artwork ideas for covers

The reason I chose this cover was purely because of the artwork, not the artist. 

 The layout:

Photograph behind text

Text is bold

Photograph is of the artist

The photograph is also an edited headshot with bright colours.

 Style:

The style also captured my attention because the electric colours match HIS genre (electro/dance-indie)

This means his artist (whoever created the artwork) followed the conventions of Mylo's genre correctly

 Font:

I like the font because it is what I have used for past products (impact) however it also has been edited with a brush over effect and the wholes in the letters are filled in. This is similar to other artists artwork I own CDs of e.g. Tinchy Stryder

how to deconstruct a music video dvd cover

looking for artwork:

when researching the album artwork most useful to my product it is ideal to deconstruct that in the same genre. To find artwork to deconstruct, I will visit appropriate sites such as freecovers.net, amazon, play.com, itunes etc this will give me enough images in my genre to deconstruct.

what to look for:

• rule of thirds
  
• continuity from front-back
  
• accurate representation of artist/genre
• choice of colours
• choice of designs
• mix of the two

update on music video

Due to the genre of our track and also our keen nature we decided to edit our recently filmed green screen footage. At first this was going to just be for a chorus mixed with our footage from the car park, however we went all the way and edited 80% of the song, intro-chorus-verse 1-verse 2- chorus. This meant we we were left with two videos, and possibly a third if we mixed them together.

 our solution is, we have put both on youtube to decide which video gets the most views and most love. We can then use our feedback to finally back adjustments.

monday 14th december

Aims until christmas:

• update blogs 
• Research + deconstruct 3 DVD covers
• begin to research skills + techniques needed to create  a DVD cover.

Review of marks.

 100 marks

 60

 - video

 - dvd cover

 - print Ad

20

-planning

20

-Evaluation

todays notes:

• Promotional Package has to be in 'house style' (match genre throughout). for example Grime = Urban photo's
• DVD design has to match:

1. Representation 
2. Audience 
3. Genre
4. Ideology

Design.

Front

Spine

Back

(useful sight www.freecovers.net)

Update 2nd December

After another catchup with my colleague we went over where we had gone to so far, and what was left to do. We made a few adjustments such as fixing the timing on some of the shots, and adding some new footage into it for more variety. Due to our quick cuts being successful, we made use of this by cutting between some foot stomps and the artist moving in the camera before the chorus. This worked really well, the quick cuts keeping to the pace of the music. All we have left to do is to film an intro for the video, rather than just using up some spare footage. We also considered using some new footage to put at the end, to meet the conventional types of rap/grime music videos, allowing a use of a new song to be included at the end of the video.

update 29th november

This week was our last full week to be able to complete our music video, as it has to be completed for next Wednesday. I feel that we will be able to meet this deadline.

We spent the Wednesday before this week to begin putting all of the footage to the timing and to begin putting some of the clips together to have some initial thoughts on the structure of the video. This week we were able to work more in depth on this. Wednesday was focused allday on putting the full structure to the music video. It did however run onto afterschool, where my colleague worked afterschool, and I then carried on from where he left off when I arrived for the open evening the same night. He was focusing on the verses, and I was focusing on the choruses and the missing parts between them, such as the intro and the ending, but also the instrumentals between the chrous and verse in the song. By the end of the open evening I was able to put the chorus that I had edited, with the verses that he has worked on, both in time and then filled in the blank areas, with some of the spare footage that we had. My colleague was able to include some effective cuts to the beat, for example when the drums come in before the second verse, he included several quick fast cuts to each few drum hits, which worked really well.

For the choruses, I included the reverse jump shot that I had shown in a previous post, and used several of the shots that my colleague chose to include into the verses too, so it is synchronous together which is what we needed. I did consider whether to include the abstract shot that I created in a previous post from 2weeks ago, but from looking over the footage that we currently have to the music, I don't think that it would fit in with the rest, and also how this is a grime/rap video, the effect used in it wouldn't fit the genre, so if I were to include it, then it would have to be included several times elsewhere, which could ruin the video, so I decided to leave it out.

