Spoof and Humorous Videos

While researching videos and through the answers we have got from the questionnaires so far, we have found that humour in music videos is popular and it also makes the video stick in your head longer. This is why we have decided that we want to include an humorous element in our music video. This is why I have researched into spoof and comical videos by sketch groups and comedians...

HORRIBLE HISTORIES

(apologies for bad quality videos,they are unofficial versions)

These videos are from a sketch show called 'Horrible Histories'. Adapted from popular children's books, this sketch show has won many awards in children's TV and was the first children's show to win a British Comedy Award. As they were for an educational comedy show, there is more of a focus on historical content which obviously, we would not need to follow. Even though theses music videos are aimed at children primarily, Horrible Histories obviously appeals to adults sense of humour (a 'children's show' has never won an award at the British comedy awards). This is why I feel researching and analysing these videos will give us a good idea of how to appeal to a wide audience's sense of humour.

I Became a Highwayman 

This has the clearest comparisons to a famous music video, Adam and the Ants: Stand and Deliver. The main similarities are the costume, locations, singing style and the body language of the main actor.  Adam Ant's videos are usually gently camp and comical and his trademark style of performance has been carried into the Horrible Histories video. The 'singing style' e.g. the 'huh'ing and the brief moments of falsetto singing are general Adam Ant signs but HH have also spoofed sequences from the Adam Ant video. For example: there are 2 slow motion jumps by Adam (out of a tree and through a window). And HH have used a slow motion jump off a small fence in theirs. Another feature they have taken is the way Adam handles the 2 pistols: waving them around, hiding behind them etc. The sketch group have taken this further and made 'Dick Turpin' dance around with them and pretend to fire them in the dance, adding to the humour. Both videos end with the highwayman about to be hanged, but they each deal with this issue in different ways. The real video lets him escape but the HH video (primarily aimed at children) must be historically accurate as well as sensitive to the viewers. I think it is done extremely well, as the camera zooms out through the noose and (with the music) the actor pretends to disappear through the trap door. 

The HH costume has kept the essence of the original video: the cape, Georgian style hat, curly black hair and dark eye-liner. However they have transferred the military style embroidery to a jacket, instead of the waistcoat. But it is still unmistakably mimicking the costume of the original video.‏

The original costume for Adam Ant.

Matthew Baynton as Dick Turpin

My name is Charles II

This video seems to be using general rap videos as an inspiration for comedy because it uses the conventions associated with that genre of music: Fast lyrics, the body language and dance 'gestures' and 'looming' their face into the camera (example at 0.42).  However they have used the opening lyrics to a very famous rap song by Eminem called 'My name is'. This will be instantly recogniseable to much of the audience and therefore increase the surreal nature of the video. This shows us that we do not have to use all the elements of a certain video or song. We can take a recogniseable features from many of certain genre.

Spartan School Musical 

Contrast to the 2 previous videos, this song is a reference that the younger half of the audience will understand. To represent the film aspect of it, there is a section at the start where the actors are just talking, which introduces the them of the song.  The main features that appear in both videos is the choreographed dance steps, the colour co-ordinated costumes ( in the real HSM the colour scheme is red and white whereas it is orange and white in the spoof) and the fact that they are singing in american accents. A more detailed comparison with the original and the HH version is the birds-eye-view shots to highlight the symmetrical choreography.  Also the end frame is frozen as they jump into the air which is very HSM-esque.

Literally 

This is another example of using one famous feature from one famous song to influence the rest of the video. The composition of the 4 heads in a diamond shape in the dark is unmistakably from Queen (Bohemian Rhapsody). But again this reference will not be picked up by the younger half of the audience. The original composition was extremely serious and artistic which is why it makes a big (humorous) impact when they start crossing and rolling their eyes in different directions, in the different takes. another very funny narrative sequence is the section involving monks, which I think is simple yet very effective. It didn't need expensive effects and the childish and simple humour appeals to a wide audience. The fact that they are playing swords and axes as instruments adds to the 'silly' tone which it needs because, going out on a children's channel, talking about killing monks and drinking from skulls is in need of a touch of funny!

