History of Music Videos

This is the Prezi I have made on all the music videos over the years from 1965 to 2014 and how they have changed and developed. Also, while doing my research of the evolution of music videos, I came across an interesting video in which the members sing different songs from over the years in one video.

Moodboard for Hold On-SBTRKT

I have analysed the lyrics of the song 'Hold On' and I have made this mood board which contains photos of the lyrics that are sang in the song.

Timings of Lyrics

Hold On-SBTRKT

Opening beat 0.00-0.15

Different beat 0.15-0.18

Oh... (0.19-0.22) Oh… (0.26-0.28)
How'd you mean (0.30-0.31)
What do you mean you're not coming by (0.31-0.33)
I called you later and you were outside (0.34-0.37)
It always screams screams inside my head (0.38-0.40)
Curtains closed you'd be beside my head (0.41-0.44)
You were always down for it (0.45-0.46)
Get in this getaway and be running from it (0.47-0.50)
Yeah, you were always down for it (0.51-0.54)
Get in this getaway and be running from it (0.54-0.57)

You're giving me the coldest stare, (0.58-1.01) (1.12-1.15)Like you don't even know I'm here, (1.01-1.04) (1.16-1.19)

Why don't we turn the leaf? Why don't we turn the (1.05-1.08) (1.20-1.23)
Why don't we turn the leaf  (1.09-1.10) (1.23-1.24)

Why don't we turn the (1.10-1.12) (1.25-1.27)

X2

What you've done, what you've done you can't keep inside (1.28-1.31)
By the end of the night I'll help you confide (1.32-1.35)
Cause I can see, see your sad self (1.36-1.39)
Cause I can see you're not being yourself (1.40-1.42)

Cause usually you're down for it (1.43-1.45)
Can't hold back a smile when you try for it (1.45-1.49)
Yeah, cause usually you're down for it (1.49-1.52)
Can't hold back a smile when you try for it (1.52-1.55)

You're giving me the coldest stare, (1.56-1.59) (2.10-2.14)
Like you don't even know I'm here, (2.00-2.03) (2.14-2.17)

Why don't you let me sing? Why don't you let me (2.03-2.06)(2.18-2.21)
Why don't you let me sing (2.06-2.09) (2.21-2.23)
Why don't you let me (2.09-2.10) (2.23-2.24)

X2

Whatever you've done, However bad, Hold on hold on hold on (2.26-2.32)

Whatever you've done, However bad, Hold on hold on hold on (2.33-2.39)
Whatever it is, However bad, Hold on hold on hold on (2.40-2.47)
Hold on hold on hold on hold on (2.48-2.55)
Why don't(2.56) Why don’t(2.57/2.58) Why don’t (3.05) ...x3 (2.56-3.05)

Lyrics Analysis

Chosen Artist Research (SBTRKT)

Need to complete

Representation Theory: Tessa Perkins Stereotypes

Tessa perkins stereotype theory from Chloe Jayde

Representation Theory: Richard Dyer Star Theory

I have created a mind map of my favourite star and I have stated the reason why and what makes them a star, what qualities they possess that makes them a star and not just a celebrity. I have chosen Nicki Minaj.

We also looked at 2 different magazine covers from the same company, NME. These 2 magazine covers are VERY different to one another and I am going to lists reasons why one is more desirable than another.

Which is more desirable and why?

Beth Ditto NME Cover

This magazine cover is quite controversial in terms of how the media portray women. Obviously, Ditto is not seen as 'normal sized' in the media but on this cover she is embracing her size and she really doesn't care. It isn't desirable as such because it is not what we normally see in the media. 

Lana Del Rey NME Cover

This cover is completely different to the other and she is clothed. The way Lana is portrayed here is realistic to how the media perceives women as she is skinny and beautiful. This is seen as more desirable because we are used to seeing skinny people on magazine covers, opposed to larger sizes because the media have made us think that skinny is what you should be and being overweight is unattractive. 

Representation of Theory: Laura Mulveys Male Gaze Theory

Laura Mulvey is a British feminist film theorist. She looks at how the audience view women who are presented within the media. She believes that women are there to be seen and the use of camera portrays them as sexual objects through cinematography.

