Friday, 29 October 2010
Thursday, 14 October 2010
genre codes and conventions
This is a categorised type of media text, different genre's have different conventions. It is a critical tool that helps us study texts and audiences responses to texts by dividing then into categories based on elements.
Some music video's go completely against all forms of conventions & codes such as radio head no surprises. This ignores all codes and conventions to make it appear my interesting to the audience. This was a deliberate choice.
All genre's have sub genre's dividing into more specific categories. Christian Mertz talks about this in his book " language and cinema" he says all genre go through a typical cycle of change during there lifetime
· Slow motion shots
· Dissolve cuts
· Traditional love locations such as the beach which I have planned to use in my story board
· Black and white to emphasize a classical view
· Close up’s of a relationship, also the artist.
Industries use genre to sell products to audiences. Genre is recognised by audiences through codes and conventions. Rick Attom argues that media offers a set of "pleasures" to an audience,
For my music video the style is set in the present day. Therefore the outfit for my beach location will be similar to the style of today of a typical passive female, "girly" scarf’s and cardigans. For the dance sequence the actress will be wearing a leotard, as the dance sequence is very traditional and will be similar to the style of ballet. Also The male character will be wearing a suite for the dance sequences as this will appear traditional and smart.
Some music video's go completely against all forms of conventions & codes such as radio head no surprises. This ignores all codes and conventions to make it appear my interesting to the audience. This was a deliberate choice.
All genre's have sub genre's dividing into more specific categories. Christian Mertz talks about this in his book " language and cinema" he says all genre go through a typical cycle of change during there lifetime
- Experimental stage
- Classic stage
- Parody stage
I would say that the for my song “Hello” The type of stage is a classical one. This is because the lyrics are based on a traditional cohabiting relationship were the man is the dominant alpha male and the woman is the dismissive female. Also the tune has a classical element almost to it.
Genre's can also overlap for example the codes and conventions could appear to be a mainstream pop group genre, when in fact its a parody of the genre. For example blink 182- All the small things. This uses all the common locations such as slow motion beach scene normally seen on love songs, such as the Beyonce video I analysed below. It also uses such codes as slow motion shots with the wind blowing.
The genre I am focusing on is a mainstream/rnb genre. the song I have chosen has very much both elements in. It is a moving love song. Therefor I am going to have to use the codes & conventions of a love video, such as the 'heartbroken girl'
· Slow motion shots
· Dissolve cuts
· Traditional love locations such as the beach which I have planned to use in my story board
· Black and white to emphasize a classical view
· Close up’s of a relationship, also the artist.
Industries use genre to sell products to audiences. Genre is recognised by audiences through codes and conventions. Rick Attom argues that media offers a set of "pleasures" to an audience,
- emotional pleasure
- visceral pleasure - gut responses
- intellectual pleasure - puzzles, murder investigations, thrillers
The strengths of making full use of genre and conventions in your music video is that the audience can relate and understand it. Making the video more like able.
For my video the genre of mainstream/R and B would be an emotional pleasure as the song conveys a touching relationship. This will have to come across in the genre of my music video.The normal conventions of a r and b video are that they show off wealth. Through fancy cars and designer clothes, men are usually seen as dominant and females as passive. However the song I have chosen is more of a mainstream song still in the r and b category. This consists more of a traditional love genre, therefore men are still seen as the dominant character and females passive. Similar to the Beyonce video that I analysed below. There for techniques such as fading and a black and white effect are commonly used.
I will be including these techniques along with my video, as well as various close up shots of the artist and establishing shot of the locations. Codes and conventions include everything that is seen on screen such as clothing and appearance. For example in Beyonce’s video “why don’t you love me” Beyonce has taken the 60’s style down to the location appearance and style of hair. Everything is hand picked out.
For my music video the style is set in the present day. Therefore the outfit for my beach location will be similar to the style of today of a typical passive female, "girly" scarf’s and cardigans. For the dance sequence the actress will be wearing a leotard, as the dance sequence is very traditional and will be similar to the style of ballet. Also The male character will be wearing a suite for the dance sequences as this will appear traditional and smart.
