Tuesday, 10 September 2013
Friday, 6 September 2013
Theories - Andrew Goodwin 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory'
Andrew Goodwin's theory about music videos is that there are three types of them: Illustration, Amplification and Disjuncture. These three types of music videos will be explained in further detail below.
Owl City's 'Fireflies' is an example of Illustration. Music videos that are categorised as Illustration music videos always have music that cuts to the beat. For example, in this video, when the pace of the music was fast, the shots focused from one toy to another very quickly, to keep up with the pace of the music. However, as the pace of the music slowed down, so did the pace of the shots. This is evident in the video above. The images in the music video illustrates the literal meaning or feeling conveyed in the lyrics, often with the artist singing and performing (whether that be dancing or, in the case of the video above, playing an instrument).
Rihanna's 'Disturbia' is an example of Amplification. Amplification videos have music that cuts to the beat of the video, but also cuts off the beat to emphasise particular features. The images in music video amplify the lyrics; a specific narrative may be used, but not necessarily picked up from the lyrics alone. The artist also may take up fictional roles in the narrative (such as Rihanna in 'Disturbia', when she played the role of a trapped captive, seen in the video above).
Illustration:
Owl City's 'Fireflies' is an example of Illustration. Music videos that are categorised as Illustration music videos always have music that cuts to the beat. For example, in this video, when the pace of the music was fast, the shots focused from one toy to another very quickly, to keep up with the pace of the music. However, as the pace of the music slowed down, so did the pace of the shots. This is evident in the video above. The images in the music video illustrates the literal meaning or feeling conveyed in the lyrics, often with the artist singing and performing (whether that be dancing or, in the case of the video above, playing an instrument).
Amplification:
Rihanna's 'Disturbia' is an example of Amplification. Amplification videos have music that cuts to the beat of the video, but also cuts off the beat to emphasise particular features. The images in music video amplify the lyrics; a specific narrative may be used, but not necessarily picked up from the lyrics alone. The artist also may take up fictional roles in the narrative (such as Rihanna in 'Disturbia', when she played the role of a trapped captive, seen in the video above).
Disjuncture:
Daft Punk's 'Da Funk' is an example of Disjuncture. Disjuncture videos cut completely off the beat. Sometimes this is intentional (such as this case, because Daft Punk are well known for having music videos that fit the role of Disjuncture), but other times this is the sign of a poorly made music video. The images that appear in the video do not relate to the lyrics at all (although there aren't any lyrics to relate to in this video); well-known artists/bands can occasionally use this method, as they can afford to take the risk. The artist/band also takes on an image that is very different from the 'norm' (such as this video, because a dog portrayed as a human is as far from the 'norm' as you could possibly get), or something completely different from their expected image. Another reason that this video is an example of Disjuncture is because the artist doesn't directly make an appearance in the music video, nor do they perform. Below are all the characters (in order of their appearance) that have had at least a minor speaking role in the video, yet none of whom are believed to be the artists.
Theories - Carol Vernallis 'The Kindest Cut'
Carol Vernallis analysed editing in music videos and Hollywood film. As seen below, Vernallis has identified the approaches these two forms of editing takes, and how they are different from each other.
Whilst in Hollywood film, there is a single clear path throughout the film's world, there are many more paths that are incomplete and perhaps even obscure in music videos. What this means, is that a lot of shots featured in music videos will be completely different, and will likely make no sense.
Robin Thicke - 'Blurred Lines' f.t T.I. Pharrell; there are multiple paths in the video that will likely confuse the viewer, and the shots that are shown in the video make no sense whatsoever.
The order of shots are conventional in Hollywood film. There is a typical shot order that films often use (for example; there will more than likely be an establishing shot in the opening of a film, because establishing shots are frequently used in Hollywood films). In music videos, the order of shots are unconventional. Music videos can transition between shots more freely, without the worry of having to deal with continuity.
Miley Cyrus - 'We Can't Stop'; because there isn't a big focus of continuity in music videos, a high quantity of videos (such as Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop') use montage editing instead, making the order of the shots in the video unconventional.
