Technology and Equipment used

The technology and equipment that we used were very basic yet modern technology.The basic equipments we used to create the music video were tripods to hold the camera onto and also a digital camera which everyone also had to start the filming of the video. The main disadvantages of using this camera was the quality of the images and clips that the camera would take. The quality could have been improved and had to be edited in some areas but it captured good images sometimes, depending on the lighting. The advantages of using this camera was how portable and light it was to handle, wherever we would go it was not a hassle to carry because it could easily fit into a bag

One of the advanced and more modern equipments and technology that we used were in the studio. In the studio there are television cameras and also studio lights

In the studio there was a green screen which was as the back of the studio we didn’t use the green screen in our music video because of the particular look it has on the quality of the music video, which we thought wouldn’t fit in. Instead we used a black wall which surrounds the whole studio to give our video a classic effect and also to make the characters stand out. We also used the vision mixing desk to edit 'live' cutting between cameras which is placed at the very back of the studio.We used the studio lights for a number of times, for the recording and also for interviews we made for the directors commentary and a questionnaire of our music video.

The features that make the quality of the video look very profession all came from the highly professional equipment used in the studio and the lighting that was used throughout.

Some of the filming was done in Yorkshire sculpture park, although it was a long journey there... it was worth it for the Music Video. We filmed down a corridor filled with lots of iron letters. The place was designed by a sculpturist called Jaume Plensa. We were onkly able to film the Male vocalist here.

The idea of the Silhouettes came from ideas of the group. We went under the ball theatre seats and set up a white sheet with light ray shooting from behind the dancer (Jecoliah). We had other people from other groups helping. This was the first thing our group shot. The music video director (Victor) couldnt really dance so we had someone from another group to help with the dancing.

This is the Album Magazine

This is the Album front cover.

This is the inside of the CD case where the CD goes.

This is the back of the CD cover. This includes a barcode and few sponsors into the CD launch. It also includes the artists myspace and website details. It also includes the single and how long the song is.

This is the inside cover for the CD

Directors Commentry

No Air Music Video was directed by Victor Omosebi. Victor led the team to get a good music video although we all had ideas. Victor approved most ideas put forward by the team.

Editing was also done by Victor. 'Directing the music video was complicated as alot of emotion had to be shown while singing to make the video realistic. The software used for editing was Final Cut Pro. Final Cut pro was a hard software to use but through past experience i found it easy editing'. Watching other music video helped to know what our music video needed to feature.

Yorkshire Sculture Park

Some of the filming was done in Yorkshire sculpture park, although it was a long journey there... it was worth it for the Music Video. We filmed down a corridor filled with lots of iron letters. The place was designed by a sculpturist called Jaume Plensa. We were onkly able to film the Male vocalist here

Goodwin Analysis of Music Video

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g. stage performance in rock video, dance routine)

Our music video doesn’t necessarily have the characteristics that are needed for this particular genre of music because it doesn’t have a organized dance routine that was put together however it does have the female character dances around the studio. Another reason why it doesn’t have the usual items needed for and R&B music video is because of the different settings ad filming locations which we used, for example most videos are in a city or even a place where everything is fixed or made but we had a studio room which we blacked out with curtains and turned all lights off and also used areas of town which could have been used before by other people.

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals

There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visual because we see two characters a male and female are in love and near the end shown together. Another part where the visuals and the lyrics combine obviously is when there are ‘flashbacks’ of their relationships and the time they spend together.


3. There is a relationship between music and visuals

The relationship between the music and the visuals is very strong because the music indicates how the visuals should be for example when the female character is singing about the emotions she is feeling and that is portrayed through the visuals.

4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs, which recur across their work (a visual style).

The demands that the record company want which are close of the artist are met in this music video because there are a number of close ups in this video from the beginning to the end of the music of both the characters. The storyline of this song is mainly around the two people so there are a variety of shots of their hands eyes, and other places of them to show the audience who the main artists are.

