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.