The original composition

The HH version

Scottish Rebel 

I cannot find a specific video that this is spoofing, however it is very clear from the style of song, the 'instruments', effects and dance 'gestures' (head-banging) that it is mimicking the heavy metal genre. I like the uses of day and night shoots because it gives variety and the opportunity for different effects.
The use of low angles when shooting the band playing their 'instruments' shows them in power, which is what the song is about. They also use quick zooms in and out to focus on 'William Wallace's' expression. (examples at 0:03 and 0:15) The use of the Dolly camera sections dispersed through the video creates a feeling of increasing speed and movement throughout.


Boudicca

I feel this video is mirroring the style of female modern punk artist's videos. its very confrontational and has elements of modern girl power.  The slightly aggressive choreography places the main woman at the front and in power over the male dancers. I think that the mixture of solo performance, choreography and narrative is at a perfect mix in this video. The use of green screen on the solo performance reinforces the celtic/tribal theme because the moving and  changing pattern are all celtic inspired. Out of the selection, this is the video that uses the widest variety of shots and movement of shots. e.g. cut ins, zooms, slow motion into real time, handheld camera etc. The humor is shown through the daftness and cowardice of the male characters. Examples (1:23 and 1:44).


The Directors: Chloe Thomas, Steve Connely and Dominic Brigstocke


From this analysis, I have learnt:

• With spoof videos, mise-en-scene is the most important aspect of the video. Getting the costume/location/lighting as similar to the original as possible, but not so as you are copying.It lets the audience instantly recognise the reference.
• Knowledge of previous famous music videos. 
• Knowledge of you target audience so you know where to aim the references. 

Critical Analysis of Music Videos 7

Various Artists


This post is here because after analysing a range of videos made by each specific artist, I realised that I wanted to include other videos on their merit, instead of focusing on the band or singer. Here I have analysed three videos (which I love) that are original, well executed and clever. I hope to use these as influences when we come to make our video.


Dan ~ Grovesnor 

Dan is a great example of a low budget video set in a definable era, in this case the 1970's. It also happens to very funny! The 2 key features that show the 70's influence are costume and lighting. The costumes are very simple and yet very obviously 70's: the cut of the male character's jackets and the prints and colours of his shirts, (orange and mustard) are evocative of this era. The female character's costume is slightly less obvious, however the dungarees and patterns on her clothing reflect the 70's look. The lighting is used in two ways here: in the performance sections the stage lights, combined with a special filter  make them very similar to lighting used on 'Top of the Pops' in this decade.

Example of 70's colouring on photo

The other way is with the narrative sequence, again either lighting, a filter or a combination of the two have made the picture hazy and bleached which is very similar to how photos in the 70's came out. This feature adds a reminiscent and romantic feel to the narrative, as if we are looking at someone's 'rose tinted' memories of that time.  Editing on the beat of the music is a common feature in music videos, however I feel they do it differently in Dan - the technique is used all the way through instead of just as a novelty feature.  Another element I love in this video is the short sequence where the performance is being shown, it then cuts to the narrative and they are watching the performance on the television. This kind of cut has been used many times in music videos but again, it's the way this band has executed it. And lastly, the funny bits. The humour is made throughout the video through facial expressions (especially using 'surprised eyes') and body language/action when the two characters are trying to catch the dog and with the '3rd arm' in bed. I think the reason the humour works here and doesn't detract from the drama of the story is that it is 'silent' and so only through the subtle movements is it created. Also the use of comic actors (James Corden, Jim Howick and Matthew Baynton) means the comedy in the scenes is natural and as a result, much more effectively.


Grounds for Divorce ~ Elbow

There are a number of really good features in this video I would like explore. In the first shot, all the media elements combine to set the scene and emotion of the video. The two shot glasses are dumped heavily on the scuffed bar by gnarled hands, slightly slopping some alcohol over the side of the glass, the other hands pass the money and take the glasses away without saying anything. This unceremonious action is delivered in such a way, that the audience knows the barman and the customer have done this thousands of times.  The colour scheme of the costumes, location and lighting of many shades of brown also reflect the dreary, sloppy, broken mood of the whole video. The other, quite original, element that I really love in this video is the manipulation of the film at certain points, repeating, rewinding and slowing sections, to make the action correspond with the beat. (example at 0:35).


