Narrative theory
Todorov - narratives have 3 things:
- equilibrium = the normal life of the characters
- disequilibrium = disruption to the normal life
- resolution = the return to the equilibrium
Propp - identified a limited number of character types that can be found in narratives:
- villain = struggles with the hero
- donor = prepares/provides the hero with agent
- helper = assists, rescues, solves and transfigures the hero
- the princess = a person who is a goal and recognizes and marries the hero or punishes the villain
- the dispatcher = sends the hero off
- hero = departs on a search an reacts to the donor, weds at the end
- false hero = claims to be the hero, often reacting like a real hero eg, trying to marry the princess.
These recognisable characters make the narrative easy to understand for the audience.
Levi-Strauss - argues that the narratives are structured by binary opposites.
These oppositions reveal the conflicts that are within the narrative.
Looking at the pair, you are able to see which in the pair is dominant and how the conflicts are resolved and revealed eventually at the end of the narrative.
Barthes - suggests that the readers use 5 narratives codes:
- Action = parts of the narrative that suggest more action
- Enigma = questions that the audience want to the receives answers
- Semic = elements that have significance to the meaning of the text
- Symbolic = main meaning of the text
- Cultural = elements that refer to common knowledge.
TAYLOR SWIFT AND NARRATIVE THEORIES
AUDIENCE THEORY
Hypodermic Needle Model - Adorno and Horkheimer
the
- The media injects its message directly into the audience
- This causes the audience to have a response
- The mass audience model meaning it focuses on the whole audience
Uses and Gratifications Model - Bulmer and Katz
- Audience makes use of what it has on offer
- Audiences have expectations of what they expect to be satisfied by
NEEDS ARE:
- Surveillance - telling us about the world around us
- Personal identity - influences how we see ourselves and our place in society
- Personal relationships - develop relationships with media characters (aids social interactions)
- Diversion - provides escapism from daily life
Encoding/Decoding - Hall
- Audience members respond to a text in different ways
- The preferred reading of the text is encoded using technologies and conventions of the medium
The possible positions are:
- Dominant - the reader shares the text's code and accepts it's preferred reading
- Negotiated - understands the text's code, generally accepts preferred reading but modifies it according to their social position and experiences.
- Oppositional - understands the code but rejects the preferred reading. The audience member will be reading the text from an oppositional position (eg feminist reading)
Social and Cultural Context - Morley
- Reception theory - 'the politics of the living room'
- The meaning of the text will be constructed differently depending of the audience member's position in society
- Differences based on things like social class, gender, and ethnicity may determine an individual's cultural tastes
- People from different social groups will have a knowledge of the codes and different types of media text.
Industry research
What is a music video?
A music video is a short video that accompanies a piece of music, usually a song. It is most commonly used for promotional or artistic purposes. Today, they are used as marketing devices in order to promote the sale of music for artists.
Music videos originated in the early 20th century and became important to artists in the 1980's when a TV channel called 'MTV Music' was launched. This TV channel based their main format around music videos in the current time period.
Before this time, music videos were very short and described as 'illustrated song', 'promotional film', or 'film clip'.
Music video techniques:
Music videos feature a large range of styles for its film, including animation, live action filming, documentaries and non-narrative approached (usually an abstract film).
Many music videos merge together different styles, for example, live action and documentaries in order to make the video seem more appealing and also to create a story that creates a story. However, many music videos don't translate any images from the song's lyrics.
Some artists choose for their video to be simple just a filmed version of the song being performed live.
History of music videos:
20'S
In the late 1920's, the first music video was created by Blues singer Bessie Smith. She created a 'short film' called St. Louis Blues which features a dramatized performance of the song being performed. Many other musicians appeared in short music films such as this during this period. The film was shown in the cinemas for approximately 3 years.
30'S
In the early 1930's, some cartoons that features popular artists and musicians performing their songs during the cartoons. For example, some animated films by Walt Disney such as Fantasia features several interpretations of classic pieces of music and were created to be built around these pieces of music.
40'S
Shortly after this, between 1940-1947, 'soundies' were created and released. These are short musical films that include small dance sequences which are similar to modern music videos that are around today.
In the 1940's, Louis Kordan made short films for his songs which were put together to create a feature film called 'Lookout Sister'. These were referred to as 'the ancestors' or the music video.
50'S
The first ever example of a promotional music video is "Dáme si do bytu" which translates to 'Let's get to the apartment'. It was created in 1958 and was directed by Ladislav Rychman.
