Overcranking

We experimented with a technique called 'overcranking', a method in which while filming the song is sped up and the singer lip-synchs along with the sped up track. The footage is then slowed down later in post production to match with the original speed of the song. The outcome of this is a slow-motion video that looks sleek and professional and still stays in time with the song. It is simple yet effective and we gave it a try with the song Lonely Boy by The Black Keys.

Editing footage

In my groups attempts at overcranking, I was the one to do the lip-synching for the practice video. Initially, hearing the sped-up track was rather daunting as it seemed like it would be difficult to sing along to a song that fast. However, I found that once I was comfortable with the lyrics, it was quite easy to do and I am pleased with the outcome of our first try.

The below video is the product of the previous 2 experiments (360 degree panning and overcranking).

I think it would also be interesting to try undercranking (in the opposite direction), by singing along to a slowed-down version of the song and speeding it up in post production. This would probably produce a rather quirky and humorous music video. I have seen the technique done before in a music video (Spotlight by Mute Math) and I thought it looked funny and unique. This video was done in one take, but it would've required a lot of planning due to the length of that one take.

Camera Movement

We experimented with different forms camera movement using techniques that produced very different looks. One technique was simply panning by moving the camera horizontally on a tripod, keeping the pan smooth and still.

In our experiment, we used this technique to create interesting shots in which we panned 360 degrees. During this movement, the shot would pan across 3 different subjects ('band members'). We moved the lighting underneath the camera and pointing up at each subject so that each would be well-lit when the camera panned around to them, yet the lights still out of frame. However, when trying this we found that it meant that the gaps in between each band member were un-lit and empty.

Experimenting with 360 degree panning

This technique has the potential to create a fun and interesting music video, possibly even a one-shot video, but from our experiment we learnt that if we were to do so we would need to improve it. We could perhaps spin the lighting with the camera so that everywhere the camera pointed, it would be well lit. We could do this by having the camera, the camera operator and the lights on a spinning platform and have the band members stand around it. We could also make some sort of change to each subject by the time the camera panned back round to them, adding some humour and unpredictability to the video.

Another form of camera movement that we tried was mounting the camera and tripod on a track. This allowed for long tracking panning shots that remained smooth and steady. These kinds of shots looked very professional however we found that they didn't quite fit with the look of a conventional music video.

An example of a music video that effectively uses panning is Babel by Mumford & Sons. It uses panning shots and stitches them together to create a seamless pan around a room, giving the impression of a one-shot video.

Previous A2 Music Video Analysis

The Smiling Lies - Space Elevator

Things we like	Things we don’t like
The use of fast forwarding made it look quirky/funny	Lighting tended to go too dark at times, so the focus then became off.
Professional looking use of focus pull shots and high quality camera work	The transition between the professional looking studio shots to the co-op scene appears out of place. This could be because of the dull colour palette contrasts that of the studio artificial lighting.
Timing of the cuts between shots well synchronised with the timing of the music	The synchronising of the guitar and the music sometimes became off and didn’t match.
General theme of indie/rock is consistent throughout, in music, outfits, actions in the video	The narrative that this sort of genre normally contains didn’t go anywhere and would not catch the focus of the audience.
Good use of props (vintage car, quirky handmade space helmets)	It became very repetitive with some shots looking very similar.
Range of shots used (extreme close-ups, close-ups, wide angle, dollying the camera to from the same angle)
Black backdrop focuses attention on the main subject of the band
Entertaining, effective use of humour
Match-on-action shots used a lot to make shots of the band playing more interesting

It's Too Late Now

Things we like	Things we don’t like
Fade transitions fit well with slow paced timing of the song	Resolution of some of the footage is wrong and stretched in the video
Fits the conventions of typical RnB blues music video	Camerawork is bad quality
Tiling 4 videos (all 4 in a row and all 4 in a square) of each member lip synching looks interesting and effective	Lip-syncing out of sync a lot
Range of shot sizes and angles used : wide shot, close-up, match-on-action shot, low angle	Cheesy and very typical narrative used
Shots with black backdrop are well lit and look good, draw attention to the singers	Different cameras and resolutions used for different shots, looks unprofessional
Spinning pan on a dolly gives a very original and effective shot, clearly shown each singer in quite a smooth movement	Some shots are very long and go on for too long
Narrative fits with lyrics of the song
Each singer wearing a black dress adds continuity making it look good, follows conventions of matching outfits in a girl band

Fij - One More Year

Things we like	Things we don’t like
Use of hand-drawn stop motion animation is quirky and unique	At times the camera movement can become shaky
Transitioning the stop-motion into real-life footage is very interesting	The cut at the start before the music starts you are able to hear background music that the band may not want you to hear
Tracking shots following the lead male as he walks through the video keep our attention on him	Not much actually happens during the video lots of repeated scenes
Slow-motion shots fit well with the dancing scenes	There is a story but it isn’t fleshed out and just consists of a boy drinking and walking
Fast-forwarded shots make it look quirky and more humourous	The lip sync doesn’t match the music at times
Pans are smooth and still
Effects such as smoking and vomit are made to look realistic and fit with the rebellious theme of the video
All shots are well lit with all subjects very visible and clear
Scene with facial features on white background looks very unique and interesting, effects are well done here

Lighting

Today we experimented with lighting by using professional equipment: three film lights and some gels.

