Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
During a period of time, I was able to research and explore current music videos in order to develop planning for my own. I explored various genres of music videos before coming to a final decision on what genre to produce, being R&B. I decided to focus more on female representation in R&B music videos and how they have been presented. When studying these music videos I was able to gather that female R&B solo artists such as Alicia Keys and Beyonce like to focus their videos around themselves and themes of love. These particular female artists have a great deal of performance in their music videos, singing, dancing and close-up shots. For example in Beyonces Halo music video, the audience were presented looking at Beyonce dancing in front of mirror through the eyes of her boyfriend. This wasn’t exactly key to the song yet it was being used to promote Beyonces image. I have also noticed how if a narrative features through the music video it is entwined through the performance and it doesn’t necessarily over dominate the video. If, however narrative is quite key in these particular music videos, there will always being a balance with performance. In some cases, a narrative doesn’t feature at all. In Alicia Keys’ video No One there are no elements of narrative throughout the video, instead it presents her performing. She is displayed, dancing, singing and playing her piano, giving Alicia Keys a positive star image. I wanted to adapt these particular themes of existing music videos to my own. My music video, centres on themes of love and relationships, and obviously also promotes a female solo R&B singer. Similar to other female R&B music videos, performance is heavily presented in my video with elements of narrative. There is a balance. During my performance sections of my video, the artist is presented looking glamorous, attractive and appealing. She is presented to uphold a particular, perhaps stereotypical appearance and elements such up hair, make-up and dress all help to achieve this appearance. Many close-up shots are used throughout the performance to promote the artist and allow audiences to become familiar with her. The artist is also presented on a black background when performing, one to enhance her loneliness with relevance to the song, yet also to enhance her performance, making her appear bold and eye-catching to the audience. Even during the narrative, the artist is being presented with a positive star image. Even though she isn’t looking glamorous and attractive, the fact that she is being presented looking lonely and detached makes the audience, particularly young girls sympathise with the artist. My music video also displays clear relationships between the lyrics and visuals and the music and visuals. A narrative has been included to reflect the current story of the song which is regular idea that occurs in R&B type video’s today. The pace of the video is also very slow and calm for most of the song, reflecting its mood and atmosphere yet it also picks up speed at parts where the music pace increases. For my ancillary texts I also looked at other existing digipak’s and cover’s to assist me with my own projects. I looked at other R&B female covers and tried to draw on their similiarites. These elements helped me when creating my own cover and I began designing it around real conventions of media products today.

How effective is the combination of your main product and ancillary texts?
After successfully creating my music video, I then had to develop the advertising for my product, the ancillary texts. This consisted of designing a digipak and the advertisement promoting the digipak. For the digipak, I had to design the front cover, back cover, CD face and inner booklet cover. I took many images of the artist, half from performance and half from narrative as I wanted the digipak to uphold the style of the music video. The front cover of digipak is extremely important as it is the first element audience’s will be drawn and attracted too. I thought it was key, to have a close up image of the artist on the cover. Not only will this be relevant to its particular genre, but it is also obvious that it will attract audiences. Also, the fact that many close up’s of the artist featured in the music video will have contributed to the audience being able to identify the artist. I experimented with different colours and effects for the front image attempting to create an attractive and powerful cover. Accompanying the cover with bold and dominant fonts would then work together with the image creating an appealing and eye-catching digipak. I then used the other images to represent the narrative in the music video but also to connote the balance with performance. I then went on to create the advertisement for the digipak and when designing this advertisement, I had to ensure that it will share the same styles with the digipak. For example the main images on both products would be the same; the exact same fonts and designs would be used and also similar colours. This advertisement is promoting the digipak, so I would want audiences to be able to identify immediately what digipak it’s promoting and who by. I think my digipak and advertisement successfully work well together, the clearly share the same styles and could easily be identified as promoting the same product. When relating to my music video, I feel again, it works effectively. I have described how I have used my digipak to relate and connect to my music video. In terms of audiences I feel both my music video and ancillary texts successfully attract the same target audience, being females between an age range of 12-19. The girlish colours and the glamour of the artist will all help to attract this particular audience.

