Monday 5 December 2016

Feedback

Assessment 1

  1. Add more examples of videos to elaborate on
  2. Use of terminology in bold
  3. Use of punctuation

Assessment 2

  1. Use of terminology in bold
  2. Need greater explanation of purpose in relation to Music and Visuals (beat editing) and lyrics and visuals (Lip synching)
  3. Relate to examples

Assessment 3

  1. High angle, why would Lil Wayne use it (explain)
  2. Why canted angles are used
  3. More specific about the success of the summer music video. 

Assessment 4

  1. Use of terminology in bold
  2. Relate to more examples
  3. Relate to notes

Assessment 5

  1. Elaborate more about intertextual refrences 
  2. Explain how your idea will enhance the image of your artist
  3. Justify how it is 'on-trend' to the genre

Sunday 27 November 2016

Permissions to film email (cant post screenshot)


Application to Film - City of London Film Office

This e mail does not constitute a licence or permission to film.
Your application has been submitted. The relevant film office will contact you in due course. Please do not reply to this e mail – If you need to get in touch please e mail or call the relevant film office directly.
Production Company:Christ The King St Mary's
Title of Production:WMT
Reference Number:CL46050

Location:
St Dunstan's Hill
Shoot description:
A Music Video for our Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma Coursework.
Shoot times:
03/12/16 10:00
10/12/16 16:00
Emergency contact
Ugonna - 07402341320
Shoot type
Hand held camera only
Police Consent Required:
No
Special equipment
No
Traffic restrictions
No
Special requests
No

Friday 25 November 2016

Linked In Profiles

Ese - Assistant Director & Editor



Eunice - Producer


Jordan - Director of Photography 

 Kenny - Executive Producer

Ugo - Director


Tuesday 22 November 2016

500 Word Treatment

Individual contribution to the 500 word Treatment for each member
(i) How it will create or develop Image for the artist (descriptive words
that link your idea to how it is creating a personality for the artist - sexy, rebellious, vulnerable, creative, underdog, criminal etc.)

The music video will create or develop the image for the artist, Ugø as a rebellious individual who likes to break the rules, as he is the cause for everyone in the meeting room going wild. As this music video will create a personality for the artist, which will be, dominant and powerful because of how he is portrayed in the music video.

(ii) How it visually interprets the track both music & lyrics

The track will be interpreted by the lyrics for example, we will have a hidden meaning or prop placed in the video and it will create mystery for the audience. To associate with the lyrics for example the lyrics that are "welcome to the parish you are here for a christening" will tie in to the location because we're filming in an abandoned place.
Also regarding track when there is reverb used within the chorus we will apply effects such as earthquake and slow motion.

(iii) How it is on Trend for the Genre (with reference to competitors)
This music video that is in the process of being created is on trend because artists in hip-hop videos are bragging about themselves and their status in hip hop world and they reflect themselves as dominant characters showing power, importance, and a hyper real image in order to sell to audiences. it also reflects on the image of the artist explain to audiences in which how he wants himself to be seen as through his track it expresses he wants to be important and that he wants to show his potential.

(iv) How and where it will be filmed over how many days (ie how will the shoot be split into sections etc)


The music video is going to be filmed in 3 different locations. The locations that we are going to shoot the video at are St Dunstan's Cathedral, Thamesmead, Southmere Lake and Erith. We have specifically chosen to shoot the music video in St Dunstan's Cathedral for Narrative and Aesthetic purposes. The Cathedral serves as a place of importance for the artist in the music video. He goes to the Cathedral for self-reflection and to seek answers to unspoken questions. The shoot for the music video will be spread over a week.

Mood Board - Narrative

This is a narrative mood board for Ugo's idea for our group music video. The mood board shows what exactly will happen in the music video with a beginning, middle and end. At the beginning of the music video, it will start off with the artist, Ugø in a meeting board room with his colleagues, as time goes by he gets fed up. The beat in the song drops and everyone in the meeting room goes wild, in the middle of the song, everyone goes crazy by flipping tables out of anger. At the end of the song/music video, the artist Ugø quits his job and stomps out of the office. In conclusion, by making a moodboard, it is very useful as it helps us express our ideas of how the music video will be.