In the late 1950's, a visual jukebox was invented in France. Therefore many French artists used it to go alongside their songs, for example, it was used by Serge Gainsbourg, Jaqies Brel and Jacques Dutronc.
60's
In 1964, the popular British band, The Beatles created their first feature film 'A Hard Day's Night'. It was shot in black and white and included comedic dialogue sequences with music to accompany it. In 1965, The Beatles created their second feature film in 'Help!' which was filmed in colour in London.
70's and 80's
The beginnings of music television was a great success for music videos and their promotional aspects. In the late 70's, MTV was created to promote music videos. The first video to be played on this show was 'Video Killed The Radio Star' by The Buggles in 1981.
The popular British TV show Top Of The Pops was also created to promote musical artists, for example, the acts would be shown performing on this show, for example, in 1975, Queen performed their song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' to make a promo video for this single.
In 1983, the most successful iconic music video of all time was created and released. The video of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' is nearly 14 minutes long and cost $800,000 to film.
90'S-2004
Between these years, the directors of many famous music videos were a lot more credited for their work. Some of these directors were Chris Cunningham, Mark Romanek and Floria Sigismondi. All of these directors brought a unique style to the videos that they directed. Some even went on to direct feature films.
2005-TODAY
From the year 2005, music videos are more obtainable through video internet sites such as YouTube, iFilm and VEVO. These sites allowed a wider audience to have access to the music videos and leave their own comments and personal opinions on the specific music videos. From when it was created to today, YouTube is one of the biggest video sites in the world, with more than 1 billion unique users visiting the site each month. 53% of the videos watched on YouTube are music videos, nowadays these are the likes of Katy Perry, One Direction and Rihanna music videos.
CENSORSHIP
Some music videos are banned from certain countries, sites or from being shown on television due to their explicit content. The first ever music video to be banned by MTV was Queen's song 'Body Language' which was banned for the showing of 'lots of skin and sweat' as well as not enough clothing being shown by the actors within the music video. It was named unsuitable for a television audience at the time.
Duran Duran's 'Girls on Film' was banned by the BBC shortly after this in 1980's due to it featuring topless women mud wrestling, however, MTV showed the video after a lot of heavy editing to it.
In 1991, Michael Jackson's Black or White was banned due to it showing Jackson 'inappropriately touching himself' in it. The video can now only be showed on YouTube or late on music channels.
Madonna is the artist who is most associated with music video censorship with a huge 14 music videos being banned from national television. This began with 'Lucky Star' and was developed through with clips such as ones in 'Like a Virgin', both of which featured sexual content and teenage pregnancy. Videos such as 'Like a Prayer' and 'Papa Don't Preach' were both also banned due to being criticised due to its religious and racial imagery in the clips.
What have I learnt from this research?
From this research I have discovered the way that things are and are not seemed appropriate for certain videos. I have realised how important music videos are to promote certain artists and products that are used or shown in music videos. I have also learnt that the censorship for many music videos is very strict, therefore guidelines must be followed strictly as to not offend or cause the video to be banned or heavily criticised. When creating my own music video, I will need to consider the great importance of clothing, makeup and body actions that feature in my music video, so as to keep within the guidelines.
Genre theories:
What makes a genre theory?
- Mise en scene
- lyrics of a song
- plot of the song (eg romance)
- iconography
- characters
- visual style
- values and themes
- story
INSTITUTION
Robert E. Kapsis - You can minimize the uncertainty of the future of the genre by using the popularity of genres to understand what people enjoy and recreate it. for example, super hero films.
Rick Altman - to make money, films need to bring out the same thing every time, however, they need to change it slightly as to not make it boring, for example, romance films.
Geoff King - The use of having the same plot every time has made it stable and so that everybody likes it and enjoys it, for example horror films around halloween time.
John Ellis - In similar films of the same genre, they feature the same plot, however always have a slightly different story line, for example, horror films, because thats what people who enjoy this genre of film like to see when watching the film.
AUDIENCE
King - People expect to see certain codes and conventions for a specific film. For example, expecting to see a blood covered knife in a horror film because that is what audiences are comfortable with.
RITUAL
Kapsis - Things that happen in society will influence what happens in genres. For example the audience want escapism and a genre that they are able to relate to in real life.
John Cawelti - The genre has been chosen because it has basic cultural values that people are able to relate to.
