Evaluating Past Students Work

In class we looked at 3 past music videos from students who didn't get that good of a grade. We evaluated reasons why they weren't successful.

Video Number: 1

Reasons why it was unsuccessful:
Bad cinematography, the video doesn't make sense in relation to the music, editing doesn't match the beat of the music at all, it is boring (no narrative), the video didn't suit the genre of the music, there was poor editing.

The video got an overall E grade. 

Video Number: 2

Reasons why it was unsuccessful:
Editing doesn't match the pace of the song, green screen editing hasn't been done very well, the locations used were bad, editing and framing were bad, the mise-en-scene for the genre isn't accurate, tried to make it post-modern which doesn't work.

The video also got an overall E grade.

Video Number: 3

Reasons why it was unsuccessful:
There is a lack of editing, the editing which was in it doesn't match the beat of the music, not many locations used, bad acting so doesn't look professional or good.

The video got an overall D grade. 

Evaluating Other Videos

In the class we chose 3 music videos from random and wrote down the techniques and conventions used that made it a successful video.

Meatloaf - Objects in the rear view mirror

Narrative? the narrative is him singing about his past and it jumps between narrative and performance

Techniques and conventions used
Different shots (cinematography), explosion (matches beat), dark shadows used are effective as they contrast with the colours, it shows meatloaf singing then pans to his past (the narrative) as though he is there, ghosts of his past appear (he is reliving his past), old to young version looking at each other, moving on from tragedy (shows life goes on), sky shots represent heaven, warm and cold lighting

OK Go - Here it goes again

Narrative? There is no narrative

Techniques and conventions used
It has some comedy to it, looks interesting, their costumes represent the genre and the idea is original.
The video is good but there are some negatives which are; it is a still camera shot so it is only in one shot, no editing is involved, its amateur and it gets boring.

Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire

Narrative? there isn't really any narrative

Techniques and conventions used
Pace editing matches the beat of the song, filmed in the dark but it is lit well, good cinematography, live performance as well as narrative, their costumes reflect genre, the orange tint effect signifies the lyrics about fire, slow motion edits, range of camera angles, lead singer is playing 2 roles in the video (continuity?), edited to the main beat of the song, simple but effective locations.

Class Feedback

In our media class, we all watched different videos then discussed them with each other. I am going to write down all the ones we discussed and what things were liked and disliked. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge

Likes: fade effects, point of view from 2 different people in one shot (cinematography), narrative, flashbacks, objects to signify lyrics (semiotics), different colour effects, handheld camera, interacts with audience (public), 3 different shots fade into each other

Dislikes: a tacky effect at the beginning, doesn't look professional, gets repetitive (using same scenes)

Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle 

Likes: live footage is used, good lip-syncing, individual, filmed from the bands perspective, edits to beat of song

Dislikes: the handheld camera was a bit unprofessional, there is no narrative, like a documentary but with music

Coldplay - Sky full of stars

Likes: he starts off as a one man band then the rest of the band comes on, the audience gets involved (they can relate to it), good lip-syncing, tracking shot used

Dislikes: lack of editing, normally just still shots or tracking shots, handheld camera is unprofessional

Sam Smith - I'm not the only one 

Likes: singing about another couple (played by actors) then the artist himself appears in the video, slow motion editing fits mood of the song, narrative, things happen that signify the lyrics, range of lighting reflects mood, framing is good (cinematography), lyrics "I'm not the only one" are relatable 

Dislikes: no dislikes

Steve Aoki - Cudi the Kid

Likes: -editing matches the pace of the song, special effects match the bass drop (explosions), costumes, locations

Dislikes: it's a bit confusing at parts

Rihanna - Umbrella 

Likes: rain comes down when she mentions rain, good edits (use of green screen), costumes, range of locations

Dislikes: unnecessary features

Bring me the Horizon - Shadow Moses

Likes: juxtaposition of black and white to colour, locations match the lyrics, live footage used

Dislikes: gets repetitive

Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag  

Likes: Use of editing is good, narrative, performance but includes acting as well, editing matches pace of song, good lip-syncing

Dislikes: gives off a negative impression of what high school is like to people who haven't experienced it

Linkin Park - Castle of Glass

Likes: the narrative is interesting, the story matches the lyrics, shows the theme of circle of life, good effects used, slow motion used fits the mood of song

Dislikes: live footage is used, would rather it stays focused on the story

Lorde - Royals

Likes: washed out colours matches song, good lip-syncing, editing matches beat of the song sometimes, framing is good

Dislikes: she tries too hard, gets boring and repetitive 

Music Videos

What do you think makes a good music video?
I think a good music video contains a wide range of different editing, a narrative, variety of costumes, video relevant to the music and special effects.

