Directors commentary

final music video

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages [Director's Commentary Script - Marlon]

When planning the video, we used a digital camera to take location shots and practice shots of what we hoped to use in the final video itself. We also used blogger.com to document our progress on the video, and its construction etc.

We used Sony HD Camcorders to film the video itself, and then edited the footage on Final Cut Express, which was an invaluable resource in finishing the video. When creating the digi-pak and the magazine advert, we again used the digital cameras and Adobe Photoshop to take the pictures and edit them to our own specifications.

We then used blogger.com again to evaluate our process, video and gain feedback from other groups.

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancilliary texts (directors commentary script-Charlie)

The main project centred around morphsuits, so they figure alot in our music video, however we could only hint at this in our magazine advert and digipak cover - as we needed to show a full reflection of the band and not just about the single. In order to parallel with the last scene in the video of the three morph-men walking away from camera, we used 'Eminem's Recovery' album for inspiration. This showed the artist walking away from the camera, indicating his road to recovery after his drug problems. We wanted to parody this with our own road to recovery, shedding ourselves of the antics performed in the morph-suits for a final time. However, this approach was scrapped and replaced with the idea of incorporating a spider turned pink in keeping with the bands name. We knew, the digipak and advertisement couldn't heavily side with the idea of the morphsuits as we had to show the bands image as a whole.

What have you learnt from the audience feedback (script for directors commentary-Alex)

From the audience feedback after the viewing of our music video, we learnt that they enjoyed the fact that it incorporated comedy into the video, saying that it is unconventional and keeps the audience glued to the screen and laughing the entire way through. We also learnt that it still demonstrated the genre of the song, and contained accurate lip-syncing that made the video have a more rock ‘n’ roll feel. The scenes where we sped up the men in the morph-suits were also praised, saying that they added to the humour. They also enjoyed the opening sequence, which was entirely improvised. It introduced the song and the content inside, giving a reason behind why the men were doing stunts in morph-suits, rather than just doing stunts.

However, there were things we could have improved on. For example, in the editing process, we could have used more filters to give the video a more ‘professional’ feel. Also, the lip-syncing shots where the lead singer was dancing could have been livelier; it made the video seem a little more boring at times than it should have been.

 I’ve learnt that the idea of the music video was good; the idea of incorporating comedy in a rock video worked and was successful. However, it lacked a professional feel, and I’ve learnt that if I was today do it again, then more time must be put in to the editing process by adding more fillters and rather than just the filming.

Director's Commentary Script

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Our media product uses typical forms and conventions that other music videos of the same, or of a similar genre use by incorporating the conventional link between music and visuals. For example, the lip-syncing, dancing and in this case, enjoyable and funny visuals. Our music video is a mix between narrative based and performance based, and our interpretation of the lyrics from the song Truth or Dare is different to most other peoples, who might interpret it as being about a girl or love etc. We took it, and used it as an excuse to perform and execute as series of ‘dares’. By doing this, we challenged the conventions of many other music videos of the same genre, drawing our inspiration from such artists and Weezer, whose music video Pork and Beans made us want to do dares such as mentos & coke. Despite a lot of the stunts we attempted being cut out of the final version of the video, we still maintain that videos like Pork and Beans were our primary inspiration.

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?

The main project centred around morphsuits, so they figure alot in our music video, however we could only hint at this in our magazine advert and digipak cover - as we needed to show a full reflection of the band and not just about the single. In order to parallel with the last scene in the video of the three morph-men walking away from camera, we used 'Eminem's Recovery' album for inspiration. This showed the artist walking away from the camera, indicating his road to recovery after his drug problems. We wanted to parody this with our own road to recovery, shedding ourselves of the antics performed in the morph-suits for a final time. However, this approach was scrapped and replaced with the idea of incorporating a spider turned pink in keeping with the bands name. We knew, the digipak and advertisement couldn't heavily side with the idea of the morphsuits as we had to show the bands image as a whole.

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?

