Premiere - Lip Sync

LIP SYNC 

Today session we had a practice on editing our own music video.
It was quite challenging because I have not quite done a lot of editing since the last coursework, but also I have never worked on producing my own music video. Therefore I had to fiddle around with the tools to get use to premiere and also learning more about the great techniques of producing an epic music video.

I found that today's lesson was very fun and it had made me realized that to make one good music video, it takes more than just 10 minutes to just edit one scene but you have to put your all into it and try to imagine what audiences like yourself would like from a music video.


The first tool that I've learnt from this session was when we click the letter M on the keyboard, the green arrow would appear and this would tell which part or shot we want in each scene.
This is also an advantage for me because it was easier for me to know which part I want or which part is important.                                                                                                                                                                          

This screenshot of the timeline is very significant as well because it will tell me exactly where I have put each shot or part. Also when making music video, there should be many editing to make it more interesting to audiences and therefore this timeline makes sure that I reach my target or objectives. 

By the end of the first minute of the music video, I have already used at least 2 hours of editing and this have proven to me that editing music videos is not that easy to appeal to as many audiences. 
And with limited shots that have been taken, it can take longer to put each scene in and to make it as fascinating as other great, top music video in the music industry.


This is the final cut for the first minute of "GET LUCKY" music video

Technical Analysis

TECHNICAL ANALYSIS

Codes and Conventions

Codes and Conventions

This week we had a lesson and homework time to do a presentation on a music genre on "codes and conventions". 
I have chosen Rap as my genre and I specifically compared female artists e.g.. Nicki Minaj, Fergie

I have done Rap Genre because I feel that I want to come out of my comfort zone and do something different than what I have already know already.

From different research of rap music, it made me realize how rap can shape people and it also represents a group of people who wants to be themselves and be honest.






Here are some other extra conventions that also represent Rap Music:

• a lot of focus on the artist 
• the excitement of the music video is all created through facial expressions, camera angles and editing techniques
• uses simple locations or abandoned locations
• usually shot with dark lightings and low angle shots --> shows mysteriousness and powerfulness and important when using the two techniques

Codes and Conventions - Boyband

Hi Blog!

In this lesson with Mr. Harrison, we have learnt about codes and conventions of boybands.

Each boyband has their own characteristics but they are also similar in some kind of way.
Also some music videos have intertextual from movies and shows as well. 

Counting Cuts

Counting Edits

Today we have discussed about editing music videos. We believe that for a good music video, there has to be regular cuts to make the video more attractive to audiences. Without edits, the music video wouldn't be as interesting because there are not a lot of new shots or any shots that could make the audiences engage with the music video.

1. My Neighbour's House

• Counting Edits: 8 edits in 40 seconds

This Music video was created by students. I would say this music video is not a good example of a good music video because it has only a few edits which makes the song and the video not as interesting as other music videos that may have more interesting edits and more cuts. Also the shots that were taken were kind of dull and not as good taken as other music videos. 

Some of the shots here are not that clear or significant so I feel that the music video is non-uniformed and they are not as appealing. 

Some audiences would say that the shots taken were not linked because in one shot the guitarist was playing very fast, but the song was actually not and it wasn't in tune, therefore when taking shots or editing scenes, they should be careful with details and should make audiences attract to the song and the video.

2. We share the same skies -The Crib

• Counting Edits: 23 edits in 40 seconds

This music video was sung and acted by "The Cribs". I would say that even though the video is not as clearly planned or even when the scenes are only black and white, this music video is more attractive and more fascinating that the first one that is made by students. The 300% increase in editing makes the video more appealing and it attracts the audiences attentions more. The side by side shots here also made the video more significant because audiences are able to see what the two shots are and how they are similar, contrasts or linked. 

3. Who's That Chick? - David Guetta and Rihanna

• Counting Edits: about 60 edits in 40 seconds

This music video have became one of the most edited music video I have seen. The changing of shots were very regular and it has created some excitement for audiences like me. However, sometimes the editing have been a little to frequent and have created some dizziness for me. On the other hand, the editing of the color effects are very eye catching and makes us watch the music video until the end. 