Tuesday 15 November 2016

Assessment 3B

Bad example of green screen

Kanye West's Bound 2 music video is one of many bad examples of green screen. However, this is related to visualising the track because of its majestic, western, masculine location. This builds an image for the artist because firstly, it plays up to their roles and reinforces their image. The artist, Kanye West is so arrogant by using bad effects because he is 'always right'. Green screens limits creativity and this music video became viral because of the bad use of the green screens, as the visuals do not relate to the track whatsoever. This music video is unrealistic because in this day and age we do not see a man and his wife having sex on a motorbike in the wild west. 

Another example of bad use of chroma-key/green screen is Ace of Base Never Gonna Say I'm Sorry. In this music video, the visuals did not pan out. This meant that the members would gaze off the screen with crouched shoulders. The director and editor used the green screen for the sake of it because the visuals do not match the track. At 3:11 one of the members of the group sings 'I'm never gonna say I'm sorry, I'm a clown for everyone' this does not match the visuals because with the use of green screen, her character gradually becomes small going in to a TV from the chroma-key. 


Successful uses of Green Screen/Chroma-Key
Chroma-key is used in music videos to show the meaning behind the song. It can also make it possible to create footage and effects that wouldn’t normally be possible without an extensive amount of travel or costly set design. One successful use of green screen is E.T by Katy Perry featuring Kanye West. Green screen has been used so much as a convention, that they now receive their own separate award (MTV). This music video is very successful because it looks realistic as it makes it aspirational. And also because it is impossible to shoot a music video in space so by using chroma-key, it makes it very easy to use this technique/FX.

Argument - are music videos more over-reliant on special effects?
In my opinion, I think that music videos are more over-reliant on special effects because they have developed drastically overtime, for example, 'Negasonic Teenage Warhead by Monster Magnet'. Green screen here was used just for visuals, and had no lyrical interpretations which related to the track. However, as the years have gone by, directors have become more aware(and or alert) to the fact that to use chroma-key, it must relate to the track, like E.T. (by Katy Perry). In this music video, there are a number of different dimensons, which relate to E.T, and her character symbolises a fallen angel which reflects the lyrics. In this case, this music video had no other option but to use a green screen because they would not be able to pull this off without any special effects, as green screens are used to make it more creative by putting artists in different locations (such as space, and the afterworld). E.T is a great example as for why music videos are more reliant on special effects. Lastly, another reason is that more directors or filmmakers are becoming more noticed for their creations of special effects where they can also earn awards. 

Chroma-Key Task (Individual Video)

In order for to successfully have a good-looking background for the green screen, you will have to set your lights up so that there are no hotspots that could ruin the shot. Once you have finished setting up the lights and shooting, you can finally edit the footage.

In order to get a black background, you must use the effects bar in Final Cut Pro and search for 'Keyer'. This will make your green screen become black but your object/subject will remain the same. 

When this is done, you can pick whatever stock footage or background of your choice and overlap it under your footage in the timeline on Final Cut. As my background is of flowers, I put it underneath my green screen clips. 

My stock footage is from shutterstock, but you can find any types of stock footage background from youtube or any other stock websites. 

Pitch

Tuesday 8 November 2016

Assessment 3C - How To Guide - Camera Angles and Camera Movements

Tilt



A tilt is a camera movement where the camera points up or down from a still object. In order to successfully achieve this is by using either a tripod or steady cam to slowly pan the camera up and down to create the tilt. An example of this is in Section Boyz's music video, #WORST. In this music video, at 2:15, the tilt is used to show the object, which in this case, is one of the artists in the group. It is used to let the audience know which member of the group is performing. 

Arc

An arc is a camera movement where the camera operator (or director of photography) will have to move around the artist or subject, and to also show something supernatural is happening or something is spiralling our of control. This is also like a tracking shot because it follows the artist around in a circle. In this music video, Liar Liar Remix by MoStack, Krept, Konan and J Hus, there are a number of shots where arcs are used. This is used to indicate the importance of the artist, somewhat like everything revolves around them. Them being the most important person. 

Track Away


A track away is a camera movement where the camera is moved away from the artist, as they walk towards the camera. This is used to show intimidation and the location of where the music video was shot. In order to use a track away, the DOP will have to move backwards slow or fast (depending on the pace of the song) whilst the artist moves forward looking powerful. An example of this is BT X Rendo X V.I Pm to the AM. At 0:18 to 0:40, track away's are used very frequently, and are popular in this music genre to show viewers that the artists are powerful and dominant. 

