Research:100 Greatest Music Video - #29 Electric Six, Gay Bar

This video is a very important video in terms of the history of music video's as it is regarded as the most Controversial  music video ever created. The theme of the video is about Abraham Lincon being a homosexual. This caused great controversy as it angered alot of people especially americans. The video was banned from being played on the majority of American Television shows. I like this video as it very humerous and although its theme may be controversial, I do not believe any real harm was intended.

Research: 100 Greatest Music Video's - #35 - Nothing Compares 2 U, Sinead O'Connor

This video was very significant as it uses great use of Extreme Close Ups which captures the raw emotion of the artist and the song. The video gives the song an 'added value' by the real, genuine emotion she portrays in the video. It is a vast contrast to the media world. Orginally, the video didnt intend to use as many extreme close ups of O'Connor as they spent thousands of pounds, around £40,000 on the location. This just shows how powerful her performance was.

Research: 100 Greatest Music Video's - #48 - Johnny Cash, Hurt

This video was again another very emotional song. The song itself is a reflection of Cash's career, the highs and lows and the emotion cash manages to create touches the heart of any viewer. It was filmed at the House of Cash Museum which just adds to the genuine emotion showed by Cash. The fact he makes no attempt to hide his frailness's which gives us the impression that it was a bare-all, fully open performance by Cash. He died 6 months later.

Research: 100 Greatest Music Video's - #57 - Meat Loaf, I'll Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)

With this music video, it is one that is very clearly done to protray a story. In this case it is in the form of Beauty and the Beast. The video itself was very expensive to make which is why it is veyr 'over the top'. It is so over the top that this video has the record for having the most dry ice used during a music video. I liked this video due to the dramatic effect the make up had, it showed how far make up can be used to change the appearance of something and it was very effective.

Research: 100 Greatest Music Video's - #78 - Godley & Creme, Cry

Godley & Creme had been part of a band byt they had split. The significance of this song was the style of which the video was edited in. It consists of lots of different people singing the song and they cut and mergered the faces together. The duo came up with the idea for the video. The thought that the face was the most powerful image that could have been used to get across their feelings. To edit the footage in such a way, they used wipes and they careflly mixed peoples faces together.
After the success this music video got, the duo went on to produce music video's for other artists.

Research: 100 Greatest Music Video's - #87 Talking Heads, Once in a Lifetime

This video, co directed by Toni Basil, was very important in the development of music video's as This artist was the first to use 'abstract movements'. The lead singer David Byrne personally looked and explored for different types of abstract themes. The video appears very simple and it gives the impression that David Byrne is being controlled as if he is a puppet. The video also fits the song. He got most of his inspiration from the UCLA were he observed people in trances. This was video was also the first music video to be exhibited as art when it was exhibited at the New York Museum of Art.

Research: 100 Greatest Music Video's - #88 Elton John , I Want Love

With this video, the whole enthasis is on the performce of hollywood actor Robert Downing Jr. The song is significant as it is very much all about the emotions and is demonstrated by the emotional performace of Jr. This may have been because he had been battling drug issues for the six years prior to the video. The video was shot as one continuous scene. It took 16 takes to do this.Elton continues to this day to use hollywood actors in his music video's instead of staring in them himself.

Research: 100 Greatest Music Video's - #100 to 90

In today's lesson we looked at the first 10 entries of the top 100 greatest music video presented by channel 4. We are looking at this programme to give us a a wider prospective of how video's differ and to give us some insight into what makes a video stand out and what we could possibly include in ours.

100 - Musical Youth - Pass The Dutchie (1982) directed by Janet Greek



This was the first video of a black artist which was played on MTV America. This was the cover of previous reggae song called pass the cuthie

99 - Super Grass - Pumping on your stereo - (1999) directed by Hammer & Tongs



This was a iconic video as it consisted of giant puppets which had to be operated by 22 people. This type of video is the first of its kind.

