Groups

Today we were given placement for our A2 Media Studies groups, I was placed with Lara Foch and Molly Murnaghan. I believe this to be a good fit and that Lara's great organisational skills and Mollys wisdom and experience with the camera will be extremely beneficial to our groups final product.

Lyric Analysis of 'Something in The Way'- Nirvana

In order to help me with my research for choosing my song, I chose to analyse a song by Nirvana. As I believe their music has conventions that interest me in terms of direction.

Underneath the bridge
The tarp has sprung a leak
And the animals I've trapped
Have all become my pets
And I'm living off of grass
And the drippings from the ceiling
But it's okay to eat fish
'Cause they don't have any feelings

Something in the way
Ummmmm
Something in the way, yeah
Ummmmm
Something in the way
Ummmmm
Something in the way, yeah
Ummmmm
Something in the way
Ummmmm
Something in the way, yeah
Ummmmm

Underneath the bridge
The tarp has sprung a leak
And the animals I've trapped
Have all become my pets
And I'm living off of grass
And the drippings from the ceiling
But it's okay to eat fish
'Cause they don't have any feelings

Something in the way
Ummmmm
Something in the way, yeah
Ummmmm
Something in the way
Ummmmm
Something in the way, yeah
Ummmmm
Something in the way
Ummmmm
Something in the way, yeah
Ummmmm
Something in the way
Ummmmm
Something in the way, yeah
Ummmmm

This song is thought to be written by Kurt Cobain in the late 80's describing his experience as a homeless man living under the 'Wishkah Bridge' in Seattle. The song is the final track from Nirvana's 1991 album 'Nevermind.'

The song consists of two verses and two choruses that repeat each other. The tone of the song is extremely sombre as it is describing a depressing time within Cobain's life. Within the verse the lines are fairly standard but are sung slowly so that they can slow down the tempo of the song and keep in timing with the tone presented in the song.

*Underneath the Bridge: Cobain's sleeping spot, whilst homeless
* Living off of Grass: Could either be referring to Cobain's inability to afford really food, or his marijuana use.
*Its okay to eat fish, 'cause they don't have any feelings: Cobain's feelings towards pescatarianism

Analysis of 80's pop

In order to get an understanding of the genre 'Pop' and its convention I chose to focus on 80's pop in particular as I believe it to be the most popular period of 'Pop' music and one of its most beloved figures, Madonna.




Madonna: The 'Queen of Pop' is globally considered one of the most popular and influential entertainers of all time, with numerous platinum selling albums and chart-topping songs. Both Lyrically and Style-wise Madonna was popular and controversial for her outgoing and sexual mannerisms.


Music Videos: One of the main reasons I chose to specifically focus on Madonna, opposed to other 80s popstars such as Michael Jackson or Boy George, is that I believe Madonna, out of any musician, has the most interesting and iconic music videos of all time. Although my favourite Director, David Fincher, directed two extremely popular Madonna music videos 'Express Yourself' and 'Vogue', the music video I looked at was the infamous 'Like A Prayer.' This music video was well known for its breaking of 'racial barriers' through its depiction of Jesus as a Black Man and through the burning of crosses, which seems to be a direct reference to racial hate group the 'Ku Klux Klan.' This video layed the cement for what every pop video has basically tried to do after, shock people and grab your attention.

Analysis of Heavy Metal

"People pay to go get scared at the cinema, so why wouldn't they pay to get scared by music" - Ozzy Osbourne.







For my analysis of Heavy Metal I looked at the popular band 'Black Sabbath' who are known for being the pioneers of Heavy Metal music. I specifically gave my analysis of this genre extra attention, as I believe it to be a big possibility for my music video.







Black Sabbath: Considered the Godfathers of Heavy Metal by critics and fans a like, Black Sabbath were definitely the most important band in shaping Heavy Metal today. Due to finger disability, the chunk power chord and heavy rifting style of guitarist Tony Ionmi accompanied by Ozzy Osbourne's waling vocals and a dark and tight backbeat, was like nothing people had seen before and was certainly a lot louder and scarier than any music heard at the time. In order to accompany this dark sound, Black Sabbath carefully shaped their image wearing 'Undertaker Jackets' and 'Big Black Boots' in a purposeful attempt to add an element of fear to their already frightening music. In terms of albums covers and music videos the underlying themes and imagery are what sculps much of the Heavy Metal Genre today, which consisted of Graveyards, Bats, Blood and the colour Black.











Music Videos: Although many of Black Sabbaths music videos are very dated, at the time they would have been considered frightening and the underlying theme of terror and destruction throughout their videos remains innate in Heavy Metal videos of today. For their video 'Electric Funeral' this theme of destruction is very evident.

Analysis of Other Genres

In order to achieve a clearer vision of the genre of music I wanted to choose for my music video, I also looked at the conventions of other genre music videos in order to achieve an idea of what specifically suited the style of film I enjoy making and also what was possible.


I looked at the following Genres


Heavy Metal


80's Pop

Analysis of 'Grunge' music

In order to prepare for my music video, I have analysed the genre Grunge. Grunge is my personal favourite genre, therefore much of the Presentation is my own knowledge, however through making the presentation I was able to have a better look at the conventions of Grunge music videos.

Welcome

Hi, my name is Spencer Johnston and I am an A2 Media Studies student. For the next few months I shall be keeping a blog to chart the progress of my Music Video and recording the steps I took to completing it.