Thursday, 17 December 2015
Fantasy Music Video - Story Board
Storyboard to give a brief overview of expected result of music video. We decided to use a natural setting such as the sky & a forest to establish the fantasy scene. The narrative of the video to visualise an assassin stalking his target with a bow and arrow. By doing this we are able to establish key conventions of assassins and are able to make a link to the lyrics of "The Wolf" by creating a predator/prey feel to it. Furthermore, this idea is within our budget and could be successfully executed to not appear tacky whilst staying stay true to conventions that align with the fantasy genre. the final scene we are planning to show the a close up of an arrow being knocked back and for the music video to end on the final beat of the song - therefore making the audience wonder whether or not the assassin killed the mysterious figure.
Thursday, 10 December 2015
Storytelling Music Videos - Features and Conventions
Some music videos are longer and have a higher production value than others. This is usually a feature of these types of music video. Length. The general premise is to tell a story that correlates to the song and whilst doing this the music video promotes the artist that the video is about.
A pure narrative music video will feature no lip-synced singing. The narrative usually relates to the song in some way. The lyrics are often reflected through the story.
This is the most common form of music video is performance/ narrative. This is a video that shows a performance which be the band/artist. This also has a narrative within it.
These are often over expensive and is a disadvantage to many smaller names due to its high production value. This also spends a lot of time to create which is why many artists do not this.
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Thursday, 17 September 2015
Original Idea - Media Music Video
1st Scene
|
Fade into knight with
sword almost impaled into the ground, slow Mo of knight standing up and
standing with sword getting ready to fight.
|
2nd Scene
|
Switch to knight over
shoulder shot to show an approaching person, thief looking person that is wielding
a sword also.
|
3rd Scene
|
Slow Mo walk around
anticipating battle. Shots on both of the people and their points of views.
|
4th Scene
|
Knight swings his sword at
the rogue but the rogue dodges and the way. This then leads into a flashback
to give the story some back-story.
|
CHORUS
|
This will continue the fight scene with slow motion being the main
feature in this fight to fit the theme and pace of it.
|
5th Scene
|
The general
idea at this point onwards is to introduce back story and not have the entire
video a fight scene but only leave that at the chorus.
|
The general plan is to add a side story involving another
character maybe a seller or a merchant. The idea would be the warrior character
would start making a friendship with this character from selling him new things
and the warrior going out and using these maybe tools to do things etc.
This will then lead on to the thief holding up the shop to
steal money or killing the shop keeper.
Thursday, 10 September 2015
Analysis - Eminem - The Monster (Explicit) ft. Rihanna
Movement, Narrative, Inter-textuality and Artist/Band
The video contains alot of conventions that are synonymous with the pop/hip-hot genre. The short cuts are in tempo with the music itself. A vast amount of flashing clips are in this video to display the angry that is expressed in the song lyrics and the video itself. This is then cancelled out by the clips of the little girl on the TV. The director has done this to display the artist looking back on himself (family videos), to bring a further meaning to a song.
The narrative is extremely important in music videos such as this as they are displaying a bit of their life/past. The premise of doing this is mainly to express themselves as an artist and/or appealing to their fans.
Inter-textuality is key in the production of this video. Flashbacks to past music videos and home movies add a personal touch to this music video and is what the music video itself is based around as a whole. This is then met with lyrics in the song referring to the artists past and showing his past through video.
This is another thing that the artist frequently does in his work. Refers back to past videos and songs. This is also the same for Rihanna the female vocalist. She refers to Eminem's past instead however as she is not known to do this in her music videos.
The narrative is extremely important in music videos such as this as they are displaying a bit of their life/past. The premise of doing this is mainly to express themselves as an artist and/or appealing to their fans.
Inter-textuality is key in the production of this video. Flashbacks to past music videos and home movies add a personal touch to this music video and is what the music video itself is based around as a whole. This is then met with lyrics in the song referring to the artists past and showing his past through video.
This is another thing that the artist frequently does in his work. Refers back to past videos and songs. This is also the same for Rihanna the female vocalist. She refers to Eminem's past instead however as she is not known to do this in her music videos.
