Research: Genre - Music video genre

As Andrew Goodwin stated, there are seven features that typified music video narrative:


-There is a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, with the visuals either illustrating or contradicting the lyrics.
-there is a relationship between the music and the visuals.
-particular music genres may have their own music video style and iconography
-There is a demand on the part of the record company for lots of close ups of the main artist/vocalist.
-The artist may develop their own star iconography, which in time becomes part of their stars image.
-There is likely to be reference to voyeurism, particular in the treatment of women.
-there are likely to be intertextual references, either to other music videos or films/texts. 


Also, from our own research we have found that all music videos give the 'same but different' effect, meaning the do something different but still like the audience to feel the sense of familiarity. 


Also, from our own research, the typical locations of music videos are either in studios (which are cheaper to do) or on locations. The typical characters in music videos are the protagonist/lead singer, backup singer, or backup dancers, extras, and sometimes the rest of the band/group. Typical mise en scene/iconography would depend on the genre of the music video, which determines the iconography of the singer(s), and their dress sense would depend on their brand image, but sometimes can also include instruments etc. Typical narratives would be love scenes, usually always a male and a female in the video, and sometimes tells a story. Typical media language would be close ups, extreme close ups, type of editing would depend on the music video and song/artist. 




Examples of music videos that follow the typical conventions.
 

Taylor Swift - Love Story

This is a typical music video as it follows the typical conventions that most music videos have nowadays. The visuals we see on screen reflect the lyrics we hear in music. Also it has a typical boy/girl love story/romance present and has a narrative all throughout. Also throughout the music video close ups and extreme close ups are used on Taylor Swift, and also the male love interest. Intertextuality is also present, as this video references Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. 

Lady GaGa - Bad Romance

Lady GaGa's music video is a typical music video and follows the typical conventions as she has her own use of mise en scene, and style. This shows her unique and different brand image and makes her stand out/easily identified. The lyrics also match the visuals we see on screen, which helps move the narrative along. A lot of close ups and extreme close ups are also used (very common in typical conventional music videos) on Lady GaGa's face/hands/other body parts, also from different angles. Also the video/song is about a bad break-up/bad romance (suggested in the title and lyrics), which is also typical and follows the conventions as most music videos are about a break up/love story of some sort.

Usher - O.M.G

Usher's music video O.M.G also follows the typical conventions of music videos as it is a studio based music video, and also has a performance by the main artist (in this case a few dance moves) and also has back up dancers present which are very typical of the R&B music genre. It also uses various shots including an excessive use of close ups and extreme close ups on Usher's face and body parts as he dances. The song lyrics are also about love (a girl) which is also very typical of music videos that follow the typical conventions.

 Music Videos That Don't Follow the typical conventions

Ed Sheeran- The A-team

This video breaks the conventions of a normal music video as the protagonist in this video is not 'Ed Sheeran'. Instead he's used a female as the main protagonist in this video. Alot of close ups are given in this video as there would be in any othr music video however these closups are of the female protagonist where as music videos which follow the mainstream conventions of the video give alot of close ups of the main protagonist (the artist) to promote them, as they want the artist to make some kind of connecction with theire fans. However by the protagonist not being the artist in ths video the close ups of her are done for a different reason, they are done to show the emotions of the protagonist and help the audience understand the narrative of this music video. Thie video is black and white to reflect the fact that it is a sad song.

Bats for Lashes- Whats a girl to do?

This music video breaks the mainstream music video conventions as the video doesn't use the studio wheras most maiinstream video's are mainly set in the studio. This video is set in the woods throughtout the whole video, and another convention is broken as there are no closeups of te artist the video. However the video still manages to keep hold of the audience's attention as there are people on bikes in the background doing various bike stunt's with animal masks on.