Music videos

Purpose of a music video:

 

The purpose of a music video is to:
- Promote the artist and there new albums/ singles
- Sell the song
- To give the audience a better understanding of the song and the lyrics

- To entertain
 

Conventions of a music video:

Music videos are comprised of two types of image;

 

-Performance: shows the vocalist in one or more settings, such as a recording studio or stage performance. Performance settings; the singer could be in their bedroom, singing out the window or walking down the street.

 

-Conceptual clips – narrative and artistic. Artistic clips have no obvious narrative, no performance and does not relate to the lyrics.

In the majority of videos the two types are combined

Narrative: a narrative clip contains a visual story that is easy to follow. A pure narrative clip contains no lip-synchronised singing.

Performance videos:

Tracking shots are hard to achieve without a dolly

The singer must be miming in prefect sync with the music

You need a large number of shots & edits

Shots need to be varied, constantly moving, with multiple takes

 

Pop:

-Star promotion

-Choreography

-Obvious meaning

-References to pop culture

 

Hip hop:

-Aspiration

-Wealth

-Money

-Women

-Self-promotion

 

Boy band:

-Equal shot time,

-Choreography

 

Rock:

-Performance videos

-Musician