All in all, the video is now looking to come together, and we both feel like we're making some really good progress. The video is now structured, all we have to do now is to consider any effects to include, transitions, and any other effective camera shots of locations that we have but hadn't yet included that could improve the quality of the video and the variety of shots shown. Only 3 days to go!

conversion with artist

Although we had planned to spend tomorrow to concentrate on editing, the artist (my colleague) suggested that we should do some green screen work. So tomorrow will hopefully be spent to add a few shots with it to further our variety and hopefully be able to finish the music video tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

wednesday the 18th

We came to the conclusion that we would just focus with what we have, as using the green screen at such a late date wouldn't give us enough time to work with it and put it together with our music video, ontop of the editing that we have left to do. This was a positive decision made, as if we did decide to use the green screen, then we might not have a chance to finish in time to the deadline.

problems

During my time in the media suite on Wednesday, I was suffering from technical difficulties from the mac's. It seemed to brign an error each time I begun editing the video clips. I came to the conclusion that it could have possibly been because there was "too much" footage in the iMovie file, meaning that it would have such a large file size to process that it couldn't handle it.

My way around this is to possibly use some software I have on my home pc, or to work with a smaller amount of footage. At the end of the day, it might have been just from the computer I was on, suffering from the server with all of the other colleagues processing files at the same time. Hopefully it won't create this problem for me again next time, or it could lead to a slow down in the editing process of the music video.

Problems although progress is still being made
We looked through what we managed to put together and it looked promising. We agreed that I would focus on the chorus's for now and he would look at the first verse, possibly the second too if he has time, and then on Wednesday we would look over it and then make any last minute ammendments and aim to finish the editing on time. The intro is one of our problems, but the artist is taking a visit to London this weekend so hopefully he was able to take some effective still images for us to use so that it is similar to his inspired track by Tinchy Stryder.

Update 16th November

As I was unable to use the media suite today due to me being elsewhere I decided to show the current stage i'm at wit hthe editing, and the possibilities that will need to be done from nwo on, considering that we have less than two weeks left now to finish the editing. Last week was spent to put the clips together so that they had a caption with them as to where they will be placed along the timeline with the music, which was cut at certain points such as the verses and choruses. This took less time than we had anticipated, as it was all done by the Wednesday afternoon. It was important that we did this, as it would mean that we would delete footage that was of no use to us, as we took several scenes more than once. During this stage, I had soem experimental phases where I tried out some of the effects within iMovie, to try and change how the certain video clips were shown. One in particular, where ther artist is made to look like he is lying down, and then gets up and begins to rap to the song. I decided to try and change this one because in the clip he looks upside down which is unfortunate, but the camera rotation to then be upright and steady whe nhe begins rapping is really effective. I tried an effect called 'mirror' to try and rotate the footage so that instead of being upside down he is looking up so that when the rotation is done it will look right. Instead of this happening, I was given some kind of abstract pattern effect. Whether this was accident or not, the outcome was quite effective.

(CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW FULL RESOLUTION)

As you can see from the image above, the footage has been split up into three sections, which is for the different sets of footage that we have, which did total to over two hours of footage!
The clips that we have decided could be used have been put with the music and captioned as to where they start from, so that we can add each bit that we need at the right moment, and have it lip synchronous to run smoothly with the video as we edit the clips together.

From now on we'll need to focus on decideing where to cut each clip, and which ones to put in each part with the lyrics so that it is lip synchronous, and it looks good. Once this is done we can figure out if re-filming is needed, or additional footage, and to decide on whether special effects could be included anywhere to enchance the final image.

New footage 2nd november

Tonight we went to a multi story car parks' loading bay, where we  had a large area of space which looked like it was used as a private storage area. The lighting was superb, and the number of spots to film in was more than the amount we thought we would have. We spent close to an hour filming in one area using a variety of shots and positions, long shots and medium shots and close ups with 2 angles, directly in front and a side angle which i call the 'Trevor Nelson' angle as i copied it from his show 'The Lick'.

Progress week ending 1st November

Our half term filming time was cut short, however we fully utilized the second half of the week and filmed mostly at a car park.  You wouldn't believe it though due to the shots that we used, we were able to take shots from areas to bring across the theme of grime, along with the orange lighting which was dominant here.

We came up with some last minute ideas when we were in the middle of filming some of the scenes, including a still one-take which would form a cut of shots to make the artist appear in different locations on the shot, as if he is teleporting around the screen to the best. When it is cut down to fit the beat it should work really well.

