Avoiding issues

In order to avoid some of the issues which I picked out from the previous students' music videos by planning my video well in advance. Over the course of the summer holiday I aim to create a bank of Youtube videos for me to chose from when I start my A2 practical project. I also hope to be able to create a selection of short, 30 second clips for a variety of different songs to further increase my performance, filming and editing in preparation for the practical project. there are a few other little things I want to get done, including various location analysis', health and safety alanysis' as well as ideas for costumes, lightings equipment etc. I believe that by doing this, I will already have developed most of the neccicary skills required to be able to create a good quality music video, allowing me to get started as soon as possible when we return to school in september.

Previous student music video evaluation

Nine2Five – The Ordinary Boys	Performance was realistic and performers were enthusiastic in their roles. The framing for this video was excellent, and the camera was almost always moving around, but it was kept stable, so all shots were clear.
If You Wanna – The Vaccines	Great variety of shots in this video, and the performers looked as if they were professionals. The lack of instruments however leaves this video in second place rather than first.
Life Happens – Brandon & Leah	Most of the singing was synchronised properly, and the performers were really into their roles. The variety of shots in this video is really good, however the instruments were not synced, which was a major let down for this otherwise excellent music video.
Sparks Fly – Taylor Swift	Framing was mostly good except for on one or two minor occasions, and the scenery was fantastic. There was a significant lack of a band in the video, and the performance wasn’t enthusiastic enough. Also, the transitions between shots were pretty bad.
Lost – Paper Aeroplanes	Lip-syncing was near perfect, and this video had a greater variety of scenes than other videos, as well as more differentiated and exotic locations, however the fact that all of the shots had a sort of underlying grey tone to them puts this video at number five on my list.
Go In, Go Hard - Angle	Singing was well synced. Most of the shots were crisp and clear, and look as though professionals shot them. The locations used were different from most of the other videos we viewed, however the general feel of the video is very similar to most other hip hop/ R&B style music videos, which was a significant let down.
Today I Cried – Professor Green	Performers were not enthusiastic enough, and there was not enough camera movement. There was very little variety between shots, and the video included a clip from a movie.
12 Rounds - Jester	The song used for this music video was ridiculous, the lyrics were disgusting, and can be seen to be objectifying women. There was no variety of shots, as most of the shots involved the singer (if you can call it singing) standing in front of a group of hooded people, or sitting in a car next to a female. Everyone in the video was wearing very similar to identical outfits. All in all a ridiculous attempt at a music video.

Video Bank: Numb

"Numb" by Linkin Park

I quite like the frequent switch between the narrative/ story of the music video, and the bands actual performance, I feel there is an almost perfect balance between the two very different elements of the music video. Also, there are multiple time lapse montage scenes, in which the female actor remains still or slow moving, and everyone around her is moving at the time lapse pace, which enabled me to figure out that she was the main focus of the narrative element of the video.
Now, while the video includes various elements that one would assume would keep audiences entertained, the main thing that kept ME watching this video, as with most of the music videos I have watched, is the music itself. I feel that the video is an accompaniment to the main event which is the music.
I could possibly use a similar time lapse technique for my own music video, however I am not sure about the difficulties of undertaking such an advanced technique.

Video Bank: Shadow Moses

 
"Shadow Moses" by Bring Me The Horizon

If there is one thing that sets this video apart from the rest, it's the stereoscopic camera shift technique, unique to the directors of this music video, Vivien Weyrauch and Fabian Röttger, also known as A Nice Idea Every Day. This technique was designed to create an unsettling sense of movement, and also helps to provide a sort of three dimensional feel to the video, which I think is absolutely fantastic. 
Reiterating my previous point, the visual effects and stereoscopic camera shift technique contribute to the entertainment factor of the music video, as well as the music which, of course, is excellent.
The performance is one of the best I have seen. Vocalist Oliver Sykes seems really into his role, as well as the rest of the band, but then what else would you expect from a British Metalcore outfit? 
I would like to give this unique camera technique a try when filming my music video, as I believe that this technique, if done correctly, could set my music video apart from those of other students.

Video Bank: Voices

"Voices" by Crown The Empire

The camera is constantly moving, even if at first it appears stationary, if you look close enough you can see more of the background of each scene becoming available for the viewer, and this gives the video a more professional and well rounded feel. There is a wide variety of shots used, and on top of that, there are multiple angles for each individual shot, so no single shot holds the screen for any longer than about five seconds. This frequent cutting is just fast paced enough that the audience needs to pay much attention in order to actually see what is happening in the video, but not so fast that that the viewers cant tell whats going on.
When I think about it, the shots and used angles are not that complicated, but I feel they will be tricky for me, as a student (as apposed to an experienced actor or cameraman) to pull of with the same degree of quality, but that's not to say that it cant be done.
As I said before, tha constant movement of the camera and the frequent cutting make for a fast paced, exciting video, and when combined with the musical genius that is Crown The Empire, we have ourselves an outstanding music video.

