As part of my research I viewed some very different types of music video, from different styles of music. I found a lot of variation. Some where; high budget, low budget, completely animated, just performance based, purely story/ narrative based, some seemed to be completely unrelated to the song, some were very extravagant and Hollywood film like, and others were very simple.
This is a video for 'Wonderful Life' by Hurts. It features the band (only 2 men) performing the song, and a woman dancing. This video was made on a small budget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kuwdw7KmGwA
In contrast to this, other music videos are filmed almost like short films, and incorporate a narrative plot usually featuring a performance aspect aswel. Some times the narrative includes the performers them selves or actors.
This is the video for 'Rock That Body' by the Black Eyed Peas. It uses alot of special effects/CGI and was made on a large budget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmnjL26OBcY&ob=av2e
Another type of music video is one that is completely animated. The narrative plot of the video is usually related to the song lyrics, but can be unrelated.
This is the video for 'Land of Confusion' by Disturbed, which is completely animated, in the style of popular children's cartoons.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6KXgjLqSTg&feature=fvst
Record Labels/ Bands/ Directors are always trying to be innovative and develop a music video unlike any previous to give the audience something new. This can usually spur intrest and excitement in the video, which in turn will make people aware of the band/performer and song.
A good example of this approach to a music video is the one for 'This Too Shall Pass' by OK GO. It was viewed by millions of people, and shared between peers, not because people liked the song so much, but more because it is something new and different.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qybUFnY7Y8w
I tried to develop ideas for songs that were different in terms of both; style and lyrics. This was in order to get a feel for several possible styles we could create a music video for, and which one promoted the most exciting idea.
My main idea for the music video is for a song called ‘Labyrinth’. Which upon pitching to the rest of the group, was decidedly my most solid idea.
Pop video’s have three elements consisting of; performance, narrative and images. I will with each.
‘Labyrinth’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-WM3GnxaDs
The idea I want to convey in the music video is the sense of entrapment that rules and laws create juxtaposed with freedom of those who choose not to let rules constrict them (the complete other end of the spectrum).
To do so we will use the image of a corporate leader/ politician who is trying to break free of the intense constraints his job puts him under and use the idea of a ‘Labyrinth’ that metaphorically represents this. This will be contrasted with the band, who are free from the ‘labyrinth’ and are not under these constrictions.
The band is a four piece consisting of; Vocalist/ synths, Guitar, Bass and Drums.
Narrative element
The song creates the feel that time is running out for those trapped, reflected by the lyrics ‘will he make it out? I hope he makes it out?’, so perhaps use the image of an electric clock counting down, this could be timed perfectly with the song/video so that as the song/ video finishes, the clock reaches zero.
The character finds himself in the centre of a labyrinth, and so tries to find his way out, meeting obstacles such as dead ends, etc (needs some imaginative suggestions here). Finally at the end of the song he finds the ‘exit’ in the form of a door, which closes just before he reaches it and the clock runs out. This end sequence could use fast cuts between shots to build up an element of tension.
To help put over the idea of entrapment we will use a lot of tight shots, close ups and extreme close ups. This will probably also make the filming of a ‘labyrinth’ more practical.
Performance
We will begin with a wide shot of the band, against a black back drop with light towers and if possible a light hanging in the middle imitating a police siren (the red rotating, cone shaped light/ standard blue and red police car style). The floor slightly immersed in smoke/dry ice.
We will use a lot of flashing lights and possibly green lasers to create an ‘anarchic’ feel.
The band will use a lot of movement (to suggest a lack of restrictions), look as if they are enjoying themselves and we will use a combination of wide shots, with close ups of instruments and band members.
The image of the counting down clock can be present in both performance and the narrative to create a link between the two.
The cuts between the narrative aspect and performance can be made to fit the lyrics.
During the spoken section of the song, it sounds like a boxing announcer, so a mic can be lowered in to the lead singer for him to speak this part, imitating a boxing match.
Although the song is not to everybody’s taste, I think it provides a good opportunity; to explore editing techniques and styles, use a wide selection of shots and it fits well with the treatment in terms of lyrics as almost narration.
Idea 2 – ‘Contagious Chemistry’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKagPIAa-Nk
The general aim is to portray the idea of chemistry in both the literal, chemicals way and the metaphoric chemistry between sexes. Also to promote nostalgia amongst the audience of the ‘school days’ in an almost comic fashion.
Performance
Begin with a close up shot of the lead singer, pulling out to reveal the rest of the band, with the backdrop of a school chemistry lab. Band in school uniform. This is the performance element of the video, set in the chemistry lab as if the band are students.
Narrative
This is cut with the narrative element. We follow each member of the band individually, all of them though are being followed, approach and mobbed by girls (also in the appearance of school girls – although cast wise they are not). For each of the band members they are in different, recognisable locations of a school such as; corridors, play ground, sports pitches and changing rooms. As the band members try and escape they hoards of girls, they meet and are surrounded and eventually trapped. At this point we could use a tracking shot all the way around the band.
Idea 3 – ‘This is Love’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLkCk56H2C8
The aim of this idea is to be evocative in order to encage the audience. It is the promotion of ‘love’ and suggests the idea that ‘we should all be kind to one another’.
Performance
No member of the band should get notably more screen time, so not too many close ups, this ensures the idea of unity is upheld, and that non of the band members should be cared about more by the audience. Set on a London roof top, on a nice day with a good back drop of the skyline. The camera rotates around the set to include a 360 degree view and due to the lack of close ups, will be more interesting visually. There should be an element of interaction between band members, eg. getting close to each other whilst playing, eye contact (eye line matches), smiles shared etc. The shoot should end around sunset, in order to tie in with the end of the narrative element.
Narrative
Begins in a school play ground with a young boy being pushed around and bullied by older boys, until he is left crying, head in hands, alone and seated against a wall. A girl of similar age approaches the boy and helps him up. She offers him a piece of chocolate. They then leave the school gates together and she leads him to a park. They play on the swings etc. She then introduces him to a large group of mixed sexed, similar age children who seem to welcome the ‘new boy’. The day is spent at the park playing football, water fight, picnic etc. It is clear that the boy is happy (close ups on smile) and enjoying himself. The final shot is of the boy and the girl, watching the sun set, sat on a raised bit of ground (hill/ mound). They hold hands – the final shot of their silhouette, with the sun setting behind them.