She focuses upon 3 main things:

• How men look at women from these images
• How women look at themselves from those images
• How women look at other woman and compare themselves to them

The 'Male Gaze' theory focuses upon:

• Emphasising curves of the female body
• Referring to women as objects rather than people
• Display of women is how men think they should be perceived 
• Female viewers view the content through the eyes of a man
• Women are often sexualised and seen as objects, viewed based on sexual desire and the way they look. 

The 'Male Gaze' theory describes how:

• the audience or viewer is put into the perspective of a heterosexual male, i.e the camera lingers over the curves of a woman's body. This can be seen in the music 'Calvin Harris - Blame feat. John Newman'. I will talk about this in more detail later in my post.
• the man emerges as the dominant power within the created film fantasy. The woman is passive to the active gaze from the man. This is seen in the video by Sam Smith - I'm Not The Only One, I will explore this in more depth later in my post. 
• When you think about the music videos on tv, you can see how the camera objectifies women by focusing on the areas of the body in which you would expect to see the 'males gazing' at desirable assets like: breasts, bottom, legs etc. 
• Mulvey also states that the female gaze is the same as the male gaze because women look at themselves through the eyes of men.

In the start of one of our theory lessons, we talked about describing a certain type of woman in three words. The first thing we had to do was think of words that came into our mind to describe a woman.

• Woman: independent, make-up and feminine.
• A modern day woman: stylish, equal, hard-working and loving
• Historical representation of a woman: classy, old fashioned, unequal, housewife and stripped back
• Women in music videos: sexualised, performer, provocative, fiesty, powerful, objectified and central

These are all words which I thought related to the topic we were given to describe. It is a prime example of how the representation of women has changed over the years.

Evaluating Past Students Work

In class we looked at 3 past music videos from students who didn't get that good of a grade. We evaluated reasons why they weren't successful.

Video Number: 1

Reasons why it was unsuccessful:
Bad cinematography, the video doesn't make sense in relation to the music, editing doesn't match the beat of the music at all, it is boring (no narrative), the video didn't suit the genre of the music, there was poor editing.

The video got an overall E grade. 

Video Number: 2

Reasons why it was unsuccessful:
Editing doesn't match the pace of the song, green screen editing hasn't been done very well, the locations used were bad, editing and framing were bad, the mise-en-scene for the genre isn't accurate, tried to make it post-modern which doesn't work.

The video also got an overall E grade.

Video Number: 3

Reasons why it was unsuccessful:
There is a lack of editing, the editing which was in it doesn't match the beat of the music, not many locations used, bad acting so doesn't look professional or good.

The video got an overall D grade. 

Evaluating Other Videos

In the class we chose 3 music videos from random and wrote down the techniques and conventions used that made it a successful video.

Meatloaf - Objects in the rear view mirror

Narrative? the narrative is him singing about his past and it jumps between narrative and performance

Techniques and conventions used
Different shots (cinematography), explosion (matches beat), dark shadows used are effective as they contrast with the colours, it shows meatloaf singing then pans to his past (the narrative) as though he is there, ghosts of his past appear (he is reliving his past), old to young version looking at each other, moving on from tragedy (shows life goes on), sky shots represent heaven, warm and cold lighting

OK Go - Here it goes again

Narrative? There is no narrative

Techniques and conventions used
It has some comedy to it, looks interesting, their costumes represent the genre and the idea is original.
The video is good but there are some negatives which are; it is a still camera shot so it is only in one shot, no editing is involved, its amateur and it gets boring.

Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire

Narrative? there isn't really any narrative

Techniques and conventions used
Pace editing matches the beat of the song, filmed in the dark but it is lit well, good cinematography, live performance as well as narrative, their costumes reflect genre, the orange tint effect signifies the lyrics about fire, slow motion edits, range of camera angles, lead singer is playing 2 roles in the video (continuity?), edited to the main beat of the song, simple but effective locations.

Class Feedback

In our media class, we all watched different videos then discussed them with each other. I am going to write down all the ones we discussed and what things were liked and disliked. 

