Research Into Chosen Music Genre - Miss Georgiou

The chosen music genre we decided to do was Indie. This was because we thought it had many great music conventions that we could follow and also subvert the conventions too. We want to make this video our own, and whilst following some of the conventions of an indie genre we also want to try and include some of our own ideas and inspirations from other music genres to try and make this a one of a kind music video. What interested us the most with the indie genre was everything. Mis-en-scene particularly inspired us especially costume as in the videos were very retro. It is very unique with clothing coming from the past and the artists slowly modernising it.  This gave us many ideas about our setting and places we could film in to make it more of a 'camden look' , which is more grungy and vintage. It also helped us to think of a narrative for the music video, with the mis-en-sene costumes with the grunge we thought of a narrative to do with a possible abusive/complicated relationship , abusing the use of drugs and alcohol. This will be relevant to the specific target audience as they will probably find it more realistic and relatable as they are more likely to be exposed to the uses of drugs and alcohol rather than an abusive/physical relationship.
We were also inspired by the mis-en-scene iconography such as the use of alcohol bottles, cigarettes and instruments like guitars. This also made us have many ideas to do with the narrative and by following a few conventions the video would still have its typical music genre. Another inspiration was the editing at the beginning with her name (the artist) in the shot in large letters, and the use of the editing with projector effect to make the video look old. I think that the use of the artists name at the beginning of the song, makes sure that she is the centre of attention in the music video , and the use of the projector effect makes the video more unique and intriguing and the audience feel that they are watching a narrative that shows that possible love grows old.

Kate Nash - Sister
The first music video I analysed for inspiration and identifying the codes and conventions was 'Sister' By Kate Nash. Here I looked at this particular video as it is an indie music genre and this way I was able to see if there were any similarities and differences to other indie records.

As I started to analyse this music video I was able to indentiy many codes and coventions to the genre of indie within and throughout. One of the ways in which this was conveyed was the use of mis-en-scene iconography. Firstly, the use of a guitar in the music video is a major essential to a indie genre as this is coventional as this is streotypical instrument for all indie stars to play. It creates a different atmosphere to the music video and makes the audience feel that the artist is a true/real performer and very intelligent and diverse as a musical artist. This creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to gather an insight to the music artists instrumental side and it could inspire them to take up an instrument themselves like the artist just to try and copy what they do even more and be more like them.
Another convention to the indie genre is the setting through mis-en-scene. The setting is based in a rural area (where there are not many people) on a beach. This is conventional to an indie genre as although the beach we do not always see typically a beach in a indie setting, we do see rural or abandoned places within this with hardly any other people around in the background. This is essential in a indie music genre as this shows that the artists possible want to portray their music and their personality through scenery as if to tell the audience that they are quiet and laid back themselves and that they feel abandoned themselves. This creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to feel sympathy for the artist and this could relate to the audience as they may feel this or gone through a similar feeling.
It also follows Goodwin's theory in some ways that in which it has many lose-ups of the artist. This enables the artist to promote themselves as an  artist an create a relationship with the audience as they are able to get a more in depth feel for the artist as they feel that they can connect with the artist more if they can know there image more and use of eye contact with the camera. It makes the audience believe that the artist is singing to them and only them. It makes the song more personal.

There are many ways in which mis-en-scene is used. Firstly mis-en-scene is used through costume. She wears clothing which isn't revealing but wears a nude coloured dress which is tight fitting. This here isn't conventional to a indie/pop music video as you wouldn't expect to see such feminine clothing within this genre, stereotypically you would see this generic artist in baggy clothing for example, but the only part of her clothing at the beginning of the video that would be conventional to the genre is the colour. The nude/natural colour to the clothing is essential within an indie/pop music genre as it represents the artist as being quite laid back, and that she isn't superficial she is just herself , natural and it portrays her music as being natural as well which can make the audience connect with her - this helps them connect to her more as if her image is more natural then that means she hasn't been influenced by society and it lets the audience see that they do not need to follow what society wants them to be, it connotes that everyone is their own individual.
Another way in which mis-en-scene is used is through make-up. The make up despite being natural she has heavy eye liner on her top eyelids. This shows that she follows the conventions of a indie genre whilst also subverting this, as we see her natural beauty but she wants to show her identity and her individuality through her eye make-up. Make up Is essential in an indie music genre as you want the artist to be portrayed as innocent yet show her feistiness. This lets the audience see the natural beauty of the artist instead of seeing them through and behind a layer.

