E1-11 Group 3: September 2011

Friday, 30 September 2011

Ryan Star- Last Train Home

Ryan Star- Last Train Home Anaylsis

For our music video, we decided to use a Ryan Star song- Last Train Home. It is an indie-rock song, so we decided to use it in a power ballad style which will help us to easily exaggerate the narrative of our video.

Last train home is a song by Ryan Star. The video is all performance as the star image is used, he is walking through forest whilst lip syncing, he also was holding a rock which was soon put down by the artist, this could suggest that the video could have an amplification narrative. There are many long shots of Star walking through the forest, which could represent his search for the person who he is talking about in the video. Star also walks through a forest when it is snowing and as the video progresses, the forest looks to change season as then it turns to rain, then a bone dry and sun shine. This could represent the passage of time. Towards the end of the video Star is walking onto a beach where the sun is blearing, there is a girl on the beach which could represent the person he is talking about in the video. He runs towards her, gives her a hug and a kiss and then they walk off into the sunset, portraying the happy ending that Star is the essentially the 'last train home' and perhaps suggesting that she got on that train to meet him. This song fits our concept as it has a romantic theme to the story and a happy ending, which we wish to twist, and overall is ideal for our interpretation of the lyrics.

Chosen Song and Concept

As a group, after debating over several song choices in detail, we finally decided and agreed upon the song, Ryan Star - Last Train Home.

Our story for the music video starts, with a broken-hearted man sat alone on a bench in a park. Several cans of beer around him indicate to the audience that he has been drinking, enforcing the idea of him being alone and depressed. A guitar is also present, to perhaps symbolise the solitary hobby of playing an instrument, to further establishing the idea of him being essentially not in a relationship any more. Prior to this, there will be an establishing shot of the park to set the scene, followed by clips of things related to the park, such as; leaves circling round on the floor in the wind, sound effects of birds tweeting to further set the atmosphere, a swing rocking back and forth on its own, symbolic of e. In between the shots, there would be a montage of the couple being happy, this would consist of photographs taken of the couple being happy in a variety of locations, home video type footage to show that they had a strong, close relationship.
An essential prop in the opening sequence, is a photograph of the former couple, but it has been torn in half. He repeatedly holds the separate pieces along side each other to in effect 'renew' the relationship, representing, he still loves her and still wants to be in a relationship.

A medium low angle shot of the picture in the hand of the star performer (Michael) will used to create the main focus on the picture, amplifying it's importance. A shot-reverse shot of Michael and the photograph is then used. Michael will then slowly sit up, clear his head and walk out of the shot with his guitar.
After, a performance element to the video is added, as Michael holds a guitar and lip syncs in different locations (which will be decided at a nearer date) This inclusion of parallel editing will be useful as it will imply that the narrative is actually about the singer which will show a more authentic image to the audience.
A long shot of Michael walking down the street portraying in the distance a bus. The video jump cuts to Michael’s head leaning against the bus, representing the performer's sadness and lonliness. Followed by this, is a medium shot of Michael getting off the bus, walking out of the shot. A performance shot is slotted in again, likewise at numerous occassions throughout the video.
An initial idea is to record the lip syncing on an car park roof, demonstrating to the audience the empty sky which also mimicks the performer's dull outlook on life due to the split. He doesn't want to be a part of society single.
There will then be a long shot of the performer who will be Michael walking down a crowded street and he walks past a couple holding hands. He is clearly saddened when he notices, as it reminds him of his relationship. This is demonstrated with a close up of his eyes to reflect the pain he is suffering, the shot then returns to the long shot as he slowly walks away.
A performance of Michael lip synching once more is added, back on the park bench with the guitar to represent that he is in the performance, as well as the star narrative.
When the video cuts back to the narrative, a medium shot of Michael looking onto a river reveals to the audience that he is upset. The different camera shots mislead the viewer into thinking he may jump. He climbs the railings which gives the audience the impression that he is intending to jump. However, he decides against it and walks off as though having an emotional break down which ultimately becomes unbareable for him.
Another performance element of Michael lip syncing is added at the river side to show that the performer is gaining distance on the narrative performer.
As he walks down the streets in town, the flash back of the couple holding hands reappears making Michael increasingly upset so he starts running, as though trying to run away from the problenm. A montage of Michael running through different areas across town, portraying the passage of time, whilst more shots are included showing times where Michael was with his partner, happy.
Michael is then seen by an establishing shot running into Piccadily train station. This is the first incline into the idea that his partner is leaving via train. He is running towards a train, gutted to find that the doors are shutting and the train leaves. This is established by a long shot and high angle shot.
He is then lip syncing to the torn picture of his partner that he holds in his hand. A close up is shot is used of the picture. As he stands there alone on the platform, the viewers and himself, think that he has missed his chance. He lowers the picture, revealing his partner out of focus, showing the outline of a female. There is a slowed down, close up of the woman's lips as she mouths the words, "I love you" or "I'm sorry" or "Michael".
Another long shot is used with both characters on either side of the shot, stood on the platform facing eachother. A shot-reverse shot of each of their eyes demonstrates their emotions that have so far not been given to each other. They both walk towards each other, the audience are mislead into thinking they are going to be reunited. However, he hands over the picture of her, whilst she is holding the missing part of the picture. He walks away with his hands on his head, portraying his disbelief as he has changed his mind. The girl is left standing there, teary eyed and upset holding the ripped picture, whilst watching her partner walk away.
As he walks away he lip syncs the final two lines of the song. The shot shows his partner unfocused over his shoulder. The final shot to sum the video is of a close up, slow motion image of the ripped picture falling to the ground.

