Lyric interpretation
Lyrical interpretation in music videos is when the visuals of the video are concurrent with the lyrics, theme or genre of the song. This is essentially the same as Goodwin's theory which is that music videos tend to include a demonstration of typical genre characteristics e g: R&B - couple failing to stay faithful or falling in love, Rock : live concert footage or reference to horror films. Lyric interpretation is criticised for being overused in music videos essentially making them less creative and more generic. An example of a video that uses lyrical interpretation is August Alsina ft Nicki minaj - No love. In the video the artists interpret the lyrics and theme of the song which is being unfaithful and falling in love again. As previously mentioned this music video narrative of the couple breaking up and getting back together can be seen s overused as its conventional of the r&b genre.
Extending or consolidating songs meanings
This is when an artist uses symbolism or the mis-en-scene to emphasise or further the meaning of a song. Through the use of symbolism an artist can present an alternative meaning to their song which listeners were unaware of. This can also be used to just bring the lyrics together to create a visual definition of the song. An example of a video using symbolism or mis en scene to further the message of the song is Black Hole sun by Soundgarden. Throughout the video the mis-en-scene is presented in a dream like fashion as the picture is tilted,this can further add to the meaning of the song which is that not everything is at it seems. The mis-en-scene also features people being surrealistically portrayed ( the woman sunbathing who's tongue stretches unrealistically to catch a fly )
Focus on the performer
This is when a video focuses on the artist in someway. This is seen in almost every video in shots/scenes which present the artist in a close up shot or under a spotlight. This focus on the performer is beneficial to them as their face will be more recognisable to an audience. An example of a video which uses focus on the performer is G eazy - Been on. Throughout the whole video we are focused on his face in a long shot/headshot. I believe this use of focus is successful as listeners who like the song are essentially forced to view his face and familiarise themselves with it.
Lighting for mood
This is when lighting is used in specific scenes to achieve a certain mood eg: dark grey lighting could connote sadness or a negative mood whilst bright white lighting can present happiness or a positive mood. In lighting there is key,contrast and colour. Colour is the main component which defines wether the lighting in the video is used to present sadness,fear,love etc. An example of a video which uses lighting for mood is The night is still young by Nicki Minaj. Throughout the video bright neon colours are set in the background, this presents a positive/happy mood within the video. In the scenes outside at night bright lighting is still used to further present that the song is presenting a positive mood/message in its visuals and/or lyrics.
Pace and Cuts of the music video
This is when camera shots and angles are used to slow or increase the pace of the video. These camera shots and angles can also convey specific meanings and add visually to the lyrics of the song. In example a Close-up can slow the pace of the video to add to the emotion of the song as the singer may have an expression of sadness ( frowning,crying ) . This closeup shot also gives the artist time to iconize themselves as mentioned earlier in ' focusing on the performer ' . An example of this is in Miley Cyrus - Wrecking ball where the pace of the video is slowed down as we are presented with iconizing shots of the artists face which also convey the sad emotion of the song. Just there we can see the pace and cuts of the video are effecting the emotion of the video, the artists familiarity
and the songs meaning. This use of pace and cutting is successful as
Editing
Editing is something that is present in all music videos and is essential for one to work or convey its emotion,narrative and meaning. The only time editing can be excluded is when a video simply uses one long shot which then can still be edited. Editing is how the video is pieced together,without editing these clips together in a specific order the narrative would be visually confusing.
The majority of music videos use jump cutting which is a simple and easy use of editing,jump cuts are commonly used because they allow the video to jump from scene to scene without altering or effecting its continuity. Therefore the jump cuts cover the majority of the video and allow the makers to spend more time on effects and styling the video hence the reason use of jump cuts is criticized as lazy. An example of a video which relies on editing is Twenty one pilots - Ride. In the video no effects are used and instead editing ( primarily jumpcuts ) are used so the video can transition from shot to shot,scene to scene and in the middle of the song from lightness to darkness.
Extending or consolidating songs meanings
This is when an artist uses symbolism or the mis-en-scene to emphasise or further the meaning of a song. Through the use of symbolism an artist can present an alternative meaning to their song which listeners were unaware of. This can also be used to just bring the lyrics together to create a visual definition of the song. An example of a video using symbolism or mis en scene to further the message of the song is Black Hole sun by Soundgarden. Throughout the video the mis-en-scene is presented in a dream like fashion as the picture is tilted,this can further add to the meaning of the song which is that not everything is at it seems. The mis-en-scene also features people being surrealistically portrayed ( the woman sunbathing who's tongue stretches unrealistically to catch a fly )
Focus on the performer
This is when a video focuses on the artist in someway. This is seen in almost every video in shots/scenes which present the artist in a close up shot or under a spotlight. This focus on the performer is beneficial to them as their face will be more recognisable to an audience. An example of a video which uses focus on the performer is G eazy - Been on. Throughout the whole video we are focused on his face in a long shot/headshot. I believe this use of focus is successful as listeners who like the song are essentially forced to view his face and familiarise themselves with it.
Lighting for mood
Pace and Cuts of the music video
This is when camera shots and angles are used to slow or increase the pace of the video. These camera shots and angles can also convey specific meanings and add visually to the lyrics of the song. In example a Close-up can slow the pace of the video to add to the emotion of the song as the singer may have an expression of sadness ( frowning,crying ) . This closeup shot also gives the artist time to iconize themselves as mentioned earlier in ' focusing on the performer ' . An example of this is in Miley Cyrus - Wrecking ball where the pace of the video is slowed down as we are presented with iconizing shots of the artists face which also convey the sad emotion of the song. Just there we can see the pace and cuts of the video are effecting the emotion of the video, the artists familiarity
and the songs meaning. This use of pace and cutting is successful as
Editing
Editing is something that is present in all music videos and is essential for one to work or convey its emotion,narrative and meaning. The only time editing can be excluded is when a video simply uses one long shot which then can still be edited. Editing is how the video is pieced together,without editing these clips together in a specific order the narrative would be visually confusing.
Tyler this is a good start but you will need to finish all conventions and then link videos. Once you have done this, make sure you write back a comment to me.
ReplyDeleteAll conventions and links are now completed! :)
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