Concealing Fate by Tesseract is a huge musical project that was filmed during recording.
As a performance based video it lays down some important rules;
1) cut to the beat.
-you can not have a performance video that is not cut to the beat. Complete synchronisation is required for the video to make visual sense.
2) Follow the pace.
-When editing it is very important to follow the pace of the song and match it to the edit. So, a faster section of song would require a faster pace of transition.
3) Follow the solo
-When a musician takes the solo, it is the focal point of the song. Therefore, it should be the focal point for the video.
4) Follow the intricacies
-Songs are full of little fills and parts that will only be fully acknowledged if you bring attention to them. Ensuring you have them shot and in time will enhance the song.
5) Film the whole band.
-The lead singer is not the focus of the band. He is merely the vocalist, and one of 4 or 5 usually. Capturing the band equally creates an all rounded music video and is vital to promote the song and the band as a unit.
6) It's a performance video
-There is not much need for acting or filler in a performance music video; it weakens the visual element of their performance and musicianship.
These 6 rules are ones I have followed with strong devotion when filming my music video.
The narrative structure for this music video is generally unconventional - the narrative does not follow a plot line or a story line, but it is in complete synchronisation with the music and follows the themes of the song. It also follows the musical structure of chapters (verses/chorus etc) For example, when the pace of the song picks up or slows down, the editing follows. Up until 0:40 seconds, the editing is slow, but when the drums enter the song and introduce the first section of song, it carries the speed of the editing with it. It can be referred to in similar musical terms - crescendo and decrescendo of pace.
The narrative is linear, completely reliant and proportionate to the development of the song - the narrative is the representation of the song; there are no inferences or hidden meanings behind shots, but the shots are effective in portraying the instruments playing that section in the best possible way.
This is genre atypical again; it's not pop-punk, but its also a performance (and obscure) genre. 'polyrhythmic' progressive metal and follows all the same performance conventions. The video relies on more intricate camera work and has a less demanding focus on other narrative features. The genre itself is far from 'glossy' or decorative. Image is not an issue either; all members are wearing plainly coloured clothes.
This is a contrast to Pop Punk. The analysis of Decade - Brainfreeze follows the genre conventions, but also the narrative expectations of the genre. The lighting is particular and exciting; a vintage feel is given by the plain hanging light bulbs. Mise en scene is addressed well; a very old-school look to the studio and they are dressed up fashionably (casually) and the editing progresses with the song.
My video is a cross of the two; my lighting is honest but effective; dual flood lamps gave the strong lighting element that Tesseract use, but without the determined solemnity that they have - Pop-Punk, and indeed the song I'm using is far too upbeat for the tone they hold. The song is upbeat and if they were to be solid in their performance, then there would be no enjoyment or any relevance for a visual element. However, due to the strength of their performance, the focus on the intricacies of the song (Rules 3, 4 and 5) and the narrative of the song is then therefore carried through their performance. My narrative is linear, with strong crescendo and decrescendo of pace. It follows all the audible elements of the song and captures them visually to all round enhance the experience of watching the video. It's very important for my video to have captured the minor sections of song in unconventional or unusual ways. Also, due to the genre itself, I found that my intention to use a barn was inappropriate to the video and didn't suit the narrative. The narrative being, pop punk being a very city-based genre - unrelaxed, upbeat. The fast pace of the song was more appropriately captured in a small confined space; the studio.
Good post. You are showing a real engagement with your shoot and how you are going to edit. Also you are researching other bands in the genre.
ReplyDeleteNot sure that comments about the lack of narrative are correct. You explain how closely the shots/edits follow the music. This is the narrative. Also isn't rehearsal performance a convention of this genre?
But you make some subtle points about mise en scene in comparison of Tesseract and Decade. Can you explain further how you have captured minor sections in unconventional ways? (Maybe in reflection piece looking at representation and stereotypes.)