Conventions of a music video.

• Lip synching is a crucial element of a music video, it helps the artist portray the emotion they wish to get across. It also makes the song more personal to them and it also interests the audience.
• Music tempo influenced editing. This means that if it is a really upbeat and fast paced song, there should be lots of shot changes and it should look busy. Whereas if it is a slower, calmer song there should be more steady paced shot changes and editing.
• Shot changes every second or so, keeps the audience interested with different things to look at.
• Lots of different shot types and camera angles. If it was all at one distance it would be boring, different shot types with a variety of long-shots, close-ups, establishing shots, tracking, low angle, high angle and more make it more exciting for the audience.
• Moving images that relate to the lyrics of the song. It would be pointless to have a song about happiness and have the music video showing people crying, the lyrics, music and moving image need to fit together.
• -Most rock videos show performances of the band playing. This is because their music is created by their talent whereas a pop singer usually just sings, therefore with a rock video, showing a band member playing their instrument, is their version of lip synching. 
• -Lots of different, interesting shots to keep audience amused.
• -Colour used to portray mood, e.g bright colours = happy.

Analysis of Rock Videos 3. 30 seconds to Mars - Kings and Queens.

Mise en scene:

They use film titles at the beginning, this could be because it was actually created by a film company or because it gives the effect that the song tells a story like a film. Like a typical rock video you see the bad members playing their instruments and singing as that is how the song was created. They use shots of people doing tricks on bikes as it keeps the viewers interested, also the fact that they are riding around a city means there is always a different scenery for the audience to look at. For lighting they have used natural lights from the sky and city lights like lampposts and also lights o the bikes. They also use ending credits like a film.

Cinematography:

They use an establishing shot of a city during sunset, it looks good as there is an orange glow behind it and it's just really pretty and sets the scene. They use a long distance shot which has the sun setting in the background and you can see the silhouette of people riding bikes coming over the hill, this is a really nicely set out and planned shot and looks great. They use a lot of long distance shots to show the people riding their bikes, the long distance shot enables you too see that there is a lot of people participating. They use close-ups on peoples faces to show how many different people form different races, backgrounds and different ages and genders have come together to do the same thing. I think a really effective shot is when they use panning to show them cycling on a higher piece of road and then them cycling back on a lower piece, it is a good example of a different way to use panning.

Editing:

They have edited in titles to introduce the song and band and write the film titles. They use cuts to change fro different shots as it is a good technique for fast pace shot changes. A good effect used is when they show the band playing or singing they have the city lights blurred in the background and the person in focus. Horse running in slow motion to a slower part of the song. They also use slow motion to show tricks on the bikes and when someone is breathing fire as it lets the audience see what they are doing easier.

Sound:

During the establishing shot you can hear an eagle cry, this gives it an erie, deserted effect as you can't hear anything else. The music comes in one instrument at a time, this gives it quite a good build up. When the music properly starts and the singing comes in the moving image comes out of silhouette and you can see all the people riding their bikes. At the point in the music when the instruments stop playing and it's all quiet apart fro the singer they use moving image (someone being hit by a car) to help create an atmosphere of suspence, you are waiting for the music to start again and to see if the person is dead or alive.

Analysis of Rock Videos 2. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - Born to Run.

Mise en sene:

Lighting used is stage lighting, this indicated to the viewe that this music video is of a concert, it is typical of a rock music video to show the band and singer doing a live performance as thir music isn't created by computers or technical equipment, it's purely on them and their tallent. They don't wear specific costumes that match, they wear what they want and what they are comfortable in as you can see the lead singer is wearing jeans and a shirt whereas the sax player wheres something completely different, i think this is good as it makes the performance look more personal and authentic. They created a nice shot which when they tracked out you could see it was the girls reflection in the grand piano. It has a nice ending, it freezes on a shot of the singer mid-jump in the air and writing goes accross the screen saying 'Thanks to all our fans! Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band' and then it fades out.

Cinematography:

Pannig in the begining could be done really fast or slow which gives a blurry affect and makes it look busy. Establishing shot pan of the crowd informs the audience that it is a concet and also shows thousands of people having a good time and enoying the same thing which gives a positie vibe to the video. Close ups, long shots, and midshots are used to show the performance and the band members playing their instrument and the singer lip synching, this is affective as you are watching them do what they are tallented at and watching them create the music right infront of you. Tracking i used to go into the singer whilst they are singing this looks effective as the stage lights are above him and it's just a nicely set out shot. They use lots of different shot types and camera angles through out, an example of this is during the sax players solo, mid-shot, long shot, mid-long shot, close-up and more are what are used within the 15 seconds. They use a point of view shot from in the crowd looking at the stage you you can see  what the audience was seeing and feel like you were there.

