Music video analysis.

Wings analysis for media from annemedia35

This is my own slideshare, under the name 'anne media35' 

Goodwin's Theory.

 -According to Goodwin there are six main features of a music video:

- In all music videos there is a clear image of the genre of the music and the image that the artist is trying to put across. This is seen through the artists costumes, props and locations giving it characteristic to a certain genre like pop, rock, indie etc.  For example if the artist is a girl-band or a boy band then there may be a dance routine involved or a cheesy storyline. But if its a rock artist then the locations and costumes would be very dark and edgy giving the audience a hard and moody image. A good example of a pop music video that refers to Goodwin's theory is Taylor Swift's 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' which shows a generic image of a typical pop/country music video with romantic and cheesy lyrics and narrative where the female singer is in charge over the guy who broke her heart.
- There can be a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals in any music video. This can create something that contradicts the lyrics with the video or completely relates to the lyrics or visa vera. For example, we can see that there is a literal connection with what is in the music video and the lyrics. For instance, we see the break up happen as told by the song and 'acts out' according to the literal meaning of the lyrics like 'I say, "I hate you," we break up, you call me, "I love you."
- There can also be a relationship between the music and the visuals and this can be either illustrative, amplifying or contradicting. The editing and style of the video can either match with the beats of the music or do the complete opposite. Here not only the camera movement is on the beat but the choreography matches with the timing of the lyrics, like when she sings 'we' her band dressed as animals jump, making the video more happy and fun.
- The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which rear across their work. This may also be a way of establishing the artist and creating pleasure for the audience particularly if he or she is a worldwide superstar. Here the artist interacts with the camera and the audience feels as though she is talking to them.
- There is frequently references to notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes etc) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body. In the music video there is a part where a vintage T.V set is used with the artist singing which gives it a vintage love feel to the music video.
There is often intersexual reference to 'films, t.v programmes, other music videos etc. For example her music video reflects most typical American films where theres a heartbreak.

Other successful music videos.

The reason why I think these music videos are successful is because they meet all the codes and conventions of a music video such as a performance, broken narratives or creative scenes. They also go with the songs very well and the performances are believable, this makes the video entertaining and not repetitive. The song choice, casting, camera work, lighting and MES work well together to create an entertaining and believable music video.

Evaluating music videos from the previous year.

13B6- 

• This music videos had good mise-en-scenes such as the parties. 
• There was a good range of ideas such as the young police giving the video an edge. 
• The lighting and camera shots/movements were on point and the video played smoothly. 
• This had a really strong appeal to young audiences as it was very effective.

13B5- 

• There were good camera shots, MES and lighting which added to the mood of the song.
• However some performances needed more energy to make the song more believable.
• There could be more camera movements to make the video more exciting. 
• It would have been more efective if there was more to it.

13E8-

• There is a very good range of shots and MES which makes the video interesting. 
• Very simple but effective as it relates to the song. 
• However because the song is slow it doesn’t make the video exciting. 
• The prefrormance is believeable and matches the song making it effective.

13B4-

• There is a good range MES and camera shots. 
• The performance is very believable. 
• However the narrative in the video is slightly blurred. 
• Their isn't a wide ranfe of camera movements etc to make the video believable.

13B2- 

• Good range of MES and camera shots. 
• The performance isn’t very believable and needs to relate to the song more.
• Possibly needs a clearer narrative. 
• Overall needs more energy throughout the music video.

13E9-

• There are good MES but very little camera movements/shots. 
• The video is weakened by the use of a movie. 
• Good performance. 
• Movie doesn't make much sense of the song.

13B3-

• Great performance.
• Good range of MES, lighting and camera shots.
• Good simple, narrative flow. 
• However, the song itself drags on and so does the music video making it seem repetative. 

13E7-

• Good performance and MES. 
• Overall, video is too simple and repetitive. 
• The girl in the car spoils the atmosphere as she looks bored. 

13B1-

• Good performance, relatable to the song.
• Good range of MES, lighting and camera shots. 
• Good, clear narrative. 

13E11-

• The performance is too forced and needs more energy. 
• The narrative is unclear. 
• The whole video needs to relate to the song more.

13E10-

• Good MES camera shots and movements. 
• The performance needs to be more believable and needs a clearer storyline. 
• There are too many effects in one place and needs to be more spread out.

What to avoid in a music video.

When looking at music videos from previous years we saw what made their music videos weak. This is something we learnt to avoid as it would bring down our marks.

• Repetition of the same song and exact performance.
• Too many effects as this will make the music video a disaster. 
• Bad song choice that is hard to get a good music video out of. 
• Lack of performance and choreography as this will make the video less believable. 
• A fully narrative music video will only confuse the audience rather than entertain them.
• Off time lip-syncing will make the music video very weak and disastrous. 
• Too many locations will also be confusing for the audiences and too much to take in. 
• An unconvincing cast won’t make the music video entertaining or believable. 

What makes a good music video.

When looking at music videos from previous years, we found that some of their tecnuiques used made the music video effective. We also looked at music videos by artists and saw what made the music video so effective.

• Mainly in one location which relates to the song.
• Small variety of effects but enough to make the video exciting. 
• Good variety of camera shots/movement to create an effective video. 
• Good choreography, in time with the music. 
• Good lip-syncing also in time with the music. 
• Short and simple narratives to make the video easy to understand and watch. 
• Natural, realistic and creative scenes. 
• Music artist attracts the right audiences. 
• Artist shows believable performance, high energy and emotion relating to the song. 
• Cut between narrative and main performance.
• Performance and narrative all in one place. 
• Good casting that can make a believable performance.