Will Wright - Myths are used because it reflects social values which supports the myth. We watch things to learn things about ourselves and society.
Steve Neale - The audience may just watch a certain genre because they are able to relate to it. However there is no proof that this is the only reason that they watch it, and it may just be entertainment alone.
CLASSIFICATION AND INTERPRETATION
Neale - Audience has expectations of a certain genre when they go to the cinema and are able to recognize them.
Ryall - Genre is about the artist product and media text by knowing this they make a product which the audience then interpret.
IDEOLOGY
Hess - Genres are repeated as this drives the studio and money can be made. Nothing ever changes as the audience expect this and simple solutions can be created. For example a horror film in the 1930s would be the same as now.
ANDREW GOODWIN'S MUSIC VIDEO THEORY
- Andrew Goodwin identified that more music videos have genre characteristics
- The lyrics match up with what is seen on the screen (has a narrative that is easy)
- There are lots of close ups of the artist
- There are references to looking (windows, cameras etc)
- The females body is always something to look at (body shots in Britney videos)
- There are always references about something else (films, drinks etc)
INDIE POP
- pop with a bit more meaning (more serious)
expected:
- serious but still has humour
- very low budget
- set in realistic places (forest/studio)
- most have a live performance cutting to narrative
- simple music videos and props
- simple uses of makeup
- trying to look quite natural (no special effects)
- often black and white (adding to seriousness/naturalness)
- action is often not serious
- sense of humour is often shown (ironic)
- Extreme close ups of artist
- wide shot of whole band
- handheld camera shots to look realistic
POP
- cheesy and not very serious at all.
Expected:
- cheesy dance routines
- matching outfits
- co-ordinated clothes
- lots of bright colours
- extravagant props (fast cars etc)
- focused lighting (bright lights)
- larger budget
- heavy makeup
- shiny and glossy
- upbeat and fast
- shot takes
- lots of extreme close ups (youth)
- establishing shots
- handheld camera (swoopy shots)
- crane shots (grouped together)
- energetic
- focus on relationships
BRITNEY SPEARS MUSIC VIDEO AND THEORIES
THE KILLERS MUSIC VIDEO AND THEORIES
Representation Theory
Saussure's theory: Semiotics - The study of signs that are seen and used in every day life.
Signs can be words or shown as body language and sounds which give off a creative meaning. Signified is the concept that it represents. Signified is the form which takes place. (eg sign is heart but it signifies love)
Mulvey's theory: Male gaze - Feminist theory. 3 types, the way men look women, the way women look at women and the way women look at themselves. Male characters are the ones that look and this is usually aimed at physically desirable or sexually submissive. Mulvey argues that people watch films and music videos through the eyes of a man and that music videos have been made by men and for men.
Dyer's theory: Star theory - The media's representations often use stereotypes as a cultural shorthand (shortened, representations attach stereotypes to access media quickly). Dyer says that they reinforce that people are different (eg, jock, geek).
Baudrillard - Simulacra theory - society has become so reliant on media and representation that we have lost contact with what is real. We can no longer tell the difference between what is shown in the media and what people are really like. The new reality 'Simulacra' is the new way that we think is normal. (eg Made in Chelsea, after watching the show, that's what we accept is normal). Baudrillard says that we are shown it in so many different formats that we accept it as real. The media representations are a simulation of a reality that doesnt exist = HYPERREAL (what is real and what is fiction is blended together that you cant tell when one ends and when one begins).
Christina Aguilera - Not Myself Tonight
Saussure's theory can be applied to this music video as props are used in this video that give off connotations, for example, whips have been used which connotates the fact that she is sexually active. Also, her body language shows her to be acting like a cat, representing the fact that she is submissive in this video. The underwear that she is wearing in this video is red, connotating sex and sexual activity. The 'S&M' style props show how she is sexually available and sexually open. She also says 'I think about what I was before' while we are shown her waling away from a church, showing how she has gone from a 'good girl' to a 'bad girl'. This is shown through a series of wide shots, so that we are able to see Christina alongside the props and other people, for example, we are shown a wide two shot of Christina with another woman. Dark lighting is also used in the scene of Christina and the man, representing the sexual tension and intensity of the scene, in a way which makes it seem romantic.