There were limited amounts of camera shots within this music video as they mainly focussed on the essential angles so that they the main focus was on the artist. The use of the main camera shot which was close ups, closely follow Goodwin's theory of what an artist should have within their music video. The close-ups are essential within an indie music video as the personality of the artist is the most key throughout. The close-ups shows the artist performing and this is essential to a music video as this enables the artist to sell themselves and show what kind of performer she is. This is also shows her identity better as the audience are able to see her up close and the use of eye contact aswell makes her seem as if she is singing to the audience. This creates a relationship with the audience as they think that the song is relevent to them and make them feel more connected to the artist as she is giving eye contact at the camera. Close-ups also sell the artist too, they make them seem like a true performer and this helps with the development of more fans and the making of her career.
Another camera angle used is panning shot. This is used specifically when showing her perform(sing) and showing the band and the instruments in the background. This is essential to a music video as we see the entire band that help the artist. It shows that the attention is focussed on the artist by some is also with the band who help give them some of the limelight also. It is also essential to a music video as the panning shot lets us see the conventional scenery of the garage/bar scene which is conventional  to an indie music video genre. It helps build a relationship with the audience as it shows that it isn't just the artist that is making the music, it also is the band, and it shows a natural setting and this could make the audience feel that the artist is being her true self and relatable to the audience.

The target audience would be very specfic in this aspect of the music video, due to the specific genre being indie. As the song is about heartbreak calling upon a lost 'sister' , the audience would be niche audience possibly around the ages of 16-28. This is because the narrative of the music video is quite hard to follow and to grasp the idea of it. It is more complicated than your normal indie music video due to the complication of the narrative. We as the audience try to link the visuals with the lyrics and as her lyrics do not typically follow Goodwin's theory of it matching the visuals we as the audience are made to focus on the song a lot harder than you would usually. The title of the song 'Sister' is quite misleading with the lyrics throughout as the visuals insinuate that the other female in the music video is the partner of Kate Nash, but yet the title of Sister suggests another meaning. This then makes the target audience have to be a specific age as it will be quite hard to understand the true meaning of the song and be less meaningful if they do not get to grips with the message from the lyrics. This could also be for a target audience of girls who may have had a heartbreak in their lives and show how (due to the melodramatic tone/beat to the song) you can overcome it - despite it being hard too. This lets the audience connect more to the song as it is more complex than most and if it has a meaning the audience are more likely able to relate to the song than if it didn't.

The artist is represented as somebody who is carefree, reminiscent of the past and also rebellious and a rule breaker. We see this through many of the different elements in the music video and due to the complex/complicated narrative. We firstly see the use of mis-en-scene costume to show her carefree attitude towards life. The use of the baggy clothing in white with the tight fitting shorts (in the setting on the cold beach) show her carefree attitude as it makes her seem that despite the cold weather she still wants to look good. This creates an image of her being carefree as the use of the colour white also represents her personality as being subtle and innocent yet by wearing your conventional clothing to an indie music video but yet quite revealing of her skin of her legs shows that she isn't fussed what people think of her. This is essential in a music video as it represents the artist as her own individual despite following the conventions of a typical indie music genre. It helps to create a relationship with the audience as it shows her personality through her clothing and this could be something that the audience what to create themselves, and it inspires the audience to copy her sense of style, therefore promoting the artist.
Another way in which the artist is represented is through the use of cinematography - camera angles. For example, the use of low angle shot shows Kate Nash as being very rebellious by climbing a building and getting to the top, which is somebody else's private property. It shows that she is being led by another girl and this could also show her as being very manipulated by other people. The low angle shot shows the audience that she is rebellious as she is climbing a building not owned by the pair, and this makes the audience see that she is a rule breaker and doesn't want to do what everybody else tells her to do, hence why she is rebelling against the rules of society. We also see her drinking alcohol on the beach which could also show her rebelling and this creates a relationship with the audience as this would be a typical thing that a lot of teenagers would do to get away with drinking alcohol. This would therefore make the song more relatable to the audience.
She is also portrayed as being a feminist and this is shown when she is performing to the camera and with the use of cinematography panning shot. It shows her and her band performing in a garage (conventional to an indie music genre) and we only see women in her band and also throughout her entire music video. This could represent her true feelings towards feminism as she may believe strongly that all women should get the chance to express themselves through music, not your stereotypical drummer whom is a man. This could connect with the audience as many of the female fans may think they have the same values as the artist and this will make them think she has the same personality as them also.

