Lyrics

It's been a while since I was lost for words  - 0:09 - 0:12
Needles and static and stutters - 0:13 - 0:16
I never knew a love that doesn't hurt - 0:17 - 0:21
Feeling the heat and the burn - 0:22 - 0:24

(Close up of one singers face, zooms out of their face and wide shot of whole band appears, as singer continues to lip-sync to the song, when the word ‘love’ is sung the singer will put their hand on their chest and shake their head)

Just give me one good reason - 0:24 - 0:26
Drop everything and leave it - 0:27 - 0:28
Seconds away from turning this car back around - 0:29 - 0:32
Something about your feeling, pushing and pulling me in - 0:33 - 0:38
And now my walls fall down - 0:38 - 0:41

(The beat picks up in this verse, this singer holds up one finger and drops it strongly back down, spins finger in a circular motion, mimics actions of lyrics with hand)

Usually fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 0:42 - 0:46
Usually fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 0:46 - 0:50
I'm afraid of nothing, I'm afraid of no one - 0:50 - 0:54
Used to be fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 0:55 - 1:01
Scared of happy - 1:04 -1:05

(No longer full shot of band, only mid shot of one member in a different location)

There is something good in sticking to your guns - 1:09 - 1:12
No one to blame but yourself - 1:13 - 1:15
I take a step back and I breathe for once - 1:16 - 1:20
This is what I want - 1:21 - 1:24

(Still just on one member of the group, wags finger gestures to camera, takes step back and animates taking a breath)

You give me one good reason - 1:25 - 1:27
Drop everything and leave it - 1:27 - 1:29
Seconds away from pulling up outside your door - 1:29 - 1:32
Something about your feeling, pushing and pulling me in - 1:33 - 1:37
That's why I come back for more - 1:38 - 1:40

(This singer holds up one finger and drops it strongly back down, mimics actions according to the lyrics, together wide shot of band)

Usually fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 1:42 - 1:46
Usually fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 1:46 - 1:51
I'm afraid of nothing, I'm afraid of no one - 1:51 - 1:55
Used to be fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 1:55 - 2:01
Scared of happy - 2:03 - 2:05

(No longer full shot of band, only mid shot of one member in a different location)

When it all goes down, when it all goes down - 2:10 - 2:17
Will you still be around? - 2:18 - 2:20
I'm coming back, no more running away - 2:21 - 2:25

(Starts off at a slight high angle then as the words are sung tilts down, on just the one member)

Usually fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 2:24 - 2:29
Usually fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 2:29 - 2:33
I'm afraid of nothing, I'm afraid of no one - 2:33 - 2:37
Used to be fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 2:37 - 2:44

(On just the one member one last time, before )

Why am I scared of happy? (Scared of happy) - 2:44 - 2:47
Why am I scared of happy? (Scared of happy) - 2:48 - 2:52
Why am I scared of happy? (Scared of happy) - 2:53 - 2:57
Why am I? - 2:58 -2:59

Used to be fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 3:00 - 3:03
Usually fearless, why am I scared of happy? - 3:04 - 3:07
I'm afraid of nothing, I'm afraid of no one - 3:08 - 3:12
Used to be fearless, why am I - 3:12 - 3:15
Why am I scared of happy? - 3:15 - 3:18

(Full song 3:24)

(Full band together, zooming in and out of each members face - members will have glitter and jewels on their face this is a recent trend and would suit the band and their targeted audience would enjoy the image they're promoting)

Define Your Audience

In 2015 YouTube agreed to identify in the UK which music videos are appropriate for which ages. The BBFC ensured that most music videos have at least a minimum viewing age from 12, 15 and 18. Due to factors such as sexuality, violence and language etc. the British Board of Film Council stated that one in every five music videos is unsuitable for children under the age of 12.

Pop music videos are aimed at teenage girls and do appeal to the male gaze, they can be for everyone. However videos such as Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj's 'Side to Side' which was released in 2016, it could be questioned whether it's actually appropriate and if it's setting the right example for young girls to follow.

• The average age of watching pop music videos is between 11-19 these are the ages that the videos are aimed at
• Pop videos featuring girls are more likely to have a pink mise-en-scene
• Female pop artists are seen as role models for young girls and often copy their style

My audience will follow this theme of women being empowered and for teen girls being able to look up to them as role models. Due to my band being under 18 its inappropriate to appeal to the male gaze.

