Its Christmas

And a break is very much needed.

Happy Holidays!

NME - Advertisment Example

NME, New Music Express, is defiantly a popular music magazine, which supports new British bands, mainly of the genre of the rock, indie, electronic folk side. Therefore, the believe that my 'clients' are suitable for this type of magazine, and i shall focus my advertisement of them similar to NME and other magazine that do the same, such a Kerrang and Q.

Editing

Mainly at the moment have been editing when i have the time, which seems to be like everyday. Still hasnt come together yet, and still need to do one more bit of filming, which i will have to do when we return from the christmas holidays.

Continued Research in Artists

'Beautiful' - XFM 'A Modern Classic' - Who's Jack Magazine
'Astonishing' - Sandman Magazine
'Spine tingling' - Metro
'Amazing' - No Title
'Poised and delicate' - Traffic Magazine

No Title Magazine

In this magazine, Black Diamond Bay were featured:

http://torsteinsphotoblog.wordpress.com/category/no-title-magazine/

They also featured on Sandman Magazine, under their old name Tarentum: http://www.sandmanmagazine.co.uk/Web-147/145/02.pdf

Filming

Its terrible, im still filming, but thats ok, because im editing as well, and i will get it done by the deadline. I still need to one last bit of filming, but i shall be doing that next week, and then everything will be done. I cant wait im so excited. I do love media!

Editing

I've finally began editing the footage for the music video. its been exciting and frustrating at the same time, due to attempting to get the lip syncing right. But is been amazing fun and i do really enjoy it. I will continue to work hard on it until i am finished and i cant wait!

Animatic of Music Video - I Won't Forget You

This is the storyboard created for Black Diamond Bay 'I Won't Forget You'. It taken ages to do this due to technical fails with the iMac and the fact i lost my storyboard but i found it so everything has worked out well.





I've noticed that it has become unclear on the blog, so i shall attempt to explain each slide.
Slide 1. We see the girl on the floor, curled up, in despair and confusion
Slide 2. We see the lip synching of a girl's lips to the music
Slide 3. Girl opening door the her room for her boyfriend
Slide 4. We see the full face of the singer, and realise it is the girl in the story as well
Slide 5. Break Up scene
Slide 6. Gig Setting
Slide 7. See girl upset and her ex walk away
Slide 8. Gig Scene
Slide 9. Girl walking to the park
Slide 10. Girl sitting in park by a lake
Slide 11. Reminising scene, end of sequence see boy and girl holding hands
Slide 12. Gig Scene
Slide 13. Gig Scene
Slide 14. Girl in depression on bed
Slide 15. Girl walking, lost and confused
Slide 16. Girl sees ex with another woman
Slide 17. Realise that the boy, the ex, is in the band aswell
Slide 18. Girl running
Slide 19. Gig Scene
Slide 20. Girl running
Slide 21. Girl on the floor, same as the begining.

Its FIINNNEEE

I've found the storyboard and they should be up tomorrow with the Animatic...Problem SOLVED!

Research into other Artists of the same genre!

This song my Fever Ray called 'When I Grow Up' is similar to the genre of my violent, Black Diamond Bay, which is Electronic. Although the are not exactly the same, Black Diamond Bay being Electronic-Folk and Fever Ray just being Electronic, this video shows creativity and peculiar setting. It has no story to it, but some how manages to keep you interested to watch...just take a look.



It is extremely surreal but fascinating at the same time, I clearly really like it. It also really simple as well and just intriguing. It uses a variety of different shots including close ups, extreme close up, establishing shots, mid shots and long. The timing and pace is amazing, especially the interpretive dance and the setting was also strange and eerie.

Risk Assessment

In class we had discussed the different factors acquired on a Health and Safety assessment, as not to cause harm to myself, the actors helping and others:

No filming in inappropriate locations.
Check safety of locations e.g. roads.
Minimise risk of theft of equipment.
When filming on location ensure a responsible adult know where you are and are able to contact you.
Be sure to be able to have contact with those helping, and others, and are able to call someone in case of an emergency.
Check all equipment is working before you leave.
Ensure you have permission for filming if necessary.
Always film with at least one other person.
Assess possible risk on locations, such as glass etc that could harm your and others around.
Weather condition is suitable, which will no effect others, yourself and equipment.

Don't be Alarmed

Ive basically lost my storyboard, which is rather annoying, because i had proper worked on it and everything, and have been waiting for the iMacs to work so i was able to put them on here and produce and wonderful Animatic. But no. I will, however, HUNT for my storybaord, because i was pretty amazing by it, as it took me for-ages!

