Music Videos that inspired us

For the evaluation task 1, we are planning on showing what aspects of which music videos inspired us in the making of our own video and used the conventions of the Indie Pop/Rock genre.

As we were using a song by Kate Nash, we looked at a number of her videos, and took inspiration from the song Mouthwash, which is the song we used for our music video, and the song Foundations, as it uses stop motion in a similar way to how we wanted to use it.

The song The Fear by Lilly Allen inspired us because the artist portrayed a similar care-free persona to the character we were hoping to create in our music video.

Finally, the clever and quirky use of stop motion in the song The Show by Lenka, gave use many ideas to use for own music video.

Here is a short video montage of the specific clips that inspired us:

Music Video Director Feedback

We recently showed rough cuts of our music video to director Terry Hall in hope of some constructive feedback on what we could do to improve our shots as well as inspire some new ideas. Today we skyped with Terry so that he could give us his feedback, and this is what he told us;

• We need to maintain the visual style and tone of the video, but maybe using a majority of still frames. 
• We need to ensure that we include a lot more lip syncing shots to ensure we create a relationship between the artist and the viewer. 
• In our stop motion shots of our actress on the steps outdoors, Terry suggested that we layer shots to create two or more of the actress in one shot. 
• To stick with the theme of stop motion, the director suggested that we should make our regular shots 'choppier', which will hopefully contribute to the quirky vibes of the video.

This White Stripes video uses a similar technique to our test with the girl on the steps. Interesting to see how the idea develops throughout. Has moving camera at the end:

http://youtu.be/K4dx42YzQCE
PES is one of the best stop frame directors:
https://www.youtube.com/user/PESfilm/videos

A few ideas and techniques on this that we could use:
https://vimeo.com/46287665

This Kate Nash video has a few elements of stop frame in it that is probably worth looking at for how to include them in our video:
https://vimeo.com/35289310

Pete Fraser at the BFI

On the 26th of November, we visited the BFI London, to take part in a media studies conference with OCR's chief examiner Pete Fraser. The conference was specified to A2 music videos, and how to get the best out of our production.

We learnt about the history of music promos since the 1930s to the present day. The 1940s saw the start of many modern day conventions which we still see in music videos today; this era was referred to as the era of the 'soundies.' This saw the start of Voyeurism, which is still very much an aspect seen in modern day videos. The 1970s saw the breakthrough n=music video 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen, which cost only £3,000 to produce. In the 1980s, MTV was introduced, and its first video ever played was 'Video Killed the Radio Star'. The 80s also saw the point where female artists came into the limelight, following in the steps of Madonna. We also saw the start of big budget videos being made, the most influential being 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson, which cost several million pounds to produce, Michael Jackson also paved the way for black artists during this era. 200s saw the start of YouTube and the online age for music.

We were also refreshed on the ideas and concepts of Andrew Goodwin and they conventions that are assumed for different genres.

Lastly, we were given the opportunity to talk to a music video direction named Jake, who was previously taught by Pete Fraser in his A Level years. Jake was involved in the making of many music videos including 'Let me Entertain You' by Robbie Williams, 'It's Raining Men' by Geri Halliwell and 'Say You'll Be There' by The Spice Girls.

Trip to The BBC

Digipak Reverse

Risk Assessment for Music Video

Digipak Research

Looking at magazine adverts for other artists in the indie rock/pop genre:

Record Label Logo

Our record label logo for our record company: Preshow records. Derived from the combination of our names Priya + Shona = Prisho, which turned into Preshow. We decided to keep our logo black and white as it will stand out on any colour put behind it.

Digipak Research

Contacting Fiction Records

Audience Expectations

Interview at least four members of your 'target audience' about what they expect or would like to have included in your music video. 

Typical Synopsis of 4 Indie Pop/Rock Videos

Lily Allen- The Fear 

Similarly to our initial ideas, Lily Allen's video begins in a rural environment, making in simplistic and similar to other Indie Pop/Rock videos. There are shots of the artists reflection singing in the mirror, this is another idea that we already had to include in our own music video. Although the video contains dancing which I would not consider a key convention for Indie Pop/Rock videos, the dancing comes across comedic and comedy is an aspect that is often featured in Indie Pop/Rock music videos.There are a lot of close ups of Lily Allen to showcase them as an artist, which is key to include in our music video as the song we are using is similar to a song that Lily Allen would release.

Frank Turner- Recovery 

At the start of the video we immediately see the artist with his guitar which is a key convention of Indie Pop/Rock Videos as viewers would usually expect artists to play the instruments heard in the song. Animation is used throughout the video which is an idea that we were hoping to include in our own video. As well as this, stop motion is also used throughout the duration of the video which is another technique we were hoping to include in making our video to 'Mouthwash'. The use of other band members is also interesting as Frank Turner is a solo artist however by having band members included in the video, the conventions are met of 'live' music being displayed in the video. A lot of postmodern elements are included in this video, including dividing the screen into three and switching the shots which could be to represent the 'mixmates' toys where you can mix and match the legs, bodies and heads of the characters.