There is a unity of time and space in Hollywood film. In music videos, the time and space are unclear to the viewers, who are unaware of when and perhaps where (if a studio is the main location of a music video) the artist performed the music video.
will.i.am - 'Scream & Shout' ft. Britney Spears; because this video was shot inside a studio, there is no sense of time or space. From watching the video alone, viewers will not know where or when will.i.am and Britney shot this video.
Hollywood film draws viewers into the narrative, whereas music videos draws viewers away from the narrative, focusing more on other elements (such as the lyrics, star, etc.)
Jessie J - 'Domino'; in this music video, there is no narrative. This video focuses on Jessie J lip-syncing and performing to the song.
Whilst in Hollywood film, there is a single clear path throughout the film's world, there are many more paths that are incomplete and perhaps even obscure in music videos. What this means, is that a lot of shots featured in music videos will be completely different, and will likely make no sense.
Robin Thicke - 'Blurred Lines' f.t T.I. Pharrell; there are multiple paths in the video that will likely confuse the viewer, and the shots that are shown in the video make no sense whatsoever.
The order of shots are conventional in Hollywood film. There is a typical shot order that films often use (for example; there will more than likely be an establishing shot in the opening of a film, because establishing shots are frequently used in Hollywood films). In music videos, the order of shots are unconventional. Music videos can transition between shots more freely, without the worry of having to deal with continuity.
Miley Cyrus - 'We Can't Stop'; because there isn't a big focus of continuity in music videos, a high quantity of videos (such as Cyrus' 'We Can't Stop') use montage editing instead, making the order of the shots in the video unconventional.
There is a unity of time and space in Hollywood film. In music videos, the time and space are unclear to the viewers, who are unaware of when and perhaps where (if a studio is the main location of a music video) the artist performed the music video.
will.i.am - 'Scream & Shout' ft. Britney Spears; because this video was shot inside a studio, there is no sense of time or space. From watching the video alone, viewers will not know where or when will.i.am and Britney shot this video.
Hollywood film draws viewers into the narrative, whereas music videos draws viewers away from the narrative, focusing more on other elements (such as the lyrics, star, etc.)
Jessie J - 'Domino'; in this music video, there is no narrative. This video focuses on Jessie J lip-syncing and performing to the song.
Friday, 9 August 2013
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Thursday, 8 August 2013
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Wednesday, 7 August 2013
Tuesday, 6 August 2013
Analysis of a rock music video - Guns N' Roses "Welcome to the Jungle"
- The group performing in a concert; typical of that genre due to the fans preferring to see rock singers perform live on stage than in a bright, vibrant location. This is because the message and values of rock music differ greatly than that of pop. Rock music prides itself on rebelling away from the 'norm' (this being pop music), hence why rock singers perform in a different location to pop singers.
- Although narrative does not play as big a role in rock music compared to other genres of music (specifically pop), a narrative is somewhat present in this music video. This narrative seems to suggest the singer suffering from psychosis, due to the straightjacket he is wearing, shaking abnormally and eventually unleashing a loud scream. This type of narrative enforces the idea of rock music serving the opposite purpose to pop music, as the narrative to 'Welcome to the Jungle' is completely different to a narrative (most likely involving romance) of a pop music video.
- The choice of costume in this music video has the band members of Guns N' Roses wearing mostly monochrome colours (either black or white). One member, however, wears khaki coloured trousers, standing out from the other members of the group. This could continue to enforce the idea that rock music and pop music are different, as pop music has a specific set of conventions that must be followed to appeal to its target audience, whilst fans of rock music have more of a preference towards the actual music itself, rather than seeing rock music videos following a certain set of conventions.
To conclude, 'Welcome to the Jungle' seems to mostly prioritise on separating itself (and perhaps also other rock music videos) from pop musics, in order to appeal to a different fan base. However, this video also features typical conventions that are present in a majority of other music videos (including pop music videos), with an example of this being a narrative.
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