A Level Media NEA Research
Molly Dashfield
Beggars Group is a British record company that owns and distributes multiple other record labels; Rough Trade Records, 4AD, XL Recordings, Young and Matador records. The company's CEO is Paul Redding. They turned over $65 million USD in 2019.
Founded by Martin Mills, Beggars group stems from the Beggars Banquet record shops that first opened in 1973. In 1977, the founders decided to become an independent label and release records as Beggars Banquet Records. The first band under the label was an English punk group called The Lurkers. Later in the decade, they released hits from Tubeway Army and Gary Numan, this secured the labels future.
STATEMENT OF INTENT
For my music video I plan to use media language to create relatable depictions of real-world anxieties experienced by people of all ages and backgrounds. To achieve this I will use a mise en scene of urban life and rural life and the difference in perceived danger and real life threat between the two areas. The urban areas are constricted, dark, and there are other people around with a lack of ‘safety’. The rural area is much more open yet deserted, there is no one around but the performer. My music video will have intertextual links to other songs such as ‘Bittersweet Symphony’ by The Verve, as shown in the performance shots. There is also an intertextual reference to Tarantino’s ‘Kill Bill’ on the key chain which can be seen in the opening shots. My video represents young women, young black women, young men and young white men. I hope to promote the idea that not every person is a threat at night and may only be trying to help you, however it is still important to be incredibly wary. I decided to film around corn fields for the ‘imaginary’ shots as they are eerie yet peaceful due to the somewhat open space and the lack of people. For the ‘real life’ shots, I filmed in dark alleyways, as well as outside of a train station due to the difference in lighting and how it matches with the vibe of each shot. The performance shots were filmed in an somewhat lit alleyway covered in graffiti as I feel this creates an eye-catching background that keeps the audience engaged. I will edit to interpret the real world and an imaginary world going on within the performer's head, this represents the thoughts and fears that run through my and many others’ minds when walking alone at night. The lyrics will be interpreted through the time in which the shots were filmed (night time) and the places in which the video was shot (dark alleyways with little to no people around).
Potential Song No.1
There's a good reason these tables are numbered honey, you just haven't thought of it yet.
Panic! at the Disco
I am considering using this song for my narrative music video based on the lyrics. In my opinion, there is a range of narratives I could demonstrate through these lyrics and I like how they are open to interpretation. Another aspect of this song that drew me in is the changes in the pace of tempo throughout the song and the contrast between how upbeat the song is in comparison to the negative connotations within the lyrics.
Panic! at the Disco formed in 2004 by friends Ryan Ross and Spencer Smith. They released 7 studio albums and gained and lost band members along the way. In early 2023 they came to the end of their journey as one member, Brendon Urie, remained.
P!ATD 2004-2023
Brendon Urie Vocals, multi-instrumentalist 2004-2023
Ryan Ross Guitar, keys 2004-2009
Spencer Smith Drums 2004-2015
Brent Wilson Bass 2004-2006
Jon Walker Bass 2006-2009
Dallon Weekes Multi-instrumentalist 2010-2015
Lying is the most fun a girl can have with her clothes on.
The music video goes against Carol Vernallis’ theory that the music video should fit the narrative portrayed in the lyrics and instead is completely unrelated and open to interpretation. I like the creativity around the concept of human emotion, life and death.
But It’s Better If You Do
The narrative in the music video matches up with the lyrics and has an exciting plot twist that keeps a watcher interested. Both Carol Vernallis and Andrew Goodwin’s theories apply to this music video.
Potential Song No.2
Oblivion
Grimes
I am also considering using this song because the lyrics allow me to create a narrative as well as creating aesthetically pleasing shots during the instrumental moments of the song. The range in narrative that I can portray isn't extremely large but I have already considered a couple of different ideas I can adapt to fit together into one whole story.
Copyright letter - half done - need pointers
Audience profile
Grimes' audience profile consists of majority alternative young adults and teenagers. Her abstract art and her choice in musical genre appeals to alternative tribes due to her attention to detail surrounding her music and the visual representations to accompany it. Alternative people are very music oriented and make up a large majority of frequent online users. Grimes is popular on many different social media platforms and has been for an extensive amount of time. I will ensure that I create a music video that appeals to the Grimes' audience by shooting in relatable settings and capture visually aesthetic shots that catch the attention of the intended viewers.
Conventions of a Narrative MV
Illustrative – the visuals provide a literal representation of the lyrics.
Amplifying – key meanings and effects are repeated to manipulate the audiences.
Contradicting – the visuals contrast with the music.
Disjunctive – the meaning of the song is completely ignored.
initial ideas
- Young woman hanging with friends has to make the trip back home at the end of the day alone, the events later on in the video resemble the lyrics.
I will attempt to create a narrative where the audience is unsure whether or not the events in the video are actually happening or not.
I never walk about after dark
It's my point of view
'Cause someone could break your neck
Coming up behind you
Always coming and you'd never have a clue
I never look behind all the time
I will wait forever
Always looking straight
Thinking, counting all the hours you wait
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
And no, I'm not a jerk
I would ask if you could help me out
It's hard to understand
'Cause when you're running by yourself
It's hard to find someone to hold your hand
You know it's good to be tough like me
But I will wait forever
I need someone else
To look into my eyes and tell me
"Girl, you know you've got to watch your health"
To look into my eyes and tell me
La la la la la
To look into my eyes and tell me
La la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
See you on a dark night
developed ideas
Narrative - A girl is invited out to a party with her friends with the guarantee that she will not have to travel back home alone. There are mentions in the text about 'what happened last time', connoting that she has had bad experiences in the past surrounding walking alone at night.
After the party, tension is built over the course of her journey home around the idea of her being followed. Audience should feel unsure of whether or not she is actually being followed or not. The performer will act as a guardian angel that disrupts the antagonists plans.
Opens with scenes of text messages. Texts will include lots of abbreviating to ensure it's quick and easy to read as well as mimicking early 2000's internet culture.
- Minimum of 3 characters.
casting & costume
Young girl - Anaia Secrett
Costume - Typical party outfit (dress, tights, small jacket.), Doe eye makeup to mimic/create sense of predator vs prey.
Antagonist -
Costume - All black with face covered, potentially leave eyes showing.
Performer - Chloe or Freya or Nancy
Costume - All white to symbolise an angel, white & silver glitter.
location recce
Skatepark & tunnels near Victoria Park.
Woods in Filton, Easton-In-Gordano and Pill.