Essay - Feedback Statement

 The factors I had lacked in my essay is expanding on points I mention, for example when explaining the feminist point in one part I did not go into depth what I had meant, I will need to categorize points in sociological perspectives in order to clarify my explanation. 

 Another section I did not do well in is my conclusion, when concluding my ideas I will need to sum up all the ideas in a clear and concise way – for example points such as the opinions stated or the theorists mentioned. In order  to have this I will need to make a detailed plan that I can refer when doing my essay, this will enable me to have a more structured and comprehensive piece of work.

Planning

SYNOPSIS

The main character, playing the artist, is shown to have multiple jobs in order to make a living. While, in a struggling relationship that is ultimately one sided. Having going from one job to another, and the changing of his surroundings dipict his busy and ever-changing life and also to the idea that his partner is constantly changing her feelings, thus taking a toll on the main characters emotions.

Characters/Casting

MAIN CHARACTER

Hardworking yet barely voices opinions, does things to please others in order to fit in.

NAME: Rashid Mohamed

AGE: 21

HEIGHT: 178CM/5,9

DESCRIPTION: Curly dark brown hair, slim, brown eyes.

EXPERIENCE: Drama A level

SCHEDULE

DAY 1 - BRENTFORD (might be split into 2 individual days)

1:30PM : Meet at Brentford School for Girls Canteen

1:40PM - 2:20PM : Start filming kitchen scene 

2:25PM - 2:40PM : Swiping up leaves scene

2:45PM -  3:20PM : Go thorugh risk assessment and film theatre scenes using projector

3:25 : COMPLETETION OF DAY 1

DAY 2 - SOUTH BANK PT 1

9:00AM  :  Meet at Isleworth train station

10:00AM :  Arrive at Waterloo Station and walk out of Exit 3

10:00AM - 10:30AM  :  Shots in front of Waterloo Station completed (4-5 shots of each scene)

10:35AM - 11:00AM  :  Shots on bridge and of the general area comepleted (5-6 shots of each scene)

11:05AM - 12:00PM  :  Shots by the shops (work scenes) and coming out of shops (8-9 shots of each scene)

12:05PM - 12:30PM  :  Lunch Break

12:35PM - 1:15PM  :  Head to graffiti tunnel and do shots including flashlights (8-9 shots of each scene)

1:20PM  :  COMPLETTION OF DAY 1

DAY 3 - SOUTH BANK PT 2

5:30PM  :  Meet at Isleworth train station

6:00PM :  Arrive at Waterloo Station and walk out of Exit 3

6:00PM - 6:30PM  :  Shots in front of Waterloo Station completed (4-5 shots of each scene)

6:35PM - 7:00PM  :  Shots on bridge and of the general area comepleted (5-6 shots of each scene)

7:05PM - 7:30PM  :  Shots by the shops (work scenes) and coming out of shops (8-9 shots of each scene)

7:35pm - 8:00pm  :  Lunch Break

8:05PM - 8:30PM  :  Head to graffiti tunnel and do shots including flashlights (8-9 shots of each scene)

8:30PM  :  COMPLETTION OF DAY 2

MV Analysis - I/O 'Wasted My Time'

INSPIRATION
VIEW ON WIX HERE

I / O
With I/O being our chosen artist we felt it was appropriate to look upon his previous in order to link in core themes he tends to use throughout his music videos. This would be picking out certain editing skills used to portray a specific meaning or looking at the lighting used to convey the song writers or actors emotions.

Wasted My Time

Blurred Scenes

In this scene we are shown the time figure in the background, taking up most of the shot, however isn't in focus. Whereas, the main character is in clear focus but we can only see a portion of him. Having the main character closer to the camera or to 'us' and is looking at time gives the idea in this scene the director wanted to represent everyone and that we are all in the same position as this man; looking at time even when it is blurred to us.

Abstract Meanings

In this medium close up we are shown the main character being pushed in a wheelchair by time, the use of a wheelchair connotes to his inability to function and has to rely on time even if he, himself, does not want to. The background shows an unfocused bus, maybe relating to how, all his life, he has been unable to do much for him self, yet is continuously moving with much say, hence why the scene is so short.

