Evaluation

A2 media studies – music video

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Final Poster

Album Back

 

Back of Album Cover

Using the feedback I have already been given, I feel I will be able to design a back to the album which will be appropriate and work for the genre I have been given.

I feel for this I will need another font so I will use the second and third font choices from a previous post.

Explanation of Album Artwork

I feel it will be necessary to explain my artistic decisions regarding my album artwork.

For a start, the colours used have been chosen purposefully as they are. I have chosen a grey background as it properly matches the moody tone of the album, I have also therefore chosen white as a suitable contrast to this, possibly showing the hope which is also evidenced in the video through the use of the clouds and the sunset.

The ring is also an artistic choice and has been designed and rendered by myself. This is because I felt it was obvious that the protagonist in the video is seeking his love and wishes to continue his life with her. Therefore this is symbolic as being a lasting relationship. The colours were chosen in order to provide a contrast with the entirety of the cover.

Finished Album Cover

First Mock Up Feedback

After showing my initial mock up to my peers, the following points were raised:

• Typo on the album cover, the album should be called ‘The World at Large’
• Entire album looks too flat, needs some depth

I have taken these into account and they will be improved on in my next post.

First Mock Up Cover

Layout Mock Up Feedback

My layout mock up feedback was entirely positive and the following points were made:

• Background suits well with the video, it suits the moody/grey nature of the music video.
• Large areas of space should be present as this fits in with the music video (Most notably the lyrics about how empty the world is).
• A limited palette will be required in order to keep the album cover in line with the music video.

Taking this feedback on board, I am now beginning a primary design for my album cover.

Album Cover Mock Up

I decided to finally work on my Album cover and have therefore decided to provide a layout mock-up and to get feedback for this:

 

It is worth noting that this is the exact background and border colour I will be using.

Font Decision

After doing a quick straw poll, the results were as such:

Font 1: 2 in favour

Font 2: 8 in favour

Font 3: 4 in favour

Font 4: 3 in favour

Font 5: 0 in favour

As can be seen, the overwhelming majority was for Font 2, I shall therefore be using this on my digipack materials.

Possible Fonts

I have found 5 possible fonts which I think will be suitable for my digipack items.

Font Ideas

I feel that for the font on both my album cover and poster should be simply outlines, this further encompasses the emptiness that the title track is trying to convey.

I will continue to investigate www.dafont.com until I find 5 suitable fonts, at which point I will attempt to get feedback.

Digipack Preparation

Now that I have improved upon my initial cut of my video, I feel it is time to move my attention to my digipack, which will contain:

 

• My music video, already produced and in constant editing
• A poster for the album
• A CD case for the album

These 3 will have to link in some way and this will have to be picked out of the design. I may take pictures for the design or I may simply use one of my own illustrations.

New and Improved Trailer

Final Cut Peregrine Wayman A2 Video from Perry Wayman on Vimeo.

Response to Feedback

In response to the feedback I am now planning to add a small amount of ‘filler’ or a more interesting scene. Perhaps one of the street simply going about it’s business. I feel this should be over an extended period of time and then sped up.

This would affect the mood of the music as it would show how the world is moving on without him and continues regardless of whether he wants it to stop or not.

In addition to this, I have decided to add a small intro, of the protagonists feet stepping up. I feel this allows an intro possibly with actual sound after the top and has increased symbolism in that the protagonist is stepping up the earth, ready to take it on and challenge it.

Feedback to the Rough Cut

The following is feedback to  the rough cut posted previously:

Chris – While the rough cut is in essence good, it lacks something, possibly within the execution but also possibly within the editing. Another scene may be necessary in order to break up the two scenes already possessed but without advancing the narrative.

Ashleigh – I also feel that the rough cut is missing an extra scene. As it is at the minute I feel as though the entire video is in a boxed in universe. This I feel goes against your target of having the audience feel as though they are participating within the video itself.

Amy – While the majority of the video has very little premise for synching with the music, I feel as though more could be done in the scene setting to link it in with the music. For example, there is a short instrumental intro which would be appropriate at this point.

