Research: BLUSH - "Daggers" music video analysis

The Hunna "Bonfire" music video analysis

"House Party Massacre" and faulty links

NOTE: Some A2 Advanced Media Studies blogs may have been archived, such as this one here:

http://blogs.grammar.sch.gg/gabriellesmith/

http://blogs.grammar.sch.gg/00laner01/

http://blogs.grammar.sch.gg/danieldegaris/

For starters, this last A2 Media Coursework website ceases to work and instead directs you to this link:

NOT an A2 blog

These links don't even work, they require "permission" to gain access to the websites. Somehow, they kick you out of access:

https://www.blogger.com/blogin.g?blogspotURL=http://starproductions957.blogspot.co.uk/

https://www.blogger.com/blogin.g?blogspotURL=http://emilytolgamedia.blogspot.co.uk/

MAIN ARTICLE: Lara Anisere's A2 Media Studies wixsite:

Digipak and album details

House Party Massacre: a catchy band name for an original punk rock/thrash metal band.

I particularly like this website and its content because it is a very unique way of presenting the Media Studies portfolio instead of just using Blogger to create another website which would be repetitive for a those wishing to advance through A-level Media Studies with an A or above.

The background for the website is particularly typical for a hardcore punk/thrash metal band like House Party Massacre - the grey splatters suit the conventions well. Also the band name is plastered on the top of the website just so audiences can easily recognise who they are - in addition to the masterfully photographed band image. The choice of font for the digipak cover and tracklisting evokes a hellish vibe, which establishes the band's genre to audiences.

"Act Like an Angel" music video

Let's make this clear. The "Act Like an Angel" music video depicts a gang of youths raiding a business blocks, each member breaking into individual rooms and flipping props such as a caution sign and classroom tables. This projects the genre of rebellion against society - a theme common to videos associated with punk rock bands. The band performance is impressive but a bit more bravado is required to propel HPM's standards higher to win appeal from their target audience. I like how the entire video was shot in black and white to invoke a retrospective point-of-view.

Richard Dyer's 'Star' theory

"A star is an image, not a real person, that is constructed (as any other aspect of fiction is) out of a range of materials (e.g. advertising, magazines etc., as well as films [music])."

Richard Dyer, 1979

Image: Lukas Graham. Contemporary pop band, known for the hit single '7 Years'.

Dyer's star theory states that institutions such as the music industry (Universal Music Group is one example of an international music corporation) construct the likenesses of celebrities and icons, those of which represent 'real people' with 'emotions'. Their primary purpose is to make money out of audiences with extended plays, studio albums, live tours and gigs; the latter group then respond to the expectations of a star's personality by purchasing their records and merchandise, eventually becoming fans of that artist/band.

There are three sections to Richard Dyer's star theory. These are:

• Audiences and institutions
• Constitutions
• Hegemony

However, a true star will have 'brand awareness' which will have a lasting significance among a wider target market over a long period of time.

Stars can be represented by a specific attribute to better increase their appeal to people around them - for example, Fetty Wap's eye:

Fetty Wap was born with glaucoma in both eyes. With his left eye unable to be saved by doctors, he instead was fitted with an artificial eye.

Slipknot's nine-piece lineup complete with their iconic masks:

Audience and institutions

Stars are manufactured by the music industry to serve a purpose: make money out of audiences.
If you increase their brand identity, this will benefit the institution; their brand identity plows the way for a household name which can increase media platform sales.

Constitutions

Pretty much the same as the audience and institutions section above.

Hegemony

ALIAS: CULTURE

A certain ideology is promoted. Shared cultural values and attitudes are displayed by stars.

Other useful websites

NME's 100 Greatest Music Videos

http://www.nme.com/list/100-greatest-music-videos/217342

And another one: Vulture - the Best Music Videos of 2016 So Far

http://www.vulture.com/2016/06/best-music-videos-of-2016-so-far.html

How to Make a Music Video - YouTube

This would sound expensive but this modern method of filming is handy for shooting music videos:

PROGRESS: How to get audio from SoundCloud into iMovie via mp3 file

First of all, I browsed through Lymington's SoundCloud profile page...

and then searched for a SoundCloud audio converter on Google. Nevertheless, the first result was a godsend:

By copying and pasting the track page link for "Above, And" into the search box below, it was successful in downloading the intended music track as an MP3 file.

