Research 7 : Sam Smith - "Too Good At Goodbyes" (w/ annotated lyrics)

The dominating theme of this video is broken reationships.  There are many different actors in the music video, who play both lesbian, gay and straight couples. There are a lot of different locations shown in different lighting. (Natural, Half-light, side lighting, low key lighting) Lighting in this video connotates the concepts and narrative aspects of the video.  The video follows Goodwin's theory in that it is performance based with close ups of Sam Smith singing into camera, the visuals closely match the lyrics and the cuts are on the beat.  

The music video begins with an establishing shot of Sam wearing a white shirt, this conntes inocence and purity. The lighting is from the side and is low key.  A close up shows him looking down at the floor. It is clear he is emotional and down.
(The theme of white, relating to innocence is explored in a seperate post.)

A shot of the floor follows up from the close up of the artist, showing the studio cables and the voice over directing him making the video self-aware. The dark lighting sets the mood for the music video.

As the song starts with an extreme longshot,  tracking  backwards through a field of flowers.  Diagetic sound is children shouting and police sirens (this is also repeated at the very end)  I think this represents Sam's childhood. Small, white text is centre frame, stating the songs name "Too Good at Goodbyes”

A medium close up shows Sam Smith singing into the camera. This is a powerful shot as he is centre frame and in white clothing which contrasts against the dark background. The white clothing signifies innocence. 

In this shot, costume and location link very well, as he is wearing a green jumper and sat in a natural sun lit park. Sam Smith is sat looking forward, a medium close up pan moves around him. The framing of this shot is very well done, he is sat in the shadow with sunlight behind him, I see this  as a  link to the narrative by him being in a mentally dark place.  

A shot of an abandoned building links with the social aspects hinted at throughout the song, such as; deprived, broken down areas of society.  The mise-en-scene shows white arrows pointing to a memorial with flowers, creating a strong focal point. The colour of the flowers links to graffiti above.  The camera tracks back to reveal a red graffiti heart showing the memorial is about love and not death.

Following is a wide angle shot of a Lesbian couple sat centre frame. This shot is making a social comment about same sex love, showing that it is still hard even though you’re not a heterosexual couple.
Linking to the narrative of the video. The couple are wearing costumes that contrast against the dark background, very much like the first shot of the artist singing into the camera.

A montage of both gay and straight couples are shown through long shots, medium shots and are stood centre frame, as the chorus is played. This heavily links with the narrative and concept of the video. Behind each couple is a different location. For the straight couple they are seen sat on a urban city rooftop. The lesbian couple are seen sat on a rocky beach, looking at each other. In the gay couples shot, they are in a room, hugging each other. The artist being one of the gay couple creates a link with his personal life.

As the lyrics say "everytime you hurt me the less that I cry" the shot cuts to a coloured man crying in a boxing ring. Making a social comment about the difficulties of love and race.

The shot cuts from the boxer to a dark natural light medium shot of a the back of a teenager looking across the sea.








Then cutting to a shot with a chilld running through a field with a dog. This montage of shots develps the concept aspect of life getting harder as you grow up.

A picture of an elderly grandparent is seen as the focal point of this shot. The shot then pans back, showing a family upset. This links the lyrics to the music video as the woman in the photo died and they are saying goodbye.

A extreme long shot of children playing in their school uniform helps follow the concept of life being easy as a child.

This medium close up is very effective as it shows dark lighting but also links well through synergy as the lighing is the same colour as the gabling machine prop in the background.

A shot of a woman with her back to a man is very effective as it shows heartbreak and lifes struggles. This shot symblises the narrative and concept of the song.

This research has helped my understanding when annotating and analysng lyrics to match with the visuals.

How This Research has Influenced my Planning and Creativity

1. Lighting - I like the way the props lighting effects the lghting for the entire shot.

                   - I now understand that dull natural lighting creates a mood/atmosphere for the entirety of  the music video.

2. I like how emotions are shown in different ways. For example, Back turned, Crying, Dark clothing, lighting.

3. I now know I need to use specific lighting to create a certain mood throughout the video.

Research: Logos

There are a variety of logos already used.


Most include a sign linked to music, Eg; a microphone








Sony have a very simple red swish of a paintbrush.

Many logos include musical notes.

I quite like this one as it is very simple and changed colour, putting more emphasis on the word "tune".

