Music Labels

In order to know what music label would be representing our music video, I decide to research on several different music labels, ones that are not related to my music video and ones that would be; so that I would have a broad understanding of music labels. 

Here are a few music labels which are within the US. 

Universal Republic Records

Universal Republic Records is a record label also owned by Universal Music Group. IT os based on the now-defunct Republic Records labels - founded by two brothers (Monte and Avery Lipman). Universal Republic label became a standalone label once changes were made in the summer 2011 in which Motown Republic Group and Motown Records was separated from Universal Motown Records (causing it to shut down and transfer its artists to either Motown Records or Universal Republic Record - leading it to become standalone.

Universal Republic Records, represented different genres through artists such as 
- HipHop/R&B/Rap
    = Angel 
    = Akon
    = Tyga 
    = Birdman 
    = Bow Wow
    = Busta Rhyme 
    = Drake 
    = Jay Sean 
    = Jessie J

- Country/Rock/Metal 
   = The Band Perry
   = Anberlin
   = Black Sabbeth
   = Black Veil Brides 
   = Gobsmack
   = Hinder

The Island Def Jam Music Group 
Universal Republic Records is a record label also owned by Universal Music Group. IT os based on the now-defunct Republic Records labels - founded by two brothers (Monte and Avery Lipman). Universal Republic label became a standalone label once changes were made in the summer 2011 in which Motown Republic Group and Motown Records was separated from Universal Motown Records (causing it to shut down and transfer its artists to either Motown Records or Universal Republic Record - leading it to become standalone.
The Island Man Def Jam Music Group is an American record label formed in 1999 when Universal Music group merged two of its smaller companies 'Island Records' and 'Def Jam Recordings' as a result of the merge between 'Universal Music' and 'PolyGram' labels. Regardless of the merge 'Island Records' and 'Def Jam Recordings' continued to operate as their own respective labels, just under the Island Man Def Jam Music Group Umbrella - Island Records concentrated on pop and rock performers, while 'Def Jam' has most of the hip hop and R&B acts. 

The Island Def Jam Music Group contain several talented artists such as 
HipHop/R&B Acts:
= Kanye West
= Mariah Carey
= Rihanna
= Justin Bieber
= Neyo 
= Young Jeexy
= Fabulous 
= Nas
= Ludacris
= Rick Ross

Decca Label Group 

Decca Label Group is also one of the labels under the Universal Music Group umbrella; based in the United States.Their prime focus is on western classical music, however it also deals with jazz and musical theater. Time to time Decca Label issues some pop and country releases. 

Here are a few more music labels based in the UK:

Boy Better Know 

Boy Bette Know is a grime collective and record label founded by Jamie Adenuga (artist name - JME) in late 2005. Boy Better Know gained popularity, support and underground fame in the grime scene, featuring on pirate radio sets such as Rinse FM and Dejavu FM.As a collective they are best recognised for their tracks 'Private Caller', 'Duppy (Doin it again)' and 'Too Many Men'. Unlike any other music label, Boy Better Know Label created a grime group (Boy Better Know) in which included the founder himself (JME) and started releasing songs after songs. They also have their own clothing line and sim card (definitely a unusual but successful music label) .

Artists Part of the Label 
 - JME
- Skepta 
- Wiley
- Jammer
- Frisco 
- Shorty 
- Solo 45
- DJ Maximum

Syco Entertainment 

Syco Entertainment (often referred to as Syco) is a global joint venture between the famous Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment focused on the production and marketing of music, television, film and digital content. Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment own 50% of the business which is looking to grow its global portfoilo of music and television brands over the next few years. Charles Garland (former executive of Crystal Entertainment and chief operator of Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment) is the Chief Operating Officer, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. Philip Green (retain billionaire) serves as an advisor to the company and Sporting executive and vice-chairman of West Ham United FC. Karren Brady also serves as an advisor to the company. 

Artists Part of the Label 
- Leona Lewis 
- Olly Murs
- Rebecca Ferguson 
- One Direction 
- Cher Lloyd 
- Susan Boyle
- Jackie Evancho 
- Labrinth
- II Divo 
- Andrew Johnson 
- Melanie Amaro
- Chris Rene
- Little Mix 
and many more.

