Influences

Film Influences

Calendar Girls (2003)





This is one of my influences because of the photograhy they use for the camera and this was the clip of the film that showed the images they used. As was unable to find the images through search engines such as Google.
The images used for the calendar were taken of women from the WI who posed nude with typical WI type activities, such as gardening, baking, painting etc. Each of these photos had a sunflower in, this was in the memory of one of the women's husbands who had died of cancer. The photo was in black and white apart from the sunflower which was yellow.

Influences

Picture Influences

Influences

Music Video Influences



Alesha Dixon - To Love Again




This video demonstrates several genre characteristic for a typical female artist with an audience of women aged between 16 and 30 this would be through the song being about love and relationships. The video is shot artistcally which appeals to this audience. The artist although being dressed up in heels and a fur coat, still gives the impression of naturalness and this is through her hair and make-up, this means that this particular audience will still be able to not only relate to the emotions in the song but also to the artist herself.

The visuals with in this video relate to the sentiments expressed in the lyrics, this is by the lyrics talking about her being all by her self and she is seen walking through the park on her own. Although there are people who walk past her they further emphasise that she is there on her own. Also in the lyrics she talks about light and as she is walking along the sun is constantly shining behind her and sometimes taking preserdence in the shot, again this strengthens the relationship between lyrics and visuals.

With in this video there are lots of close-ups of the artist, this wll be to appease the record label as it means that the artist is constantly being promoted throughout the video. The expression on the artist face is quite often the same for the close-ups which keeps contanuity through out the video. Although close-ups in music videos are to promote the artist and to keep the record companies happy. I believe that in this video the close-ups allow the emotions to be expressed more clearly and so that the audience really understands and can relate to the feelings expressed in this song.

Through out this video Alesha is constantly looking into the camera as if she is seeing you clearly rather than looking into a camera lens, also some of the shots are shot in a way that the audience feel like they know the artist. The make-up on the artist's eyes make them seem bigger almost seeming as if the audience are looking at her soul and know the real her.

This video gave me the idea of having the artists walking through a park or a similar kind of location. I really like the simplicity of this video, it really works with the song as a bigger video would overpower the song. Although the majority of the video is of the artist, there are shots of the story, that are still in the same location as the artist, this suggests that they are thoughts rather than something that is actually happening. The lighting and colours of this video are kept neutral and seem muted the only feature of this video that really stands out is the light from the sun, this seems to suggest that there is hope and happiness, even if it does not seem so at the time.

Beyonce - Broken Hearted Girl





Again this video demonstrates several genre characteristics of a music video aimed at this age of audience, however in this video it is focused around the sea rather than a park. This to me shows a true realtionship between love and relationships, as water never flows on a straight course and it can have calm days and there can be rough days as in relationships and love.

The relationship between lyrics and visuals differs from that of Alesha's as in this video the links are suble but kind of obvious at the same time. The fact that the video is in black and white when Beyonce is playing in the sea and along the beach suggests that these are just memories, however this does not become apparent until the end of the video after the section when the video is in colour. In the coloured section of the video you see the artist taking a rose to pieces, picking of the leaf and petals, this suggests real life. This is then reversed (still in colour) and you see the petals being stuck back onto the rose until it is perfect again and it is after this that it goes back to black and white, with Beyonce playing in the sea and having fun, confirming that the coloured parts are current and the black and white memories.

Again in this video there are lots of close-ups promoting the artist and for me, especially in the coloured section really showing the artists emotions.


Leona Lewis - I Got You

Ideas continued

Due to the song choice it will reflect a female audience, age range late teens to late twenties. They will probably be able to realte to the video in someway as I want the video to portray emotions many girls feel, although don't show.



I want this video to show the soul, how girls can break down (element of brokeness) but remain composed and in control to everybody around them.

Ideas for the Video

Different locations, however in each location people are all experiencing the same emotions. These would be centred around one of friendship, family or relationships.

