Thursday, 21 July 2016

NARRATIVE THEORY

"Narrative Theory"

Todorov's Narrative Theory is based upon the assumption that all music videos have a equilibrium, this would mean that  there is a story behind the music video (as this is what i have been studying) however Todorov believed that every story would have a disruption of this equilibrium which would at first not be noticed by the people in this particular music video. However Todorov would have 5 steps in is narrative theory which would state  

1)EQUILIBRIUM (happy balance)


2)DISRUPTION OF EQUILIBRIUM (when something goes wrong)


3)RECOGNITION OF THIS DISRUPTION




4)AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE EQUILIBRIUM IS MADE




5)EQUILIBRIUM IS RESTORED OR A NEW EQUILIBRIUM IS ESTABLISHED (when the balance is obtained again after something goes wrong)                                                                     











Levi-Strauss: Binary Oppositions

The Levi-Strauss theory would include the belief that all narratives would have would be solely based upon binary oppositions and that all of these narrative stories would have a ongoing conflict, this conflict could be between a variety of different things. some examples of conflicts that may be in a narrative music video would be;
White Vs Black 
Good Vs Evil
Human Vs Alien
Humanity Vs Technology

For this example I have used The J.Cole song "G.O.M.D" which in my opinion would clearly show the conflict between White Vs Black.



In this screen shot I believe that it shows the power that the white man would hold over the black culture in this specific video, the camera angle would show the dominance also as it is from a higher angle and the black men are doing manual labor which would further emphasis that the white people would have a amount of control over the other men. The white men would also have horses this would show that the white people would have a superior status.



This screenshot would show that the black residents have up-risen and taken arms from the white household this would strengthen Levi-Strauss's theory of conflict as now the music video has progressed and now there is a actual conflict and not just one the is one sided. Levi-Strauss's theory is apparent throughout the entirety of this music video and would show a serious contrast from the beginning of the music video as the tables were seen to be in favor of the white men. 





The last screen shot now shows the switch in power and the whole point of the theory that the powers have been shifted between the two groups having changed roles. This is a very effective theory as it allows an artists to show differences and the conflict that can occur because of them. i believe that this music video shows the theory perfectly as it allows the different to be shown clearly and the switch in power due to the hatred between the groups in that time era. 

PROPP'S NARRATIVE THEORY is based around a list of different characters including:

1)HERO: Individual(s) who's guest is to restore the equilibrium.


2)VILLAIN: Individual(s) who's task is to disrupt the equilibrium. 


3)DONOR: Individual(s) who gives the hero(s) something, advise,    information or an object.


4)PRINCESS: Individual(s) which needs help, protecting and saving.




In this music video titled: Goodbye Mr A - The Hoosiers, there is a clear indication of who the each of the characters are. The video however does not include the other four individuals who are likely to appear in Propp's narrative theory these include: 

5)HELPER:Individual(s) who aids the hero(s) with their set task.
6)THE KING: Who rewards the hero.
7)DISPATCHER: Individual(s) who send the hero(s) on their quest.
8)FALSE HERO : Individual(s) who set out to undermine the hero's  quest by pretending to aid them. Often unmasked at the end of the film.

Thursday, 14 July 2016

What is music genre? Different music genres and their association

What is music genre?

Different music genres and their association

What is a definition of a music genre? 

Music genre can be categorises various types of music each genre has its own symbols and its own belonging to certain groups of conventions.  It is to be distinguished from musical form and musical style, although in practice these terms are sometimes used interchangeably.  Therefore music is separated into many genres differently depending on the style. For example, madrigal, motet and dance are example of genres from the Renaissance period.  Renaissance music is vocal and instrumental music written and performed in Europe during the Renaissance era. This is an example of how a piece of music can be categorised. People may refer to some or all of a small group of categories when using period as the criteria for a music genre. These include Early Music, Medieval Music, Renaissance Music, Baroque Music, Classical Music, Romantic Music, and 20th Century Music. Within the music genre there is a popular music genre – any genre of music having wide appeal however, this doesn’t last very long. Another genre is expressive style, style – a way of expressing something (in language or art or music etc.) that is characteristic of a particular person or group of people or period; “all the reporters were expected to adopt the style of the newspaper”. Also each genre has different associations and representation for example;



This is an example of the elements that influences the representation of house music. Dance music includes ambient, breakbeat, disco, electro, freestyle and electroacoustic music. It is the music made to facilitate or accompany dancing. The Renaissance dance music was written for instruments such as the lute, viol, tabor, pipe, and the sackbut. In the Baroque period, the major dance styles were noble court dances. From that the dance music developed to classical music era containing vocals mostly sonatas, string quartets and symphonies. General association of this genre includes beats music and often are shown at the club, gigs or festival. 


In terms of rock we are able to see that the associations that are drawn between them are dark colours, emphasised by the lack of bright colours in the pictures. They also seem to be heavily involved in tattoos or body art such as pericings also. Explicit language is seen in a variety of different ways in their music weather it be in interviews or in the song lyrics. Other stereotypical views are the simple long hair and leather clothing that are seen throughout the entirety of rock. 



