Meghan Trainor camera angles

Final task proposal

                                                                                                                                                            

One minute re-shoot

One minute re-shoot:


Here is mine and Rediola's one minute re-shoot that enabled us to practice with a variety of camera angles, lip synching and also editing techniques in aid of the real music video we will later be producing.




Firstly we asked a friend if she would be the character within our music video, using the canon zoom lens we then filmed a variety of shots with the song playing in the back ground. In order to ensure that the music and actions within the shots were in time and cut on beat we would replay most of the song each time we videoed, especially while we was lip synching to ensure that we always had enough video to be able to cut away during editing. Each shot we took we filmed around 5-10 seconds either side of the action. We found this was suitable and during editing allowed us with enough freedom if any mistakes had been made, or shots went missing when we was ready to upload to the macs to begin to edit together. When we started editing we first uploaded all of the videos to Final cut pro, before carefully selecting which ones we would use for the finishing product and then lining them up in order. The real music video 'Me too' by Meghan Trainor was then downloaded and uploaded into Final cut so that we were able to match the shots to those of the original video, as well as ensure that lip synching fit in place. We removed all sound from our shots and then cut each videos as closely to the original shots as we could. We used the original video side by side to our version so that we were able to get the shots at as close a time to the original as possible and match which shots went where.


Here is the original Meghan Trainor music video 'Me too'





Here is our one minute re-shoot of the video above:



Filming the re-shoot of an original music video helped me to understand and learn new techniques that will be necessary when filming my own music video. It allowed me to practice filming lip syncing as well as how best to ensure the music and lip synching fits together so it makes sense and looks professional during editing. Filming the re-shoot improved my filming skills and gave me ideas for shots that could be used in my own video.


In the re-shoot there are parts that went well and also aspects that I would improve if I was to film and edit again later on. I think that overall the video successfully matches the original and shots are relatively similar, we was also able to ensure on beat editing throughout as cuts are made as the music drops, changes or finishes. Doing this allows the music video to flow well and makes it easy for the eye off the audience. This shows that there is a clear relationship between the music and the video and often also increases the pace of the video and improves the 'want to dance' aspect of music.
Another thing that went well was the slight shallow depth of field during the first shot which adds more detail making the video more interesting and therefore stand out from other videos. When filming my own video I hope to include shallow depth of field when filming to create a similar effect on the audience. Something that went well while filming our one minute re-shoot is that we were able to found an actor that was confident in what she was doing, this meant the overall video appeared more professional and allowed the process to seem more natural and the video to be shown as more realistic.


There are however, some aspects of the music video that could be improved and I will ensure I do when filming and producing our own version. The lighting when the shots change between the bathroom and the bedroom vary drastically from an orange calming light to a bright and sharp light making the change in room distinctive and obvious. If I was to edit this again, I would add a filter over the shots to try to match the colour as best as possible. I could also use orange or white lamps to try to match the lighting in each room. When filming my own music video I will use filters as well as filler lights to try to maintain a similar lighting in different settings and environments so that there isn't a sharp change in the final product. There are also some parts of the re-shoot that do not directly match the original, for example, within the original video blurred effects and edits have been used to make it loom almost as if we are seeing through the characters eyes and highlight the fact that she has just woken up. In our version however, this effect isn't present. In order to create it I would use shallow depth of field while filming and then blur out parts of the shot to create an effect that is similar. Doing this would have put more focus on the character herself and represent the 'Me' and self importance suggested through the lyrics. Some lip synching is very slightly out of time to the music, to correct this I would need to increase and decrease some shot lengths which will be a priority when editing my own music video, however, making this mistake enabled me to understand how it can be fixed and hopefully ensure it doesn't happen again. Throughout the remake the shot movements generally fit the music and the original video, however, there are some shots that should be still although as a result to the positioning of the camera are very slightly shaky. If I was to re edit this product I would use the stabilizing tool on Final Cut and hopefully make the music video smoother and more natural. One other thing I will be careful of when filming my own music video is the shadows that are created as a result to artificial lighting. I will be careful with the positioning of lights and objects to make sure unwanted shadows aren't present.


When filming my music video, I will now be aware of the issues and common mistakes that could arise. The most important thing I will do is ensure lighting within different shots doesn't change and to maintain consistency by keeping a close eye on the filler lights used as well as the light change between rooms. Doing this will make sure the video appears natural.


From the re-shoot I developed my editing skills, and learnt new filming techniques that will be useful when filming a music video.

Music video analysis

Music video analysis 

Pink: 'What about us' ...

Throughout Pink's 'What about us' a variety of features and techniques have been used in order to represent the emotive storyline of the lyrics. Slow and extremely powerful, yet almost aggresive dance routines represent passion and determination allowing the viewers to develop a clearer understading of what is happening. A close ups of the body are used during the dancing shots creating emtotion amongst the audience and highlighting the devotion of the dancers. Tracking of individuals dancing is also used, that at points are slightly jerky alike the movements of the characters allowing the audiencd to feel the suffering experianced by these individuals. Not only does the camera track dancers but it also pans around the room and building. Panning shots both inside and looking into the windows allow the audience to watch in on the pain and suffering of these people, and discover a further understanding of the idea that everyone has their personal issues. Angles vary across the duration of the dance shots from straight on, side on, and also from behind, empowering the dancers and highlghting importance.

The lyrics represent a number of individuals suffering, clearly as a result to some form of loss allowing the music video to be an illustrating and complementary story to fit the narrative or lyrics of the song. Doing so highlights emotion amongst the audience as well as even pity. There is a clear illustrating relationship between the music and visuals seen on screen as with increase in the pace or sound of the music, the pace of shots also increases. This may have been used to represent passion as well as the number of overwhelming emotions being built up by the artist herself. Close ups are used continuously allowing the upset of the individuals to be clearly understood, as well as to create a connection with many members of the audience.

