Unit 29: Task 2

In this report, I will be exploring different types of Music Videos, and discuss the three key analytical elements; Style, Conventions and Techniques. I believe that all three points are key to a success of any music video and it is key to get this right in order to succeed. I will be exploring the necessities that will be relevant to my own intended Video. But also, I will be comparing my music video to another’s, to compare and base my idea off.

Styles

There are many types of styles and routes to go down for a music video, and like films, it can sometimes be hard to just choose one. In relevance to my own Video, I plan to go down the Pop route, as I prefer listening to Pop and Pop-Rock, more than the more alternative genres.

There are typically five main categories for music video’s to fit in: Pop, Rock/Metal, Hip-Hop and Electronic. Each are different, and appeal to fans in their own way.

[Diagram found on Google Images]

Country, Classical and Reggae are seen as the lesser genres, yet equally as important in their own right. On this map here, it shows what genres of music are popular in parts of the UK. Surprisingly enough Rap seems to be a big influence down south, and more Country in the Northern places. For example; in Manchester, Country is the more dominant genre, which is surprising, in some cases. However, what is surprising, is that even though Pop seems to be the mainstream dominant genre overall; it is not the case overall; more like Rap, Latin and Country are the most dominant genre.

In relevance to my own video, I am aiming to do a homage to Anna Kendrick’s popular song “Cups.” As featured in the popular film Pitch Perfect. I aim to pay homage to the actor by featuring what she does within the film and her own music video; doing the beat with cups. The cup song it’s self consists of making noises with a plastic cup in a certain way. And on doing this with the cups, I am to pay homage.

The pastiche and narrative can also be considered factors for the style of my music video. I believe that I would like to create a story though out my music video, and make sure that a journey of the characters are shown clearly; of what they’re aiming to do. As for the relevance to pastiche, I am to re-create parts of Anna Kendrick’s music video, in the fact I will be doing the same rhythm with the cups.

As for comparing music video, I have decided to use Ed Sheerans’ “Lego House”. Both songs are quite slow, and quite similar; made by celebrities loved by most. As for the style, comparing it to “Cups”, Lego House is classed as the same genre; pop. But Ed Sheeran is classed as a singer/songwriter, however the actual song is classed as Pop.

As for paying homage, Lego House is a tribute to Ed Sheeran and his relationship with fans; the main protagonist within the video. The song it’s self is also a homage, as well as the music video. And as a whole, the whole video and song is about paying homage to the fans.

As for pastiche and narrative, Lego House has a strong narrative, a clear story that the viewer flows; much more clearer than Anna Kendrick’s cups. It follows two characters on their journey’s, their ups and downs; and I aim to create a similar feel in my own music video. As for Pastiche, Lego House is not like other music videos, and it is certainly not a copy of any music video. But, like I have already explained; Anna Kendrick’s music video is the video I aim to make a version of.

Conventions

Conventions are the manner of which something is done, and getting a certain message across.

In relevance to my own music video, links to other artists is a main factor; as my inspiration is heavily influenced from an Artist; as I have already explained in the paragraphs above of what I aim to do. And so this music video will heavily link to Anna Kendrick’s Cups song.

The meaning of the song is what I really want to get across in my Video. I would like a story to be told and made clear to the audience and the viewers, and what it means. This can also be considered as extending or consolidating the song’s meaning towards the viewer, so they have a clear idea of the view I’m trying to get across.

Lyric interpretation is a major key in Lego House, it shows clearly within the video that it is aimed to follow the lyrics. However, compared to Anna Kendrick’s Cups, there is hardly any obvious lyric interpretation; as it is more based on the story, rather than what is said in the lyrics. As for the extending, or consolidating the song’s meaning; it is evident between both videos. Extending the meaning is more evident within Lego House, as it shows the fans view of Ed Sheeran, and the music video is for the fans, where as I have already explained about Cups, and why I would like the meaning to be extended to the audience more. Lego House has the fans and the points of view to extend the song’s meaning, as again, it’s personal for the fans.

Unlike Cups, Lego House doesn’t have a clear link to other musical artists. However, in the artist prospect; it was linked to Rupert Grint the actor, as he played the main character in the music video, and so it is more clear of a link to an artist.

Techniques

In Cups, the beat it’s self is rather fast; I would like the clips to cut to the beat. Not only does this add subtle effect, it also keeps the viewers interest going; and keeping up with the quick pace of the song. As ultimately, I want the viewers to be impressed and like my interpretation of the song. Equally, I will add some effects; perhaps transitions to make the cut smooth, but as for special effects, I do not believe there will be many needed, nor will it fit the genre of the song.

However, I do plan to put in black and white at the start, to emphasize the mood of the character, and the passion to go to somewhere new. Playback Lip Synching is in Cups; as Anna Kendrick is seen singing the whole song—or rather miming throughout the video.

As for the camera angles, I am for it to be in first person, and very close up; seeing the view of the character’s journey though out the video; but also close up of the object in question. This adds another subtle effects and gives a different feel the the video, rather than the open pan, more far away shots; as I want the

video to have more of a personal view. But also, for camera movements, I want to aim for it to be smooth, but quickly paced; so that it keeps the interest going for the audience, so they don’t get bored with the video, as it can be quite slow in some places.

As for cutting to the beat with Lego House, it is certainty more easier; as it is a slow song, and it would make sense to cut to the beat more, and it would be more effective if all the clips cut to the slow beat. Compared to Cups, it is more relevant for the beat to match the clips in Lego House, rather than Cups; as it adds another effect, and helps the viewing experience overall.

There are no effects within either videos, especially Lego House; as it does not fit the theme, nor the atmosphere of the Video. Lego House also had playback lip synching, and within the video, the miming was more of the focus, rather than cups; as there were more close-ups of the character singing and writing down lyrics, rather than in Cups where it was more of an open/wide open shots.

The camera angles and movements were similar to Cups in some ways, however Cups used more open wide shots; Lego House used more close ups and extreme close-ups to add to the atmosphere. The movements of the camera were slower within the video, as Cups seemed to follow normally, as the actions were going on; Lego House, I find was often slowed down.

To conclude, there are differences between both Cups and Lego House, mostly within it’s atmosphere. However, there are a lot of similarities between the two; and it is the similarities that interest me and shows me how and what I should aim for my music video to have similarities to be with both; in terms of the genre, the tones and the editing, but also the atmosphere; to be more like Cups, as it is the definition of a Pastiche of the song.

BIBLIOGRAPHYhttp://time.com/3697123/music-genres-around-the-world-grammy-awards/

“This Map Shows Which Music Genres Are Most Popular Around The World” [Found: 18/06/15, Authored: Nolan Feeney, Time.]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmSbXsFE3l8

“Anna Kendrick – Cups”[Found: 18/06/15 Authored: Youtube/AnnaKendrickVEVO]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU

“Ed Sheeran – Lego House”[Found: 18/06/15 Authored: Youtube/Ed Sheeran]