Wednesday 9 September 2009
Planning - Mock CD/DVD Cover
This was my first thought, having a DVD cover rather than a CD cover. I thought this would make sense as it'd a video I would be marketing and not an album. The guitar imagery and smudged effects suggests that Mute are an electronic band. The font I used with pointed ends suggests that Mute have a slightly rocky edge to them, creating a rock/electronic image from just the case.
This second attempt is a CD case, I thought that I may as well explore every avenue of choice to get the best possible outcome. I decided to use a skateboard as this would create a similar effect of the rock genre. The font I decided to use suggests that the band are very serious and to the point. This would be the inlay and front cover, it would fold in on itself to show the end of the skateboard with no writing on, on the inside of the CD case and the end of the board with the band name and song title on for the front cover.
This second attempt is a CD case, I thought that I may as well explore every avenue of choice to get the best possible outcome. I decided to use a skateboard as this would create a similar effect of the rock genre. The font I decided to use suggests that the band are very serious and to the point. This would be the inlay and front cover, it would fold in on itself to show the end of the skateboard with no writing on, on the inside of the CD case and the end of the board with the band name and song title on for the front cover.
Planning - Shooting Schedule
Performance Section
Having decided to film on college grounds I will be filming between October 13th and October 16th during lesson hours as adequate daylight will be needed and if filmed during lunch, break or after school there will be a definate possibility of school pupils showing their immaturity by jumping around in the shots and ruining the filmed section.
Travelling Section
Will be definitely filming on Sunday 11th of October as the weather will be sunny.
Having decided to film on college grounds I will be filming between October 13th and October 16th during lesson hours as adequate daylight will be needed and if filmed during lunch, break or after school there will be a definate possibility of school pupils showing their immaturity by jumping around in the shots and ruining the filmed section.
Travelling Section
Will be definitely filming on Sunday 11th of October as the weather will be sunny.
Planning - Location and Song Permission
As I only filmed in public locations and on college grounds I did not need any permission to film. This proved very useful.
Planning - Props Preperation
Instruments
I originally wanted to use toy instruments for some comedic effect but soon after realising that it would not suite the music video nor the song very well I immediately decided to use real instruments. I shall acquire them via my college's music department for the draft filming and, if my application is successful, I shall be able to use equipment readily available at an alternative venue.
Skateboard
My Skateboard will be put to good use. The skateboard is the major portion of a 'skaters' image and as the song SOS is quite deep and meaningful it would appeal to skateboarders, thus the use of a skateboarder in the video.
Wrist Watch
This would be used as a point of view shot when the fan realises what time it is and begins his journey to the gig. It has no symbolism or particular meaning but is very important to move the story along.
I originally wanted to use toy instruments for some comedic effect but soon after realising that it would not suite the music video nor the song very well I immediately decided to use real instruments. I shall acquire them via my college's music department for the draft filming and, if my application is successful, I shall be able to use equipment readily available at an alternative venue.
Skateboard
My Skateboard will be put to good use. The skateboard is the major portion of a 'skaters' image and as the song SOS is quite deep and meaningful it would appeal to skateboarders, thus the use of a skateboarder in the video.
Wrist Watch
This would be used as a point of view shot when the fan realises what time it is and begins his journey to the gig. It has no symbolism or particular meaning but is very important to move the story along.
Planning - Costumes
Travelling Fan
The travelling fan will be wearing baggy denim jeans and a band shirt with skate shoes and possibly leather fingerless gloves (if male) or wrist accessories such as jelly bands, jewellery and bracelets (if female), as are the typical clothes of a skateboarder.
Band Members
The band members will be used as a base for animating still images over them, so what they wear will be up to them but typical band wear for this genre would be denim jeans and a t-shirt possibly band shirt or buttoned shirt and Converse All-Stars or skate shoes.
The Audience
The audience may or may not be in the video. This is because I may be able to animate some imaginary audience to simplify meeting up with people on set. Although, they would be wearing varying combinations of the styles listed above depending on their own personal style.
The travelling fan will be wearing baggy denim jeans and a band shirt with skate shoes and possibly leather fingerless gloves (if male) or wrist accessories such as jelly bands, jewellery and bracelets (if female), as are the typical clothes of a skateboarder.
