Genre

Genre:-Metalcore
About

Metalcore was created by merging two genres together. 'Extreme Metal' and 'Hardcore Punk'. This is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. It began in the1990's with a band names 'Deadguy' and 'Integrity', even tho 'Sepaltura' claim to have laid the foundations of the genre. Bands these days consist of the likes of 'Architects', 'Devil Wears Prada' and 'Parkway Drive'. This genre is slightly different from other punk/metal fusions. It consists of more metal orientated riffs than punk, but keeping the punk vibe. Usually a five peice act. Most of the time, the chorus' (or well known element of the song) are sang, and the verses and other sections of the song are 'screamed'.It also consists of a the well known 'Breakdown/Beatdown' a heavy part of the song which is now almost always associated with moshing. Usually played by sequenced bass drum hits with the open notes of a guitar in a specific repeated rhythm. The genre has progressed over the years, and now has create sub genres of its own such as 'Melodic Metalcore', 'Mathcore' and 'Deathcore' etc.

Examples
Integrity
Formed in 1988 as the first 'Metalcore' band. Pushing the boundaries and combinding two genres of music togther to create not only a genre, but a fashion and a life style.
Deadguy
Formed in 1994 they recorded two studio albums. Although there were not one of the well known 'Metalcore' acts, the surely were inpiration to the scene.
Killswitch Engage
Formed in 1999. One of the most famous 'Metalcore' acts from america. Pushing the boat out a bit more for the genre and adding in elements that before them, were unheard. Taking a more metal approach to the genre, they released a new version of the style, which would now be the face of 'Metalcore'.

Parkway Drive

The first 'Metalcore' act to release from Australlia. Began in 2002 as a four peice but added another member. A conventional band using all the elements within the music, yet not with the lifestyle or fashion.

Architects
After forming seven years ago in 2004, they've defered away from a 'Tech-Metal' band, and have been pushing the boundarys for many different genres. There lifestyle and fashion is conventional.


Fashion


Turn and Run - Photo by Danny Sambuca



In different scenes of music, there are different sorts of dress codes (to make you belong to the group). The fashion in the scene is similar to the music, merged from  hardcore punk fashion with metal fashion. When you see people dressed you can make connotations that they are connected with a certain sort of scene. Fashion has always been a statement to who you are and where you belong, this has not changed.

Haircut

A fringe. Most all 'Metalcore Kids' have a fringe, and a long back. Either this or an alternate version of this hairstyle.

Torso

They also where band tee's that are usually small, or they were vests, known as 'Wifebeaters'. If not, a casual shirt is worn, has to be checked. Hoodies are mostly zip up.

Legs

Usually jeans, most of the time very skinny jeans. 'Skinnies' also applies for shorts.

Footwear

The shoes are almost always either plimsolls or slip-on's, usually made of canvas.

Extras

Stretched ears, not to big, otherwise that's borderline of 'Hardcore' fashion. Hats must be baggy, or a 'Flat Peaks' can be worn. Tattoo's are also conventional for the genres fashion and trends.

In Archives

In Archives fit under the 'Metalcore' scene. They have all the conventions of the genre yet some unconventional features in the music and in there look. There are clear connections between the genre and the band. After studying the genre i can see what the convention are, this will help me shoot my video and see what the expectations are from the fans.

Information About The Band

A 5 piece metal-core band from Peterborough. Heavily influenced by the likes of, The Ghost Inside, Architects and Parkway Drive etc. After forming in 2010 they have played many gigs around the UK. After recording the debut EP ‘Traitors’, they have recently been on tours in the UK and are now under management with a company from Kings Lynn. When recording the single, they discussed and decided to have a video to release.

We chose this band as two members from our group are in this. We thought that this would benifit us as we could really talk with the band, and discuss ideas. Plus, with us having the actual band, they will able to preform, the song better than anyone, and the video will actually bhe used to help promote the band.

The song we chose to do by them is called, 'Step Down'. We chose this song as its there newest, and has not been released yet, therefore helping them out with the release of this song. We also chose it because the lyrics seem to have strong meaning, and teh song is fast pased and interesting, which is perfect for a metalcore video.

History of the Music Video

It all started when ‘Top of the Pops’ was created in 1964. When bands couldn’t show up they used to send a tape of them playing to make people believe they were.  This was the first start of the music video.