5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

There is one place in the whole video where the two characters have cameras and take pictures of each other as they enjoy each other’s company, which in the timeline is set as a flash back. Another area where there seems to be a screen or someone being watched is a place where the characters are holding a rectangular lid of a container which we edited to look like a clip of flashback which the couple had, we used a green screen effect while editing the actual video. There are no aspects of voyeuristic treatment towards the female body in scene in our video.

6. There is often intertexual reference (to films TV programmes, other music videos)
There are no references at all to TV programs or other music videos. There are ideas that we may have used from other music videos however we didn’t use them as references from music videos or TV programs.

RnB album cover analysis

The first album cover we will be looking at is ‘21’ by Adele. We chose to analyse this album cover because it’s an RnB album and she fits the criteria that we are looking for. She sings about romance, love and heart break and that’s what the song we have done is about.

The album we are looking at is called ‘21’. This is because this is the age she was when she made it. It is a simple album cover but quite classy. It is just a picture of her face, slightly posing, in black and white. The image has probably been air brushed as its almost perfect. At the bottom the writing says ‘ADELE 21’ which is in thin capital letters. The album cover as a whole is very simple but it also attracts people’s attention and encourages them to buy it.

Storyboard for NO AIR

This is one of the scenes, which is a silhouette effect, which is of Jecholia dancing behind a white sheet with a spotlight behind her.

This mid shot changed to become a long wide shot because of the location, which we filmed this restricting us to come closer or zoom into the shot. This shot will cut into the next shot it doesn’t fade into anything

This frame is exactly the same as the previous one and also has the same props and also description such as the music playing the background and using the white sheet and also the spotlight. This frame is basically of the male character dancing however it just looks like just a dancers shadow. The particular plan for these frames is to cut them to the next scenes instead of fading however there may be some changes.

Here is a frame where we created a moment where the female character and the male have a romantic addition to the story where they have a kiss, which we all predicted, would be the ending of the music video. We used the same scheme for the silhouette idea for this a kept the music playing in the background.

These are the ideas we had for the scene and the different things we wanted to do regarding the shots, light and sound.

Analysis of R&B covers

The second CD cover that we analyzed and observed was the CD cover of one of the artists in our main analysis Chris Brown from his album “ Graffiti”. We chose to analyze this particular CD because the artist is known in the hip hop and R&b genre so it would help us greatly with making and designing our own CD cover. Most of the things that the CD covers have certain things that show off the theme of the launching of the album for example the CD cover for Rihanna’s album ‘ Russian Roulette’ is a picture of Rihanna behind a black background with the letter ‘R’ looking like a sword or knife and her body covered in what looks like barbed wire, and the letters looking like blood dripping. Also there is a cover by an artist called ‘Ne- Yo’ who on his album ‘Beautiful monster’ is in a grayscale shot of him at night with a woman in the background with cars behind her and his outfit consists of nothing more than a black hat. This whole outfit to most audiences is his signature look because he is known for wearing differently kinds of head wear mostly black and dressed like a gentleman.

The difference between our music video and the two that I have analyzed are the quality of the way they look because they were probably done by design artist and by great photographers, and we are only using cameras from the college and technology which is great for using however not as great when it comes to giving the quality that we need.

Photoshop

When Creating and editing the digi pack we will use Adobe Photoshop. This software will allow us to resize and crop the images and then add text and effects. This will happen using different layers. We wont use all the features within photoshop but will use the ones we will need to create the digi pack to the best of our groups ability.

Final cut pro

After filming all our shots, we will now need to edit the film. We will use ‘final cut pro’ to do this. This software will allow us to edit the order and timing of each clip using a timeline. It also allows us to add the music over the clips, which we will then synchronise to the lip singing and actions.

