About Me

Mediasaurus is an A-Level media group from London which consists of two hardworking students who wish to demonstrate the research and production that goes into making music video. We will also be designing promotional material for the band as well as the CD cover. Our blog will be updated constanly and daily with posts throughout the academic year to show our progress. You can also follow us on twitter to see more recent updates at: http://twitter.com/TheMediasaurus

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Monday 14 February 2011

Audience Research: Questionnaire Analysis



Questionnaire Results

What age category do you fall under?
Having a different range of ages adds diversity to the responses and therefore allowing our results to be more valid and reliable (as there will be contrast in the taste of music). Since most of our questions were given out to a vast number of students from the same secondary school which consists of 12-18 year old students, it was only reasonable to question them as this is the time when they become aware of the latest music and artists and start to become involved to the media and watch music videos. 

What is your gender?


Having an equal number of participants from each sex adds reliability and fairness to the responses that we receive. This is useful as it was a factor that we weren't able to control with our survey on the blog (found on the left hand side) as people from different ages, race, sex where able to complete the survey. Having more control will enable us to seethe responses that are given more accurately. 

Q1. What genre of music do you listen to the most?


In the beginning we weren't sure of what music genre we would use for our music video and after conducted a survey on the blog (which is found on the left hand side of the blog) and this questionnaire we had a clearer idea. On the blog the survey had presented a very close range of responses on their favorite music genre and this was due to the reason that everybody from all ages and from different countries around the world were able to access this and vote. However from the questionnaire which we had asked students and adults to complete showed something really different and we concluded that the the music genre in which our people are exposed to are Pop, HipHop, and R'n'B. So we had decide to take into account both surveys and conclude that are music genre would be a hybrid including a mixture of the different genres that were selected, therefore it would please everyone and attract an audience and allow them to like our music video.  

Q2. How many music videos, on average do you listen to in a week?



This question was asked to know the average amount of music videos watched to have an clear idea of how well music videos are doing and whether music videos are important as the track of the music is. As shown from the table and bar chart on the left not many of the participants watch many music videos in a week which may show that music videos are not so important when it comes to advertising the track. However when the results are accumulated together it states the complete opposite showing that a music video are watched by the general public which helps elevate the ratings of the music track, music videos are watched more by the male gender than the female due to music videos being more sexually explicit. Also, from the age category '19 years and over' scored higher than the other age category and this may be due to them having more experience with watching music videos and understanding the notion of music videos to the track of the music.  
      


Q3. On a scale of 1-10, how important is the music video of a track?


This question helped us understand why people had scored highly as music videos are a factor in helping the music track. The music video can help narrate the story that might have not been quite clear in the music track or for various other different reasons such as entertainment. Music videos have become quite different from the last couple of years as more women are presented half naked and an eye candy for  the male gaze which can be compared to earlier music videos. Again male scored highly in this question then the females as of the reasons that were stated. However from the age categories '12-15 years' and '16-18 years' scored much higher than the any other category. Our reasons for this could be to these age categories grew up with music videos that are explicit and therefore helps to promotes the track as the music video is shared on Facebook and other social networking sites adding more awareness to the music video and the track. 


Q4. What type of music video you can relate to the most and what’s the name of the music video?


Music videos send out different messages about life and  relationships and therefore people are able to interpret the same music in many different ways. When we asked this question these were the responses of the sort of music videos that they could relate to the most. The responses were quite interesting as all the participants had the same ideas of what music videos they could relate to the most. The females scored so much higher then the males as they believe that music videos is an art form which is seen in a unique way depending on who you are. However in the age category the '19 years and over' scored much higher than the  other two categories stating the  life experience plays a huge role in being able to relate music videos and their tracks.

Q5. Name your favourite music video?
    
This question was asked to see the different varieties of music genres and tastes that the participants had. However looking at the table above it clearly shows that a majority of the music videos that are presented are either; Pop, HipHop or R'n'B and most of the artists are quite contemporary and/or international stars. If this question was to be placed on the blog where there is easy access then the responses would have been vastly different as they would a variety of participants from various parts of the world and therefore the participants would have a much greater and unique taste insight into the music and music genres.

