This is the peer assessment of my blog that Luke Nolan filled out in order to give me constructive crticism and positive feedback. This is helpful because as it is one of my peers Im more likely to take what he says on board because as a young person you want to impress your friends so this idea was good as I now know what my peers expect and what i should expect of them aswell. As you can see my blog needs alot of improvement in order to get it to an A/B standard and i shall do this by doing work to the best standard that i can
WWW - Considering that you had no entries when this was last formatively assessed, you have made some good progress. There is some good analysis, particularly of the pop videos and of the CD covers, particularly the Chilli Peppers one.
EBI - You need to include visual imagery with each post to illustrate your points. Particularly the post on the Conventions of a rock video (even through the written work on this is of a good standard).
There could be a little more explanation of the mood board. Many of the artists have not got shirts on for instance - is this a convention? Why do you think so?
-Much more analysis of the low cost music videos (Although some good points about locations being easily accessible)
-Your entry on the RnB video "My Boo" is long-winded and has lots of waffle. Cinematography means the way in which the camera work is used to create meaning. What shot types have they used and why? Don't give a judgment like "effective" or "good" or "bad" when discussing the micro-elements, just explain what is there and how it creates meaning.
- Include the adverts you are analyzing, you need 3 and they need to be some detail: i.e. not bullet points.
- Complete your analysis of the Rock music videos.
- You have plagiarized your entries for the record label blog entry. You need to adjust this immediately! This also needs to be completed. Keep it simple. What is each of the labels focused on? Do they have one specific genre of music they deal with or are they more generalist? Would they be a good label for your artist?
The one significant convention of rock music that I have picked up on whilst watching the various music videos is that instruments are a dominant fixture with dark colour schemes put across to portray a gothic feel. Other conventions include:
Heavy guitar solo's throughout
Fast pace shots linked to the tempo of music
There is usually a narrative followed and clips from live performances
The clothing is very dark, gothic and over the top
Strange locations and settings
The instruments seen usually have the bands logo on them, this could be for advertising the band and so that people have a visual memory of what the bands logo is when browsing stores or the internet.
The lyrics in the songs are usually negative in some way
Based on these pictures you can see that the artist like to represented as gothic, dark people with a passion for music as instruments are involved in most pictures. Also there seems to be a liking for tattoos as that is the conventional look of the rock artist. Also, things to do with death and darkness are more conventions as you can see skulls above.
Cinematography: Based on cinematography the video is very interesting because it keeps in with the conventions of a r'n'b music video by telling a story in correlation with the lyrics. From 0:00-0:45 we see and hear another song which would make you think that was going to be the song, but, the you see that it was a previous video being played on the tv, the first variety of shots follow the conventions of an hip hop video as we see low angle long shots of the artist partying and lots of attractive models. The long shot at 0:46 is very effective as it shows the tv and the artist sitting down with his head down, this could mean that the video and music we saw on the tv was his past self and he's ashamed of it or he has moved on from that, and that this is another story in his life that we are about to hear.
Sound: The song is very conventional because it is a song about love and is once again very passionate and emotional. This allows the audience to get lost in their thoughts about similar experiences and makes them listen to the lyrics in relation to the video. Also, the song is very repetitive making it easy for lyrics to get stuck in peoples head, meaning it will be song more, meaning more people will hear it, wanting to buy it boosting views and listeners to those artists.
Mise en Scene: Based on mise en scene the video is interesting because we see it set in a front room and a bed room which means that the audience can relate to it as both settings are familiar places, this is effective as it will help the audience build up a relationship with the artist because it will make them feel as if they both do and have the same things so they will feel as if they know the artists. Also, both artists are wearing normal clothing reinforcing the feel of being the same as the artists.
Editing: Based on editing the video is very effective because there are a lot of variations in shots but the shot length are long and explanatory of the relevant story helping create a visual understanding of the song. These long lasting shots compliment the slow harmonising music and helps create the feel of emotion and love which is what the video is supposed to do in order to re iterate the lyrics of the song.
