Presentation- pitching idea

Here is my production pitch to help everyone within my class to give constructive critism
http://www.scribd.com/doc/106551662/Production-Pitch

Storyline

The storyline of my music video I hope to achieve is...

1. Through my music video I want to show the girl in 4 different story lines.
- Childhood
- Getting drunk and drugged
- Chucked out
- Living in a council estate alone
- Drowning herself due to her circumstances.

All these situations will be put through my music video giving an overwhelming sense to the audience.

Favourited elements in Electro/Dark/Storytelling Tracks

Ideas for final product

Typical conventions

Costume: Teenagers tend to listen to tracks like Chase and Status at parties or festivals. This therefore means the clothing needs to relate to the audience. Casual clothing (e.g jeans and a top) would represent a normal situation however with this sort of track the character is prehaps having a bad day and has resulted to drinking conotating going off the rails. With this track you could also show a hung over sort of state from the night before so could wear clothing such as a party dress but have mud on knees and make up down face.
Lighting: Due to the track being a partylike song, lighting effects such as strobes could be involved. Strobes are also a useful technique to represent to the audience how the actors are feeling in a drunk or drugged state. It is also likely to be dark as the lyrics reflect going into a low time of yourlife.
Actors: My anaylis of Skins shows what audience I aiming my track at. Those who enjoy getting drunk, doing drugs and off the rails as entertaining to watch. Therefore my actors would reflect this.
Movement: Due to the music being based around someone going off the rails I want the camera to reflect how the actor is feeling. This means there will be elements of furantic moving and calm depressing screens. eg. when shes drunk the camera will be wobbly, and when shes on a low the camera will be still.
Props: Elements of drug use and excessive drinking are portrayed throughout the song therefore bottles and pills will feature widely. the song is about loosing things therefore there will be little props as she has nothing about her any more other than the dependance in drink and dugs.
Setting: There will be many different settings in which my character is featured. Blocks of council flats ihn oxford is a key location for my video due to them being very derilict and isolated relfecting her own feelings. My character will also feature happy as there will be flashbacks of her childhood at home. She will also feature at home when we see the brink of her collapse in life when she argues with her parents causing them to kick her out.


Symbolism
Throughout my video I would like connotations of depression and feeling down to be jotted throughout the video.
Taps: sucicide- drowning himself,
Water: symbolises freedom, something that she wants to feel.
Toys: a happy childhood.
Dark lighting; reflect her mood
Flashbacks: contrast to her life now
Rewinding of clips: Wants to go back how her life was
Flashing lights: Drugged.
Smashing glass: life shattered before eyes. (close up shot)
Red: Anger

Persmission for 'Let you go' Soundtrack

To use the track 'Let You Go' I must get permission from the record label to use it, this is to avoid copyright issues.

I was then instructed to complete a 'educational synch request form' Click Here to view 

Let You Go anaylis

I feel that Plan B's videos are rather deep and they draw you into the characters minds. As Plan B collaborated with Chase and Status (pieces) I came across the most story-telling dark music video.

Analysis of Storytelling Music Videos

After finding out results from my questionaire i found that the type of music vieo that is most prefered is the storytelling convention. I think it is key for the song to reflect the lyrics said by the artist, helping draw the audience in and understand the song a lot further.
I feel the best artist to look at for deep meaningful storyline are Plan B's videos...
Deepest shame
She Said
Stay too Long
Love goes Down

I am going to analyse further one of his tracks 'The Recluse'

Within Plan B's video 'The Recluse' he tells the story of the down fall of a man who lived a glamorous lifestyle full of parties and women to living in prison thanks to how he achieved his glamorous lifestyle.

Close ups: Wee see alot of close ups of the character during the depressing scenes. This helps to show the importance and significant in the item in the shot. e.g drugs- the dependence he has on them, expression-show he is low.

Establishing shots: The long distant shots help to show the situation in which the character has got himself into. There is a direct juxtaposition between his luxurious life and his prison life style this helps to emphasise the self pity he is drowning in. A key theme in these shots is the use of water, in luxurious settings there is a pool however, in the prison he refuses to wash. Water is a connotation of freedom so therefore this shows he has lost all freedom in the prison.

Over the shoulder shot: We see an over the shoulder shot when the Plan B goes to shoot those who are at his house. This piece of action is key as we can see the shooting is why he is in jail. The over the shoulder shot is effective as it can portray the situation from Plan B's point of view showing to the audience he is a dominating threatening character.

TV Drama 'Skins'

WATCH SKINS- (29mins) Skins is a TV programme featuring on Channel 4. There has been 7 series all exploring the characters deterioration through their youth years.
This programme highlights the collective identity of youth portrayed by the media

During this episode Minnie gets pregnant and attends a party her father organised  This party contrasts with the youths normal locations but the involvement of her friends causes havoc to occur.

Results for Audience research

From these results I can conclude I will be doing a dramatised storytelling music video to the elector genre.

Audience research questionnaire

I am trying to get a wide audience to find out what people look for in a music video and what is most appealing. The link has been posted on my Facebook, Twitter and Blogger...

