Alternative Rock emerged in the 80's and has only been fully accepted as a music genre in recent years. Alternative music is a recent genre type and can be generalised to apply to many different types of music, however Alternative rock narrows this genre down to only apply to rock music.
R.E.M and The Cure are examples of Alternative rock music that have been hugely successful, however it is a popular view that alternative rock music struggles to be successful due to its limited audience.
Alternative rock symbolises underground music that can be applied to punk rock and emo styles.
Monday, 18 January 2010
Audience Research
The target audience for my Music Video is Alternative Rock. Most Placebo songs aim to target an audience that enjoys listening to rock music, however the song I have chosen is mostly alternative as it is more emotional and deep than other songs produced by the band.
I have researched the target audience of the band and have found that a high percentage of fans are young. At most concerts held by Placebo the audience are young and a fair distribution of males and females, suggesting that Placebo appeal to both sexes. The lead singers sexuality may lead to more bisexual or homosexual fans as they can identify with him. The majority of fans are aged between 18 and 40 years old, possibly because their lyrics are deep. Some lyrics used need a clear understanding as the audience need to sympathise or be empathic with the person the songs are singing about. Words like ' cockled - eyes' from the Victorian era need an older audience in order to fully appreciate the words used to understand the lyrics and intended meanings.
The video will have to appeal to the target audience and not contradict the emotions and iconography of the song, unless it is strongly supported and is the intended purpose. Fans of the band will appreciate the association with expected aspects of Placebo and be able to recognise similar features in my video with ones seen in their favourite genre type; Alternative rock.
I have researched the target audience of the band and have found that a high percentage of fans are young. At most concerts held by Placebo the audience are young and a fair distribution of males and females, suggesting that Placebo appeal to both sexes. The lead singers sexuality may lead to more bisexual or homosexual fans as they can identify with him. The majority of fans are aged between 18 and 40 years old, possibly because their lyrics are deep. Some lyrics used need a clear understanding as the audience need to sympathise or be empathic with the person the songs are singing about. Words like ' cockled - eyes' from the Victorian era need an older audience in order to fully appreciate the words used to understand the lyrics and intended meanings.
The video will have to appeal to the target audience and not contradict the emotions and iconography of the song, unless it is strongly supported and is the intended purpose. Fans of the band will appreciate the association with expected aspects of Placebo and be able to recognise similar features in my video with ones seen in their favourite genre type; Alternative rock.
Friday, 15 January 2010
Mise-en scene
When filming a video it is always important to keep in mind how the Mise-en scene will be presented. For example, props and setting are important aspects of Mise-en scene and the angle of the camera and where the props are positioned must be considered.
Why have I chosen this song?
I decided to create a music video for the song Broken Promise by Placebo for many reasons.
Firstly, I believe the emotional lyrics and rhythm create good opportunities for filming as the feel of the song changes dramatically from sad and quiet to loud and active.
Although I was not familiar with this particular song before making my decision I appreciate Placebo as a band and believe they create good, interesting music. Therefore I chose to extend my knowledge of Placebo songs using http://www.youtube.com/ to look up other songs. I decided to choose a song from the MEDS album as this has had a popular response from fans and critics, therefore may be appealing to more listeners.
Other songs I strongly considered to create a music video for were:
Firstly, I believe the emotional lyrics and rhythm create good opportunities for filming as the feel of the song changes dramatically from sad and quiet to loud and active.
Although I was not familiar with this particular song before making my decision I appreciate Placebo as a band and believe they create good, interesting music. Therefore I chose to extend my knowledge of Placebo songs using http://www.youtube.com/ to look up other songs. I decided to choose a song from the MEDS album as this has had a popular response from fans and critics, therefore may be appealing to more listeners.
Other songs I strongly considered to create a music video for were:
- MGMT- Kids
- Radiohead- Karma Police
- Avenged Sevenfold- A little Piece of Heaven
- Amanda Palmer- Blake Says
- The Fray- How to Save a Life
Analysis of Placebo song 'Broken Promise'
The song 'Broken Promise' can potentially refer to many different situations and has several possible interpretations.
After researching other peoples interpretations of the meaning behind the song I concluded that the song could potentially refer to adultery. This is supported by the line 'And hide my Cuckold eyes'. The earliest written use of the word derives from Middle English in 19250 and usually means a woman is adulterous. 'Cuckold' is often written as 'wearing the horns', with a connotational meaning of a wife's infidelity. In modern days, the word is often used to refer to male adultery. With regards to the song, the speaker states that they 'hide' their 'cuckold eyes'. This suggests that the character is aware of his partners adultery however chooses to hide from the knowledge. This is supported by other lyrics in the song, ''I'll wait my turn' and 'as we live and learn'. The overall interpretation of the song suggests a man has learnt that his partner has been adulterous and is remaining quiet about having this knowledge, however plans to make it clear that he knows later 'To tear inside you.'
