Music Video - Final Cut ( Mila J - No More Complaining)

When presseing play on the video please click the full screen button to see it in its true video format.

Inside Cover

CD Cover

•   -Stylish and modernised font with pink colour to connote a glamarous look to the cover which is conventional of the R&B genre.

• Instinct Studio's label is shown clearly with a countour style to make it stand out more in the corner.

• Website advertised for extra publicity.

• Smudge effects used with photoshop, lighting effects and color balance adjustments.

Magazine Advert For Artist

• Black and white aesthetic to give a 'gloomy' atmosphere as that is what the song may connote thus linking the two together.

• Instinct studios made up, added in for the convention of music magazine adverts and cd covers to represent the label with the artist.

• Mila J and No more complaining in stylish but sophisticated font in a pink colour to represent a glamorous look.

• Release date in big white text contrasting with the backround to make it stand out more to the reader making it more rememberable.

• Stylish and yet modernised clothing on performer to link in with conventions of R&B music.

Backcover of music cd

•  Conventional as in bar codes, artist website, image and titleblock
• Logos which are recognized and are seen in all covers.  
•  Stylish and modern font which is in a feminist colour and  style 
•  Artist stands out because of stroke effect.

Evaluation - Question 1,2,4

 To see the work in a  more clear format please click the button View On Slideshare and then Full Screen Advanced Production – Evaluation A2 Media Coursework

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Evaluation - Question 3

What have you learned from your audience feedback?

• Presenting our first rough draft of our music video to peers, teachers and others gave us in depth feedback on what we should do to improve our video. The most clear point stated was that our video used to much greenscreen footage, therefore our group then decided to film more footage, renew the greenscreen with more type of shots for example mid shots and close-ups. However during this rough cut our video does show a lot of similarity with other R&B music for example Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”, in addition we also wanted to show our performer to be more independent as it links in with the lyrics of the song.

• Another point which came across is that there was not enough footage of the main performer with her boyfriend to inform the audience more that they were in love and together as it wasn’t clear enough. As a result we decided to do more filming of the two together representing them to be happy for example showing them laughing together.

• Feedback also helped us to understand that our music video wasn’t as interesting compared to others as there was just not enough cuts. To render this problem we decided to add a variety of shots and effects between long, medium and close ups of the main performer (Bianca) in greenscreen and flashbacks.For example quick cuts, cross disolves, slow motion effects were used to add to the entertainment value of the video.

• Furthermore the feedback given towards the CD cover and magazine advert were mostly positive as it was clear that both linked together and shared codes and conventions of the R&B genre and really showed off the Photoshop ability of the group as lighting effects, smudging, colour balance, gradients, sharpening and cropping were used proficiently.

• Recorded Feedback - Click Link Below
• R09_0017.WAV

CD Cover

You must include the back cover / complete net of the CD cover as per the instructions given.

Message from Ms Prince

Your blog has now been marked for research and planning. Any subsequent work added will not count towards your overall mark.

Music Video alterations after presentation and feedback.

After preseneting our rough video and recieving feedback from teachers, students and peers we understood what needed to be done to the video to help for a more entertaining and better representation of characters through our video. The feedback involved that we create more flashbacks, more cuts and more footage instead of greenscreen. However because of the short time-span in which we had to film and finish the video for the deadline only certian objectives were met.

As you can see we decided to add text to are footage to create a better opening to our music video. We used a formal script for a reason as it shows the concept of the video in a better light.





 As you can see we added a cross dissolve transition for a better performance and cutting of the video. We used a black and white aesthetic to represent a flashback and gloomy mood.

 
-As you can see because of the feedback that told us that we should have more cuts and shots in the video we filmed more footage, and to show the actual relationship of the two before the break up to give the characters more depth.

- In this part of the video we added a slowmotion effect to make the footage more dramatic and to actually show that the performer is enraged about whats happened.

Photographs - Planning, Work in progress, Other.

Work In Progress - Editing

• Cheating scene

• Flashback

• At this point we were adding our scene transitions for exmaple a cross dissolve, as you can see from the screen above.

Filiming Days - Journal

Monday 22nd of March: 
Filming time: 1:25-2:15pm
Setting: House
Plot: Flashback

We needed more flashbacks for the video as there was not enough to show the relationship of the two characters.

Friday 15th of March :
Filming Time : 1:25-2:15pm
Setting :  Greenscreen room
Plot : Re-shoot.

The 1st green screen shoot we did on the 11th of november was not up to par as problems occured during the video such as blurry footage and performer going out of frame, therefore we did a reshoot.