Jack – The colours as they are at the minute are extremely vibrant, which doesn’t fit with the song’s moodier tone and expected bleakness, an idea would be to tone the colours down to create a moodier atmosphere.

First Film – Rough Cut

Untitled from Perry Wayman on Vimeo.

Preparation to Film / State of the Onion

It is now that I feel I have done all necessary planning and research in order to produce a music video to a high standard. I feel that my song of choice is a fine example of the genre and also believe my plan for a video suits both the song, the genre and an audience’s taste.

However, simply filming and editing will not be substantial enough and I may need to research additional platforms, such as a CD case and a promotional poster. Utilising the skills I already possess and augmenting them with what I have already learned about the genre in question. I feel this will be enough in order to properly add to the music video.

Storyboard

Storyboard

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Actors/Setting

Now that I have outlined an idea for my music video and also chosen a song that will fit it appropriately, I feel it is time to start to plan the Mise-en-Scene of the music video.

I feel that to give my music video a sense of realism I will need to film it in an open area. Possibly with members of the public present. This, I feel, will give my video a certain depth that would not be achieved in a secluded area. This will therefore ensure another connection to the audience.

I have decided to keep the love interest for the character as an unknown. This provides a sense of unknown to the viewer and allows them to place themselves into the protagonist’s position. Transposing themselves over him and providing a love interest of their own. This furthers the narrative onto a personal level for the audience.

For the actor, I have decided upon a mostly nondescript actor who can easily be transposed by the audience and allow them to place themselves into it.

As I have decided upon mostly drowning out the colour from my video footage, I have decided it will be best for my protagonist to wear bright clothes. Both to provide a sense of irony for the otherwise bleak song but to also provide a focal point even when the colours are toned down.

Song Choice Decision

After querying my peers in addition to myself, I have decided upon the song which I would want to be the soundtrack to my music video.

I chose The World at Large by Modest Mouse.

I decided upon this for several reasons which are outlined below:

- More melodic beat. This will allow me to sync at least some of the video with the soundtrack itself

- An intro that lasts for around 12 seconds. This will enable me to have a much more impacting intro to my video. As I feel this is everything in setting the scene of the video (As seen in The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony) and will therefore allow the video to achieve its sympathetic angle much easier.

- Due to the more melodic beat, I also feel this ties in better with what I actually want from my music video.

 

My next post will be on how I wish to get these ideas down and I will begin planning the video itself.

Song Choices

So far, I have identified 2 songs which I would like to be the soundtrack to my music video.

- The World at Large – Modest Mouse

- What the World is Waiting For – The Stone Roses

My main reasons for choosing these two songs are that they both deal with essentially the same problem. A man has been scorned by the love of his life and he therefore feels that it’s the world’s fault that it’s like this and he must therefore find a way to get out or deal with it.

While the song’s messages are both the same, I feel that the two songs themselves are contrast massively. WTWIF is much more upbeat and does follow any particular beat structure.

In comparison, TWAL, has a beat that is continuous throughout the track and very little use of instruments.

These contrasting qualities while also dealing with the same subject matter mean that both songs are appropriate, but for both, the music video itself will have to be extremely different.

Idea to Develop Decision

After developing each idea to a certain depth, I have decided that some kind of tragic love story from the male perspective would be the way to go.

I feel this for several reasons including that this seems to be typified in 1990s Britpop with bands such as ‘Oasis’ and ‘The Verve’ whom I have covered in a previous post.

I felt that the other idea was too complicated for what I would like in the end. It would require far too time to put into practice as I do not already possess the necessary skills to produce such a work. I also felt that if I was to use the same soundtrack, the ‘cartoon’ angle would force it to lose some of its sympathetic impact on the audience.

I will now continue to develop this idea in preparation for a pitching exercise whereby I will ensure that my idea is up to the standard as is expected.

My first initial development will be to decide upon a song to use for my idea.

Here be Dragons (Planning)

I have now decided to finish my planning and will now move onto planning my music video.

Some simple ideas for my video are:

- A tragic romance from a male point of view

- Stop motion cartoon animation

In the following posts I will develop one of these ideas and continue from there.

