Genre Case Study; Florence and the Machine and the Indie Rock Genre

Chosen track (Elle Mary and the Bad Men - Rose)

   

Slowly it happened,

Could I see it coming?

Soaring, you flew

You rose, rose, rose

You rose, rose, rose

Down you landed,

Fallen like the apple,

Pulled by the rain,

Where you belong,

Grounded

You rose, rose, rose

You rose, rose, rose

You rose, rose, rose

You rose, rose, rose

Now you've landed,

Fallen like the apple,

Pulled by the rain,

Where you belong,

Grounded

You rose, rose, rose

You rose, rose, rose

We chose this track, mainly dues to it's highly emotionally charged nature, containing connotations of darkness and loneliness, with some brooding anger, giving us plenty to work with and mold into a useful, working piece. Much of the song makes reference to the fact some other character has ''Fallen'', and has been ''Pulled by the rain'' - particularly interesting due to the typical connotations of sadness and, sometimes anger that are pinned to this particular form of weather. This could also be a link to the Biblical tale of Adam and Eve, with the song showing some contempt for it's referenced other character - talking about an apple as if it is ''The Apple'' of the biblical tale in a singular sense.

Another particular connotation of these lyrics is the emphasis on the lyric ''Rose'' and ''You Rose'', indicating that someone is rising from something, or perhaps rising to meet something.

We contacted Elle Mary directly, and after some wait we received an overwhelmingly positive response. 

Leftfield Afrika Shox case study

Evaluation of 3 dfferent music videos (part 3; Archive's ''Bullets'')

Archive - Bullets
 

 

 

The video is a narrative piece about someone who has - metaphorically - had their mind broken, possibly by some past event.

There are 3 locations required for this video; the first is besides a traintrack, the second is the inside of a train, and the third is a forest.

There are 2 outfits required for the main character; the first is a neat version and the second is a messier version for the second character (who is, presumably, superimposed in the edit). There is also an outfit required for the third character - the man from the bag - which consists entirely of a single pair of jeans.

There are a few issues I can find with filming this; firstly is the fact that there is a need for practical effects to make it seem like a man is coming out of a bag - which requires different and sometimes difficult camerawork. Secondly there is the issue of filming on a moving vehicle; even though trains are notoriously smooth, there are still some bumps and discrepencies in motion that can sometimes make it difficult to film.

The main logistical issue I can find with filming is actually finding a train that is A) running as late as it apaprently is in the video, and B) finding a carriage that is completely empty for these shots to take place. it is either a question of chance or arranging it with the operators of a trainline which - in either event - is difficult and time consuming.

The primary concerns of post-production would probably be the issue of superimpposing the characters onto the same shot; as is the case with filming on the train, it would be difficult to transfer them to the same shot if the camera has been moved. That being said, an easy fix would be to simply have a 'stunt-double' for the shots where they occupy the same space, as there is never a shared shot where both of their faces are showing.

This video is fairly atypical when it comes to music videos; there are no band members present throughout the entire video, and the music irregularly follows the music's beats.






 

 



Evaluation of 3 different music videos (Part 2; Beirut's ''Elephant gun'')

Beirut - Elephant Gun
 

 

This video is a performance piece that heavily features dance as one of it's methods.

There are only 2 locations required for this; a heavily decorated single large room, and a beach.

There is only 1 outfit required for the main characters of the video (maybe a second one for the central performer for the beach shot). there may be multiple other costumes required for the supporting cast of the video.

One of the primary issues I can highlight with the filming of this video is the fact it is a tight and clustered environment - there are plenty of opportunities for equipment to be moved, or even damaged in the process. It might also prove difficult to film in this environment.

The primary logistical issue I can find with filming this video would be the filming on the beach; it would require a lot of time to move filming equipment and cast/crew to this location, as well as potential for water damage to the equipment.

The only significant issue of post-production I can find is the need for a fade between sets in the video; possibly requiring a green screen and significant FX usage.

This is a typical music video, mostly because of it's usage of the band members themselves as actors within the video, as well as the presentation of their performance within the video.

Evaluation of 3 different music videos (part 1; Alt-J's ''Breezeblocks'')

Alt-J (Breezeblocks)
 

 

The video for Alt-J's ''Breezeblocks'' is a narrative piece that shows an abusive relationship that has perhaps transcended into something worse.

 

There would be 3 locations required for this video; firstly, the bathroom that serves as an entrance to the scene. Secondly, the kitchen/dining room/ living room that most of the fight takes place in. and thirdly, the hallway where the video finishes.

 

From what I can gather, there would only be the need for 1 costume for each of the characters; there may be the need for a second costume for the woman for her bathtub shots.

 

The most likely issues of the shoot to present themselves would be the coordination of the 'fight' in such a way as to be safe, and easy to film in an appropriate way without bringing harm to eithe5r of the participants, especially when there is the throwing of the bottle.

 

The only logistical issue I can think of in regards to the setting up of this video is the selection of a suitable location in which to film; there is some small measure of destruction in the video, and a point would have to be made of finding someone willing to give over their property for this.

 

The only considerable post-production issue I can bring to mind is the need to reverse the footage. An easy way around this would be compiling the video in a standard format wholly first, then reversing it as a whole.

 

This music video is fairly conventional because it follows the general tune of the music, apparently to the bars (sets of beats) of the music. The video also presents the themes of the music in a visual format, which is fairly typical of a music video.



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