Monday, 11 October 2010
beyonce - broken hearted girl
I have chosen to analyse this video because the song i have chosen is a Beyonce song so I wanted to analyse a video s he has done to create an idea of the type of genre her songs are.
The video starts with Beyonce pulling up into a parking space & then cuts to a close up of her face crying, this is to emphasize the emotional state she is in . The video is in black & white through out the first half, I interpreted this as Beyonce is reminiscing on her time with her partner in the car. The camera cuts after about a second to Beyonce walking away from the camera towards the sea. The camera shot is a close up, like it has zoomed in on her. Her body is like a shadow & emphasizes her curves. This is in slow motion which adds to the slow effect of the song.
The section of the song that follows cuts from Beyonce reminiscing in the car to Beyonce on the beach with a boy running around in a couple way. The shots of the couples are made to look like they are used by a home video by making the camera look a lower quality. The camera uses fading techniques form the sea to Beyonce in the car. The camera also tracks all over the beach creating a bigger picture effect, whilst Beyonce is singing. It then becomes hand held in parts, this creates a home video effect as if the audience were in the moment
The mise-en-scene of the film is black & white & set on a beach. Toward the end of the video however at 2:59 colour comes into the video very faintly, this could signify that Beyonce has overcome her broken heart. She also puts a flower back together however the camera is playing back as she broke the flower before. I interpreted this as Beyonce is piecing back together there relationship through this red rose. The choice of location a beach conventionally a romantic location for couples and i think this is why this location is chosen. The couple are seen play fighting & the male is seen as the dominant one were as beyonce is seen as more passive.
Throughout the video it keeps cutting to the same shot from the beginning when Beyonce is a dark figure walking forwards towards the sea, This is a convention of love songs as it is emphasizing her womanly figure and the sea makes her look dismissive. As the song progresses the camera adds another shot of Beyonce & her partner walking hand in hand in the same frame shot. I think this indicates that she is no longer 'broken hearted' Also it matches the lyrics 'but now i don't hate you'
Throughout there are lots of close up shots of Beyonce This is a normal convention of a music video as the audience want to see the artist. At the end of the video Beyonce is putting her seat belt on with a smile like the song has worked out her relationship. Throughout the song it shows progression
The narrative would be as Short o' Sullivan would suggest a common narrative structure. This is because it starts with an established plot (Beyonce appears to be arguing with her boyfriend) this is then followed by a development of a problem (when Beyonce is crying about reminiscing) then it finally comes to a resolution (the colour comes to the video as she pieces the rose back together of there relationship)
The genre of this video is mainstream RnB, it is definitely mainstream because of the conventions used such as close up shots, slow motion movement, location is a very common one.
The video closely relates to a clip from a film called "From Here To Eternity" they are both black & white & located at the beach and both video's represent a love scene one the beach. black & white can be associated with the past and "From Here To Eternity" was made in 1953. Women therefore are made to be portrayed as traditional housewife types.
By positioning the female resting on the male, & also the women have been made to look helpless. Both black & white, this creates a stronger emotional meaning and gives off verisimilitude.
The video starts with Beyonce pulling up into a parking space & then cuts to a close up of her face crying, this is to emphasize the emotional state she is in . The video is in black & white through out the first half, I interpreted this as Beyonce is reminiscing on her time with her partner in the car. The camera cuts after about a second to Beyonce walking away from the camera towards the sea. The camera shot is a close up, like it has zoomed in on her. Her body is like a shadow & emphasizes her curves. This is in slow motion which adds to the slow effect of the song.
