The genre I was aiming for was a more alternative/indie theme. As this is the genre of the song, and I feel that my video needed to reflect this as the target audience for the song would not be interested in a video that conveyed and different genre. So there for my video does includes some of the expected conventions of this genre, however I also wanted to break some of the 'expected' influence on my video. To do this, I used a narrative for the video. A classic love triangle theme (were two boys are fighting over a girl), Also I added and element of abstract to the video, including shots of scenery and other inanimate things; that could be used to not directly show a story, but influence the mood of the video and convey feeling to the viewer. We used mise en scene that reflected the distant mood of the characters. For example a derelict building, representing the broken down relationship, and emotions of the characters. We also used lots of outside space and natural lighting so the video felt more raw and emotional rather then such a studio setting that would not convey the emotion we were looking for. For example, the use of A river shot fading in and out whilst a hand held camera follows the protagonist. Suggesting the calm of his previous relationship,and beauty before the water is broken and ripples appear. Representing the break up and his struggle to let go of her. This is something loosely take from the video At Home-Crystal Fighters. Which also falls into the 'Alternative' music category. It uses the idea of a loose narrative, with an abstract quality also.
I have also included some montage within my video, this is a good example of using a convention that is popular for other music video's within the alternative genre. The lifestyle that matches the idea of and alternative lifestyle is that of being somewhat unconcerned with anything except having a good time. Using montage was also a good way of conveying how confused and undecided our characters were, and quick jumpy shots are hard to take in and analyse, like the love triangle featured in the narrative of my video.
Performance is also another convention that we used within our music video, as a general rule alternative video's tend to include a small element of this. We decided, although our video includes three characters To focus on our main protagonist Sam to do performance, and he is at the centre of our story and the lead vocal on the track is a male.
A video that I found helpful, and that included both of the above conventions would be If we're still alive- Slow club. Their video is heavily abstract, yet still includes large elements of performance. Although their video does not include a narrative.
Editing was a massive part of our video. To achieve everything I talked about above, getting transition between shots, or including effects when needed was vital. Something so simple as whether a dissolve, or jump cut is used can effect an audiences whole perception on the video.
We used several editing techniques within the video to add/take away from the emotion of a shot. We also used it to help match transitions to the beat of the music, something that played a big part in the effectiveness of our video. In the first the opening shots of our video, we combined a fade to black effect, with a jump cut to the next scene. Also matching the beat of our music carefully and working to introduce the main three characters and suggest their roles within the narrative.
One of the more complicated editing techniques that we used was to split screen. This is something that requires lots of time, patience and skill on the editing machine. When doing our research I found a video by Radio Head that shows a very impressive use of split screening, something that we replicated in our video.
Two certain parts in this video stood out to me as something I wanted to replicate and we did it successfully.
(1.13-1.22) Use of split screen to have half of the shot in real time, and half in slow motion. Creating a sense of surrealism, and something not often used. This would be counted as breaking one of the usual conventions.
(3.28-3.35) The use of studio lighting to create a ghostly sense in the video, and use of fade transitions.
Here was our first attempt at replicating the use of fading shots and dim lighting. We later changed it in the final edit of our video. Improving the smoothness of transitions. I think the use of this is something that goes against the usual conventions of a music video, especially one that is following a narrative with performance.
We also used split screening in two other parts of the video.
In This part of the video we had Sammi running towards Sam in slow
motion, using the technique of split screening we were able to have Sam
turn away in normal time. Although we were slightly limited by the editing software, the effect turned out well and is much like the first example I gave of the Radio Head-Street Spirit video.
Breaking Conventions.
Inter textual reference. by KateMarieHannah on GoAnimate
We used from 6.38-6.42 of the clip below in our music video, Over the lyrics,
"Three guns and one goes off"
However we slightly extended the last couple of second to make it fit the music perfectly.
A perfect example of breaking classic music video codes and conventions. This is something that would not normally be done in a music video of any kind. Let alone one with such a eclectic mix of themes, and use of standard codes and conventions.
I think In my music video I have managed to strike a perfect balance between classic media codes and conventions of a music video. The use of a narrative has always been popular in music video's, however adding it together with abstract, performance, and montage is something that is rarely done. But We have managed to pull off well. I am extremely happy with the balance that has been struck.
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