To demonstrate skills in research we have been asked to find a video similar to Pink - Fu**kin' Perfect and explain the similarities. Firstly, here is Pink's video
I believe that Eminem - Not Afraid is of great similarity to this. Here it is
The similarities are in the genre and more interestingly the narrative. Pink's video is all about her making a change in her life that takes her away from the brink of suicide. In the same way Eminem's video is about him, to quote from the lyrics, "tryin' to put my life back together right now". Looking at genre, both are hybrid videos, featuring elements of both narrative and performance.
Friday, 30 September 2011
Friday, 23 September 2011
Also this week ...
My classmates and I conducted exactly the same sort of analysis on The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star that I did singularly on Love The Way You Lie. This was to further practice our analysis of music videos in terms of narrative, as well as ensuring we all have a secure knowledge of each of Barthes' Narrative Codes. I learnt that the work I had done on Love The Way You Lie was very much along the right lines.
Considering Audience
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| The Media Student's Book by Branston & Stafford |
Friday, 16 September 2011
More 'Performance' tips, considering I Will Follow by U2 at Glastonbury
In continuation of the tips I picked up on Wednesday, I and my class have just been considering U2's performance of I Will Follow at Glastonbury earlier this year.
- Opens and closes with extreme long shot of the stage and the audience to remind the target audience (BBC viewers who couldn't make the festival) that they are watching a performance from Glastonbury.
- After the establishing shot, there are close up shots of each band member, in order to introduce them one by one. They are taken from a low angle to give you the audience's perspective, which is one of the ways in which the 'whole experience' is conveyed across to the audience at home.
- The tempo of the music is matched by the editing, with fast cuts during high tempo parts of the song and transitions that overlay during low tempo parts.
- When we see close up shots of the performer's faces, the framing is almost perfect, with the head of the microphone and the mouth of the singer, or drum kit and hands, what ever it may be.
- The drums are the main instrument involved in introducing the chorus. At this point the camera pans up the kit before cutting to a long shot to help create the energy that is part of the experience at that point.
- Crowd shots throughout also help to show the energy of the performance.
- The audience feels they're there through the selection of point of view (POV) shots, extreme long shots and close up shots, which all contribute to conveying the 'whole experience'.
- Camera focuses on instruments during instrumental parts of the song.
- POV shot of the band gives the televised audience that little bit extra. There is influence here from the BBC.
- Tracking and panning shots give the audience an idea of the scale of the gig.
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| Extreme long, establishing shot at the beginning of the performance. |
- After the establishing shot, there are close up shots of each band member, in order to introduce them one by one. They are taken from a low angle to give you the audience's perspective, which is one of the ways in which the 'whole experience' is conveyed across to the audience at home.
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| Perfect framing |
- When we see close up shots of the performer's faces, the framing is almost perfect, with the head of the microphone and the mouth of the singer, or drum kit and hands, what ever it may be.
- The drums are the main instrument involved in introducing the chorus. At this point the camera pans up the kit before cutting to a long shot to help create the energy that is part of the experience at that point.
- Crowd shots throughout also help to show the energy of the performance.
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| Crowd shot |
- Camera focuses on instruments during instrumental parts of the song.
- POV shot of the band gives the televised audience that little bit extra. There is influence here from the BBC.
- Tracking and panning shots give the audience an idea of the scale of the gig.
Tips for filming a 'Performance'
On Wednesday, myself and my classmates were shown videos of previous student's work. As I was watching I made the following quick, few notes on how they had filmed the 'performance' parts of their videos, which potentially might help me in creating my own.
- Lots of close-up shots of instrument use and the performers themselves.
- Dark lighting, few lights. This creates a shadow effect.
- Shold storyboard to give full consideration to lighting, costume, props, location, etc.
- Film numerous angles, even if it means the performer playing/singing on more than one occasion.
- Lots of close-up shots of instrument use and the performers themselves.
- Dark lighting, few lights. This creates a shadow effect.
- Shold storyboard to give full consideration to lighting, costume, props, location, etc.
- Film numerous angles, even if it means the performer playing/singing on more than one occasion.
Textual Analysis of 'Smooth Criminal' by both Michael Jackson and Alien Ant Farm
To address the need of looking at intertextuality and elements such as homage, I was asked to conduct a textual analysis of the song Smooth Criminal by both Michael Jackson, who sung the original version, and Alien Ant Farm, who did a cover of the song in 2001. I also looked at the balance between narrative and performance, as well as how the tempo suited the audience needs.
