Choosing a song

When looking for unsigned bands/artists I came across a song called 'Pay my dues' by Jackie Boyz. I really liked this song and found it catchy myself. This song was played to my peers and this was there feedback:

1. Positive

• Memorable
• Catchy
• Fun
• Easy to lip synch
• Enjoyed the lyrics
• Different
• Can do a performance or narrative music video genre

2. Negative

• Repetitive music beat - may get boring
• Find it hard to get the correct locations
• Might find it hard to reach a wide target audience, not a mass market
• Voices might not match appearances

How do directors use media language to produce creative music video?

This is a video of how I think the directors of the songs 'Millionaire' (Sesan Ogunro) and 'Poker Face' (Ray Kay and aided by Anthony Mandler) have used cinematography, editing and mise-en-scene to produce a creative music video.

Record Labels

XL Recordings

XL recordings is a record label which specialises in all genres. They have artists such as Adele and Radiohead. It was founded in 1989 by Richard Russel and Tom  Palmer. It is located in both England and New York. It is an independent UK label and only releases around 6 albums a year but is still a hit , especially with working with well know artists such as Dizzie Rascal. 

 

Atlantic Records 

Another record label which specialises with jazz, R&B and soul record labels is Atlantic records. This label has worked with people such as Sean Paul and Bruno Mars - which have different music styles. It was founded in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. It has an important reputation of being one of the most famous American record labels. 

Polydor Records

This last record label is Polydor which specialises in all genres but has more pop artists. Well-known artists which use this record label are Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus. Polydor is a British record label that operates in America as part of the Universal group.  It was founded in 1913 and is located in London.

 

 

I think that Polydor Records is the best record label we could use for our music video because it has the most artists signed which cover all genres. Therefore, the label would have more experience working with ska music.

 

Lyrics

When looking through the lyrics to are chosen song 'nite klub',  we noticed that the title of the song was repeated several times. This allows us to think that we will locate our music video in a dark setting with flashing lights. 

Also, when analaysing the lyrics I saw the binary opposites of day and night. This demonstrating that during the day they sleep and at night they go out in a busy environment. 

Green Screen Practise

Here is my green screen practise of spectacle. I have used four different backgrounds with the same dancing in front of them.



What was easy about green screening? 

In my opinion I found it easy that you can use any piece of photography on your work. For example, when I got the graffiti piece off of google images. Also, that you can do any movement in front of the green screen. 

What are the difficulties? 

I found difficult trying to get the correct spacing in front of the green screening to then make sense with what I put on the background.

How could green screening be used in music videos? 

It could be used by creating an expensive and big location. For example, in a castle. It's a lot easier to green screen then go and film in a real castle. It would allow the person in the frame seem as if they are really there. 

What music video genres could use green screens? 

A spectacle could use green screening. This is because they can use the green screen to make the person seem as if they are something else. For example, Lady Gaga's 'applause' music video shows her head with a swan’s body. 

Also, it could be used in image by creating a location of where the artist would likely to be seen. For example, a writing might want to come across innocent so could be put into a beach or watching the sunset. 

How could you use it for your music video? 

I could use it in my music video by putting fireworks in the background, making it seem loud and busy. This is perfect for a ska music video. 

Directors use of media language to produce creative videos

Hello everyone, attached is a a short video with a voice over of me explaining how i think directors use media language to produce creative videos. I have used the two music videos, 'That's my girl' by Fifth Harmony and 'Closer' by Chainsmokers.

I hope you enjoy and feel free to check out the rest of our blog!!

Jade :) xx

Case studies of iconic directors of music videos

Jonas Åkerlund

Jonas Åkerlund (Hans Uno Jonas Åkerlund) is a Swedish director and drummer. He is best known for directing music videos, which are often mock forms of movie trailers and short films. He has worked with a variety of high-profile artists such as, Britney Spears, Metallica, Christina Aguilera, U2, Blink-182, Pink, Rammstein, Lady Gaga and Madonna (multiple times) - With her song "Ray of Light" he won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, Short Form and a record seven awards at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year.

Jonas got his first 'break' when he was the main director for Roxette, a Swedish Duo Band. Recently, he has even worked with the 'current' top artists, Beyonce and Taylor Swift. The director and drummer creates very engaging and exciting music videos, often within the image genre, with hints of performance as well.


Beyonce - Superpower

The shallow focus on Beyonce as she is walking through the centre of the frame represents that she is the key figure within the music video. The background is effective as it contrasts with the colours of her outfit; which is very reveiling and portrays Beyonce as a sexualised woman. Throughout the video the key focus is on Beyonce representing that it is within the image genre.


Madonna - Ray of Light

This music video consisted of a time lapse throughout the entire song, with occasional scenes of Madonna singing, overlaid onto a background of clouds. The time lapse of daily life occurences was effective as the frame was very fast and didn't get boring. The time lapse and frames of Madonna represent the music video as being in the image genre.



U2 - Beautiful Day

This music video used lots of transitional fading between the clips. The close up of the main singer transitions into a medium shot of him walking. This represents the image genre but also the performance genre as they are part of a band.