Monday 18 August 2014

VidEG 9 Jess Glynne - Right Here

ACT: Josh Kumra
TRACK: The Answer
YEAR: 2011
DIRECTOR: Unknown 
GENRE: Blues, Pop
MAIN AUDIENCE: Male and Female 15-24



  • From this song I love the different backgrounds used and the effects. This is also aided by the use of strong clothing and make up. 
  • I also like the tempo of the editing and how it changes on and off the beat.
  • The use of the close up shots that almost seem misplaced that then tap to the beat is something that is different and creative. There is a lot of shot variety used and the whole video has an very urban feel to it which reflects the music genre and themes.
  • Also during the video there are changes between the saturation and hues used.
  • Star treatment is used however there are other actors involved who dance or play instruments however as she is the only singer most of the attention is focused on her.
  • The lyrics don't really match the overall narrative however there is a strong sense of being 'Right Here'  with her friends or in a location.
  • On revising this, I do think the editing is a little fast and is kind of distracting at times, but the overall effect and the themes used I still like.

VidEG 8 Flo Rida - Good Feeling


ACT: Flo Rida
TRACK: Good Feeling
YEAR: 2011
DIRECTOR: Unknown 
GENRE: Dance, Pop 
MAIN AUDIENCE: Male and Female 15-24


  •  The song features Flo Rida on a journey using various modes of transport across a city with the first opening lines featuring a panoramic view of the city whilst he is stood on top of a building. Some of the lyrics do match the narrative but it is more about how he has become someone new than anything.
  • Therefore promoting the themes of having a good time and having a party. 
  • The video does use some subtle product placement with the use of headphones and an iPad mini with him rapping on the screen whilst he is holding it up to create an effect. - This I thought was innovative and different from the other songs and videos that also represent this type of music. 
  • As with many rappers there is some very brief scenes of women being objectified as this is a common theme across most rap songs.
  • And with scenes in clubs which are also common with a lot of electronic and dance songs.
  • I am also a fan of the ending which includes lots of pictures that are tiled which then change saturation of black out completely in order to create an image of himself within them.  
  • There is strong star treatment  however there are others included in the video although the main focus is him.



VidEG 7 The Vamps - Can We Dance

ACT: The Vamps
TRACK: Can We Dance
YEAR: 2013
DIRECTOR: Unknown 
GENRE: Pop
MAIN AUDIENCE:  Female 11-24




  • The song is based on teenage awkwardness and a house party, during and then the aftermath of cleaning up by getting fans on twitter to help and parents coming home after finding the video of the events on Youtube. This shows how social media is being utilised in videos as well as virally by bands and artists to connect with fans.  Also the use of product placement with juice, computers, clothing and cereal.
  • There is a strong link between the lyrics in the song and the narrative which is based because of the strong pop background. The lyrics and narrative mostly relate to love, party and having a good time which are the themes in almost all pop songs. 
  • Star treatment is a big part in the video as there is only one main singer, the others sing and play music but there is much more focus on one than the rest of the band, which to me seems abit unfair when you call the collaboration a band. 
  • The girls are represented not in an obscene way but there are subtle references to short skirts, low cut tops, with perfect hair. Relating to the typical cheerleader type, as well as the guys looking the typical jock type.

Saturday 16 August 2014

VidEG 6 Avicii - Wake Me Up

ACT: Josh Kumra
TRACK: Wake Me Up
YEAR: 2013
DIRECTOR: Unknown 
GENRE: EDM, Folktronica
MAIN AUDIENCE: Male and Female 15-24






  • The song is a mix of EDM, Soul and Folktronika which is a different move from what Avicii is well known for. The narrative relates closely to the video which shows 2 girls being isolated from a group, until one runs away on horseback to find who she is more suited to be with as they have marks on their body which separatre them from their local community until she finds people who she is alike. 
  • The lyrics talk about how you should follow your heart and find a path. 
  • There is no real objectification of women except maybe a low cut top but its hard to compare to others due to its diverse sound. However what can be noticed is the amount of women being used and in the begininng they are shown to be inferior this being created through camera angles and point of view shots. 
  • Product placement and advertising for Sony Xperia phones.


VidEG 5 Little Me - Little Mix


ACT: Little Mix
TRACK: Little Me
YEAR: 2013
DIRECTOR: Unknown 
GENRE: Pop, R&B
MAIN AUDIENCE: Female 9-20



