"Don't Go Breaking My Heart" is a famous duet performed by Elton John and Kiki Dee. It is said to be one of the cheapest music videos to have ever been produced and given the simplicity of the video this is not hard to believe.
For our task, we had to recreate the first half of this music video, creating our own spin off with the purpose of exercising lip-syncing and practicing the use of the editing software available to us. We had to obtain quite a lot of footage, we had 10 whole takes from different angles so that there was a lot of material to use when it came to the editing stage. Despite the fact that the duet originally is performed by a male and a female, our group used two males as they were the most confident in front of the camera. Given how this was only a practice project, I feel like this does not take away from what we have created as a whole.
We used a wide variety of camera angles when filming, examples include;
•Low Angle Medium Shot
•Wide Low Angle
•Low Angle
•Medium Shot
•Close up
•High Angle
•Medium Pan
Also, in order to make the video more authentic, we included a microphone as our one and only prop, this meant we could focus our attention into the lip-syncing and making the video look as entertaining and energetic as possible.
Each member of the group had to edit their own final music video with the footage that we had collected. This allowed us to practice using software that we were not familiar with previously, which will be really valuable experience when it comes to creating the final project. The software that we used is called Premier Pro, and the process I used to edit the video was the following:
1. Import all the separate full length takes from various angles onto the computer
2. Import audio for the song ''Don't Go Breaking My Heart''
3. Cut small parts of from various angle takes and match them up so that the video flows as a whole.
4. Sync these cuts with the audio, so that the lip-syncing looks right and well done.
While doing this it was important for me to make sure that the video looked smooth as it was transitioning from one cut to another, this was not too difficult, but it is important to note that it is quite easy to make mistakes as each cut is only a few seconds long meaning there are a lot of transitions and therefore a lot of opportunity for slip ups.
Overall I feel like the editing section of the project went well because the lip-syncing was done well for the most part, the video gives the impression that it is actually me and Danny singing fairly effectively. We included a wide variety of shots and so that there is constantly something to pay attention to in the video which means the audience will not get bored as quickly. One particular point of criticism for my version of the video is that certain shots last way longer than they should, which means that it may be harder to convey the energy and enthusiasm within the video to the audience. Another point if improvement is to pick a better space for filming, we did not have a lot of room to work with and so we were limited on what shots we could use. Overall, I think the project was relatively successful as a first, but there are clear points of improvement for us and we will work on them in future videos.
Friday 17 October 2014
Andrew Goodwin - Key Features of Music Videos
Andrew Goodwin's book ''Dancing In the Distraction Factory'' identifies several key features of modern music videos. I will analyse these features and see if they hold true in modern music videos.
To expand on the point above, in Iron Maiden's video, they can be seen performing on stage dressed in really stereotypical Metal band attire. This includes leather jackets, spiked bracelets and other such key features of a heavy metal music video whilst generally having a dark theme despite the fact that the song itself is actually rather upbeat as opposed to depressing and dark like the scenery might suggest.
2NE1's video also demonstrates genre characteristics, as it is a girl pop group, they can be seen performing very specifically choreographed dance routines on stage while having an uplift and positive theme to the video and the song.
•There is always a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals in a music video. This relationship can be illustrative, amplifying or contradicting.
The following is an example of an illustrative music video, it is Daniel Powter's ''Bad Day''
It follows the day of a man and a woman, the video generally compliments the audio fairly well, despite the fact that both a male and a female are being shown the male can be seen taking the lead. Despite the fact that this video attempts to demonstrate industry equality in that regard, clear bias can still be found.
The next video is a contradictory video, Adele's ''Rolling in the Deep''
•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 reoccur across their work for example a visual style, examples include Katy Perry and Michael Jackson (motifs will be analysed in separate blog posts)
•There is frequently reference to the notion of looking and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body
The video above is an example of voyeuristic choreography. While there is nothing directly explicit about the video, the dance is put together in such a way which is designed to attract the male gaze.
