(Post 3) Research into existing student made music videos.

Creativity 

This student made music video uses lots of time lapse at the start. This idea is used quiet frequently used in student made videos, so it is not that creative however it does make the video look like its very professional. The use of contrast of the urban and rural locations is very creative.
       

Setting/Location 

The setting of the video is set in a number of locations. One of which appears to be a field its filled with trees and green grass and has a very natural effect. It gives a very peaceful atmosphere and the drinking of beer in this scene contrasts with the calm environment in this scene. Another location used is an alley way where a fight scene takes places. The alley way is dark and narrow which creates a tense atmosphere which is reflected in the fight. There is a mixture of rural and urban locations used which gives it a nice contrast. There is a scene of the sky where it is grey and cloudy and reflects the mood of the man sat alone drinking, this is good use of pathetic fallacy.

Costume and props 

There is a punching bag used frequently throughout the video which represents the anger within certain characters. Throughout the video there is multiple shots of the men drinking beer which creates an uneasy atmosphere because it enables us to see the uneasiness of the situation and they are coping by drinking beer.

Mix of narrative and performance 
In this music video there is a mix of narrative and performance. There is probably an equal amount of each, the narrative is of the main character and the singer miming the song in a range of locations. The performance has a range of other characters to tell a story which relates to the music in the video.

Editing, camera shots, angles and composition 

There is a use of close ups show the expressions and the emotions of the characters. There is also the use of high angle camera shots which shows the perspective of looking down on the character which is seen as the victim. 

What you liked/didn't like

I liked the use of a mix of narrative and performance because it helped explain the story more and I liked the used of time-lapse. However I felt that the miming in the narrative wasn't as good as it could have been.

Creativity 

This student made music video is quite unique. It shows a male and a female getting ready to go on what looks like a date with each other and we see them preparing and mining to the song in the process. We then see each of them sat at a table however we only see them in separate shots. Towards the end of the video we find out that actually both of them are actually homosexual and they've gone on dates but not with each other but with someone of the same sex. This idea is not commonly seen in music videos, in the past it would not have been done at all because of the negative stereotype around homosexuality so it shows how times are changing.

Setting/Location 

This video is filmed mainly in the two main characters house as they prepare to go on their dates. It shows the girl in her bathroom putting makeup on and doing her hair and the boy shaving in the bathroom and then checking himself in the mirror in a bedroom. This is a very realistic setting for the story that is being represented. The other location is the restaurant in which they both eat at separately. There is nobody else in the restaurant other than those two couples which doesn't look that professional or realistic as that is abnormal for a relationship.

Costume and props 

The props in this video are minimal. We see the girl applying makeup in the mirror which gives us the impression that she is a typical teenage girl who is preparing for a date. The boy has the equivalent props such as a razor, deodorant and headphones. The other props used are food and cutlery at the restaurant as they eat which is typical of a date. The costumes both characters are wearing are again very typical of two teenagers going on a date.

Mix of narrative and performance 

There is a mix of narrative and performance however it was very combined. Usually when the characters are filmed singing/miming they are separate from the rest of the storyline. However in this video we see both the male and female characters singing as they are getting reading for their dates however there are certain points where they aren't singing at all, just playing the characters in the story behind the music.

Editing, camera shots, angles and composition 

The video uses a range of different clips in order to seamlessly piece them together and create a well edited and captivating video/music video. Due to the good editing 

What you liked/didn't like
In this student made music video I liked the storyline and the twist at the end, I was expecting them to be going on a date with each other which I thought was very stereotypical and uncreative of a music video so the homosexual twist at the end was a good surprise. One thing I didn't particularly like was the miming, I thought the boys miming was a bit over dramatic and fake.

Creativity 

This student made music video is quite simple but at the same time quite creative. The creative element is that when he puts his hat on we see the image in colour and when he removes it it goes back to black and white. The simplicity of it is that the whole video is the boy walking around just singing and telling the story himself. 

 

Setting/Location

The location at which this video is filmed is mostly just in a quiet park, along pavements and at one point he goes into a corner shop. The locations are basic but the idea is that we focus on him not the places that he is. 

 

Costume and Props

The props used in this video are limited, he buys so orange juice from the shop which he eventually litters and he also has spray paint which he graffiti's a tree with. At the end of the video there is the added props of a drum kit and a microphone and stand which he performs at with a new character. He is wearing very casual clothes which makes him look like an ordinary person and he wears the hat which changed the perspective of the viewer depending when he has it on or off. 

 

Mix of Narrative and Performance 

In this video the performer and singer is also the person who is the character in the story behind it, in most scenes he's telling the story and singing however there are a few scenes where he stops miming and just acts out the story. At the end there is an additional person who plays the drums whilst he sings in a park indicating that he's part of a band. 

 

Editing, Camera Shots, Angles and Composition

In this video to begin with there is a lot of use of slow motion which makes it feel for dramatic. There are lots of scenes where he sings directly to the camera in a close up which is breaking the fourth wall. There are multiple close ups and extreme close ups to show us the emotion on his face. Towards the end the editing becomes more advanced. There are scenes where he completely dissolves and erases things with his hands. There are clips which superimpose on each other so you can see both at the same time on top of one another. 

 

What You Liked/Didn't Like

The thing I liked about this video was the creativity behind the hat, when he had it on the viewer sees in colour but when he has it off we see in black and white. It tells us that he feels more comfortable and relaxed when he has his hat on. I also think the miming was really good and effective in comparison to many other student made videos

 

Creativity 

This music video is simple but effective. It shows a girl receiving a text from her friend to meet at their tree and on her way to the tree she has flashbacks to of her playing childhood games at the tree with her friend and the friends end up being a couple. It's based on the emotion nostalgia which has a powerful effect on lots of viewers. 

 

Setting/Location

The location in which this video is sent is a field and woodlands and then what looks like a back garden with a tree. The setting is all very natural and peaceful which suits the vibe of the song. We can tell that the location they meet at means a lot to them because of their childhood.

 

Costume and Props

The only props used are their iPhones which are used to arrange to meet. Their costumes are casual but both of them are wearing coats and the girl is wearing a scarf which gives us the impression it's a cold winters day. 

 

Mix of Narrative and Performance 

In this music video there is no performance used, the whole video is a narrative there is no miming involved. This is effective for this video because it's not about the signing it's about the story behind it. 

 

Editing, Camera shots, Angles and Composition

In this music video the editing is quite simple. Throughout the video the clips constantly change to flashbacks to their childhood. There are a number of close ups particularly of the older girl which makes us acknowledge the nostalgia and emotions she is feeling. At the end when they meet there is a use of superimposition to show the flashbacks faintly displayed behind the main image. 

 

What You Liked/Didn't Like

Something I really liked about this music video was the fact that there was no performance it was all narrative. I liked this because it takes the focus away from the song and makes us as a viewer pay attention to the story instead.