What have you learnt from your audience feed back?
Before creating my real music video I uploaded the footage onto my computer and begun to create a rough cut for the first verse and chorus. This not only helped me gather how to use the iMovie editing program, it also helped me by allowing me to figure out an order of inserting my shots and clips. Once I completed this rough cut I was able to collect feedback from my peers. I asked 8 people what they thought of my rough cut and how it could have been approved. Suggestions such as improve on the lip syncing, add possible effects and add colour where possibly in the narrative where implied by my peers. After working through different effects and doing more work on lip syncing I was able to gradually create my final video as the audience feedback helped me a great deal. I was also able to gather audience feedback through my ancillary texts for my digipak in. After experimenting with various colours and tints for the main front image, I was split on what one of the images to decide on. I again asked my peers to choose the image they preferred and what they thought was the most affective. Out of 4 images, the black and white image received 1 vote, the green and pink tinted images both received 3 votes each leaving the yellow tinted image with 6 votes. I was extremely happy with this outcome as it strengthened my opinions on this image being the strongest. I then went on to use and build upon this image for my front cover of the digipak. I then included polls on my blog and reaction tabs underneath where my work on my blog. I feel the reaction tabs are a good way of people being able to get their opinions across, it is very quick and easy and they can give their genuine and initial reaction to my work they have viewed. One of the polls asked “Do you feel I have presented the artist with a positive star image? And the second asked “Can you identify a similarity between my music video and other female R&B music videos? Overall so far the results have been extremely positive. 85% of people feel that I have presented my artist positively to the best of my ability. A further 100% of people are able to draw upon similarities between my music video and existing music videos. This informs me that I don’t need to make any changes to my music video or ancillary texts as I feel I have successfully achieved what I aimed to do.

How did you use new media technologies in the construction and research planning and evaluation stages?
During this project I used many different technologies. I began using a JVC camcorder to film my footage for my music video. In order to become experienced with the camcorder I decided to film a practise music video to become more familiar with its features and how it works. I also used supports such as tripods and dolly’s to accompany the camcorder whilst recording, which obviously allowed the camcorder to record steadily and also be able to move when needed. The Apple Mac computers have also played a huge part during this coursework project. It was very easy, quick and simple be able to upload all of my video footage onto the computers, particularly to the iMovie editing program which was the main editing program I used. Again, I needed some time to grasp the basics of using iMovie and completing a draft version of my music video helped that. Once the footage was uploaded, I was able to insert the song for my music video and begin syncing up the lyrics to the footage. After all of my clips had been arranged successfully in the right order, I was able to explore the iMovie features to see if any effects would have been necessary for me to use. Different effects were available such as black and white, the contrast and colour could be adjusted, clips could be slowed down and there were also transitions available to use. I also used Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator when designing my ancillary texts, the digipak and advertisement. Photoshop allowed me to edit the images I had taken for my ancillary texts and improve their appearance. There are many different types of tools and brush types available for me to use, for example the healing brush and sharpen tool. After I had employed the many different effects to the images I was able to use Illustrator to add the finishing features such as the text. I went through the texts that were included with the Illustrator program but i couldn’t find any that I thought were suitable to my front cover. I then searched the internet, which has also played a huge part during this project. I looked on various font websites and found some to download which I then went on to use. The internet has also allowed me to use websites such as Blogger and YouTube. On the Blogger website, I was able to create a blog where all my work could be uploaded; I could also create polls where people could give their feedback on my work. I also used the YouTube website to upload my own music videos and also search for existing videos to use for my research. The internet helped me a great deal during this project as did many other technologies.

Ancillary Texts: Advertisement For Digipak

Ancillary Texts: Digipak

Audience Feedback

Here I created a marking system on word in order to receive feedback on my cover image for my ancillary texts. I asked a number of people to mark the box for the image that they felt was not only their favourite but also the most attractive and dominant image. Out of all of the results, the first image was the most popular recieving an amount of 6 votes.

