Question 1
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Music Video
Style:
Most indie bands, such as Interpol and Editors, have videos with fast cuts and quick tempo, these videos want to advertise their band and ignore entertaining.
Our song is slow and melancholy which encourages us to concentrate on Mise en Scene and to ignore pace and editing, the shot length can fluctuate as long as the image is powerful. Our slow theme will conform to many conventions in films and documentaries but will subvert from the fast cuts of indie videos like Editors or Interpol.
We also made a Steelomatic to show our influences and inspirations of our product:
Genre Conventions:
From the research and planning labels you can see that we looked at other videos in our indie genre, we took inspiration from the 1975 videos, with black and white moody performances and conceptual narrative, the creative shots in Cough Cough by Everything Everything inspired our product as we used a number of unusual shots such as the underwater worms eye view. We were able to subvert from modern indie videos into a natural river setting similar to the location of Somewhere Only We Know by Keane. This natural location challenges black and white conventions in the genre and creates our own image. We imagined that our band would have a strange and alternative theme, we used the bath and the blood to promote this idea and give our brand individuality which is difficult in the indie genre as a number of bands try to escape trends in their videos.
Narrative:
When researching other videos like Come with me know by KONGOS, narrative generally cuts between performance and narrative, this gives the video a story element but still differentiating the video with the concept themes. We decided to conforms to these conventions as we were able to challenge video themes with camera angles and mise en scene. Therefore our videos is a mixture or performance shots in the river and conceptual scenes in the bath and underwater.
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| Performance |
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| Concept |
Digipak
Below are examples of other real life products, the black and white theme runs consistently and we were inspired b the simple but creative colours. One example is catfish and the Bottlemen, with a simple stencil which has as powerful and controversial message. These covers, such as the XX is simple but has a strong synergy with their logo, website and advertising campaign.
Below is a video that shows annotations of our digipak as well as comparing it to other real media products.
Website
This is a Photobucket showing the research into similar bands websites. The popular themes in these websites are the simplicity, most of the front pages have just the album cover and a link to social media outlets, we were able to challenge this convention by creating an interesting sea background that links to the water theme of our video.
This website lay out had ideas i wanted to incorporate into the website i am currently making. The website keeps all navigation around the website at the top of the page above a picture/video of the band. I liked the idea of this website deign as it highlights similar areas in which our band is also trying to get across. The dark background used here could give off dark themes to the band and connects to our concept thought process. We have looked to keep our website simple to add effect to it like you can see in the artic monkeys site below.
Our simple tour page complies with simple page conventions, the idea is that the information is the exciting not the layout.
The gallery page has general conventions as there are only a limited number of ways to display pictures, this suggests our page conforms with gallery page conventions.
It is important that a band website has purchasing opportunities for fans which will make the band money from merchandise such as t-shirts and mugs. Another important element is interactivity such as buttons and links to social media and videos. We have used many conventions in a product as we have concentrated on buttons and simplicity.
In summary we have used conventions with regards to the website and the link between narrative and concept, however we challenged conventions with our mise en scene and the digipak. Black and white theme is common in the digipak which we developed in our products by incorporating colour and different levels of saturation. The video subverts conventions with the shot length and the editing style.
Final Digipack
After some serious thoughts we decided that we still weren't happy with the digipack so we decided to change it, adding a few different images in it. As we are an Indie band it is essential to keep the black and white theme running throughout the digipack so we made sure we kept ever panel in black and white. We made sure we mentioned a special thanks to all the people that helped make our album as it further enhances the professional edge to our production. The song list was changed as previously we didn't like the font used as it was extremely hard to understand and also it wasn't positioned center of image. The CD cover was changed as previously it was too basic as there was just an image off of Google images of the sea, making it look easy and babyish. Whereas in this one Will used Photoshop to create a mist going over the CD, showing a lot more creativity and originality.
Student Reflection
What I feel I did well when filming
7th October - On this day we went to get some conceptual footage for our video. This meant that we went to war road car park as we needed to get water from the river to put into the bath. I feel that I worked well as a team player to sort out the resources needed as I was in charge of getting the water from the river to the bath. I adopted the role of the photographer for the most part in this filming day and some excellent photos were taken.
