Katy Perry - Waking up in Vegas
Waking Up In Vegas
I chose to focus my close analysis for mis-en scene on Katy Perry's latest music video Waking up in Vegas. I chose this video as I really like the setting and props used. The video starts off with Katy and her 'boyfriend' putting what looks like their last quarter into a slot machine. The shot then changes to them in a casino winning all their bets. It looks as if it is a set however looks very realistic. There is also shots of the video that is in a hotel in Vegas, I partculary like these shots as they look as if they are in a actual hotel which looks expensive. I especially like the props used within this music video because it makes the video looks as if a lot of time and money have been spent on it.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Friday, 25 September 2009
Focused analysis: Characters
Taylor Swift - You belong with me
I chose this video by Taylor Swift as I want to focus my close analysis on the characters used. There is a clear story throughout the video however there is only three characters used, two being the same girl, Taylor. They differentiate the character by having a 'geeky' Taylor with blonde hair and a 'mean' Taylor with brunette hair. They also establish the different characteristics towards the end of the video when the 'good' Taylor is dressed in a white dress and the 'mean' Taylor is dressed in red. These colours symbolise purity and evil. The boy in the video is also protrayed as being a 'typical' high school heartthrob
I chose this video by Taylor Swift as I want to focus my close analysis on the characters used. There is a clear story throughout the video however there is only three characters used, two being the same girl, Taylor. They differentiate the character by having a 'geeky' Taylor with blonde hair and a 'mean' Taylor with brunette hair. They also establish the different characteristics towards the end of the video when the 'good' Taylor is dressed in a white dress and the 'mean' Taylor is dressed in red. These colours symbolise purity and evil. The boy in the video is also protrayed as being a 'typical' high school heartthrob
Focused analysis: Editing
Beyonce - Ego
I chose to focus my close analysis on Beyonce's video for her song 'Ego' because i particularly like the editing. There is only one setting and two backing dancers therefore the video is quite simple, however the editing makes it more interesting and makes the audience want to keep watching. For example, the video starts of with a close up of Beyonce and as the music slows so does the camera tilts up from her feet to her waist focusing on her legs. As it comes to the first verse there is a long shot of Beyonce and her two backing dancers. It is from here that the editing gets interesting. The editing matches the beat in the music. For example when the beat is more distinctive the shot changes either from a close up to long shot or the other way round. I really like this technique and would like to use it in my own music video.
I chose to focus my close analysis on Beyonce's video for her song 'Ego' because i particularly like the editing. There is only one setting and two backing dancers therefore the video is quite simple, however the editing makes it more interesting and makes the audience want to keep watching. For example, the video starts of with a close up of Beyonce and as the music slows so does the camera tilts up from her feet to her waist focusing on her legs. As it comes to the first verse there is a long shot of Beyonce and her two backing dancers. It is from here that the editing gets interesting. The editing matches the beat in the music. For example when the beat is more distinctive the shot changes either from a close up to long shot or the other way round. I really like this technique and would like to use it in my own music video.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
Analysis of existing media: Album Cover
Lily Allen
This is the album cover of Lily Allen's second album. I feel this cover is very similar to Lady GaGa's album as it has a more simple feel compared to Katy Perry's more complex cover. There is a very plain background with a big 'L' with Lily sitting in the dip. The 'L' is bold and black which stands out against the pale pink background. In the top left hand corner is Lily's name along with the album title which is also black with a pink outline. I feel as though this cover is quite girly and as she is already a well established artist she doesn't have to project herself out there as much. Lily has quite a content look on he face as if she is happy with where she is. This gives the audience a feel as if the album is quite a happy album compared to her first album where she took her anger out.
This is the album cover of Lily Allen's second album. I feel this cover is very similar to Lady GaGa's album as it has a more simple feel compared to Katy Perry's more complex cover. There is a very plain background with a big 'L' with Lily sitting in the dip. The 'L' is bold and black which stands out against the pale pink background. In the top left hand corner is Lily's name along with the album title which is also black with a pink outline. I feel as though this cover is quite girly and as she is already a well established artist she doesn't have to project herself out there as much. Lily has quite a content look on he face as if she is happy with where she is. This gives the audience a feel as if the album is quite a happy album compared to her first album where she took her anger out.