Q6. Do you think you use music and music videos as a way of escaping the hardships in your own life?

Music and music videos have different uses but the most common is to escape from the hardship of life and just relax and reflect on life in a much calmer and peaceful place in a world of your own. And this understandable as the media presents a world that is threatened by war or natural disasters which adds to the stress which one already has from their own personal life. Nowadays we see more people listening to music everywhere eg on the streets which is complete uprise to a couple years back. There was an equal number of male and female participants who responded to this question however there was a much higher score from the  the age category of '19 years of age and over' as they have had more experience and stress in life.

Q7. Are you the type of person that would buy the latest music related gadget to listen to music?



This was to reveal what sort of individual that the participants are and according to the personality traits table they are categorized. From the age category of '16-18 years' a scored higher stating that they are the most involved with keeping up to date with the latest gadgets such as the i-pod for listening to more music with better quality on the ready, everywhere. Questioning them we found that the older generations are not as fussed with the gadgets and the younger generations are not as knowledgeable with the gadgets as they would like to be.



Q8. How do you usually watch music videos?





This question was to reveal whether the internet plays a huge role in how people watch music videos. Looking at the results on the table and the bar chart, it shows that the famous video sharing website-YouTube is the most successful in allowing participants to watch the latest music videos in a click of a button, this is considered pretty handy for the 21st Century as everything is done and watched through a computer screen and therefore less time is spent on watching TV and this is shown by the results,  where Music Chart Shows were placed second. However, downloading doesn't seem to be something the younger generations do. The results revealed that all ages from both genders usually watch music videos off YouTube, and '16-18 years' and '19 years and over' are much more likely to watch music videos from Music Chart Shows such as MTV. However only '19 years and over' would download to watch a music video which shows that times have changed and the internet and technology has influenced the way in which people watch music videos.  


Q9. How much improved is the promotion of a music video, since the last decade or so?

Music videos usually nowadays come after the track is out and the aniticpation of the music video eg. Love the way you Lie by Rhianna. is quite high so therefore the people have scored highly on this and this is due to the high technology that the music videos use and the male gaze which grab the audiences attention. Music video's in the 18th Century for example wouldn't have been promoted as they are now and this was due to the reason that the promotion of a music video wasn't as huge as it is today and this agreed by the age category of '19 years and over' whom scored the highest as they have witnessed the vast change. 



Tuesday 8 February 2011

An interview with a Southbank skateboarder



We interviewed Erick a student who is a keen skateboarder from the South Bank Skating Park. We asked him his views on how the youth are represented in that area and he stated that skateboarders in the past where seen in a negative light, they were treated like terrorists however this negative imagery of skateboarders has died in the recent years. He also stated that this treatment differs depending on where you are in the UK, he states that areas out of London people don't see skateboarding as a hobby as we do here in London and he thinks thats what's great as there are no prejudices about skateboarders.
Erick's inspiration started when he was 8 years old, he moved into a new home and found a skateboard and from there he decided to skateboard, he had then met other skateboarders like himself and thats where it had begun for him.
We finally asked him on his views on other skateboarders in the South Bank Skate park and he said that most of them are great which eliminates the negative imagery that have been imposed by the general public about skateboarders being aggressive and rude.

Interview with a London graffiti artist


Whilst visiting BaySixty6, we came across a very talented graffiti artist named Roberto. He very kindly allowed us to interview him on how skateboarder and graffiti artists are represented as we believe that the two though may seem very different is actually quite similar.
We asked Roberto how the youths are represented in his area-BaySixty6, and he stated that they are represented in a good way as they are given enough space to do the things they love such as Skateboarding and or practicing graffiti and as he's from Italy he states that such space is not provided there.
We also asked him his true reason as to why he had decided to become a graffiti artist and he replied that it was the freedom of speech which in Italy his home town is banned. He goes on to state that he didn't have inspiration to practice graffiti, it had been something he had been doing from a very young age and from it he gained both pleasure and a sense of freedom. He goes on to state that graffti is like any other form of art or hobby.
Our final question to Roberto was targeted on skateboarders and how they were represented in that area and he had stated that they are represented positively, due to their passion and motivation to do something that they love and added that he's meet some really good guys that skate in the area.