There are two main styles to this music video and these are narrative and performance based style. The use of the narrative in this music video connects the lyrics to the visuals and it explains the song in more depth so that the audience are able to relate, understand and connect to the song more than what they would with just a performance based music video. The narrative enables the audience to see what the artist though the song was about themselves though the narrative and ideas of the music video, without a narrative based video they are less likely to connect to the song if it has a meaning behind the lyrics - the narrative also allows the audience to see the artist in a different setting to what they would normally. Performance is also used within this music video as it shows the artist in her element, where she loves to be the most. She uses emotion through acting and through her eye contact with the camera and by having the performance style is lets the audience see her in all her glory and as an artist.

Goodwins theory is used in many ways throughout this music video. The setting is based in a rural area (where there are not many people) on a beach. This is conventional to an indie genre as although the beach we do not always see typically a beach in a indie setting, we do see rural or abandoned places within this with hardly any other people around in the background. This is essential in a indie music genre as this shows that the artists possible want to portray their music and their personality through scenery as if to tell the audience that they are quiet and laid back themselves and that they feel abandoned themselves. This creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to feel sympathy for the artist and this could relate to the audience as they may feel this or gone through a similar feeling.
It also follows Goodwin's theory in some ways that in which it has many close-ups of the artist. This enables the artist to promote themselves as an  artist an create a relationship with the audience as they are able to get a more in depth feel for the artist as they feel that they can connect with the artist more if they can know there image more and use of eye contact with the camera. It makes the audience believe that the artist is singing to them and only them. It makes the song more personal.
Another way in which is follows Goodwin's theory in the fact that there is a balance between narrative and performance based context. This is shown through the use of her forming in the garage engaging the camera with eye contact, this is essential as the audience feel connected to the artist as the use of the eye contact makes the audience feel that she is singing to them and only them. The use of the narrative explains the lyrics of the song in more detail, and gives a visual of the lyrics to what the artist thinks her own lyrics mean. It connects and builds a relationship with the audience as they are able to see the artists own ideas through the use of her narrative and what the artist believes her song is about.

Nina Nesbit - Apple Tree
The second music video I have analysed was Nina Nesbit's 'Apple Tree'. This was the is an indie music genre, the same as the song I also want to do but this doesn't have any pop conventions to it. I had chosen to analyse this music video as I believe it has many conventions to the genre and had inspred me with it's quite different take on how the genre should be portrayed.

There were many codes and conventions I have identified through this music video to represent the indie genre. The first, was the use of mis-en-scene iconography which was the use of the instrument the guitar. The guitar is very conventional to an indie genre as it portrays the artist to be very passionate about their music and shows that they are an instrumentalist. It is major essential to a indie genre as it is very conventional and it is your stereotypical instrument for all indie stars to play. It creates a different atmosphere to the music video and makes the audience feel that the artist is a true/real performer and very intelligent and diverse as a musical artist. It portrays the artist to be different as it shows the performance side of the artist whilst including it within a natural setting. This creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to gather an insight to the music artists instrumental side and it could inspire them to take up an instrument themselves like the artist just to be more like them as an individual, it could possibly inspire them to use the guitar as their get away from the real word.

