Production treatment of music track

Definition of a music video

A definition of a music video to me is something that has been made in order to further represent a particular song. As a way of not letting the song be forgotten as the use of moving image, helps people to remember and look back the songs in which they like. Furthermore, the use of a music video helps the artists themselves to build up their own identity, which is similar to a theory which was said by Andrew Goodwin, that some music videos help the artist to develop their own iconography as a way of building up their own self- image. Which is similar to that of Michael Jackson who is known for doing the moon walk. It's the idea that doing something memorable will make the songs themselves live on.


Additionally, a music video to me is a source of promotion for the artist, a way of gaining more fans and building themselves up as individual artists. Not only had that, but it’s something that s made in order to entertain their specific audiences. Which is a big thing for songs that a performance based, which is what Jon Gow said. He's theory said that there is a type of song called a 'song and dance number', which is increasingly popular with the more modern songs of today and the purpose of them for me, is to entertain their audiences and keep them engaged not only on the music video, but the song itself.   

Music Video Analysis - Muse : Dead Inside

The second music video that I am going to analyse, is completely different from the first, as it is a performance based music video which  uses two dancers as well as the band, Muse themselves. Also, it links into the theorist of  Joan Lynch who said that there is three basic music video structures, which include; performance, narrative and concept. 


Moving on from this, the reason as to why I chose this specific music video, over other performance based ones, is because I found this one interesting to watch and it never got boring. As there was a constant cross cut between the two dancers and the band themselves, so you never got bored of what you were looking at as there was always a cut between the two of them. Not only that, but the use of slow motion was very noticeable and helped the overall feel of the music video, which was to portray something not human through the use of dance and how the two dancers reacted with each other. 

The first shot that is shown of the music video, is a close up of one of the dancers, with the use of pull focus, so the dancer in the background is all blurred and can’t be seen at all. Which may suggest that she is the dominant dancer, as she is the one in focus. Then there is a clear quick cut to the bands drum kit, which breaks the tension that has been set up within the very first shot. Also, you notice the flour which has been put on the drum kit, which may suggest that the place in which they are, is not very clean or they're in a warehouse of some description.

The next shot that is given is of the two dancers, with the use of a long shot to show what they are wearing and what their body languages are. However, it still doesn't give much away with what is going on. While this is important, the colours that are being used are dull and not bright, which may suggest that the subject matter of the music video is not an upbeat one. But more of a mystery that never really reveals itself clearly, however it can be interpreted through the dance itself and by the lyrics of the song are actually saying. 

It then cuts straight away to the first glimpse of the lead singer, Matthew Bellamy. Who is shown with the use of the close up of the face. It becomes apparent that he also has the flour powder on him as well, but there is no clear explanation as to why, which makes it more interesting to look at. Because, it’s left us guessing what is going on. 

Long shot, showing the dancers whole bodies.

Long shot, but it uses a high angle from the left side of the screen.

Medium close up, as you can only see them on the floor as well as a tiny
bit of the background. The camera is also straight on them as well.

Long shot, but with establishing shot properties. The camera is also at a higher angle
similar to the first screen grab. 

Above, is a selection of the contemporary dance that is being shown throughout the music video. I chose this particular screen grabs because they each show a different camera angle and a different view of the dancers themselves. The powder that they are dancing on, gives it a more urban feel and with the use of the slow motion that is used within some of the cross cuts to the dancers, it makes it more effective and gives it more of an edge over just dancing on a stage. 

As the music video progresses, you start to see the lights that are used in order to show the dancers and the band themselves. This links in with the theory from Andrew Goodwin, who said that some music videos make their equipment visible on the music video itself, which is what is done here. (Shown below) Also, you can see from these lights that they must of had a high budget in order to create this music video as there are multiple lights on the cranes.

Not only is the main singer shown in the music video, but other members are also shown throughout. This then helps to promote the band as a whole, not just the lead singer. And as the music intensifies, the use of the powder becomes more powerful as it mists things up, which adds to the idea that the music video may be showing something that is not completely human, something that doesn't have emotions. This is also shown throughout the female dancer as well. As the use of the back eyes, may suggest that she is evil and not completely human. As the majority of the dancing looks like fighting, through the art of contemporary dance.

