If I Were A Boy - Music Video Techniques/ Media Language Analysis

Beyoncé- If I Were A Boy Music Video Analysis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWpsOqh8q0M

This is an R&B music genre by the astonishing tremendous singer Beyoncé. “If I were a boy” it is based about a heart-breaking love song which represents regret and melancholy. From the title of the song we are able to instantly know that the song has a miserable story behind it as she questions herself. This music video has two different sides to it. The first side of the music video which is at the beginning, Beyoncé appears as a policewoman as you can see in the screenshot and also at the beginning of the music video the man appears wearing the suit which is unusual as it should be the opposite. As you can see in the screen shot she is the one who is teaching the man how to shoot properly and also in the other screenshot she is surrounded by two man which enables us to instantly know she is betrayed as being the man. Through this we know that they have both swapped roles her being the man that she is wishing to be ad him taking the roles of her being in an office simple work environment. Towards the end the music video we see the story changing to reality. This is because man becomes the policeman and the Beyoncé appears in suit. This shows that their roles are being exchanged. This use of technique it allows us to see that Beyoncé is trying to show us as viewers how a female would act in a male environment which is very provocative because in reality we usually consist the police jobs are more suitable for male. The music video it is also recorded in black and white which makes it more meaningful and shows stronger feelings. The black and white also links to the title as it is written in past tense due to the word “Were”. This video is also mainly narrative. As a result, it includes performance based areas as I think it being a hybrid. In addition, non-diegetic sound has been mainly used throughout the video which enabled the audience to focus on the story-line more due to the video. 

In the music video the characters have been swapped and it is shown by their outfit and scene. This video shows that Beyoncé is dressed as a policewoman as for her husband he is wearing a suit which shows his high paid job. In the video, it also shows that Beyoncé is in a police car and surrounded by men, making it link to the title more and shows that she is trying to fit to the male environment as for the man he is seen in a posh high class designed office on his desk searching for jewellery to buy. This represents a straightforward comparison of the social classes and the different levels that are available in life which enables the story to be stronger. The two characters in the video are very different from each other due to the two different environments that are used and the way they act. In the video, there is a different variety of shots which are being used. Such as medium close up was being used in the beginning of the video. It was also used towards the end when the man gave her the jewellery in the car and the woman was driving. It was then used again at the party the man was driving using the same shot angle. They also used tracking shot, this is a shot where the camera moves alongside the object following his movement as this was used twice in the video. For example, when the woman was going down the stairs to see her man making breakfast and the same movement was repeated by the opposite as this will make us more attracted to the video. As for the medium two shot this is used when the camera captures two people but only showing from their waist to head. A low angle shot, was used when the policewoman character was arresting a man which this represent as being power and makes the woman seem strong, which isn’t normally associated with women. This is because they are seen to weak and sensitive. Moving on to the editing, the music video mainly had cuts which vary the speed linking it to the pace of the song and they also used slow motion and fade away. When using these techniques they have showed the important details of the policewoman which Beyoncé’s role in the music video as this empowers her in the music video. The use of fade away feature it foreshadows the story which enables the audience to get a soft feeling after they see Beyoncé in the second side of the story which is shown at the end as she is shown in totally different character which this contrasts with the use of cuts throughout the music video. They have also recorded the video in black and white as I have mentioned earlier. Black and white is known for showing deep emotions and sad tones. It also highlights the important features in the music video and make them more noticeable to us as viewers.

Hideaway- Music Video Techniques/ Media Language Analysis

Kiesza- Hideaway music video analysis -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vnoz5uBEWOA

t the start of the video an establishing shot is being used. It focuses on the street sign, so through this we can instantly know that the location is going to be in a street. This is because an establishing shot is used to show the area or location of something or next shot. Immediately, after this a wide angle shot is used to show us the main character ‘Kiesza’ getting of the taxi. This again supports the idea that the location of this video will be taking on the street as she walks through the street that we saw the sign for right at the start throughout the whole video. Through this shot we can also see her costume, which is very casual and this links to what you would wear if you were walking down the street. In addition, her gesture and colours of the costume give us an idea of her being confident and a dance due to the way she is closing the door and the colour of her shoes which is very vibrant.

Throughout the video a tracking shot is used. This was the main shot with the entire video. This is because the continuity of the movement empathizes the concept of the video which is ‘Hideaway’. Using this type of shot also allows the viewers to engage more the music video and makes sure they keep their focus on the conceptual part of the music video. This is mainly accomplished through the mise-en-scene, particular location, dance routines and costume, creating a precise story linking to the concept of hideaway. For example, in this screen shot a wide shot is used. This shows the main character and few other dancing on the street. This is an idea of happiness and celebration, it is also very colourful due to the graffiti and costumes. The colours of the costumes can be quite symbolic as there are contrasting colours. The yellow at the back of the artist that the back dancer is wearing can represent happiness and joy. Not only that, but her gesture with hand wide open suggests playful and happiness again. This creates an idea around the symbolic concept as the colours of the costumes and the dancing used allow the audience to provoke thoughts about the journey of her walking through the street and possible interpretations of the characters the performer meets on his way.