Wenesday 18th November :    

Filming Time: 3:30pm
Setting: Park
Plot : Flashback                  

The filming we did on this day included a flashback scene which will be edited to be in black and white to signify to the audience that it is in past. This scene was filmed beacuse it links in with the plot of our video as a remembrence scene to add more depth to the video and character build up.    

Wenesday 11th November :

Filming Time :  9:05am
Setting : Greenscreen in CLC

We started to shoot our performance based scenes by having our performer mime the lyrics whilst having the screen be adjusted to a white backround as well as black clothing to contrast them with each other.

Monday 9th Novemeber :          

Filming Time : 4pm
Setting :  Park - Flowers, Trees - Open space.

What we filmed was the opening scene of are main performer rejecting a phone call from her boyfriend to symbolise her rejection off him and the begining of her empowerment. We did a low angle shot of her walking down the path and then beginning to perform the song by miming the lyrics.
After as it sun setted we decided to take a shot of it as it can be the ending of the music video e.g. showing the sunset then fades out which may show happiness or freedom has been acheieved.

Story Board

Some photo's of the Story Board- We used the story board to see what kind of shots and mise-en-scene we can use.

Details of track : Mila J - No More Complaining

  Mila J - No More Complaining

[VERSE 1]
He done let me down a again
Thats odd
Always hurting me
He dont never stop
Must be something wrong with me
Im lost
Cause I cant quit letting him
in my heart
How many times am I
gonna let him apologize
Before I realize
That he aint worth it, no
How many times he gone light me
before I blow
This is critical
Here I go

[CHORUS]
Damn Im sick and tired
of how he keep on lying
Damn Im sick and tired
of feeling like Im dying
So, no more complaining
Either put up with it or let it go
Damn Im sick and tired
of making up and breaking up
And Im over being alone
when I wake up
So, no more complaining
Either put up with it or let it go

[VERSE 2]
I should be packing up again
Thats odd
And this time I aint playing
Im a call it off
I know I shouldnt want revenge
But its a thought
And maybe if I paid him back
I could move on
How many times am I
gonna let him tear me down
Let him hang around
He aint worth it (no)
How many times he
gone light me before I blow
This is critical
So here I go (aw yeah)

[CHORUS]
Damn Im sick and tired
of how he keep on lying (he be lying)
Damn Im sick and tired
of feeling like Im dying
So, no more complaining (no more)
Either put up with it or let it go (oh)
Damn Im sick and tired
of making up and breaking up (Making up, breaking up)
And Im over being alone
when I wake up (when I wake up)
So, no more complaining (no more, no more)
Either put up with it or let it go (with it or let it go)

[BRIDGE]
Hey
Damn I wish I knew then
What I know now
Damn I wish I never given you
the benefit of the doubt
I cant believe Im going through this
Boy you got me like whoa
And all the dirty little secrets
Now I know what youre all about
Oh, and ooh ooh baby
I think I done had enough
I think its time that you go away
I just cant take it (oh)
I think I done had enough (oh, yeah yeah)

[CHORUS]
Damn Im sick and tired
of how he keep on lying (Im so sick and tired, damn)
Damn Im sick and tired
of feeling like Im dying (dying)
So, no more complaining (no complaining, oh)
Either put up with it or let it go (I aint gonna put up with this time, boy)
Damn Im sick and tired
of making up and breaking up (no more)
And Im over being alone when I wake up (no more, no more)
So, no more complaining
Either put up with it or let it go
No more complaining (oh yeah, yeah, yeah)
Either put up with it or let it go (yeah)
Either put up with it or let it go

Mila J - No more complaining

Codes and Conventions Of R&B Music

Generic Codes and Conventions :

- Sophistication (May signify wealth)
- Makeup/Hair well made.
- Props such as cars/jewllery/
- Glamorous features such as hooped earings

-Ussualy performance and narrative based.
- Editing used include fades, quick cuts in between scenes.
- Studio based shots generally used.

- Black and white effect may be used.
- Tracking shots, close ups, and midshots to show emotions, body laungauge or setting.

Narrative Thoery Research

Todorov argues that narrative involves a transformation of the characters or the situations are transformed through the progress of the disruption. For example a narrative starts of ‘normal’ then there is a disturbance in something, which challenges the character. The character then recognises it and starts to put it right. Then the disturbance is fixed and things go back to normal or a new equilibrium. In a narrative there is an organisation of facts/events. Everything has a beginning, middle and an end.