End Love ~ OKGO

OKGO are widley known for their ambitious choreographed videos, and I think that 'End Love' was one of the most labour-intensive and technically challenging of them all. It was filmed over 18 hours in Echo Park! I am just astounded at the amount of calculations that would have gone into this video, because parts are speeded up and parts were slowed down so the rate at which they were mouthing the lyrics along to the song would keep changing! Another humorous element that was not planned was the goose that decided to follow the band around throughout the day. As always, it was an incredible feat of planning and creativity which paid off!


Song for Whoever ~ The Beautiful South
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsLq9rnnTCM


(Unfortunately, we are unable to embed the video into the blog due to copyright issues)

The blancmange has often been used
 as a"comedy pudding". Image
from a sketch in Monty Python

From the generic structure of the beginning of this video: a dark backdrop band performance interspersed with black and white narrative shots, the audience would be forgiven for thinking this is just another generic 80's love song video: But that is exactly the point! I had to watch it twice before I fully understood the joke, it is a sharp satirical look at the pop music industry at the time. Commenting on band management, press reactions (thinking of the subtitle: 'you cant sing, you look awful... you'll go a long way') and the fickle nature of chart shows. A separate feature that is an interesting way to move the narrative along is the use of scenes with captions "The Audition" for example, it makes it easier for the audience to understand the narrative with no audible dialogue. The conveyer belt in this scene is also a funny comment on the disposability of modern artists and the pace at which the industry brings in and discards them. 

Critical Analysis of Music Videos 6

CORRINE BAILEY RAE


Put your records on 

I really love the motif of the red ribbon that returns throughout the video, going from one ribbon on her bike to hundreds hanging from the tree. 
I have noticed that all Corrine's songs I have looked at have a natural, simple quality to them. This is transferred to all parts of the video: mise en scene, shot types and editing. For example, using a hand held camera in this video, gives the impression of a 'home movie' style which fits with the costumes and locations of this video. Another convention of Corrine's videos is shots of tree tops with the sun behind them. This is a beautiful and simple way of showing the 'summery' nature of her song and placing the audience in the setting as it feels like we are looking up from the shade of the tree to the blue sky behind it.
In this video, she challenges a convention that female singers use in music videos by wearing the same costume in both locations rather than changing their whole look in the different settings.


Like a star

This video is an excellent example of how good they are at dressing the set on Corrine's videos. There are 3 locations in Just Like a Star: a big disused Georgian house, jetty by a lake and a night club. All are picturesque, so beautifully composed that they could all work as photographs as well as moving shots.  The house and club are linked by an action match shot (see below) but I cannot see any link or meaning behind the jetty shots, other than their beauty. The use of traveling shots moving in and out throughout the video give it almost a lullaby quality. 

These shots could be photographs

 

                                                      

Action Match with the hand position

Fading the blue lights out (which
 highlight the silhouettes of the
dancers) gives the impression
 that she is oblivious to them
and alone in her own thoughts

The action match earlier links these
two locations. Maybe she really is in
the night club and the house is in
her dreams.

From this analysis I have learnt:

• Corrine Bailey Rae's videos are exquisitely beautiful, using mise en scene to its full potential, but as a result are not very meaningful. 
• Natural and simple with occasional glamour are her style of video. 
• Humour is not part of her videos very often.

Critical Analysis of Music Videos 5

Caro Emerald


I have noticed that we have been focusing on 'pop' music videos in our analysis, artists who have almost unlimited budgets and are played on the radio all the time.  These videos have been useful to us, giving us an idea of how 'that area' of the music business create videos. However, it does not reflect all our interest, nor the whole music video industry. This is why we are analysing Caro Emerald's videos. She is an up and coming artist who would not necessarily have such a high budget. Her style of music is individual, and not "mainstream".