General Idea 1 - Draft
1st scene- Fade into knight with sword almost impaled into the ground, slowmo of knight standing up and standing with sword getting ready to fight
2nd scene - Switch to knight over shoulder shot to show an approaching person, roguish looking person that is wielding a sword also.
3rd scene - slowmo walk around anticipating battle. shots on both of the people and their points of views
4th scene - Knight swings his sword at the rogue but the rogue dodges and the way. This then leads into a flashback to give the story some back-story.
Chorus from then on - Action scenes (fight scene)
Verse - (story scene, why these two are fighting)
2nd scene - Switch to knight over shoulder shot to show an approaching person, roguish looking person that is wielding a sword also.
3rd scene - slowmo walk around anticipating battle. shots on both of the people and their points of views
4th scene - Knight swings his sword at the rogue but the rogue dodges and the way. This then leads into a flashback to give the story some back-story.
Chorus from then on - Action scenes (fight scene)
Verse - (story scene, why these two are fighting)
Phildel - Moonsea - Disappearance Of The Girl - New Idea For Our Music Video
This idea is a bit unconventional but it has to be my favourite idea altogether. My idea is to have a fight scene that is set in a fantasy-medevil setting. Although difficult I believe it will pay off if it comes together.
When I was thinking about this it could be set in slow motion with the occasional sped up bit. Maybe a knight and a roguish thief type character in costume fight with swords in slow motion.
This will follow a serious undertone with one of them dying in the end and the video being the winning party walking away from the losing dead body on the floor.
If this idea cannot come together the idea could be altered into modern times however I do believe a fantasy would be better. This might not be conventional due to costs which is why there were another suggestion.
An inspiration of this video came from me watching this a2 media video:
When I was thinking about this it could be set in slow motion with the occasional sped up bit. Maybe a knight and a roguish thief type character in costume fight with swords in slow motion.
This will follow a serious undertone with one of them dying in the end and the video being the winning party walking away from the losing dead body on the floor.
If this idea cannot come together the idea could be altered into modern times however I do believe a fantasy would be better. This might not be conventional due to costs which is why there were another suggestion.
An inspiration of this video came from me watching this a2 media video:
Debating Different Music Video Idea - Inspired By Other Media Productions
This idea essentially follows the same premise. A chase of some sort across a field or through a forest or some people having fun around town and getting into trouble.
The video will be light-hearted. Colourful and fun. This will not have a serious undertone.
Another idea I have been considering is people playing around and throwing water balloons then one accidentally miss fires and hits someone. This then leads to the person being angry and chasing the people with the balloons. The entire video will show the chase in a humorous way inspired by this video:
We could also be inspired by this video and show a robbery and a policeman attempting to get it back. Following this, I believe the idea of two people angering another and leading to a chase would be a great idea for the video and be entertaining to create.
The video will be light-hearted. Colourful and fun. This will not have a serious undertone.
Another idea I have been considering is people playing around and throwing water balloons then one accidentally miss fires and hits someone. This then leads to the person being angry and chasing the people with the balloons. The entire video will show the chase in a humorous way inspired by this video:
We could also be inspired by this video and show a robbery and a policeman attempting to get it back. Following this, I believe the idea of two people angering another and leading to a chase would be a great idea for the video and be entertaining to create.
She Wolf (Falling To Pieces) ft. Sia - New Idea For Our Music Video
An idea for the group that I have come up with is creating a video that includes David Guetta's songs. The songs that would be considered would be:
The idea of this song would be to film someone running through the forest with another person chasing that person. Throughout the chorus it will show the chase through the forest with a man chasing him with a gun, some areas of this will be slow-mo or slowed down to an extent.
When the verse is on it will show the events leading up to the chase. This will show maybe some involvement with an addiction or gambling leading to someone trying to kill the person. Another idea would be someone chasing this person down due to them displaying supernatural abilities which could be a reference to other David Guetta videos such as Titanium.
Another idea is the using the same idea but a different song. This could be to the song, Titanium. The idea behind this idea is the fact that it could be described as a homage to the original video.