Analysis of existing media: Album Cover
Katy Perry
This album cover is the cover for Katy Perry's first album. It is different from Lady GaGa's cover as it is a bit more complex with the background and props. The style is quite 1950's and this is portrayed by what she is wearing and the record player in the bottom right hand corner. The setting is made to look like it is outside and she is lying on a sun lounger to make out she is sunbathing. This album cover is in contrast with Lady GaGa's as it it more colourful and fun looking compared to the simplicity of the black and white effect of Lady GaGa's. The title of the album 'One of the Boys' is at the bottom of the cover in a fun looking font in blue as well as Katy's name at the top in a bigger font and pink. This is to represent the fun songs she sings and her fun loving attitude.
This album cover is the cover for Katy Perry's first album. It is different from Lady GaGa's cover as it is a bit more complex with the background and props. The style is quite 1950's and this is portrayed by what she is wearing and the record player in the bottom right hand corner. The setting is made to look like it is outside and she is lying on a sun lounger to make out she is sunbathing. This album cover is in contrast with Lady GaGa's as it it more colourful and fun looking compared to the simplicity of the black and white effect of Lady GaGa's. The title of the album 'One of the Boys' is at the bottom of the cover in a fun looking font in blue as well as Katy's name at the top in a bigger font and pink. This is to represent the fun songs she sings and her fun loving attitude.
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Analysis of existing media: Album Cover
Lady GaGa
This is the album cover for Lady GaGa's first album called 'The Fame'. I like this album cover as it is very simple
yet very effective. The sunglasses that she is wearing on the cover are now what she is recognised for. They are her signature sunglasses that give her that signature look. Her name is written in capital letters at the bottom in white which stand out against the black background. The album name is written on the sunglasses, which again stand out because it is in a different font and different colour.
This is the album cover for Lady GaGa's first album called 'The Fame'. I like this album cover as it is very simple
yet very effective. The sunglasses that she is wearing on the cover are now what she is recognised for. They are her signature sunglasses that give her that signature look. Her name is written in capital letters at the bottom in white which stand out against the black background. The album name is written on the sunglasses, which again stand out because it is in a different font and different colour.
Analysis of existing media: Music video
Lily Allen - LDN
I have chosen to look at Lily Allen, because I feel like she is an English version of Lady GaGa but more natural and raw. Lily is known for her controversial songs such as 'Alfie' and 'Not Fair'. I believe this video is very clever as it uses different techniques that make the song narrative. The video is shown through Lily's eyes and is also shown in reality. When Lily thinks something is nice, in reality it is not and this goes along with the lyrics. There is a lot of contrast in this video for example as Lily walks, everything is bright, like the walls and the colour of her dress, but as she passes through, everything goes back to reality where it is dark and horrible. In the background you can see people having fights, getting chased by the police but Lily seems oblivious to it all as she loves 'LDN'. There are lots of close ups of Lily when she is happy and lots of pan shots when she is walking, however there are long shots of the reality. The edges round Lily as she is walking are blurred, this is to create the effect as if she unaware of what is going on around her. This goes with the lyrics when she sings 'When you look with your eyes, everything seems nice, but if you look twice, you can see its all lies'. I particularly like the ending because it it brings us all back to reality, everything is dark and she is next to roadworks, not next to the sea side as she was imaging. I like this video as it is very narrative and that is a technique I would like to use in my own music video.
