit of work we could use the idea of making it seem really claustrophobic - this could be a nice effect. At this point in the tour she left us so we could have a look around and discuss what we had seen so far. I took a few photos and Nick switched on his video camera and recorded the reactions of the group so far. Little did we know with our return to her main warehouse the location was about to get even better.
As we skipped through the rain merrily we entered the main warehouse where we met back up with the owner and she offered to let us have a more detailed look around the place. When we asked about the availability of the place the owner said that it would be free most evenings and practically deserted at the weekend; she even offered to leave us a key if we wanted to do overnight filming! In my next post I will put up pictures and show you all the treasures we found in this heavenly location. Lets just hope it lives up to all the expection we have.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Research Task: The Saturdays
The Saturdays are a pop girl group comprising Una Healy, Mollie King, Vanessa White, Rochelle Wiseman and Frankie Sandford. The later two were in a previous band known widely as S Club 8. After that went to pot, they faded from the limelight and had to regroup and rebrand themselves to crawl their way back to the top of pop. The Saturdays made their recording debut in 2008 under the record label Fascination Records, a sub-division of Polydor Records. Their debut album, Chasing Lights, produced five UK Top 25 singles: If This Is Love, Up, Issues, Just Can't Get Enough and Work. The band embarked on their first headlining UK tour, 'The Work Tour', in June 2009.
The Saturdays appeal to an audience of a younger age and both genders for different reasons. The girls aspire to be like them as they are fashionable, hip, attractive and talented. The group are also young themselves with members of age 20 and are therefore great rolemodels. The boys while appreciating all of this are more interested in their appearance. The record companies have segmented the audience by taking advantage of each members individuality and giving them each a colour which they are known for. The bright colours also attract the attention of people interested in the band.
Monday, September 14, 2009
BLK feedback
A great blog Matt - all up to date, and some really good ideas and research emerging. Keep up the good work!
Carol Vernallis
Carol Vernallis says the camera in music video seems to mimic the way we view sonic space... do you agree? Do you think we are conditioned by music video to read sonic space in particular ways?
In music video the camera does mimic the way we view sonic space, as it cuts quick and fast within the space thats available, and by doing so it creates a lot of energy and excitement. By creating these feelings the music video is indeed conditioning us to view sonic space in a particluar way.
She suggests that the jumping camera focus is like the camera in place of our eyes, doing what we do when we listen. However, this is predefined for us by the Director - we have even less choice to look away/outside of the Director's choice than we do in film - do you agree?
Yes this is true, music video does a lot more to focus on certain aspects within the realm you are viewing. There is also a lot more happening, too much for us to manage it all discarding the use of imagination, and therefore the director predefines it for us. This total disgregard for the imagination of the viewer is embodied in the fact that the camera is indeed in the place of our eyes and we are being shown what to look at. In this sense we have much less choice than in film, but film is a different concept all together trying to achieve different things.
She says music video is more like listening than viewing - do you agree?
I disagree, the concept of a music video is for the visuals to work in harmony with the music and to either illustrate, amplify or contradict the song. Although, it is important to note that the visuals are helping us with the listening, as it shows you what to tune your ear into such as the vocals, guitar, bass, drums etc. If there was a shot of a guitar player playing a sick riff then you would automatically tune your ear into what he's playing while the rest of it becomes background. Therefore, the listening in my mind is equal to the viewing, niether is more important, the point is they work together.
"We compensate imaginatively for what we do not see in the frame" - Agreed?
I agree, there is an element of imagination used to compensate for what you cannot see because when you are being shown a shot of a guitar player you automatically know without even thinking that the drummer is still doing his part. Music video is a very unpredictable style of media and this is where the imagination comes in to it for me. As it tends to accomplish so much in such a short space of time there's only so much the camera can show you in the time available and everything it can't is left to the imagination.
The constant motion in a music video and the variances it shows mean that a strong CU is a stable point. The music video "brings us towards these peaks, holds us against them, and then releases us" - do you agree?
I agree, a stable CU provides a point at which the viewing experience can be more relaxed than the shakey, handheld long/mid shots, due to less movement within the frame. It makes the viewer feel more comfortable and allows them to view the artist's performance in close. This can be seen as a 'peak' as it is used to not only relax the audience but break up the shots and add variety to the camerawork, after it passes the camera can once again conform back to constant motion.
Is the viewer "sutured (stitched) into the diegesis of the film world through the editing"?