All in all, this week wasn't as successful as we had hoped, but the footage we did take was of higher quality in terms of the lighting and scenary for the mise en scene. It gave us an insight to what else we need to get done, and any other ideas that we could include, possibly involving other people in the shots, and locations we should try to film in. Hopefully we will be visiting these locations tomorrow evening, as we need to make the most of our free time to get more footage than we will use. We have around one hour of footage so far, so we are making alot of progress on our ideas and footage taken.

progress update

Plans week 26th October

We intend to get the last few scenes for our music video completed by the end of this week we are now in. Unfortunately the artist I am working with will not be available until atleast Wednesday, so we will need to make sure we are well organised for the last few days we will have. If we manage to get the filming done by this week, then we should be on schedule and be making steady progress to then be able to be ready for editing it all together.

Update to progress

Wednesday 21st

Today we visited a location chosen by my partner, Shildons Smugglers tunnel, which was literally an extremely long and windy tunnel, leading down to the beach. We chose this location because it gave an urban feel due to the lighting and also the walls, being brick and plain gave a simple background to focus the attention on the artist. The colour of the brick wall match the gold in 'JUNK' written on the artists top. The area also consisted of a small amount of graffiti on the other side of the tunnel which we took advantage of in our filming. We only faced one major problem while filming there, and that was the wind, which was unexpectedly strong. These are a few images of the tunnel;

location

these are the images we took when spotting our locations, we decided to film at night so the clips are very different from the stills.
we also used different angles to the stills, as they are only pictures to show one of our location.

1st night footage

this is a compliation of our first night footage, where we went to an abandoned car park/power provider building, with balconies, stairs, urban mise en scene (tyres, rubble and metal fencing) and street lights. we chose this location because of its urban feel and also filming at night enhanced this feel, however after reviewing the clips, the lighting spoilt the shots.

Proposal

Proposal

When I first began this task I decided to follow the typical style of video according to my genre. The genre of my track “qualities about her” is a hip/hop, commercial RnB, influenced by dance (slowed down house beat), this meant I researched other videos of the same style. One artist inspired me to not only apply techniques from his videos, but actually create the track in the first place was Tinchy Stryder. As a result I deconstructed and also simply viewed his videos, e.g Stryderman and never leave you. This is where my whole idea changed. Originally I set out to create a video the same as these two songs, with the green screen and empty studio, however, my change in thought was sparked by an MTV session of never leave you by Tinchy Stryder. The reason I chose to change was because, the video of this live session was filmed and edited with the same camera movement and techniques! For example quick pans, crash zooms and fast multi-cam cuts.

   The audience for my track might slightly change as, the style of video will also change the channels it is broadcasted on. (detail further on). The original audience was from as young as 10-18 ruffly, however due to the cleanness (no swearing or parental guidance needed). The audience is now expanded due to this new style as it includes live instruments and a dj which appeals to the lovers of live music. The reason I am appealing to the ages of 10-40 now is because from 10 upwards girls and boys join secondary school and start to develop who they are, which is influenced mainly by music. This takes my age from 10/11-17. The 18-40 comes from the appeal of my own age, being 17 other 17-20 year olds can relate to me, even up to late 20s. Then finally the 40 margin can also relate to me through children of they're own. The lifestyle of my audience is extremely varied. Social class only plays a part when it is looked at in fine detail. By this I mean only audiences in ghetto conditions will not appreciate the quality of the music, due to the attitude of hate against commercial tracks. The way my audience will consume the video will primarily on MTV, MTV Base, Kiss, Smash hits, Box and TMF. However the lower budget channels such as AKA and Flava will most likely broadcast the video due to the newness of the artist. Finally youtube, Facebook and even Bebo will feature the video due to the massive use of web 2.0 (user based internet).

  The structure of my video is a live performance, however with the same feel as a music video shot in a white room. The way this is done is by using the same camera techniques, crash zooms, quick pans, cuts between high and low angles and also close up medium shot and long shot rotation. The video is linear as it is the same all the way through, and has no story line due to the fact I believe it would be “cheesy”, for example taylor swifts video (especially in this genre). The video begins and ends as a live performance however at the end it will fade into live footage of JSK walking into a studio hooded up with fam (mates) around him, going into the studio and about to spit (rap) where it fades out. I am doing this because it leaves the audience wanting to hear more, and also talking about it after. Due to the video not having a story line, it is impossible to use character theories.

  The genre of my track is a common genre that is being produced lately. A mix between rapping vocals and a sung chorus using a vocoder, with the beat being hip-hop based but also influenced by 80s drums. It is very similar to Tinchy Stryder featuring Taio Cruz “Take me back”. This is hip-hop/ commercial RnB.

