Artist: Arcade Fire Album: The Suburbs Location: In a neighbourhood by a house, possibly in a driveway or outside on the street; also the link to the title gives us the impression that the location is in the 'suburbs'. Colours: The colours in this image seem to be light; the focus is blues and greens and browns, which links with the nature convention that Indie Artists use a lot. Font: The font used for the Artist is a contrasting bright white colour, all in capital letters, the second word is slightly behind the first. Although the font is obvious it does not really take over the image as it is still quite small. Editing: The editing on this image has giving the effect that it is a vintage image, with slightly brighter enhanced areas, which slightly look like a splodge in the image. This is done by changing the saturation. Symbolism: The loneliness on the suburbs seems to be portrayed in this image as it has a lonely car on its own, with a typical suburban house. Composition: The camera is just a straight forward shot looking through the car window, to the fence, and you can slightly see the house above it. Lighting: Natural lighting seems to be used for this image, again giving a vintage image. Props: The props used are a car and a house and fence, which links to the title and location more.
Artist: Nick Drake Album: Byter Layter Location: Empty room with the Artist centered in the middle with his guitar. Colours: The image colours are slightly muted again but are darker, focusing on blues, black and browns. Then the frame, is in a contrasting bright blue, orange and red. Font: The use of the font in the image;s frame creates a feeling of the frame showing and introducing the artist. The font is all in lowercase letter, but it has a slight retro feel to it. Editing: The editing is an overlay of the frame, but also the image has a slight hue over it. Symbolism: The frame shows that this is him, the artist and possibly the lighter frame in contrast with the darker image shows that the idea of him was more exciting than the reality. Lighting: Dark and mysterious Props: Chair and guitar are the only props present in this image. Again the natural wood, and the symbolism of indie with the guitar. Mise-En-Scene: The artist seems to be wearing the classic indie clothes, which represents his genre very well.
Artist: James Vincent McMorrow Album: Early in the Morning Location: The location seems to be an English beach, which is empty. Colours: The colours seem to be light natural colours, with the sand being a light cream and the hills and grass banks consisting of greens and browns. Font: The title and Artist is both fully in capital letters, the font is also the same size, although the artists name looks slightly bigger as it is elongated over the title. The Artist name is in black and the title in a light grey, which may suggest the artist is more important. Editing: The overall image has a vintage feel over it, which is done by changing the saturation of the overall image. The sides of the photograph have a black fade in, which also makes the image look slightly burnt at the edges, but helps to focus on the image and the individual in the middle. Symbolism: Loneliness possibly. Lighting: The lighting in this image is natural and bright, with fresh and soft aspects. Mise-En-Scene: The costume is unclear in this image but the colours the man is wearing seem to be browns and blacks.
Artist: Bon Iver Album: Bon Iver Location: Outdoors by a lake, and possibly a mountainous area. Nature is forming around a small lake house centered in the 'watercolour' type painting of this scene. It seems silent and relaxing, with no sign of urban life. Colours: The colours are slightly washed out due to the 'watercolour' feel. The image has natural, blue, green and browns; the neutral colours are contrasted slightly with a strong red colour, which creates a feeling the painting has peeled back slightly. Font: No font features on the front cover, this lets the image be appreciated, like the nature and beauty is in this secluded place. Editing: The use of the 'watercolour' has enhanced the creative and unique feel of Indie Artists Digi Packs and is a great example of an arty approach to it. Symbolism: This reflects Bon Iver's music and soft voice perfectly. Lighting: The lighting is natural and has a sense of the sun reflecting off the lake, which brightens the whole image and makes it look fresh. Props/Mise-En-Scene: The only sign of life in this painting, is the small lake house.
Artist: Angus and Julia Stone Album: A book like this Location: Again the cover has an artistic feel to it due to the image of the three children in the outskirts of a town/village have been created in a pencil, or chalk and charcoal style. I find this image interesting as the choice the children can make is linked to the name of the album as it is like a story, should they explore life by going into the village or the forest; they have different pathways. Colours: The colours are a monochrome, black & white, giving the impression that you create your own story and colour in your life. Font: The font for the Title and Artist is the same but the artist is more prominent on the digi-pack as it is spread over the top of the cover, and the title is smaller but closer to the children, showing it links to them. The font is a fairy tale style, again in black. Editing: No editing is really used, but the use of a piece of art as the cover is a typical indie convention. Symbolism: The symbolism of Angus and Julia Stone's album cover seems to be that you write your own story and novel and you can pick and choose how you live your life, and how your book progresses. Lighting: The whole image is slightly dark and mysterious, again giving the implication that you create your own colour. Props: A sign is used to show the different ways in which your path can take you, and the kids toys enhances there age. Mise-En-Scene: The costume seems to be fairy tale/storybook like, which links very well.