The song title 'A Broken Promise' may refer to a promise made between a couple to remain faithful, however the promise was not kept. The word 'Broken' has connotations for sadness and pain, a broken heart for example.
The song is very emotional and the personal emotion from lead singer Brian Molko is evident. The lead singer of Placebo is openly bisexual and therfore this song may relate to a male relationship he had. This suggestion has been made by fans because Michael Stipe, lead singer from a band called REM, featured as a vocalist in this song and is rumoured to have had a relationship with Brian Molko. Regardless of whether the song has a personal and emotional meaning for Placebo, I believe the song hits deep at the listeners heart and is powerfully emotional.
As a listener myself I obviously hold my own views and interpretations of the songs meaning. When listening to the song I imagine a lonely person commenting on how fate has changed for them, 'Now I watch as tables turn.' The song later changes to a person commenting on somebody elses mistakes and poor apologies. The song is filled with emotions such as love, hate, sadness and regret. The use of the first-person plural 'We'll' suggests unity at the start of the song. In contrast the song ends with 'I'll', a first-person singular word, suggesting detachment and isolation. This is similar to the feelings portrayed in the lyrics. For example, the song starts off as a speaker commenting on the sudden change of events and saying what will happen 'We'll cry about this'. However the lyrics become more aggressive and exclamatory as the song picks up in tune and rythm. 'I'll wait my turn to terrorise you'. This dennotes a person causing pain to another and speaking directly to them. The line connotates for the speaker suggesting many people despise the person he is speaking to as he will have to wait in line to 'terrorise' the person. The line 'Watch you burn' is graphic and causes vivid pictures to spring to mind. The use of 'burn' causes the listener to imagine colours such as red and orange, wheras 'cry'may suggest blue.
Conclusively, the lyrics have an individual interpretation for each listener and although most likely refer to adultery, this may not be the case at all. Overall the song is packed with emotion and musically appealing to listeners who prefer sad, emotional songs.
After researching other peoples interpretations of the meaning behind the song I concluded that the song could potentially refer to adultery. This is supported by the line 'And hide my Cuckold eyes'. The earliest written use of the word derives from Middle English in 19250 and usually means a woman is adulterous. 'Cuckold' is often written as 'wearing the horns', with a connotational meaning of a wife's infidelity. In modern days, the word is often used to refer to male adultery. With regards to the song, the speaker states that they 'hide' their 'cuckold eyes'. This suggests that the character is aware of his partners adultery however chooses to hide from the knowledge. This is supported by other lyrics in the song, ''I'll wait my turn' and 'as we live and learn'. The overall interpretation of the song suggests a man has learnt that his partner has been adulterous and is remaining quiet about having this knowledge, however plans to make it clear that he knows later 'To tear inside you.'
The song title 'A Broken Promise' may refer to a promise made between a couple to remain faithful, however the promise was not kept. The word 'Broken' has connotations for sadness and pain, a broken heart for example.
The song is very emotional and the personal emotion from lead singer Brian Molko is evident. The lead singer of Placebo is openly bisexual and therfore this song may relate to a male relationship he had. This suggestion has been made by fans because Michael Stipe, lead singer from a band called REM, featured as a vocalist in this song and is rumoured to have had a relationship with Brian Molko. Regardless of whether the song has a personal and emotional meaning for Placebo, I believe the song hits deep at the listeners heart and is powerfully emotional.
As a listener myself I obviously hold my own views and interpretations of the songs meaning. When listening to the song I imagine a lonely person commenting on how fate has changed for them, 'Now I watch as tables turn.' The song later changes to a person commenting on somebody elses mistakes and poor apologies. The song is filled with emotions such as love, hate, sadness and regret. The use of the first-person plural 'We'll' suggests unity at the start of the song. In contrast the song ends with 'I'll', a first-person singular word, suggesting detachment and isolation. This is similar to the feelings portrayed in the lyrics. For example, the song starts off as a speaker commenting on the sudden change of events and saying what will happen 'We'll cry about this'. However the lyrics become more aggressive and exclamatory as the song picks up in tune and rythm. 'I'll wait my turn to terrorise you'. This dennotes a person causing pain to another and speaking directly to them. The line connotates for the speaker suggesting many people despise the person he is speaking to as he will have to wait in line to 'terrorise' the person. The line 'Watch you burn' is graphic and causes vivid pictures to spring to mind. The use of 'burn' causes the listener to imagine colours such as red and orange, wheras 'cry'may suggest blue.