I have chosen to look at Lily Allen, because I feel like she is an English version of Lady GaGa but more natural and raw. Lily is known for her controversial songs such as 'Alfie' and 'Not Fair'. I believe this video is very clever as it uses different techniques that make the song narrative. The video is shown through Lily's eyes and is also shown in reality. When Lily thinks something is nice, in reality it is not and this goes along with the lyrics. There is a lot of contrast in this video for example as Lily walks, everything is bright, like the walls and the colour of her dress, but as she passes through, everything goes back to reality where it is dark and horrible. In the background you can see people having fights, getting chased by the police but Lily seems oblivious to it all as she loves 'LDN'. There are lots of close ups of Lily when she is happy and lots of pan shots when she is walking, however there are long shots of the reality. The edges round Lily as she is walking are blurred, this is to create the effect as if she unaware of what is going on around her. This goes with the lyrics when she sings 'When you look with your eyes, everything seems nice, but if you look twice, you can see its all lies'. I particularly like the ending because it it brings us all back to reality, everything is dark and she is next to roadworks, not next to the sea side as she was imaging. I like this video as it is very narrative and that is a technique I would like to use in my own music video.
Analysis of existing media: Music video
Katy Perry - I kissed a girl.
I chose to analyse this video as Katy Perry is a similar artist to Lady GaGa. The video starts off with flashes of shots of different objects, mostly body parts that are considered sexual, such as lips, legs and necks. The flashes are in time with the music as the song has a distinctive beat. The shot then pans up Katy Perry, starting from her legs and focusing on her head. It then flashes to a shot of her neck which again is considered to be sexual. There are also a lot of close ups of Katy Perry singing. The setting is not very well established as all the audience can see is her sitting on a bed. When the chorus comes in more girls appear and dance around Katy. She is moving in a sexual sense with close ups of other girls. The costumes are made up of corsets, tights and high heels. The camera angles are all different, form long shots showing her whole body to close ups just showing her face. These are angles I would want to use in my own video as they make the video more interesting and give another perspective on the video. The scene then changes to the girls having a pillow fight and close ups of them all laughing and playing. The video then ends on Katy Perry waking up next to her boyfriend so it seems like the whole video was a dream. I could use this technique in my own video however it would have to fit in with the theme of the song.
I chose to analyse this video as Katy Perry is a similar artist to Lady GaGa. The video starts off with flashes of shots of different objects, mostly body parts that are considered sexual, such as lips, legs and necks. The flashes are in time with the music as the song has a distinctive beat. The shot then pans up Katy Perry, starting from her legs and focusing on her head. It then flashes to a shot of her neck which again is considered to be sexual. There are also a lot of close ups of Katy Perry singing. The setting is not very well established as all the audience can see is her sitting on a bed. When the chorus comes in more girls appear and dance around Katy. She is moving in a sexual sense with close ups of other girls. The costumes are made up of corsets, tights and high heels. The camera angles are all different, form long shots showing her whole body to close ups just showing her face. These are angles I would want to use in my own video as they make the video more interesting and give another perspective on the video. The scene then changes to the girls having a pillow fight and close ups of them all laughing and playing. The video then ends on Katy Perry waking up next to her boyfriend so it seems like the whole video was a dream. I could use this technique in my own video however it would have to fit in with the theme of the song.
Analysis of existing media: Music video
Lady GaGa - Paparazzi.