In terms of Mise En Scene the setting of the video is generally dull, there are grey and very simple buildings and costumes, and darkness as evening dawns. This contrasts with the bright flourecent lights of police cars, street lights or headlines indicating the confusion or instability of the situation. Lighting generally contains flashing images creating an emphasis on pain and struggling. At many points the lighting used is natural, this adds to the realism of the situations being expressed making it more believable for the audience. Back lights are also used at points creating siluets, this too indicates the pain and suffering experianced however, acts as a suggestion of the suffering for many people, rather than individually to one person. At the very beginning of the music video non diegetic sound of news is used, this highlights world struggling with the use of the line 'God bless America' indicating that everyone has there own individual problems.

Finally close ups throughout were not only used as emotional artistic portrayal but also possibly as artistic branding as although Pink was already an astablished artist, at the point of production, she hadnt been heard of on the market in recent years, allowing her to stand out or grab audience attention.

Music video analysis

Music video analysis:

Lady Gaga: telephone...

Lady Gaga's ft Beyonce's 'Telephone' uses a variety of techniques in order to maintain audience interest as well as essentially grab attention. Lady Gaga as well known throughout most of her music video's, maintains her scar iconography as strange, rebellious, extravagant, or even obsessive with lyrics and costumes that are unusual and stand out in comparison to those already avaliable within the music industry.

Her bold costumes and makeup bring her identity making her music video's for example 'Telephone' spoken about and therfore well known in general. Mise En Scene is used to reach out to the audience creating a memorable video. The dark makeup, and bold fashion sense such as the black and white dress presented at the beginning makes her different from any other artists on the market currently, allowing her to stand out. During the first half of the music video most of her outfits are dark and gloomy allowing Lady Gaga to present herself as powerful and almost as a threat or as an aggresive individual. As the video continues, she remains wearing dark colours however, her hair becomes an extremely bright sunshine yellow as she walks out of the jail, this enables her to stand out and appear supierior to her inmates. A close up is then later shown of  her shoes which are high heeled paper mache boots, this is extremely unexpected allowing it to act as a fashion statement and possible even a discussion point, allowing Lady Gaga to become centre of attention. Beyonce however, is wearing a dark blue dress, and similarly yellow eyeshadow. The blue represents her superiority or power also, as she appears almost like royalty wearing royal blue.

The music video also presents a number of Goodwin's features such as a voyeuristic nature. Parts of the video sexualises women wearing very little clothing, whilst underwear is studded with metal and heels, with many establishing shots, meaning not only does it reach out to male members of the audience but also presents almost dedication and power for the females shown on screen. The video also presents a clear link between the lyrics of the song and the visuals on screen making it both an illustrating and amplifying video. Illustrating aspects provide the audiene with a clear narrative, whilst at the same time amplifing specific aspects such as through the use of costumes causing questions to be asked and keeps viewers intrigued. A clear link between music and visuals is also shown through the use of on beat editing continuously throughout. This allows the video fit in well with the music making it easier for the audience's eye. In terms of editing the video is generally quite jumpy, with shots being jolty and also often containing flashes. While the music is fast paced shots last no longer than about three seconds, allowing the video to be interesting and allowing the audience to never get bored. The typography used also represents Lady Gaga's personality as it is bold and uses contrasting colours such as yellow and pink that allows it to appear unusual and makes it seem like a film. The use of the word 'starring' highights specific individuals and continues with the film like approach of the 9 minutes 30 seconds music video.

The genre of the music video is pop, in which the music video clearly falls into with the use of bright colours, contrasts of light and dark as well as a clear and usually symmetrical dance routine.

Genre conventions

Different genres: conventions
Just like with films, music contains a variety of genres which are usually displayed through the music video's that goes along with them. When we think of specific genres within music we will often link expectations to the video with them allowing us to establish the genre the music may fall under. Often artists will stick to the trends and expectations allowing music and video's to be classified into categories.


Within Pop music video's we will typically expect to find a choreographed dance routine appearing throughout or movements that are in sync amongst group members. Pop bands will often also have styled clothing, or a set look, they will usually follow trends and maintain the likes and dislikes of society at that time.

Rock music video's also usually have a clear defining aspect to their music video's so that the audience is able to determined the genre. They will usually show gigs, and crowds at places such as music festivals, or pub settings. The lighting used is often dark, with only filler or back lights being used in comparison to main lights. In terms of Mise En Scene makeup and costumes are typically dark and gloomy, while performers will be playing instruments such as guitars and drums. A common association with rock music video's is often violence and guitar smashing.

Indie music video's similarly often contain guitar strumming and instruments. Shots are often outdoors in environments such as open spaces like fields, and typically contain a birds eye shot of people laying in a field. similarly to rock, music video's may also often include shots from festivals or live performances.

RnB music video's can often reflect similar aspects of pop music video's as they often contain dance routines. However, there editing is generally much slower and less on beat, because of the narrative aspect linking to the song. Love scenes, or provocative shots are often usually used to grab the attention of the audience.

Finally Rap, grime and Hip-Hop video's hold the most easily definable features, they will usually contain a lot of drugs and alcohol consumption and video vixens such as scandal clad ladies. Mansions or large houses as well as expensive cars and jewelry as a representation of wealth and superiority. Grime is the newest of the genres and is thought to have originated in Hackney, London ony within the last 17 years, comonly grime holds a garage soundtrack as well as contains an artist with a typically South East London accent. In terms of Mise En Scene, clothing will be with the trend of the time the video is published and usually street wise, for example the newest trainers and tracksuits. Lighting is unnatural, with the use of filler lights or brightly coloured flashing lights.