Album Covers

Memorable Album Covers...

To get inspiration for my own work, I looked up examples of the most memorable album covers...

Here is what I found:

This album cover for The Beatles album Abbey Road is quite simple but nevertheless effortlessly cool and iconic. Shot outside the EMI studios on Abbey Road the 'Fab Four' walk in unison an image copied which is continually by fans everywhere.  

 

 This image of Michael Jackson in a laid-back pose wearing a white suit against a black background is one of the most memorable images of the eighties. It was the 'epitome of cool' at the time of release.

 The cover for David Bowie's The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust features the glam rock star shirtless, embracing his rock star status. Shown with a red lightning bolt painted across his right eye this is one of the many Bowie covers to focus on his distinctively flamboyant look.

This cover for Johnny Cash's album American IV: The Man Comes Around is rather simplistic it uses big, simple font utilising the strength of the legends name alone. However this image is further strenghtened by juxtaposing the strength of the title with the weakness and fragility of the man himself in the lower left-hand corner. Nearing death and reflecting on his life he looks downwards and we see him preparing to fade into black.

This cover for the Beatles: The White Album, followed the incredibly busy and detailed cover for the 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club, and could not be more different. This minimalist approach has be redone by other bands such as Metallica and AC/DC. Although I really like the simplicity of this album I believe it was only as effective as it was because The Beatles were so established already.



These covers are some of my favourite out of the ones I've seen, I choose these as I like the close up of three of them but I also like both Beatles covers because they are so simplistic yet so effective.

Audience Questionnaire:RESULTS

 

Audience Feedback

 

I put out a Audience questionnaire using 'Survey Monkey' and here are my results...

 

 

 

 I knew that the majority of my target audience would be female so I asked females between the ages of 11-45 (and over). From my results I have noticed that the majority of people watch music videos online, so I will have to pay close attention of how to target an online audience as there will be a lot of competition due to the vast numbers of videos on the internet. According to my questionnaire the majority of people prefer narrative and performance rather than concept music videos so that will be something to consider. 100% of those who took my questionnaire said that they enjoyed dance routines in music videos and therefore it is something I will consider for my video, although my chosen song may not suit a dance routine it is definitely worth considering.

Treatment Sheet

TREATMENT: PROPOSAL FOR MUSIC VIDEO

 

Proposed Title/Song: Ellie Goulding Figure 8 

Synopsis of song lyrics: Figure 8 has a moody vibe and is paired with heartbreaking lyrics. Its about an intense relationship in which the female character was promised that they'd be together forever and it doesn't work out the way she'd hoped as he leaves her and she struggles to let go after giving everything to that relationship. 

 Storyline: The video will reflect the lyrics of the song but with a twist to the plot which, when revealed, will hopefully come as a shock to the audience. The relationship portrayed will be of a failed relationship, throughout the video we will see the relationship play out in what the audience expects to be real time with all the good and bad aspects of a real relationship. Towards the end of the video it will be revealed that the all these aspects of the relationship we saw were all in the female characters head. This leaves the audience questioning is she leaving in the past? or did the relationship ever happen? 

Characters: Obviously, since the video will be centered around a couple there will need to be a female character and a male character, additionally there may be some extras playing family members and/or friends. 

Setting (time and place): The video will be set in modern times in recognizable locations. It will be mainly focused in a domestic location so a home the couple share but flashbacks and when the character is finally letting go some scenes may be outside reflecting her freedom. 

Length (time and shots): There will be no introductory narrative but the end may drag out a little passed the end of the song therefore the video should last around 4 minutes just slightly over (approx. 4:10) 

Format: Mini DV 

Style:

Genre, mood, influences, claims to originality: The genre of this song is Pop, however I think due to the moody vibe of the song it's almost has an Indie feel to it also. Elements of it will be quite dark as the audience will be in the mind of the main character and her state of mind is questionable at times in the video, however this will be softened by the sense of release, serenity and closure at the end and some of the flashbacks will be heartwarming and give it a nostalgic feel. 

Camerawork/ type of shots: There will be lots of long shots of the main characters and tracking shots to follow them as they sing the song and following the narrative. There will also be close ups of certain aspects linking the visuals and the lyrics. 

Length of shots/ editing: This video will feature some long takes to reflect the mood and style of the song but it will also feature quick jump cuts so the editing cuts to the beat of the song. 

Movement and action:  The artist will mainly be seen in the same domestic scenario but will often be seen walking as if following somebody (i.e. the focus of her infatuation) 

Visual qualities 

Shape,light,colour: This video will be shot in both black and white and colour, I think this will add to a nice dynamic to the video as it will create contrast be interesting for the audience and will reflect the underlying darkness of the video. The colour of the costumes will be mainly monotone with splashes of colour which will standout more due to the lack of colour throughout. Inside the house many props will be used. There will also be props used to link the lyrics to the visuals. 

