Inspirational Music Video's- Lily Allen

I found Lily Allen’s music video for ‘LDN’ very inspirational as it had many things I wanted to achieve in our music video. I also thought her star image would be similar to our artist. I particularly liked the use of the urban, rundown setting as it showed the artist was down to earth and relatable. The use of bright colours stands out from the grey and dull colours of the location, I liked this idea as it created a contrast. I felt that the use of the glamorous but casual look was unique and would also be effective in creating our star image. I wanted our star image to be relatable but still have a unique edge and quality to her, using some of the ideas presented in this video could help to achieve this. The use of the bright colours around her almost created a ‘bubble’ around her and made everyone else oblivious to her. I liked this idea and think this would look effective in our music video if every other character was oblivious to the artist. The use of the darker themes in an upbeat song is similar to our song choice allows this video to be a good example of ideas to draw on. I particularly liked the mood and tone throughout this video as it matched the upbeat tone of the song. Quick edits were effective throughout as they matched the beat and tone. I think that if done correctly, this could be just as effective in our music video.  I particularly liked the use of mood change to demonstrate the difference between daydreams and reality. This idea could be used in our music video however we would use the mood change to demonstrate the difference between the highs and lows of the artist’s relationship.

Shooting Day 1

Shooting Day 1: We practiced using the green screen so we could see how it looked. We also wanted to practice editing it to see if it would work with our music video. We decided to attempt a birds eye shot of the artist singing. When filming this Sophie found it difficult to hold the camera very still at the angle above me. As this was a practice we thought this was not important as we just wanted to test how well it edited. We also wanted to test how well I would be able to lip sing and be in front of the camera. This was done early on as it meant that we could still find someone else if need be. This was the first time I had been in front of the camera and had to be the artist. We were pleased with how well in sync it was. 

Inspirational Music Video's- Taylor Swift

I found Taylor Swift’s music video for ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together’ very inspirational as it gave me many ideas for our own music video and star image. The themes of this song were similar to ours, as both artists are describing a bad boyfriend and what he has done. This meant that some of the ways he is represented could be very similar to our music video. I liked the idea of both the good and the bad parts of the relationship were shown in this music video and I would like to use this idea for our own music video. I also think her attitude to her boyfriend is very similar to how our artist will act in our video. I loved how it began and ended in the same place however the artist had made an achievement; in this case breaking up with her boyfriend. I would like to use this idea in our music video to show a change in circumstances from the beginning to end. I also think this idea will help to enhance our narrative.

I particularly liked the transitions between locations however I wasn’t sure how we could successfully achieve this without access to a studio or professional editing software. I would still like to attempt this idea just to see if it is possible. I also liked the synaesthesia used during the chorus however I don’t think this would fit with our music therefore we won’t be using this idea.

There are various costume changes throughout the music video and this is something we planned on doing to make the video more interesting and contrast between each location. I also really liked the red lipstick as it stood out and created a more glamorous look. The costumes had a very realistic, everyday feel and the red lipstick made it stand out and appear a little more glamorous. 

Response to Pitch

Our pitch involves both narrative and performance. The overall narrative is the progression through a relationship with a bad boyfriend and it ends with our artist ending the relationship. Due to the tone of the song we also wanted to have a comic element to this narrative. To achieve this we aim for our artist to have a certain cheeky and 'tongue-in-cheek' attitude. I like Lily Allen's down to earth and similar attitude and star image. I aim to use her as inspiration for some of the body language and representation of our artist in the music video.

Genre Research- Indie Pop

'Indie Pop' is a relatively newly recognised genre that originated from alternative rock music in the mid 1980's. Some people used to use the term 'indie' to define artists who were signed to independent labels however it has recently changed to a specific type of music and style. Music videos from this genre tend to have vintage costumes and props as well as being quite quirky. Unique lighting and a mix of various different colours is also quite common in this genre. A common theme throughout these music videos is often youth. Many of the artists themselves are quite young and quirky and the music videos reflect this personality. Music videos from this genre tend to have quite an artistic style to them. This artistic style tends to consume the video and there is generally very little narrative in many of these music videos.