The different locations would have contrasts between tranquility, rushing, calm, busyness this would mean show that no matter where you are the same things happen, complete opposites yet all having something in common.



Possible Locations would be



Oxford Street

Regent Street

Tube Stations

These locations would show rushing especially at tube stations and the busyness of the shops.



Beach - Brighton

- Ferring

The beach can suggest trainquility and calm when there is blue skies and clear water, however with dark skies and large waves can also suggest stormy and depth.



Garden/Park - Bushy Park

- Hyde Park

This could be a location for the artist to be singing.



River - River Mole

- Thames

- Cobham Mill

This could also be a location for the artist to sing.



Night Club - Oceana

- McCluskys

Smash Into You Lyrics

Smash Into You Lyrcis

Head down
As I watch my feet take turns hitting the ground
Eyes shut
I find myself in love racing the earth
And I'm soaked in your love
And love was right in my path, in my grasp
And me and you belong

I wanna run (run)
Smash into you
I wanna run (run)
Smash into you

Ears closed
What I hear no one else has to know
Cause I know
That what we have is worth first place in gold
And I'm soaked in your love
And love was right in my path, my grasp
And me and you belong, oh...

I wanna run (run)
Smash into you
I wanna run (run)
Smash into you
Smash into you
Oh...

Head down
As I watch my feet take turns hitting the ground
Eyes shut
I find myself in love racing the earth
And I'm soaked in your love
And love was right in my path, in my grasp
And me and you belong...
Oh.... I wanna run
Smash into you
I'm willing to run (run)
Smash into you
I'm ready to run, run, run, run, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
I'm ready to run, run, run, run, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
I wanna run, run
Smash into you
I'm willing to run (run)
Smash into you

Final Choice of Song

I have chosen to create a music video for Beyonce's 'Smash Into You', from the album 'I am...Sasha Fierce', this was never released as a single and so never had a video made for it. This isn't one of Beyonce's well known songs. 'Smash Into You' had 4 writers including Beyonce, the other three were C. 'Tricky' Stewart (who was also the Composer and Co-Producer), he has worked with artists such as Rihanna, Britney Spears and Mary J Blige. Terius 'The Dream' Nash (also Co-Producer), he also worked with Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Christina Milian. Thaddis 'Kuk' Harrell who has also worked with Rihanna, Mariah Carey and Usher. The Executiive Producers on this song were Beyonce hereself and her father Matthew Knowles (founder of Music World Entertainment).

Secondary Brainstorm of Ideas

When brainstorming ideas for a different song, I considered songs that I really liked and then looked at the songs I felt had the right tone, lyrics and rhythm. I want a sad tone to the song, although the song itself is not sad.

The songs I came up with were these:

Kings of Leon - Cold Desert, this song never had a video created for it. I really like the meaning of the lyrics in this song, however felt that creating a video I would be happy with would not be a possibility as my visions for this video would of had a desert featured in it somewhere and this would not be possible to capture in the UK.

Snow Patrol - Run, this is one of my all time favourite songs, the lyrics have such a deep meaning and as there have been two music videos created for this song. I feel that I would not be happy with the video I produced for this song so have decided against it.

Beyonce - Broken Hearted Girl, I love this song, however the video that has already been created for it has a very similar feel to what I would want to create for my music video so as I do not want to be creating a music video similar to the original I don't think this song would be the right choice.

Beyonce - Smash Into You, this song is one that you listen to on the album but never truely take it in. After listening to it several times, I found this song to really beautiful and as it hasn't had a music video made or been released as a single nobody has any preconceived ideas as to what this video could be of.

P!nk - Sober, the video that has already been released for this video is really well known and dramatic, due to the costuming and the settings I think it would be really hard to create a video that everybody wouldn't compare to the original, even if my video for it would be completely different to the original.

Paramore - Use Somebody (Kings of Leon Cover) , this is a great song when performed by both artists however after listening to this song a few times I did not feel inspired for ideas. So I hink that if I can't get some kind of ideas from the beginning I would struggle the entire time trying to work out what to do next.