Wednesday, 26 September 2012

Three Case studies of Professionally Music Videos


                              Train-Soul Sister



Synopsis
The music I have chosen is by Train-soul sister. This is a contemporary pop music released in 2009. The synopsis of the video is about two people leading their own separate lives, following their daily routine through the music video. The song is about falling in love with your best friend.  However the music video portrays the characters as if they met by fate. The definition of soul sister is a male version defining a soul mate.



On the walls in the streets, there is an arrow symbol which signifies the direction of where the two lovers can find each other. Such as in the video between 2.56 seconds and 2.59 seconds we can see the characters walking as if the arrows are guiding them towards fate. I like this concept because it is hinting to the audience the message behind the music video which is inventive. Towards the end of the video (3.35~ seconds) we see both characters walking towards each other as if they have been reunited. The angle which was used is a low angle. This shows the intensity of the main characters feelings as they are both looking into each other’s eyes. Also you can see by their facial expressions that there is love between them.  This has inspired me to use actors and actresses that can act well, therefore the emotions between the character and audience are more meaningful.  The music video is both performance based and acting. This makes the music video look more appealing to the audience, as the main singer is the narrator of the video which is an idea that I would consider doing in my work. As the singer sings directly to the camera, it is as if he is talking to the audience getting them involved with the situation. 

The theme/ motif of the music video are about Love and looking for your soul mate. I enjoyed the creativeness of the music video which fits in well with the upbeat music. This idea is what I want to link in with my music video, by using effects to make the music video look more interesting. The lady in the music video is represented as the ‘soul sister’ for the man. The male and the female are seen to be the obvious main characters for the music video as they are shown in more details than the other people; therefore transmit a clear message for the viewers to distinguish who the main people are. The group ‘Train’ are the narrators of the music video, but as seen to be invisible to everyone in their surroundings. I like this idea of narrating the story to the audience, as it allows the viewers to be connected into the relationship between the characters which is what I want to demonstrate in my clip.



Stop motion is the technique which is used in the music video, it has inspired me to create something similar to the concept.. Between the seconds of 2.43- 2.53, I like the way the producer has used their imagination with the stop motion and mixing it up with recordings which is something similar want to create. As it shows creativeness and something different which many music videos today doesn't show. However, if the video was all stop motion based, then it would make the video look choppy which viewers may not appeal to the clip. Therefore I would understand why they would mix the techniques together.  



Camera angle
The camera angles which are mainly used for this music video are close ups and medium shots. Close –ups of characters are effective when doing a love themed music video. This is because it creates more affection for the viewers as it shows more of the facial expressions.It also helps us as viewers to understand the feelings and an emotion that the characters are showing. This has inspired me to do this for my video, where the main theme is Love therefore using these close ups would help me to express the emotions towards the audience. For the example at 0.15 and 0.25 seconds  you can see the close up of the character, where they have been shot in a similar position. This could relate to the idea that they are thinking of their soul mate, but haven’t found them yet.Medium shots are effects as the camera doesn't show the full body of the character but gives the message it is trying to get across to the audience. Such as at 3.22 seconds,  u can see that she is walking in a direction and there is no need to have a long shot where it shows her full body. The main singer in the MV is constantly looking towards the camera, giving the viewer’s eye contact as if he are speaking to the audience. This is more meaningful than if a person was not looking at the camera, as there is no sense of connection between the audience and the singer. In the beginning of the music video there is an establishing shot with sets the scene before the zooming in on the artist. This gives the idea that this is the main setting for the music video, as the camera always comes back to this scene. At 0.21 seconds, tracking is used in the music video which follows the characters. This gives me the idea to show that the characters are the main people of the music video that is more effective than if there was just one shot throughout the video. Panning and tilting of the camera gives the illusion that the viewers are actually in the music video which gives the sense that they are involved in the scene of the characters, as they are moving with the camera. The editing of the music video is very creative which makes it different for the viewers, as the music is also upbeat, the special effects work well combined with the song as it relates to the lyrics, which is shown at  1.09 seconds. The special effects which are used in the music video involves words moving across the buildings and floors, showing  the creativity of the producers and their advance editing skills. It has inspired me  that I would need good editing skills and the use of advanced technology, to help me produce a decent footage.

The director/ producers continuously use cuts to change the different scenes to show the locations of the two main characters, giving the viewer’s insight of who they are individually. This is what I want to show for my video by making it clear for the viewers, who are the main characters.  When the camera goes back to the band, we can see that he is lip-syncing. Which is in time with the music as if he is singing the song directly to us. The slow motion effect, leaves more impact on the action of the character, this effect is useful in using what I want to do for my clip.  The mise-en-scene for the music video is in the streets where the two characters meet by ‘fate’ which is seen as a typical story line but sweet at the same time.