Experimenting With Final Image

This specific image of the artist was the final image chosen to be displayed on my digipak cover and advertisement. I then decided to edit my image in photoshop to help the image attain its full appeal, glamour and attraction. I started by removing the background, making the image achieve a proffesional status. I then begun to air-brush my image by removing any blemishes, spots or an un-even skin tone. This, straight away would assure that the image would not only appear very proffessional but also help the singer attain a flawless and glamorous look. I also went on to increase the lighting and the contrast of the image to help it become more bold, prominent and also stand-out amongst other digipak's. As you can see, there are four images above, all the same yet in different colour tones, one black and white and three with a red, yellow and green overtone. I wanted to experiment with this image to ensure the one I chose would be the better option. I feel black and white images are powerful images in their own state yet for this particular digipak, I feel one in colour would best represent and support the artist and themes. I changed the colour of the artist's eyes in the image because I felt it would dramatically improve the image. I personally feel that people first become drawn and attracted to people's eyes in particular so I wanted to improve on this aspect and make them appear enhanced. I then decided to choose, the first image as I feel it displays colour, attraction and glamour, yet also appears quite angel-like. (Bottom Image) I then went on to develop and edit the image further. The image has been retouched and brightened to maintain an angel-like appearance. Also, you will be able to see that I have begun to complete the digipak cover by adding the desired text.

Ancillary Texts: Digipak Advertisement Draft

Here is my draft for my digipak advertisement and as you can see, it upholds many similiar characteristics to the previous digipak drafts. It lacks colour, is very un-appealing and fails to boldy stand-out amongst the audience. One of the aspects on this advertisement that also contributes to its lack of appeal is the black writing placed on the singer's forehead. It not only makes the poster look distasteful but it would also withdraw the reader from the main image on the advertisement. Again, like the digipak, this poster would fail to attract an audience as their is no eye-catching qualities and woud easily go un-noticed with the public.

Ancillary Texts: Digipak Drafts

These are the drafts for my digipak and as you can see they are very plain and basic. Most of the images lack colour and glamour which overall creates an extremely dull and boring appeal about it. This digipak would be very unsuccessful among the market in terms of making sales, as it wouldn't succesfully attract its target audience. The lack of glamour and appeal would cause it to perhaps go un-noticed and also ignored. The main text font of the front cover definetly wouldn't attract and draw audiences in as it is extremely small. This element would also contribute to the digipak becoming ignored.

Experimenting With Text Styles (Continued)

Texts Styles For Digipak

These were the five text styles that I had considered for being the Mariah Carey title. As you can see it was clear from the start that Mariah Carey's name would be displayed and projected in pink. Not only because she is female, but because the digipak would be targeting young teenage girls to even young female adults. All of these text styles are equally attractive in their own way yet the font that was appealing and eye-catching to me was the last font. One of the reasons I chose this particular font was because it upheld a girlish vibe. It looks as though the name has been drawn in pink lipstick and this appeal, straight away would attract an audience of girls, within an age range of 13-19. The Mariah Carey digipak could be described as a love promo, again attracting many girls with this particular theme.

Images For Ancillary Texts

These are the images that I have taken for my Ancillary Texts. As my music video is part performance and part narrative, I wanted to make that clear by looking at my Ancillary Texts. In the first images, I used close-ups of the performer as many of these type of shots were refelcted in my video. I thought that it would be key for my type of performer to have close-up shots of her face displayed on the digipak and advertisment so audiences would be able to identify the performer and song straight away. In these images, again it reflects the performance section of the music video, as she appears glamorous and attractive. In the second lot of images, I wanted to capture the narrative section on the narrative. She appears, wearing the same attire that she wears in the music video, being sweatpants and a hoodie. She appears without the glamour she presents in the other images, with her hair tied back and no make-up. --------------------------

Digipak Panel's

Below are the three typical digipak panel templates. The first is the 4-panel layout, the second is the 6-panel layout and the thrid is the 8-panel layout. When creating digipak's, designer's will have to consider what panel would be the best option to design on. Elements such as, booklets, pictures and CD's will determine how large a digipak would be. In my case, I have decided to design a CD that will have two sides, one with the music and one with the music video and I also wanted to include a booklet of information and images. I feel the panel that would best suit my design would be a 4-panel digipak layout, so that it the layout that I am going to design my own digipak on.

Excisting Covers Within My Genre

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Here are four covers from R&B female artists: Mariah Carey, Rhianna, Alicia Keys and Beyonce. Before I created my own digipak and cover, I wanted to gather specific ideas and designs so I could bridge a starting point and then build upon my own. When looking at these covers, I can gather how they are all either close-ups or extreme close-ups of the artist. It is also clear what genre of music they centre in, being R&B. Even though they are close-up's it is apparent, by their facial expressions, make-up and hair that they are obviously female R&B singers. Each of these covers would attract their target audience, being primarily teenage and young adult girls. I then decided I would use a similar technique when creating my own cover, using close-ups and making the artist appear glamorous and attractive.