Within the world of film it is important for the editing to be seamless and unnoticable so that the viewers suspension of disbelief in upheld. However, in contrast, the suspension of disbelief in music video is created through techniques such as sound, lip-syncing and a convincing all round performance making the viewer believe that the band are actually performing the song there and then for them specially. What this allows for is a greater use of crazy editing and special effect techniques to enhance the performace as suspension of disbelief is much less of an issue, if even an issue at all.
Music video is freer in terms of viewer identification and perspective - agreed?
Yes I agree, music video is freer in terms of viewer identification and perspective as although the director chooses what to show us, at the end of the video the viewer has a culmination of many performance perspectives. This has allowed the viewer to become very familiar with the sonic space of the video and has seen things such as guitars, outfit and props etc. which give the viewer something to identify with. For example, when I watch a music video I'm always looking out for the guitar so I can spot what make and model it is (sad I know) as this is something I can identify with.
Carol Vernallis believes the image alone cannot tell the story - do you agree?
I agree, as obviously the music in music videos is vital in sending out the message of the song. This is a key difference between film and music video. The imagery in film is very different, slower and tells a story of it's own, whereas music video while still needing the visuals for illustration/amplification can tell the story through it's lyrics.
In music video the camera does mimic the way we view sonic space, as it cuts quick and fast within the space thats available, and by doing so it creates a lot of energy and excitement. By creating these feelings the music video is indeed conditioning us to view sonic space in a particluar way.
She suggests that the jumping camera focus is like the camera in place of our eyes, doing what we do when we listen. However, this is predefined for us by the Director - we have even less choice to look away/outside of the Director's choice than we do in film - do you agree?
Yes this is true, music video does a lot more to focus on certain aspects within the realm you are viewing. There is also a lot more happening, too much for us to manage it all discarding the use of imagination, and therefore the director predefines it for us. This total disgregard for the imagination of the viewer is embodied in the fact that the camera is indeed in the place of our eyes and we are being shown what to look at. In this sense we have much less choice than in film, but film is a different concept all together trying to achieve different things.
She says music video is more like listening than viewing - do you agree?
I disagree, the concept of a music video is for the visuals to work in harmony with the music and to either illustrate, amplify or contradict the song. Although, it is important to note that the visuals are helping us with the listening, as it shows you what to tune your ear into such as the vocals, guitar, bass, drums etc. If there was a shot of a guitar player playing a sick riff then you would automatically tune your ear into what he's playing while the rest of it becomes background. Therefore, the listening in my mind is equal to the viewing, niether is more important, the point is they work together.
"We compensate imaginatively for what we do not see in the frame" - Agreed?
I agree, there is an element of imagination used to compensate for what you cannot see because when you are being shown a shot of a guitar player you automatically know without even thinking that the drummer is still doing his part. Music video is a very unpredictable style of media and this is where the imagination comes in to it for me. As it tends to accomplish so much in such a short space of time there's only so much the camera can show you in the time available and everything it can't is left to the imagination.
The constant motion in a music video and the variances it shows mean that a strong CU is a stable point. The music video "brings us towards these peaks, holds us against them, and then releases us" - do you agree?
I agree, a stable CU provides a point at which the viewing experience can be more relaxed than the shakey, handheld long/mid shots, due to less movement within the frame. It makes the viewer feel more comfortable and allows them to view the artist's performance in close. This can be seen as a 'peak' as it is used to not only relax the audience but break up the shots and add variety to the camerawork, after it passes the camera can once again conform back to constant motion.
Is the viewer "sutured (stitched) into the diegesis of the film world through the editing"?
Within the world of film it is important for the editing to be seamless and unnoticable so that the viewers suspension of disbelief in upheld. However, in contrast, the suspension of disbelief in music video is created through techniques such as sound, lip-syncing and a convincing all round performance making the viewer believe that the band are actually performing the song there and then for them specially. What this allows for is a greater use of crazy editing and special effect techniques to enhance the performace as suspension of disbelief is much less of an issue, if even an issue at all.
Music video is freer in terms of viewer identification and perspective - agreed?
Yes I agree, music video is freer in terms of viewer identification and perspective as although the director chooses what to show us, at the end of the video the viewer has a culmination of many performance perspectives. This has allowed the viewer to become very familiar with the sonic space of the video and has seen things such as guitars, outfit and props etc. which give the viewer something to identify with. For example, when I watch a music video I'm always looking out for the guitar so I can spot what make and model it is (sad I know) as this is something I can identify with.
Carol Vernallis believes the image alone cannot tell the story - do you agree?