Survey Below

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/S3975MM

Results

Evaluation of Results

• Biggest pop artists are usually solo artsits but one or two bands are seen as popular
• Mainly females aged 11-18 took this survey
• The most popular colour associated with pop is pink, then white and third popular is blue
• 6 people said they listen to pop music occasionally but another 6 said that they never listen to it
• Majority agreed that girl pop bands are popular in todays media
• Majority never watch pop music videos but another 8 people watch pop music videos occasionally
• Popular mise-en-scene suggestions; bright colours, up-to-date fashion and good makeup
• Majority of people prefer band pop artists rather than solo pop artists
• The most popular name suggestions are that it should be stereotypically 'girly' but with an edge or something that makes it unique and stand out from other artists.

Production Plan

First Production Plan

• Arrive at Zoe's house 6pm, 24th November
• Zoe, Emily, Sophie and myself all in costume and correct makeup by 7:30 - Each person has agreed to participate. I did have another member but she fell ill on day of filming so I had to step in instead.
• Begin filming 8:30pm
• Tripod and camera with three iPhone lights being used 
• Start with each person miming their lines - 9:30pm
• Switch to close ups and other shots - 10pm
• Shoot other scenes around the house, including, getting ready and eating - 11pm

Second Production Plan

• Collect GoPro from college
• Buy props on 10th March (need to buy props on the day of filming due to balloons - don't want them to lose helium)
• Collect light to use for filming
• Everyone meet at Zoe's house at 7pm (added note: started with four members, one dropped out so I had to improvise, due to the voices of the band members sounding similar I was able to still make the video work)  
• Camerman (Tim) arrives at 7:30pm
• Set up big light and camera with my SD card to begin filming
• Spend time filling balloons with confetti 
• Split filming into 3 areas, 1. Bedroom -getting ready, 2, Dining room - behind the scenes, 3. Garden - main performance

Initial Ideas

Mise-en-scene:

• Two locations, one is open landscape and the band are performing together and the other is a smaller space with each girl in the shot separately but with the same background, 
• Lighting: In the open location I will be using the daylight, then for the other location it will be night time but I will use fairy lights and possibly a spotlight on the artist.
• Costume: For the first location the girls will be wearing floaty, brightly coloured outfits and dark/black clothing at the other location
• Cast: The five girls are all the same/similar age

Cinematography:

• Close-ups of each girls face to show the emotion that's reflected within the song
• Long shots to establish location and the artists on screen
• Panning to each artsist
• Tracking shot of the artsist when dancing solo

Examples:

G.R.L - Ugly Heart (2013)

This is a good influence as there's brightly coloured clothing, similar outfits with the same colour theme and a well choreographed dance routine. With a performance from the band which is what I want to have in mine.

Becky G - Can't Stop Dancin' (2014)



Becky has multiple outfits in different locations showing a progression throughout the video. She is also doing a small bit of dancing, even though she is alone this represents one part of the video that will be similar to mine as there's a part where each member of the band will be seen on their own mouthing to the song.

One Direction - Story Of My Life (2013)



Again the band can be seen singularly and altogether performing. This is the main convention I am using within my own music video, the camera is on a track and pans round the band this is something I would like to use as well.

Hit The Lights - Selena Gomez (2011)



The different uses of scenery and lighting adds the theme of adventure as the song progresses making it more interesting to watch. The focus on the artists face when singing and then having the camera on other people enjoying themselves which relates to the song, which is something I need to do with my music video. The camera isn't on a tripod and therefore the video shakes which makes the audience more involved in the adventure.

Little Me - Little Mix (2013)



The black and white effect reflects the mood of the song, the band is split up at the beginning when singing solo but then when the chorus comes on and the real message of the song is being sung the band comes together which I like.