'Top Of The Pops' Classic Logo

‘Queen’ was allegedly the first people to create a music video/promo. They spent loads of money on it as they wanted people to know they did it first. They also want a lot of publicity, which they got. And it became legendary.

Allegedly The First Music Video

‘The Beatles’ were one of the first bands to do this, yet they didn’t think it was to important, therefore didn’t spend lots of money on it as it wasn’t the most popular thing to do.

‘The Monkees’ saw what The Beatles were doing and how massive they were and these were classed as the Americas Answer to The Beatles. They created a fake band, that didn’t write there own music and preformed on a TV show to make money. There series included lots of narrative, which hadn’t been done over music before.

'The American Version Of The Beatles'

Mike Nesmith, the drummer from The Monkees, thought of a great idea. This idea was called ‘MTV’. This idea made millions and still around today. MTV kicked off in 1981. The artist began to realize how good it was, and interest in the program grew rapidly. MTV was aimed at males, and the program was all rock.



MTV's Original Logo



Bands started really splashing out on there music videos. ‘Duran Duran’ spent over 10000 on there music video. They started using narrative, and from here, narratives got more popular.

‘Thriller’ by ‘Michael Jackson’, was a 10 minuet video that included lots of narrative. Because it was created and directed by a film maker, the video was outstanding for its time. And it cost Michael a lot of money.

A Screen Shot From 'Thriller'

Also ‘Sledge Hammer’ was the first music video ever to have included animation. This was done by ‘Ardman Animation’, the same people who created ‘Wallace and Gromit’. This is done by many photos, and start and stop animations meaning this video wasn’t done by a video camera, and the artist was incredible to be able to lip sink to the track photo by photo.

Because MTV focused on rock, white people, and mainly males, all ‘Black Rap’ was ignored from the program. This was until ‘Aerosmith’ and ‘Run DMC’ got together, and I did a remix of ‘Walk This Way’, and then did a video together. Together they broke the mould, and Rap was more accepted.

Music videos then became the best way to promote your music. And still today is one of the best ways to promote it. Apart from today, there’s more channels for different genres of music (everything’s accepted), and different devices you can watch music videos on.

Presentation On Analysis Of A Existing Music Video

Conventions Of A Music Video

All music videos vary, and none are the same, but most follow a certain number of conventions, this is what makes a music video.

Camera
In music promos there are many different shot types. Close-Ups are regularly used. They are used to show the artist singing or playing instrument, this is to 'show off' how good they are. Establishing Shots are used to show the setting of the music video, and often to show the whole band in one shot. Low Angled Shots are used to shot to make the band look famous, and inferior to others. Its to show there importance and status. If others are in the video there are usually reaction shots of what they think of the musicians. I also found that the camera in Never Still, and is always moving in some way. This is so the video is enticing and then keeps the audience intrigued. It also makes the promo look more interesting.

Editing
In music promos, i have found that there are always loads of Fast Cuts. This is because there are usually lots of things to put into a music video, and fast cuts look interesting. The cuts are also With The Beat which is effective cause if emphasises the beat of the song and compliments it. These cuts are also more than likely Straight cuts. Yet lots of people use Fades. This is simple but effective, and works really well with music promos. Visual effect can be involved to compliment the mood of the song. This can also allow people to be Creative with the effects, shots and editing techniques.

Mise-en-scene
This can vary with the genre of the music and is very Dependant on the mood of the song. Locations are key to a music video, but again they link strongly on what the genre and song is all about. Props are always used in music videos. For a band set up, obviously there props will be there instruments. All together the Mis-en-scene should Reflect the atmosphere of the song.

Technical Conventions
There are many Technical Conventions that can be used. Lighting is key is a music video. The lighting will compliment the song and the mood that is portrayed in the song. Lighting can be used in many different ways, and can create different elements. Close ups of the main members with in the group (obviously if they are a solo artist) as that is what the people want to see. Colour is also increasingly important. This can also change the whole feel of the song if the wrong colour is used.

Narrative
The narrative is dependant on the song, and it can be anything you want. There are three main conventional ways you can do Narrative.

• The narrative could Illustrate the lyrics, and have the narrative going along with what the lyrics are.
• You could pick one specific lyric and Amplify this throughout the song
• You could contradict the lyrics - Disjuncture, and do what ever feels best

Intertextuality
Lots of music videos include Intertextuality. This is because it Includes the audience and makes them feel Included. Saying this, not all intertextual are Understood. The term used for constructing something that has already been done is 'Post Modern'.