A2 Planning

1. Alex, Martin, Cian & Oliver A2 Planning

2. GENRE & SUB-GENRE

3. ROCK

4. Rock originated form rock and roll in the 1940’s and 1950’s • Rock places a higher degree of emphasis on musicianship, live performance, and an ideology of authenticity than pop music. • Consists of : • Vocalist • Electric Guitar • Electric Bass • Drums • Lyrics often stressromantic love but also address a wide variety of other themes that are frequently social or political in emphasis. ROCK

5. ALTERNATE ROCK

6. ALTERNATE ROCK The name "alternative rock" essentially serves as an umbrella term for underground music that has emerged in the wake of punk rock since the mid-1980s Alternative rock lyrics tend to address topics of social concern, such as drug use, depression, and environmentalism. This approach to lyrics developed as a reflection of the social and economic strains in the United States and United Kingdom of the 1980s and early 1990s. It is a genre of rock music that emerged in the 1980s and became popular in the 1990s. Alternative rock consists of various subgenres that have emerged from the independent music scene since the 1980s, such as grunge, Britpop, gothic rock, indie pop, and indie rock. Throughout much of its history, alternative rock has been largely defined by its rejection of the commercialism of mainstream culture.

7. MUSE IDEOLOGIES AND AUDIENCES When Muse began their musical career, the band were performing to a countercultural audience . This was down to their unique sound which was distorted and slightly heavier than present. Since the release of their album “Absolution” in the year 2003 and their recent success with their chart ratings and musical awards, Muse’s image and band ideologies have changed through the band’s maturity. This can be seen through the song writing and lyrical production and even the band’s presentation has become more sophisticated but with a youthful twist.

8. Muse are a thoroughly popular band with a massive fan following and millions of devoted fans worldwide. This is evident as Muse’s fourth album ‘Black Holes and Revelations’ sold 115,144 copies in the UK in the first week alone. It was also voted the 34th best British Album ever in a public vote by Q magazine. The ideologies of Muse’s audience is also mixed. As Muse cover many different topics in their songs such as love or personal songs, ‘Science-Fiction’, politics and conspiracy theories. Therefore it is understood that Muse’s loyal fan base are interested in wide ranging issues as the band are. As a result of Muse’s massive fan base their audience is very widespread and diverse and can not be stereotyped into one type of person. At their birth and during their first two albums, Muse were appealing to hard rock fans however their most recent albums have become a lot more mainstream which has led to a greater diversity in their fan base.

9. ANALYSIS OF MUSE’S IMAGE Muse are often related with a space rock/symphonic rock image, through the sound of their music, lyrical themes and glamorous appearance. An experimental nature can also be perceived by the audience, as the band tend to incorporate many different sounds, instruments and styles of music into their songs, such as samples, piano, synthesizers, trumpets and the oboe.

10. In some circumstances, Muse give off an edgy, hard rock/progressive metal image, most notably through their first two albums, ‘Showbiz’ and ‘Origin of Symmetry’ and various songs off other albums such as ‘Stockholm Syndrome’, ‘Dead Star’ and ‘Assassin’. As Muse have drawn in a more diverse crowd over ‘Black Holes And Revelations’ and ‘The Resistance’, they have altered their image to a more mainstream, radio friendly presentation rather than their previous rebellious and outlandish impressions, whilst still attaining their musical identity. Much of their music is guitar influenced, and therefore draws in a crowd which is most normally associated with the rock and metal scenes.

11. MUSE – KNIGHTS OF CYDONIA This video is very unusual and unique. This is because they use postmodernist ideas to associate a mix of genres that are not commonly combined together. These being kung-fu, western and sci-fi. There is a very unusual integration of these genres in the video and it gives off a slightly humorous edge to the video. There is also an intertextual reference within the video as there is a shot of the Statue of Liberty broken beside a mountain which can also be seen from the 1968 version of the movie ‘The Planet of the Apes’. Which also involves society in disarray. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3Yc3HhSI1Q&ob=av3e It is also made to seem like a movie parody as there are credits at the beginning introducing the video as it would be done if it were a movie, which adds to the comedic effect. Especially in the opening where the actor’s kung fu moves are subtitled to introduce them. The video also follows a typical movie storyline, with a hero and damsel in distress plot, where the hero comes back to save the day.