The idea of this song would be to film someone running through the forest with another person chasing that person. Throughout the chorus it will show the chase through the forest with a man chasing him with a gun, some areas of this will be slow-mo or slowed down to an extent.
When the verse is on it will show the events leading up to the chase. This will show maybe some involvement with an addiction or gambling leading to someone trying to kill the person. Another idea would be someone chasing this person down due to them displaying supernatural abilities which could be a reference to other David Guetta videos such as Titanium.
Another idea is the using the same idea but a different song. This could be to the song, Titanium. The idea behind this idea is the fact that it could be described as a homage to the original video.
Monday, 13 July 2015
Phildel - The Ideal Artist For Our Music Video
The general consensus within our group is that Phildel is one of the main contenders on which to do our music video. This is mainly due to her unique style of music that can be defined as a genre by "Neoclassical" or "Dream Pop".
We were also drawn into the idea of using Phildel as she is lesser heard of than other suggestions of group music videos, this goes back to the idea that we feel we could do more with a lesser known artist than an already established one. This comes from general ideas on what the music video could be about and what we could do with the music video as an idea.
This music video incorporates a vast majority of conventions and features we were thinking about using in our music video beforehand. Which makes the general idea of picking this artist in particular fitting to our end goal.
Uses of black and white colours and less populated areas such as a forest is the general idea of our music video and we believe that it will be more enjoyable to create something similar to this music video but having our own take on it. I'm not saying that we will use this music video but the conventions and narrative of this video is one that we wish to follow in the creation of our music video.
We were also drawn into the idea of using Phildel as she is lesser heard of than other suggestions of group music videos, this goes back to the idea that we feel we could do more with a lesser known artist than an already established one. This comes from general ideas on what the music video could be about and what we could do with the music video as an idea.
This music video incorporates a vast majority of conventions and features we were thinking about using in our music video beforehand. Which makes the general idea of picking this artist in particular fitting to our end goal.
Uses of black and white colours and less populated areas such as a forest is the general idea of our music video and we believe that it will be more enjoyable to create something similar to this music video but having our own take on it. I'm not saying that we will use this music video but the conventions and narrative of this video is one that we wish to follow in the creation of our music video.
Monday, 6 July 2015
Rhythm and Blues Music Video Conventions
1. Usually a narrative.
2. Artist/band always shown.
3. Usually dance routine.
4. Close up of artists.
5. Usually set in clam locations such as house, beaches.
6. Hardly no performance.
7. Women usually wear revelaing clothing.
8. Money is potryed positively.
9. Alcohol and party scenes.
10. Use of special effects.
EXAMPLES: Destiny's Child, Rihanna, Beyonce
2. Artist/band always shown.
3. Usually dance routine.
4. Close up of artists.
5. Usually set in clam locations such as house, beaches.
6. Hardly no performance.
7. Women usually wear revelaing clothing.
8. Money is potryed positively.
9. Alcohol and party scenes.
10. Use of special effects.
EXAMPLES: Destiny's Child, Rihanna, Beyonce
Dance Music Videos Conventions
1. Dance routines.
2. Sometimes narrative.
3. Location - Clubs or Party.
4. Upbeat and fun videos.
5. Women dancers usually half naked.
6. Bright colours.
7. All dancers wearing similar costumes.
EXAMPLES: Eric Pryds, Basshunter, Faithless, Psy
Indie/Rock Music Video Conventions
1. Shows artist or band throughout the video.
2. Some special effects.
3. Usually calm setting, but changes when beat kicks in.
4. May be black and white.
5. Sometimes has a narrative.
6. Close-up of artists and characters shown in video.
7. Show band performing.
EXAMPLES: Snow Patrol, Kings Of Leon, Kasabian, Coldplay
2. Some special effects.
3. Usually calm setting, but changes when beat kicks in.
4. May be black and white.
5. Sometimes has a narrative.
6. Close-up of artists and characters shown in video.
7. Show band performing.
EXAMPLES: Snow Patrol, Kings Of Leon, Kasabian, Coldplay
Pop Music Video Conventions
1. Colourful.
2. Close up of artists(Shows innocence).
3. Fun and light hearted.
4. Appeals to younger target audience.
5. Shows artist/band involved in dance routines.
6. Good mood/ Location(Happy, for example, at a beach/friends house).
7. Teenager scenario(Having a crush).
8. Video usually has narrative.
EXAMPLES: Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry.
