Existing Music Channels

 This is a PowerPoint I created on the different types of music channels available today. In my presentation I have discussed and talked about the ones I think are the most popular, explaining their history and what types of programmes they air. This task has helped me understand the importance of music videos today and how vital it is to get them across and show them to an audience. This helps promote new music and creates a relationship between the producer and the consumer. It is also interesting to see how some music channels have evolved and how their audience has potentially changed.

Location Recce

 For my video I would like to use a range of locations to go with my narrative. I think the idea of including both indoor and outdoor locations will also make my video look more unique and interesting. As I want to include parts of a narrative and a performance I may have to use both general locations and a studio. As I am lucky enough to have access to a drama studio in my school, I will most likely use this for the performance parts in my song. Other main locations will include central London which I can use as my main city, my house for other simple shots and perhaps fields or the local woods. The drama studio also has a range of different facilities that will come in handy for my production. Furthermore mirrors and certain objects such as a projector will also help with the creation of my video to create a range of effects and originality.

 

London- this location will include the time lapse in my video. This will be of my main artist standing/sitting in London while people are walking behind her. As this footage will be sped up, it will appear that my artist has been there for a long time – this will display her lack of care and motivation, as the narrative behind my video will be a heart-break story were the protagonist is upset and doesn’t want to move on.

 

Other Locations (Fields/Woods) -these locations will include the flashbacks of the couple in my video, highlighting a more positive time in the protagonist’s life. I have chosen this type of location as I believe this is something a typical couple may be doing.

 Obviously, this post will help me significantly with the production of my music video as it tells me the different location ideas where I will be able to film. Each location has a purpose for a significant event in my video and this post will remind me of this, as well as the different areas I will be able to film in.

Conventions of a Music Video

 This is a post I created, explaining the typical conventions involved in a music video. I have describe what particular micro-elements (camera, sound, editing and mise en scene) are involved in the production of these videos as well as giving examples about the typical conventions used in different music genre videos.

Production Diary

 Since being back at school, I have started to consider more ideas regarding my music video. I have thought about locations, the model I will use and what song.

 Furthermore, I have given myself specific targets on what I will need to complete each week. These targets include certain posts I wish to complete for that week as well as improvements I may need to make on already existing posts. As I have found out, for A2 epecially, I will need to include as much detail in my posts as possible to reach the maximum marks for my coursework. Therefore I am already starting to go back to previous posts in order to improve them. This week, I have also set myself targets to complete certain research tasks. Ones I completed were my post on music video theory and 'what is a digipak?'. It was interesting and useful to research the different theories as these will also come in handy for my media exam.

What Is A Digipak?

 A digipak is a type of packaging for CDs or DVDs, typically made from cardboard with an internal plastic holder for one or more discs. Digipaks typically consist of a gatefold paperboard or card stock outer binding with one or more plastic trays capable of holding a CD or DVD attached to the inside. This product was the first alternative to jewel cases to be used by major record companies. This type of packaging is used for CD singles or special editions of CD albums. However, this packaging tends to show signs of wear more quickly than a jewel case. Big companies such as domestic U.S. printer and disc replicator Oasis Disc Manufacturing reccomend using a UV coating to protect the didgpak and make it last longer.

 Digipak-style cases grew in popularity among record labels and recording artists in the early 2000s. Manufacturers have also sought to reduce environmental impact and improve functionality by introducing recycled components into its trays - one has even been recycled from plastic bottles.

Here are some examples of digipaks:

I have chosen to look at digipaks that include a female artist as when I create my own digipak, I will be including a female artist also. The digipaks I have looked at are all relatively different styles as they all include different colours, camera shots and fonts. By researching these digipaks, it therefore gives me a range of ideas for my own. I have also realised that some sections of the digipak only include a single close-up shot of the artist, for example the Marina and the Diamonds digipak. I believe this looks professional and may include this type of style in my own product. For my own product, I would also like to include a specific house style, which makes it clear that each section belongs to the same digipak which these examples have done successfully.

 

This post will help me with the creation of my didpak by making me aware of the different conventions digipaks include and how to present them effectively in my work.

Music Video Theory

 There are many theories and theorists related to music videos. In my post, I am going to talk about some of the theorists I have began to look at in class as well as some I have researched myself.

ANDREW GOODWIN
 Andrew Goodwin identified 5 key aspects of music videos: thought beats (seeing the sound), narrative and performance, the star image, relation of visuals to song and technical aspects of a music video.
THOUGHT BEATS:  The first step is to look at the structure of the song (e.g. chorus, verse). Secondly, look at the voice of the song. The voice of the artist is very unique and can create a particular trade mark/way for people to identify them. (This also relates to Roland Barthes' theory of the grain of voice). Thirdly, focus on the artist mode of address. Music videos can be stories, therefore the artist can be the story teller.
NARRATIVE & PERFORMANCE: Goodwin explains that music videos should ignore common narrative as it is important in their role of advertising. Music videos should be of the same standard every time and narrative and performance should work together to keep the audience interested. The artist should also star in the music video to make it more authentic and realistic for the viewer (miming is still a popular music video technique; the artist just needs to make it look real and professional).
STAR IMAGE: This is a meta narrative which is a big story that describes the development of a star (the music artist) over time. This also takes into account the artist’s image which can change/develop overtime and plays a role in the production of their music videos.
RELATION OF VISUALS TO A SONG: There are 3 main ways in which music videos work to promote a song. The first is illustrate – this is the most common process where music videos use images to illustrate the meaning of lyrics and genre. Second is amplify where meanings are manipulated and repeatedly shown so the audience doesn’t forget. Third is disjuncture where the meaning of the song is completely ignored.
TECHNICAL ASPECTS: This includes camera, mise-en-scene, angle movement, sound, editing and special effects. Lighting and colour also help set the mood.

SVEN E CARLSSON
 He said a common approach to music videos is the use of binary opposites. These drive the narration of the video forward. He also believed that music videos fall into one of two categories: Performance (where the audience can see the artist singing or dancing) or Conceptual (where the audience watch something else in the video, not the artist).

 He also created the theory that most performance movies (music videos)  make the performer not a performer anymore because they are in fact restricted in the way they can perform. Artists are being used to sell their voice, face and lifestyle.

MICHAEL SHORE
 Michael Shore’s theory is different from the previous two. He concludes that music videos are recycled styles that contain an information overload so contain views of adolescent male fantasies. Therefore videos contain elements of speed, power, girls and wealth. All this conveys into soft-core pornography with clichéd imagery.