Inspiration

From this video, I have gathered inspiriation for a type of shot I would like to replicate, if possible, within my groups video production.

From 00:57 to 01:00 is where the shot takes place. The shot matches the lyrics "boom bang" with a movement as if the camera is the first person point of view of someone and they have just been shot. The shot not only looks great, but also adds an immersive feel to the video.

This sort of thing is sterotypical to this genre of music, so matches the codes and conventions.

Ed Sheeran - The A Team (Analysis)

  Ed Sheeran is a British singer/songwriter who is currently signed under record label Atlantic Records. Sheeran broke through commercially in June 2011, when his debut single "The A Team" debuted at number 3 on the UK chart. He is new to the commercial music video world, this is prominent with the music video for "The A Team" that looks like it is done by a small company. 

The music video for the song was uploaded toYouTube on 22 April 2010. It narrates the story of a young woman (Selina MacDonald) living on the streets of London and cost only £20 to make. Although, this video was cheaply produced with: shaky camera angles, unsteady footage, not many extras (taking advantage of the hustle and bustle of a busy London street) it gives a effective look. fitting the story that goes on within the video, the lyrics are also one big simile talking about drug usage and users "angel will fly" referring to the girl in the video, taking drugs and getting high. this is a type of video that would be easy for us to create and can be something for us to aim for.

the entire video is shot in black and white which could represent the past/death as the video is about a woman who got addicted to drugs and died ODing (over dosing). The lyrics are about deep things "its to cold outside, for angels to fly, angels to fly. Angels to die" accompanied with video of a woman drug abusing, and selling herself, makes the audience start to think about why she is doing it; the up beat melody makes the audience sympathise with the actress. It also uses Goodwin's theory of the relationship of lyrics and visual at point 3:51 - 3:56 in the video you see a drug exchange with a close up on two peoples hands exchanging the money the woman has only just "earned" for a bag of white pills. the lyrics that go with this and are resited over the clip are "and go mad for a couple grams" referring to grams of cocaine and how desperate she is this is reinforced by the close up angle on the trade; how desperate and important it is to her. The next scene is of her walking back to her flat shaking needing to get her fix, quickly opening her door and stuttering with the keys.

Video Analysis - Calvin Harris - Bounce feat. Kelis

This is a video analysis of the recently released song 'Bounce' by Calvin Harris featuring Kelis.

Right from the start there is titles, such as the artists names (as seen on the right) which gives it a movie like intro feel.

The movie intro feel continues with more titles (as shown below, the songs name) where it also incorporates Andrew Goodwin's 6 features, where there is a relationship between both the lyrics (Bounce) and the music with the ball bouncing and title. (Upbeat 'bouncey' type).

The start of the music video gives the idea of a story, in it two people are engaged in an arguement and the woman shouts at him to 'bounce'. With the sound of sirens in the distance this gives the word the slang meaning which is to go/leave/move etc. He throws her a necklace which could either signify that he's either A. stolen it, or B. breaking up with her and the sirens actually have no meaning. However, after the lyrics start there is the lyrics "I can't believe it, every day and every night, its getting better with you out of my life" which would show that its actually the second option, B, that he's broken up with her and he's gone off out to party. This is further reinforced by him them going home changing his clothes which even though is a normal thing to do and pretty insignifigant, it could represent how he's changing everything about his life.

As soon as the lyric period is done and its just music that kicks in it shows him out with what I presume to be his friends enjoying himself and letting himself loose really, which would represent that he has broken the ties that would've held him down and is now living his life.


There is a close up of the featured artist in the video which is of no doubt to of course raise awareness of the artist. Also there is the typical voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

The artist Calvin Harris also appears very briefly later on in the video. With more time focused on the featuring artist it shows that they are trying to show them off to give them recognigition.

This genre also tends to sterotype women in this way. Through the video there is various shots of women in a voyeuristic manner, including scenes of sexual nature. Thus, the video lives up to sterotypes.

Goodwin's Theory

Andrew Goodwin's 6 features of music videos;

In his book 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory' Andrew Goodwin points out characteristics and features that can be found in music videos.

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.
(e.g. stage performance in metal videos, dance routine for boy/girl band, aspiration in Hip Hop)

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.
The lyrics are represented with images. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

3. There is a relationship between music and visuals.
The tone and atmosphere of the visual reflects that of the music. (either illustrative, amplifying, contradicting).

4. 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. (a visual style).


5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking.
(screens within screens, mirrors, stages, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

6. There are often intertextual references.
(to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc).

Code & Conventions of Music Videos

Hip-Hop

• Usually includes the artist
• Normally set in a club or a party enviroment
• Usually no storyline
• Typically women dancers or models. Usually half naked
• Features jewellery, alcohol and sports cars
• Features mansion and branded clothing
• Usually other famous artists are featuring in the video.
• Examples; 50 Cent, B.I.G - Notorious

Rock

• Usually dark/deep colours
• Displays the band performing on stage
• Usually no narrative
• Eerie/weird videos
• Uneasy camera movements
• Hand-held shots
• Usually no use of speical effects
• Examples; Rolling Stones, Limp Bizkit

Pop

• Colourful
• Close up of artists - shows innocence
• Fun and light hearted
• Appeals to younger target audience
• Shows artist/band involved in dance routines
• Good mood - location - happy for example a beach/friends
• Teenager scenario (having a crush)
• Video usually has narrative
• Examples; Britney spears, Lady Gaga

Indie/Rock

• Shows artist or band throughout the video
• Some special effects
• Usually calm setting, but changes when beat kicks in
• May be black and white
• Sometimes has a narrative
• Close up of artists and characters shown in video
• Shows band performing
• Examples; Snow Patrol, Kings of Leon, Kasabian

Dance

• Dance routines
• Sometimes narrative
• Location - Clubs or party
• Upbeat and fun videos
• Women dancers usually half naked
• Bright colours
• All dancers wearing similar costumes
• Examples; Eric Pryds, Basshunter

R&B

• Usually a narrative
• Artist/band always shown
• Usually dancer routine
• Close up of artists
• Usually set in clam locations such as houses, beaches
• Hardly no performance
• Women usually wear revealing clothing
• Money portayed positively
• Alcohol and party scenes
• Use of special effects
• Examples; Destiny's Child, Rihanna

What is a Digipak?

Digipaks typically consist of a gatefold (book-style) paperboard or card stock outer binding, with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a CD or DVD attached to the inside. Since Digipaks 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 or Digi-Pak is often used generically, even when the media holder is a hub or "Soft Spot" rather than a full plastic tray.


Source; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digipak


Simple definition;


Basically, a Digipak is a CD case, along with all the various paperwork within it

An example of a digipak -


Source; Google images

Introduction

This is the blog for my A2 media studies. My groups production company is staying the same for this year - "StandHard Productions". However, Ryan has left due to not taking A2. The group is now Myself, Connor and Fran.