Task Two – Understand the Styles and Conventions of Music Videos

Different Forms of Music Video

Music videos can come in various different forms; this can include either digital animation, stop motion, in concert footage, as live footage, studio based, or cinematic. Different forms of videos can be used to portray the song in an entertaining way. This post will explain these forms of music videos. 

Digital Animation

This is animation that is created digitally by using computer software. Digital animation may be used for a music video because it's not limited. The video can include anything the creator wants to involve as they can freely draw out a sketch and then animate it. It may be too expensive for a band to create a live video with lots of interesting visuals, so they may decide to create a digital animation instead that can be done on a computer. An example of digital animation used within a music video would be the song Feel Good Inc. by the Gorillaz. The Gorillaz are an English musical/visual project consisting of a virtual band. The band members are four animated creatures from a fantasy universe. This video, which is in the style of their other videos, has been animated to show them playing instruments like you would see in a real band's video. What they can also do, though, is sit on a floating piece of land which is flying through space with the power from a windmill. This cannot be done without digital animation.

Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.

Stop Motion Animation

This is a type of animation technique used to make an object look as though it is moving all by itself. It is achieved by moving an object minimal amounts and then taking a picture each time it is moved. Each photograph is a frame shown within the animation and when played continuously at the right speed it seems as though the object is moving smoothly by itself. Stop motion can consist of drawings, clay figures, dolls, humans, and any other props/objects. It is used to make inanimate objects, or objects that shouldn't move without any interference, freely manoeuvre on their own accord. The example I have used to show this in a music video is the for the song Her Morning Elegance by Oren Lavie. The camera is looking down at a lady in bed and shows her doing a walking motion although not going anywhere; with this said, the background does move and gives the illusion she is walking along. Objects are then seen moving past which gives the illusion  of different settings although the camera stays at the point throughout the video. 

Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance

In Concert Footage
In concert footage is used within music videos to show the band actually performing the song with the volume of the concert taken out and dubbed for the studio version. This technique is used mostly in rock bands to show them performing their songs, usually in an aggressive manner. Using live footage also gives the band an image and shows the audience that they can perform this song live so they will want to go to see them live; this boosts publicity and sales for the band. An example of live footage being used in a music video is for the song Alive by Pearl Jam. The music video shows them playing in front of a large crowd with many close ups of the band and audience members. Close ups of the instruments being played can be seen, and members of the band stage diving into the crowd. There is no real creative element to the video, it simply captures the band performing live.

Pearl Jam - Alive

As Live Footage

As live footage is used within music videos to show behind the scenes of the band when they are messing around and not taking everything seriously. The footage is often taken on different occasions and then compiled together. This could be footage showing the artist/s talking to fans, having fun with each other, or taking out random tasks. An example of when live footage of the band is used within a music video would be in the alternate music video to Warning by Green Day. This video shows the band members practicing the song, talking to fans, dancing around, breaking objects, getting tattoos, as well as many other moments. The clips have been put together to show how much fun the band have together; this makes the audience feel closer to the band and feel as though they can relate to the band members which makes the audience like them more.

Green Day - Warning

Studio Based Footage

Music videos can also be studio based which shows the artist/s creating the song in the studio. The music video shows the band members performing the song, although the sound may have already been recorded and the footage is just of them lip-synching the song. The footage, either way, is still of the artists within the studio creating the song. This form of video is very simple although effective as it makes the song seem very convincing as the viewer can see the band member/s emotions. An example of when studio footage has been used in a music video would be in the video to the song Wrong by Depeche Mode. The singer can be seen performing the song, wearing his headphones and singing into the microphone. The band members are also seen playing, which shows which roles they all have.

Depeche Mode - Wrong

Cinematic

Some videos are used for illustrative purposes and are done in a cinematic fashion. This style makes the music video seem as though it is a short film/movie as it helps tell a story. Cinematic videos will look artistic as there would be a lot of attention to detail when planning the video. The story has to be portrayed within the video, so it needs to link to the lyrics. An example of a cinematic video would be the song For The First Time by The Script. This song is about a relationship that has ended but the couple meet again. The woman in the relationship is said to be ''in bed with a broken heart'' and as this is sung she can be seen in bed upset. The footage of the story line is then cut between the band performing the song as some sort of narrators. 

The Script - For The First Time