Wednesday 9 December 2015
Final project- Storyboard
Wednesday 25 November 2015
The original music video
This the original music video for the song we will be producing and recreating the music video for.
Here are the lyrics/ script of the song:
"Bros"
Shake your hair, have some fun
Forget our mothers and past lovers, forget everyone
Oh, I'm so lucky, you are my best friend
Oh, there's no one, there's no one who knows me like you do
Are your lights on?
Are your lights still on?
I'll keep you safe
You keep me strong
Remember when we cut our hair?
We both looked like boys but we didn't care
Stick it out together like we always do
Oh, there's no one, there's no one quite like you
Are your lights on?
Are your lights still on?
I'll keep you safe
You keep me strong
Ohhh
Jump that 43
Are you wild like me?
Raised by wolves and other beasts
I tell you all the time
I'm not mad
You tell me all the time
I got plans
Ohhh
Jump that 43
Are you wild like me?
Raised by wolves and other beasts
I tell you all the time
I'm not mad
You tell me all the time
I got plans
Me and you, me and you, me and you
We could do better, I'm quite sure
Me and you, me and you, me and you
We could do better, I'm quite sure
Me, me, me, me, me and you
Me, me, me, me, me and you
Forget our mothers and past lovers, forget everyone
Oh, I'm so lucky, you are my best friend
Oh, there's no one, there's no one who knows me like you do
Are your lights on?
Are your lights still on?
I'll keep you safe
You keep me strong
Remember when we cut our hair?
We both looked like boys but we didn't care
Stick it out together like we always do
Oh, there's no one, there's no one quite like you
Are your lights on?
Are your lights still on?
I'll keep you safe
You keep me strong
Ohhh
Jump that 43
Are you wild like me?
Raised by wolves and other beasts
I tell you all the time
I'm not mad
You tell me all the time
I got plans
Ohhh
Jump that 43
Are you wild like me?
Raised by wolves and other beasts
I tell you all the time
I'm not mad
You tell me all the time
I got plans
Me and you, me and you, me and you
We could do better, I'm quite sure
Me and you, me and you, me and you
We could do better, I'm quite sure
Me, me, me, me, me and you
Me, me, me, me, me and you
Tuesday 24 November 2015
Thursday 19 November 2015
Wednesday 18 November 2015
Sunday 25 October 2015
6- Textual analysis: exploitation and the male gaze
MUSIC VIDEOS are continuing to over-sexualise and demean young women, female empowerment campaigners have said as they launch a campaign for better protection. End Violence Against Women (EVAW) Coalition, Imkaan and OBJECT are now working together to call for age restrictions on music videos whether they are sold in shops or viewed online. It follows growing concern that young female artists like Rihanna and Miley Cyrus are baring more and more flesh to maintain their popularity. The uncensored version of male singer Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines video – which used naked women while the men stayed fully clothed – was removed from YouTube for being “inappropriate”, and banned worldwide after causing upset.
For example this mid shot of 50 cent surrounded by three women in his music video in da club, in a way represents his mind set as an artist and what ideals he wants to put out there. The use of a mid shot allows us to see most things in the shot close enough to see everything in detail but not too close so we could not see all the elements. In this shot he has chosen to put the women in bikinis showing off their body. However i feel like the purpose of this shot was not too give power to the women as they are laying on him and he is in the front of the shot, presenting them as props in the background. Instead he is probably trying to attract male views by using the women as sexual objects.
This is a wide angle shot of a few seconds of the music video. Here the girls from the group are all in positions that could be seen as provocative to audiences. It creates the question do women use their bodies in order to be looked at by men and receive attention in music videos and the industry? However this could then become replicated in everyday life, every time a women is showing parts of her body will it be seen as provocative by people? and will this create further issues of men taking advantage of women or exploiting them because of something that is presented in a music video?
Acceptance of exploitation in music videos could lead to people thinking its okay to abuse and exploit women in everyday life. Here are a few shocking statistics that i found in relation to current sexual abuse.
Many music videos sexualizing women and creating the illusion of a woman as a sexual object, almost like a prop of the music videos. These music videos are spread across all genres of music including hip hop, pop, rock and country.
