Possible Alternative Endings

As a group, we have made numerous changes to the narrative of our music video in order to make it more interesting than just having our male protagonist walking down streets. The main change being that we have decided to introduce a twist to the plot. The twist being that our male protagonist is in fact a ghost chasing after our female protagonist, as he is in reality dead.
In order to achieve this, we have decided to have connotations of death which give a clue to our audience that our male protagonist is dead. For example, at points in our music video we are going to use cross fades between both our female and male. For instance, we have our female protagonist over looking the bridge into the water, and then the shot will cross fade into our male protagonist looking over the bridge in the exact same position. Also, we have a "dream scene," where toward the beginning of our music video we shall have our male protagonist knock on our female protagonist door, then the dream part is that our female protagonist opens the door and he is standing there waiting for her and he goes in. However, then the shot will fade back into reality where our female protagonist opens the door, yet no-one is there. In order to distinguish the dream scenes from reality, we shall have a blue tint in the dream shots, to signify a change.
Another idea is that whilst filming, we have filmed plenty of shots using strong slight, and a shot which we will use towards the end of our music video is going to be our male protagonist walking down a lane into very strong light, which is a connotation of heaven, and signifies an idea that our male protagonist is his girlfriends "light." Therefore, by having our male protagonist walk into "heaven" at the end of our music video, we hope that our audience will understand that he has been dead the whole time. We are also planning on developing this idea of light by editing the colouring of the mise en scene throughout our music video. For example, in the shots of our female protagonist, we shall make the lighting of the mise en scene dull, as it signifies that she is grieving and un happy, therefore in the scenes with our male protagonist we shall make the mise en scene bright and happy as it signifies heaven.
Furthermore, towards the ending of our music video, we shall have a sequence which is filmed at a graveyard. For example, me and my group have decided that we shall shoot both our female protagonist entering the graveyard, followed by our male protagonist entering. As a result, we will play on the idea of our male protagonist grieving over him at his grave, yet our male protagonist will be looking out for her in spirit, as he follows our female protagonist as she walks around the graveyard. We have also decided on using plenty of cross fades between low angle close up shots of both our actors to quicken the pace and build a climax before it is revealed to the audience that our male protagonist is in fact dead. Just before the shot of our male protagonist "walking towards the light," we shall have a close up shot of him walking into a grave stone in the darkness, in which bright light is reflecting of it, to signify our male actor walking to rest in his grave stone.
As a result, we haven't decided yet on how we are going to shoot our male protagonist killing himself. We have decided upon our male protagonist committing suicide over his love for our female actress, as he believes that she isn't in love with him anymore. The first possible alternative ending is having our male protagonist shooting himself with a gun. The problem with this however is how to get hold of a realistic gun and using it somewhere which isn't very public. However, another alternative ending is to have our male protagonist drown himself in a bath tub. as we have a running theme of water used in our shots throughout our music video. We haven't decided yet which one, so as a result we may film both then see which ending looks more effective.

Change in Female Actress

Originally, Izzy Davies was going to be our actress for our music video. However, despite the fact that Izzy did fit the profile that was needed for our actress, we encountered some problems. The main one being that Izzy unfortunately didn't have enough time to be able to film what we needed. Furthermore, after the changes which we made to our narrative in order to make it more interesting,we discovered that we needed our female protagonist more than we thought so. As a result, we decided upon finding a new actress to play our female protagonist which still fitted the profile we needed and also had enough time to come and film our music video.

We found this more difficult than we thought so, due to the fact that not many females we asked were willing to perform in our music video. Unfortunately, no-one with good acting experience had time to also be our female protagonist. As a result, we have decided to use myself to be the actress in our music video. (Photo of myself below.)
Reasons for choosing myself to be the actress and play the female protagonist in our music video is that I fit the profile that is needed. For example, I am of correct height as I am slightly smaller than our male actor Tamas, me and my group originally wanted an actress with curly hair which I have got, and ultimately I have the time to be able to film the scenes because I am in our group.

