Hip Hop Conventions...

...homework was due in today. I've seen evidence of 4.

Thanks to those who are on top of the work.

Not really leaving me much space to go here are you, the rest of you?

Almost as if you're daring me.

I'll warn you now, it has been equated to being savaged by a Yorkshire Terrier - way more distressing than you thought and also quite embarrassing as something so seemingly harmless and tiny has just ruined your trousers and left you cowering in the corner.

When I wake up tomorrow I shall expect to see 10 as-close-as-the-agreed-extensions-allow completed blogs or for you to have seen me during the day to explain the delays and arrange an extension. If I'm not in 55 I'll be in the English Office. If you can't find me, ask one of the department.

Any missing posts will then be chased in a more formal manner.

Your one minute extract analysis is due on Thursday too remember. For those of you who still haven't done theirs and have not had the courtesy to speak to me, that'll be interesting.

For the two who have had technical extensions and the one who has had an organisation extension I'll be prepared to be generous since this task was reliant on the first task not having run into troubled waters. That leaves 4 or 5 of you in need of a dramatic and sudden upturn in completion.

1x empty blog
1x no blog set up
1x might as well be empty blog
1x missing all main posts
4x missing one minute extracts not covered by the above (of which 3 are arranged extensions).

10 in the class, 8 on the list of which 5 are not expected delays.

50% behind without permission.

Not very impressive.

Support Materials

You will be able to find copies of Hip Hop related powerpoints (some complete, some works in progress) here...once I can find a working ethernet cable as the wireless is only working sporadically:

O:\Media\Media A2\Hip Hop Conventions Exemplar and WIPs

And an Excel sheet called 'Homework Tracking' with homework tasks, dates set and due dates can be found here:

O:\Media\Media A2

VITALLY IMPORTANT - Homework

All deadlines still apply, even if you missed the lesson unless you come to me and discuss the need for an extended deadline. 'But I wasn't in the lesson, how am I supposed to know the homework?' Because it is on my blog and has been since each piece was set. And you should be on here regularly checking back on the work and using it as a resource to do independent study.
If you want a recap on everything that is due in then use the label 'Homework' (linked there for your convenience).

Those of you who are up to speed or have arranged the extensions with me, you can stop reading (45% of posts - not counting those a-least-fortnightly independent posts I want - a minority). If you're behind in terms of homework or attendance I suggest you read on very carefully. (though I suspect that if you've read this post then the first comment probably applies to you... /sigh)


You may very well pick up from the tone of the following that I am getting concerned about the manner in which some of you have approached the start of the A2 course. Because I am. Because it is your marks that I can see slipping away from you if this is not nipped in the bud immediately.

You all have the mark schemes - both hard copy and on here. You know what you've got to do..

THERE ARE STILL BLANK / NOT SET UP A2 BLOGS. 6 WEEKS IN. SIX. WEEKS.


What is particularly galling is that even though you know your AS blogs are currently being moderated and know that at AS the moderator is the Chief Examiner who may very well be using this blog as a means of getting to your work that the notion that you are on public display here and there is clear evidence of your commitment to the course for the whole world to see doesn't seem to have still equated for some of you with your potential final mark.

See, it isn't a case of me being able to (or even willing to) fudge things. I will give you the mark I think you deserve. And it will be accurate. Yes, I want you to do as well as possible. I'm not going to just award marks to make ourselves look good. Imagine if someone who has worked much harder than you doesn't get their uni place because I've given you higher marks than you deserve? Now imagine it is you who misses out on a uni place because of some ridiculous marking? Your job is to make me give you as many marks as possible. To do this, the work needs to be completed on time.

Sort.


It.


Out.

Myself, your form tutors and, if the deadlines slip any further, your parents are going to be all over you for the next few weeks as I am concerned that things have slipped from the very first deadline for a lot of you in terms of deadlines being met / collaborative learning / organisation.

To reiterate an earlier post, if you're falling behind already you will HAVE to get back on track as soon as possible as otherwise you are psychologically and habitually setting yourself up to consistently deliver me work at level 2.