 The way Junk Star Kid is represented in this video is similar to the representation of similar artists for example Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk. This is young rappers in the mainstream. This targets my chosen audience because they listen to mainstream music mainly and also are similar ages. The impression given by artist and the video itself is talent. Due to the flow and sound of the voice and also the number of instruments, I have chosen a set, lighting techniques and camera techniques that connote professional and tidy. The whole video can be described as tidy. The set is a stage used for live session including theatre lighting and room for many instruments.

 The message of the song is about declaring strong vows to a girl from a boy; love. This is shown technically though short sharp cuts in the camera movement and also flashing lights o=in different colours shades of red merging to yellow purple and blue, strong primary colours. It can be seen to challenge the concept of the genre (RnB) because most commonly tracks talk about sex etc but this song talks about the power of love “when you go and say you love me its like a vocal powered super high”. There are values portrayed because of the background of the artist, Christian, with strong values. This challenges the audience in theory because of the common social aspect of society, which is corrupt and against believing in God. However the way the track is produced it is not so blatant but at the same not hiding.

 The camera shots used in the video will be quick, sharp but smooth. The master shot will be a center framed long shot, slowly zooming in, and then will cut to a high angled rightly positioned pan left, then cutting to a medium close up of JSKs face and body crash zooming into JSKs face. The compilation will continue with extreme close ups of DJ equipment and then panning and cutting to the violins and keyboards, also using focus blurs. The sound and music is obvious as it is live, which means the sound will be generated by the instruments and vocals live. Finally possibly sound effects will be used/ equalising to reinforce the expression of the song. The video will be full of 'swagger' due to the quality of the performance. The colour schemes will link to the Junk Star Kids merchandise purples, blues, reds and yellow, primary pastel colours. The lighting will also be in sync with the base and strings. The editing techniques I will use post filming will be creating jump cuts. The editing matches the pace of the track because the intro is slow so there will not be a lot of room for editing due to the long duration of shots, however when the 1st chorus kicks in the pace increases and more shots are introduced, high angle right pans. Then when the verse is performed the camera movement will be crazy, as I am using 4 separate cameras at the same time there will be a good number of shots, which means plenty of editing. The editing also matches the lyrics because when the chorus is being played the lyrics of softer hens the slower pace of editing, and then the verse the lines are sharper which means quicker editing will be used.

 The artist is currently unsigned however is building a demo tape to give to Polydor records who have signed Eminem, Lady Gaga, Black eyed peas, n dubz and many others like this. As their music is similar to this track it is necessary to appeal to this institution. The channels and sites would be  MTV, MTV Base, Kiss, Smash hits, Box and TMF, because they are for commercial mainstream style tracks. However the lower budget channels such as AKA and Flava will most likely broadcast the video due to the newness of the artist. Finally youtube, Facebook and even Bebo will feature the track because of the mass audience and also the commerciality. I am directing the video despite being in the video myself (J*star Productions). I received inspiration from the MTV session directors, but also those who were involved in the Tinchy Stryder videos, Emil Nava, who also worked on Sugarbabes get sexy.

lyrics

“Qualities about her”

Chorus
When I get that feeling,
Then I know i’s real love inside,
Cus’ what you do to me I’s more than physical,
I’s just more than the outside.
When we are together,
It jus’ proves we’ve all got week sides,
Cus’ when you go and say you love me,
I’s like a vocal powered super high.

Verse
Qualities about her,
Don’t need to be questioned,
She’s what I’ve always dreamed about,
She’ll never be second.
I think I really love her,
So this I do vow,
To always be here,
And never ever row.
To answer any question,
And promise always keep,
To show you what you mean to me,
And sweep you off your feet.
To listen to you’re every word,
Give opinions honestly,
And not to act to stupidly.
Later on in life,
When we’re together still since now,
I promise to protect you,
This I certainly do vow.
Cus you’re every thin’ I want,
You’re every thin’ to me,
You are the only one,
The only one I need.

Chorus
When I get that feeling,
Then I know i’s real love inside,
Cus’ what you do to me I’s more than physical,
I’s just more than the outside.
When we are together,
It jus’ proves we’ve all got week sides,
Cus’ when you go and say you love me,
I’s like a vocal powered super high.

