Assessment 13th July JIN

WWW: Some relevant details and some insightful comments on product and process. What is here is appropriate but needs more details.


EBI: You must have visual evidence of your work and roles in a production. This can be links to videos but better is contact sheets of 'nice shots' and screen shots with some detail in the analysis. You should further develop each post as there not enough information given.I sometimes wonder if its 'you' in the discussions of other artists- can you give me more insight into your own opinions and music taste. You should go into more depth as you are capable of doing well here Jack.


Effort: IN

Conventions of a Music Video

Conventions of Music Videos

Camera Shots:

Music videos tend to include many long shots, close ups and mid shots. This is to create emphasis on the artist, location and emotions. Also, close ups are used not only to show emotions but to reflect the words of the song with the movement of the lips of the artist.

Camera Movement:

The movement of the camera is used to follow and trace the artist or band. Camera movements include tilts, pans, tracking and crane shots.

Mise-en-scene:
This refers to the arrangement of performers and props on stage or in a scene for a production of a music video or any other media text. Mise-en-scene puts importance on the representation of something.

Editing:

Jump cuts is the predominant editing technique used in music videos. This is because this allows a sudden change from one scene to another. Similarly, transitions such as fade and dissolve are very common in music videos as they create a different effect to cuts.

Lighting:

Some music videos are black and white which help emphasise a particular mood and some videos have artificial lighting which put the artist/s in an enhanced look. In some other videos, the lighting is very bright to create emphasis and make the artist and whole experience much better. Lighting is also effective as it can highlight certain parts of an artist and make them look a lot bolder





Props:
These are a vital in aiding to add to the scene and create significance on particular objects or people.

Costume:
This goes with the scenes in the song and reflects the genre. Costume is an important factor because it has a slight influence on how the viewers will dress because they use some of the celebrities as role models

Colour:

Colours tend to set the mood of the song through creating an atmosphere. For example, dark colours are used more in rock songs such as Kings of Leon and bright colours are seen to be used more in hip hop and pop videos.

My Own Lip Sync Task - Lazy Song

This is our own version of a lip syncing task, and in my group were Nathan and Ryan.

For our own attempt of a lip sync task we attempted to do it to the song called Lazy Song by Bruno Mars. We all took it in turn to lip sync different parts of the song, and also proved to be very successful. Having already seen some other music videos, we had already gained awareness of how to make it look professional. For example, we knew that it was vital to have a steady camera, and that our lip sync task was perfectly in time.

Throughout the video we used multiple locations, as one of our main aims was to reduce viewer fatigue. For example, we used a variety of locations such as two different parks, inside our homes, the garden, and out along the street. We thought that it would be important that the audience constantly had something to look, and to make sure that they didn’t get bored.

In addition, we believed that it was significant that we edited it smoothly. For instance, we wanted to make our video look professional and expert. We all took it in turns to edit, by using the software called Sony Vegas Pro.

My Version of In The Sun

I think our version of In the Sun has worked out very successfully. As a whole group I believe we put in a lot of time and effort which can reflect in our final product. Throughout the video we really thought about the positioning of shots and how they compare to the original music video. We took every aspect into account such as the lighting, Mis-en-scene, and setting. For example, as it was originally filmed in a school we had the benefit of using the school facilities and make it look effective.

On the other hand, as it was our first go filming, we had no proper equipment. For example, one shot were Nathan was walking down the corridor was a bit wobbly. This was because the shot was a tracking shot therefore the camera had to move. If we had proper equipment such as a train or tracking equipment this shot would have been perfect, however we had to improvise and use a chair that rolled backwards. Also as we had little time, we had to rush some of the last shots. For instance, some of the shots were not lip synced  to perfection, however this is not that noticeable.

In The Sun Class Project

This image above is of Nathan and James. As you can see Nathan is playing a character in this shot, and James is taking it. This shot proved to be very difficult as it was a tracking shot, but as it was a low budget music video we did not have equipment to make the shot perfect. For example, we had to use our initiative and use a chair that had wheels on it. This therefore meant that we could move the camera backwards in a smooth motion.

This is an image of me and Jade setting up one of the shots. This was the very first shot in the music video, and is of a locker being shut. We were responsible for setting up the shot and creating all the props. For example, in this shot there were some notes and posters on the inside of the locker, we therefore had to create and design the same things in the locker.

My role that I was given was to be in charge of the props and a dancer. Having been given the responsibility of props meant that I had to organize and get them already beforehand. Some specific items that I was responsible for include the guitar, hoops, books, and amplifier, but more specifically we were also in charge of all the items in the locker which was the first shot. In this shot we had to create them ourselves but cutting materials, drawing and sticking certain things together.

On the other hand, I was also given the role of a main dancer. This was also a very important job which needed lots of energy and enthusiasm. Also being a dancer wasn’t easy, for example we had to learn the dance and perform it in sync with the music. When performing on the day, I feel that my responsibilities were executed effectively and efficiently.

Moreover, on the day of filming I took the responsibility of filming a few shots. When doing this I had to take a lot of important things into account such as lighting, the background and angles. This was very important that is was right, otherwise it won’t look successful and realistic.

What Makes A Good Music Video

Moreover, one of the most vital parts of having a good music video is the lip syncing. Lip syncing has to be spot on and on point; otherwise the video will look cheap and unprofessional.

There are a variety of methods that make a good music video and better from others.

Having a variety of short clips can prevent viewer fatigue, and the viewer getting tired and bored of the video.

Using many different locations can also be a good way to prevent fatigue. Using locations in music videos can allow the viewer to become interested and engaged in the video as it will look better.

Other methods that make a good music video can be the performance and energy that the singers put into it. For example, some artists such as Michael Jackson had a lot of enthusiasm and energy in his videos which made it enjoyable. His dancing was a huge part of his music and has been able to make him recognisable.

Costumes are another vital part of making a good music video. For example, having good costumes can allow the viewer to become increasingly interested and more engaged. Lady Gaga, who is a current popular singer, uses her costumes to stand out from other artists. For instance, in her music video Judas she wears numerous costumes which very different and vibrant in colours which make it interesting and stimulating to watch.