Here are some brief notes on what I found: -
Balance between narrative and performance
- Narrative intertwined with performance throughout.
Alien Ant Farm
Balance between narrative and performance
- A performance video throughout.
Here are some brief notes on what I found: -
Michael Jackson
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| Jackson with a 'Tommy Gun' |
- Narrative intertwined with performance throughout.
Intertextual References
- Reference to the Crime film genre in general, particularly with the appearance of ‘Tommy Guns’.
- Reference to the Crime film genre in general, particularly with the appearance of ‘Tommy Guns’.
Homage
- Arguably, to speakeasy’s. Whole production takes place in one.
- Arguably, to speakeasy’s. Whole production takes place in one.
Tempo – audience needs
- Similar to Jackson’s previous videos with a big theatrical production and high levels of choreography, therefore appealing to his fans.
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| Jackson heading up one big display |
Alien Ant Farm
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| The lead singer sitting on a sparkly glove- shaped chair, with a monkey on his lap |
- A performance video throughout.
Intertextual References
- Child dancing like Jackson; also has doctor’s mask over face.
- Performers appear to lean just like Jackson.
- Lady seen in mask similar to werewolf from Jackson’s Thriller video.
- Singer is seen sitting on a glittery glove chair with monkey on lap.
- Lighted flooring, as in Jackson’s Beat It video.
- Car explosion, as at the end of another Jackson video.
- Four men seen re-enacting Thriller moves and posing with one arm in the air like Jackson.
- Singer pulls up his trousers during performance so that he has the same lower half appearance as Jackson was renowned for.
- Final shot is a mimic of the Thriller video final shot.
- Large numbers of people in the production like many of Jackson’s.
Homage
- Child dancing like Jackson; also has doctor’s mask over face.
- Performers appear to lean just like Jackson.
- Lady seen in mask similar to werewolf from Jackson’s Thriller video.
- Singer is seen sitting on a glittery glove chair with monkey on lap.
- Lighted flooring, as in Jackson’s Beat It video.
- Car explosion, as at the end of another Jackson video.
- Four men seen re-enacting Thriller moves and posing with one arm in the air like Jackson.
- Singer pulls up his trousers during performance so that he has the same lower half appearance as Jackson was renowned for.
- Final shot is a mimic of the Thriller video final shot.
- Large numbers of people in the production like many of Jackson’s.
Homage
- Video is more of a parody.
Tempo – audience needs
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| Alien Ant Farm performing in a back yard |
Tempo – audience needs
- Target audience is teens who feel rebellious due to being under age for many things. This is shown through the location of the performance – the back yard of an American’s house, most probably parents.
Roland Barthes' Narrative Codes
Roland Barthes published a book in 1973 which stated that there are five codes which interact to show realism in narrative within films. These same codes can also be applied for music videos though, and include: -
1. Enigma (Hermeneutic) - a code which engages the audience by posing some sort of a mystery and then delaying the answer to it. Only occasionally do enigmas remain unanswered.
2. Action (Proairetic) - a simple code which refers to an event that has a series of logical consequences.
3. Semic - this refers to the connotations offered by elements of mise-en-scène, such as the characters, props and settings.
4. Symbolic - as its name suggests, this code refers to binary oppositions which the audience have instantaneous recognition of.
5. Cultural (Referential) - this refers to knowledge that audiences bring to a film (or in this case a music video).
Like in my previous post, I have chosen to analyse a video, Eminem feat. Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie, to clarify my own understanding of these codes so that I have a better knowledge of how and if I need to incorporate them into my own video.
Analysis
1. Enigma
The enigma here is the on and off relationship of Eminem and Megan Fox (actress). The audience is kept from the outcome until towards the end of the video when Eminem says 'if she ever tries to fuckin' leave again, I'ma tie her to the bed and set this house on fire' which is followed by a shot of Fox putting out a small fire in her hands (special effect) which was seen lighting up at the beginning of the video.
At one point Eminem is seen giving Megan Fox a teddy bear holding a flower; this tells the audience that they are viewing a period when the love is back on and inevitably the next narrative shot which featues them both shows them kissing.
3. Semic
Every shot of Rihanna singing is taken in front of a burning house. This connotes the narrative does not have a happy ending.
4. Symbolic
In this case the symbolic code is the conflict between a man and wife in an unhappy relationship.