 

Handling of narrative: The narrative will use montage editing so the audience will need to work out the storyline . Clear sense of climax as the ending is revealed, twist at the end to keep people watching. There will be use of flashbacks and the storyline will create an enigma around the characters and the video itself. 

Technical audience: The target audience are main streamers who take comfort in media products that are not particularly challenging. They are aged between 16-35 and are both male and female. Due to the genre of the video not being straight pop but interwoven with other genres means that fans of that genre will also enjoy it. 

Technical aspects 

Production methods: As I am working on my own on this video I will  be acting as director and focusing on lighting, props and all other aspects of the production. 

Equipment: Plenty of cameras, tripod, lighting- both natural, artificial and with coloured filters and editing equipment. 

 Locations/ studio: Outside locations around the local area, Addicted to Dance Studio in Harlow may be used and I will be shooting in my friends house as she has a basement which I think will be perfect for creating the mise-en-scene I have in mind. 

Resources 

People (who does what): Two main characters- male and female. (There may be extras to play friends and/or family members). 

Time: Rehearsal time plus performance. Limited time available to shoot performance scenes.

Budget 

Cost: Relatively cheap, as I will be using equipment I already own or borrowing what I don't have. 

 

Rationale: This video will help to open up my artists fanbase and will stand out as its not necessarily what people would expect from a pop video and the unusual twist will hopefully broaden the fanbase of the video. Although the genre is pop the video is quite dark and has a different theme to it and this will draw people to it and create a buzz around it.

Storyboard

STORYBOARD

 

 Here are some of my ideas sketched onto a storyboard to give the story some narrative.



Permission....again!

Permission....again!

After emailing representation for Ellie Goulding once I failed to get a reply. I found ANOTHER email address online and emailed them as well in hope of gaining permission to use my chosen song.

fingers corssed...

First ideas!

Music Video Ideas!

I've been beginning to think about the ideas for my music video, through my research and listening to my song I have already got some ideas of what to include in my music video and what direction I want to take my music video in. Some I am sure I want to include and some need developing further...

'Breath your smoke into my lungs'

For these lyrics, I was playing around with some ideas of incorporating the idea of smoke and using it as a visual. This way it will link the lyrics to the visuals in my video, two ways of portraying this so far that I have come up with is by having my artist surrounded by smoke or a close up of smoke on her face, also a way of making this my effective will be to have it in black and white as I feel like it will create a more dramatic and dynamic effect. 

'Stare into the sun' 

A way of showing this I thought I could show my artist looking into the sun/light , this way I can either use an artificial light to imitate the sun or I could use the real light from the sun but this will be harder to plan and make sure that I get the right light needed for it to be effective enough. With this in mind I feel like it may be easier to use an artificial light as it means that I can control it enough for it to be effectively displayed on camera. There are also a variety of ways which I have considered, I'm pretty sure at I want to show the light but using light and shadows on the artists face highlighting her facial expression which will portray the mood of the song but she will either be placed sitting on a window be, looking out of the window another option may be to have her on a messy bed and as the light comes through the window she turns to face it but again this will be harder to create. 

'Lovers hold on' 

I was thinking of different ways in which I could show this lyric which is good as I will need numerous ideas because it repeats quite a lot. One way in which I can do this is through showing a hand reaching towards another hand I can either do this by using another persons hand, a mirror or even both which my suit my narrative quite well. I think for this line and lyrics around this line there will be a lot of close ups on her hand to link the lyrics and the visuals.

There are other words which I will display through visuals including 'Kiss' in which there will be a close up of a kiss on the cheek and 'vanish' which will show the male character in the video disappearing revealing the female character to be alone.

Here are some of my first ideas I will continue to update them as they progress. 

Beat Sheet

 

 

BEAT SHEET! 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is my beat sheet which I created of my chosen song- Figure 8, I have highlighted what I believe to be key moments which will be refelted in my music video.

 

 

 

0:00- Start of song

 

0:11- Beat drops (change in scene)

 

0:30- Start of lyrics

 

1:02- (Another drop) Start of chorus

 

1:29- Change in tempo

 

1:32-1:36- Consecutive beats

                  (editing cut to the beat)

 

2:00- Tempo speeds up leading to the chorus

         (reflected in the visuals and/or editing)

 

2:27- Change in tempo

 

2:27- Another change in tempo

 

2:53- Tempo picks up

          (pace of video increases)

 

3:05- FINAL beat drop

          (show impact through visuals)

 

3:12- Chorus again

 

4:04- End of song

 



Notes on Key Directors

Key Directors

1992–2004: Rise of the directors 

In November 1992, MTV began listing directors with the artist and song credits, reflecting the fact that music videos had increasingly become an auteur's medium. Directors such as Chris Cunningham, Michel Gondry, Spike Jonze, Floria Sigismondi, Stéphane Sednaoui, Mark Romanek and Hype Williams all got their start around this time; all brought a unique vision and style to the videos they directed. Some of these directors, including, Gondry, Jonze, Sigismondi, and F. Gary Gray, went on to direct feature films. This continued a trend that had begun earlier with directors such as Lasse Hallström and David Fincher

Two of the videos directed by Romanek in 1995 are notable for being two of the three most expensive music videos of all time:

Michael and Janet Jackson's "Scream", which cost $7 million to produce. 

