Mika- Life in cartoon motion

Mika's life in motion was Mika's first famous album, with many of the songs becoming swell known singles such as "happy ending", "Grace Kelly" and others.

1.The Piano signifies Mikas musical talent and that he wants to show everyone that the music element is just as importnat as his image to the audience

2.Big women in the blue clothes is code for his mother, who we know was a rather large figure as Mika's song "Big girls you are beautiful".
3.Picture of Mika suggests that he does find his image important and wants to be recognised
4.Unrealistic setting suggest Mika is dreaming that he is becoming famous and that his whole world is so good that it is one big day dream
5.Dove shows Mika is not a violent man and nor is his music as, Doves signifies peace and harmony
6. The name Mika is big bold and clear suggesting that he wants everyone to remember his name
7. The Album font is a code for Mika is trying to make a personal connection with audience.

Some key music media terminology.

Jumpcut


This is when the camera angle remains static but there is a cut in the film. It is rarely used in hollywood movies as it looks unprofessional and would make the film look like it is not actually happening and would lose the readers attention. However they are frequently used in music videos in order to jar the audience, surprise the audience and make us take note. This is done so that the audience now they are watching a music video, it breaks the realism often and makes it look fake.

180 degree rule












The audience has a certain position. Breaking the 180 degree rule disorientates the audience. You can not film from over 180 degrees always it looks like it is coming from the opposite side. However it is done in music videos as it breaks the realism and adds a new perspective. It make it known to the audience that it is not real life and they are watching something. This is a post modern convention making the audience know they are watching something fake rather than it being real life.

Graphic match












The first 20 seconds of this video is one of the most famous graphic matches of Hollywood. However this is one of the main conventions of music videos. This is used to create fluency, links and to show off the editors creative ability.

30 degree rule

Move the camera 30 degrees or more. This is used in order to move away from a jump cut. This makes the audience seem that they have moved angle. This is a convention of movies and music videos.
Match on action
This shows something (i.e. running) then the other person doing the samething. Shows on going action or lots of people doing it.

Carol Vernalis

Carol Vernallis is associate professor of Film and Media Studies at Arizona State University. Her areas of specialization are music video and other areas, i looked at some things she has said to try and help me gain further knowledge of the music video. These are some key quotes from her that i think i must address in order to make a fantastic music video:

"Quick cutting or editing on the beat"

What is clear from my detailed research is that the music videos synchronise the images within the video to the rhythm of the music itself. This is evident in the music videos i have analysed such as "Eminem love the way you lie" and "Lady Gaga and Beyonce- Telephone"

The music videos have a number of very short scenes or edits with consistently quick cuts; this notion is also explored by Vernallis who states

"Edits in music video come far more frequently than in film"

There is a massive responsibility on editing in music video, the editing has to convey the narrative making it essential the editing is world class.

"Music video editing bears a far greater responsibility for many elements than does classic Hollywood film editing"

"... the editing in a music video works hard to ensure that no single element (the narrative, the setting, the performance, the star, the lyrics, the song) gains the upper hand"

The XX (album cover)

This album cover is very simplistic; it is very effective as we have to focus on the main thing the 'X'. The fact that the band aren't on the album cover suggests they don't want to focus on their image but are much more worried about their music being good.

X marks the spot for success which "The XX" are trying to uncover as this is their first album cover.

Bruno Mars

Ways in which he advertises his self-

1.       Advertisements on the television,

2.        being played on the radio,

3.        posters,

4.        live concert,

5.       Offcial website

6.        official merchandise,

7.         Twitter,

8.        puts videos on you tube such as official music videos and the making of the videos,

9.        Tap Tap Revenge is an application on the IPhone and I touch you can play a game involving Bruno Mar’s song on it,

10.    Myspace,

11.    Facebook.

2 ways they use the internet and discuss

Bruno Mars uses Twitter in order to communicate with has fans. Twitter is a social networking site in which people “tweet” what they are doing, how they are feeling etc. This therefore gives Bruno Mars fans an almost friendly connection with the Artist and makes them that they can understand and relate to his life. If you relate to someone you are more likely to relate to their music. Also if Bruno Mar regularly updates his twitter then people will see his name and then they remember him and think of his songs which will lead to him getting more fans, which will then lead to more people going to buy and see Bruno Mars and a bigger profit overall.

Myspace is another social networking site however is quite different from twitter. On Myspace you can upload songs onto your page. This will then allow people to hear your songs for free. Millions of people log on to Myspace therefore by doing this Bruno Mars is showing his music to a Mass Audience. If people have heard of Bruno Mars but are not sure whether they like him or not they can go onto Myspace listen to some extract’s or some songs and then decide whether they would like to invest in his album or like to watch him live.

