Yolanda Stranger

Before going to shoot our actual video we just got our artists to practise performing the song in front of the camera in our local park.

Images From Our First Shoot

Test Video Shoot

Test Shoot

Todays test shoot ended up taking place at a local park where we took shots of the moon and a photo shoot of the actor. We found that filming after dark is more difficult than we thought so strong lighting is crucial for our video to come out how we envisaged it. I had some difficulty getting the shots that I wanted using the tripod however I managed to get it roughly how I liked it, goes to show I need more practice. Somebody told me its better to use an SLR camera so I'm thinking to give that a shot and compare the images collected from both..

I'll be posting the images I took today later on xox

Daily Update

In todays lesson we made a start on our mood boards. We checked online for images, other videos, quotes etc that inspired our music video, setting, final song and so on. We also changed our artist due to schedule complications. However this has not set us back and we will be start recording from tomorrow. I just had to quickly inform my partner about the change who fortunately agreed and tell the new actor to bring 3 different costumes, where to meet me and luckily she already knows the song choice.

However this is only our first test shoot so we wont have the full equipment. I called my Dad and he said he can get me lighting equipment by Monday latest, which is important as we'll be recording in the forest after hours.

That's it for now.

=]

Arranging Videoshoot Dates

Filming Schedule

Evaluating The Planning

Our music video will conform and break Andrew Goodwin's 5 theories of conventions.

There's a slight connection between the lyrics and the visuals, however we are planning on having symbolic references which means our video will be open for interpretation to any audience. We're also planning on using multiple close-up shots emphasising the artists importance conforming to his theory also creating an intimate relationship between the artist and the viewer. The song has a mystical eerie sound to which relates to the dark forest setting. Our video will have intertextual references to 'Red Riding Hood' & 'The Never Ending Story'. From 'Red Riding Hood' we're using the costume as our artist will be wearing a red cape and from the 'Never Ending Story' we'll be using the low level shot they use when filming the dog following the little boy.

We've planned our video and concluded that our video follow Todorovs narrative theory as our video begins with the Equilibrium where everything seems normal, but then the Dis-equilibrium happens where Sarah then realises that everything is not okay and she's lost in the forest; metaphorically lack of trust. In relation to the lyrics Sarah recognises that she must let go of the past, this is the recognition. The reparation is when she leaves her red cape behind and finds flowers and balloons symbolising a new beginning . Finally she finds her way out of the forest this being the New Equilibrium.

Survey Response

Nina&Khadija Storyboard

Recces of Setting (Epping Forest)

Although we'll only be shooting one this one location, there may be a few complications such as weather conditions which can affect our equipment and shooting for the whole day. So in order to prevent disturbances, we'll be checking on weather updates throughout the day and bring protective gear for electrical equipments.

Annotation Of Lyrics

Jhene Aiko - Stranger Lyrics

Yea yea , ah
Similar ways, similar game
starting to feel the similar pain
are you sure we haven't met before?
I know ya face, i know ya name
but I don't know you?
isn't that crazy? isn't that crazy?
I think we may be
In a different book
on a different page
you said you are different
but you're the same
stranger.

[Hook]
i can not tell you,
how many there have been
that were just like you
i do not need you
cause you're just like them.

[Chorus]
I meet em' everyday..
they...all seem to be the same.
lame. okay?

I meet em' everyday..
[ohhh ohhhh ohhhh ohhhh ohhhh]
they...all seem to be the same.
it's strange.

ah.

[Verse 2]
Familiar time, familiar place
starting to feel the familiar shame
cause i know what you have come here for.
you know my name, you know my face,
but you don't know me? you must be crazy.

Or I must be crazy. Or is it maybe...
Ive been here times before and
I've said yes, meaning no but oh...

A lot of shit has changed, lot of shit has changed.
lot of lot of shit has changed.

[Hook]
Didn't I tell you what all the rest have done?
they were just like you, they have all tried to.
you're not the only one.