The section of the song that follows cuts from Beyonce reminiscing in the car to Beyonce on the beach with a boy running around in a couple way. The shots of the couples are made to look like they are used by a home video by making the camera look a lower quality. The camera uses fading techniques form the sea to Beyonce in the car. The camera also tracks all over the beach creating a bigger picture effect, whilst Beyonce is singing. It then becomes hand held in parts, this creates a home video effect as if the audience were in the moment
The mise-en-scene of the film is black & white & set on a beach. Toward the end of the video however at 2:59 colour comes into the video very faintly, this could signify that Beyonce has overcome her broken heart. She also puts a flower back together however the camera is playing back as she broke the flower before. I interpreted this as Beyonce is piecing back together there relationship through this red rose. The choice of location a beach conventionally a romantic location for couples and i think this is why this location is chosen. The couple are seen play fighting & the male is seen as the dominant one were as beyonce is seen as more passive.
Throughout the video it keeps cutting to the same shot from the beginning when Beyonce is a dark figure walking forwards towards the sea, This is a convention of love songs as it is emphasizing her womanly figure and the sea makes her look dismissive. As the song progresses the camera adds another shot of Beyonce & her partner walking hand in hand in the same frame shot. I think this indicates that she is no longer 'broken hearted' Also it matches the lyrics 'but now i don't hate you'
Throughout there are lots of close up shots of Beyonce This is a normal convention of a music video as the audience want to see the artist. At the end of the video Beyonce is putting her seat belt on with a smile like the song has worked out her relationship. Throughout the song it shows progression
The narrative would be as Short o' Sullivan would suggest a common narrative structure. This is because it starts with an established plot (Beyonce appears to be arguing with her boyfriend) this is then followed by a development of a problem (when Beyonce is crying about reminiscing) then it finally comes to a resolution (the colour comes to the video as she pieces the rose back together of there relationship)
The genre of this video is mainstream RnB, it is definitely mainstream because of the conventions used such as close up shots, slow motion movement, location is a very common one.
The video closely relates to a clip from a film called "From Here To Eternity" they are both black & white & located at the beach and both video's represent a love scene one the beach. black & white can be associated with the past and "From Here To Eternity" was made in 1953. Women therefore are made to be portrayed as traditional housewife types.
By positioning the female resting on the male, & also the women have been made to look helpless. Both black & white, this creates a stronger emotional meaning and gives off verisimilitude.
Saturday, 9 October 2010
the song lyrics i have chosen
Beyonce - hello
Oh!
Oooooh
"For this first 2 lines i would like to have female lead close up to the camera facing the side and light streaming in from the opposite side to create a silhouette of her face as she sings"
I love to see you walk into the room
Body shining lighting up the place
I interpret this line above as she See's her partner as a god, Therefore this would work well with the first to lines when the light is streaming in. This could represent heaven or sunlight.
And when you talk everybody stop
Because they know you know just what to say and
The way that you protect your friends
Baby, I respect you for that
And when you roll you take everyone you love along
I love that you
Don't fly me away
You don't need to buy a diamond key
To unlock my heart
You shelter my soul
You're my fire when I'm cold
I want you to know...
For the bridge to the song above I would like to add a dance sequence that i can add to parts of the song when this crops up. I would like to add various shots of Jessica on her own and Jessica with Matthew.
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
It was many years ago (Ago)
Baby, when you stole my cool
Cuz you had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello oooooh
Oh!
Oooooh
"For this first 2 lines i would like to have female lead close up to the camera facing the side and light streaming in from the opposite side to create a silhouette of her face as she sings"
I love to see you walk into the room
Body shining lighting up the place
I interpret this line above as she See's her partner as a god, Therefore this would work well with the first to lines when the light is streaming in. This could represent heaven or sunlight.
And when you talk everybody stop
Because they know you know just what to say and
The way that you protect your friends
Baby, I respect you for that
And when you roll you take everyone you love along
I love that you
The verses are fast paced but the meaning is a slow love song. Therefore i would like to use this verse to show various close up and medium shots of the couple.
Don't fly me away
You don't need to buy a diamond key
To unlock my heart
You shelter my soul
You're my fire when I'm cold
I want you to know...