Therefore, I will be participating in both the directing of the music video and playing our female protagonist. This way I will be as involved as possible in making our music video the best that it can be, and by using both myself and Tamas as the actors, it ables us to have more time and say over when we can film, as we don't have to reply on when our actors are available.

Prop List for Shooting

For the days in which we are shooting scenes for our music video, we need certain props in order to do this. For example we need the following:

• The camera - Obviously the most essential prop item in order to be able to film our music video!
• The tripod - Very important piece of equipment as we need the tripod in order to hold our camera up steady so we can film smooth shots, and so that they are not jerky.
• For female protagonist, red coat, black leather shoes, black tights - These items of clothing are essential for our female protagonist to wear, since as a whole these items make a good outfit. For example, the red coat signifies romance, yet also death; which are the two themes associated with our music video. The connotation of a red coat will also appeal to our audience, in terms of popular costume. For example, the colour red matched with black patent, brogue shoes mix well together, and would therefore appeal to our female audience as they aspire to dress in similar clothing. The costume of the red coat also represents a certain type of female fatal. For example, it represents strong women, who are very individual, seductive and above all confident. For example, the colour red is bold and stands out above the crowd and is a colour which makes a statement.
• For male protagonist, Polo Fred Perry Shirt - This shirt is what we want our male protagonist to wear throughout our music video. Furthermore, similar to our female protagonist costume, the outfit will appeal to our audience in terms of our male protagonist looking attractive for a female fan base. The look of skinny jeans (reflecting popular culture) and a Fred Perry Shirt which is a well known designer will be a look that teenage males will relate to, and aspire to dress like. This type of costume represents popular culture which is the reason for choosing this look, and is similar to what other males wear in Indie Bands, e.g. Razorlight, The Killers and U2.
• The tape - Another important piece of equipment as otherwise we wouldn't be able to film our music video!

Images of me and my group creating storyboards

The photos below show the construction of our storyboards, in which me and my group all pt an equal amount of effort in in terms of drawing the pictures and arranging a sequence. We made the storyboards by drawing on plain pieces of white paper, cutting them out and sticking them upon black paper to make the drawings stand out. Then we shall write about each shot next to each picture.