Below is a selection of band members that were shown throughout the video, this links in with the theory from Andrew Goodwin who said that the artist/s may develop their own iconography, which links into this Muse music video as they are known as being more of an alternative, but still popular band and this music video helps to validate this for them. Not only that, but the powder that is used throughout this music video as well as the use of slow motion help to bring it to life, and make it appear more mysterious and slightly twisted to watch. 

The reason why I chose this specific music video to analyse is because it stuck out to me as something that I would want to do myself, as I found it interesting to watch as the use of the quick cut and continuous edits made it enjoyable to watch, especially with the different uses of camera angles during the dancers performances gave you more views of the performance, as well as the use of the slow motion which brought it to life and made the dancing sections more interesting. Also, the way in which it all flowed well together and the use of the different camera shots which, when it all came together made the music video better. Lastly, because this video represents what Muse are all about and it fits their own style of music in a positive way. 

Music Video Analyses - Bastille : Pompeii

The first music video that I will be analysing will be from Bastille, and the song is Pompeii. The reason why I chose this specific song to analyse is because, it is along the lines of one of the ideas that I have for my own music video. With the idea of using the narrative theory from Joan Lynch. Who discovered that each individual music video fits into a category. Whether that be performance, narrative or concept. However it can fit into more than one.

Moving on from this point, the music video that I have chosen is based mainly on a narrative storyline, as you can see a clear beginning and ending. However, throughout the music video it uses quick edits in order to put it all together so it makes sense. The music video starts out with the lead singer of Bastille, Dan Smith, who is the main focal point of the video, as it is based on him running away from the evil that has taken over the people from where he lives.

                   

Establishing shot 

Opening title credits on the music video - shown after the establishing shot

Above is the first shot that is seen at the beginning of the music video, this is an establishing shot that clearly shows that he is up high, looking down onto something. I liked this shot because it didn't give much away of what is going to happen further on. It’s just a simple shot that shows the person watching where the main focal point is. And in this case it is the lead singer. Furthermore, as the music video begins to progress you are made aware that he is living inside a large opened apartment which is not very well furnished, which may then suggest that he doesn't spend so much time there, it’s just a place in which he goes to for shelter. The screenshots of the apartment where he lives in are presented below. And it is clear that he doesn't plan on staying long. Not only this, but it validates the idea that this is a narrative piece as its starting to tell a story. With questions such as; where is he going? Why does he look so on edge?. This makes the person watching it want to continue. 

As the narrative continues, there are clear examples of other theorist's ideas going into it. For example, Andrew Goodwin said that there is a relationship between music and visuals, which is shown here. As the words of the song suggest something bad. Which could show why he is on edge and why he seems uncomfortable. While this is important, another key feature of the music video is the eyes. Because, at the beginning of the music video, the establishing shot turns into a close up of his face. And then at the end of the music video it also ends with a close up of the face. And I like the way in which it has that link throughout and it concludes the narrative of the music video as well. 

He's eyes before he lets the sin in

He's eyes once he has accepted it

Throughout the music video there are clear signs of time pacing, as some of the film is in daylight, where as other parts are at night. This also validates that it is a narrative as it suggests the events that have taken place over the course of a day.  Below are a selection of shots, that I have screen grabbed because it shows that it doesn't have to be shot all in one place and that the use of different locations help to make the story progress. In one of the screen grabs in particular, it shows the main singer on a bike, with the use of tracking and a long shot. So not only does it help to move the story along, but it shows that he is going somewhere, but we are the audience don't know where and we don't know why. These type of questions what you think of, are what I want to put into my own music video so it helps not only to move it along, but make it more interesting. 

Each of these specific shots, show a continuous edit of him running away from something that he can't necessarily control. However, they all use a long shot, which gives signs to the audience watching where he is and what the environment is like around him. Because, the surrounding areas don't seem to of changed. So that doesn't signify that there is a problem to environment around him. But it may be other people, because the only shots of people that are given are of the ones which have pure black eyes. Which signify that they are the things that he is running away from. The locations that are shown throughout the music video, playing a big part in helping to understand the narrative that is being shown. As the locations are not exactly of a high end budget and they are clearly in a town that has little funding as the colours are mainly dull and it does not look as if they have been cared for, for a very long time. It’s as if it’s based in the run down part of a city, where no one really goes to. 