I think we can only judge the intent of the music video to a certain extent. I as a woman who feels very strongly about the empowerment of women find it quite difficult sometimes to distinguish between the fine line of exploitation and empowerment. I struggle to understand the artists intentions when it comes down to the meaning of the music video, especially when it comes to female artists. I think this is tricky to understand because in some cases such as many of the Britney spears videos we cannot tell which ones are Britney representing women as strong and unafraid to show their body or are her trying to conform to expectations and stereotypical roles of women for audiences and within the music industry.
For example this mid shot of 50 cent surrounded by three women in his music video in da club, in a way represents his mind set as an artist and what ideals he wants to put out there. The use of a mid shot allows us to see most things in the shot close enough to see everything in detail but not too close so we could not see all the elements. In this shot he has chosen to put the women in bikinis showing off their body. However i feel like the purpose of this shot was not too give power to the women as they are laying on him and he is in the front of the shot, presenting them as props in the background. Instead he is probably trying to attract male views by using the women as sexual objects.
Laura Mulvey wrote a theory called the male gaze in 1975 before most of these music videos were created. It presented the question of are women filmed differently in music videos to women? are women represented as weak and sexual objects and are men presented and filmed at angles and in ways that makes them seem powerful and attractive too audiences?
What are the expectations of female artists? and why do they have different expectations to their male counterparts? why has it become a role in society for women to be looked at in whatever way suits males and why is this being promoted and supported by some artists? and will the promotion of sexist attitudes effect women mentally and alter the way in which they perceive themselves and each other?
What is the gaze?
- How men look at women.
- How women look at themselves.
- How women look at other women.
An example of a music video which could effect the way men look at women could be the pussycat dolls music video " buttons"
This is a wide angle shot of a few seconds of the music video. Here the girls from the group are all in positions that could be seen as provocative to audiences. It creates the question do women use their bodies in order to be looked at by men and receive attention in music videos and the industry? However this could then become replicated in everyday life, every time a women is showing parts of her body will it be seen as provocative by people? and will this create further issues of men taking advantage of women or exploiting them because of something that is presented in a music video?
These are the main features of the male gaze theory
- The representation of women as a sexual fantasy and from a heterosexual male point of view.
- Scopophilia- the pleasure involved in looking at other peoples bodies.
- patriarchal society.
- objectification of female characters.
- Active male and passive female.
- men- controlling subjects.
- women as an image.
- men do the looking and the women are there to be looked at.
- needs of the male ego.
All these can apply to a number of music videos and open up the idea that society is creating dangerous environments for not only women but males and children also.
Acceptance of exploitation in music videos could lead to people thinking its okay to abuse and exploit women in everyday life. Here are a few shocking statistics that i found in relation to current sexual abuse.- 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime
- 17.7 million American women have been victims of attempted or completed rape.
- 9 of every 10 rape victims were female in 2003.
attempted rape for women by race:
- All women: 17.6%
- White women: 17.7%
- Black women: 18.8%
- Asian Pacific Islander women: 6.8%
- American Indian/Alaskan women: 34.1%
- Mixed race women: 24.4%
- Girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely than the general population to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault.
These statistics really did shock me when reading around the subject. The role singers and performers have should be a positive one, represented through their music video. They have a responsibility and have the power to make the world a better place, its about time more stars use the advantage they have and encourage equality, safety and fairness in today's societies.
Thursday 15 October 2015
Tuesday 29 September 2015
Sunday 27 September 2015
The top ten music videos of the summer
Here are the top ten music videos of the summer voted for by the public.
10:
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1:
Sunday 20 September 2015
Controversy in Music Videos
Recently we did some investigation into what kind of controversy appears in the media and why this controversy occurs.
We read an article called Video Games by Column. It discusses "the new gratuitously violent and nudity-fueled Rihanna video which set the internet alight with righteous indignation." According to Dorian Lynskey, that could have been the whole point.
The article and writer argues that Rihannas new video is a basic 'mini movie'. It starts to insinuate that when an artist resorts to creating a short film for a music video that "its time too quit", according to Nirvana/foo fighters star Dave Grohl. It summarises the music video. Rihanna kidnaps the accountants (played by Hanibal's Mads Mikkelsen) wife, tortures her, then kills the accountant and takes her money back.
