Music video research: Animation workshop

Animation worskshop -26th June 2013

On the 26th June we had an all day animation with Mark Charlton from Blue Star animation who professionally produced the Golden Thread music video for the artist Passenger.
In this workshop we were taught about some simple stop motion animation where animation of cardboard characters were moved slightly before taking a picture and then moving again.
Another form of animation that we eperimented with using is pixelation - where animation is (like stop motion) built up of lots of pictures of people.

"Spanish Flea" by Herb Alpert

"Popcorn" by Hot Butter

"Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO

All music used for educational purposes - no breach of copyright intended.

Below are images of my group and me creating and shooting our LMFAO music video.

The use of annimation in real media products:

(Passenger - Golden Thread)

Here is another example of how stop frame animation is used in music videos in the indie rock band Wildlife Control's song Analog or Digital.

Here is another example of the use of animation in country's Sheryl Crow - Gasoline

Music video research: Chroma Key Workshop (Green screen)

Chroma Key Workshop - 4th July 2013
In this workshop we learnt about greenscreen and how it can be used within our music videos.

Green screen is a method used within media prouction where you can film your actors acting and then put them ontop of a pre filmed background so that it looks as if your actors are acting in locations that are not possible to be film at.


At first we watched this youtube video (below) and learnt about how to use green screen effectively and how it can be used in our music videos.

These are some of our greenscreen clips.

The editing program we used for editing our greenscreen work was pinnacle.

We used a three point lighting system in order to get good lighting in our video. 

Here is an example of how green screen can be used (and is used) in real media products.

All music and film clips to be used for eductional purposes.

Here is a final video of Diane Birch - Valentino and below is a video of how it was made.

(All music and film clips to be used for educational purposes only)

Music video research: Jay - Z - 99 problems (Rap/Hiphop)

The use of camera angles in rap/ Hip hop songs:
- Low angled close up shots to make the artist look as if thay have power and authority over  the audience. The close up is used to show that the rapper is important enough to have their own frame.
- Two shots - the use of a another character (mainly female) to show that the rapper is appealing and to show that the artist has good status.
- The use of closeups and extreme close ups to show that the artists have lots of power and are the main focus of the music video as they have loads of fame.

Conventions of Rap/ Hip hop music videos:
- Fast cars, Blingy Jewelery, Drugs, Money, Girls dancing in bikinis signifiying wealth and status,
- People dancing in a club in time with the audience to show that they are enjoying the music.
- Lots of people around the artist (his "posse") to show that the artist is not a social outcast - strength in numbers.
 - Sexulising females and having derogratory female roles as the main audience for music videos are males.

Music video research: One Direction - What makes you beautiful

Conventions of a pop music video:
- Bright, happy colours,
- Locations set on beaches, summertime,
- Dance routines,
- Lip sincing,
- Fashionable clothing,
- Artist reguarly featured throughout the video,
- Fun and light hearted to suit a younger audience,
- The artist over-accentuate and act out everything they say.

Music Video research: RHCP - Monachy of roses deconstruction

Conventions of an Alternative Rock music video:
- Main focus on artist's talent and instuments.
- Simple colour schemes.

Music video research: The Goodwin Theory

The Goodwin Theory

I have decided to to look at The Goodwin Theory when i am establishing the conventions of music videos as well as in the production side of my music video as this will help me to make my music video look more professional and less amateur.
Underneath each element of Goodwin's Theory i have put pictures to show where this element has been used. 
There are 6 elements to Andrew Goodwin's Theory:

1. Music Videos demonstrate genre characteristics (eg. stage performances in a metal video, dance routines for girl/boy bands.)

(Left) Stage performance of heavy metal band: Deeds of Flesh - Cleansed by fire.

(Below) Dance routine in the music video of pop artists Katy Perry's Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)

2. There is a relationship between the lyrics and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)

(Left) Justin Bieber's Baby.

Lyrics
"Just shout whenever, and I'll be there..."

Actions
Imitating shouting


3. There is a relationship between the music and visuals (either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting)

 (Left) Iconic boot stamp from Queen's - we will rock you.








4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style)

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

6. There is often intertextual references (to films, tv programmes, other music videos ect)

Music video research: Questionnaire answer analysis

Here are the answers to my music video questionnaire:
out of the 10 people i asked:

(Other) answers:
Rock                                                              2
Hymns                                                           1
Heavy metal                                                  1
Old music (50's, 60's, 70's / 80's)                  1
Classic Rock                                                  1

4. How do you feel about mainstream lime light artists like 'Little Mix' and 'One Direction'?
 - Too unorigional, their songs are annoyingly catchy.
 - I dislike artists who have no talent and are just cash cows.
 - Talentless people who dont deserve the lime light.
 - Dont deserve to be called artists - they are just money making machines. :'(
 - Some are good, however most are marketed wrong making the whole industry seem fake and talentless.
 - Totally manufactured as a product.
 - Very 'samey'. A bit pathetic with no real talent.
 - They're okay. I personally enjoy most pop music.
 - I like mainstream music because of the sound of the music not because its in the lime light,
 - Dislike them.

5. What do you like music videos to include? (Eg. Musicians / storyline...)
 - Relevance to the story contents,
 - A cute storyline, with outside shots of a nice location, brightly coloured shots,
 - The artist, good shots and locations. On some occations it does make the video more interesting if there is a storyline.
 - Storyline.
 - Both playing and storyline arre good. I really like artists, surreal videos. Im influenced by good camera / editing work.
 - Proof of their ability, matching videos to lyrics,
 - Action, explosions, fun
 - Lots of colour and creativity,  - something unique, origional and impressive
 - A good storyline (not always about love)
 - A storyline that is relevent.

(Other) answers:
Last fm                             1
On friends ipods               1