Album Poster Analysis #5

This is a poster for pop-punk band We The Kings.

This is another album which I have purposefully chosen for its lack of band members, but I have also chosen it as the actual design choices are extremely different. For a start, the band’s name takes up the entirety of the poster. A black font on a gold and red background. This background also ties into the name of the band as red and gold are typically considered royal colours.

Album Poster Analysis #4

This is a poster for Deja Entedu by pop-punk band Brand New.

I chose this one as I felt it was obscure enough to provide some interesting information and possibilities of the direction I wish my own album art to go. The most notable part of this poster is the lack of band members, instead being replaced by artwork. The astronaut represents that the album may be something new and different, unexpected, charting new areas that have not been covered before. Also notable is the colour schemes, blue and orange are purposefully conflicting colours on the colour wheel, meaning that they make an attractive combination.

Lyrical Analysis

World at Large – Modest Mouse

Ice-age heat wave, can't complain.
If the world's at large, why should I remain?
Walked away to another plan.
Gonna find another place, maybe one I can stand.
I move on to another day,
to a whole new town with a whole new way.
Went to the porch to have a thought.
Got to the door and again, I couldn't stop.
You don't know where and you don't know when.
But you still got your words and you got your friends.
Walk along to another day.
Work a little harder, work another way.
Well uh-uh baby I ain't got no plan.
We'll float on maybe would you understand?
Gonna float on maybe would you understand?
Well float on maybe would you understand?
The days get shorter and the nights get cold.
I like the autumn but this place is getting old.
I pack up my belongings and I head for the coast.
It might not be a lot but I feel like I'm making the most.
The days get longer and the nights smell green.
I guess it's not surprising but it's spring and I should leave.
I like songs about drifters - books about the same.
They both seem to make me feel a little less insane.
Walked on off to another spot.
I still haven't gotten anywhere that I want.
Did I want love? Did I need to know?
Why does it always feel like I'm caught in an undertow?
The moths beat themselves to death against the lights.
Adding their breeze to the summer nights.
Outside, water like air was great.
I didn't know what I had that day.
Walk a little farther to another plan.
You said that you did, but you didn't understand.
I know that starting over is not what life's about.
But my thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth.
My thoughts were so loud I couldn't hear my mouth.
My thoughts were so loud.

The entirity of these lyrics focus on the protagonist realising that life as it is isn’t right for him, he therefore sets it upon himself to find a place where he can be happy.

In addition to this the protagonist also blames the world for all of the problems, as evidenced in the first verse. However, by the end of the song, he also feels he is to blame. Thinking too much and therefore unable to hear his mouth and causing all of these issues for himself, but unable to fix it.

I feel this is suitable for the idea I have in mind, which will be posted at a later date.

Album Poster Analysis #3

This poster is by Indie Rock band Kasabian.

I chose this one because of its stunning similarity to the Billy Talent poster, again there is the running theme of the band being united under their name or logo and the band being in front. However in this poster, the legs of the individual members are missing, showing that the band is unified as one.

Album Poster Analysis #2

This is another poster by a pop-punk outfit, Thirty Seconds to Mars.

In this poster several things are important to note, especially the colours used. Within this, they’ve used a limited palette which has the effect of being very simple to the viewer but also ensures total understanding of the poster. There are only around 2 or 3 colours used, most strikingly the use of black and red. The poster fades down from black to red and then provides a contrast as the band members are wearing entirely black on a red bed.

Album Poster Analysis #1

This poster is by pop-punk outfit Billy Talent, I chose this for a variety of reasons, mainly artistic.

For example, the band is being displayed as in front of the logo, this oddly creates a sense of them being more important as individuals rather than as a single group. However, it is also important to note that the name is physically above the band. This ties in with many of their songs where they sing about being individual but being under a single banner. This forces this imagery and idea into their potential audience’s mind.

Music Video Analysis #5

This Ain’t a Love Song – Scouting for Girls

This is the latest track I have analysed being only produced in January of this year (2010). It is by English indie-pop band Scouting for Girls. Having already known the video before this analysis, I already knew that this would be appropriate for the style of video and music which I am going for.