Advertisments

Here is a variety of different Advertisement poster. As you can tell, they are colorful and attractive, and clearly show what they want to sell or put across. They seek to inform as well as entertain in some way and clearly do this through vibrant colours, to attract an audience to this campaign.

Storyboard Planning

Finally the iMacs should be working, so i can get my storyboard and Animatic created tomorrow, and then post for you lovely examiners. Thanks for waiting.

Laura Mulvey Theory

Feminist Film Theory & Audiences
Laura Mulvey
Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema (1975)

The Argument

• Cinema reflects society
• Therefore cinema reflects a patriarchal society (society ruled by men)

How then does a patriarchal society manifest itself in cinema?

Patriarchy & Phallocentrism

• Phallus is the symbol of power
• Note how guns are used in films

Guns = Phallus = Power

The Gaze

The "gaze" of the camera is the male "gaze". The male gaze is active, the female passive. Within the narrative the male characters direct their gaze towards female characters. The spectator is made to identify with the male look, because the camera films from the optical, as well as libidinal point of view of the male.

Thus three levels of the cinematic gaze - Camera, Character & Spectator - that objectify the female character (The Triple Gaze). Therefore, the audience is constructed itself as male. Women are forced to look as though they were a male audience member.

Agency

In Classical Hollywood cinema, the male protagonist has agency, is active, powerful and move the plot forward. He is the agent around whom the plot unfolds. The female character is passive and powerless, she is the object of desire to the protagonist and audience

Erotic Desire

Mulvery argues that women have two roles in film: 1) As an object of erotic desire for the characters and 2) As an object of erotic desire for the audience

Suture

Suture is a classic Hollywood narrative and editing style which 'sutures' or positions the audience into certain ways, making only one preferred reading possible, however unconscious the audience is of that position.

Here is an example from the movie 'Crash', co-written, produced and directed by Paul Haggis, in 2004. Before this scene, The father, Daniel, has given his daughter, Lara, his "invisible cloak" to protect her. This Perisan shop owner, Farhad, fears his own safety and has a door that wont close properly. He hires Daniel to fix it, but has difficult speaking English. Daniel tells him that the shop door needs replacing, in which Farhad believe Daniel is trying to cheat him. The store gets burgled, blaiming Daniel. He goes off and seeks to shoot Daniel, as he has lost everything.

We were forced into one preferred reading. That Lara had been shot. This will have caused an emotional reaction from you. But really, the gun contained blanks and not bullets. Shame on you!

Mark Scheme for Coursework

This will actually have a great impact on my coursework. By me knowing the mark schemes, i can apply my music video to the scheme, and ensure that i produce a really good music video. The world is very exciting.



Level 4
The candidate is expected to demonstrate excellence in the creative use of most of the following technical skills:--

• holding a shot steady, where appropriate
• framing a shot, including and excluding elements as appropriate
• using a variety of shot distances as appropriate
• shooting material appropriate to the task set-selecting mise-en-scene including colour, figure, lighting, object and setting
• editing so that meaning is apparent to the viewer
• using varied shot transitions, captions and other effects selectively and appropriately
• using sound with images and editing appropriately for the task

Filming Production

I had plan to do some filming today, involving Nicole, Nathaniel and Kirsty today, but Nathaniel was unable to do it today for some reasons. So i decided to do the majority of Nicole's parts. It involved a lot of parks, as well as Nicole RUNNING round Goodmayes Park. It was funny. I had lot of fun.

Therefore i can do Nathaniel's one day after school, and hopefully school afternoons because i need that time of day before it goes dark. Both Nicole and Nathaniel do further maths, which really is not good. But i can learn to work around certain issues.

Template

I drew this template on Paint, just to give myself the outline of what a template should look like, till i get a proper one, and that i can understand it myself. Its simple.

This template, i believe, will help me to achieve a great 6 Digipak for my Media Coursework.

6 Digipak

I have come to understand that because we wont have enough time to do the website and the advertisement, i believe we are actually just doing a 6 Digipak and a Advertisement for our coursework instead. I have till the end of Decemeber to finish the Music Video and then finish everything else. This will be fun.

