Timings

0:00 to 0:06 - 0:06 to 0:11 - 0:11 to 0:16 - 0:17 to 0:22 - 0:22 to 0:42 - 0:42 to 1:02 - 1:02 - 1:44 - *CHORUS* 1:44 to 2:04 - 2:04 to 2:24 - 2:24 to 2:35 - 2:35 to 3:17 - *CHORUS* 4:07 - 4:27 - Characters meet.

Music Video Conventions

Conventions Of Music Videos from jamsjamsjams

I found this document about the conventions of music videos on Slideshare, it also has a breakdown of conventions for each genre.

Exam Question - Disability in the media

Discuss how one or more groups of people are represented through the media.

With the recent Paralympic games fresh in the minds of the public, issues surrounding disability are currently in the media spotlight. Never have people with disability been so represented on our TV screens, and never have they been so praised for their acheivements. However, there is debate as to whether the impact of the Paralympic games will be as positive as first thought.

Before the Paralympics, many disabled people thought that the public had a negative impression of them. The media focus on welfare cuts means that a majority of the coverage of disability on TV was linked to benefit fraud, causing a stereotype that disabled people are too lazy to work. Peter White, the BBC’s disability correspondant, points out that ‘They cite government plans to cut welfare benefits, and the media coverage accompanying it which often allies "disabled" to "benefit scrounger"’.

However, with the Paralympics being so highly covered in the media, it was hoped that this negative public opinion could be transformed into a positive one. The International Paralympic Commitee recently revealed that the 2012 Paralympics had broke online records, with 2 million people visiting their website during the event and a 50% increase in Twitter followers. There is no doubt the Paralympics were a huge success, but will they have a lasting impact on media representation and public perception of people with disabilities?

Alice Maynard, the chairwoman of the disability charity Scope, has said that she thinks that not only the athletes, but the many disabled pundits and presenters are a positive representation of disability. She is quoted as saying "They'll be seen as authority figures; the ones doing the explaining, teasing out the technicalities". This kind of representation is one that we are not used to seeing in the media, usually disabled people are portrayed as simply victims of their disability - people to be pitied, or people who can't do things for themselves. In the respect, Paralympic coverage was definitely a positive example of media representation and I think it will make a different to how disabled people are viewed by society.

However, there are also dangers that come with coverage of such a specific event. Not all disabled people are able to, or would want to, take part in events like the Paralympic. Just as Olympic athletes do not represent the general population, Paralympic athletes do not represent everybody with a disability. Baroness Grey Thompson has pointed out that 'The Paralympics is the fairy-dust we sprinkle on life as a disabled person, it shows a snapshot in time of some extraordinary people who train very hard, who are good at sport'. There is a worry that the amazing Paralympic athletes may further the myth that disabled people who are unable to work are actually just 'lazy' or 'benefit scroungers'. In this way, the coverage of the Paralympics may not be as valuable as first though, unless it is followed by more disability coverage in the media; one that includes a variety of different people with different situations.

I think that the Paralympics were a very positive representation of people with disabilities, however as I previously stated, they only represented a minority of disabled people. On the other hand, I think that the coverage has removed some of the stigma as far as talking about disability goes, and this may open a door for more open conversation and therefore a better understanding of the issue. Overall, I hope that the Paralympic coverage has brought about a change in media representation of disability. I would like to see disabled people featured in media programmes across the board, not just on those that are about disability. This may help to remove the 'them and us' attitude that I think has dominated media coverage of disability in the past.

Lyrics of the (possible) song

Posting the lyrics straight from the album booklet for Lauren and I, as they are very hard to find online. Hopefully, this will give us a better insight into the song and the meaning that the artist intended for it.

Change,
A thousand ways to paint the picture, bleak
Do I stutter?
Hate. Hate is just another word for love, are you with me?
Sound,
The written word means more to me than sex, by a long shot
But love, love is just another price we pay
Oh, come die with me. Please lay down your sorrow,
Close your eyes, don't be afraid
I have always loved you, I will always love you
Die with me. Now we lay down your soul to rest
Close your eyes, embrace the pain
I have always loved you, I will always love you
Faith,
Are you just frightened of the prospect?
Death. Are you lonely?
Lust. The need for something greater than a cure
I can save you
Lies. The needle scratched and bled the surface dry, I'm a goner
But your love, I can count the beats within your heart
Walk with me, some will say, turn your back, fall away
You'll see
Oh, come die with me. Please lay down your sorrow,
Close your eyes, don't be afraid
I have always loved you, I will always love you
Die with me. Now we lay down your soul to rest
Close your eyes, embrace the pain
I have always loved you, I will always love you
Die with me, light will fade
All the love, fall away
Die with me, some will say
Take the pain, I will stay
But I have always loved you, I will always love you

Possible filming location - Syon Park

A possible filming location for our 'happier' scene would be Syon Park.

