Papa Roach - Burn (Music video review)

There is a cinematic opening with a cinematic establishing shot. If it were not for the fact you knew you were veiwing a music video you would think that you are watching a film.

A hue is used to help create this feel. The band performance and the narrative are interlinked, with the narrative taking place around the band as they perform. The focus is on the lead singer, Jocoby Shaddix.

There is an intro before music kicks in with a man pouring petrol. The viewer is instantly intrested...why is he doing this? It is to set up introduce the narrative and emphasise the story line.

Chaiscuro lighting is used at the start of the video, this is juxtapositioned by fire later on.

The cuts are slow before music kicks in, but they speed up when it does. The increased speed of the editing if intoduced with a clever effect that sees the drum kit fly in infront of the drummer. Effects like this are interesting and gain and keep the audience's attention.

The video has a simple, yet effective Narrative. I found I was much more interested in this simple narrative than other music videos with complex stories. Keeping things simple can often be more effective than a deep storyline. The narrative even manages to relate to the name of the song - "Burn". This makes it even more captivating for the audience to watch.

Fast cuts are used consistantly throughout the video to keep the viewer watching.

Focus on different band members is shown through the video, although the main focus as mentioned earlier, is on the lead singer. The only time the focus changes from the lead singer, is during the solo where the camera focuses on the lead guitarist.

The camera judders and cuts with the heavy parts music. This emphasises important parts of the music such as the breakdown.

There are close ups on the petrol being poured, and the flame spreading helps to show the significance of these parts in the video. Slow motion is used to show the petrol throwing, and the music dips during the explosion. This has the same effect.

Special effects are used to show band on fire, provide interesting visuals for the audience. This also relates to the name of the song, "Burn".

A low angle is used to show the gory death at the end. Blood splashes at screen to shock the viewer and end on a powerful note.

I am extremely fond of this video, and feel inspired that a video can hold your attention so well with such a simplistic narrative!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb4Q-2TueEM

Music Videos(What genre are they?)

This video is classed as rock, the reason why this video is classed rock is because the instruments that the band are using such as, bass guitars, drums, kick pedal etc to have the loud rock effect. Also during this video the kaiser chiefs have set the video out in black and white to create more of an effect, to use the effect that this has been set in the olden times, where music was a big hit in playing. The video is following a man who has set up his own business and wants to sell his products to others and trying to get people to play outside his shop to make more money. This appeals to our video as we have a story and we are a rock band that appeal to other rock listeners.

Sum 41 - Underclass Hero (Music video review)

The mise en scene is the main focus of this music video. It seems as though the band are playing right in the middle of a high school/college bonfire party. The large amount of extras and dances help to give the video a party feel, and give than band a "fun" image. Punk clothing and the punk - schoolboy image also help to do this, whilst also connotating rock.

I feel that the mide-en-scene is designed to make the viewer think "Wow, i wish I was there!" This obviously keeps them watching. This can relate to Richard Dyer's utopian soloutions theory, where we try and fill voids in our own life with the media.

Toilet paper is thrown, Balls are hit of peoples heads with baseball bats etc.. this helps add to the party feel. The stage, amps, fire and fire all help add to the mise-en-scene. When the baseball is struck from one of the party goer's head's, the video goes into slow motion. This is designed to impress the viewer and keep their attention.

The flames in the darkness connotate an image of power.

The band are playing normally during the intro, focusing on the drums as they are the most prominant unstrument during this part of the song, but start playing with lots of energy when music kicks in. This intrests the viewer and emphasises the fast and aggressive punk style that the band play.

Medium paced edits are used as the band are playing with such energy that they are not needed as much.

Cheerleaders are perfect for the video as they match the mise-en-scene by being related to school, and can provide the high energy dance moves needed for the video.

The focus switches beteween the two singers, concentrating on the frontman as most music video conventions state.

During the solo slow motion fireworks, and impressive dancing (bhackflips by cheerleaders etc). A low angle shot is used to show height of cheerleader throw. These things are designed to really try an make the viewer go "Wow!" with things we find visually impressive.