I believe this to be a good website for 6 Digipaks Templates. It come from the Oasis website, as they're example of a Digipak is brilliant:

http://www.oasiscd.com/graphics/templates.asp

the DIGIPAK

"Digipak is a patented style of compact disc or DVD packaging"

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digipak]

The StoryBoard Idea

I was not sure if i had put my inital ideas of my storyboard, so i thought i should add it just in case i didn't. Also the storyboard should be able to be uploaded onto my blog, by next week, which is exciting and good.

SO IMAGINE
This music video features the lost and trouble soul of a broken-hearted young girl. It is the grim truth of those feelings we so often do not wish to share, or even show. Throughout her days, she can’t help but wonder on memory row, making her reminisce of those precious moments spent with her closest and lover. It is not until the last encounter, she will no longer forgot, about her ex-boyfriend, whose happy frolicking with other woman, to torment her. She can bear her feelings no more, and results in an endless run, trying to escape, and only left to herself.

Whist the story follows through, it is clear that this tale is between two members of the band. Whether it being something that has passed or hasn’t.

Re Play

Today i looked over my footage of what i had did with Nicole on Saturday. I am very pleased and it has worked out there. I realise that i have alot of stuff to work with so i am please.

However, it has resulted in me having to go and ask sir for another tape, as i only have 13 minutes remaining, and i know that will definately not last me, as i have a lot to do. Fun Times.

I'd just like to say, right now, how much i actually enjoy everything i do in media studies. It allows me to be creative, as well as critical understand the effects of different media text.

Media Studies is FUN.

The Reception Theory

This theory was developed by Stuart Hall, and academic.

Texts are encoded with meaning by producers and then decoded (understood) by the audience.

The theory suggests that:

• When a producer constructs a text it is encoded with a meaning/message that the producer wishes to convey to the audience
• In some cases the audience will correctly decode the message/meaning and understand.
• In other cases the audience will reject or fail to understand the message.

Stuart Hall identified three types of readings (decoding) of the text:

DOMINANT, NEGOTIATED & OPPOSITIONAL Dominant - The audience decodes the message as the producer wants them to do and broadly agrees with it

Negotiated - The audience accepts, rejects or refines elements of the text in light of previously held views

Oppositional - The dominant meaning is recongised by rejected for cultural, political or idealogoical reasons

Uses & Gratification Model

This model believes that the audience is ACTIVE and not PASSIVE. The audience uses the text and is not used by it. The audience uses the text for its own gratification or pleasure.

Here power lies with the audience. not the producers. This theory emphasises what audiences do with media text - how and why they use them.

Far from being duped by the media, the audience is free to reject, use or play with the media meaning as they see fit.

Audience therefore use media texts to gratify needs for:

Diversion

Escapism

Information

Pleasure

Comparing relationship & lifestyles

Sexual stimulation

The audience is control and consumption of the media helps people with issues such as:

Learning

Emotional satisfaction

Relaxation

Help with issues of personal identity

Help with issues of social identity

Help with issues of aggression and violence

The theory suggests that audiences act out their violent imagery through the consumption of media violence. The audience is therefore sublimated towards violence, less likely to act or commit violent acts.

Treatment

Name of Track: I Won't Forget You

Artists: Black Diamond Bay

Name of Student: Carla Fletcher

Initial Research and Target Audience:

As evident from this clip of Black Diamond Bay, singing their track 'I Won't Forget You', on the hit TV Program of Hollyoaks, I gather that the target audience will range between 16 to 24 year olds, who enjoy a blend of Electronic Folk, as described by the band, and also Indie music.

Outline Ideas:

Upon hearing this track, it was apparent to me that i would play on the words, and create a video about the despair and emotions of a girl, who was broken hearted by her now ex-boyfriend.

What resources will you need?:

The Girl, who will be the main character as we follow her emotional struggle

The Boy, who we will witness break up with the Girl and be seen with another woman

The Girl 2, who we will glimpse with the Boy, seen as the new lover

the Props will contain a full band equipment with 2 Guitars, 2 Microphones and a Drum set, for the band

the Setting will be ventured around parks, lakes, roads, streets and a home

Filiming today!

Filming today. It just consisted of myself and Nicole, who is the leading lady in my music video. I had to re-shoot close up of her face and mouth, as i didnt like the footage i got from the first filming. What i see on the camera when i watch it, doesnt appear the same as it does on IMovie. Which is difficult, cause now i dont know if im close enough. However, i made sure that my background was cream, so you will never know that she wasnt actually in the same place when filming.

Technology and editing, and media is amazing manpulative.

The Effects Model

The theory suggests that the consumption of media texts effect, after adversely, The audience is influenced something to replicate what they have consumed.