It would then play in iTunes, confirming its identity as an eligible music track for iMovie:

Next, I decided to drag the MP3 file into iMovie. The result here is as follows:

In order to let the track play without any background interruption, I muted the volume in most of my footage present... all except the beginning and end. I decided to keep the ambient noise of crickets chirping in the background as it would provide a great opener to the music video. Furthermore, the fancy guitar riff at the end provided a superb closing section.

Note that this music video is still WIP (work-in-progress). Otherwise, a second live session with Lymington would work out along with a proper live recording for "Above, And" and some wide performance shots for the final artefact.

Examiner's report - comments

Eleanor Bleach 9191 Advanced Portfolio - three advantages

1. I like how Eleanor has mentioned the usage of cutaways in her evaluation question 1, which is photographic evidence of innovation; she brilliantly compares cutaways in two documentaries: 'Oh You Pretty Things' and her extract 'Fashionably Late'. This explains how she links youth culture in her extract to that of other documentaries, effectively establishing the 'retro' sense of fashion. However, as Eleanor challenges the traditional conventions of old archival footage, she has decided to use contemporary footage in her product.




2. The newspaper advert - Bleach's primary ancillary product. The font is eclectic and matches up with the conventions intended for the stylish aesthetic of 'Fashionably Late'. In her words, it is also 'eye-catching'; similarly, the house style chosen represents that of Channel 4, which is innovative given the purpose of the documentary (to be aired on TV - Channel 4 is a perfectly acceptable channel to air a fashion documentary on). The vibrant colours and composite images arranged in the newspaper advert makes it stand out a lot in front of television audiences. Finally, the vintage looking clothes selection closely matches with the intended genre: retrospect clothing.




3. Ellie chose to interview a manager, Linda, at a local charity shop. Filming the interview was key as it demonstrates a higher sense of authority and creativity while being broad in ideas. I like how she has used iMovie multiple times in the composition of footage as she is clearly taking into mind how various ideas from related products can lead to her final documentary extract of 'Fashionably Late'.


Comments by Josh.




Date: Thursday 8th September 2016




Time: 11:53.

8th September 2016. First blog post since last summer.

Lymington music video footage shot on July 21st, 2016 [last day of year 12 - there was a gig in which they performed at Chinnerys].


Filmed their soundcheck before their actual gig, as well as footage of neighbouring band the Narcotics to support media studies project. Establishing shots filmed at Leigh-on-Sea in August.


Planning to shoot additional seconds of footage during the Heisenbergs' returning gig at Chinnerys on September 10. Reason: as cutaways for the music video.


Edited raw footage onto iMovie on my MacBook Pro at home. Used Handbrake (a MOV file to mp4 converter) to transfer movie files onto the aforementioned program; sped up parts to overcome lengthy parts.

MUSIC VIDEO STORYBOARD - SUNDARA KARMA "VIVIENNE"

Choosing your song - responses

Do you have the talent (i.e. a lip syncing artist or band) who can/who will perform for you over the summer holiday?

Yes, I have chosen the musical act who will perform their song for my music video over the summer holiday. The chosen artist is Lymington because they are easily accessible via Facebook Messenger (Leo McDonald is a guitarist for the band and I am good friends with him, so I can message him at any given time he is available) and I know the band members well since most of them come from Southend High School for Boys. In addition to this I have been to some of their local gigs, namely their performances at Chinnerys (April 22 with the Heisenbergs and the Narcotics) and WestFest at WHSB. Their musical style is indie/alternative rock, my chosen genre of music - another reason why I chose Lymington as the main musical act to preform for my music video.

EDIT: On July 21 Lymington played a gig at Chinnerys and I was able to film some footage for the upcoming music video. I gained Freddy's (lead singer) permission to film their soundcheck before their 10pm performance.

Can you think of three scenarios/locations in keeping with the generic conventions to film for it?