Dolly In


A dolly in is a camera movement where the camera is placed on a dolly and whilst moving, records the shots. They are used to create dramatic effects. In order to use the dolly in effectively, you will have to place the camera on a dolly to track the subject or artist whilst they move along. Dolly's are most used in the hip hop genre of music because of high production costs. An example of this is Drake Started From The Bottom at 3:33. 

Low Angle


Low angles are used in music videos to show the artist is dominant, strong and powerful to the audience. In order to the low angle shot to be used, the camera will have to be at a low level with the lens facing up to the artist or subject to make them look bigger than they actually are to give it the dominant and powerful look. An example of this is Young M.A "OOOUUU" at 2:12. 

High Angle


High angles are used in music videos to show the artist is insignificant or vulnerable. This angle is popular in the Hip Hop genre because they consist of high angles. In order to use the high angle in videos, the camera operator will have to film from a high platform, such as a second floor flat to make sure the artist looks scared, vulnerable or weak. An example of this is Rich As F**k by Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. We can see at 1:04, the high angle has been used.

Canted on Dutch Angle


A canted on Dutch Angle is a camera shot where the camera is tilted to one side or set at an angle and can move either side. Canted angles are used to show that the artist is distressed and also to show the artist is unstable. This angle heavily links with this example because the music video is about people in asylums. An example of this is The Game Martian VS Goblins at 0:59. 

Crash Zoom

 A crash zoom is used to show claustrophobia or the shot is getting smaller to show claustrophobia.In order for the crash zoom to be effective, the zoom will have to be in sync with whatever is happening, for example, a reaction, it will have to be fast in order for it to be an effect. An example of this is Maleek Berry Kontrol at 0:56. Crash zooms are normally used to show a character's reaction; just like the example above. 

Birds Eye View


Birds eye view are used in music videos where the shot is elevated from above. 
An example of a birds eye view is IQ ft Tee Da Supreme Try Them, at the beginning of the music video, a drone is used to create the birds eye view effect of what is below; such as the area in South East London, Turnham. 

Handheld

Handheld cameras are used to show the character is distressed and to give it a gritty and amateur look. Also, to show unstability and give it a edgy and dynamic look. In order to use this effect you will have to use a VHS camera to record it. However, equipment such as tripods and steady cams cannot be used with this effect because it will not give the full POV, location and instability. An example of this is Ty Dolla $ign Blase. 


Comparison


In comparison with my summer music video, I think that my group only achieved three types of camera angles and movements which were tilt, track away and low angles. However, the most common camera movement used in this music video was the track away because the music video consists of the camera moving away from the artist to make them look more powerful, fearless and dominant. Low angles were used in the music video to bring the audience to the artists level and to also show that the artist is aspirational. Tracks to music videos are agressive so it makes music videos look lively and dynamic. If we had more knowledge of camera movements and angles, I feel that we would have made a better music video which covered the conventions of movements and angles. 

Thursday 27 October 2016

Half Term Prep

Artist: Samuel Isong
Track: One That I Want
Samuel Isong is a 14 year old unsigned artist from South East London, but is currently living in Coventry. 






Pitch : Recorded on my phone

Tuesday 25 October 2016

Assessment 3C

1. How To guide


Lip Syncing -
In this how to guide, i was able to accurately synch the footage to the track, Turn Down For What. In order for me to do this, I had to watch a beat editing video (how to) to ensure I was doing the right thing. I was able to use lip syncing (accurately synching footage to track) at 0:20, 0:25 and 0:29. If the music video includes parts of live performance, the artist would need to mime the lyrics and music to the track so that when the audio was overlaid, they would sync. In my example/edit above, it was created entirely through having 4 different locations, one talent and one of the dancers syncing/miming the lyrics of the song from one location. Lip syncing is used to sell the artists talent
The purpose of lip syncing in this music video is that it is a common convention fro, every genre in music, and it links to the subjects in the music video so we can know (or locate) who the artist is. When a music video is created, one will have to consider what subject is miming or lip syncing the lyrics.