An example of a music video with unique lighting and a range of colours used together is Florence and the Machines 'Spectrum'. The mise-en-scene from each scene is very different and very distinctive. The use of the contrasting range of colours including blue, orange, green and gold also reflects this genre. The hair, costumes, locations and lightings are all very unique and quirky which also keeps with the conventions of this genre. The use of the ballerinas with the shot types and lighting also shows the artistic side often seen in indie pop music videos. The use of the exaggerated movement and lack of narrative also has the purpose of selling the artist and enhancing her star image.

These album covers taken from indie pop artists also reflect the unique lighting and distinctive conventions often used in this genre.

Vernallis

Carol Vernallis created a theory based on 4 key concepts in music video. These included narrative, editing, camera movement and framing and diegesis.

Narrative:

Vernallis states that the video is a visual response to the music and there is not necessarily a balance between the narrative and the performance shown in the music video. The narrative in music videos may not be complete, for example it may be fragmented or disjointed. There is also something that drives the video forward however this may not always be the narrative, it could be the performance or the music. There may not always be a clear resolution at the end of the music and many questions may not be answered.  A montage could also be used to present a narrative or theme running throughout the video.

Editing:

Vernallis claims that the editing may match the music or the beat. It may also break many of the rules of continuity editing but this is a clear convention of music video editing. Some edits can be very obvious; to draw attention to them while others may be invisible. A classic example of these could jump cuts, breaking of the 180 degree rule and juxtaposed images.

Camera Movement and Framing:

Extreme shot types can be placed directly next to each other, for a music video this is very common however this is not so common in continuity editing. The style of framing and movement may be very distinctive of a particular music video. The camera can move in time with the music or with the lyrics to create a different meaning or feel to the music video. Establishing shots and close-ups are often frequently used in music videos.

Diegisis (the world of music video):

Many actions may not be completed in a music video, they often be interrupted in some way. In some music videos the characters or objects may move in time with the music. Music videos also aim to leave gaps. This means that the audience may not fully understand the entire music video. Throughout the video the same location can often be repeated, this often occurs with chorus’ or repetition of the music. 

Response To Song Choice

Kate Nash- Foundations

We have chosen to do Kate Nash- Foundations. I am very pleased with this choice because I know and like the song. We all had lots of ideas to put forward and we soon came up with a narrative. None of us had seen the video and we decided to plan our video before we watched it. When we finally did watch the video we noticed that it was very different from our idea which helped us. We have now decided on a finalised narrative and the style of our video. I am excited to begin filming and see how it looks

Music Video Director

Melina Matsoukas

Melina Matsoukas is a graduate of the American Film Institute and her graduate thesis there was on music videos. She started out at Black Dog Film and is currently a director at Prettybird, where she has been signed since 2011. Her work has been described as 'chalk full of bright colours or crisp black and white images, smooth spotlights, and tasteful retro video models.' 

Melina Matsoukas has worked with artists like Rihanna, Beyonce, Leona Lewis, Ne-Yo and many more to help create their music videos. The wide range of artists has meant she has made a variety of types of music videos. Many of the videos directed by Melina Matsoukas have very little and narrative, and mostly consist of performance from the artist. Voyeurism can be seen in some of the music videos she has directed and is particularly seen in some of Beyonce and Rihanna's music videos.

I have watched some of the music videos she directed and I have noticed that the majority of them seem to sell the star and enhance the star image. In some of these music videos i began to realise that there is very little narrative or it is not clearly structured and established. Here are a few examples of videos Melina Matsoukas has directed.

Star Image- How It Can Change Over Time

Britney Spears

Britney Spears first began performing when she was a child in stage productions and television shows. When Britney Spears first started her pop career with her release of ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’, she was portrayed as being young and attractive but still being relatively innocent.  This hit went on to become the best-selling track by a teenage solo artist. Her second track was just as much of a hit and she became the 'best-selling teenage artist of all time' before she turned 20. She was then known as the 'Princess of Pop'.