Vladimir Propp was a Russian critic who examined 100’s of folk tales to see if they had pattern/similarities. He found out most of them had 8 characters and 31 narrative functions. The characters are the villain(s), the hero, the donor – who provides and object with magic power, the helper who aids the hero, the princess (someone who needs help), her father who rewards the hero, the dispatcher who sends the hero, the fake hero. This kind of narrative is usually seen in fairy tales and in TV news programmes where they portray the ‘hero’ and the ‘villain’.
Claude Levi Strauss looked at narrative structure in terms of binary opposition. His theory is that narrative can only end on a resolution of conflict. Opposition can be visual (light/darkness) or conceptual (love/hate) and to do with sound track binary oppositions.

In out music video we can use the narrative theories to show the story, if we are doing a narrative music video. We can use Propp’s theory to introduce the character at the beginning. Then use Todorov’s theory to establish the narrative structure.
We can establish core themes by using Levi Strauss’s theory. The music video can show the story of a girl (heroin) who has to overcome the problem (complaining to her boyfriend) and leaves him in the end (resolution).

Audience Research : Questionnaire Results 2

Audience Research : Questionnaire Results

Audience Research - Focus Group Responses

Focus Group Responses

In my focus group I had 5 people listen to the track which my group has chosen and outlined my ideas for the music video which we will construct and the target audience we are trying to aim towards. I then asked for what they had expected from their opinions of what they would see in a music video for this particular song.

What would my target audience expect in the video?

“what I would expect is a scene which shows the singer performing with her ‘boyfriend’ to show the past and how the relationship was and then eventually breaking apart giving the characters in the video more depth of detail of history, so the audience can understand the video much better and feel the song is suitable to the video.”

“should be performance shot which could be much like the new Beyonce song called ‘broken hearted girl’ as the lyrics are similar, so I believe there should be shots of a green screen in there somewhere.”

Others had similar points, I believe these are key points which can help my group construct are video as the points are achievable and are within bounds, giving us more research into our target audience which means we know what they want.

Which music TV channels would your group expect to see the video broadcast on?

- TMF
- MTV
- ChannelU

Questionnaire for target audience

A2 Practical Production Audience Research

Questionnaire

Please choose the boxes which are appilicable to you.
Quantitative Research: questionnaire for 30 people

1. What is your gender? : 

[ ] Male or [ ] Female

2. Which age range do you apply to?

13-15 [ ] 16-18 [ ] 19-21 [ ] 22+ [ ]

3. What type of music genres do you listen to? (Multiple choices allowed)

Rock [ ] R&B [ ] Pop [ ] Hip-Hop [ ] Dance [ ] Classical [ ] Heavy Metal [ ]

Other _________

4. What music TV channels do you watch and why? (Multiple choices allowed)

TMF [ ]   MTV [ ] Chart Hits [ ] Scuzz [ ] MTV Classic [  ] Smash hits [  ] Vibe [ ]

Kerrang [ ] the Box [ ] Other _________

5. Favourite 3 music videos, why?

……………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………

6. What type of music video do you prefer?

Narrative Based¹ [ ] Performance Based² [ ] Concept Based³ [ ] 

Combination of these styles [ ]

7. Does a good music video make you want to buy the track?

Yes [ ]     No [ ]

8. What type of music promotion appeals to you the most?

Billboards [ ] Posters [ ] Magazine Adverts [ ] TV Adverts [ ] Radio commercials [ ]

Internet [ ]

9. What do you look for in a print based advert for a music group or artist?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

10. What do you look for in a DVD or CD cover?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………….......

Well done for completing most of the research tasks Adil. You now need to use the Blog checklist to complete the remaining tasks. In addition you should add Youtube links for your textual anaysis music videos. Also add screen shots of your editing work in progress.

TV Logo Analysis

Textual Analysis: Goldie - Inner City Life

Goldie - Inner City Life

Analysis

Inner city life has a main theme of portaying how life is for people who live in the inner city, giving the audience a point of view of how poverty effects residents and how they may deal with it for example in the video there is a mom who has children but has many problems such as not being able to pay bills, consequently leading her into prostituiton to pay them as scenes where the camera is in a bird eye view position and we see the woman with a man in a bed but are not really intimate or close which may suggest that this is what has happened.

An establishing shot is used to help introduce the setting for the video, what we see is an urban area which can be said to be in poverty e.g. council flats, in addition the setting which is shown is in black and white thus adding to the effect of poverty. The mise-en-scene which is shown signifies many things such as the shots of the BMW's on a rough state which stereotypically has negative connotations of how the person may have bought it, for instance drug dealing highlighting who may have power in the area.