These two logos are very interesing, the image of a bee symbolises not only links to the name of the company but implies fun and summertime. The image of fire and the disk is eyecatching and suggests a liveliness and an energy to the company.

How Has This Research Influenced My Planning:

1. Needs to be eyecatching

2. Reflect the name

3. Needs to be symbolic

4. Needs to suggest something youthful and lively

Research : Codes and Conventions

Research: TA Research 3 (Group Post)

Check this out on Chirbit

We conducted a focus group in order to see how our ideas matched to our song, locations and props. In general we felt that this went very well and that our focus group understood what we were trying to perceive. However, the TA saw certain deeper meanings that we hadn't considered. An idea that we picked out from our focus group is on one of our pictures on the photo board is our artist behind a metal fence. We didn't really take into consideration a meaning behind the shot however, a member in our focus group came up with the idea that the metal fence idea could represent restrictions in society. In order to do this we need to go away and think about if we could incorporate that especially as we liked the idea a lot. It also made us realise that there is more than one concept to our video.



How this has influenced my creativity and planning

1. There are so many meanings behind our video that one member of our audience will interpret our video differently to another. This means that there is no right or wrong answer.
2. We need to discuss different angles we could take our music video in concept
3. We need to pick out brighter costumes for the end of the music video to show peace and love.

Research: Target Audience 2

It is clear from my target audiences comments that they like the colour contrast from Red and Green and the fact our artist is left of frame. I thought these colours would work well with a POP magazine as it is going against the traditional frase of "red and green should never be seen". Our artists being left of frame and the restriction sign being centre frame symbolises government restrictions controlling people.

After looking at the comments written by flickr users, I was able to understand what colours, scenery wise, should be used in a pop music video. They really like the location and costume of this shot. The second comment asks about the mise-en-scene of the housing in the background. To maintain a more rural feel for the shots I would not crop the houses out. However, I personally feel that the car in the background ruins the rural feel. When filming we will need to make sure no cars will be passing.

The comments written by the TA mainly speak about the mise-en-scene of the shot. They like the autum colours and rural atmosphere of the shot. I deffinatly will be using this location in the shot.

In these reviews, they comment mainly on the low angle shot type and the distance the artist is away from the camera. The low angle shot shows his enitre costume as well as creates a sort of dominance for out actor. I personally dont like how the artist looks so set up in this shot.

It is very clear from these comments that they really like the change of mood and emotion in this shot. The angle of the shot was also commented on again, it is very clear that the angle of the shot is perfect for some shots in our music video

The comments from flickr tel me that the right of frame and angle of this shot work well with the mise-en-scene. However, the comment about dark colours tells me that my TA want bright, contrasting colours like a stereotypical modern POP music video. I fully agree with this comment and will try to insclude a wider range of colours in the next shoot.

This comment is very helpfull as they also gave me tips about the angle of the shot. When filming in this location I will use the tips given and make sure the camera is straight so that the bridge is level. The individual who commented on this post, also said that is was a very stereotypical shot. In some shots we do want to fit with stereotypes as we want to produce a modern POP music video, targetting younger ages.

People feel that the change of location and costume was very good and suitable for the strong autum theme. One of the comments asks about why we chose to lean him against a silver birch tree. We did this to add contrast against the green, autum coloured background. In view of these comments, we now know that our target audience really likes the costume and location. Upon reflection, this shot could be improved by taking the path out from behind him and develop an apperence of our artists leaning against the side of the screen.

This shot was loved by the TA, they really liked how you could see through the fence. More tips came from the comments, I can use these when filming for the music video. We could also use the feel of escapism to develop out concept based aspect of feeling alone.

This photos comments help me with ideas for the angle of the shots. A low angle shot would work very well with the ending of the video as he will need to appear dominant and in charge. As my TA really like this shot we will deffinatly be using this in the final music video.

The TA comments on this shot tell me that it is very good and work very well with the genre. In addition, the contrast of the shot really brings out the red colour of his shirt. As our target audience and us really like this shot we will deffinatly be using it in the music video.

How This Research has Effected My Planning and Creativity:

• These comments have given me so loads of ideas for the music video
• They have also helped me finalise some shots we had been debaing wether to use.
• The TA really likes the use of a red shirt as it stands out and contrasts against the green background.
• Locations were also liked in these photos. We will need to use some of these locations in the mucis video as our TA really liked them.
• The low angle shot comments will help me throughout the video as I now understand that this specific angle of shot will work very well towards the end of the video.