  • The narrative shows little mix singing about what they'd say to their younger selves, given the chance to go back. they say that they would encourage them to speak up and stand tall. And to not worry about the little things that make you upset when you're young. This is reflected very strongly with people taking part in the video from the beginning talking about what they'd like to do in the future, as the song progresses it shows older women talking how they have been affected.
  • The song does not objectitfy women in the same way as in a rap it might but there are subtle suggestions that are noticeable such as some of the lower cut tops however overall because of the age range being lower and aimed at a tween audience they have to be subtly used. 
  • The overall effect with them being in what looks like a deralict building with graffiti, textured walls and rubbish on the floor adds to the film showing indirectly you can become a pop star regardless of your background. 
  • I like the black and white effect used and the variety of shots from all the members as well as when they are all together towards the end, as they have gone from being 'vunerable' and on their own at the start to joining together and making ' girl power ' showing that women can be strong and independant. 
  • The song does have a slight R&B vibe which has been created due to the lyrics and the girl ' independance ' theme and how they have overcome their troubles however the can also be related extremely closely with their genre of pop


VidEG 4 Josh Kumra - The Answer

TRACK: The Answer
YEAR: 2011
DIRECTOR: Unknown 
GENRE: Blues, Pop
MAIN AUDIENCE: Male and Female 15-24




    RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS: 

    There is a strong link between the visuals and the lyrics, as the video is more a narrative than a concept. This is shown between a couple with intercutting shots of Josh Kumra playing the guitar or singing. with various close up or creative shots. Some being in and out of focus. The narrative is explained with the video and the lyrics combined and relates to both well




    GENRE CHARACTERISTICS: 

    There are some strong genre characteristics towards the theme of love but unlike most pop videos the artist takes a slight back seat in which there is star treatment but not as much as we would normally expect from a pop video.

      

    INTERTEXTUALITY?

    Non that I am aware of.




    PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?:

    There is a series of performance shots interlinked with a narrative at some points during the video the cross over combining the layering effect which I think could turn the video into a slight concept video, blurring the lines between narrative and concept videos.



    PERFORMANCE STYLE: 

    no dancing just singing with the addition of a guitar for the performance element. 

    STAR TREATMENT:


    Star treatment is prevalent but not the extent that other stars may show this.



    PACE + ANY VARIATION OF PACE: 

    Although classed as pop music the track itself is much more relaxed than a normal upbeat pop song would be making it different from its rivals

    his music does not have a pop sense and has alos been described as a jazz or blues genre.However in contrary to this the pop theme does come through because of the topic covered which to no surprise is love. 


    NOTABLE SHOTS/FRAMING: 


    there is star treatment but there is also use of other actors which he is not included in who tell the narrative as he sings which in turn gives a nice balance to the song overall,
    this also helps with the different camera angles being used and the large amount of shot variety from just a few locations

    DIRECTOR STYLE:


    I also like the editing as seen at 1.46 - 1.50 and the layering used in creating the effect

    VidEG 3 Chase And Status - Lost & Not Found

    ACT: Chase And Status
    TRACK: Clown
    YEAR: 2013
    DIRECTOR: Unknown
    GENRE: Dance, Electronic, Pop
    MAIN AUDIENCE: Male And Female 15-24
    LYRICS






    RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS: 

    The visuals and the lyrics do match to some extent but not directly like others in other videos do that is one thing i like about it as it is alot of indirect links which make you think more and enjoy it rather than just watching a video and listening to the lyrics that match word for word




    GENRE CHARACTERISTICS: 

    the use of the electronic and dance genre tend to use dark and grimey roots and not the life that would be seen in pop videos 



    INTERTEXTUALITY?

    there is reference to earlier music at the begininning of the track as well as a filmic reference to Breaking Bad.





    PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?:

    There is no performance throughout this video and is purely based on a narrative as nearly all are by Chase And Status. They dont take the glory for their production and let a variety of actors


    PERFORMANCE STYLE: 

    The town is shown as being run down and lower class, the addition of police at the scene and a man in the bath tub crying looking vunerable because of the camera angles used signify this. The tv and fugitive on the run adds to the overall character of the town with is used to create a lower class of person. Then when the police burst into one of the hotel rooms we see the girl who we presume is the one from the missing photos, although later when he is dragged outside she holds a gun to the police officers head and rescues the man from being taken by police as an accomplice in his get away, adding a dark twist to the whole video.

    STAR TREATMENT

    there is no use of star treatment in these videos and it is all played by actors creating the narrative.

    PACE + ANY VARIATION OF PACE: 


    There are various 'drops' throughout the track and the track also has a very varied pace.



    SHOT VARIETY + NO. OF SETUPS: 


    I also like the use of the point of view as it drags you through the narrative, i think its really effective

    LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: 


    diegetic intro with previous known track in background, shows video as a passers by point of view, slow motion used to create effects. 


    NOTABLE SHOTS/FRAMING: 


    when the girl is first viewed the use of the camera angles does suggest she is the vunerable one and the police are the superiors but when they step outside and the girl grabs hold of the gun along with the policewoman held hostage the tables turn.