14th October - We needed to get another shot of Me drumming on this day. I worked especially well here as this footage was some of the only footage of me being in time to the beat this is because i had learnt when i needed to drum and this lead us to some good results.
18th November - On this day we went to get shots of bottles smashing, so we could put them into slow motion in our video. I worked well here as I came up with different types of shot angles to capture the best footage possible
Even better if
On each of the filming days I feel that I could have helped more with ideas. As a lot of the time I left it down to Will to decide what types of shots we would get. Also we suffered from the battery's to the cameras running out a lot due to my lazy self not checking to see if they we charged. Therefore obviously I would need to ensure they were charged if I were to improve on my filming qualities.
7th October - On this day we went to get some conceptual footage for our video. This meant that we went to war road car park as we needed to get water from the river to put into the bath. I feel that I worked well as a team player to sort out the resources needed as I was in charge of getting the water from the river to the bath. I adopted the role of the photographer for the most part in this filming day and some excellent photos were taken.
14th October - We needed to get another shot of Me drumming on this day. I worked especially well here as this footage was some of the only footage of me being in time to the beat this is because i had learnt when i needed to drum and this lead us to some good results.
18th November - On this day we went to get shots of bottles smashing, so we could put them into slow motion in our video. I worked well here as I came up with different types of shot angles to capture the best footage possible
Even better if
On each of the filming days I feel that I could have helped more with ideas. As a lot of the time I left it down to Will to decide what types of shots we would get. Also we suffered from the battery's to the cameras running out a lot due to my lazy self not checking to see if they we charged. Therefore obviously I would need to ensure they were charged if I were to improve on my filming qualities.
Student Video Marking
Grade 35/40
The reason I have given this grade is due to the editing. The editing is very slick and professional as shown through the moving images being made into a cartoon strip and also the lyrics being shown when they are sung for example when 'INDEPENDENT' is spelled out. Also the shot quality is quite good as the images are bright and not pixelated, which is a challenge to overcome. The editing also cuts on the beats and this enables the group to hide some poorly filmed sections effectively.
Improvements
I feel that this video could be improved if the shot location changed a couple more times as it became repetitive seeing london as the areas they shot in did all look similar and this lead to it being repetitive. The members could also try and improve their lip syncing however this was not a major issue.
Website Research
James has been in charge of the websites design and we have decided to to follow suit with bands that are similar to us. The websites are neat and tidy and give information about the bands, tour and gig dates. We decided that our website would:
- Show where we're touring
- Give information about the band
- Have a gallery
- Look Professional
- Promote the band
- Have links to our social network sites
Group Availibility
This is our group availability timetable for the months October and November and as you can see each day has each of our names and the letter Y or N. The letter Y means that the member is available and the letter N means the member is not available.
Shooting Scedual
First shoot - 7th October 2015
- What we want to achieve - Shots of James and Ben in the bath of blood - Conceptual
- High shots of James bathing in the blood lasting for 3 seconds
- Mid shots of Ben spitting the water out of the bath over the camera lasting for 2 seconds
- Tracking close up of James holding a beer bottle out of the bath lasting for 3 seconds
- Long shot of James smashing a beer bottle against a lamp lasting for 2 seconds
- Long shot of Ben singing whilst getting bloody water poured over him lasting for 5 seconds
- Mid, high shot of Ben on the floor whilst bloody water is poured over him
Second Shoot - 13th October 2015
- What we want to achieve - Shots of the band performing in the river Wid in Widford - Performance
- Long shot of the band performing lasting for 5 seconds
- Long, panning high shot of the band performing lasting for 2 seconds
- Long shot of the bands equipment set up in the river lasting for 5 seconds
- Long shot of the band standing together acting natural lasting for 3 seconds
- Long shot of the band walking through a field, getting closer to the camera lasting for 4 seconds
- Mid shot of the band walking in the river away from the camera lasting for 5 seconds