Artist: Benjamin Francis Leftwich Album: Last smoke before the snow storm Subject: The subject of this image is not clear although i can pick apart the parts and see that in the centre it is an image of the world, around it is illustrations of natural wonders of the world. Such as, flowers, waves, wood, shells and many more. The contrast of the image to the title is also visible. Colours: The colours in this image are a mix match of muted colours, there seem to be pinks, blues, blacks, whites and creams, the mixture may represent the different areas or the world. Font: The font of the Artists name seems to be in a basic font centered at the top. The title is in a smaller font again, all lowercase. Editing: The editing is the about of different artistic illustrations overlay onto each other creating a collage type image. Symbolism: The symbolism seems to be that the artist is singing about all the natural happenings of the world. Lighting: The lighting is all produced by the colours used in the illustrations. Props/Mise-En-Scene: There are not really props or mise-en-scene present in the whole image but there would be in the inspiration of the individual illustrated images.
In this post I will talk about the Conventions we have decided to use in our Music Video, and similar Music Videos and Artists that have also used them. Most of the examples I will use are a good representation of the Indie Genre, although they all may have their individual sub-genre's.
Narrative within the Indie Genre
In many Indie Music Videos there are a combination of performance and narrative; the narrative is mostly filmed in a contrasting and dissimilar location the where the performance footage is based; an example of this is in One Night Only's 'Say you don't want it', where the narrative is in the city and is busy, and the performance is on the roof of the building, just outside the city, where it is free and empty.
To complete and apply this Convention of narrative theory to the music videos, I have found a narrative in the Indie Genre in which I can analyse and make sure we can attract the audience in the same way.
In Kate Nash's Music Video for 'Foundations' I found that the lyrics link to the action is the scene, such as when the lyrics ' and I know that I should let go, but I can't...' are sung the couple are holding hands until the words 'let go' are sung. This links to an aspect we were interested in applying as in our lyrics when the singer says 'go to sleep my love...' the female character of the relationship in the video will be laying on the bed and a close up of her eyes closing will be filmed. The narrative is represented as a casual, average day, in which our scene will be as firstly the average day of when they were together, and now when they are apart; the Artist 'Kate Nash' is singing to the camera, whilst getting on with her everyday life.
Editing Technique- Overlay
As we have decided to create an overlay of scene's in the middle of our Music Video to show the Artist
singing alone, and the overlay of a previous time when the characters spent their time together there happy.
Olly Murs song 'Dear Darlin' is a perfect example of when this is used, as he uses an identical location but overlays him and his ex-girlfriends past times and fun they have shared in that location whilst he is singing alone of the bed about losing her. From this video you can tell that this Music Video is effective as the similar narrative and love story can be represented by this technique and help the audience understand the emotions involved in the song, which links to the Artist himself. To complete this in the most professional way possible we would have to film twice in the same location, with the camera running throughout; after we would have to edit it on final cut pro, by cutting, overlaying and tweaking the opacity of the image to make it subtle and appear a memory.
Editing Technique- Filter/ Camera use
The effect we want to portray in our music video is that of a warm and comforting video, despise the narrative behind it. The hue we want to create it that alike the colours and hues in Ben Howard's video, 'Keep Your Head Up'.
The filter of this video creates a more exciting feel to the Music Video and draws the audience in to watch for the rest of the song.
Another convention of the music video we are using are the different Camera shots we will use, in which will make, what could be, a boring love story into something more eye-catching and emotional. This is used in the Music Video on the left when the character is sliding down the water slide, the worm view perspective, the handheld showing shots of the reaction shots whilst sliding down the hill, and the birds-eye view assist the video in having a more exciting aspect and captures the listeners attention.
Lip- Syncing
The use of lip-syncing was important for us as the narrative will be happening around the Artist through an overlay and the 'average day' happening around him; the song in which is being used diagetically.