Also known as the Hypodermic Syringe Model, here the audience is passive. Images of texts are 'injected' directly into the brain, and the audience are powerless to resist.

Case Studies

The Murder of James Bulger -3 year old James Bulger was murdered by two 10 year old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, in 1993. It had caused such an uproar, and some had blamed 'video nasties' such as Child's Play 3, due to its violent content which caused them to act out such violent actions.

HOWEVER, the two boys came from extremely terrible backgrounds, which would have defiantly had an impact on their lives. They, themselves, were abused, neglected and lived in a drug household.

Politicians failed themselves, not placing enough social care and therefore blamed this issue on the film. Newspapers blamed the film so as to sell papers.

The Murder of Stefan Pakeerah - Stefan Pakeerah was murdered by his friend, Warren Leblanc, in which his mother claimed that he was 'obsessed' with the game Manhunt, which contains graphic violence.

Evidence that proves the Effects Model;

1960s - Albert Bandura - the Bobo Doll Experiment. He wanted to see if children who watched violent films would act them out in reality. He believed that aggression must explain three aspects: 1. how aggression patterns of behaviour are developed, 2. What provokes people to behave aggressively, 3. What determines whether they are going to continue to resort to aggressive behaviour.

They had children watch violent aggression against a Bobo Doll. This featured someone hitting, punching etc against the doll. HOWEVER, after this they were placed in a room and told that they were not allowed to play with the toys. They were then placed in a room with a Bobo Doll and, therefrom after being angry and frustrated, 88% of the children attacked the Bobo Doll.

The Effects Model is not reliable and appears to be used as something to fall back on. The effect to make violent acts is debatable.

The Audience Theory

We have been doing work on TEXT, AUDIENCE and INSTITUTION:
















Text includes Books, Music, Films, Radio, Television, Newspapers & Magazines, Computer Games and Internet. It is the consumed by the Audience where they purchase these texts, therefore providing Institutions with capital; a financial transaction. Insititions are companies that proudces texts such as MTV, 20 Century Fox, Dreamworks, The Sun, The Times, BBC, ITV, Film 4, Sony, Samsung, Warner Brothers, Fueled by Ramen and many more. These Insititions, with the money recieved from Audience purchases, is used to produce more texts, where the cyle begins again.

Pictures of Filming 1st October

Filming

Filming for the band sequence of my Music Video commenced yesterday after school on Thursday 1st at 2pm. It was extremely stressful trying to control people and i was getting extremely annoyed. But hopefully it has worked out. It was fun after getting the 'dance extras' to go, and then i had only the band members to control. I had a lot of fun and i did enjoy myself.

I have just looked at the footage and it seems to be good, and i can do a lot with it. And if i have to i can redo some sequences. I will be putting pictures up tonight to show the product.

More Permission

I have gotten permission from Mrs Brownley and Miss Templar to use Equipment and Drama Room. Tomorrow i shall be filming the band sequence. Finally. I'm am so excited.

Result!

Mrs Brownley allowed me to use her drama from for my media coursework. Shes lovely bless her. I saw Miss Templar was rather busy and decided that i shall pester her tomorrow about borrowing her equipment for my music video. I might have to do the band sequence filming next Wenesday, but i may be able to film the Storyboard bit on Friday hopefully when i ask them if they are free. Finally i can get started! It's rather exciting.

Permission

Today im going to make sure that i have every location sorted out. For the bad sequence of my music video i will be asking; Mrs Brownley is i may borrow the drama room, and Miss Templar if i could borrow the drum kit to transfer to the music room.

If they allow me too i will be extremely thankful, and then hopefully i can start filming sometime later in the week, or next week.

The Actors

Due to the fact that i believed Claire to appear under show much pressure, i have asked my other firend Nicole Dalton, who is in yeah 12, to help me, and she has agreed. This is brilliant, because she does acting and drama, which is a great plus. Nathaniel Whitfield will also be helping me as the leading man, as well as Jamie Boddington, Chris Stephens and Shaunica Lynch helping me as part of the band.

Videos that add Value

Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor

This music video I class as a music video that adds value to the song. This music video features Sinead O’Connor singing, with a close up frame, as well as footage of her walking about the area in Paris. At one moment, Sinead begins to cry as two tears roll down her face. She stated that this was caused by the lyric “All the flowers that you planted, Mama in the back yard/All died when you went away”; due to her complex relationship she had had with her mother. In the 1900 MTV Music Video Award she won Best Female Video.

