Notes on mood-boarding and video ideas

We were told to listen to a peice of music, and then come up with a list of words describing the mood it gives us. Then come up with a list of actions
In my group this is what we came up with for ideas to make the video for this;

--------------------------------------------------------------
Mood:
Cheerful, crazy, upbeat

Actions:
Bouncy castle, circus, trampoline, candy/sweets, quick cuts, circus dancers, pier, unsteady camera, party, performing on the bouncy castle.

Our ideas were completely different to what was actually made. However i think that this task really challenged me to think about what kind of music video i associate the music with and also the representation of the artist.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwIbb3McVW4
--------------------------------------------------------------

The second video we listened to was called 'We know something you don't know', by DJ Format. Our initial ideas were really different to what was made:


Mood:
Floating, relaxed, authority, urban

Actions:
Driving/cruising, polics, cocktails, lilos, New York, women, bling

This was again completely different from the real video, but again i still think our ideas are a valid perception of what we had to refer to.

I really think this task helped me to look at music videos in a different way, and really help me grasp the concept of producing one.

--------------------------------------------------------------

KEY TERMS -

Illustrative- illustrates lyrics to visuals


Amplificative- amplifies certain ideas


Disjunctive- the visuals and the lyrics don't match

Avril Lavigne Representation

This video shows the artist in a vulnerable way and uses camera work to exagerate the fact that she is alone. This is done through deep focus shots to show the crowd around her unclear which makes her stand out from the rest. Also the song itself is alot slower and therefore is synchronous. Slow motion is uses alot couples with close up shots to make her more attractive and gives the audience a chance to see subtle facial expressions which convay her emotions.
This video represents the artists is a vulnerable and conservative way through these devices.



The comparison to this video shows a large difference. This video shows much more of the artists attitude and rebellious nature. As this video was made before the one above, it might suggest that this was made to give a larger impact on an audience. Also this video carries links to skateboarding, graffiti and a general lack of respect towards authority. This is clearly shown by her jumping around on a car.

Also when you compare the editing to the video above, this one has far faster cuts. The camerawork is also completely different, as in this video it is very unstable and looks handheld. Another difference would be that she is always surrounded by people, while in the other video she is often seen to be alone. This gives the impression of popularity and being accepted into a particular sociual status, which is infact the social groups she is targeting as an audience.

Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff

The use of a low angle shot showing skating tricks shows that this is the kind of culture that the artist wants to be associated with. This helps represent the lifestyle he wants to be represented with, but also it shows the target audience of the music itself.
Also low angle obviously makes the audience have to look up to the artist. The clothing is very casual and can be related to skating culture once again.

Slipknot - Left Behind

The use of low angle shots are used frequently throughout this video to show the members in the group to be superior. This is to make the audience look up to them. Also this is to clearly show the clothing and masks of the people playing. The masks may suggest that the group has something to hide, which leaves it up to the audiences imagination. This device is common in horror films. Another link to horror is the representation of innocence becomming corrupted.



This image clearly shows a young boy, holding a meat cleaver which is used to cut meat. However this may possibly connote a murderous theme. However shots this subtle are once again left up to the way the audience perceives objects and events.

The only colour is are their red tops. This is possibly linked to danger, or blood.

Drowning Pool - Step Up

This video obviously tried to display the attitudes of the group. This can be done through the representation of gender. For example a close up of the lead singer, with desirable girls either side of him in the background, is making women look like trophies either side of him. Therefore it would be right to assume that as girls are stereotypically attracted to wealth and power, that the lead singer has both of these qualities.



The mise en scene also shows him dressed in an expensive suit which also gives the impression he is important, rich and powerful. The group might want this image to be related to them so that their fans look up to them and possibly idealise them.



The low level lighting creates an idea of mystery yet also, depicts the groups dark nature. This lighting is also used to contrast with the bright sun in some of the other clips.

Metallica - I Disappear

After first watching this video, it was clear to me that the the footage has been edited to show each member of the group, in a different scenario. This is obviously to help represent each member differently and uniquely. A range of techniques are used to impliment this.

The video is synchronous with the music for obvious reasons, however many shots are used in a short space of time which helps create a fast pace. This is needed to engage the audience. All of the group members are also flashed up within these quick shots so that they have all already been introduced to the audience. This helps highlight their importance. A close up of the lead singer also shows his importance and allows us to see him singing the lyrics.

A graphic match is used to show one of the members playing his guitar, then the same character standing in a different location. This is to show the audience which member of the group he is. However this also allows a new setting to be introduced. The long shot gives a clear view of the room where the event will take place. The use of a zoom allows a a sudden close up of his face which clearly shows him struggling. The camerawork is very shakey which helps to give a sense of disorientation that the audience can use to empathise with the character. The occasional high angle shot also shows his inferiority, relating to the lyrics of the song itself.

As the video is also meant to be the theme to a film, there are clips from within the film that appear in the music video. This is to show that the film and the song is related to the film.

The mise en scene shows the characters always waring black or dark clothes. This may suggest sophistication, but more likely it is to represent power, and a dark undertone to the band itself.

Aims

To understand the generic conventions of music videos

To be able to identify how the band/artist is promoted and represented through the video conventions

To be able to deconstruct music videos according to the 4 areas of textual analysis