4. Love you like a love song - Selena Gomez

• Counting Edits: 16 edits in 40 seconds

This music that I have chosen is one of my favorite music video for counting edits because I feel that its not a bad number of edits and because every cut links to the next scene and it makes audiences wonder what will happen next due to the mis en scenes, setting and even the edit. 
Even though the number of edits are a lot lower than the one before, but it doesn't make the music video any less interesting. But I think it depends on the rhythm of the song and the plot of the music video as well. 

Continuing Andrew Goodwin's Theory

6 Theories and examples of Music Videos

1. Lyrics and Visuals

- Illustrative --> Clear connection
e.g. Can't stop the feeling by Justin Timberlake 
The lyrics imply that people are having fun and they cannot stop being happy, which is also illustrate in the music video because the main vocalist (Justin Timberlake) and other people are dancing and having fun. Dancing here may also symbolize the positive feeling they all had

via GIPHY

- Contradict --> Connection is unclear
e.g. Price tag by Jessie J 
The Music Video here contradicts with the lyrics in almost every scene because the lyrics should be about not thinking too much about the money. However, some shots in the music video includes money and how people is surrounded and care about money because "money is important" and "money is the key to happiness" 

In this shot where Jessie J is dancing beside the "money" trees contradicts the most.






- Amplify --> Visual create further meaning
eg. We don't talk anymore
This music video is one of my favorite music videos this year because all the scenes are parallel edited and it shows both characters clearly about their similarities, differences and even emotions. 
The song is about how the 2 characters used to be lovers but now they have been separated so the music video shows both character's life after their breakup and how they "don't talk anymore". Which this also links to feelings and emotions not just how they don't talk anymore but how this breakup has made them who they are now.

2. Music and Visuals

- Illustrative --> 
e.g. Brave by Sara Bareilles 
The use of rhythm, beat here connects with the music video. Every shot that is edited matched with the beat of the song which makes audiences like me feel that the song and shots are uniform and not confused about the contrasts. 
The song and the people in the shots are dancing or walking on beat so therefore it makes the song more positive and smoother.




3. Voyeurism = Notion of looking...
- "Objectification" --> the process turning someone into an object.
                              --> not based on talent, personality, identity

* OBJECT OF SEXUAL GRATIFICATION
e.g. I Luh Ya Papi by Jennifer Lopez
The Music Video here has a different point of view than most music videos because usually female would be the sexual objects but in this music video Jennifer Lopez and her friends decided that they wanted the males to be the sexual object instead because they said that they see only females being objectified in music videos and the artists (mostly males) are shot in yachts and with luxurious cars with half naked girls. Therefore, they felt that females should be dominate and males should be objectified this time.

4. Intertextuality
e.g. Love Story by Taylor Swift
This song was written by Taylor Swift and she create an allusion where she compares her love for a boy and of Romeo and Juliet. It was mostly based of how they were banned to see each other and are willing to die to be together.

The location was firstly shot at a school but then changed into a castle, ballroom and in an older time period. I find that the lighting is very significant because it changes to the mood and atmosphere of each scene.




The intertextual here is the link between Romeo and Juliet, however, the music video is the modernized version of the story. Taylor Swift had adapted this epic, most popular, most well-known love story into her music video, therefore this had made her music video and music more interesting and attractive to audiences of different ages. 

Andrew Goodwin's MV Theory

Andrew Goodwin Music Video Theory

Andrew Goodwin theory --> Music videos ignore common narratives as they essentially advertisements. As consumers, we make up our own meanings of a song in our minds: a music video can anchor meaning and gives the record company/ artist a method of anchoring meaning...




He explains his theory using 6 different conventions within a music video:
1. A relationship between lyrics and the visuals, which illustrates, amplify or contradict the lyrics

2. The relationship between music and the visual, which illustrates, amplify or contradict the music.






3. Genre-related style and iconography present

4. Multi close-ups of main artist or vocalists: the creation of star image to promote a recognizable brand image


5. Voyeurism often plays a major part, especially in relation to women

6. Intertextual references to other media texts may be present, especially humorous videos