Storyboarding

Storyboarding is a vital process in research and planning as it clarifies the brainstorming stage as well as putting real shots and ideas on to paper, rather than just contemplating them in our heads. We started mindmapping our ideas and came to a conclusion on how we wanted to start our video,  storyboard is a thorough way in which to do so as it includes captions which explains what type of shot it is, and how long it will take place for. Story boarding also allowed us to consider camera movement, and how static shots aren't the way forward for a music video as it is uninterestsing and boring, whereas having a range of shots and camera movements, adds a dynamic to a music video.

Conventions of Music Videos

• A typical convention of any genre music video is the construction of 'STAR IMAGE.' 

For example Katy Perrys star image is her beauty as well her sarcastic querkiness that goes hand in hand with her music videos. The constructors of the video achieve this by using close ups of Katys face and such iconic things such as her multi coloured her and her breasts ( which are part of her star image, as they are constantly being debated about throughout the media.) Another way of focusing our attention onto the star is having a performanced based video alongside a narrative, as it shows their personality and in Katys case, qwerkiness however it still shows her singing reguarly, to emphasise the fact she is still a gratified singer. As well as this her income will predominantly come from her tours, therefore she wants to advertise herself as best as she can.

• The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a regular occurance shot seen within various music videos in order to create a beautiful , professional well thought out shot. It is significant within a music video in order to create a sense of foreground and background, as you can see in the image above. it Focuses our attention to a main object, sometimes even the star.. therefore highlighting their image. 

• Soft/High Key Lighting

• soft and high key lighting is often used in music videos as it is conventional to produce a flawless, angelic image (especially in up beat/vibrant videos.) In this example of Ellie Goulding lots of lights have evidently been used to construct this flawless image. There is most likely a 3 point lighting scheme, where the main force of light is coming from the fill light, creating an attractive shadow acrosss her face, as well as giving her an angelic glow. 

• Voyeurism (presented by Andrew Goodwin)

• voyeurism is key within every music video in order to enhance the main figures star image (especially seen with females.) Voyeurism is pleasurable watching usually including some form of sexuality. Voyeurism is often seen through a specific frame such as a window or an extra screen... this creates a sense of 'i shouldn't be watching' which is what audiences tend to want to watch. Andrew Goodwin says voyeurism is pretty much neccessary to create a provocative music video.

• Visuals and Lyrics Matching! - in order to create a continuous flowing music video, matching the visuals with the lyrics is key. Andrew Goodwin stated that this must be achieved or a music video would not seem authentic. However it creates the same effect if the visuals and lyrics contradict each other, this is effective as it adds another dynamic to it as well as being abstract. 

• Camera Movement is vital when constructing a music video as it creates a continuous flow as well as making the video look professional. If the camera is moving it creates a dynamic effect with the light as it produces camera and light flares which make the shot look more interesting

Lady gaga- Judas

Lady Gaga - Judas is a very controversial music video as it contains many biblical references as well as elaborate narrative elements and costumes. The video is predominantly narrative as well as abstract, as the elaboracy and complex nature of it gives it that abstract feel. The video starts with immeditatly creating a star image, with the compositional technique of leading lines which puts the focus completely on to lady gaga. This is emphasised further by extreme close ups whilst their is soft high key lighting, creating a flawless, idyllic image. The mise en scene includes her royal costumes which emphasise the biblical references and also is a statement icon of her.

Staying true to the biblical story of Judas, gaga is seen through alot of high angle shots, being his submissive as well as vulnerable, opposing the feminist view. Her costume is also red which highlights her femininity and passion for the character of Judas. In terms of the video as a pop video, it is some what conventional as it is mainly choreographed, which is seen alot in gagas videos as she wants to keep her music part of the pop culture rather than going to abstract.

The editing seen within this video is very rhymthic, in order to highlight and develop the choreographic aspect of the video. There are also jump cuts used in order to portray gagas disorientated nature, therefore being ironic as well as mocking herself. Editing is also seen in the form of slow motion whilst she is half naked, therefore evidently representing her feminity and sexuality, emphasised by a slow moving pan upwards.

The lyrics and visuals match accurately in order to highlight the complexity of the narrative. All in order to build up to the ultimate climax at the end of the video. There is a dramatic ending which is often conventionally seen in pop videos in order to create that shock factor, especially with the likes of lady gaga

Lana Del Ray - National Anthem (textual analysis)

Lana Del Ray - National Anthem holds the genre of pop/alternative. However this doesn't specifically come through on her latest video as it portrays a very vintage feel, using all technical aspects to achieve this such as  a black and white setting as well as dampening the saturation in order to achieve an old fashioned look, emphasised by the costume as well as the narrative. This specific video is narrative as well as abstract, down to its vintage imagery and iconography, as well as there being evident lip syncing throughout.

A box frame has been edited upon the screen in order to create an old vintage tv looking set, which enhances the whole theme of the video. This vintage feel is constructed through the mise en scene, such as the location, costume and props. Her costume is extremely nineteen 40/50's seen through her dress and even make up, a fake beauty spot which is inspired by an intertextual reference, marilyn monroe. Props such as the vintage car also emphasise the 1950's feel, as well as the cigar. These little aspects all build up to create the ambience which lana del ray was obviously looking for.

The Camerawork within this video is dedicated to creating and informing us of a stage image. Extreme close ups are contuinely used as well as a specific steady cam pan up her body to suggest a sense of voyeurism, which Andrew Goodwin theoretically stated. Regular close ups of her nails are also portrayed as they are an icon of her image, which is reguarly seen throughout the media. As well as the constant show of flowers, which are also apart of the iconography that surrounds lana del ray.

