Research - Pink Floyd - Learning to Fly Music Video Analysis

This music video seems to follow a very vague narrative, mixed with some elements of performance. The narrative consists of a young man having aspirations to fly after seeing various things in flight, such as birds and planes. The vast landscape and long shots in the video provide an insight into the grand scale of the imagery and mise-en-scene; linking to the idea of freedom in flying, The narrative often cuts to a live performance of the song by Pink Floyd, thus creating a relation and sense of reality to the audience viewing the video.  The video seems to have a fair variety of shots, but most showing an extreme long shot and its relation to the main protagonist of the video. Furhtermore, the helicopter/plane shots provide a link to the overall theme of the song and video, flight. The genre of this song is Progressive Rock, though songs of this genre are often seen not to have an accompanying video, particularly in Pink Floyd's music. Though the choice to have a conceptual narrative and scenes of performance adhere to the idea and theme of progressive rock. The vivid colours and landscapes used in this video could appeal to the audience because it allows for a sense of engagement and visual grandeur. The mise-en-scene in this video delivers the theme and concept of freedom; with the vast scenery, light emphasis on costume design and natural lighting. In addition to this, the feature of a performance in the video shows the sense of proffesionalism and importance of the band. A lot of flight imagery is evident throughout the video with various long shots of birds and multiple POVs of planes and the protagonist himself actually flying.
For inspiration, I will use the theme of the narrative and variety of setting for my video.

Learning To Fly was a single released in 1987 for the album 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason'.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVhNCTH8pDs

Research - The Last Shadow Puppets - Bad Habits Music Video Analysis

This music video is very different to The Stone Roses' One Love; the former followed a performance structure, this one follows a very ambiguous narrative. This video is the first in a 4-part story spanning across the four singles from the new album, 'Everything That You've Come To Expect'. The story of this particular video follows the two band mates performing in a bar, whilst frequently cutting to the story behind the performance, a bachelor party. 'Bad Habits', the lyrics which gives a name to the title, could potentially link to the wrong-doing the band seem to be carrying out (seemingly sleeping with the bride before a wedding). The video seems to have a sinister/psychedelic tone to it; evident through the use of dark colors and strobe lighting. The remainder of the videos follow the consequences of their actions; 'Everything That You've Come To Expect' shows the two protagonists of this story buried in sand up to their heads, 'Aviation' shows a flashback of the two essentially digging their own graves on the beach in front of the groom of the bride they slept with, and finally 'Miracle Aligner' shows the two who have seemingly escaped their own burial (clue being the tans off both men off being buried in the sand for so long.
The genre for this song is Indie/Alternative, the video could be seen to adhere to the modern conventions of indie-rock; the band being involved in some sort of narrative love story, whilst still being able to perform. The choice to make the performance scenes in black and white and the narrative in color could be used to help the audience distinguish between the two. Could also be an example of a trope used in films in which a scene in the past is black and white, whilst the present is in color. This would make sense given the chronology of the music videos. Furthermore, this technique could be used to appeal to separate audiences. The black and white scenes could help appeal to a younger 'indie' audience because of the focus on music and its performance, whilst the color could appeal more to an adult audience, give the adult nature of the themes, as they could feel more engrossed in the story. The sinister iconography appeals to the indie-rock genre, traits such as the extremely attractive girls getting with the cool, slick band members and the focus on the heavy guitar playing in between.
The mise-en-scene in this video is fairly abstract, particularly the frequent change of scenery. The narrative appears to take place in an American diner/bar, showing the band's capacity for off-the-cuff live performance. Whilst the narrative features a large mansion bachelor party and a 'Shining-esque' snowy maze. Perhaps used to add to the sinister tone of the video. The bachelor pad used could be seen as a symbol for the band's lad-like, rebellious nature of sleeping with attractive women without considering consequences. The outfits used for the main characters are slick, unbuttoned suits; fitting well with the cool, rebel look. The lighting, as explained before, provides a sinister/horror tone to the video. The deep reds and dark blacks connote the idea of death, lust and general misbehavior. The camera work uses a variety of abstract close-ups in the narrative sections, particularly the guitar solo at 2:05. Linking to the idea of mental detachment shown in Miles Kane's erratic behavior and delivery of his lines.