98 - Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (1984) directed by Bernard Rose



This video tells us the story (narrative) of the own experiences of the lead singer, the problems he faced being gay. It also is intended to represent a more universal view too. The director .... said that he wanted something different from 'blade runner'. The story is about a boy who feels isolated from the world due to his sexuality as he is yet to 'come out of the closet'. Its a 'real story for real people'. This video is unique is the sense that it makes it so obvious that the guy is homosexual, especially the pool scene and the changing rooms scene.

97 - Corner Shop - Brimful of Ashu (1998) directed by Phil Harder



This video was one of the first to be shot across 2 different countries. It represents a 'timeless image'. one of the most noticable ualities of the video is that the bands name, corner shop, appears on alot of the album sleeves. This was a new, innovating way of promoting the band. However it can be argued that this was the start of product placement, and MTV said that the video was "brainwashing" as they saw the video as an advertisement rather than a music video. as a result the video had to cut out a significant amount of shots which had corner shop present, however you would know this as it still appears countless times.
96 - So Solid Crew - 21 seconds (2001) Directed by Andy Hylton



In this video each individual member of the so solid crew had around 21 seconds of film time as the group consisted of over 20 members. This is seen as a iconic video for young poeple and its messege related to the struggles of young people and about them running away from their troubles, home etc. However this video gave them very negative press as they were seen as the most dangerous grou in britian. This was seen as many of the members as a race attack.

95 - The Cardigans - My favourite Game (1998) directed by Jonas Åkerlund



This video was the first to be shot in the desert. The video is about a failling love affair.

94 - Bonnie Tyler - Total Eclipse of the Heart (1983) Directed by  Russell Mulcahy



This was a benchmark in music history as the video allowed Bonnie to become the first welsh artist to top the U.S charts.

93- Rolling Stones - We Love You (year?) Directed by Peter Whitehead



This video had the intention of capturing the 60's and was like a documentary of that era in time. The lead singer, Mick Jagger, died not long after the video was filmed. He faced jail sentencing over drugs and this is referred to in the video, with a scene recreating the court case and the drugs bust.

92 - Herbie Hancock - Rockit (1983) directed by duo Godley & Creme

Herbie Hancock - Music - More Music Videos

This video sent shockwaves throughout the industry due to its unusualness and the problems that occurred before and after. The song was created and song by a Black artist. At that time, black artists were yet to be established and welcome in the music industry. MTV said that they would play the music of early Hancock but they wouldn't play a video on their channels with him on the screen. The video contained robots throughout which belonged to part of a art gallery exhibition being shown around the time of the filming. However Herbie Hancock does appear in the video, he is being played on the television in one of the scenes of the video

91 - The Specials - Ghost Town (1981) directed by Barney Bubbles



This video was seen as capturing the mood of the summer of 81 which mainly consisted of civil unrest, due to high levels of unemployment and various riots.

90 - The Pet Shot Boys - Go West (1993) directed by Greenlaigh



This music video was the first of its kind, using new CGI equipment and was a new concept as a whole. The video is cartoon like with its computer graphics style. This was also one of twelve music video's Greenlaigh made for the Pet Shop Boys.

Research: 100 Greatest Music Video's - The Complete List

In lesson we have begun to exmaine E4's '100 greatest music videos'. By doing this we will be able to see first hand some good examples of a music video to give us some ideas for our own music videos. I will post the most significant videos and discuss why they are significant. Below is the complete list from 1-100.