Interview with a Southbank Skateboarder



We interviewed another skateboarder named Gino who also is a student from London. We asked him how he thinks the youth are represented in the South Bank area and he stated that they are not given a bad reputation at all, he states that nothing is seen in a negative light at the South Bank Skate park as people are practicing their hobby and what they are truly passionate about. 
His inspirations to skateboarding began when he was 7 years old and he saw a skateboard on TV which he found really cool, he went off and tried it out and fortunately liked it but he stopped practicing it till he was 13 and thats where it had began for him. Gino says he skates to release his anger, stress and frustration from his personal life.
We asked whether he finds himself comfortable with other skateboarders and he says that they are friendly and quite polite. He says that has heard rumors that skateboarders are usually rude and aggressive but he disagrees with them entirely. 


Sunday 6 February 2011

Location Research: Southbank Skatepark

The Southbank Skate Park located in Covent Gardens has been popular with skateboarders since the early 70's and it is widely acknowledged to be London's most distinctive and popular skateboarding area. The area is used by skateboarders, BMXers, graffiti artists, taggers, photographers, buskers, and performance artists, among others.
Some would argue that the Skatepark is not suitable to be located in the Center of London as its a well known iconic area due to the tourists attraction such as the London Eye and Big Ben. However
after the visit, we can disagree as we believe that it adds to the atmosphere of the location as we witnessed a mixture of generations, both young and old from a mixture of different ethnicity coming together and practicing the same interests that inspired them to skateboard from a very young age. We believe that the Skatepark reflects a positive image of the Londoners as it reveals a sense of unity and this seems to attract the tourists as they take pictures or sit and watch the skills that they practice.

We believe that this is a potential location for our music video as it ticks all the boxes of what we need eg it has a beautiful view of London such as the London Eye, Big Ben and the River Thames as well as a sense of community and unity of all ages. We believe that the blue light (as seen above) is a unique addition to the atmosphere as it adds another dimension to the location, which would be extremely useful in our music video.

Location Research: Baysixty6

The first skatepark we visited was The Baysixty6 park in Portobello. The nearest tube is Ladbroke Grove, which is on the Hammersmith and City line but you can also get to Ladbroke Grove on the 7, 23 and 52 buses.

The area itself was quite busy as the park is situated close to the Portobello market and under the Westway bridge. From the outside it looked promising with all the graffiti as we want an park that looks worn, frequently used and colourful. However, inside it seemed very plain with only some graffiti and we felt unsure about it after that.
The skatepark is sponsored by Xbox360, does collaborations with places like Nando's and has several events going on at one time. There is no doubting that the park is very proffesional, boasting this by inviting famous guests to participate. We still feel however, that the skatepark is missing some of the raw feeling we want in our music video. The park is also outdoor, so lighting would be an issue as we would only have a certain amount of hours time to film before it would get darker. Overall, filming at this place would be difficult because parts of it are frequently closed down for filming purposes and that could also affect our production.



















http://www.baysixty6.com/html_v1/

Though the location is very attractive and contains lots of space for the skateboarders, it doesn't have the sense of community as the Skate Park seems to be blocked off from the rest of the general public and this is a important factor for our music video. However we might film some parts in this location if we see it appropriate.

We was informed of another skate park nearby BaySixty6 in Ladbroke Grove. This location was found to be more appropriate in filming for our music video as its out in the open and is used by skateboarders of different ages genders and cultures, which is quite different to the skate park in Southbank. We decided that Ladbrooke Grove Skate park would be our main location in which we will be using to film in. 