I agree, as obviously the music in music videos is vital in sending out the message of the song. This is a key difference between film and music video. The imagery in film is very different, slower and tells a story of it's own, whereas music video while still needing the visuals for illustration/amplification can tell the story through it's lyrics.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Track Research
Protest The Hero - Bloodmeat
In my mind this is a music video which is very important to analyse as instead of having a separate narrative and performance based video it interweaves the two together. It does this very well and a lot of atomosphere is created through the darkness and the carefully placed lighting. The setting seems to be inside a plain warehouse which has been spruced up with homely props. For example, the lamp shades cleverly provide atomospheric lighting while also being a great edition to the general mise-en-scene of the scene.
The performance aspect to this video is also very interesting and a lot can be drawn from it which we could implement in to our own music video. The band are not standing in the standard formation of singer at the front, guitars/bass at either side and drummer at the back. Instead we have an interesting layout where all the guitars and bass players are standing at the side in a line with the drummer opposite them and the singer in the middle towards the back of the room. While this sounds uncoventional for this genre what this allows for is a better and more interesting use of the camera. With the space now created in the middle the camera can now get up close and personal with each and every member of the band. The space can also be used for members of the band (mostly the singer in the video) to come in to the middle and be the 'star' so to speak. The side on view we often get from the guitarists is also refreshing as when cutting to them playing complex riffs we see a lot more of the guitars which is interesting for the viewer.
The performance of the band members is also another important aspect of the video to note. The guitar players are not moving all over the place, rather, standing still. They head banging with the music in certain parts of the song (heavier, chord parts) and in other more complex parts they concentrate on what they are playing. They instead of just going mental and putting everything they can in to performing with over the top eccentricity feel the music and react accordingly with the song. The singer, however, is always moving and constantly performing what he sings and since he is on screen for the most amount of time this brings a real energy to the video.
In my mind this is a music video which is very important to analyse as instead of having a separate narrative and performance based video it interweaves the two together. It does this very well and a lot of atomosphere is created through the darkness and the carefully placed lighting. The setting seems to be inside a plain warehouse which has been spruced up with homely props. For example, the lamp shades cleverly provide atomospheric lighting while also being a great edition to the general mise-en-scene of the scene.
The performance aspect to this video is also very interesting and a lot can be drawn from it which we could implement in to our own music video. The band are not standing in the standard formation of singer at the front, guitars/bass at either side and drummer at the back. Instead we have an interesting layout where all the guitars and bass players are standing at the side in a line with the drummer opposite them and the singer in the middle towards the back of the room. While this sounds uncoventional for this genre what this allows for is a better and more interesting use of the camera. With the space now created in the middle the camera can now get up close and personal with each and every member of the band. The space can also be used for members of the band (mostly the singer in the video) to come in to the middle and be the 'star' so to speak. The side on view we often get from the guitarists is also refreshing as when cutting to them playing complex riffs we see a lot more of the guitars which is interesting for the viewer.
The performance of the band members is also another important aspect of the video to note. The guitar players are not moving all over the place, rather, standing still. They head banging with the music in certain parts of the song (heavier, chord parts) and in other more complex parts they concentrate on what they are playing. They instead of just going mental and putting everything they can in to performing with over the top eccentricity feel the music and react accordingly with the song. The singer, however, is always moving and constantly performing what he sings and since he is on screen for the most amount of time this brings a real energy to the video.
Song Ideas
Architects 'Were All Alone'
The song 'Were All Alone' is by the Brighton metalcore/mathcore band, Architects. The track is a fast paced song full of great beats and riffs as well as punchy vocals by the frontman Sam Carter. It's an exellent choice for our music video as so much energy is created through the speed and harshness of the track. This is one of the most important aspects of a music video in this genre. It has to be lively and seriously energetic so the viewer is engaged throughout, wanting to headbang along to the track. When listening to this song it achieves all I have just mentioned without a music video and so here we have an opportunity to build further upon this with our project and create a video which is largely performance based.
The lyrics certainly lend themsleves for a chance to do a narrative within the video aswell:
"I am your hero
Still I sleep alone at night
In years you'll thank me
For getting everything right
I am the sun
Still I sit alone in a red sky
Keeping my eyes on you
Were all alone
In time you'll find that
Were all on our own (all on our own)
Were all on our own , chasing nothing
My dreams have fallen , I'm wearing thin
I need something to fill this void I'm constantly in
And I can't do this
I am your hero
I just don't care tonight
In years you'll forget me
I got everything right
I am the sun
I didn't rise today
I left you in darkness
And I just don't care anymore about you
You can sit and suffer alone without me
I am your hero
Save your "thank you"'s
In times to come ill rise above this
But for now I can't ill just sit here
My dreams have fallen once again
My dreams have fallen once again
I need something to fill this void I'm in."