Performance: Based on performance the video is good because the artists act with real passion and create a extremely realistic sense of emotion between each other building a relationship with the audience who are feeling the same feelings portrayed. The good acting gives a lasting effect on the audience reminding them of both artist sincerity in future videos.
Cinematography: Based on cinematography this is a very interesting video because it incorporates two songs into one and has an interesting story-line which is emphasised by certain camera angles and shots. At 0:16-0:18 we see a close up shot (in slow motion) of 3 women walking, the shot is placed between a shelf and you can see the out of focus shoes in the way, this shot links in with some of the lyrics that says "I saw you from across the room". Also, the women in the middle is the one that stands out and the shot placement emphasises this along with the slow motion showing their relevance in the video.
Sound: Based on sound the song follows the conventions of a r'n'b song very well because the song is about a love interest and is passionate. This makes the lyrics effective as the audience can relate to the song based on previous experiences and that immediately gives them a link with the artist. The lyrics and chorus are also catchy making the listeners and watchers wanting to sing along as it creates a happy, lovestruck vibe.
Mise en scene: Based on mise en scene the video is extremely effective as it is set and located on a normal neighbourhood, helping the audience feel as if they can relate further because its in a similar or familiar place. This relationship between the artist and the audience is then strengthened by the artist wearing casual everyday clothes giving the feel that he is just like the audience and it happened on a normal day, reinforcing the realistic feel to the video. This is interesting because it is a good way to get audience to relate to the feel of the video just by simply doing visual things they are familiar with.
Editing: The editing in the video is very good at helping with the emphasis of the storyline as the shot lengths vary in a film like manor. this helps keep the audience interested and indulged in the video just by the film like feel. At 3:40 we see a very interesting transition where we see the video change into the second song, this is interesting because it immediately changes the vibe of the video to the vibe f the new song catching the audience by surprise but being effective as it gives them a preview of what's next to come from the audience.
Performance: Based on performance the video is very good at following the conventions as there is a lot of expressive dancing and convincing acting helping create the realistic feel to the video while keeping within the conventions of the video.
The Klaxons
-Band name
-Album art
-name of album
-3 examples of singles
-available on CD or vinyl
-release date
-Band site & Myspace
-Black background
- Gothic writing
- Confusing art with link to title
-Album title in play blocks? child connotations, link to future, birth?
-Pictures of ancient things, wont be apart of future? Destroyed? nothing last forever?
The horrors
-Album title
-Release date
-4 examples of reviews from household names
-tour dates
-where to buy tickets
-myspace title
-label/company
-Black & white background
-5 artist sitting on couch
-pigs head on wall above
-connotations to strange house?
-all artists look pale, gothic
-band name & album in big size capitals
-Release date in big size
-Everything else in small size
-Album art
Cinematography Based on cinematography this video is very stereotypical of a rock music video as it has various shot types, changing being short and sharp giving a high tempo which is in unison with the beat which is quite fast. Editing Based on editing the video also follows conventions as wee see a gothic effect used on the camera throughout whihc seems to give the video a blueish tinge, this gives a dark, gothic feel allowing the audience to create emotions based on the link between what they hear and what they see. This is good as it is a simple way of being creative and effective. Mise en Scene Based on mise en scene, the setting and location are very stereotypical as we see it set in an obscure location with the band set up. the narrative side seems to be set on 2 peoples travels and they both seem to fit the descriptions of the kind of people that would listen to this music as they have rock-like outfits including dark shades and black nail varnish.
Cinematography Based on cinematography this video just has basic changes in shot types as it is just a recorded live performance. This is also a different type of rock and is old, less gothic and more 'groovy'. Editing Based one editing the video is very basic, this could be because of how old the the video actually is and because it is a live performance so the shot types and angles are very limited because there wasnt a pre discussed storyboard an everything is being done free hand so to speak.