What do you think are the main conventions of a music video?
The artist being featured in the video, costumes, props, good lip-syncing, different genres having different conventions to match that genre, editing to the pace of the song, good cinematography, range of edits. 

I am going to watch 5 different music videos from different genres and evaluate what I like and dislike about the videos. 

1. Black Widow - Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora

Likes: -the fact that the video has a storyline makes it more interesting, 
            -their costumes
            -range of editing

Dislikes: -the editing of the video doesn't go with the beat at all times
                 -the song doesn't start straight away, it begins with talking and ends with talking

2. Freedom - Nicki Minaj

Likes: -black and white matches the slow music
            -different costumes 
            -special effects
            -a lot of props
            -range of editing(fades etc)

Dislikes: -it changes to colour near to the end, doesn't really match the song and it is confusing

3. Lucy Hale - You sound good to me

Likes: -it has a narrative
            -different locations used
            -costumes and props
            -good lip-syncing

Dislikes: editing doesn't match to the beat

    4. 5 seconds of summer - Don't Stop

Likes: -Narrative but also includes band performing
            -Costumes
            -Special effects

Dislikes: editing doesn't match pace of music all the time

5. Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang

Likes: -Narrative
            -Costumes
            -Props
            -Different locations
            -Good lip-syncing
            -Different genre of artists in one video

Dislikes: It goes from the day to the night, doesn't really show continuity

Research and Planning

A2 Brief

1. A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the highlighted following three options: 

•a website homepage for the band;

•a cover for its release as part of a digipak (CD/DVD package);

•a magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package). 

Evaluation

1. What did you find most challenging and why?

While remaking the music video, ‘Stay the Night’ by Zedd and Hayley Williams, I found many things challenging. Firstly, finding a music video to fit in with what we had access to was quite a challenge because we all needed to have some part in the video and needed correct costumes and props. We chose ‘Stay the Night’ because there were 4 different people in it, 2 being male and 2 being female. So after a lot of contemplating, we went with this video as we had the right people to play the parts. Although the video looked quite challenging to remake, we had the right resources to make it look as realistic and close to the real thing as we could, including editing skills. The most challenging part was actually editing the video because we wanted to get the effects as close to the real product as possible, so using some editing software, we got the exact effect from the existing video and put it onto our remake, which ending up proving very successful.

2. What will you do differently when you make your A2 product next year?

One main thing I will do differently next year would be thoroughly researching different music videos so I am sure what I want to do and whether or not I can do so in the time that I have and also the props and software that I have access to. Also, I think looking at different techniques would benefit me when making my A2 product as I can see which techniques fit in with the genre of music I have chosen. Also, researching different camera shots so that my video can meet the conventions of a music video. Lastly, I will make sure I plan ahead and keep up to date with editing my video and improving it over time as much as I possibly can so I can make it up to the best standards.

3. How has this task helped you and why? What have you taken away from this experience?

This task has helped me a lot in respect of choosing the right music video and not being determined to choose a music video which is too hard to make. It has helped me realise I can pick an easy video but still make it look good. Also, it has helped me realise I need to plan my time carefully and put more time into it so it actually looks good and not rely too much on other people. I have also realised how hard editing actually is and how much time and effort it takes to make it look good overall. I will definitely plan my time appropriately.

4. How successful was your product? Why do you think it was successful or unsuccessful?

Overall, I do think our product was very successful given the time we had to make it in and our little knowledge of editing and camera skills. I do think we was a bit too unsuccessful in choosing an easy video as we were too ambitious in our choice. I thought the editing was successful because we found a way to get the original edit from the existing product on to our remake, which I think made the whole thing a lot more successful than it would have been. Although some parts were a bit unsuccessful as we didn’t do some things we wanted, I think the whole product has come along nicely.

5. How do you feel about developing to A2 level now you have completed this task?

I feel positive about progressing to A2 media after doing this task as I have learnt quite a bit during this task so I would feel comfortable about going to do A2 media. Making the music video as difficult at times but I thoroughly enjoyed myself so I feel I would enjoy making a full music video, especially as I get to choose the genre this time. As I will be making a full music video for A2, I feel like I can use a variety of different skills that I learn and also I will be working independently so I won’t have to rely on anybody else, only myself.

6. What do you like most/least about your final product?

The thing that I like most about the final product is the fact that we got the edit from the original video onto our remake which I think makes it look realistic and professional. The thing I like least about our product is that some of the shots weren’t as great as it was quite difficult to do because of the different angles and also finding props and costumes to fit with the existing video I didn’t like as it was quite difficult but the props and costumes we managed to find ended up looking good. Overall, I think we did our best in the little time we had and the final product looked professional and realistic.