Half way through the video a medium close-up is being used. This brings attention to the facial expressions of the character. In this case she looks very happy due to her mouth is wide open as she’s singing. This shows her happiness. Not only that, but the soft red lipstick and calm make-up shows the audience the simplicity of the video, and the red emphasizes a bright, vibrant and energetic feeling. Which suits perfectly with the video as the audience see her dancing throughout the music video. This is also emphasised through the background as there’s bright colours used for the graffiti, creating an energetic feeling. Also the indirect eye contact makes the audience wonder what she is looking at.


A wide angle shot is used almost throughout the whole of the music video, as well as a tracking camera movement. The open street within the background strongly emphasis the conceptual idea of the character being confident, energetic and happy. As there dancer all around her dressed in bright clothing and the graffiti all over the walls, not only that, but we see a man jogging which empathises relaxation and joy again. The street in which she is walking through is significantly the focus as this is where the story is told. However, the street (neighbourhood) itself could be considered as a link to the artists’ regional identity, as it might potentially suggests the area she is originally from. The interpretation of this element can be quite open and analysed in many different ways. The idea of the street and journey can be strongly continuously signing. The combination of the performance and narrative is creating a hybrid, allowing this video to be more successful as it makes the audience feel more engaged into the conceptual story found within the clip. 

At the end of the video the same taxi we see that drops her off at the start of the video is picking her up again. This is very effective as we see her journey and this reinforces the idea of regional identity, her visiting the area where she originally came from and now she’s leaving.  This is shown through a medium close-up shot as it allows us as viewers to focus on her getting on the taxi and nothing else. Therefore we won’t be distracted. This also leaves us on the note of her just the way the video started with her, emphasising to us that she is the main character throughout the entire video.  Through this shot we also do not see her face which also enables us to know this is the ending, nothing left to see.

Mise-en-scene

Right at the begging of the video a prop is being used to set up the scene and engage the audience. The taxi strongly empathizes the narrative within the clip as it begins with the taxi and ends with it which shows a journey. This might engage the audience even more as they might be interested in the journey she is going through and what is going to happen after she gets of the taxi.  The taxi also may be used to signify him leaving a particular place and starting her journey.

Through the music video the artist is walking through the street while people come up and dance with her or there is random people on the background. They are all dressed in casual clothing but bright, this empathises the idea of joy and happiness. However, only one two people are wearing fully black, which goes against the rest of the characters. This might be considered as a phallic symbol, which is then used to signify sadness. In addition, as we can see in the background of the third image the graffiti is very bright and takes over the entire wall. This again symbolises their energy and happiness. Due to this it also enables us to know that the road she is walking in is very low class, could be an estate as the walls have been vandalised. Towards the end of the video we see a medium close up shot of her and the entire street shown behind her. We see her facial expressions as being very happy through her smile. This again supports the idea of happens and joy. 

Sound
The non-diegetic sound (the sound track) is used throughout the entire music video. This is successful as the sound has much more advanced quality. The fact that the sound from the environment is not really influenced this enables us to focus on the sound track, lyrics and makes everything more clearly. However, right at the start of the video diegetic sound is used when the artist gets of the taxi and closes the door, we hear it closing. Also right at the end the sound track stops and we hear her the cars driving buy and her getting on the taxi, closing the door and leaving.

Parallel sound is used accurately with the speed of the video frame, meaning it reflects the mod of the song. This is very essential within music videos. This is because it makes more engaging for the audience, meaning they want to carry on watching the video clip. Furthermore, it is essential for the parallel sound to be accurate to the genre of music you are trying to promote. In addition, through the video the artist stops lip-sync the track however, the non-diegetic sound of her signing is still on. This doesn’t creates a massive change as throughout most of the video the artist is preforming to the music.

Editing techniques:

The music video hardly includes any cuts which is quite unusual. This can be considered as challenging the codes and conventions, allowing the video to be even more unique comparing to other music videos.  This is quite effective because it shows the conceptual story of the video in a continuous prose using a tracking camera movement. This enables the music video to be shown as more creative and imaginative. Half way through the video the music begins to speed up and so does the movement of tracking shot. This makes the jaundice build up the tension, it is really effective as it allows the audience to feel the speed of the song. Towards the end of the video as she gets onto the taxi to leave the screen fades away as the taxi moves. This shows the audience it is the end. Overall throughout the video there is hardly any editing techniques used, it is very simple.

Lip-syncing Final Outcome

           
Lip-sync 

            

This is my final out come of the lip-syncing task. After I finished recording the videos I then used adobe Premier to help me put all the videos together and edit it to produce the video above. This process was very important, because the lip syncing had to be extremely accurate with the soundtrack, I believe that I have managed to produce a successful and accurate outcome to the task.

in addition, I experimented with the editing techniques. I used cuts throughout the clip to empathize the speed of the sound track as well as to make the visual more engage and interesting for the audience. I recorded a few nature shots around the area which which I have included at the beginning and the end of the lip-sync. This was effective because it enabled me to make the video more interesting for the viewer as at the start and the end their was just instruments playing no music. Another editing technique which I used is fade out at the end of the video to end the video in a nice way not just cut it off this made it more interest to the video. However, I could have included more interfacing cuts during the lip-sync.

