Initial idea character / performer list and profiles

In our film the main characters will be the boy and the girl. The boy character will be sad and lost looking and the girl will be almost like a hero, she can see how he is feeling and sympathise with him when he feels completely isolated and alone, and by the end the idea is that he will be feeling better. 

We can't only have the 2 people in our music video as part of the locations we have planned are in public places and it would be strange for only two people to be there so because of this it is likely that we will be using volunteers as extras to look like members of the public. Using the extract characters will help to construct a more realistic music video. 

It is likely that a wide audience will engage with our music video because some people suffering from a mental health illness will be able to relate and most people know someone or know of someone who has one of some sort and will therefore be able to either sympathise or relate to the sympathetic female character.

Initial idea plot synopsis

The idea for our music video is that there is a male character with depression, with the use of poster paints as a representation of this. He will be covered in paint in a way displaying the more paint he has on the worse he feels, and it will be coming off and on in a way which we will show using a number of different t - shirts. At some point in the video he will meet a girl who can relate to his situation and by the ending he will be happier, symbolised by him wearing less or no paint. 

We came to this idea from watching a TV advert on depression, with it being symbolised by a black dog and liked the idea. Originally we had a different idea, of a girls summer holiday however there was not a story which could be told from this and although a music video does not have to tell a story I think there should be some depth to what is going on whilst the music is playing. 

The part I am most looking forwards to is to edit once we have filmed because I think making parts in slow motion with paint splattering on and off will look very effective.

What we need in preparation for filming our music video

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-Fluorescent-Ready-Mix-Poster-Paints-Neon-Glow-6-Colours-Kids-UV-reactive/181790129396?_trksid=p2045573.c100507.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D38661%26meid%3D6e06476ef1f14ce1b9ee5a036de29c4e%26pid%3D100507%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Pack-Mens-Fruit-of-the-Loom-Plain-100-Cotton-Blank-Tee-Shirt-Tshirt-T-Shirt-/172207657616?var=471039911021&hash=item2818605290:g:Es8AAOSwt7pXOI5U

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRUIT-OF-THE-LOOM-LADIES-Plain-Lady-Fit-T-Shirts-Tee-T-Shirt-ALL-SIZES-XS-2XL-/152089503845?var=451293082702&hash=item23693da865:g:hx0AAOSwUxNXh1OA

We spent the lesson looking online at what we will need for our filming. We have decided that what we need is the links above and are currently looking into getting funding from the school.

Success of short music videos

What constitutes 'success' for a particular media text in music videos?

There is such a variety of music videos out there for everyone to consume and I don't think there is a certain area of success that constitutes a good music video, however, the most successful music videos all seem to share similar aspects. 

• Inclusion of a linear narrative - This is very common in music videos often when coincided with a live band. A music videos usually involves a short film within the videos. This gives the audience and understanding of the meaning behind the lyrics and also helps the viewer to gain an emotional attachment to the song, both of these points help make the song become more memorable to the viewer.
• Inclusion of a band performance - This often coincides with the linear narrative. It helps to fill in empty spaces in the narrative to let the viewers mind wander to interpret the music video as they wish.  Having a live band helps keep the audience engages. With this engagement it can seem like a live performance with inclusion of a band. 
• The length/duration of a music video - On average a music video lasts aorund 2-4 minutes, this time is just long enough to keep the viewer engaged, any longer and the viewer may get bored and switch to another song. On the other hand, if the song is too short the viewer may not fully grasp an understanding on the song and may get confused with the video and equally not listen to the song again so it's all about getting the right balance.

Consumption of music video

The impact of modern technology especially the internet has greatly impacted the way people consumer music videos. there are now more platforms to watch videos due to the inventions of smart phones, tablets and laptops which can be used constantly on the go. Most people in the United Kingdom own some kind of portable device that allows them to watch videos for free whilst connected to the internet via WiFi or wireless internet, people no longer have to make time to watch music videos on television as they can easily watch them on the go anywhere.