If you're stuck, I'm online most evenings if you can't find me during the day and will be on pretty much daily over the summer so if you need a hand - POST SO! I will help.

I am not a mind reader but I am reasonable. But if I don't KNOW you need a extension or some help, just not doing it is not going to get a positive response from me. Telling me, finding me, showing me you're on it will always get you a positive response. Break these habits. Realise that you're at A2 now. Think how much better you want to do at A2. Think what you need to do that.

The bar is being raised.

I can only show you how to clear it. Getting over it is up to you.

If it gets to it we can start micromanaging it and making you post the blogging equivalents of phone calls home to let me know you're okay and say that by x-o'clock every y-day you have to post a comment on z-post confirming you've at least logged in to your blog. But I don't want to treat you like children, because this is meant to be getting you ready for uni. Your professors aren't going to be doing this. They'll set a deadline, you don't hit it, you'll be getting a 3rd most places. Certainly what my department's policy was when I was a philosophy seminar leader. Didn't meet the deadline and didn't even ask for one? There's your mark...what...you deserve more...why ever do you think that?

Barthes and Adorno

For part of Thursday's lesson we looked at (or will have looked at) the 'grain of the voice' (and Adorno) and considered gesture, pulsion and grain.

Essay on Barthes' Musical Semiology

Adorno's Music Theory and the Social Implications Thereof

Above are essays on the both Barthes and Adorno. Ben, since you're a keen Lacanian, my initial (and underwhelming) research suggests that pulsion may be Lacanian in origin. Have a dig around and see if it is...

Further useful resources:

• Singing, rather than music video, but very interesting and enriching. You might get some great ideas from it which you can then apply to music videos. You might not.

Homeworks (all 3 of 'em) 

TASK ONE

Choose AT LEAST three music videos from your proposed / preferred genre and produce a detailed analysis of how they fit in to Goodwin. You can do this as one big piece or three individual pieces - your choice. Remember NOT AN ESSAY. DUE 17TH JULY

You MUST consider all the ideas I suggested for the conventions of hip hop post and, in addition, consider the following areas:

• use the words AMPLIFY, ILLUSTRATE and either CONTRADICT or DISJUNCTURE;
• include a Barthesian analysis using AT LEAST ONE the terms GESTURE, PULSION and GRAIN;
• inlcude Adorno's term 'PSEUDO-INDIVIDUALISATION''; and
• EXTENSION: using the data you generated from your audience research consider which video would appeal to the majority of your audience the most and why.

TASK TWO

Due as blog post by the end of the JULY (yes, 31st, even after school has finished). Choose a song of your choice from your proposed/preferred genre and as an individual create a storyboard for a unique music video, edited to the song. Don't forget to  include a new band name, track name, album title and record company name at the start of your video. LOADS OF YOU FORGOT FOR YOUR FIRST ATTEMPT. Make it really like a music video, even if you have to draw it - make sure it fits the genre conventions or intentionally subverts them. It must be clear to a viewer what happens in your video. Use Goodwin and your knowledge of the conventions of music videos to create something really effective.

(There were some really good videos of people who had done their storyboards on post-it notes and filmed that and edited it to the track but the YouTube account they were on is the one that got closed for copyright claims despite it having been a brillaint educational tool. You don't have to do it on post-its, just an idea if you're looking for something a bit different).

THINK VERY CAREFULLY WHETHER YOU HAVE INCLUDED ENOUGH SHOTS!

This must be accompanied by an analysis (and this time I will allow a full on essay if you want but don't just resort to this as a default option. Only do it if you feel you have a sufficiently academic writing style to produce an excellent essay. Technical terminology will, as always, make me happy. Especially if it is used accurately) using the same stems as for the task above. In addition to these, above, you must also cover:

• how this piece is more successful than your first storyboard in terms of creating a convincing music video;
• what part you feel is most successful and why;
• what part is least successful and why; and
• what you have learnt about music videos in preparation for planning your coursework piece.

