Music Videos

By Tara Peak

In Theory

I have to not only look at the normal elements such as genre, music, lyrics, camera work, intertextuality and editing, I have to look at the relationships between them, the song and the persona or iconic image of the singer/s. The relationships between the music and the video are normally very close and relate down to each individual beat and word. However sometimes vidoes can contridict to establish a bigger issue- which ultimately links with the theme of the song. Representation- Voyeurism- mainly it can be against women. Looking at screens within screens and film cameras. Showing iconic images of the band such as the video to 'Warriors Dance'- from the prodigy.

Nightwish- Amaranth

Extra Information

The first official single named "Amaranth" was released August 24th respectively 31st in different versions. directed by Antti JokinenThe costs of making their new album were 500 000 euros.Nightwish is clearly targeting to mainstream and expects good sales. Started to direct the later videos such as Amaranth and Nemo which created more promotion for the band.

MusicIf we look at the style of music we can see that it is heavy metal which is lead mainly by the guitars. Yet the Vocals and more harmonic sounds take a big part to. . In relation to the video, Jokinen made sure the sounds held a strong bond with the story of the two bothers, happening above. The music is ment to be played loud- as they do when live- which is another iconic style of the heavy metal music. At the beginning the music is calm which depicks the overall scene at that time. This reminds me of classical music and how they tell stories and paint a picture though the music. However this all changes when the drums/ guitar etc... come into play. The pace of the cuts become faster and show images of an fallen angel with blood and other gothic images. Again, this relates to the music and represents the epic style of the heavy metal genre.

I can see how they also act around their instruments. For example if we look at the guitarist in the video, we can see that he dances with it- for example head banging. The hair plays a huge part because it shows his hard rock image. I have noticed that this look when playing the guitar is very popular. If you see the advert for guitar hero, they don't play the guitar softly. (though the advert is showing the representation of women a bit differently)

Lyrics

Baptised with a perfect nameThe doubting one by heartAlone without himself

War between him and the dayNeed someone to blameIn the end, little he can do alone

You believe but what you seeYou receive but what you give

Caress the one, the Never-Fading rain in your heart- the tears of snow-white sorrowCaress the one, the hiding amaranthIn a land of the daybreak

Holy references- 'baptised'The lyrics guide the story happening above. 'Alone without himself'- this cuts to the story which helps show the contrast between them. For example the band look like rock gods and powerful and the two boy look like they are powerless to fate.

Genre- Mis en scene

This music video is to promote their look as a hard rock band. They do this with the use of props, movement and image. Their image consists of mainly blacks and greys. They have the same look on their faces which shows that they are their to intimidate the world with their music. (Agian, showing them to be Gods). The lighting is also very dark and lights up their faces from the floor. (yet the brightness of the light is quite intense). They long flowing hair is another part to the image which is ampified by the slow motion and quite cuts. This is all to promote their iconic image. The women is reprensented as a powerful goddess who is controlling the song though her melody and words. This is shown by her power hand movements and the way she looks at the camera. (she looks up to it)The music also has a relationship with the visuals. For example the underground area is linked to the dark nature of the song- like the guitars. The drums are linked with the light flashes and cuts. (this shows his impowerment). The women in the band shows her power through her hand guestures.Her feet are firmly on the ground and her hands stay firm and straight- shows her direction. (look at pictures on silde 3)the style and iconography is a live performance. yet they intertwine a narrative like classical music would do. the progression of the music helps the progression of the story.

Camera work and Editing

The start of the video is calm in relation to the music, then the beat comes in and the cutting psce becomes faster and the images become more shocking- which is apart of the iconic image of the band. The fast cut montage of the band is shown to be powerful by the fast close ups which looks pulsating and shows the epic power of the band. The lighting adds to the effect and plays with the beat. Again the camera work also relates to the music and image of the band. They show close ups of each band member to show their individual persona. They all have different power stances or looks to tell them a part. This adds to the coolnes and overall appeal towards the heavy metal consumors.

In comparason to the shots taken ubove ground, the pace of the cuts are much less with a combination of long shots, tracking shots and establishing shots. This is to show the difference between the story and the story teller. The underground band are playing as gods and are directing the scene above with the music.