The Artist Daughter uses this is their song 'Still' this was influential and a linking convention to our Music video as the use of the artists image being presented on the T.V and the narrative working around it reminded me of our Artist sitting and having the narrative around him. This is effective due to the creativity but the unhappy narrative explains and shows the audience the details.
Binary Opposition Urban and Nature
The use of the Binary Opposition will be used due to the contrast we will use of the Urban and natural setting. This convention is used in Ben Howard's 'Only Love' video.
We firstly see Howard riding his bike, at a low angle capturing the power and the sunlight through the tree's. A jump cut is then used to show an urban setting in which the cuts are in time to the beat of the song, this adds interest and the audience want to know where the character will end up, why and for what? This is a convention that we are going to use.
An idea that was brainstormed in our group was a split screen edit, in which throughout the video the audience will see a variety of perspectives on the scene. Through our research we found that this can be shots of the location that the narrative is based on, where the music video was filmed and a personal perspective of the characters in the scene; also if it is a band performance, the camera can identify the different instruments used by using the split screen to focus on the individual band members. The idea of a split screen can effect to the music video that provides the listener, or audience with a better insight of the narrative, band and music video.
This idea, I feel will be a good edition and aspect to our Music Video as the love narrative could be shown through the personal perspective of the male and female of relationship, which the narrative is based upon. The different emotions and feeling of the relationship, and the breakup will be expressed through this editing technique.
Here are some examples of other Artists, although not Indie, where the split screen has been used-
The Narrative of Daniel Powters' Bad Day, is similar to the music video in which we would like to create as it is based upon a break-up. The cross cutting shows the couple, now split, getting on with their lives after the break-up day in and day out; what effect it has had on them and how they feel emotionally. The questions asked by the audience, such as 'how' and 'why' are answered due to this technique also; initially you can see that the couple are not happy without each other. The singer is acting as the God Figure, as he is not the character involved in the relationship but is in some of the same locations of the character, although they cannot hear him, this is a convention of Omniscience.
Michael Jackson's song Billie Jean, again is not in the Indie Genre, and is not initially about a break-up but it is about lust and a girl. The screen split in this video is used by using props, in this case, a lamp post to separate the two different scenes in the narrative. This is a different way in which we can use the split screen idea, as we can shown the couple in the same location at different times, but have them on the same scene, and split them with an object, such as a tree, lamp post or a wall.
Danny is playing the role of the main character and the Artist, Mike Dignam. His image throughout will be important in our music video and photo's for our Digi Pack.
In order for him to look authentic our group has started to look into different clothing ideas' for our chosen Indie Artist, with this in mind, the clothes he wears are an important factor of this image. Indie/ Indie Acoustic artists wear a laid-back and effortless look which may have come from a selection of vintage shops, such as Rokit and Beyond Retro. Our group decided to look at ASOS, Urban Outfitters Renewal section and the international fashion social site, LookBook. Below is a selection of looks our group has found to express and present the style in which our Artist will be dressed. Danny will definitely be wearing the typical Indie Style such as this outfit establishes on the left. The dark jeans such as these are a brilliant base trouser to work with and style; the black vans are also a casual aspect of the typical indie style. The buttoned up shirt is a stereotypical item of clothing for and Indie artist to wear, so we will be sure to use this. We used the different items on the clothing website, such as ASOS, to create the perfect look for our Artist; due to the full outfit not being right or working for our Genre.
We have decided to stick with the colour palette as being quite earthy with clothes that represents the natural and casual of aspect of Indie, such as: navy's, dark green, grey, black and blue's.
Another outfit my group put together is the one on the left, again this establishes the colour palette that we believed was appropriate for the Genre. As you can see layering is a big part of the Indie image, through the use of tee-shirts, shirts, jumpers and coats; a specific and very popular item that is worn is the Parka Jacket. The skinny jean and baggy top look is also worn quite a lot in the indie scene, along with brogues or desert boots for the footwear.
Due to us using the Artist, Mike Dignam, we wanted to make sure we kept his personal style as this is very important for his look, and his fans. Through the research I see that he wears a lot of denim, a short sleeved t-shirt or rolled up sleeved, buttoned up shirt. A guitar is also going to feature in the Music Video so we want the style of the outfit to match the style of the music, and acoustic feel of the Indie Genre.