The singer jumps into crowd gets involves with narrative towards the end, and characters from narrative sing the lyrics at the beggining. This is a theme designed to intrest the viewer.

Close ups of the singer are used when music concentrates in vocals, following general music video conventions.

To sum up, the video focuses heavily on the mise-en-scene and keeps the viewer entertained with impressive visuals.

Yet another inspiring video that will help our own!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEz2d49XTk0&feature=fvst

Music Video Review. Peirce The Veil - Caraphernelia

The first few shots show a group of friends talking, with a clock at the bottom of the screen to show the viewer the time. I was not as keen on the first few opening shots of the people talking, but I like the way the lead singer is first introduced with a girl he is presumed to be dating. The band is then shown walking in. This is a similar introduction to that of our own video.

Jump cuts are then used along with fast cuts to keep the viewer hooked. The video then switches between narrative and band performance. Fast cuts and fast zooms during the band performance shots help to put the focus on the band and make them seem interesting, thanks to the fast paced editing.

The narrative consitantley keeps the theme of the time been shown at the bottom of the screen. this helps give the viewer a sence of the time span of the video and makes the narrative feel almost drama like - keeping their attention and engaging with them more.

The band are all shown to be wearing steriotypical clothing associated to the rock genre. This helps the target audience, who would listen to that type of music and possibly dress in a similar way to relate to them.

The band performance and narrative are both set at night time (As is our video). Flames are burning behind the band whilst they perform. This creates an impressive image for the viewer, as the orange burning flames surrounded by black stand out and signify power, which makes the band look more important.

The use of the singer on the phone during the parts of the song with shouting is clever as it means the narrative can continue, and the singer has an excuse to shout along with the lyrics whilst the narrative is being shown. A split screen is included at this time to show who he is on the phone to, which is a good peice of editing. He is on the phone to an attrative woman, showing that women are sexualised in this video. This may be because the video may be aimed at men.

Shortly after this a multi screen, with around ten different squares is shown, each with what character from the narrative is doing. This is a clever way of keeping the viewer informed with what is going on.

As the song slows down, so does the editing. When the song speeds up again the editing does also.

During the solo the band performance is more prominant than the narrative, as this is the band's chance to show off!

A focus pull is nicely used to fit with the level of the music rising.

The mood of the narrative improves towards the end, suggesting there has been a problem and then a resolution. This is an equilibrium. This makes the narrative almost like a sit com. This is why the narrative is so effective in this video at keeping the viewer's attention.

I feel that our music video has definately been inspired by this one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZVYOriINwc

CD Cover Research-Green Day 21st Century Breakdown

The big white capital writing stands out from the dark colours and background from behind the text. This is good because the audience will get drawn to the text and look for the band name. While advertising the band name, the audience can search them up and buy their merchandise, which will increase their popularity and their sales to make more money and profit.

On the cover it shows a title called the “21^st Century Breakdown”, this states that the producers think that this album is the breakdown to what is happening in the world today. The colour of this title once again ties in with the colour in the background, to show the importance that the message that is given out.

On this CD cover we see the different effect with the colour, as red is associated with blood, death, love etc. However orange is associated as seen vibrant and energetic. It also shows the audience the importance of the two characters standing in the middle, being protected from the sun.

We see the boy and the girl cuddling and showing their affection to one another. This is what our song is related to. We have tried to use the same effect in order to appeal to our audience and feel engaged to our music video, to appeal to the couples.

A list of conventions for music videos, and a list of generic conventions for the genre you are working in.

Conventions for all music videos:

• Fast Cuts
• Narrative
• Band Performance
• Focus on the lead singer
• Lip syncing to lyrics
• Sexualized Males or Females
• Stereotypes

Generic conventions for rock music videos:

• Musical Intruments
• Rock style clothing
• Shaky/ fast moving camera work
• Slow motion segments
• Themes (Eg Anarchy)
• Focus on performance
• Props (Eg Amplifiers)
• An audience

Research into Music Videos-Michel Gondry

· Michel Gondry- (born May 8, 1963) He is a French film, advertising and music video director.

