Lyrics

Image Analysis

Lyrical Ideas

Roles

Above we have created a gif representing who will be partaking in each job role.

Below are enlisted details of all features and aspects of individual occupations.

 

Sterling: Director, Performer & Editing

Due to my job roles, I will ensure that I have planned out and developed ideas for the entire video. We have also decided to use me within the video, because we thought the vocals would suit me best, as well as the fact that I made the final decision of the song. I will ensure that there is a concept and that all stylistic features of a conventional video will be in use. I also have experience using FinalCut (the programme where we will edit all of our footage), as does Marc, so we both decided to share the role of editing together.

Georgia: Mise en Scene & Lighting

As I am doing the mise en scene of the video, I will be choosing the different locations we will be shooting for our music video. I have also chose to do lighting, which means that I will be making sure the locations and the shots are correctly lit to suit the concept of what to have shot.

Marc - Camerawork, Sound & Editing

As I'm doing sound for our music video, I will have to make sure that there is no sound in the video other than the music itself. For editing, I will be working with Sterling to ensure that our clips cut to the beat of the track and we will have to have stylistic features that a conventional video will use. For camerawork I will be have to ensure that all shots are framed correctly, that the camera is recording correctly and that everything needed is in frame.

Song Details & Initial Ideas

Soul Questionnaire

Soul Video Research - Ordinary People

The first shot we see in the video is of a piano. John Legend starts playing, which is when the music starts. This creates the illusion that this is a live performance, and it will start and end when the artist does so. It is also instantly significant that the entire video has been shot in black and white. Supported with the artist simply playing the piano, this gives the video an ordinary, natural effect which connects with the song title.

Other shots used like the focus pull on the plain glass of water also support the previous idea. The use of a simple white background is also extremely adequate in terms of slick continuity transitions. Because there is a blank background, it is straightforward to discreetly change from one shot to another.

Whilst the artist is performing throughout the video, we are introduced to different families from various ethnic backgrounds who are arguing/fighting around the artist playing the piano. I believe this links in with the concept of no relationship is easy or certain, and each side of the relationship must make sacrifices and compromises in order for it to work. The fact that different cultures are used for the video implies that it can happen (and does happen) to anyone, which once more associates with the song title.

An orchestra is introduced to us , conventionally showing the instrumentation used within the soundtrack. At the end of the end of the video,  all of the families reconcile with each other,  connoting that all types of relationships can work and rekindle if both sides want to and that feuds and arguments are just a part of life.

Soul Video Research - Lauryn Hill

Soul Video Research - Sunshine Anderson

We can clearly see that there is a narrative to the video as the music doesn't instantly start when the video does.
Having a concept or narrative is conventional within soul music, especially when there is a deep, lyrical meaning to the song.


The mise en scene conveys the use of pathetic fallacy such as rain and darkness whilst the artist is in the car to set a clear mood to the audience too. The director has also decided to use neutral, bland colours within the video to reinstate this idea.

Editing is generally conventionally cut on the beat as well. For the first 20 seconds of the soundtrack, a different shot is cut to every fourth beat. This is done to set the scene using montage editing, but it appears to be continuous as it is on the beat. There are frequent cuts between the narrative and performance shots of the artist in the car. This ensures that there appears to be a variety of shots and locations throughout the video.

It is also effective how thety have superimposed imagery from the narrative with shots of the artist in the car to depict a clear graphic match for the audience, consequently resulting in each shot running smoothly into the other.

Another graphic match featured is at the end of the video the burnt photograph of the artist's ex-boyfriend, followed by the burning of his car. This symbolises that the two are completely over and it also reflects the hatrid she has for him, for all the lies and deceit that Anderson received from him. It is clear through the lyrics and mise en scene that this is something that has been consistently happening within their relationship. This final image connects with the ring saying 'hate' which is revealed to us at the very beginning of the video.

Album Advertising Research

Album Cover Research

Record Label Research

Mood Board

Theories - Vernallis

Theories - Goodwin

Below is a table reflecting Andrew Goodwin's theory on music videos, which he explained in his own book 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory'

ILLUSTRATION

Hanson's 'Mmmbop' is a typical illustrative video, the band are doing everything you'd expect themto within the video, and images shown are extremely literal (see video below).

AMPLIFICATION

Katy Perry's new video 'Roar' is a clear example of an amplification video. She is continuously taking on a fictional role within the video, with imagery on screen frequently amplifying her lyrics, but still relating to the narrative.

DISJUNCTURE

Disclosure's 'Control' is an example of a disjunctured video. Even though this was their first official video, they decided to make the concept about the fact that anyone can enjoy or dance to their music. Disclosure have taken on an anonymous image throughout (see image to the left) by adding a doodled face resembling neither of them on top of their faces. This is a concept that Disclosure repeat through different videos/album covers.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-LEiOzXHWM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M6VItZtAh4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg6BwvDcANg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVeMiVU77wo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGmfOsdla2Y
http://vimeo.com/48551671
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXC3h95PtDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPp5Ty9EE6k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGmfOsdla2Y

Analysis of Low Budget Videos

A-Ha! by Imogen Heap




Just Got Paid by The Fix