There are many ways nowadays to consume music videos such as, purchasing them through the apple store or other music stores, music channels on the TV, or on the internet through websites such as YouTube. YouTube is currently the most popular way to consume music videos. This is because it is cheap and an easy way to get hold of a music video just through the click of a button. YouTube also comes up with suggests of familiar genre music videos it also shows the current trending music videos which gets viewers hooked into watching more music videos. 

Chronological key history of music videos

1930 - Music started to be used in films which made the experience of watching the film more enjoyable, this was the first sort of music videos that where seen, however they were very different to the music videos that we have become used to today.

1940 - Short clips with music were showed on TV that featured jazz bands of the time, this was the first live performance style music video that was shown and could be an inspiration for the music videos we see today.

1965 - The beetles began to release promotional music videos before they released the song/album to help promote sales of the album. This is an early example of how extra ways such as shooting a video can help to increase the profits from an album and that success isn't solely about the music or performance. 

 1974 - MTV was introduced, the first time a channel solely dedicated to just showing music videos was on television and at the time was the only way that people could watch a music video, this allowed people to be introduced to more genres of music.

1983 - One of the earliest narrative music videos was released; Michael Jackson's Thriller  - one of the longest music videos that has ever been made to date and was and is still incredibly popular.

 2005 - Developments in technology led to the invention of online sites such as YouTube and iTunes where people were able to stream music videos for free or have them on their personal devices. These are now the most common ways to watch a music video.

Footage

We are planning to divide up to footage with a mixture of lip synced live performance as well as a narrative story. 
Although this is what we would like to do for our music video it is going to be something which we won't be able to decide until we have finished all of our filming and can see what fits together, as our narrative story is going to be focused on a very intense storyline it may feel as though it is simply unnecessary to add live performance. Another issue is to what our extent the male actor would feel comfortable with lip syncing so therefore means we could have an issue with trying to find somebody to do this. With narrative story, it can be problematic in a music video because too much can make it seem like it is trying to be a short film as opposed to an actual music video.

Song choice

I think the song choice is an important choice to a certain extent, if you have thought of a plot already then the genre should fit with the plot for example you would not choose a dance song for a sad idea. Our genre is 'mainstream rock' with the song Fix You by Coldplay, which has a slow beat but isn't too mellow to not be enjoyable. The genre of our music video is a romantic drama so this will fit well. We researched into many different songs that started of slow and got more upbeat as the song progressed to fit in with our plot idea that the boy starts of sad, lonely and depressed and then his life gets better as he meets a girl he can share his problems with and Fix you fitted perfectly.

 

Existing settings

Setting is the in works of narrative (especially fictional), the literary element, setting, includes the time and geographic location in which a story takes place, and helps initiate the main backdrop and mood for a story. 

Conventional settings we expect in different music video genres: 

• Indie/rock - Dark locations are often used to create delusions and mysterious atmospheres, such as alley ways and dark rooms. An example of this technique is the Kings of Leon

• Hip hop - Locations tend to involve parties or a fancy location such as the singers riding in a private jet, alcohol is often involved with with the use of expensive things such as fancy cars an houses. An example of this technique is 50 Cent.

• Pop videos - Set in bright colour locations often in your every day locations. 

I think the genre of a music video plays a huge role in the setting of the music video, Like shown above I researched into a range of different music genres such as indie and pop and found that the setting in the music videos varied depending on what the genre was. Slow and deep songs are more likely to have a dark gloomy location compared to a pop song that is all up beat because the different genres have different purposes, the slow song will have a setting that makes you feel down such as a dark location or locations such as a slum the viewer will gain sympathy for the character. Whereas, in a pop song the main purpose for pop songs are to get you of your seat and dancing and therefore they need a music video that includes bright cheerful colours to make the you happy. 