Music Video Analysis - Taio Cruz "Break my Heart"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOg_IHwXWsk - the URL to the music video as unfortunately I cannot embed it.
(Revised)
Media Forms and Conventions
The genre of “Break Your Heart,” by the artist Taio Cruz is Hip Hop/R&B, and the music video is very stereotypical of that genre in terms of the choice of imagery. To begin with, the mise en scene is of Taio Cruz being portrayed in an expensive sports car with an extremely pretty girl, in the location of somewhere hot. Already, an expensive sports car is very generic in terms that it allows a male audience who may watch this video to idolize Taio Cruz and the expensive life style he leads and the success he has with attracting beautiful girls. The close up shot of Taio Cruz placing sunglasses on his eyes symbolize that he is wealthy, which alongside the panning mid shot of his expensive sports car allow the audience to gain full view of his lifestyle. The female performer in this music video is conveyed as typical women who are seen many times in R&B music videos. For example, the panning long shot which keeps altering so the women is shown in full view to the audience, allows the audience to that she is only wearing a bikini top and tiny shorts; connoting a sex symbol which will instantly attract a male fan base of perhaps between 14-18 years old. The costume of Taio Cruz himself is him wearing an expensive real leather jacket, which is a symbol of the “bad boy,” such as characters like John Travolta from Grease, which is ironic because the name of the song is “Break Your Heart,” which connotes men who lead women on and consequently end up hurting them. Therefore, this suggests the reasoning as to why Taio Cruz is wearing a leather jacket, so he conveys an image of himself being the type of man who plays women to there advantage.
The lyrics within the song which are amplified repeatedly, “Break your heart,” are linked with the visuals in terms of every time these lyrics are sang in the chorus, images of Taio dancing and kissing different girls are played. For example, within the first repeat of the chorus, as soon as the lyrics change to “break your heart,” the mise en scene switches to Taio Cruz on a speed boat surrounded by about 6 girls who are all over him. Therefore, the lyrics aren’t contradicted by the images, instead the images are very stereotypical of the song, and consequently the narrative is very generic. In terms of how the actual music is linked with imagery, the video tends to fast cut to either a different shot type or mise en scene along with when the lyrics change beat. Furthermore, the focus is never on any type of musical instruments, yet during the first chorus, a panning long shot of Taio Cruz the woman from the beginning of the music video is used of them both on a speed boat. Again, the use of the speed boat is a symbol of the wealthy lifestyle Taio leads. The purpose of using the technique of switching shot types whenever the musical beat changes to stop the music video from becoming to boring by changing scenery. For example, by having only a simple narrative of girls chasing after Taio, the only way to stop this from becoming boring to an audience is to have regular changes of imagery.
With the use of lighting in the music video, at first because the mise en scene is somewhere very sunny such as Los Angeles, most of the lightning comes from the bright sun which shines directly into the camera. The effect of this is that it’s almost trying to show of to the audience, and Taio Cruz boasting to everyone about where he is and how hot it is. It’s also a way for the audience to idolize more about there glamorous life style. On the other hand, when the mise en scene changes from day time to evening time when long shots of a party on a boat is conveyed to the audience, the lightning is darkened to natural evening light to fit in with the theme of a party. The signifiers within this music video are however, culturally specific. For example, it is blatant that the location for the music video is in somewhere such Los Angeles in USA, due to the palm trees, beaches and weather portrayed. Therefore, the signifiers such as speed boats and expensive cars are culturally specific, as the natural association with LA is wealthy lifestyles. This is due to the fact that a majority of film stars live in LA, whether they grew up there to begin with or moved when becoming better known. Furthermore, this image is also conveyed due to TV programmed such as “Laguna Beach,” which is a reality TV show on MTV showing the rich life styles of teenagers living in California. The purpose of these signifiers in “Break Your Heart,” is that it promotes and markets California as being a fantastic place to live at, and if you move there, your life will be wonderful.
Certain generic signifiers such as women chasing after Taio Cruz and the women being extremely beautiful conform to the generic footprint. For example, nothing in this music video challenges the stereotypes of women just conveying there bodies in order to become a sex symbol, as the females in this music video aren’t portrayed as being smart or strong minded. Instead, they are shown dancing provocatively in order to win over the attention of men. Furthermore, the character which Taio is playing is very generic, as he is simply being chased by females. However, the director most likely portrayed gender roles like this, due to the fact this is what appeals to Taio Cruz’s fans. For example, men would watch this video as they can look up to Taio and enjoy watching half naked girls.
This music video is purely narrative based; with no shots of any type of performance. However, the narrative structure is linear, with a simple narrative of a women chasing after Taio Cruz’s affection and love, whilst Taio flirts and dances with other women; thus making this music video extremely generic in terms of the genre. For instance, a vast majority of other R&B music videos is women chasing and dancing for the attention of men. However, the purpose of using this narrative structure is that it provides plenty of imagery to use to make it seem less boring, yet it does make the music video very repetitive. Although, the appeal is that the music video does link in with the beat of the song and lyrics. For example, the narrative is easy and quite fun to watch as the audience can admire the location, which matches the fact the song, is quite happy.
The features within the music video of expensive symbols such as speed boats, sports cars, sunglasses and expensive clothing relate to a lot other music videos of similar genre. Just a few examples would be “Candy Shop,” by Usher, “Get Rich or Die Hard Trying,” by 50 Cent and “Milkshake” by Kellis. Therefore, these features relate to the artists as much as other music videos because Taio is being portrayed as a man who every women desires, which is similar of how star’s such as Usher and 50 Cent like to be portrayed in there music videos to. The purpose of this is most likely so they can be deemed powerful and in control. The expensive symbols consequently also relate to TV programmes such as The OC, which is a hit TV series following the wealthy lives of teenagers living in Orange County, as the symbols such as expensive cars for them are a way of life, and they don’t know any different.
Representation