Please click on the link to complete my questionnaire on music videos:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8GDXXPR

Facebook and Twitter screenshots

Focus on Electro Genre

Electro is my personal favourite genre and I believe the music videos out there all tell a story well for this genre. I believe a message and story should be told through a music video as it gets viewers more gripped to the artist and helps relate to them. I am also a fan of visually editing every day situations so the viewer knows how the character within the video is feeling.
Here are some of my favourite electro music videos at the moment:
Owl City- Fireflies
Alt-J - Breezeblocks
Chase and Status- Let you go ft Mali
The Chemical Brothers- Hey Boy Hey Girl

Audience research and conventions of Alternative Genre

Genre: Alternative
Artist: Elbow
Date of Release: 2008
Type of Music video: Repetitive imagery
Record Label: Island Records
YouTube views: 1,139,324

I have chosen Elbows, 'One Day Like This,' as the track has recently come back into the charts after recently featuring in London 2012 closing ceremony.

Typical conventions

• Key focus is put upon the man holding the 'Condos now selling' sign.
• Condos are small apartment like flats which are in high demand in suburban areas and are often sold out before they are even finished.
• The location is set in a suburban area which is key in relation to the sign.
• It is also quite gloomy, this contrasts to the happiness the man holding the sign is showing.
• The green traffic light also helps represent how free the man is.
• Although condos are in high demand the man does not seem to care and enjoys dancing around with the sign, showing to the audience you do not need to be held down by anything.
• The main character also rides the sign like a horse, I believe this shows he is in control.
• It looks like the shot is someone watching him showing perhaps admiration.
• The music video represents freedom.

Audience

•  I believe the audience for this music video would be teenagers up to 40's due to the market that Elbow aim at. They have been around for a long time however their music is very contemporary
• Musical people will feature in Elbows audience due to the range of instruments played in the track (violin,drums and piano included)
• Both men and women will listen to this track due to lyrics being something everyone can relate to (having a good day)
• Those feeling low may look for this track due to the inspiration of the lyrics and powerfulness of the song.

Audience research and comventions of Electro Genre

Genre: Electro
Artist: Red Light
Date of Release: 2012
Type of Music Video: Real life visually edited
Record Label: Lavolta Records
YouTube views:1,088,991

I have chosen to focus of Red Lights Lost in Your Love as it is currently the summer song of dance festivals and currently features as number one in the iTunes Electro charts.

Typical Conventions

• There is a focus on eyes rolling around in the beginings, this suggests the audience are possible drunks/ uncoordinated listening to the track.
• Many flashing lights, featuring in red, blue and pink. These are typicle strobe lighting suggesting its a party track.
• Close ups of the singer, putting focus on her.
• The video is heavily edited over suggesting a dream-like state.
• There are siluoettes dancing, this encourages you to dance.
• The clips are rewind backwards or are fast forwarded making the video up beat.

Audience

• The age range out be 18-26 as a 'drunk' state is featured over the video
• Those who enjoy dancing
• A Hobby of theirs may be to go clubbing at the weekend as the use of strobes are featured here.
• Both girls and boys will like this track as dance music is not preferred by a gender.
• Those in love can relate to the song, 'Lost in your love' as this suggests they are besotted by someone

Audience research and conventions of R'n'B genre

Genre: RnB
Artist: Ne-Yo
Date of release: 2006
Type of music video: Narrative based
Record Label: Def Jam Records
YouTube views: 54,611,779

I have chosen to focus on Ne-Yo's song, 'So Sick,' as my exemplar for RnB music video due to the fact it became number one when it was released and the YouTube views are very high suggesting the audience enjoy both the song, and music video.

Typical conventions

• I believe the location is significant due to the fact its set in a ski resort, somewhere you would holiday/go when well off, this suggests a wealthy character.
• The costume Ne-Yo wears consisting on a think fur jacket, this shows the indulgence in which RnB singers tend to represent.
• The coldness of the outdoors is also contrasted to the indoors with the fire, I believe this shows how he is feeling. The warmth from when he was in love, to the coldness of being alone he now feels.
• We also see Ne-Yos memories featured as slow motion flashbacks, this helps show the importance of what he has lost.
• In the memories the girl is also featured in close ups with a shallow focus on her face, this shows how much she meant to him.

Audience

• I believe teenagers to young adults would be viewers of this music video due to the fact this age group is more likely to suffer heartbreak, therefore they can relate lyrically.
• I think both male and females will view this video as males will see Ne-Yo as an icon and females will see him as a heart throb. 
• The audience may also be those who have experienced a holiday romance as they are in a foreign environment and used to be in love.
• Those with an expensive taste in clothing/ want expensive clothes may also watch this video as the clothing they wear is indulgent therefore the audience can relate to this.

Audience research and conventions of Pop Genre

Genre: Pop
Artist: Rita Ora
Date of Release: 2012
Type of Music video: Representation of the artist (Party goer)
Record Label: Roc Nation
YouTube views:15,678,847

I have chosen Rita Ora, How we do (Party) as my pop video as it was recently number one and she is an upcoming artist signed by the famous Jay Z.

