Film Evaluation.

Film Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Conventions in industry music videos usually have a tone or colour scheme to their product. Then with Ryan and mine’s video we stuck with that convention with having the tone be cooler colours with, blues and greys. Other conventions include lip syncing. Which we had in the film. As well as others such has close ups with the singer and panning shots.

The genre of the song is melodic dubstep, however music videos for this genre are rather uncommon. However associated visuals include abstract art or simple vibrant photos of people or places. These are the thumbnails included with the songs on youtube and other music sites. 

In my video we had similar art style behind the digipak which included simple photos that showed gradients and abstract images.

In relation to Digipaks and I learnt that the colour scheme of the digipak reflected in the music videos and overall brand of the album. To add a desired tone to it all. Which I feel was nearly achieved in my video.

The photos and colours chosen for the digipak are meant to appeal to a wide audience since it’s a simple and visually appealing.

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

Creating a brand identity is important when creating multiple media products. Due to the fact that all the items need to be related back to the individual company. So by creating a brand with a theme(s) that can be associated with each product, audiences can tie all the products together.

With my digipak and final video. The brand consisted of colour themes. Such as the sunset soft orange glows. However, the digipak and the music video don’t sync together perfectly. Although the blog and the digipak are branded the same.

The colour scheme that I’ve used is made to appeal to a majority that isn’t bias due to gender or age. However, when it comes to age its targeted to teenagers and older. The colours most likely wouldn’t be appealing to young children.

By choosing to have the mellow colours it related to the melodic dubsteb, which is the song. Since the song isn’t too intense. The colours work with the music.

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

From the audience feedback I learnt that people enjoyed the song. Also that they liked the digipak. However, the film was found to be comical and the message was somewhat lost. Although, this was mainly due to the focus group knew Ryan and I. Other feedback included that people liked the camera angles and shots.

 Positive comments were made about the lip syncing besides when it wasn’t in sync because of the exporting issues. People also liked the look of the Digipak photos. Comments were also made that the handwriting as the font looked good.

How did you use media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

Well the technologies started with creating the blogger account. Which has been useful with customising a digital platform that fits within our brand to sow case the work. Then the digipak photos had been taken with my Sony DSC-HX60V, which is a compact camera that was also used for the filming. Photoshop was used when editing the digipak photos. Also my Sony tablet was used for me to use a stylus to write the words we needed. So that’s how we had the custom font. The only image used for the digipak that wasn’t original was the Illenium Logo which is Illenium’s. The Music video was edited and exported with movie maker.

By Tiffany

Digipak final images.

Representation

In the Only One music video the idea is to have a suffering teenager. Usual stereotypes is that the teen is being bullied at school since they're different and don't fit in. Also the teen is more likely to be a female. Her problems all end up being solved by this guy coming into her life and making everything better by being the prince charming in the situation. This stereotypes that women need a man and aren't independent.

However in Only One. Our main character is a girl but shes not estranged from her school mates and isn't being bullied. However she's had to face her own problems that will be up to the audience to interpret. She isn't saved by prince charming but by the one person who stuck by her which is her best friend. There is no need for a romantic interest to be her saving grace. Also due to being in a hetero normative society the friend is a female to avoid the audience assuming it to be a romantic interest.

Going back to the stereotype that the teen is being bullied at school or is unpopular. The video Ryan and I are making isn't going to be set in the school scene. Even though the character is a teenager. The setting will be at the beach in a privet spot that the character and the friend are to take a break from the world. A place to reflect and escape. Other areas will be the character being alone in doors, surrounded by walls, enclosed.

These settings will hopefully appeal to the audience which are high school students around the same age as the main character. By having the beach as that place of escape that'll be relatable for teens as the beach is somewhere to go to get away. Also the enclosed spaces since teenagers often let their emotions out at home alone. Not usually in bright open spaces.

By having a music video that will hopefully relate to the audience they will be able to associate memories and experiences with the song. That'll make them more likely to listen to the song and the artist to promote Ilenium.

By Tiffany

Didipak Analysis

The first digipak I'll be looking at is Guy Sebastian's Madness album. 

Whats apparent with this digipak is the dark theme to the album. Also a convention is that the artist is featured as the main subject. However we don't see his face since he has his back to us and his arms are up. I'm interpreting his body language as him feeling overwhelmed or generally poor. However this ties into the albums name, Madness. The font is for the word madness is also made to look slightly chaotic. It looks like as if it's almost vibrating or melting. However Guy Sebastian's name is in neat blocks and red which makes his name stand out. The progression of the directions he is facing almost looks like he's turning around. If you flow it from the front cover, to the inside then the back. Where the disk sits has random splashes of white on the black to continue the madness. The inside booklet consists of photo shoots with colour and a white bright theme, which breaks away from the rest of the CD case. Also it has lyrics along with photos.