We learnt how to set up the lighting safely by propping them up on the stands and wearing gloves when handling the hot lights.

We experimented with different arrangements of the lights, and also created a backlight by placing one of the lights behind the subject. We had the subject stand in front of a black curtain and zoomed in the cameras so that the floor and ceiling was cut out, creating an entirely black background. We used the lighting to attempt to hide the curtain as a purely black backdrop. Also, while experimenting with the lighting, we ensured that we get rid of all of the shadows so keep the look professional. To do this, we moved the cameras to an angle around the subject that would cause the shadows to go out of frame in the cameras.

 Once we had arranged the lighting on the subject, we analysed the different outcomes we had in the two cameras. One camera was a Sony Z5 and is used for high-quality filming. The other camera was a Canon 550D and is used for high-quality photography. The Canon 550D produced the best results as photography is its main purpose. We were able to change the exposure on both cameras, however the Canon 550D still came out with the best results. During this task, we had to learn and get used to the differing functions of the two cameras and how to use them to our advantage. In this case, changing the exposure proved to be the most effective and made a big different in the photos.

We then used some gels on the lights to tint the lighting on the subject. This effect is used a lot in film-making and gives a specific tone/mood to the mise en scene. We had one blue, one orange and one red gel and we experimented with them by mixing-and-matching different colours together. 

Below are some of the results of our experimentation (taken on the Canon 550D):

House lights - the normal lighting of the room without the use of professional lighting.

All lights on with backlight - all three lights were used here to give a bright look and the backlight makes the image look more three-dimensional. 

All lights on without backlight - here we turned off the backlight to make the subject look more two-dimensional against the black background.

Backlight only - using just the backlight gave a very distinct, creepy feel by revealing just the outline of the subject, creating enigma in the image.

Music Video Analysis: Gotye

This music video is for the song "Bronte" by Gotye. This video is entirely animated and the animation style is inspired by Japanese anime and has resonance of the style of Japanese Studio Ghibli anime films. The music video has a narrative following a main character throughout and overall it goes very well with the melancholy sound and lyrics of the song.

Camerawork:

• wide establishing shots display the scene and surroundings to the audience, set the scene, set the calming mood of the forest

• tracking shot follows the characters as they run across the scene, keeps the focus on the characters and helps the audience not to lose them in their surroundings

• low angle shots from underneath water, interactive with the scene and involves audience in the music video

• tracking low angle shot follows the girl's feet as she runs across the grass, keeps he attention on her hurry, adds a sense of worry and anticipation

Editing:

• most of the video has a slow motion sort of look to add elegance and suit the calm setting in the forest
• range of transitions used: cut-to, fade, fade to white, fade to black
• edited in chronological order with the girl growing up throughout, helps the audience make sense of the video's timeline, gives a visual effect of time passing
• long cuts are used to keep the video moving at a slow pace the keep with the slow pace of the song, keeps the calm melancholy mood through the video

Mise En Scene:

• colour palette consists of lots of neutral and pastel colours, neutral colours emphasise the natural theme of the music video and fit in with the forest setting

• nighttime is portrayed through the darkness in the scene with minimal lighting, fireflies and used to add some lighting onto the face of the characters during the night

• lighting reflects the lighting in a forest in real life, portrayed through beams of light coming down diagonally through the leaves of the trees, reinforces the look of nature and natural light, also looks very attractive

Music Video Analysis: Florence + the Machine

This music video is for Florence + the Machine's song "Dog Days are Over". The video uses plain white backgrounds with extremely diverse and decorative costumes and make-up with a middle-eastern theme running through them.