Back it up 

One thing that separates Back it Up from most of her other videos, is that it is split into 4 parts, allowing  her to use her signature black and white with colour filter shots (showing her and her band) while also including some 50's television/film inspired performance. I am not sure about the exact technical term for this but I am guessing that the exposure on the camera is higher in the performance shots(example at 1:43), allowing more bright white light to come through, thus giving a fresher and very different look to the shots of her and individual band members against the white back-drop (example at 1:00). The element that makes the audience know it is a Caro Emerald video is the 'karaoke' style lyrics that appear on the screen as she sings them. A variation on this convention is the occasional lyrics that appear as film titles throughout the video (example at  1:16) and 'The End'.
A number of after effects have been used on this video to give it an authentic look for the eras she is using. The rolling projector effect at the start and the flickers of dust throughout the film just add to the general 'vintage' look of the video.  The other two black and white performances (early television scene at the start and the performance in front of the huge title letters) add to the hollywood glamour of this video.




That Man 

This video (especially the intro) is heavily influenced by 50's film titles. The combination of rolling/morphing animation, real film and silhouettes is very similar to titles like 'Charade' 1963.
With this type of video, elements such as locations are of less relevance, and although the audience cannot see the full costumes for most of the video,  the shape of the garment is still very important. The era must be clear to the audience even through the silhouette. Having chosen this challenging format (full sequence animation with inserts of real film) there needed to be other ways to show the performance of the singer and band. She was able to do this using silhouettes of filmed action and her trade mark colour filters combined with the morphing animation. Including dancers, performing a dance closely linked to the 40's and 50's (lindy-hop), adds a different kind of movement to balance the chase sequence.


Stuck 

This video is quite different to the others. For a start, her trademark 'lyrics on the screen' and coloured filters are not used. Although the strong colour schemes that run through each section are a variation on this convention. The use of conveyer belts, extra characters and theatrical set make it look like a MGM musical!  I feel that in this video, Caro has more fun with the genre: the extended shoulder shaking sequence and lightly comical facial expressions show this. Each scene has been carefully colour co-ordinated to highlight her bright costume.




From this analysis I have learnt:

• Colour co-ordination is used in many different ways in her videos.
• Mise en scene is very important in Caro's videos as the songs are influenced by a mixture of 40's and 50's style music, so it is imperative that the videos reflect this. Costumes, make-up, props locations and font for the lyrics all show this. 
• Many of her videos use after effects: such as coloured filters, old film effects and text on screen.
• A lot of the appeal to her videos is the obvious fun Caro is having in each one.  The light comical touches such as facial expressions or cheesy 50's style narrative are examples of this element. 
• The 'lyrics on screen' feature is used by many artists, but I think that Caro's videos execute it better than many. 
• Her videos are always introduced by titles on the screen.e.g. ''Caro Emerald  in  That Man'' this also reminds me of 50's musical films. 

Critical Analysis of Music Videos 4

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS


She's so lovely

The opening two shots of this video are stills of bowling trophies with a close up of the photo of the band winning the trophy, these shots are accompanied by sounds of pins going down in the background. This only lasts for a few seconds but the effect is that the audience understand the back story, and the location immediately. It is really simple and lets the video start without having to do panning shots or a section of dialogue. I really like this technique! Another simple feature that works well in this video is the shot at the start of her legs walking left across the screen which turns into 2 pairs of legs (hers and supposedly his) walking right across the screen at the end. Implying she has chosen the main character/lead singer over her caricature of bad boyfriend. This video is aimed at a male dominated audience as it focuses only on the appearance of the 'lovely' woman instead of her character and this attitude is stereotypically male. A as a female watching this video, I did see the humor of all the men being turned into drooling dummies in the wake of this woman (panning shots of a line of men with their mouths open and a man spraying shoes loosing concentration and spraying the customer) but after a while I felt annoyed that they were just focusing on her sexuality. However I did like the matching shots when both male characters had a close up shot of their eyes with the bowling ball covering the rest of their face. Matching the shots like this, made a clear comparison between the 2 characters.