Mise en Scene
Based on mise en scene the video is stereotypical as it is set on stage of a live set but the artists arent dressed in a gothic clothes or performing in a gothic manner.
Cinematography
Based on cinematography this video is very stereotypical of a rock music video as it has various shot types, changing being short and sharp giving a high tempo which is in unison with the beat which is quite fast.
Editing
Based on editing we see a variation between shot lengths changing with the beat and when there are links between lyrics and visuals creating meaning and understanding with the audience.
Mise en Scene
Based on mise en scene it is once again set in an obscure location as we see a man submerged in water and performing in what seems to be a hospital room, this out of the ordinary location and setting is conventional. This also gives a gothic feel as we see smoke creating an eerie feel. This is backed up by the artists wearing stereotypical dark clothes.
Cinematography
Based on cinematography this video is diferent as it doesnt follow stereotypes of a rock video. In this video the song is just a sound track to what is being played out in the video where we see a teacher fall down a ditch and so on. As a result there arent amny changes in angles and the tempo is slowed down.
Editing
Based on editing we can see long lengthed shots as the video is movie like, this isnt stereotypical and breaks away from the conventions of a rock video, but still gives the same effects and meaning to the audience.
Mise en Scene
Based on mise en scene the video doesnt have an obscure location apart from towards the end where he seems to be in some demonic place. This isnt stereotypical and only follows conventions based on the gothic feel behind the demonic place. The man is dressed in normal clothes which isnt usual in a rock video but this could have a deeper meaning to the video that all kinds of people can listen to rock not just one crowd.
Cinematography
Based on cinematography there are various shots types and angles although it is just a live gig, but I think this video was pre planned and as a result there is some structure to the video and there is a documentary feel to the video as a result.
Editing
Based on editing we see a variation between short and long lengthed shots, parts of the video are also in black and white giving links to the stereotypical gothic feel to the video.
Mise en Scene
Based on mise en scene it is very stereotypical as it is set on a live set so we can see fans, who are all gothic and the artists performing in their environment and behind the scenes, this gothic feel is then once again backed up by the artists wearing stereotypical clothes keeping with the conventions of a rock video.
Cinematography: Based on cinematography this video has a variety of interesting shots but the one shot i find most interesting is the close up of Beyonce singin, but smiling while a tear rolls down her cheek. I find this interesting because it emphasises the emotion that she is feeling and helps the audience understand that it is tears of joy simply because she is smiling aswell. this shows how passionate she is about the person she is tlalking about in the song which makes the audience sympathetic and relate to what she is going through. But, this close up could also seem to some as if Beyonce is singing the song to them because it looks as if she is looking into someones eyes, as a result you indulge in the video and on this particular video I personally felt chills.
Sound: Based on sound this song is very effective in porttraying its story of deep love with similies, metaphors and passionate lyrics. This is a very conventional R'n'B song as the lyrics are passionate and have a specific storyline and the slow instrumental creates an emotional tone on the audience backed up by a simple video.
Mise en Scene: Based on mise en scene it isnt very clear where the video is set but it seems to be in just a simple video studio where we see Beyonce wearing a dress with her thighs showing, this is quite revealing and makes her look seductive which would encourage the male percentage of watchers to increase, raising the views and publicity.
Editing: Based on editing the video is very simple as most of the shots are level and the length of each shot is long, this collaborates with the slow music to create a relaxed but emotional feel passing that feeling on to the audience. I think if there was sharp fast shots it wouldnt look right with this type of video because the music has no fast tempo and there isnt a tense feeling needed to be eportrayed to the audience and thats all fast shots would do in this case.
EMI Music groups parent company is the EMI group and was established in 1972 in the UK and has divisions in recording and publishing.
History:
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It’s the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it a member of the RIAA & IFPI. Electric and Musical Industries Ltd was formed in March 1931 by the merger of the Columbia Graphophone Company and the Gramophone Company, with its "His Master's Voice" record label, firms that have a history extending back to the beginning of recorded sound. The new vertically integrated business produced sound recordings as well as recording and playback utensils.