Mulvey's theory can be applied to this music video due to the fact that they women who feature in this video are wearing minimal clothing and showing off private parts of her body, for example, in one section of this video, Christina is wearing nothing but red underwear, which will represent her as being confident, however being an object to men, as this is the main focus point during this section of the video. This would be done to target a male audience and make them watch it more. However, in one scene in this music video, Christina, fully clothed is surrounded by multiple topless men, this can be used to show how she is the dominant one and she is the one in charge. Also, in a later scene she is shown on top of a man, showing again how she is the one with the power and the more dominant person in this music video. These shots are shown is a series of close up shots. for example, the shots showing the women with minimum clothing, we are able to see how the women are shown very closely, in order to show them off to the audience who are watching. Dark lighting is also used, in order to make the women seem more sexually appealing and mysterious.
Dyer's theory is applied to this video as due to how she is portrayed in this video, people add the connotation that she is a 'sexy girl' or some may think that due to the things that she is wearing, the props and the actions that she is doing all combined, she may come off as a slut to the audience members. This is all down to her stereotype due to in real life her being a mom and being caring. These are shown through a series of close up shots, to show that she is the artist and is the main person in this video. We are also shown shots of Christina through shots which have been added with bright lighting in order to emphasise her importance further and make her seem like the centre of attention.
Baudrillard's theory is applied to this video as we think that she is promiscuous and sexy and sexually available. However, in real life she has children therefore we are able to see how she is putting it on solely for this video. This is shown how she wants us to accept her as a dirty promiscuous girl due to other music videos, where as in reality she is not like that in the slightest. For example, in this video, we are shown Christina in minimum clothing through a series of wide shots, so that we are able to see her whole body, further making the audience see her as sexually attractive.
Rihanna - What's My Name
Saussure's theory can be applied to this music video due to Rihanna's red hair which can signify lust and passion in their relationship. Also a carton of milk is used as we are shown a close up of the milk being spilled over the floor, this is a metaphor for semen. Also we are shown a close up as a representation of her being a housewife as she is washing up and due to that sign we associate her with being hard working and a house wife style woman. These shots are mainly shown through a close up as they are of the main artist - Rihanna - therefore these shots show her as the dominant and more important one of the video.
Mulvey's theory can be applied to this music video as Rihanna has been dressed in short shorts that allow the audience to see a great portion of her body. Also, she is wearing a very low cut top. This has clearly been done to attract a male audience and make people see her as sexually appealing. However, Mulvey's theory can be used due to the fact that throughout the video, the man in this video is the more dominant of the two. this can firstly be seen when in the supermarket as Rihanna is approached by the man and then pushed up against the fridge by the man. This can be used to show how the man is the more dominant of the two and how Rihanna has been portrayed as the more submissive one in the couple. We are also able to see how she is being watched constantly by Drake, showing how he is the more dominant of the two. These shots are shown through wide shots, as we are able to see the whole of Rihanna's body in order for the audience to get a good look at her. This can be used as an example of Mulvey's theory in the way that music videos are made 'by men for men'.
Dyer's theory can be applied to this music video in many different ways. Firstly, through the way that she allows herself to be pushed up against the fridge by the man gives the impression that she is a 'submissive girl'. This shows how she plays to this role as she is acting innocent and allowing herself to be this submissive. Also, in the scene when she is is washing up and is approached by the man from behind, we are able to see how she is given the 'housewife' stereotype and image. This is also supported by the way that we are shown a lot of close up shots of Rihanna holding hands with the man, adding to the idea of her being loyal and a housewife. Close up shots are shown for this music video in order to show Rihanna and adding to her being loyal to the man and doing whatever he wants. We are shown shots of Rihanna with the man through high angled shots in order to show how when she is with the man, she is not the dominant one and does what the man says.
Baudrillard's theory can be applied to this music video as she is playing up to this as this is not something that Rihanna would usually do. She is represented as a sexy confident and cute woman however, this is not how she would be in reality. This can not necessarily be hyper-reality due to the fact that she would be very confident in real life. She portrays a domesticated way that she is like, and in a sense, would be like this in real life due to being confident, however the idea of her going to the shop and doing things for herself would be highly unlikely in reality. We are shown this through long shots of Rihanna walking down a street dancing. This long shot allows us to see Rihanna as well as her surroundings which will show how she stands out of the crowd down the street.
I like the way that in this music video, the signs have been used and have a great importance to the music video and the main theme and story of the video.