Ryan Star Biography

Star was born Ryan Star Kulchinsky in Huntington, New York on Long Island, and grew up in nearby Dix Hills. He was 14 years old when he formed his first band called Stage. They released four EPs - "Black" in 1997, "Blue" in 1999, "White" in 2000 and "The Final" in 2004, and in 1995 a studio album "Historical Under dosing" and a self-titled album on Maverick Records in 2002. While he was still in high school, the band played the Mercury Lounge. When the band parted ways, Ryan Star became the solo artist Ryan Star and released his independently produced debut solo album Songs from the Eye of an Elephant on Stone Crow Records in 2005,

Treatment

The Music Video:

The title of the song we have chosen is Last Train Home by Ryan Star. We have chosen this song because we believe that it had interesting lyrics to use to create a video around with all the different aspects of the song. We believe we can make a good music video from this song, according to our chosen concept.

Duration:

The original sound track music video by Ryan Star is 4 minutes and 4 seconds

Audience:

This music video is primarily targeted as students as the performers are students in our music video. The genre of the music can be classed as soft rock, so people who are keen on this genre would enjoy the song. The song is also about love, so people who enjoy love songs perhaps dedicated to others may like this song choice.

Resume:

Our concept for the music video is about a broken hearted man who is depressed and is no longer in a relationship with his girlfriend anymore. He rushes to try and stop her from leaving him, but then realises in the end that he doesn't want her anymore and leaves her standing at the train station alone.

Suggested elements:

Performance: We will rely heavily on the performance of our two main characters because their performance may make or break our video based on how well they do.
In our group we felt that it was logical to use a performing arts student to perform, but not as the main character as it is a male.

Costumes: For our costumes, we decided to keep to casual wear, so that we could relate to other students and portray our normal lifestyle that this concept could happen in real life to someone.

Special Effects: We plan to use black and white effects in our music video to show the dull life that the performer has without his girlfriend ultimately.

Locations: Town is the main location that we are using, to portray the chaotic process of the performer looking to catch up with is girlfriend.

Recording days:

We intend to spend filming for two weeks on the production side of our project, to shoot our video and then around seven weeks on the post-production side of it, for the editing and overall completion. We intend to start filming on Wednesday 11th October during lesson times and if we need to do more filming we will film during our free lessons and at the weekends. We will also spend time outside of our lesson time to complete these aspects to the highest standard. During the post production time will be also spent to complete our CD Covers.

Budget Estimate:

Although our music video doesn't require any money for props or hiring anything, it will cost the group money to travel to locations, so overall our budget will be around $10.

