Production -Behind the scenes

Final draft 

Production -Merch progress

 29.11.21 - creating merch

These items were drafted from the internet then personally created by me in picsart, these pieces are intended to be put onto my website to convey a large sense of branding as 'Blonded' the brand is a factor which is largely pushed on my website, this also arises the opportunity for intertextuality as if my models can wear these t shirts in my music video then this demonstrates some 'Frank Ocean' intertextuality. 

Production -Editing progression

26.11.21

This lesson was spent progressing on the editing on my music video, through pro create and picsart app features I have created various text effects to reflect the zeitgeist of the video. 

Things achieved this week, (week report commencing 21.11.21): 

-Edited video 

-Started editing effects onto overlay 

-finishing touches to website

-Adding posts to enhance website 

-Updating blog

-Extra pictures taken for website 

Tasks left to do: 

-Add intertextuality to music video 

-Finalize website 

-Create merch samples (strong brand needs to match brief) 

-Record player shots 

Website draft pictures 

Production -Music Video progression

 22.11.2021 - Editing prep 

This lesson was spent preparing footage, by colour correcting, stabilizing and cutting clips to desired lengths. All of this work is to help the process of editing my video run seamlessly when I come to finalize the project. 

Throughout the time spent on this I also downloaded a copy of the song and trimmed it to fit the timings, I looked back over my story board and inspiration folders to ensure my idea is an all encompassing view of what I want to represent. 

The past few days have also been utilized in taking final photograph to fill any empty spaces on my website. These images were composed in dark, stark lighting to display the feeling my video radiates. Use of model : Mkiyah who represents the artist of BLONDED for my final piece. 

Use of side on golden lighting is to give a glow to Mkiyah, this is not only used in order to be flattering but it also connotes the view that Mkiyah holds aa crucial role in this final piece. Golden lighting portrays a sacred and impactful idea, and this was expected to hint at the fact that Mkiyah is of great importance. 

This is all intended with the purpose of subluminal hints. My piece isn't to be taken as literal as what it seems, it is meant to make you think nd view things with a deeper stance rather than passively watch (which Henry Jenkins would argue is good as he agrees that audiences are more active in modern day and want to be more active in their participatory culture).

Overall, this photo holds the impact that this individual is important and has power, hence why she is seen as the 'main' artist of the song 'Nights'

Time was also spent going over my Website, ensuring all information was correct and up to date, and publishing blogs that I felt were relevant to the social view that BLONDED holds. 

These blogs include, up and coming artists which reflects and community feel to the music industry and a get involved media page which reflects the zeitgeist of today as it utilizes modern media platforms.  

Planning -Website inspiration

 1. Arlo Park's website

Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho, known professionally as Arlo Parks, is a British singer-songwriter and poet. Her debut studio album, Collapsed in Sunbeams, was released in 2021 to critical acclaim and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart, she is mostly known for singing R&B soul and pop. 

Her website entails a darker theme which I intend to take inspiration from, aswell as this her use of imagery and animations promote her almost grunge like aesthetic which I also intend to relay into my own website. 

As we can see here, not only is indicating her own unique style through symbolic codes but she also promotes her own products, the use of record animations and hyperlinks to music videos and her music. I specifically like the minimalistic style of her site and the imagery.

2. Frank Ocean's website 

Whilst this website belongs to the artist of 'Nights' (the song I am going to use) it is also holds many features that I feel would look good to be on my own website. 

At the bottom of this website we can view this darker aesthetic but right at the top we can see current issues being displayed, I intend to relay this into my own website as I feel it correlates with the beliefs that my music video will promote.The subtle promotion is also inspiring as we can see the sacrifice of commercial advertisement. 

3. Tyler The Creator's website 

Tyler's website is more explicit in its promotion as he also make highlighting of his sub brand 'Golf Wang' I enjoy this idea as I feel it resembles a counter balance of everything he stands for (fashion and music)

I find the use of high style editing to promote fashion and Tyler's brand inspiring as I like the idea of on-trend editing as this will be more interactive to a 16-25 year old's audience. Aswell as this the use of a colour scheme I enjoy as it is the first signal to who's website this is and the aesthetic they were intending on promoting  

4. Willow Smith's website 

Willow Smith keeps close to her aesthetic throughout her website and I would like to relay this onto my own work, down to fonts and imagery it is truly displaying Willow as Willow.

