Alternative Rock Analyses 1

Conventions of a Music video

Andrew Goodwin's Thories on Music Videos

Andrew Goodwin: Dancing in the distraction factory (1992) 



In 1992, Andrew Goodwin studied a very large number music videos and categorise them in 3 groups: Illustration, Amplification and Disjuncture. They were put into one of the three groups depending on the content in the music video and the editing used in it.

Illustration:

For a music video to be categorised as an illustration video, the video need to be: literal, how you expect, the images on screen directly relates to the lyrics and that the shots are cut to the beat of the music/song.

One example of this would be the music video, 'This is How We Do' by Katy Perry. In this music video, the lyrics that are being sung are directly related to whats on screen. In the video, the artist sings about playing ping pong, having her nails done and having a taco. In the screenshops below, we see shots of people actually playing ping pong and that artist on a ping pong table, getting her nails done and grabbing a taco. 

Also, another music video that can be classed an illustration video is 'Wrecking Ball' by Miley Cryus. In the song, the artist sings about breaking 'your' walls down coming in like wrecking ball. When she sings think, we see a shot of a wall being broken and falling down and the artist riding, swinging on a wrecking ball. This can show the lyrics directly relating to the shots on screen.

  

Amplification:

For a music video to be categorised as an Amplification video, the video needs: the images on screen to amplify the lyrics, for their to be some sort of narrative and the shots are cut on and off the beat of the music to add emphasis to the meaning of the song.

An example of this would be the Music Video 'Paradise' by Coldplay. The music video narrative is about an Elephant, escaping to the wild after being locked up in a zoo and finding its 'paradise'. As we can see from the screenshots, the elephant is running away and finding its paradise. The lyrics are also about finding a you own paradise which can relate with the video as they have abstractly shown someone, or something running away and finding their paradise. 

   

Disjuncture:

For a music video to be categorised as a Disjuncture video, generally: the shots what we see on screen do not relate to the music/song being played at all. This is normally done by bands who are already established worldwide and can afford to take risks.    

An example of this is would be the music video 'Do I Wonna Know?' by the Artic Monkeys. In their music video, they have sound waves which react to the music. This is completely unrelated to the music and the lyrics of the song. As well as this, the sound waves turn into animations which either appear for a period of time and then turn back into the sound waves again or will transform into another animation. Some examples of the animations or of people, cars or an eagle. Artic Monkeys can release this kind of music video as they are very well known worldwide. Due to this, viewers will watch the video for the music rather than to be drawn in by a music video like a newly started group would try to do to gain a big fan base.

Another example of this is the music video 'Da Funk' by Daft Punk. In the music video we follow a dog, walking around a city. This is really strange as the actual shots of the dog isn't something you would relate with a music video. Also, the music doesn't have any relation to the video what so ever, which also emphasises that it is classed as a disjuncture video. Daft Punk are able to release this video successfully as they are a well established band in the genre of dance and also creating their own fusion of electropop and house music. As the Band have such a huge fan base, they can also afford to take a risk, releasing such a strange music video.  

    



Carol Vernallis The Kindest Cut

Low Budget Ideas Post

The Fix - Just got Paid 

Analyses

Cinematography:

In the music video, 'Just got Paid', the use of the close ups is used to draw the viewers attention. As there is a number of close ups on all of the artist, combined with direct address, can seem to the artists are singing to the audience. This can give a personal feel to the video and will catch the viewers attention. 

Also in the music video, the use of the mid shot of all the band members together is used to promote all the different band members. As you can see all the artists all together, it gives a unified connotation to the video which is common in pop bands.

Mise En Scene:

In the music video, 'Just Got Paid' the high key lighting of the creates an exciting and happy connotation to the video. The more than 3 sources of lighting makes the video bright and happy and when the viewers watch the video, this will make them excited and make them smile. This creates a positive tone to the audience.

   

Additionally in the music video, the performance of the bands dance routine is used to create an energetic and enthusiastic connotations towards the video. This promotes the bands unity and friendship between us. It draws the viewers attention and is also a common convention with in the pop genre. 

Editing:

In the music video, Just Got Paid', the use of the cuts to the beat is used to create rhythm and style to the video. This is the most common convention when discussing music videos. It can draw the audience in, get them excited and get them to keep watching as they can feel the beat and enjoy the changes.  

Also in the video, the use of all the different shots is used to keep the audiences and keep the video fresh. By doing this it can keep the viewers enthusiastic and keen to watch the video the whole way through. This is very important in the production of any music video. 

    

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Miley Cyrus - We Can't Stop

 

Camerawork:

 

In the Music Video 'We Can't Stop' by Miley Cyrus, the use of close ups is used to draw the audience in. This allows the artist to almost preform a 'personal performance' to the viewers which shares the feelings of her music video, such as live free and have a good time, towards the viewers. This acts as a promotion for the artist as it also expresses her personality and lifestyle. 

 

In the Music Video, tight frames were used to put all the attention on the artist and what she is doing. This gives the audience a sense of the mood and tone of the music video, expressing that the audience should party and have a good time. This also allows the audience to further connect with her as we only see her having a good time and being herself. 

 

 

 

 

Also in the Music Video, the use of the extreme close ups of the EOS Lip Balms acts as a promotional shot for the product. This can also catch the viewers attention and act as free marketing. Due to the shot focusing only on the product it will make the audience want what the artist is using.

  

 

Mise En Scene:

 

In the Music Video 'We Can't Stop' By Miley Cyrus, the use of the tattoos on the artists body acts as a promotion for the artist and her persona. This portrays her rebellious and 'I do what I want' attitude. This is a massive contrast to other pop artists as they are seen as innocent and a role model to their fans rather than a rebellious artist which can send a different message to the artist. This emphasises how it promotes her uniqueness and rebellious nature. 

 



 

In the music video, the use of the prop, 'The Beats Pill Speaker' also acts as a promotion for the product.  The audience see the artist using it in the video therefore will make the viewers interested in them and possibly go out and purchase one, this can be seen as synergy as he artist is promoting the product in her video.  



 

 

Additionally, in the aspect of promotion, the use of the word twerk made out of spaghetti letters acts as a promotion for the latest craze/trend 'twerking'. The craze hit the world by storm and has become known worldwide. As well as this, one way the artist has got so much recognition is by going in with the trend. Therefore by promoting the trend it can boost her popularity and promote herself in a different way.

 

     

 

Editing:

 

In the Music Video, 'We Can't Stop' by Miley Cyrus, the use of the long duration shot of the artist is used to emphasise her personality and persona. It draws all attention on to the artist and allows the viewers to focus on the tone of the video and the artists message.

 



 

Also in the Music Video, they use of the fast paced editing emphasises the artists party lifestyle. This can act as a promotion for the artists lifestyle and image as her 'I do whatever I want' attitude produces a spontaneous and fast paced lifestyle which the viewers my find exciting as it will be much different to their own.  

 



 

In the Music Video, the use of the titles act as a promotion of the artist. This tells the audience who is singing and what the song is called, this is a typically new convention to Morden music videos. Also, the colour yellow is a bright and exciting colour which is generic to a pop music video. This can also highlight the fast paced lifestyle of the artist and the video.

 



Brief

MUSIC SITE

http://08galloways.wix.com/kevinmonreoarroyave    

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