Music Genre

The above presentation shows what pop music and how it has changed throughout the years. 

Production Log: Involving the Model and Choreographer

Over the week I didn't do much except talk to my model and choreographer about my coursework so far and when I am planning on shooting so they know when to be free for me. Today I started writing next to each lyric line what the model will be doing at each point, kind of like a script. I found this quite hard as I am planning on doing a performance-based video as I can’t imagine it to be a narrative. To think of dance routines and different poses is quite hard whereas a narrative would have a specific story to it with a beginning and an end and maybe possibly with flashbacks. I feel this task will take me longer than I thought.

Production Log: Costume Ideas

Over the weekend I did another research task, ‘research into a music director’. I researched into the music director that directed the music video of Come and Get It. Additionally I was meant to go out to the locations and take some still shots for the storyboard however due to terrible weather I was unable to go out however I still continued with the plan and took some shots at home. They were not the best however I think they will do for the storyboard. If I do get time later on I shall do it again. Today I looked at the dresses that my friend will make. I also thought of other costumes she could possibly wear. The dresses from the music video are shown below.

A Music Director

The above presentation is about a music director, Anthony Mandler and his work.

Production Log: Thinking of Theories to Link my Music Video to

During the week I did another research task, ‘analysis of music videos’. This task quite helped me a lot especially in thinking of more ideas and how to apply it to theories so it helps me in the exam. Additionally I have scheduled a weekend with my model and another friend who is the choreographer to create a storyboard. We will go to the locations we have in mind and take some still shots of possible moves and poses she will do in the music video. Also this way I can take raw footage of the locations and tick of that planning task.

Analysis of Music Videos

Demi Lovato - Give Your Heart A Break



This music video is typical narrative about a girl being upset with the boy after a break up. It starts of with Demi singing in a room and then a flashback of her and boyfriend painting the same room. It then goes back to her singing in the room. Then the boyfriend is shown in a typical stereotype of a boy's behaviour after a relationship - kind of careless and who seems upset and guilty at first but then will move on quickly. Then you see Demi looking at photos of them and the good times they had. She then gathers all the photos of them and puts them in a luggage bag which suggests there are loads of photos. She is then on the road, singing with a series of flashbacks of the two shown as well. What I really like the about video is the ending. The video keeps the audience wondering on what she will do with the photos; the audience would expect her to throw it in the sea or burn it. She then starts sticking the photos on the wall with a projector light shining against it. At the very end the audience see that with all the photos she has created one big photo of the two. During all that, continuous flashbacks were shown. And then you see that the wall she has created this is right in front of her boyfriend's apartment. 

Taylor Swift - You Belong With Me



This music video really appealed to me as it created through narrative. It follows Levi-Strauss' theory of binary opposites where blonde Taylor is unpopular and brunette Taylor is popular. I like how the beginning starts of with blonde Taylor and the boy across her apartment are talking to each other through notes. Blonde Taylor then changes outfits and tries to emphasise how people tend to judge a book by its cover too much. So people look at a person once and decide whether they like them or not without even getting to know them. The brunette Taylor is seen as the false hero in the music video which follows Propp's theory of his 8 main character types where the blonde Taylor would typically been seen as The Princess however she is actually The Hero as she gets what she wants and initially lacks something which in this case is popularity. The guy is The Donor as he helps the hero. 

Selena Gomez - Who Says



The very first scene of Selena with her eyes shut is really simple but attractive at the same time as the background is white. She then opens her eyes and starts singing. What I really liked about the music video is how some of the lyrics are shown within the video in different places of the city. I found that really cool and inventive. It added a natural effect to the video. Additionally I also liked when she took off her trendy dress and went out in a vest top and shorts with no make up to emphasise on the natural look of the entire video. 

Production Log: Getting Further Ideas from Researching

Over the weekend I did another research task, ‘Existing Music Labels’. I plan to do another research task or two during the week. Today I read the lyrics of the song thoroughly and got the beat in my head. I planned some more shots mentally on what I could do for my music video. For example one shot I thought of is that Noreen will be in a green field wearing a short flowery dress with bright pink or red petals in her hand and as she spins she will throw them in the air. I am planning adding a slow motion effect to it and it will be a bird’s eye view shot. However I don’t know at what point of the song I will place the shot.

Existing Music Labels

 

The above presentation shows existing music labels within pop music.

Production Log: Beginning to Research

During the week I did two research tasks which is History of Music Videos and Codes and Conventions of Music Videos. I have also started some of the planning such as locations however I haven’t yet put it on Blogger as I want to do them with perfection and not go over it again like I had to during my AS Coursework. Today I did a Resources Audit which includes all the possible resources I may use in order to create a successful music video. Also my aim for now is to just look at previous students’ music videos as well as music videos of famous pop artists for me to get a really good idea of what my music video should look like. During the weekend I will hopefully do another research task which will be Existing Music Labels.

Resource Audit

Below is a list of all the resources I may be using to create my music video. I have planned some key things I want in my music video for example the song, artist/performer, some locations etc.

Artists + Crew
I only have one friend who is able to be in my music video and doesn't being in it which is Noreen. She was also one of my two models for my AS coursework so she knows the general background. She is photogenic and has a good figure so all sorts of outfits can look nice. 
I will also have Muhaddisa to help me direct it as well choreographing if a dance routine is included. She will also be the costume and make-up designer. 

Song
I have already chosen the song that I will be doing which is 'Come and Get It' by Selena Gomez. I wanted to make sure I chose a song that my artist would enjoy dancing and singing to it and fortunately I also like this song and I feel the director should also like the song in order to create successful music video. 

Location
I have a number of locations that will be suitable for my song and will be effective;
- Northala Hills
- Hyde Park
- Trafalgar Square
- Central London

Costumes/Props
In the music video of Come and Get It, Selena wears a long white dress and due to Muhaddisa's textiles skills she will be able to make the white dress with a few tweeks here and there so it is suitable for Noreen.
I don't know what props I will be or wanting to use however a small idea in my mind is that at some point in the song I want Noreen throwing flower petals in the air as she spins and this will be shown in slow motion. So one of the props may be flower petals.

Equipment
Most the of the basic equipment will be provided by the school however if I want better then I will need to provide it myself.
Camera
Tripod
Green Screen
Other equipment I may be using is:
Makeup
Costumes
Lightings