This simplistic design allows Willows to shine through her hyperlinks 'show shop etc.' I intend to take inspiration from this as the simple design will allow me a pure base to then add on extra's to promote my artist for who they are.Specifically her use of editing in pictures is something I would enjoy replicating.  

Planning- Inspiration

 Things that have inspired my music video 

Other music videos: 

White Ferrari - Frank Ocean 

https://youtu.be/K9AtF6lKsnU

I felt inspired when watching this video, it entails various scenes also shot in London, and various dark locations with this recurring theme of 'artificial' light and naturalistic shots, the 2 main characters appear to be in love and we see a staggered approach to how their love pans out; I liked this concept of not conforming to norms, there is little chronological order yet the concept still remains clear and the realistic imagery incapsulates exactly what I plan to capture when I start filming my music video. Also, not only just the visuals but the song is also by the same artist, therefore the tempo and editing is similar to what I am basing mine on. 

Ivy - Frank Ocean 

https://youtu.be/_Sw8INyyvfg

In keeping with the theme of frank ocean music video vibes, Ivy also entails a naturalistic mise en scene which I intend to replicate; it also holds a jumbled up order that keeps a clear structure and also shows how environments change when we are in the presence of those we love. 

Images:

I felt particularly intrigued by these 2 images, both can be found within my public Pinterest board that is dedicated to my music video (link : https://pin.it/1Z7OsMq) 

Both images, in my opinion capture these small parts of growing up, which will be specific to my 16-25 age audience) 

I like these almost dark and grunge aesthetics for the darker sections of the video as I feel capturing events can only be relayed to the audience if the environment also represents what I am trying to imply, for example if I wanted to show a darker mood I may chose a scene such as one in this image.

When looking at the lighter sections of music video I feel these images show what I intend to film, we can clearly see the stressful side of growing up, hence the array of work on the table, but this use of natural sunlight and angles provides a much happier mise en scene and this, I feel, is showing how life's problems do not just melt away when we are 'in love' but life can become brighter and more bearable, which is exactly the message I am trying to portray. 

Planning -Nights brief

Planning- Lyric run down

 Nights - Frank Ocean, lyric analysis 

Instrumental (quick panning of Eve and Scarlett's face with projector image) 

Round your city, round the clock (opening scene, lift doors opening to signal start, walking out to signal 'round')

Everybody needs you (Pan over London view (dark setting) to symbol this weight of 'everybody')
No, you can't make everybody equal (E setting stuff down on train looking tired, dark, train transition)  

Instrumental (glitching, distorted pan of S and E walking through busy London streets (separate)) 

Although you got beaucoup family (following S around everyday life) 
You don't even got nobody bein' honest with you (reflection of S in train, lonely people in LDN) 
Breathe 'til I evaporated (attempt zoom in transition to Eve lip synching on projector) 
My whole body see through (S standing in busy crows of people walking distort with Eve's video) 
Transportation, handmade (train leaving with S on it) 
And I know it better than most people (flickered shots of E + S and just S)
I don't trust 'em anyways (S leaving train) 
You can't break the law with them (flicker of S alone and S + E happy) 
Get some gushy, have a calm night (up to 'gushy' is sun, onwards is a busy night with city lights) 
Shooters killin' left and right (S goes on laptop to scroll through news 'shooters killing' intertextual) 
Workin' through your worst night (S on laptop in dark room working or on anywhere 'work related')  

