Discussions of Concept.

At first our group dicussed music genres, and soon came to the conclusion we all liked different styles and genres, and so decided to discuss the concept of the video before we decided upon the genre or the actual song we would use.


We quickly came to the conlusion, through discussion of sci-fi-esque concepts, that as a group we were mutually interested in the conspiracy theories revoloving around things like the supposed New World Order the so-called "Illuminati" and the "faked" moon landings. We decided this would form the basis of our video, which would be largely concept-based (although with some element of performance involved, albeit somewhat enigmatically- the band in shadow, or only partially shown, or possibly obscured by science fiction paraphernalia). As the discussion developed we decided that the concept for the video fitted well within the alternative/progressive rock genres, and we selected Muse, a band renowned for their sci-fi inspired image and poiltically rebellious lyrics. The song we have chosen to use is "Uprising" from the band's 2009 album "The Resistance".


In keeping with said themes, we discussed inter-textual references, taken largely from science fiction films. and came up with the following:


A Clockwork Orange (Stanley Kubrick-1971)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT1DCun3U9M)


In the film a clockwork orange, the protagonist, Alex, is subjected to government-issued mind control techniques (named the "Ludivoco Technique" in the film). This obviously links to the themes of our video, mind control, and dystopian science fiction. It also has inter-textual links to Alternative rock a genre known for it's connection to sci-fi imagery, and, usually, strict left-wing agendas. Many alternative rock bands, particularly Muse, dicuss goverment spin-doctoring or populous control, and A Clockwork Orange is infamous for exploring said themes, and the Ludivoco scene is an important iconic scene from the film (also any Kubrick reference is good, as he was a science fiction director often associated with conspiracy theories by internet nutters).

The Matrix (the Wachoski Brothers- 1999)
The Matrix- Glitch/ De Ja Vu


The Matrix "Red Dress":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXQozTxQSiE

This is both a thematic reference, and an incorporation of visual elements from the film. For example, one thing we discussed putting in our music video, was a "woman in the red dress" type character, used in the film to represent the Matrix deceiving the humans (if you look the once, she appears to be a woman in a red dress, look again it is an agent with a pistol). As our video revolves around concepts of paranoid confusion and Dystopian science fiction realities, and as the Matrix is a very famous and popular film revolving around these issues, with instantly recognisable symbology we feel that these references in particular will resonate with an audience. We also intend to incorporate slow motion effects, and possibly De Ja Vu references, to also hint at Matrix connotations.




I personally also intend to fit some references to comic books/graphic novels in, such as Alan Moore's Watchmen (as well as the Zac Snyder film adapatation),




and Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol as well as potentially some of the occult symbols used it Mike Mignola's Hellboy series.