Representations

Albion have represented themselves as a band of the indie genre. This is backed up firstly by their musical style and by their visual image.

Albion have an independent, relaxed image to fit with the indie genre. For example on the Bands Web page the photos show the band in casual attire; jeans, t-shirts and denim/leather jackets.

In reviews and interviews Albion have been compared to bands such as the Arctic Monkeys. This is possibly due to the similar style and genre of music both bands create. Similarly to the Arctic Monkeys Albion write songs linked to their home place and events that go on around them. The visual style of both bands is also very similar, for example the use of denim, leather and casual shirts. For these reasons we plan to use the Arctic Monkeys to inspire much of our Music promo.

justifications and costings of props

Auditions

Video:






Analysis:

Consent Forms

 

Locations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actors:

 

Locations:

Filming schedule

Video ideas

We would like to create an individual music video that will use the conventions of the Indie genre. So we will show live performance and relevant use of musical instruments. we will include extra props such as a classic car and leather and denim jackets to emphasise the indie/ individual side of the band.

 

Our video will be set in an old style house in a classical looking music room/ band room. We will also set shots of the car on typical countryside roads and in the local town to communicate the feelings and links between the town and the song lyrics.

Illustration, Amplification and Disjuncture

Illustration, Amplification and Disjuncture are all styles a music video can be filmed in, linking the lyrics to the music video.

 

 

 

Story Board

Here is our annotated storyboard, we will be cutting between the story and live performance. the story will begin with an argument/ break up and show Richard (the male in the relationship) leaving and driving to the home town, Bourne. meanwhile Harry (the lead vocalist) writing and performing the song. In-between the narrative we will show live performance of the band playing to the music.

Website Design and Analysis

Props and Mise-En-Scene

We will be using an MG Midget as the main focus. This classic car will help to emphasise the individual style of the band. Richard will be Driving, as it is his car. Richard is acting as one of the 4 band members driving to the home town where the song is set.

We are setting the main scenes of Harry singing and playing his guitar in an old style music room.
This will also help to emphasise the quirky side of the band.

Conventions of an indie music video.

Conventions of an indie music video.

 

To keep up with the relaxed indie image indie bands use their music videos to emphasise their image. Typical conventions used in an indie music video would include; focus on the band members taking part in live performance i.e. showing each member playing as their role within the band, the setting ill usually be quite dark or set in an average location such as; a school, street or a farm. This is also used to emphasise the indie image as it shows the band using low budget locations and putting the main focus into their music.

 

As an example I have looked at a few of the Arctic Monkeys music videos. I have used them as an example because their genre and target audience is very similar to what we are aiming to achieve in our music video.

 

Looking at the Arctic Monkeys video for “I Bet You Look Good on the Dance Floor” almost fits all the conventions of an indie music video. To begin the video is all a live performance of the band performing the song.

 

 

 

 

As for the Editing and camera work the shots and transitions are quite simple, close-ups, pans and whole group shots. The music doesn’t cut to the beat but the focus does change for example when the Drummer sings in between the lead singer the focus switches between the drummer and the singer. The filming style is also very unprofessional, which is a good way of emphasising the independent side of the genre.

 

Mise en scene helps to emphasise the genre of a band as well, in the Arctic Monkeys video “I bet you look good on the dance floor” for example it is typical for an indie band to have a casual relaxed appearance. In this particular music video (o bet you look good on the dance floor) the band are all rearing casual, simple everyday wear of jeans and t-shirts,

Shot list

A2 Music Video Ideas

 

 

 

 

 

Music Behind home

Ancillary tasks

Digipak:A Digipak is the packaging for a cd or dvd, used to assist in the promotion of the album/single/film. Digipaks, for CDs, are used to cover and protect a disk as well as illustrating the band and the music style. Although some bands such as Pink Floyd have broken conventions by using abstract or irrelevant imagery on their album covers and Digipaks. For example: the men on fire; wish you were here, the prism and light spectrum; dark side of the moon.

 

Bands of the indie genre will often have all the members or arelateable logo on the digipak. For example Oasis definitely maybe has all the band members,  the band name and the album name on the front cover. Whereas another band, of the same genre, the Arctic Monkeys album cover for AM was black and white with the bands iconic logo on the front. There were pictures of the band members on the inside covers also in black and white.

 

 

 



Websites:band websites are used to inform fans and followers of the band on the latest news, gig and tour information.  Websites are also used to promote the band by advertising new songs, merch and tickets to upcoming events, new release date information is also  advertised on websites. Band websites also include many photos of past gigs or key performances

Genre

Genre- a group in which music or the music video are categorised based on its target audience.

 

We are looking at bands of the Indie genre. Indie is short for independent emphasising that the bands are self-made and not controlled by the media. Indie music had never really been massively popular although people did begin to take more interest in it during the 80’s. Many bands such as Oasis and The Arctic Monkeys helped make Indie more popular as a genre, by bringing in themes often seen in other genres, for example The Arctic Monkeys have quite a strong Rock vibe as well as the indie roots.

The lyrical aspect of indie bands is something that really separates them from any other genre. Indie bands often have lyrics that relate to life and everyday issues, again emphasising that they are their own band and not controlled by the media. For example Morrissey’s lyrics are often related to political problems or problems that have occurred in his life.