Band Members
The band members will be used as a base for animating still images over them, so what they wear will be up to them but typical band wear for this genre would be denim jeans and a t-shirt possibly band shirt or buttoned shirt and Converse All-Stars or skate shoes.
The Audience
The audience may or may not be in the video. This is because I may be able to animate some imaginary audience to simplify meeting up with people on set. Although, they would be wearing varying combinations of the styles listed above depending on their own personal style.
Planning - Video Location Recon
Location #2 - Performance Locations
I decied to use numerous performance locations as Nottingham's Rock City was far too costly to rent out for an afternoon. By using several different locations I have created a continually interesting variation keeping the video's audience keen and captivated.
[Images to be uploaded]
I decied to use numerous performance locations as Nottingham's Rock City was far too costly to rent out for an afternoon. By using several different locations I have created a continually interesting variation keeping the video's audience keen and captivated.
[Images to be uploaded]
Planning - Actor/Performer Decisions
For the roles of band members I will be looking for 3 charismatic individuals that will be happy to have a good time on stage and in front of a camera. This will accurately reflect the attitude of a real band member to keep the realism of the video. For the role of the fan on his or her way to the gig I will be looking for a strong and confidant skateboarder to limit any injuries and if any occur he or she will be happy to continue.
For the role of the Fan on thier way to the gig I have casted myself and I can very confident at skateboarding very fast and all the skateboarders that I asked aren't very confidant at skateboarding at high speeds.
For the band members I have chosen [insert name#1], [insert name#2] and [insert name#3]. As the song isn't very energetic the chosen actors had no need for special abilities in performing, or lip syncing as I should be using an aniomated face over theirs.
As the role of Couple Rudely Skated Between I have chosen Alison Reid and Aaron Gillispie. I have chosen these two as they are in a relationship which would add to the realism of their character's relationship and they were readily available for filming when I'm free.
For the role of the Fan on thier way to the gig I have casted myself and I can very confident at skateboarding very fast and all the skateboarders that I asked aren't very confidant at skateboarding at high speeds.
For the band members I have chosen [insert name#1], [insert name#2] and [insert name#3]. As the song isn't very energetic the chosen actors had no need for special abilities in performing, or lip syncing as I should be using an aniomated face over theirs.
As the role of Couple Rudely Skated Between I have chosen Alison Reid and Aaron Gillispie. I have chosen these two as they are in a relationship which would add to the realism of their character's relationship and they were readily available for filming when I'm free.
Planning - Video Location Recon
Location #1 – Long Downhill Road
I decided to use this location as it was downhill and would allow myself to skateboard at a significantly fast pace to simulate the fan on the way to the gig being in a rush. I decided to break up this road into four sections as it is very long and would lay out through the video quite pleasantly.
I decided to use this location as it was downhill and would allow myself to skateboard at a significantly fast pace to simulate the fan on the way to the gig being in a rush. I decided to break up this road into four sections as it is very long and would lay out through the video quite pleasantly.
Planning - Treatment
For my music video I would like (if time is of adequate amount) to use Monty Python style animation in place of the band members. My chosen location will hopefully be Nottinghamshire's Rock City and will reflect the band's style of music and image accordingly. However, if this location is unavailabe then I would like to film on numerous locations and use jump cuts to show band members moving about the locations. No audience will be used as finding enough to fill a room will be extremely difficult. However some Monty Python animations may solve this problem, if feasible. The plotline will be of a fan of the band being late to the gig and making his way there, only to find he's at the wrong venue as the song finishes. Props used will consist of a skateboard, instruments and a microphone with stand. The video will run as follows:
- Fade in from black
- Establishing shot of venue
- Establishing shot of inside the venue
- Close up of band members as they begin to play
- Close ups as Boy wakes up at home realising the gig has started
- Long and Medium ranged shots as Boy gets up dressed and makes his way to the venue
- Close and Medium range shots of band playing
- Long panning shots of audience having a good time
- Long and Medium ranged shots of boy skateboarding down streets and alleys
- Close up shots of band performing
- Close and Medium shots of boy encountering problems on his journey to the venue
- Close and Medium shots of band performing
- Establishing shot of boy arriving at the wrong venue
- Close up and Medium range shots of band finishing song
- Close up and reverse zoom from Boys disappointed face when arriving at wrong venue
- Fade to black
- Fade in from black
- Establishing shot of venue
- Establishing shot of inside the venue
- Close up of band members as they begin to play
- Close ups as Boy wakes up at home realising the gig has started
- Long and Medium ranged shots as Boy gets up dressed and makes his way to the venue
- Close and Medium range shots of band playing
- Long panning shots of audience having a good time
- Long and Medium ranged shots of boy skateboarding down streets and alleys
- Close up shots of band performing
- Close and Medium shots of boy encountering problems on his journey to the venue
- Close and Medium shots of band performing
- Establishing shot of boy arriving at the wrong venue
- Close up and Medium range shots of band finishing song
- Close up and reverse zoom from Boys disappointed face when arriving at wrong venue
- Fade to black
Research - CD/DVD Cover Analysis #2
Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Front CoverThe front cover of this album is very futuristic. The cold and emotionless colours suggest some industral and robotic, possibly electronic music. Even the font that is used for the artists name and album title is very much a computer style, similar to a digital clock - a very industrial and futuristic item in itself. The case is the usual hard plastic but there is one major difference, the corners (often sharp and pointed) have been smoothed over to stop any cuts or scratches that may occur when handling the case, a very thoughtful idea from the case's designer.