Another convention of the music video is the use of performance throughout. Although the basis of this music video is shown through the point of view camera angle of the artists life and shows true/real life footage, we are able to see her perform several times throughout the music video. This is essential in a indie music genre as it shows the artist as being realistic to the audience and giving them what they want by entertaining her fans. It creates a relationship with her fans as she is able to show how she performs on the stage; we see her on stage with a single spotlight and her guitar, and this makes all the attention focussed on her and her music and not anything around it. It makes the audience connect with her more as an artist as she is able to show that she may not have everything but she has her voice and her music and that is all she needs, she isn't trying to impress everyone with what she has, and this makes the audience feel she is more genuine as an artist.

Mis-en-scene is used throughout the entire music video and follows many of the codes and conventions throughout. The first mis-en-scene element used was the use of iconography with the guitar. The guitar is essential within an indie music genre video as it is very conventional to an indie genre as it portrays the artist to be very passionate about their music and shows that they are an instrumentalist. It is very conventional to the indie music genre as it is very stereotypical for an indie artist to play this particular instrument as it gives a different tone to their music, making it more subtle and catchy. It creates a different atmosphere to the music video and makes the audience feel that the artist is great performer and that they are focussing on the music within their music video and not just trying to promote the song or themselves. It creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to get inspiration from the element of iconography as this is something they maybe as a person, be able to pursue as an instrument, but learning how to play her songs on their guitar, by doing this they will feel a lot closer to the artist and connect with her song more.

Another mis-en-scene element used was costume. The clothing used is very conventional to a indie genre as she is wearing hoodies and trousers throughout most of her video with the occasional boisterous playsuit when performing. The element is very conventional to a indie music video as stereotypically you would see the artist in casual clothing as indie ar

tists are usually portrayed as being realistic and relatable for the everyday audience. The clothing she wears is oversized on the top half by tight on her bottom half (trousers) and it gives her a grungy look, but also shows off her figure but in a more subtle way. This is your everyday sort of clothing and this is essential in an indie music video as it sows that the artist can be themselves without trying to impress anybody; it creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to relate to the everyy clothing and it makes the artist seem more realistic to the audience instead of being this crazy star. The clothing is used so that the audience can feel closer to the artist as the clothing shows that they are just like them.

There were many camera shots within this music video but one of the main camera angles used was mid-shot. This camera angle is the base camera angle throughout the music video; it is used constantly so that the audience can see pretty much everything in front of them. This is essential to indie music video as we are able to see the basics of what is around the artist When she is performing we see some of the audience infront of the camera and her on the stage singing; this enabes the audience too feel that they are in the music video themselves watching Nesbitt herself in the flesh. This then creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to feel that they are in the music video and see her as an artist perform an this wil help the audience connect with the artst as they will feel it is more realistic.
The other main camera shot used was Point Of View. This is used also throughout the music video, and this is used so that we can see what the artist can, so we feel like we are the artists eyes, what she can see so can we. This subverts the stereotypes of what we see in a indie music video as we do not expect to see what the artist can. POV camera shot isn't always used but it helps the audience to understand the lyrics and the music video through the artists own eyes. It lets the audience appreciate the artist more as they can see what she can, and this then therefore creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to feel more connected with the artist due to the fact they can see everything she can and It makes them feel more special and an in-depth feeling and analysis of the artist by themselves.

One of the main editing styles use within the music video is the projector effect. The projector effect is used to makes the camera give an old effect to the filming and this gives the music video a very different feel towards it. This editing style makes the video look old and this is conventional to a indie music video as they the audience are led to believe that she could possibly be singing about the past, and although her lyrics do not necessarily connect or relate to the visuals we are able just due to this editing style we are able to see that she could be talking about this due to the effect that it is giving the audience. This creates a relationship with the audience as we start to believe that there I a hidden message to the song , something that you may not initially realise at first, but because of the effect and the song being about the past you start to think different things, and this makes the audience connect with the artist as it shows the artists intelligence to hide certain things from the audience but gives them clues to figure out.
Another editing style used is quick shots/fast paced. This editing style allows the footage in the music video to be quicked rapidly and make the images on screen move faster and show more footage. Although not essential within a music video, it was added here to match the lyrics to the song, and also show a hidden message. The editing style shows how Nesbitt is trying to say how time passes so quickly and that she feels that her career is going quicky also. This editing style creates a relationship with the audience as they are able to see more real footage of the artist and this lets them get a better insight into her life as an indie star and this then lets the audience feel more connected to her.

