Meeting 2 : Problem / Change of Idea

Final Song choice Discussion

As a group we decided to change our song choice from

Paloma Faith - Stone Cold Sober to Florence and the machine - Dog days are over.

Some of the members of our group suggested a better song idea that we were all happy with.

We discussed this song change as a group and we were all happy with the change and came to a final decision that 'Dog days are over' will be the new song we will use for our Music Video.

Getting Permission

To be able to use the song we have chosen in our video, My group will have ask the Music Producers of the song for our permission to use it in our music video to avoid being persecuted for Copyright. In order to ask we will have to contact them and after doing some research on the internet the we were able to gain the names and personal details of the people involved in the production of the song we would like to use.

Name of Artist:Paloma Faith

Name of Song:Stone Cold Sober (Sony Music)

Prod co: Factory Films

Director: Sophie Mulle

r

Producer: Rob Small

DoP: Simon Chaudoir

Art director: Alison Dominitz

Offline: Sophie Muller

Online: Uncle

Telecine: Tom Russell at Prime Focus

Commissioner: Mike O’Keefe

email 'Factory Films':post@fictionfactoryfilms.com

The email shown below is what one of my Group members composed and sent to the email above,

we are all patiently waiting for a reply.

FINGERS CROSSED!

Dear Factory Films,

My name is Elizabeth Kennelly and I am studying Media Studies at an A Level standard.

This year me and a few of my peers have been set a project to create a music video to a song of our choice, and we have decided that we would like to possibly use Paloma Faiths 'Stone Cold Sober'

We have no intent to sell the video in any way, this is purely for educational purposes.

I would greatly appreciate if you could get back to me.

Thank you.

Your Sincerely

Elizabeth Kennelly

Chosen Songs Lyrics

Stone Cold Sober Lyrics

I'll be the late night lady you won't recognise
I'm a chameleon I'm always in disguise
I'd read your future but it's written in the past,
Take a good look might be your last

Don't try to show me, cause you don't know me,

Stay away!

I can be wilder than the wind,
119 miles an hour,
I'm in a whole other dimension,
Dancing doubles on the floor,
You think I'm crazy, a little bit hazy,

But I'm stone cold sober

You're telling me something
But there's nothing cheap as words
I'm walking away before I do affect the birds
Excuse me Mr I've got other things to do
Than to stand here listening to you

Stop talking at my face
Take a rocket out to space and...
Stay away!

I can be wilder than the wind
119 miles an hour
I'm in a whole other dimension,
Dancing doubles on the floor
You think I'm crazy, a little bit hazy
But I'm stone cold...

I can be wilder than the wind
119 miles an hour
I'm in a whole other dimension,
Dancing doubles on the floor
You think I'm crazy, a little bit hazy
But I'm stone cold sober

In the madness of the storm,
I'm the one to carry on,
I don't need no medicine,
If you're looking for a cure,
Don't be knocking at my door,
I'll never let you in
Take a rocket out to space
And stay out of my place

I can be wilder than the wind
119 miles an hour
I'm in a whole other dimension,
Dancing doubles on the floor
You think I'm crazy, a little bit hazy
But I'm stone cold...

I can be wilder than the wind
119 miles an hour
I'm in a whole other dimension,
Dancing doubles on the floor
You think I'm crazy, a little bit hazy
But I'm stone cold sober

The words in Italics and Bold are the references in the lyrics we are considering using to build our music video, the idea of disguises, future, and stay away/ rejection.
Therefore we are considering merging these themes into the narrative side of our video, with the idea of disguise in the performance side of our video.

Chosen Song

My Groups Chosen Song is

Paloma Faith - Stone Cold Sober

Our Final Song Choice is 'Stone Cold Sober' by Paloma Faith, We have chose this song because we love the beat, and the lyrics. We feel we can create a good music video with it. Our own ideas can really come out as we can be very creative , imaginative and adventurous with the song.

Stone Cold Sober was released on the 15th July 2009 and entered the UK charts at number 17. It is the debut single by British singer Paloma Faith.