 

Oasis' albums.

The first album i will be looking at is "Oasis Defiantly Maybe" This is was the first Oasis album. This therefore needed to try and show who they were and what there beliefs are.

1. The font that Oasis has become one of the most iconic things of Oasis. The font is very important. It is very simplistic as it is black and white and an average font is used. The font with the rectangle around it makes it look like it is a tabloid news paper which is signifies their working class background.

2. The other font of the album name "Definitely Maybe" this is made to look like it is personally written. This is to make it more personal to the reader and the writing is very posh and looks like it maybe written from a quill. This is a jux to position from the tabloid looking bands name.

3. The world clearly signifies that Oasis want to take it over and be the biggest band in the world. This shows the arrogance that the band have. It is on a same level as The Beatles with arrogance.

4. The television is code for the bands unity as they are meant all to be watching the television like a family would do. A key convention of a band is that they got on well together and have almost family relationship.

5. The photo in the frame is of a Manchester City player. Manchester City are associated with real working class, real manchester men. This is very important as many famous and influential bands have come from urban manchester such as Joy Division, The smiths, The blur etc.

6. The wine glass is interesting as although it is a code for alcohol and therefore symbolizes there rock and roll aspect. However Red Wine is a code for sophistication i believe that this signifies the ability of Oasis as red wine is associated with writers and literature. Oasis are trying to say that they are writers and that there songs contain sophisticated and thought provoking lyrics.

7. Liam Gallagher is the man lying down at the front of the cover. He is the singer often named the "front man", this is why he is at the front as well as the fact he considers himself the most important member of the band. Because he is lying this signifies that he is different from the majority of people and that he can do whatever he wants as no one is going to tell him to do anything else, no one else is lying down this is a code for Liam not being able to fit in with normal society as he is to creative.

8. The mise en scene of the house is very middle class. The sanded wooden floor, posh chair and nice fireplace are associated with the middle class. Oasis are not from this type of class however they could be using this as becoming middle class is one of the small steps needed to becoming famous.

9. The pack of cigarettes in the picture are benson and hedges Gold. These are very strong cigarettes and is code for them doing things only to the full. They would associate cigarettes such as marlboro light with the upper class living in london, however strong cigarettes are code for manchester people.

10. Is Noel Gallagher. He is the man who writes the lyrics to the songs. He is clearly important to the band he also is the only one with a musical instrument this symbolizes his love for music. The other two are no where near the photo and just at the back showing they are irrelevant and the band would last without them.


Oasis' album Be here now, was one Oasis' most famous albums and was made when they were already famous. This is reflected by the way they project their selves and the expensive things used in their album cover.

1. These are objects used in the first album they used making a clear connection showing that they are still the same people, however in this the things are modern more expensive or extravagant. For example the television is now futuristic whilst before it was an old one. The globe is now there but instead one of the artist is looking through a microscope to see it, this is a code for the world being so far away from them that they have almost gone on to bigger and better things in the world. 

2. The antique Rolls Royce in the pool suggests that it has been recklessy driven into the pool by the man who is climbing up the steps, this is code for them having so much money that they can do what ever they want with expensive items as they will just be able to buy another one. The fact that it is an antique Rolls Royce signifies that The Oasis re trying to get ride of the new and replace it with a fresher new music genre which the scooter could be a metaphor for.

3. The blue sky signifies that it is all gonig well for Oasis as it is a pathetic fallacy. This is their 3rd album and their music had been very successful and were starting to conquer the world.

4. The font that Oasis use is one of the most iconic logos. The font is very important. It is very simplistic as it is black and white and an average font is used. The font with the rectangle around it makes it look like it is a tabloid news paper which is signifies their working class background.

5. The mansion in the mise en scene once again symbolises the wealth of the band. The fact that it is one big place they they live in suggests that there is a unity in the band which is a convetion of most successful bands.

6. The scooter is code for Mods, this was a popular type of fashion and lifestyle which was symbolic of people such as Oasis.

7. The Gramaphone symbolises the history that is involved in Oasis and that they have got influences from different periods of musical history.

8. The calenders date August 21st was the release date of the album.

9. The clock has no hands, which is a code for their music being timeless and never getting old as it is so good. This shows the arrogance of the band.

10. Liam Gallagher is at the front again once again showing that he is the front man and also the lead man of the group. His outfit once again represents the Mod's. The fact that Liam has put himself at the front once again shows his confidence.