Camera Techniques:

• tracking shot moving forward quickly to zoom into the singer, quickly draws all attention to her, effective opening shot

• slow zoom into the centre of the frame, towards the singer and dancers
• extreme close-up, draws full attention to the extreme make-up and hair, eye contact with singer

• still shots revealing the full length of the singers and dancers
• crane shots used to get higher angle on all of the dancers and singers, include the full set

Editing:

• lots of slow motion editing, makes the dancing look elegant and graceful, goes very well with he flying colourful powder

• edits cut in time with the music at some parts, especially when it drops into the faster parts
• special effects are used to make it look as if things explode into confetti and powder in time with the music, these explosions are sometimes timed with the singer pointing at the person aswell, in the screenshot below she lifts her hands and the two harps explode into confetti and powder

• slowest part of the song are long shots of the singer in a spotlight, goes with mood of the song at that point, quiet and gentle, music goes quiet as do her surroundings to focus in on just her voice

• when the music goes faster, the editing is timed with a faster pace, keeps up a mood of excitement and fun to go with the mood of the song at the faster point

Mise en Scene:

• full white studio background gives a blank canvas and draws lots of attention to the colours in the costumes and powder bombs

• costumes have a range of cultural themes, Indian gods, tribal, Japanese kimono, gospel choirs

• lots of bold colours used in the costumes, lots of golds, faces painted some with stripes some with a full face of bold colour

• extravagant make-up used, draws a lot of attention to the eyes

Music Video Analysis: Rodeo Massacre

This music video is for the song "The Game" by Rodeo Massacre. This video is made entirely in stop motion animation using photographs of the band members and creative use of various props.

Camera Techniques:

• medium shots, band central to the frame with the woman in the middle between the two men, creates symmetry in the frame

• dutch angle frame, tilted, adds dynamic, unconventional, more interesting, less polished

• focus switched from foreground to background, artistic use of blurring

• long exposure used to blur lighting, this particular part (image below) abstractly used to represent guitar strings and timed with the guitar in the song

Editing:

• photos cut together at different speeds depending on which part of the song is playing
• photos that are put together to show fluid movement, as it it were filmed, are cut very quickly together, probably at a 24fps (frames per second)
• multiple shots used on screen at once, tiled together, makes the frames more exciting and layered

• band members lip sync to the song, edited in time with the music, to do this in stop motion they would've had to remember the mouth positions for each sound in the words and hold like that for each picture to create a seamless impression of singing

Mise En Scene:

• items of clothing are used as various props, stop motion used to make it look as if they have come to life
• vintage style is themed throughout the band and the video
• the song is remenisent of old style rock music and the band wear old fashioned clothing, very unique and alternative
• old film grain textures used over the footage, gives the video a vintage look, matches the style of the band

Music Video Analysis: The Vaccines

This music video is for the song "If You Wanna" by The Vaccines, a modern indie rock band. This video is shot in a studio and uses professional equipment such as lots of lighting and coloured filters. It is a very colourful yet simple music video concept that implements the use of silhouettes to give a crisp, indie band look.

Camera Techniques:

• lots of wide shot used to show the whole band together as a silhouette against the coloured backgrounds

• side angles give a closer look and give the feel of being onstage with them

• shots from behind the band onstage, reveals the lights in front of them, different angles on the band make it more multi-dimensional

• close-ups on instruments and band members

• camera moves around on shots of band members, slightly shaky, typical of indie rock music videos, makes it look more unpolished and interesting

Editing Techniques:

• quick cuts between shots usually in time with music
• cutting between shots gets faster when the song gets faster and is slower when the song gets slower
• kept very simple, main focus of the video is the bold coloured backgrounds and the band

Mise En Scene:

• lighting has been used to its full potential, with boldly coloured backlights
• a range of colours are used in the lights, all very bold and bright, brightness is changed in them making them flare
• band are portrayed as indie, move around onstage a lot, simply stylised 

Music Video Analysis: The Black Keys

This is the music video for The Black Keys's song "Gold on the Ceiling". The video is styled around the band and creates a behind-the-scenes type of look to the music video. It also includes concert and recording footage. This kind of music video is a conventional form of video that musicians often use to connect with their fan-base by giving them a look into the band's life on tour.

Camera techniques:

• close-up shots to the band members, instruments and other important objects (such as text like in the image below) to grasp the viewers full attention and clearly convey what they want to get across

• low angle shots to make a change from the usual shot angles, adds some dynamics

• pull focus used to make a still shot more interesting

• panning and tilting gives a dynamic full view of certain scenes/objects

Mise en Scene:

• shots are coloured using different tints, for example black and white is repeatedly cut to as it gives a classic rock style to the video

• an old grainy effect is added to some clips to further enforce this classic, rugged rock band feel

Editing techniques:

• shots are cut in time with the music
• shots are quickly cut at times to create an almost stop-motion-like effect
• slow-motion is used to emphasise a particular shot/action
• jump cuts are used to zoom in on the subject of a shot in a quick jump, giving a more quirky and unpolished effect compared to a simple zoom