Coldplay- Charlie Brown

The numerous establishing shots at the beginning of the video show to the viewer that video is set in a city, and at a closer look, the viewer can tell by the big red buses that the video is specifically set in London. The video sticks to the conventions of Indie Pop/Rock videos by featuring the band playing their instruments throughout the video. The lyrics in the video were often represented by the actions taking place in the video, for example when the lines 'I took a car downtown' are sang, the actor in the video is shown stealing a car and driving away.  Strobe lights are featured in the 'performance' part of the video which according to our audience research is a convention that they expect in Indie Pop/Rock videos. 

The All-American Rejects- Gives You Hell

This video contains the comedic element that is often featured in Indie Pop/Rock videos, similarly to The Black Keys 'Tighten Up' video.  The video conveys a story that relate to the lyrics throughout the duration of the video. The video like the majority of other videos in this genre, shows the band playing their instruments, so create the impression that the viewer can see what they are hearing being produced. 

Lenka- The Show- Nine Frame Analysis

 1- duration 17s (0-0.17)

This shot starts as a long shot, however by the end of the 17 second shot the camera as zoomed closer into the artist, 

2- duration 4s (0.17-0.21)

There are eight shots within this four seconds as this shot uses stop motion which is a technique which we hope to make use of in our music video as it often seen in music videos of this genre.

3- duration 3s (0.22-0.24)

In this shot we are shown a closer shot of the artist but not quite a close up. The artist is seen lip singing, a convention that is common in most videos to showcase the artist and create a relationship between the audience and the artist. 

 4- duration 2s (0.24-0.26)
At this point in the video special effects are used make the artist look like she is being dragged from left to right or up and down.

5- duration 2s (0.26-0.28) 

6- duration 2s (0.28-0.30) 

 7- duration 1s (0.30-0.31)

aspects of comedy- a common convention of the indie genre. Use of puppets similar to use of animation. This also makes the video more quirky and different. 

 8- duration 1s (0.31-0.32)

9- duration 1s (0.32-0.33)

Kate Nash- Mouthwash Storyboard

Finished Lyrics Brainstorm Sheet

5 Seconds of Summer- Nine frame analysis (class work)

6. Collage

This collage shows the use of instruments and simple settings such as road sides and fields as this is a common convention of indie rock/pop videos. There are also images showing instruments as this is another convention of this genre. I've also used animated pictures as animation is a feature that U would like to include in my music video.

5. Conventions

1. Music videos demonstrate certain genre characteristics 
The Black Keys video has visuals of the band 'performing' which is seen in many indie rock videos.

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals. 


3. There is a relationship between music and visuals. 
This is shown in The Black Keys video as the band members are seen playing the instruments heard in the song, this is a common element in the indie rock/pop genre.

4.The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist. 
This is exemplified in the video 'Royals' by Lorde as a large proportion of the shots are of the artist herself.

5. The artist may develop motifs or iconography that recur across their work


6. There is frequent reference to the notion of 'looking' and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body 

7. There are often intertextual references- mostly to film, television and popular culture. 

2. Award winning videos

1. LORDE "ROYALS"

    "Best Rock Video" VMAs 2014 

This video varies between only a few different settings, these being shots of Lorde herself singing to the camera or shots of male actors in a house. The shots do not seem to appear during any specific part of the song . At the beginning of the video the shots don't change in any particular rhythm as some change on the beat and others change in-between. The shots on the two males in the video, relate to the lyrics "and we'll never be royal" as the lifestyle that they appear to have seems very basic and normal. 

2. THE BLACK KEYS "TIGHTEN UP"

"Breakthrough Video" VMAs 2010

This video is award worthy as it is comical (typical for the indie rock genre), the comedic aspect of the video is made clear immediately through as young child lip sings the lyrics "I wanted love, I need love" whilst looking up at a little girl on a climbing frame. The lyrics relate to the video as the singer says "When I was young and moving fast, nothing slowed me down" and this is shown through the use of children throughout the entire video. 

1. History of music videos for my chosen genre

Bastille- Pompeii

Released; 2013

A major difference between this video and the earlier ones is that unlike the others which are filmed in more rural environments, we imediately learn from an establishing shot that this video is set in a city. However at the end of the video, the lead singer of the band has traveled from the city to a more rural area suggesting that this may be a recurring setting for indie pop videos. 

GROUPLOVE- Tongue Tied 

Released; 2011

In this video, props are used such as clothing, masks and make up to create the alternative vibe for the video that is exemplified in indie pop music. Editing effects are used throughout the entire video as the all the footage has been reversed, as well as this numerous other effects are used to create a cool vibe.

Noah and The Whale- 2 Bodies 1 Heart

Released; 2009

Interestingly, although being filmed later than the previous two videos this video seems of much  less quality due to the fact that it seems to have been filmed to give a hand-held effect, as if the band are filming the video themselves. Similarly to the Lenka video there is a comical element to the video which seems to be an idea present in other indie pop videos.

Lenka- The Show

Released; 2008

I chose this video to compare and it uses many techniques which I could imagine being used for my own music video. This video differs from the older video by The Fratellis and it has several settings, all of them being in very normal places (e.g. parks, buses, bedrooms) which seems to be common in videos for this genre of music. 

The Fratellis- Chelsea Dagger

Released; 2004

filmed ten years ago; this video differs from more recent videos in many ways. Firstly, through out the entire video there are only 3 different scenes; the stage, the burlesque changing room and the spotlit wall where the close ups are filmed.