Music Video Research (Song Choice)- Group Focus

As our music genre is a hybrid, we decided to collate three potential tracks for our chosen genre and present them to a group of audiences and ask for their views and opinions of each of music videos presented through a set of questions that we have created. From this we will be able to choose the best and most appropriate music video to accompany our work. 


American Idiot - Green Day


1. What genre would you categorize this music video?
Punk and rock
2. What do you think the location adds to the music video?
Though the artists are not set in more than one location its still considered to be quite effective and a strong music video as alot seems to be going on eg. the lead singer, the guitar player, the bass player and the American flag in the background.
3. From the genres that you suggested, what made you decided on this?
There is a use of electric guitars, drums. Not only that but the artists have a very emo image as they have added eyeliners and have piercings and tattoos.  
4. Is this a pleasing video? If so why, if not why not.
I think it was very pleasing, the reason being is the clever way in which the music video was conducted  as there was alot of deeper meaning such as the colour green which symbioses money the wealth of America.
5. How does the artist/performer seem in the music video, do they sell themselves?
The leading artist does seem to sell himself as he is presented with many close-up shots of his emo looking face and eyes as well as his smart clothing, which seems to contradicts the two looks. This attracts the audiences attention. 
6. Would you describe the music video as
Humorous [Yes ] 
Sexual      [No ]  
Disrespectful [No ] as they represented the reality.
Memorable [Yes] The flood of green paint was the most memorable as it was surprising. 
Annoying [Yes and No ] As there is a comical effect to the music video. The camera has a mixture of close ups and wide-shot of the band, keeping us entertained. However, the excessive use of green does make the music video quite annoying.
Clever [Yes ] There is alot of references of America such as the grenade and deeper meaning such as the power of America and this could be seen through the huge flag that is presented behind the artists.
7. (a) Is direct address or lip syncing used?
Yes direct speech is used by the main leading artist as he looks are the camera directly when singing.
(b) How do they do this? Is it through gestures, facial expressions, where their placed in the frame?
Close-ups are used of the main leading artist. 
8. Are they playing a character or themselves? What does this say about the music video? eg. Eminem playing more than one character in the music video.
They are playing themselves. This adds realism to the music video as it shows the views of the American citizens.
9. Have they highlighted the lead singer. Does this sell or promote the band?
They have highlighted the lead singer through various ways; they have done this by allowing him to be on the screen more than the other two artists. Also, they presented the lead singer through various methods forms, such as the mini camera screen.


Blink 182 - All the Small Things


1. What genre would you categorize this music video?
Punk- rock, pop, skate punk.
2. What do you think the use of different locations adds to the music video?
It allows the music video to be different from the typical type of genre eg. the band are just playing the musical instruments in all locations which makes it more entertaining and exciting thus making the music video stand out  from other similar related genre music videos.
3. From the genres that you suggested, what made you decided on this?
The singers having tattoo's, piercings,their playing instruments, they seem to be having fun and their adventurous. 
4. Is this a pleasing video? If so why, if not why not.
Yes, it is different from the rest of other similar related genre as it exceeds the typical convention of the genre eg. relates to other media forms (intertexuality).
5. How does the singer/performer seem in the music video, do they sell themselves?
Yes they do, they seem very enthusiastic and this shows as the music video is comical and this is a great way of attracting audience's attention.
6. Would you describe the music video as
Humorous [Yes ] They mock other bands
Sexual      [ Yes] The nudity 
Disrespectful [Yes ] Mocks other bands and they may feel offended.
Memorable [Yes] Unique video
Annoying [Yes ] Its upfront. Lots of close ups, they seem to be in your face at all times
Clever [Yes ] The collaboration all techinique of comedy and intertexuality. The music video keeps the audiences entertained at all times. The music track is also quite catchy.
7. (a) Is direct address or lip syncing used?
Yes, there is use of direct address to the screen constantly.
(b) How do they do this? Is it through gestures, facial expressions, where their placed in the frame?
It is done through the use of close-ups of the artists. 
8. Are they playing a character or themselves? What does this say about the music video? eg. Eminem playing more than one character in the music video.
They are imitating other artists such as another boy band- Blue.
9. Have they highlighted the lead singer. Does this sell or promote the band?
The lead singer is highlighted as he is placed in the front of the band making him most noticeable. This does sell the singer through his voice and his confident image, therefore promoting his band too!