Back Cover
The image used on the back is very imposing as the image is a very low angle, at the artists feet. This makes him appear more important, boosting Q-Tip's ego as an artist. The tracklist is clearly shown as the writing is white on the dark nearly black background.
Full InlayThe inside of the case is, as the exterior design, slightly different to traditional hard plastic cases. The semi-circular hooks that hold down the lyric book are on the virticle sides rather than the horrizontal sides. This suggests that Q-Tip is trying to break the mould of typical hard plastic case designs and could be symbolic of him breaking the mould of genres as an artist.
Research - CD/DVD Cover Analysis #1
Koop - Koop Islands
Front Cover
This album, instead of the traditional hard plastic case, is covered in a pleasant sky blue card sleeve. There is a minimal amount of writing on the front which stops distracting the target audience from the main image of the album. This main image is actually seen on the inlay, on the front cover there is a circular hole. This is quite individual and so would appeal to an individual audience in an attempt to relate to their individuality. The thin perfectly straight lines across the top of the cover combined with the cool blue colour creates a very calm feeling. This is a good reflection of their music.
Full Inlay
The cover of the CD has kept with the colour scheme on the front cover of the album with the gentle sky blue and black writing. This is to continue the peaceful and loving theme throughout. The lyric book is quite cleverly half slipped into the back of the image you see on the front. This makes the book become neatly hidden but clearly on view at the same time.
Lyric Book
The lyric book, like the rest of the album, has kept with the chilly blue theme. In the centre of the lyric book there is a single image of the duet sat on either end of a red sofa. Both looking very calm and serious, this has kept the running calm theme but has splashed the first colour other than white, blue and black. This creates a much needed break in the sea of nothing that is the majority of the album case.
Back, Front and Inlay Image
The colour scheme has been contnued onto the back with the sky blue background white secondary writing and black primary writing. This makes the album case look very clean and crisp as the scheme is kept the same.
Front Cover
This album, instead of the traditional hard plastic case, is covered in a pleasant sky blue card sleeve. There is a minimal amount of writing on the front which stops distracting the target audience from the main image of the album. This main image is actually seen on the inlay, on the front cover there is a circular hole. This is quite individual and so would appeal to an individual audience in an attempt to relate to their individuality. The thin perfectly straight lines across the top of the cover combined with the cool blue colour creates a very calm feeling. This is a good reflection of their music.
Inlay
This image clearly shows half of the inlay. A very soft image of the duet of Koop with them both wearing softly coloured make-up and not too strikingly coloured clothes and jewellery. This also reflects their soft and calm music style.
Full Inlay
The cover of the CD has kept with the colour scheme on the front cover of the album with the gentle sky blue and black writing. This is to continue the peaceful and loving theme throughout. The lyric book is quite cleverly half slipped into the back of the image you see on the front. This makes the book become neatly hidden but clearly on view at the same time.