Stone Cold Sober is based on the predicament of appearing to be one thing but in reality being quite another. Paloma Faith told the June 2009 issue of Q that, "My vocal style suits the subject matter of my album. It's about the human condition, the constant striving for love and companionship. I've thrown my heart at many a wrong man in my time, I can't tell you. I'm the queen of tragedy. Melancholy informs everything I do."

The song also featured in Rimmel London commercial.

Intertexuality

INTERTEXTUALITY

In Class My media teacher suggested various editing and filming techniques that we could use in our music videos to add a touch of professionalism to the production.

She mentioned the Use of Intertextuality and this technique appealed to me the most because it was unusual and different and would be more entertaining for the viewer watching.

Intertextuality is The way in which texts refer to other media texts that producers assume audiences will recognise.

One of the pleasures that audiences experience in the consumption of media texts is the

joy of recognition. One form of this pleasure comes in recognising the reference in one

media text to other media texts. This process of referencing is called intertextuality.

MIMICRY

This means that a text will mimic or otherwise copy certain stylistic features of another text. Usually this is done in order to create a particular impact, although there may be instances where this borrowing may seem simply a matter of convenience to give a music video, for example, a particular look.

Here is an example of Mimicry in a Music Video

Weezer - Buddy Holly

Meeting

Today we had a small meeeting to discuss what we're going to do about our music video, and how we will set about to create what we want. to do this we have come up with a few things we need to do to make sure that we can get the best from what we want;

1) We will need a committed 'band' who will come and film when we need them to.

2) We need to check out the music studio in our school to see if we would be able to make a successful 'set' that would be good for the auditions and the performance.

3) We need to see if enough people would want to be in the music video to get the effect we need.

Once we have looked at doing these things we will them make a decision to what we want to do, go along with this idea or think about another one.

Chosen Genre

POP SOUL

The music genre that my group and have chosen to do a music video for is 'POP SOUL'

Pop-Soul is soul music that has been polished slightly and given a commercially viable, crossover production. The vocals are still raw, but the material and the sound of the record could easily fit onto pop radio stations' playlists. Motown was the pioneering label of pop-soul, and through much of the '60s, it was one of the most popular pop music genres. In the '70s, pop-soul became slicker, and it eventually metamorphosed into disco.

Examples of Pop-Soul artists are;

Duffy

Natasha Bedingfield

and Maroon 5

Pop soul is consdiered to be music that sounds ' black 'and urban that is sung by white people.

The main Generic Characteristics of the Pop Soul Genre are emotional ballads being sung by the artist and the music video's are often serious to back up the lyrics that are usually about heart break or difficult relationships. Pop soul videos are often narrative to portray the visual element that the lyrics in the songs depict

The iconography The Pop soul genre uses are extravagant images that can sometimes be over exaggerated or it can be very simple and basic depending the nature of the song.

For example here is a screen shot from Duffy's Music video - Warwick Avenue

The tempo of this song is slow and has a sad feeling as the song is about break-up. The lighting is dull , grey and pale to represent the negative emotions reflected through the lyrics.

The video is very simple and hasn't got a lot of change of scenery as she is shown in the back of a cab contemplating throughout the journey as she lip-synch's the lyrics.

Where as Natasha Bedingfield's Music Video for - Unwritten

The tempo is upbeat and fast, the song sounds bright and positive corresponding to the happy and optimistic lyrics in song. The lighting is done with a natural light from rays of sunshine and Natasha is often smiling whilst singing the lyrics in the video.

One similarity between both videos is that the Artists are shown singing the lyrics in the video with variations of close-up's to powerfully display the emotion that they are trying to get across in the song with their facial expressions.

Sub Genre

A sub-genre is a category that is a subdivision of a larger genre.

The Rock Music Genre for example multiple sub-genres such as

Pop Rock , Glam Rock, Rap Rock , Acid Rock ,Country Rock and Death Rock

and the list continues into up to a hundred different types of Rock sub genres.

