Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Monday, 28 November 2011
Mod Youth Culture
Mods (modernist) is a youth culture that originated in London, in 1950s and peaked in the early-to-mid 1960s. A revival was also sparked in the 1970's, brought about in some way, by the film Quadrophenia (1979).
Significant elements of the mod subculture include fashion (often tailor-made suits); music, including African American soul, Jamaican ska, British beat music, and R&B; and motor scooters. The original mod scene was also associated with amphetamine-fuelled all-night dancing at clubs. From the mid-to-late 1960s and onwards, the mass media often used the term mod in a wider sense to describe anything that was believed to be popular, fashionable, or modern.
We believe that the mod culture could be a reaction to the rocker culture which was established in the same period (1950's), although it could also have been a reaction to a lack of freedom, and becoming a mod meant they could be part of a group and be their own person.
Filming
After speaking with the band, it has been arranged that we will begin filming on Thursday the 1st of December. This however is subject to change so we will keep you notified regarding any changes.
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Transitions
During the song, there will be two types of vocals used. These are 'screamed' vocals, and 'clean' vocals. As this is a metal core song, the screamed vocals with occur more frequently. An example of this is shown during verse 2.
"I'm sick of plain corpses crash and burn, no face no recognition
Just empty eyes and clotted blood, with no expression
from new born child to rotting man, to just conceived make the incision
sign here to have your name engraved in bold, in f'ing bold"
And an example of where clean vocals will appear is in the chorus:
"I am, I am the watch tower
I watch, but I only watch them die
the irony is that i'm suicidal
but I cant jump off myself "
This mix between tones is very popular amongst metal core songs. In addition to this, metal core songs can often be described as 'out of control', which often relates to the 'screaming' tones we hear in a song. We have decided to relate these tones to our filming by perhaps shooting in an out of control manner when we hear this tone, and then calming it down during the chorus of the watchtower. These screaming tones are popular amongst heavy metal songs, but the addition of calm notes compliment the genre of metal core.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Music video comparisons
This music video 'your betrayal' by Bullet For My Valentine shows similar transitions between shots to which we are looking to add in our music video. In addition to this, due to the nature of the genre of metal core, the speed of the cuts between shots are also similar to what we hope to include in our video music.
We see multiple examples of quick cuts between members of the band playing their separate instruments, and this compliments the genre of metal core. Also, the lighting has also been changed to a dull, reddish colour, which i believe shows fear and blood. These are both factors of heavy metal, which is something we have addressed and are looking to include in our music video.
The positioning of the band is also something similar to what we hope to include in our music video. The main singer is located at the front, and is the focus of attention. In addition to this, the drummer is located at the back, and despite being at the back, he appears to be in control of the band due to the dominance of size compared to the other members.
Finally, this music video has multiple examples of close-up shots onto the separate members of the band, which is something we hope to include in the opening scene of our music video.
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
How are youth represented in British cinema?
In British cinema, the youth are often portrayed as rebels against society. I will examine how this is done through the films human traffic, lonlieness of a long distance runner and the television prgramme spaced.
In Human traffic, authority figures, such as Jips mum, are shown in a completley different way to the youth of society. For example, when we first see Jips mum, she stands where the camera can see more of her compared to her son Jip. In addition to this, when he begins a conversation with his mum, he is often seen fiddling with his hair, avoiding eye contact and looking nervous. This indicates that Jip doesn't want to be there. This straight away gives the audience the impression that Jips mum is in command. It is seen as cultural hegemony to obey your parents, and in a way Jip does this. He initiall wants to be "in and out in 5 minutes", but instead is persuaded to stay until his mum is finished with her client. However, although obeying her, he isn't best pleased about this, which indicates that he is outside of cultural hegemony.
In addition to this, Jip is also shown to hate his job, something which the majority of the youth in Britain are seen to do. During one scene, Jip is seen as being raped by his boss, and he has no control and cannot retaliate. thos shows two things about cultural hegemony, one Jip has no control in his job, and two, he is exploited through work.
We also see Moff, and his relationship with his father. Moffs Dad is a policeman, which is ironic due to Moffs drinking and drug issues. Moffs father is constantly arguing about Moff not having a job, which is a social norm. He goes on to say "you don't even have a girlfirend!", again, something which is expected by society. The fact that Moffs father is an authority figure through his own job further illustrates the importance of Moff getting a job.
The importance of having a job in the television prgramme Spaced is also shown. For example, we often hear the phrase "making the best of the situation". This shows the importance of having a job, and you must have one even if you don't enjoy it. This is something which is very common in society, where people only keep their jobs for money or just to be accepted by society. The idea of "making the best of it" is shown in a clip where Mike, a lollipop man, is seen as being aggresssive and in command, almost in a miltary fashion, when he is helpiong to help school children cross the road.