I think this is an amazing video, which is so intense and simple, yet effective in intriguing the audience. I am currently going to use this effect in my music video, which will hopefully come out as great as it this in Sinead’s music video. it had topped the charts in the UK, Australia and US and is still a greatest hit and rememebered song.

Progress

So today i asked my friend, Claire Sealy-Bell. She has agreed, but she seems quite nervous. So I'm going to write her a message of what my storyboard is and everything. I am currently hoping to complete filming in two day. On one day i will concentrate on the band, in which they will be performing in front of people, who will be dancing. This will be done after school due to the complication of the drums, which i still need to ask for, as well as the drama room.

The 2nd day of filming will be to do all of the storyboard, which will definitely be done at the weekend. This is because there is a lot i want to do, and many locations i wish to do the video in.

I am planning to start filming wither next week or the very beginning of October, do that i have enough time to edit, as well as doing the rest of my task which is to do a website and dvd cover.

Inspiration

Today in Media Class, we looked at music videos produced by former Robert Clack Media Students, of the highest quality. Many are actually brilliant and amazing and i have found much inspiration from them, and ideas to put into my music video. Once we are able to put them onto the blog i will give my opinion and ideas on them, and say what i can take from them.

On Standby

I was lately thinking who to ask who is in a band, as i need instruments for my music video. Media is all about CONNECTIONS. Who you know. I know a guy called Nathaniel. He's in a band. Result.

So today, i spoke to Nathaniel about media and what i was doing and ask if he would help me. He tells me that he will speak to his band. So hopefully, yes. But at the moment, im still thinking things through and sorting everything out.

You see, the problem is whether the equipment is movable. The drums and a dodgy task. So i did take note of this and myself and my friend agreed that this would be a problem. So if we can find some way of working about this issue, then we will have a music video.

Controversial Music Videos

The Prodigy – Smack My Bitch Up 1997
This music video raised huge controversial issues. It was banned from MTV, however, later played but only after midnight, with warnings before it was shown. It is extremely explicit and was criticised for misogyny, hatred of women, despite the actually result of the ending being that it is a woman.

The music video portrays the point of view of what appears to be a lad’s night out, in which we witness drugs usage, violence, drink and driving, nudity and sex. However at the end it is revealed that it is a woman doing this night out, before she passes out on the bed.

The video gives a very realistic view of “laddism”, which is the behaviour and attitude associated with men, which can include alcoholism, sex and sport. However, feminists believe it is encouraging violence against women. However, others have praised it for being “subverted politically correct stereotypes of domestic violence”, meaning that it has weaken it.


Prodigy - Smack my bitch up will not allow me too show this video, due to the controversy issue and nudity.

http://vodpod.com/watch/200321-video-smack-my-bitch-up-uncensored-prodigy-prodigy-smack-my-bitch-the-dailymotion-share-your-videos

Queen – I Want to Break Free 1984
This music video is a parody of British soap Coronation Street, in which the band members dressed up in drag, mimicking characters from the soap. The bands also appear in coal mines and portray a ballet piece with the Royal Ballet.

This music video failed in the U.S. due to the fact that they did not realised that Freddie Mercury was actually a homosexual, as well as failing to see the connection to the soap. It was banned due to the content of it, and the transvestism. However, in the UK it received my better credit, reaching 3rd in the Chart, and remained there for 15 weeks.

I think this music video is brilliant, and being a fan of Queen, think it’s amazing and funny. I enjoy the way Freddie moves across the screen. He is a Legend!



Christina Aguilera – Dirrty 2002

This music video features Christina wearing, what I can describe as, barely nothing. She portrays herself as a sex symbol, showing her assets. This music video appeal mostly to men, and depicts sexual fetish from mud wrestling to stenolagnia. She eliminates her “girl next door” stereotype, which was portrayed from her previous job.

It had generated much controversy, especially in Thailand, in which the posters featured in the video translate to “Thailand Sex Tourism” and “Young Underage Girls”. The video was not allowed to play in Thailand, and banned.

I personally don’t mind this music video, although it is very sex provocative. It definitely relates to the song and will remain in your mind, making you automatically think of the music video when you hear the song.

Top 100 Music Videos - Channel 4

Channel 4 had broadcast the Top 100 Pop Videos. This is a really good source for research to get an understanding of what makes a good music video, whether that is due to the value of it, special effects used, humour or whether they create a controversial issue.