No Air lyrics

"No Air" (feat. Chris Brown)

[Jordin]
Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air

If I should die before I wake
It's 'cause you took my breath away
Losing you is like living in a world with no air
Oh

[Chris Brown]
I'm here alone, didn't wanna leave
My heart won't move, it's incomplete
Wish there was a way that I can make you understand

[Jordin]
But how do you expect me
to live alone with just me
'Cause my world revolves around you
It's so hard for me to breathe

[Chorus:]
Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air
Can't live, can't breathe with no air
It's how I feel whenever you ain't there
It's no air, no air
Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gonna be without me
If you ain't here, I just can't breathe
It's no air, no air

No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air

[Chris Brown]
I walked, I ran, I jumped, I flew
Right off the ground to float to you
There's no gravity to hold me down for real

[Jordin]
But somehow I'm still alive inside
You took my breath, but I survived
I don't know how, but I don't even care

[Both:]
So how do you expect me
to live alone with just me
'Cause my world revolves around you
It's so hard for me to breathe

[Chorus]
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No more
It's no air, no air

[Chorus]
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air, air

Tell me how I'm supposed to breathe with no air
Can't live, can't breathe with no air
It's how I feel whenever you ain't there
It's no air, no air

Got me out here in the water so deep
Tell me how you gonna be without me
If you ain't here, I just can't breathe
It's no air, no air

No air, air
No air, air
No air, air
No air

Initial planning meeting notes

We as a group met in one of our classes before we decided on what we were going to do and film. The members of the group are Jecoliah, Victor, Georgina and Yolanda.

What we discussed:

We first got to know each other finding out what our skills and talents are for example Jecoliah is very good at dance and studying dance at college, Victor is a musician and plays drums at different event, Georgina is teacher of also dance at her local dance school and Yolanda is also a musician she sings and has studied dance as well and enjoys typing. Knowing all these skills of the members we made sure we use them for the appropriate things.

The next conversations we had as a group were basically about what our music video song would be after we all happily chose to do a very r&b genre music video. We had a number of videos that’s we thought of and wondered on what exactly the video would look like however they all failed until we found one which ended up being Chris brown and Jordin sparks video ‘ No air’

What aspects of the videos we discuss:

- Silhouette- which we decided to do in the ball theatre in college, with a piece of white cloth and a spotlight.

Filming Locations

The specific locations that we as a group decided to work with were locations around greater Manchester.

We worked around the Urbis mainly because to use whatever shots we have of it as an establishing shot (which informs the audience where the story setting is). It’s one of the buildings well known in Manchester to be and abstract and also un-usual structureOne other reason we used it to connect with the audience so that they are familiar with the area we are working with making it easy for them to believe the storyline, however, for some audiences they might feel the opposite and disconnect with the

Another location was Triangle, which is directly next to the Urbis. We used this building or mall not because it’s right next to the Urbis but because they are both buildings that are very are known and have been used also in the media industry for filming and recording. We mainly used the interior of the building, which is a shopping mall; we took some shots inside because it has a very elegant yet calm atmosphere.

Another location that we thought would be a great place to film for our particular genre was arndale shopping mall. We didn’t use the interior nut inside we used the exterior which was the car park. We chose that location because of a certain part in the song which is the climax which we thought needed to have an amazing different scene.

Research into costumes for music video

Research into costumes for music video

Due to the genre of the music video ‘No Air’, we have decided to pick an R n B style of clothing, which will consist of;

· Clothing labels e.g. (Rocawear)

· Type of clothing which are in stores now

· American influenced

Here are some picture examples of what we would like to be the style of clothing to be:

http://www.denimblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/rihanna-jeans.jpg

http://celeb.wohoo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/Beyonce-trl-nov.jpg

http://www2.pictures.stylebistro.com/fp/Brtiannique+Rita+Ora+Heels+Pumps+Ayugp07OIb9l.jpg

http://www.sojones.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/sg_011.jpg

http://blog.cladnine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Bow+Wow1.jpg

http://live.drjays.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/treysongz-brandnew.jpg

Detailed shot lists of specific scenes from your music video

Silhouette shots - mid shots, light creating silhouette on sheet. Jecoliah dancing, Yolanda & Victor singing
Roof top - Yolanda & Victor singing to each other
Street - Yolanda & Victor singing to each other
Yolanda looking out window singing
Jecoliah in dance studio dancing

Costumes – The genre of music in R ‘n’ B so the costumes have to suit the Genre. R ‘n’ B is something smooth and creative. R ‘n’ B is something of the 21th centry so the costume has to be 21^st century. Meaning it doesn’t need to be old school dressing or Emo or Punkush. It could be formal, or smooth luxurious clothing to make it look like reality of this day.

