Representation

Camera

• For the 'eerie' intro for Engel I intend to use a close up of someone whistling. This is a stereotype for the Metal genre, as often during 'solo' parts in a song are symbolised with a close up. Examples of this are in the video for Primus' Tommy the Cat, and Rammstein's Mein Herz Brennt. Which both make use of close ups for the Bass solo, and singing intro respectively. 

This gif. shows how Music Videos within the Metal genre utilise close ups to coincide with 'solos' within songs.

• I will not be challenging Metal Music Video stereotypes, rather, I will try to conform to Metal stereotypes. (Regarding the camera)

• The use of POV will present the viewer in a sense of isolation, and unknowing, therefore, presenting them as a weaker entity compared to the music. This will personify the music itself and make it the main focus of the video. 

• These representations will appeal to the Metal audience, as Metal music is often associated with the Horror genre, and the sense of isolation created by the POV angle will connote with Horror. 

This image from Metallica's hit single - Enter Sandman, represents how, through camera and mise en scene, the director creates an element of fear, which is complimentary to the Metal genre, because of the horror connotations of Metal. 

Mise En Scene

• I will attempt to defy the conventions of the Metal genre with the clothing used. As I am using tracksuit bottoms, and converse sneakers to create a sense of realism, and to make the video seem more relatable for a mainstream audience. 
  

• These representations will appeal to Metal audiences because the location of a forest, which is stereotyped with Metal, juxtaposed with the clothing used in the video will create a unique balance for the audience. 
  

• I don't think that my video will represent the Metal genre positively, or negatively, rather, in a neutral state.

Editing

• I will conform to Metal conventions, in regards to editing. For example, I will use cuts at the same pace of the music itself, to give an authentic feel to my music video, and to keep variation within the video. 

Shooting Schedule and Locations List

This is my shooting schedule, showing where and when i will/ have filmed various aspects of my music video. I originally planned to shoot the outdoor part of the video on the 7th, however, I couldn't, due to weather restrictions.



My video will mainly consist of two locations. The first is Biddulph Grange Country Park. I am using this location, as the forest habitat will create an eerie atmosphere, which will greatly compliment my theme for my Music Video. The tall trees and long, seemingly endless paths can create a sense of isolation, and to some extent, fear, which will be complimentary to the Metal genre.

The second location which I will use is a local music practice room. I have chosen this location, because it is where we (as a band) feel the most comfortable performing, and this will assist us in creating a realistic atmosphere for the video itself. The location itself is very simple, to accommodate the conventions of the genre, as well as having a layout which will easily compliment filming numerous band members. I also intend on using some film from a previous gig where we performed. This will add the element of a live performance, which is a regular occurrence within Metal Music Videos.

Prop List

For my props, i will need/use:

• Instruments (Guitars, Drums etc.)

I will only need these as props as this will fit the conventions of the Metal genre, as Metal Music Videos usually mainly consist of band performance, along with minimal, of a little bit of narrative.

The costumes of the band will just be casual clothing (jeans, t- shirt etc.), as i want to put across the idea that 'anyone' can become a musician and they need nothing but talent, regardless of clothes, or wealth. 

Metal Digipak Adverts

Metal Digipaks

Equipment List

Production

• Camera
• Tripod

Post Production

• Software
• Computer

Conventions of Music Videos

There are numerous conventions that take place in music videos of all genre. One universal example of this, is when a song 'kicks in' (Bass drop, or Breakdown etc.), the pace of the video will change. One example of this is Linkin Park's One Step Closer. In this video, during the main verses, the video has slow cuts in correlation to the pace of the music. Even the heavier choruses are only slightly faster than the verses. All of the slow pacing is used in anticipation for the breakdown of the song. In which 'shaky cam' is used to a great extent to emphasise the chaos which is associated with the breakdown of a song, in reference to mosh pits at live concerts. I intend to utilise this by linking the speed and rhythm of the song, with the speed of the cuts. Although there is no clear 'breakdown' in Engel, I will try, at some point in my Music Video to emulate a breakdown, through the use of editing, and camera work, i.e, shaky cam. Mise En Scene is also used to represent the pace of the song. The first image shows a calmer use of body language from the band, during the main body of the song. Whereas, the second image shows a more aggressive tone from the band during the breakdown of the song. This is demonstrated by the headbanging from the band.