Wide performance

Close up performance

Narrative convention

For a band like Lymington who specialise in the alt rock/indie genre, I would choose an empty recording studio or Chinnerys itself because the location would be appropriate for a normal rock music convention when filming the band performing (Lymington recently played a gig at Chinnerys with supporting acts on July 21).

The next scenario would be in a car. In a few shots, Lymington can be filmed driving to and from various locations in a car (if they are eligible) to represent that they have very busy gig-filled days ahead of them. It would add to the possible narrative of the music video I am filming.

Mood board for alt/rock music

I have decided to compile a mood board consisting of alternative rock aspects and artists, aspiring towards the chosen type of genre I will be utilising in my final music video and eventual ancillary products.

Music festivals were part of my inspiration for my chosen type of music. As I've been to a number of gigs (mostly at Chinnerys) I have experience of alt rock bands playing at a musical venue. Watching music videos of the same genre on YouTube also gave me a gist of what motifs, codes and conventions are presented which are typical of the genre.

Above are pictures of a jam-packed music festival full of thousands of music fans. Included are images of a guitar and a drumkit (instruments which will be prominent in my music video through close-ups for emphasis). Bands featured are: Max Raptor (British rock); Sundara Karma (indie rock); Catfish and the Bottlemen (indie/alternative rock).

Since alt rock music video colour palettes range from muted to flamboyant, I will be using a mixture of these conventions to generate diversity in my music video.

Andrew Goodwin "DANCING IN THE DISTRACTION FACTORY" music video theory.

"Dancing in the Distraction Factory" - Andrew Goodwin's music theory - THERE ARE 7 POINTS TO CONSIDER:

• ALL music videos have certain genre characteristics depending on the music genre.
• Relationship between the visuals and lyrics
• Shown more often than NOT often.
• Demand of record label evident in the video
• Artist iconography.
• "Notion" of looking (actors and artist will "look" at the audience).
• The music video should be intertextual.

"Dancing in the Distraction Factory: Music, Television and Popular Culture" was a media-based book published in 1992.

• The theory was that music videos were often constructed by a relationship between visuals, song and artist.
• There is a series of codes and conventions for music videos that many of them have in common; they are noted above.

Goodwin suggested that there is a link between the genre of music and the genre visuals of music videos.

...meaning that the visuals of the music video will be constructed and styled to match the genre of music being played. Say, for example,

Mac DeMarco's "Passing Out Pieces":

• Since the song is classified as jangle pop/psychedelic pop, the visuals are represented as colourful and flamboyant, which links both visuals and genre of music together.
• The actors portrayed only have ordinary clothing meant to represent an indie fashion and the melodic tone of music reflecting a simple lifestyle but telling a story at the same time.

• The lighting visually represents the jangle pop/psychedelia tone of "Passing Out Pieces". Also reflects Mac DeMarco's style of his music videos - weird, wonderful, filmed from a peephole-style camera view. The mise-en-scene of the video gives a psychedelic feel (especially the lettuces involved) matching the respective genre of music.
• Mac's scruffy hair gives a dirty indie feel. He bathes in a "lettuce bath" which can be seen as an element of deviation from normal society. Does not conform to the norms of living an ordinary life.

Blur "Song 2"

Enter Shikari "Sorry You're Not a Winner"

The music video was filmed in 2006. It has the codes and conventions of a typical rock music video:



There is no narrative to the song and band. The band are shown playing live in front of a small crowd - in the video, a wide performance shot is shown: a typical convention of rock music. At the 2:04 mark, the pace slows down and the lighting becomes dim, with an illumination of green. The lighting returns when the guitars are played to signify a live gig being played.

The Hunna's "Bonfire" also includes some of the typical codes and conventions of the alternative rock music genre.

Album "100" releasing on 26 August.

More often than not there is a relationship between the visuals and the lyrics

In most music videos the lyrics are represented with visual IMAGES.

...which means that they either amplify, illustrate or contradict the lyrics.

