Storyboarding

We first decided that we wanted to create a narrative for our song choice 'Airplanes' - B.O.B ft. Hayley Williams and Eminem. We were going to create the narrative by following each of the performers lives starting when they were younger to where they are now, and how this song changed their lives for the better.

Here are our first draft storyboards.

After much deliberation, we decided to change the narrative as we had come up with a better narrative, which is the one that we went with, this then entitled us to make a clearer connection between the 3 performers.

Below you can see the final drafts of the story boards that we used as guides.

Risk Assessment

It was vital to us that whilst shooting, everyones health and safety was considered. As we were filming across many locations we put a lot of time and consideration into this. Below is the risk assessment in which we carried out to ensure that everybody involved with the production was as safe as possible at all times.

Target Audience Member Profile

Target Audience Member Profile

Demographic - Age, gender, social class, income, sexuality, geographic location, religion, ethnicity etc. 


Psychographics - (gathers psychological information) - Interests, attitudes and opinions. 

This is Janet. She is a 17 year old girl who enjoys listening to RAP songs. Her hobbies are socialising, rapping, writing her own music and watching MTV. On a weekend she likes to play netball and listen to music. She is a very sporty and sociable person. When Janet watches Hip Hop videos, she looks out for most of the conventions, the bling, girls, money, fast cars etc. She enjoys watching MTV, for the music and also for the television series that are on there, such as; Geordie Shore, Teen Mom, Awkward, Pretty Little Liars. Her favourite RAP artists are Eminem, Dr Dre. 50 Cent, Jay Z. Generally because they like to take risks throughout their lives, they enjoy writing about other artists, 'ripping' into them and also writing about their history, this interests Janet as she enjoys the risk taking aspect of growing up.

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Student Video - Whirring by The Joy Formidable.

I enjoyed this A2 music video for many different reasons, the song was very catchy but the real reasons being, 

• the effect in that they used was a colour correction tool, this was used to take out the main colour and add a sepia effect over the top, this went with the genre of the song and also the scene of the video itself.
• the video was very gripping, it made you think and also had the edge to it that had the cogs turning in your head, this is a very good technique to use as it looked upon the audience to figure it all out.
• the clocks stood out within the video, especially at the beginning, the first clock we see is a very good example of this, it is a very white clock and it goes with the performers shirts.
• the plain costume that the performers are given to wear help to make their facial features stand out, especially the main one, that being the number, whether it's from 1 - 12 around the clock in the places that they would be found on the face of a clock.
• although, there was not that much narrative, i believe that this video did not need that to tell its story. The way this video has been portrayed is a way that many different people can interpret.

Conventions of RAP

Conventions of the genre RAP

The conventions of RAP are as follows.

• Characters - the characters of a conventional rap video are generally, young black characters, they are renowned for this genre of music. There are a few exceptions to this steroetype. E.g. Eminem. They are quite often relating back to their youth - often spent in rough, urban areas and how they got their break in life.

• Mise en scene - the mise en scene in which is used in the general RAP video is as follows

1.     C - Costume, loads of bling e.g. big thick gold chains, rings, diamond earrings etc. hats of all kinds, baggy trousers, loose t shirts etc.

2.     L - Lighting in which is used in RAP videos can vary, it can be whatever the artist wants but it is generally dark, this is a typical view of a RAP video lighting.

3.     A - Actors tend to be young black males, this is efinitely a stereotype of a black artist, but it is often true

4.     M - Make up that is used in RAP videos is often seen on the girls who perform in the videos. They are generally wearing either quite a lot of make up or hardly any, depending on the song type.

5.     P - Props that are used can vary from one RAP video to another, this also depends on the content of the song.

6.     S - Setting is a very key thing to a RAP video. E.g. Eminem's RAP video, Beautiful, is performed in a run down warehouse type of setting.

• Iconography (signs/props) - the iconography of a RAP video is as follows.

1.     "Gangsta's"

2.     "Bling"

3.     "Women"

4.     "Hats"

All these things and more are used to represent who they artists are and how they represent themselves, for the audience to remember them as.

