2. What is a music video?
A music video is a short film or video that accompanies a
complete piece of music, most commonly a song. Their
usual purpose, especially for more modern videos, are for
the promotion of bands and artists intended to the promote
the sale of music recordings.
3. Promotion
They are often called music ‘promos’ and most usually
come in the form of a package, usually with an
accompanying advert. In the 1980s the term ‘rock video’
was penned to describe this form of entertainment
although the usage has fallen considerably out of use.
In 1940, Walt Disney released the film ‘Fantasia’ which is a
short film surrounding different pieces of classical music.
This could be described as a music video as it follows the
same principles, although the way we see music videos
today is marginally different.
4. Musical Innovation
The key to such music videos becoming a more prominent use of
marketing and a general success (more than previously upheld) is
due to the advancement of video and editing processes along with
the development of special effects.
This development however has seen the making of a music video rise
in cost and price and requires many more heads than previously
thought. To make a successful music video for marketing requires
money and it is therefore only the most well-known and successful
bands that we will see with this factor.
By the 80s almost every single was accompanied with a music video
and soon it became a much more mandatory expectation.
5. Top of the Pops
The introduction of this programme in the early 70s created
a whole new platform for music and the promotion of
music videos. Bands were able to perform live, promoting
their single, and thus generating a buzz around the song
itself. People now wanted music videos to be created. This
was then further fuelled by the introduction of music-
dedicated channels such as MTV, Kerrang! and VH1. the
platforms for watching music videos were forever
expanding
6. First music video
Queen are credited with the first ever music video
although I expect there are much earlier, overlooked
constructions. Their video for Bohemian Rhapsody
became a sensation.
Similarly, the music videos of today have generated
such a fan base that they are hard to ignore. Michael
Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ was voted the best music video of
all time.
