The conventions of music video differ from one genre to another. For example, in the rap genre, the mise-en-scene often includes cars, females wearing what is generally considered as 'provocative', and would be set in an urban area. There are often violent references included in the video, with cinematographic techniques such as a low camera angle to reinforce this concept of power which is a dominant theme alongside money in the rap genre. I looked at the videos in YouTube's "electronic" playlist, and recorded things included in the mise-en-scene. I did this because The audience for electronic music has different needs, therefore providing a different visual experience. Doing so helped me to gain an understanding of conventions throughout different genres.
The videos that I looked at when conducting my research into electronic music videos are as follows:
- Nero - Two minds (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFWFJGfEaNo)
- Apres - Chicago (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3r9n6MBoIM)
- Yogi & Skrillex - Burial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQ13nr6urIo)
- Disclosure & Sam Smith - Omen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB63ztKnGvo)
- Calvin Harris & Disciples - how deep is your love (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgqUJOudrcM)
- Pia Mia ft Chris Brown & Tyga - Do it again (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNw8A5pwbVI)
I also did the same within the indie genre, this helped me make a comparison between the different elements included in the mise-en-scene, and gain an understanding of the different cinematographic techniques used.
The videos that I looked at when conducting my research into 'indie' music videos are as follows:
In contrast to the videos from an electronic genre, videos for indie music seem to contain similar, if higher levels of violence, and tend to promote the use of alcohol and/or drugs more frequently. In addition to this, there is little reference to futuristic technologies. This explains the difference in audience interests. It makes sense that people who enjoy 'electronic' music, which is produced in a more electronic way than indie music, are more likely to consume music videos that are more focused on technology because it is something that appeals to them. In 1989, David Bordwell stated that any theme may appear in any genre. This means that despite certain themes being more prominent in any specific genre, they are not bound to this genre.- Imagine dragons - Radioactive (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvTqknDobU)
- American Authors - Best day of my life (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y66j_BUCBMY)
- Smith Westerns - Weekend (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmmLRt0p-fg)
- Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent adolescent (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma9I9VBKPiw)
- Spiritualized - Little girl (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwC7n8q-oHQ)
- Cloud nothings - Nothing's wrong (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIp-XgdZKMU)
I picked out any noticeable editing techniques, and elements within the mise-en-scene which reinforce the themes presented in the videos. I also noted the locations used, and by creating a visual representation of the videos using images that I have gathered using google images, I have managed to gain an understanding of the general atmosphere that tends to be created by 'indie' music videos. In general, they seem to reflect non-conformity, by using elements that are often associated with negative connotations. Examples from the videos I have researched include: fire, graffiti, metal gates, violence, smoking, and the consumption of drugs and alcohol.
Task: Conduct two textual analyses on two music videos of the same genre, minimum of 1500 words, using the grid format.
Text A: Drenge - We Can Do What We Want:
Text B: Surfer Blood - Swim:
Text A: What is included in the video:
close ups of faces, pull focus - emotion. dull colours&low key lighting - emotion. handheld camera. Long continuous shot following one guy. . Close up of guy (middle aged, grey hair, isn't clean shaven) lighting cigarette - lifestyle choices -genre. Directly addresses audience, looks into camera. Camera movement quickens. Close up of heavy black boots. ends with all four protagonists eating dinner at the table as 'normal' people. It is noticeable that all three males are wearing white which contrasts the nature of their acting. white connotes innocence, whereas the acts that they are committing are not.
Text B: What is included in the video:
sunset, burning palm tree, low key lighting, Fishbowl Camera, showing the face
of a young male, highlighted by the light of a small light (a torch). Small light shines on a line of people moving from the left to the right. light shows you where to look, allows the audience to focus where the director wants. People throw food at him, pour a drink into his mouth, brush his teeth, give him a shave, and wipe his face for him (handheld camera). Close up of black boots.
Generic Conventions are the features shown by texts that allow them to be put into a specific genre. In this essay I will show the conventions of form, and the conventions of genre in relation to two music videos; Drenge - "We can do what we want" and "Swim" by Surfer Blood.
Context.
The music video to "we can do what we want" starts off like a film, which is common in narrative music videos within the 'indie' genre. WHY is it common? The video then progresses, and as the plot develops further, and the characters included in it become stronger, and more disruptive.This long introduction is used to give the song more context, and add to the narrative by giving it a direct meaning. The music video to "swim" begins with an artistic wide shot of a person on the beach that gradually zooms out to show a sunset in the background. This establishes the colour schemes that are used throughout the video, and foreshadows the continual use of low-key lighting. The palm tree is next seen on fire, reinforcing the idea of disruption. Both videos start at a state of calm, which is then disrupted. At the end of each video, a new balance between calm and disruption is found. This shows evidence of likeness to a story - upon which a narrative music video is always based.
Cinematography.
SIMILARITIES
DIFFERENCES: The way that cinematography is used in both videos differs slightly. For example, in text A, the name of band is presented in red, capital letters over the visuals showing two faces merging as 'DRENGE' increases in size. This is done to reinforce the band name, and gives the artist a sense of power over the video. This concept of power is reinforced by the types of shot used throughout the video. In contrast, text B contains no typography over the video. This is because..
-out of focus close ups, why?
DIFFERENCES: The way that cinematography is used in both videos differs slightly. For example, in text A, the name of band is presented in red, capital letters over the visuals showing two faces merging as 'DRENGE' increases in size. This is done to reinforce the band name, and gives the artist a sense of power over the video. This concept of power is reinforced by the types of shot used throughout the video. In contrast, text B contains no typography over the video. This is because..
-out of focus close ups, why?
WHY
LINK TO FORM
LINK TO GENRE
Editing.
SIMILARITIES
DIFFERENCES
WHY
LINK TO FORM
LINK TO GENRE
Mise-en-scene.
SIMILARITIES Close up of Black boots - power, links to the calm to disruption theme
DIFFERENCES
WHY
LINK TO FORM
LINK TO GENRE
Sound.
SIMILARITIES Diegetic sound is used in the beginning of text A, and text B. This is because
DIFFERENCES
WHY
LINK TO FORM
LINK TO GENRE
Overview of videos:
-how the different elements relate to the music lyrically and visually
-how this reflects conventions of form and genre
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