He says "predictably, the internet unpacked the sexual and racial politics of the video... Whilst ignoring the fact that this is just the kind of thing pop stars do at a certain point in their careers." I think this is a really interesting point to pick up on, due to the fact the author is stereotyping and classifying. He's suggesting audiences are oblivious to faults of an artist but also categorizing all pop stars in to a category of "they get desperate they have to do something drastic." It becomes clear to readers that the authors issue stems with the way some pop stars present themselves and it wouldn't be the first time this has been said.
He also says "The 'event video' must be long, self regarding, hubristic and flamboyantly expensive." He insinuates Rihanna uses her video to present herself as a "no fuck giving badass but comes off as somewhat desperate." His opinion on the subject is pop artists use controversial music videos too get views and more notability.
We read an article called Video Games by Column. It discusses "the new gratuitously violent and nudity-fueled Rihanna video which set the internet alight with righteous indignation." According to Dorian Lynskey, that could have been the whole point.
The article and writer argues that Rihannas new video is a basic 'mini movie'. It starts to insinuate that when an artist resorts to creating a short film for a music video that "its time too quit", according to Nirvana/foo fighters star Dave Grohl. It summarises the music video. Rihanna kidnaps the accountants (played by Hanibal's Mads Mikkelsen) wife, tortures her, then kills the accountant and takes her money back.He says "predictably, the internet unpacked the sexual and racial politics of the video... Whilst ignoring the fact that this is just the kind of thing pop stars do at a certain point in their careers." I think this is a really interesting point to pick up on, due to the fact the author is stereotyping and classifying. He's suggesting audiences are oblivious to faults of an artist but also categorizing all pop stars in to a category of "they get desperate they have to do something drastic." It becomes clear to readers that the authors issue stems with the way some pop stars present themselves and it wouldn't be the first time this has been said.
He also says "The 'event video' must be long, self regarding, hubristic and flamboyantly expensive." He insinuates Rihanna uses her video to present herself as a "no fuck giving badass but comes off as somewhat desperate." His opinion on the subject is pop artists use controversial music videos too get views and more notability.
Wednesday 16 September 2015
Monday 20 July 2015
First try!
Here is our first attempt at producing a music video. This is our version of 'you don't want to dance with me'.
Tuesday 14 July 2015
Monday 13 July 2015
Wednesday 8 July 2015
Tuesday 7 July 2015
Monday 6 July 2015
3- Textual analysis on Lana Del Rey
Here is a textual analysis of the website of one of my favourite artists Lana Del Rey.
Wednesday 24 June 2015
Storyboard- californication
This is the storyboard plan for californication by the red hot chilli peppers. The storyboard helps us decide what shots are going to be used in terms of fitting them with the lyrics and atmosphere of the music video.
Wednesday 17 June 2015
2- Textual analysis on recommended videos
Here are my top five recommended videos from our media class!
Lana Del Rey- Video Games
This genre of music created by Lana del Rey is classed as baroque pop. This music video was created by Lana, as well as 'Carmen'. The footage is clips Lana has collected throughout herself as well as archived vintage footage that represented a part of her. There is a lot of intertextual references used in this video. A lot of footage from old cartoons and music are used to represent her. The artist has now started to develop her look and style. Her whole aesthetic is presented as very classic Hollywood. The lyrics "heaven is a place on earth with you." is a clear representation that everything involved in this video is heavenly and personal to her.
Lady Gaga- Marry the night
Lady Gaga is classed as the pop genre, one of the most well known and critically acclaimed artist uses her music videos to create a narrative and to explore her wildest fantasies. She uses a range of imagery to represent herself. Costumes and make up is a massive part of her on stage presence and performance in her music videos. She quite often has dramatic costumes and extravagant make up representing her many different natures and personality traits. She is so versatile in everything she does and her performances are memorable. She uses alternative narratives and choreography to attract viewers. In this video she also included a range of locations and paid tribute to the music video "thriller" by Michael Jackson.
Vampire weekend- A-Punk
Vampire weekend are part of the indie rock persuasion convention. Everything they do and how they represent themselves is intended to give them the image of bands established in the 70's and 80's. Their choice of clothing and style is alternative deliberately giving them a different look to bands in the same genre as them. The editing used in this video is used to be aesthetically pleasing to viewers. There isn't so much a narrative but instead a lot of different locations created with different props to give the video a very alternative original feel.