"I'll Lie Here"is the song we have chosen to create our Music Video for; to complete this in the best way possible, we plan to use the Micro-Elements of Music Videos at most we can. These elements will assist our video to look professional and create the full effect the artist wants to present to the audience. We have decided to include a reaction shot near the end of the video, the Point of View shots will also be important in our Genre for the audience to establish the character/singer in the narrative and explain his story and what the Artist is singing about. In Acoustic Indie, I feel that Narrative is an important convention of this Genre, this is an additional Micro Element we will use.
The Micro Elements we are looking to use are-
Mise-en-Scene
+ Props
+ Costumes
+ Setting
+ High Key and Low Key Lighting
+ Positioning of characters and objects within the frame and colour
Mr. Brightside - The Killers + The Killers' are an indie/rock group.
+ In the Killers' Mr Brightside music video the band are all shown playing their instruments throughout the video and this is one of the main characteristics of this genre, as it shows the meaning of the band performance.
+ Another characteristic of this genre in the video is the use of a love story and specifically a love triangle which is shown visually throughout the video. I believe that the woman is a prostitute and her and her work partners have a pimp they share, but the lead singer of the band playing in the brothel has fallen in love with her.
+ The link between the lyrics and visuals are quite strong, the lyrics explain what is going on in the video, however there is not a direct link between the exact actions made to the lyrics.
+ Mr Brightside is an example of a narrative as it links the visuals with the lyrics and tells the story through the visuals which relates to the song. It also has a dance theme running throughout; it involves clever integration.
+ The video could be considered as post-modern as it presents some challenging ideas of the uniqueness of the location; this unusual but beautiful location is defined by the deep red curtains that the characters are hiding behind and the vivid statues and interesting ceilings. The video could also be considered as post-modern by the doll-like girl who features as one of the main characters and the inter-textual links to the 'Moulin Rouge' theme.
+ Long shots have been used throughout the video to show the band together and playing their instruments, emphasising the skill of the band as it shows them performing together. There is an additional long shot of the lead singer standing at a balcony watching fireworks and the girl running to him. The shot allows the viewer to see the setting as romantic and exciting to watch.
+ Establishing shots are used to set the scene also and this allows the audience to notice the inter-textual links again to the 'Moulin Rogue' theme. A camera movement that has been used is a panning shot from the band moving in to a close up of the lead singer. This allows the audience to identity who the band is and what promotes them.
+ The use of the props helps identify the genre of the video, with the unique use of rustic, Roman statues and red furnishing highlights the indie/rock genre. Additionally it link to the post-modernism theme again.
+ The girl looking unusual has connotations of fantasy because of the white hair and very pale skin, making her appear pure and unreal.
+ Interspersed shots have been used showing the the two guys in the love triangle competing against each other in a chess game, along with the girl looking very mystical and and dreamy with smoke surrounding her. This emphasises the idealised character of the girl which adds to the representation of this genre.
+ The Killers are being represented as clean cut and a classy band. This adds to the meta-narrative already known by the fans as they are shown in the video to be wearing suits and fashionable clothing (for the burlesque theme) adding to the classy image.
+ The lead singer of the band comes across as being quite rebellious because of the secret affair going on between the girl and him. This challenges the ideological representation of The Killers.
+ The ideological discourse in the video shows how women are represented as being the men's beck and call. The women are being presented as an object for male pleasure and consumption. The women during the kiss is being shown as leaning back and submitting to the male advance and this representation conveys the idea that sex is about male aggression and female submission. Although the girl has one up of the lead singer as he is chasing her, and respects her, in contrast to her relationship with her pimp, as he pushes her away.
+ I believe that this music video would appeal to fans of the band, ages 15-27, and will be consumed on music channel, such as MTV, MTVtwo and VH1.
How to save a life- The Fray + The band genre is acoustic Indie.
+ The characteristics that the band is well known for is playing their own instruments and becoming very involved and moved by their songs. The song and music video is very powerful and emotional due to both the components.
+ The meaning of the song seems to be about helping you friends out when they need you most, especially in this when they have a drug addiction, dying or through a break up.
+ The opening shot is an out-of-focus shot of the band, showing they are not the main subject behind this video and the video is more about the subject is it singing about, than the band themselves.
