PURPOSE OF MUSIC VIDEOS
Music videos were originally made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings, often called 'promos'. The earliest music videos were filmed in the 1950's and were broadcast to TV stations in the UK and US. Music videos are short films or footage to compliment and partner in time with a song/album of a musical artist or band. Music videos can vary from whole films that could relate to the song to just live footage of the band playing.
Firstly, money would be a main purpose of music videos. Music videos will make money through music sales, product placement and advertisements through the likes of YouTube for example. If the person watching enjoy's the music video, they are more than likely to also enjoy the song, therefore gaining more music sales. In the UK, there were shows on TV such as Top of the Pops which showed music videos and increased song sales.
Another reason for music videos could be to promote a film. The music in the music video would have been used for a film's soundtrack, it would also include clips of the film within the music video. Examples include Adele - Skyfall and Sam Smith - Writing's On The Wall which were both used for the James Bond films. Both songs were released before the film was released so this was an example of advertising for the film.
Firstly, money would be a main purpose of music videos. Music videos will make money through music sales, product placement and advertisements through the likes of YouTube for example. If the person watching enjoy's the music video, they are more than likely to also enjoy the song, therefore gaining more music sales. In the UK, there were shows on TV such as Top of the Pops which showed music videos and increased song sales.
Another reason for music videos could be to promote a film. The music in the music video would have been used for a film's soundtrack, it would also include clips of the film within the music video. Examples include Adele - Skyfall and Sam Smith - Writing's On The Wall which were both used for the James Bond films. Both songs were released before the film was released so this was an example of advertising for the film.
SAM SMITH - WRITING'S ON THE WALL
STYLES
- Film tie-in - this is because of the clips from James Bond: Spectre throughout the whole of the music video.
PURPOSE
- The purpose of this music video was to promote the new James Bond film 'Spectre', which was released last year, in 2015. As the song was released before the film was, this created excitement for the film and gave the film advertising, which promoted the film. If the film was popular, it would then mean the soundtrack would be, thus creating sales for the music.
CONVENTIONS
- As this song is from the film James Bond: Spectre, it is typical that the music video includes clips from the film. It is acting as an advert for the film and gives viewers insight into the film and what they will expect.
- The music video also abides by normal conventions of a film tie-in music video as the artist is on location as apposed to a studio location.
TECHNIQUES
Camera Shots
- The music video features a lot of long shots, showing at least two thirds of space above the artist who always seems to be positioned in the middle of these shots - this makes the scene more dramatic.
- The music video also features a lot of close up shots, especially when the music get's quieter, this allows the camera to focus on the artist lip syncing and again, creates drama.
Lighting
- As the music video contains a lot of scenes from the film James Bond: Spectre, the artist was took to where they actually shot the film and kept him out of the studio so the scenes could blend in together. For this the lighting had to be kept natural as the film used a lot of natural light. This can be seen in this shot as you can see the shadows being created in the background:
STATE CHAMPS - ALL YOU ARE IS HISTORY
STYLE
- Performance - because many of the scenes within this music video, show the lead singer of the band inf the centre, front of the camera, singing along to the lyrics of the song in a stage set up with a microphone. This can be seen as though he is singing to an audience - this would be the viewers at home watching the video.
- Narrative - The video portrays a story between a couple who clearly have problems and have broken up, as you can see the woman recording herself smash up the man's apartment, she then removes the mask to show who it is. He then returns home, see's the mess in his apartment and watches the video. The man then doesn't really react to what has happened after he see's who it was underneath the mask.
PURPOSE
- This music video was one of the first song's released from the new album, the album was then released a week after the music video was. The purpose of this was to promote the new album and new music on the album to boost sales. The song is about love and breaking up - this can be seen at 00:40 when you can hear the lyrics 'I've had enough of all the talk on how you're saving me, talk like you're self assured, but all you are is history' - this is him saying that he has had enough of her thinking she has made him a better and that she thinks she is better than him, when she should be shocked that he has moved on.
CONVENTIONS
- Band can be seen singing into a camera in a performing mannerism - typical of this genre of music.
- Lead singer in the main person in the video, the camera use's a lot of fast movements and close ups, very focused on the lead singer. This is typical of pop punk/rock music videos as the music is louder and heavier than usual, it is to suit the music. There is also a lot of jumping around and energetic movement's as the music is quite fast if you listen to the background music.
TECHNIQUES
Camera Shots
- The music video features a variety of camera shots, the most common one used is the medium camera shot as they have to involve the whole band within the video. Also when they are videoing the woman smashing stuff, the medium and long shots work best for this so the audience can see what she is doing.
- Close up's are used in a variety of shots; they are used before revealing the woman's identity, to show she is getting ready to do something that she shouldn't do as she is dressed in all black, putting gloves on.
- Medium close up's are used when focusing on the lead singer, as he sings to the camera. Below are examples of these shots.
Lighting
- The lighting is kept natural throughout the entire music video in all three locations.
- The first location almost looks like an empty garage with window, this is where they are getting the lighting from, the windows and the roof which looks like a thin piece of plastic which is also letting through a lot of natural light.
- The second location is on a street/outside a house where they will be getting the main lighting from which is also the lighting used in the apartment.
STORMZY - SHUTUP
STYLE
- Socially Consious - tracks that have an opinion on events/matters in the world.
- This song was a reaction towards hate that he was receiving.
PURPOSE
- The purpose of this music video/song was to reply to hate he was receiving. It is a very low budget music video and involves the artist himself surrounded by friends. This is to portray almost a 'gang' scene, to show he has people on his side.
- At 00:40, you can hear the lyrics 'couple man call me a backup dancer, on stage at the BRITs, I'm a back up dancer'. When on stage with Kanye West and Skepta, the artist was simply called a 'back up dancer'. This line is here to throw shade back at the people who said it'.
CONVENTIONS
- Abides by the conventions of 'grime' videos as it is shot in a lower class area on London and involves almost a gang around the main artist while he sings, and they sing along.
TECHNIQUES
Camera Shots
- The whole video stays as a medium shot throughout, it is also apparent that it is filmed using a hand held camera as you can see the camera shaking and dipping slightly as it is not on a tripod. This is all for the camera shots as it is a very low budget music video.
Lighting
- They have used natural lighting throughout the entire music video as it is all shot in one scene outside.
KASABIAN - EEZ-EH
PURPOSE
- The purpose of this video is initially to promote their new album which was released in 2014, just before their big return to Leicester when they played at Victoria Park. This is where they introduced all their new songs to everyone. The new album was released a week before and the video to the song 'Eez-eh' before the live event. The song title 'Eez-eh' was thought of by band member Serge Pizzorno - he heard that the Leicester pronunciation of 'easy' was dying out.
STYLE
- Socially Conscious - You can see this style within some of the lyrics.
- If you go to 00:47, you can hear the lyrics 'the wrong men have the power' - this is a reference to the people running the country, that many people don't agree that they are doing a good job.
- If you go to 2:00, you will hear the lyrics 'now we're being watched by Google' - this is a reference the the argument over Google being an invasion of privacy as it remembers and stores everything you search for a click on.
- Band can be seen singing into a camera in a performing mannerism - typical of a band music video. It is also typical of the alternative/rock genre to be seen singing to the camera as a whole group.
TECHNIQUES