My Chemical Romance - Teenagers
Saussure's theory can be applied to this music video through the use of props such as guitars. This is used to represent the genre of the music video and the group, showing them as an indie rock group. Also the large group of people as well as this can be used to give the impression of 'rock and roll'. The idea of cheerleaders in short skirts and little outfits add to the idea of the song being about teenagers and gives the impression of teenagers being reckless and sexually active. The idea that all of the singers are wearing dark clothes and makeup signify death and depression which is contradicted in this video due to all of the action. also, anarchy is signified through the use of the weapons and the gas masks which will connotate death. Also, due to the idea that the band are standing in front of a crowd and have instruments and microphones etc has been used so that the band do everything for themselves. By the cheerleaders being used, they have gone over to an indie rock side of music which would go against their stereotype which we would usually assume would be pop music. Close up shots are used to show the band as well as the cheerleaders, as it makes people more attracted to the cheerleaders, and shows the audience the importance of the band and that they are the main people there. Low key lighting is used in order to make the scene seem more dark and dingy, which add to the teenager vibe of the video.
Mulvey's theory can be applied to this music video by the use of the cheerleaders behind the band in this video. For example, the cheerleaders in short outfits and skirts has been used for the male's attention purely. As well as this we are shown scenes of the girls bending over, however we are never able to see the girls's faces showing how women are objects and are just used to be looked at on their body. This has been used to show how the girls have lost their identities and are shown as all the same. The cheerleaders are filmed from a low angle so that the audience are able to see up their skirts. Also, the woman are not being shown little respect as the band are not looking at them. Wide shots are used to show the cheerleaders as well as a lot of low angled shots, so that the audience are able to see up the cheerleaders' skirts and make them seem more sexually appealing.
Dyer's theory can be applied in this music video as the cheerleaders want the boys as their stereotype, however due to the band not looking at them, they are put against the stereotype. The stereotype of teenagers doing what they want and being reckless is played up to by them pushing through doors and going up on to the stage and wrecking the equipment. Also, the teenagers are shown to idolize the band by going up on stage. Close up shots of the locks and doors rocking are shown in order to show the wreckage and problems that the teenagers are causing. Wide shots are shown as the teenagers are attacking the band, in order to show the damage that they are doing, as well as being able to show how many of them there are in comparison to the band.
Baudrillard's theory can be applied as teenagers are represented as reckless, however in reality not all teenagers will be like that and some will not cause mayhem as the ones in this video do. For example, we are shown the teenagers bursting through doors through a series of wide shots, in order to show the damage that they are doing, as well as showing the audience how many of them there are. This represents the teenagers as dangerous, however this is Hyperreality and is all something the media has created to make teenagers seem more dangerous and angry in this video, to add to the lyrics of the song and to represent them in a certain way to make the video make sense to the audience.
From this representation lesson, I am able to see how many things are considered when being put into a music video. I am also able to see the many different things that need to be considered when it comes to representation for the people in the music video and what all of these different representations can mean. I liked the way that the stereotypes were used in this music video as they are the most important part to this video and we are able to see how the different stereotypes have represented different things and how they create different ideas for the music video.
Music video narrative conventions
3 types of styles in a music video:
- performance style - live performance in a music video which can also be linked to the narrative story in the music video.
- narrative style - some writers create music videos which have their own little films. however some have an anti-narrative as they are so distinct from narratives in films. Both are true and should be acknowledged but we should not forget its other functions such as highlighting the star, showcasing the lyrics and the music.
We have to consider the fact that its different from a film. We have to accept that the narrative in a film is not the same as that of a film.
Meatloaf - I'd Do Anything For Love
- 1)Is there a narrative? what is it? - Yes, the man (Meatloaf) wanting to be with a woman however he feels that he cant because he is unattractive physically.
- 2)Would you say its a full narrative? - Yes, because it shows the short film from start to end with a problem at the start and a solution in the end, however we do not completely understand why he is being chased by the police. We also are unable to understand why she goes to the man's house and where she is and why she has a bath in the man's house. However we could say that it is a partly full narrative.
3)Is the narrative successful? - Yes, because it is clear about the main aim and story of the short film, however it is unclear as to what it is that he won't do for you.
3) Is the narrative successful? - Yes because the audience are able to see and understand the affection that the man has for the woman. However, there is not a completely full narrative, therefore the audience may still have to ask themselves some questions about what is happening in the storyline. For example, the audience never do find out what it is that the man 'will not do' as he says in the lyrics of the video.
