Researching Previous Student Videos

I have looked at music videos done by previous students to help me gain more of an idea of how to get the best grade. These four videos have been put out by the exam board to show examples of videos in Level 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Level 1 music video

This video is clearly very basic. There are very few types of camera angles and shots used, and the filming isn't steady at all which makes it look extremely unprofessional. The little mise-en-scene elements and basic editing has not been used to create any meaning within the video. Not a lot of thought and planning has been put into the video, the boys have obviously just filmed a night out, with no link to the song at all.There is no storyline and or interesting elements. In fact, in can be argued that the video is condoning drink driving, as they are under the influence of alcohol in the car and could be driving it.

Level 2 music video

Although we can see a difference between the level 1 and 2 videos, this is still very basic. There is a little bit more of a camera shot range, however they predominantly only use close ups and long shots, and they are often unstable. Few interesting camera angles are used. There is a significant difference with editing though and it looks like they have put some effort into it. There is more of a link to the song through the use of the lip-syncing, however the actors are very unbelievable and don't fit the mood of the song. The mise-en-scene, if any, is very irrelevant. They have filmed random shots of streets which have no meaning.

Level 3 music video

Again, we can see an improvement from the level 2 video to the level 3, with an increased use of camera shots as well as locations, however the locations and other mise-en-scene in the video creates no meaning. The camera shots are  steadier to look more professional. There is more of a link to the song and they capture the tone of it better, however there isn't a storyline or anything of much interest. The actor also isn't very believable during the lip-syncing, and the other actor has little relevance to the video. The editing is varied and must have helped increase the grade of this video.

Level 4 music video

This video has the highest grade out of the four but I would assume it is a low level 4. There is a wide range of different camera angles and shots however I think they should use different locations or have a storyline, I find lip-syncing in the same location throughout boring. Some camera angles are not steady which looks unprofessional. The location fits well with the lyrics of the song though, however no meaning of the lyrics has been created through it, nor the mise-en-scene. The actor is quite believable but the lip-syncing isn't. The use of the words appearing on the screen shows their creativity.