Its not about you it's me

This is my favorite video out of the three because it makes the audience feel sympathy for the main character, it is very funny in places and the happy ending is understated and subtle. I really admire the way the cafe scenes have been filmed. It is not too stylized but there is just enough symbolism and meaning reflected through the types of shots and the repetition.  The point of view shots used isolate the characters from each other and shows the uncomfortable/funny reactions from the main character to each girl's distaste for him and his gifts. The repetition of him giving the same flowers to all the different girlfriends and the girls leaving one after another, is synchronised with the repetition of the lines 'I guess we've got nothing the same' and 'don't you go home'.  This technique highlights the lyrics and gives a sense of familiarity.
From these three videos, it is clear they like to use unglamorous locations for their narrative sequences. ('greasy spoon' cafe, bowling ally, pubs and corner shop) This fact coupled with their singing style (their london accent is still audible) give an impression of down to earth, normal people which helps their audience to relate to them.  Also in each video, the other band members 'work' in the location which adds to this persona of 'real' people. e.g. the guitarist works in the kitchen and the drummer works at the bar in the bowling ally. It also adds a surreal element as they spontaneously start playing their instruments in the kitchen!


Elvis ain't dead

There are just a few elements I wanted to pick out of this video that I thought were really original and fun. The concept of the main character seeing Elvis every where he looks surreal and really kooky, and they have executed it really well. the costumes are not flash or very realistic but that adds to the humour. The reactions of the main character, especially the mirror shot, the looks to camera in the corner shop and the close up shots in the pub, are very funny and provide a normal reaction to the mad imaginings of his subconscious. Another really clever technique they have used to make sure the audience understands the Elvis's are just in his mind is at 3.02 where the shot of a pub full of Elvises is wiped using a man walking across the shot, to reveal all the people in normal clothes. I would really like to find out how this was done and if it would be possible to use the technique in our video, should we have a reason to. This narrative combined with quite an uncharacteristically glamorous stage set make this video a great and funny one.


From this analysis I have learnt:

• Using less glamourous locations can still look brilliant and professional if the set is dressed properly. 
• We can pick out lyrics by having them appear on things that are found through the video. For example: showing 'elvis aint dead' on card a found in the street.
• Scounting for Girls use humour aimed very much at a male audience, we will not be aiming our video at a mainly male audience. 

Critical Analysis of Music Videos 3

TAYLOR SWIFT 


Mine
This video cuts between the narrative of taylor meeting a boy in a cafe, in a relationship, moving in, proposing, having an argument, getting married and having a family interspersed with memories of how her parents used to fight. And the performance element in a forrest dressed with photographs of her dream life. The two sequences are very clearly divided using lighting. The performance is very bright, colourful and very saturated all the way through. Her dream life starts out bright and with a light brown tint but as her dream life 'goes bad' the lighting gets darker and less saturated. Eventually everything is sorted out and we return to the cafe as if nothing has happened. It is a very romantic and beautiful but in my opinion it lacks substance and it looks strange when their have made a family of 3 boys and they still look the same as they do in the cafe!


Fifteen

The organic and subtle animation fits very well with her style of sining and the acoustic guitar, making each scene flow into the next as the camera pans across and the next set gradually fades into existence. 
 Her surroundings reflect the stages of emotion in her life. e.g. morning lighting is fresh and warm symbolising the anticipation of her first day. and the storm with thunder and rain reflecting her sadness and anger at herself and what has happened to her and her friend.  Using pathetic fallacy is common in her videos  another example is white horse: raining outside when sad bright and sunny when happy).




Love Story

The narrative structure of this video is quite similar to 'Mine'. She meets someone in reality, dreams about them having a relationship and then she is brought back to reality and the audience is left with a 'will they won't they' question in their mind. However i think that this song is better suited to this style of narrative.  obviously they have a bigger budget for this one and so can dress the 'dream' set very authentically. It is a very beautiful sequence that will strongly appeal to her female fans, as the Romeo and Juliet / Pride and Prejudice theme is very popular with female audiences. 




You Belong With Me

This is very similar to a video by Avril Lavigne called 'Girlfriend' that I will be analysing. Main girl wants to be with main guy but he's with another girl (both versions dressed in pink at some point) eventually main girl gets to be with main guy and other girl is annoyed. In both versions, the singer plays both female characters. However I think that this version is executed better. It has a kinder, softer approach to unrequited love the main female character feels. The dressing up sequence will appeal to her younger female audience because she is trying out different personalities with each outfit which is what young girls do, to find out who they are. Another example of this video being targeted at young girls is the fact that she plays 'air guitar' and sings along to her own song with a hairbrush. And a final example is the crowd at 'prom' parting for her, so that everyone is admiring her. this is another common dream for girls going to a party.  From this video, I have noticed that in her videos, Taylor Swift uses footage of the characters talking without sound and plays the song over the top of it.  Colour is used to distinguish between the 2 female characters at prom. the mean girl is in red which has connotations of danger and lust, whereas the heroine is dressed in white symbolising purity and goodness. 