Narrative

The video tells the story of two young boys that find a fallen angel. They take this angel to their home because they can see she is hurt. As they take her home on a stretcher, word gets round to the rest of the village. They don't see the fallen angel as a blessing and take it apon themselves to get the boys out of their home and burn the house down- to kill the angel. The angel does go free and goe back to heaven. This relates to the bible texts as some believe that a fallen angel is a bad omen and needs to be destroyed. I like how the song drives the narrative aong and creates the sense that the band is epic- like gods.

I notice that the poeple who burn the house- or we see burn the house- are men. This tells me that they are trying to show the attitude towards women in the 'old times'. so this gives us a sense of time within the narrative- wich is what I like.

Prodigy- Warriors Dance

Music

The music in songs within this genre tend to have music videos that show narrative. The words of the song don't really have to relate to the video. However the video does somehow relate to a nightclub which ultimately that is what the song is for. (the place it will be played and appeal to the consumer) To promote this band the video is placed in a pub/bar- which agian links the consumor to the music. The vocals are a women vocals which is a soft melody. The consistant thing with club music is the melody they have between beats and rifts. This convention is like a build up to the nice bit of the song. The melody is then combined with the heavy beats towards the end.

The layout of this genre is completely different to Nightwish- where the music has a consistant chorus and verse. But they both relate the music to the narrative. This promotes their image as a band by the type of narrative they are showing.

Lyrics

Come with me to the dance floor,You and me cause that’s what it’s forShow me now what is itYou got to be doingAnd the music in the house… is so soothing

The point were the vocals start is when the first match box steps on the ground hard causing a beat which in turn creates the other two match boxes. This promotes the fact that the band comes alive with the music the produce- and they can create life with their music. The music is catchey and the consumor wants to get up and dance- this is what this promotes. The lyrics relate to the dance floor which again relates to the consumer who enters nightclubs/bars.

Genre- Mis en scene

Each match box has something different on the front of them. This is to show their individua selves. For example one of them has a spider on the front of them. This is a picture from other singles/ albums that they have made. This is another promotional technique.

As they enter the bar/pub I notice that the lighting was not very good and it was mainly dark. This is to relate to the dance floor which again relates to the consumor. The dance floor is represented by the top of the table in the bar/pub. The coloured lights which you normally see in a nightclub is shown by the jukebox. This is the main light source wich is just like a nightclub. The glass that gets broken by one of the match boxes symbols the glasses that get broken in nightclubs due to drunk mis-happenings. It also shows the destructive side of this genre. The representation of this genre is shown in a sinister way here- but I shall touch upon that later. These features are very characteristic and are in all of there videos.

Camera work- Editing

The first thing I noticed with the camera work is that there are a lot of close ups and meduim close ups, constructed. This is on the three match boxes (two shots). This is to show their personalitys as the match boxes. All three do things differently- such as one of them plays football. It also humanises the match boxes- making them have a goal and a perpose. (They want to create a nightclub)Crane shots are also done here. This is to establish the nightclub scene. It shows all the match boxes dancing which is what happens in normal nightclubs. This also reminds me of a photography technique called tilt and shift. This is done to create a fake model look in pictures. This is done by the focus being in one area

The camera also goes in and out of focus in relation to the beat which is very affective. It looks like loud speakers. This, again, relates back to nightclubs. The vibrations are coming from the match boxes which shows power and adds attitude to their iconic image. The close ups I like is the one when the three match boxes are sitting on the glasses. This shows impowerment in the band. They are looking down from the glasses at the other match boxes. This shows that they are in control of their music and they control the nightclubs- when they play their music. This is very musch like a comercial would be which a lot of close ups. This is to focus of the bands face and in this case to personify them as a band.

Narrative and Representation

The story is about three match boxes starting up a night club. They enter the bar/pub and call upon other match boxes in the place. They then put lights on and start the rave. The fire then starts as they light up the place. The three match boxes escape while the other match boxes burn to pieces. The owner comes in and wonders what has happened. This construction has a lot of representation in it.The main one is the relation to alcohol and an overall wild nature and nightclubs. What kind of poeple go to these places? Do they all drink and break glasses? This is where the band come in to play 'music gods'. They alomost protect the music from this. But do the have the right to highlight this within the promotion?