Editing:

When creating this music video they have used footage of a number of different concerts and edited them all together. Fast pace shot changes have been created by cutting every second or two to a new shot, this gives the viewer a lot to look at and makes it more interesting and makes it seem moe energetic and exciting. They use lots of cutss of crowds enjoying the music, i really like this idea as it how how important music is to people and that thousands of people come together to hear the band/ singer/ musician that they love. During the sax players solo which is 15 seconds the shot changes 17 times thats more than one different shot per second, this shows how important it is to have a lot of shot changes. They use fade in and outs between different shots, this shows that t's carry on, it the same time in the performance but it's jsut at a different camera angle.

Sound:

Show the performance and the band members playing their instrument and the singer lip synching in time with the music is an important aspect of a good music video, this is used in this usic video and it is affective as you are watching them do what they are tallented at and watching them create the music right infront of you. Also the fact that the moving image is of a concert makes you feel ore like you are seeing them live. Cheers from the audience at the concert is played at the begining and end of the music video, this indicates that it was a live concert and makes it seem more good and exciting as you can hear other people also enjoying the music

Analysis of Rock Videos 1. Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name.

Mise en scene:

Lighting is effective as stage lighting has been used for the performance which makes you feel as if you are at one of their concerts. The costume (big hair and outlandish costumes) help to show the 'rock' genre along with the performance. Within rock, the music usually isn't done on computers or technically like with pop music, it is all recordings of someone playing the actual instrument, therefore showing the band members playing their part; singing, drummer, guitarist ect shows their tallen tand makes it look more spectacular.

Cinematography:
Establishing shots are used at the begining of the video, this is effective as it shows that the usic video is of a concert which is very comon of rock music videos. It is also effecive as it shows thousands of people all grouped together in one place that all share the same love for this band which gives it a really good atmosphere and makes them look good. Close ups and midshots of the band singing and playing their instruments are effective and typical of a rock music video as it is showing off their tallent and what they can do and letting you watch the band you admire perform.high hots and low shots are used of the band members playing instruments or singing into the cameras this is effective as it looks like they are singing to you.

Editing:Normal cut editing has been used to switch from different camera angles and shots to ensure a lot is going on an there is always something different on the screen. Cuts to the audience are also used to showpeople enjoying the music. Slow motion effect has been used in a couple of shots, this is affective as it gives you a chance to have a better look at the band before the fast pace editing starts again.

Sound:
Aswell as lip synching the band play their instruments to the music, however it has been taken from a live performance, this makes it look even more realistic. At the begining of the music video you can hear a crowd cheering and at end of the music video the song fades out and you hear cheering again gives it more of a concert feel.

Analysis of Pop Video 3. Cee Lo Green - Forget You.

Mise en scene:
The setting is an American diner helps give the era of 1960's along with the costumes that the people are wearing. The fact that it shows the singer from a young age growing up at 4 different stages shows how love or liking someone can be at each stage this is effective as it keeps the viewer interested as there is always something new happening. The mise en scene is important in pop videos as it helps to create atmosphere, the settings and costumes help give an up-beat positive feel which is relevant as the song is upbeat.

Cinematography:

Tracking is used throughout this makes it more interesting as it means there are constantly different things to look at on the screen to keep the viewers interest. Lots of different shot types are used, for example; establishing shot, close-ups, mid shots, high and low angle shots. These all help to make the music more interesting with a lot of different things to look at. Having a lot of close-ups, mid-shots and long-shots is common in pop music videos as they show location and the artists emotion which helps to create the atmosphere for the song and the moving image.

Editing:

The title of the song and artist that comes up at the beginning and other writing throughout gives the feel of 1950's similar to what the film 'Greece' was set in. Transitions are used to show a change in time and change of person to make it easier for the viewer to understand what is happening.

Sound:

Lip synching is used as it is a vital part of a music video, the fact that all the different aged people playing Cee Lo green do some lip synching help to show that they are him when he was younger. The lip synching is also good as they show emotion in it which helps to make it seem more realistic.

Analysis of Pop Video 2. Christina Perri - Jar of Hearts.