There is often inter-textual reference within music videos. This is when a music video by a particular group or artist references a difference piece of text, this is often other music videos. Inter-textual reference is not limited to other music videos though, it can also include video games, films and other visuals too.
Above is an example of inter-textual reference, the Red Hot Chili Peppers use a video game of themselves as a part of their music video.
•Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (example: Metal videos may typically include shots of the band performing on stage as well as other things, or a stage performance exclusively, while girl or boy bands may have specifically choreographed dance routines to appeal to their target demographic.)
The examples below will be Iron Maiden performing their hit song ''The Number of The Beast'' and a Korean Pop group called 2NE1 performing their hit song ''I Am The Best''
The examples below will be Iron Maiden performing their hit song ''The Number of The Beast'' and a Korean Pop group called 2NE1 performing their hit song ''I Am The Best''
To expand on the point above, in Iron Maiden's video, they can be seen performing on stage dressed in really stereotypical Metal band attire. This includes leather jackets, spiked bracelets and other such key features of a heavy metal music video whilst generally having a dark theme despite the fact that the song itself is actually rather upbeat as opposed to depressing and dark like the scenery might suggest.
2NE1's video also demonstrates genre characteristics, as it is a girl pop group, they can be seen performing very specifically choreographed dance routines on stage while having an uplift and positive theme to the video and the song.
•There is always a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals in a music video. This relationship can be illustrative, amplifying or contradicting.
The following is an example of an illustrative music video, it is Daniel Powter's ''Bad Day''
It follows the day of a man and a woman, the video generally compliments the audio fairly well, despite the fact that both a male and a female are being shown the male can be seen taking the lead. Despite the fact that this video attempts to demonstrate industry equality in that regard, clear bias can still be found.
The next video is a contradictory video, Adele's ''Rolling in the Deep''
•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 reoccur across their work for example a visual style, examples include Katy Perry and Michael Jackson (motifs will be analysed in separate blog posts)
•There is frequently reference to the notion of looking and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body
The video above is an example of voyeuristic choreography. While there is nothing directly explicit about the video, the dance is put together in such a way which is designed to attract the male gaze.
There is often inter-textual reference within music videos. This is when a music video by a particular group or artist references a difference piece of text, this is often other music videos. Inter-textual reference is not limited to other music videos though, it can also include video games, films and other visuals too.
Above is an example of inter-textual reference, the Red Hot Chili Peppers use a video game of themselves as a part of their music video.
Tuesday 14 October 2014
Purpose of Promotional Music Videos
The purpose of promotional music videos can be easily explain in a few points;
•Publicity, raising awareness of the new up and coming product or video
•Increase in sales by letting more people know
•Subtly advertising other products
Product placement happens frequently in music videos, sometimes it is deliberately made very obvious so that fans of the artist or group would be further persuaded to purchase this product as the will be able to relate this back to their favorite artists.
Sometimes product placement is not subtle. Products are placed into shots where they clearly shouldn't exist because they do not fit the music video, and the shots focused directly on the product last too long. This can take away from the music video.
Below are two examples of music videos that have product placement in them. The first is Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines which advertises the Beats Pill.
The following video is Christina Aguilera's Not Myself Tonight, which very clearly advertises a particular brand of perfume.
Music videos on the internet are not the only way in which a music video can get promoted. The music industry has a few other means of media through which they can promote their artists and music. These include;
Radio
TV
Print Media
Social Networks
There are other examples of synergy used within the industry as well. One of the most clear is Film. New songs are often used in films as a means of promotion. Frequently, a music video for a song which has been featured on a film will be shot in the same place as the film so that the audience can make a connection, sometimes the entire music video is not performed in that place but scenes will still be taken there. Sometimes cuts of the film itself are used.
I will list three music videos that have examples of synergy in them. In order, they are:
•Publicity, raising awareness of the new up and coming product or video
•Increase in sales by letting more people know
•Subtly advertising other products
Product placement happens frequently in music videos, sometimes it is deliberately made very obvious so that fans of the artist or group would be further persuaded to purchase this product as the will be able to relate this back to their favorite artists.