The lyrics can be interpreted in many ways and could be about a range of themes which give the group a lot to go with when stringing a simple but effective narrative together. My opinion on the lyrics is that the song is about a one-sided relationship. The guy gets treated badly throughout and even though he did everything right, the girl still doesnt love him. He knows one day she'll realise the mistake she made but for the guy it's small consolation in the present.
The song 'Were All Alone' is by the Brighton metalcore/mathcore band, Architects. The track is a fast paced song full of great beats and riffs as well as punchy vocals by the frontman Sam Carter. It's an exellent choice for our music video as so much energy is created through the speed and harshness of the track. This is one of the most important aspects of a music video in this genre. It has to be lively and seriously energetic so the viewer is engaged throughout, wanting to headbang along to the track. When listening to this song it achieves all I have just mentioned without a music video and so here we have an opportunity to build further upon this with our project and create a video which is largely performance based.
The lyrics certainly lend themsleves for a chance to do a narrative within the video aswell:
"I am your hero
Still I sleep alone at night
In years you'll thank me
For getting everything right
I am the sun
Still I sit alone in a red sky
Keeping my eyes on you
Were all alone
In time you'll find that
Were all on our own (all on our own)
Were all on our own , chasing nothing
My dreams have fallen , I'm wearing thin
I need something to fill this void I'm constantly in
And I can't do this
I am your hero
I just don't care tonight
In years you'll forget me
I got everything right
I am the sun
I didn't rise today
I left you in darkness
And I just don't care anymore about you
You can sit and suffer alone without me
I am your hero
Save your "thank you"'s
In times to come ill rise above this
But for now I can't ill just sit here
My dreams have fallen once again
My dreams have fallen once again
I need something to fill this void I'm in."
The lyrics can be interpreted in many ways and could be about a range of themes which give the group a lot to go with when stringing a simple but effective narrative together. My opinion on the lyrics is that the song is about a one-sided relationship. The guy gets treated badly throughout and even though he did everything right, the girl still doesnt love him. He knows one day she'll realise the mistake she made but for the guy it's small consolation in the present.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Matt and Nick's Lip Sync
Me and Nick decided it would be an important experience to do a lip sync for a heavy music track as our music video is going to be based around a song of the same style; a lot of screaming. I didn't know how it was going to look and I had a slight hunch that it would look a bit off. However in the end, I think in many places it is a rather convincing performance (0.18, and 1.14 - 1.18). When filming both mine and Nicks performances we were limited with our framing as we couldn't move backwards due to the small space. We therefore did it all pretty much CU and MCU. When doing my performance I was concentrating on singing in to the camera so the lip sync was clear, whereas Nick was focusing more on movement and performance. As the video cuts back and forth this contrast makes the end result much more entertaining and effective.
BLK feedback
Some good research posts so far Matt, a useful start to your background work for this project. I particularly like your genre work. When you add videos, make sure you include some commentary/analysis - explaining why you chose them would be ideal, for example.
Some classwork from last term is missing though and you need to catch up quickly, as it will be so busy when we get back to school.
We also need to get you using/applying advanced theory more explicitly when you analyse music videos, think Vernallis for now, although you will also need to get to grips with Goodwin in the new term.
For now then, your short term targets are:
1. Link your lip sync (which I am guessing is now done?) and workshop video to your blog
2. Add your lip sync evaluation
3. Post the work you have done for Miss T on Vernallis. See the main Music Video Blog for the specific details of what is needed here
4. Post your track research/ideas – we need to see what tracks you have in mind for your own video
5. We need a photo and some info about you please! Also your blog isn't the easiest to read - would different colour text make any difference?
All instructions are on the main blog if you are not sure what you should have done. There will be a lot happening when term starts so the sooner this outstanding work is completed, the better.
Great effort so far, keep up the good work and see you soon!
Some classwork from last term is missing though and you need to catch up quickly, as it will be so busy when we get back to school.
We also need to get you using/applying advanced theory more explicitly when you analyse music videos, think Vernallis for now, although you will also need to get to grips with Goodwin in the new term.
For now then, your short term targets are:
1. Link your lip sync (which I am guessing is now done?) and workshop video to your blog
2. Add your lip sync evaluation
3. Post the work you have done for Miss T on Vernallis. See the main Music Video Blog for the specific details of what is needed here
4. Post your track research/ideas – we need to see what tracks you have in mind for your own video
5. We need a photo and some info about you please! Also your blog isn't the easiest to read - would different colour text make any difference?
All instructions are on the main blog if you are not sure what you should have done. There will be a lot happening when term starts so the sooner this outstanding work is completed, the better.
Great effort so far, keep up the good work and see you soon!
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