Creating in our groups

In today's lesson we began brainstorming the ideas for the music video. We got our song 'Are You That Somebody' by Aaliyah, after discussing it we decided that the narrative based idea of mine was not the path we wanted to go. Therefore we decided to choose elements of other people's music videos. We all really liked Ella's idea of the light show and different light techniques. We want to showcase the singer and dancers in different lightnings and silhouettes; and then have the singer sing against a coloured backdrop. We really want to emphasis the 90's stylistic elements, however make the video look like it is modern and from the 21st century. 

Getting into our groups

Today we were placed in our Media groups. Saskia, Ella and I then began discussing and reminding each other of our music video ideas. We then looked at the individual elements of each music video and pointed out things that we liked from each others; for example I liked Ella's idea of having a light show and using different types of lights and colours; I also liked Saskia's element of the paint powder being thrown at the singer. Our primary focus was to choose and agree on a song for the music video. There was a mixture of opinions whether we should choose a song of the Indie genre by Saskia and Ella or an R&B song by me. We thought of the possibilities we could do in either an Indie or R&B song and decided that their are more styilistic options available in an R&B song. Therefore for our main idea we will do the R&B song "Are You That Somebody" by Aaliyah and for the back-up we will do ....... by ..... . We enjoyed discussing our ideas and bringing elements from our music video ideas into one.  Now we need to start constructing a treatment for our main idea and a treatment for our back-up idea. 

Reflection of Music Video Idea 2

One issue that I was made aware of was about the casting for the video, due to the mature tones in the music video, actors our age could look unrealistic in the video; thus I would need to look at casting older looking actors who look like they’re in their mid-twenties.  Due to the 90’s music video inspiration for it, I was told to not to make the video pay homage to the 90’s decade, as it could turn out very comical and looking like a parody.

The element of using the snake would need to be greatly considered and researched as it is a wild animal that we cannot  control and it would be difficult to acquire one for the shoot.

  I also will make it less literal in the narrative and make it more abstract for example making the set and furniture all one colour, and using elaborate lighting designs.

 Lastly, I was told that reconstructing a club scene in the studio will look dull and unrealistic. Therefore instead of a club I will turn it into a lounge with luxurious sofas and strong lighting, this way I can have the actors sitting and drinking instead of dancing and jumping. 

Reflection for Music Video Idea 1

From the feedback I received for my first music video, I have reflected on that and made the changes to the video idea using the feedback. Because of the problems of acquiring and filming in a honey factory, I would not use a honey factory, but instead make it more abstract and film it in the studio against a metallic background; to give the industrial look.

 Additionally, I could use lighting and the set to make the video more symbolic and less literal. One issue that was raised was that due to the amount of locations and costume changes it would be difficult to film in one day. Therefore, I would shoot everything in the studio and use detailed backdrops to create the sense of different locations.

The last point was that the song is by a music icon and therefore would be difficult to acquire rights. In addition, Mariah Carey’s voice is distinct and therefore the audience would recognise her and compare the artist to the one in the video; the music video would look more like a cover rather than an individual music video.

Feedback for Music Video Idea 2

• One concern was the age of the actors, as using young actor may not look as realistic due to the more mature tones of the music video.

• Another issue was setting it in a club, as reconstucting a club scene in the studio will not look realistic and it is not logistically possible to film in a real club when people are dancing.

• One feedback was that I don't have to emphasis the 90's music video theme (like in the scene where the singer puts a pair of underwear in the guys car). The concern was how would I incorporate the 90's music video feel without it being cliche and unoriginal. 

• The idea of using the snake was well recieved but also created the issue of relying on an animal that we cannot control and having to find and hire a snake, which might me difficult to do.

• Additionally, I was told that I did not have to go as literal in the narrative and the video could be more abstract, this is something I will consider in my reflection. 

Feedback for Music Video Idea 1

• The overall general comment was that there were lots of elements and it was a complex music video, and the logistical problems of filming it all in one day. 

• Another point was that the song choice is by a famous artist (Mariah Carey). People may recognise her voice and then see the music video as just a cover. There also is possiblt the issue of getting the rights to the song.

• One feedback, was that I do not need to go as literal as basing it in a honey factory, and perhaps finding a symbolic and realistic way of presenting that.

• I was also made aware of the issue of pouring honey on the singer, as it could be very difficult for the singer to remove and difficult as a subsance to work with.

Developing Idea for Digipak and Homepage for Idea 3 ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’

I will focus on visual elements and themes that match my artist’s star image and genre. When looking for visual elements, I will make sure that they are cohesive and link with the music video, digipak and website homepage. I want all three aspects of the campaign to express the artists image and the meaning of the song.

For my third idea ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’ by Toni Braxton, I looked at the music video idea. In the music video I want to represent her as being elegant and also a diva. I then began thinking of famous female icons. 

This made me think of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. After looking at photos of them, I noticed that most of the photos were from photoshoots and portrayed them as being of high status. 

However, I wanted to show my star as an ‘icon’ but also behaving normally so that they could connect with their audience. Therefore, I started looking for candid photos of famous icons, here are some below.

I liked the vintage and timeless style of the black and white photographs. I would like to use black and white photography on my digipak. I then came across a photograph of Marilyn Monroe putting on her make-up, on top of that I found more candid photos of her getting ready (e.g. dressing up, putting on perfume…).

I liked the idea of having the digipak tell a story. I would want the front cover of her putting on make-up, then on the other sides of the digipak of her putting on perfume; doing her hair, and at the last side of the digipak (back), the artist is looking glamorous with paparazzi’s taking photos. 

(Front)

(Sides of the digipak)

(Back of digipak)

This shows the process that takes place to construct her ‘star’ image. It plays on the fact that she is a celebrity (diva) but also a normal person, which follows Dyer’s star theory that ,“The star must be both ordinary and extraordinary The star must be both present and absent”, therefore connecting with the fans. I think that the idea of the digipak, connects with the music video, because it does represent her glitzy lifestyle, like in the music video. 

To find inspirations for the homepage, I looked back at some of the iconic female inspirations, I used for my album cover. I looked up at Marilyn Monroe’s website, I really liked harmonious light colours, and  the placement of her body in front of the text. 

I find that the clean and classic design of the homepage would emphasis her luxurious and sophisticated persona. 

I also found that the singer Brandy Norwood’s website was very interesting. The design followed the sleek and elegant style I wanted, however the background was a video, which made it very interactive and modern. I liked the idea of a video as a background because it not only makes the homepage an interactive interface but could promote her album, upcoming tours and music.

Below is a screen video of Brandy’s website:

For the homepage, I want a simplistic classic look that highlights her extravagance but is modern and interactive with users.