Definition of Music Videos A music video is a short film or video that goes along with a piece of music/song. Modern music videos are mainly made and used as a marketing device planned to promote the sale of music recordings.

The origins of music go back into the 1980’s. The term ‘music videos’ first came into usage in the early 1980’s. At that time this type of work was described by various terms including ‘filmed insert’, ‘promotional (promo) film’ or ‘film clip’

A narrative music video needs to market or advertise the band/artist or song so therefore they must feature ‘repeatability’. So the narrative code must be loose or suggestive instead of being realistic or detailed. The reason for this is so the music video audiences are able to watch the video repeatedly, if the video was a tight realist narrative it would be too boring after the first couple of viewings. Musical Synaesthesia only requires the musical or lyrical mood to latch onto develop a narrative concept.

Genres of Music Videos For every different genre of music the music videos also differ in terms of narrative and mise-en-scene. For example the conventions that would go with a Hip-Hop/R&B video are; Cars, Big Houses, Girls and Alcohol however this doesn’t apply to all R&B and Hip Hop videos. On the other hand, most of R&B and Hip-Hop videos are narrative based. In comparison Indie Band videos are normally on live stages and are mostly performance based videos.

Music Videos can be categorised in terms of style:•Performance – Band/Artists playing

•Narrative – Includes a story either relating to the song or a separate narrative is told.

•Mixture – Both performance and narrative based

•Image – image is when the video mainly focuses on the artist/s itself

•Cameo – Band/Artists feature in the narrative but doesn’t perform

•Animation – Digitally (flash)- stop frame

Camera angles/movements used in Music Videos

1. Pans – A movement which scans a scene horizontally . The camera is on a tripod, which operates as a stationary axis point as the camera is turned, usually to follow a moving object.

2. Tilts – Similar to a pan, however this camera movement scans a scene vertically.

3. Dolly Shots – The camera is positioned on to a moving vehicle, which then moves along the action. It usually follows a moving figure or object. The dolly shot is a good way of portraying movement for example, the journey of a character, or moving from a long shot to a close up. Sometimes this is called a TRUCKING or TRACKING shot.

4. Hand-held shots - Hand held cameras convey a gritty kind of realism, also they make the audience feel as though they are part of the scene, rather than viewing it from a detached, frozen position.

5. Crane Shots – A crane is a large piece of equipment. It is able to move up, down, left, right catching all the action. The camera operator are counter-balanced by a heavy weight.

6. Zoom Lenses – A zoom lens contains a mechanism that changes the magnification of an image. A video zoom lens can change the position of the audience, either very quickly or very slowly without the movement of the camera.

7. Aerial Shot – An exciting version of the crane shot, usually taken from the helicopter. It can go anywhere, keeping up with anything, move in and out of a scene, and convey real drama and exhilaration.

Editing

Editing is a necessity in music videos as it rearranges all the video shots and puts them together to make the music video. Jump cuts are most commonly used in music videos, it’s purpose is to jump from a scene of location to the artist to the instruments and vice-versa. Reactions shots also used in music videos with a narrative, the reaction shot is able to express the relationship between two or more people. It is crucial to keep the pace of the editing in synch with the beat of the track.

There are many different editing techniques used in music videos. Music videos usually feature jump cutting, the footage is usually edited to match the pace of the music video. Also split screens are used/ CGI .

Many music videos use CGI effects to show the impossible, for example a superhero move

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene is associated to the inter-textual link of the music video, therefore it depends on the representation. Mise-en-scene is represented through the use of:

1. Lighting- Extreme artificial lighting is the most common type of lighting used in music videos. It helps to enhance the look of the artist/band by making them look ageless, this lighting is most commonly used in pop music videos. By switching the lights it helps create the shift from the chorus to verse. Lighting also enhances the atmosphere as it can be used to give a bright and upbeat feel. An example would be, Cheryl Cole’s video for ‘Fight for this Love’, this music video uses this lighting to show her flawless complexion.

Mise-en-scene

2. Costume- The costume’s used in a music video are able to reflect the genre of the music and the certain style of that particular artist/band. Therefore costumes are very important as they compliment the artist. For example, Lady GaGa has specific clothing to show of her as an independent artist, this is evident in her video ‘Poker Face’.

Mise-en-scene

3. Colour- The colours used are also important as they represent the mood of the song. By using bright vibrant colours the audience would know this is a ‘feel good’ music video. A good example for a feel good music video would be Kylie Minogue’s video for ‘In your Eyes’.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmCm5beHDpI&ob=av2n

4. Sound- Mostly the sound in a music video would be the music and vocals itself however several music videos are similar to short films. Which include acting and a narrative, therefore in these clips there are various other sounds such as digetic and non-digtic.

5. Location – The location of the music video depends on the genre of the music. For example a R&B music video would be located in a club, disco

6. Props – All music videos contain props depending on the genre and type of song it is,

such as, if it is a performance style of video there would be performance equipment, instruments, stages and lighting.