An example of this from a different genre (EDM) is Knife Party - Centipede. The pace of this video is similar to that of One Step Closer, in the sense that the pace is slower during the verses of the song, as opposed to the 'manic' pace of the video during the 'Bass Drop'. As well as an increase in pace for the video, there is also a significant use of special effects to correlate with the special effects used in the song itself and within the EDM genre, therefore, making the use of special effects conventional for the genre.

This image shows the use of special effects to correlate with the bass drop, which is the equivalent to a 'breakdown'. The effects used here help to support the hyperbolic nature of the video.




There are lots of conventions for the Metal genre. One significant convention is the use of the band itself playing. One example of this is a video I have previously analysed, KoRn - Love and Meth. This video makes great use of the band performing the song, along with the cinematic-esque twist of the narrative in the video. Modern Metal Music Videos often have some form of twist upon their videos, to coincide with 'modern times' in which more technological methods of recording, and making music itself is 'taking over' older, more 'conventional', acoustic methods. An example of a 'unique' Metal Music Video is Slipknot - Killpop (2015). This video plays with the idea of 'duality' through Mise en Scene, the actresses face paint which shows a black and white side. As well as the clever use of mirrors and overlaying, using transparency.  This is unique as it used to be rare for Metal videos to follow any form of narrative, as they typically just contained the performance element of videos. I will heavily use my band for the majority of my music video, to stick to the conventions of Metal whilst simultaneously using a brief narrative, to break away from some of the conventions to make my Music Video stand alone from all the others; make it unconventional.

The use of the band in KoRn's video for Love and Meth.

The use of editing, and mise en scene within Killpop by Slipknot to create the idea and theme of duality within the narrative of the Music Video. 

Research into Music Video Industry

The production of music videos is dependent on the genre of the song. For example, a Metal music video would require a lot of band performance, whereas a Pop music video would need a lot of rehearsing because of dance routines etc. However, apart from some acute examples (OK Go – Here It Goes Again), music videos of all genres tend to be edited post production, just like a film. This entails cutting, pasting, and general screen effects to make the video unique to its genre and unique in general.The purpose of a music video is that it is a method of promoting a Single, or an album. In other words, music videos are a method of advertising and therefore, increasing sales for a band, and the video production company. They also provide the song and its accompanying video to a wider audience. For example, someone might see the music video on a music video channel, such as MTV, and the like the track and decide to purchase the single.

One example of a famous Music Video director is Jonas Akerlund. His Music Videos, such as Rammstein- Mein Land are famous, and well received due to their unique tone, and clever use of Intertextuality. One example of this is in the video for Mein Land, towards the end of the video, the band begin to wear face paint, similar to that seen on Brandon Lee in the iconic film The Crow, in which the actor was tragically shot dead during filming. Therefore, the use of his face paint in the video is a method of acknowledgement, and pays homage to the actor. Another famous Music Video director is Hype Williams. Known also for his distinctive style of video, for example, his video for Kanye West’s song All of the Lights was well received by audiences, and critics.

Between £50,000 and £500,0000 is spent on the average Music Video. The most expensive Music Video to date is Michael and Janet Jackson’s Scream. The total cost of this video was around $7,000,000 at the time of production. An example of a low budget Music Video is OK Go’s Here it Goes Again. This mainly consists of treadmills and the camera, budget wise.  

In the modern day, Music Videos can be accessed in a number of different ways, including channels, such as MTV, and online, on websites, such as YouTube, and Vimeo.