EXTENSION - you could also show this one to an audience and get feedback on what they think is successful and what needs to be changed and why.

TASK THREE

Based on the intial audience feedback you have received, decide on your coursework groups (6 groups max and, this time, no more than 2 to a group - it'll make it easier for you to get loads of marks using the way we're going to make you work come September, that's why) and decide which genre you are going to make a music video for. Then as INDIVIDUALS, choose between 2 - 5 tracks each and share them with your audience and get them to give you feedback on what songs they prefer and why (and, if they want, make suggestions about what they think should happen in a video for the song).

You must have BEGUN to gather this data by 3RD JULY, Again, no need to be posting about it, just so long as you are generating the data and have the research underway.

One way you can do it (in addition to any other ways, and one I srongly recommend) is to use the blogspot poll gadget and add a poll to your blog asking people to give you feedback on your porposed tracks. Post explaining how to do this is here. You should ALSO, therefore, be going on to EACH OTHERS' BLOGS and completing the poll for each class member.


(pause)


(breathe)


AND A COUPLE OF OPTIONAL INDEPENDENT EXTENSION TASKS ON TOP DUE WHENEVER YOU SO PLEASE (as long as it is by the 18th August):


1. Use your knowledge of Adorno and Goodwin create your own Adornoan theory of music VIDEO. Give it a (sensible) name, make it clear it is inspired by Adorno and Goodwin and make it clear that it is a recontextualisation of Adorno's theory (taking something relating to products 80 years in the past to make it relevant for today). Post to your blog a detailed outline of your theory, supporting each point you make with reference to at least one music video. USE A RANGE OF VIDEOS TO ILLUSTRATE YOUR PREMISES AND MAKE YOUR THEORY CONVINCING.

AND/OR

2. Use your knowledge of Barthes and Goodwin create your own theory of the PHENO-VIDEO. Make it clear it is a combination of Barthes and Goodwin (and, if you're feeling kind, a short credit to me in the final slide acknowledging the inital idea came from your erstwhile Media teacher would be loverly - have conducted extensive research and can't find ANYTHING using the term PHENO-VIDEO so I think it is completely original, but then a couple of years ago one of my class thought she'd invented the 'female gaze' and I had to, sadly, let her know it already existed, so am prepared for some clever clogs to show me it is a theory that has been round for donkey's years). Post to your blog a detailed explanation of your theory. You may wish to give some real world examples of music videos you consider to be 'pheno-videos'.

Comments incoming...

...but very, very slowly. It has so far taken me 33 to minutes to post a comment on Jenay's blog. Virign did say to expect rubbishness for the next two weeks and to try and be patient but, man, as much as I love you all and enjoy looking at your blogs, 30 minutes a comment will see me sat here til midnight to just post one comment on each of your blogs!

If I don't post tonight there may be a delay in for a couple of days in getting comments up for you as the next few days  are looking like they'll be 12 hours solid on-site. Will get round all the blogs as soon as I physically have time and a vaguely working internet.

For those of you who have missed the deadline and not seen me about it, that'll be useful.

Due today were (1) the minute extracts (unless I'd cleared you for an extension due to technical issues / Year 7 trying to take the camera to you in form time but deciding you were called Ernie and in room 33 so you ended up cameraless for a couple of weeks etc) and (2) the animatics and storyboards.

Not too impressed at the level of failure to meet the first deadlines, for which you had over 30 days to complete. I'll use the deadlines for the next two pieces to decide how strong the home:school contact needs to be.

Real shame that the first posts for some of you will only give me evidence of level 2 time management.

Welcome to A2. Need to step up. 


Or you will fall behind very quickly.

Your FIRST one minute extract

PART UN

As a blog post (not an essay remember - keep it lively, inventive, original, and laden with technical terminology and expressed as formally as possible please!) DUE 5TH JULY you now need to take your first attempt at a one minute extract and evaluate how successful it was, consider what you have learnt and identify elements of this process which you might try to include / definitely won't be including in your coursework.

