Tuesday, 17 September 2013

Research into music genres


How do music videos appeal to an audience ?


Music Videos should be entertaining and interesting as well as appealing to its target Audience. The music , dance , lyrics are all part of the music video that appeals an audience in a different way. The outfits that the artists wear in their music videos plays a big part as the target audiences look for the different outfits worn by their favourite artists. The outfits should stand out and be appealing to that target audience ; also the brands worn by the artists. The dancing is another aspect that appeals to an audience and the cheaography of the dance. The visuals on the screen appeals to an audience this can include the different colours and the props the artist uses on the screen.


Genre : Rap
Artist: Drak
Song : Over






Cinematography : The music video uses 'shallow focus' in the video as we can see the dancer in the background that has been blurred out and the camera focuses on Drake singing.This may suggest that it maybe a love triangle as we also see a girl that is full in focus. This may show his life and what he may been going through. 




The video also uses 'Establishing shot' as we see 'Drake' sitting in the bedroom and the projection behind moves very quickly this can relate how his life goes fast aswell. This may show his fans his life story and how far he has come with his music. This typical of the rap genre as a rapper usually raps about his life. 




Mies-en-scene:  The music video uses a mixture of low-key and high-key lighting. This gives the audience an on-edge vibe. This can relate back to his feelings and what may be going in his life. It shows the high and lows in his life.
There was also use of iconography in the music video. There was a constant uses of lamps which were placed on the bed sides. This creates low key lighting which adds effect in the room.

The facial expressions play a big part in this music video as the music changes with how Drake is feeling and the lyrics of the song.  He is wearing a red jacket when he is feeling angry ; this is when the projection goes really fast and moves around him really quickly. This shows his feelings. This can suggest maybe he is stressed out and the fame he has received is overwhelming as he went from nothing to something. 


Editing
There is a range of projection use behind him as he is sitting in the bedroom. The projection vary from being very bright to very dull. This suggests the artists life and the colours can suggest the things that go in his life. The projection is quiet fast moving this can suggest his life.




The music video also demonstrates part of goodwins theory. One of the points in goodwins theory is the relationship between the lyrics and the visuals. This is when he says 'i know way too many people here right now..that i didn't know last year' This is when there is a projection of people behind him which shows a time lapse and shows how far he has come.



Genre: Dance
Artist : Florida
Song: Club cant handle us




Editing
 The music video uses jump cut throughout the music video. The scene moves from florida dancing and singing in the club to clips from the film step up. This relates to the music video genre which is dance and how speedy the editing is with music.

There is a lot of uses of flashing lights. These flashing lights seem to be slows but gradually speeds up with beat of the song . The speeding up of the lighting with the music adds effect to the atmosphere. This relates back to the fact that it s a dance music video and the features of dance music videos is usually dance , party and music speeding up with the editing.


Mies-en-scene
Positioning of the characters: Positioning of characters plays a big part in the mies-en-scene. We see Flo-rida placed on the podium. He has been raised ; while the audience is looking up to him. He seems to be centre of attention. This relates back to him being in the club having fun and singing to the audience.

Lighting: The re is a mixture of high and low key lighting. The lighting varies as when they are dancing we see flashing lights which demonstrates goodwin's theory of relationship between lyrics and the visuals.







Iconography: There is use of iconography ; The audience sees women carrying bottles with sparkles. This show that it is not an ordinary club. This relates to the artists life and the money he has to afford luxuries.






The physical appearance: Florida is dressed in baggy clothes and is seen wearing chains and watches. This is typical clothing to wear to a club. He is seen wearing branded clothes and this relates again to the life of artists. florida is seen pointing at his watch in the music video when he says 'got plenty to blow. This agin relate to the goodwin's  theory when the lyrics and visuals have a relationship between them.



There is a use of long shot where the camera focuses on lambouginees and money flying in the air. This is shows wealth and power and relates to the party atmosphere. It also suggests the life of artists and how much money they have to spend.






There is also use of high angle to show the dance atmosphere in the club. The camera shows the people dancing which relates to the fact that its a dance music video and the people are part of a club and that is typical in a club.



Genre : Rock
Artist: muse
Song : feeling good


Cinematography
The music video starts with a long shot. The audience sees an empty room that is completed empty and there is a person with his back on the piano. This can represent being lonely or sad which relates to the fact that the genre of the music video is rock. However as the music video moves along we see people and confetti falling which means it is challenging the music genre which is rock as its unlikely to see something like that in a rock music video. The colour red can mean many things passion, love or a new sort of energy that gives them new   hope. We see the people coming together

Editing
There are various jump cuts in the music video. The scenes rapidly change from a shot of the sky to a shot of the artists drumming or singing. This relates to the fact that it’s a rock music video and the speed of the scenes changes goes with the beat of the music. 

Mies-en-scene
The characters in the music video are wearing everyday casual clothes but they look different. This suggests that they are normal people even though they do look a bit different. The video has a strong meaning just like other rock songs have deep meanings. This music video shows that maybe they all look different they are all equal people.

The lyrics have a quiet deep meaning and the visuals and lyrics have a relationship. As the singer is singing about ‘feeling good’ this shows that he is happy and everything maybe going the way he wants. This is obvious as we see red rose petals following from the sky which can show their happiness.

The facial expression is a big part of this music video as at the beginning the facial expressions of the people with strange faces is quiet sad and lonely. But as the songs progresses and the singer sings about ‘feeling good’ we see all women and men smiling. This can show them feeling ‘free’ and loved or appreciated. This was evident through their facial expressions.

In conclusion I would like to say that all genres are different from each other and there is something different about every genre. For example a dance song like ‘club can’t handle us’ has a club and partying shots and upbeat music. However rock music is loud and it has a lot of background music.

Analyzing different genres has assisted me in planning my music video as I know what certain generic conventions are needed that I need to follow in my music video. This will also allow me to decide what genre will my music video be and the certain generic conventions that I need to follow.

Summary
Analyzing different music genres was a good exercise to understand the codes and conventions of different genre'. It also made me understand the certain things that are done to attract specific target audience. I liked certain aspects of the music videos that I came across. The lighting used in 'club cant handle us' is very conventional to a dance genre music video. There is a major difference between rock, dance and rap music and this can clearly be seen in the analysis. The visuals in over by drake are stunning as drake is sitting in the bedroom and we see projections behind him.

1 comment:

  1. This post demonstrates a proficient understanding of how micro elements are used within music videos and different genres. You have identified some of the micro elements and you have also related your points to some well chosen examples.

    To develop this post, you need to-
    1) Read over your points and esnure that you have focused on the purpose of each point in further detail. This can be achieved, by considering the relationship between the artist and the audience
    2) Include further points on the mise-en-scene of the music videos
    3) Include more detailed examples of conventions/ideas that you would like to include within your own video

    ReplyDelete