Contrasting Ideas

We are presented with two contrasting views in this shot; one being the setting of the shot being in a church and the time figure dressed or disguised as a doctor, we see the time figure mocking the gestures used when in in prayer. This suggests that time restricts his time to dedicate his time to his faith, however when time is not present he begs for forgiveness. 

Layering

The use of distorted images being layered together in this music video gives the audience a glimpse into the characters inner emotions, for example, in this scene we see the character spinning with a section of the background, then followed by another section.This connotes to the audience that he isn't in loop with everybody else; he was wasted his time in result is going on without those who have not.

Practice Essay Question 1

"Contemporary music videos are merely elaborated adverts with little artistic, social or moral integrity."

The definition of a stereotypical music video is changing throughout the years, with the ever-developing society and generation the entertainment system is constantly altering in order to appeal to the consumer. Highlighting on the 'cliché image' Michael Shore says is seem throughout the music industry, they face the problem of losing the authenticity and meaning in music videos, thus ends with 'little artistic, social or moral integrity' in comparison to music videos released 10-20 years ago.

The promotion of the ideal 'party life' is evident in most pop music videos, when talking about music videos such as Ke$ha's 'Tik Tok' we are bombarded with scenes of alcoholism and rebelling against her parents. As we are shown the perspective of Ke$ha the younger generation might be influenced to follow this kind of behaviour and also linking in with the life style that some teenagers and adults live - this goes by Richard Dyer's ideologies of the artists representing the norms and values that the audience has. However, when taking the statement into consideration, we lose all artistic integrity as it has a negative impact of the younger generations lives; they might follow Ke$ha's actions which has no moral value. On the other hand. when faced with songs such as Taylor Swift's 'Shake It Off' we are shown different social groups in each shot but in the same scene, this in indicating that not all pop music videos show images of alcoholism or a general party life, but this suggests that all social groups, with the use of mise-en-scene, are equal and should not be looked down upon. even though most popular music artists are contrasted in order to fit the audiences liking - Arguably, we should not generalise and criticise contemporary music videos if they are merely going by what the majority are entertained by. This, again, relates the Richard Dyer as he mentions artists incorporating things that the audience likes, overall going against the statement shown.

Going on form the previous point, the commercialized music industry in recent years has presented us with the image of overly sexualized, and some argue, self objectified women. In R Kelly's 'Cookie', we are shown several women dressed up in revealing maid costumes and are serving the artists, the audience are constantly shown an image of a women in a state of submission, highlighting on the fact that the entertainment system wants the us to see male power and influence in music videos. Furthermore, by objectifying women they are gaining interest from the consumer - the male audience. This links in with 2 of 6 points Andrew Goodwin mentions that are evident in the majority of music videos - reflecting iconography related to the genre and heavy voyeurism of the female body. In the RnB genre it is a key factor to have the female body on display in order to enhance the power the men hold, however, even in female RnB music videos we are presented with women wearing minimal clothes, some my argue this is to please the male audience, which goes with theorist Richard Dyer's belief that artists are pushed to do what the consumer appeals to. Other than Richard Dyer, Sven Carlsson's ideologies of commercial exhibitionist highlights the understanding of having the artist sell themselves in order to create an image that the audience will aspire to be links in heavily with the Rn B genre as artists very much are selling themselves, in a sexual or dominant way, to please the audience. This further highlights the push to emphasis male dominance in the music industry and, overall, loses all genuine meanings in music videos.

Contradicting the statement, music videos like Sia's Chandelier is overflowing with meaning and depth and has been a huge hit in the past few months. We are presented with Sven Carlsson's electronic shaman, which is a music that does not show the artist, however their voice is intertwined with the narrative. Having this already strays from the typical contemporary music video as Sia is not present in the music video - but it highlights social problems such as drinking, partying and the affects it has on a person. Such a conceptual based music video can have a large impact on the audience since the drinking culture is so widely spread, thus more people can relate and feel empathetic when watching the music video.

Overall, the statement that 'contemporary music videos being merely elaborated adverts with little artistic, social or moral integrity' can be wholehearted supported with evidence, however, we cannot generalise due to majority of popular music videos going by this statement.