Crazy - Aerosmith
1) Is there a narrative? - YES the narrative shows two girls who are best friends and escape from what looks like a school to take a car and have adventures.
2) How are the characters represented? - stereotype of the hunky boy being attractive and sexually appealing and the stereotype of the girls being rebellious and skipping school to do whatever they want.
3) Links between the band and the narrative? - when the girls are in the car they are singing the song that the band are performing. There is also the idea that the girls are being free and adventurous and crazy and free. Also, when the girl is dancing at the pole dancing club, she does the same actions through graphic matches, as the band are doing in their live performance.
There is a clever narrative through the lack of speech with a full narrative from beginning to middle to end. Other times the lyrics add to the narrative.
The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up
1) What types of shot is used? - POV shots throughout.
2) What do you notice about sounds? - Lot of use of foley and sound effects. The line between non digetic and digetic sounds are blurred. The music is non digetic and is heard over the top. the soundtrack is combined with non-digetic sound effects eg smashing the window. It is blurred when the man goes into the club as the non digetic sound becomes digetic.
3) What happens in the video? - Story of the man is shown throughout the night from starting it and doing drugs to drinking to then going home and sleeping with a woman.
4) How do the song and image work together? - the way that the song is upbeat and chaotic matches with the chaos of the action going on on the screen and how the man's night gets more chaotic due to the more drinking he is doing further into the night.
- conceptual style - artistic - based around a concept (eg being reborn)
If there is a story, it is only because it serves to show off the song as the song is what is being sold. MAKE SURE NOT TO GET TOO ENGROSSED IN THE NARRATIVE. Lyrics can serve as a narrative but in an incomplete way. Can cut from the narrative to the artist singing the lyrics
Timeline of music video: Please Don't Say You Love Me - Gabrielle Aplin
Timeline of a music video: Ellie Goulding - The Writer
Music video of our choice
Technical music video conventions
1)Sound
- In music videos, the editing cuts the image on the beat.
- Every beat of the music (the key bits) are edited to the beat.
- Figures also have to interact with the sound (the artist/the actors).
- A video often places the singer at the front and centre of the stage.
- Music videos break down the visual the lyrical and music elements to their smallest parts eg a colour
- Our attention to a song shapes how we see an image but equally we perceive the image determines how we see the song.
- When a star jams his face in front of the camera we suddenly hear the music in a different way.
- Lip syncing is essential.
- Viewers pay less attention to the lyrics, the exception is Sinead O'Connor's Nothing Compares To You.
- Most commonly the image does not follow progress of the lyrics
- You should be aware of the song's sectional divisions - chorus/verse.
- The imagery should match the musical hook - the most successful or saleable part of the song.
2)Editing
- Vital and frequent in music videos
- Connected very closely to the song
- Editing in a music video works hard to ensure that no single element has the upper hand (narrative, setting, performance, song, lyrics) Editing makes sure they all compliment each other
- Keeps momentum of the song (when the beat kicks in)
- Jump cuts are used liberally and used frequently
- Long dissolves can compliment smooth arrangements
- Long takes underscore broad melodic phrases
- Short takes keep us focused on the beat of the music
- Designed to be noticed, editing makes to aware of something and tells you where to look at - it is obtrusive.
- Continuity system is less common
- videos travel an obscure path and the editing allows them to do this.
- A music video aims to spark interest and teach the audience about the music and persuades them to purchase the song.
- Graphic matches are used in music videos
- Genre allows us to go to the different things
3) Cinematography
- Long shots used to give greater significance to the figure (promote the star)
- Mid shots allow us to take a bit more information in to the figure
- Close ups are heavily used.
- Music videos don't follow same rules as Hollywood films.
- Camera often dissects the figure (will go to hand foot leg etc) it breaks the figure up in close ups
- Because we know what film and TV use, this makes music videos more interesting because we know all the rules that film and TV have to follow, eg Hollywood films use long shots to show the figure in context to its surroundings.
- Close ups in Hollywood films bring our attention to something however in music videos pose as a hook/a lyric
- General rules (over the shoulder shot, 180 degree rule) don't apply, feel free to violate these rules
- Equally artists can break down the fourth wall.
- A low angle shows authority and a sexual angle (the masculine of a man/seeing up a woman's skirt)
- A high angle gives the viewer a sense of mobility
- Music videos can mix high and low angles
- Movement is essential
- Videos can present a number of dolly shots together to head towards a climax
- Tracking shots play a key role by not being stationary (the camera rushes past)
- Cranes, pans and tilts are usually used as well.
