Evaluation Question 1: Conventions of the genre

Narrative theories in our music video

Narrative theories in our music video

Our music video does fit Todarov’s narrative theory but not in the way a traditional text would. Our video begins with the whole band playing together; this equilibrium is interrupted with the music that allows each character to enter their own chamber of reflection, this is where each person is shot in their own personal environment which is a visual metaphor of how music can feel like an escape to some people and can be a form of meditation. This is tied in with the overlaid video to create a psychedelic effect and help create a distinction between reality and personal reflection. This continues and is eventually resolved at the end when the band are seen playing together again. Although Todarov’s narrative theory is not immediately clear in our music video as it is more of a metaphorical disruption. There is an equilibrium, disruption and new equilibrium however there is no recognition of disruption and no clear attempt at repair. The beginning and the end of our video are shot in a similar way in the same location; this makes our audience question whether the characters really left the room or were just in their own psychological chamber of reflection.

Propps’ theory on character types is not present in our video, there are no good or evil characters present, this can help audiences project themselves onto our neutral characters and gain gratification. Propps believes every media text contains a clear protagonist, villain and many other archetypes. Our music video however defies this theory although some people may interpret the music to act as a villain as it separates the heroes into their own worlds

Goodwin’s theory of lyrics and music video is clear in our music video. The echoing lyric of “alone again” is repeated while each character is in their own chamber of reflection. This helps emphasise the isolation they feel while in their meditative state. The song title ‘Chamber Of Reflection’ although not a lyric, is portrayed in the video as each character enters a mental state that could be described as a chamber of reflection.

In terms of a closed or open structure I would argue that our video could be interpreted in either way. Our video ends with each character leaving their chamber of reflection and playing together as a band, this could be seen as a resolution and form a closed structure. However, at the very end the drums begin to count in again, this could be an indication that the song is about to begin again like an auditory ellipses, this could also signify the cyclical nature of life.

Semiotics are particularly present in our music video, the candle could be interpreted as a symbol of meditation as they are often used in religious practice. The minute timer could be seen as a symbol of masonic rituals which include chambers of reflection.

Binary opposition is used in our video to emphasise the feelings of the characters being alone vs when they are together. Although being alone is traditionally seen as being a negative thing, in our video it is seen as a positive stage where the characters can reflect upon themselves.

Applying audience theories to my music video

Apply the concept of audience to one of your coursework pieces:

My music video captures our male dominated audience through gratification theory, our audience can project themselves onto us as we play the various instruments, and this is pleasurable to viewers who cannot play musical instruments. Dennis McQuail states that we all consume media for different reasons that are unique and personal to ourselves, this can be applied to our audience as seeing us playing together as a band may resonate with them. McQuail also theorises about why modern users watch texts and use social networking. I believe our video is viewed for relaxation motives to help the viewer unwind and relax; this is because our video contains a slow beat and colourful happy visuals.

My survey concluded that most people in our target audience choose to view music videos on the website YouTube. By choosing to upload our music video to YouTube it enables us to reach the largest audience possible. This popular viewing platform for music videos is particularly popular for children and young adults aged 12-25; by allowing our video to be viewed on this website we have ensured that none of our target audience is isolated.

One way that our target audience has been addressed is through the narrative, our story is not encoded is a strict way. The music video allows the individual to decode it in whatever way they choose, this is particularly important for our target audience of young males who like to feel that our music video is applicable to their life. Stuart Hall describes this two-step flow theory and suggests that there is no right or wrong way to decode something but instead the actual meaning of the text is decided by society’s decoding as a whole. This idea can also relate to Roland Barthes theory who states that the encoding of a text is not significant and that an individual’s decoding of a text is more important. This is why the creator of a media piece cannot dictate what people choose to take from it.

Film is uploaded

Here is our finished music video which has been uploaded to YouTube

Editing finished audio problem

Yesterday we finished editing on our music video, Lewis uploaded the final piece to youtube however there has been a problem with the audio and it has become distorted. We will be working to find a solution to this in today's lesson.

Breaking up for christmas

Today we broke up for Christmas, due to the delay caused by the VHS conversion we have decided to borrow a laptop from school so that we can edit our video over the holidays.

VHS Tape

On Friday we sent our tape off to a shop that will convert it to digital footage that we can edit on Final Cut Pro. Tomorrow we will get our footage back and we will begin editing.