The type of world which is being represented in this music video is recognisable due to other media texts like TV programmes such as The Hills, The OC, and Laguna Beach, as most audiences have been exposed to the rich lifestyle of star’s who live in California. Maybe not even through TV, yet through magazines such as HEAT where they write stories about the type of stars who live this culture such as Jennifer Anniston, and take photos of expensive symbolic items. However, this adds to the appeal of the music video, as the location represents a world where most of us would love to live in, as it is portrayed as being exciting, fun and a place with no worries. Therefore, Taio Cruz’s video almost represents a fantasy which we would like to be taken of to.
The artist Taio Cruz is being represented in many ways in order to strengthen the promotion of his records. For example, throughout the video there are many close up shots of his face, which promotes his image to his fan base. Furthermore, there are close up shots of attractive females, which promote an image of the artist being popular and wanted by the opposite sex. This helps with selling the track because if the video represents a fantasy world with an attractive male artist, then both females and males will be inclined to buy the track. The image of Taio Cruz which is being offered to an audience is of him in his element being surrounded by females, consequently the image of him being strong and very sexually attractive. This also helps him entice a female fan base as well as males, as there are attractive performers from both genders. However, similar songs performed by Taio Cruz such as “Like a Star,” are also similar in terms of the image it is representing of the artist.
Whilst watching this video, you defiantly gain a sense of watching sexual interaction between males and females. To begin with, Taio Cruz is presented as a man who is sexually desired by many women, as he is conveying an image of a heart breaker who leads women on. This is achieved by dressing Taio in expensive clothes such as a leather jacket, and shot types permanently showing Taio surrounded by other females. Consequently, the costumes that the females in the video are wearing imply sexual innuendos, as they are all half naked wearing skimpy clothing, which is not competing against the female stereotype what so ever. Through long shots of the performers having a party on the boat, the audience are shown to watching women dance provocatively in order to gain the opposite sex attention, thereby implying that a lot of sexual tension is happening on the boat between performers. The social class which is being represented through there actions is however quite middle class to high. This is due to the blatant expensive costumes and jewellery which the females are wearing, yet at the same time the fact that they are dressed in such miniscule clothing hints at the performers behaving in a crude way, as obviously they are only thinking about having sex with Taio Cruz. However, because it has been acted out in such a harmless manor with the music video not actually showing any sexual scenes, it is impossible to offend any audiences as the most erotic a scene gets is Taio Cruz kissing another girl. Therefore, the actual scenes aren’t really negative, more so the message being portrayed is to “just have fun.”
Throughout the music video, there aren’t really any values or attitudes and beliefs being represented, apart from portraying a belief about not taking life too seriously. The music video contradicts against any ideas on feminism, as the females in the music video aren’t behaving strong minded at all, instead they are conforming with there stereotype. Although, the production as a whole reflects contemporary society, and doesn’t articulate or expand on any concerns that are associated with the population. For example, the music video reflects young culture with young adults simply enjoying themselves on the music video, with no visual images of them worrying about world health concerns such as green issues. In fact, the music video is completely contradicting this by showing them driving expensive cars which of course contribute to global warming.
Overall though, the music video is like reverting back to early 1960's, where women are still fighting for rights and freedom, as they are still perceived and treated as sex objects by males. Therefore, this music video is extremely degrading to women as there portrayed as simply begging for Taio Cruz to have sex with them; a movement which we thought we have moved on from. Above all, the music video is sexist and capitalist, yet also degrades Taio Cruz as a singer as his voice is actually good and in tune. Therefore the music video doesn't do his voice justice, as the women dancing in a provocative manor distract attention away from it.
Taio Cruz "break my heart" is also a classic example of the Male Gaze Theory, whereby Mulvey is concerned with exploring through psychoanalysis the representation of women and how they are perceived in society. The male gaze refers to the act of looking upon women as objects and adopting the role of the spectator. Here, this particular music video relates because women are looked upon as purely sex objects and is a representation of how part of society still perceives women by even producing a music video like this anyway. Therefore, this shows a downfall of feminism, as although for many years feminists have been fighting for women's rights this music video proves that women are still flaunted for their bodies.
Audience
The target audience for this music video will be teenagers of both genders from the ages of 14-19years. This target audience has been established from listening to the radio stations in which this genre of music is played on regular basis such as KISS radio, reading message boards and reading comments which have been left under the music video on Youtube. An example of a comment left by a female with the username “stellaborovje” who wrote “he’s not ugly, OMG he is so hot,” and by a male consumer who had written “yeah his boat is slick,” indicating that young teenagers do indeed idolize this lifestyle. The appeal to the target audience is that the music video shows of the latest fashion trends, and shows an expensive way of living which young teenagers aspire to have one day. Furthermore, the fact that both genders displayed in the music video are very good looking, it appeals sexually to a female and male target audience. This aspect would therefore satisfy fans, are there is no imagery that would offend a consumer, yet fans would enjoy watching the culture which is displayed. Audiences can access the music video by Youtube, radio stations such as KISS, Heart and Radio 1, and also TV programmes. For example on the 10th October 2009, Taio Cruz appeared on Xtra-Factor as consumer of the programme who wanted to voice his opinions on the final 12 contestants.
Institutions
Taio Cruz is the founder of the institution he is signed up to: C .E.O. of Rokstarr Music London which is appropriate because Taio Cruz is originally a British Star. He is also in a partnership deal with Umusic Companies, Republic Records and Island Records. All these are appropriate record labels because they are known for signing up this genre of music, and are responsible for artists such as Amy Winehouse and are responsible for similar types of music genre.
Technology
New technologies have strengthened the marketing of Taio Cruz, as due to new technologies such as the Iphone, his fan base have been able to legally download his singles more easily, and convert them onto portably devices. Furthermore, downloading sites such as Itunes promote new singles which are in the charts massively, and when “Break Your Heart” was first released, it was advertised on the site with a massive photo, thereby promoting Taio Cruz’s music.