Research: Target Audience 1 - Analysis

·         After conducting Target Audience research 1, I have found that there is no particular gender for the song. Meaning the genre of music attracts both male and female people.

·         Although, other research I have found could contradict against TA research 1 as his main fan base consists of teenage girls.

·         In addition, this research has helped me find the best age group to target with the song and music video. The survey and answers gave me an idea of what ages like this type of music the most. I found that 14 to 21 years old enjoy this music more than any other researched age range. This is helpful for us as these ages tend to use social media a lot more than any other. It means we are able to target online social media users by creating twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages to expand the target audience further. The use of social media would also allow us to advertise the star.

·         If someone had recently viewed a POP genre song on YouTube, we could link an advert to the video in an attempt to target them. This could work in many different ways through different social media websites.

·         Our TA is easier to target for us as we are also teenagers and could relate to them. It is also easier if we wanted to create focus group questions as we could just put the questions up on our Facebook pages and ask our friends to answer.

Research: Target Audience 1

In an attempt to find the age range that best suited the genre of our music video I played a range of songs linking to my genre and gave them lyrics. I asked 10 people -  two 14 year olds, one 12 years old, four 16 year olds, two 21 year olds and my 52 years old dad. I noticed that 14-21 year olds enjoyed the genre of music and song a lot more. These are the answers to the servery I handed out for people to answer:

1x 12 - "I like the song but I don’t tend to use YouTube to watch videos I just listen on the radio"

2x 14 - "at the moment I’m into POP music so I really like this song"

4x 16 - "I really like this song and I listen to streamed songs on YouTube while I get ready for school and work"

2x 21 - "This isn’t my type of music but my mates listen to pop music a lot so I think 21"

1x 52 - "This is too modern for me. I feel like if I was younger then I would listen to this genre more often."

As well as this, I also asked an equal amount of males and females. I found that both genders enjoy his music. However, from other research I have found his fan base mainly consists of teenage girls. In my music video I will target both male and females as it would expand the potential target audience

Group Post: Music Video Ideas From Lyrics

Here are some of my ideas for the song "Back Around" by Olly Murs.

"I can feel the memory in my brain, I can feel the cold running through my veins"

When these lyrics is sung, I imagine having the artist singing into camera for the first line and then the second line there is a jump cut to people holding photos of disasters that has happened and affected many people. For example a war or an attack. He could also be wearing a coat on a dull day.

"Like it's been, been this way, all of our life"

At this point there are still flashbacks showing however, they will be cutting on the beat of the song. I think these words can create a way of saying how conflict has effected our lives from the 1800's and before but especially from 2001 when Britain joined the Afghanistan War and the collapse of the twin towers. This is easy to relate to due to myself being born in 1999 and Alex being born in 2000. 

"Looking in the mirror through your eyes, Nothing makes sense, these tears won't dry"

The idea of people holding images comes back to them holding images of either war veterans or members of the armed forces. This could signal that they go through more than we could ever imagine going out on the from line and fighting for our country. The second idea i had for this idea is that the artist walks over to a patch so they are left of frame. They look to there left and someone is stood there in old, torn or dirty clothes as if they were there childhood friend but had to go back to their country after a disaster had happened or war had finished.

"I let you down, down and out, never thought twice"

The artist then turns to look and sing into camera. He remembers how he couldn't stop her from going back.

"But that was then, And this is now, I know I said I never, but I know I let you down"

This could mean that people have to move on and that life goes on. Its happen so he has to move on. His facial expression changes from sad to anger.

"And it feels dead, in this town"

Jump cut to a shot of a town. Possible locations are Brigg or Scunthorpe. 

"So tell me when will you bring love back around, Bring love back around"

The artists is centre frame and the camera and artist both spin to create a circle. The artist has a lighter expression on his face. similar to determined or inspired 

"Love back around"

In this short chorus there are cuts on the beat of members of the public holding up pieces of paper saying "bring love back around"

"Funny how you never quite realise, That you already have paradise, Til it's gone, all the way, out of your life"

The artist is walking in the school gates and the camera dollies in front of him. Then turns so a shot of the artist in front of the school is seen. This is because people in war ridden countries aren't able to have an education. The artist could also be holding a water bottle as water can also be a privilege. 