    Friday 15 August 2014

    VidEG 2 Professor Green - Read All About It

    ACT: Professor Green
    TRACK: Read All About It
    YEAR: 2011
    DIRECTOR: Unknown 
    GENRE: Hip Hop, Rap 
    MAIN AUDIENCE: Male and Female 15-24
    LYRICS





    • The video begins with a five-year old boy (in the same situation Professor Green was in at that age) staring at his step-mother working and his younger half-sister playing. The child's step-mother realises that her step-son is outside staring inside the house, she then calls the child's father. Later on in the video you can see the boy's father talking to someone on the phone (probably the boy's mother). Later the child goes upstairs into what appears to be his old room and damages many things (such as pictures). His father catches him and his step-mother screams at him, the child also screams back. In the end he puts his hands on his ears and closes his eyes. When he opens his eyes, he finds himself in a warehouse. 
    • Then he sees Professor Green entering through the front door. The video also shows Professor Green rapping outside the warehouse against a background clouds lit by the setting sun, as well as Emeli Sandé singing in the rain at night. The song responds to accusations made by his stepmother that his debut album, Alive Till I'm Dead was "cashing-in" on his death.
    • There is star treatment but not as much as there would be in a Pop Video, although centred around his life and in what he describes as an autobiographical song, there is less as it shows him in a younger state which could be classed either way as star treatment.
    • Although most of his work is Rap wikipedia labels this song as R&B and Hip Hop, unlike most of his rapping this song features no objectification of women which is seen in almost all Rap Videos. As this is a common characteristic and representation. However what is brought across is the the messages of overcoming the troubles although they still haunt him which is explored through the content of the video which matches up to the song itself. This is also shown by Emeli Sande singing alone at night in the rain which would normally be seen as vulnerable but she has been portrayed as being strong and independent.

    RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS: 

    The links between the visuals and the lyrics are very strong, as it guides you though the narrative using the lyrics. The song is very autobiographical and reflects this through the narrative up until present day. 

    GENRE CHARACTERISTICS: 

    Genre representation is not what we would normally expect with the genres being R&B and Rap. As there is no objectification of women. And actually represents the opposite showing Emeli Sande as being a strong independent woman. 

    INTERTEXTUALITY?

    non that I am aware of. 

    PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?:

    There is an element of performance where Professor Green and Emeli Sande are shown in a barn/warehouse singing however this is also shown with the use of a narrative. 

    PERFORMANCE STYLE: 

    performance style shows there is no dancing involved but carries a heavy story line which is the main feature of the story.

    STAR TREATMENT:

    Although there is an element of star treatment, its not as heavy depending on which view you take it... firstly if you include professor green as a young child as part of the star treatment its very heavy however if you don't and just include him as himself present day he takes a very back seat in the video. 

    PACE + ANY VARIATION OF PACE: 

    There is a variation in pace and the tempo itself is fairly slow at the beginning, which switches to a faster tempo as the music progresses. 


    SHOT VARIETY + NO. OF SETUPS: 


    There is a variety of shot variety with some more interesting shots with interesting and creative points of view. 



    LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: 


    The video was filmed in 2 locations.







    NOTABLE SHOTS/FRAMING: 

    There is a variety of shot variety with some more interesting shots with interesting and creative points of view.



    VidEG 1 Emeli Sande - Clown

    ACT: Emeli Sande
    TRACK: Clown
    YEAR: 2013
    DIRECTOR: WIZ
    GENRE: Pop
    MAIN AUDIENCE: Female 11-24
    LYRICS





    RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VISUALS + LYRICS:

    there is a strong link between the visuals and lyrics however they are only linked through concept of the lyrics. 

    INTERTEXTUALITY?

    non that I notice. 





    PERFORMANCE, NARRATIVE AND/OR CONCEPT?:

    As seen in clip 1.15 this is where most of the narrative takes place with the use of solidiers in a barracks with her being judged by them. 






    PERFORMANCE STYLE: 

    The performance style is simple and sophisticated which is closely linked to her actual style. 









    STAR TREATMENT

    Also during the video Emeli Sande is kept as the main focus throughout the video whilst other characters in uniform enter but don't play as big a part as herself.


    SHOT VARIETY + NO. OF SETUPS: 


    As seen in 0.24 close upsare used to keep the audience engaged and to change shots in order to keep shot variety. Also the use of the titles during the video as seen at 0.52 add to shot variety allowing it to be broken up further.

    LOCATION/S + MISE-EN-SCENE: 


    The lighting used in the location seen at 0.07 really adds to the black and white dimension as well as the clothes which keeps everything subltle but strong. The use of camera angles adds a variety of different aspects to give an allrounded view which keeps the audience interested and engaged. The location used in 0.07 and at other points during the video allow it to be broken up slightly in order for the camera to return to a new angle or new perspective in the video. This darker black and white scene is kept in a mid shot throughout the video.






    NOTABLE SHOTS/FRAMING: 

    Although its not a song that I would paticularly listen to, I do like the narrative between the lyrics of the song and the video and how it is different to what would normally be expected. I like the use of the black and white feature throughout and the use of the 2 locations to keep it simple and minimalistic but at the same time giving it an overall amazing effect.