The music video itself is full of long shots, are well as medium close ups of the lead singer, which help to promote him as a singer and also the band that he is in. Moving on from this, the theorist Andrew Goodwin said that some music videos use things from either of videos or film.  And in this case, when he is in the arcade and comes to two girls facing away from him, but wearing the same clothes. It make me think of the two small girls in the film 'The Shinning'. Which may be where they got this particular idea from, as they are both similar in the fact that both wear the same clothing and have similar facial expressions.

The shinning idea from the music video.

The actual shinning film, itself. 

As the narrative music video continues, he drives off in a car (the screen-grab is shown further up) to a different location, with the hope that he can escape the same fate that will eventually happen to him. From this point, he arrives in the wilderness. With the use of a different location, and the fact that the daylight has shown up again, suggests that he has been travelling all night, in order to get away from where he lives. 

The important part here, is that he's eyes will change. And it doesn't matter how far away he chooses to run, it will catch up with him. So it’s as if there is an underlying story going on throughout and that something that I want to produce when I do my own music video. I want to create something that is relatable and people will understand and also enjoy. Not only that, but this links into the theory by Andrew Goodwin with the use of the mirror as showing a different perspective of the lead singer, with the idea that we are looking at what he is looking at, with the hope that we react in a similar way. 

At the end of the music video, he's eyes change completely. Which in comparison to the start of the music video, shows that he has stopped running away and let it happen. And the fact that he is in the wilderness, which signifies peace and tranquillity, contradicts what he has been trying to run away from, as that has been the thing that has caused him pain. 

The reason why I chose this music video, is because it appeals me a lot with the idea that even though it is a narrative piece, you are still able to change things and mix it up with the use of special effects, which were used on the eyes and the quick match on action editing, which is shown throughout. This gives it a professional finish, and makes the overall presentation more interesting, which is something that i would like to portray in my own music video. 

Music Video Director Research - Tim Mattia

The Music video Director that has stood out for me, would be Tim Mattia, Who specialises with artists such as; The 1975, You Me At Six, Young Guns, Marilyn Manson, Cage The Elephant and Coasts. As well as more mainstream pop artists such as, Connor Maynard and Nicole Sherzinger. This particular director varies his style of music videos, depending on the people he is working with. As it is clear from watching a a collection of the music videos that he has directed that, that is a strong focal point to him that he gets it right. Not only this, but is clear that Tim Mattia varies with who he chooses to work with, as he goes from working with mainstream pop artists such a Connor Maynard and Nicole Sherzinger, to artists who are not on the same spectrum and are maybe less known, as their music is not necessarily in the charts, with artists such as Young Guns and Cage The Elephant. Who are both more alternative rather than being popular chart music.  However, by doing this he is able to create a different feel for each of the artists, with a music video which suits them all individually and what each of the meanings are behind their songs. 

Tim Mattia does both mainstream music videos for acts such as The 1975, who have grown in popularity over the past two years. However, he also works with artists such as You Me At Six, who are not as popular as The 1975, but still would be considered to be borderline mainstream. While, working with mainstream acts is good. Tim also works with smaller bands like Cage The Elephants, who I mentioned earlier. Where there music video was based in a small pub and didn't seem to have as much elaborate edits unlike the other artists that he works with. Which may put into perspective the difference between the mainstream acts that he works with compared to the underground work, which is not as widely seen. 


Moving on from this, it's very apparent that Tim Mattia focuses on the influences of the band or artist themselves when he produces the music videos for them. Because, for example when he works with bands such as You Me At Six and Young Guns, he uses similar lighting for both of the videos, that being a washed out purple/blue colour, with suggests that it's a representation of the bands themselves, with the idea that neither of the songs are extremely happy, so the use of the washed out colours may help to give that impression or solitude. Furthermore, Tim Mattia does not use live performances as much when creating the music videos as it is clear that the sets have been staged up for a one on one between the acts and the camera. However, for example when he worked with Cage the Elephant he took a different route, by filming it in a pub with fans of the band watching which then gave this particular music video a different feel, compared to the other ones which had more of a setup, planned feel to them. Below is a screen grab of Cage the Elephants performing to a group of fans in a small pub. To emphasise that this is less planned than other works that Tim Mattia has done. 