"Looking in the mirror, don't know myself, Nothing makes sense, this feels like hell, I let you down, down and out, never thought twice"

Artist is in the bathroom, looking in the mirror struggling to move on and wanting disaster to stop. A side shot is used.

But that was then (that was then), And this is now (this is now),I know I said I never, but I know I let you down

The camera uses a head on shot as the artists walks out of the toilets and the school gates. He is determined.

And it feels dead, (it feels dead) in this town (in this down), So tell me when will you bring love, back around, Love back around

The shot cuts to the artist walking through a town singing into the camera.

Bring love, oh love, oh love, Bring love back around, yeah, Back around, (bring love), oh oh, Oh, love love love, Bring love back around, yeah

During the full chorus there are again cuts on the beat of members of the public holding up pieces of paper saying "bring love back around"

Who can I touch? (there ain't nobody)
Who can I trust? (there ain't nobody)
Who can I love? (there ain't nobody)
If it ain't you, you, you

On the three "who can I's", there could be 3 different locations with no one in them. The on the lyrics "you, you, you" three jump cuts on the beat in those different locations.

Group Post: Planning: Developing Ideas

At the begining, before researching music videos and shot types on modern POP music videos, our ideas were very boring and would not have attracted the audience we are trying to target. Research into existing musc videos and media products has developed our ideas in a very possitive way.
When coming up with music video shot, location and cosume ideas, the reseach was very helpfull. We now know that we want our artist to be dressed in an "end of summer, begining of autum look".
Target audience wise, we now understand that there is a wide age bracket when it comes to this artist and the music he produces, so we will need to target ages 14 o 21We have also found our actor. This was based on the fact that Olly Murs is a male artist. We also understand the concept of the video aswell. This is very helpfull when coming up with ideas for shots and locations. We still need to come up with ideas for locations.

Research: Establishing Shot

I researched past Olly Murs music videos in an attempt to find ideas for the best establishing shots that we could use for our music video. As well as this I looked into other music videos from different POP artists. To further develop my research on establishing shots.


I have found that the season the song is released massively effects the music videos overall theme, locations and establishing shots.

 

The establishing shot for Olly Murs "Unpredictable" is a tennis court with a huge crowd. I have found that establishing shots usually are the first bit of a music video that represent the theme and set the stage for the rest of the music video. This specific music video was released on the 22nd of June 2017. As it was released towards the beginning of the summer the establishing shot shows bright colours and a portrays a summer like vibe. The music video also links to Wimbledon as it was released only a week or so before the tournament. 

Research 6 : Lady Gaga - "Born This Way"

How this research has influenced my planning and creativity:

1] Making a social comment - we want to include ideas about peace and war in our music video. Black eyed Peas also inspired this. I want to infer these ideas rather than the being explicit. However, we are going to use newspaper articles - this creates intertextuality and multi media.


 2] Gaga is very much about empowering the modern woman.

We need to think about female representations in our music video!

3] There is a great deal of choreography, this is not something we have thought about doing in our music video. However, we will need to ask our star to move to the beat of the song.


4] Lighting represents different meanings throughout this mucis video (Black = Hell, White = Heaven) We will do something like this as it will work with our meanings and social statemens we will be making.


5] Strowse's theory of binary opposition was used in this music video. We will use this theoiest throughout as we will be showing the good and bad sides of life. (Peace/Hate) we will use this by having out artist wearing livley clothing


6] Throughout this music video there are many different aspects of Intertextuality. Intetexuality will be used in our music video through the newspaper, photographs, posters and earphones. Earphones are regularly used in modern music videos.


7] Laura mulveys theory of representation was heavily met throgh the entirety of the music video. We will need to make sure if we do use a female actor in the music video, that she is dressed in clothing which would attract the male audience.

Research : checking for music video

We first decided the genre that we wanted, both deciding on POP as our preferred genre choice. In addition, one person in our group listens to this genre of music which regularly helping us engage with the music video. To find a song that we wanted to use was extremely difficult as most of them had a music video. We fortunatly found a song that did not feature a music video in time, choosing one of his least
popular songs and looked onto YouTube to see if it had a music video. Thankfully he video is a lyric video, meaning we are able to produce or music video with this song.