Artists:
Kraftwerk
Queen
Olivia Newton-John
Iron Maiden
Kate Bush
Sheena Easton
Robbie Williams
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
History:
Warner Bros. Records was initially established in 1958 as the recorded music division of the American movie studio Warner Bros. Pictures. For the majority of its existence it was one of a group of labels owned and operated by larger parent corporations. The series of companies that controlled Warner Bros. and its associated labels evolved through a convoluted series of corporate mergers and acquisitions from the early 1960s to the early 2000s. Over this period, Warner Bros. Records grew from a struggling minor player in the industry to become one of the top recording labels in the world.
In 2003 these music assets were divested by their then owner Time Warner and bought by a private equity group. This independent company currently trades as the Warner Music Group (WMG), of which Warner Bros. Records is still an active label. WMG is currently the third-largest of the four major international music conglomerates and the world's only publicly traded major music company. The group's widespread publishing assets, which include over one million song copyrights by more than 65,000 songwriters, currently make it the world's largest music publisher.
Maroon 5's album cover for the alum "Songs about Jane" is very self explanatory while still keeping in with the conventions of a rock band. You can see a naked woman with an open trinket box with her eyes closed, linked with the title this tells me this woman is jane and the songs are coming out the box and her eyes are closed maybe because these songs are serenading her as she seems to be in her element. Being naked gives me the impression of nature and Eve in the garden of Eden, this could be because maroon 5 want people to see them as the originals and everything they do is original. The colour scheme is what keeps this rock band album cover conventional to the genre because the use of a contrasting black and red gives a slight gothic feel, the black coming out the box looks like its going to overwhelm the whole background which backs ups the gothic feel as if the woman isn't in control of hats going to happen.
Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Red Hot Chilli Peppers album cover for the album "Mother's Milk" is very interesting because its an unorthodox rock album cover as it doesn't follow all the conventions that you would usually associate. You can see a woman cradling the four artists suggesting she is the mother (linked with the album title) and the four artist are all brothers and maybe new born children? This gives connotations that this album could be the re-birth of the band and are growing and getting stronger thus linking in with the "Milk" which a baby needs to grow and become healthy. The colour scheme is very simply black and white which isn't the conventions of a rock band but just doing this could tell the audience they're more than the conventional rock band and that they're more and better than that. But, the red rose could represent the love and passion for the music and genre.
Slipknot
Slipknot's album cover for the album "All Hope is Gone" follows a lot of conventions of a rock band due to the colour scheme and the image on it. The character portrayed on the cover seems to be battered, bleeding and scarred with thorns around his head. The thorns around his head are very symbolic as it could represent a jesus like figure who was beat down and people thought all hope was gone. This could be what the band are trying to portray and that even though you think all hope is gone they're going to overcome just like Jesus did. The name of the band being in green creates a very cold scary feel as the writing looks very jagged almost like thorns from a bush, this combined with the black, purple to eerie light blue and white creates a gothic feel linking back to the conventions of a rock band having very dark and gothic connotations.
Cinematography: Based on cinematography, I think the most interesting shot you can see is at 2:09 where you see a level long shot of the artist dancing with everyone inside the party, this immediately tells the audience that the video is about partying,having a good time and this can be backed up by a close up of an Ibiza sign, a place to party, and various shots of poeple jumping into the sea and trips on boats.
Sound: Based on sound the song is very good because once again it is a conventional catchy song that you find yourself singin along to and stuck in your head, this is good because this is how you want the audience to feel so that they are inclined to purchasing the track and playing it over and over. This will also make the audience sing the song getting it in other peoples head increasing the amount of sales just by hear say alone.