However, Tim Mattia also works with artists who prefer to take the narrative route throughout their music videos. A couple of examples of this would be Robbers by The 1975 and Oceans by Coasts. Both of these music videos have a story going on throughout. But, they also have an underlying story that may not be as clear to see. For example, in Robbers, both the boy and girl take drugs throughout, however the seriousness of that is covered up by the romanticising of their relationship, so Tim  Mattia has made the idea of the drugs look beautiful as its wrapped in with the relationship between the two people. The screen grab helps to validate this as, in this particular scene they are in the cinema, which is a common place to go to with a partner, but in this situation they are both taking drugs in such an innocent place. I think that by doing this, Tim Mattia has managed to portray the usage of drugs in such a subtle, yet effective way. 

During the course of all of the music videos that Tim Mattia has directed and edited It is clear that each music video has a similarity, which is that they all use quick edits and each section is cut smoothly, so it goes straight into the next one without breaking the tension that's being created. Also, he uses a lot of medium close ups, as well as close ups in order to see the facial expressions of the band members and the actors that are involved in each individual music video. He also uses continuity editing in each music video that he creates, in order to keep the pace up and make the videos more interesting for the audience. Its clear that Tim Mattia focuses on quick edits in order to stand out as a director, as well as the use of sub-genre throughout the narrative music videos. 


I particularly like Tim Mattia as a director, because the music videos that he has directed are interesting to watch and I like the quick pace of them all. As well as the idea, that he uses a narrative idea throughout some of the videos. But also, the grittiness of the less mainstream bands. With the use of slow motion which impacts certain aspects of the videos and make them more dramatic. Which is something that I would want incorporate into my own music video. Not only is it the videos themselves that I like, but I enjoy the music from the bands themselves, which then make the videos more interesting to watch for me, personally. Also, I like the rawness that Tim incorporates into the music videos that he creates as its based on real events, such as the drugs that are shown in 'Robbers' and the relationship aspect that is shown throughout 'Oceans' as well. But then the grit of the music video for 'bones'. All of these things, are what drew me to this particular director as I find them all to have interesting qualities and effects on their designated audiences. 




Below are a selection of screen grabs, from music videos that Tim Mattia had directed. And each of them show a different aspect that stood out for me the most, in terms of lighting and editing skills. 

Transition Video

Steps- 5,6,7,8 / Transition video       - Click on the link

During the process of making this music video in the transition weeks, I learnt that it takes a lot of time and effort to get everything how you want it and that you have to take several shots in order to get what you want. Not only that, but  you need to have a substantial amount of footage in order to fill out the music video itself. Because if we didn't have the amount that we did, we would of struggled to fill out the song.


Moving on from this, when we started to film the video we wanted it to be quick paced, with quick edits. Because the song itself is a quick paced fun song, that requires an upbeat tempo. So, in order to achieve this, during the chorus of the song we each had a word to act out and then during the edit, we put them all together to create a smooth final with distinct cuts between each of them. This the helped us the achieve the up tempo of the song through the edits. Furthermore, we also used split screen which is shown in the image below near the beginning of the video as a way of switching it up and making it more interesting to look at.

When we were filming the music video we set out a plan, so we knew exactly what we wanted to do. Which then meant,  that we didn't waste time figuring out what we wanted to do as we already had a set out plan before hand. Not only this, but we knew where about we wanted to film each section of the music video, which made the process run much smoother and it alternatively made things easier between the three of us as there was no arguments or disagreements. This helped us then to decide what types of shots we wanted to use, as we mainly stuck the to medium close ups as we felt that we didn't necessary need to use long shots as much. 

However, long shots were used when we were standing on the stars as well as an establishing shot to set the scene. This then varied the shots that we did during filming, to make it more interesting for the viewer. Not only did the varied shots help that, but the use of different locations and the amount of footage that we had made it more manageable as well.

The editing process, went just as smoothly as the filming did. We all worked together and decided what would look best for the overall music video. And from there we added in split screens and quick editing shots to keep it interesting and engaging for the audience to look at as well.  Not only that, but we all worked well together as a group and all had similar ideas to incorporate during the editing, which then made the process run much smoother.
 Below are a selection of screen grabs of the different locations that we decided between us to film in.

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