2. Close up of artists(Shows innocence).
3. Fun and light hearted.
4. Appeals to younger target audience.
5. Shows artist/band involved in dance routines.
6. Good mood/ Location(Happy, for example, at a beach/friends house).
7. Teenager scenario(Having a crush).
8. Video usually has narrative.
EXAMPLES: Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry.
Rock Music Video Conventions
Hip-Hop Music Video Conventions
1. Usually includes the artist.
2. Normally set in a club or a party environment.
3. Usually no storyline.
4. Typically women dancers or models, usually half naked.
5. Features jewellery, alcohol and sports cars.
6. Features mansion and branded clothing.
7. Usually other famous artists are featured in the music video.
EXAMPLES: 50 Cent, Notorious B.I.G, Iggy Azalea, Kanye West
2. Normally set in a club or a party environment.
3. Usually no storyline.
4. Typically women dancers or models, usually half naked.
5. Features jewellery, alcohol and sports cars.
6. Features mansion and branded clothing.
7. Usually other famous artists are featured in the music video.
EXAMPLES: 50 Cent, Notorious B.I.G, Iggy Azalea, Kanye West
Typical Conventions of a Music Video
Camera Shots
Long shots, close-ups and extreme close-ups are constantly used. Close-ups are usually used in music videos as it puts emphasis on the artist or bands face for promotional reasons and their lips to show the lip-syncing.Camera Movement
Pans, dolly tack shots, crane shots and tilts are used to follow the movements of the singer/band or dancers.Editing
Jump cuts are the most commonly used as its purpose is to jump from a scene of the location to the artist to the instruments and vice-versa. Reaction shots are used with music videos with narrative as it expresses the relationship between two or more people. The pave of the editing is always in sync with the beat of the track.Mise-en-scene
Mise-en-scene is associated to the inter-textual link of the music video, therefore it depends on the representation. For example, a video based on a sixties film (Madonna - "Material Girl" is based on "Diamonds are a girls best friend" from a Marilyn Monroe film performance. This would use iconic staging, characters, costumes and so on to represent the time.Lighting: Extreme artificial lighting is the most common type of lighting used in music videos as it helps to enhance the look of the artist or band through making them seem "ageless", this is commonly used in pop music videos. Lighting switches help to indicate a shift from the chorus to verse and vice-versa. Finally, lighting also enhances the atmosphere as it can be used to give a bright and upbeat feel particularly in dance music videos or a dark and eerie feel which is used mostly in rock music videos. For example, Cheryl Cole's video for "Fight for this love", uses the lighting to show her flawless complexion.
Props: Props are essential in music videos.
Costume: Reflect the genre of the music and the style of the artist: therefore costumes are essential because they compliment the artist. For example, Lady Gaga has specific clothing to show off her fashion, this is evident in her "Poker face" video.
Colour: Colour represents the mood of the song for example; bright colours are usually used in "feel good" pop songs, a good example is Kylie Minogue's, "In your eyes" video.
Sound: Usually the sound is the music and vocals; however some music videos are similar to short films with acting, therefore in these clips there are various sound which can be heard such as diegetic and non-diegetic sounds.
Music Genre Analysis Research
Pop music is a genre of music. It derives from the the word Popular which is how it has its abbreviated name of Pop. The genre initially came from American Markets in the early 1950's/1960's which originally came from the genre of rock and roll.
The term of "Pop music" and "Popular music" are often used interchangeably. However, even though the general premise of the genre is, "Popular Music", it can also be used to describe upbeat music that frequents the charts. This is why pop music is usually described as "eclectic" as it borrows from many different styles including: Dance, Rock, Latin, Country and Urban music genres.
Other versions of pop such as "Hard pop", are recognized from being a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music. This tends to be louder and more aggressive than pop and features instruments such as electric guitars, drums and bass guitar very similar to other genres such as rock.