Bad Habits was released as the first of four album singles for the album 'Everything That You've Come To Expect' in January 2016.

Research - The Stone Roses - One Love Music Video Analysis

This music video is mainly the band performing, like many of the other Stone Roses' music videos it has no narrative to the video. This was perhaps because of the band's style, only caring about the sound of their music rather than how the music is presented on a visual platform. I interpret this song to be about the idea of free love and unification through music. The lyrics, "One Love, we don't need another love. One Love, one heart and one soul" appeals to the idea of the Northern Soul scene taken from the late 60s Mod scene. The Stone Roses, showed signs of mod influence in their earlier years with songs such as 'So Young' and 'Tell Me'. This particular genre showed rhythmic influences from 'soul' and 'rhythm and blues', this inspiration is evident through the jangly guitar sounds and the rhythmic bass tones.
The genre for this song is a mix between Britpop and indie, and even the sub-genre 'Madchester' that was inspired by the 'baggy' generation. The conventions used in this music video adhere to the typical traits seen in the rock genre, which is seen as the overall 'blanket' genre of the seminal group. One such trait is the video just being solely based on the band, showing little narrative, thus making the video more of a performance. The iconography seen in the video seems to adhere to the rock genre, showing that the background is primarily fire, presumably to add the appropriate 'edge' to the video to appeal to the younger, teenage audience.
The mise-en-scene for this music video is fairly basic, using virtually no props or any inclination to what the setting is, other than a large fiery background. Despite the giant fire, the lighting used in the video is fairly dark when it comes to the band members, typical of the rock genre. Atypical, however, of the Britpop sub-genre. Music videos for a Britpop song such as 'Step On' by Happy Mondays feature bright lighting.The clothing of the band adheres to the foundations of the 'baggy' generation as they are seen , unsurprisingly, wearing baggy clothing and the drummer wearing a bucket hat. Thus providing a very natural vibe to the performance of the song, further suggesting the absence of a narrative. Almost as if the band turned up in the clothes they would be found wearing any other day, to perform one of their hit singles.
The editing in the video seems to switch between slow-motion and normal speed, perhaps adhering to the inspirations of psychedelics in the tone of their music. However, the editing and cuts don't seem to match with the drum beat, as seen in a majority of music videos . The camera work features a variety of shots, such as close-ups on various members of the band. However, the focus is primarily pinned on the lead singer Ian Brown's famous 'dancing' and John Squire's jangly guitar playing. This is done to bring the audience closer to the band.
As for inspiration I will take from this video, I would like to centre my music around a performance and possibly a narrative in between, different to this video. As for my branding intend to somewhat recreate the look, for the nostalgic purposes of my project.

One Love was released as a non-album single in 1990, then later appeared on the Turns Into Stone compilation.

Research - Music Video Theory

This is a prezi exploring the views and theories behind music videos with interpretations from writers such as Andrew Goodwin and Sven E Carlsson.

Music Video Research - Potential Songs

Genre

My chosen genre for this project is Alternative/Indie Rock; I selected this genre because I have a personal interest in various bands that adopt this style of music. The following songs are ones I have considered for my final piece:

1. The Last Shadow Puppets - Bad Habits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGbOF4UPpfs

I have shortlisted this song as I believe I can draw a lot of inspiration from the video itself, primarily from the use of eerie, psychologically deranged imagery and symbolism used. The bass line to the song also provides potential for sharp cutting and quick transitions.

2. Arctic Monkeys - If You Were There, Beware
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVOwOzL9uDQ

I chose this song as I believe the lyrics to the song provide material for a potential storyline, thus allowing me to create a story out of the video. Furthermore, the general beat to the song allows for slow pacing and fast pacing at different points, allowing for a diversity in shots and edits.

3. The Stone Roses - I Am The Resurrection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRwR7avc5Oc

I would choose this song as I feel the lyrics can provide a storyline to film for the music video. In addition to this, the drum beat can allow for a variety of jump cuts and fast transitions. My interest in this band and its genre would encourage me to look deeper into the song's meaning and symbolism. Furthermore, I can research the common conventions of this videos through their previous videos found on youtube.

5. The Courteeners - Not Nineteen Forever
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8FET-EGVM

Similarly, with this song I can use the lyrics to incorporate a storyline of sorts within the music video to create a strong narrative to go along with the song.