From this analysis I have learnt: 

• Her music promotes moral messages similar to Pink's. That it is ok to be different and not one of the 'popular' girls. This is important as a large part of her audience will be young girls. 
• She makes aspirational videos, aimed at females. Everything is beautiful in her videos which appeals to young girls.
• She doesn't use humour very much, her videos are often serious or sincere. 

Critical Analysis of Music Videos 2

KATY PERRY 


Last Friday Night 
Out of the selection I have watched, this one seems to have the biggest budget! I love the film theme, using simple conventions like titles, credits,  'THE END' and 'out takes', it gives the video a really high class and original feel. The opening strictly follows common conventions of films set in american suburbia: a crane shot following a paper boy on his bike throwing papers into the gardens of the big american houses. This will be very recogniseable for her american audience and some from other countries. Also using the record companies as the production companies and having an section of acting at the start will reinforce the idea of a film in the audiences mind as they watch the rest of the video. She has focused very heavily on comedy in this video, often making fun of her younger self using mise-en-scene and sound: braces, 80"s fashion and she uses a 'funny voice' when talking but not when singing. This is show in the first shot inside the house: a close up of a chicken! A nice break from the randomness and 80's cheese is done by using a dream sequence with pretty ridiculous mediaeval costumes and green screen.


From this analysis I have learnt:

• It is possible to play around with the medium, using simple conventions we could twist the music video into a film style or other media product.
• Humour can be from mise-en-scene or the actors expressions 
• Possible theme for our video: setting the video in another era?

Critical Analysis of Music Videos 1

PINK 


So What

This song was in reaction to the artist's divorce from her husband. While there is a comic narrative, a deep feeling of loss is also conveyed. The excessive amount of different locations (number of locations) used throughout the song, gives a feeling of restlessness and instability. The comic elements, including Pink traveling down the road on a small quad bike, much to the annoyance of the other drivers.  Pink's hair is set alight by a comical camp hairdresser. The most powerful section in this video, in my opinion, is the parts where Pink and her husband are shown in the same shot. The headlines from the extensive publicity that covered their break up are shown in the background. She comedically pokes and sings to him in a mock confrontational way while he pretends not to care.  While these shots are light hearted, there is still real affection shown in the sequence.

Stupid Girls
There is a pleasing circular narrative to this video as it starts with a small girl watching TV while Pink appears as her 2 consciences good and evil above each shoulder. This scene is returned to a few times in the video and at the end. There is a strong moral behind the song and video, it shows american culture is teaching girls to act in a sexual way to get what they want in life. It is clear that Pink disagrees with this as she plays many different roles, showing the 'stupidity' of this way of life. She uses a different character or location to highlight important lyrics. e.g. 'Whatever happened to the dream of a girl president, she's dancing in the video next to 50 cent. ' Here, 2 characters contrast in the same sentence to highlight the change in attitude. At the end, the small girl from the beginning has a choice. a point of view shot shows a table full of creative things: keyboard, football and a microscope. And a table full of dolls, make up and toys. She chooses the football and goes out to play. This is opposite to the start of the video where the character was 'wanting to be like the girls on TV'.




OTHER FEATURES FROM OTHER VIDEOS


Funhouse
There are a few elements from this video that I enjoyed.

There is a part at 0:27 in the video where she does a kind of kick/skip exactly in time to the drums in the music. The location has been amazingly dressed for the video. The extras and piles of debris all add to the theme of the video.

Sober

My favourite part of this video is the section in the white room (where Pink is virtually unrecogniseable in a white wig) and her movements, hits and stretches are synchronised with the music.










From this analysis I have learnt:

• Pink promotes the individuality and independence of women.
• She shows women as strong and confident.
• Pink often uses humor and different locations in her videos to highlight certain lyrics.