Mise en Scene: Based on mise en scene it is set in Ibiza, a place known for its clubbing culture, that immediately sets the tone for the audience telling them that this is going to be a club song meaning that the vibe is going to be happy, fast pace and enjoyable. This is backed up by the models in the video wearing bikini's and the men wearing summer shorts and flip flops with the sun shining, this gives a vibrant, laid back feel but also a sense of relaxation as your away from the everyday 9 to 5 sitaution, this is good fot the audience because it makes them feel good and encourages them to dance along and feel relaxed.
Editing: In this video there are many short sharp shots encorporating the Bordwell & Thompson rhythmic theory as they cut in association with beat creating a flowing video. These short shots create a fast tempo in relation to the actual song getting the audience in the mood for dancing or just doing something exciting.
Performance: there isnt really any particular performance in this video apart fromt he lip syncing as all the models and actors are just seen having fun, relaxing and enjoying the sun, sea and parties. This creates a vibe that the audience want to feel especially if any are stressed as it will calm them down, make them feel relaxed and caught up in the emotion of the song which is what the artists are trying to do.
Illustration:
Music- Always cuts on beat.
Lyrics- Images illustrate the literal meaning or feeling of the lyrics, often just with the band singing and dancing.
Band Image- Dancing and dressed as would be expected.
Amplification:
Music- Film cuts on the beat but also off beat to emphasise features.
Lyrics- Images emphasise the lyrics, a specific narrative may be used that may not necessarily be picked up by reading the lyrics alone (deeper meanings).
Band Image- The band take on fictional roles in the narrative.
Disjuncture:
Music- Film cuts off the beat. (Sometimes the sign of a badly made video.)
Lyrics- Images which do not relate to the lyrics are used, sometimes used by bands that are already well established that can afford to take the risk.
Band Image- The band take on an image that is nothing like the expected image.
The main focus is Hollywood or continuity editing, they look at 4 different ways shots can be linked:
-graphic
-spatial
-temporal
-rhythmic
Graphic
Graphic is what we can see visually, in this case the moving images, as a result the shots are linked due to the shape, colour, patterns, movement and depth.
Graphic match: Linkage of shots by graphic similarity.
Graphic continuity: The main interest is constant through out the cuts, maintaining lighting level, avoiding strong colour clashes.
Graphic discontinuity: Contrasts colour and footage types for example bright red and green.
Rhythmic:
Rhytmic is about the duration of shots and the pattern it gives combining with the moving image. For example increasing the pace of shot changes in a tense situation within the moving image helps to create the feeling of nervousness and anxiety across to the audience.
Spatial
Spatial is to do with the location and setting, it is the manipulation of different points through similarity, difference and development.
Temporal
Temporal concerns time of action and contributes to the plots manipulation of storyline order, time and frequency. The order of events can be manipulated plot relations which interupt 'temporal' order. E.g flashbacks to past events increases story knowledge and understanding and flashforward create enigma. The duration of events within the plot can be varied via use of ellipsis.
Music videos tend to have a variety of shots from extreme close ups to long shots. This is to emphasise the storyline of the song by bringing to the forefront the artist(s), the location and the emotions in the song. All this combines together to create significant meaning on the audience as it creates a visual understanding to the lyrics in the song. Camera movement within the video is usually centered around the artist tracking their movement and using tilts, pans and crane shots to make certain words stand out, therefore, once again creating meaning to the video.
Other conventions are:
-Dancing
-Male and Female actors
-Variety of shots and shot types
-Lip Syncing
-Props
-Costumes & Accessories
-A Set Tone
But I think more specifically different genres have different conventions.
Rock Conventions:
-Instruments
-Dark & Gothic
-Passion & Emotion
-Short Shots
Cinematography: Based on cinematography there are alot of shots that stand out but I think the most interesting shot is the one we see at 1:59 which is a close up of blue sparkly hot pants. I think this shot is interesting simply because it breaks down the whole video as a whole and the whole genre is this one shot. The sparkly side to the hot pants represents the glitz and glam that comes with the genre and the fact that they're hot pants represents the sexy, naughty, revealing part of the genre. This ties in with the conventions of a pop music video having, glamour, skin and being unpredictable.