11. We can also see Noel Gallagher in the picture, but not as near to the camera as Liam. This shows that the two brothers are the most important people in the band and that the rest are easily replaceable

Nirvana- Nevermind

Nirvana's album never mind got a massive response for the album cover. Some thought it was creating a massive social message whilst others thought it was to far and was just wrong showing a naked baby on the front cover. However it is clear that Nirvana wanted put their point of view across in this album cover.

The fact a baby used is a code for youth and signifies innocence and purity. There is a one dollar note on a hook that the baby is chasing this signifies humans being taken away from innocence and being drawn away to a worse place by a corrupt evil society, that is completely influenced and dependent on money to live and that the baby is being dragged away from freedom (the water). The fact that the american dollar is being used suggests that Nirvana i saying this more about American society more than any other society.

The actual band members are not on the front cover this is signifies that they find it more important to focus on their music and the messages that they want to show society rather than there look and their public image. Although this is ironic as although Nirvana are having a go at American society about being to materialistic and to worried about money, however from the selling of this album they plan to make millions of pounds. 

The Beatles- Sergeant Pepper's lonely hearts club band

This Beatles album was revolutionairy as it was one of the first to make an album cover a peice of art rather than just something to put your CD into. The cover is a work of pop art, pop art was a revolution in art as high class expensive art was merged with popular culture. It was becoming increasingly popular with artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein the artwork on this cover is designed by Peter Blake.

1. The blue sky in the back of the album. This is a code for happyness and joy, presumbly because they have acheived their aim. Can be related to the summer of love.

2. The Beatles are dcostume is like Army clothing (this is a code for taking their music seriously) however with a twist as the clothes are in bright, vibrant colours this is to allow them to stand out more this is code for beliving they are better than everyone else. The positioning of the beatles is also another code for them thinking they are the best. They are in the the middle of the shot with many famous people behind them. This shows they think they are the best of the best.

3. The flowers are code for hippys, this was a type of scene that was very big when the Beatles were this means that they are trying to appeal to a certain psychographic. It also code for the Beatles being loving and caring and believe in nature.

4. The drum is also in the middle of the shot and is code for music, this suggests that the Beatles are not only worried about their apperance but also about there music. Music is central to everything they do. The big drum also i related to the circus this is code for suggesting that the Beatles can be fun and still youthful.

5. The background is of a many incredibly famous people such as Marilyn Monroe, Oscar Wilde, Elvis Presley, Edgar Allen Poe and many more. All of these had changed and shaped the way we looked at music or literature and now the Beatles had decided that they should join them and be at the front. This was an actual collage done in real, not just on a green screen from a computer.

6. The Palm tree suggests that it is on an transendental Island, where only the incredibly famous and people who have given something to society can go. This suggests they are too good to be living on a normal country like England.

7. There is also cut outs of The Beatles when they were younger suggesting the place has always been on that Island, however now they are so important there is two of them.

Eminem- Love the way you lie ft. Rihanna

I have analyzed Love the way you lie as it is one of my favorite songs around at the moment and I believe the video has many media techniques that my group might be able to use in our video.

The opening shot of the two main characters involved in the music video is them lying together in a bed sleeping. This is code for intimacy and them being in a relationship.

The close up of the Rihannas face shows the emotion that she is putting into this song. This is clearly an emotional song to Rihanna after her public domestic abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. Rihanna said it "was something that needed to be done" in order for her to move on.

The video has been edited in order to make it look like Megan Fox has fire in her hands. This is code for a fierce relationship and that Megan Fox can start an argument whenever she wants that will make the relationship fierce and "fiery". At the end of the video the the whole house sets on fire. Throughout the movie the house is a metaphor for their relationship therefore it is code for Megan Fox's anger destroying the relationship and everything around it. In the back ground we see that the curtains are closed this is code for the couple not caring what is happening in the world there focus is only on their relationship. However if we look through the gap in the curtains we see that it is sunny. This is code for if they stepped out of their relationship and moved away from each other, things would be better and they would be more happy.

The mise en scene inside the house, is realistic for a young american working class couple. The sofa looks like a relatively cheap one, with none matching cushions. On the right hand side we can see empty cans (presumably beer). This shows the dependance of alcohol in this relationship. Because the house is in a mess it is code for their relationship being in a bad state.

It looks like Eminem is performing live however he is actually lip sinking this is a convention of nearly all music videos. The low angle shot also makes it look like we are a live audience and that we are watching Eminem perform. 