Your post should include consideration of the following areas using media terminology:

• Cinematography;
• Editing;
• Sound;
• Mise-en-scene;
• Lighting;
• Direction;
• Organisation of location(s);
• Organisation of cast;
• Organisation of props;
• What you found easy, based upon how you have developed as a Media student since AS;
• What skills / areas in general you think you need to improve on,  based on your skills set developed at AS;
• What elements of this video you are now considering including in your own music video (if any) and why;
• What elements of this video do you think will not feature at all in your music video (if any) and why;
• Overall, evaluate how successful your first attempt at a one minute extract is and why;
• Overall, what are the five most important things you gained from this exercise.

(If you did this as a PowerPoint, for example, this would be 15 - 30 slides or as a Prezi at least 15 sections).


PART DEUX -  SUMMER HOLIDAY TASK #1


You now get to choose (completely free choice) a music video (if you have a preferred genre for your final coursework piece, or a likely genre, choose one that fits!) to recreate a one minute extract of it.

IN YOUR PROPOSED COURSEWORK GROUPS.

This time I want it as near perfect as possible. That means everything (within reason, no need for plastic surgery for example) must replicate as exactly as humanly possible the extract you are recreating. Everything. As close as possible. No fudging this time. The first attempt was a training exercise to get you thinking and using FCP quicker and identifying techniques you might want to use in your piece (every one had a specific genre element or interesting effect to it). This one is to be able to show a high level of technical competence.

You must produce and upload to your blog:

1. The footage itself;
2. Behind the scenes footage of you preparing the shoot; and
3. A director's commentary (either text or recorded sound) of the final extract, using the stems provided for the analysis of the first minute extract. This time add an extra question - how is this minute extract better than your first minute extract and why?

Extract edited together first week back after the summer.

THERE WILL BE MORE SUMMER HOLIDAY HOMEWORK TOO.

Audience Engagement and Research Tool

You'll be wanting to use these as an extra way of generating data soon.

Lip Sync

Appearing here will be my lip syncing video. It is not intended to be a perfect piece in the slightest. It is a model for you to far, far exceed. It has some (*many*) intentional lapses. Interested in seeing how many you can spot.

Future of the Left, Polymers Are Forever. Filmed with the kind assistance of Mr E, Mr N, Mr S and several members of 7SAR.

IT LIVES!

Questions to consider:

1) What needs to be done to make the sync more effective?
2) What issues did I cause myself by filming it on 4 different types of camera?
3) How can you tell that there were also different camera operators?
4) Which section is most effectively executed and why/how?
5) Which section has the best idea rather than just being a close up shot of someone's face singing?
6) When you do your lip sync montage, how will you make sure your piece is way better than my humble offering?
7) How long do you think I spent filming? How long will you need to spend?
8) How long do you think it took me to edit it? How long will you need to spend to make something far better?

YOUR LIP SYNC HOMEWORK
3+ songs of your choice in groups, lip synced by you and edited together into a 2-3 minute clip. DUE 12TH JULY.

None of your answers are allowed to include reference to getting beaten up by a chair.

What are the conventions of hip hop music videos?

To be posted to your blog IN DETAIL by TUESDAY 2ND JULY. You will get feedback on it and then get to improve it within a week of receiving feedback. Remember, I want you all on as close to 20/20 for R and P as humanly possible.

What are the conventions of hip hop music videos?

With reference to AT LEAST 6 different artists and, by the sheer irrefutable demands of the laws of maths, 6 different music videos.

FORM: NOT an essay. PowerPoint (not too text heavy, but succinct and clear text) or Prezi or Vlog post or a more traditional blogpost or video clips and still images edited together into a piece complete with text explaining. Hey, you could even chroma keyer in your head and make it float round the video as you talk if you want!

INCLUDE: Video, hyperlinks, images, tables if you wish...anything other than just page upon page of text. My blog posts aren't great, if you can't say 'my blog posts are way better than yours' to me, you need to look at what you can do to improve it. This blog post is not a good model.

TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY - if there is a Media word for it, use it!

MAKE SURE YOU: explain everything clearly. Comment on what has been done and why as well as the effect of it. Maybe even how, depending on what you're thinking about.

THINGS TO CONSIDER / SUGGESTED SECTIONS

Use Goodwin to develop your answer, using the 6 elements he identified. This will give you an effective structure to your response.

1. The video will conform to the conventions of the genre.

This is the main one, this will be the one that really helps you answer the question in detail. There are loads of things to consider. The following bullet pointed list contains ideas. There may be more you want to do, but these will cover lots. These should form a detailed section each.

• Cinematography;
• Editing;
• Sound;
• Mise-en-scene;
• Representation (class and gender are probably the two main ones here, ethnicity seems like an obvious one too but you'll need to find a video with strong visual consideration of conflict/unity);
• What image or message is given to the audience about the artist? How and why?;
• What is included to appeal to the audience
• Ideology (what particular world view / social message / values are held to be important and how is this transmitted to the viewer? This is a chance for you to work in your understanding of Audience theory such as Hypodermics, active audience, mode of address, Morley's dominant, negotiated, oppositional readings etc).

2. There will be a link between the lyrics and the visuals. What, why and how? Lots of examples. The word iconography might be useful. Use the 'genre' label to assist you.

3. There will be a link between the music and the visuals. What, why and how? Lots of examples. Use the 'genre' label to assist you.

4. Close ups of the artist and close ups of key uses of iconography.

5. Use of reference to the act of looking and voyeurism of the female form.

6. Intertextual references. What, why and how have they been used? Lots of examples. The word iconography is going to be important. Use the 'genre' label to assist you.

Looks a lot of work? Good. It is. But if you put as much effort as you can into this you will find that the impending posts I'm going to get you doing will be much, much easier. I cannot stress how much I want to be able to send you off to the A2 exam sat on a big, fat 20/20 of R&P. Do it, do it, do it.

Audience Research

Take to Tumblr, take to Twitter, grab your cameras, inundate people with questionnaires...find out all you can.

DON'T JUST GO WITH THESE IDEAS - USE YOUR OWN TOO.

Data generated by, but not blogged about (that'll come later), 28TH JUNE.

AUDIENCES

DEMOGRAPHICS

·         Age

·         Gender

·         Ethnicity

·         Education

·         Occupation

·         Marital status

·         UK Tribe on YouTube UK Tribes, the website, fiind your tribe quiz is here*.

·         Audience category –mainstreamer / aspirer etc.

PSYCHOGRAPHICS

·         Habits

·         Interests

·         Favourite music video of all time and why?

(MORE SPECIFIC MUSIC VIDEO STUFF)

CONSUMPTION

·         How? – technological proliferation, online exhibition, TV.

·         Where – home / school / socially / outside

·         Why do they consume it in this way?

·         Amount – how long do they spend watching music videos?

·         Institutions used (and find out about the institution)

ENGAGEMENT – IN THEIR PREFERRED GENRE WHAT DO THEY…

·         Prefer – genre, sub-genre, artists, (narrative/performance/conceptual), prominence of actual artist, SFX, mode of address (serious / tongue in cheek etc), specific directors that they feel produce good videos

·         Expect – A good track, entertained / interesting (gratification theory), cinematography, tone / atmosphere matches, editing for pace, fit conventions of the genre of music video, matching of lyrics to content, synchronicity, representation, costume, lighting, dance routines,  colour… (many more)

·         Find annoying – (likely to be informed by all the above)

WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?

Fanboyisms.


* I'm a...

New Music Video A2 Group

Time to start thinking about what tracks you might be using for your coursework.

Check out this post for some useful sites getting you to start thinking about it. Will anyone venture into the minds of The Good Wife?



More discussion about legalities et al later.