Barry Keith Grant (1995) -

Within genres there are sub-genres which allows music to have the same basic elements, but different components. Genres are divided up into more specific categories that allow audiences to identify them specifically by their familiar and what become recognisable characteristics.

Steve Neale (1995) -

"Genres are not 'systems', they are processes of systematization" i.e. they are dynamic and evolve over time.

All genres will have similar mise-en-scene which helps us identify what genre the song is allocated to.

Jason Mittell (2001) -

Genres are cultural categories that surpass the boundaries of media texts and operate within the industry, audience and cultural practices as well.

Industries use genre to sell products to audiences. Media producers use familiar codes and conventions of that genre to create a music video.

Mood Board - POP SOUL

What is a Mood Board ?

A mood board is a tool used by designers to help them get a good idea of what their clients are looking for. Mood Boards are basically collages of items such as photographs, sketches,clippings, fabric swatches and colour samples. A Mood Board can be actual or virtual.

How will this help me ?

By creating a Mood Board I will be able to visualize all the things that associate with the Genre of music I have decided to Research into with images from a Secondary source which will be the internet.

By doing this I will be able to develop a deeper understanding of a specific type of Music Genre and become familiar with the type of imagery it portrays , represents and stands for.

My own Mood Board the Music Genre

POP SOUL

POP SOUL

Short-listed Songs

We Have worked our choices down to these three songs and have good music video ideas behind all three

1. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Cant Stop

Advantages;

- We have a good idea behind the song, that will allow us to experiment with camera angles.

- A good strong beat to edit to.

Disadvantages;

- We will need many people in the video, which could be hard to organise

- We would need a commited group of people to be the 'band', meaning they would have to be ready to come out and film even if we just need a few more shots.

- The idea we have may become boring throughout the music video, it would be very hard to keep the audience interested.

2. Paloma Faith - Stone Cold Sober

Advantages;

- The narrative lyrics allow us to be more creative around the story.

- The beat of the song allows different lengths of a shot to be edited, for example some longer shots and some shorter, sharper shots.

- One woman singer, which would mean one of our group will be able to star in it, so we could get shots and film more a lot easier.

Disadvantages;

- Filming a narrative would mean a lot more filing and sharper editing.

3.Chase and Status - Let You Go

This song we did not really come up with an idea for because it was our third and last song we would go to. However I still think it would be very suitable to do a song to.

Surrealist Music Video : Erykah Badu

Surrealist Music Video

Typical conventions found in a surrealist style music video are almost always a element of surprise and unexpected juxtapositions. A lot of the time this goes hand in hand with controversy which is usually one of the best ways to get publicity.

Because the media makes a fuss about it, so then you end up getting a large assortment of people checking the video out to see what all the fuss is about. Therefore expanding your audience ten-fold.

An advantage in creating a music video in this style is it can allow artist to do what ever they want because nothing within the video has to be true or realistic. This allows the director to make use of random acts in the video to surprise and catch the attention of many viewers.

This also allows the music video to be truly unique making the audience remember the specific video compared to a lot of bland samey videos

Erykah Badu is a unique music artist that is particularly infamous for going against the typical normal conventions when it comes to her songs, poems and music videos.

Window Seat By Erykah Badu

The music Video to Erykah Badu's song Window seat can be considered to be a Surrealist Music video as the videos shows her stripping her naked as she walks along a public street with a hand-held camera following her every move.

From the public's reaction in the background of the music video it was obvious that they were not expecting this type of behaviour from her making the facial reactions shots genuine and priceless.

In my opinion this Music Video was GENIUS!

The Gun shots at the end were a shock and the short poem she recited at the end would definitely have a viewer thinking.

"Group Think

They play it safe

Are quick to assassinate what they do not understand

They move in packs

Ingesting more and more fear with every act of hate on one another

They feel most comfortable in groups

Less guilt to swallow

They are us

This is what we have become

Afraid to respect the individual

A single person within a circumstance can move one to change

To love herself

To Evolve"

WOW!

Narrative Music Video

Narrative Music Video

The typical convention usually found in this style of music video is a storyline related to the lyrics in the song played out against the song . So the narration of what's going on in the music video is the lyrics being sung in the background.

