Here is a link to a short post it note video I made to explain the 6 stages in analysing a music video.
Knowing what I learnt from this theory I applied it to actual music video to see visually how it was applied.
1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.
It’s clear in the videos I analysed that the genre of the music is reflected greatly in the music videos. For instance with the videos for Eminem and Tiny Temper which both belong to branches of the Rap/RNB genre the artists are shown rapping usually with a dark Mise en scene to represent the "cool, slick, swagger" nature of the genre.
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.
In almost all music videos it is important that the song relates back to the video. The lyrics in the song "Unfaithful" by Rhianna relate back to the video in a part of the song where it says, " i say i won't be long, just hanging with the girls" as we see an image of her texting her boyfriend this. There's also a strong relationship in Kanye West's video " Homecoming". The song is about his hometown Chicago and features Kanye in the city with images of Chicago appearing frequently during the video.
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals.
The sound of the song and the effect is has on the listener should definitely be reflected in music videos. For instance a fast paced song should have a fast cutting rate and a slower song should have the opposite. A good example of this is in Adele's "chasing pavements" as when a high angle shot is used of the couple from the car crash laying still, the music is slow and long panning shots are used, however when they begin to move and dance at "well...should i give up..."the music picks up and has a more joyful violin in the background.
The sound of the song and the effect is has on the listener should definitely be reflected in music videos. For instance a fast paced song should have a fast cutting rate and a slower song should have the opposite. A good example of this is in Adele's "chasing pavements" as when a high angle shot is used of the couple from the car crash laying still, the music is slow and long panning shots are used, however when they begin to move and dance at "well...should i give up..."the music picks up and has a more joyful violin in the background.
4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close-ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work.
This is true as for instance in Florence and the Machine’s video a great amount of close-ups are used to show off the artist. In fact the first shot of the video is a close up of Florence. This can also be seen a lot in Lady Gaga's video as usually her makeup, hair and overall outfit is so detailed that close ups are needed to accentuate and expose these features.
This is true as for instance in Florence and the Machine’s video a great amount of close-ups are used to show off the artist. In fact the first shot of the video is a close up of Florence. This can also be seen a lot in Lady Gaga's video as usually her makeup, hair and overall outfit is so detailed that close ups are needed to accentuate and expose these features.
5. There is frequently reference to the notion of looking and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
This is stressed in Kanye West’s video, it focuses mainly on Kanye looking around the town and remembering his childhood. An example of this is in the image of the reflection of the area showing what Kanye can see. Shakira and Lady Gaga again are both known for having voyeuristic like shots of their bodies laying in different positions.
This is stressed in Kanye West’s video, it focuses mainly on Kanye looking around the town and remembering his childhood. An example of this is in the image of the reflection of the area showing what Kanye can see. Shakira and Lady Gaga again are both known for having voyeuristic like shots of their bodies laying in different positions.
6. There is often intertextual reference.
This is a common feature of music videos, however some have subtle references and some have more obvious deliberate references. At one stage in Eminem's career he was known for producing comical music videos, almost parodies of other artists and their work. One of the images shown is from Eminem's song "just loose it" however he makes reference to his film 8 mile by having a scene were they are on stage about to rap battle.
By looking at the conventions of music videos it allowed us as a group to decide whether we wanted to include these conventions, challenge them, develop them or experiment with them.