+ The white background also makes it very heavenly or medical. But the plain background can again show that nothing is relevant but the words being sung about.
+ The high angle of all the children makes them seem small and weak, in need of protection.
+ The close up of the red heart being held with the red t-shirt symbolises light within darkness. The heart, which is being held so feebly, can be seen as innocence, good or hope, with the black t-shirt, which is dominating around the hands, can be seen as the tough, dark world, or hopelessness that can be seen within society.
+ The out of focus shot makes the subject nearly lost within the background, only his skin and hair and and jeans are fully visible.
+ The low angle in this shot is used to show power and confidence in the character who is stretching out their hand to the screen. The way it is out of the screen can help the audience think that is can be help for anyone, even the person watching the video.
+ Clips of the main singer, singing whilst playing the piano are also previewed. He also sings into the camera at eye level, showing the he relates to the song too.
+ The record company are aiming the track towards a very wide audience as the growth of the acoustic singers is widening. However I believe that is is targeted at mid-ages teenagers to a much older age group. The target audience for this song could also be anyone that has lost someone important to them and doesn't know how to cope.
+ Throughout the music video words become a visual side to the video as the director of the video has included small and large amounts of text saying words such as 'Touch','Smile','Love' and 'Breathe'; these them become both eye catching to the audience as when their eyes catch a glimpse of the word they automatically read it, by then the audiences mind has processed it to what they think the video is meant to mean by those certain words.
+The Black Eyed Peas, Where is the Love?, is a unforgettable song and music video, initially released in early 2002. The music video is accompanied by an Hip Hop/ R&B styled song, and the video was directed by Will.I.Am, a quarter of the Black Eyed Peas.
+ The main message of this song is about how war, racism and terrorism that is affecting our world. It brings over the message of bombing, terrorism, discriminations and the type of values that we are not showing the youth of today.
+ Shot in Los Angeles, the video itself features the whole of the Black Eyed Peas, and many young children and 'general public' of L.A who are getting shown and explained to, about the message the Black Eyed Peas want to bring across.
+Throughout the music video, there is similar representations of all different ethnicities, in a range of different ages. Such as Black, White, Caucasian, Asian, Hispanic and Latino.
+ The possible audiences of this music video can be split into two categories. Firstly it could attract the younger audiences (age 12-30) as the band is popular with mostly teenagers and young adults, as the Black Eyed Peas are quite youthful and understand the R&B genre. Which the audience can then relate to them, but the older audience may not as much. Secondly the audiences can be from all different racial backgrounds as the overall message of the video is to make everyone aware of issues involved with racism.
+ The first camera shot are hooded youths are seen frantically running around East L.A dressed in black, head to toe running from police cars. We then see them illegally putting up and handing out a symbol of a question mark and stickers around the most popular areas in the city.
+There is a negative stereotype on the black community in the first part of the music video which along with the mise en scene adds to the negative portrayal.
+The clothing choice is usually associated with criminals and have intentions, due to the hood have intentions of committing serious crimes. Although they are just spreading the "?" for an overall positive cause, although to the law it is still criminal; It is not badly crime related.
+ Due to the negative stereotype on the black community it initially comes across to the audience that the other races are more innocent, when is it known this is not the case, just a negative stereotype. A bad stereotype of youths in general are additionally shown in this music video.
+ The police officers arresting a member of the Black Eyed Peas, is white,which can be portrayed as the white race being more heroic and following the law.
+ Fortunately the message the Black Eyed Peas are trying to bring across in all this is that we should all live in one world and respect each other, this is supported when we see and feel sorry for a man from the black community shown looking up at the sky, most probably to God, asking for guidence and asking 'Where is the Love?'. During this clip the camera angle is low, which initially makes him look more powerful to us and possibly indicating that times are changing.
+ The graffiti on the wall in one scene reads the phrase, 'We are not a minority'; a minority being an ethic group of people that only find recognition with people of the same race. This suggests that the people from different races shouldn't be isolated from each other.
+ The technical codes used such as the long camera shots for this particular scene is effective as it allows the audience to see Will.I.Am, an additionally black member of the group standing in front of the graffiti suggesting that this is the race that has fallen victim to racism in society the most.
