Media studies

1. Research...Music Video Directors

2. Spike Jonze... Below is a link of a short video about Spike Jonze and peoples opinions about the way he works and how his recent projects were approached... Birth Name: Adam Spiegel Date Of Birth: October 22, 1969 http://www.thecreatorsproject.com/en-uk/creators/spike-jonze Jonze is an American director, actor and producer. He originally started out as a magazine editor and contributor before starting a career in film. He is best known for his music videos, commercials, film and television work. Jonze was also responsible for directing the well known Beastie Boys: Sabotage (1994), a spoof of 1970s cop shows, received praise and several awards. Ever since, his music-videos have regularly been nominated for MTV Video Music Awards. He has worked with many talented artists throughout his career such as Bjork, The Pharcyde, Fat Boy Slim, R.E.M, and Weezer. His music videos are off beat in their visual storytelling, they tend to be a mix of animation, live animation and puppetry.

3. Spike Jones Video Analysis Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Y Control Yeah Yeah Yeahs are an alternative rock/art punk band from New York http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxB-_JEWbrg This video is unique and artistically challenged which is both typical of Spike Jones & Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The video is set in an abandoned house and the camera is capturing the antics of violent children which defeats the stereotypical view of children. Their costumes in this video( smartly dressed and look innocent), also contrasts the atmosphere of the video. The main point of this video is to show the characters exploring the concept of ‘control’ by presenting a lack of it in the music video itself. Dramatic green filters and electric lightings were used to emphasise the low key lighting and dark feel to the video. There is also the use of comedy through the use of fake violence to parody how violence is seen in another music video or film. Goodwin’s Theory of ‘Star Image’ is seen in this music video through the way Karen (lead singer) is the main focus of the camera. Her bright red outfit contrasts the setting around her. Karens performance is exaggerated with long shots and close ups for a more dramatic effect. This music video is in contrast to their other music videos which may of come as a surprise to fans of the band which helps the video become even more dramatic and unusual for all viewers. Karen said that they wanted to highlight a darker and more mischievous side to their music. Karen uses synthetic personalisation by singing directly to the camera and engaging with the viewer throughout the whole video which gives it a more of a personal feel. Karen is never far out of shot shown by these video stills Frequent close up shots of the singer reveals the main focus of the video and star image

4. The link below is a short behind the scenes footage with Michel Gondry and how develops his ideas into a video... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N7P9POXuFE&feature=related Michel Gondry... Date Of Birth: 8th May, 1963 in Versailles, France Quote: ‘Sometimes it's better to have less money [for budget] and more freedom.’ Gondry started his career making music videos for aFrench rock band 'Oui Oui'. The style of his music videos caught Björk‘s attention and kick started a long term collaboration with the artist. Gondry has also collaborated with artists such as Daft Punk, The White Stripes, The Chemical Brothers, The Vines, Radiohead and Steriogram. He is known for his inventive visual style and his manipulation of mise en scène. His main inspiration, came from the Film Le voyage en ballon. ‘When I watch this movie, I dream I’m flying and then I do stories where people are flying. I think it’s directly influencing.’

5. Michel Gondry Video Analysis Kylie Minogue – Come into my world The link below is a video of Michel Gondry describing the making of the video and his overall idea http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63vqob-MljQ&ob=av2e In the first minute of the music video you find the abnormally busy street with the extras creating distractions such as a mattress falling out of the window or knocking over a motorcycle. Even though all of this is happening, the camera stays focused on the star, Kylie in the foreground. After a slow and simple start to the video, I was waiting for more of Michel Gondry’s style to appear in the video. A second Kylie walks out of the same store and picks up the parcel the previous Kylie dropped earlier, as I continued to watch a 3rd kylie walks out of the same shop on the next chorus and leaves the audience feeling confused as to why she is constantly walking in a circle and why she is Duplicating. Gundry's attempt to pull off a complicated technique of production in a short music videos worked well through the use of special effects, editing and tracking shots to create an experience the audience has not seen before. I think there could be a hidden message to this video, the way it is repeated could show how life is a routine and you will most likely have to do things more than once or it could be representing how you can’t go back on life but next time you may have pick up the pieces. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qw9FAxywDJ8

6. Chris Cunningham... Date of Birth: October 15, 1970 Reading, Berkshire, England, UK Quote:‘I love anatomy. I love the human form, I always have. That's why I got into painting and sculpting, that's why I got into doing prosthetics, that's why I got into making films about bodies. But the one thing that I hadn't been able to incorporate was sound. And that was my favourite love of all. And as soon as I started doing that in film, that was it for me.’ His trade mark is Trichromatic photography (with lot of lenticular reflexes) and synchronical editing. The link below is a collection of clips from films, adverts and music videos Chris Cunningham has created promoting a DVD full of his work... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o5i0eF2AF4 Chris Cunningham made his debut as a director in 1997 with the music video for "Come to Daddy" by the band Aphex Twin, which was praised, banned, and raved about by numerous people in the business. He works with Aphex Twin frequently.

7. Chris Cunningham Video Analysis Aphex Twin - Come to Daddy - 1997 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWDAtMPoBHA&feature=player_embedded This music video is typical of Cunningham, this video is very distorted and dark. Aphex Twin’s individual and unique style combined with Cunninghams style creates a whole new genre of a video which draws the audience in even more. The faces of the young girls in the music video are the face of Aphex Twin, this is a common element in their music videos. Also seen in ‘Windowlicker’ which was directed by Chris Cunningham. This defines Aphex Twins recognisable ‘star image’. Effects, sound and lighting were mostly used to show emotions of the characters involved. For example certain frames of the video were blurred to represent confusion and paranoia. The lighting is dark and dreary to suggest that something is about to happen and show the overall atmosphere of the location. The sound was also muted in certain frames for a more dramatic impact for example the frame at the start where the old lady is trying to control the dog and is clearly yelling something but the dialogue is not played to emphasise her struggle to control her dog and so the audience can focus on her facial expressions.