For the bridge to the song above I would like to add a dance sequence that i can add to parts of the song when this crops up. I would like to add various shots of Jessica on her own and Jessica with Matthew.
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
It was many years ago (Ago)
Baby, when you stole my cool
Cuz you had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello oooooh
I get so excited when you travel with me, baby, while I'm on my grind
And never will I ever let my hustle come between me and my family time and...
You keep me humble out of this hype
Cuz you know there's more to life
And if I need ya, you will be here, you will make the sacrifice
Don't fly me away
You don't need to buy a diamond key
To unlock my heart
You shelter my soul
You're my fire when I'm cold
I want you to know...
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
It was many years ago (Ago)
Baby, when you stole my cool
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello oooooh
Gotta feel you
And be near you
You're the air that I breathe to survive
Gotta hold you
Want to show you
That without you my sun doesn't shine
You don't have to try so... hard for me to love you
Boy without you my life just ain't the same
You don't have to try so... hard for me to love you
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
It was many years ago (Ago)
When you stole my cool
You had me at hello (Hello)
Hello (Hello)
Hello oooooh
It was many years ago
Baby, when you stole my cool
You had me at hello
Hello
Hello oooooh
Friday, 8 October 2010
i have analysed a recent video by Brandon Flowers - Crossfire. This is because the video is interesting the way conventions between men & woman have changed. For example the artist is the damsel in distress & the woman is the saviour, on three occasions.
Also at the beginning there is a close up of the artist that tracks back & lasts for 1 minute 10 seconds, This is unusual for a music video as they usually cut in a matter of seconds. By the second verse this happens again as it is a close up of the artist & slowly tracks back. The hero (girl) comes to the rescue.
The mise-en-scene is a dark sinister place, there are three locations which appear to have the same conventions of an abandoned warehouse, which Brandon flowers is saved from, the artist is clearly being held hostage. The woman's clothes are similar to Lara craft, who is well known for breaking the conventions of a dismissive timid woman. There is a shot reverse shot every time the woman comes in to save the artist were the woman is on a low angle so she looks superior, & the man has a high angle to be perceived as weaker. When the woman walks in at 1:10 she walks from a light background perceiving her as some kind of angel.
The first two times Brandon flowers is saved there is a shot reverse shot of the man & woman's reactions, Brandon flowers smiles on the first two occasions, but on the last occasion gives a half hearted smile, this could be because he is humiliated that she has to save him every time. I think that the music video is a reflection of the metro sexual society we now apparently live in, how woman are seen as more equal than ever. & The men feel they are loosing some of there macho power. At the end of the video the woman is driving them both home & the angle is from a side, it shows the light coming in from her side again emphasizing she is the hero, & Brandon Flowers is close up to the camera & looks dark & frustrated. She also puts her arm around in in a cut to a close up of a car behind. This is like a typical shot of a film were the hero would drive off with the damsel in distress.
Each time the chorus starts an explosion occurs, this signifies the 'crossfire' a crossfire means the opposites of two things, this could be the reason for the role reversal between the man and the woman. The sound matches the cuts, eg slow tracking movement for the verses & slightly faster shots for the chorus which has more of a beat.
Below i have posted a picture of Lara croft and the stereotypical persona, next to a shot from crossfire to show how similar they both look as a dominant female
Also at the beginning there is a close up of the artist that tracks back & lasts for 1 minute 10 seconds, This is unusual for a music video as they usually cut in a matter of seconds. By the second verse this happens again as it is a close up of the artist & slowly tracks back. The hero (girl) comes to the rescue.
The mise-en-scene is a dark sinister place, there are three locations which appear to have the same conventions of an abandoned warehouse, which Brandon flowers is saved from, the artist is clearly being held hostage. The woman's clothes are similar to Lara craft, who is well known for breaking the conventions of a dismissive timid woman. There is a shot reverse shot every time the woman comes in to save the artist were the woman is on a low angle so she looks superior, & the man has a high angle to be perceived as weaker. When the woman walks in at 1:10 she walks from a light background perceiving her as some kind of angel.