The term of "Pop music" and "Popular music" are often used interchangeably. However, even though the general premise of the genre is, "Popular Music", it can also be used to describe upbeat music that frequents the charts. This is why pop music is usually described as "eclectic" as it borrows from many different styles including: Dance, Rock, Latin, Country and Urban music genres.
Other versions of pop such as "Hard pop", are recognized from being a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music. This tends to be louder and more aggressive than pop and features instruments such as electric guitars, drums and bass guitar very similar to other genres such as rock.
Sunday, 5 July 2015
Republic Records - Music Label Overview

Republic Records is an American record company that operates as a division of Universal Music Group. The label was first created in 1995 by Monte Lipman and Avery Lipman. It was later established as Universal Motown Records Group in 1999.
After the separation of Motown Records from Universal Motown Records, the initial Universal Motown Records was temporarily dissolved.
This was then later made back into Republic Records, which has now bolstered in success, with the signing of multiple famous artists today such as Demi Lovato, Charles Hamilton, Ariana Grande and Jesse J.
Directors and Producers in Music Video
Titanium was directed and produced by David Guetta. This is extremely common in the music industry and is even more common when releasing singles and not full album or multiple singles at any given time.
This is also usually used when another artist that is not well known is included in the creation or any other given part of the song. In this case this is Sia. Although, now her career is a success. The general premise at the time meant that she was not exactly well known. This means that it had the potential to not perform as well due to this. Which is videos such as this are directed and produced by the same artist.
However, many Music producers and Music directors have produced and directed Music Videos that are in line with other works that other people have done. This is usually involving Michael Bay with his Transformers series or James Wan with the Fast and Furious series.
The song, See You Again - Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth includes screens of other works such as Fast and Furious 7, cuts between the music video are clips from the film. However, many of these were focusing on Paul Walker as the song was dedicated to his untimely passing.
Monday, 22 June 2015
Conventions of a Music Video
As discussed previously, the purpose of a music video is primarily to advertise. It persuades viewers to purchase a copy of the song featured and other products associated with the artist. To this end, the video needs to add something to the experience of hearing the song.
Essential to music video and usually complements the rhythm of the song. Movement can be
achieved by physically moving the camera, the people in the video dancing and moving around screen etc.
Not all Music Videos have an over-line story or plot to it. However, every music video must follow a
set of rules regarding continuity which does feature in most modern music videos.
Music video is such a well established genre that it is possible for producers to play with the
conventions by making references to the genre in general and to other music videos also known as Intertextuality.
References can also be more esoteric and obscure, allowing the audience to feel pleasure when they recognize the reference. Many artists make references to other artists/bands. This is also included in other works such as music videos making reference to other music videos or previous works of themselves or other artists.
Movement
Essential to music video and usually complements the rhythm of the song. Movement can be achieved by physically moving the camera, the people in the video dancing and moving around screen etc.
This then heavily relies on the dancers and artists movement and not the cameras movement initially. However, the panning which is regularly seen in films also makes its way to music videos regularly when a overall larger shot is needed to be shown.
Narrative
Not all Music Videos have an over-line story or plot to it. However, every music video must follow a set of rules regarding continuity which does feature in most modern music videos.
The storyline may relate to the song's lyrics and illustrate what is being said or be independent from the song or be independent from the song and tell a different story. Other videos have much more explicit narratives which are more closely linked to the song's lyrics.
Band/Artist
The artist may be featured performing their music, either in the form of lip-syncing or playing
instruments in the case of a band.
instruments in the case of a band.
Sometimes, a band or artist are represented in some other way in the video, such as by animation or actors playing the role of the artist.
Many videos feature more explicit narratives which are more closely linked to the song lyrics. This will then usually feature the artist or band in the music video and the video will have a warning at the beginning which is endorsed by that celebrity.
Many videos feature more explicit narratives which are more closely linked to the song lyrics. This will then usually feature the artist or band in the music video and the video will have a warning at the beginning which is endorsed by that celebrity.
Intertextuality
Music video is such a well established genre that it is possible for producers to play with the conventions by making references to the genre in general and to other music videos also known as Intertextuality.