Madonna's "Bedtime Story", which cost $5 million.

 "Scream" remains the most expensive video of all time. In the mid to late 1990s, Walter Stern directed "Firestarter" by The Prodigy, "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve, and "Teardrop" by Massive Attack. 

JONAS ÅKERLUND 

Jonas Åkerlund (born 10 November 1965) is a Swedish film and music video director, and drummer. He is best known for directing music videos, which often take a mock form of movies, trailers and short films. One of his best known videos is his video for Madonna's song "Ray of Light" won a Grammy for Best Music Video and a record seven awards at 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, including the Video of the Year.

(1998)

He first found fame as main video director for Swedish pop act Roxette. In 1997 he directed the acclaimed video for The Prodigy's "Smack My Bitch Up", which sparked controversy due to its depiction of drug use, violence, and nudity. In 1998 he worked with Madonna for the song "Ray of Light", he has since worked with acts such as Metallica, Christina Aguilera, U2, Blink-182, P!nk, Rammstein, Britney Spears and Lady Gaga.
He is a long-time collaborator of pop singer Madonna having worked on such music videos as "Music", "American Life", which was pulled due to its graphic content and the Iraq War, and "Jump". He also directed her documentary film I'm Going to Tell You a Secret and her concert television special The Confessions Tour: Live from London.
Among his more recent works were the controversial pornographic music video for Rammstein's "Pussy", the video for the song "Telephone" by Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé.


(2010)

Maroon 5 and Christina Aguilera's 2011 single "Moves Like Jagger".

 (2011)

Duran Duran's single "Girl Panic!"


(2011)

Jonas Åkerlund is a well-known director and is often known most famously for his controversial videos such as 'Smack my b***h up', always pushing the boundries and he leaves viewers wondering what he will come up with next.

Director X

Julien Christian Lutz (born October 31, 1975), better known as Little X, X or Director X, is a Canadian music video director. A protégé of Hype Williams, X has been noted for his high-budget, visually distinctive music videos for popular music singles, including videos for The Wanted, R. Kelly, Usher, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Korn, David Guetta, Nelly Furtado, Sean Paul, Justin Bieber, Drake and Nicki Minaj.


His trademark is tweaking the letterbox format; instead of just using black bars on the top and bottom of the frame to frame the image, many videos by X actually feature the bars opening vertically to reveal the video and closing vertically at the end, like a letter box.

(2011)

(2012)

Through researching these directors I have got some more ideas about my own music video, especially with Director X whose videos are mainly within the pop genre. 

Introduction to my artist- Ellie Goulding

ELLIE GOULDING

(Taken from Wikipedia) 

Elena Jane "Ellie" Goulding (born 30 December 1986) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and actress from Lyonshall,Herefordshire. In July 2009, Goulding released her debut extended play, An Introduction to Ellie Goulding. 

In 2010, she became the second artist to both top the BBC's annual Sound of... poll and win the Critics' Choice Award at the Brit Awards in the same year, following Adele's win of both in 2008. Goulding released her debut studio album,  Bright Lights, in 2010. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and has sold over 850,000 copies in the UK. 

Her cover of Elton John's "Your Song" reached number two in the UK in December 2010 and on 29 April 2011 she performed the song at the wedding reception of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Buckingham Palace. 

The album's title track, "Lights", was released in the US in March 2011, and peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 nearly a year and a half later during its thirty-third week charting, completing one of the longest ever climbs into the top two positions on the chart. The single, which lasted over a year on the Billboard Hot 100, was also certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Goulding's second album Halcyon was released in October 2012 to generally positive reviews from critics.. Halcyon debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, and, after 65 weeks, reached number one. Halcyon Days, a repackaged edition of Halcyon, was released on 23 August 2013, it included new singles including "Burn", which became her first UK number-one single in the same month, as well as "I Need Your Love" with Calvin Harris and "How Long Will I Love You?".

Influenced by Björk, Imogen Heap, Lauryn Hill and Kanye West, Goulding is recognized for her high piercing vibrato, breathy tone and emotive delivery. As of June 2013, she has sold an estimated three million albums and ten million singles worldwide.