2. WHAT A MUSIC VIDEO IS USED
FOR?
Attracts a wider audience as it allows you to understand and
emphasise with the protagonists more by seeing visuals to creating
meaning and understanding of the narrative.
It creates a ‘star image’ allowing the producers to edit and portray
the singers in a certain way, by doing this the producers are able to
manipulate the audience which the music video will attract.
In order to entertain the audience who they are targeting and grip
them to continue wanting to listen to the song/watch video.
Most of the time the artists will appear in the music video which
gives them a face to their name, getting them more known by the
public increasing fan bases and audience towards their other songs.
3. RESEARCH
music video where evolved by clips of performance's, this is why many of the music videos include
a number of shots of the artists singing.
Many music videos want to stand out and be different to attract an audience. One way that they do
is this by using an unusual location for their video such as ‘feels’ which is set in a fictional world
and Beyoncé ‘run’ which is set underwater this attracts the audience. Using a
The artist while seeing a lyrics which are relatable often look straight and the camera. This is
known as ‘direct address’ and is used to make the audience feel like they are being spoken to
directly making the song more personal.
The lyrics normally tell the narrative which is then being reinforced through visuals. Some music
videos do this is to promote a film such as Adele's ‘sky fall’ which advertises the James Bond film.
Societal stereotypes of sexuality, gender, race, etc are typically reinforced through music videos.
An example of this would be that in the majority of love songs mostly only include heterosexual
couples portraying that it is the ‘norm’ to be straight or how women are typically portrayed as the
inferior gender.
Some genre have common settings where they are typically filmed such as rappers being set on a
council estate/streets or a love song being filmed in a home to show domestic issues.
Sometimes a montage which is different cuts covering a long period of time. this is used in a
music video so that the process of story telling is made faster and keeps the audience gripped.
Most music videos are fast paced and have short cuts/jump cuts and often don’t include continuity
throughout the music video
4. WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF A
MUSIC VIDEO?
The music video is typically between 3-4 minutes long.
Fast cuts/transitions
Music videos often include a number of close ups will be included to express emotions, this
connects the lyrics with meaning.
A motif is often used, this is when the visual effects and when the
protagonist/artist/characters props, clothes or actions go together. This is used to reinforce
the meaning and lyrics of the song.
Colours will be used to give connotations to allow the audience to make associations and
assumptions which will help to create further meaning.
The music videos tempo will typically drive the editing.
A clear genre will be established throughout by the tempo, editing, mise en scene, lyrics,
and backing instrumental.
The video tends to include a narrative which can include a middle beginning and end or just
flashbacks relating to the lyrics. Also computer graphics which make the music video more
interesting while still realistic enabling the audience to relate easier.
The short amount of time the producer have to create meaning and even portray a story, it is
important they include symbolic meanings so that the audience can understanding through
associations.
5. MORE CONVECTION'S?
Mostly there are more characters other than the artist themselves. However,
the artist will typically be part of the narrative story to make the audience feel
that they can also relate in some way.
Frequently there is cross cutting used between the artist singing and the
narrative although sometimes continuity editing can be used if they are a
character in the story.
Music videos can be fictional to make the audience escape their reality of
their life or non-fiction which is allows the audience to relate and feel
someone understands them and their situation if their going through
something similar.
Lighting Is used to establish feelings to make the audience feel a certain way.
Many varies of different angles are used
Voyeurism is often used where the artists are shown in revealing clothing or
insisting the audience looks at something they feel they shouldn’t be
watching. In most cases it is women who are in small outfits, to represent
women as objects. there are normally many shots and editing techniques
which emphasise their body. This is used to gain attention normally through a
sexual manner.