Panic! at the disco- I write sins not tragedies
Panic! at the disco are classed as pop rock. Their music videos are always very story based. Its a way of them creating an alternative world that represents them and everything they believe in. This videos use of props and costume represents their alternative style and image. Their lyrics constantly relate back to visuals. Representing the words visually for all viewers attracting many audiences.
Taylor swift- I knew you were trouble
Taylor swift is part of the classic pop genre. Her music videos are usually extended and has a long narrative and tells a story to go with the song. A lot of effects, props and costumes are used to make these almost short film music videos. Which represents Taylor as a very successful singer if she has the readily available equipment and money to make the video. The framing used in this shot is also very classic and professional looking.
Lana Del Rey- Video Games
This genre of music created by Lana del Rey is classed as baroque pop. This music video was created by Lana, as well as 'Carmen'. The footage is clips Lana has collected throughout herself as well as archived vintage footage that represented a part of her. There is a lot of intertextual references used in this video. A lot of footage from old cartoons and music are used to represent her. The artist has now started to develop her look and style. Her whole aesthetic is presented as very classic Hollywood. The lyrics "heaven is a place on earth with you." is a clear representation that everything involved in this video is heavenly and personal to her.
Lady Gaga- Marry the night
Lady Gaga is classed as the pop genre, one of the most well known and critically acclaimed artist uses her music videos to create a narrative and to explore her wildest fantasies. She uses a range of imagery to represent herself. Costumes and make up is a massive part of her on stage presence and performance in her music videos. She quite often has dramatic costumes and extravagant make up representing her many different natures and personality traits. She is so versatile in everything she does and her performances are memorable. She uses alternative narratives and choreography to attract viewers. In this video she also included a range of locations and paid tribute to the music video "thriller" by Michael Jackson.
Vampire weekend- A-Punk
Vampire weekend are part of the indie rock persuasion convention. Everything they do and how they represent themselves is intended to give them the image of bands established in the 70's and 80's. Their choice of clothing and style is alternative deliberately giving them a different look to bands in the same genre as them. The editing used in this video is used to be aesthetically pleasing to viewers. There isn't so much a narrative but instead a lot of different locations created with different props to give the video a very alternative original feel.
Panic! at the disco- I write sins not tragedies
Panic! at the disco are classed as pop rock. Their music videos are always very story based. Its a way of them creating an alternative world that represents them and everything they believe in. This videos use of props and costume represents their alternative style and image. Their lyrics constantly relate back to visuals. Representing the words visually for all viewers attracting many audiences.
Taylor swift- I knew you were trouble
Taylor swift is part of the classic pop genre. Her music videos are usually extended and has a long narrative and tells a story to go with the song. A lot of effects, props and costumes are used to make these almost short film music videos. Which represents Taylor as a very successful singer if she has the readily available equipment and money to make the video. The framing used in this shot is also very classic and professional looking.
Sunday 14 June 2015
1- Textual analysis of 'Papa don't preach'
Papa don't preach was an iconic video created for Madonna in 1986. Madonna's videos pushed for independence and individuality of both genders, which was revolutionary for people of the time and currently.
Firstly, the lyrics in the song present emotions of a young adult being thrown into the complications of motherhood but also the changing in independence. It represents the freedom that comes with growing up as well as the difficult choices that are made. The lyrics represent feelings of uncertainty, which could also relate to the quick paced editing. The video and words could present the difficulty of growing up and she is using her forum to put forward the idea of independence in young people and to not always listen to someone else if its your happiness that depends on it. "may be young at heart but I know what I'm saying".
Secondly, the use of editing is very interesting in this music video. They decided to use quick cuts and a fast paced montage, The violins are used to create tempo between the sharply cut scenes. Flashes of different locations and people are used to represent the place and time but also different conventions in terms of lifestyle for people of the era. The tempo of the music and editing could represent the free will of unconditional young love portrayed in the form of Madonna. The montage of clips and locations represents a passing of time and how the relationships presented in the video developed and changed during the process of experiencing everything for the first time from being a young child to the independence of being a young adult.