[Chorus]
I meet em' everyday..
[meet em' everyday meet em' everyday]
they...
all seem to be the same.
[they are all the same they are all the same]
lame okay?

I meet 'em everyday..
[meet 'em everyday meet 'em everyday]
they...
all seem to be the same.
[they are all the same, they are all the same]
It's strange.

[Hook]
I think we may be
In a different book
on a different page
you said you are different
but you're the same
stranger.

My Final Song Choice; Jhene Aiko-Stranger

We chose this song because of its unique style. The eerie sound to it immediately sprung up several ideas for the music video. We literally started planning the video as soon as we heard it. General ideas from horror movies and fairytales and so on. We salso chose it because it we had never seen the official video, let alone heard the actual song so all our ideas were original.

Song Choices

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Zi4AyzRC4&feature=player_embedded

Digipak Analysis

Rihanna's face is the focus on her album LOUD. This implies that the album is not only about the songs, but the sales are down to her face. She is important for the sales of the album. It also implies that she's famous, as people would recognise her from the cover, also the fact that her own name is written small faded white text indicates that her face plays a vital role. The colours sync with her make up and hair

When comparing Rihannas' debut album 'Music of the Sun' released in 2005, there isn't much difference. She is still sexualised. It's still about her, rather than symbolic images. Again

her hair and clothing matches the setting and colours used in the digipak.

Analysing Digipaks

Nicki Minaj 'Pink' Friday

The name Nicki Minaj's is just her stage name, her real name

is Onika Tanya Maraj. The name 'Nicki Minaj' is just one of her 'alter-egos'. The name is a reference to the french phrase 'menage a trois', portraying a sexual symbol. She's also known as Nicki Lewinsky, in reference to the 'Lewinsky Scandal'. The public get the impression that she's just a sexual symbol. However her CD cover represents her other alter ego 'Harajuku Barbie', which is her more'appealing' look as the audience is open to young females and males who find her attractive.

Nickis fame was at first based on her talent, but gradually the focus has become her image and she now attracts media attention because of her unique wild looks. She's also had a major impact on the public and her fans she calls her 'barbs'.

Rihanna's face is the focus on her album LOUD. This implies that the album is not only about the songs, but the sales are down to her face. She is important for the sales of the album. It also implies that she's famous, as people would recognise her from the cover, also the fact that her own name is written small faded white text indicates that her face plays a vital role. The colours sync with her make up and hair

When comparing Rihannas' debut album 'Music of the Sun' released in 2005, there isn't much difference. She is still sexualised. It's still about her, rather than symbolic images. Again

her hair and clothing matches the setting and colours used in the digipak.

Analysing Aaliyahs Costume

Aaliyah's first hit 'Back & Forth'. She's wearing a black tube top, black sunglasses, big jean jacket and bandana on her head. This was her casual everyday look which many young girls emulated in that era.

she was being represented as quite masculine, but sexy she portrayed herself as an independent powerful young woman. Aaliyahs other single 'If your girl only knew', she is presented as 'one of the guys'.

We get the impression that she's respected. Her outfits were a 'tomboy' style with a hint of chic as her midriff was usually on show, but everything else was covered up. We can see Jive were trying to target both male and female audiences with her songs and image, as her music was usually a hard beat which guys enjoy with her soft vocals over it which girls would be attracted to sing along to.

Aaliyahs Photos

Aaliyahs Star Image Analysis

1.Intro
Aaliyah Dana Haughton (January 16,1979 – August 25, 2001)
She was an AmericanR&B singer, actress & model. Aaliyah's career began in 1991 when she was 12 and got signed to Blackground Records, then Jives Records and finally Atlantic Records where her music career started to rocket.



In Aaliyahs earliest images her label; Jives records, represented her as quite masculine, but sexy she portrayed herself as an independent powerful young woman. For example her first hit single 'Back & Forth' she's wearing baggy jeans, a tube top, black hat & black sunglasses and her other single 'If your girl only knew', Aaliyah is presented as 'one of the guys'. We get the impression that she's respected. Her outfits were a 'tomboy' style with a hint of chic as her midriff was usually on show, but everything else was covered up. We can see Jive were trying to target both male and female audiences with her songs and image, as her music was usually a hard beat which guys enjoy with her soft vocals over it which girls would be attractedto sing along to.