Analysis Of Digipak #1

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In this digipak there are no portrait images displayed of the artist, Chris Velan. Instead it opts for a detailed picture to mount the front cover. I do feel that perhaps an image of the artist would have been more effective but on some level the audience can still gather what type of artist and what type of music genre he is involved in. We can gather that the artist perhaps plays an instrument, preferably a guitar and is involved within an indie/acoustic type genre. The front picture includes images of bumble bees and flowers growing among fields and this creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere among those who are viewing the digipak cover. This images connotes themes of nature and also creates an idea of being free and open. Perhaps this images are very relevant and personal to the artist as it could reflects his personality and maybe’s his views on music. It also somewhat connotes how this reflects the type of music included by the artist, implying that the music will also make you feel relaxed, calm and composed again reflecting the indie, acoustic type genre.
The colour scheme used throughout the digipak is not very heavy with colour yet it’s also not too plain and monotone. A lot of warm colours are used throughout the image such as oranges, reds and yellows, again perhaps reflecting the style of the artist and his songs. The bumble bee is specific is one of the stronger features on the cover, the yellows and blacks used allow the image to stand-out and draw in audience attention. Even though there is no governing picture of the artist displayed on the front cover and also not also of powerful colours have been used, I still feel this cover is extremely effective. I can also gather that Chris Velan is possible a very independent artist, he obviously has a strong fan base through his genre of music and this particular audience will be attracted to this digipak.
There are many different lay-out’s digipak’s can obtain. For example, a 4, 6, or even an 8 panel lay-out and the creator of this digipak has obviously opted for the 4 panel layout. The CD is inserted in the groove where it is then closed and inserted into the front cover box. It’s also very brief about what information is included within the digipak, for example music videos, interviews or bonus tracks.
Underneath the artist name Chris Velan is the name for the digipak, Solidago. I researched this term and was informed that it is the Latin term for a golden flower which name means to “strengthen or make whole”. This then strengthens the image on the front cover as it has more of a meaning that I had thought. The title of the digipak could also connote again what Chris Velan writes and sings songs about, perhaps they are very political songs centring on themes such as world poverty, global warming and wealth. I feel this digipak at first glance could possibly go unnoticed among people of the public as there is no main image or bold strong colours. However when analysing deeper into the digipak, it is clear what genre of music the artist is involved in and his strong views expressed through music. This is all made apparent through the digipak.

Final Music Video: Mariah Carey-Circles

iMovie: Screen Grabs

Rough Cut Of Music Video

Practise Music Video

Before starting our own music video's we were allowed to group up and create any music video of our choice. This would not only prepare us for filimg when it came to creating our own video's but it would also help us when using the editing programs. Me and my group came up with a different idea from a usual music video, we has split idea's of what song to choose so we decided to do a combination of songs. If the video does not work, you can follow the link below it will take you to youtube where you can then watch our music video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8hSaupYWLo&feature=related

Location Images

Target Audience

The audience I want and intend to target and attract during this project are females between an average age range of 13-19. There are many elements that can contriubute in helping to succesfully attract the target audience. The artist is my music video is a female solo singer, singing about love, relationships and primarily boys. This theme will instantly attract teenage girls as they may feel they can connect to the artist and relate to what she is singing about. The way in which the digipak is also going to be designed will also help attract this partiuclar audience as the artist on the front cover will look glamourous appealing and also the feminine and girlish colours like pinks will be used.

Schedule: Shooting Time, Location and Props

Date: Saturday 10th October 09
Time: 11am
Location/Setting: The School Studio
Props & Costume: No Props. Dressed in a glam dress, high shoes and jewellery. Hair down and straightened.
Summary: At this date and location I intend on filming the performance section of the music video. I plan to shoot the main singer performing her song to camera. She will be placed in front of a black background and I will hope to use equipment such as spotlights to embrace her performance. I intend to film at least the first half of the song.

Date: Sunday 11th October 09
Time: 6pm
Location/Setting: In a Car
Props & Costume: Will be using a car and a mobile phone. Dressed in sweats i.e. bottoms and a hoodie. Hair tied back in a messy bun.
Summary: In this particular setting, I intend on filimg a part of the narrative for the music video. This section of narrative will be focusing on the singer pulling up at her house. I will then film her inside the car for example, her checking herself in the mirror or contacting one of her friends. I will then film her getting out of her car and going up to her house.