OPM - Heaven is a Halfpipe- The music video which we are going to use


1. What genre would you categorize this music video?
Punk, skate punk, rock and Hip-hop
2. What do you think the use of different locations adds to the music video?
Different locations are used to keep the audiences entertained. However usually music videos that are categorized as punk and rock and usually seen in a band form usually sounded by cheering fans. This goes against the conventions. Nevertheless, it still conforms to the conventions are the artists is seen with both tattoo's and piercings and electric guitars. 
3. From the genres that you suggested, what made you decided on this?
The artist is seen to have both piercings and tattoos. Skating scenes are also shown throughout the music video. The upbeat music with a base allows the music video to have a hip hop element to it. 
4. Is this a pleasing video? If so why, if not why not.
Yes, it was quite pleasing the song is considered to have a very catchy chorus allowing the audience to sing along adding pleasure whilst watching. 
5. How does the singer/performer seem in the music video, do they sell themselves?
The leading singer in the music video is presented to be flying in the air and this is quite different and therefore i believe it sells the artist. 
6. Would you describe the music video as
Humorous [No] This music video seemed to be about a skateboarders opinion on the unfair treatment of the rest of society towards them.
Sexual      [No ] even though a woman was presented she was not seen as a sexual object.
Disrespectful [Yes] Religion is a very touchy subject and here the artist seems to slightly mock religion and God and even people's perception of Heaven.
Memorable [Yes] Catchy chorus
Clever [Yes] The use of a catchy chorus and the music video going against the convention of what is considered to be typical of punk, rock.
7. (a) Is direct address or lip syncing used?
Yes and this is done by all the artists that are singing. 
(b) How do they do this? Is it through gestures, facial expressions, where their placed in the frame?
They look straight at the camera as if talking to us directly.
8. Are they playing a character or themselves? What does this say about the music video? eg. Eminem playing more than one character in the music video.
They are playing themselves, therefore adding realism to the music video and adding more meaning and value to their opinions and believes on skateboarding and skateboarders.
9. Have they highlighted the lead singer. Does this sell or promote the band?
They haven't highlighted the lead singer quite obviously and this is because alot of cuts were used presenting different faces of different people ie. skateboarder, and the side artist. 




Camera Angles, Movement and Composition:
·    
           Shots:
Extreme close-up: 
0:51, 1:35 of the skateboard

Close-up:
0:18, 0:28, 0:42, 1:07, 3:18 of the main artist
0:20, 0:35 of the supporting artist
1:09 of the woman 

Wide-shot:
0:25, 1:05, 1:25 of the skateboarder and the mountain landscape
0:56 of the woman and two guys
0:58, 2:10 of the half pipe
4:03 of the crowd dancing 

Two-Shot:
3:09, 3:30, 3:34, 3:38, 3:46, 3:46, 3:50, 3:54 of the main artist and supporting artist

Mid-shot: 
0:46, 1:41. 3:02 of the supporting artist
0:53, 2:13, 2:54 of the main artist singing

Long-shot:
0:30, 0:38, 1:01, 1:09, 4:06 of the skateboarder doing a trick in the air

Hand held:
1:54 of a man running

Angle:
High Angle: 
0:13, 0:19, 0:32, 0:35, 0:54, 1:01, 1:17, 1:20, 2:39  of the main artist singing
1:02 of the supporting artist
1:14 of the main artist in the air floating

Low Angle:
0:09, 1:19, 1:42, 2:14 of someone floating in the air
1:12 of the skateboarder doing a trick in the air
3:42 of the main artist singing

Movement:
Tilt down: 
0:37, 0:55 of the floating man holding a guitar
2:48 of the main artist and supporting artist landing

Crane: 
1:23 from the mountain to the skateboarder


Editing:
Cutting- Jump cut/Cutaway:
Throughout!