From the start Aaliyah performed a simple dance in her video, however in the beginning she danced with males but as her image went from 'street' to 'sassy', she performed choreographed dance routines with girls and boys. Later on in her musical career Aaliyah also developed an acting career.n 2000 she starred alongside Jet Li in martial arts film 'RomeoMust Die'. Her hit single 'Try Again' produced by Timbaland was the soundtrack to the film. In this video she acts as the character she played in the movie, Jet Li also took part in the video.


Throughout Aaliyahs career there have been closeup shotsof her face as all her record companies focused on Aaliyahs image. However Atlantic focused more on her sexuality rather than her music. In the beginning Aaliyah wore her hair down straight, with a hat, baggy clothes and very little make up. Her success was evidently due to her 'different' style and music. As time went by and whenshe moved to Jives & Atlantic we can see the changes in the stars image as she goes from a little tomboy to a sexy young lady. In her early work they used props such as, basketballs and motorcycles etcetera to emphasise her 'boyish' look, but as she got older them props disappeared and the focus was more on Aaliyah. Aaliyahs video 'If Your girl Only Knew' is a significant video in contrast to her last video before she passed 'Rock The Boat', because we witness two very different style of music,setting & style.


A lot of long shots & close up shots were used throughout Aaliyahs music career and I think this was because of her unique style of clothing and dancing. In the beginningof her career Aaliyahs style and image was very important so we got a lot of longshots of her dancing, and a few close up shots of her body and face. However the close up shots weren't shots to seduce a viewer but for them to engage , but as she got more famous there were much more close up shots of her bod and maked up faced to emphasise her 'sexiness' and 'beauty'.


I would say Aaliyah was popular at this time because it was the beginning ofan evolution between hip-hop and R&B which some called in those times 'nu jack' music. She was also popular for her unique style, but not so much for her vocal talent, but how well her voice synced with the beat and how well she performed. Some claimed her fame also grew due to allegations that she illegally married well knowKing of R&B R-Kelly at the age of 14 which is why some claim she went from Blackground Records to Jive.


'If Your Girl Only Knew'
This early video by Aaliyah contrasts greatly to her last video 'Rock the Boat', for example 'If your girl' is shot in black and white, she's seen wearing all black whereas in 'Rock the boat' she's wearing bright colours on a beach.


I







Aaliyah once said it's "important… to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack", and from my research it is evident that this is what Aaliyah lived by but in due time like many other stars she began to conform and become what we call today 'mainstream' or 'commercial'. I do believe Aaliyah was comfortable with changing her image as she became more and more successful as an artist, model and actress. Overall I liked her when she started off as 'herself', but everybody has to blossom at some point.

Video Analysis

Perrys video follows Todorovs narrative theory quite well for example, the equiliirium in the video would be that Snoop dogg has control over 'Candyfornia' an imaginary place where the video is set and the disequilibrium would be when Katy discovers this land, the recognition is when Katy realises that girls have been caputured by Snoop Dogg all over the land, the reparation is when she frees them all before Snoop dogg can interfere & the new equilibrium is when she and all the other girls are set free and they all stop Snoop Dogg & his men (gummy bears) and they bury him in sand.

Perrys video doesn't entirely follow Propps theory mainly because music videos last approximately 3mins long meaning not all characters can be represented although some have been in this video for instance, Katy would be considered the Hero as she sets the captured girls free, the Villain is obviously Snoop dogg, the gummy bears Perry encounters could be considered false heroes as she thought they looked sweet, but when she waved and smiled they swore at her.