Date: Monday 12th October 09
No Filming!

Date: Tuesday 13th October 09
Time: 6/7pm
Location/Setting: Singers House & Bedroom
Props & Costume: Using gifts such as a Teddy Bear. Dressed in sweats i.e. bottoms and a hoodie. Hair tied back in a messy bun.
Summary: In the singer's house I will again be shooting footage for the narrative. After filimg the singer getting out of her Car, she will then be filmed walking through her building, up her stairs and to the front door of her house. I intend to make these clips quick yet softly fade them together. I will then film her entering her bedroom.

Date: Wednesday 14th October 09
Time: 6/7pm
Location/Setting: Singers Bedroom
Props & Costume: Using a love note/letter. Dressed in sweats i.e. bottoms and a hoodie. Hair tied back in a messy bun.
Summary: I then intend to carry on the filimg from yesterday and continue filimg more footage for the narrative. I have also made sure to film this section around the same time, to add continuity and flow in my narrative. In this section the singer will be filmed laying in her bedroom, looking through things that remind her of her boyfriend such as gifts, letters and photographs.

Date: Thursday 15th October 09
Time: 11am
Location/Setting: School Studio
Props & Costume: No Props. Dressed in a glam dress, high shoes and jewellery. Hair down and straightened.
Summary: I now intend to, at this particular location, continue filimg for the performance section of my music video. As I will have hoped to complete the first half of the song already, I will spend this time focusing on the rest of the song and filming the singer in as many different angles as possible.

Date: Friday 16th October 09
No Filming

Date: Saturday 17th October 09
Time: 11am
Location/Setting: School Studio
Props & Costume: No Props. Dressed in a glam dress, high shoes and jewellery. Hair down and straightened.
Summary: On this date I will then hope to return to the school studio to film any part of the song that I feel either needs re-doing or I yet haven't filmed. I should then hope that after this date the perfomance part of my music video will be complete.

Date: Sunday 18th October 09
Time: 5pm
Location/Setting: Outside Ex-Boyfriends House
Props & Costume: No Props. Girl dressed attractively, hair down. Boy in hoodie, hat and jeans.
Summary: At this location I am going to film another part of the narrative, the flashback. The flashback consists of the singer remembering a couple of days ago when she saw her ex-boyfriend with his new girlfriend, they are coming out of his house and walking along the street.

Date: Monday 19th October 09
No Filming

Date: Tuesday 20th October 09
Time: 6/7pm
Location/Setting: Singers Bedroom
Props & Costume: Dressed in sweats i.e. bottoms and hoodie.
Summary: On this date I intend to film any section of the narrative in the singers room that I have either not yet filmed or what I feel needs re-filming as I hope to be finished filimg this section of the video by this date.

Date: Sunday 18th October 09
Finished Filming!

Planning Of Location

To enusre that I had permission to use some of the school's faculties out of hours I had to email the community officer to arrange time and dates on when I could come in to film. We decided on a date and time and also disscussed what other days will be free if I needed to come back in to either continue filiming or re-film footage. This is one of the emails that supports my planning of location for my music video.
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Storyboard Of Music Video

Lyric Annotation: Mariah Carey-Circles

Brief Synopsis
Mariah Carey is singing from her point of view explaining how she has undergone a break up in her relationship. No matter how much she is trying to pull through and overcome the struggle of getting over her ex-boyfriend she discovers it is much harder that she thought as she obviously still loves and cares for him. She finds herself running around after him as he is all she can think about. She has to try and face the fact that he has moved on with his life yet she still hasn’t. It’s a struggle for her but she still has to try and pull through.

Annotation
[verse 1]
Ever since you left meI've been trying to hide the pain
This line suggests a break up in her relationship and how he has left her. So she is by herself, alone and still hung up on her boyfriend.
Painting on a smile with lipstick
Putting on a big charade
So difficult to keep pretending
It's getting harder everyday
I would want to show how she is trying to move on with her life either getting ready or organizing to go out with her mates yet how it may not be as easy as she thinks.
It's plain to see I'm cold and heartsick
Since you turned and walked away
Slow paced and faded editing to reflect her and the songs mood. Trying to prove to everyone and herself that she’s ok but is in denial and still hurting.
I just keep going round and round
and, around ,and, around,
And round in circles
Going round in circles implies she is not getting over him. Camera can mirror this with a circle transition or repeat the footage when these lines repeat in the song to show how it is repetitive on her mind.
Keep on tumbling down

