5.1.1

Music Videos

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Performance and Concept Videos

Music Videos are produced to help sell a song as part of a larger marketing plan. Over time music videos have become more important and now help to create the artists brand identity.

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Shots

  • Music videos most commonly contain a performance element which focuses on the artist.
  • The focus on the artist can be done through repetitive close up shots of them.
  • In the performance element the artist normally lip syncs to the song and the editing is to the beat of the song.
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Costume

  • Costume is normally suitable for the genre of music.
    • Pop music normally has more elaborate costumes, whereas rock artists normally have simple jeans and T-shirt.
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Stereotypical costume

  • When a costume is stereotypical of the music genre it can be referred to as a visual signifier of the genre.
    • Eg. Lady Gaga’s telephone costume acts as a visual signifier for a pop music video.
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Concept videos

  • Some music videos can also be referred to as concept videos.
  • A concept video is where an artist creates a narrative, or even an alternative world in the video.
    • Eg. Katy Perry’s California Girl.
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Both elements

  • Concept videos can be useful for helping to create a brand identity and to allow the artist to appear unique.
  • Most modern music videos have elements of both performance and concept.

Representation and Uses

Audiences may watch music videos for a range of reasons. Representation in music videos depends on the sub-genre of the song, but on the most part can be seen as stereotypical.

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Representation

  • Representation in music videos depends on the sub-genre of the song, but on the most part can be seen as stereotypical.
  • Women, particularly in rap music videos, are often sexualised and seen as inferior to men.
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Heteronormativity

  • Men in pop music videos are very often seen as superior and are meterosexual men who are well-groomed and care about their appearance.
  • In mainstream music videos representation is heteronormative, reinforcing heterosexual relationship expectations in society.
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Uses and Gratifications theory

  • Blumler and Katz uses and gratifications theory can be applied to music videos as it can offer diversion for the audience from their day to day routine.
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Escapism

  • If a video has a strong concept, it can offer escapism and it removes the sense of reality for the audience.
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Personal identity

  • Music videos can offer a sense of personal identity for audience members, particularly if the artist has a strong brand identity.
    • Eg. Beyonce is represented as an empowered feminist and so her audience may take pleasure from identifying elements of themselves in Beyonce.

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