IDEA TWO: Bruno Mars - Marry You

Our idea started with a young male waking up in the following morning, after a very heavy drinking session. He finds himself on his bed with a random female next to him, much to his shock or pleasure. He does not have a clue how she got there and has no memory of what happened that night due to the substantial alcohol consumption. To make matters worse, the two of them seem to be wearing a ring on their marriage finger. A close up shot would be used of the rings, and shock on the male's face to clearly state to the audience that this is a bad situation.

He goes downstairs, shots display the horrific state of the apartment, with people scattered all around the chairs and floor of the apartment, countless bottles and cans everywhere, and genuinely a great huge mess. He tries to piece together what happened the night before. Finding a camera, he flicks through the drunken pictures taken from the party and reveals numerous photos from a walk in marriage ceremony. The shock on his face leads to a rewind of the whole night and showing the viewers his night out drinking, and the state they were in to actually get married to each other as complete strangers. This theme links to the song title; 'marriage' except we decided to twist this idea, into a similar thought of drunk people getting married in Vegas. The idea was also inspired from the film, "What Happens in Vegas".

Throughout this sequence, post-card sized placards are held up by members of the public as a couple, stating their relationship status, and how long they have been together. This also linked to the idea of marriage or relationships.

We decided against this idea, as we found although the idea was very good, in terms of filming in certain locations it would be difficult to find suitable places, such as the wedding scenes in particular. Also, props became as issue as we would find it difficult to accumulate tens of alcoholic bottles. Therefore, realistically, we would find it extremely difficult to put together this music video, without making it look like an average piece.

Choosing a concept

As a group, our initial idea was to think of a concept or theme before choosing a song, as after we would be able to choose a song that suited our ideas better.

IDEA ONE:

U2 - With or Without You

The basic story for this song was originally to portray a girl and boy representing young love as a couple. However, the girl has to leave the boyfriend (unknown reason) as is traveling a long distance away suggesting that it is the end of their relationship.

The following scenes would then be filmed in black and white to represent the boy's outlook on life without essentially his 'first love'. It perhaps shows how without his partner all of the colour from his life has been drained and he doesn't see anything in a bright sense anymore. Due to his girlfriend's departure, he finds himself lost and out of place in the world as he looks around and is reminded of all the things that they use to do together such as little things like, drinking at the cafe together. To further upset him, it is then revealed that his ex girlfriend now has a new partner. Despite girls approaching him at bars, he clearly is not over his ex girlfriend as he does not show any interest in finding a new partner and ignores the world.

To conclude the song, a shot would show the boy reading a letter that his ex wrote at the beginning of their relationship. When he looks up from the letter there is one of two outcomes;

a) she is stood in front of him behind the letter in the background. He takes her back instantly because he is still in love with her, and they walk off together in the sunset as though nothing happened. (Very cheesy)

b) she is stood in front of him behind the letter. He walks away, leaving her standing there alone and the note is left on the floor.

Wednesday, 28 September 2011

Lil Wayne - How to love video Analysis

This video begins with an narrative introduction, it is a woman in an abortion clinic & she decides against the abortion & runs off, the music then starts & the star image of Lil Wayne in an medium shot with a guitar by his side lip synching the lyrics, this shows the performance element of the video as Lil Wayne is part of parallel editing as the video also includes montage editing of a child growing up into an adult.

It represents the hard life a child can face with being in a dysfunctional family, the video also drives a strong amplification narratives the lyrics match the lyrics match the girls in the video growing older the video also has some unconventional techniques in the video, the video is at a slow tempo which Is unconventional for an R’n’B track & it also includes an intro, middle and end narrative where the music is not herd & they are in a hospital. The video also has the special effects of rewinding & replying backwards the montage of the girl growing older & It also includes a positive ending of a montage of the girls daughter growing up with a much happier life so it represents the start of the video as being a mother, then in the middle of the video in the hospital is her offspring, she is the child who was originally in the dysfunctional family and she finds out he has HIV, the positive ending to the video is the ending where her daughter is in the clinic and she has become pregnant which she wants to be.