[chorus]
Oh boy my world has changed
And I don't think I can make it without you
She can be shown singing on a black background, which could imply negativity. Also makes her appear by herself and emphasize the face of loneliness.
Nothing's the same
You got me running around in circles over you
This suggests how she is not thinking straight and she can only think about her boyfriend. This is repeating in her head. I will want to show her checking up on him and constantly driving to where he lives as she feels she needs to see him.
(running around in circles over you)

[verse 2]
Saturday I saw you
Holding hands with someone new
I will then want to show this particular scene in the music video, perhaps a flashback of her seeing her boyfriend with his new girlfriend. And then begin show how this has affected her.
Somehow I kept my composure
Just like everything was cool
But inside I kept repeating
Don't you let them see you cry
So I casually turned my head
As the tears rolled down my eyes
I would then want to show how bad the break-up has affected her. Perhaps she is at home looking through old photographs, gifts or letters from him.
I just keep going round and round
And round in circles
Keep on tumbling down
I would place the camera cabove her creating an high angle shot, this can make her appear very weak and inferior and fits in with the mood of the song and how she is feeling.

[chorus]
Oh boy my world has changed
And I don't think I can make it without you
Nothing's the same
You got me running around in circles over you

[bridge]
Everything is you
How can I pull through
My heart is consumed I'm so confused
Still caught up in you...love can be so cruel
Everything is you- reflecting on time together. Perhaps she decides to rip up the letters and photographs of them together that she is looking through in order to help herself overcome the break up.
Baby don't know how to turn you loose

[chorus]
Oh boy my world has changed
And I don't think I can make it without you
No, nothing's the same
You got me running around
And running around
And running around
As these lines repeat in this song, the pace of the music video will progress and get quicker. This can be shows with quicker cuts, images and editing as this matches the music.
Nothing's the same
Baby baby cause you
Got me running around
In circles over you(running around in circles over you)

Song Choice: Circles

My music artist was now chosen and I now had to choose the song to make the music video for. Mariah Carey has many well known and popular songs but I wanted to steer clear from these particular type of songs. I wanted to show that I could choose a well known artist and still have a not so well known and popular song. I also wanted to choose a song which Mariah Carey hadn’t already released with a music video so I could create my very own music video for the song without it relating and being compared with the original. I chose to pick an album song, from the Emancipation Of Mimi album called Circles. This is a very catchy, soulful and upbeat song compared to many of Mariah’s love ballads.

Artist Information: Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey was born in Long Island, New York on the 17th of March, 1970. Carey is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress and became the first recording artist to have her first five singles top the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. She graduated from Harborfields High School but was frequently absent because of her work as a demo singer for local recording studios. From childhood Mariah Carey has said how she has been influenced by many Soul and R&B Musicians such as, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Billie Holiday and Stevie Wonder. Her music contains many elements of Soul, R&B, Gospel and Hip Hop and she has expressed her appreciation for other artists such as Notorious BIG and The Sugarhill Gang. Carey’s lyrics contain many themes of spirituality, world hunger, racism, death and primarily love. She has been compared to many female solo artists such as Celine Dion and Whitney Houston but still has marked her own name and is a very successful worldwide platinum selling artist.

