Intro to New Project: Music Video

After finally completing our previous project, the production of a Gatorade commercial, we have now been presented a new task: producing a music video. Based on prior experiences with the production process as a whole, we have come to several realizations in regards to our overall effectiveness in completing our previous project. For the most part, our commercial was success. We managed to secure our locations and record all of our footage without any major inconveniences. We were also able to relatively follow our storyboard. Story boarding played a major part in our project as it enabled us to efficiently plan out what we would be doing and ultimately made the filming process much easier. Taking notes and actively discussing and assigning who would do what made organization much clearer and aided in the fluidity of the commercial. One thing we struggled with a lot  was the editing software. Though we ultimately managed to finish the project, we struggle with certain features such as split screens. For this music video, we will ensure that we have better knowledge and practice in regards to various  the features of our music video. As group, we decided that we will be doing “Kiss Me Thru The Phone” by Soulja Boy Tell’Em.

The original music video has the typical mis en scene that a Hip-Hop/Rap music video would have. The different camera angles, sound, and editing techniques. In a traditional music video for Hip-Hop/Rap, the camera angles are usually low-angled close up shots in order for the main artist of the music video can seem like the most important focal point of the video. Shots that are taken in a Hip-Hop/Rap music video include many two shots, typically with the main artist and a love interest to indicate that they are desirable. It also includes shots like club/party scenes where it gives the artist credibility because it shows how large groups of people are enjoying their song. Depending on the song itself, there can be a range of sounds that are not including the song. There can be sounds of engines revving to depict the luxury the artist or people yelling their name so it shows their importance. The editing, like the sound, also depends on the song and how the director and the artist want the song to be interpreted. 

Within the Hip Hop/Rap genre, artists tend to wear a variety of apparel. This may range from designer clothing such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Ferragamo complimented by expensive chains, watches, and other forms of jewelry. This aims to emphasize the wealth that the artist has accumulated and is often a reflection and even a product of the rags to riches story they likely experienced.

In a music video there isn’t a lot of acting involved unless there is a background story to the music video. In the original music video you see spots in the video where the person is looking to be having a conversation on a cell phone. They did this to signify them calling the other person through the phone.

The makeup is also an important part of Hip-Hop videos. Back in 2008, the girls wore vivid makeup that popped on screen. For example bright eyeshadow colors, or and big eyeliner. Some videos would showcase the girl in a scene where she would just need normal makeup. The guys however, didn't really a lot of makeup due to the fact that makeup was more fememine. 

Props that are heavily featured in many of the videos of the hip-hop genre would include phones, jewelry, clothing, and stacks of money. They serve to captivate the audience’s attention, and portray the characters in the video as wealthy and well off in terms of power and status. 

Setting is very important for these types of videos, as they help to demonstrate where the video is taking place. Most often in the Hip-Hop genre, the setting is usually on the street, or a neighborhood, parties, and social gatherings.