As for the colour of the video I manipulated the colour as well as the contrast and brightness of the shots. I have done this because the black and white effect allows the audience to concentrate on the lip-sync and avoid any distractions from the background or any other bright colours around. I also, decided to do this because the area in which I took the video in it was had a very busy and distracting background, so for the reason the best way in which to keep the focus on lip-sync and the song was to turn the colour into black and white. In addition, I could have kept the leaves and sunset section at the start and the end in colour however, I wanted to avoid confusion, too much colour and busyness within the video. I wanted to stay professional.

Overall, I am very pleased with the finally outcome of this task. However, I believe I could have been more experimental with the various editing techniques. I also could have tried out using a wide shot to portray the entire character rather tan only a close up. This would have been more effective with the interference of cuts, which I would like to experiment with before I start the main task.

Introducing Lip-sync- Preparation For Music Video

Discovering Lip-sync

During this lesson we were introduced to lip-sync. This is one of the conventions of a music video, so it is important to practice one of them before producing the final music video to make sure we get in right. We began by recording a few cuts of the lips-sync, this is because in the next lesson we will be editing it putting all the videos together and applying non-diegectic sound track to create a full short practice piece. For the research I looked at some tips to help me produce my lip-syncing, which includes:

Script and shooting location

In terms of where everything should be recorded at depends on the script and concept of the video. These locations can be found by location services online such as Google maps or scouted by location scouts, or simply just used due the cost and it is easy and practical. In my opinion, the location is a very important aspect as it represents the mood and connections of the song and what it is trying to tell. For example, it needs to relate to the lyrics so it is able to tell a story and making it interesting.

Lip-sync and body language
To produce a successful and good lip-sync the person who is lip-syncing needs to know the lyrics  by heart and has rehearsed it several time before. It is also important to play the song over speakers or headphones so they can hear it as it will allow them to make sure they stay on time and follow the beat. I can also add a metronome/click to the song this is used to help keep on track with timing. Not only that, but it is very helpful in order to direct the person to sing out loud, as it will look more realistic due to breathing, chest and shoulder movements.

As for the next lesson we will be editing and putting together the videos of the lip-syncing. Through this video we focused on the close up shot to capture the facial features, mainly the mouth. The song which we chose is 'Closer' by The Chainsmokers. Our main aim is to put it altogether perfectly and have a successful outcome. I am very exited for my next lesson as I will also be exploring editing skills such as manipulating tools for example, brightness, exposure, colour and more. 

Discovering Filming, Editing Techniques and 180 Degree Rule

Exploring filming and editing techniques

In this task I first had to watch a short example of a western shootout. I was then put into a group and asked to recreate a short western film that conveys the codes and conventions of a western shoot. This is the first that I have been asked to help me began my A2 course. Through the creation of this I have learnt various different filming and editing techniques, which I will be explaining. This task helped me a lot and will definitely help me in my future tasks, such as the creation of my music video. This is because it allowed me to discover the cinematography in practice and allowed me to use editing tools which i have never used before. Due to this I will have some idea about the program I will be using and how to use it when it comes to producing my music video.

The video which I have placed below focuses around the theme of Western shootout movies. I have also made sure I follow the codes and conventions of this genre, which include types of shots used, idea of death, violence and the environment. 

At the start of the video I used an establishing shot which zooms in to the main area which the play will be taking place. 

What is the 180 degree rule?

The 180 degree rule is a cinematography guideline that says, that two characters in a scene should maintain the same left/right relationship to one another. If the camera passes this over the invisible axis connecting the two subjects, it is called crossing the line and the shot becomes what is called a reverse angle.

In addition, during the process of creating this short western clip I have discovered the use of effects. I particularly focused around colouring, fading and the exposure. this certainly enabled me to improve the setting visualisation into more Western atmosphere. However, it effected the colour scheme of the characters which I was not really pleased with. This is one of the elements which I would like to explore more into further and when it comes to creating my actual music video.

Overall, I really liked this task and I found it to be very help full as it give an introduction to filming.  I also gained a wide understanding of editing techniques and the 180 degree rule. Not only that, but due to this task now I know my mistakes and I will make sure I won't repeat them in my actual music video. I am also willing to learn more in my future tasks as this will prepare me and help me gain new skills for the construction of my final music video. 

Introduction To A2 Media Studies

This is my A2 blog which will be showing my journey for this year and 2017. My blog will be focusing on producing a music video as my final product. Throughout, these two upcoming years I will be posting everything I am doing allowing me to show a consistent journey of the course. This will focus on a variety of elements including, research, planning and editing.

Besides, from my personal work (Doaa Elmnayneh, Candidate number: 2123 ). I will also be posting group work which includes the following candidates:Jack Baxter, Candidate number: 1296, Zacaria Elarichi, Candidate number: 2069 and Momeena