Copyright Letter Response

We have still had no response from Sub Pop Records regarding the Copyrights to use their song for our music video. We are going to take this as them granting us permission to use their song as if they desperately didn't want us to then they would have contacted us back a lot sooner than this.

Location Shots

We travelled to Horton Kirby to explore the graveyards to use for a lot of our shots. We found an absolutely ideal and remote place tucked away opposite the local churchyard. The weather was extremely frosty which I feel added to the atmosphere and the feeling of sadness that the graves emit.

The gate leading to the graveyard was exactly how we had imagined the gateway to be as it plays a pinnacle part in the video we are planning.

Band Of Horses

Band of Horses is an American Rock band from Seattle. It currently has five members- all of which are male. Their record label is Sub Pop Records who are an independent record label also based in Seattle, Washington.

Their first album received its deserved recognition in Sweden and Norway, yet didn't quite reach the album charts in their desired markets of USA and UK.

Their genre is defined as:

• Indie Rock
• Southern Rock
• Alternative Country

depending on the source used to define their music.

They wear leather, military coats and checkered shirts, with dark coloured slim fit jeans. They tend to wear dark clothing rather than vibrant bold colours. This I feel fits hand in hand with the type of music they produce. There is nothing attention seeking about their music nor their clothing. They do what they want in every aspect of their lives, not seeming to care about the negativity they may receive. This is admirable of young people; in particular, those who fall into the 'alternative' category who appreciate expressing themselves as different through their clothing and appearance.

Selection of Pictures from the Animatic

I drew these pictures and more onto paper and we scanned them into the computer ready for editing with Adobe PhotoShop and then arranging them appropriately in Final Cut Express to create our animatic video.

Animatic!

Video Analysis. Geri Haliwell- It's Raining Men.

The opening sequence is an intertextual reference to 'Flashdance.' The video takes the form of a song and dance routine, a typical sequence of a musical yet draws heavily from Flashdance. The intertextual reference is so blatent it is purposely making it clear that it is using intertextuality.

The judges look a lot older than Geri, they appear very formal and stiff. After 30 seconds, the diegetic sounds create a sense of expectation or anticipation. The fragmented body shots create an enigma.

The panel of judges appear to be looking at Geri in a voyeuristic manner, providing the impression that they have a low expectation of her dancing ability before she has even started.

The judges' mode of address is very formal which has the effect of authority and builds tension further. Their body language is completely closed which appears to be very intimidating.

As the music begins to play within the video, the camera begins to move. It begins with a between the legs shot of the judges. The camera movement becomes motivated by the music; this becomes more and more relevant as the video progresses and the music really picks up. The audience now see an over-the-shoulder shot behind the judges of Geri. She becomes objectified through the shots emphasising her attractiveness.

As we hear the lyric 'rising' the camera tilts upwards connecting the camera movement to the visuals. The audience within the video begins to build giving her 'star status' within the narrative. The video then cuts away to extracts from the film 'Bridget Jones' Diary' as it contains synergy with the soundtrack.

The audience within the video enter the room that Geri is dancing (as they were previously admiring her from a doorway afar). They pile into the room in an energetic and excited manor which almost seems reminiscent of a carnival, the viewer now has their suspicions confirmed that it is in fact a dance school.

The costumes are all very bright and clashing, yet Geri is always foregrounded. The attention-seeking outfits of the other characters in the video does not draw the majority of attention from Geri herself. She is typically centre frame and close up. There is a clear juxtaposition between Geri's knickers and a cut to a clip from Bridget Jones of her knickers, trying to connect the two as much as possible.

The video shows a clear patriachal order (the judges being at the very top) and the boundaries are evidently broken with the extravagant dance routine yet are well received. This shows a huge contrast and transformation from the initial gawky girl who began dancing at the start of the video.

The reference to the film 'Fame' now begins with a clear close-up with a soft focus. The effect wind has upon the shot in unison with the low angle shot makes her seem incredibly powerful and dominant. The viewer now sees her boxing, kickboxing, taking part in aerobics and practicing ballet which is all aspects of a school such as the one in 'Fame'- a New York high school that specialises in dance and the performing arts.

Geri shows signs of being almost a Pied Piper character amongst the other students as she leads them outside. She is now wearing a leather jacket, leather being symbolic of rebellion. We now see a remake of the song 'Dancing in the Street', arguably the most famous song within 'Fame'. She is air punching and very enthusiastic, looking as though she is really enjoying herself. An aerial shot shows us that there are always onlookers throughout this routine yet she seems unphased. Her t-shirt has the word 'Famous' on written in the memorable Fame typeface.

The lyrics now read 'I feel stormy weather moving in' which becomes a literal interpretation, using green screen methods to create a storm behind her. She now wears a crop top emphasising her trim and petite figure as she gyrates in slow motion in time to the music.

To finish the video she kisses to the camera acknowledging the position of the audience.

Working on the Animatic

For the past week and a half I have been drawing images for the animatic of our music video, trying to create the shots that will together be made into our final video, this is why I haven't had a chance to blog any research. I have been busily working although according to my blog I haven't been!

This is a long task due to the number of shots to draw and trying to make them look like what they are supposed to be depicting. I have now made a good start to them and they are well under way.

The entire group has been really trying this last week, just trying to keep on top of all the upcoming work we will have to face.

Alysha has done extensive research on the target audience and the broadcasting platform of the music video.

Jack has been analysing the song, pinpointing all of the major changes in the music and the lyrics.

Claire has been researching iconography and finding locations for our video.

Letter to the Copyrighter

Claire took it upon herself to write a letter to the copyright owner of this song, getting permission would mean that we are definitely allowed to use this song for our video.

Subpop Records owns this song.

Dear Copyright Holder,

I am an A level student and I am writing to request your permission to use one track from the first album by Band of Horses entitled “Everything All The Time”

The track I wish to use is “The Funeral”, track 4 on the album.

With your permission, this track would be used in my current A-level Media Studies project which involves creating a music video for a popular music track, as well as producing an album and a magazine advert for the artist.

If I received your permission, this track would ONLY be used in an educational context and be viewed by my media class, my teacher and the OCR exam board moderator. It would NOT be released to a large audience or uploaded to any public video websites.

The artist and your company would of course be fully recognized throughout pre- production and the final video itself. A copyright notice, with wording supplied by you can be included in the records of the project. If this is required, please send full details.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Claire Martin

Basic Plot of Video

We begin with a dead girl. Potentially a long distance shot of her laying with a carnation or some sort of flower.

We then begin short sharp flashbacks of her with a boy, laughing and happy. Very loved up. Interrupted by really really short cuts of angry times, crying and fighting. The frequency increases as the pace of the music increases.

As the electric guitar kicks in we see a fight scene. Sheer anger. This is at 1.28.

She is sitting cross-legged, maybe on her bed staring at her phone whilst a tear rolls down. Close-up to tear. Cut to a shot of the phone, text saying something similar to 'I'm not sorry, I really do hate you.' Boy has gone off with a new girl.

She runs to a forest, barefooted in a dress. She needs to get away, to escape.

We see her write a suicide note and she takes her life (method undecided).

The final shot will be of the funeral. Small, close ceremony, everyone with flowers. Seperate, we see the boy that broke her heart, too ashamed to enter the graveyard. He knows he is resposible, without him she would still be alive.