Beyonce-Halo Music Video Analysis

The second music video I am going to be analysing is Halo by Beyonce, directed by Philip Andelman. There are many specific characteristics of this music video which connote what kind of music genre it belongs to. We, the audience can gather that Halo by Beyonce is an RnB song. The video is slow paced, there are many different clips yet they all fade softly into one another and we can identify a soulful atmosphere. Beyonce is also shown dancing and presented looking very angelic and graceful. These aspects also support the fact that the song doesn’t belong to a rock, pop or hip- hop type genre.
Throughout this music video there is a clear relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. The lyrics of the song suggest how Beyonce is singing about someone who she loves and admires and this is successfully displayed throughout the video. The man is presented in a positive light and there is a clear close and intimate relationship between them, there are many close ups used of him alone accompanied by bright and positive lighting. “I’ve got my angel now” implies how she has finally found her perfect man and how she would never want to lose him; the audience are able to gather this from the lyrics in the music video. High key lighting is used throughout the music video to display the sun shining though to where Beyonce and her boyfriend are. This also supports the lyrics particularly, “I’m surrounded by your embrace”, as the visuals create an angel/heaven type scene.
The relationship between the music and the visuals is also similar. The music in Halo is very soulful, slow paced and relaxing and it also creates a calm and relaxed atmosphere. For example there are many cuts in the video which all fade slowly and gracefully into one another which all adds to the mood of the song. Towards the end of the music video the music switches down to a slower pace with no lyrics and the sound of the graceful piano is clear and identifiable. On screen we are presented with a graceful like Beyonce swimming under water, almost dancing and moving in an angelic manner. This corresponds extremely well with the music as it creates a clear relationship between the visuals. The music video has been edited in this particular way to reflect the mood and pace of the song. Throughout the music video we are presented with many various shots, particularly close-ups, of Beyonce. We receive shots of her dancing and the camera successfully catches her grace and elegance. This aspect of the video allows the audience to connect, relate and in some ways build up and relationship with Beyonce. It presents the audience with a detailed view of her appearance which is very positive and the shots of her dancing present her as quite innocent and graceful creating a positive star image. During this video the camera tends to switch viewpoints to give detail from both her and her partner’s point of view. This notion of looking allows the audience to step into place of Beyonce and her boyfriend; it also allows us to view them in the light of how they see each other. This music video contains many intertextual references to other Beyonce music videos. In one of Beyonces music videos ‘Single Ladies’, she is sporting a black leotard and performing a choreographed dance which is very similar to a particular section in the music video for Halo when Beyonce is performing a dance in front of the mirrors. The music video contains many elements of performance with a little base of narrative. We receive many shots and clips of Beyonce performing her song throughout this music video however we also receive clips of narrative and can gather a clear strong relationship between her and her boyfriend.

Alicia Key-No One Music Video Analysis

The first music video I am going to be analysing is No One by Alicia Keys, directed by Justin Francis. From the music video the audience can gather that the music genre it belongs to is RnB. Alicia Keys is dressed in a diva type fashion, wearing sequin dresses, jeans and tight leather tops. She is also displayed playing the piano throughout the video; it includes night club scenes and many people dancing in an urban style. All these elements support the fact the song belongs to the RnB genre. There is no clear narrative in the video but the lyrics somewhat relate to the visuals. The lyrics in the song suggest the current emotions of Alicia Keys and how she is feeling happy with who she has in her life and how they make her feel, ‘No one can get in the way of what I’m feeling’. In the video she is presented dominantly and in a positive light which supports the fact of her being happy and in control of her life. “When the rain is pouring down” also connects to the visuals as she is then presented on screen in the middle of the street and playing the piano in the rain. As I have mentioned, Alicia Keys is obviously referring to a special person in the lyrics, she repeats “You and me together through the days and nights” yet the person she is talking about is never displayed in the visuals through the video. It isn’t that necessary because the audience are able to gather what Alicia Keys is singing about but it could possibly of added more detail if the person was presented in the video.
The overall mood and feeling of the song is very soulful and Alicia Keys has been presented singing a very powerful ballad in an emotional manner. This relates to the music in the song which is also very dominant and striking and even though, the song still manages to uphold an emotional, expressive and soulful atmosphere. The video has also been edited to include many various fast and quick cuts and this also helps the music build a clear relationship with the visuals. The audience are able to identify a dominant instrument in the music of the song, being a piano and throughout the video there are many close up shots of pianos, keyboards and piano keys to accompany the music.
Throughout the video there are many close-ups and long shots of Alicia Keys while she is performing which not only presents the audience with a detailed appearance of her but also helps them to identify, relate and connect with her. There are also many shots which display Alicia Keys playing the piano which again presents her in a positive light as it shows how she is a good performer, entertainer and is also very talented. During the video the audience receive clear references to the notion of looking, this helps promote a positive image for Alicia Keys as it positions the audience in the place of people watching her. She is presented on a television screen performing her song whilst playing the piano and we then view her on stage at a club while she is performing. The camera has been placed on the dance floor to create a point of view from the people in the crowd which helps her star image as people are enjoying her performance. The music video is wholly performance based as there are many various shot of Alicia Keys performing in many different costumes and settings. There are no shots, scenes or elements of a narrative throughout this music video.