Mise en scene:

The setting is very dark and grey and looks abandoned, destroyed or neglected and there are ashes floating everywhere which could represent destruction, this is effective as it connects to the song lyrics about having your hear taken or destroyed because of love. I think her costume looks like a wedding dress which reminds me of the story Miss Havosham which is about a woman who was left on her wedding day so she forever lived in her wedding dress. Contemporary dance is used i think this is effective as it looks dramatic and they made it look like a relationship and having a fight and then breaking up, it told a story. Mise en scene attributes are important in pop videos as they help to portray the song as it be felt, for example if you put happy setting and bright costumes and lighting with this song, it would look wrong and out of place as the song creates pathos not happiness. 

Cinematography:

There are a lot of close-ups as it makes it more personal which connects to the song as it is quite a personal song. Long shots, Mid shots and Panning are used to show the dancing and the singer walking through the scene, this helps to show the viewer what is going on and a variety of shot types help to keep the viewer interested. Lots of close-ups, mid-shots and long-shots are important in pop music videos as they help to emphasis the location and artists emotion.

Editing:

They have edited and effect which looks like the man is sucking the life out of the women this is effective as it goes with the lyrics about someone destroying love. Also they edited it to look like you can see inside them and that there is an empty jar where their hearts should be which goes with the line 'collecting your jar of hearts' meaning someone is taking peoples love and happiness away from them. Fade in and out is used to show change in scene and action, this helps viewers to understand what is happening.

Sound:
Lip synching is accurate, it's also effective as her facial expression and body language whilst lip synching goes with the song in that she looks sad and angry and what this person did to her. The moving image goes really well with the music, it helps make the meaning behind the lyrics a lot more clear.

Analysis of Pop Video 1. Bruno Mars -Just the Way You Ae.

Mise en scene:

The lighting of the sun coming in the window behind him is effective as it gives a warm, happy feeling which connects to the song as the lyrics are positive. The setting is also effective as it looks like a personal area where they might live. It also isn't a big expensive mansion being showed off, it's a simple place which sets the focus on the girl and doesn't take any attention away from her as the song is about her. Mise en scene is crucial to have right in pop videos as it helps to portray the importance of the representation of something.

Cinematography:
In this music video there are a lot of mid-shots and close-ups I think this is good as it makes it seem more personal and reflects the words of the song, which also goes with the lyrics to the song as it is someone expressing their personal feelings towards someone. They also use panning to go back and forth from the people's face to the cassette tape art, this helps to keep the audience interested as they always have something different to look at. Having lots of close-ups and mid-shots is typical of a pop video as it creates emphasis on the artists location and emotions.

Editing:
In this music video simple editing techniques are used to make the video flow, more complicated editing techniques are used with the cassette tape art as they have to use stop animation to make it change picture and flow like a moving image. This is really effective as it's a new inventive idea that hasn't been seen in a music video before. Another editing technique used is at the beginning when he is writing his name with the Cassette tape it has been fast forwarded to make it go at a quicker pace.

Sound:

The moving image is relevant to the music and lyrics as it's about someone expressing their feelings, close-ups help to show that it's personal. At the beginning the cassette tape art is made into a drum and it looks like it''s being played to the beat of the actual music, this is effective as it makes the music image connect more to the music.

Brief

A promotion package for the rellease of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the following three options;
- A cover for its release as part of a Digipak (CD/DVD package).
- A magazine advertisment for the Digipak (CD/DVD package).

Assessment 12/07 SJA

WWW:

• Great to see that you have spent time working on all 7 set posts so far.
• I thought your post on 'What Makes a Good Music Vid' showed good creativity with use of contact sheet, etc.
• Post 4 - 'Reflection on my progress so far' was creative and visual also. I like that you used Wordle and selected images. Your written comments show some thoughtful reflection on how you have developed in your understanding of technology / planning and approach to film making

EBI:

• You still need to complete and embed the very first small group lip synch to 'In The Sun'.
• Check your use of 'i' - it should not be lower case when saying something like  'I contributed by...'
• You need to come back to post 5 'Reflecting on Music Video Challange' - and scan in the planning documents you and Emily created for costumes. This post could do with more detail.
• Good to see you have an entry already for posts 6 and 7 - make sure you come back to these and make them visual by Tues 19th July.

EFFORT:
IN - This is a pity, as you have completed some good work, but you still need to complete and embed the very first group lip synch we did to 'In The Sun'. You must make sure you come back to post 5 and add in other scanned planning docs.

SJA

Finished In the Sun task and Commentary

Mise En Scene:
We tried very hard to get the costumes, props and setting as close to and as accurate to the original as we could, and watching it back I think we did this pretty well. I think the lighting is also good in each scene as it is similar to the original, it isn't too dark and it gives the positive, happy feel that comes across in the original music video.