Instrumental (flicker busy LDN city) 
If I get my money right 
You know I won't need you
And I tell you, (bitch) (Image of S + E happy, zoom into image transition) 
I hope the sack is full up (image becomes reality)
I'm f#ckin', no, I'm f#cked up (light environment E + S happy) 
Spend it when I get that (picnic)
I ain't tryna keep you (light bed)
Can't keep up a conversation (in clear deep convo S + E) 
Can't nobody reach you (E reach out to S, brush cheek) 
Why your eyes well up? (E now in the mirror sad, 'eyes welling up' without S)
Did you call me from a séance? (E distant in a group setting) 
You are from my past life (flicker or S + E singing this lyric, side on) 
Hope you're doin' well, bruh (flicker of S + E in same environment) 
I been out here head first (E flopping into bed, twist transition)
Always like the head first (S now being with E) 
Signal comin' in and out (S and E laughing happy) 
Hope you're doin' well, bruh (flicker alone E and S + E in bed) 
Everybody needs you (E lyric, projector) 
Everybody needs you (S lyric, projector) 
Ooh, nani nani (Eve walking) 
This feel like a quaalude (Scarlett walking)  

No sleep in my body (awake in bed looking at polaroid pics)  
Ain't no b#tch in my body 

New beginning's, ah
New beginning's, wake up akh
The sun's goin' down (sunset)
Time to start your day, bruh (work laptop S)
Can't keep bein' laid off
Know you need the money if you gon' survive
The every night sh#t
Every day sh#t
Droppin' baby off at home before my night shift
You know I can't hear none of that spend the night sh#t
That kumbaya sh#t
Wanna see nirvana, but don't wanna die yet
Wanna feel that na na though, could you come by?
Fuck with me after my shift
Know them boys wanna see me broke down and sh#t
Bummed out and shit, stressed out and sh#t
That's every day sh#t
Shut the f#ck up, I don't want your conversation
Rollin' marijuana, that's a cheap vacation

My every day shit, every night shit, my every day shit
(Every night shit, night shit, night shit, night shit)

https://youtu.be/XaN9PtE-dII - link to clean version of nights (cut off point at 2:39)

Photography- Test Shots

some website test shots taken:

From this photoshoot i  learnt the importance of good lighting, the presence of natural lighting, how to use a light reflector, how to link a projector and the best option for a camera for example TV

Images taken on a combination on SLR cameras and iPhone 11

Planning -music video conventions

Key conventions

When looking at any media product there are generic conventions for them, in specific, for a music video we would expect to see narrative structures, camerawork, shot sizes, angles, focus, movement, editing transitions, pace, synching, colour correction, mise en scene (including locations, costumes, makeup, props, lighting and performance) intertextuality and social, -political and historical contexts. 

Music video's serve a purpose, mainly to promote the artists or bands new song/ album however many create meaning to reflect the talents ideologies or raise more social issues, for example 'This is America by Childish Gambino' was seen as bringing attention to various battles of race, shootings and culture. 

In the context of my music video, looking at the planning brief on the other posts, it can be said I will be playing off of these generic conventions as I want to display this rejection of societies norms whilst also complying within a semi-acceptable reality, I will do this as I feel it is an important issue that has been taking over in the world. The overall point is that it appears normal and generic of a love story to follow Todorov's narrative theory (there is equilibrium, disruption, then a new equilibrium) but by removing this new equilibrium it begins to connote how life does not always run as smoothly as we intend.

Not only does the storyline become reflective of my ideologies and reflect the genre of the music, but the mise en scene, specifically the environment will be manipulated to use each other to show this deep contrast of a world with no love in comparison to when love is present. The video's happy setting is represented by light, sun, happy codes of expression but then in sandwiched between a more dark environment to show how monotonous life can be seen as when love is not present (not just in the relationship form but also in terms of self love, family, love of hobbies etc)  

Research -Generic Research

 Frank Ocean - Pink + White 

Blonde (alternatively titled blond) is the second studio album by American singer Frank Ocean. It was released on August 20, 2016, as a timed exclusive on the iTunes store and Apple Music and followed the August 19 release of Ocean's video album Endless. In 2013, Ocean confirmed that his follow up to Channel Orange would be another concept album. Initially known as Boys Don't Cry and teased for a July 2015 release, the album suffered several delays and was the subject of widespread media anticipation leading up to its release. Its physical release was accompanied by a magazine entitled Boys Don't Cry.