Beat Editing -
As for beat editing, I was able to accurately cut shots to the beat of the track. I used certain effects in this music video to make it more attractive and also link to the genre of the song. I used the letter box effect with the aspect ratio of 2:55:1 because using this ratio is suitable for music videos. At some points of the music video I had to use a pan and keyframe them because whilst using the letter box it would crop the top of one of the dancer's face. I also used the broken TV effect every time "Turn down for what" was said to empathise the lyrics and also the mood on the dancer's face. I also used the earthquake and zoom effect at a specific part of the music video, where the  beat started to get stronger. The zoom effect was used every time a beat played. Jump cuts were also used in this because at the beginning it started with a landscape shot but was cut to one of the performers.
At 0:11, I used the earthquake effect and added key frames to give make it more interesting. This is because some viewers (younger viewers) have a short attention span where they will not focus on what is on screen. By using this effect, it will be able to engage viewers.

Class work music video -

Beat Editing -
In this music video, beat editing is very rare because we had a number of short clips where we were unable to cut to the beat. The purpose of beat editing is to use jump cuts in different parts of video clips. It is best to use a video clip with a lot of movement which makes it more effective. But in this music video, the jump cuts were not effective.

Lip Syncing -
Lip syncing is used to sell the artists talent, however I was only able to sync the first part of the music video with the track. This is because it is very difficult to lip sync footage that does not match the track. This was because Daniel did not have enough time to recite the lyrics before filming. If the artist's lips move faster than the track, slow motion can be used to show that the lip syncing can be accurate. I was unaware of this because I had no knowledge of how to do it.
The purpose of lip syncing in music videos is to promote the artist and the music video is an advert for the live show.

Improvements/Conclusion -
If I was to improve this music video, I would use the slow motion effect on the second part of the music video to make it more accurate.

Summer music video -


Lip Syncing -
Lip syncing was used in this music video to let viewers know that there is a performer, if there was no lip syncing, it would have just been a narrative music video without any lip syncing.
In comparison, in my opinion, I think that the Turn Down For What music video edit is better because I was able to learn new techniques, how to cut to the beat and effects to use in music videos. However, in this music video, there is use of lip syncing but is not in as in sync as my most recent edit and does not cut to a beat. If I was to improve this music video, I would use effects such as Letter box (aspect ratio 2:55:1), and accurately sync the clip to the track of the song.



Tuesday 18 October 2016

Assessment 2B(iii)

Parody
A parody is a video that mocks the characteristics of an artist, which is used to create a humorous effect. Parody's are used to make videos go viral and to also make the channel go viral. An example of a parody is the Nicki Minaj Anaconda Parody which was filmed by Bart Baker. In this parody, the lyrics are mocking artist Nicki Minaj as they make refers to her 'fake' bum and her dancing on Drake. However, they done this parody in a way which will entertain viewers by doing the exact choreography and the same costumes from the original in the parody. 


Artist they copied:
 http://genius.com/Nicki-minaj-anaconda-lyrics

Homage
A homage is used to pay respect to something which influenced them to make the music video. For example, Ingrid Michaelson - Girls Chase Boys. In both music videos, they start out the same but in some way, the complete opposite. This is because in the original music video, it is based on women and in the pastiche music video, it has men dancing as if they are women. This could link to their make up, choreography and clothes.






Pastiche
A pastiche is a respectful mimic of a particular artist, style or director which is copied without being designed to mock. Lady Gaga's Alejandro has snippets of Gaga's interpretation of a march that was used in Madonna's music video. However, Lady Gaga's interpretation of the Vogue music video was more masculine than Madonna's. The masculinity was used in this music video (Alejandro) to show respect to the gay community as Lady Gaga appreciates them. 



Animation
Animation can be used in any genre and is also movement created by using a series of pictures or frames, for example cartoons like Daft Punk One More Time. In this five minute music video, it is a animated perfomance of the band, Daft Punk where they are not performing on Earth but in space. This is hyper-reality because animations can be based anywhere because they are illustrations of the artist's point of view or imagination. 