Cinematography:
We used a lot of different shots which changed every couple of seconds to keep the audience interested. When filming we all framed our shot's really well and used various different camera angles such as close-ups and high angle shots. We also used tracking which looked really successful and we kept all of our shots steady.

Editing:
 I think the lip syncing was successful, in my finale edited version, all the lip syncing is completely in time with the music, this is an important aspect to have correct as it is a crucial characteristic of a good music video. I think the continuity editing is also successful all the different shots flow well together.

Sound:
We used an mp3 file of 'In the Sun - She and Him' to put over the film and used this to help edit the film and make sure the lip syncing was in time with the music.

Developing my skills on Final Cut Express

When editing our class re-make of 'In the Sun -She and Him' I edited the footage in the programme 'Final Cut Express' on the Mac computers. These are screen captures and photos of me editing.

WWW:

• I picked up how to use the programme very quickly.
• I found it easy to use.
• I found it a lot more practical that imovie.
• I was able to edit the footage very quickly to a good standard.

EBI:

• If I maybe took some more time on it.
• If I experimented with the new programme more and it's potential.

Reflecting on Music Video Challenge

My role in this task was to ensure all costumes were correct and sorted out before the shoot. I found that being in charge of costume is quite a busy job that you have to work hard when organizing to achieve your goal in getting everybody in the correct costumes. The job consisted of identifying and taking note of everybody's costume in the original music video, then emailing different people to see who has what costume and make sure that you know who is bringing in what. I also had to create a chart so we knew who needed what costume for every shot. I also participated in filming and directing shots, this consisted of me making sure the framing was good and camera angles were correct and that it looked as similar to the original as possible.

This is a document i produced during planning which shows what costumes were needed for what people in each shot.

Shot Number

Here are some photo's that were taken during the shoot that show me participating.

WWW:

• I think i filmed and framed the shots i had to do well as i made sure all dancers were in shot and the action was in the centre and the shot was steady.
• I participated a lot in the dancing, as we were a small class we needed to make sure as many people as possible participated.
• I think I worked hard in my role and although it was a fairly long process I kept concentration on getting the task finished.

EBI:

• I sorted out back up clothes for the people that forgot their costumes.
• I filmed a couple more shot's.
• At first I didn't really want to be filmed but i co-operated, I think in the future i should be more enthusiastic in helping be in shots.

My progress from Year 12 into Year 13 in Media

In planning our task to recreate the music video 'In the Sun - She and Him.' I found it a lot easier as i was used to the process, making a srorybored and planning out each individual shot. I also took on the role of working in costume, this consisted of me watching the original video and noting down every persons costume in each shot. We then had to email everybody in the class that was participating in it to ensure they had the correct costume, if they didn't we had to ask around other people or compromise and find a similar costume. I took the work a lot more seriously as I know how much hard work, research and planning needs to be put into creating something. I also had to put a lot of commitment to it outside of school by keeping in contact with people asking sure they didn't forget their costume or if anything went wrong i could sort it out. When creating the music video it was a lot more stressful as we had to work in a larger group but everyone cooperated well and we all work hard together so the shoot went very successful. When re-creating the music video we had to consider things that would keep the audience interested like different shot types, distances and tracking as there needed to be a different shot every couple of seconds. I am also a lot more confident in front of the camera since last year and you have to be and just get on with it otherwise it will make the whole filming process longer and look less professional. We had to think hard about camera work; framing, shot types and movement to make sure shots were interesting and accurate and use editing to make the music video flow and do continuity editing to make sure there were no difference with each shot.

These are some photo's taken whilst re-creating the music video.

Free Choice – Own Lip Synch

We got given a task to do a lip syncing video to a song of our choice. I worked with Emily Thistleton and Elenya Grant to produce a video to 'Evanescence - Bring me to Life'.

WWW:

• Lip syncing in time with music.
• We used a lot of expression and feeling when lip syncing as it went with the song and made it look more interesting and realistic.

EBI:

• The music started from the beginning (we had to cut a couple of seconds).
• We didn't laugh at the end.

What makes a good music video?

• Make sure it is thoroughly planned, storyboard every shot and make sure you're confident with what you need to do.
• It needs to be fast pace, this will prevent the audience getting bored and make it look more interesting as there should be a different shot every couple of seconds.
• Lip syncing in time with the music.
• Lots of different shot types and camera angles as it would be extremely boring if it was kept at one distance the whole time.
• Something new and exciting that hasn't been done before.
• Something interesting that will keep the viewers attention so they don't get bored and change channels.
• Make sure the cinematography is relevant to the lyrics and the meaning of the song.

This is a good example of a music video that successfully uses all of the above.