Sourcing Your Coursework Track

You will, within the next two months, be selecting your tracks to use for coursework. Now is a great time to start thinking about genre and track. Don't decide yet, there'll be audience research to conduct first, but it would be a good idea to start finding tracks from a range of genres you might want to do. A good way to do this, and open yourselves up to a very interested audience, is to source music with a creative commons licence. Below are some good websites for you to start your research. Images are links.

CAVEAT: There will be some utter junk on these sites too. 

SITES WITH CONTENT WITH CREATIVE COMMONS LICENCES

 THE FREE MUSIC ARCHIVE

LAST FM
(link to specifically CC content)

SOUNDCLOUD

JAMENDO

MAGNATUNES

BEATPICK

INTERNET ARCHIVE

I'm also in the process of getting responses from unsigned artists to let me know if they're happy, in principle, for you to use them. You may, of course, seek permission from any artist or record company asking to use their track stating explicitly it is for educational purposes.

SITES WITH ARTISTS YOU COULD APPROACH AND ASK TO USE

THE UNSIGNED BAND REVIEW

UNSIGNED.COM

THE UNSIGNED BAND WEB

OVERPLAY.COM

ARTISTS WHO HAVE ALREADY GIVEN US PERMISSION

THE GOODWIFE (on Soundcloud)

   

THE GOOD WIFE (on Myspace)

welcome anyone brave enough to try and make a music video out of their stuff.

(lyrics, content and style challenging but nowhere near as bad as you can hear on the radio).

CIRCUS ACT

(intelligent post-hardcore punk. Warning, if you use their cover version of 'Message in a Bottle' be prepared to get sued by Sting or, at least, forced to buy a CD of him singing madrigals).

AS into A2 Research and Planning Begins!

The full details of both of the tasks and the actual tracks and the lyrics can be found here.

We can use these tasks as part of your evidence base for R&P at A2.

The breakdown of the tasks is as follows:

TASK ONE - The individual storyboard and animatic of the track with a brand new band, track title, album title DUE ON BLOG JUNE 19TH

Track One - We Are Scientists - Harry M
Track Two - Interpol - Beritan
Track Three - A Perfect Circle - Joe A
Track Four - Terrorvision - Ben A
Track Five - Portishead - Jenay F
Track Six - Mansun - Aimee F
Track Seven - The Divine Comedy - Jacob B
Track Eight - The National - Umut N
Track Nine - Mr Scruff - Sarah B
Track Ten - The Mystery Jets - Hannah W
Track Eleven - Midfield General - Jess F
Track Twelve - Mclusky - Luke W

TASK TWO - ONE MINUTE EXTRACT - In your group (or by yourself if that is how you decided to go) use the track you bid for (or if you weren't here, the track you have been given) and recreate as faithfully and accurately shot-for-shot a minute extract. It can be any continuous minute of footage from the original promo, you don't have to go from the very start. If you need to feel free to fudge it and get creative. I'm interested in your problem solving here. DUE ON BLOGS JUNE 26TH

Ok Go - A Million Ways - Sarah B and Hannah W
Nirvana - In Bloom - Jess F
Daphne and Celeste - Oooh, Stick You - Ben A and Jacob B
Future of the Left - Sheena is a T-Shirt Salesman - Harry
White Town - Your Woman - Beritan T and Jenay F
FatBoySlim - Weapon of Choice - Aimee B and Luke W
REM - Stand - Umut and Joe

And a note on lessons:

THURSDAY 17TH MAY (today) - period 5 only.
TUESDAY 22ND MAY - CAM room for editing if you need it or home revision for exams
THURSDAY 24TH MAY - period 5 only. Period 6 home revision or CAM room.
TUESDAY 29TH MAY - CAM room for editing if you need it or home revision for exams
THURSDAY 31STMAY - period 5 only. Period 6 home revision or CAM room.

The first week back will be in the CAM room on 12th and 14th of June for final editing of your one minute extracts and storyboard anima. No other class time will be offered. So you need to be ORGANISED with your filming and editing. Don't leave it to the last minute. These are your first pieces of research and planning evidence for A2. Make them shiny.