1. Michael Jackson: Thriller
2. Peter Gabriel: Sledgehammer
3. A-ha: Take on Me
4. Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
5. Madonna: Like a Prayer
6. Robbie Williams: Rock DJ
7. Michael Jackson: Billie Jean
8. The Verve: Bittersweet Symphony
9. Madonna: Vogue
10. Nirvana: Smells Like Teen Spirit
11. Coldplay: The Scientist
12. Michael & Janet Jackson: Scream
13. Pink Floyd: Another Brick in the Wall
14. Christina Aguilera: Dirrty
15. REM: Everybody Hurts
16. OutKast: Hey Ya
17. Blur: Coffee & TV
18. Beyonce: Crazy in Love
19. Madonna: Material Girl
20. Gorillaz: Clint Eastwood
21. Queen: I Want to Break Free
22. Justin Timberlake: Cry Me a River
23. Britney Spears: ...Baby One More Time
24. Radiohead: No Surprises
25. Madness: Baggy Trousers
26. TLC: Waterfalls
27. David Bowie: Ashes to Ashes
28. Foo Fighters: Learn to Fly
29. Electric Six: Gay Bar
30. Weezer: Buddy Holly
31. Eminem: Stan
32. Chris Isaak: Wicked Game
33. U2: The Sweetest Thing
34. The White Stripes: Fell in Love with a Girl
35. Sinead O'Connor: Nothing Compares 2U
36. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Give It Away
37. Guns N Roses: November Rain
38. Fatboy Slim: Weapon of Choice
39. Pulp: Common People
40. Missy Elliot: Get Ur Freak On
41. The Spice Girls: Wannabe
42. Bjork: It's Oh So Quiet
43. Dire Straits: Money for Nothing
44. Kylie Minogue: Can't Get You Out of My Head
45. Aerosmith: Crazy
46. Adam & the Ants: Prince Charming
47. The Prodigy: Firestarter
48. Johnny Cash: Hurt
49. Jamiroquai: Virtual Insanity
50. Paul Simon: You Can Call Me Al
51. Run DMC & Aerosmith: Walk This Way
52. Massive Attack: Teardrop
53. Wham: Club Tropicana
54. Daft Punk: Around the World
55. Fatboy Slim: Praise You
56. Eminem: Without Me
57. Meatloaf: I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)
58. The Cure: Close to Me
59. Abba: Knowing Me, Knowing You
60. Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams
61. The Prodigy: Smack My Bitch Up
62. Blur: Parklife
63. George Michael: Outside
64. Bjork: Human Behaviour
65. Aphex Twin: Windowlicker
66. Bob Dylan: Subterranean Homesick Blues
67. The Beastie Boys: Sabotage
68. Madonna: Ray of Light
69. Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Two Tribes
70. The Police: Every Breath You Take
71. Bjork: All Is Full of Love
72. Robert Palmer: Addicted to Love
73. Basement Jaxx: Where's Your Head At?
74. Wu-Tang Clan: Gravel Pit
75. Duran Duran: Rio
76. The Beatles: Strawberry Fields
77. MC Hammer: U Can't Touch This
78. Godley and Creme: Cry - members of public singing
79. New Order: True Faith - Abstract
80. Radiohead: Just
81. Ultravox: Vienna
82. 50 Cent: In Da Club
83. Shakespear's Sister: Stay
84. The Boomtown Rats: I Don't Like Mondays - Based on a true story
85. Sid Vicious: My Way - Part of a film
86. The Streets: Fit But You Know It
87. Talking Heads: Once in a Lifetime - Abstract dancing
88. Elton John: I Want Love - Featured Robert D. Jr
89. Smashing Pumpkins: Tonight Tonight
90. The Pet Shop Boys: Go West
91. The Specials: Ghost Town
92. Herbie Hancock: Rockit
93. The Rolling Stones: We Love You
94. Bonnie Tyler: Total Eclipse of the Heart
95. The Cardigans: My Favourite Game
96. So Solid Crew: 21 Seconds
97. Cornershop: Brimful of Asha
98. Bronski Beat: Smalltown Boy - Bernard Rose, Director
99. Supergrass: Pumping on Your Stereo
100. Musical Youth: Pass the Dutchie - First black music video shown on MTV

Case Study - Jamie Thraves

Jamie Thraves is a well known British director.

History

He began his media career by making short films at University. His award winning short films were used as 'calling cards' to get a 'foot in the dorr' with the video production company Factor Films. He then went on to begin shooting three very low budget music video's costing around £5000 each.

Work of Thraves

Thraves two most proud achievements come are the video's for the song Just by the Radio Heads, and then the song The Scientist - Cold Play

Radiohead - 'Just'



This video was shot in just three days and cost in the region of £100,000


Cold Play - 'The scientist'


Like the Radiohead song it was shot in just three days but this video had a budget of £200,000

Most recent video - The Japanse Popstars - Song for Lisa


Jamie used these videos to establish himself in the video production business and he used these to help take him into the film industry. He shot three films

• The Low down

• The cry of the Owl

• Treacle Jr.