I spit the verse like the first time,
A single girl I would talk about usually,
But now I know what to put with a rhyme you see,
Cus already I know there’s this one for me.
That girl that brings you numinous and,
Gets excited when its you, you,
She tells you I’s love for you,
And calls you baby.
And tha’s why I do promise to always see, you.
And no one else I will let get in the way,
I will love you forever, but real today,
I’ve always know you,
But never really known you (get me?)
And tha’s why it should be you and me.

Chorus
When I get that feeling,
Then I know i’s real love inside,
Cus’ what you do to me I’s more than physical,
I’s just more than the outside.
When we are together,
It jus’ proves we’ve all got week sides,
Cus’ when you go and say you love me,
I’s like a vocal powered super high.


Verse
Qualities about her,
Don’t need to be questioned,
She’s what I’ve always dreamed about,
She’ll never be second.
I think I really love her,
So this I do vow,
To always be here,
And never ever row.
To answer any question,
And promise always keep,
To show you what you mean to me,
And sweep you off your feet.
To listen to you’re every word,
Give opinions honestly,
And not to act to stupidly.
Later on in life,
When we’re together still since now,
I promise to protect you,
This I certainly do vow.
Cus you’re every thin’ I want,
You’re every thin’ to me,
You are the only one,
The only one I need.

The lyrics in this track are an experience JSK went though, expressing his love for an unnamed girl. The verses are declaring his vows for this girl "this i certainly do vow".

A.N.G.R.I.L.I

Audience?
The audience for my track will range from 11-20s (from year 7 onwards) as that is the most common age that listen to music of this genre. The gender of the audience is ruffly 55% girls and 45% boys. This is because of the nature of the track. The lifestyle of the listeners will range as of the fusion in genres, between grime, 80s synth and hip hop. The most successful way to contact my audience is using techniques that real institutions may not use themselves, for example on youtube and facebook. using web 2.0 for distribution is key, but also word of mouth and live performances will have the video playin in the back ground.

Narrative?
The narrative of the song is about being in love with a girl you've known since you were born.
The video has a simple structure where the action is a visible example of the beat. This means the video is soft when the music is calm and the video gets more pumped when the song plays.

Genre?

The genre for this track is the new style electro/hip hop. This is a style from the UK that is a combination between a slowed down 'house beat', combined with electro synths and rapping/singing.

Representation?

The Representation of the artist of this track is a combination again between UK grime (being ruff) but mixed with the more mature side. This is portrayed through the structure of the song being singing chorus-rapping verse etc. The singing being the mature side of the artist and the rapping showing the intensity.

Ideology?

In terms of Ideology, the track portrays the simple message of  'boy meets girl' with lyrics such as "I've always known you but really never known you."

This message can be sent out to a range of ages from younger teens finding their first boy friend/girlfriend to adults who are in relationships reminding themselves of their first moments. All together the track is sending a message of the love that the artist gets form the girl in the song "like a vocal powered super high".

Language?

The language in this track ties into the genre. As the genre is partly UK rap, the language would usually have swearing in, however the maturity of the artist meant no swearing was in this track. Also the song is about love so the semantic field matched this.

mise en scene

As my video is following the conventions of other hip hop/grime influenced videos, the mise en scene will be very similar.

. The set will be done by green screen and a white room, the green screen is located in school and the white room is in Exeter.

. The costume will be Junk (C) clothing and also the props will be Junk (C) merchandise and also instruments.

. The lighting will be from behind the camera to create a spotlight feel. But also lamps will be framed to create a more live atmosphere.

. props will be the equipment for performance and also Junk merchandise

time board

Time board.

Intro. (00:01 - 00:14) CALM

Shots + Editing Action

Close ups + medium shots of Artist preparing to rap + setting

Camera – smooth slightly unsteady

Cuts in time with string and bass line



1st chorus (00:14 – 00:30) CALM BUT MORE LIVE!

00:14 ^ seconds jump cut of Junk clothing
+ Static shots of words flashing, “when I get that feeling” (still no evidence of singing)

medium shot and long shot of -> possibly an orchestra

long shot of JSK (artist) only checking the mic though (still no singing)


Verse 1
Qualities about…1
Don’t need to be…2
She’s what I’ve…3
She’ll never be…4

1+2 shoulder height Long Shot of JSK without mic, in an empty room (wearing merchandise.)
3+4 live performance (cutting from live and studio)

I think I really…5
So this I do…6
To always be…7
And never ever…8

5 medium close up of JSK spittin and actions/hand movement
6 focus pull with JSK framed left side (rule of thirds)
7+8 crash zoom out to reveal a different Junk top

pictures and videos of techniques in mind

This is a condensed search, of 3 main techniques i am considering to use in my video.