Alterations in Narrative

After much discussion with my media group, we have come to a decission that the narrative for our music video of focusing on just the male protagonist walking is too broing. Therefore we have decided upon tweaking our narrative in order to induce more hooks.
To begin with, we have decided that there will be a murder in the storyline. Our initial idea is for our male protagonist to be driven by such insanity, that at the end of the music video he is driven to shoot our female protagonist with a gun. Therefore, throughout the music video, there shall be recurring images of a gun to connote death. For example, at the beginning of our music video we have decided that there will be a close up shot of the gun smoking, to signify murder. This also introduces a very film noir effect within our music video. We are also going to include plenty of cross fades. For example, we shall have one shot tracking our male protagonist as he steps onto a bridge, then our next shot will be that he cross fades into our female protagonist stepping of the bridge. Therefore, this will mean that it signifies them as a couple, and represents how they used to be together and in love. We shall also have a shot which shows our female protagonist crying over photo's of them being together in the past, and we shall use a close up of her tears.
We also have possible alternative endings for our music video. These include:

• We end in a scene of a grave yard. We have our male protagonist standing by a grave, and he turns round to a girl walking past him wearing a red coat (what our female protagonist will be wearing), and because he thinks she is ignoring him, our male protagonist shoots her. However, after the shooting he will walk over and discover that in fact the girl isn't his girlfriend and is in fact a stranger.
• We have a simpler ending, where we have both our male and female protagonist standing by a tree with autumn leaves surrounding them. Then we shall have the camera focus on simply our male protagonist with a medium shot, then the camera will pan back onto the space where the girl is standing, yet it is now empty. Therefore signifying that the girl has died.