From the audience feedback after the viewing of our music video, we learnt that they enjoyed the fact that it incorporated comedy into the video, saying that it is unconventional and keeps the audience glued to the screen and laughing the entire way through. We also learnt that it still demonstrated the genre of the song, and contained accurate lip-syncing that made the video have a more rock ‘n’ roll feel. The scenes where we sped up the men in the morph-suits were also praised, saying that they added to the humour. They also enjoyed the opening sequence, which was entirely improvised. It introduced the song and the content inside, giving a reason behind why the men were doing stunts in morph-suits, rather than just doing stunts.

However, there were things we could have improved on. For example, in the editing process, we could have used more filters to give the video a more ‘professional’ feel. Also, the lip-syncing shots where the lead singer was dancing could have been livelier; it made the video seem a little more boring at times than it should have been.

 I’ve learnt that the idea of the music video was good; the idea of incorporating comedy in a rock video worked and was successful. However, it lacked a professional feel, and I’ve learnt that if I was today do it again, then more time must be put in to the editing process by adding more fillters and rather than just the filming.

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?

When planning the video, we used a digital camera to take location shots and practice shots of what we hoped to use in the final video itself. We also used blogger.com to document our progress on the video, and its construction etc.

We used Sony HD Camcorders to film the video itself, and then edited the footage on Final Cut Express, which was an invaluable resource in finishing the video. When creating the digi-pak and the magazine advert, we again used the digital cameras and Adobe Photoshop to take the pictures and edit them to our own specifications.

We then used blogger.com again to evaluate our process, video and gain feedback from other groups.

In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products [Script For Director's Commentary - James]

Our media product uses typical forms and conventions that other music videos of the same, or of a similar genre use by incorporating the conventional link between music and visuals. For example: The lip-syncing, dancing and in this case, enjoyable and funny visuals.

Our music video is a mix between narrative based and performance based, and our interpretation of the lyrics from the song Truth or Dare is different to most other peoples, who might interpret it as being about a girl or love etc. We took it, and used it as an excuse to perform and execute as series of ‘dares’.

By doing this, we challenged the conventions of many other music videos of the same genre, drawing our inspiration from such artists and Weezer, whose music video Pork and Beans made us want to do dares such as mentos & coke.

Despite a lot of the stunts we attempted being cut out of the final version of the video, we still maintain that videos like Pork and Beans were our primary inspiration.

Magazine advertisement

Evaluation of Music Video

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Our aim was to show the humourous side of music video's we took inspiration from existing video's such as 'Fluorescent Adolescent - Arctic Monkey's' and 'Stay Awake - Example' . I believe this idea challenged the concept of real media products, as no other existing music video has used morphsuits. Therefore, I believe this supports the claim that we challenged the forms and conventions as instead of intepreting the single as a song about love, we used it as an excuse to perform daring and humour-based stunts. Despite many of our stunts getting cut, such as the mentos and cola took from 'Weezer - Pork and Beans'.

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancilliary texts?
The main project centred around morphsuits, so they figure alot in our music video, however we could only hint at this in our magazine advert and digipak cover - as we needed to show a full reflection of the band and not just about the single. In order to parallel with the last scene in the video of the three morph-men walking away from camera, we used 'Eminem's Recovery' album for inspiration. This showed the artist walking away from the camera, indicating his road to recovery after his drug problems. We wanted to parody this with our own road to recovery, shedding ourselves of the antics performed in the morph-suits for a final time. However, this approach was scrapped and replaced with the idea of incorporating a spider turned pink in keeping with the bands name. We knew, the digipak and advertisement couldn't heavily side with the idea of the morphsuits as we had to show the bands image as a whole.

What have you learnt from your audience feedback?
I have learnt how vital the lip-synching is to the music video, and also the importance of having a structure to our work and filming as well as a contigency plan if anything goes wrong. This is where we fell down in our project, as we were rushed to finish by the deadline. To develop our idea, we were encouraged to include more daring scenes with the morph-suits if we were to do it again. Time constraints restricted what we could include, therefore it didnt look as good as we hoped. Furthermore, to be more creative with the lip-synching, because with lack of time, the background looked quite bland. Whereas with a bit more thought and time on our side, we had ideas of filming in Cambridge town centre and places around college.

