2. What is a music video?
A music video is a short film to illustrate the artist’s vision of what the song set to the
music video means and it’s moral message. It also uses imagery to manipulate the
audience’s emotions to suit the emotions of the song for promotional, advertisement and
artistic purposes. In today’s society, music videos are used to promote an artist and
endorse their brand by their music, look as to set a trend whether in the music industry or
fashion industry. Music videos have been around since the 1980’s and are one thing, no
matter how futuristic of a form it may be presented in, will always be around in society
for years to come. There are many styles and techniques used in a music video such as
animation, live action filming, documentaries and abstract film to fit a image or purpose.
Many music videos use and interpret images, scenes and lyrics from their song making
sure the video goes with the lyrics of the song and what the artist envisions it to be. Some
music videos do not necessarily have a concept as to improvise the video but yet have it
suit the lyrics of the song, but does not fall into the category of ‘abstract film’.
3. Camera Styles:
A music video contains several different camera styles, angles and techniques to
portray the vision of an artist and director usually depending on the style of the
music video whether traditional or abstract.
•Close up shots
•Extreme close up shots either of the artist, band or the singer’s face to illustrate
the emotions of the actors to the audience
•Crane shots hovering over stage images
•Low angle shots
•Pans and tilts moving around , moving to different performed and settings
•Tracking
4. Features of music:
Music is one of the main features of a music video, hence the title
‘music video’ . Without music, it would simply be a silent movie. The
music makes the video and sets the atmosphere. Because of the
music, the video goes one of two ways: either completely to do with the
lyrics of the music or nothing to do with it at all. In today’s music
videos, images tend to go in time with the beat/ rhythm with the song
that the music video is showing a moving image of. The musical
elements can help shape the moving image, movements such as
walking, dancing, footsteps, tapping etc.
5. Editing and Sound:
Editing and sound are a key feature to a successful music video if
done in a way perfect to the target audience and if it suits the
concept of the music video and the theme of the music. Editing
involves things such as jump cutting, putting scene sequences
together, cross cutting etc. In most cases, the footage is edited to
match the music and so the lip syncing of the actors in the music
video are in time with the music. Editing can also include
changing the levels of sound. Voice over’s can be edited in and
other noises that suit the narrative of the music video.
6. Mis en scene: setting the stage.
Mis en scene of a music video can depend on the genre of the music, the
lyrics of the song and the type of music video that is being filmed. Mis
en scene can include:
•Clothing (certain outfits for the actors, singer/ band)
•Make up
•Themes
•Props
•Performance equipment
•Artist merchandise
•Locations (venue)
•Facial expressions
7. Imagery
In the context of music videos, imagery is used to
set different moods of the song/video or the person/
people being filmed. Using moving images helps to
create an atmosphere for the audience by
manipulating colour, clothing, the setting and
through creating various ideas that are implemented
in the music video.
