History of music video

1. History of music video
A2 Media Studies
Anastasia Popovic

2. According to Collins Dictionary:
 a performance on film or videotape of a musical
recording accompanied by synchronized actions,
such as a dramatic interpretation of the lyrics or
a series of, sometimes surreal, images
 a commercial video featuring a performance of a
popular song, often through a stylized
dramatization by the performers with lip-syncing
and special effects

3. The origins of the first music videos date
back to the late 19th century.
The first music video was filmed in 1895 at
Thomas Edison’s studio. It was made for a
Kinetoscope.

4. In the 1920s,a theater in New York
presented the first motion picture with
sound on film, this synchronized movies and
there soundtracks.

5. In the 1940s, jukeboxes played soundies.
Soundies were three minute films featuring
music and dance performances from jazz
singers and swing dancers.

6. In the 1960s, The Beatles used the power
of film to promote their records. They
starred in full length features such as “Help”
and “A Hard Days Night”.

7. In the 197os, an American program called
“Video Concert Hall” and “ Sound” in
Australia showed unhosted music videos
everyday.

8. In the 1981 first music channel MTV was
launched, and the first video they aired was
by the Buggles called “Video Killed The
Radio Star”.

9. In the 1980s, MTV was a huge part of
promoting careers of artists such as
Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Michael Jackson
and others. With their enormous success,
by the late 1980s, MTV started to debut
reality programs and game shows and most
importantly they launched the MTV Music
Video Awards.

10. In 1985 VH1 music channel was launched.
This channel featured soft mellow music
and had target audience of an older
demographic which widened the appeal and
attraction towards music videos.

11. In 2005, You Tube website was launched,
which allows people to watch music video
online. Users can upload, share and view
videos which has increased the popularity of
them.
Following You Tube success, Vevo was
introduced in 2009 which also provides
music videos from major record labels,
called “the big four”.

12. In addition to previous mentioned platforms, in
2005 iTunes was opened which allows music videos
as well as songs to be downloaded from internet.
Music videos are essential for fans engagement. They help
audience grasp the visual identity of specific artist. Music
videos create a multidimensional experience.
Nowadays, there is a tacit expectation for a visual reference
associated with music. Music videos communicate to audience,
promoters, and bookers that artists take your music project
seriously and professionally.
In return, this influences the way audience see artist, their art,
and performance.