Typical conventions:

• The song is fast and up beat- something that would be played at a party, therefore the video is set at one.
• Rita Ora is the main focus of the video, she is featured centrally in each clip.
• Her costume is glamorous and revealing making her an icon
• There are many close ups showing off her looks and her having fun.
• Lots of panning shots, establishing the situation of a party.
• The camera also moves around lots, as if the shot is dancing
• During the verses the pace slows down helping focus on the lyrics.
• UV lighting shows the party life

Audience

• Those who enjoy pop music 
• I believe the viewers will be teenage boys and girls. The girls looking as her as an icon, and boys looking as her in a more attraction manner.
• Teenage boys and girls are likely to go to parties therefore can relate to the video.
• The audience may also like fashion as Rita Ora is very fashionable and unique so therefore may follow her trends.
• May have a hobby of dancing as the song is very arrhythmic and can therefore be choreographed to.

Audience research and conventions of Rock Genre

Genre: Rock
Artist: The Killers
Date of release: 2004
Type of music video: Story telling
Record Label: Def Jam Records
YouTube views: 49,642,726

I have chosen to focus on The Killers for my rock audience research due this track being no.1 on rock songs  featuring on iTunes.


 Typical Conventions:

• Unique/old fashion costumes
• The Killers play in the background as if watching the story
• Many close ups of lead singers face showing emotion and passion for song (he was Mr Brightside)
• The song is about the loss of a girl. Close ups portray her importance to the singer.
• The song is fast pace, however when the guitars kick in (pace increases) we see more action.
• Reference to the past through flashbacks, showing what they had.
• Fantastical set up
• In the end the guy doesn't get the girl showing what the whole song is based on.

Audience

• Those who enjoy Rock music or possible love ballads.
• A listener may have possibly suffered break-up therefore can relate to the video.
• 14+ would listen to this music, as they will be able to relate to the lyrics and all age groups above this tend to enjoy the killers.
• Boys/Males will tend to like this music as the artist is a man
• Possibly read comics as they are fantastical like the video.
• Guitar players may also be a fan due to the instruments used in the track.

Genres of music videos

Rock
Pop
Electro
R 'N' B
Alternative

I am going to focus on several genres to look at the audience and how they would respond to the videos differently.

Music Video Brief

I feel that this brief fits me best as I have a love for music and enjoyed creating a story for opening sequence. I hope to tell the story of a song I enjoy to get a reaction from the audience. I thoroughly enjoyed editing therefore I feel this brief I can experiment with it a lot more as music videos dont necessarily have to be realistic. I will now need to find a music track in which is believe tells a story so it is easier to interpret.

Briefs compare and contrast

There are many briefs to choose from for the A2 coursework. There are 3 in which draw my attention. These are a music video, documentary and a radio play.

Promotion package for a music video

This brief consists of album artwork, a promotion poster and the music video itself. You can use any track with the permission of the artist to tell the story in which you believe the lyrics say to you and an audience. this brief is good for those with a creative drive and a love of music.

Extract for a TV documentary

I am fan of Cherry Healeys documentations which makes me want to do this project. The project can be based on your own opinions or something you wish to find out. This brief is good for someone who has a variety of opinions and wants to explore them further however, must want to take into account other arguments.

Extract for a radio play

An example of a radio play is something like 'The Archers' featured on radio 4. This is good for those less keen on doing something visually however wants to portray an interactive piece of media. I am keen on this as I liked storyboarding in AS level.

Stepping from AS to A2

From the development of 'Hidden,' I learnt many techniques and skills along the way. From the creation of a storyboard itself to the editing of the clip. Through A2 level my interpretation of how media was made completely changed. This was due to the experience of putting together a piece of media myself. My opening sequence 'Hidden' is a short video of the beginning of a film or, the epitome of my research. To begin with I at looked a similar products (other opening sequences) to find the conventions in which helped portray their genre. Conventions included, setting, costume, characters, lighting, soundtrack, shots, props etc.
After a poll on my blog I found that horror was the most preferred genre by those who visited my page. I was delighted by the result,as from looking at all genres I found that horror films had similar conventions in each film, meaning it would be easy to research and interpret.
From my research of horror films I was able to make a storyboard for my project, following similar ideas from what I had seen. In the end the story line was based on a young innocent girl walking her dog and hears a babies cries and a women's scream and goes to investigate however, is unaware someone/thing is watching her. The opening sequence was meant to give little away however, raise suspicion and get viewers on the end of their seats. We filmed for several days and edited right up to the deadline.
Storyboarding and filming helped me to understand the concept of shots and the flow of a story however, editing made this a lot more effective. Here we put in sounds, changed lighting and matched each clip perfectly. Editing early on meant we were able to add any missing shots/ clips that didn't fit.
The process of learning about this type of media will hopefully lead my A2 project to be even better and be unafraid to experiment with more ideas.