Allusion
An allusion is when references are used in a music video, such as when it refers to a person, place, an historic event that happened in the past or present, etc. Allusions can be figured out easily or quite difficult to figure out. A wide number of music videos use this, however the example I'm using, Lil Wayne Georgia Bush does not have a music video. Although, this track was used in his documentary: Lil Wayne: Behind The Music. This song is about former president, George Bush, as he is blaming what happened in New Orleans (Hurricane Katrina) on him. This song mocks George Bush in a way, as they refer to him as Georgia Bush, not George Bush. 

http://genius.com/Lil-wayne-georgia-bush-lyrics

Tuesday 11 October 2016

Group Work

Referencing (intertextuality); - Eunice 
Iggy Azalea's Fancy has intertextual references because it refers to the 1995 film, Clueless. Iggy Azalea Gained a worldwide recognition because it was a pastiche to the film. A pastiche is a respectful mimic of a particular artist, style or director that is copied without being made to mimic/mock. The reason this was done was to promote the film Clueless as the music video was old school and had the same exact scenes as what was in the film. At 0:41, this scene is a replica as what was filmed. Instead of there being three girls, there is the main artist, Iggy and the artist that features in the song, Charlie XCX with two other actors which are boys. The two artists are playing characters in this music video to take the attention off them as well as gain recognition. 

Sunday 9 October 2016

Assessment 2Bii

Andrew Goodwin has 6 music video theories which I will be discussing in this report, which are, how music videos demonstrate genre characteristics, for example, stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl bands, Links/relationships between the music and visuals, relationships between the lyrics and visuals, the demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artists may develop motifs which recur across their work, voyeurism, notion of looking and particularly voyueristic treatment of the female body, and intertextuality. 

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in metal video, dance routine for boy/girl band)
Rock performance videos such as Nirvana Lithium are generally focused on showing the whole band in the music video. It is performance based because of lip syncing, and performance, however it is not an advert for the live show because it is Live at Reading. The liveness of the music is the most important thing when it comes to performance based music videos because of the editing techniques such as fast pace editing when it gets to the fast parts of the song and slower paced cuts when the main artist starts to sing at a slow pace. The lighting in this music video is dark to represent a fierce, violent or dramatic tone and to set the mood. 




2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (either illustrate, amplifying, contradicting) 
In this music video, The A Team, there is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. This is done by the lyrics amplifying the visuals. When Ed Sheeran says: "And in a pipe she flies to the motherland" This means that when she is taking drugs, she feels more at home and does not want to live in reality. Another lyric interpretation is: "Or sells love to another man", this is shown by the main character in the music video getting ready to become an escort/prostitute. In the next shot it shows that she is waiting for a car to pass by so she cal sell herself for to replace her love. 





3. There is a relationship between music and visuals, synesthesia 
There will always be a relationship between the music and visuals because it sets the mood of the song. In this music video, Bad Romance by Lady Gaga, it is cut to the beat, which is a rhythmic montage. Whenever the song changes its pace, what ever is going on in any of the shots they will go either slow or fast depending on what is happening. For example, at 2:00, the action in the multiple shots are fast, such as the movement and pace. 



4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artists may develop motifs which recur across their work - the star in text.
The record label will always demand for the artists to have a lot of close ups to gain recognition for them. Record Labels use this to promote the artists by having the product in the shot. By using this, Miley Cyrus attracts young people because of the way she portrays herself using star image and also by the way she dresses. In the majority of the scenes that she is in, her costumes change but they are all revealing which makes it show that she is being sexualised or she is sexualising herself. She promotes herself with her clothes, image, reputation and her appearance as a sex appeal. Star in text is also used for rappers Wiz Khalifa, Mike WiLL Made It, and Juicy J. There are also shots of all 4 artists together at the end of the music video. There are more close ups of Miley Cyrus than the other 3 artists because it shows that she is the main artist in this music video, due to her singing the first verse, chorus and bridge. 





5. There is frequently voyeurism - reference to notion of looking (screens with screens, telescopes, etc.) and particularly voyueristic treatment of the female body
Voyeurism is very common in music videos because it promotes and or sells the artist via a sex appeal. In this music video, Starships, Nicki Minaj is being sexualised by the way she is dressed and also by the way she is portraying herself. In this video, she uses her sex appeal, which is her assets and appearance by luring her fans to enjoy and watch this video. Men are also being sexualised in this video because at 2:23, they are seen wearing just underwear running around. The notion of looking is used at various points in the music video. An example is at 1:01-1:04. It is shown where Nicki Minaj is first on the floor touching her assets whilst looking at the camera and also in the second shot, shaking her bum also looking at the camera. This is a direct address because she is singing and looking at or into the camera on purpose. 


