MUSIC VIDEOS

What are they? And why are they

used?

INTRODUCTION
The first idea similar to the music videos we know today was in 1894. writers Edward B. Marks and Joe
Stern hired electrician George Thomas and various performers to promote sales of their song "The Little
Lost Child". Using a magic lantern, Thomas projected a series of still images on a screen simultaneous to
live performances. This would become a popular form of entertainment known as the illustrated song, the
first step toward music video.

STYLES

IN CONCERT AND
AS LIVE
A convention typically used in concert or as
live music videos is allusion. Allusion is a way
of implying a message to the viewer subtly.
For example, Coldplay use this style in part
of their music video for fix you. This style is
used in their music video to differentiate
themselves from other boy bands by
conveying the message that the band is
real and that they purpose is music rather
than image.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4V3Mo61fJM]

ANIMATION
Animation is a style that is used throughout the media
industry including within music videos. Artists use this
as their style of music video to bring originality and
to stand out or differentiate themselves from other
artists. Animation is also used as a lower cost
alternative that live action, but means the same story
can be told, to tell the same message. For example
The Gorillaz use characters as an extension of
themselves in all their music videos. An example of
one of their animation music videos is for their song
Feel Good.

STYLES

INTERPRETATIVE
An interpretative music video is when the video does not always fit with the lyrics. This means that the
audience or viewer makes their own decision about a songs meaning or implications rather than being told by
the lyrics and imagery. For example, Birdys music video for her song Wings does not match the video, as
the lyrics do not necessarily tell a story themselves it makes sense to that the video reflects this aspect of the
song, and is why the interpretative style of the video suits the song. The lyrics in the chorus of the video are:
Oh lights go down, in the moment we're lost and found. I just wanna be by your side, if these wings could fly.
Oh damn these walls. In the moment we're ten feet tall. And how you told me after it all, we'd remember
tonight, for the rest of our lives.
These lyrics do not dictate or describe a song, yet they do imply a story. This video does reflect these lyrics as
the video shows many kids partying and being free (freedom links to wings), until they wake up after. These
images link to the lyrics And how you told me after it all, we'd remember tonight, for the rest of our lives.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJTXDCh2YiA]

STYLES

NARRATIVE
The narrative style in many music videos. This is the typical video that tells a narrative or story that is
depicted in the song the video is for. These images are filmed as the song is describe or narrate the scenes.
This style is used a lot in the typical boy meets girl song, and tells the story of girl and boy as they meet.
Narrative music videos usually stick to a form that the main character has to overcome a problem or aim, this
makes the character relatable and the storyline interesting. Also, using this form the viewers gain an
emotional connection to the character which makes the video and song more appealing.
For example, Taylor Swifts music video tells the story depicted in her song 'Mine'. Her music video is an
example of a narrative music video, as it tells the story of a girl and how she falls in love. The scenes filmed
play as lyrics are sung in the song to describe what is happening in these moments. This is done to link the
song and the video, by showing the moments visually from the lyrics the video doesn't draw the attention too
far from the song which is the main aspect of the videos.
You were in college, working
part-time, waiting tables

Do you remember, we were

sittin', there by the water

Flash forward, and we're takin' on the

world together
And there's a drawer of my things at
your place

[http://youtu.be/XPBwXKgDTdE]

And I remember that fight, two-thirty a.m.

Cause everything was slipping right out of
our hands

IMPRESSIONIST

STYLES

Impressionist styled music videos are videos that are heavily on the idea of feelings or emotions of the
viewer. They use imagery such as characters, images, colours, lighting and movements within the shot to
provoke a specific or their own emotion from the viewer.
For example, One Republic created a music video for their song Love Runs out. In the video it shows the
same styled shots but in different orders. Movement is used a lot to convey emotion, as most shots are quick
movements and quick shots to match the fast pace of the song. The shots use symbolism to represent lifeand
time. For example the shots show, children dancing and playing with a ball. As the song is called love runs
out they light a fuse which runs out at the end of the video, which links to the lyrics Ill be your light, your
match, your burning sun. Because of these lyrics they also show time passing with the sun in the background.
There is also symbolism to religion, faith and culture. Religion is shown as one of band members wears a
cross. The lyrics Momma said "do what you want, say prayers at night", And I'm saying them, cause I'm so
devout. also support this idea. Different cultures are linked to through European dressage, southern American
dances and many more.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OWj0CiM8WU]