Lyric Book
The lyric book, like the rest of the album, has kept with the chilly blue theme. In the centre of the lyric book there is a single image of the duet sat on either end of a red sofa. Both looking very calm and serious, this has kept the running calm theme but has splashed the first colour other than white, blue and black. This creates a much needed break in the sea of nothing that is the majority of the album case.Back, Front and Inlay Image
The colour scheme has been contnued onto the back with the sky blue background white secondary writing and black primary writing. This makes the album case look very clean and crisp as the scheme is kept the same.
Research - Website Analysis
System of a Down
The first band website I have chosen to analyse is of System of a Down (http://www.SystemofaDown.com/). Their homepage is very simple and clearly laid out to ease usage and is minimalistic, contrasting with their deep and meaningful music. There are navigational links at the top of the page for News, Discogrpahy, Message Board, Links, System Gear, Lyrics, Media and Home. As the band are currently on hiatus they use the News section of the site to keep the fans up to date with what the ex-band members are currently up to in their solo careers and then let the members of the website to use the Message Board to discuss the band. The main image is of their fans at a very large gig. This suggests that the band care more about the fans than their own image and thus proving they are an organic band rather than synthetic. What further proves this is the clear range of .mp3's available at the bottom of the homepage to listen to while surfing the website. The colour scheme is very dark and the main image is black and white. This reflects System of a Down's sometimes dark lyrics and occasionally similar music videos. At the very bottom of the homepage and all pages on the website is a link to http://www.OnGuardOnline.gov/. This shows that the band also cares about how safe their fans are on social networking sites as the problem of 'grooming' has been a frequent headline in the 21st century.
The Prodigy
The second band website I am going to analyse is of The Prodigy (http://www.TheProdigy.com/). In contrast to System of a Down's website, this homepage is very long and messy. However it is still easily navigated with similar links at the top of the page including; Home, The Band, Music, Gigs, Photos, Videos, Community and Skins. Unlike the previous homepage, The Prodigy have opted for advertisement over simplicity. Although the webpage is crisp and pleasently laid out, it feels a bit over endulged in comparison to System's homepage. The colour scheme is very dark and effective with the five different Skins that are available which reflects their dark image and often disturbing music videos. Similarly to System's website, there are Images, music tracks, music videos and merchandise available to visiters of the website. This is a good example of Dyer's theory about Stardom and moulding the band's image.
Research - Director Research
Adam Nathanial Yauch
Also known as Nathanial Hörnblowér and Bloach, has directed 10 music videos for Beastie Boys including; Intergalactic, Shadrach and Shake Your Rump. As well as directing videos for the Beastie Boys Adam is also an avid skateboarder and snowboarder and was also featured as an un-lockable character in the game Tony Hauks: Proving Ground. His video for 'Intergalactic' by Beastie Boys is perticularly my favourite as the parody of Japanise Kaiju films is very amusing. The use of this parody styling generates a lot of popularity among fans and non fans alike.
Marcos SiegaBorn in 1969, he has been a film, television, advert and music video director. He has worked with bands such as Weezer, System of a Down, P.O.D, Papa Roach, Blink 182 and many more. At the MTV Video Music Awards he was nominated three times for his video to 'All the Small Things' by Blink 182 and also received a Grammy Award nomination for his video to 'Broken Home' by Papa Roach.
My personal favourite video of his is 'Chop Suey' by System of a Down. His clever use of editing to merge all the band members together as they play at a live show weaving in and out of each other is ingenious. I think the use of having a I've audience there in the video portrays the intensity of System of a Down's gigs and would entice viewers of the video to go to them.
Research - Questionnaire
All eight people that I asked were either aged 17 or 18 which is the target audience I was aiming for. In my final video I would like to use either some animation in place of the band or have stand in band members wearing oversized and miss-shaped masks of the real band members. I would also like to use toy instruments in the video to create some humour for the viewers.
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Research - The Industry
Mute
-Mute are a Rock/Electronic unsigned band and based in Canada.
-The members include lead singer Alex Geddes from London, guitarist/synthasiser Marc Dahan and bass/synthasiser Carl Lafontaine both from Canada.
-Alex had put his life savings into rescuing the band from breaking up, but roughly a year ago, when the lead singer was unable to extend his visa to stay in Canada, Alex regretably was forced to move back to the UK.
-Mute are an 'on the edge' type of band and would probably suit a record label such as Fierce Panda or Kscope as they both sign bands of progressive/electronic rock genres.
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