• Narrative

Story telling is the foundation of RAP music, To tell the story in an entertaining way, rappers use the same techniques as poets, utilising alliteration, assonance, and rhyme to carry the message to the audience. In addition, rappers also use accompanying instrumentals, in which is reffered to as the "beat".

Hip Hop Research

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• Themes

The main themes of the typical RAP video are;

1.     Sex

2.     Drugs

3.     Women

4.     Violence
5.     Tough Upbringing
6.     Urban Lifestyle

These are often seen either individually or together within a RAP video. A very understandable and typical example of this is 50 Cent feat Olivia and Marque - Candy Shop. This contains themes of 'women' and 'sex'.

• Sounds

The sounds used in RAP videos are used in many different ways in which the artist wants. A "beat" is used in many different videos. The "beat" is a key part of RAP music, many failed RAP artists are usually remembered for not haviung the correcty "beat" to go with their story. The "beat" is generally consistent and last throughout the whole song. Many rappers have deviated from this formula, choosing to switch up beats and to add even more variety.

Analysis of Music Videos

Analysis of music videos

Here is an analysis of 3 music videos in which have the same genre as the music video in which my group are going to be creating.

This music video is a classic example of a RAP video, it has all the conventions in which are considered in a typical RAP video with a little extra. The "women" "men" "money" "bling" etc. this is all correct to go along with the conventions of RAP except for the fact that it is a female singing the song, the males are the "sexy" ones in this situation. This music video is a classic example of a RAP video, it has all the conventions in which are considered in a typical RAP video with a little extra. The "women" "men" "money" "bling" etc. this is all correct to go along with the conventions of RAP except for the fact that it is a female singing the song, the males are the "sexy" ones in this situation. At the beginning of this music video, we are shown an image of Nicki Minaj (the performer) she is dressed in very vibrant colours and her hair is spectacular, not only does this show that she has a very peculiar fashion sense, but also that she is not afraid of being different. The typical convention of a RAP video containing 'sexy' girls is shown throughout this music video, as the performer is classed within this category. Not only are there females, but also there is the opposite with 'sexy' males, we see proof of this within a minute of the music video starting. We also see a shot of 'multiple Nicki's' this gives the impression that many people like the way she dresses, her confidence and want to be like her. She has uniqueness about her. This is also shown through the colour of her hair again, at the beginning she has half pink and half blonde, this is not an everyday look and you need to be confident to have this look, the pink hair we see through the majority of the video, not every person wants to be unique, they all seem to want to follow the trend often known as 'sheep'. The images in which are shown throughout the video represent the wealth of the artist. There is a 'neon' scene included in this video, this is a good shot to use as Nicki Minaj's outfit stands out from the rest, but yet there is a multiple effect going on throughout the video. PINK is used throughout the video; this shows that she is a very girly girl. This also goes against the RAP video conventions as the colours are generally dark for the 'badness' about them.

This is a very typical example of the conventions of RAP videos. There are many dull and dark surroundings involved in this video; this shows the true conventions of a RAP video. Except for the bright vibrant red in which is used all the way through on different subjects. E.g. the big posh red car at the beginning, the 'sexy' girls clothing is all red, the rapper's red hat. Another typical convention of RAP is the 'sexy' girl look, this is portrayed perfectly throughout this video, from the very beginning when we are first introduced to the scenes. A typical stereotype of the RAP video is used with the rapper being a young black male. This RAP video is a very seductive video in terms of the 'sexy' females being very flirtatious. The 'bling', fast cars, big houses, fur coats are also very good symbols of the conventions of this genre of music. Make - up is used in such a way that it represents the glamour and flirty side of the females used in this video. This is a performance type of video, in which we see the artists singing with the song as we go through the video. It also has a narrative aspect to it, we don't actually see this until we reach the end of the music video when we are presented with the young glamorous girl from the big house in the 'candy shop' window asking the young black male for the money which he is going to pay for the 'candy' with. We then assume that he has seen this female and were day dreaming about her, this also represents the male fantasies that we see throughout the music video.

