Music Videos

What is a music video

“A filmed or videotaped rendition of a recorded song, often portraying musicians

performing the song or including visual images interpreting the lyrics”

History of music videos

Music videos have been around since the 1920’s where

singers would make short videos to accompany the song

e.g Bessie Smith.

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1965 Bob DylanIn 1965 a video was produced for the song subterranean homesick blues however it

was apart of a film don’t look back. Despite this it is still widely credited as one of the

first modern videos and has features which are still present in modern videos such as

having the lyrics on screen.

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1970’sIt was during the 1970’s when pop music TV shows

were a hit thus the record industry saw the TV shows as a great opportunity to promote their artists and created short ‘promos’, early music

videos which started to replace live performances of the artist on stages. This allowed the artist to become a bigger success as they could be in

multiple places at a single time through airing the music video on television worldwide.

1975Bohemian RhapsodyBohemian Rhapsody was a ground breaking video by Queen and marked the beginning of the video

era. The video was also one of the first to use advanced visual effects and set the ‘language’ for modern films, which are still used and recreated,

today in new videos.(Such as live performances and lip syncing) It is also a song which

Is commonly parodied For humour for exampleBy The Muppets.

The technical codes of music(Cinematography, editing, mise-en-scene,

sound)CinematographyCamera movement may accompany movement of

performers walking/dancing to create a more dynamic

feel and a sense of movement.

Close up shots are also common for music videos

partly because of the small size of TV’s in the early

years, which isn’t so much of an issue now, and also

creates a sense of intimacy for the viewer and

potentially portrays what they are trying to sell ‘the

face.’

EditingA common form of

editing in music videos is fast cut montage which consists of

random images being pasted together making it impossible to grasp

everything the audience is being shown on first viewing. This is an easy way of selling an artist

as the video needs multiple viewing from audiences thus more

money is being made.

However, some artists use slow pace

and gentle transitions to

establish mood depending on the genre of the song. This is common for solo artists such as

Adele or James blunt.To enhance the editing

special effects are used, digital effects, and play with the original images to offer

different kinds of pleasure for the audience. E.g split

screens, colourisation and blockbuster film style CGI (which is becoming very

popular.)

Godwin’s music video analysis1) Music video’s demonstrate genre characteristics (e.g stage performance in rock videos, a dance routine in a pop video etc)2) there is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals (illustrates, amplifies or contradicts)3) there is a relationship between the music and the visuals (illustrates, amplifies or contradicts)4) the demands of the record label will include he need for lots of close up’s of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which reoccur across their work (a visual style)5) There is frequently reference to notion of looking(screens within screens, telescopes, mirrors etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.6) There is often intertextual reference to films, Tv programs, other music videos etc)

Intertextual referencingThe shaping of texts meanings by other textsThis is commonly used for advertisements purposes

to help sell and remember a product for example Taylor Swift’s diet coca cola advert.

Main focus is the singer, the product is merely a background tool as Taylor Swift sells.

Only at the end is the product fully acknowledged by the audience

Singing in the car is relatable for audiences and get’s them to remember the song and buy the product.

The three ways of intertextual referencing

1) Stylistically Imitating the style of a film or TV genre, video game, cartoon etc.

Michael Jackson – Thriller

Is filmed in the style of a short horror film with music within it.

Displays stereotypical mise-en-scene of a zombie horror film through the setting being a

graveyard.

2) Through theme/narrative

George Michael – outside focus’ on a real life event in which Michael was arrested for a sexual act in a Hollywood public toilet and this music video cover the incident and more specifically the publicity/ coverage of it.

Designed to look like German Pornography, complete with German Titles.

Police helicopters, only used inSerious cases portrays how dramatic the Incident was.

Made to look like a live recording on the news throughA cctv camera view.

3) ContentSome music videos contain more subtle intertextual referencing within their content

Madonna – Material girlReferences Marilyn Monroe through the use of her costume and by mimicking

the scene from gentlemen prefer blondes.

Why do we intertextual reference?

Intertextual referencing is used by advertisers in order to sell products and within the music industry

it is used to sell an artist. If a advertiser is referencing something the audience likes it gives audience nostalgia and enhances the meaning of

the product. The audience feel privileged and get a sense of satisfaction as they feel they are being let

in on a secret.John Stuarts description of the music video

‘Incorporating, raiding and reconstructing’ is essentially the essence of intertextuality.

Intertextual referencing in music video

The song is narrative based and tells a story

as the lyrics accompany the visuals to give a

visual representation on what the singer is

telling the audience.

Intertextual references Ben stiller by featuring him in the video as a civilian walking past the booth.

reference to notion of looking as the audience

are placed In position of the

screen looking up at the artists.

Live performances however they aren’t taken

seriously which goes against the conventions of rock e.g. casual

costumes, acoustic not

electric which in a sense mocks the

genre.

References the foo fighters by having a band member ,Dave Grohl, as Satan