With music videos, literally anything goes, yet the mere fact that there is such a vast array of possiblitties with regards to the contents of music videos, is in fact both its greatest and most problemtatic attribute for any director. On the one hand we have so many creative ideas we can play with, from green screen to live footage, single shot to rapid montage and simple narratives to abstract works of art, yet on the other we can fail to know even where to start.
What follows is a collection of 'ways in' to generating an idea. This list is by no means exhaustive and one should be encouraged to concocte ideas based on a variety of these potentials. it should be viewed a a veritable pick 'n' mix of possibitlies.
The ideas can be roughly categorises into two types; those for whom the appeal lies in storytelling, and those for which the visual aesthetic is key. Where they act as examplar material, real videos have been linked to each concept.
Narrative Plot
One of the more popular approaches to music video production is the practice of using the lyrics of the song to generate a narrative plot, supporting the messages of the song. In a sense these types of video allow for simplicity in coming up with a creative idea as the lyrics already provide the storyline. Yet the challenges lie in the fact that essentially not only are you shooting a music video, but also a short film. This often results in the need to shoot in multiple locations, with props and a cast who is required to act - and the success of the video will hinge on the ability to tell an effectve story. Moreover the skill lies in seamlessly blending the performance with the narrative. This may require the performers to also be the characters in the video (as with Katy Perry's 'Hot N Cold') or that the performers are positioned to be somehow involved in the storyline (as with Radiohead's 'Just')
Time Lapse
Tme lapse is a feature of music video that for the most part is a visual effect. It refers to the process of dramatically speeding up events to show them in a fraction of the time. This technique can be achieved in two ways, For extended events over the course of many hours, photographs are taken at reqular intervals and when placed on a timeline give the illusion of moving images. The second method is to shoot footage which is then dramatically sped up. Interesting effects have been created in videos where an artist performs at an exagerrated slow pace; When the footage is then sped up it gives the illusion that they are in normal speed whilst their surroundings are hectic - in this case our attention is drawn to the performer. Alternatively you could film the singer in front of the green screen and use the time-lapse footage as a backgound (as with Madonna's Ray of Light).
Butterfly Effect
This, in effect, is a style of narrative, but relies on playing with mutliple versions of how an event may have played out. The simplicity in these videos is that essentially you would be filming the same event a variety of times, e.g. a day in someone's life. In each case however one thing may change which causes a different outcome. The strength of using this style of (postmodern) technique is that it challenges the audience typical relationships with narrative and the pleasure derives from witnessing how minor events can have significant consequences.
Manipulation of Narrative Time: e.g. Reverse Events / Narrative out of synch
Intertextuality / Parody of Existing Video orText
Multiple Personalities
Extreme Slow Motion
Transformation of a character
Extreme close-ups
Extreme Close-Ups are very successful in music videos for a variety of reasons. Firslty they are very personal - they bring the audience right up to the subject matter. Secondly they are visually very dramatic and interesting shots allowing us to see things in ways we do not typically expect. FInally they are very forgiving shots - because framing is so tight we don't have to worry so much about composition and excluding background elements.
Extreme Close-Ups are very successful in music videos for a variety of reasons. Firslty they are very personal - they bring the audience right up to the subject matter. Secondly they are visually very dramatic and interesting shots allowing us to see things in ways we do not typically expect. FInally they are very forgiving shots - because framing is so tight we don't have to worry so much about composition and excluding background elements.
Green screen
The beauty of green screen videos is in the incredible amount of control that you have. Elements can be included or excluded as you wish. Neutral backgrounds will ensure that the audience’s attention is focused solely on the performance. Whereas elaborate and significant backgrounds can also be generated. Advanced special effects can be employed such as duplicating the artist or having multiple characters all played by the same person on screen at the same time. You also have the ability to reposition characters and make then enter, exit and move around the screen at will. It is extremely easy to 'shoot' a green screen video, however the editing is a time consuming task.
Split screen
Thematic / Concept Driven e.g. 7 Deadly Sins, Superstition, Fairytales, 4 Seasons
Role reversals
Essentially a concept driven idea. It involves taking typical powerstruggles / stereotypes between binary opposites and swtiching the balance. E.g. Evil defeating good, youth controlling experience, females in male roles. Pleasure for the audience derives from an alternative view of typical roles and through the subverting of expectations. Videos of this nature can benefit from including a twist e.g. the criminal turns out to be the 'good guy'.
Screens within screens / objects
Dance routines
Creative Use of Colour
Creative use of colour can benefit almost any music video. This could mean shooting in black and white or adding colour filters to the footage to create an effect. It is possible to isolate one symoblic use of colour and leave the rest of the footage in black and white, as well as generate videos that use two tone / three tone colours.
Live Performance
These videos are an attenpt to recrease the live expreeince of seeing the band / artist. They are more often filmed in one location with a stitic set-up of equipment, much like you'd expect in concert / rehersal. Perofmances will need to be shot a series of times in order to utlises many different camera angles. Ideally live perrmance videos need to be shot with close-ups / ECUs as well as in shallow focus for the greatest effect. Also editing to the beat is crucial. Placement of shots isn’t too much of a concern therefore multicam works well. Need to show interesting features and from dynamic angles. Also attention to costumes can establish a band identity.
Travel / Journey
Utilise key lyrics
No comments:
Post a Comment