For example; The video NO AIR – Chris brown and Jordin.

Another example is Superhuman by Chri Brown and Keri Hilson.

CD cover looks to be:

· Not too colorful

· Simple

· Basic

· Get the point across

· Look presenting and stereotypical to the targeted audience

· Centered on an artist.

· The font on the cover should be a readable font.

· The Front cover picture has to tell a story. (black n white)

Example of an R ‘n’ B covers are:

The back of the album cover should feature the record label and the artists. It should have a list of songs in the album. Under the song, it should have information about when it was made, what studio it was made in and what studio production is called and where it is. It should have information about who arranged the song and who did instrumentals. It should also have a bar code and include a list of sponsors and copyright views and who it was distributed by.

The back of the album cover would include information about how to follow the artist on Facebook, Twitter or Myspace. It would also include the artists website. Management website and information e.g: Simon Fuller.www.jliverecords.com,T9 entertainment.

· Research into filming locations including photographs and details of why they are appropriate locations.

' Hate how much i love you' - Rihanna ft Ne-yo analysis

The third video that we have analyzed which also has the same genre as the main music video that we are doing which is R&B. The video were doing is called ‘hate hate that I love you’ by Rihanna and Ne-yo which is also a love story however just like all the videos we are doing have a little twist to it for example its about a man and a woman who can not stop loving each other even though they are currently not together. This music videos doesn’t necessarily demonstrates the genre of the music through any things in the videos such as costume, dance moves or even hairstyles just like the other music videos we have analyzed have done. There isn’t a very clear correlation or link between the lyrics of the song and the visuals, we see this as Rihanna is in her room and constantly thinking and showing signs of how she misses him and also by Ne-yo in the elevator lip sinking the words and also thinking about her.

The relation between the music itself and the visuals are not as powerful or related as ‘superhuman’, which shows how the montage portrays the beat of the song. The demands of the record label which expect are defiantly there, there are a number of close ups of Rihanna and Ne-yo however they are not as much as Rihanna who is more popular and know by everyone *Rihanna close up on bed*

Camera shots

Most of the camera shots in this whole video are close up and medium shots for example when Ne-yo walks into the hotel (medium shot) and also when Rihanna is in the bedroom (close ups) close up of *Rihanna and Ne-yo*, there are also a few point of view shots *point of view shot* There are a couple of shots that look like hand held shots because of the shakiness of the shot

Editing

The music video is introduced first by a montage of images from Rihanna as she getting ready to go out on a date and also as Ne-yo is walking towards the hotel.

Video – No Air- Chris Brown and Jordin sparks

Duration: 4:48

Audience is mainly young adults aged 18-27 who are stereotyped in these days to be finding love.

Performance includes a bit of dancing from both singers

Camera shots:

· Skyline view of City

· Birdseye view

· Close ups on lip-sync

· Medium close up

· Close-up on shoes

· Close up on phone.

· Low angle and high angle panning shot of male and female while singing.

· A Silhouette view of the acts dancing.

Editing:

· Slow motion.

· Shot of Jec in front of Vic but she really isn’t. (Works by recording Jec on seat; keeping camera still and the record her of the seat and edit it doing a fade out transition.

· Fast motion

· Fade out transitions

· Split screen on male and female.

Location:

Jecs Dad Office
Top of Arndale

Arndale or Trafford Centre

A place with a see-through window

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

Ball theatre under seats

Dance Studio

Shooting Scheduled to be up to 19days. Every Wednesday afternoon and Friday mornings.

Dilemma

Research and analysis of

Dilemma – Kelly Rowland ft. Nelly

The second R & B music video we have been researching is a video by the artists ‘Kelly Rowland featuring ‘Nelly’ with their song ‘Dilemma’. This video is a narrative video, as it tells a story about them expressing their love for each other. The genre of the music video is shown because Kelly is seen already as an R&B fashion icon, plus the clothes that Nelly wears are traditionally associated with R&B for example the jewelry and the baggy pants and top. There is a correlation between the lyrics and the video because they are singing about thinking about each other and the video shows them thinking about each other and missing each other. There are no impressions of being watched or any screens and telescopes etc. There are also no voyeuristic treatments towards women’s bodies except through the top Kelly is wearing when she on the road which shoes her body shape well, as Nelly sings/raps about loving Kelly and not raping or singing bout her body, which shows respect. There are no intertextual references to any films, TV programs or other music videos. This video is also targeted at older teenagers due to the features of the video and the stereotype of teenagers is primarily finding love.