12. MUSE – TIME IS RUNNING OUT This video has a military theme. With representations of many different military groups including the army, the navy, aircraft pilots etc. They are all well dressed and well presented in their uniform, however they also come across as brainwashed and controlled as a result of the blank expressions and synchronised movement. This could be connoting how they are puppets of those above them, and they follow orders to the letter without much influence of their own beliefs or ideologies. We also find that as the video progresses there is a reduction in the control and order within the room, which could represent society as a whole revolting. This is shown in the video as the military figures begin to act more lively and there is a sexual theme to the video before finally papers are thrown into the air and order has been lost. The positioning of the band in the video is interesting as they are in the middle of the table at the forefront of everyone's attention with the light directed towards them. This could be representing them as the centre of the uprising and the revolution. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2luJPh6h_A

13. GREEN DAY – AMERICAN IDIOT http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqZOYgUolC4 This video is illustrative of the songs lyrics, as the video footage connotes chaos and mayhem within the American government as it is played at a quick tempo. Goodwin’s theory of using imagery to compliment the lyrics is being used in this music video and they seem to be mocking nationalism as they constantly refer to the American flag. The title, ‘American Idiot’ could be suggesting that the followers of George W. Bush are the ‘American Idiots’. This captures the zeitgeist as it is portraying the governmental state of America at the time. The song was released during the 2004 presidential campaign, where George W. Bush was re-elected . Green Day are opposing George W. Bush due to their conflicting ideologies over the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iconographic imagery is used throughout the video as they have the regular occurrence of the American flag.

14. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINES – SLEEP NOW IN THE FIRE There are some representations in this video including the ignorance of the middle & upper classes as well as the politicians because there is an intertextual references of other media with “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” parody, where the questions are about serious and easy political topics, yet they guess the answers or get them incorrect. This could show them not having a grasp of reality and that the people in power are incompetent and unworthy of their status. Then on the other hand, the lower class man was getting the answers correct about poverty as he seems to be living through it which implies he has a better understanding of what is going on in the world. Another representation would be the police brutality shown throughout the video. This represents the band’s ideologies over how the poor are oppressed and mistreated compared to the pampered life of the rich. Motifs are included in the video as there is a regular occurrence of wealth and money. This could be the unfair gain of the rich which could be a criticism of a capitalist society. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w211KOQ5BMI&ob=av2n

15. RADIOHEAD – 2+2=5 The intertextual reference relates to George Orwell’s book ‘Animal Farm’, as a pig is taking control over other creatures and suppresses their ideas through the use of brutality. The pig is also seen televised , which could relate to modern day party broadcasts. There is a political theme which runs through the video, as political brainwash is highlighted in the use of oppression, propaganda and media. The video could be signifying the band’s dislike for the communist theory. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lstDdzedgcE The editing pace of the video speeds up after the suppression of the protests. This is the turning point where the pig takes full control. The speed of the video can represent the pace of work of the animals now the pig has dominated their community. Moreover, the original flag is replaced with a pig face; the new leader. By oppressing the animals, the society has become corrupt, as the government are bending the wills and rights of the public. For example, the pigs are thinner than before, a bird is seen imprisoned and the cows are milked dry, whereas the governmental pig is drinking all the produce whilst the other is starving.

20. CD COVER ANALYSIS

21. MUSE - SHOWBIZ This album has a Science-Fiction theme, due to the Earth and the Moon appearing, again, in the background indicating they are in another world. This would appeal to people of a younger aged group which would be their target audience. The black palette background and the flames on the ground relates to the music on this album as it is sinister. The colour palette is all different shades of blue which connotes it being quite cold and depressing which reflects on the tracks on the album. The blue filter dominates the cover and this is commonly used in other Science-Fiction media like “Close Encounters” and “Minority Report”. This is Muse’ first album and the woman walking on an unexplored planet suggests that the band themselves are exploring new territory of the music world.

22. MUSE - ABSOLUTION The figures in the sky appear to be flying due to their poses; arms out wide like a bird’s wings. A sci-fi theme is being represented here as the idea of flying is a futuristic fantasy. The colour of the soil is a baron and infertile grey, which could be associated with both the fleeing shadows, and the man holding the gas mask. The character appears to be looking up in the sky which would suggest that he is looking at something extra-terrestrial. However, because it is out of shot, it creates an enigma code. Due to the insinuation of extra-terrestrials, again, there is a clear sci-fi theme presented on this album artwork. The character is also holding a gas mask, evoking ideas of pollution or a toxic world.