Conclusively, the lyrics have an individual interpretation for each listener and although most likely refer to adultery, this may not be the case at all. Overall the song is packed with emotion and musically appealing to listeners who prefer sad, emotional songs.
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Shooting Schedule
Due to problems with cast, locations and weather I have had to change the original ideas for filming and remove all previous footage to allow for a new idea.
Filming will take place as follows to ensure the task is complete:
Friday 20th - Film inside the house.
Saturday 21st- Outside, street filming.
Sunday 22nd- Any additional filming required.
Filming will take place as follows to ensure the task is complete:
Friday 20th - Film inside the house.
Saturday 21st- Outside, street filming.
Sunday 22nd- Any additional filming required.
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Song Lyrics
'We'll rise above this
We'll cry about this
As we live and learn
A broken promise
I was not honest
Now I watch as tables turn
And you're singing
I'll wait my turn
To tear inside you
Watch you burn
I'll wait my turn
I'll wait my turn
I'll cry about this
And hide my cuckold eyes
As you come off all concerned
And I'll find no solace *
In your poor apology
In your regret that sounds absurd
And keep singing
I'll wait my turn
To tear inside you
Watch you burn
I'll wait my turn
To terrorise you
Watch you burn
I'll wait my turn
I'll wait my turn
And I'll wait my turn
To tear inside you
Watch you burn
I'll wait my turn
I'll wait my turn
A broken promise
You were not honest
I'll bide my time
I'll wait my turn'
*Side note: Backing vocals are supplied by the other band members as they repeat the word 'Solace' in a quiet whisper
*During the last chorus the backing singers also repeat 'A promise is a promise' in a chant-like tone.
We'll cry about this
As we live and learn
A broken promise
I was not honest
Now I watch as tables turn
And you're singing
I'll wait my turn
To tear inside you
Watch you burn
I'll wait my turn
I'll wait my turn
I'll cry about this
And hide my cuckold eyes
As you come off all concerned
And I'll find no solace *
In your poor apology
In your regret that sounds absurd
And keep singing
I'll wait my turn
To tear inside you
Watch you burn
I'll wait my turn
To terrorise you
Watch you burn
I'll wait my turn
I'll wait my turn
And I'll wait my turn
To tear inside you
Watch you burn
I'll wait my turn
I'll wait my turn
A broken promise
You were not honest
I'll bide my time
I'll wait my turn'
*Side note: Backing vocals are supplied by the other band members as they repeat the word 'Solace' in a quiet whisper
*During the last chorus the backing singers also repeat 'A promise is a promise' in a chant-like tone.
Friday, 8 January 2010
Storyboard Planning
I have began storyboarding and planning my music video. As inspiration I have analysed music videos and looked at many different published videos. After looking out for different themes portrayed in the videos I have decided that nature is an effective theme to focus on. A negative to choosing this theme is that the weather and nature is unreliable as it is not always possible to predict exactly how the weather will be. However, despite this the end result should be effective.
I will produce an animatic to show a paper-print version of how the filmed production will look.
I will produce an animatic to show a paper-print version of how the filmed production will look.
Choice of song: 'Broken Promise' by Placebo
The song I have chosen to create a music video for is 'Broken Promise' by Placebo. I have chosen this song for several reasons.
Firstly, I believe the song offers many changes in rythm and tempo and therefore can include many different moods in the filming. The song starts off with a sad, emotional introduction and develops into a loud, outburst after 55 seconds. My reasoning behind using this song is that the change in atmospheric mood generated by the rhythm of the song can provide different opportunites for what the cast can do during filming.
The lyrics to the song 'Broken Promise' also provide contextual analysis for the evaluation and offer a wide range of interpretations as to what I could film.
Conclusively, Placebo is a popular and familiar song that does not have a music video for it, therefore the video can not be compared to any other.
Monday, 4 January 2010
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Preparation for Music Video
As preparation for the Music Video I will produce I will now list various factors that I will have to consider when filming:
- Weather- In order to provide continuity the weather must be the same in each scene that does not include a gap in time. Furthermore, some filming may require a certain type of weather, so this cannot be relied upon.
- Costumes- If filming takes place on different days the actors will have to wear the same clothing both times, unless again the scene does not require this e.g. a memory, flashback or dream scene.
- Timing- I will have to ensure I have enough footage to complete the Music Video and complete it within the deadline.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