Frank Ocean ( born October 28, 1987) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, photographer, and visual artist. Recognized for his idiosyncratic musical style, introspective and elliptical songwriting, and wide vocal range.

Firstly his music video to Pink + White, we can view generic music video conventions being displayed through use of fast speed shot types , specifically of the main character as well as shots of scenery, Frank ocean manages to maintain his 'alternative' and more 'sad' atmosphere through the casting of shadows on fields which we as the reader would expect to be sunny, again showing his rejection of a mainstream music video. Intertextuality is implicitly shown by the recreation of shots that are famous to the popular UBO show 'Euphoria' not only is this fitting to Ocean's vibe but also to his young audience. The use of low camera shots, dark environments and the reoccurring theme of natural beauty of women and the planet helps to reflect the naturalist approach his lyrics take. 

Brent Faiyaz- Dead Man Walking 

Christopher Brent Wood (born September 19, 1995), better known by his stage name Brent Faiyaz, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer from Columbia, Maryland. 

Faiyaz started making music at the age of 12. His parents were not always understanding of his dreams as a musician, which Faiyaz said was warranted as he was "always distracted" by his love for music. However his motivation was to focus on what he wanted and to prove himself right. 

It’s become almost cliché to refer to one’s music drop as a movie. Yet there are genuinely times when a composition, whether it is an album or even more impressively a single song, is cinematic. The first sound of Brent Faiyaz’s new single “Dead Man Walking” is a shrill sliding synth. From the title and the initial tone, you feel transported to those 70’s Scorsese films as a character is walking down a lonely street about to meet their demise. As the plucked string instrument arrives, it feels like raindrops falling on the already mist-filled sonic environment.

Brent enters onto the track vocally with a clear intention of completing the mission of setting the scene. He sings one line, “drop the roof and let the smoke clear,” and just lets it sit for a minute. You take in a potential double meaning here. He could directly be referencing a car releasing the smoke after a hot box. However, with the already established film idea, he could also be paralleling someone’s head being blown off, making the “Dead Man Walking” fate become realized. The target on Brent in the cover art confirms this possibility.

As Brent’s first verse begins, “Dead Man Walking” seems to refer to a reckless lifestyle Brent has now made his signature. He describes a carefree night of debauchery on the Vegas strip as he sings, “Dice rollin’ on the Las Vegas strip tonight. Slip that on, and we might miss the fight.” It’s just him and his muse who he has brought on this particular trip. A sort of Bonnie and Clyde problematic relationship ensues. In the hook, Brent displays his full intention to exist purely off of impulse as life is fleeting. He sings, “Spend, what you wanna. Be who you wanna be. A young stunner. ‘Til I D-I-E.”

Tyler the creator- Earfquake 

Tyler Gregory Okonma (born March 6, 1991), better known as Tyler, the Creator, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, record producer, actor, visual artist, designer and comedian. He rose to prominence in the early 2010s as the co-founder and de facto leader of alternative hip hop group Odd Future and has performed on and produced songs for nearly every Odd Future release.

Tyler, the creator, has shared a new video for “EARFQUAKE,” from his just-released album IGOR. The video stars Tracee Ellis Ross (“Black-ish”) and involves Tyler performing in a blonde wig on a television set that slowly catches fire. We can see Tyler's originality seep through the performance aspect of this music video, his character portrays of a more 'alternative' style and there is little reference to much mainstream music, styles sets or props. The video is set to be more a comedic sketch but directed in such a way it seems realistic that this would be a show on television, and this is where it can be said that the host and set is intertextuality to both The Ellen Show and Saturday Night Live, we are led to believe that this is so through the diegetic dialogue at the start aswell as the stage set up and camera equipment. 

The mise en scene is sculpted in a way to show this surrealist approach due to the set being too 'perfect' to be real and this further hints at the intertextuality. This is all relevant to Tyler as he enjoys being an institute for originality and disputing mainstream conventions, not only this but his fans are known for being almost obsessed with Tyler's mannerisms and product so therefore it is expected for them to decode this video to get this final message that Tyler is again, disputing the norms of such a curated industry.