The Loneliness Of A Long Distance Runner shows authority figures as being big, commanding and well respected. We see the idea of respecting authority figures when the boys are standing in linesm, and reply to these authority figures with the word 'sir'. The boys all obey these figures untill one of the men approaches Smith, and tells him to go on his regular run. Smith then goes on to leave the 'cage', which indiactes that the youth cannot be trusted by their elders and must stay under serveillance. When Smith breaks this cultural rule by leaving the cage, we hear jazz music, something which was seenn as being outside cultural hegemony at the time.
Overall, the three examples all show different ways of representing British youth. Human traffic shows them as not aknowledging the cultural rules, Spaced shows individuals as not enjoying a job, but just getting on with it, and Loneliness Of A Long Distance Runner shows the youth as obeying authority figures, despite previously not having done so. Just by looking at some of the cultural 'rules' in society, and how the youth react to them, we can see an indication of how they act in society.
In Human traffic, authority figures, such as Jips mum, are shown in a completley different way to the youth of society. For example, when we first see Jips mum, she stands where the camera can see more of her compared to her son Jip. In addition to this, when he begins a conversation with his mum, he is often seen fiddling with his hair, avoiding eye contact and looking nervous. This indicates that Jip doesn't want to be there. This straight away gives the audience the impression that Jips mum is in command. It is seen as cultural hegemony to obey your parents, and in a way Jip does this. He initiall wants to be "in and out in 5 minutes", but instead is persuaded to stay until his mum is finished with her client. However, although obeying her, he isn't best pleased about this, which indicates that he is outside of cultural hegemony.
In addition to this, Jip is also shown to hate his job, something which the majority of the youth in Britain are seen to do. During one scene, Jip is seen as being raped by his boss, and he has no control and cannot retaliate. thos shows two things about cultural hegemony, one Jip has no control in his job, and two, he is exploited through work.
We also see Moff, and his relationship with his father. Moffs Dad is a policeman, which is ironic due to Moffs drinking and drug issues. Moffs father is constantly arguing about Moff not having a job, which is a social norm. He goes on to say "you don't even have a girlfirend!", again, something which is expected by society. The fact that Moffs father is an authority figure through his own job further illustrates the importance of Moff getting a job.
The importance of having a job in the television prgramme Spaced is also shown. For example, we often hear the phrase "making the best of the situation". This shows the importance of having a job, and you must have one even if you don't enjoy it. This is something which is very common in society, where people only keep their jobs for money or just to be accepted by society. The idea of "making the best of it" is shown in a clip where Mike, a lollipop man, is seen as being aggresssive and in command, almost in a miltary fashion, when he is helpiong to help school children cross the road.
The Loneliness Of A Long Distance Runner shows authority figures as being big, commanding and well respected. We see the idea of respecting authority figures when the boys are standing in linesm, and reply to these authority figures with the word 'sir'. The boys all obey these figures untill one of the men approaches Smith, and tells him to go on his regular run. Smith then goes on to leave the 'cage', which indiactes that the youth cannot be trusted by their elders and must stay under serveillance. When Smith breaks this cultural rule by leaving the cage, we hear jazz music, something which was seenn as being outside cultural hegemony at the time.
Overall, the three examples all show different ways of representing British youth. Human traffic shows them as not aknowledging the cultural rules, Spaced shows individuals as not enjoying a job, but just getting on with it, and Loneliness Of A Long Distance Runner shows the youth as obeying authority figures, despite previously not having done so. Just by looking at some of the cultural 'rules' in society, and how the youth react to them, we can see an indication of how they act in society.
Monday, 14 November 2011
Band filming - Contact with fear the unknown
After our latest post in which we recieved a reply from Taverham High School, we have got into contact with FEAR THE UNKNOWN in order to try and find a suitable date and time in order to shoot the video.
We shall keep you updated on our progress.
We shall keep you updated on our progress.
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
Test shots - Lighting and Colouring
Here are some test shots of lighting and colouring.
Alex Jarvis A2 Media Blog: Test shots - Lighting and Colouring: This is just a simple test shoot showing the ideal colouring and lighting that we will be using in our music video. It is also a chance fo...
Alex Jarvis A2 Media Blog: Test shots - Lighting and Colouring: This is just a simple test shoot showing the ideal colouring and lighting that we will be using in our music video. It is also a chance fo...
Equipment list
Camera 1
Sony handy cam, HDV, 108i/min DV
Although this type of camera is not as good as the CMOS camera, they are still useful, and we will be using either 1 or of these cameras, dependent on how many of the CMOS cameras we can use.
Tripod
Manfrotto tripod, (190 x B)
We will be using the tripod within all of our shots bar one, the reason for this being that we would like no movement for most of the shots. Keeping the footage calm for the audience to view would increase their profile, this being one of the key attributes to an up and coming band like FEAR THE UNKNOWN. We will be using as many tripods as there are cameras for our filming.
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Media addiction
According to http://www.sethbarnes.com/?filename=media-addiction-is-killing-us-in-7-ways media addiction consists of seven seperate stages.
News - We aim to stay informed by watching the news, and it has as huge impact on the way we think.
Noise - We grow accustomed to a back drop of noise, for example, through an ipod or television, which in turn causes us to think less.