RCA Records

From my research over music labels I have decided to that RCA Records  would be best to represent our song choice because RCA Records are known for a string of successes with Hip Hop artists and teen pop as well as boy bands. RCA Records (Originally known as the Victor Talking Machine Company, then RCA Victor) it is one of the flagship labels of Sony Entertainment. RCA initials stands for Radio Corporation of America.






















 References 
  - Universal Music Group
Here is a link that gave me a broad understanding on many of the music labels across the world. 

Top Five Most Expensive Music Video

In order to know not only how much directors put into creating their music videos and what makes music videos so expensive, I researched the five most expensive music videos. 

1) Michael Jackson & Janet Jackson - Scream (£4,330,290.89)

This video was created in 1995.  When looking at this video, it becomes more obvious why the video was as expensive as it was. With the use of various transition editing, throughout out the video which would have been produced by the new developed equipments, therefore it would have been more expensive then than now. Additionally this video includes many props such as jet black electric guitar, chairs, statues, paintings etc. Majority of the video consists of Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson in a "spaceship". Overall the main cost of this video would come from the narrative/performance within the video.

2) Madonna - Die Another Day (£1,673,951.46+)
This video was created in 2002 for the theme to the James Bond Movie (Die Another Day). The stunts and props used throughout the video is the main attraction of the music video, as well as the duplication of Madonna. From my knowledge of filming, the director must of had to film every clip (with the two Madonna's) twice - a man/woman playing the Madonna that isn't her. The several stunts means that money would need to be spent on hiring professional (add the different ones here) as well as a stunt women who features are similar to Madonna to stand in for the sections that can only be done by professionals. Additionally watching the video I notice there are some fighting scenes which contains Madonna doing martial arts; (not to ridicule Madonna, but I don't think she can fight) moreover money would need to be spent on teaching Madonna martial arts.

3) Puff Daddy - Victory (£3,713,036.57)
This video was created in 1998. The full video is approximately 7:59 minutes long. From my research victory is the replica of the movie "The Running Man" and Puff Daddy is basically the replacement of Arnold Schwarzenegger. There is a lot of rain, heavy duty explosions and pyrotechnics, motorcycles and choppers with with armed men. I noticed the known actor Danny Devito is used in the music video as the news reporter following Puffy's progress throughout the 'game show'; along with Dennis Hopper who plays  (if you have seen all his movies, you would not be surprised) the main villain.

4)Mariah Carey - Heartbreaker (£1,550,056.85)
This music video was situated in a cinema, obviously the cinema would had be rented out (costing A LOT). Similar to Madonna music video (Die Another Day) there are two Mariah Carey's along with a fighting scene (and not to ridicule her either - she can't fight) so the director would have to do extra filming (doing each scene twice) as well Mariah Carey being taught how to fight. Additionally the first clip there is a choreography which includes around 20 dancers (including Mariah Carey) therefore money would have need to be spent on the dancers as well as a choreographer to choreograph the dance.  Furthermore there is a animated section of the music video, moreover from my research in order to create that section of the music video an animator would draw up a storyboard of the section which would be animated then create using a computer.

Geri Halliwell - Raining Men (Video Analysis)

Geri Halliwell 'Geraldine Estelle' was born 1972 and is currently a British songwriter, actress,  singer and clothes designer. Halliwell first came to fame through being part of the Spice Girls in 1994 as 'Ginger Spice' - 1998 alleged she went into depression and left the group due to differences with them. However Geri Halliwell was able to bounce back to fame through a successful solo career, and even joined the Spice Girls for a reunion tour. This song is hailed as a camp classical and more recently as a dance anthem. 

Background Info 

The purpose of the song 'Raining Men' was for two things to promote the film 'Bridget Jones' Diary' as the song featured in the film's soundtrack and I believe to sell Halliwell's new look and her progress in recovery from depression.


The song is a cover of a 1982 song by 'The Weather Girls'. Both are pop songs of their era. The Halliwell version was released in 2001 and is not the only cover of the song -  Young Diva's and the Nolans have done covers of the song.