5. Cultural
The audience bring a knowledge of what makes a relationship an unstable one. That is why we see, amongst others, a shot of Eminem punching another man talking to Fox (jealousy), as well as a shot of him stealing a drink (alcohol problems).
1. Enigma (Hermeneutic) - a code which engages the audience by posing some sort of a mystery and then delaying the answer to it. Only occasionally do enigmas remain unanswered.
2. Action (Proairetic) - a simple code which refers to an event that has a series of logical consequences.
3. Semic - this refers to the connotations offered by elements of mise-en-scène, such as the characters, props and settings.
4. Symbolic - as its name suggests, this code refers to binary oppositions which the audience have instantaneous recognition of.
5. Cultural (Referential) - this refers to knowledge that audiences bring to a film (or in this case a music video).
Like in my previous post, I have chosen to analyse a video, Eminem feat. Rihanna - Love The Way You Lie, to clarify my own understanding of these codes so that I have a better knowledge of how and if I need to incorporate them into my own video.
Analysis
1. Enigma
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| Megan Fox puts out the fire in her hands. If you look closely you can just see the smoke rising up from her palms |
2. Action
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| Eminem offers Fox a teddy bearing a flower |
3. Semic
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| Rihanna singing in front of a burning house |
4. Symbolic
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| Eminem and Fox in conflict |
5. Cultural
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| Eminem confronts another guy talking to Fox |
Ways in which music videos could be analysed
Music videos could be analysed by looking at: -
1. Genre
2. Narrative
3. Representation
4. Audience
5. Media Language
My peers and I conducted an analysis of the following video, Jay Z - 99 Problems, to get some idea about what to consider in the production of our own music video.
Analysis
1. Genre
Rap - all conventions, from mise-en-scène to editing, are representative of a stereotypical video from this genre. Just a few examples include, in terms of mise-en-scène, the NY cap, in terms of cinematography, the facial close up shots whilst Jay Z sings, in terms of sound, the loud bass, and in terms of editing, the fast cuts between frames.
2. Narrative
The narrative of this video centres around Jay-Z's life story and how other people view him. Lyrics such as 'rap critics they say he's [Jay-Z] "Money Cash Hoes"' and 'I'm from rags to ritches niggas I ain't dumb' confirm this.
3. Representation
4. Audience
Jay-Z's fans, a core of which is probably teen, black Americans. With Jay Z talking about his earlier life, those people might feel able to relate.
5. Media Language
With the video shot in black and white there is a connotation of age, experience and history.
1. Genre
2. Narrative
3. Representation
4. Audience
5. Media Language
My peers and I conducted an analysis of the following video, Jay Z - 99 Problems, to get some idea about what to consider in the production of our own music video.
Analysis
1. Genre
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| A close up shot of Jay Z wearing an NY cap |
2. Narrative
The narrative of this video centres around Jay-Z's life story and how other people view him. Lyrics such as 'rap critics they say he's [Jay-Z] "Money Cash Hoes"' and 'I'm from rags to ritches niggas I ain't dumb' confirm this.
3. Representation
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| A clear reference to Christianity from the opening seconds of the video |
This video includes representations of numerous religions, the police and women. Representations of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and African Shamanism are evident throughout. A whole verse is dedicated to 'the mother fuckin' law' which tells you all you need to know about how the police are represented, whilst women are shown both as fragile, when one is seen cowering, and sexual items, particularly towards the end of the video.
4. Audience
Jay-Z's fans, a core of which is probably teen, black Americans. With Jay Z talking about his earlier life, those people might feel able to relate.
5. Media Language
With the video shot in black and white there is a connotation of age, experience and history.
Music Video Sub-Genres
There are three main music video sub-genres. Below are the names of these along with a short description, as well as examples of each to ensure clarity.
1. Narrative
A video which conveys some sort of story through the pictures.
2. Performance
A video which, in the main, shows the artist(s) performing the track.
Example - Changed The Way You Kiss Me
3. Experimental
A video which shows neither a performance or a narrative, instead 'experimenting' with a new concept.
Nero - Me And You
1. Narrative
A video which conveys some sort of story through the pictures.
Calvin Harris feat. Kelis - Bounce
2. Performance
A video which, in the main, shows the artist(s) performing the track.
Example - Changed The Way You Kiss Me
3. Experimental
A video which shows neither a performance or a narrative, instead 'experimenting' with a new concept.
Nero - Me And You
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