- Edits and cinematography can work well together
- Editing can match dance moves
- A dissolve and tracking shot work well together
- A crane the goes from a low to a high angle works well
- no typical shot order for a music video
- Musical phrases (sentence that goes together) need to be more significant than completing the narrative.
4)Meaning
- discontinuous, time unfolds without reference points (one minute day time, next minute night time) which is okay for music video.
- A video will hint a character's personality but will never fully reveal it
- Rarely see an action completed (usually cut up by edits) never seen finished
- Stories are suggested but not given in full.
- We read emotions into the image before us which helps us make a connection in the song.
- Films teach us that as we go through a narrative we gain info, music videos help us get info but plays against it but we are pulled away but showing a shot of the star for example.
- close ups of the star are a must all the way through
- the dance are never fully choreographed
- Clocking - small repeated gestures to accentuate parts of the music
- Any dancers or band or members should serve to support the star
5)mise en scene
- the setting is part of the artists world - closely linked
- location: 1)the setting itself, 2)the presentation of the setting 3)what meaning are people going to get from the scene
- setting provides a way of conveying genre (eg rap genre has shots of people on street)
- setting - generic settings eg a beach or train station anywhere
- setting communicates the idea of class (mansion makes them think the artist is successful)
- Props are important - serve purpose of communicating meaning for the audience
- common settings to think about - any performance spaces - arenas or barren landscapes, empty hallways, studios, fashion shows and catwalks, classrooms.
- representations of a familiar space, sofa in warehouse suggests living room
- often a serious of sights that culminate a final destination eg like a party
- NEED A MINIMUM OF 3 DIFFERENT SETTINGS OR PLACES
- clothing marks boundaries between the performer and those around them.
- dancers often wear same thing to show them merging as one
- clothing important for brand identity
- costumes compliment formal features of the set.
- sometimes colour link with shots.
- extravagant clothes
- props of two large dogs shows her wealth
- close up shots of lady gaga
- Jump cuts used
- location of a large sunny place - makes us envy the artist
- Dance routine - able to show her different from the others around her, she stands out - her in different clothes
- Dance members around the star, show them to be supporting her
- she stands out - only blonde person
- Metallic and black all the way through shows synergy all the way through
- Brand identity - clearly pop video
- All cut to the beat of the music
- Special effects to show her cut up to show us seeing her a lot.
- She is mostly shown in close ups
- Close up high angle - her doing back bends on chair - saucy
- 5/6 different locations
- Props all promote wealth and success
- Loads of bright lighting all the way throughout - glamorous - convention of a pop genre
- people's actions moving in time with the music - man's head
- close up shots of the artist
- lots of different locations - court scene, interview room scene, bedroom scene, taxi scene, lift scene,
- low angle of the artist - showing the man as being authoritative in the box where he is being questioned
- not full narrative - hints that he has been set up but not really clear
- Shows how it all matches together - almost a flashback
- Lighting is quite dull - bad situation
- Same clothes as other, but highlighted as a star because of his bright tie
- dancers behind him both the same as in officer uniforms therefore showing how he is different compared to the officers.
From watching these two music videos and applying the narrative codes and conventions to them, I am able to see how songs of certain genres include many different aspects in order to make it appealing to the audience. For example different locations have been used in both of these videos, as well as different outfits for the artist, which is also done to make them stand out to any other characters which may feature in the music video narrative.
Song Pitch
Research
Label - Capitol
Tenth most played song on US Radio in 2011 with 450,000 plays
Reached number one in the UK for 2 weeks
Single has sold over 5 million copies globally
Genre - Pop
I believe this song is a good choice to do a music video to as the narrative is clear and it would be easy to act out. The mise en scene would be easy to apply as the song is based around teenage girls of our age group therefore it is a realistic song choice.
I believe this video could be shot in a flash back using lots of different small takes of different clips from the party. Focused lighting could be used to make some elements of the clip very bright and others dark to show the difference between past time and real time.
Regarding the mise en scene of clothing I believe the clothing should be bright and girly as the song is very pop based. Make up should be bright and hair big to help express a party, young vibe.
However, if recreating this song for ourselves I can see how there would be a problem as it would be hard to get the appropriate props and costumes in order to make this video as extravagant as it would need to be to be successful and fit in with the genre.
Todorov - narratives have 3 things:
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