Genre Characteristics 
Common conventions of Pop music videos that appear during this music video 

•  Colourful mis en scene 
• Dance routines
• Close up of Geri Halliwell body and face 
• Narrative/Performance 

Analysis

Throughout the video I notice the notion of looking is expressed in many ways. One of the way is the very first clip with the judging panel watching Geri Halliwell dance. This can seen as voyeuristic view of the female body as the judges watch her perform in literally nothing. I believe the notion of looking also helped to portray to the audience Halliwell new image. Another way is notion of looking is used is during the sequence of Geri singing on the stairs looking into the camera (this action is normally used by presenters) and while the crowd begins to crowd round the door watching Halliwell perform.

Additionally a star motif is created within the video; there is a scene in which Geri Halliwell is doing sit-ups with a dog next her, this dog is Geri Halliwell's famous dog and it is forever with her, providing her with a star motif.



Relationship Between the Visuals and the Music 

The relationship between the visuals and the lyrics (as well as the concept of the song) are amplified during the music video. The song is about men 'raining men' the rain is illustrated within the video as you see Halliwell and the dancers, dancing in the rain. However funny enough the audience does not see men literally falling out of the sky (the original does contain that), but a clever tactic the director used to surround Halliwell with men, to metaphorically reflect the concept of its 'raining men'. 

Also when the dance student enters the room and beginnings dancing, it links with the increase in the rhythm and the volume of the music. The same thing occurs when the music slows down; the visuals mirrors Halliwell and the dancers as their dance moves slows down and there is a change in location.

Additionally the pace of the editing is in time with the pace of the song, as the the beat of the song changes the location (visuals) changes; the cuts on the beat are in great timing. 

Voyeurism and Exhibitionism 
- Voyeurism as mentioned earlier is one of the main factors used in this music video. Voyeurism in music videos such as the one used  in this music video is used to lure male audiences (The Male Gaze - Laura Mulvey). As the video I believe is all about promoting Geri Halliwell new appearance, the audience see Geri Halliwell dancing very seductively - caressing her body with her hands, making Halliwell voyeuristic.

- Exhibitionism is what invites the sexual gaze upon Halliwell - there is a lot of flesh being exposed. Halliwell is being 'gazed' at during the music video by men and woman within the video as well as the audience watching the music video.

Intertextuality 
This video has many intertextual references:
- Flashdance (1983)

Geri Halliwell - Raining Men (left) ¬ Flashdance (right) 

   In the opening scene of 'Its Raining Men' the music video references creating the shot-by-shot recreation of a scene from the Flashdance - a woman auditions and similar and like Geri Halliwell she falls and ask to starts again, in which she is given the chance. 
- Fame (1980)

Geri Halliwell - Raining Men (left) ¬ Fame (right)

Fame is also referenced in 'Its Raining Men'. In Fame a car which is usually seen in America is used to create the dancing scene, likewise in 'Its Raining Men' the iconic London cabs is used to create a very similar dance scene.

It could be said the referencing of Fame and Flashdance could be used to symbolize Geri Halliwell stepping out on her own and becoming a solo singer; as both films are about individuals stepping out on their own, trying to become famous and big on their own. 

Overall the music video meets the codes and convention of a pop music video as it includes dance routines, bright, vibrant colours, as well as the beat being up tempo. 

Eminem - Stan (Video Analysis)

The Song 'Stan' by Eminem is the third single from his Album 'The Marshall Mathers LP, which was recorded in 1999 featuring British Singer Dido - one of Eminem greatest Alternative Hip Hop song. The genre Alternative Hip Hop (also known as alternative Rap) is basically Hip Hop groups that do not conform to traditional stereotypes of rap, such as gangsta, bass, hardcore and party rap. Instead mix up genres such as rock, as well as  reggae, folk, jazz etc. This single was produced by both Eminem and The 45 King (DJ Mark). The primary visualisation of the story about an obsessed Eminem fan named Stan who becomes mentally unstable after failing to receive a reply from Eminem for a period of time ending up killing himself and his pregnant girlfriend.

Visuals & Lyrics 
Here is a video I made combining the lyrics and the visuals, in order for you too see the relationship between the two.

The opening scene of the music video uses a transition which fades from black to zoom towards a set of windows looking from the outside in. The thunder, rain and lightening creates a pathetic fallacy of what is going to come in the music video.