6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, to programmes, other music videos, etc.)
Directors will use intertextuality such as relations or references to films, television programmes or other music videos to make the music video worth watching (more interesting). By using ideas from movies, it is a benefit because it promotes the movie in a way because of its references and also gains acknowledgement for the music video, artist and music director. Intertextuality is used in this music video because scenes from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome have been interpretative into a music video. This is because of the settings. For example, at 3:39, there is a desert scene of where there are a number of dune buggies which is just like what happened in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome however, in the movie there were motorbikes. 

Tuesday 4 October 2016

Assessment 2A. Pop, Indie, Hip Hop & Other | Homework (Group)

Pop - Eunice
MISE-EN-SCENE
Music videos from the pop genre are normally performance videos which is either narrative or is just dance. The three music videos in this report are all of artists that are women, which are lip syncing to the song. The lyrics of pop songs are based on the good aspects of life which is shown through the mise-en-scene. The music video is bright and in someways dark because the song is about hiding herself from the paparazzi. 


Costume
In the first music video, Piece of Me by Britney Spears, she has a number of outfit changes, but all of her outfits reveal certain parts of her body, just like the second music video, Madonna Hung Up. This is shown as voyuerism because of the way women are portrayed in these music videos. They are hardly wearing any clothes and the first song is being shown that Britney Spears is being sexualised by the way they are dressed. When it comes to music videos, costume is very important because it creates an image for the artist. For example, if the artist was to wear dull looking clothes, they wouldn't attract their target audience. However, if they were to wear designer or popular clothes, they would attract their target audience because the target audience are young teens and they like to follow the trend their artist sets.

Location/Settings
Normally, the location and or settings for a pop music video is based or filmed in either a club or in front of a green screen because it is a convention of a pop music video as it shows how colourful pop music is; like my example video above. 

Colours

Pop music videos generally have bright colours to bring the songs and music videos to life. My next example, This is What You Came For, is full of bright colours to represent the beat of the song. This music video is a performance music video because the artist, Rihanna is lip syncing to the song where there is a background of people partying and jumping up and down in the back or either on a green screen. 

Choreography
Choreography in pop music videos is popular because of the up-beat tempo. It is used in music videos because if the song was to be performed in either a music festival or concert, the artist and back up dancers will be able to repeat what was used in the music video, in real life. It will create a type of reality where the audience will be able to relate to the dance as they will focus more on the performance than the song itself. 

Performance


In this music video, there are lens flares, and colourful flashing lights from the effects used for this. There is a party atmosphere with the crowds partying and dancing and in the parties there would be alcohol that connotes a fun atmosphere. 


CAMERA & LIGHTING
Most music videos have a range of shot types such as close ups, extreme close ups and mid shots. This is to create the innocence of the artist and also their personality from their music. Close ups are also used for the use of lip syncing, to show the emotion in the artist's face. In Britney Spears' Piece of Me, there is high key lighting and also lens flares. 


EDITING
Pace, lip synching, cutting, transitions, rhythmic montage, tonal montage
The tone and pace of pop music videos are quite fast, as they cut to the beat, which is also rhythmic montage. There is also transitions such as wipes, which wipe from one scene to another. Also, fade in and outs are frequently used in music videos as they represent the many different effects used rather than just cutting (and also using jump cuts).




Indie - Ese



These videos tend to have varying combinations of conventions; such as bright and dark colours and lighting. Sometimes black and white depending on the tone of the lyrics and music. 


Indie music videos tend to be a mixture of narrative and conceptual. However, there are also performance based videos. A performance music video is a type of music video that  features the artist or group singing (lip syncing) The purpose of this kind of music video is to give the audience and fans a in-concert experience. A narrative music video is a video that tells a story. The narrative can be linear or non- linear. The purpose of a narrative music video is to convey a message. Conceptual music videos rely heavily on poetry and metaphors. These videos do not tell a story in a linear way, rather, they create mood and feeling.