Editing Continued

Here is a picture of the editing software we used, Final Cut Pro 5

Beginning editing

Today we got our converted footage back from the shop and began editing our music video, we're on schedule to have our video finished and uploaded by next Monday (21st Dec)

Filming update

Today we filmed in the boiler room of our school. This is good for our music video as it is a very isolated setting. We got some good shots of Lewis lip syncing.

Filming today

Today we filmed some footage of me playing bass in the old sixth form block. This is a great setting because the derelict setting is really eerie. We will be filming some footage of Lewis playing the keyboard in the hall tomorrow.

Permisssion to use the old 6th form block

Today we asked the headmaster of our school if we could film in the old 6th form block and he said we could. This would be an interesting location to film, as the school have been planning to knock the building down for a while. The derelict setting would be a great place to get some shots of the band playing.

Filming today

Today we planned to film some footage in the hall, however the year 11s had their mock GCSEs on so we couldn't film. Instead of doing nothing we went up to the music studio and got some footage of us playing up there, we might use this footage in-between other shots in our planned location.

music video ratings

It is important for us to consider age ratings when creating a music video, adding unsuitable themes could isolate our target audience. The song we have picked is clean and does not contain any bad language or themes. This means that we should create a music video that is also clean as not to stop young fans of the song from watching the music video.


This is becoming an increasingly important factor to remember as Youtube are starting to issue age ratings on their music videos.

BBFC Age Ratings

How do the British Board of Film Certificate rate films?

Films ratings are based on the content in the film. Material that shows

• Violence
• Nudity/Sex
• Drug use
• Blood/Gore
• Bad Language
• Discrimination
• Suggestible themes (these may be dangerous acts that children imitate)

How is 'Sense8' postmodern?

'Sense8' is an American science fiction drama, the plot revolves around 8 people from different walks of life who suddenly become mentally and emotionally linked. Sense8 aims to explore topics that are often ignored in other, more conventional sci fi shows such as: identity, sexuality,gender and religion.

One reason why Sense8 is so clearly postmodern is that the programme revolves around the blurring of reality. The characters have momentary experiences of each other’s lives. In the first 10 minutes this becomes apparent, when we see police officer Will gorski wake up from a nightmare and precede to go and complain about the loud music from the neighbouring apartment. He knocks on the door and we can hear the dance music coming from inside. When no one answers the door, Will kicks the door down and the music stops. He finds the apartment empty and there is no trace of anyone. We as the audience know that he is experiencing the sound of the nightclub from character Riley Blue, an Icelandic DJ living in London. This scene is cleverly edited as the music is represented as digetic sound, because it is not revealed that he is experiencing Riley’s hearing until he enters the empty apartment.

Another example of the blurring of fiction and reality is when we are presented with a scene in a church, where a man is approaching the alter wielding a gun. He holds the gun up to the priests head and is about to shoot when the director calls cut. We are then shown that this is just the set of a film and they are all actors. This scene would not have the same effect it does if it revealed this straight away. Instead we are made to feel uneasy with the intense non digetic music and the slow tracking shot of the feet walking along.

In the first episode of Sense8 we are introduced to the main 8 characters within the first 25 minutes. This Constant switching between each character’s experience creates a lack of clear metanarrative which makes us intrigued to discover their link to each other. This is also a feature of post modernism

The transgender character Nomi Marks is not immediately revealed as a trans man and instead is shown with her lesbian lover. This creates the feeling that transgendered people are just like anyone else (which they are). However other shows in the past have either not included trans people or included them as a token character which have no effect on the plot of the piece. This shift in attitudes towards sexuality and gender is an extremely current topic, this emphasised how up to date with modern life Sense8 is and is effective in its approach towards modern issues.

School Trip

Today we visited 'F.A.C.T' (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), we watched the film 'The Princess Bride', it was a good film and I couldn't help but try and analyse the postmodern aspects of it. An example of these postmodern features would be the fact that it is essentially a story within a story. The film cuts between the fairy tale and the young boy's reaction to the story.

 

 After watching the film we had a short talk from a member of the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) He told us how films are rated and explained why 'The Princess Bride' is rated a PG (Parental Guidance). Here is the link to the BBFC Website

Here is a picture of FACT in Liverpool

Timeline for music video

Locations: School Hall, Recording Studio, George's back garden, abandoned Sixth Form Block.

Begin Filming- 7th November  


Finish Filming: 10th December 


Convert Footage to digital: 11th December 


Begin Editing:  14th December 


Finish Editing/Upload to Youtube: 21st December

Storyboard 1

planning 2