Synopsis

The band will consist of four members, all female thus following the stereotypical girl band image of radiating girl power. There will be three separate locations, much like the Selena Gomez video the band are on an adventure/having a good time, although this is more of self a discovery adventure and realising something deep inside themselves. There will be an energy that suggests a strong connection between the girls as bands need the onscreen closeness for the audience to truly believe they are a band. The girls will do some dance moves but not too much of a complicated routine. The girls will be seen singing/performing the song rather than a story happening with other people acting out a story. There will be shots of each girl on their own singing the song and other shots with all of them together this is inspired from other band videos. There will be multiple outfits for the band to be wearing, there will be a constant theme of colour so aesthetically the band look well put together, possibly within the props as well. In editing I will decide if the video should be in black and white or colour, or maybe a mix of both when it fits the song or if any other filters are needed.

Artists Identity

Chosen Song

Song Choice

Scared of Happy - Fifth Harmony

No video available small clip on sound cloud:


 

Genre

Genre is a category or type of text including; art, music and film.

Some examples of genre in music

• Classical

• Pop

• Rap

• Folk

• R&B

• Dance/electronic

• Rock

• Indie

• Country

• Jazz

• Musical

• Reggae

'Genre' is critical tool that helps us study texts and audience responses to texts by dividing them into categories based on common elements. Daniel Chandler (2001) argues that the word genre comes from the French (and originally Latin) word for 'kind' and or 'class'. The term is widely used in rhetoric, literary theory, media theory to refer to refer to a distinctive type of 'text'.

All genres have sub-genres (genres within a genre). This means that they are divided up into more specific categories that allow audiences to identify them specifically by their familiar and what become recognisable characteristics (Barry Keith Grant, 1995). However, Steve Neale (1995) stresses that "genres are not 'systems' they are processes of systemisation" - i.e They are dynamic and evolve over time.

Paradigm - a pattern, structure or model.

Costumes, Location, Props, Narrative, Transport, Temporal/Geographical Location, Characters and Weapons are used when defining a genre. Most genres can be borken down into binary opposition (Levi Strauss) e.g the good and the bad. When genres are mixed together like the film 'Cowboys and Aliens' these genres are called hybrids. Films reflect the ideology of the time that they were created.

Generic characteristics across all texts share similar elements of the below depending on the medium...

• Typical mise-en-scene/visual style (iconography, props, set design, lighting, temporal and geographical location, costume, shot types, camera angles and special effects)
• Typical types of Narrative (plots, historical setting and set pieces)
• Generic types, i.e typical characters (do typical male/female role exists and archetypes?)

Jason Mittell (2001) argues that genres are cultural categories that surpass the boundaries of media texts and operate within industry, audience and cultural practices as well.
In short, industries use genre to sell products to audiences. Media producers use similar codes and conventions that very often make cultural references to their audience knowledge of society, other texts. Genre also allows audience to make choices about what products they want to consume through acceptance in order to fulfil a particular pleasure.

           << >> codes &conventions << >> Institution << >> Text
Genre << >> codes & conventions << >> Text << >> Institution + Audience
           << >> codes & conventions << >> Audience << >> Text

Pleasure of genre for audiences - Theorist Rick Altman (1999) argues that genre offers audiences a 'set of pleasure'.

• Emotional Pleasure
• Visceral Pleasure
• Intellectual Pleasure

The Strengths Of Genre Theory

The main strength of genre theory is that everybody uses it and understands it - media experts use it to study media texts, the media industry uses it develop and market texts and audiences use it to decide what texts to consume. 

The potential for the same concept to be understood by producers, audiences, and scholars make genre a useful critical tool. Its accessibility as a concept also meant that it can be applied across a wide range of texts.

Genre Development and Transformation

Over the years genres develop and change as the wider society that produce them also changes, a process that is known as generic transformation. Christian Metz in his book Language and Cinema (1974) argued that genres go through a typical cycle of changes during their lifetime;

1. Experimental Stage
2. Classic Stage
3. Parody Stage
4. Deconstruction Stage

Narrative

Narrative is first and formost a structure
Narrative = Story + Plot

Tim O'Sullivan (1998) argues all media texts tell us some kind of story. through careful mediation, media texts offer a way of telling stories about ourselves - not usually our own personal stories, but the story of us as a culture or set of cultures. Narrative theory sets out to show that we experience when we 'read' a story is to understand a particular set of constructions, or conventions, and that is important to be aware of how these constructions are put together.