The second digipak I'll be looking at is Adele's album 25. Just like in Madness the artist is featured but this time they're close up shots of Adele's face. However the cover doesn't have any text. The theme of this digipak is also dark and in grey scale. However the disc breaks it up and is white with 25 in red to standout. The back of the case has the song names in a font that's simple but not boring. The shot of Adele on the back makes me think that she looks a little bit sad. Maybe thats why there is next to no colour? The inside booklet consists of shots of Adele singing and producing her music. The song lyrics arent included but acknowledgments are. 

Equipment List

These are the things we currently believe we will need. the list will be updated as necessary.

- Tiffany's camera
- possibly a tripod
- Adobe elements
- Tiffany
- Ryan
- The friend character's actor
- food
- drinks
- empty bottle props
- skateboard
- laptop
- phones

Copy Right Letter.

To Proximity Management

I am a student currently attending Pittwater High School in Sydney Australia. Here I study film and have been given an assignment in which myself and my Partner must produce a music video. To do so we request permission to use your song “Only One” by Illenium ft. Nina Sung.

The film that will be produced will be exclusively used for educational purposes and will not be shown publicly outside of the school, given these conditions change, I will notify you and will renegotiate the terms of use of the aforementioned work.

Under the current Australian Legislation, the Copyright Act 1968 section 28

“Performance and communication of works or other subject-matter in the course of educational instruction

         (1)  Where a literary, dramatic or musical work:

                 (a)  is performed in class, or otherwise in the presence of an audience; and

                 (b)  is so performed by a teacher in the course of giving educational instruction, not being instruction given for profit, or by a student in the course of receiving such instruction;”

Of course sufficient recognition for the work of the management team as well as the artist will be supplied as required by section 44(d).

If these terms are acceptable or you would wish to renegotiate, please email myself at ryan.sinclair6@education.nsw.gov.au

Or my partner at

tiffany.kumar@education.nsw.gov.au

Music Video Conventions

Many music videos have close up shots of objects or characters. How ever its very common if the video has the artist singing or playing an instrument.

Other common shots are wide landscape shots to show the setting at a certain point of the video. Like an establishing shot.

Or in some videos the camera follows behind a character or object to watch the space they move through.  

A convention of pop videos is the party scene. Where people are dancing, drinking and having a good time. Also women being sexualised.

Rock videos usually have the band and singer as the focus. Also can have cuts between band and storyline. Or even just be storyline.

 Dubstep or electronic music videos can be quite abstract which usually compliments the music.  






By Tiffany                                      

Music Video Industry

Music videos all start with the song. Whether it be from a huge star or a film studies student. From that song you need to create your concept for it. This includes the emotions associated with the song as well as if the video will correlate with the songs lyrics, if it has any. Once the concept has been thought of a budget needs to be made. How much money is needed to create this project. What costs need to be covered? Will there be staff costs, props, access and transport to locations, software and technology, etc. These are all things that need to be taken into consideration when thinking about the budget.
After that its time to start storyboarding. The idea of shots and what lyrics or part song that will be in. This is to show the concept ideas to see how that would actually look. Also to plan what and when to film. As well as how it'll be edited.
After all the planning is done a crew is needed. Depending on the budget and video the amount of crew needed will vary. However main people are the director, cameraman, editor, sound man and cast.
Once all the people are organised sets are made in locations and multiple takes are made of each part to insure a good copy.
Then after all the filming is done over the course of however long editing takes place or can even take place after filming days to break it up. There can be a team of editors or just one person. The best footage is used and the music is added. Also any fancy effects are added such as CGI or green screens.
Different companies or people can buy the rights to the video to have it shown on their tv show for example. Or YouTube's Vevo.

The purpose of making music videos for companies/artists is to give another platform for audiences to engage with their music. Also a way to make songs more popular and be shared around. This produces more revenue for the artist and companies since the music becomes more popular or even viral.

A famous music video director is Mark Romanek who is known for directing Michael Jackons video from scream. The video was such a success firstly because it was one of MJ's but also because it was very abstract for the time and visually engaging.

Jake Nava is another music video director known for directing Beyonce's all the single ladies. The video was simple and not extravagant but it worked.

Industry music video budgets can range anywhere from $20,000- $500,000. Videos don't have to be on a huge budget to be great videos.

