Typography Research

Metallica:

Metallica are a extremely famous rock and metal band. Their unique font style screams rock and metal and can be instantly connoted as a font for a rock/metal band. The long 'M' and 'A' at the begging and end of the font give the font style dimension and a unique touch. This also connotes to me an image of, horns or knives which are dark and scary related items which relate to the rock and metal genre and conventions. The font is black which is typical for a rock band and connotes the band are dark and scary which may relate to their music genre and style. The black font colour reminds me of black tattoo lettering which is stereotypically related to rock musicians and bands.

Bring me the horizon: 

Bring me the horizon have a very unique and interesting font style. The bands logo reminds me of a graffiti style of font painted on a wall. The big lettering and font sizes make the band logo and font bold and clear. The font style connotes to me a tattoo style of font with the lettering and imagery around the text and the black colour the font is in. This relates to the rock genre as it is stereotypical that rock musicians and bands have tattoos. The font includes both serif and san-serif styles which work nicely together to produce and aesthetically pleasing logo and text. The dripping text also connotes rock and dark metal as it can be represented as blood dripping. The white text is bold and helps to stand out from the black background.

Guns 'N' Roses: 

The Guns 'N' Roses logo and typography looks dated and warn out. The typography looks like it has been engraved with add dimension to the font. The dark brown/black colour connotes the colour f guitars used by the band and the rock genre. The font is in a serif style of font which is more popular in the rock and metal band typography. The font is clear and bold around the logo and can be instantly recognisable. The font style has a western feel to it which links to the name of the band including guns. 

AC/DC:

AC/DC's typography is in a serif style of font with sharp edges which connotes the rock and metal genre of music. The font is unique and is aesthetically pleasing which makes the band logo so recognisable and well known. The lightning bolt in the middle instead of a slash has been used due to the bands name relating to electricity. The lightning bolt also connotes the rock and metal genre. The font includes and ice effect around the lettering which relate to their album being called. 'Black Ice'. This adds a unique feel to the text and makes the font creative and interesting. The colour red has been used as the font colour which can connote blood, being related to dark metal genres or love, which maybe a topic of their songs. The colour red connotes the colour of Iron Man the marvel superhero. This is because the band have made the soundtrack to the iron man films. 

Idea feedback responses

After creating an idea feedback survey about my possible ideas for my music video and to show me which one was the most popular and why, I have collected 43 responses which have have helped me to make a final decision about the style and contents of my music video for my chosen band. These are the analysed results:



The main gender that has helped me make the idea decision is males, which are stereotypically more likely to listen to rock / metal genres of music.


The most popular age range was 17-21 year olds, which suggests these are the ages ranges that are most into rock music and the age range fits the age of the band.


The most popular idea was performing in a studio/empty room with just the band and their equipment e.g. guitars. As this is the most popular idea I have chosen this idea to go forward with. 
Further questions, included what would you add or change in the idea? The most popular suggestions where to add montage footage of the band and their funny moments and backstage action with the music being played over the top.

Location/setting

For my music video, I hope to be filming the band in the studio with just them with their instruments. The studio will have amps and all the equipment needed to film and will create a aesthetically pleasing setting for my music video. I was also thinking about shooting the band in an old room or abandoned location. This is because it will create a different feel to the music video and I believe it suits the genre of rock and metal. Both locations are going to be with low lighting as this is a convention of rock music videos and i believe will create an anonymous feel and add tension to the performance of the band and the music video.

Update on progress

Now I have an idea on the music video theme and what to include, i have started to storyboard possible shots of my music video. This has involved looking back at my research and existing rock music videos and the codes and conventions to give me inspiration and ideas on shots, angles and timings. This has also involved me sketching ideas and shots and adding timings including how long each shot is to each frame.

