Task 2: Styles, Conventions and techniques

A)
Lyric interpretation - Lyric interpretation is how we the listener take in the music. This means that we view the lyrics sung in a certain way that relates to the music video or message that the artist is promoting.

Extending or consolidating song's meaning- usually, the purpose of a music video is to help extend the purpose and meaning of the song. This is done to create an emotional effect on the listener. One example of this where the music video serves this purpose is Eminem's music video to Stan.

Focus on performer- In some music video's, close shots are often used to highlight the main artist(s) in the music video. This allows for the listener to visualise the artist. An example of this is in The Last Shadow Puppets' music video to Bad Habits

Lighting for mood - In many music video's, certain lighting is added to create tension of the mood. Usually, dark lighting videos portray a depressing or sad meaning behind the song. In the music video to Ni**as in Paris, the lighting is very bright and flashing at a fast pace to emphasise the happy, ecstatic and partying mood. The music video includes a brief warning to those who are triggered to epilepsy.

Allusion - This is term used when saying or showing one thing whist trying to hint at something else at the same time. This is usually shown in music videos produced to pay homage. Examples of this would be Ill Be Missing You, by Puff Daddy, 112 and Faith Evans. They were paying homage to Christopher Wallace, aka. Biggie Smalls

B)

1- Special effects such as Chroma Key (green screen) - Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Californiacation
This can be seen at 1:34, the band are playing together, behind them we see a skyline and a grassy background. It is clear that they are using a green screen due to the difference of quality between the band and the background.



2- Multi- mage (multiple images on screen at once)
Eminem - Without Me
The multiple images is shown at 0:19. The image on the left is the main icon of the music video, Eminem whilst the image on the right is the featuring artist, Dr.Dre.




3 - Cutting to a beat (White Stripers - Button to Button)


In this music video, we see the band playing their instruments with movement of the beats of the song. As the drum hits a beat, the drummer in the music video also moves along with the tune, this is also seen with the guitarist.





4. An artist miming lip syncing(Paul Simon - You Can Call Me Al)



The person on the right mimes the lyrics to the songs throughout the music video. The man on the left is actually the singer of the song but doesn't sing the lyrics in the music video



5. Animation  music video (Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc)

This music video features elements of animation such as hand drawn characters and backgrounds. At some points, it shows real elements that aren't cartoons such as an artist featured on the song





6. Reference to or another artist (Eminem - Guilty Conscience ft. Dr.Dre)

Whilst the song isn't based entirely on Dr.Dre, it does include some past story about his actions. He also plays a main character in the music video as a good conscience. This helped boost his fame and popularity.







C) Illustrative - This term means that the music video is telling us the story of the song. An example of this is the music video to Eminem's Stan, we visualise the music video that represents what is happening in the song.


interpretive- This means that the music video is using the lyrics to create the plot and a certain effect of the music video. An example of this is Katy Perry's Firework, as fireworks are shooting from her chest which leaves a positive effect on younger people of the city, this is encouraging younger audiences to ignite their own firework.

Surrealist- Surrealism is an art movement that surpasses the barrier of imaginary and reality. As a result, it releases a dream like, yet real experience. In this case, the music video to Black hole sun by Soundgarden uses this effect in their music video to simulate an apocalyptic, eerie and haunted sensation.

Pastiche/homage- This type of music video is often produced in memory of someone who has died, in this case Puff Daddy's Ill Be Missing You was made in tribute to rapper Biggie Smalls. The music video even features the rappers wife, Faith Evans, who sings in the song. This is done as a way to remember the rapper as time goes on.

As live - In the music video to Let me Take a Selfie by the chain smokers the ending of the music video shows us a live audience at one of their many concerts. This is done to portray them as a very popular and vibrant group. Showing us a large audience tells us that they are well known.

Parody- A parody is a music video that is made to reenact a music video but in a funnier way. An example of this is Weird Al's parody video of Michael Jackson's beat it (Eat It) turns the well known classic of Jackson's Beat it, into a very funny and humorous music video based on eating food. At the end of the video Weird Al even includes Michael Jackson in Thriller.

Animation-Animation music videos are videos that are made mostly or entirely of animations such as hand drawn or cel animation. One example of this is Kanye West's Good morning. The entire music video is an animation which doesn't show the artist but instead a cartoon video based on his song.