23. MUSE – BLACK HOLES & REVELATIONS This cover, as like many of theirs, appears to be abstract as there are four men sitting around a table in the middle of the wilderness. It is a possibility that they are on Mars due to the distinctive red surface. The title “Black Holes & Revelations” could symbolise the unknown. The title symbolises the tracks on the album as they start off being quite dark & sorrowful like “Black Holes” and then the tracks at the end seem to be quite “Revolutionary”. There seems to be a Science-Fiction cliché as the characters are a lot larger than the horses on the table. This could be symbolising them being God-like or maybe intergalactic leaders which would reflect on the political theme of some of their tracks. In terms of the mise-en-scene, the costume & setting indicates that it has a Science-Fiction theme. It could also be sending out a message saying they want to be taken more seriously and professionally due to their formal suits.

24. MUSE – THE RESISTANCE This album has a large colour spectrum and seems to be on a huge scale as it seems to be dwarfing the Earth. The lonely figure of the man walking towards the Earth could be suggesting that he is returning home. This is an intertextual reference to the Steven Spielberg movie, “Close Encounters”. At the end of the album there is a three part symphony. In the symphony the lyrics are about re-birth. This could suggest that the Earth has been reformed or healed and the album cover is showing that it is safe to return to Earth. Again, this album is set in outer space, similar to ‘Showbiz’ and ‘Black Holes And Revelations’ meaning that this album, too, has a Science-Fiction theme to it.

25. This magazine cover of Muse is previous to the album ‘The Resistance’, where they attempted to appeal to a wider audience. Therefore, Muse are presented as more mature than album releases of the past, and so gives the impression that the album is sophisticated, yet rock-based. Their clothing and the large font for ‘Muse’ however still maintain their ‘rock star’ image.

26. This magazine cover attempts to present Muse as a guitar-driven rock band, something that they have aimed to do after the symphonic album ‘The Resistance’. The blurred effect and smashed guitar used on this cover gives off an impression that Muse are an active band live, which helped to promote their headlining slots at Reading and Leeds festival. The cover also has a dark background, which could suggest that the band are trying to return to a more ‘hard rock’ related audience. They seem to be relating their work to the iconic bands such as “The Who” and “Nirvana” as he is smashing the guitar.

27. On this cover, Muse are represented as a very serious, dark, mysterious and heavier in terms of their music. Although the band are wearing contemporary clothing, they are wearing black shirts and looking forward in a fashion which may connote the idea that they are of a serious nature. Moreover, they are also appearing on Kerrang! magazine, which normally features metal and hard rock music. This shows that their target audience for the release of the album ‘Absolution’ is focused more on one which listens to these genres of music presented in Kerrang!.

28. On this cover, Drave Grohl of the Foo Fighters does not conform to the same style of magazine cover as Muse, as he is depicted as light-hearted because of his smile. Moreover, his long hair and beard could be interpreted as a that the Foo Fighters are a classic rock-influenced band, unlike Muse, who take a more original look because of their mix of contemporary and outlandish looks.

29. Again, through Green Day’s magazine cover, we can see that Muse do not conform to the stereotypical rock ‘look’. Green Day, like the Foo Fighters, are not shown to take themselves seriously, as all band members are pulling an expression. Moreover, Green Day take a more punk rock look, as their top buttons are undone, and their ties are loose. This contrasts heavily with the serious presentation that Muse are making through humourless facial expressions and formal-looking attire.

30. POSTMODERNISM An artistic movement suggesting that in order to remain original and fresh art should mix genre. As our chosen song is politically associated and Muse themselves have used postmodernist ideas before in their music videos, such as “Knights of Cydonia”, we have concluded that the postmodernism concept is a relevant technique to apply in our music video. Here, this depicts a cowboy which is associated with a “Western” film genre. This has undergone a crossover with the ‘Sci-Fi’ and ‘Kung-Fu’ genres, which can be perceived through the laser gun. In the other picture, he is creating a ‘two headed snake’ pose, which connotes ideas of martial arts.

31. SOVIET MONTAGE Soviet Montage can be considered as a technique which has integrated with the social theory of Marxism. Soviet montage focuses on multiple protagonists, similar to Marxist theory which views a society as equal, where nobody stands out more than the next man. Eisenstein argues that montage, is an alternative system to continuity editing. He argued that “Montage is conflict” where new ideas emerge from the collision of the montage sequence and where the new emerging ideas are not innate in any of the images of the edited sequence.