In 2001 she branched out and starred in the film 'Crossroads' as the lead. She continued to release another album as well as two compilation albums. Her image began to change slightly as she became more sexualised as she got older. Her style of music began to change and become slightly more rebellious and fiesty with the release of 'Toxic' and 'Piece Of Me'.


In 2004 Britney Spears had her first reality tv show 'Britney & Kevin: Chaotic', which showed the early stages of their relationship before they married in October. She then released her first fragrance 'Curious' which broke first week sales for the company. Britney and Kevin had their first child in 2001, a son named Sean. After the birth of her second child, Jayden, in 2006 she filed for divorce.

When Britney's aunt died due to ovarian cancer, she spent one night in a drug rehabilitation facility and the following night, she shaved her head. Following this, she admitted herself to various other facilities over the next few weeks. She later posted on her website 'I truly hit rock bottom...' She began to work her way back up through promotional concerts.

When Britney was hospitalized after police thought she appeared to be on drugs. Her visitation rights to her kids were suspended and the control of her assets was given to her father, James Spears. She was later then given some visitation rights after coming to an agreement with Kevin Federline. She then began to get her career back.

In 2008 her sixth album 'Circus' continued to show the new side to Britney as she was becoming more and more sexualised, but also very powerful and in control of the sexual appeal. This can be seen in the music videos for 'Womanizer'.


In 2011 she released a seventh album called 'Femme Fatale'. This album featured three top ten singles in the US; 'Hold It Against Me', 'Till The World Ends' and 'I Wanna Go'. As well as featuring on Rihanna's 'S&M' to gain her fifth number one.

Pink - Please Don't Leave Me

The camerawork and editing in Pink’s music video for ‘Please Don’t Leave Me’ is very similar to that seen in a film. To begin with there is an extreme long shot which is used as the establishing shot; used to show the audience the setting. The use of seamless editing for the majority of the music video helps to portray the linear narrative. Although there are various fade transitions used to show the male character slipping in and out of consciousness. The wide range of shots and angles helps to show both the action as well as the emotions of the characters. This wide range, including the use of POV shots also makes the music video seem more like a film. This music video does not always edit on the beat which is less common in music videos. 

The linear narrative for ‘Please Don’t Leave me’ is very clear and amplifies the lyrics. This narrative based music videos shows Pink’s desperation and almost psychotic behaviour to not be left by her boyfriend. The narrative is almost like a nightmare as it begins normal and sane but soon begins to spiral into an almost surreal dreamlike nightmare. The setting and props also add to the surreal nightmare to help create the eerie feel to the music video. The music video is not purely narrative based it has some performance throughout which is important to have in a music video.

Pink’s performance is almost theatrical towards the end of the music video. She has exaggerated actions, which enhances the desperation and despair at the thought of him leaving. The use of the various ways to keep him seems almost immature and childlike but also adds a comic element. The use of marbles and dressing up also reflects this childlike immaturity which helps to show the extremes she will go to. 

Throughout this music video there is evidence of voyeurism. Her costumes show this as she is wearing revealing costumes throughout the music video. Her dancing when she is dressed as the nurse also adds to her sexual appeal. Although she is sexualised she is still shown as being in control. This is common when there is a female artist, it is used to make them seem more important and in power. 

Pink's star image has a very unique style and edge to it, this is reflected in this music video. Throughout many of Pink's music videos she is presented as being very rebellious, masculine and overpowering. This particular music video shows the rebellious and overpowering side. The costumes contradict the masculine approach often taken in her music videos. 

There is evidence of intertextuality in this music video. The first reference is to the 1990 film, ‘Misery’. The storyline of a woman breaking a mans legs so he cannot escape, can also be seen in this music video. There has been a twist on this storyline though as in the film it is an old lady however Pink has been sexualized.