Several benefits of using this style of music video, is if the lyrics are vague they have the ability to show them in their proper context therefore explaining the moral/meaning of the song in greater depth.

The only problem with portraying your story in this style is it may harm the viewers original view on the song by giving them too much detail making it less interpretative.

This is an example of a Narrative Music Video by The All American Rejects singing

'Gives you hell'

Performance Music Video

Performance Music Video

A performance music video is a tpe of music video that shows the music artist or a band perform the song accompanied by musical instruments that were used to create the song.

A typical example of performance video would be a rock band performing in a room with a lead singer on the microphone , a guitarist , and a drum player etc.

Here the viewer is shown the genuine talents of the artist/band and how the music is being played.

This is an example of a performance video by Green Day singing their Number one hit

'American idiot'

Music Videos Styles

Before beginning the production of our music video my group will have decide on whether making our music video a Narrative Music Video , a Performance music video or whether we should combined both Music video styles into one.

In order to show my understanding of both Music video styles I will discuss the difference between the two and show examples of them with the help of music videos I have chosen off youtube.

I will then make a decision on which Music video style I would like my group to use and why.

Imogen Heap Music Video - 'AHA'

La la la la la la la la lalallalalallala

This song entitled 'AHA' by Imogen Heap was the song i was shown by one of my group members. The song has a very contrasting sound which makes it appeal to me a great deal.

The sound of her soft hight pitched voice along with the xylophones and other instruments makes the music sound magical as if its from a fairy tale. On the contrary the screeching sounds of the violins at a fast tempo in the middle of the song makes the song sound scary.

Screeching Violins is also a typical sound used in thriller soundtracks.

This song would be very interesting to use in our music video. If we were to use it the group would have to concentrate on the two contrasting sounds combined and ensure that the film clips have a relevance to the songs lyrics .

Fast paced editing shots will perfectly fit the songs fast tempo also.

Imogen Heap - Alice in Wonder Land Trailer

IMOGEN HEAP

Alice in Wonder Land Trailer

The song in this Movie Trailer for 'Alice In Wonderland' is the song 'AHA' one of my group members introduced to me that was sung by Imogen Heap.

After listening to the song i was intrigued and decided to do some reasearch and look up on her music and bumped into this trailer.

The song perfectly compliments the magical and adventurous , mischievous and dramatic feel of this film.

Artist case studies : Imogen Heap

This was an example of an A2 Media Music Video Production a group member showed me and they have used Imongen Heaps - 'AHA' as their song.

This Music Video is incredibly impressive and has inspired me and my group to reach the high professional standards of filming and editing this video displays.

For example the films clips have a strong relevance to the songs lyrics and are shown just in synch when it is mentioned in the song.

And this is something that is often seen in music videos in order to draw in the viewers attention and have them following the story line and to understand the song lyrics with no confusion.

The mise en scene in this video involved low key lighting to the make the surrounding atmosphere dark and scary. And I noticed that a colour scheme of black , white and red was used through out the whole clip and I liked this a lot.

The colour red could signify blood with a relevance to death or lust and passion or possibly all combined in a twisted evil way.

*evil cackle*

muwahhahahaaa :)

Music Genres - Pop Soul

POP SOUL

Pop soul is a term used to describe Rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, particularly that with a strong pop music influence. The term was first influenced in the mid- 1960's to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to music of the Mowtown and Stax Record Labels.

A good example of an Artist from this Music Genre is

PALOMA FAITH

'Born in Hackney, London, Paloma Faith is half Spanish and half British. As an ex magician’s assistant, trained contemporary dancer, St Martin’s alumni with an MA in theatre direction, a performer in burlesque shows, and an actress, Paloma has been mixing artistic media throughout her short adult life. A few years ago she introduced music, her primary love, into the equation, at first mimicking the blues and soul singers she so admired, but eventually finding her own voice.'

Just like Taylor Swift, Paloma Faith's Music Lyrics are often Narrative and her songs will be very easy to make a music video for.