I will take some videos from this list and discuss and evaluate them. Deciding what makes them great and my opinion of them, and possibly how i could in cooperate them into my music video. These will be added over the week.

Time is Limited

Extremely. Due to the season of October, November and December, time is very limited. The equpiment we have, i.e, the camera, would not be able to pick up are good film, and the quality would be very poor, due to the less daylight we have. Also, because i'm about to start sixth form soon, time will be of the essence, because i will be busy during the day and will only have after school and weekends to film. Therefore, i'm up against time, and must use it very widely.

I have learnt from doing the thriller for coursework last year, that planning and organisation is the key. I am hoping to start filming in late September, early October, as editing will take most of my time, due to having to lip synch and be accurate. Also, our task involves alot of work, doing the magazine and the website, which will be new to not only me, but everyone.

Here It Goes, there's just a Million Ways

“A Million Ways” 2005
This single from ‘Ok Go’ was their first single successful from their album, “Oh No”, due to its music video which “proved to be a viral Internet phenomenon”[1]. It was a very low budget video (costing “under ten dollars”[2]), which features the band members in the back yard, performing a dance choreographed by Kulash sister, Trish Sie, who is a Grammy Award winning choreographer and director. It was done without the consent of their label; however it had become the most downloaded music video in August 2006 with over 9 million downloads. This lead to the success of this first single, and the popularity of the band.

I could seriously watch this all day, but i have this blog to complete. There is nothing wrong watching 4 men, showing their moves to its fans. Superb.

“Here It Goes Again” 2007
This was the third single released from their album “Oh No”, and was extremely successful in reaching the Billboard Hot Chart at number #30 and reached #36 on the UK Singles Chart. This was largely due to their stunning and amazing music video for “Here It Goes Again” which received over 47 million views on YouTube. This video was again choreographed by Trish Sie and took “a total of seventeen attempts to complete the video”[3]. Amazing, Ok Go also performed the dance routine at the MTV Video Music Awards 2006, which I remember watching, amazed.

Both Music Videos “A Million Ways” and “Here It Goes Again” have promoted their track, making it successful, which is the purpose of a music video, which is to promote. For conventions of a music video they do include Lip Synching, Dancing, the Band members and style which give them an identity.

Footnotes
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OK_Go#Music_video_fame
[2] ibid

[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here_It_Goes_Again

Ok just GO!

I remember the day I saw this. I was utterly amazed. It must have taken such careful planning and having to re-do the whole thing, great choreography which is brilliant, and made their song “Here It Goes Again” successful. This isn’t the usual way a music video is constructed. Therefore I shall analysis it and compare with other music videos. They wasn’t a very successful band, however, I love their music. I and my mate, Hollie, said we would do the dance from their music video from their single called “A Million Ways”. I actually love this video and think it’s so just class, and I and Hollie will one day do it; we promise.

Ok Go Profile
Rock band from Chicago
Damian Kulash, Tim Nordwind, Dan Konopka, Andy Ross
Unusual fashion sense & energetic music videos
Awarded Grammy for “Best Short-Form Music Video 2007”

Analysis of Take On Me

This music videos released by A-ha was seen as one of many memorable music videos of the century, due to its special effect by using rotoscoping. Although this effect has been around for years, the combination of live actions as well, and the idea of a girl jumping into this romantic fantasy storyboard gave a huge impact. The single itself took 3 tries to be included onto the UK Charts, becoming number 2 in 1985. I think this is due to the music video, which definitely helped to promo the single. This video on six awards and was nominated for two in the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards:

Won
Best New Artist in a Video
Best Concept Video
Most Experimental Video
Best Direction in Video
Best Special Effects in a Video
Viewers Choice
Nominated
Best Group Video
Video of the Year

This music video contains inducements, the artists and lip synching, as well as having a story narrative, which are some of the conventions of a music video. The editing of this music video suits the tune, and has quite a medium tempo. The fast editing of certain moments show the rush of moments, such as the running from the two men, and at the beginning when the race is about to begin, and we get a series of montage which establish a race.