He is seen to be a director attracted to visual representation, and being very inventive with mise-en-scene, manipulating it to suit his work.

Born in Versailles France. He is the son of inventor Constant Martin.

Began creating videos for French rock band “Oui Oui”, where he was also the drummer.

His videos drew attention from the music artist Bjork, whom he produced several music videos for, including her video Human Behavior.

Daft Punk, The White Stripes, The Chemical Brothers, The Vines, Steriogram, Radiohead, and Beck, are all other music artists Gondry has worked with. He pioneered the "bullet time" technique used in Matrix, in a Smirnoff vodka advert, as well as directing inventive holiday-themed advertisements for Gap.

Gondry, Spike Jonze and David Fincher, are linked with the influx of music video directors into feature film.

The style of Gondry's music videos relies on videography and camera tricks which play with frames of reference. He is inventive and abstract in his view of how videos should be constructed.

Human Nature (2001)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

The Science of Sleep (2006)

Be Kind Rewind (2008)

The Green Hornet (2011)

Spike Jonze- born October 22, 1969 is an American director and producer, he works on music videos, adverts, films and television. His work with writer Charlie Kaufman brought him to fame.

· Jonze was born in Rockville, Maryland, and raised in Bethesda, Maryland and in Gulph Mills, Pennsylvania.

· His father was a relation of the Spiegel Catalogue Company, his brother is a producer and DJ and his mother is an artist, communications consultant, and writer.

· He got the name Spike Jonze from the co-workers he worked with at the BMX shop in Rockville.

· His nominations and achievements include: Outstanding Achievement in Commercials in 2005, a body of work that included "Hello Tomorrow" for Adidas, "Penguin" for Miller Beer, and "Pardon Our Dust" for The Gap. The Rockerfella Skank video (song by Fatboy Slim), won Jonze Best direction, Breakthrough and Best-Choreographed awards.

· He was a producer and co-creator of MTV television series Jackass and Jackass: The Movie

· Jonze has been involved in Dirt magazine and a series of skateboarding photography and skate companies, he began his career as a producer of skate videos.

Year	Film	Budget	US Gross	Awards
1999	Being John Malkovich	$13 million	$22,863,596	3 Oscar nods; 4 GG nods
2002	Adaptation.	$19 million	$22,498,520	1 Oscar win, 3 nods; 2 GG wins
2009	Where the Wild Things Are	$100 million	$100,049,466	1 GG nod

Music Videos Spike Jonze has produced:

· Beastie Boys-Time for Livin

· Buddy Holly- Weezer

· Bjork- Its Oh So Quiet

· Daft Punk- Da Funk

· Fatboy Slim- Weapon of Choice and Praise You

· The Vines- Ride

· The Chemical Brothers- Elektrobank

The Vine’s video “Ride” was produced by Spike Jonze and directed by Michel Gondry. It is a traditional skiffle set-up and has no underlying narrative, but asks questions of the audience. It shows the band performing their song in a large hall with strobe lighting and a large ensemble of musicians. The crowd are imitating the band and mimicking their way of performing. The costumes are very “Indie”, sweaters, baggy jeans and plain t-shirts, but this is only the bands individual style and the crowd are dressed in a variety of costumes from suits, to wedding dresses, showing that anybody can be a part of their establishment and no body is divided by stereotypes. The video shows people from different ethnic backgrounds and social class.

High Angle Establishing Shot

Close up of lead singer

Over the shoulder shot

Strobe lighting effect is used

Slow zooming in pan, at a low angle

Challenging Stereotypes and representing ethnicity.

David Fincher- born August 28, 1962 is a filmmaker and music video director, known for his dark and stylish thriller movies, such as Se7en (1995), The Game (1997), Fight Club (1999), and Zodiac (2007)

Questionnaire

Question One: What genre of music are you most in to?

Question Two: Do you think you'd be interested in a punk/rock music video?

Question Three: What certain qualities do you think this music video must contain?

Question Four: What do you think in general makes a good music video?

Question Five: Do you prefer a narrative, band performance video, or mixture of the two?

Question Six: Please give a reason for your choice in Question Five.