Moral decay - Our morality is under steady assault by an entertainment industry pushing sex, violence, and profanity.
A.D.D - The amazing number of media options available to us turns us into a nation of A.D.D. channel-flippers who can't focus on anything for very long.
Mind-numbing - We are diverted from the life-giving, creative activities like a long conversation or playing make-believe (both as children and as adults). We trade the interactive right-brain activities for passive, mind-numbing, left-brain activities.
Poor people skills - Our children are spending more time in "virtual relationships" online than in real ones. We're watching a generation growing up with poor people skills. When we interact with people in real life, we perceive them three ways: body, soul, and spirit. Over the web, we just exchange information, and the data we do exchange is often reduced to dull sound-bite-sized packets that convey little. Myspace is impoverishing our children, rendering them ever more superficial.
Bad decision making - The "un-delete" button on our computers is protecting kids from the consequences of their actions. By protecting a generation from the effects of its folly, we are filling the world with fools. This subtly feeds a relativistic perspective that calls into question absolute truth.
Legislation
Personally, I feel that it is up to the parents of a child to legislate how often they play a game, or what games they play. The issue of violence in games however should not be an issue due to the age restrictions on games, however parents should moniter what games their child are buying. In order to control media addiction, i feel that it would be suitable to place an advisory amount of time that should be spent playing on a game, and the dangerous effects that can occur for playing too much. This therefore makes it up to the person whether they want to harm themselves with media addiction, or to obey these guidelines.
http://www.videogamer.com/features/article/could_you_live_with_a_gaming_curfew.html
"But now there's something going on in Seoul. Back in April, Korea introduced legislation that put a curfew on online games. Thanks to this new Cinderella Law, between midnight and 6am all users under the age of 16 are locked out of online titles."
This law has been introduced in order to keep children from being addicted to online games, whilst also keeping their attention to their school work. This law enables children to focus on important things such as sleeping, as many children are known to play online for the entire night, which results in a poorer school performance.
Application to theories
Media addiction is an example the two-step flow model, where gamers will relate to a character in the game. For example, some studies have shown that some people have actually believed themselves to be the main character in a game, and then gone on to complete certain 'tasks' in the real world, such as murdering a member of their family. This is an example of extreme media addiction, but even the slightest addiction to media can be related to the two-step flow model, for example by feeling that they must play the game in order to help the character which they have built a relationship with, and therefore spend more time in the virtual world that in the real world.
News - We aim to stay informed by watching the news, and it has as huge impact on the way we think.
Noise - We grow accustomed to a back drop of noise, for example, through an ipod or television, which in turn causes us to think less.
Moral decay - Our morality is under steady assault by an entertainment industry pushing sex, violence, and profanity.
A.D.D - The amazing number of media options available to us turns us into a nation of A.D.D. channel-flippers who can't focus on anything for very long.
Mind-numbing - We are diverted from the life-giving, creative activities like a long conversation or playing make-believe (both as children and as adults). We trade the interactive right-brain activities for passive, mind-numbing, left-brain activities.
Poor people skills - Our children are spending more time in "virtual relationships" online than in real ones. We're watching a generation growing up with poor people skills. When we interact with people in real life, we perceive them three ways: body, soul, and spirit. Over the web, we just exchange information, and the data we do exchange is often reduced to dull sound-bite-sized packets that convey little. Myspace is impoverishing our children, rendering them ever more superficial.
Bad decision making - The "un-delete" button on our computers is protecting kids from the consequences of their actions. By protecting a generation from the effects of its folly, we are filling the world with fools. This subtly feeds a relativistic perspective that calls into question absolute truth.
Legislation
Personally, I feel that it is up to the parents of a child to legislate how often they play a game, or what games they play. The issue of violence in games however should not be an issue due to the age restrictions on games, however parents should moniter what games their child are buying. In order to control media addiction, i feel that it would be suitable to place an advisory amount of time that should be spent playing on a game, and the dangerous effects that can occur for playing too much. This therefore makes it up to the person whether they want to harm themselves with media addiction, or to obey these guidelines.
http://www.videogamer.com/features/article/could_you_live_with_a_gaming_curfew.html
"But now there's something going on in Seoul. Back in April, Korea introduced legislation that put a curfew on online games. Thanks to this new Cinderella Law, between midnight and 6am all users under the age of 16 are locked out of online titles."
This law has been introduced in order to keep children from being addicted to online games, whilst also keeping their attention to their school work. This law enables children to focus on important things such as sleeping, as many children are known to play online for the entire night, which results in a poorer school performance.
Application to theories
Media addiction is an example the two-step flow model, where gamers will relate to a character in the game. For example, some studies have shown that some people have actually believed themselves to be the main character in a game, and then gone on to complete certain 'tasks' in the real world, such as murdering a member of their family. This is an example of extreme media addiction, but even the slightest addiction to media can be related to the two-step flow model, for example by feeling that they must play the game in order to help the character which they have built a relationship with, and therefore spend more time in the virtual world that in the real world.
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