Planning Ideas

As a group, we went through our iPods and used the music search engine Youtube to gather information about the type of song we wished to do and the kind of ideas we wanted to use.

We decided that we wanted a song which was diverse where they would be able to have different elements to it.

Analysis of Song

Halfway Gone - Lifehouse

Song Ideas

We had a brainstorm of the possible song choices we could use -

The conventions that we were looking for it to include were a strong storyline, with meaningful lyrics, but also one that was not well known - in the charts so it could not be compared to the original video or have high expectations.

These were the ideas that we came up with -

The Editors - No sound but the wind

Snow Patrol - You could be happy

The Killers - When you were young

Chase & Status - Heavy

Coldplay - White Shadows

Example - Fast Cars

Bloc Party - Signs

Kele - Everything you wanted

The Xx - Islands

Love you better - Maccabees

25 to Life - Eminem

Miami to Ibiza - Swedish House Mafia

We have originally decided on using the song Halfway there - Lifehouse

Conventions of a Music Video

Researching before we begin actually planning and making our music video is vital, we learn how to make it successful, look realistic and convey the mood we wish it to.

The conventions that I have noticed watching and analysing the various music videos include -

Lyrics

Camera Shots

Camera Movement

Editing

Sound

Mise-en-Scene

Genre

Costume

Colour

It is vital we use and include these to produce the best music video we can possible.

Kiss of Life - Friendly Fires

Kiss of Life - Friendly Fires

Kiss of Life

Friendly Fires - Kiss of Life

The video was shot on a beach in Ibiza, the overall feel to the song is the meaning of life, the lyrics describe the comparison of love being the 'Kiss of Life'. The band 'Friendly Fires' being relatively new, have a very indie-dance sound to their music and it was important to establish themselves as a band as well as their music. This video received much positive criticisms and is their most popular song to date. The overall video includes all the conventions to make interesting to watch as well as being relevant to the lyrics of the song.
The video begins with a beach setting with blurred outlines of people in the background. It is a bright, sunny day which implies the tone of the song will be upbeat and lively. The tin drumming comes in at thebeginning sounding almost like a tribal sound. The camera changes the focus, the foreground of the beach and the plant are blurry, revealing the brightly coloured group of people standing holding instruments, the title of the song 'Kiss of Life' is sung as the key of the music changes.

A close up shot of the lead singer, miming the words of the song. The focus is completely upon him as he has a plain white background behind him, he sings the lyrics 'rub that line above the sand', it establishes the band, it is recognizable for the aud

ience that it is a 'Friendly Fires' music video.

Whilst he sings it features snippets of the drums being played, within the pauses of the music when the drums are being played. It adds the element of the african tribal drums.

The chorus begins, the lyrics -

'Oooooo kiss of life (x2)

Could you wave goodbye to sun?

The sea the stars the waves the tide?

The wails inside that life has died.

But all you need is a kiss of life'

At this point in the video, various different shots are used, high angle, low angle, close ups. All the different crowd are shown dancing, the lead singer of Friendly Fires begins to dance - it is the epitimy of the video - the idea of life is

expressed through this part of the video.

The colours are all bright, the dancers contrast with the lead singers clothes, who is dressed all in black, the group of people are all also wearing masks to complete the idea fo the African Tribal theme.

Various body shots are also shown, the feet of the people jumping, the movement over the instruments - it shows the meaning of life and energy which fit in with the lyrics.

The singer, begins to dance along with the song - more shots of the group of people as a whole are shown, with teh backdrop of the blue sky and clear water on a sunny day. They stand out with the clothes they are wearing.

When the words 'tambourine' and 'drum' are sung, there is a lyrical reference, the instruments are shown playing. It is very affective, its gives a variiation of shots compared to if the Lead singer was filmed for 3 minutes just singing the lyrics.

Once two verses and two choruses have been sung, the music changes - the bridge begins The singer is seen against the backdrop as a sillohette of clouds at night time. It is a contrast with the very bright and sunny settign previously shot with the dancing. The pace of the song slows down, there is an instrumental at this point in the music. There is references to the previous shots ones upon the beach and ones of the drums being played and masks of the crowd.

In sync with the music the tin drums begin to play, and the group of dancers move slowly foward and dance.

The video ends with the kiss of life being sung with a close up shot of the lead singer, it reminds us of who sung the song and establishes the ending of the video.

Video Analysis

Kids -MGMT

The video begins with children's voices in the background - laughing and screaming.
The introduction counts from five to one, primarycolors suggests the very childlike theme of the song hence the title 'kids'

The music begins with the children's voices in the background, It cuts to the close up shot of a toddler laughing, the light is from above, illuminating the child's face. The surroundings are of complete darkness outside of the cot, the focus is upon the child.

From behind the child, monster limbs appear, they grab the child, as the music still continues. The child looks distressed as they touch him. He begins to cry. Various shots - including aerial show the child upset and confused, holding the rails ofhis cot - implying his wish to escape.

The music changes slightly, the minutes introduction of the repetitive sounds finishes as the hands of a human reach down and grab the child, through it's silent crying. It adds a sense of confusion to he story.

The band begin singing, the first line 'you were a child crawling on your knees'

Brief

We have started the media course for A2 and been given a summary of the tasks we have to carry out for next year.

This is the brief that I believe I will be following for this year within my group, as it seems the most attainable and we will be able to do a large amount of research to it.

1. A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the following three options:

a website homepage for the band;
a cover for its release as part of the digipak (CD/DVD package);
a magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package).