32. OVERTONAL MONTAGE Tonal montage can be achieved through close-up and extreme close-up shots to create in depth emotions. The Overtonal montage is the accumulation of metric, rhythmic, and tonal montage to synthesize its effect on the audience for an even more abstract and complicated effect. We are going to incorporate metric montage techniques such as cutting to the next shot no matter what is pictured, to give the impression that there is not just one protagonist, but an oppressed community which is made up of many protagonists. Tonal montage can be used within a music video to emphasise emotion through acting, and connote specific feeling which equal the emotion the song attempts to portray. Rhythmic montage encompasses cutting of shots to match the speeds and timing of the piece of music. This allows the video to flow and have impact at key points within a song. Metric montage methods can be achieved through the use of master shots, two shots and panning, as more characters can be seen by the viewer.

33. Focus Group We will be conducting a focus group to positively influence our research into music videos within the ‘alternate rock’ genre. We will select a focus group based on their interest in the ‘alternative rock’ genre. We will take down their responses to several questions on a number of music videos. This feedback will contribute to our planning and ideas for the production of our music video. The Music Videos we will be showing them are: Muse-Uprising, Muse-Dead Star and Metallica-One.

34. QUESTIONS FOR THE FOCUS GROUPS • What drew your attention within this music video? • 2. Was there a relationship between the lyrics/music and the visuals? If so, what effect did this have? • 3. Did the narrative or lack of narrative effect your understanding of the video? • 4. Did the band come across as authentic and original? Did you like it? • 5. Were there any specific points within the video that you enjoyed? If so, why? • 6. Were there any specific points within the video that you did not enjoy? If so, why?

35. MUSE – UPRISING RESPONSE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8KQmps-Sog&ob=av2n 1. From our focus group, we found that they enjoyed the visual effects, including the destruction and explosions. Although we cannot include explosions in our video, we can still include some form of visually stimulating effects. 2. The focus group did notice a link between the music and the visuals. They felt that this was appropriate as it helped to understand the narrative of the video. For example, the video followed the pace of the music which aided their understanding. 3. Our audience felt that the narrative was both effective and appropriate in highlighting the meaning of the song. Therefore, this contributed to their understanding of the lyrics. 4. The music was thought to be original and authentic, due to the fact that it was unique. 5. The focus group was particularly interested by the abstract portrayal of the music video, most notably of the bears’ uprising. The fact that the band were heavily involved in the video and based in the immediate environment was popular also, as this made the band more centralized within the video. It was also thought that the lighting amplified the theme of the song. 6. It was felt that although the concept with the bears’ uprising worked well and suited the music, that it was very unusual and unorthodox. They also responded saying that the plot was to slow to build up to the climax and was very repetitive.

36. MUSE – DEAD STAR RESPONSE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhci-MG4DNE&ob=av2e 1. Their attention was drawn towards canted angles, a variety of angled shots and also distorted visual effects, such as flashes. 2. It was concluded that there was no specific narrative or relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. However, the audience felt that the editing pace was appropriate for the mood of the music. Which they found beneficial in helping them understand the music. 3. The lack of narrative created enigmas and confusion as to the lyrical meaning of the song. 4. The band came across as original, but not positively. 5. The focus group felt the mise- en- scene suited the atmosphere, as the cold colour pallet gave the video a Science- Fiction effect. 6. The focus group disliked the repetitive nature of the shots of the band and the instruments. This information will benefit our understanding of shot repetitiveness and change.

37. METALLICA – ONE RESPONSE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzgGTTtR0kc 1.The focus group were attracted by the use of greyscale and the short film clips scattered throughout the music video. This helped to create a thorough storyline which included a wartime theme. 2. The audience spotted that the editing pace was in time with the music. Moreover, there was a direct link between the visuals and the lyrics, as the song discusses the loneliness of an injured soldier. The use of these techniques create a deeper emotional insight into the story of the lyrics. 3.The narrative was thought to be strong by our focus group as it helped expand the storyline. 4. Our focus group found the band to be authentic as they played their instruments. Throughout our three videos, we noticed that the focus group prefers to watch an authentic band. We can implement this into our own video. 5. The audience enjoyed the close-ups of the band members performing with their instruments. It is a possibility that we will include similar shots in our own production. Furthermore, they liked the dark colour palette which creates a sense of mystery around the lyrical storyline. 6. The focus group did not enjoy the ending, as the film clip took away the impact of the song, due to the happy nature of which the song was not of. Moreover, they did not like how the dialogue drowned out the music. This takes the tension out of the song.