The first two times Brandon flowers is saved there is a shot reverse shot of the man & woman's reactions, Brandon flowers smiles on the first two occasions, but on the last occasion gives a half hearted smile, this could be because he is humiliated that she has to save him every time. I think that the music video is a reflection of the metro sexual society we now apparently live in, how woman are seen as more equal than ever. & The men feel they are loosing some of there macho power. At the end of the video the woman is driving them both home & the angle is from a side, it shows the light coming in from her side again emphasizing she is the hero, & Brandon Flowers is close up to the camera & looks dark & frustrated. She also puts her arm around in in a cut to a close up of a car behind. This is like a typical shot of a film were the hero would drive off with the damsel in distress.
Each time the chorus starts an explosion occurs, this signifies the 'crossfire' a crossfire means the opposites of two things, this could be the reason for the role reversal between the man and the woman. The sound matches the cuts, eg slow tracking movement for the verses & slightly faster shots for the chorus which has more of a beat.
Below i have posted a picture of Lara croft and the stereotypical persona, next to a shot from crossfire to show how similar they both look as a dominant female
Monday, 4 October 2010
conventions of music video's
Music video's are designed to sell the artist & their type of music. Various video's have different genre's which are not what the artist may be but how they want to be perceived.
For example Madonna-Vogue has all the conventions of late nighties old style appearance. & has a high brow middle class genre. Also in black and white. However it also challenges male & female conventions because men are posing to be seen as pretty similar to the way woman are perceived to act, Also Madonna dresses in a suite that a male would normally were at the end of a line of males.
Madonna also takes up an iconic look of Marylin Monroe to emphasise the genre she was aiming for. This video was made in the 1990
For example Madonna-Vogue has all the conventions of late nighties old style appearance. & has a high brow middle class genre. Also in black and white. However it also challenges male & female conventions because men are posing to be seen as pretty similar to the way woman are perceived to act, Also Madonna dresses in a suite that a male would normally were at the end of a line of males.
Madonna also takes up an iconic look of Marylin Monroe to emphasise the genre she was aiming for. This video was made in the 1990
Another convention of music video's is that they cut on to the beat of the song, which mostly every music video uses. This is a good technique because it fits with the sound track.
Music video's don't necessarily have to have a meaning behind it, it can simply be interesting for the viewer to watch. A main convention is that the artist has a variety of close up shots. This is because they are the main attraction. For an example of a different interesting video i have looked at radio head: no surprises
This video is in one full shot. There are no different angle shots all you can see is a close up of the artists head throughout. The interesting thing about it is that its something different. The artists dark then becomes lit up, covered in water & eventually dark again. The title is called no surprises & that might have something to do with why there are no action cuts or different angles because that way there is no surprises.
The music video doesn't have much meaning or depth to it. The lyrics are shown on the screen, and appear to be scanning across his face, this must have been a deliberate choice. It could be interpreted that all music artists are made to be confined into a box and made to perform. The water could be to signify that he is being drowned in his own work, & at the end he breaks free from the water.
Music video's don't necessarily have to have a meaning behind it, it can simply be interesting for the viewer to watch. A main convention is that the artist has a variety of close up shots. This is because they are the main attraction. For an example of a different interesting video i have looked at radio head: no surprises
This video is in one full shot. There are no different angle shots all you can see is a close up of the artists head throughout. The interesting thing about it is that its something different. The artists dark then becomes lit up, covered in water & eventually dark again. The title is called no surprises & that might have something to do with why there are no action cuts or different angles because that way there is no surprises.
The music video doesn't have much meaning or depth to it. The lyrics are shown on the screen, and appear to be scanning across his face, this must have been a deliberate choice. It could be interpreted that all music artists are made to be confined into a box and made to perform. The water could be to signify that he is being drowned in his own work, & at the end he breaks free from the water.
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