Planning Setting and Iconography

Planning Setting and Iconography
 

Settings and Iconography are crucial in a music video as it allows the audience to understand more surrounding the narrative and content of the music video and also notifies the viewers of the genre of the song. The settings and iconography provide the audience with elements to relate with to result in the music video becoming more realistic and enjoyable for them. Including specific locations in a music video allows the audience to place themselves in the situation being presented and enhances the realism of the music video. It also provides them with further information surrounding the artist and allows them to understand the significance of each location. The iconography incorporated in a music video confirms the genre of song and allows the audience to be aware of what to expect throughout. Including specific forms of iconography can provide the viewers with vital clues surrounding the narrative of the music video and also the personality of the artist.

For the performance element of our music video we decided to keep it simple. We will film the artist performing in front of a big white wall so that she is the main focus of the performance shots. Shooting the artist against a plain white wall means the visuals are simplistic and natural looking which follow genre characteristics. It also allows the viewers to focus their attention on the artist and they are more likely to believe the lyrics she sings as they can visually see her emotions as she performs. In turn this will mean the viewers can build a relationship with the artist primarily based on her performance talent.
 
For our music video we have decided to include certain settings that will enhance the narrative we are illustrating to the audience throughout the music video. The main location we are including in our music video is Central London. This is because London is the city of England and is a romantic destination for romantic couples to visit. Within the Central London location we will base our music video in South Bank, Brick Lane and Camden. We have chosen to include these specific locations as they hold many visual features that will enhance the impact of our music video. The settings we have chosen are also extremely popular with young people and will therefore appeal to our target audience.

Within the Southbank location we decided to include the setting of a skate park. This is because the lyrics state that the artists love interest 'hangs about at the skate parks'. Therefore by employing this location we can follow the aspect of Goodwins' theory as our lyrics will directly link with the visuals the audience are presented with. This will enhance our idea behind the narrative and lyrics, with regards to the reckless love interest of our artist.  
 


In addition to these locations we have decided to include a Field setting which will directly relate to the light motif we have present throughout our music video. Within this setting we will include fireworks behind the visuals of the artist and her love interest. This is to present a contrast between their relationship and the visuals. The fireworks represent a healthy relationship when in fact the artist and her love interest are within an unstable relationship. The location is also naturalistic which is conventional to the indie genre and the artist and her love interest will be the only people present in the scene, allowing the audience to concentrate on their relationship and the contrast the fireworks are significant of.

Throughout our music video we will employ specific forms of iconography that are conventional to the indie genre and will assist in enhancing the impact of our music video on the viewers. Within the performance element of our music video our artist will be seen playing the acoustic guitar. The guitar is significant of the talent that our artist perceives and assists us in creating a visually conventional music video to the indie genre. We will also include iconography that directly links to our motif of light that is evident throughout our music video. The fireworks we incorporate in the field location will visually provide our music video with natural forms of light that relates to our motif. It will in turn enhance the visual impact of our music video and provide a link to the rebellious behaviour of our artists love interest. In addition to the fireworks linking to the artists love interests rebellious behaviour, we will also employ a lighter in our music video. This will be present when the artists love interest is seen smoking and directly relates to the lyrics 'with his lighter and his pack of cards'. This will provide the audience will further visuals to support our light motif and will also signify our artists love interest not appreciating his life as he smokes.

The settings we will include in our music video are conventional to the indie music genre as they are naturalistic. For the narrative element of our music video the locations are outdoors and diverse, therefore enhancing their appeal on our target audience. The London locations provide the audience with the idea that our artist is unique within the indie genre as it is a quirky location with unique characteristics. The skate park location is conventional to the indie genre as it resembles the idea of 'skater guys'. It therefore directly links to the persona of the artists love interest, as he is able to skate and is perceived to be living a laid back, care-free life. The field setting is naturalistic and is therefore conventional to the indie genre as it is simplistic. This relates to the ideas we have present in the music video, and also the indie genre as music videos for indie artists are usually relatively basic, so that the audience can receive an in depth understanding of the narrative. In addition to this is also further portrays our artist as down to earth and evoking characteristics of a typical teenager.  

The iconography present in our music video is conventional to the indie genre as artists are usually seen performing with an instrument. This provides the audience with a visual understanding of the artists talent and that they are a true performer. In turn employing the guitar in our music video will provide the audience with the correct visuals to link in with the narrative and performance element of our music video. In addition to this the lighter and fireworks are not directly conventional to the indie genre but link in with our reoccurring motif of light. They provide a natural source of light for our music video, therefore enhancing the visual lighting elements of our music video providing the viewers with a deeper understand of our light motif.

Our settings and iconography help to build a relationship with our target audience as they provide them with a further understanding of the music video. They directly relate to the performance and narrative elements of our music video to enhance the effect the visuals has on the audience. The settings and iconography also provide the viewers with something to relate to. The audience may be familiar with the locations and may sometimes visit them, therefore making the music video seem realistic and more believable to them. In addition to this fans may have an interest with playing the guitar and can therefore relate to the artist which will enhance their abilities to form a relationship with her through the performance element of our music video.