Mike Posner "I Took a Pill In Ibiza (SeeB Remix)" from "At Night, Alone.":

"I took a pill in Ibiza / To show Avicii I was cool"

The setting is of a party atmosphere with flamboyant crowds and dim visuals. BEFORE Posner sings, however, he takes the aforementioned pill, then becoming the character we see in the second screenshot. All he wants is to show off to those partying in the video, potentially meeting nearby gorgeous women around him.

"You don't wanna be high like me / Never really knowing why like me"

Despite Posner experiencing the positive effects of taking the party drug, he never really gets indulgent in dancing with the partygoers alongside him. The "fame" he is into is actually a complex rollercoaster. He isn't really recognised by anyone else in the video.

"You don't wanna be stuck up on stage singing / Stuck up on that stage singing / All I know are sad songs, sad songs"

Coincidentally, Posner is on stage with his acoustic guitar, about to perform in front of the crowd, alone. He is not like a disco DJ who can pick any song from the music database - instead limited to playing songs on his guitar.

Which reinforces the album's title...

"AT NIGHT, ALONE"

Those are examples of visually illustrative lyrics in mainstream music videos.

Lonely the Brave "Rattlesnakes":

There is a relationship between the music and the music video

Lonely the Brave's "The Blue, The Green":

The tone and atmosphere of the visuals MUST reflect that of the respective song.

In "The Blue, The Green":

The music video visualises the final days of a cancer sufferer. He longs to make the most of his time enjoying the last moments of his life with his long-term friend before he dies. The tone of the song reflects the poignant atmosphere of the video, because it is telling a story.

"The Blue, The Green" is a slow-moving, melodic alternative rock piece which proves emotional with this music video - which means that the atmosphere and mise-en-scene relates to the song's melody.

The demand of the record label will be evident in the video

 Fifth Harmony "Work from Home (feat. Ty Dolla $ign)"

Formed in July 2012 during the second season of The X Factor USA, Fifth Harmony is a five-piece American girl group who came third on the show. They have signed a joint deal with Syco Music, Simon Cowell's record label, and Epic Records, L.A. Reid's record label. Both Cowell and Reid are judges on the X Factor USA. They are a young girl group; Ally is aged 22 while Normani is aged 20 and Lauren is aged 20. Camila is aged 19 while Dinah Jane is aged 19 - teenage performers.

The record labels, Syco Music and Epic Records, have a certain amount of control over their signed artist/s.

It is up to them how the artist/band is represented. Say for example, in Fifth Harmony's "Work from Home", the male models (dressed as workers) are represented as muscular, tanned and attractive, as shown in the media. This shows off the stereotypical expectations of a young man in the modern world.

The setting of the music video in "Work from Home" is chosen as a typical building site, complete with blueprints, hammers, pneumatic drills and even a real digger on site. This mise-en-scene, complete with the gym-clad builder outfits, appear to correlate to the title of the song - Work from Home.

There are many close ups of the singers in Fifth Harmony. For example Dinah Jane Hansen as shown in the image above. Close ups are personal so as to connect the audience with the artist and make them feel like they share a relationship with the artist. They play a part in selling the artist, which is a vital need for the record label.

Fifth Harmony are shown dancing in provocative ways whilst wearing sexually attractive outfits (including thigh-baring shorts), which sets up a stereotypical expectation of young teenage girls today - to be more attractive to men.

This is a motif created by record labels which recur throughout their work in order to sell famous artists to the public and earn thousands of pounds that way.

Ty Dolla $ign is the featured rapper alongside Fifth Harmony. Many famous musical artists collaborate with other artists to raise audience appeal and profits.

BUT BACK TO MY PREFERRED STYLE OF GENRE...

Max Raptor "The King is Dead"

This music video contains close ups of the lead singer.

Artist iconography

This ensures that musical artists are dressed in a particular fashion throughout their range of music videos.

Fetty Wap ("Fetty" for money, "Wap" as a tribute to Gucci Mane's stage name GuWop).

Willie Maxwell was born with congenital glaucoma in both eyes but doctors couldn't save his left eye from being fully damaged. In his music videos he is represented as wearing colourful outfits and flamboyant hairstyles. As the "Fetty" part of his stage name means money, he is shown to wear golden bling which reinforces money and fame. His left eye has now become an iconic symbol which causes his audience to easily recognise him.