The most popular way to view music videos now days is online. In particular YouTube. Most artists have their own Vevo channel, and get advertised then shared around. Where as in the past music videos were more commonly watched on TV on shows like MTV. However this isn't as popular as it was say 10 years ago.

By Tiffany

Goodwin Theory

Stage Characteristics - Amity Affliction Youngbloods

Commonly in hardcore music, it shows the band at relatively small dingy venues, with them performing the song, with other clips surrounding that. Youngbloods does this, as well as having the scating which is a common theme amongst hardcore bands.

Relationship Between Visuals - Shi No Barado by Area 11

The song Shi No Barado, is about a complex relationship. But many references to TV, and Lights are made, which is why the Band looks like it is performing on a TV set, and The guest singer (Beckii Cruel) is watching a computer, when singing about them.

Music and Visuals - Twenty One Pilots Lane Boy

The music in Lane Boy is heavy Hip Hop, and the theme of night time, and the crowds dancing with the music. This aligns with the heavy but upbeat feel of the music video.

Need For Close Ups (as well as motifs) - Any Amity Affliction Song

This is in all Amity Sons. Their is a constant theme of closeups of the Artists singing and playing their instruments whether it’s a narrative music video or a performance one.

Looking - Eminem Not Afraid

Eminem's not afraid uses the theme of looking and voyeurism as a main theme within the music video. The music video uses the idea of EMinem feeling trapped within himself, in that he can only be seen when nothing is reflecting him.

Intertextuality - Every Movie Song Ever

They interject parts of the movie, into the music video as a form of sponsorship. This can happen in either hard cuts, or just put into the background of the music video.

By Ryan

Laura Mulvey Music Video Theories.

The Male Gaze
Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema.

Laura Mulvey's Male Gaze theory talks about how audiences are usually made to view media through the "gaze" of a heterosexual male. She speaks about how women are sexualised and are usually the submissive subjects of media. Men are the strong characters that are almost voyeuristic. Where as the women are the usual subjects to be stared at. Or are only are presented with men and not independently. Even facial expressions of women and media are sexualised, to be seductive or alluring. Whereas men are usually carefree or practical. For an example, if the subject were to be staged with a car. the woman is more likely to be presented by being in little clothing vulgarly washing the car. Where as the man is probably fixing the car or standing strong by it in a racing suit.  
Women are usually portrayed as the stereotypical damsel in distress which can be seen in many male action movies. Or as the wife of the lead male. Even when females are portrayed as strong characters they are sexualised to be a appealing to the male gaze. This is obvious in video games as well. For example Lara Croft.
By Tiffany

3 categories of Music Video.

Performance based video are music videos that take people dancing/performing the song. An example of this is Justin Bieber's sorry. The music Video

Narrative based music videos are those that tell a story. For example Amity Affliction's Shine On. The song.

Concept based music videos are videos that are about a concept that use metaphors and are often abstract.

The video we're making will be a hybrid of narrative and concept.

By Tiffany

Survey Results.

Majority of the people were 13-17 (target audience)

Most people were female

The 3 most popular genres are rock, pop and electronic.

People sometimes watch music videos.

Story line is engaging. 

People look for art and story line.

Beach and park.

A close friend.

Only One Music Video Survey

Please take this survey to help the progress of this project!

Target Audience

Our aim is to make a music video that is relatable to people of all ages and social demographics. However, the target is people of a similar age(14-20). We are wanting to focus more on the raw human emotion rather than social demographic. This includes students both high school and university. As well as young adults just entering the workforce, who have finished their education to continue on in life. This video should relate to everyone. Due to the fact we all have raw human emotion. The theme we're going for is realistic/indie theme. This song will appeal a wide audience due to it being Chillstep. Also people who enjoy proximity releases and remixes, this also relates to people who enjoy Monstercat and MrSuicideSheep. This music video will hopefully give insight and inspire people to power through tough times. This video will show the story of how by having someone there for you, you can beat the challenges of life and emotion.