I Believe that poeple seek protection within their music and therefore, when they show this video that is what they are promoting. This helps to promote their other singles and albums- so the consumor comes back for more.

Beyonce- Halo

Music

Halo is a song by the American R and B singer called Beyonce. It was composed by Ryan Tedder, Evan Boggart and herself for her third studio album. The song was released in January 20th 2009.The music video was shot in late November and was directed by Philip AndelmanThe song was cut shorter for the music video and was the first video to be in colour and not black and white. Most of the video is shot with the music in the background and only some bits sung by the singer. The video progressed as the song progressed.

The keyboard relates to the mis en scene- such as the lighting which is soft and bright to show purity. The light flashes between her face and the room. This is to show softness and purity- which adds to the strong women image. The women image is to show that she can chosen her perfect man. The music also relates to the dancing scene- where she is dancing in front of a mirrior. The music is soft which shows in the visuals as she dances slowly while her lover watches. This shows her beauty and power as a women- her overall image which appeals to many young girls

Lyrics

It's like I've been awakenedEvery rule I had you breakin'It's the risk that I'm takin'I ain't never gonna shut you out

Everywhere I'm looking nowI'm surrounded by your embraceBaby I can see your haloYou know you're my saving grace

You're everything I need and moreIt's written all over your faceBaby I can feel your haloPray it won't fade away

I can feel your halo halo haloI can see your halo halo haloI can feel your halo halo haloI can see your halo halo halo

The singer does not lip sync to the whole song but she does lip sync to some of it. She says words such as 'Halo' which highlights the name of the song- for promotional value. Also it shows her involvment as an artist to the emotional side to the song. She goes through the steps of being in love and does not feel the need to sing every part of the song. This is completely different to the other two videos I have looked at. This does not have a strong narrative like the other two but it plays on emotion. This is conventional of this genre.

Genre- mis en scene

The beginning of the video the singer is standing by a wall look away- possibly to her love interest. The light shines causing a semi silloutte on her face which shows purity and power. The next scene is where the two of them are together in a two shot close up and there is a few more seconds of this light. Again this shows the purity. There seems to be a pattern through out of the video. She also wears white which again shows purity. It has an angelic look to it. This highlights the representation of women. She lets the man touch her in a nice way and has control in the amount of intimancy. This Agian highlights the representation of women. Her image is strong, power and control which appeals to women and young girls.

The scene when she is dancing infront of the mirrio she is wearing a black costume. I think this plays a huge part in her image. This is to show that she is strong. The fact that the man is watching her and this is followed by crane shots.

Camera work and Editing

The camera work was made to look natural. The fast cut montage ( the rendering of images impossible to grasp in the first viewing to promote more viewing) is solf and much gentler than the other two- where the pace is much faster to create more of an epic mood. The mood here is much softer and happier.The is conventional for this singer as she is a solo female artist with a broad audience appeal.She offers different kinds of moods withing her music thus giving different pleasures to the audience. The colourisation here is very cold (consists of whites and blues) this is to insure the iconin image- which is soft and gentel. (this highlights her strong women image)

There are light lines (blue light lines) that appear though out the video. This is to highlight the Halo theme within the video. Again this promote the video and makes it more viewable over and over again. There are also a lot of close ups which i quite convertional for music videos. This is because it is like a comercail for the singer/band. They are selling themselves and the close ups are there to show the star face.

Narrative

The story here is about the singers love interest and how she feels about him. She is telling him that she loves him and has chosen him to be her angel- Halo. She is saying that he is perfect. The mood here is very good and happy. The editing style relates to this. The colourisation also state this- purity and happiness. This can get the audience emotionally involved in this love story. This is a part of the mis en scene also. The combinations of facial, hand gestures, roleplay and close ups within a narrative framework allows the audience to enage which is not possible in a live concert.The narrative is almost dream like in appearance. This also can enage the audience unlike a live performance.

The End

:D