Pro's;

• Easy to get to (either on the bus, or by foot)
• Lots of unobscured natural light
• A lot of open space, not usually many people around
• Large areas of grass, trees, benches would help to create the right atmosphere for the scene
• Ground is relatively level, allowing easy set up of equipment

Cons;

• Not much variety - mostly just wide open areas of grass/trees, meaning we would have to bring more props and think about how to make it look interesting.
• No nearby power supplies, meaning we can't plug in lights, charge equipment etc
• Not much variety of colour, may have to film the scene at a couple of different locations

Research on the (possible) artist

Basic information about the artist;

• Artist;     
•  William Control
• Genre;    
•  Electronic / Darkwave / Gothic / New Wave
• Albums;  
• Hate Culture (2008), Noir (2009), Novus Ordo Seclorum EP (2011), Silentium Amoris (2012)
• Singles With Music Videos;
• Beautiful Loser (2008), Deathclub (2009), I'm Only Human Sometimes (2010), Kiss Me Judas (2012)
• Influences;
• Joy Division, New Order, Depeche Mode

Mood Board

My initial idea for our music video is that it will follow two characters. There will be two different locations and their circumstances will be completely different, apart from the fact that the two scenes are happening at the same time.

The first character (first mood board) will be inside, in a dark environment with little or no natural light. These scenes would use a cooler colour scheme and would be darker. This character would be breaking down, and in a bad mental state. Additional shots to create the right mood could be of significant objects, ripples in water, extreme close-ups of the character's body etc. If we were to film inside we would need to carefully consider which type of lighting to use to create a clear result which retains a look of 'darkness'.

One character (second mood board) will be outside in the daylight; enjoying themselves, smiling, relaxing and having fun etc. The lighting will be natural, although we may require additional lighting depending on the weather! There may be additional shots to create the atmosphere, for example shots of the sky, of flowers, close-ups of the character's facial expression.

Music Video Possible Idea (Incomplete)

Our video would focus on two different character; one enjoying themselves outside in the sun and one inside in a bad mental state, having a breakdown. The video would open with a shot of each of the characters, in completely different locations but I would want to somehow ensure that the viewer understands that the two different scenes are happening at the same time. Throughout the video, the two scenes will be cut together, but completely contrast against each other; almost like representations of lightness and darkness, or happiness and sadness. We will see the moods of the two characters escalate as the music builds; the first becoming absorbed by her happiness, completely in the moment and just enjoying the sunshine and the things around her, however the second would deteriorate into complete panic and self destruction. The (possible) song choice builds and becomes more overpowering towards the end, which will work well with this idea of heightening emotion. The characters would have been completely separate through the video, but at the end as the music dies down again, I want them to be in the same place (on a street, maybe) and catch each others eye. Hopefully, this will bring the message of the video together and make it clearer to the audience.

Possible Song Choice For Music Video

Music Videos

I like this video because unlike a lot of other music videos, it manages to tie a band performance shot with the other parts of the video by having them take place in the same location. There is not really a clear message or meaning, but the movement of the people in the video, their facial expressions and the choice of colour goes with the mood of the song.




This music video carries similar message to the song, in my opinion, which is one that is quite emotional and personal to the artist. However, it is portrayed in a way that is both unique and relatable for the viewer. The lighting adds to the mood, and the acting in it is convincing, which enables the video to look professional (if only the band were acting in it, and they didn't have experience, it might have become amateur looking and slightly comedic to their fans watching). Only the singer from Slipknot, Corey Taylor, is featured in the video, and unlike in all of their other videos, he has dropped the heavily dark and theatrical appearance. This not only provides a shock to the audience, but also allows the video to become more raw and 'intimate' looking.
and

These videos rely heavily on styling, costume and make-up to create the mood and help the video be appropriate to the artist.In the first one, for Coma White, there is more of a clear narrative than the second. However, I don't think that this takes away from the effectiveness of the second video - it just leaves it more up for interpretation by the viewer.


Compared to the others I have chosen, this video is very straight forward and relies on an interesting setting. It reminds me of a photograph a little, in it's stillness and how slow the movement is - also in the choice of angles that highlight the shape of the architecture.

Preferred topics for Media A2

My preferred topic would be to make a music video as it would allow us to explore a different media area, other than film. It would also mean that we could be creative when matching visuals to music and creating a mood that fits with our chosen song. If we were to make one, we would have to research into what makes a successful music video, as well as maybe look at the chosen artists previous music videos (or if they don't have any, consider their genre of music) and decide what imagery would be appropriate for the song. My second choice would be to make a short film, because it allows us to use the skills we learnt over the last year and use it in a different area of film. We would have to research into short films, looking at what we like and dislike about particular examples. Also, we would have to think of a subject / meaning / message behind the film, as well as a storyline or some sort. For both briefs, we could use some of the skills we learnt whilst making our film opening. For example, technical skills such as operating the camera, successful editing and use of sound. In addition to these, we would consider other things we learnt such as the importance of planning, choosing the correct cast and consistency in video quality. We would need to use video editing software, such a iMovie and sound editing software such as GarageBand. For the second unit, I would like to do Media and Collective Identity and

Marketing The Film

Film promotion

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

The website - http://www.tinker-tailor-soldier-spy.com

http://twitter.com/#!/tinkertailor_uk - Verified Twitter account for the film.