The lighting throughout is an extreme form of soft lighting, creating a flawless, almost angelic look. There is also an obvious orange glow throughout, suggesting either artificiality or it was filmed during 'happy hour.' Because the lighting is so bright it almost creates a blurred effect, creating a dream like setting. Slow motion is another editing technique that is vividly used throughout, creating a sense of desirablility towards Lana and her lifestyle within this video. This is conventional within a pop music video as it is predominantly about star image , and star image ( especially with females ) creates a sense of voyeurism which the audience want to see.

The setting is typical of a pop video as it is very romanticised, set on a river/lake.. which creates a slow sombre ambience which the song runs alongside parellel with. This romantic aspect is also created through the use of costume as lana is wearing red, the colour which holds connotations of passion , love romance and desirability. Whereas all the other characters are wearing very muted pastel colours therefore emphasising the focus on to her. There are often high angle shots used in order to show lana as the submissive character within the video which she is proud of as she appears to be the vulnerable protagonist.

Avenged Sevenfold- Nightmare (textual analysis)

There are many conventions seen within this video of a heavy rock music video, including the lighting, the props used within the mise en scene as well as the editing techniques used in order to create that 'rocky feel' as well as constructing a well thought out music video. conventional props and iconography is used such as tattoos which go hand in hand with the rock genre. The setting of an asylum creates an intertextual reference with horror movies which are stereotypically used alongside rock music videos or simply the genre itself.

The lighting which is constructed throughout the video is used to contrast both situations and settings. Whilst the narrative is on going the lighting is very bright soft lofting which creates a harsh whiteness, to emphasise the redness of the blood used to show the insanity ridden inmates. on the other hand whilst the performance aspect is occuring very harsh light is used, significantly back lighting in order to create a hallowed, one view effect. This has likely been used in order to represent 'the light' at the end of the tunnel i suppose, creating hope for the patient. Another form of lighting called 3 point lighting has also been constructed within this section, which is usually used to create a professional thematic ambience within the video as well as created a halowed effect, which is quite ironic as the setting is an asylum.

Leading lines are rather significant and effective within this music video as the main location is a variation of corridors. This is conventional for a music video to should a confined setting like this as it focuses attention to the star, therefore emphasising their star image. Within the editing process it is evident that a blurring function has been used to blur the edges of the asylum setting, this is highlighting the fact the patients sanity  is severley blurred and that their is severe disorientation. Another editing technique which has been constructed is a enlarging technique to make the female characters eyes widen and stretch. This is also highlighting the fact that the setting is a place driven by insanity

The rule of thirds is oftern distorted within this music video, to show that there is something not quite right with the composition of the video and metaphorically with their minds..

Foo Fighters - Walk ( textual analysis )

3 point lighting:- lesson today

Today we were taught a technique called three point lighting, which creates a sophisticated and professional look to a music video. This is a useful technique as if i manage to achieve it with the resources we have it will construct a more convincing, 'un-student-like' video.

It focuses on the subject, in order to create a glow-like soft feel. There is a backlight, a fill light and a key light which are the 3 main points of lighting. These different forms of light are placed in a triangular way in order to surround the subject. The camera is then placed in front of the subject which is surrounded by light in order to create a professional feel.

The Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is an extremely important construction method which is used reguarly in order to create 'a well thought out, beautiful shot that frames an image correctly.' It is often used to frame a particular object which is vital to the shot or in my case a music video. It is effective in framing the main protagonist in a music video as it helps create a star image. Alongside high key lighting it can create a great star image as it is a flawless, beautiful shot.

this is the video that i have recently analysised and how it has used the rule of thirds. The eyeline match is on the top third which creates a nicely thought out shot. The fact that she is placed in the left hand third presents a more artistic shot as if she was placed in the centre, the shot would definitely be dull and less appealing

This music video deconstructs and re-presents the original white stripes seven nation army. The rhythmic editing used within it matches the visuals nicely with the rhythm of the music, this creates a continious feel, enhancing the rhythmic aspect of the video. Another editing technique that has been constructed is the constant use of jump cuts, once again this enhances the rhythmic element of the music video, focusing on the snare drum beat.

In order to play homage to the White Stripes an abstract feel is presented. Using a triangular based background which is seen in the original version. This makes it clear that this music video is a tribute rather than a paradoy of the original. This abstract feel runs appropriately alongside the narrative and performance aspects within it. The performace element is a conventional aspect within this genre of music as it reflects their stage image, enhanced by a regular use of close ups. However within this specific music video a constant use of close ups is not needed as the stop motion focuses directly on his character throughout, creating a more querky star image.

The mise en scene is extremely effectvie with subtle hints along the way. For example the word 'soul' is seen repeatadly in order to represent the afro- american type of rhythmic soul music. The vibrancy of the colour scheme used within the mise en scene is also very effective as they represent a vibrant happy/positive feel in order to compliment the music.

The lighting within this video is predominantly soft/high key lighting which gives a vibran flawless feel. This is used in order to glamorise the female within the video in order to portray her as desirable. This point is developed my Andrew Goodwins theory of voyeurism and how this is a regular convention used within music videos to portray a female (or sometimes male) as desirable from a view point which is hidden. For example through a screen or a window, which creates that pleasurable useen watching feel. Within this specific video a high angle shot is used to frame the females body as well as making her look vulnerable and submissive.

Construction wise this video includes lots of leading lines within its location of a laundrette. This is applied in order to guide the audience eyes to the focus which in this case is the desirability of the female. The rule of thirds is also seen reguarly to form a regular and appealing construction.

The whole ambience of the video follows a vintage/classic feel, enhanced by the colour scheme as well as the setting of a Laundrette. It has intertexual references with a vintage levis advert which was extremey popular during the 80's which gives it a classic image.