Target audience
The target audience are mainly for anyone who enjoys listening to pop between the ages of 15-27. As the song is mainly about falling in love with your friend or looking for a soul mate, many people in the age range can relate to the situation as it gives a sense of past experience. Also as it is an upbeat track, people can have relate to those past memories as happy experiences. 




                                   

                              The Script- Breakeven

  
                                                    

Synopsis
The music video is about a break up of a couple. The song is about a one sided relationship, where the female has moved on leaving the male still hurting. . Even after the breakup the male is reminiscing about the past of his relationship.


To show the audience that the song is about a broken hearted character, grey footage is used to present the mood of misery and a depressing scene which is perfect for indicating a heart break. Close- up shots of the singers face while he is sitting in a dark room(0.25-0.29 seconds) shows his vulnerability of the break up and how much pain he is in. However to contrast the grey footage which represents sadness, sepia footage is used to represent the happier side of the relationship as the scenes are more gloomier and brighter. Such as between 0.48- 0.55 seconds ,the editing technique that is used is Cross cutting showing two different events happening. This has inspired me to use this technique because it gives the viewers a clear view of the situation of the break up. 

The close-up of the couples shows the intense relationship they had as lovers. This has inspired me because by changing the colours of the footage's  it can represent both the past and present time of the characters. The director has made it clear for the audience to differentiate what is happening, without getting the viewers confused.  Also due to the facial expressions of the characters, you can tell where there were good memories and where the break up has took a toll on the singer.

The music video is both semi performance based and semi story telling. As the singer is performing the song on stage (1.09- 1.27), there is a medium shot of him singing towards the microphone(1.13 seconds).  This shows that he wants to tell the world what he is thinking and the frustration of the break up,making the situation seem more emotional as if we can feel his pain.When artists perform music like this, the audience can see from the close up facial expressions of the artist in the music video that the song that they have written was possibly based on their own real life. This has inspired me because I want to show the viewers as if they understand the emotions of the characters through facial expressions and actions. Therefore would instantly grab the attention of the audience.  The artist narrates his love that he once had as he says ‘I’m falling to pieces’ which shows his miserable break up as the music shows his lonely journey throughout the clip.

The theme of the music video is about a heart break of the main character. Through the music video there are cuts of the characters having fun with each other (2.00-2.02 seconds), but the overwhelming breakup leaves him miserable and lost as he wonders around (3.42- 3.44 seconds) . This has inspired me by using grey footage's  as it can make a difference in the mood of the song. Throughout the music video there are various cuts of clips which are fast paced in the beginning, this shows that the break up between the couple happened to fast without them thinking through it or solving the problem.  This then sets the scene and shows a little insight of the characters emotions and a hint of what he has been through. at 0.11 seconds, a long shot represents the loneliness of the main singer, as he makes his one- man journey without his former lover as he gets out of the car.
As the lyrics states that it was a one sided relationship, the dimly lit room (0.22 seconds)demonstrates the emotions and what the effects of the break up has done to him. Also the grey editing shows that he has isolated himself in a dark room, while he is watching the home videos on his phone. That represents that he is reminiscing about the past; also it shows how much he misses his ex-girlfriend. The use of a dark lit room shows that the singer is depressed and wants to keep away from the world by secluding himself and watching old clips on his phone. The idea of a dimly lit room inspires me because it sets the scene of something bad that has happened in an individual’s life was inspired by the idea of using a home video because it shows more emotions as it can relate to happy memories of individuals lives.
There is a high angle shot at 3.34 seconds, which shows the vulnerability of the singer as he is singing on stage. During the high angle shot, there is a light shining onto him which emphasis's his emotions. Therefore makes us, as the audience have sympathy for him.  While the artist is singing on stage there are many extreme close– ups and close ups of his face showing his facial expressions, transmitting his emotions to the viewer’s where they can sense his pain. Lip-syncing is used throughout the music video as it shows that he is narrating the story for the viewers. The emotions of the singers face shows the breakup of the character which is significant is how he is showing the viewers.

Target audience
The target audience of this song are people who have experience of what a heart break feels like; therefore they feel more connected to the song, the age range is between 16-30. By relating songs to real life situations, it can encourage record labels to produce more songs like these which attracts their audience therefore can help them sell records. As Danny is a song writer, it allows him to use his emotions while writing songs that enable him to feel connected to his listeners.
  