References can also be more esoteric and obscure, allowing the audience to feel pleasure when they recognize the reference. Many artists make references to other artists/bands. This is also included in other works such as music videos making reference to other music videos or previous works of themselves or other artists.
Purpose of a Music Video in the Digital Age
The main point of a Music Video is to sell products and advertise a brand. However, the other connected products are also marketed by a music video.
For example, the album the song is featured on, the film the song is a part of, an upcoming tour that the artist/band are going to perform, artist/band merchandise such as T-shirts. However, music videos are an unusual form of marketing as they allow the audience full access to the product they are selling. When a music products are advertising, for example, a brand of coffee or an item of clothing, the advert suggests the product is desirable but the audience does not get to taste the coffee or wear the clothes.
Prior to the digital age, allowing the audience full access to the product in the marketing was too problematic. The song was only available at specified times in places which were approved of by the record company, such as on weekly television chart countdown shows like Top of the Pops.
Videos could be uploaded to video hosting sites like YouTube and viewed using portable media devices such as mobile phones and apple devices, allowing audiences to see the video and hear the song whenever and wherever they liked.
The advent of such technologies proved to be problematic for the music industry as audiences were less inclined to buy a physical copy of a song if they could listen to it online for free.
As a result, most record companies now allow their artists' music videos to be online but under controlled conditions.
Similarly, MTV networks and Warner Music Group have allowed American Internet users to access music videos via the MTV site.
For example, the album the song is featured on, the film the song is a part of, an upcoming tour that the artist/band are going to perform, artist/band merchandise such as T-shirts. However, music videos are an unusual form of marketing as they allow the audience full access to the product they are selling. When a music products are advertising, for example, a brand of coffee or an item of clothing, the advert suggests the product is desirable but the audience does not get to taste the coffee or wear the clothes.
Prior to the digital age, allowing the audience full access to the product in the marketing was too problematic. The song was only available at specified times in places which were approved of by the record company, such as on weekly television chart countdown shows like Top of the Pops.
Videos could be uploaded to video hosting sites like YouTube and viewed using portable media devices such as mobile phones and apple devices, allowing audiences to see the video and hear the song whenever and wherever they liked.
The advent of such technologies proved to be problematic for the music industry as audiences were less inclined to buy a physical copy of a song if they could listen to it online for free.
As a result, most record companies now allow their artists' music videos to be online but under controlled conditions.
Similarly, MTV networks and Warner Music Group have allowed American Internet users to access music videos via the MTV site.
Sunday, 21 June 2015
Analysis - Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth - See You Again
Movement, Narrative, Inter-textuality and Artist/Band
This video contains many conventions that are synonymous with the pop/hip-hop genre. The long camera shots are a representation of the pop genres role in the music video. The piano accompanying the long shots allow them to be justified and fit into the codes and conventions of the pop genre.
The expensive cars and the flashy lights are perfectly in-line with the hip-hop conventions that regularly appear in music videos such as this. This convention is then reinforced through the drum beat starting to fade into the background to show that it is a hip-hop feel the artists are trying to convey.
The tone of the video changes throughout as the difference of fast paced and slow paced sections of the music video are different but remain in the codes and conventions that they belong in. This is most notable when it switches from piano playing to fast cars and scenes from Fast and Furious 7. This is then shown when the tempo of the initial song is match by the videos shot duration and the frequency of transitions throughout.
The tone of the video changes throughout as the difference of fast paced and slow paced sections of the music video are different but remain in the codes and conventions that they belong in. This is most notable when it switches from piano playing to fast cars and scenes from Fast and Furious 7. This is then shown when the tempo of the initial song is match by the videos shot duration and the frequency of transitions throughout.
The idea of close-ups and celebrity cameos are extremely frequent in this music video as it was originally made for the specific purpose of advertising Fast and Furious 7. This is then shown through the scenes from the movie with familiar faces appearing in close-ups such as Paul Walker and Vin Diesel. They have also used a vast majority of famous super-car brands to advertise the themes of the movie and appeal to the product placement side of advertising in music videos.