http://www.facebook.com/tinkertailorsoldierspy

I think that Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy's target audience would be adults from the age of 25 onwards. It seems that they focus more on their Facebook page than their Twitter, probably due to the fact that it's the website their audience is more likely to use. Their website uses a dark colour scheme, which not only looks sophisticated, but fits in with the theme of the film and would appeal to people who would want to watch a more serious drama film. On their Facebook page, they have 14,126 likes, which is not that many for such a w

New Media Technology

Uses of new media technology whilst making our film;

During Pre-Production;

• We used smart phones to contact suitable actors for our film, and for casting. 
• We also used computers / the internet to do background research into the genre, as well as social networking sites for casting
• We used digital cameras to record our preliminary task and evaluation
• We used digital SLR cameras to photograph possible filming locations

During Production;

• We used digital video cameras to film our scenes, and to watch through the scenes as we filmed them
• We used the internet / smart phones to contact the cast if there were any changes in the filming schedule
• 
  

During Post-Production;

• We edited the movie clips and sound using computer software
• We searched for and downloaded copyright free sound effects from the internet, then edited them into our film opening
•  

Three NBCUniversal Companies

Three NBCUniversal Companies That Could Benefit the Production

Production, Distribution and Exhibition - News Corp

Three other companies that News Corp own that could be used to market or exhibit a new film released by 20th Century Fox in the UK;

BSkyB - They could use Sky TV channels to market the film by showing it's trailers, showing interviews with the cast and 


The Sun -  Posters for the film could appear in The Sun newspaper, as well as reviews and written interviews or stories about the cast.


MySpace - They could feature trailers of the film on the website, or redesign the homepage to make it themed, and it could also be used for viral marketing campaigns.

Mass Audience

Some media texts that I use are films, TV, the internet and magazines. I watch films and TV mostly for entertainment, but sometimes also to get information (the news), for education (documentaries) and for social reasons (if I want to join into a discussion about a film or TV series that people I know have watched).

An example of where I have been influenced by media would be going to see a film after watching the trailer on the TV/ Internet or reading a review of it. Also, after seeing a documentary on a certain topic, I've either changed my opinion, or become more interested in that issue.

I think that mass audience theories are not as applicable in modern times because we have so much choice over the media that we use, that the audiences for particular things may not be so varied. Also through the internet, we can discuss the media text, giving the audience more power than before. In my opinion, the hypodermic needle theory is much too limited, 

Audience Theories

Hyperdermic Needle Model;

• This theory says that audiences take in the information that they see, and just accept it rather than questioning it. 
• From the 1920's, when media was quite a new thing

Film industry example;

Uses and Gratification Theory

• This theory states that people will use different media texts in different ways.
• There are 4 ways in which people may use these texts

1. Entertainment / Diversion - when people use the media text because they enjoy it, or as an escape from everyday life
2. Information - when people it as a source of information, or for education purposes
3. Social Relationships - using the media text as a part of their social life, or as another form of socialising
4. Personal Identity - when people can relate to the media text, or when it reflects their own life aspirations

Film industry examples;

Comedy films could be watched for entertainment, whereas a documentary film may be watched because the viewer wants to gain knowledge on the topic. Some viewers may watch a film because it reflects their own life or experiences, for example teenagers may prefer to watch a film with teenage or young adult characters, as it would be easier for them to relate to the characters. You may also go to see a film with your friends as part of a social activity and so that you can be part of the discussion.

Reception Theory

• This theory states that the same media text could be interpreted in different ways by different people
• Their interpretation could be affected by their life experiences or their culture/background, and people with the same culture are more likely to interpret it in a similar way
• A preferred reading is when the viewer takes the view of the media text that was intended by the institution or creator of the text.
• An oppositional reading is when the viewer disagree with the intended message of the media text

Film industry example;

Working Title Films & Their Success

Four Weddings and a Funeral;
Budget of $4.5 million and grossed $244 million worldwide, meaning a profit of $239 million. The film is a romantic comedy, and at the time of release in 1994 it was the highest grossing British film of all time.

Shaun of the Dead;
Budget of £4 million, grossed $13.5 million (£8.6 million). The film is a horror comedy, starring Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield and Simon Pegg and was released in 2004.

Johnny English Reborn;
Budget of $45 million, and grossed $8 million, meaning a loss of $37 million. The film is an adventure comedy, starring Rowan Atkinson, Rosamund Pike and Dominic West and was released in 2011.

He's Just Not That Into You;
Budget of $40 million, grossed $165 million, meaning a profit of $125 million. The film is a comedy/drama/romance, starring Jennifer Aniston, Jennifer Connelly and Morgan Lily and was released in 2009.

Notting Hill;
Budget of $42 million, grossed $247 million, meaning a profit of $205 million. The film is a romantic comedy, starring Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts and Richard McCabe and was released in 1999.

Bridget Jones Diary;
Had a budget of $26 million, grossed $71.5 million, meaning a profit of $45.5 million. The film is a romantic comedy, starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth and Hugh Grant and was released in 2001.

We have noticed a pattern in that the most successful Working Title films are romantic comedies or comedies of another type.