The messages which are evident in the text are that everyone has problems have thier own way of dealing with them such as playing sports or going to clubs; giving them a escapsism of reality allowing them to keep their problems to one side.
Marxists would argue that these are realisitic messages of how life is in the urban area as the lyrics and images suggest serious matters i.e. the lyrics "i long to be free" highlights the fact that life is not pleasant for these people and they long for something different.

This text challenges the hegemonic control as it gives a different prespective of how inner city life is represented; it depitcs key problems of poverty and allows the audience to interpret them in their own way, its giving the audience to see the problems which exist and they need to be solved.

The taget audience for this text is mainsteamers as it relates to them, therefore giving an adding meaning to it as they can see themsevles in their 'shoes'; it provides them with a familiar feeling to it as they can relate to it.

   

Textual Analysis: Michael Jackson - Thriller

Generic codes and conventions in the video of thriller is much different from what you would usually see in its decade as the costume designs and amount of performers in the video are significantly different. As celebrities are usually known for being the fashion icons of this world, the costume design of Michael Jackson’s red suit stood out from the rest as it was much more unique and eye-catching then others. Furthermore as this was a pop music video the amount of performers being in sync and dancing to the same moves was at a larger scale, making the video much more entertaining and matchless. 

The relationship between sound and images have been used exceptionally as well for example scenes such as the graveyard coming to life a voiceover also being included really sets the atmosphere and mood giving added depth to the track, this particular scene makes the whole video seem like a horror film as the voiceover explains what is going on giving the video a gothic and horror theme.

Additionally the use of camera shots and angels is varied, in the beginning of the video we start of with a long shot / tracking shot of Michael Jackson and the actress, this allows us to see costume design and body language of the two, the actress in the video is shown to be fashionable and glamorous as the high-heels and coat/jeans suggests so.

The video also features aspects of horror costumers and characters that are depicted in this to be superior and important; by having rapid zoom in and low angle close-up shots it is straight-forward to the audience that this is a visual change in the leads characters appearance which has a dramatic relevance to the lyrics on of the song giving emphasises that this is a ‘scary’ video. We also encounter many long shots in this video as well thus allowing the video to give a much greater visual impact as the audience can see the mise-en-scene in the video such as the gothic settings of graveyards and deserted houses.

There are many low angle shots of the zombies in the video which shows them to be superior as they are chasing Michael and the actress; this helps us to understand that they are isolated and venerable to them.

The intertextuality included in this video such as the evil laugh and American ware wolf also signifies the theme of the video as a ‘horror film’. Lastly this particular video is narrative, concept and performance based mixing up all elements of music videos appealing to a much wider audience and giving much more to see and admire by the viewer. The choreographed dance performance is an iconic routine of Michael Jackson and can be seen in any of his music videos, additionally the horror aspect gives it a concept as well as the beginning scene of Michael Jackson with the woman adding a narrative.

Textual Analysis: Rihanna feat Jay-Z - Umbrella

The generic codes and conventions which can be seen in this video are very traditional to what you would see in a R&B singers music video for example there are background performers which are in sync to the dance moves Rihanna is doing; this helps the music video look more professional and entertaining as there is much more to see for the viewers rather then one moving image which can be boring if not executed in a proper manner and category.  As we go through the video we are immediately introduced to Rihanna with tracking mid shots; the costume which we see Rihanna is wearing can be seen to be ‘seductive’ as the clothes that are worn are leather which is used to plead the male audience watching the music video.  Furthermore as the video progresses the use of props expands as we see an umbrella held by Rihanna and background performers which is expected thus linking up with the song lyrics making it easier to understand the meaning of the song and video. In addition to this prop we see effects which are associated with umbrellas such as water and rain, the effects show water which is being “manipulated” by Rihanna’s movements, in addition to this there is actual rain dropping whilst they are dancing. This may be a recognizable scene for some audiences who are familiar with the song ‘im singing in the rain’; this can add a nostalgic and familiar feel to the video.

There are other effects which are also used in the video which are being utilized more frequently in music videos such as the blur effect which blurs everything on screen for a second but then returns into normal imaging, this process makes the camera seem handheld and adds a unique effect to the video making it seem ‘distorted’ thus engaging the audience to keep looking to understand what is going to happen after the image has been un-blurred.   Moreover as we go towards the end of the music video there are effects such as green screen this allows the background to be adjusted to what the creator wants it to be, this particular video adjusts the background to be grey/ white alternatively adding a ‘luminosity’ effect of what is being seen as Rihanna is painted in silver making the images stick in to the viewers mind, making it a very unique and distinctive image; the image is of a triangle with Rihnna posing with it, the triangle it self is a sign  which Jay-z  uses frequently making it a icon or recognition of him.