A crane shot and a dolly shot is used in order to show the field is almost endless. This shows that Eminem has escaped from the type of relationship that Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan are still in. The sky is blue and there is a sun in the background this is code that he is out of the relationship and is now free and happy.

 In both these shots the narrative either does what the song ways or the narrative and song merge together. In the first one Eminem raps "I snap" and we see Fox "snap. And in the second one the actors say the words that eminem is rapping "I'm leaving you" "know you aint". This is code for the song being directly about them and them almost being the past Eminem and Rihanna or them being what Eminem has in his mind.


There is a non-chronological order used in this music video this could be becuase domestic violence can be spontaneous and can happen at any time, and so the edits reflect that with temporal continuity. This is a convention of some music videos as it is a reflection of the events. In this bit it is showing the start of their relationship and how everything use to be so much better than it is "now" and how there relationship has been ruined. Life was better when they wern't in the house (their depressing serious relationship). There is no actual dialogue we can hear from the actors so it is left to the actions in the video to let us understand what is happening. Throughout the video there is quick cuts, with each cut on average lasting no longer than 3 seconds this is a key convention of music videos especially ones with a high beat count like this song.

The burning house behind Rihanna and Eminem could once again be code that they managed to completely leave and with doing this song be able to forget about their past relationships. The artists and the actors worlds now merge into each others. This is because the artists are standing behind a burning house and the actors are in the burning house. The costumes they are both wearing is very important. The white vest that Eminem has almost become his iconic outfit. Whilst with Rihanna her short shorts give her a "sexy" look that is essential if you are aiming to be a successful women hip hop singer.

The directing here is very cleverly done. Although i wouldn't have the resources or funds to be able to do this it is a clever peice of footage. We can see that the actors are walking through the house, however instead of when walking through doors having to use a match on action shot, instead the is missing a wall so we can clearly see them walking through the different rooms. This also lets us see and know that the man is almost chasing the women.

The edititng used shows the man burning. As the house is also burning it could show that the man is nothing without the relationship and if it ends so does he. However the womens flame goes out suggesting that she will be better if she gets out of the relationship.

Dominic Monaghan and Megan Fox were used as the actors in this video, as they were two of the worlds most famous and important actors at the time the video was released. Because of this it got even bigger publicity than it would of before. It would of brought in people from normally different genres such as people who were intrested in the TV series Lost as that is what Monaghan is most famous for. Megan Fox has been in many movies and she is idolised by millions of women and loved by even more men. People would then deffiantly what to watch a video she is in. This proved to be successful as It broke a Youtube record for having the most views in 24 hours.

Telephone- Lady Gaga

Throughout this video there is explicit references to "Kill Bill" and "Thelma and Louis".  This is called intertextuality.

The first shot is an Establishing shot. This shows us where the action will be taking place. The barbed wire and watch tower in the background show us that we are looking at a high security prison. This is one of many establishing shots. This is also a low angle shot therefore making the fence look higher than it is.


The font used in almost cartoon. However it is also quite hard writing suggesting that the movie won't be a happy story. The outside of the writing is pink this colour is associated with feminism, this shows that women are the main characters in this music video.

There is a CCTV shot used to show that they are constantly being watched. This shot also progress the storyline and brings us inside the prison.



There is constant titillation throughout the whole of the video. This is one of the feature of many music videos especially hip hop which Lady gaga music is slightly involved in and Beyonce's.
The costume on the left is become iconic of Lady Gaga as it is different and a bit outrageous. The black and white costume is code for old style prison outfits. This is a jux to position as we have a stylised, iconic almost fake costume  in a completely realistic setting.




The 180 degree rule is broken non-stop throughout this video. This is breaking the conventions of film however is used a lot on films in order to make the audience seem disillusioned and confused. The whole impression we get of Lady Gaga is that she wants to be different almost a serial sort of camera breaking the 180 degree rule gives us that impressions.



There is clear advertising technique used in this video for brands such as Virgin mobile, Hp. This is called product placement. Lady Gaga would have done this in order to of gained more money to make the video and the companies would of used this as an advertising strategy as the know how famous Lady Gaga is and millions of people would watch it.


"Mr. Carter told Ad Age that several of the brands were Gaga's ideas and did not pay to be included. A scene in which Gaga curls her hair with Diet Coke cans was an homage to her mother, who used the exact same grooming technique in the '70s. Another sequence, in which Gaga poisons a whole diner full of patrons, is interspersed with footage of the singer making sandwiches with Wonder Bread and Miracle Whip. Mr. Carter said Gaga wanted to juxtapose the poison sequence with all-American brands, and suggested Wonder Bread for an unpaid placement. Miracle Whip, meanwhile, made a paid appearance to appear in the clip." 
This shows Lady Gaga as different and that she got what she exactly wanted.