Idea feedback survey

Please fill out my idea feedback survey: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1XlfbSYe0Fm-73RI_bdMf_WmdM6gEQ6m7NyPiTVZc2zg/viewform

Update on progress

After brainstorming some possible ideas, I have decided to create a feedback survey on what idea is the most popular and why. This is to help me make a final decision about the style of my music video. After collecting feedback results, I will analyse the outcome and make my final chosen decision. 

Brainstorming Ideas

Idea 1:

Starting from the bottom and finishing at the top (bedroom to stage):

The band starting of at the bottom eg. a bedroom practicing and rehearsing. 

Throughout the video gradually getting to higher or closer to on stage (the top)

Eg. Next stage in the studio, recording and rehearsing.

Finally making their way to the stage which is considered the top.

Showing how the band started from a bedroom to now performing on stages.

closure to the song could be the band on stage performing the song.

The chosen song (Let Us Drown) will be played over the footage and the band will be singing and performing the song at each stage as they progress to being on stage. 

shots including: long shots of the band playing at each stage, close-ups on the band members and them performing and their instruments being played. Pictures taken of the band to then be sped up to produce stuttered 180 degree view of the band. Merge back into video footage. Low angles and high angles of the band and each member. Try to include slow motion? 

Idea 2: 

Process of walking onto stage:

Process and footage of each stage and moment of the band getting ready to go onto stage to perform. 

Including: packing and unpacking equipment, the journey to the show/stage eg. in the van and scenery, laughs and funny moments, Sped-up pictures, walking to the backstage dressing room, walking to the stage, setting up and sound check and finally performing to the crowd on stage. 

The chosen song (let us drown) will be played over the footage and will be played by the band on stage at the final stage/ closure of the song (on stage). Could try to include slow-motion? 

Idea 3:

Performing in studio or empty room:

The band performing their song (Let Us Drown) in a empty room or in the studio with just them inside with their equipment and instruments etc. Various shots including close-ups and long shots of the band playing and each member performing and their instruments. 

Different shots of the band and individual band members infront of a background. eg. The bands logo banner. Sped-up pictures of the band to produce stuttered video footage. Low angles and high angles of the band and each member. I could also try to include slow-motion to add different dimensions and dramatic footage to the music video.

Idea 4:
Montage of backstage, laughs, and funny moments
Backstage action including setting up, the dressing room, getting ready and laughs and funny moments from the band together and from each member. Funny moments in the studio, on stage, the journey to the stage etc. The bands song playing over the visuals. Aim to match the footage with the song. Various shots including POV's, close ups, long shots, handheld footage etc.

The Case - Let Us Drown - Breakdown

Breakdown of chosen song: 

Build up til : 0:30
Guitars come in: 0:30
Drums come in: 0:41
Vocals: 0:52
Instruments come in + beginning of 1st verse: 0:54 - 1:12
Chorus: 1:19 - 1:29
Second verse: 1:40 - 2:00
Chorus: 2:07 - 2:17
Guitar solo: 2:17 - 2:58
Vocals: 2:59
Instruments come in + beginning of 3rd verse: 3:00 - 3:18
Chorus: 3:25 - 3:35
Drums stop: 3:46
Guitars finish: 3:56

Breaking down my chosen song (Let Us Drown - The Case) has allowed me section out the different parts of the song which I can then use to help me get specific and relevant footage which is able to fit the parts of the song. I have also taken a note of the time in which each section takes place to help me with the length of the specific footage and how much filming can be fitted into a section of the song. For example, the chorus of the song is ten seconds long which means I have to chose appropriate footage to fit inside that time gap. The visuals and song beat must match to ensure the footage is understandable and recognisable to the audience. I also think the song beat and visuals should match as it allows for an aesthetically pleasing music video. 

Update on progress

I am currently moving towards the planning stage of my project. I am about to break my chosen song down into sections and storyboard my ideas, camera angles, lighting, mise-en-scene etc. After looking at current and past rock music videos and highlighting the codes and conventions will help me in the process of storyboarding and brainstorming possible ideas for my music video.