The setting of the video is massively integral to its message. It is set in an airport, typically a place where family and loved ones would greet each other after a long time apart or to see each other off for an extended period. This is referenced in the video with many couples meeting, kissing and hugging, either after or before a flight.

Also notable is the presence of the musicians within the music video, this forcing an element of believability onto the audience. Making them realise that at some point everyone has said ‘Hello’ or ‘Goodbye’ for an extended period of time.

This is further enhanced by how the video forces the other cast members to seem real. Doing mediocre or unimportant things while waiting.

Music Video Analysis #4

No Surprises – Radiohead

This song was released in 1997 by English alternative-rock band Radiohead. I have purposefully chosen this video as I feel the actual content is much deeper than many other modern tracks. In addition to this I also feel it has the same sort of tone as a track which I will use.

The entirety of the video is a close up of lead singer Thom Yorke’s head inside an astronaut-like helmet. I feel this forces the viewer to sympathise with Thom Yorke and the plight he is obviously in. However, in contrast to this, Thom Yorke is behind a plastic screen which stops the viewer from getting too close and feeling involved. This has the effect of forcing the viewer to feel cut off from him and unable to help as his plight gets worse.

In addition to this, the lyrics scroll up the helmet (mirrored, obviously). This resembles an autocue that many people in entertainment and politics would use to address an audience. This serves to distance Thom Yorke from the theme he is discussing (Everything going wrong) and also contrasts with what will be discussed in the next paragraph. The possible outcome of this is that it alienates the audience into believing that the lyrics are aimed at, and being explained to, them.

The most discomforting thing for the audience in relation to this video is the fact that after the first verse, the helmet begins to fill with water. While this is happening Thom Yorke attempts to keep his head above the water for as long as he can, but eventually succumbs to the water and stares motionless at the camera for a minute. This has the effect of showing to the viewer that no matter how much you try to explain and sympathise with the plight of others (As Thom Yorke is doing to the viewer) but eventually your own problems, as symbolised by the water, will swallow you up.

Despite this sobering message, the water does eventually retreat and a visibly relieved Thom Yorke continues with the song. This serves to show to the viewer that eventually the problems will disappear and life can continue.

Music Video Analysis #3

Friday Night – The Darkness

Friday night

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Music Video Analysis #2

Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve

 

This music video was produced in 1997 by British alternative rock band ‘The Verve’ and is one which I personally believe is very well made with many subtleties which simply add to this.

The video opens with the camera concentrating on the protagonist’s feet, this is shown at the same time as an orchestral introduction with no vocals. When the feet reach a crossing, the camera zooms out to show the entire protagonist. It is at this moment that the dull colour palette becomes obvious to the viewer. This sets the tone for the entire video and the song itself, that of sadness which is further exemplified by the use of cool drowned out colours.

The music begins with this person’s first step off of the pavement. This could be expanded upon by saying that he is stepping out of his comfort zone and beginning a change of his life as shown by the change in the music.

The viewer is forced to emphasise with the protagonist in the way that the camera is used. This is established by keeping the character centred at all times in the shot forcing the viewer to take notice of him. This empathy is the forced again in the only other camera angle used; that of a first person shot. This is mainly used during the ‘action’ sequences of the video and makes the viewer go into their shoes and face the literal (and mentioned in the song) hardships.

Music Video Analysis #1

Modest Mouse – World at Large

 

I have chosen this as it is considered the title track of one of the albums I analysed (Good News for People who Love Bad News by Modest Mouse).

The video is fairly unconventional as it does not contain any of the band, this could be because they want to keep the music, the video and themselves separate. This could tie in with the bands well publicised ‘passion’ for their music and therefore they view all three as separate entities and art forms. This is further emphasised by the use of a separate title to the music track (World at Large) which has the music video named ‘Stiff Animal Fantasy’.

The video itself is also unconventional as it has an unprofessional tone about it, using what appears to be a cheap camera and stuffed animals. This shows again that the music is much more important as the band has spent far more money on the music than it has on the video.