This RAP music video has a different twist to it, it is sung by a young white male, this goes against the view of the stereotypical RAP video. The song starts out with two young boys sat in a room playing and then opening a book in which his father gave him, it contains a picture of one of the rappers, Eminem, and then this photo goes into motion, this then becomes the narrative part of the story, whilst having the performance shots in with them, Eminem is stood in a hospital watching the operating theatre, the man on the table is a friend of his, he has been stabbed, this also rests on Eminem's conscience. We then get to witness the narrative of how they ended up in the hospital, throughout all this there is many performance shots, we see one of the news team within the television, they are going on about the RAP world being difficult and then the shots of Eminem when he is sat in the dark room rapping away, this is a very good shot as he has a white glow around him, this 'rebels' against the typical RAP style, as they are all dull and dark. This also gives us a sense of innocence on Eminem's part, he was told to keep away so he did and then his friend was injured. At the funeral of Eminem's friend, we see a choir of young children singing the song, this links in with the beginning of the video. We then see a shot of a group of young black men; this is a very stereotypical view of rappers. Eminem's clothing is another stereotype of the rapper 'society'. Going back to the aspect of the narrative is that the flashbacks in which Eminem is having is a very good narrative; this also gives the audience the chance to see how they ended up where they are at the beginning. Another part of this video that goes against the colour of the typical RAP video is when we see the man being shot, the slow motion part is shown with him wearing white, this also represents innocence, so maybe he was killed unjustifiably. Another aspect of the video that goes along with the conventions of RAP is the graffiti involved within the video, this is seen throughout and then again at the end of thevideo, The big picture of the four rappers at the end who have been graffitied on the wall, Big L, Biggie Small, Tupac and Budz, this shows who was involved in the making of the video.

Results

Results

1) 

The majority of my questionnaire's were handed out to males.

2) 

All of my sample were between the ages of 17 - 19.

3) 

The majority of my sample listens to music most of the time. This is good as I am aiming it at their age range and if this many people listen to music most of the time then that means many people their age will as they are a select few.

4)

The majority of my sample also watch music videos, whether it is online or screened on the television. This is another good thing as they represent the wider range of audience.

5)

The top genre in which was liked within my sample of people. This shows me that I have chosen a song in which is liked throughout. This is also a typical genre to enjoy when you are between 17 - 19.

6)

Very few of my sample wanted to see attractive actors/ actresses in a music video, no one was interested in seeing text on screen during a music video. The majority of my sample were interested in seeing a story line and performance shots of the band/ artists in a music video. This puts me and Megan in good stead with our music video as the criteria mentioned above is exactly what we have done.

Questionnaire

Questionnaire

1) Are you MALE / FEMALE 

2) What age group are you in (13-16) (17-19) (20+)

3) On a rating scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest, how often do you listen to music? 

1       2       3      4       5      6      7      8       9      10

4) On a rating scale of 1 to 10, 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest how often do you watch/ listen to music videos?

1      2      3       4       5       6       7      8      9      10

5) What music genre is your favourite?

• RAP
• Rock
• Pop
• Emo
• Classical
• Other              ....................

6) What do you feel is important in music videos? (tick 3)

• Attractive actors/ actresses
• Music content
• Text on screen
• Lightning
• Story line
• Artists/ Band
• Visual Effects
• Dancing
• Varied shots of instruments

Cast & Props

CAST

Kate Fenwick -           Hayley Williams

Ash Scott -                 Eminem

Gideon Seglah -        B.O.B aka Bobby Ray

Lloyd -                        'little' B.O.B

Chelsea North -         Eminem's Mother

Tom Perry -               'little' Eminem

Above is a list of characters that were involved in my 'Airplanes' music video.

PROPS

Piano

Vodka Bottle

Pills

Paper






















Pen

Locker
















Cigarette

These are all the props in which I had incorporated into my 'Airplanes' music video.