 

Bands such as Oasis and the Arctic monkeys like to give off an impression of being edgy not the sort to conform. This is shown not only through their music but through their visual image as well. For example Oasis often uses almost abstract ideas for their album artworks, or there is a deeper meaning in most. Both the Arctic Monkeys and Oasis pride themselves so much on being completely “indie” that at large award ceremonies both bands have been known for not accepting their rewards, Either by making pretentious speeches or even throwing the award back to the audience.

 

For our music video we are looking at a band on the Indie Rock genre. Indie bands are known for being unlike other mainstream genres because of their independent approach to making and promoting their music. To understand the conventions of an Indie Rock Band I have looked at bands of a similar genre, the Arctic Monkeys and The gaslight Anthem.

 

After researching our chosen band, Albion, I have found that they are very similar to bands such as the Arctic monkeys and the Gaslight Anthem. As these are all indie bands they use the typical indie genre conventions. For example, starting with the music, as and indie band, the Arctic monkeys. Music is all very individual to them as a band they make up and write their own music and lyrics. Playing on the independent aspect of being an indie band. The lyrics of many indie bands are made to be relatable, or just about every day experiences for example “Cornerstone” by the Arctic Monkeys is about losing/not being able to get over a certain person/girl. This can relate and appeal to a lot of people.

Secondly typical indie bands can portray their genre clearly through their music videos. Some key conventions used in indie music videos are; Playing/performing live, the portrayal of women and a narrative linking, in some way, to the lyrics. Both the Gaslight Anthem and the Arctic Monkeys follow these conventions. Many of the Gaslight Anthems music videos follow a narrative but intercut the narrative with shots showing the whole band of key members performing, linking to the music. Live performance is very important for Indie bands emphasising that it is their own music.

 

Another aspect of a music video that emphasises the genre is the editing and the way the video has been filmed. To follow the independent theme indie bands such as the Arctic monkeys and the Gaslight Anthem have very homemade themes in their videos, Using handheld camerawork and tracking shots to bring the audience closer to the musicians. This is particularly evident in the Gaslight Anthems music video for “bring it on”

Finally the Genre of a band can be easily portrayed through the bands image.  Unlike pop musicians, who will be seen in the latest fashions and mainstream situations or punks who will dress in outrageous and aggressive attire. Indie bands will wear casual everyday clothes; ranging from shirts and jeans to Denim and Leather. This is to emphasise their casual and rock side.

Digipak analysis

Cutting to the music

Music behind the song Home

Focus group planning and methodology

 

 

 

 

Job Roles

Vox pops

 

 

Vox Pops Video analysis

 

1.     What is your favourite music promo and why?

Answers varied from Bombay Bicycle club to Sam Smith. Our questions were all directed towards people who would fit our target audience, so the answers were quite similar to each other and the artists people liked were similar to the artists and styles our group is aiming for.

 

2.     Where do you watch music videos?

·       
Youtube

·        Facebook and Twitter

·        Television such as MTV

 



 

3.     What genre of music video do you enjoy most?

 

·        Pop

·        Rock

·        Pop-punk

·        Indie

 

 

 

4.     What aspects of music videos do you enjoy most?

·        A good story line

·        Disjuncture in music videos

·        Seeing the band

Focus group

 

Focus group Video

 

 

 

Focus Group Analysis

 

 

The focus group was successful as it highlighted many different areas of our production that were good for the final piece. There were other factors of the focus group that were beneficial as it also highlighted some things that we could build on in the storyline and the shot list.

Question 1: What they thought on the story itself?

The response that we had to the overall storyline was positive. Many of the people that we were asking thought that the story we had between the male and the female was a good basis on listening to the song. However, there were concerns towards the overall ‘love story’ theme because many felt that it was a generic idea and could be interpreted as boring. We will build on this, possibly removing the idea of the argument scene between the couple, drawing more towards the beginning of a band.

Question 2: What current music videos do you find this resonates?

Many of the participants in the focus group found that the music video has similar themes from Kings of Leon’s Beautiful War, as, it features this argument between a couple and illustrates consequences of this. In this case it demonstrates music as a release for troubles in people’s lives. The music video showing the band members is also a way to get the audience to see the band playing there instruments which in this case is a positive consequence.

Question 3: How original do you feel this idea is?

 

The idea was considered to be original, in the sense that is shows the four people coming together in the band through different pathways. This has been extended to the backstory of the breakup of a relationship. We explained to the audience that we wanted to convey the sense that the music video is typically indie-rock and we were conveying that style.

Question 4: What other comments do you feel we should incorporate?

The focus group felt that we should gain a sense of ending. If we were to follow with the relationship theme then how would it end? In usual music videos there normally is a direct finish. However, at this point we hadn’t considered how the ending would play out. In other areas, the group felt like the band performance should be in the same setting as the solo performance from the frontman. This would be to gain a sense of familiarity and the idea that the band are filling the space and creating something positive from potentially negative experiences

Band background

What is a Digipak?

 

A Digipak is often a limited or special edition packaging set for a CD or record. A Digipack has 6 panels of information, including additional band information, lyrics, song lists, and photos of the band. Digipaks are used to show what the layout and design would look like in net form.  Here is my drawn example of what a digipak would look like.

 

 

 

 

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