I have chosen to analyse this music video by Lady Gaga because she is an artist I want to focus my own music video on. She is edgy and original and has a different style to other artists in the charts today. I have chosen this music video is particular because it has a vivid story and is also very clever in the way it is done from the setting and sound effects to the camera angles and editing. The video starts of in the style of an old fashioned movie with establishing shots of the extravagant of a mansion which is the setting with sounds of the sea, seagulls and birds to let the audience know that it is peaceful by the beach. The shot then switches to inside the mansion and the music playing in the background also empahsisies the old fashion theme. There are a lot more shots showing the setting of inside and outside the mansion. The sot then changes to Lady GaGa and the man in the video lying on the bed talking to each other in French. There are then shots of random objects such as money as the two are kissing. Then the shots switch to the mans hands all over Lady GaGa. As he takes her on to the balcony, suddenly there is an effect which is like a camera taking picture, like a paparazzi. She then tries to resist him showing her off to the paparazzi so he throws her off the balcony. This is when the song finally kicks in with the video. There are pictures that flash up of a newspaper with headlines about Lady GaGa saying she is no more. Finally she comes out of a limo with a neck brace and she starts singing the song. There are quick flashes of her sitting on a big chair and different angles. This is used to make it look interesting and to keep the audience watching. Moreover, there is a long shot of her in the wheel chair with dancers dancing around her. Again, this is Lady GaGa's edgyness coming through to interest the audience. As the chorus comes in, more dancers come in and start a dance routine. There is also flashes of random objects such as a mannequin in a bath. The angles are quite low which shows Lady GaGa to have more power. The mannequins also look like they hve blood on them which represents her as she fell off the balcony. There is then shots of sexual parts such as lips and eyes and girls kissing each other. Again as the chorus comes in there is another dance routine. It then switches back to flashes of the sexual girls kissing and touching each other. In the break of the song, it changes to just Lady GaGa in one room with flashing lights. Again it is very sexual and random objects are shown such as dogs and more mannequins. Finally for the last chorus it changes to Lady GaGa and her 'boyfriend' sitting on a chair, as she places the magazine down it says 'The New IT Girl'. She then fixes her boyfriend a drink and drugs it. There are close ups of her lips and her making the drink. One of the last shots is him drinking the drink and a close up of him dropping the glass as he dies and a close up of her smiling. Then in the background, you can hear her ringing the police and admitting she killed her boyfriend. Then there are shots of the police turning up and taking the body away. Lady GaGa is then seen getting escorted by the police with all the paparazzi taking pictures of her. I really like this video as it different to a lot of other music videos today. The costumes in this video particulary stand out as they are one off's and unique. I think the song is really catchy and it has already got very far in the charts. It is obvious there was a big budget when making the music video because of the setting and amount of effort and profesionalism that has gone into it. I particulary like the editing as there are quick flashes, of different shots and random objects. This is one of the many techniques I hope to use in my own music video.
I have chosen to analyse this music video by Lady Gaga because she is an artist I want to focus my own music video on. She is edgy and original and has a different style to other artists in the charts today. I have chosen this music video is particular because it has a vivid story and is also very clever in the way it is done from the setting and sound effects to the camera angles and editing. The video starts of in the style of an old fashioned movie with establishing shots of the extravagant of a mansion which is the setting with sounds of the sea, seagulls and birds to let the audience know that it is peaceful by the beach. The shot then switches to inside the mansion and the music playing in the background also empahsisies the old fashion theme. There are a lot more shots showing the setting of inside and outside the mansion. The sot then changes to Lady GaGa and the man in the video lying on the bed talking to each other in French. There are then shots of random objects such as money as the two are kissing. Then the shots switch to the mans hands all over Lady GaGa. As he takes her on to the balcony, suddenly there is an effect which is like a camera taking picture, like a paparazzi. She then tries to resist him showing her off to the paparazzi so he throws her off the balcony. This is when the song finally kicks in with the video. There are pictures that flash up of a newspaper with headlines about Lady GaGa saying she is no more. Finally she comes out of a limo with a neck brace and she starts singing the song. There are quick flashes of her sitting on a big chair and different angles. This is used to make it look interesting and to keep the audience watching. Moreover, there is a long shot of her in the wheel chair with dancers dancing around her. Again, this is Lady GaGa's edgyness coming through to interest the audience. As the chorus comes in, more dancers come in and start a dance routine. There is also flashes of random objects such as a mannequin in a bath. The angles are quite low which shows Lady GaGa to have more power. The mannequins also look like they hve blood on them which represents her as she fell off the balcony. There is then shots of sexual parts such as lips and eyes and girls kissing each other. Again as the chorus comes in there is another dance routine. It then switches back to flashes of the sexual girls kissing and touching each other. In the break of the song, it changes to just Lady GaGa in one room with flashing lights. Again it is very sexual and random objects are shown such as dogs and more mannequins. Finally for the last chorus it changes to Lady GaGa and her 'boyfriend' sitting on a chair, as she places the magazine down it says 'The New IT Girl'. She then fixes her boyfriend a drink and drugs it. There are close ups of her lips and her making the drink. One of the last shots is him drinking the drink and a close up of him dropping the glass as he dies and a close up of her smiling. Then in the background, you can hear her ringing the police and admitting she killed her boyfriend. Then there are shots of the police turning up and taking the body away. Lady GaGa is then seen getting escorted by the police with all the paparazzi taking pictures of her. I really like this video as it different to a lot of other music videos today. The costumes in this video particulary stand out as they are one off's and unique. I think the song is really catchy and it has already got very far in the charts. It is obvious there was a big budget when making the music video because of the setting and amount of effort and profesionalism that has gone into it. I particulary like the editing as there are quick flashes, of different shots and random objects. This is one of the many techniques I hope to use in my own music video.
