Methodological Research

This section covers the research that is required to realise the sound video aesthetics of my project. Since the nature entails a music video, it is perhaps deemed necessary to analyse some works that closely relate to the image and sound I have in mind. However, prior to any breakdown it should be noted that the following video analysis are evaluated under the categories of camera shots, lighting, editing and mise-en-scene. Although this does not entail the production of a short film, these area still contribute heavily to the succession of a music video project. What I wish to create or establish in this video, is a theme of self representation, an internal struggle that is taking place in the mind, between the Ego, ID & Superego.

Bruce Lee: Enter the Dragon

Although this not a music video as such, the powerful narrative in this scene between Bruce Lee and his demon serves well for an analysis and perhaps comparison with other examples of self representation. The question at this point is how is it possible to represent oneself? What kind of narrative is built around a series of characters that only form the existence of ones thoughts? What techniques can be used at ones disposal to exe cute these with a dramatic effect? The camera in this clip aims at the subjects back as he walks nearer to the space. The mise en scene on this occasion is what built the narrative well and successfully, because a great percentage of what can be seen in the shot works towards establishing the fact that Bruce is not fighting anybody. As Bruce walks further away from the camera, he nears a series of mirrors that are all facing him, this created an effect that cloned the subject unto a number of mirrors. The space in which Bruce was fighting with his demon were all remnants of his past memories, the dark scape that is created from the lack of lighting in this clip is what provides reason to suggest that this is an inner state of anxiety and uncertainty.

Guilty Conscience by Eminem ft. Dr. Dre 

This is a classical record that represents consciousness in the form of a hip hop rap song. The uniqueness of this track and video, is that the conscious thoughts of each individual that is illustrated are not that of the individual but of the artists. It is also interesting to note how the situational narratives that are occur in the video are personal experiences of the artists. This depiction of self representation worked effectively for the type of theme that the record sets. Aesthetically however, the video cannot be compared to more recent examples of music videos because at the time of its release, technology was not as developed and the relationship between sound and video had yet to be grasped fully. The camerawork and editing is impressive considering the year in which this video was released. One of the elements that I wish to achieve in my project, is that similar to the Bruce Lee cli[, I.E using digital media to create a multiple representation of myself.

The Purge by Hopsin

The method of achieving this can sometimes take more time than for what it is actually worth, however when the technique is executed according to plan it can yield some powerful results. This example executed the shoulder and devil on your shoulder representation significantly well, however a consumer may believe that this is because of the shot that was established or the way in which it was edited in post production. The truth is that the editing and camera work of this video were not the the best, however because of the mise en scene the imagery remained powerful enough to hold embody the nature of the track. In this scene of the video you can see the artist in the middle of a dance floor, with president Trump on the right and Kim Jong Un on the left. These representations of opposing governments and personalities provide a deeper message behind in the visuals of the soundtrack. One final element that can be appraised within this example of music video art is the appropriation of The Purge, that is using the same style and texture from a movie to build a narrative. 

Common Sense by J-HUS

In the opening segments of this title, the camera is panning with motion alongside a table. This was a shot that I experimented with in my mock music video to see If it is possible to represent myself up to three times in one camera shot. Further to this description, as the camera as gently moving across the table the subject continues to reappear next to himself performing different gestures and actions. That particular shot inspired me to build a storyboard that would enable something similar to happen in my practice, however this proved to be difficult due to the a shortage of resources. Nevertheless the style of the video is comical and once again the mise en scene delivers an effective combination of props and tools to elevate the soundscape of the audio track.

Brotherly Love

This example displays a method in which the four elements to producing a video work well together to emit a dramatic effect, regardless of the theme in which it is set in. In this example the subject plays both Mario and Luigi in this skit episode that darkens the usual upbeat and fun type of characters in the video games. As mentioned earlier the self representation technique that I wanted to achieve would require some level of experience given the nature of what needs to be established to achieve the desired shot. However this example provided me with a back up structure I can use to storyboard my narrative and music video to display a theme of self representation.