                                  B.O.B- So Good

Synopsis
The song that I have chosen is about a guy who tells the girl  how much he loves her and how lucky she is have in him in her life. For example , he says ‘ you never had it so good’. I have chosen this music video to analyse because there are various locations and mise- en- scene which relates to the song. That’s interests me as I want to take into caution of these factors.

To set the scene of the music video there is an establishing shot of France at 0.02 seconds .This has influenced me to set the mood for the viewers which relates to our song choice. France is seen to be the city of ‘love’ where romance happens. In the beginning of the music video there are lots of tracking of different areas in France. As the video was filmed in daylight, with the effect of sepia it gives a positive vibe to the audiences, as it reflect the idea of romance. The location also fits well with the music and the lyrics. There is then a medium shot, as the singer is waiting for the female, there is then an eye-level shot where the camera   cuts to the streets where the girl is walking, the camera pans up from her feet to her head. This shows that they are already a couple as she enters the scene happily. Which indicates that they are going to start their journey together, that all links up with the beginning as the camera tracks around Frances attractions.

The music video includes both narration and performance base from B.o.B himself. Lip-synching is used throughout the music video. This shows that he wants to tell the world, his story with his partner and is directly aiming at the audience, as he also points towards the camera that is shown between 1.34- 1.40 seconds. This makes us feel more involved in the music video and giving eye contact towards the camera. Therefore we feel more passionate for their relationship. The scene first starts off with the singer sitting down on the table holding a ‘Cuban cigar’ at 0.16, as the camera tracks on him, he is also lip-synching at the same time as he narrates his actions. The significance of the ‘Cuban Cigar’ could represent the luxury life he is living with his girlfriend, as cigars are expensive. When the song goes to the chorus of the song, it shows the singer on a one shot looking directly at the camera. This is then a change of scene, as he is going away from the couple story line  This has inspired me because it shows brings out the singers personality and his individuality by lip synching, which also fits the concept of the theme of the song. By narrating the song and relating his actions with the words, it gets the listeners involved as if they are part of the couple’s journey, which then draws attention of being attracted to the music video. The singer is represented as a ‘lovey dovey’ character  who wants to treat his other half well as we see him enjoying the company of his girlfriend between 0.40 – 0.45 seconds. This has inspired me because during the scenes you can see that the director has thought of various locations to fit the song. Also with different clothing’s would  indicate a different day and locations which has inspired me to take into account of mise-en –scene to make the video look more realistic and to not get the listeners confused with what is happening. 

To introduce the singer into the scene the camera tracks at the location where the singer is sitting down, smoking a cigar. As the camera tracks, the use of shallow depth of field is used at 0.09 seconds to show that he is the main character in the story line  I like the use to this technique because it gives a positive vibe at the very beginning to get the audience’s attention. As the female enters the scene the camera pans from bottom to top at her body showing that, he is waiting for her which fits well with the lyrics as he says ‘tonight is picture perfect’. Showing that the life they have together already is amazing.  Also the use of medium shots of the characters at 0.36 seconds shows their facial expressions that they are enjoying each other’s company. This has inspired me because to transmit the ideas to the audiences the perfect life that they have together.  
Long shots at 0.57 seconds are used to show both the characters together walking holding hands. I like this scene it shows explains the relationship more to the audience. This has inspired me because it gives me the ideas of the things couples do together, as they are seen doing simple stuff such as walking down the street or sitting on  stairs enjoying each other’s company. The use of editing in the video uses flashes and fades, which moves onto the next scene which is indicating the next chapter of their lives together, it is also easy for the audience to follow the story line. This has inspired me because the director uses a simple idea instead of extending the story line which wouldn't bore the viewers.  The locations of the videos consists of high angles, low angles and establishing shots of buildings which shows that B.o.b can take her where ever she wants and their relationship would still be strong. This has also inspired to include the various types of camera angles which allows me to convey a clear message which I want to show the listeners.

Target Audience 
The target audience are mainly people who are between the ages of 16-30, mainly males. This is because at this age range many people have experienced relationships therefore know how it feels like to be in a couple and giving your love to your other half. As there are many locations in the music video, it promotes the romantic areas such as France, Paris where many people at the age of 18 and over have started travelling. Therefore they would feel some connections to the area. People are encouraged to buy the record label by relating their relationship to the song, it gives people the vibe of past experience. As the song is upbeat which is pop and includes rap , it is more modern therefore many teenagers would listen to this genre of music , thus be attracted to the music.




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