- Close up of each of the band member performing in the river
Third Shoot - 15th October 2015
- What we want to achieve - Shots of James floating in a swimming pool - Conceptual
- Low shot of James floating above the camera, lasting for 3 seconds
- Close up of James underwater looking directly into the camera lasting for 2 seconds
- Close up of James screaming under water again looking directly into the camera lasting for 2 seconds
- Mid shot of James singing underwater looking into the camera lasting for 2 second
Fourth Shoot - 19th October 2015
- What we want to achieve - Shots of each band member singing the entire song - Performance
- Close up of James singing the whole song into the camera
- Close up of Ben singing the whole song into the camera
- Close up of Steve singing the whole song into the camera
Fifth Shoot - 30th October 2015
- What we want to achieve - A shot of James walking to the camera whilst a girl stood in front of the camera - Conceptual
- Long shot of James walking to the camera whilst Aimee stood in front of it, making James look like a stalker, lasting for 4 seconds
Sixth Shoot - 6th August 2015
- What we want to achieve - A shot of Ben looking into the camera a light moves around his face
- Close up of Ben looking directly into the camera whilst a light moves around his face making it seem as if his face is changing, creating a sinister look, lasting for 5 seconds
Seventh Shoot - 12th August - 2015
- What we want to achieve - James singing the song whilst lying down in the middle of the road - Performance
- Long shot of James laying down in the middle of the road lasting for 4 seconds
Eight Shoot - 14th August - 2015
- What we want to achieve - shots of Steve drumming in a field
- Panning, mid shot of Steve drumming lasting for 2 seconds
- Tracking, mid shot of Steve drumming lasting for 3 seconds
- Close to long shot of Steve drumming lasting for 5 seconds
- Long to close up shot of Steve drumming lasting for 4 seconds
Ninth Shoot - 17th November - 2015
- Various shots of the band in a local park - Narrative and Conceptual
- Low shot of the band walking over the camera lasting for 4 seconds
- Long shot of the band walking past the camera lasting for 4 seconds
- Close up, underwater shot of James stepping into the water, lasting for 3 seconds
- Long, panning shot of the band standing in the middle of the park, lasting for 3 seconds
Tenth Shoot - 18th November - 2015
- Various shots of bottles smashing - Conceptual
- High shot of bottle dropping and smashing, lasting for 2 seconds
- Close up of bottle smashing in front of the camera lasting for 2 seconds
- Long shot of a rock being thrown and smashing a bottle lasting for 4 seconds
Steal-o-matic
This steal-o-matic is created from all the different types of shot and locations which we want to incorporate into our music video, these shots vary from long shots to close ups and reverse shots these shots also include a swimming pool and a river as these are things that we want to incorporate into the music video.
Parody of Genre Video
This is a parody version of Adele's Hello and as you can see they have copied the real music video very effectively and by doing so they have stuck to conventions for example the lyrics and visuals are linked and this is one of the things Andrew Goodwin comments about that makes a good music videe. This music video is also fairly slow paced and this means there is no need for fast paced transitions and this means that this parody is successful.
Annotated Lyrics
Prior to the lyrics in the song, there is 20 seconds were the music is building in volume and rhythm. This atmospheric music is where we plan to use artistic and original master shots to grab the attention of the audience. This includes the close up of James underwater shouting towards the camera.
If you don't wonder off
I'm so excited for the night
All we needs my bike and you're enormous house
When I'm Closer to your height
Till then we'll knock around
What time you coming down?
We started losing light.
I'll never make it right
If you don't want me around,
I'm so excited for the night,
All we need's my bike and your enormous house
You said some day we might
When I'm closer to your height
'Til then we'll knock around, endlessly
You're all I need
Don't you see me now?
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you,
Don't you need me?
I, I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you,
And on this night and in this light,
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
Maybe you'll change your mind
I think I'm falling, I think I'm falling
I'm caught on your coat again
You said, "Oh, no, it's fine,"
I read between the lines
And touched your leg again, again
I'll take you one day at a time,
Soon you will be mine,
Oh but I want you now (I want you now)
When the smoke is in your eyes,
You look so alive,
Do you fancy sitting down with me? Maybe?
You're all I need
According to your heart,
My place is not deliberate,
Feeling of your arms
I don't wanna be your friend,
I wanna kiss your neck
Don't you see me?