Effect: 
0:07 0:09,0:13, 0:18, 0:24,  

0:37, 0:55, 0:34, 0:35, 0:45, 0:47, 0:55, 1:03, 1:08, 1:14, 1:19, 1:25, 1:43, 1:48, 2:35, 2:41, 2:47,  of the man floating in the air



Depth of field: 
0:15, 0:17, 0:27, 0:32, 0:35, 0:41, 1:57, 1:55, 4:01 of the main artist and supporting artist and a blur of the background



Mise-en-scene: skateboard, half pipe, electric guitars, helmet, shin pads, railings, dj equipment, black nail polish, ear piercings



Analysis:
The music video followed the convention of a pop, punk, skate punk genre as it was upbeat as many cuts allowing the music video to be more entertaining. This music video is about the perspective of a skateboarder and the stereotypical judgments that are placed by the public. This music video gives the public an insight of the skateboarder's passion for skateboarding and gives the chance to show the general public that they are not aggressive and violent but quite fun loving and easy going. However they do conform at various moments to the stereotypical beliefs such as drug taking an example of this is when the main artist says "with Jesus packing my bong".  Many interpretations can be made with the flying artists, some would say that it the artist is dead and he hasn't been granted a place in Heaven as he there was a sign on the "pearly gates saying do not skate" whereas some would say that the idea of floating is to show that their carefree and light hearted individuals. 


Lyrics Analysis:




We have decided to use OPM-Heaven is a Halfpipe for our choice of music video to add a positive light to skateboarders that are always presented as aggressive, violent individuals. 


Chosen Genre: A hybrid genre of Pop-Punk/Rock/Hip-Hop/Skate-Punk

Finding a genre that would cater as many people as possible was quite difficult as the poll (a mini questionnaire in which the person selects their favorite genre from a various different responses given) presented a very close genre responses, so therefore we decided a hybrid of the selected genres would the best suitable choice. The hybrid genre selected is Pop-punk/Rock/Hip-Hop/Skate punk.

Pop-Punk:
This music genre is a fusion of punk rock with pop music which merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud electric guitars, bass drums and keyboards along with vocals. Pop-influenced punk rock which had been around since the mid-late-1970s. However the early use of the term pop punk appeared in the 1977 New York Times article, and from the mid-1990s onwards, some bands associated the genre "happy punk", "faux punk", "small punk" "pseudo-punk" or "bubblegum punk".



Rock:
Rock is a music genre of popular music that has developed during and after the 1960s. The typical musical instruments used are vocals, electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, synthesizer and keyboard instruments such as Hammond organ, piano. The Rock genre has it roots in the 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, rhythm and blues, country blues, country music and also drew on folk music, jazz and classical music. The rock music developed different sub genres in the 1970s such as soft rock, glam rock, heavy rock, hard rock, progressive rock and punk rock and incorporates influences from soul, funk, and Latin music. In the modern day the term rock had been used as a blanket term for different forms such as pop music, reggae music, soul music and sometimes hip hop which has been contrasted many times through history.



Hip Hop:
Hip-Hop is a musical genre that have stylistic elements like rapping, DJing/scratching , sampling and beatboxing.  The term rap is often used synonymously with hip-hop also denotes the practices of an entire sub-culture. Hip Hop began in the South Bronx of New York City in the 1970s. Typical instruments that are used are drum machines, rapping, piano, beatboxing, vocals, turntables and synthesizers. Live bands is a definite in the Hip Hop genre. Rappers may write, memorize, or improvise their lyrics and perform their works a cappella or to a beat. 



Skate punk:
Also known as skate core or skate rock is a sub genre of punk rock. It had been named after its popularity among skateboarders and association with the skateboarding culture. Skate videos have traditionally featured this aggressive style of punk rock to parallel the feel of skateboarding and the genre has gained popularity all around the world. Some bands however, who are commonly referred to as a skate  punk do not embrace the label because they do not necessarily associate with skateboarding despite what the label would imply.