By Tiffany and Ryan

Rachel Platten - Fight Song

Fight Song

The opening shot is of a lady with her hair covering her face holding a railing. It then cuts to her laying on her bed with a book and balls of paper where she starts singing. It is clear she seems disorganised. The lighting is a somber blue hue. It then cuts to her looking upset at a piano and she writes something down on a notepad. The camera cuts to a close up of her writing. However, you don't see what she wrote down but its clear she is agitated. It cuts back to where she was to begin with. Then to a shot through the shower screen to see her sinking down and crying. The camera now is angled down looking at her sitting. The cuts get faster to show her dismay at the piano. The camera is getting further away from her and looking at her around corners or door frames as if we're spying on her. The camera cuts to just her hands gripping a sink. We then see between different cuts that she is setting up on a stage. Then once the chorus kicks in we have a close up of her face singing powerfully. We then see cuts between her at her house obviously depressed and down to her empowering singing on stage. We now start seeing cuts between her performing to now what appears to be getting her life back together. There are lots of cuts to different scenes. Now you see close ups of her smiling and laughing. Also exploring life and the world. Now there are shots looking up at her rather than down. And shes now happy. Then it cuts to different people with mutual faces or flexing but they're empowered by the angle of the camera, since the camera is looking up slightly at them. Panning shots of her on the beach then cuts to people around a bonfire. At the end the camera fades out with the music.

by Tiffany

Amity Affliction Shine On - Music Video

Amity Affliction Shine On

Shine on

The music clip for Shine On, starts with a mid shot of the male main character opening a car, it then cuts to his girlfriend looking over, then back to him fiddling with the car. These shots were chosen as it doesn’t give a clear relationship between the characters but shows that they are together in the same place and time. It then has a tracking shot of the boyfriend walking over to the girlfriend as she says so that's it, and he throws his hand onto the side of the car and replying with yeah that’s it, and the girlfriend then saying we had to go back sometime. This shot is there to show that there is something more between them, without the use of dialogue, it is also to set up the story, the clip then cuts to another scene in the past and the music begins.

 throughout the video Joel Birch the heavy vocal is walking along with various different backgrounds, and Ahren Stringer the light vocals is driving in a car. Both are close-ups, and show how the artists are moving and on a journey, they way the characters are in the film clip.

 The next shot is the two main characters as children biking together throughout their neighbourhood showing how they were childhood friends. It then has a hard cut to the dad (of the boy) working on his car and drinking a beer. there is then a wide shot of the main characters as the dad walks over to the boy and grabs him while dragging him inside. The next shot is a close-up of the girlfriend stroking the scarring of the boyfriend, that is retained even into adulthood. This is a way of representing the abuse of the young boy, as well as the young love that the song is about. The next shot is a shot of the girlfriend sneaking into the boyfriends room, in order to represent the same thing as the previous scene

 After these shots, the video cuts to the present with the boyfriend packing a bag and writing a note saying that he’s leaving. Then the girlfriend sneaks in and they steal the keys. This is to show the two of them have stayed together and are planning to run away, tying into the start of the music video. After this. The next notable shot is a shot underneath the boyfriend, as he gives his old home the finger (out of shot) and the girlfriend looks up at him and smiles.

 The next scene is the motel scene, in which the characters have implied sex, this occurs in the breakdown, a time in the song similar to the bridge, this acts as a time to represent the characters growing up. Going from sneaking into each other's place to talk, and moving into more adult concepts such as sex and leaving home. The use of closeups, and not showing things makes it less gratuitous and more symbolic than it would rather be.

 The music video consummates with a continuation of the opening scene. With the girlfriend saying that we had to go back sometime, and then the boyfriend getting his bag and saying no we don’t as they both grab their bags and walk off shot.

 By Ryan

Mako - Smoke Filled Room Music Video Analysis.

Smoke Filled Room

The video starts of with looking down at hands playing the piano and the camera pans up to see the man who starts singing. Then his face becomes the focus of the shot. The camera pans down to the piano again then fades to black, then fades from black to a man and a woman walking into a room then the camera follows the man and shows they've entered into what looks like a party. Everyone looks formally dressed and there pink and purple lights and a smokey atmosphere. The focus seems to be on the man and the girl is put in the background until we get a front on zoom onto her face. It then just cuts to the piano guy again then back to the party.
Shot of a drink being poured up close. Its clear that the man is being very social but the girl is feeling left out. The camera pans across to the man sitting with a different girl and he touched her leg and the main girl is obviously hurt. Cuts to the couple having an argument. Awesome shot of the girl pouring water into her hands then cuts to a closeup of her face and the contrast of half her face in the purple light then the other half in pink. Then the water dripping off her face. The camera now follows her. Lens flares. She finds the guy cheating on her with that other woman. Cuts between story and singer at the piano.

The audience is made to dislike the main guy and feel bad for the girl. The audience enjoys the song but as well as the bright colours and close up shots to show emotions.

By Tiffany.

Welcome To The Blog

This blog is for a music video assignment and you'll see the progression of our work here on our blog.

Tiffany & Ryan