Camera shots

Throughout the video there are close ups and medium of Kelly and Nelly’s faces which tells the audience that’s they are the main characters in the video as there is a lot of extras in the background. Moreover the close ups are required by the record label as a promotional method to make the audience remember their faces which makes them more memorable. *Screen shot of Kelly* *Nelly*. At the beginning of the video there are landscapes shots and the main characters are introduced. Near the end of the video, when they are outside the cinema, the background is blurred so the viewers focus on the main characters. This is called shallow depth of field. *SDF shot* The video often zooms from medium long shot to mid shot which shows the importance of the character and shows the audience who is important. There is a tilt from eye level to high angle.

Editing

The editing in the video uses fast cuts at the start to show a montage, this displays ‘nellyville’ to tell the audience what the neighborhood is like and what, the people are like. Then at the end it uses slow motion to illustrates them dreaming about being together and happy, when in reality they aren’t. There is also a use of split screen, which demonstrates them thinking about each other. The video is filmed in a bright place because it is a quite happy love story video, so even in the night scenes, its still well lit. The transitions are fades, which portrays how they can be different people when they are with their partners to when they are with each other.

By Georgina & Jecoliah

Mind Map

A mind map of some different music genres.

Research and planning of superhuman

Research and Planning of music video

Superhuman - Chris Brown ft. Keri Hilson

The genre of music we are looking at is a R&B song and the artists are Chris Brown ft. Keri Hilson with their song ‘Superhuman’. This music video that we are going to analyse is a narrative music video, which tells a story about love and relationships. The genre of the music is portrayed through Keri Hilsons outfit and hair, *screen shot Keri outfit* which is mainly associated with R&B, and also some of this dance moves Chris Brown dances in the video. The song is mainly about having super powers and in the video Chris bumps into Keri and while she walks across the road she is nearly run over by a car when Chris comes and rescues her. There is also a very good connection between the music video and the lyrics because we actually see Chris saving Keri and the song illuminates the whole story. There are no impressions of being watched or any screens and telescopes etc. There are also no voyeuristic treatments towards women’s bodies apart from Keri wearing a very short, tight dress, which brings out her body shape. There are no intertextual references to any films, TV programs or other music videos. This video is an illustration video, which can be classed as a straightforward performance and narrative music video, for it to be titled a narrative video it has to have a bond between the meaning of the lyrics and visuals, and this video defiantly has all these qualities. The camera shots in this video are mainly close up and medium shots for example of Chris and Keri and also of when they are on the road, however it starts with a bird’s eye view of the skyline.

This video is targeted at older teenagers due to the features of the video and the stereotype of teenagers is primarily finding love.

Camera shots

Near the beginning of the video we have close ups of the main artists, to makes sure the audience remember who’s featuring in the song, all these shots would be required by the record label *screen shot of chris*. At the start, the video uses panned shots when Chris and Keri are walking down the street. Most of the camera shots in this music video are also medium close-ups of the singer and also uses sky line shots around New York City. *screen shot skyline* There are several shot-reverse-shots on Keri and Chris while they are singing together. *over shoulder Keri* When Chris is singing there background is blurred, this is called Shallow depth of field. There are long shots of Chris on a burning car singing and dancing and when Keri is on the balcony, which are low angle shots to show that they have some superhuman powers.

Editing

The video uses slow motion shots to display the passionate reaction to him saving her life. The transitions in the video are fading in and out and the video also uses lighting effects to create silhouette. *silhouette* Major shots of the music video as a whole are low angle as well as worms eye view. This is due to the viewers being able to recognize that they are the subject and reason to telling the narrative.