Exploring Music Videos
During the final few weeks of the AS course a music documentry was screened to show the top 100 music videos of all time. The documentry consisted of music video's from a variety of artists, genres, decades etc. For this blog I have personally selected 4 music videos for analysis.
Video Selections with Analysis.
Video 1) Beyonce Knowles - Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) [2009, Sony BMG]
The video for Beyonce Knowles's top 10 hit Single Ladies uses a variety of old fashioned and modern aspects. The video is kept plain and simple by firstly having just Beyonce and two female backing dancers, this video layout is uncommon in the present day as budgets are much higher and technology has improved drastically. The video is also filmed in Black and White this gives the video more sensitivity to lighting, shadows and details which can emphasis the dancing. The representation in the music video help to reflect the lyrics of the song, to express power and independence in Females, the choreography in the video is based upon older decades of dancing but mixed in well with present day dance. The dance makes this video well known. The audience of the music videos is both male and female, it targets females as the dance and lyrics are very empowering and inspirational towards a female audience. Males may also enjoy the video due to the physical appearance of Beyonce and the dancers, things such as costume, styling and lighting can help emphasise this. By using a powerful dance routine in the video helps connect the video to the lyrics of the song. The main genre of the Beyonce Single Ladies video is likely to be Female Strength and Power this is shown through the message in the song and it's video.
Video 2) - Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U [1990]
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUiTQvT0W_0
The music video shot for Sinead O'Connors Number one hit 'Nothing Compares 2 U' has a much softer and gentle style and vibe in comparison to the first video I have analysed. The video consists of mostly close ups of the face of Sinead, this helps to show the purity and the emotions of the artist during the video which capture the lyrics perfectly and cause the viewer to feel the emotion the song and video are trying to portray. The video's representation are focused more on the artist and the emotions she is feeling whilst singing the lyrics, the video represents the song as a heart aching emotional ballad, this is achieved through the close ups of the face and the overlay of imagery. The video communicates the meaning of the song by having Sinead simply singing the lyrics with tears welling up in her eyes, by having it stripped down and simple it shows vulnerability and honesty which will relate to more viewers in a personal way especially female viewers.
Video 3) - Christina Aguilera - Dirrty [2004]
Dirrty was a complete new image, style and feel for young teen star Christina Aguilera, the video made quiet an impact when it was first released. The genre for the video and the song can be of many topics the main three that come to mind are Rebelion, Sexuality and Femininity, these are represented in the styling, dancing and location. Christina wears a very sexy flesh revealing costume which represents sexuality and can appeal more to a male orientated audience. Rebelion is represented through the dance moves the staging and set and the fact that Christina was a young teen star when she released her first hit single, there involved many shots of male and female dance interactions which include physical and sexual moves such as thrust this is representing sexuality is present in both the video and the song it's filmed for. As the song is entitled 'Dirrty' the music video is communicating that meaning through the dance moves the moves consist of loads of thrusting and sexual moves such as sliding etc. The video and it's choreography is very controversial and may offend or dishearten some music video fans. The video is set in a club like setting which is also associated with a younger rebellious age group. The audience for this type of music video would normally be aimed at a male audience due to the dress styling, dance moves as men will find the 'sex appeal' attractive, however the video can attract a female audience creating a desire to 'be like her' or 'look like her'.
Video 4) Madonna - Vogue [1980's]
Madonna's video for the single 'Vogue' is based on the representations of glamour, leisure, luxury and fashion. It is shot using Black and White film which captures light and texture to the costumes, facial expressions, shadows and lighting. The video's representation of Glamour and Luxury is definitely expressed through the costumes and the set of the video, by using a mansion like set with piano's show wealth and style. The use of suits, gowns and feather bowers create the image of glamour and fashion which reflects the songs lyrics perfectly as it is titled after a fashion magazine 'Vogue'. The video communicates the meaning by the song by these factors and give off a positive message that anyone can be glamorous and be someone in a vogue magazine. The choreography in the video is bold and distinctive which make the video appear. Madonna's hand and body gestures also represent the glamorous life of the rich and famous. The video's main audience would likely to be females as the video is very feminine and 'fabulous' this is seen through the costumes, dancing and the lyrics of the song, however males can also be fans of the video as Madonna was a 'sex symbol' and many will appreciate the video through physical attraction to her.
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