Dance music is seen as the complete alternative to rock, this includes bright colours and scenes that are usually in a club or rave. The equipment is usually that of a laptop and Dj set. the stage is seen as much more bright in a live performance and the consumers themselves are seen as much more laid back and gracious when comparing  to rock and metal fans.


This includes baggy clothing such as loose jackets or hoodies, muscularity and confident poses, although the overall look seems to be more casual and stylish. The general consensus is that more weapons are shown in this type of music as well as expensive items such as cars, money, jewellery and properties. Explicit language is once again present as seen in Rock music. the glorifying of women is almost exclusive to this genre of music with women being sexualised for their appearance more so than any other genre of music. 



Friday, 8 July 2016

RESEARCHING MUSIC VIDEOS UNDER DIFFERENT STYLES,CONVENTIONS AND EDITING TECHNIQUES


TYPE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
STYLES
Popular music genres
Pop, Rock, Indie, Rap etc
Taylor Swift – Blank Space
In-concert ‘as live’ footage
Footage from a gig
Kanye and Jay-Z – Ni**as in Paris
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images to create an illusion of movement.
John Bellion – Luxury
Interpretive
The audience to make their own interpretation of what they think the music video is about
Kendrick Lamar – i
Narrative 
Telling a story through a music video
J.cole – Wet Dreamz
Surrealist
Dreamlike and unreal elements
Katy Perry - California Girls
Impressionist
Similar to surrealism, taking you away from reality.
Kanye West - Power
Pastiche
Adaptations of existing videos
Happy – Pharrel
Intertextual References
References to other literal themes or films, or music similar to pastiche
J. Cole – G.O.M.D
Parody
Taking the mick of existing music videos/films etc
Blink-182 – All the small things 
Homage
Is a demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something.
See you again – Wiz Khalifa (ft Charlie Puth)
CONVENTIONS
Lyric Interpretation
Understanding what is meant by the lyrics being used within the text and using visual references to define the lyrics in the video.
JME – Man Don’t Care
Extending or consolidating songsmeaning
Changing a songs meaningto a more suitable one forthe listener.
Ed Sheeran – Don’t 
Allusion
An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference. When the idea is not what it first seemed. 
Naughty Boy - Runnin' (Lose It All) ft. Beyoncé, Arrow Benjamin
Links to other artists
Referencing another by visually adding them in the video or lyrics.
 J. Cole - Let Nas down 
EDITING TECHNIQUES
Cutting to beat
When the shots in the video cut to the next in time with the beat.
Roy - Woods Get You Good
Miming /Lip Sync
Wording the lyrics on the video to give the allusion of singing the song

Taylor Swift – Bad Blood 
Multi-image

The use of multiple shots on the same screen.
Hoodie Allen – Chase is on
Montage
The technique of selecting, editing, and piecing together separate sections of film to form a continuous whole
Adele - Rolling in the deep 

SPX Special Effects
An illusion created by camera, editing or graphics.
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)

TYPE
DEFINITION
EXAMPLE
STYLES
Popular music genres
Pop, Rock, Indie, Rap etc
Taylor Swift – Blank Space
In-concert ‘as live’ footage
Footage from a gig
Kanye and Jay-Z – Ni**as in Paris
Animation
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images to create an illusion of movement.
John Bellion – Luxury
Interpretive
The audience to make their own interpretation of what they think the music video is about
Kendrick Lamar – i
Narrative 
Telling a story through a music video
J.cole – Wet Dreamz
Surrealist
Dreamlike and unreal elements
Katy Perry - California Girls
Impressionist
Similar to surrealism, taking you away from reality.
Kanye West - Power
Pastiche
Adaptations of existing videos
Happy – Pharrel
Intertextual References
References to other literal themes or films, or music similar to pastiche
J. Cole – G.O.M.D
Parody
Taking the mick of existing music videos/films etc
Blink-182 – All the small things 
Homage
Is a demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something.
See you again – Wiz Khalifa (ft Charlie Puth)
CONVENTIONS
Lyric Interpretation
Understanding what is meant by the lyrics being used within the text and using visual references to define the lyrics in the video.
JME – Man Don’t Care
Extending or consolidating songsmeaning
Changing a songs meaningto a more suitable one forthe listener.
Ed Sheeran – Don’t 
Allusion
An expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference. When the idea is not what it first seemed. 
Naughty Boy - Runnin' (Lose It All) ft. Beyoncé, Arrow Benjamin
Links to other artists
Referencing another by visually adding them in the video or lyrics.
 J. Cole - Let Nas down 
EDITING TECHNIQUES
Cutting to beat
When the shots in the video cut to the next in time with the beat.
Roy - Woods Get You Good
Miming /Lip Sync
Wording the lyrics on the video to give the allusion of singing the song

Taylor Swift – Bad Blood 
Multi-image

The use of multiple shots on the same screen.
Hoodie Allen – Chase is on
Montage
The technique of selecting, editing, and piecing together separate sections of film to form a continuous whole
Adele - Rolling in the deep 

SPX Special Effects
An illusion created by camera, editing or graphics.
Gotye - Somebody That I Used To Know (feat. Kimbra)

Individual Task - Evaluation Question 4

Evaluation - 4 by Jack Baxter on Scribd