The music ties into the video somewhat as the lyrics ‘If I float on baby’ are used repeatedly and this somewhat links with the way the animals move (Stop motion therefore appearing to ‘float’ along the ground) and the way the scenery moves in a jerky fashion. The video also distances itself away from the music in the way in which there is no ‘story’ that links with the music but instead another story going on shown by way of captions.

Album Cover #5

This is a compilation album of all the individual works of KISS members, it was released in 2008 but contains music far older.

I have chosen this because I like the effect it has on someone who views it. Such as the AC/DC cover the entire album is in black and white/silver except for the band’s logo. This is again the band attempting to sell themselves over what the album actually contains. This is an especially clever move as the album itself consists of many previously released singles and therefore to put any particular track or song title on the cover would do the entire band a disservice.

Album Cover #4

Keeping in touch with the last analysis, I have decided to do a classic rock band who released their newest album after a short hiatus. AC/DC released Black Ice in 2008, 8 years after their last album. For this reason I feel it is a good analysis due to it being a popular band who have re-released in the modern age.

The most striking thing about this cover is how there is absolutely no colour except on the AC/DC logo. I feel this could be because less people would care about the albums now and AC/DC might have fallen out of favour. The band therefore felt it necessary to show that they were AC/DC and attempt to appeal to an earlier market. This also means that the logo is extremely eye catching and even someone who does not appreciate AC/DC would still be drawn towards it.

The background image appears to be mostly nonsensical, with the band’s logo being repeated several times and several other images that are of little importance. The entire background image is symmetrical, except the small guitarist at the very top centre. This helps to create a uniform feel to the cover, with the eyes drawn to where the band feel they should be.

Album Cover #3

This cover is taken from a much more modern band and is of a sub genre ‘Modern Rock’ which is known as being a continuation of the modern rock of the 70s and 80s. The band is Modest Mouse and this album was produced in 2004.

Like the other covers, this one is showing a very simplistic design, a one tone background brought into contrast only by stark white arrows. Where the arrows are hitting there is a slight variation in the colour of the green and a trail. This could be a statement about how rock music is today with the many bands representing the arrow and the green ‘living’ background representing rock.

This album shows the opposite of my two previous analyses and has the band’s name and album title very small in the corner. This shows that the band has played more to advertising the album than they have themselves. This could represent how the industry is today with many bands being made to one conformity and with very little lasting potential.

Album Cover #2

The above cover is from Def Leppard’s most successful album, Hysteria made in 1987. As can be seen, as in my other album cover analysis, there is little to identify the band visually and instead relies on bright colours to attract the attention of a passerby. Although Def Leppard were not extremely popular before the release of this album, again the reliance is shown to be on the band’s name rather than the album itself. Like the other album, this album relies on contrasting colours, with the extremely common blue/orange contrast being shown, this contrast is further highlighted by the use of a red/green contrast that compliments the orange/blue designs respectively. It is possible that the image used in the centre is there as a focal point for the entire album, but it is also possible that it is white to draw the eyes away from the central triangle.

Album Cover #1

I will analyse covers of artists and bands that are close to the genre that I would most like to pursue; classic rock.

This album cover is by classic rock band ‘Journey’ and is one which I appreciate due to its simplicity. For a start, it is obvious that there is no actual photograph used on the cover. I feel this is because by this point, Journey are a well known band and do not need to be recognised by what the band looks like. It is worth noting however that in the absence of a band shot, there is a Scarab, this is known to fans of the band to be the bands logo. Also extremely noticeable is the colour contrast, this is a simple blue/orange contrast which is well known to be a ‘safe’ scheme to go with as it combines a hot colour with a cool one.

The most striking thing about the album cover is how the album title is shown in relation to the band’s name. This could show that it’s more likely that the band would focus on the fact that it is them releasing a new album, rather than what the album itself is.

Advanced Portfolio - A Welcome Message

This is Peregrine Wayman and this is the blog for my A2 Coursework. All planning, products, evaluations and feedbacks.

I attend Biddulph High School and will shortly be investigating the existing products that are already out there. This will include looking at the targeted audience and what sort of techniques are consistent.