The camera then continues to zoom until you see a pregnant women (Dido) laying on the bed. There are several camera movements (bird eye and close ups) of her stomach, emphasizing her isolation and how heavily pregnant she is. The room is artificially lit, with lightening effects as well as the continuous non-diegetic sounds of the rain and lighting, setting the mood.

Then there is a quick cut to the scene in the bathroom, where the audience see a man, who slightly in some ways resembles Eminem - introduction the obsessive fan 'Stan'. In this section of the clip, the audience is shown several close ups of Stan putting bleach in his hair - a significant part of the clip (it enhances his overzealous behavior of wanting to be look Eminem as well as be him). Next an over the shoulder shot of Stan looking at himself in a manic manor, more medium shots are used to emphasize his facial expressions that are shown in this sequence - highlight his crazy nature. His facial expressions show that he is really satisfied with the hair change trying to replicate Eminem's hairstyle.

The camera then cuts to a long shot of Dido, running to use the bathroom - 'Stanley open the door' Stanley blatantly acknowledges but ignores her plead, as he continues to stare at himself in the mirror. During the period of him staring at himself in the mirror, the audience see the transition of his hair colour from blonde to bleach blonde. The bird eye view of the separation between him and his girlfriend shows the negative relationship between the two, this can be identified by the verbal dispute in which afterwards he reluctantly gives up the bathroom for her. This could also highlight the communication boundaries between the two.


The melody and the lyrics of the song then begins at 1:23 with a medium shot of Dido, positioned in the middle of the frame on the toilet, as she mimes the chorus. The video is an illustration of the lyrics, highlighting Dido's mood and her sadness 'amplifying the relationship between the lyrics and the song'. As the melody and lyrics continue on, the camera changes to a medium shot of the window; shown in the first scene.


The transition (fade out) is used to show the transformation from one scene to another - the other scene being Eminem on a tour bus receiving letters. A medium shot is used again to show Eminem sitting on the sofa in a gaze. The scene automatically contrasts with the scene which contains Stanley in a grubby bathroom with a stained vest.

The camera cuts backs to Dido on the toilet miming the song, these cut to cuts allows the audience to see more characters within the video narrative and how they will soon relate to one another. Once the camera cuts back to Dido, it vertically tracks down the bathroom to the basement where the audience is reintroduce to Stanley. The basement scene then reinforces Stan's obsession with Eminem, once Stan begins writing a letter, a pan shot around the basement is used to reveal the posters, magazine front covers, newspaper clippings that Stan had collected of Eminem; once again enhancing his overzealous behavior as an obsessive fan. As Stan writes his letters for Eminem, a circular motion is used for the camera movements which allows the audience to see the importance within Stan's emotions along with the background which creates a unease atmosphere.


As the chorus begins again, a medium shot of Dido back with Stan in the living room, followed by a scene of domestic conflict; in between this sequence, the audience is brought to the location of an Post office, where a letter is accidentally left behind. The many cut zoom towards the letter finally reveals the letter to be from Stanley. The several fading transitions are then used to show time passing by. As the time passes by the audience sees an extreme close up of Stan's letter which fell from the mail basket, implying the letter would not reach Eminem in time, there is then show a parallel between the forgotten letter and Stanley who progressively become more aggressive towards Dido. This causes a concern for her well being from the audience as she is pregnant, at the same time building up tension.




A low angle is used to begin the second verse of Stanley looking aggravated, as begins writing another letter for Eminem. Once again the relationship between the music video and the lyrics is amplified, the audience hears 'If you didn't wanna talk to me outside the concert you didn't have to..' the audience is then shown a clip of Eminem standing in the front row of Eminem's concert with his younger brother. The rest of the lyrics '
That's my little brother...He to be just 

like you man, he likes you more
 than I do' causes concern for the audience, as they try to imagine his younger brother being more obsessed of Eminem than he is, this could also imply that Stan is a bad influence on his brother. The obsession with Stan is enhanced as Stan states 'I even got a tattoo with your name across my chest' this wipes any doubt the audience had of Stan not being an obsessed fan of Eminem. As he continues to write the letter there is a non-diegetic sound of a pencil writing, highlighting his consistency with the letters, along with how desperate he is to receive a reply. Additionally during the periods of Stan writing a letter, he explains 'my girlfriend is jealous cause I talk about you 24/7... We should be together too' revealing he has placed pregnant Dido as a second priority in his life (which explains the deteriorating relationship), as well as show Stan's obsessiveness migrate to possessiveness.

