Textual Analysis
- 1. What I have learnt so far..... Textual analysis
- 2. Genre Genre plays a hugely significant role in the making of a music video, certain conventions apply to certain genres of music. An example of this would be in a RnB video, you would expect to see fast cars, girls, bling and the apparent ‘gangsta’ lifestyle. When it comes to analysing a music video, knowing the specific genre of the track and also the reputation of the band are of great importance when it comes to explain why certain shots are chosen to feature and others are not. Whether it is stereotypical of its genre or counter typical. For our music video, the genre of the track is Alternative, the stereotypical video of an Alternative video would feature a lot of live shots, however, we aim to break the stereotype with a mainly conceptual video, with some narrative aspects.
- 3. Mise En Scene, Editing and Camera & Camera These, like in all media products, are of huge importance the making of a music video, these three parts make a video make sense, they help to promote their artist and most importantly help to make the music video be as good and enjoyable to the viewer as it can. Proving their significance.
- 4. Mise en Scene This is a pivotal part of the planning and production of a music video. Without the right props, costume etc; it is impossible to make a music video make sense or look even slightly professional. One video i have analysed is Kasabian’s Empire, the video for this requires the band to be dressed in a old military uniform, props such as guns and cannons are needed and things like fake blood are of great importance, without any of these, the video would be no-where near as effective and wouldn't be half the video that it is because of featuring all these things.
- 5. Editing This too is very importance in the production of a music video as it is editing that allows you to put all of your footage together to make something that makes sense and also looks good. Special editing techniques are also important such as speeding footage up, or skipping frames to give a jumpy feel to a video, something our group are looking into doing for our music video.
- 6. Camera Again, this part of a music video is very important, you need good camera work in a music video so the viewer either knows what is happening clearly or, if the band is not very well known at the time, to get their faces across to the public. Therefore for up and coming artist may like to feature a lot of close up shots of themselves performing throughout their videos. In my analysis of Arctic Monkeys’ Leave Before The Lights Come On, the band were already famous enough to not feature in the video whereas new bands on the block would have had their record labels insist upon their appearances and plenty of close up shots to promote themselves.
- 7. Andrew Goodwin Andrew Goodwin has a theory which identifies 6 features of music videos, they are as follows; 1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics 2. there is a relationship between lyrics and visuals (illustrating, amplifying or contradictive) 3. There is a link between music and visuals (illustrating, amplifying or contradictive) 4. 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 recur across their work 5. There is frequent references to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes etc.) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body 6. There is often intertextual reference (to films, books, other music videos, even poetry)
- 8. Conclusion In conclusion, and in answer to the opening question, i feel that i have learnt a great deal through my textual analysis of different music videos. O feel that this knowledge will be of great importance when it comes to filming and then editing our very own music video in the coming weeks as part of our A2 coursework module.