The target audience would be very specific in this aspect of the music video, due to the specific genre being indie. As the song is about heartbreak calling upon a lost 'sister' , the audience would be niche audience possibly around the ages of 15-25. This is due to the catchy up tempo beat and also due to its childlike qualities. We know that this Is more relatable to a younger audience, compared to Kate Nash's indie music video, as the video isn't complicated, it shows the stars life in relation to what she does on a day - to - day basis, and for the niche audience at this age, they would find it more realistic having real footage as it would be more relatable to their lives, more realistic and also more interesting as they would be intrigued about the artists lifestyle.

The artist here is being represented as innocent, timid and carefree all at the same time. We see this through many different elements in her music video and due to the genre of her music she also follows many of the codes and conventions towards it too, giving her that edge to her personality.

The use of the baggy clothing in grey with the tight fitting trousers show her carefree attitude as she just wants to be herself to her fans, and not an superficial person, she just wants to be herself around the people that appreciate and not act like somebody who is manufactured. This creates an image of her being carefree as the use of the colour grey also represents her personality as being subtle and innocent yet by wearing your conventional clothing to an indie music video but yet not revealing of her skin and that shows she isn't trying to show off about her figure or portray her sexuality/sexiness she isn't fussed what people think of her and want people to accept her for who she is. This is essential in a music video as it represents the artist as her own individual despite following the conventions of a typical indie music genre. It helps to create a relationship with the audience as it shows her personality through her clothing and this could be something that the audience what to create themselves, and it inspires the audience to copy her sense of style, therefore promoting the artist.

Another way in which the artist is represented is as innocent, we see this through her gentle and soft persona and through the use of her body language and facial expressions. This portrays her as being innocent as her smile is directly in contact with the camera and makes it look like she is smiling at the people watching her in the music video and smiling to her audience. This immidiatly connects with the audience as they get a friendly vibe off of her smiling and being very gentle towards the camera. This follows the conventions of an indie genre whilst also showing her personality through herown individuality.

The style of the music video is mainly narrative based with small performance throughout. The narrative based shows the lifestyle of the artist and this connotes that she wants people to see who she really is despite having the title as an indie star.The use of the narrative in this music video connects the lyrics to the visuals and it explains the song in more depth so that the audience are able to relate, understand and connect to the song more than what they would with just a performance based music video. The narrative enables the audience to see what the artist though the song was about themselves though the narrative and ideas of the music video, without a narrative based video they are less likely to connect to the song if it has a meaning behind the lyrics - the narrative also allows the audience to see the artist in a different setting to what they would normally. Performance is also used within this music video as it shows the artist in her element, where she loves to be the most. She uses emotion through acting and through her eye contact with the camera and by having the performance style is lets the audience see her in all her glory and as an artist.

It follows Goodwin's theory in some ways that in which it has many close-ups of the artist. This enables the artist to promote themselves as an  artist an create a relationship with the audience as they are able to get a more in depth feel for the artist as they feel that they can connect with the artist more if they can know there image more and use of eye contact with the camera. It makes the audience believe that the artist is singing to them and only them. It makes the song more personal.
Another way in which is follows Goodwin's theory in the fact that there is a balance between narrative and performance based context. It also follows Goodwin's theory in some ways that in which it has many close-ups of the artist. This enables the artist to promote themselves as an  artist an create a relationship with the audience as they are able to get a more in depth feel for the artist as they feel that they can connect with the artist more if they can know there image more and use of eye contact with the camera. It makes the audience believe that the artist is singing to them and only them. It makes the song more personal.

This has inspired me in many ways with the use of cinematography close ups are very important of the artist performing so that the audience are ale to connect with the artist in   better way. They also have inspired me as they can see the conventional indie conventions of indie clothing which is baggy clothing on the top but tight on the lower part of the body so that she can show off her sexuality but subtly.