This could allow us as a group to be a bit more creative with what we want to do. One of the Paloma Faith's songs myself and my group members would like to do is

'Stone Cold Sober'

Artist case studies : Imogen Heap

IMOGEN HEAP

Imogen Heap is a Music Artist that i was introduced to by one of my group members.

She showed me a video on youtube of the female artist singing a song that she would like our music video to be based on.

After listening to the song i was very impressed by her unique talent towards music , i had never heard anything like it before. Myself and my group members are now considering on using one of her songs for our music video.

Music Genres - Modern Country Music

Country Music

Country Music is an American style of popular music, developed from the folk music of the rural southern USA and it was first known as Hillbilly music. Until the 1920s it was performed largely at home, in church or at local functions, on fiddles, banjos and guitars.

Its modern lyrics depict the emotions and experience of rural and (currently) urban poor whites; they often tell frankly of illicit love, crime, and prison life. Over the last 50 years country and western music has gained a nationwide audience.

TAYLOR SWIFT

Taylor Swift is a teenage American' Country Pop' music Artist that has revived the country music scene by modernising it with her innocent youthful songs about first love scenarios that many young girls across the globe can relate to.

Here is an Example of a Country Pop Music Video by Taylor Swift singing her new Hit Single

'MINE'

Taylor Swifts lyrics always tell a story in her songs and because of this it would be easy to make a narrative music video to her songs.

If myself and my group members decided to use this or a song similar to this as our song for our music video we will be able to decide on many aspects of shots , camera work and settings for the video.

This is an advantage as we will be able to show our filming skills and our knowledge on the importance of Mise-en-scene.

Music Genres - Rock Music

ROCK MUSIC

Rock music, sometimes also known as "rock and roll" is a style of music that became popular in the 1950s in America and Europe.Rock music is primarily based on older musical styles, such as the rhythm and blues music originated by African American performers such as Chuck Berry and Little Richard, with a heavy focus on guitar, drums, and powerful vocals.

When I think of Rock Music the Band 'KISS' comes straight to mind ...

The Rock Bands success has made it a symbol of the Rock Music industry.

KISS

KISS, is an American hard rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Easily identified by its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting, smoking guitars, shooting rockets and levitating drum kits.

Here is an example of a Rock Music Video by Kiss performing

God Gave Rock And Roll To You

Music Genres - Hip Hop

Hip Hop

Hip hop music is a musical genre that developed as part of hip hop culture, synonymously and is defined by four key stylistic elements: rapping, DJing / scratching, sampling, and beatboxing. Hip hop began in the South Bronx of New York Cityin the 1970s.

THE FUGEES

The Fugees were an American Hip-Hop group who rose to fame in the mid-1990s. Their repertoire included elements of Hip-Hop, soul and Caribbean music, particularly reggae. The members of the group are rapper/singer/produced Wyclef, rapper/singer/producer Lauryn Hill , and rapper Pras Michael.

Here is an example of a Hip - Hop music video by the Fugees singing

'Ready or Not'

Hip-Hop is one of the many Genres that I like to listen to for this reason I will introduce this Genre to my group members and ask them whether they would like to do a Music Video to a song from the Hip Hop Music Genre.

Music Genres 2

I have decided to focus more on Typical Music Genres that Teenagers like myself are more likely to be interested in , for example Rock and Boy band Music would be far more popular amongst teenagers than classical music.


As a group I think that we should concentrate on making our Music Video appeal to the Teenage majority. As we are teenagers oursleves we have a first hand experience knowing what Teenageers like and what they dont like. We have the benefit of understanding their needs and interests and we should use this as an advantag in order to appeal to the Teenage Market.

Music Genres

MUSIC GENRES

"A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other types of music."


Before the production of our Music Video , my group and I will have to decide on what type of Genre of music we would look like to do a Music Video for.

It is understandable that there is a possiblilty that members of the groups preference of music will differ from others and we will have to discuss on what genre of music we are all comfortable with doing.

Before making a decision I will carry out some research to deepen my understanding on Different types of Music Genres and become aware of Artists from each Genre.