Narrative: Structure of a story
Diegesis: The fictional space and time implied by the narrative - the world in which the story takes place
Verisimilitude: Literally - the quality of appearing to be real or true. For a story to engage us it must appear real for us as we watch it (the diegetic effect). The story must therefore have verisimilitude - following the rules of continuity, temporal and spacial coherence.

That Thing You Do directed by Tom Hanks (1998)

Follows conventional syntax for special and temporal coherence, continuity editing keeps the continuity of the spacial and temporal coherence. close up of guitar on stage, shot reverse shots show where band is on stage, close up of singer includes shot of drummer behind his shoulder creating s and t coherence.
Narrative montage; symbol of drums turns into the record on a record player, moving on a map of america signifies travelling across america playing their song. Shows chart positions, 4 weeks have gone by.

Bordwell and Thompson (1997) offer two distinctions between story and plot which relate to the diegetic world of the narrative that the audience are positioned to accept and that which the audience actually see. They based this on Russian film theory:
Fabula (story) is all the events in the narrative that we see and infer. the fabula is defined as the chronological series of events that are represented or implied.
Syuzhet (plot) everything visible and audibly present before us. Syuzhet is considered to be the order, manner and techniques of their presentation in the narrative.

Tzvetan Todorov 

THE NARRATIVE CAN BEGIN AT ANY POINT.

Song For Whoever - The Beautiful South

There are two levels of diegesis, time and spacial coherence all over the place, song about writing songs to make money, spotlight signifies importance of character (blancmange is the star), the appearance is the most important, blancmange narrative and band performance element come together and the blancmange is eaten.

Tim O'Sullivan et al (1998) suggests narratives have a common structure, starting with the establishment plot or theme. This is then followed by the development of the problem, an enigma (Roland Barthes 1977), an increase in tension. Finally comes the resolution of the plot. Such narratives can be unambiguous and linear.

Kate Domaille (2001) every story told ever can be fitted into eight narrative types. Each of these narrative types has a source, an original story upon which the others are based. These are the following:

• Achilles: The fatal flaw that leads to the destruction of the previously flawless, or almost flawless, person, e.g Superman
• Candide: The indomitable hero who cannot be put down, e.g Indiana Jones
• Cinderella: The dream comes true, e.g Pretty Woman
• Circe: the Chase, the spider and the fly, the innocent and the victim, e.g Smokey and the Bandit
• Faust: Selling your soul to the devil may bring riches but your soul will eventually your soul belongs to him, e.g Wall Street
• Orpheus: The loss of something personal, the gift that is taken away, the tragedy of loss or the journey which follows the loss, e.g The Sixth Sense
• Romeo and Juliet: The love story, e.g Titanic
• Tristan and Iseult: The love triangle, man loves women...unfortunately one or both of them are already spoken for, or a third party intervenes, e.g Casablanca

Levi Strauss (1958) ideas about narrative amount to the fact that he believed all stories operated on certain clear Binary Oppositions e.g good vs. evil. The importance of these ideas is that essentially a complicated world is reduce to a simple either/or structure. Things are either right or wrong, bad or good. There's no in between.

Micheal Shore (1984) argues that music videos are: recycled styles, surface without substance, simulated experience, information overload, image and style scavengers, ambivalence, decadence, immediate gratification, vanity and the moment, image assaults and outre folks, the death of content, anaesthetisation of violence thorough chic, adolescent male fantasies, speed/power/grils and wealth, album art come to turgid life, classical storytelling motifs.

Green Day - Basket Case

Set in the 1975 film 'One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest' - by associating themselves with this intertextual reference they are associating themselves with antiestablishment ideology.

Arctic Monkeys - Leave Before The Lights Come On

Band don't appear at all. Female actress craves attention by pretending to be about to kill herself, the shoe she kicks off signifies a one night stand, she wants a long relationship but the man doesn't so she tries again.

Andrew Goodwin (1992) argues that in music videos, "narrative relations are highly complex" and meaning can be created from the individual audio-viwer's musical personal musical taste to sophisticated intertexuality that uses multidiscursive phenomena of Western cultere. Many are dominated by advertising references, film pastiche and reinforce the postmodern 're-use' tradition.

History Of Music Videos