Planning - Similar Videos

Planning: Similar Music Video 

Part of our planning for our own music video, before shooting, it was beneficial for me and my group to look into similar music videos in which we took inspiration form and analysed key techniques that we could implement into our music video. This helped us gain new ideas of possible cinematogrophy, editing techniques that we can use during our own filming and editing stages as we will be looking at videos from a similar genre. 

Video: Chip - Sonic Boom 

Content and visual style of the video: White and black performance music video. Cameo including President - T (UK rapper).

Themes apparent in video: Chip raps about his recent experiences after the recent dispute against other rappers; Bugzy Malone, Tiny Tempah, Big Narstie and other MC's in the UK rap scene. 

Lighting and colour: bright lighting and contrasting colours are basic but effective as they are used to attract an audience to watch the music video. 

Body language and facial expressions: The facial expressions of the people in this music video are all quite intimidating and serious in the music video the music video as they are all big men adults are being shown with a quite serious and stern body language which shows that they are quite serious people. 

Setting: White room.

Iconography/objects: There is iconography used in this music video that are based on some of the themes of the soundtrack, for example Chip says "I don't wanna share no zoots" that is a slang term for a joint of marijuana which is also shown in the music video as well as members in the background drinking alcohol which is another object that rapper Chip frequently mentions within his lyrics. 

Character representation: Characters within this music video are represented to be quite urban and 'hood' as they wear black/dark colours and linger in the background whilst consuming alcohol and smoking which is to be considered as quite a urban and 'hood' activity, mean whilst Chip the main artist in the music video was wearing white which represents that he is different from the people around him as he is the only one wearing brighter colours he tends to stand out a lot more. 

Artist representation: The Artist within this music video are represented as important within the music video, hence the reason why he is surrounded by many people but is the only one wearing the opposite colours as they wear black and he wears white. He is also center of the camera whenever they are all shown and the only person with the most solo appearances with the camera, also during the long shots with everyone in the frame he is in front which indicates that he is potentially the leader of the music video.  

Editing: Multiple editing techniques are used within this music video; invert frame flashes, fast forward frames as well as merged frames playing simultaneously. they also clone the artist and relay a serious of shots from all different angles and sizes by using straight cuts. 

Use of camera work: Various shots from different camera angles and sizes including; Long-shot, Mid-shot, Close ups and extreme close ups that are used in sync with the beat with straight cuts to emphasize the effect of the beat and the lyrics mentioned.

(Post from Amani)
Video: Skrapz feat.Giggs-Round Here

Content and visual style of the video:
Performance video featuring 2 well known established rappers Giggs and Skrapz (cameo including well known UK rapper Nines)

Themes apparent in video:
Explicit themes within the music video:

• Gang Culture.
• Drug use and alcohol consumption.
• Sexual lyrical content.
• Violent lyrical content.

Lighting and colour:
low-key lighting used throughout the music video and people presented in the music video tend to be wearing quite dark colours in comparison to the main people shown the the music which is the two artists (Giggs and Skrapz) and the cameo appearance (Nines).  

Body language and facial expressions:
In this music video, stern body language and expressionless/serious facial expressions are being shown to imply that all of the people in the music video are serious and not to be taken lightly. 

Setting:
Estate/housing area.

Iconography/objects:
To enhance the visual representation of the lyrics and themes applied to this music video we see people in the music video drinking alcohol and smoking in scenes.

Character representation:
characters represented within this music video are represented to be seen as gangsters that live within the estate and the overall message is that you shouldn't go there.

Artist representation:
The artists are represented to be the leaders as they are infront of all of the people and are continuously at the centre of attention although none of them get any solo shots within the music video. 

Editing:
Editing techniques that have been used in this music video are:

• Straight cuts.
• Fast forward effects.
• Frame Flashes.
• Text used to display artists gimmick slogan.
• Slow motion effect.
• Grey filter affect.
• Static TV filter.

Use of camera work:
The camera angles in this music video are mainly handled angles, which is a classical filming camera angle/movement in classical gang music videos in the UK in the early 2000's.

Conclusion This is relevant to my music video as we are looking to use some of these filming methods and cinematography of our 2 main artists surrounded by other people in the background wearing contrasting colours. We would also be displaying the use of alcohol and drugs, (using recreational props) in the music video as it is a main them and topic within our music videos soundtrack. As our music video carries similar themes to both examples used, however our music video is quite a diluted in terms of lyrical content meaning that it is suitable to be used and shown to a mainstream UK rap audience.