His damaged left eye, however, does not affect his overall performance as he still shows his outgoing dance style, as shown above in "Wake Up". He dresses up that way to mark his current fame to audiences.

Artists dressing up in a particular fashion have their star factor increased, which can play a part in the production process of music videos, which creates an audience icon where they are universally recognised by audiences.

THE NOTION OF LOOKING

Popular music videos demand the audience to be voyeuristic.

This sense of sexual behaviour is utilised to increase the attractiveness of the video (especially to appeal to males).

As shown in the music video for Iggy Azalea's "Fancy (feat. Charli XCX) [Explicit]":

Iggy Azalea's "Fancy" depicts the artists dancing provocatively in a "pop style" dance, so as to attract audiences. On YouTube, the music video for "Fancy" has gained a total of 743,096,341 views due to this.

The notion of enticing the audience into watching the artists act in the video easily helps to sell the music of artists through the art of voyeurism.

As said by Andrew Goodwin: females will be objectified, often through a combination of camerawork and editing. Fragmented body shots will emphasise sexual treatment of the performer(s).

This is also represented in the music video for Fifth Harmony's

"Work from Home"

Voyeurism is also represented through watching something happen from the point of view of an observer in the video.

MEANWHILE, BACK AT IT WITH MY PREFERRED GENRE...

Editors "Munich":

INTERTEXTUAL

This music video technique brings in other types of media:

TV, film, animation, etc.

Linkin Park "Iridescent" from Transformers: Dark of the Moon and from "A Thousand Suns"

In this music video, elements from "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" including Decepticon ships as well as the robotic characters from the movie (ex. Sentinel Prime, Bumblebee, Megatron) are used in order to establish Linkin Park's musical interconnection with the Transformers movie universe.

Intertextuality is often employed in humorous music videos. This one is not as humorous, but it still incorporates a different kind of media within the music video, which capitalises the intertextual reference within this form of media.

In this way, the audience (especially Transformers fans) can identify symbols which reinforce ideas to them.

--- END ---

More on brief history of music videos

"Dancing In the Distraction Factory"

More or less direct, simple/amplified.

Andrew goodwin’s music video theory from 07weeksjor

1940s - Fantasia was released by Walt Disney - animated film based upon piece of classical music.

1950's

• Earliest music videos were introduced.
• In 1956 Tony Bennett was filmed walking along the Serpentine in Hyde Park as the song "Stranger in Paradise" played.

1960's

• The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" (1964 film)
• "Penny Lane" (1967) borrowed elements from underground and avant-garde film.
• They reflect the "zeitgeist" (trend at the time) as shown in A Hard Day's Night.
• In this case... Young, angry working class men (even down to their accents) were having their voices heard (at the time).

1970's

• Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" music video had more of a lyrical concept. A whole new era for using music videos as prompts.

1980's

• 1981 - MTV launched.
• First music video aired was the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star."
• David Bowie's eye-catching promo for his song "Ashes to Ashes" directed by David Mallet was the springboard that launched it to UK number one in nearly a decade.

Brief history of music videos

Their purpose?

• To gain commercial success and to promote the featured song.
• To increase sales and make money.

The first music videos were introduced when artists were not able to perform live.

In the 90's - rise of the teenager - jukeboxes, socialising.

Why produce music videos?

• They are promotional marketing devices.
• Extension of income and outlets (music channels, DVD and CD sales, website, download)
• Synergy (with other related music videos - see YouTube; albums, singles, digital downloads etc.)
• Producer's strategies (major label/independent)

They were called "promos".

1940s

Fantasia was released.

• An animated Disney film based on a classical piece of music.
• Striking visuals at the time.

Scopitones replace live artists - they act as visual jukeboxes.

More info about scopitones on Wikipedia

Big bands such as the Beatles used to play live. When they went abroad there needed to be something in place of their performance should they be absent.

• The artist/band will feature heavily to promote the song.
• Music video would have to coincide with the album/single release.
• Must have a high level of representation. Positive/negative? Thought-provoking? Or poignant?
• Certain genres mean certain representations, anchoring stereotypical representations of race and gender.