The Song, Lyrics and Artists

The song, lyrics and artists

Song

The song is performed by Hayley Williams, B.O.B and Eminem. these are all fairly big artists in the music world. They have all made their own way up to the top without any help from relatives being successful etc.

It is a very up beat song towards the end, whereas in the beginning it is a very down beat song and has quite unhappy lyrics.

Lyrics

The lyrics to this song are very metaphorical in a sense that they are wanting airplanes to be shooting stars in order for them to make a wish.

"Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars, i could really use a wish right now (wish right now, wish right now). Can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars, i could really use a wish right now (wish right now, wish right now)"

Also the lyrics tell a story as to what their lives were like before they became famous. E.g.

"Let's pretend like its '98, like i'm eating luunch off of styrofoam trays, tyring to be the next rapper coming out the A hoping for a redcord deal, to renew my fame now let's pretend like i'm on the stage and when my beat drops everybody goes insane (ok)..."

Artists

Hayley Williams is a 22 year old American singer/ songwriter/ lead vocalist of the band Paramore from Franklin Tennesse. She is renowned for her song 'The Only Exception' and 'Misery Business', she has a very distinct hair colour and also voice, especially for her age. She has done song covers such as 'Kings of Leon - Use Somebody'. She has written, sang and recorded songs such as, "pressure", "Emergency" and "All We Know"  these are from the album 'All We Know Is Falling'. Other albums are 'RIOT' which consist of songs such as "Misery Business", "Hallelujah!", "Crushcrushcrush" and "That's What You Get". The last album being 'Brand New Eyes' which entails songs such as, "Ignorance", "Brick By Boring Brick", "the Only Exception", "Careful" and "Playing God".

B.O.B aka Bobby Ray is a 22 year old, singer - songwriter/ rapper/ record producer, known for his debut single "nothin' on you" and then "Airplanes" with Hayley Willioams and part II with Eminem and Hayley Williams, then "Magic" he is a solo artist and often pairs up with other artists such as Bruno Mars. His debut album was released in April 2010, it was scheduled for 25th May but due to his success with Bruno Mars on th song "nothin' on you" it was moved forward. B.O.B has been the supporting act for many different artists including; Hayley Williams' UK tour, Eminem and Jay Z's, The home and home tour. He has recieved many awards and Nominations for American Music Awards such as; 
2010: Best Breakthrough (NOMINATED)
2010: Best Hip-Hop Artist (NOMINATED)
2010: Best Hip-Hop Album (NOMINATED)
MTV Video Music Awards include;
2010: Video of th year "Airplanes" (with Hayly Williams) (NOMINATED)
2010:Best Pop Video "Nothin' on you" (NOMINATED)
etc.

Marshall Mathers

A 39 year old white American rapper. Stage name EMINEM and his alter ego Slim Shady. He is one of the best selling artists in the world, his popularity started band D12. He also makes up half of the hip hop duo Bad Meets Evil along with Royce da 5'9".
He has achieved 10 number one albums. and has sold more than 33 million track downloads and 39.6 million albums in the United States alone.
His albums include; 
The Slim Shady LP
The Marshall Mathers LP
The Eminem Show
Recovery
Encore
Relapse
He has founded the recording label Shady Records, with manager Paul Rosenberg, he has his own radio                                              channel Shade 45 and has also starred in the hip hop drama 8 mile.

Copyright - Artist Permission Request

To ensure copyright is not breached I have asked the artists for their permission to use their song for my A2 Media Course Project.

Copyright

The exclusive legal right, given to an originator or an assignee to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material, and to authorize others to do the same.

In order not to breech the terms and conditions of copyright, people who are wanting to carry out such a thing as creating a music video to an artists song they are obliged to ask for the artists permission.

What is a Digipak?

A Digipak is a type of packaging for CDs or DVDs, typically made from cardboard with an internal plastic holder for one or more discs.

Here are a few examples of some Digipaks related to our artists;