SURREALIST

STYLES

A surrealist styled video is a video with unreal elements such as fantasy. This is because surreal mean beyond
real. These may be images or videos that symbolise something but they often shown in short or quick bursts,
they also do not make sense and are hard to interpret.
An example of a surreal music video is Imagine Dragons music video for their song Shots. The song is
dedicated to the artist tim cantor and within this music video it shows various images and artwork featuring
the members of the band. The band used tim cantors artwork for their album art and tim cantor created a
piece of art for each song. These images or art are interpretations that cantor saw when he heard the songs,
and are strange interpretations of his imagination and used in the music video in this way come across to
others as surreal or beyond real.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQrgto184Tk]

PASTICHE

STYLES

The style pastiche is respectful mimicry of a particular artist, style or possibly director. It is used to pay
respect to either a style, or artist. Pastiche is when something is copied without being designed to mock unlike
a parody.
For example Michael Jacksons music video for the song Thriller is an example of a pastiche music video as
it pays tribute the horror movie genre and style. Michael Jackson set his music video for thriller in the sale of
a typical horror movie. This was different for its time as most videos in this time were montages of show or as
live footage, impressionist stock footage that as well as effects. Jacksons video does not mimic a artist or
director but rather an entire filming style. They did this by using the typical stereotypes that are used in
horror movies. These include fog, graveyards, the night, monsters and the iconic close up of a person
screaming. These stereotypes help the viewer understand the narrative the video is trying to portray and also
link the video to the horror genre that the video is tribute to.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQrgto184Tk]

STYLES

PARODY
A parody music video is similar to a pastiche music video. Whereas pastiche is where a style is copied to pay
tribute to and to show respect, a parody music video copies the style or aspect of another music video and
may often change the song lyrics all for comical use, and possible to mock the original song and video.Parody
music involves changing or copying existing (usually well known) musical ideas or lyrics. These music videos
and songs are often made for entertainment rather than for profit. Because of this there are lots of examples
of parody music on youtube, as it is an example of a free video sharing system.
An example of a famous parody is the Eton Style. This was created by the students of Eton College as a
parody for the song Gangnam style which is commonly known for its signature dance move. The video Eton
Style was created for entertainment by the student who mimicked the shots, scenes, and actions from the
official music video for their own. Although these aspects were changed slightly to reflect themselves and the
school as were the lyrics. This video has gained over 3 million views on youtube for its originality.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUjmT76-6hw]

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlx1Yj4SxRM]

STYLES

HOMAGE
Some artists their music videos and songs to pay respect to another person, group, or something that may have
influenced them in their life, career or inspired the song. This reference can be noticed by the audience and
often encourages the viewers research the inspired person or work. People often pay homage to a person,
charity or piece of work.
An example of a homage is the music video for the song Hero. This was originally written by Mariah Carey
but in 2011 the x-factor finalists did a cover of the song to pay tribute to army veterans. This was done to
thank the people within the army for their work, and for their loss but was also done to raise money for
Charity. Homage song when done for charities are often to raise money and help the cause the video is about.
For example the charity this song and video was dedicated to was the charity Help the Heroes and therefor
influenced the song. The video features photos of the veterans to draw attention to the purpose of the song
and video and to make the viewer feel attached to the people and the charity.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTeEli3t7Cg]

