Below is an essay on Richard Dyer's Star Theory which allowed me to gain knowledge on pop stars, how they portray themselves and their influence on their audiences, to name a few.
Wednesday, 26 September 2012
Auteur Theory: Director Case Study - Spike Jonze
Below is a presentation of the research I done on auteur theorist Spike Jonze. This was another research task because I came aware of the term 'auteur theorist' and what it meant. I also analysed the types of videos that Spike Jonze analysed in order to get a better understanding of an auteur theorist. I feel that this task will be highly beneficial because it highlighted the 'consistency' directors use in their work which in turn, will make me do the same.
Genre Conventions
After gaining a good explanation of codes and conventions, I researched the generic conventions of five different genres which consists of : Heavy Metal, Ballad, Alternative Rock, Pop and Hip-Hop. I really enjoyed researching these generic conventions because it was interesting to analyse music videos such as alternative rock and heavy metal in which I have no interest in.
The 5 Styles of Music Video
In my media lesson, I learnt that music video's can be categorised in terms of style, according to the generic conventions within the video. The five styles consist of:
Cameo
A cameo style video is when the band/artist features in the narrative however, doesn't perform. In this video, Ed Sheeran features at the end however is acted out through Rupert grint (from Harry Potter) who is an obsessed fan of Ed Sheeran.
Lastly, there are music videos that are a hybrid which is a video that contains more than one style. An example of this is:
- Performance
- Abstract
- Narrative
- Thematic
- Cameo
Performance
Performance videos are when the band or artist are shown playing or performing to the viewer through a dance or using instruments. Usually there is never a narrative as the main focus is on the artist throughout which is the reason as to why there is a variety of camera angles used.
Common genres that use performance style videos are rock and pop artists. An example of a performance style video is the Foo Fighters - Best of You. The band perform to the audience using instruments to show off their skills. They also use close ups which focuses on the main vocalist and camera movement that goes from one member of the group/band to another.
Abstract
An abstract video is where the video is completely unrelated to the song. The mise-en-scen tends to be very creative and camera angles/shots vary. Genres that use this style of video are rock and indie. An example of a abstract style video is Tool - Sober who are an alernative rock band. Tool however, dont like to be seen which is why the video contains a lot of props and people dressed up in costumes.
Narrative
A narrative style video, is a video that tells a story within the video. This particular style of video is common amongst a few genres such as hip hop, r'n'b and heavy metal. The videos have a lot of meaning and the lyrics is often acted out. An example of a narrative style video is the All American Rejects - Gives You Hell. The video portrays Levi Strauss's theory of binary opposites as two neighbours are at each other necks throughout. However, the two eventually accept change.
Thematic
Thematic style videos are videos that take the theme of a song and make a video out of it. Examples of this could be a break up or going out. An example of a thematic style video is Coldplay - Fix You.
Cameo
Lastly, there are music videos that are a hybrid which is a video that contains more than one style. An example of this is:
Monday, 24 September 2012
Nicki Minaj Analysis
Another part of my research task, was to analyse a music video of my genre. For this task, I chose Nicki Minaj - Superbass which has a fun, colourful and detailed video.
Thursday, 20 September 2012
Codes and Conventions Definition
In class I learnt about codes and conventions which I found very useful and informative. Below is some brief information about it which will be able to help me throughout the duration of this project.
Codes
Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. These may include both technical codes or symbolic codes. An example of a code that creates meaning is gold chains and baggy pants in a Hip-Hop music video.
- Technical Codes - This is all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text (e.g. - camera work or editing).
- Symbolic Codes - This shows what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a characters action can show you how they are feeling and their emotions.
Conventions
Conventions are the widely recognised way of doing something which is to do with content, form and style. There are two types of conventions which consists of:
- Technical Conventions - A convention in a technical area. These conventions, apply to the majority of music videos for e.g. the video being the same length as the song and fast cuts
- Genre Conventions - this is where conventions are associated with a particular genre. An example of this would be Pop videos, that ba e dance routines and bands performing songs with instruments.
Conventions of a music video:
- The video is the same Length as the song (somewhere around 4 minutes)
- They present the band/artist, who look as though they are singing
- They have lots of fast editing
These conventions dont however, apply to all music videos.
Difference between Codes and Conventions
The difference between codes and conventions, is that codes might be individual to the media text you are analysing for example, a music video may use a tracjing shot that is significant however completely irrelevant in another video. Whereas, conventions are something they all share within a genre.
Codes
Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning. These may include both technical codes or symbolic codes. An example of a code that creates meaning is gold chains and baggy pants in a Hip-Hop music video.
- Technical Codes - This is all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text (e.g. - camera work or editing).
- Symbolic Codes - This shows what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a characters action can show you how they are feeling and their emotions.
Conventions
Conventions are the widely recognised way of doing something which is to do with content, form and style. There are two types of conventions which consists of:
- Technical Conventions - A convention in a technical area. These conventions, apply to the majority of music videos for e.g. the video being the same length as the song and fast cuts
- Genre Conventions - this is where conventions are associated with a particular genre. An example of this would be Pop videos, that ba e dance routines and bands performing songs with instruments.
Conventions of a music video:
- The video is the same Length as the song (somewhere around 4 minutes)
- They present the band/artist, who look as though they are singing
- They have lots of fast editing
These conventions dont however, apply to all music videos.
Difference between Codes and Conventions
The difference between codes and conventions, is that codes might be individual to the media text you are analysing for example, a music video may use a tracjing shot that is significant however completely irrelevant in another video. Whereas, conventions are something they all share within a genre.
Music Director Facts
Below is a presentation of a music video director that I researched into. I chose to research Hype Williams in order to broaden my imagination on music videos of my genre R'n'B and Hip Hop - which is the genre of videos that he makes.
Below are a few of the videos that Hype Williams has directed so that you can get a better understanding of what I have displayed in the above presentation:
Video 1: Busta Rhymes - Gimme Some More: Uses Signature Style 1 - Fisheye Lens
Video 3: Aaliyah - Rock the boat: Uses Signature Style 3 - Developing tracking and aerial shots
Below are a few of the videos that Hype Williams has directed so that you can get a better understanding of what I have displayed in the above presentation:
Video 1: Busta Rhymes - Gimme Some More: Uses Signature Style 1 - Fisheye Lens
Video 2: Beyonce - Check On It: Uses Signature Style 2 - Splitting Shots
Video 4: Jamie Foxx - Digital Girl (Remix): Uses Signature Style 4 - Creates an illusion
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