The first is the setting, green screen and white room

Tinchy Stryder video, with the same narrative as my own video, about a girl.

on the technical aspect of the video, the shot types are head height, medium shots, cutting between long and close ups.


the second
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7978NwXukA

a video by a guy called scorcher.
it is a slightly different narrative, however the techniques used are simple and possible (which is what i need due to having no budget








this technique is where the video links two songs together, in this case using a transition of a picture of his logo sky division, and also then changing the colour scheme to black and white.

the third

http://www.mtv.co.uk/artists/taio-cruz/session/taio-cruz?$153513$

The technique is basically varied camera shots panning quickly and jumping to extreme close ups with focus pulls. the video is a live session of a track called break your heart by taio cruz (same narrative)

16-09-09 "film school"

In today's lesson we decided to create our own film school. This was an opportunity to investigate different shot types that we may or may not want to use for our music videos. Our group only experimented with the following shots as they were the most neccessary.

- Trombone shots. where the camera zooms in but tracks backwards at an equal speed, therefore creates a nauseous. (harder than it looks)

- Cutting on XCUs. This is a technique that can be used to create either a time lapse e.g someone shaking hands when they are children to a cut and zoom out revealing them as adults. Or it can be used as a way of changing location using the same technique however when the camera zooms out the characters are either different or ina diffrerent setting.

- Disappears. This old school simple technique is carried out by fioming a shot for a period of time - press pause - main character leaves the scene whilst everything else is the same - and then resume recording resulting in an effect that gives the viewer the impression the character has dissapered.

- Floating heads. This is where the actor wheres black or covers their body with a black sheet, a bright light is used on their face and then in editing the contrast is boosted up which gives the impression of floating heads.

- Headcam fixed shots.

-Time lapse. A technique used to create a setting where the main character is passing through time alot slower than his surroundings. this is dine simply by filming a (usually) static shot of a busy background with the main character keeping as still as possible and then speeding it all up in editing.

Album artwork

The first album i chose was Jay-z's latest, "the blueprint 3". I chose this because it is an extremely up to date album, and also it is the same genre to a certain extent, american hip-hop and uk hip-hop.

The geological features of the album are mainly the colours, all white, with some grey shadow, and then 3 red vertical rectangles to clearly define this is his third blueprint album.

The layout is also appealing because the images are framed in the center of the album, and is circle which, creates a 3d illusion. The graphic design itself is a key feature as it is a collection of instruments and studio equipment which is a physical image of the music and style jay-z creates. the representation the artwork creates is modern, slick and up to date, even though a variety of the instruments are old fashioned e.g the first record player.

Mr Hudsons album straight no chaser, on the other hand is very different, but for an obvious reason. jy-zs album did not include a picture of himself, where as Mr Hudsons does, this is because Jay-z is considered the greatest rapper alive, and Mr Hudson is a newly discovered talent from birmingham. This means Mr Hudson would need to promote his image whilst showing who he is so people can become fans and others can remember who he is.

The text in this one is bold white on a dark background, in a sci-fi sharp font. The actual design of the picture is what i call 2080s, which means it has an 80s style however as we are in the 2000s it has the 2000s look, this is because the 80s can only be imitated not reenacted.

The design and layout is also appealing because Mr hudson is framed center of the picture in the for-ground to an off white back ground. The colours are dull however these are used in such away that they become appealing.

Knye wests graduation again completely different to both of the previous albums, and this one uses teddy bears in cartoon as this is his associated character. the artwork is extremely more colourful as it was released a year ago, when image had a different view to colours like this one. The graphics themself are different to any other because it is symbolysing the graduation where the bear is being launched. the font is different to the others as it does not stand out because it is only a shade lighter than the background colour, however all three albums have had their text straight across, which means when we do our own we know what is professional.

my track.