Preliminary Task
At the very start of our A2 year, our teacher gave us a preliminary task to do so we could get used to filming and directing. We were given two different sheets of instructions, one had the script on which we could interpret any way we wanted. The other sheet had the different camera angles and timings of how long the shots should be. For example, long shot, medium shot, close ups and over the shoulder. 
We used different parts of the school for the setting. We were in groups of four and when we first started filming, no one wanted to act so we all took it in turns to act, direct and film. The first couple of shots came out a bit wrong and this is when we realised that this preliminary task would be good for us to get some practise before shooting our own real video. As we carried on shooting we found how the different angles made the film looking more interesting and the different lighting was very effective on the film. These were all things we have to consider before filming our own video. We also took quite a lot of shots so that when it came to editing we had a lot to play around with and look at. When it came to editing the film, as there was four of us it was quite nice to discuss how we wanted our video to look. We decided to keep the shots short and quick to make it look interesting. The close ups also looked good so we also kept a lot of those shots. I felt as though the preliminary task really helped me with the creative side of filming as I got many ideas from the angles and lighting. It also made me think about where I was going to shoot my own video and mis en scene is very important to reflect the genre of the music. The editing also helped me get used to the programme I am going to use when editing my final, iMovie. It is quite complicated therefore, it was very useful just to play around with.
We used different parts of the school for the setting. We were in groups of four and when we first started filming, no one wanted to act so we all took it in turns to act, direct and film. The first couple of shots came out a bit wrong and this is when we realised that this preliminary task would be good for us to get some practise before shooting our own real video. As we carried on shooting we found how the different angles made the film looking more interesting and the different lighting was very effective on the film. These were all things we have to consider before filming our own video. We also took quite a lot of shots so that when it came to editing we had a lot to play around with and look at. When it came to editing the film, as there was four of us it was quite nice to discuss how we wanted our video to look. We decided to keep the shots short and quick to make it look interesting. The close ups also looked good so we also kept a lot of those shots. I felt as though the preliminary task really helped me with the creative side of filming as I got many ideas from the angles and lighting. It also made me think about where I was going to shoot my own video and mis en scene is very important to reflect the genre of the music. The editing also helped me get used to the programme I am going to use when editing my final, iMovie. It is quite complicated therefore, it was very useful just to play around with.
Coursework Options
This blog is where I will be showcasing my A2 Media studies coursework. For this year we had a choice of either making a promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with a cover for its release as part of a digipak (CD/DVD package) and a magazine advertisment for the digipak. Or we could do the same but a promottion package for a new film, to include a teaser trailer. As I love music, I thought the best option to go with would be the music video! Also when I started to look at last years A2 music videos they looked really creative and something I would be interested in doing in the future. Furthermore, I felt as if I could use the skills I learnt in AS, when making my own music magazine, in the promotion package as I already know how to use different techniques to make it sell. To do this coursework we were told we had to work in groups. At first I wasn't too keen on the idea as I thought it would interfere with my own ideas however, me and my best friend decided to team up as we work really well together and we both feel the same about music and media.We are going to put both of our individual ideas together and come up with a great music promotion package.
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