In todays climate the average music video costs around £20,000 and the average shooting time is around 2 days.

Tips

Jamie's top tips for music video's are

• use the LYRICS of the song but do not be too literal, i.e don't act out every word
• Go with the EMOTION of the LRYICS

Key Conventions of a Music Video

To gather some more information regarding music video's, I did some research into what the typical conventions of a music video consists of. This will help our music video as we will know what things we need to include or consider when creating our video.

Once I completed my research I uploaded my power point onto slideshare to allow other's to view my research and to help them when creating their music video's.

Key music video conventions

View more presentations from Jake Williams

Music Promo Video : Purpose & Success Criteria

In todays class we had a discussion about what the purpose of a music video is and what makes it a successful video.

We began by watching the music video of the Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime

Purpose

We were asked to each right down one thing which we believe to be the purpose of the video. 

I wrote that the purpose of the video is to increase the awareness of an artist & their music. When we discussed our answers as a group we came up with this list of answers;-

• Advertisement - to advertise the product i.e the artist and there song
• Draws attention to the music/song as it will be viewed via music channels such as MTV or youtube 

• Illustrates the song - the video can be used to visually show the true meaning of the song, sends out a stronger message then just the lyrics on their own.
• It appeals to a visual audience
• Expresses an individuals emotions - if the artists for some reason could use a particular word or describe what they feel in their song, they can show the audience through the way they move
• It can be used to tell a story
• Markets an image - If the artist are wearing a certain type of look , then people, mainly their fans, will attempt to recreate the look
• Promotes the artist/single/song
• It persuades the audience to buy - Cd/download.
• Raises the audiences awareness or profile of the artisit. 
• Product placement - this is where firms pay for their products to appear in music videos as those firms hope that by having their products appear in in music video's , then the artists fans will go and buy that product as their favourite artists have them. It is also a source of revenue for the video E.g Christine Aguillera & her Perfume (Not Myself Tonight)

Success 

Once we completed this activity we next discussed how we might measure the success of a music prom video.  As a class we generated these answers

• The amount of views (hits on youtube)

• Word of Mouth - this is wear one person may have seen this video and then they have told their friends, who then go tell their friends etc, which will araise the awareness of the artist.
• Newspaper articles -  If the video for whatever reason makes the papers, it will be publicised to the millions who read the paper daily.
• The amount of times shown on Televison - If a video is played many times throughout the day then the video will be advertised to different audiences at different times and will increase the chances of being more popular. Or the fact the video is being played almost continuously shows it popularity as some shows like kiss or flava ask views to phone in and suggest which video they would like to see.
• Downloads
• Charts
• Cd Sales
• Award Shows - I.e VMA & MTV awards.

The Process of Creating A Music Video

How the process works

1. We begin with a "commissioner" from a record label who sends tracks to directors (One being Jamie Thraves)
2. Directors then submit a treatment which is their idea's of the music video. The directors are not paid for submitting their treatment.
3. The director who submits the best treatment is then "commissioned" to make the music video
4. The director is then paid

Many directors dee this procedure ad a 'precarious existence'

To try and give the process of creating our music video some structure, i have created this flow diagram which gives the outlines the 5 steps we need to complete to successfully create our music video.

Our Media Song - Midnight Beasts

Me and my group have decided to use the song 'Booty Call' by The Midnight Beast in our A2 Media music video. However, this band are a signed artisit. To avoid breaching any copyright laws one of the members of my group emailed the band to ask if it was possible to use the song. He later recieved this email back from the lead singers Mum.

The Media Institution

Above is an image which illustrates the media institution. The diagram shows how the institution is a continious cycle.
It begins with institutions who produce, distribute, exhibit and market products. They create products , known as texts which could be a book for example, or a tv show. The product is then consumed by audiences. If it was a book then audiences would purchase that book. The fee they pay for the book then goes back to the institution who would re-invest some of that fee into producing new products, at which at that point, the cycle starts again.