There is a dolly shot used whilst Lady Gaga is walking through the prison cells. This is a point of view from Gaga's view. This therefore shows us what Gaga is looking at and the reaction she is getting from other people.




We are made conscious of the edits as they are done clearly on purpose. Some make noise when there is a change and this one has a telephone dial (which is related to the music title). This once again gives us a sense of serialism. 






There is a series of still pictures of lady gaga with no clothes on. This is a unrealistic camera technique and with the changes of techniques used it takes us into a new technological world.












The sausage roll is a phallic symbol. The fact that Beyonce throws it on the floor is code for Female dominance in the world.

The narrative film world joins in with the music several times. when Lady Gaga dances in the prison, when Beyonce signs along to the song and also the final dance with both Lady Gaga and Beyonce. This  shows the singers as creative as well.

Unrealistic camera work is used in these edits of Beyonce. This is used once again for serialism but also to make the edits in sync with the beat of the music.























There is match on action shots used now. As we see one person eating and then we see others eating. Then we see one person starting to die and then we see the other people dying. This is a match on action shot.












There is erotic camera work used. Lots of high and low angles are also used to produce this effect. Beyonce is known as being one of the "sexist" women in the music industry and having her looking erotic may attract a larger male audience to the video

Michael Jackson Thriller

Michael Jackson's Thriller was one of the most influential videos ever. It was one of the first to contain an actual story line and broke the normal conventions of a music video. The genre of the story is a horror movie.

The font at the start of the music video is related to the horror genre. This gives straight away allows us to know what type of story line this movie will take.


There is a diegetic sound. It is off crickets and frogs this then gives the video some realism. This sound is made louder than it would of been in real life, this could be to heighten the anxiety.

There is a tracking shot of the car. This shows how the conventions of film are used in this music video joining the two things together in this music film video.
The tracking shot also adds to the scariness of the video as it seems like somebody could be looking at them and stalking them this is very believable as the car goes out of sight due to the trees blocking it out. This therefore makes it more realistic

The close up of the feet is a story shot. This means that it is explaining what is happening in the story. In this shot we get a close up of the feet moving it is clear they are walking somewhere.
The jack ups that Michael Jackson is wearing with white socks was an iconic costume for him.



In the movie there is a non diegetic music track which is not the actual song that the movie is meant for. However this shows that the whole movie is meant to be a short story itself and that is why it can have a different sound track involved in it. The music also shows danger to us which would not be achieved by just pictures.


The editing in the video gives us a hint that the character of Michael Jackson is a werewolf. We therefore have more knowledge than the other character.

The series of close ups on Michael Jackson turning into a werewolf lets the audience fully understand what is happening and how much he is changing.
















The mise en scene throughout the music video is dark and gloomy.This is a convention of the horror film.

The start of the music video is a film within the film. This had not been in a music video before therefore this video is breaking the conventions of a music video and making Michael Jacksons thriller unique.




The introductory narrative has now finished and now the start of the song starts. This is after 4 minutes of narrative.

Through out the whole of the music the editing is in sync with the music. This is used in most music video's and must be one of the hardest bits of making a music video.

The character Michael Jackson is playing starts singing the words of the song. This is merging the song and narrative together. A technique used in many video's now.

The camera freezes when it goes past the graveyard, however it then zooms in on the supernatural things happening. We then get extreme close ups of the supernatural coming out of the ground. This shows us how important they are to the plot.



In this scene the whole of the narrative has now joined in with the song. One of the main things that separates Michael Jackson from most other pop stars was his dancing. It came to be one of the most iconic things about Michael Jackson.


There is an establishing shot of the old haunted house. This shows the audience where the people in the film are going to go. They end up going into the house. An old haunted house is a convention of a horror movie.

There is an extreme close up of the women characters eyes. This shows that she is completely scared due to the expression of fear in her eyes. This is another convention of a horror movie.

There is another twist in the plot. In many different horror movie's there are several twists in the films. Having a twist in the music horror movie is a convention taken from horror films.

At the end of the music video there are credits. This is a convention of a film. This shows that Michael Jackson wanted his music video to be recognised as more of a short movie rather than a music video. This shows that the song is a vehicle for the movie. Most music films try and make the video equal to the song. This shows that Jackson has broken the conventions of a music magazine.