The hip-hop convention of flashy cars plays a incredibly large role in the creation of this music video. The famous brands of super-cars such as Ferrari and Chevrolet feature frequently throughout the hip-hop sections of this music video. The actors of fast and furious are also included in this theme of frequently being shown in the music video. This is done to increase face and brand recognition and in turn promote and advertise the movie and car brands whilst using the recurring method of product placement to advertise.
The clear reference in this video would be the relation to the car brands and the film, Fast and Furious 7. The recurring faces of the cast and the recurring themes of super-cars and classic American landscapes go hand in hand in presenting the film and advertising the cars throughout the music video.
Monday, 15 June 2015
Analysis - Lonley Island ft. Michael Bolton - Jack Sparrow
Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics:
The video contains many codes and conventions that are synonymous with the pop/hip-hop genre. Fast cuts are constantly thrown in the video to keep the video at pace with the music. This is done extremely well when switching to different movie references and the club scenes as a whole. The flashy lights in the club appeal to the side of the song that could be identified with the hip-hop genre and the initial setting, in a bar, is also in the same conventions as the hip-hop genre. In the colour of the song there are many bright colours and unique visuals that appeal to the pop genre side of the song as a whole.
There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals:
The relationship to the lyrics in this video is pretty obvious. When they mention the various film references such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Scarface, the same film is recreated in a shot on screen. This is used for comedic effect to the video and does this successfully which achieves the videos primary purpose. In the versus, there is a large theme on imagery to depict what is being said in the song. Such as when they mention themes such as alcohol and the bar of a club, the person rapping or singing the part will be in that exact setting. Another example of this would be when they are approaching the club and someone looks at them in time with the song saying so.
There is a relationship between music and visuals:
The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work:
There is a frequently reference to notion of looking:
The idea of "Scantily Clad Women" is frequent in the club, Hip-hop, scenes in the music video. This is done to reflect the atmosphere the artists wish to go for and the initial codes and conventions of a pop video and a hip-hop video. The idea of looking is also reinforced through the idea of reflections off sunglasses and the spotlight being on them when they go on the club. Them pushing in line and no one caring is also a specific example of how the camera always revolves around them in the shots.
There are often inter-textual references:
Sunday, 14 June 2015
Definition and Purpose of a Digipak
Wikipedia defines a Digipak as:

Kanye West: An insert included allows the front panel's artwork to be interchanged as 4 different artworks.

"Digipak is a patented style of CD, DVD or BD packaging, and is a registered trademark of AGI-Shorewood, an Atlas Holdings LLC company."
Digipaks are usually designed in a book style paperboard which allows the person using one to select multiple disks which are stored within the Digipak. A digipak can consist of multiple items such as DVD's, CD's, booklets and other content that is exclusive to the digipak itself.
When digipaks were first brought out they were among the first alternatives to jewel cases to be used by major record companies and because there is no other common name for Digipak-style packaging made by other companies, the term digipak, digipaks have become the known term for any CD package that consists of more that one disc tray.
Digipak-style packaging is often used for CD singles or special editions of CD albums and the tall DVD Digipak is used as a premium package for DVDs and DVD sets.
Notable Digipaks
Red Hot Chili Peppers: Six-panel Digipak with 2 CD trays. One inner panel has a circle cut out to display the liner notes for either the Jupiter or Mars disc, depending on which side is facing the cut-out when inserted.
Kanye West: An insert included allows the front panel's artwork to be interchanged as 4 different artworks.

Wednesday, 10 June 2015
Definition and Purpose of a Website
Wikipedia defines a music video as:
In contrast to Eminem, Rivers and Robots have used a completely different colour scheme and theme to their website altogether. They have used images of wildlife and nature to reinforce the fact that they are an indie band. They have also used soft fonts instead of what could be classed as "aggressive font". From this the band has managed to recreate their style and genre of music similar to Eminem's style of website.
This also works as a promotional technique due to the fact that potential audiences can access their website and see if they like the band. This is then extended by the bands consistent online presence on the site and the multiple band members that run the site as a whole:
"A location connected to the Internet that maintains one or more web pages."