Video Bank: Gallows

 
"Gallows" by Atreyu

The Greyscale colour theme of this video goes very well with the music, but i cant for the life of me understand why. Perhaps it serves to make the music the main focus of the video, trying not to distract the viewer with bright colours and the like.
There are a multitude of reasons why this video keeps me watching, first and foremost is the fact that I absolutely love Atreyu. They are one of the all time greatest Metalcore outfits to have existed, and it pains me to know that they are on an indefinite hiatus. Secondly, this music video brings back memories, some good, and others not so much. I suppose you could say that this video could be applied to a wide variety of emotions, through its visual stylings, and also because of the flow of the music.
A Greyscale colour theme is something which I will consider using in my own music video.

Video Bank: Knives And Pens

 
"Knives And Pens" by Black Veil Brides

The thing I love about this music video is the narrative at the beginning of the video, explaining the common stereotypes of "people involved in the occult" of wearing black clothes, band merchandise, tattoos and black fingernails, and then we move straight Black Veil Brides performing, but here's the thing, they are dressed completely in white, going against the stereotypes in the beginning of the video, and then the do eventually conform to all of the stereotypes towards the middle and end of the video.
the thing that keeps me watching this music video is the uniqueness of it. its not often that you see a Metal band dressed completely in white, so this element of the video serves to effectively 'change the rules'.

Video Bank: In The End

"In The End" by Black Veil Brides

I feel that this music video is unique in that its scenes quickly change from a calm, bright and open setting, to a darker, more confined space with fast lighting effects, making is slightly difficult for the audience to see the band members, hereby adding an element of mystery to the video.
I feel that this video could leave a lasting impression on viewers, as it contains some of the elements one would associate with the Glam Metal genre, combined with just enough of Andy’s (vocalist) Charisma to differentiate Black Veil Brides from other glam metal outfits, such as The Darkness. 

Video Bank: Glad You Came

"Glad You Came" by We Came As Romans

I like the fact that the band, We Came As Romans, took a song that wasn't that great, created their own cover version of it, greatly improved the song, and added a kick ass video too. All of the band members really got into their roles, and the performance looks like what you would see at a live concert. I like the use of two locations, the boating lake (where the band members, and a bunch of girls are on a boat) and the room (where the actual performance takes place). the boating lake scenes take the place of a narrative, without actually being a narrative, which I think is a really clever idea.

Video Bank: Holy Diver

"Holy Diver" by Killswitch Engage

I like how the performance is filmed in the same location as the narrative of the video, it really brings the two separate elements of the video together, and also, how the band members are also in the forefront of the narrative.
In my opinion, although it is a music video and so technically cant be, it fits in with most of the criteria of a high concept film, and who doesn't love a music video which breaks the rules, eh?

Video Bank: Full Metal Jacket

 
"Full Metal Jacket" by Eastroad

The choice of location is excellent, I do love an abandoned building. Also, the use of blatantly fake toy guns ads a satirical element to the politically based lyrics of this up-and-coming independent rock band. During the performance element of the music video, the band members are constantly moving, as is the camera, which I feel helps to balance out the tension from the narrative element, which involves the band members dressed (albeit satirically) as soldiers, hunting each other through this abandoned building.
There is one excellent shot/ after effect at 0:47, which looks like a view through some sort of rifle scope, which is something I have never seen before.

Video Bank: In Due Time

"In Due Time" by Killswitch Engage


The lighting in the video is very unique. rather than opting for your usual white studio lights, they have used a combination of red and blue lights to illuminate the scenes (0:52), along with various bouts of Greyscale (0:23), and camera positioning to create silhouette effects (3:03), which gives this video a truly awesome feel.
the video is very informal, as many of the behind the scenes shots have been included in the video, which is an excellent idea, as it sort of tells the viewer that although these guys are up there screaming, they are normal people just like us, and are very social and approachable.

Video Bank: Wild Eyes

 
"Wild Eyes" by Parkway Drive

Video Bank: American Idiot

 "American Idiot" by Green Day.
There is a huge variety of shots and angles, which allows the viewer the opportunity to see the entirety of the setting, as well as multiple angles of the band from various distances, which helps give the video a more well rounded feel. I am also fond of the visual effects and colourisation they have used, particularly the choice of green, as I think it is very suitable, given the fact that the band is called 'Green Day'.

This is the first shot the viewer sees, and I feel it is a rather powerful shot, as it goes towards establishing the scene, as well as identifying the main focus of the video, lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong. This would be a fairly simple shot to set up and capture, therefore I shall consider using it, or one of a similar nature in my own project.