The band I am analysing is The xx, as I really enjoy the
music they perform and I’d like to make a video with a storyline alongside the
band performing to create a narrative. Elements which this band identifies
themselves within their music videos is firstly repetition. Repeated images and
actions they use in their videos present a peaceful atmosphere that represents
the similarity between the video and the music they create. They also use like
galaxy effects within the videos to create an out of space effect and feeling.
The music matches very easily to these effects, as their music is very peaceful
and slow motion.
The xx are an indie pop band, preferred by a more niche audience,
but still very well known in their genre. They are different to other bands and
artists in their genre as they have a very different approach to music, as
their songs are very peaceful and silent. This makes them stand out from other
bands and artists in their genre as some can come across quite negative with
their lyrics and videos. The xx hasn’t changed over time significantly as they
are a fairly new band to the music industry as they formed as a band in 2008,
and have brought two albums out. Some of their videos seemed to have changed as
for example their video VCR from the first album, xx, and Angels from their
second album, Coexist, seem to be approached differently. VCR seems to have a
narrative behind the song that is performed in the video, however in the Angels
video it a repeated galaxy/out of space effect throughout.
I don’t think the film style has changed over time as in the
videos they have created; similarities follow throughout as they use a lot of
bright lights against dull lights, and moving images to create peaceful
effects. The xx don’t have a lot of conventional mise-en-scene in their videos
but their videos are very striking in other ways. In a majority of their videos
they either use a studio for their setting or a constant background of effects.
Their videos are very plain and they use wear black to fit into the background
to not stand out. My chosen band uses editing and effects strongly to create
meanings to their songs and lyrics. For example their song Angels has an effect
used of patterns and lights that look like a sky, and the bass and beats of the
music move the patterns and lights to create a sense of life. The sky like
effect links in with the title and lyrics of the song as the song is called
Angels and they are known as being in heaven. The song Chained also have the
effects of patterns and lights that move to the beats of song and bass. I don’t
see any links between The xx’s music videos and other media texts like films
and TV programmes.
Activity
Two: Primary Research: Taking
Photographs
A potential performer I have chosen
to be in my music video is my friend Amelia. I think she would suit the video I
want to create as she fits in with the genre, being indie pop. She’s reliable
and flexible with when she would be able to do it. I think her costume, hair
and make-up suits the indie rock genre as her look fits in with the
stereotypical people who would listen to that kind of music. She could be a
part of The xx’s songs as she could take the part of the female vocals.
The location I have chosen for the video I want to create is
at a nature reserve in Long Eaton, which I thought would a good place for a
rural setting. I want this to be edited so flashes of the graffiti appear in
the video at a quick pace. The location is very peaceful and silent which would
link in with the songs by The xx and represent the lyrics like their videos do
already. I also think at night time would be a really good effect for the video
as a lot of their original videos seem very dark and dull.
Activity
Two: Part One:
The xx –
·
No artist on the front cover – audience need to
know artist beforehand to recognise album.
·
No title – on the inside cover to keep the front
cover plain and simple.
·
The x symbolises the band’s name and connotes
the only iconography on the cover.
Bon Iver –
Artists name printed twice as a quirky and
different effect, like his music.
·
No title – This is to keep the simplicity of the
album.
·
Track list on the inside of the album with
lyrics.
·
Picture of a quarry to present a peaceful effect
and to link with the music.
The Vaccines –
·
Artists name printed on the front cover in bold
lettering to premote their band.
·
Image of four models that are not in the band
for inspiration and fashion.
·
Iconography – image in black and white and
writing in red for bold effect.
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