The focal point can either be the main vocalist or the performance of the whole band, or even the band or artist not making an appearance in their music video. The narrative music videos in this context usually are more representational or symbolic, rather than illustrating the lyrics. In this sense, they are typically quite versatile. The editing techniques differ based on the pace of the music, whereby it can vary from slow to fast pace. The artists are generally presented in a casual manner reflecting upon their outfits. Indie artists typically try to promote their independent status in the music videos. They do this so that they can be seen as "different" or "unique". This helps to create their star image. 

Mise-en-scene (Location/settings,props and costumes)


Many Genres of music videos have a unique visual theme.This is normally something the audience will recognise and can relate to. Props,costumes and location all make up Mise-en scene. "Mise en scene" plays a large role in a lot of music videos. Props and costumes help create a artist's identity and sets them apart from other artists. They also make the video look and feel realistic. For indie music videos, the common props are normally the instruments. As mentioned before, indie artists want to promote their independent status and be branded as "real" musicians and creators. Using actual instruments in the video helps reinforce this notion. In indie music videos, the artists typically wear clothing that relates to the theme of the video. The clothing that indie artists wear in their videos often symbolizes something or creates meaning. For example, the clothing could represent the mood of the music video. If the mood of the music video is happy and energetic, the artists will wear bright colored clothing.However, If the mood of the video is dark with angst and sad, the artists will wear dark colored clothing (Black and grey). 

Locations that are often used in indie music videos are "everyday places". The purpose of indie music videos is not only to promote the indie artist, but to create a "real" image that the audience can actual relate to. This is why locations such as skate parks, residential areas and cities are used in indie videos. 





Foster the people's "Call it what you want" music video uses instruments. 







(Foster the people: "Call it what you want")






The Givers's "Up,Up,Up" music video is mostly set in new York city. However, a chroma key  effect with green screen is also used.





(Givers- Up,Up,Up)





Rock Mafia: Fly or Die










Rock Mafia’s Fly or Die music video is very different. This music video separates itself from the typical Performance and narrative videos one would usually see. The music video itself is an animated narrative. It uses a combination of 2D and CGI animation to complement the song and tell a story. It does not use any actually real footage. This video can also be considered as a concept music video. Concept music videos can include both performance and narrative aspects. Usually, concept videos are based around a surreal, poetic idea. This idea usually grabs the audience’s attention and draws them in. Songs within the indie genre tend to use a mixture of bright and dark colours in their music videos. The fact that both bright and dark colours such as black, red, orange and blue are used in the video, shows that this is a convention of indie music videos. The lyrics of the song relate to the visuals in the video. The video and song are telling the same story. The story is that a village has been attacked and raided by an evil Dictator/tyrant. The dictator and his army have taken control and destroyed most of the village. Everything the dictator touches turn evil and is stamped with an “Anubis industry” logo. The dictator himself is riding a giant Anubis robot. The logo is the letter “A” with an eye over it.






Anubis is an Egyptian god that is often associated with mummification and the afterlife. Anubis guided the souls of the dead through the underworld kingdom of his powerful father. His father was Osiris, the god of the dead. The fact that the giant Anubis is destroying everything could symbolize that he is taking the people of the village to the underworld. In other words, he is “Killing” them.  Not that far from the village, a group of people who seem to be monks, are meditating in a cave. The monks sense danger coming from the village and start to flee using flying vehicles. A girl who seems to be an apprentice is also trying to escape. However, her flying vehicle does not seem to work. 



At this point of the video, the chorus of the song starts, which is “Fly or Die”. The chorus of the song implies that the people must “fly” or risk being “mummified” and turned evil by the dictator and his giant Anubis. 





Editing techniques 




The Editing matches the pace of the music within particular indie music videos. This is common in indie music videos.This creates rhythm for the audience because the visuals are more exciting to watch. In the video below, the pace of the visual effects matches the beat of the song. 



















(Bloc Party: Ratchet)





Camera Work and Lighting

The most typical camera shots used in indie genre music video are close up. Close up shots introduce the artist and it helps to promote their "star image". Close up shots highlight the artist’s talents when they are singing. Crane shots are also popular when filming live performances as it allows different angles. Long and wide shots are used as establishing shots to set the scene of the narrative in the music video.




(Miles Kane- Don't forget who we are)




(Crystal Fighters - Love Natural)