I, I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
Don't you need me?
I, I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
And on this night and in this light
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
Maybe you'll change your mind
What time you coming down?
With the opening lyrics I hope to show the performance element of our video. Using an extreme wide shot, the band will be playing in the river and singing the lyrics. This will act as our stabilising shot and will last roughly two seconds. This will show viewers who the band are and what there role is.
We started losing light
For this line we hope to use a time lapse. The shot will show the day fading into the night. The video will last an hour and a half but will be cut down to roughly two seconds. For this shot we will be using a GoPro which will be fixed into position taking an extreme wide shot.
I'll never make it right
We imagine that these lyrics will be accompanied by a performance section from the river. Although it may be possible to cut to close ups of James singing this section.
If you don't wonder off
With these lyrics is a drumbeat that is separate from the rhythm of the song. We want to use this drum as a way to jump cut from the performance to wide underwater shots.
I'm so excited for the night
We hope to use extreme close ups with these lyrics.
All we needs my bike and you're enormous house
These lyrics are fast paced and we plan to get one of the band members to cycle in front of a mansion. This will create a graphic match to the song as well as matching our original and concept theme. We plan to distort viewers depth perception by riding the bike very close to the camera in order to make the bike huge and the mansion look small.
You said some day we might
You said some day we might
When I'm Closer to your height
For these lyrics we hope to use depth perception in our shot as James walks towards a girl so to get closer to her height as the song suggests. These lyrics suggest that he is intrigued by a girl who is older than him and he needs to grow up to be with this person.
Till then we'll knock around
What time you coming down?
We started losing light.
I'll never make it right
If you don't want me around,
I'm so excited for the night,
All we need's my bike and your enormous house
You said some day we might
When I'm closer to your height
'Til then we'll knock around, endlessly
You're all I need
Don't you see me now?
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you,
Don't you need me?
I, I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you,
And on this night and in this light,
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
Maybe you'll change your mind
I think I'm falling, I think I'm falling
I'm caught on your coat again
You said, "Oh, no, it's fine,"
I read between the lines
And touched your leg again, again
I'll take you one day at a time,
Soon you will be mine,
Oh but I want you now (I want you now)
When the smoke is in your eyes,
You look so alive,
Do you fancy sitting down with me? Maybe?
You're all I need
According to your heart,
My place is not deliberate,
Feeling of your arms
I don't wanna be your friend,
I wanna kiss your neck
Don't you see me?
I, I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
Don't you need me?
I, I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
And on this night and in this light
I think I'm falling, I'm falling for you
Maybe you'll change your mind
Website Planning
James has been in charge of the website and because of this He has been looking into a number of bands and their website from this He has decided to follow the same layout as bands that are similar to our own. James aims for the website to look neat and tidy and to provide information about the band and tour dates.
We want the website to show
We want the website to show
- Touring locations
- Band Information
- Photos of the Band
- Links to Social Networking sites
More inspiration for our Video
While we have been filming our music video we have always been on the lookout for anything we think we could include to make the video better. Will spotted Jake Bugg's video 'Two Fingers' and really liked the shot where the mic stand was in focus but the singer was slightly out of focus causing their face to look blurry. We all decided this looked good as it added a element of mystery as to who the performer is and this would help create more enigma code and more of a concept theme.
Logo second draft
Ben created this new logo after looking at his feadbck he decided to stick with the letter N and I working together but he decided to do this in a more subtle way which looks professional when placed upon the No Individual. This logo clearly shows the name of our band while also looking good meaning it would be able to be used on merchandise helping to spread the band name.
Logo First Draft
This is the first draft of our logo, Ben was looking to create a logo that was simple and easily recognisable but also gave the band identity. Ben showed the logo to a number of other students and received the following information.
Positives
- Simple and Effective
- The indie genre is extremely apparent
- Clever manipulation of the letter N and I
- Good use of font, typical indie font.
Weaknesses
- The letter I is grainy on the edges
- From a distance the logo just looks like the letter N
- The band isn't big enough to have the initials as the logo as people don't know who you are
- Not very imaginative.
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