Take on Me - A-ha

Profile
A Band from Norway
Morton Harket, Paul Waaktaar-Savoy & Magne Furuholmen

“Take on Me”
Directed by Steve Barron
Producer Alan Tarney
Filmed in Kim's Café and on a sound stage in London, in 1985
Pencil-sketch Animated/ Live Action (called rotoscoping)

Storyboard
“The video's main theme is a romantic fantasy narrative. It begins with a young woman, played by actress Bunty Bailey, drinking coffee and reading a comic book alone in a coffee shop. The comic contains a narrative about competitive motorcycle racing in which the hero is pursued by two villains. As the girl reads, her waitress writes out the bill for her to pay. The winner of the race, played by Morten Harket, winks at the girl from the page. Then a graphical representation of a hand reaches through the comic book, inviting the girl to enter his animated world. Through a creative effect they both view each other through a strange window which allows them to see each other in live action, while themselves, still remaining in comic book form.

When the waitress comes back for the bill, she discovers the girl missing and believes that she has left without paying. She angrily crumples up the comic book and throws it into a garbage can. Then, since the comic book is crumpled, the pages overlap and touch, allowing the two motorcycle villains to cross over into the panels containing Harket and the girl. One, wielding a pipe wrench, smashes the window. Harket punches one of the thugs and retreats with the girl into a maze created by the crumpled paper. Harket tears a hole so the girl can escape as he faces the two thugs. The girl reappears on the floor in the coffee shop, to the surprise of the shop clientele and employees. The startled girl grabs the comic book and runs to her home, where she tries to smooth out the creases to learn what happens next.

One of the panels shows Harket lying unconscious, and she begins to cry. Harket then wakes up and starts throwing himself against the edges of the panel of the comic books page, attempting to break out into the real world. As he does this, he begins to flash between animation and live action. The live-action version of him appears in the hallway leading to the girl's room, throwing himself against the corridor walls. He finally escapes from the comic book and embraces the girl. This last scene is based on the 1980 movie Altered States." [1]

Footnote
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_on_Me

Font with Help

I got the right font used by Black Diamond Bay. Thanks Tom.

I am so Glad

Black Diamond Bay are amazing. They are so helpful. It was so like me to pick a wrong email. But, we finally got there.

So again. Thankyou! I hope I'll do yous proud.

The Reply

Re: Regarding "I Won't Forget You" for Media Coursework‏
From: Black Diamond Bay (blackdiamondbaymusic@googlemail.com)
Sent: 12 August 2009 18:51:17
To: Carla Fletcher (carla.fletcher@hotmail.co.uk)

Hi Carla, it's Tom here from Black Diamond Bay - I'm the techy one who does keys and produces most of our stuff.

We're very flattered that you like our music, that's really cool - I can't see any harm in you making a video to some of our tunes - so long as if you put them online it's clear that they're for school coursework.

That sounds like quite an ambitious amount of things for an A-level! I wish we'd done stuff like that when I was at school.

A lot of our artwork is online, but if you want more then let me know and I'll send a zip over with a load in. If you haven't got the MP3 yet - you can get it at musicglue.com/blackdiamondbay for free. Also, the name of the font we used to do the BDB logo is called 'Bleeding Cowboys'. I think you can get it from dafont.com.

All the best and good luck!Tom

Im Persistent

I have not given up. Yet. I have found another way to contact Black Diamond Bay, and i really hope they do get back to be. Hopefully allowing me to let me use their music. I do really love it, and have so much plans!

History of Music Videos - Where it all Began

Promotional Films. It is considered that The Beatles began music videos with their motion picture of the song “A Hard Day’s Night”. It appears that “this 1964 Beatles movie included musical segments that resemble today's music videos”[1]. The band then began making more short promotional music videos for their songs that would be featured on a variety of television shows.



Music Videos then became popular when MTV came on the music scene, which was launched on the 1st August 1981. It purposes was to feature music videos which were hosted by VJ’s (video jockeys). Today it still has this element, mainly incorporating popular cultures and reality shows targeted at young adults.

Footnote
[1] http://www.1st-free-music-download.com/music-video.html

Awaiting

They have not returned my email, so i am rather worried that they will not let me use their music. I really do want to use it, so i shall email again and find other ways to get in contact with them. If not, then i must be defeated and search the unsigned.com website again for another artist, who may be more willing to let me use their music.

The Email

Regarding "I Won't Forget You" for Media Coursework‏
From:Carla Fletcher (carla.fletcher@hotmail.co.uk)
Sent:27 July 2009 23:07:46
To: zippy@blackdiamondbay.co.uk

To Black Diamond Bay,
Hey there, I am a Media Student doing my A2 Level at Robert Clack School in Dagenham Essex and for my Media Studies coursework we have been set:

To produce a music 'PROMO' video up to 5 minutes [3 - 5 minutes]. Either working on your own or in a group of up to 5 members.Also needed to be produce is a -

• Website homepage for the band
• cover for its release on DVD
• a magazine advertisement for the DVD
  

In addition; a critical evaluation on a BLOG including research and planning.