+ The man's pose on the graffiti resembles Lord Kitchener in the famous " You're country needs you" posters; this well known and powerful pose signifies that Black people are also an important part of society, it helps the representation of them become more positive and reinforces the message behind the whole music video, that black and white should be treated equally.
+ The involvement and close up of the generations, especially the children adds to the message that if the social issues do not change, such a racism then it will effect the next generation. The older female at the end shows that she would like to see a change, since living like this.
Fit but you know it - The Streets
+ At the start the main singer of The Streets, Skinner, goes into a photo printing shop and pays for his holiday photos. When handed to him, these photos become the central point of the video.
+ The artists video are based on normal, personal life and this help the artist to make himself to appear 'an ordinary person' like his audience, which in turn helps him to form a connection with them and thus boost his popularity and sales.
+ The genre of the product is a mixture of rap, garage and techno sounds. These are some of the genres The Streets very often use in their songs.
+ There is a small introduction which helps to communicate the storyline to the audience so they have an understanding which helps make the storyline flow.
+ Throughout the video there is a dual narrative, as the moving photographs held in Skinners hand's shows the rowdy antics of his holiday, whilst the camera still shows Skinner walking through the streets in present day.
+The location is an 'ordinary', everyday location. The use of the location helps reflect The Streets image as they are a typical 'London', British band. This can also relate to the audience as they go to these everyday locations themselves helping to build up a relationship with the artist and his music.
+ The camera work used in this music video, is well done and has a mixture of shots. The use of the long shots whilst panning helps set the scene. Whereas medium shots showing his face when he raps/sings shows he emotion on his face, for example at one point Skinner is angry at an image. The final most used shot was a "point of view" shot. This is used to show the audience what the character was looking at, in the video he is looking at photographs, making us look at them.
+ Editing is mainly used on the photographs he has in his hands. They hare images that start moving and sing along to the song.
+ Diagetic sound is used in the cars driving past, the doorbell ringing and the till opening. But the actual voice over/narrative is diagetic, as the singer is acting but is aware of the music.
+ The Streets attire is very casual and working class looking, this links in with the genre of music and target audience and this is predominately young, male working class music and so the artist dresses this way as a way of fitting in a communicating effectively with his audience.Costume used is casual everyday wear in grey-ish sort of colours, in contrast with the bright holiday in the photographs.
+ The target audience is wider due to it's humour.
+ The representation of women in this music video is that of them being a floozy, and not being as true to herself and discreet as she can be.
+ The overall style of the video is light hearted, with comedy moments and the clever device of the moving photographs in Skinner's hands make it an interesting watch.
+The picture is of Lana Del Rey herself, in a garden type setting, staring directly into the camera.
+The size of her name on the Album indicates her importance and that it is her album alone, and about her voice more than her image and album style.
+ Born to Die, the name of the album additionally adds to the meloncholic feel of the Album cover.
+Her name in white indicates her innocence and possibly the stand out of that and the blue sky. The blue writing for 'Born To Die' suggests that the coordination of it with the sky initially makes it less important and her name of more importance.
+ The positioning of Lana Del Rey can suggest that she is powerful and the most important of the Album due to her being in the middle of the cover.
+Treatment Signs- The camera on a low angle onto her shows she is slightly more dominant and powerful than the audience and that linked with her staring straight into the camera makes this dominance seem more intimidating, and strong.
+The setting is a soft country looking background again showing a contrast in the calm, fresh countryside and her more stern, 'born to die', unhappy exterior.
+ The colour and strength of the lighting gives a feel of a 'perfect neighbourhood' and housewife feel. This and her unhappiness in the title and image can show that she may not be happy and content with the world she is in. Additionally the link to her red/ orange lips and red bra can suggest more...
+Her white shirt suggest that she is fresh, young, and innocent, but the red bra underneath tells you that the exterior may be innocent but her interior may be tougher, like the title suggests.
+ The red/orange lips can additionally suggest that she may want to escape a 'perfect exterior'.
+The shadow in her eyes may make her stare seem darker, along with the heavy mascara. The mouth slightly open or pouting and in an orange tone can initially indicate the importance of her voice or be a sexual attraction.
+The focus of the Album, in your eye is to her as it is slightly clearer, but around her is not much different. This can suggest her power, and significance.
Artist: Nick Drake
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