Editing includes fade in/out and a quick cut which is the basic concept of how a music video should be constructed making it easy to follow the narrative and allowing the audience to know when the next scene has started. Lastly the video is mainly performance based as we see Rihanna miming the lyrics, there is no narrative at all.

As there are two versions of this music video one featuring jay-z there are slight differences, Jay-z featured in this video allows the song to be much more popular as a much wider target audience is attracted because fans of both artist would then want to listen to this song. As jay-z is seen to be one of the best rappers in the world it was a key point to have him in the video as he introduces rihanna to being the song. Jay-z is shown for a brief 20-30 seconds within this time there are shots such as close ups and and mid shots, this allows us to see what costume is being worn for example there is a close tracking shot going up to show all the clothing, the trainers are in gold which connotes his wealth, the brand seems to be ‘rocawear’ which is jay-z own clothes store/brand which can be adverting his branch of fashion, Jay-z is shown to be a confident and famous person as the lyrics suggest so ‘you know me an anticipation, for precipitation’ this could be a stereotypical view of how rappers persona may be like. 

Textual Analysis: Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction

The narrative is playing on the fact that Snoop Dogg is a ‘pimp’, the lyrics signify this clearly for instance, the verse “she might be with him, but she thinking off me” connotes that Snoop Dogg is a playa and has won this women’s heart. The imagery which we are shown when this lyric is heard links in as well, the image of snoop and a woman on the bed with a green screen effect of space, thus implying that he is that ‘good’ in bed that the woman is sent to the heavens or sky. 

In the video sensual seduction women are represented stereotypically from the point of ‘view’ of men, there are several images which are shown in the video which portray woman to be dominatrix and connect to the scenario of Snoop Dogg being a pimp, the controller of these women for example in the video at 3:41 the women are seem to be passive as they stroke snoop dogg whilst he sings in addition to this the attire which is being worn by the women is stereotypically prostitutes attire for example knee-high boots short skirts and very tight leggings.

Sensual seduction represents men to be ‘pimps’ as the ‘playsheets’ are loaded with sexual innuendo. Intertextuality is also used to represent men in this way such as the outfit which Snoop Dogg is wearing at one point references to the Starksky and Hutch character he plays called HuggieBear who is an actual pimp (afro hairstyle, orange suit etc...).

Certain gender stereotypes are confirmed in this video but I believe only in a man’s point of view as women stereotypically won’t think that other women are ‘prostitutes’ or ‘sex kittens’, however men may think this as male’s are subjected to this imagery such as the ‘pimp’ status which snoop dogg is portraying, men who watch the video will think that this is right and they are pimps themselves as stated in hegemony the media can influence the manner in which society view things.

Woman stereotypes that are shown are: Sex kittens.

Men stereotypes shown:  Men are pimps.

Stereotypes may have been used as they go in sync with the lyrics of what is being sung by Snoop Dogg, this provides the creator of the video an easier option to create imagery of how the video will look like. Snoop Dogg may also have influenced his opinion in how he would want the video to look like. Using stereotypes also gives the audience a familiar look of how people are represented making it easier to follow the narrative of the music.

The use of mise-en-scene plays a big role in how the representations are shown. The costumes which are worn provide us with a clear and easy image of how the director wanted to represent woman and men for example the woman in the video are wearing tight clothes and boots which is viewed to be prostitutes attire, also connecting with the songs title sensual seduction which actually means the act of sexual action. The costume design of Snoop Dogg also represents him to be a pimp as the clothes are mainly white or orange suits, shades and actions which imply to the audience that he is in control of these women.

Female audiences may respond to this text differently, some may find it to be normal and others offensive. People may find this video to be normal because it is what they expected to see from it as the title of the song actually implies it, thus making the audience aware that the video will be of women being sex kittens. However some may find this to be offensive as it represents women as objects and tools for men.

The target audience for this song would be the mainstreamers as they most likely would enjoy this type of song as it adds an element of two types of music, thus enabling them to target a wider audience.  

The text is conventional of its genre as generally in rap videos this is what is expected of how women and men should be shown as audiences would expect this to happen, making the video successful in making its aim.