Artist: Junk star kids
genre: hip-hop
track: Qualities bout her/remix'

Audience:
The most likely audience for this style of song would be aged between 13-20ish but would also get radio air play; meaning it has a commercial side to it. The gender of the audience would most likely be a 50-50 split, as the song is both lyrically love based however because the beat is hard, it appeals to both sex's. The lifestyle of the target audience would mainly be average middle class because of its commercial appeal, however because of the uk rap influence on the beat but also a slowed down house beat, it is likely fans from different genres will appreciate the track.

currently the website for Junk star kids is under construction (junkstarkids.co.uk)
this means music the music is hard to reach, however rumors are circling that a myspace page might be opened very soon, which will be using web:2.0 to distribute music, also tune core will most likely be used when an appropriate amount of marketing is carried out. Also developments and negotiations are taking place for Junk star kids to be MCing at local clubs.

Lesson 3 Monday 22nd June

Aims:

• To link our skills with deconstructing TV drama with music videos (linking representations)

Keywords:

• Wiz Pan An extremely quick pan leaving blurrs after it pans
• Crash zoom An extremely quick forward zoom

Today we studied:

• Spike Jonze - Its oh so quiet- Bjork

Practice deconstruction:

• Contrast in opening- visual contrast - starts like a horror
• Lighting effects match tempo + structure
• Synchronous (up beat = fast) (slow = low key lighting)
• Similar to musical = Borrows conventions of musical
• Centrally framed
• Orange dress = stand out
• Artist is represented as quirky
  

• Cam slowly tracks Bjork
  
• Low key lighting + slow "its oh so quiet"= illustrative
  
• Trumpet blair = wizpan, crash zoom, mise en scene borrowed from musicals and continuity editing (when stunt double is used to flip)
• Walks on crain = rises up = symbolizing status/feeling

=Amplified narrative

Beastie Boys:

• Fast pace
• Comical -> Borrows from stereo typical "70s cop shows"
• Titles matched with still shot of action e.g like the film snatch

=Amplified narrative

First 3 deconstructions of music videos

Tinchy Stryder- Styrder man

camerwork:

Intro was simply a series of close ups of:

• STAR IN THE HOOD tshirt - Tinch' putting on (from behind) [Extreme close up]
• 
• Chain - Tinch' putting on (from behind) [Extreme close up]
• Glasses - Tinch' putting on (from behind) [Extreme close up]

Verse was obviously more synchronized to the music:

• Short takes of Tinchy (medium close ups)
• Cut a ways of girls shorts (close up)
• Jumping to different back drop
• Cut a ways to reinforce lyrics e.g"Kamikaze"- Medium close up of Japanese bandanna
• 

Chorus was simpler than verse due to less lyrics, as the camera work very much matched the lyrics:

• Long takes of Tinchy Stryder rapping
• Short takes of Tinchy Stryder not rapping

2nd + 3rd chorus was more developed with longer shots and including girls either side Tinchy

Conclusion of camerawork:

• Tinchy always centrally framed
• Mainly static camera throughout (except intro [use of tracking] and few shots in the middle
• Mainly chest level angle except 1 low angle

Editing:

• Fade transitions from 1st-2nd x3
• 'Small blocks' transitions
• 
• Fast editing
• 
• Variety of colours added after + back drops
• Use of added over colour to shots, instead of shot changes
• 
• Radar fade in-out behind Tinchy (to reinforce lyrics)
• End of chorus = series of fade through
• 'Close the blind' transitions to finish video

Mise En Scene:
-Costume:
-
Tinch'

• Star In The Hood merchandise
• 
• Chains
• Glasses
• Jeans
• White Air force 1 creps
  
• Jacket at times

-
Girls

• Short shorts
• Bikini tops
• Tight Shiny leggings - show sexy appeal
• 

-Lighting:

• Used all 3 areas of lighting
• Key/Fill to give a glow

-Props:

• Clothing rack

-Set:

• Just an 'empty room' effect (simple and keeps focus on Tinchy Stryder and reinforces nick-name "cloud nine strydes"

Sound + Music:

• Change of shots synchronized to the beat
• Fast/upbeat-rap/grime music
• Video links to this with the costume e.g saggy jeans/white air force 1's
• SFX match the block transitions
• Keep the flow throughout = No change in the video
• Variety of instruments = Variety of change in colour of backdrops

Conclusion: The video is illustrative as it reinforces what both the lyrics are denoting and also the genre of music.