The second reference is to the 1980 film ‘The Shining’. The use of Pink chasing the man down the hall with an axe as he hides in the bathroom has been taken from this film. When Pink cuts through the door and then looks through the door is also from this film. The use of this intertextuality makes the music video more interesting and also helps to enhance the narrative.

Intertextuality

Madonna- Open Your Heart

Intertextuality is when one media text makes a reference to another. A music video that is an example of this is Madonna’s ‘Open Your Heart’. It makes reference to the 1972 film ‘Cabaret’. The use of the blue background with the chair makes reference to a performance made my Liza Minnelli. The use of the black wig also links to this film however by her removing this wig adds a twist to it. The cabaret style performance also reflects a very similar dance to the one seen in the film. The use of the spotlight also makes it seem more like a performance which links back to themes throughout the film. The black, very revealing costume is also similar to the one from ‘Cabaret’. Although this is a reference to the film the end of the music video is very different as she is wearing slightly more boyish clothes and is a lot more covered up and looks more masculine. 

There is also the use of voyeurism during the beginning of the video. Madonna’s costume and dance routine as well as the fragmented, close up shots of her body; for example her legs and chest. Although she is very sexualised she is also very in control as all the men are positioned on a lower level from her which makes her appear as superior to them. All the men in the video seem captivated by Madonna which also makes her seem more important. Although she is very sexualised her image changes towards the end of the music video. She changes costumes to a boyish cut suit and hat which makes her appear less sexually attractive but also adds a different side to her star image.  

Voyeurism - Rihanna

An example of a music video showing the idea of voyeurism is Rihanna’s ‘Rude Boy’. Rihanna is well known for her sexual approach to her music videos and music. Although Rihanna is the artist she is still often shown as very sexually objectified in her music videos. In most music videos the main artist is shown as being powerful however she is still sexualised to appeal to a male audience.

Rihanna is wearing very little clothing in this music video, which often shows a lot of skin and reveals a lot. In some shots she is wearing more clothes however these are still very tight and revealing. The wide use of the colour red also has connotations of lust which reflects the sexual nature of the video. The bright red lipstick also reflects this theme and draws attention to them and makes them stand out.

Rihanna is seen throughout the video dancing seductively and shaking her hips and bum. In various shots she is flaunting her bum which draws the audience’s attention to it. She looks straight into the camera through her lashes which is often seen as sultry and flirty behaviour. This also links her directly to the audience. Her exaggerated lip movements as she sings makes them very noticeable to the audience and leads to sexual thoughts due to the connotations. During various shots throughout the video there are men admiring her as she is flaunting herself, this shows that she likes the attentions and is very sexually attractive. Although there are men in the video they are viewed as unimportant and she is shown as being dominant and powerful.

The camera movement and editing also reflects the theme of voyeurism. Various close ups of her lips and long shots showing her whole body as she dances are used to show her as a sexual object. The editing has lots of effects where there are multiple copies of Rihanna as she is dancing. Towards the end of the video there is a close up of her chest which links to the idea that many videos are often shot from a ‘man’s gaze’.  The lyrics are also reflecting the sexual theme shown throughout the music video. 

Lip Sync

Lip Sync

   

We had to create a lip sync to practice and highlight any problems we may come across when we will be making our music video. We came across a few problems while doing this task. We found that we didnt have enough on the clips that followed through to allow smooth editing. This meant that there are a few blank moments in the video. We will make sure that we do not make this mistake again when making the final music video. This task helped us to practice getting the music and lip syncing in time with each other. We found this was manageable and did not present any real problems.

Music Video - Key Concepts

- Vary the editing styles.

- Use special effects (SFX)

- Keep in sync.

- Use choreography.

- Main performer must keep direct address.

- Keep your video original and unique.

- Good song choice (not too fast or slow).

- Location & visuals to match the song.

- Pace of editing (be varied).

- Camera work should match the music.

- Interesting location.

- Make the video interesting.

- Great performer (charisma) cast appropriately.

- Keep the mise-en-scene in control.

-Editing should be in time with the beat.