TECHNIQUES

CUTTING TO THE BEAT

Cutting to the beat is where a piece of music is played over a video. In pre-production, the video is then
edited so that the movements within the videos, or the clips change to the beat of the video. This can create a
dramatic impact and link the music to the video and editing making the video seem complete .
This technique is commonly used in music videos as it draws the attention of the video back to the music. This
technique is also used make a song and video dramatic and emphasises the beat of the song. This technique is
commonly used in fast paced song with strong beats. For most music videos this technique is used but in small
parts or every so often.
The song Happy has a strong beat and uses this technique in its music video. In the video the shots change or
are cut to the beat of the song swell as the movements of the characters as they dance. This emphasises the
beat of the song and makes it more memorable. It also makes the viewer want to move which increases the
popularity of the song.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTeEli3t7Cg]

TECHNIQUES

EFFECTS
Effects are used throughout the media industry and music videos are no different. Effects are used mostly
for when the aim or an aspect of video is unable to me achieved in real life. When this happens, special
effects are used to give this effect with cause issues that may be a problem such as safety or cost, or
availability. Although an negative of using special effects is cost. By substituting effects for the real thing it
can increase the cost as well as time of production. Done well they are believable although too much can
make the production look artificial.
For example Katy perry used special effects in her music video for her song fireworks. By using special
effects, she was able to show fireworks exploding out of the person. This would not have been achievable
with special effects for safety reason.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTeEli3t7Cg]

TECHNIQUES

MIMING AND LIP SYNCING

Miming and lip syncing is when a person mimes the words of the songs as it plays over the video to give the
effect that the person is singing the song at that in high quality in the video. This technique is used usually to
show who the singer is , so that the viewer familiarises the music with the person. Lip syncing is made to look
authentic but sometimes if done wrong can make the video and artist look fake.
A good example of lip syncing is in Ed Sheerans music video for his song Lego House. This video features
Rupert Grint, an actor commonly mistaken for the singer. In the video Ed Sheeran uses the physical similarity to
tell a narrative of a character who wishes to be the artist. Lip syncing or mining is used in the music video to
convey this narrative to audience. They do this by getting the actor to mime the words as the music plays to
look as if he is singing, but at the end the two characters are compared and the audience understands the
narrative. Lip syncing is used is this video to tell a story but demonstrates the technique well. Although for most
video it is used unless the style of the music video is As Live in which the artist is genuinely singing.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4BLVznuWnU]

TECHNIQUES

MULTI-IMAGE
Multi image is when more than one image or video is shown in clip. This can be split screen and can show two
images or more. Multi image can also be when two images or more are overlaid to give an artistic effect or to
change the viewer sees a shot. Multi-image is good for telling story or in a narrative style music video. This is
because split screen or multi-image means the viewer can see more points of view and because it can tell
two stories from both sides.
For example multi-image is used in the music video for Joe Brooks song til my heart stops beating in the
form of slept screen. This is used int he video to portray two sides of a story, so that the viewer seen the two
points of view. This technique helps convey the narrative of the video and the narrative that is portrayed in the
lyrics of the song.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTeEli3t7Cg]

TECHNIQUES

CAMERA MOVEMENT
Camera movement can be small shifts in camera such as shake camera, or when a camera shifts between
angles rather that citing to a different angle. Although in short productions such as music videos the video
can be filmed continuously or in as a one shoot production where the camera follows the character or
singer as they move.
An example of a music video that uses camera movement is taylor swifts music video for we are never
ever getting back together. This music video is filmed so that the camera follows her character around the
scenes. This method of a long continuous camera movement means the viewer follows the character along
a storyline. Because of this, it makes the technique good for narrative style music videos.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTeEli3t7Cg]

TECHNIQUES

ANGLES
Angles are used in all forms of media including music videos. The angles of the camera can help tell a story
such as showing to point of view of a character through what they see. Angles can also be used to make a
music video dramatic.
Mikky Ekkos music video is a good example of a music video that uses angles and framing to tell a narrative
without anything except sound effects and music. The video is made dramatic by the cinematographic way the
shots are filmed. The angles and framing has been used purposefully to portray a point of view (bottom
right). The shots are also used to portray a narrative, as in one of the shots is angled canted so that its
unbalanced and portrays the chaos of a car crash that is told in the story of the video.

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTeEli3t7Cg]