Madonnas' image is crucial to her career. From when she first began in the music industry her performance and stage presence was a huge part of the deal for her. Her pixie cut styled blonde hair and dramatic make up became an iconic look for her. As a singer she's very versatile, she influences so many people in so many different ways with her constant defiance of categorisation. Her choice in clothing and controversial music subject matter continued to empower women and contribute towards leading equality in the right direction. Also in this music video they decided to employ an incredibly well known actor of the time, Danny Aiello creating intertextuality which encourages people of different audiences to watch the video.
The camera work used in this video is varied through out. They decided to use close ups of Madonna to present her beauty and iconic looks to attract attention from viewers everywhere. Maybe they decided to use her feminine looks to allure audiences?
Firstly, the lyrics in the song present emotions of a young adult being thrown into the complications of motherhood but also the changing in independence. It represents the freedom that comes with growing up as well as the difficult choices that are made. The lyrics represent feelings of uncertainty, which could also relate to the quick paced editing. The video and words could present the difficulty of growing up and she is using her forum to put forward the idea of independence in young people and to not always listen to someone else if its your happiness that depends on it. "may be young at heart but I know what I'm saying".
Secondly, the use of editing is very interesting in this music video. They decided to use quick cuts and a fast paced montage, The violins are used to create tempo between the sharply cut scenes. Flashes of different locations and people are used to represent the place and time but also different conventions in terms of lifestyle for people of the era. The tempo of the music and editing could represent the free will of unconditional young love portrayed in the form of Madonna. The montage of clips and locations represents a passing of time and how the relationships presented in the video developed and changed during the process of experiencing everything for the first time from being a young child to the independence of being a young adult.
Madonnas' image is crucial to her career. From when she first began in the music industry her performance and stage presence was a huge part of the deal for her. Her pixie cut styled blonde hair and dramatic make up became an iconic look for her. As a singer she's very versatile, she influences so many people in so many different ways with her constant defiance of categorisation. Her choice in clothing and controversial music subject matter continued to empower women and contribute towards leading equality in the right direction. Also in this music video they decided to employ an incredibly well known actor of the time, Danny Aiello creating intertextuality which encourages people of different audiences to watch the video.
The camera work used in this video is varied through out. They decided to use close ups of Madonna to present her beauty and iconic looks to attract attention from viewers everywhere. Maybe they decided to use her feminine looks to allure audiences?
Wednesday 10 June 2015
A2 portfolio!
Recently we have started our A2 project of recreating a music video. We have been brain storming and exploring the creative ideas behind the presentation of narrative and lyrics and visuals. We have been looking at different genres of music and looking at the mise-en scene used to portray the characteristics of the genre.
Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry is a style and music icon. Debbie's look is so iconic that is has been influential to millions. The genre of music appeals to massive audience but Debbie still brought that female appeal to the group as she was an iconic woman of the 70's,80's and still to this day.
Here are a few genres that I grew up around and that stuck with me through developing my tastes visually and sonically.
The Marilyn culture
Pop culture
EVE and Gwen Stefani have always been a favourite of mine. From being a young girl Gwen Stefani was one of the popstars I always wanted to be and when growing up experimented with the style that is typical of Stefani. The record label always presented her as a charming but characterised female who was culturally educated and had incredible bleached hair and red lips. It was an iconic look of the 2000's.
I was influenced by many female artists of the noughties, such as Britney Spears, Fergie, Christina Aguilera. Firstly because I loved the music but secondly because they were presented as fierce beautiful women and the blondes of the century influenced my look and attitude towards life massively.
Retreating to the 70's
BLONDIE
Debbie Harry
Debbie Harry is a style and music icon. Debbie's look is so iconic that is has been influential to millions. The genre of music appeals to massive audience but Debbie still brought that female appeal to the group as she was an iconic woman of the 70's,80's and still to this day.
LANA LANA LANA
Lana del rey could be the most influential artists that I have discovered so far in my life. Her style, her alternative genre of music, her lyrics, her persona. Everything is so appealing and iconic to audiences. I originally heard Lana's song "born to die" on an audio website, so originally I didn't see her look or style. Her music reaches out to audiences, her videos are personalised and original and her look is alternative and iconic. As a woman of this era she continues to inspire and devotes her life to creating incredible visuals, lyrics and style for people everywhere.
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