2. I chose to explore the convention that “the
demands of the record label will include the
need for lots of close-ups of the artist.”
This would be an easy convention to use
when creating my own music video so I
thought I would explore to see the many
ways in which different videos use different
close ups of the artist.
3. Artist: Demi Lovato
Song title: Made in the USA
Date: July 16th 2013
Record Label: Hollywood Records
Genre: Pop
The artist isn’t one of the main characters in the music video,
instead she decided to hire two actors as she wanted to direct the
video herself. Although, still prevalence on the screen is the artist
and the audience is clearly shown who it is. She is seen singing to a
small group of people and playing instruments but more close ups of
her face and mid shots to show her figure and fashion outfits are
used which shows musical talent is less of a priority than the artists
image.
4. Artist: Foxes
Song title: Let Go For Tonight
Date: 23rd February 2014
Record Label: Sign of the Times
Genre: Pop
Throughout the video, the artist who is a slim attractive 25 year old
female is in revealing outfits to show off her body. This attracts
attention to her. In today’s music industry, the look of an artist is
more important than talent. This is because they make more money
from merchandise such as posters, t-shirts or fashion in general and
jewellery, etc. Which people will be drawn to if the people are
‘attractive’ over their musical talent and ability. If I was to choose a
modern song to do a music video for, I would need to consider this.
5. Artist: Oasis
Song title: Stop Crying Your Heart Out
Date: 17th June 2002
Record Label: Big Brother
Genre: Britpop
The music video follows the story of a girl but still primarily shows
close ups and other shots of the lead singer and other band
members. Even though there are a lot of other shots of the girl, the
audience is clearly told who is singing or playing instruments
compared with who is just featuring in the video. Within the band,
the camera shots focus mainly on the lead singer as he is the most
‘important’ role of the band. If I was to choose a song like this, I
would consider using a set up similar and focus mainly on the lead
singer and then use a few clips of the other band members.
6. Artist: Blondie
Song title: Heart of Glass
Date: 3rd January 1979
Record Label: Chrysalis
Genre: Disco, New Wave
The video is focused on the artist singing the song. There are clips of
the band that have recorded the music but as Blondie is the artist of
the song, she has main prevalence of the music video. In a modern
music video of this genre or similar genres, the artist would have
many costume, scene, set changes to make the video really
interesting. Also, commonly if a band is used they won’t be used in
the video. This is because society has changed and would rather see
the look of people over their musical talent. But in the 1970s,
musical talent was priority which is why this music video is like it is.
7. Artist: The Clash
Song title: London Calling
Date: 14th December 1979
Record Label: CBS, Legacy, Epic
Genre: Post-Punk
The entire music video is of the band. They are in a set that is
supposedly meant to be in London – to match the title of the song. There
is no other images, videos, etc. It is primarily focused on the band’s live
performance of the song. Again like the other band video, the
prevalence of the band is of the lead singer and then the other band
members. The instruments are also quite key and have a lot of screen
time – even when band members are just playing them in the
background or if the shot is focused on them, they are always doing
what they are in the recording of the song – unlike modern music videos.
8. All the music videos have the artist clearly
shown to the audience.
The music video content has changed from
the 1970s to the early 2000s and then even
more drastically into modern music videos.
Music videos used to contain the artist
singing and band playing their instruments
whereas in modern videos, the artist sings in
many random un-related locations in many
different designer outfits – they get sponsors.
Society has changed music videos over time.