38. Muse - Assassin Our chosen song for our music video is Assassin by Muse. Here are the lyrics: War is overdueThe time has come for youTo shoot your leaders downJoin forces underground[Chorus:]Lose controlIncreasing paceWarped and bewitchedAnd time to eraseWhatever they sayThese people are tornWild and bereftAssassin is bornOppose and disagreeDestroy demonocracy[Chorus]Whatever they sayThese people are tornWild and bereftAssassin is born

39. 1ST VERSE Here the lyrics are telling the people that there is no other option than to revolt against their leaders. Muse are presenting a very clear and forthright message to those receiving the lyrics. War is overdueThe time has come for youTo shoot your leaders downJoin forces underground They are addressing their audience specifically through second person. This creates a more personalised issue. The only option is to kill their suppressors so that they can take control themselves. Despite the uprising, the people should still fear the power until they are ready to execute their plan.

40. CHORUS The people are told to draw on their animalistic qualities so that they do not hold back and release their anger in the struggle. The time to unleash their plan is approaching quickly. Lose controlIncreasing paceWarped and bewitchedAnd time to erase The political leaders are seen to be corrupt and twisted and it is time for them to come to an end. There is the sense of making up for lost time. As they have been oppressed for too long.

41. 2ND VERSE There is a sense that there is only one way to go from here. That any other message they receive would be incorrect. Unintelligence is often associated with being ‘wild’ and unable to live in a peaceful society, therefore Muse describe the leaders in such a way. Whatever they sayThese people are tornWild and bereftAssassin is born Oppose and disagreeDestroy demonocracy The oppressed are resorting to violence to bring down ‘demonocracy’. There can be no compromise or negotiation at this point.

42. PITCH Plot Summary • As a result of our research we are including themes of classic realism and soviet montage in our music video. These themes have influenced our ideas in various ways, one of which is to include the structure of a beginning middle and end. With this in mind we plan to structure our music video in the following way: • Beginning: This will be the introduction of the brainwashed society whom will feature throughout our video. They will gradually progress out of their brainwashed state of mind and the music ‘awakens’ them. • Middle: This will feature the inclusion of the ‘agents’ whom we are planning to perceive as the KGB, to fit in with the theme of the Soviet Montage. By this point the uprising has gathered pace and elegancy, and so as the KGB make their way through the streets, we see a contrast of determination from various riots (all in groups). We hope to achieve this by showing different reactions of public rioters as some are intimidated by the KGB whereas others (in larger groups) continue with their behaviour. This also shows the power the government still holds even in this time of perceived revolution. As MUSE are a performance band, we will constantly cross cut back to the band. • End: The preceding moments to our ending will be extremely dramatic, with mounting tension and drama as the KGB edge closer to the band’s hideout. We will most likely use crosscutting extensively here as we cut from shots of the band playing to the KGB marching through the streets towards them. We plan to end on a cliff hanger as the video ends at the moment the KGB break through their door.

43. PITCH Plot Summary Continued... • The general idea of our plot is that there is a brainwashed and suppressed society that finds the courage and motivation to revolt against demonocracy, spurred on by the music. • To create the effect of a brainwashed society, we will begin the video (possibly before the music starts) with a slow pan across a group of civilians with a blank expressionless faces to give the immediate impression of them being puppet-like as a result of the suppression. • To further amplify the suppression in this society we also plan to include takes of CCTV footage of the street level civilians. • Subliminal messages throughout the video, i.e. Propaganda posters, propaganda phrases • As the people are watching the Stalin speech on the television, it will cut to the band playing the music, then the people come out of their ‘trance’. • We plan to incorporate ideas of John Stewart’s Theory regarding the inclusion of close-ups and lighting directed at the protagonist's face so that our ‘music video has the aesthetics of a TV commercial’.

44. PITCH Elements that we plan to include in our video; Colour Palette – Black, Grey, White, Blue for a Science-Fiction and Soviet Montage themes. Camera Work – Master shots, Close-ups of artists, Low and high angle shots and Two-shots. We are going to take on a postmodernist approach, and therefore incorporate sci-fi, Soviet montage and noir themes. We are going to involve a lot of cutting between the main focus and a visual metaphor as this is reminiscent of Soviet Montage. Within the video, we will feature many protagonists as this is a key element of Soviet Montage.