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge

Likes: fade effects, point of view from 2 different people in one shot (cinematography), narrative, flashbacks, objects to signify lyrics (semiotics), different colour effects, handheld camera, interacts with audience (public), 3 different shots fade into each other

Dislikes: a tacky effect at the beginning, doesn't look professional, gets repetitive (using same scenes)

Bombay Bicycle Club - Shuffle 

Likes: live footage is used, good lip-syncing, individual, filmed from the bands perspective, edits to beat of song

Dislikes: the handheld camera was a bit unprofessional, there is no narrative, like a documentary but with music

Coldplay - Sky full of stars

Likes: he starts off as a one man band then the rest of the band comes on, the audience gets involved (they can relate to it), good lip-syncing, tracking shot used

Dislikes: lack of editing, normally just still shots or tracking shots, handheld camera is unprofessional

Sam Smith - I'm not the only one 

Likes: singing about another couple (played by actors) then the artist himself appears in the video, slow motion editing fits mood of the song, narrative, things happen that signify the lyrics, range of lighting reflects mood, framing is good (cinematography), lyrics "I'm not the only one" are relatable 

Dislikes: no dislikes

Steve Aoki - Cudi the Kid

Likes: -editing matches the pace of the song, special effects match the bass drop (explosions), costumes, locations

Dislikes: it's a bit confusing at parts

Rihanna - Umbrella 

Likes: rain comes down when she mentions rain, good edits (use of green screen), costumes, range of locations

Dislikes: unnecessary features

Bring me the Horizon - Shadow Moses

Likes: juxtaposition of black and white to colour, locations match the lyrics, live footage used

Dislikes: gets repetitive

Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag  

Likes: Use of editing is good, narrative, performance but includes acting as well, editing matches pace of song, good lip-syncing

Dislikes: gives off a negative impression of what high school is like to people who haven't experienced it

Linkin Park - Castle of Glass

Likes: the narrative is interesting, the story matches the lyrics, shows the theme of circle of life, good effects used, slow motion used fits the mood of song

Dislikes: live footage is used, would rather it stays focused on the story

Lorde - Royals

Likes: washed out colours matches song, good lip-syncing, editing matches beat of the song sometimes, framing is good

Dislikes: she tries too hard, gets boring and repetitive 

Music Videos

What do you think makes a good music video?
I think a good music video contains a wide range of different editing, a narrative, variety of costumes, video relevant to the music and special effects.

What do you think are the main conventions of a music video?
The artist being featured in the video, costumes, props, good lip-syncing, different genres having different conventions to match that genre, editing to the pace of the song, good cinematography, range of edits. 

I am going to watch 5 different music videos from different genres and evaluate what I like and dislike about the videos. 

1. Black Widow - Iggy Azalea ft. Rita Ora

Likes: -the fact that the video has a storyline makes it more interesting, 
            -their costumes
            -range of editing

Dislikes: -the editing of the video doesn't go with the beat at all times
                 -the song doesn't start straight away, it begins with talking and ends with talking

2. Freedom - Nicki Minaj

Likes: -black and white matches the slow music
            -different costumes 
            -special effects
            -a lot of props
            -range of editing(fades etc)

Dislikes: -it changes to colour near to the end, doesn't really match the song and it is confusing

3. Lucy Hale - You sound good to me

Likes: -it has a narrative
            -different locations used
            -costumes and props
            -good lip-syncing

Dislikes: editing doesn't match to the beat

    4. 5 seconds of summer - Don't Stop

Likes: -Narrative but also includes band performing
            -Costumes
            -Special effects

Dislikes: editing doesn't match pace of music all the time

5. Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj - Bang Bang

Likes: -Narrative
            -Costumes
            -Props
            -Different locations
            -Good lip-syncing
            -Different genre of artists in one video

Dislikes: It goes from the day to the night, doesn't really show continuity

Research and Planning

A2 Brief

1. A promotion package for the release of an album, to include a music promo video, together with two of the highlighted following three options: 

•a website homepage for the band;

•a cover for its release as part of a digipak (CD/DVD package);

•a magazine advertisement for the digipak (CD/DVD package).