Change in music video idea

The original idea myself, Jodie and Fran had for our music video has been replaced, with the idea of a montage style video. Whilst watching various music videos on TV and YouTube, we came together and agreed on the decision of a montage style video of ourselves, and our friends in a variety of settings miming the lyrics to our chosen song. Not only do we want to create our video from a slightly personal aspect, but we have found 'break up resulting in drugs/alcohol and party scene' music videos incredibly more stereotypical and popular in the recent music industry - which we want to avoid. Although this option would give us more videos to help our own ideas, we agreed a fun video incorporating our memories and experiences with those around us would attract a wider audience. Also, we found that watching music videos based on relationships and rebellion left us with a different impact to those featuring a variety of people enjoying themselves and miming along to the song playing. For example, watching the video to 'Example ft Skream - Shot yourself in the foot again' didn't leave us with the same upbeat happy style of mood that 'Duck sauce - Barbra Streisand' had. We want to make an impact on our viewers, and ultimately; get them involved, which is why our video will include a montage of:
- Friends and family joining in with the lyrics to our chosen song
- Our memories
- Birthdays
- Party's
- Events that make us happy

Music video ideas

The music video idea myself and my group have decided on follows the story line of a boy and girl in a relationship which takes a turn for the worst when the girl reads a text that reveals her boyfriend is being unfaithful. In result of this the girl turns to alcohol, drug abuse and wild partying to solve her issues...

The History and development of music videos!

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Elements of a music video

Conventions of a music video from Laurie95

What is a music video?

I thought that it was important for me to understand the meaning of a music video, as well as it's purpose. So I did a little research and these were my results, which helped me to understand my project.

During one of my Media lessons I was given the task of listening to a piece of music that I hadn't heard before (without watching the video) and creating an idea for a video relevant to the music I had heard. The music we listened to was by a band called Soundgarden called 'Black hole sun'. The idea I came up with with Fran Harris contrasted with the official video significantly, below is the idea we came up with: Set in the early 90's Soundgarden are playing on stage at a senior school prom. The music video opens as the camera focuses from a high angle on a boy and girl slowly dancing together at the prom. As the camera tracks and zooms into the couple, the music begins to develop and we recognize their intimate relationship. Eventually in the video there are a series of flash backs between the boy and girl and the relationship they have shared during high school; meeting, spending time together, falling in love... However, as the music becomes more fast paced, the characters grow older and begin to bicker and argue which is repetitively shown as flash backs on the video whilst the music is becoming similarly repetitive. Towards the end of the video when the music returns to it's slower pace as we heard at the beginning, we are taken back to the school prom where the boy and girl are dancing together. The video concludes with both the boy and girl driving in separate cars and going their separate ways to new colleges. After watching the official video to this song, you will notice that the idea above is very different, however also very relevant - as the era is accurate to when this song was produced - and the lyrics appear to be appropriate as the 'Black hole sun' metaphorically takes away the happiness and love shared between the teenagers.

The first video I am going to analyse is Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

The camera angles included in the opening of the video allow Lady Gaga to remain central to the people around her, although the opening shot is a wide shot featuring a lot of people, Lady Gaga appears to be a figure of authority as the camera tracks towards her. This similar central attention is featured whilst Lady Gaga is frozen with diamonds around her, as the camera pans around the room with Lady Gaga being the object of central attention. The authority Lady Gaga appears to have over the other dancers and the men she is dancing for is accentuated by the low angle shot which allows her to appear higher up and taller.
It is not only the camera angles which represent this idea, but also the mise-en-scene. The setting of the video is in a white room which appears cold and desolate, not only does this create a similar atmosphere but also a reflection of the people surrounding Gaga in white clothes. To highlight Lady Gaga's extravagance she wears gold whilst others are in white clothing, connoting her importance in contrast to the others who appear pure. The men in the video however, are wearing black; representing an evil dark side. Whilst the women dance synchronously the sound - particularly Lady Gaga's voice becomes less powerful and demanding when she sings 'want your bad romance' and in fact becomes softer, indicating a more sexual tone. The editing accompanies this mood as rather than being fast paced with flashing lights as we have seen in the remainder of the video, it focuses on a more placid notion. Lady Gaga's outfits throughout the video are very overstated and exaggerated, which suites the lyrics and herself as an artist.

A video that contrasts with this extraordinary theme is:
Gotye - Somebody that I used to know

This video is contrasts with Lady Gaga's significantly as it is relatively minimalistic including only two people; both performers of the song who are expressing their emotions through music amongst abstract art. The camera angles in this video remain specifically between head shots and shoulder shots, proving the video to be rather personal - which suites the lyrics distinctively. The mise-en-scene and prominent colour use in this video begins with white, signifying purity and a simplistic attitude however eventually the walls and people in the video become painted with pastel colours during their singing. Editing in the video is also very minimal, other than stock motion animation and relatively long lasting shots. The sounds in the video features a contrast of a male and female voice; male being low pitched and the females being high pitch - this could be a reflection of their contrasting opinions demonstrated in the lyrics. Neither the male or female are dressed, which similarly to the camera angles creates a personal and natural attitude. This music video proves that unlike Lady Gaga, it isn't always necessary to be extravagant to sell your music.