Question Seven: What would you expect the length of a music video to be?

1-2 minutes 2-3 minutes 3-4 minutes 4-5 minutes 5+ minutes

Question Eight: Do you think a high level of skill in the performers/actors/production crew is essential in the creation of a good music video?

Question Nine: Please give a reason for your answer in Question Eight.

Question Ten: Any other comments.

Thank you for taking part in this questionnaire.

Detailed Description of our Target Audience

The type of audience that we are aiming to attract and believe would be interested in our media product would be teenagers firstly, mainly those between the ages of 14/15-19 and also people in their early twenties. Our music video though does have a narrative that at times would appeal to more diverse minds, that of such an adult, as the concepts of understanding how the storyline moves in a continuous transition to build to the finale can be difficult to grasp. However the themes within our video that are expressed are suitable for any age group and do not discriminate against any social group.

In terms of gender our product represents males and females fairly as our narrative explores, this in relation to our target audience means that we have a diverse spectrum of males and females that would show their interest. In particular the genre comes into play to determine the extent to which these people, from a variety of backgrounds, would go to presenting their liking of our piece of film. In a contradictory sense, our music video is in the niche category of punk-rock, but it is known now that music crosses many boundaries and with that a cross of genres. Overall our product would appeal to a mixture of people, but those mainly with an interest in the rock/punk genre who are both male and female, with genders identifying with the characters on screen in a constant comparison to their own lives.

Social grouping is important in the idea that the audience interested in our video will have similar values and opinions, thus meaning that the idea of anarchy and that music is above all else means that many of our target audience will despise work and holding down an occupation to link them. Instead cultural values and a pure thirst for their music needs (uses and gratifications theory) bind them together.

Media Grouping

Our target audience will generally be like most teenagers to a degree with interests in T.V shows like Skins, The Inbetweeners, Misfits, Friends, The Walking Dead etc. In the film area, our target audience will be interested in a range of horrors: the Saw series, Halloween, Dawn of the Dead, they will also like Action/Adventure films and/or thrillers (The Departed, Inception etc) and also most definately plenty of comedy. The music scene that they refer to will rarely stray far from that of Heavy Metal/Rock/Punk/Pop-Punk/Metal/Post-Hardcore e.g: Bullet for my Valentine, The Sex Pistols, Blink 182, Metallica, Blessthefall.

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Escapism-the viewer gets lost within our video, they believe in what is happening on screen as they are compelled to find out what is the end result of our narrative.
Identification- the audience put themselves in the position of the lead actress and lead actor. The emotion they show allows the viewers to empathise with the characters and relate to problems that they may have in their own lives.
Information-the audience learn about our genre of music (if not already familiar) and are informed on social issues and their consequences. Our video reflects society and the current affairs that take place in our community.
Entertainment-the audience feel an emotional release, diverting their everyday problems and fulfilling their aesthetic needs.
Social Interaction-the audience can use our video as a talking point to interact with others through the media or conversation. It will link people with common issues and similar interests.

Dyer's Utopian Solutions

This is a quote from Richard Dyer:

"The notion of entertainment as in some sense utopian -- expressing ideals about how human life could be organized and lived --is implicit in what the most widespread assumption about entertainment, namely, that it provides 'escape.' Entertainment offers the image of 'something better' to set against the realities of day-to-day existence."

In relation to our music video and our target audience, we are aiming to give our audience something to believe in and identify with the common idea of love, for a person, or for music, a band, etc, anything in the media can help "escape" the harsher realities of life. Our media product entertains and provides another world where the viewer can metaphorically step into the position of the characters. Dyer speaks of exhaustion in people's live, we fill this in our video with fast, lively cuts, and a sped up replay of our narrative at the end. He also talks of society today as being a world of manipulation, where things aren't clear, community values have gone, our video combats this by using themes that are common to the majority of people, like love and relationships (sincerity).

Dyer comes close to the idea of Maslow's Hierarchy of needs the thought that we need media for self-actualization and self-esteem to feel like we belong into a social group. Our video brings up important talking points that our target audience can develop into conversation, fulfilling their needs for social interaction.