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research, planning and evaluation stages?
When planning and taking test shots/footage for our initial ideas we used a digital camera, this enabled us to take multiple pictures to use in the planning stage. We also used 'blogger.com' to document our progress and post relevant images and test footage we had taken. We used a Sony HD Camcorder to film our video and then edited our crafted these clips using Final Cut Express, this became an invaluable piece of software for us, especially when cutting and editing our footage as the deadline approached. Lastly, we used Adobe Photoshop we created both our digipak cover and magazine advertisement.

Feedback From Class

After everyone viewing our video, they gave us valuable information on what we did well and most importantly, what we need to improve on. The feedback that we were given due to things we did correctly consisted of; 

• It was humorous: The use of the morph-suits was unconventional and funny to the audience, it kept people watching and laughing along with the music video.
• It demonstrates the genre of the song
• The lip syncing was good: The lead singer got into the singing and gave out a rock 'n' roll sense and vibe
• Effects: The sped up scenes were good and very attention-grabbing
• Enjoyed the opening sequence where the characters were introduced

The feedback we were given about the things we did wrong or could have improved on were;

• Editing: Could have used filters and made it seem more professional
• Lip syncing: The shots with the lead singer were slightly boring, could have used more effects.

Overall, we are quite pleased with our feedback and agree that given slightly more time, we could have made the editing much better and gotten more shots with the lead singer, perhaps in a better location.

Still shots ideas for lip synching

Digi-Pak Research

Eminem - Recovery Album

This album cover has influenced us to make our CD cover similar as it is simple but effective. The simplicity of the road in this cover symbolizes his 'long road to recovery'. However, our use of it would parody that by implying that we too on the road to recovery because we're clearly insane because of the stunts we are performing.

Or, as an alternative, we could use the 'long road' idea to show us evading the police in a bid for freedom. Another idea is to have the morph-suit men walking away from the morph-suits that they've left in the road, implying their road to recovery.

Example - Won't Go Quietly

A secondary idea would be to take inspiration from Example's 'Won't Go Quietly' video, but including the morph-suits. We would have James, as the lead singer as the central photo and then the others 'morphing around' in the morph suits in different poses.

Auteur Study

Richard Ayoade

Ayoade is a british actor, comedian, writer and director best known for his role as Maurice Moss in 'The IT Crowd'.

The main reason for choosing this particular director was because of his work on 2007 Arctic Monkey's hit 'Fluorescent Adolescent'. This specific video was a big influence on us due to the fact that it featured people dressed as clowns, we want to create a similar effect with morphsuits in our video. Richard Ayoade has also directed video's for Kasabian, Vampire Weekend and The Last Shadow Puppets.

Target Audience

We have decided to classify our music video as a '12' as our actions whilst dressed in morph suits we believe will be unsuitable for children under this age, as we feel they are the most likely to replicate our actions in the video.

However, if when the video is completed it doesn't appear to contain stunts of images unsuitable for minors, then the classification can be disputed and changed.

Classification of our music video

’12A’/’12′

Suitable for 12 years and over

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them.
The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.
The ‘12’ category exists only for video works. No one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video work.

Discrimination

Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

Drugs

Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

Horror

Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

Imitable behaviour

Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free.  Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

Language

Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.

Nudity

Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

Sex

Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

Theme

Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

Violence

Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

A Guide on How to Make a Music Video

DO's:

• The first 30 seconds of the video are crucial, make sure you make the opening sequence appealing and something you yourself would want to watch.
• The Nightclub Theory: If you're going to be dancing etc, make sure you make it colourful and eye catching. Incorporate good lighting and other camera techniques.
• Logistics: Location; make sure you scout your locations and inspect them first. Prepare for any eventualities (For example, building works being done where you want to film or the area not accessible on that specific day). Also be sure to time everything perfectly, create schedules for filming and prepare yourself for if one of your group members can't turn up.
• Planning: Plan down to the smallest details, make sure you have your shotlist and storyboards and that the director knows what he wants to do beforehand. 
• Storyboard: When creating the storyboard, you can not only draw it but you can also take digital stills instead. Have you actors act the scenes they would at the location and take stills, analyse them and decide on whether or not they're suitable for what you're trying to achieve.
• Always have a back up plan in case the unexpected happens, make sure that if you can't do what you were hoping to you can you have something else to be getting on with for the time being.
• Make things different and unique, don't copy from other music videos etc.
• Realism! Don't make it look ridiculous and don't try and do wacky things that could endanger yours or others lives.
• Add a twist to it, make it different and eye catching. Nothing is worse than a boring video...
• Work with the lyrics: Do not make a video completely unrelated to the song - it's not a Lady Gaga video!
• Shoot the performance footage first! Make sure you work around it, the lip syncing is the main part of the video and should take priority.

DON'Ts

• Not planning your video. If you don't plan the video properly, it will be rubbish. Planning is a major part of creating a video!
• Health and Safety: Make sure there aren't any dangers that your actors might face, you need to make sure there aren't any wires to trip over and no dangerous stunts.
• It's not a short film! Don't make the narrative of the video too cliche and ridiculous, it isn't a short film and doesn't require it to be so complex.

Test Shots for Locations

Shot of the location where the morph-suit men are at the beginning of the video

Test shot of the morph-suit men walking out of the building

Test of possible shot for the morph-suit men

Shot of the exit of the building in one of the first shots in the sequence

Test of possible shot of where the morph-men could be at some point in the video

 

 Test of possible shot of where the morph-men could be at some point in the video

video influences- past student videos

this video has inspired us, as it features a similar location to where we want to shoot and it also has cuts from the lip synching to another location shot.



this video is rather inspirational because it has a lot of related features that we would like to apply to our video. the features that we witness in the video that are related to our ideas are dressing up so that our faces are not visible and going around making people laugh whilst we do small pranks on each other with a signer cut between each clip of us.

The Girl Can't Dance - Ace Frehley

[Chorus]
The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!

[Verse]
The mood excites
The room is hot and lights are low
I'm gonna move it 'til it stops
Dances with pride, with money on the line
And I've seen her
At dinner for two
My Lord, My Lord
Said, "who is that girl at the door"?
She's got buck teeth
No beauty queen
That skinny girls
Got two left feet
And she can't dance
She must be lost
Now show her to the door before she gets out on the floor, because

[Chorus]
The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!

[Verse]
She peels off her over-coat, watch out
Heads started turning
Ugly duckling to a poster girl
You only seem them in a magazine
She said, "put that spotlight on me
I'm gonna show you how it's done tonight"
Fire up the party
Like heat and steel
Sparks are flying from her high-heels
Long legs, a killer skirt
Ginger Rodgers in a mini skirt, I thought you said that

[Chorus]
The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!

[Solo]

[Verse]
The music stops
She took the prize
I asked her to dance
She said, "No way, I heard you say"

The girl can't dance, she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, I heard you sayin' that
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!
The girl can't dance, and she's got no soul
The girl can't dance, oh no!

The Pink Spiders Lyrics

Truth Or Dare

---

Was it easy all along?
As the days went on and on
Going through the motions
Holding on to better years.
'Cause now all you'll hear from me
Is a familiar melody
From the wires to the speakers to your tired ears

So truth or dare
Let me hear it
Say you'll stay
Like you mean it
Or don't let go
'Til it feels like nothing's changed and nothing's wrong

With the things you tried to take
That I need to stay awake
That I need to trade the action for the old routine

So truth or dare
Let me hear it
Say you'll stay
Like you mean it
Or don't let go
'Til it feels like nothing's changed and nothing's wrong
'Cause day by day
She's a little
Closer still
To the middle
So kiss and kill me
A little more and more until you're gone

'Cause every single minute I'm drowning out there
And every single argument's endless
And I know every indiscretion is breaking your heart
And every bad decision is defenseless

Truth or dare
Let me hear it
Say you'll stay
Like you mean it
Or don't let go
'Til it feels like nothing's changed and nothing's wrong
'Cause day by day
She's a little
Closer still
To the middle
So kiss and kill me
A little more and more until you're gone