The camera cuts back to the chorus, showing Dido leaving her bed, whilst Stan is asleep, creeping towards the basement, realising she had not ventured into the basement before. Once she reaches the basement she begins to look through Stan's collection. As she camera changes to a low angle showing Dido in the foreground and Stan entering the basement in the background. This builds a huge amount of tension for the audience, as they worry of his reaction.

As suspected Stan's reaction is aggressive, he grabs hold of pregnant Dido in anger. The camera then cuts to Stan in speeding through the heavy rain, which immediately builds tension as the audience wonders where is he going at such speed. Tension continues to build as the audience see Stan driving the car with one hand on the wheel and a tape recorder in the other hand. The audience is instantly baffled by Stan action as he states 'this will be the last package I ever send your ass....doing 90 on the freeway' the audience immediately expects the worse to happen. The use of the camera shots, focusing on Stan throughout the time, whilst showing the terrible weather conditions in the background, along with Stan's progressively bad driving (swerving to avoid another car, almost crashing) builds a huge amount of tension for the viewer. As Stan proclaims his final words 'thats my girlfriend in the trunk....well gotta go im almost at the bridge now, oh s**t I almost forgot how am I supposed to send this s**t out?' the tension reaches its pinnacle for the audience as they see Stan's car flying off the bridge and landing in the river.


An ariel view is used as the audience watches the sinking car from the top of the bridge. The camera fades back to Eminem, Still sitting in his tour bus; not knowing what has happened. The medium shot is used to shoe Eminem reading his fan mail, which the audience would assume it is from Stan as the camera cuts back to the sinking car. The sinking car is shot from many angles implying that no one was able to escape as it reaches the bottom of the lake; revealing that everyone died.
The camera then cuts back to Eminem, as he begins his verse - replying to Stan. Eminem begins rapping "I meant writing sooner but I just been busy" immediately the audience feels regretful, as the audience realize Stan's and Dido's death was unnecessary, as Eminem is now replying to his letter.

As he continues to write his letter to a deceased Stan, the camera cuts to Stan's younger brother and another lady, which the audience would assume to be Stan's mother standing at the burial stone of Stan. As Eminem, finishes his letter saying "I hope you get to read this letter", I just hope it reaches you in time' which is ironic; the audience knows it's too late, Stan is already dead - Eminem is still unknown to this. 

Eminem then realizes...."I see this one thing on the news a couple days ago that made me sick. Some dude was drunk and drove his car over a bridge, and in the car they found a tape but they didnt say who it was to, come to this about his name was, it was you. DAM."

The video ends with Eminem sitting on the tour bus,  as a flash of lightening appears, and as it does, we see Stan in the window looking through at Eminem. The camera then faded back to Stan memorial as we see his little brother in a medium shot leaning on his brothers grave stone.

Andrew - Goodwin

Andrew Goodwin (as mentioned in my clip) is the clever man who came up with the codes and conventions of music videos. His theory teaches about:

• Thought beats - Seeing the sound 

Roland Barthes (the other clever man who came up with the theory regarding speech) can relate to this. Barthes stated that the "singing voice is an expressive instrument and therefore should be able to make association of its own". Songs can be seen as stories and the artist(s) the storyteller, making the music video a two-way communication device; them telling the audience a story and the audience listening. 

• Narrative and Performance 

Narrative and performance hand in hand make it easier for the audience to watch the video over and over again without losing interest. The artist(s) acting as both narrator and participant helps to increase the authenticity, however the lip sync and other mimed actions remains the heart of music videos.

• The Star Image 
• Relation of Visual to Song

• Technical Aspects of Music Videos

Speed, camera movement, editing, cutting and post production are all forms of use of camera. Lightening and colour help set moods and emphasizes key movement of the song for dramatic effects. Mis en scene; the setting of the music video is vital, it needs to look authentic to attain professionalism.
Here is a short clip which I created summing what codes and conventions of music videos.

History Of MTV

MTV is a fragmented music channel, with many niche markets that make up the large network, it has become very successful of the past couple of years. Here is a short 7 minute clip on the history of MTV,