Girls Aloud- Can't speak french


Camerawork and editing:

• Establishing shots with crash zooms-cutting between a master shot of the Girls, in slow motion walking towards the camera (parralel editing)
• 
  
• Series of close ups of each Girl singing - showing each of them separately
• 
  
• As Music develops editing increases in speed
• Camera introducing shots including all Girls together
• Chorus drops, shots are in sync with beat
• A story line begins to develop as lines "i cant speak french" are sang - shown by camera tracking Girls into a room, using continuity editing + shots of actors MS + CU

Mise En Scene:

-Costume:

• Exaggerated colourful french maid dresses + all characters are wearing exaggerated colourful clothing, linking them together
• 

-Props:

• Reinforcing reality of the story, big candle sticks, wine glasses etc

-Set:

• Exaggerating the stereo typical old fashioned dinning rooms- big oak looking tables, high flower center pieces, place mats, patterned wall paper
• 

-Lighting:

• Begins with key to give Girls a standing out effect
• Later moves to a more ambient light to reinforce where the video is set

Sound:

• In Sync (mostly) but also in slow more when camera framing singing (still in time)
• Cam + editing reinforce the pace of the song, how it develops from calm to an upbeat track

Conclusion: This video unlike Styderman, is an amplified narrative as it takes the stereotypical idea of speaking french in the 1800s and completely exaggerating it.

Lesson 2 Wednesday 17th june 2009

Aims:

• Continue with previous aims, to develop research and planning in watching/analysing other directors work

Keywords:

• Disjunctive: A technique to go against the representations of the music.
• Amplified: A technique used to 'amplify' (reinforce) a distinctive idea (exajurates) 
• Illustrative: A technique used to reinforce the lyrics of the music.

Today we studied:

-Chris Cunningham- "Come on my selector" Square Pusher

-Michelle Gondry- "Sugar Water" Cibo Matto

Chris Cunningham took a drum and base track and added a disjunctive narrative as the video had no relation to the genre of music.

Michelle Gondry also used a disjunctive narrative as the music did not relate to the genre of music.

Lesson 1 wednesday 10th june

Aims:

• To understand the generic conventions of music videos
  
• To be able to identify how the band/artist/track is promoted and represented through the video conventions
• To be able to deconstruct music videos according to the 4 areas of textual analysis

Skills:

• Use the 4 areas technique from your textual Analysis unit, focusing on WHY and HOW certain techniques have been used, Consider how the band/artist/genre have been REPRESENTED. 
• Comment on the most interesting parts of the video, or sequences that are visually striking, Try to explain what makes them striking.
• Use screenshots from youtube to support and exemplify your analysis, This will help your marker to see exactly what you have been looking at.

Today we received an introduction to the course and began our planning and research towards our music video. This meant only watching and observing techniques used by directors to portray attitudes, representation, colour and subliminal messages. the directors we studied where Michelle Gondry, Antoine Corbic and Chris Cunningham.

Michelle Gondry: 

• Born in Versailles, France. 
  
• His career as a filmmaker began with creating music videos for the French rock band Oui Oui
  
• The style of his videos for Oui Oui caught the attention of music artist Björk, who asked him to direct the video for her song "Human Behaviour"
  
• Other artists who have collaborated with Gondry on more than one occasion include:

Daft Punk,

The White Stripes,

The Chemical Brothers, 

The Vines, Steriogram,

Radiohead,

Beck.

Anton Corbijn:

• born May 20, 1955
  
• a photographer and director from Strijen, the Netherlands
  
• he is well known for directing music videos, including:

Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" (1989) and 

Nirvana's "Heart-Shaped Box" (1993),

as well as directing the Ian Curtis biopic Control.

Chris Cunningham:

• Is an acclaimed English music video film director and video artist
  
• He was born in Reading, Berkshire in 1970 and grew up in Lakenheath, Suffolk
  
• Has had close ties to Warp Records since his first production for Autechre
  
• His video for Björk's "All Is Full of Love" won multiple awards, including an MTV music video award for Breakthrough Video and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video
  
• His video for Aphex Twin's "Windowlicker" was nominated for the "Best Video" award at the Brit Awards 2000. He also directed Madonna's "Frozen" video.
  

Outline of A2 course

50% Practical Production- 3 tasks (Mr Shaikh)

1. Music video-

•  research + planning 
  
• Production
• Evaluation
  

2. DVD Cover-

3. Magazine advert for band/artist/track

50%  1. Critical Evaluation (an exam based on practical work over last 2 years)

           2. Critical Perspective: [Identity] "of male' (Mrs Muir)