If applying antagonism & protagonism Snoop Dogg would be considered the antagonist as he's holding the girls captive whereas Perry would be the protagnosit setting them free.
The video follows a clear linear narrative as Katy just wonders along the land and frees girls and then eventually defeats the villain. It's a pretty basic storyline with a slight multi-strand structure as they focus is not only on Katy but also on Snoop.

There aren't many enogma codes for the audience to decode other than that Katy is rescuing girls and what will Snoop Dogg to her as punishment, however there are many intertexual references for instance, Alice in Wonderland when Katy discovers 'Candyfornia', another would be Willy Wonka from Charlie & the Chocolate Factory & The Witch from the Wizard of OZ at the end when Katy sprays him and his men down using whipped cream which is a reference to when the witch in the wizard of Oz melts to the ground. An important intertexual reference is Katys cone-shaped bra that squirts cream, this refers to the fashion craze many artists have been seen in for example, Lady Gaga, Madonna and even Beyonce, but it actually dates back to a 1920's film called Metropolis.

Video Analysis

The video I am analysing is Katy Perry's number one hit 'California Gurls'. The video was directed by Mathew Cullen alongside the help of American painter/cultural iconographist who helped enhance the candy theme of the video. This song belongs to the Pop genre where the women are portrayed as sexual symbols. The lyrics aren't necessarily illustrated in the video but we get the impression that Perry is flaunting and boasting about what Californian Gurls have & how California is 'unforgettable'.
However when Snoop dogg refers the Californian Gurls as 'Tone, tan, fit & ready', theres a shot of Katy Perry who's lying naked on cotton candy clouds which is used to cover her behind. The lyrics were used to amplify the fact that 'Calfornian Gurls' do it better than girls from any other state. Snoop also says 'All that ass hanging out' and a shot of the girls shaking their bums is seen. Again amplifying that 'Californian Gurls' do it better. The video doesn't necessarily cut to the beat and there aren't any solo insturments bits throughtout the whole song, however the editing is at a much slower pace whereas the song has a more upbeat tempo. There aren't many close up shots of the artist as the song is about the 'greatness' of california, so the video is more focused on the setting & background. The record are trying to sell the track with the props used and Perrys 'Alice In Wonderland' look. Katys previous famous 'I kissed a girl' single also displays Katys love to express herself in a different way. Katy is being portrayed as a some sort of doll, In 'I kissed a girl' we see Katy wearing a breast pointed corset which we also see her wearing again in California Gurls. I get the sense that the Perry and the extras are on sexual display. For example Californian girls are being portrayed as sexy, independent and confident people through Perrys representation. Altough the videos noot set at a beach we still get the drift that california is a fun place to be. The apparent concept of the video is that they wanted to show Californian girls in a 'different' world so they merged together Alice in Wonderland & Charlie the Chocolate factory, however they turnt sweet things and put it in a sexual light. For example their bras were made out of cakes & buns taking a twist on sexual representations and turning it into an innocent symbolisation, which is similar to Britney Spears' 'Baby one more time' where she wore a school girls uniform; taking something innocent & making it sexual. There are many intertextual references in this video for example, Perrys cone bra corset has been seen many times on Madonna in the 80's and again recently on Lady Gaga who's bra sparkled which is similar to Katys cream-spraying bra at the end of the music video.
This fashion craze derived from Fritz Langs film 'Metropolis' in the 20's. The concept of the film was that a scientist created an ideal women who hypnotised upper-class men. Another intertextual reference is to the classic Charlie & the Chocolate factory. For example Snoop represents Willy Wonka but Katy represents Alice in Wonderland & Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, so its a combination of three films. For example, theres a scene where Katy gives a mean gingerbread man a heart referring to when Dorothy gave the Tin Man a heart. There are other references such as Hollywood stars and so on.

The music video is narrative based and contrasts to the concept of the lyrics. For example the narrative of the song is Katy freeing the girls Snoop is holding captive in 'Candyfornia' whereas the main concept of the song is about California & how the girls are presented.

Introduction

I aim to post my planning and research of media products and how I gradually conjured up ideas to produce my own media product using the ideas I found.