Theory of music videos - Michael Shore

1. Theoryof
music videos
Michael Shore

2. Michael shore believes
that all music videos
are ‘recycled styles’
which contain key
features.

3. include

4. recycled
Recycled styles refers to styles or the basis
of a music video to essentially be reused
again and again by different artists
throughout time.
An example could be when referring to
Lady Gaga’s outfit in ‘Bad romance’ and
Madonna’s outfit in ‘Frozen’ as they both
appear to very similar.
styles#1

5. Surface without substance refers
to when the lyrics have nothing to
do with what is happening on the
screen.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is “Fluorescent
Adolescent” by the Arctic Monkeys.
In this music video surface without
substance is demonstrated as the
lyrics of the song are about a girl.
However in the music video the
audience only see clowns and
civilians fighting
#2
Surface without
substance

6. simulated
experience#3
Simulated experience refers to
giving the audience the
opportunity to fantasize about
doing something they would
like to do themselves.

7. Information overload refers to
when there are too many things
happening in the video which
could cause confusion.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is the “Bad
romance” by Lady Gaga.
In the music video information
overload is demonstrated as there
are numerous quick violent
images and everything is
happening so fast that to some
viewers the music video may
appear to be confusing to a
certain extent.
#4
Information
overload

8. Image and style scavengers
refers to when the look and tone
of a video has been borrowed
from another text.
#5
Image and style
scavengers

9. Ambivalence essentially refers to
uncertainty or fluctuation.
For example the inability to make a
decision or by a simultaneous desire to say
or do two opposite things.
#6ambivalence

10. Decadence refers to when an
individual is in a state of
deterioration.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is the “A Team”
by Ed Sheeran.
In the music video decadence is
demonstrated as the girl is shown
to be in a deteriorated state. She
is portrayed to be living on the
streets and in order to get money
she has to turn to prostitution. As
the music video progresses we see
her deteriorate further and she
ends up committing suicide.
#7Decadence

11. Immediate gratification refers
to the audience becoming
instantly satisfied.
#8
Immediate
gratification

12. Vanity and the moment refers to
essentially artists going along with
current trends which occur at that
particular time.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is “Boys and Girls” by
Pixie Lott.
In the music video vanity and the
moment is demonstrated by the fashion
and the appearance of the people
featuring in it. As a result the music
video becomes easily outdated due to
fashion trends constantly changing as
time progresses.
#9
Vanity and the
moment

13. Image assaults and outré folk refers
to artists being over the top for the
basis of gaudy imagery
#10
Image assaults and
outré folk

14. Album art come to turgid life refers
to something which is evident within
the music video which can be linked
to the album cover.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is “Anaconda” by
Nicki Minaj.
In this music video album art come to
turgid life is evident as throughout
the music video in the mise-en-scene,
the signature colour, pink can be seen
which is evidence of album art come
to turgid life as her album features a
lot of pink on the cover.
#11
Album art come to
turgid life

15. Anesthetization of violence
through chic refers to violence and
aggression made essentially not
be shown in a negative light.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is “Come back
home” by Two door cinema club.
In this music video although
violence is evident the focus isn’t
heavily on the violence or what
had happened instead the music
video focuses on the aftermath.
#12
Anesthetization of violencethrough
chic

16. Adolescent male fantasies refers to
essentially things boys/men like to see.
An example of a music video that fits with
this aspect of the theory is Beyoncé's music
video ‘Who run the world’
In this music video and others which
feature mainstream artists such as
Rihanna. The artists are carrying out a lot
of provocative dance moves within the
music video and they are usually dancing
in skimpy/revealing clothing.
Due to the high sexualisation rate in music
videos there is a knock on effect in terms of
how young people view themselves which
is leading to an increase in problems
within society such as mental health
issues within the young.
#13
Adolescent male
fantasies

17. Michael Shore suggested that in
certain music videos power, speed,
wealth and girls will be evident.
An example of a music video that fits
with this aspect of the theory is T.I.s
music video ‘Whatever you like’
In this music video there is a heavy
emphasis on wealth due to the focus
of fast cars, private jets, big houses
and jewellery. Ultimately wealth
grants an individual power and
there is a vast display of wealth,
making the artist appear powerful.
The presence of fast transport e.g.
cars and private jets supports the
speed aspect in this theory and
women are present within the music
video.
#14
Speed, power, girls
and wealth

18. The death of content refers to
essentially any content which is
showing, or links to death.
An example of a music video
that fits with this aspect of the
theory is Two door cinema
club’s music video ‘come back
home’
In this music video there is a
heavy emphasis on what
appears to be a car accident but
specifically the focus is on the
people and the bodies laying on
the ground which we can only
assume to be dead.
#15
The death
of content

19. Classical storytelling motifs
refers to the use of narratives
which are recognisable, allowing
the audience to relate to the
video or song.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is “Born to
die” by Lana Del Rey.
In this music video a classical
storytelling motif is evident as
the girl relies on the
stereotypical love story to show
the audience that this is the
semantics behind the lyrics.
#16
Classical storytelling
motifs

20. Soft-core pornography refers to imagery
which could be considered to be of a
sexual nature which could be
inappropriate for younger audiences.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is “She Wolf” by
Shakira.
In this music video soft-core
pornography is demonstrated due to the
way Shakira acts. Within the music
video Shakira appears to act in a sexual
nature and the way she looks in terms
of her outfit appears to be very
revealing.
#17
Soft-core
pornography

21. Clichéd imagery refers to imagery
which is used a lot in music videos or
films and continues to be used in
other music videos.
An example of a music video that
demonstrates this is “Whatever you
like” by T.I.
In this music video clichéd imagery is
evident in the scene when the girl is
sat on her bed, wondering if she
should call the man. This scene has
been repeatedly constructed in other
music videos and in films, making it
clichéd.
#18
Clichéd
imagery

22. Michael Shore suggests that every music video will have at least one
if not more of these features evident and therefore it’s likely that
within our music video we will have some of these features
incorporated. When referring to features that we will not be using its
unlikely we would use soft-core pornography, adolescent male
fantasies or death of content due to the fact that we trying to create a
music video in the pop genre which is normally targeted at younger
audiences and therefore the use of soft-core pornography, adolescent
male fantasies or death of content could result in our music video
being inappropriate for younger audiences. It’s also unlikely that we
will use surface without substance as it could be confusing for our
target audience especially as they young. Following this, it’s unlikely
that we are going to be using decadence as our genre is pop and
therefore it’s likely that the music video is going to be featuring more
positivity. However any of the other features could be applied to our
music video as they are all suitable.
Linking to our
music video