I found your amazing music on unsigned.com and came across it and instantly loved it and found it inspiring and I would love it if you gave me the opportunity to do my music video with your song “I Won’t Forget You”.

If you’d like once I have completed the music video, with your permission of using your music, I can send you my music video. It will be very amateur due to it being for my coursework.

If you would also liked to follow my progress on my media coursework with your music then you can visit my blog which is: http://carlafletcherrc.blogspot.com/

Thankyou very much for your help
Carla Fletcher

Black Diamond Bay

On www.unsigned.com i found the most moving music and i really loved it. The band is called Black Diamond Bay and the song i really would loved to do my music video on is called "I Won't Forget You". They are an unsigned band, however that song will appear on Hollyoaks sometime this year i think.

Anyway, i haved emailed them, and i really hope they do get back to me confirming that i can use they're music for this Media Coursework.

I managed to get the song via they're website by joining their mailing list and ive already thought of a storyboard. So i do really hope, cause i have so many ideas.

Fingers crossed.

Excitement

I am very excited to be doing a music video, as i am big massive fan of music videos on constantly watch them on TV. This blog is going to feature a lot of music videos i love and like and i cant wait to analysis them and find inspiration from them.

Convention of Music Videos

This depends on the genre of the music, whether it be rock, indie, pop, R&B, or dance or any other.

• Lip Synching
• Dancing/ Dancers
• Microphones
• Instruments
• Special effects
• Editing suited to pace of music
• Actors and Actresses
• Costumes
• Glamourous people and settings

Music Videos can often tell a story which will suit the lyrics of the music such as Daniel Powter’s “Bad Day”.

The Music Video consists of two people who go about their normal boring day to work, in which they appear to be lonely, stressed and single. They work very late and we understand that they are both work with drawing. Over a period of three days, when they leave work and travel home they pass a billboard with and woman sitting on a bench. When the woman first passed it she creates a rain cloud over the woman. In response, when the man passes he draws a red umbrella over the woman. Over the three days a still picture is created on this billboard with a man and woman sitting next to each other on a bench, with the man protecting her from being sprayed with rain by a taxi and with a heart between them. When they both go home they finally meet, it’s raining, and taxis come and a man with a red umbrella appears. Resulting in them reflecting the picture they drew and finding love.

Factors taken...

Factors taken into consideration when planning music video?

• Target audience – who are our audience? Who will be aimed at? How and will it appeal to?
• Actors and actresses – do we want known actors? Do we want someone unknown? Do we feature the artist of the music?
• Mise en scene – Costume, Make Up, Setting, Props, Lighting, Body Language, Facial Expression, Sound.
• Budget – do we have enough to fund it? What will need to be brought?
• Organisation and time – will everything be done in time? How long do we have?
• Location – where is the appropriate location? Where will it be set?
• Controversial issues – will the music video bring up divisive issues? What issues should we be aware of?
• A statement/possible morals – are we attempting to convey a moral message? What will be needed to do this? It is sensible?

How can videos be judged to be sucessful?

If the music video encourages a consumer to buy the music track, or even the video, which can be downloaded onto some mp3 players, then it can be concluded that the video may have been successful in promoting the video and being memorable to the audience. It maybe also influences new trends, depending what occurs on the video. If the music video has an impact it will be spread via word of mouth, and if it is controversial then media will talk and give critical reviews. Such as the Madonna music video for ‘Like a Prayer’ which featured Madonna with Saint Martin de Porres, which was perceived as a black version of Jesus Christ .

Purpose of music videos?

The main purpose of a music video is for the use of a marketing device to promote the recorded music of the artist. It allows the audience to be aware of the music and can influence them into buying the track if the music video is well made and good. It can also be used to create an identity to the artist, which can incorporate they’re style. Not only this, but it can also be used to sell electronic devices such a mobile phones and mp3 players if it is seen in the music video.

The Promo Video Task

The Task
To produce a music 'PROMO' video up to 5 minutes [3 - 5 minutes]. Either working on your own or in a group of up to 5 members.

Also needed to be produce is a -

• Website homepage for the band
• cover for its release on DVD
• a magazine advertisment for the DVD

In addition; a critical evalutaion on a BLOG including research and planning.

DEADLINE IS CHRISTMAS TERM