Sound: Based on sound I think the music video is very good because it is a light, happy song that has a very happy feel to it making the audience feel like they have to dance or at least feel happy. Its a very conventional pop song because the lyrics arent in too much depth meaning the listeners and viewers dont really have to think about them but just sing along to the catchy hooks and verses.
Mise en Scene: Based on mise en scene you can see that constumes are very wacky and wild adding to the fun, happy nature of the video making yourself want to do the same. Also, the location is also wacky and wierd as it seems to be some sort of board game made out of sweets ;as we see Snoop Dogg throw dice onto where Katy Perry is,this just sets the minds of the audience at ease as they are taken on a fun journey where imagination is allowed to run wild once again emphasising the happiness of the video as there is nothing depressing or sad about it. the whole vibe overall makes it seem like a song made for the summer where parties and having fun are essential.
Editing: Based on editing the shot lengths are quite long as the video is trying to create a more relaxed feel instead of a high tempo. I think this was done because the video had a very movie-like storyline to it instead of actually trying to emphasise meaning to the lyrics. There was also alot of low angle mid shots on Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg to represent their power and authority throughout the video as the other actors just got simple level shots or high angle shots making them look less significant as the the two artists.
Performance: Based on performance all the actors in the video didnt seem to have any tight nipped set routine but more a free for all in the sense that it was more about the sense of veryone having fun dancing than having parts choreographed down to the last step, this created a free flowing video which gave the feeling of wanting to join in and dance because you felt you could do so, this is important because it means the audience will spend time after time dancing and watching the video, boosting the views.
Cinematography: Based on cinematography, I think one of the very first shot is good and interesting because to me it creates alot of meaning an emphasise. At 0:18-0:20 you see an extreme close up of the actor's hands where he is signing the song. To me this simple close up tells the audience that whoever Ed Sheeran has written the song about can understand it on all levels, being through the sound of the lyrics or without the sound and through the sign of the lyrics, this emphasises to the audience that he has a strong feeling about what he is trying to portray just from the unorthadox manner of the video.
Sound: Based on sound I think the video as a whole is very good because it isn't just a conventional pop video with a catchy hook or about some sort of romance, its a pop video with good lyrics that when listened to give you an understand of what the artist feels about the industry, aims and his differences. And, to add to that it also has a catchy hook which boost the video's/song's status as a good one as this is what is needed to make sales.
Mise en Scene: Based on mise en scene you can see that the actor is wearing casual clothes suggesting that he could just be like any one of the audience. To me this is very important because it tells us that the video is down to earth, normal and isnt extravagant and flashy. This helps the audience to relate to the lyrics because the song could be seen as just a friend talking to them not a musical figure of power such as Jay-Z or Lady Gaga. Also, the location of the video is very plain and simple and it seems just to be a clear photoshoot room with nothing but the actor in it. This simple thing plus the black and white colour scheme in the video combine to give the meaning to the audience that the song is just trying to portray a normal tone and that everything he is saying is in simple black and white, nothing more, nothing less.
Editing: Based on editing, there are a variation of shots and shot lengths but most tend to be short, sharp and fast cuts which are made on beat helping with the flow of the whole video as nothing seems "jerky" as you sometimes tend to find. This is good for a pop music video because it makes it easy on the ey for the audience meaning they arent inclined to change the channel therefore boosting the views and publicity the video gets.
Performance: Based on performance, the actor is simple signing the song, but his facial expression, rhytmn and passion helps create more meaning tot he song as its adds to the effect it has on the audience as they can get a feel for the emotions that they're supposed to have at what moment, which once again builds a bridge to where the audience feel they can relate.
There have been no entries since your last assessment Daryl, you need to catch up. There is a substantial amount of work to be done. Check your list. If you need to speak to me or MCU please do. Unfortunately without a specific explanation there will be a referral for this lack of work.