Sometimes product placement is not subtle. Products are placed into shots where they clearly shouldn't exist because they do not fit the music video, and the shots focused directly on the product last too long. This can take away from the music video.
Below are two examples of music videos that have product placement in them. The first is Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines which advertises the Beats Pill.
The following video is Christina Aguilera's Not Myself Tonight, which very clearly advertises a particular brand of perfume.
Music videos on the internet are not the only way in which a music video can get promoted. The music industry has a few other means of media through which they can promote their artists and music. These include;
Radio
TV
Print Media
Social Networks
There are other examples of synergy used within the industry as well. One of the most clear is Film. New songs are often used in films as a means of promotion. Frequently, a music video for a song which has been featured on a film will be shot in the same place as the film so that the audience can make a connection, sometimes the entire music video is not performed in that place but scenes will still be taken there. Sometimes cuts of the film itself are used.
I will list three music videos that have examples of synergy in them. In order, they are:
- Wet Wet Wet - Love Is All Around
Used in Get Real 1998
- Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag
This song was used as the Soundtrack for American pie
- Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
Friday 3 October 2014
The History of Pop Music
Bing Crosby was the big star of the 1940's, fans of his would often see him appear in film and TV specials, this was the beginning of the evolution of the music video. This was the only way for people to see these performers as they would not perform live or create short music videos at this point in time.
Frank Sinatra replaced Bing Crosby as the next big star, Similarly to Crosby, fans of Sinatra often watched him on TV in various specials and shows, however, Sinatra also performed live for audiences that could come out watch him if they wanted to.
The next star to continue the chain was Elvis Presley. Similarly to the other two, he was seen on various films and TV shows, He performed at concerts but these were exclusive to the United States.
Above, the trailer for a film, Blue Hawaii, starring Elvis Presley can be seen, this is just one example of the many ways that Presley made a name for himself across the world.
The next group of people to talk about when discussing the development of the pop genre as well as music videos is The Beatles. The first thing that is revolutionary about The Beatles is the fact that they are a group of people as opposed to a solo performer, prior to them, this concept had not really been explored before, or at least to the same level of success as them.
At first they said that they do not wish to leave the UK until they get a number one, which they did with the song ''I Want To Hold Your Hand'', following this huge achievement they went on tour in America, but they hated the atmosphere and they were not so fond of travelling back and forth between countries each week, so what they decided to do was create a short video of the group performing a song.
This then became known as the fist pop music video, it was hugely successful so other artists and creators were hugely on board with the idea and that is why it is an industry standard for popular performers to have many music videos as well as perform live in front of crowds today.
Frank Sinatra replaced Bing Crosby as the next big star, Similarly to Crosby, fans of Sinatra often watched him on TV in various specials and shows, however, Sinatra also performed live for audiences that could come out watch him if they wanted to.
The next star to continue the chain was Elvis Presley. Similarly to the other two, he was seen on various films and TV shows, He performed at concerts but these were exclusive to the United States.
Above, the trailer for a film, Blue Hawaii, starring Elvis Presley can be seen, this is just one example of the many ways that Presley made a name for himself across the world.
The next group of people to talk about when discussing the development of the pop genre as well as music videos is The Beatles. The first thing that is revolutionary about The Beatles is the fact that they are a group of people as opposed to a solo performer, prior to them, this concept had not really been explored before, or at least to the same level of success as them.
At first they said that they do not wish to leave the UK until they get a number one, which they did with the song ''I Want To Hold Your Hand'', following this huge achievement they went on tour in America, but they hated the atmosphere and they were not so fond of travelling back and forth between countries each week, so what they decided to do was create a short video of the group performing a song.
This then became known as the fist pop music video, it was hugely successful so other artists and creators were hugely on board with the idea and that is why it is an industry standard for popular performers to have many music videos as well as perform live in front of crowds today.
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