Nobody's Home by New York Fund - The Lyrics

Well I woke up on a Monday
With the morning streaming in,
And I rode over just like I always do

Cos when I sleep I keep forgetting
You don’t live here no more
And when I wake I keep on thinking of you

So I was walking down the street
Get myself some company
For so long I getting ready to die

The girl up in the store
Says you don’t come round here no more
She ain’t seen you for quite some time
Quite some time
Quite some time

Oh baby where did you go?
Where the lights went off
There’s nobody home
Where did you go?
Oh baby we got so close
My darling where did you go?
Where the lights went out
And there ain’t nobody home
Oh where did you go?
Oh my baby we got so close



I got my finger on the trigger
Got your number in my phone
I wanna call, I wanna say
Baby wont you come on over?
And I hear those bells ringing
I hear my devil start to sing
He says ‘

So you can find me on the street
Where I been dragging my feet
Yeah I been dragging them round all night
I went back up to that store
And that girl don’t work there no more
She ain’t been working there for quite some time
Quite some time
Quite some time

Oh baby where did you go?
Where the lights went off
There’s nobody home
Where did you go?
Oh baby we got so close
My darling where did you go?
Where the lights went out
And there ain’t nobody home
Oh where did you go?
Oh my baby we got so close?

History of the Indies

The History of the Indies diverts all the way back through time, and is a genre of rock music which originated in the United States and United Kingdom in the 80's. The genre of Indies represents Independent music, which once a upon a time, it probably was. Originally, the term Indie in the 80's was more or less synonymous with indie rock. Bands such as The Smiths, The Stone Roses and Mary Chain were directly influenced by Indie Music. Back then, Indie Music was considered to be original and admired, yet as the years progressed into the new millennium, Indie Music simply reflects popular culture.


For example, walking around a city nowadays, a majority of male teenagers are wearing they think are Indie clothes. (Checked shirts and skinny jeans). Although, ironically, back in the 80's this particular style was considered unusual. Bands who dared to dress like this such as The Smiths stood out, and skinny jeans were in fact a laughing stock and were believed to queer. As a result, Indie music weren't usually signed up to major and current record labels, and instead were in charge of producing, marketing and selling there own music. The whole point of the Indie label was to be different from current trends, and bands thrived on appearing more individual than current artists. Below is a video by The Stone Roses performing a song called "Begging you," which are an example of an Indie band from the 80's. The actual video juxtaposes the idea of normal and illusions, as the video is quite different and conveys unusual images.



However, in modern times the label Indie might as well represent a completely different meaning. Instead, if you watch music videos now by bands such as U2 and Razorlight, they are all similar to each other in terms of story lines, locations and shot types. Also, the massive genre that is Indie has been squashed into a tiny representation of Indies simply being males who wear skinny jeans, shirts and enjoy playing the guitar, where in fact Indie used to mean so much more than this.

Shooting Schedule

Me and my group have been shooting material for the past week now. However, we haven't been able to come up with a set shooting schedule due to the fact we have to rely on when our actors are available to film, therefore the day we will be able to shoot will alter each week. Although, we shall use periods 3 and 4 when we have a double media lesson with ms Barton every Monday to shoot, as that two hours is valuable time in which we can cover shooting a fair amount of footage. The times for these periods are as follows:

• 11.20-1.20pm every Monday
• Evening shots 7.00-9.00pm

Furthermore, we are trying to spend at least around two to three hours a week of filming footage for our music video, until we have finished and can move onto editing and producing an editing schedule.

Male Actor

Unfortunately, our group have suffered with finding an appropriate male actor with enough time to be able to film footage for our music video. Our male protagonist was going to be a sixth form student called Jonny Lawrence, yet unfortunately he didn't have enough time to be able to participate in our music video. Therefore, our new male protagonist is Tamas Dalmay, who is actually in our media group to begin with. We chose to use Tamas because of him being in our media group, we know he has the time to act as our male protagonist, as we can use valuable media meeting sessions to film, or double media lessons we have in which we are allowed to go out and film in. However, Tamas is still a suitable person to use, due to the fact he is a good looking guy, therefore it is easy to visualize him with a girlfriend. Also, he has the right style which we are looking for, and he is of appropriate height that fits our profile for an actor.