I think its important the viewer has an understanding of the music video and I think the setting helps create the understanding of the video right from the beginning. Likewise, setting helps to construct mise-en-scene and I think mise-en-scene setting is one of the most crucial aspects of the music video. For example, in Coldplay Violet Hill the song is represented in the video through bleak negative atmosphere, the photograph used often shows close ups of Christ Martins face expressing his emotions in a more elaborated sense which is initially more effective to the audience. The backgrounds are grey which is reinforced by the weather and therefore the weather must have been chosen specifically (there is also references to the month December). throughout the lyrics, there is an expressed uncertainty based upon a relationship where feelings and emotions are confused, this is also portrayed through the video where there musicians are placed apart to show the distance and the strength in playing the instrument shows the anger within. Additionally, in the music video Circus by Britney Spears there are many scenes that are dark and Britney herself is hard to extinguish which empathises the suspense within the circus to create an attraction from the audience. There are also shots to the dressing room showing the preparation behind the show but also creating a eerier atmosphere with the eccentric outfits clashing in colour creating unique and ominous atmosphere as the people do not appear normal, this makes a distance between the performers and audience as they cannot be related together. when the music picks up then the editing shots are much quick again creating a suspenseful performance. the background is familiar in terms of the 'circus'. Both these videos aim to portray a music video which clearly interlinks with their lyrics to allow the audience to understand their music. 

Existing characters

I think characters are really important in a music video because they set the narrative and are usually the main element to a music video. They're something I personally mainly find myself focusing on when watching a music video. In a music video especially sad songs we often emphasis towards the characters and feel their emotions as we watch the video almost making songs relatable as you often feel you become part of the seen.

Character profiles of existing characters/performers in music videos:

Katy Perry in California Girls

Katy Perry in this video is out of the ordinary which makes iconic and rememberable still to this date. She dresses out of the ordinary as well as does things out of the ordinary such as laying on a cloud making her appear like a fantasy that little girls would dream of being as they watch the music video. In this video Katy Perry really engages me as she is going against the ordinary unlike most other music videos, she makes you feel as though you have transported to the imaginary world as you listen and watch the music video which is really effective even now when I hear California girls without watching the music video I still think of the quirky music video in my head. I think in this music video the actors fits in well with the scenery and everything that's around her however, there is no real narrative its just a bit random and doesn't relate much to the song lyrics about 'California girls' when shes in candy world up in the clouds.

Michael Jackson in Thriller 

I believe the character Micheal Jackson plays in his music video to Thriller will always be one of the most famous and well known characters of all time. The music video to Thriller was released all the way back in 1982 and at the time the music video shocked and stunned the public for being so scary. At the time special effects and technology was no where near the quality it is at in the modern day however at the time it was above way above other music videos that were released around a similar time. Like the Katy Perry's California girls music video this video is very out of the ordinary and so is Michael Jacksons as he turns from a normal boy into a warecat and dances with the living dead, now that is something you don't see everyday! And due to that reason I think that's why he is so effective and still gets so many people talk about him, and even dress up for him for fancy dress nights such as Halloween. I think Michael Jackson really adds appeal to the narrative as he gives the 'thriller' experience to the audiences as they watch and listen to the song with his scary costumer, facial expression and quirky dance moves. As like Katy Perry in her music video I feel very engaged with Michael Jackson character as it is iconic and is different from your everyday music video as the character is so far from naturalistic so you feel transported to a complete different location in the comfort of your own home.

Maddie Ziegler in Cheap Thrills by Sia

Sia's music videos are famous for not having herself in but having a small girl in called Maddie Ziegler. She is not your average girl in the music video and that what makes her iconic. she does not speak in the video but dances around in a particular way and pulls over dramatic facial expressions. The way she moves is so fascinating I find my eyes attached to the screen for the whole song. The small girl still appeals to the narrative as shes acts the words out through her dance moves and if you turn the sounds down but watch the video you can often still make out what the lyrics of the song would be which I think is really effective. I really like Sia's idea in this music video, it's one of a kind.