Websites are regularly used by musicians as a way to communicate with fans and update their audiences with news of upcoming events or upcoming songs they are working on.
This is also a brilliant tool for promotion and bolstering the artist's music and image. This is also a promotion method with existing fans as it allows them to get into contact with the artist this will make the artist, ultimately, more popular with it's fans which creates loyalty to the musician and gains guaranteed sales when a new song is released by that artist.
Many musicians also use social media sites such as Twitter or Facebook to communicate with their fans and update them on new events or songs that they are releasing. This is also a brilliant way of promoting as it allows sales to increase due to promotion and they can link fans to their social media accounts on their websites.
Artists can also use a variety of templates and colour schemes to appeal to their audience and reflect their genre of music. This helps promote their image in what genre of music they are accustomed to and allows the viewer of the website to decide whether they would be a fan of this type of music.
Eminem used a colour scheme of black and white and displayed a grunge look to align with his rapping style of music. He has also used images of a war zone to show that his music is quite aggressive and this is reflected through the use of expletive language throughout his music. The theme of war and anger is reiterated with his angry facial expression whilst looking at the other person on type homepage of the website:
In contrast to Eminem, Rivers and Robots have used a completely different colour scheme and theme to their website altogether. They have used images of wildlife and nature to reinforce the fact that they are an indie band. They have also used soft fonts instead of what could be classed as "aggressive font". From this the band has managed to recreate their style and genre of music similar to Eminem's style of website.
This also works as a promotional technique due to the fact that potential audiences can access their website and see if they like the band. This is then extended by the bands consistent online presence on the site and the multiple band members that run the site as a whole:
Definition and Purpose of a Promo Music Video
Wikipedia defines a music video as:
A perfect example of where a story is told to fit the theme and style of the song is "Titanium", by David Guetta and Sia. They have used a variety of camera effects to do this but the main aspect that allows them to reflect the mood of the song is through the filters used on the camera to make the video seem quite dark and depressed:
"A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes."
Introduction To Music Videos
Music videos can be released at the same time as the song to help in the promotion of the album it is apart of. However, music videos can also be released at a later date to the song to assist in the promotion of a single that is popular at the time.
Many music videos follow the same conventions and codes. For example, in songs with a fast tempo and an uplifting beat will usually appeal to its desired audience by showing fast cuts and action happening on screen in co-ordination to the song itself. Other music videos with slow tempos and a sombre tone will usually use fades throughout and use longer frames rather than quick cuts. Lighting will also be darker than faster paced songs to fit the theme and ultimately appeal to its target audience.
An example of where an artist stars in their music video to promote their song would be "Bad Blood", by Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar. They have used fast cuts and action in the music video to fit the theme and appeal to their audience directly from that. Both artists have starred in the music video in an attempt to draw in existing fans. The use of them in the music video may also draw in new audiences and the use of action with a up-tempo song is used to the artists advantage in the promotion of the music video as a whole:
An example of where an artist stars in their music video to promote their song would be "Bad Blood", by Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar. They have used fast cuts and action in the music video to fit the theme and appeal to their audience directly from that. Both artists have starred in the music video in an attempt to draw in existing fans. The use of them in the music video may also draw in new audiences and the use of action with a up-tempo song is used to the artists advantage in the promotion of the music video as a whole:
Story Based Music Videos
In some cases, music videos will tell a story. The story of the music video doesn't necessarily have to relate to the song but majority of the time it reflects the lyrics of the song as a whole. On the other hand, many artists will feature in the music video and make themselves the protagonist of the story which is used to reinforce the fact that they are the artist of the song and gain more face time with the audience which is used in an attempt to bolster reputation and popularity with existing fans and consequently gain new fans in the process.
A perfect example of where a story is told to fit the theme and style of the song is "Titanium", by David Guetta and Sia. They have used a variety of camera effects to do this but the main aspect that allows them to reflect the mood of the song is through the filters used on the camera to make the video seem quite dark and depressed:
A2 Briefing - Tasks To Complete
A promotion package for the release of an album to include a music promo video, together with two of the following three options:
- A website homepage for the band
- A cover for the release as part of a digi-pack (CD/DVD packages)
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