Analysis of music genre
Music videos appeal to an audience in many different ways which depend on how the artist wants to present themselves to fans. For example the rock genre will represent themselves in a different way and have different characteristics to that of the dance genre. Rock would have the characteristics of having low key lighting, a lifestyle with drinking and drugs and having a performance based video which would attract there fans. Whereas dance would have strobe lighting and the genre typically is set in a club with people having a good time which also attracts people to watch the video as it is suitable with the dance genre. All of these things would attract a different type of fan to the music that they prefer whatever genre it is. In this blog I will be discussing the characteristics which are in three videos Drake-Over , Flo Rida-Club can't handle me and the final song is Why do you only call me when your high by the Arctic Monkeys.
Drakes music video over is in the rap genre which is about the topics of love in the rappers life and his feeling and emotions. This can be seen in many ways such as through cinematography the camera shots used, a close up is used many times throughout the video especially when he is sitting on his bed. This shows the emotion of the video and the emotions of the artist, and it shows how the whole theme of the song revolves around his feelings and what his life is like. This also connects to the lyrics at the time being about how he is alone at the time. This would make audiences want to listen to him as it is telling them about his past experiences. We can also see the lifestyle of the artist through the camera shots of the video, there is a mid shot used and we can see his bedroom and the clothes he is wearing and again when he is standing up in jeans and a jacket. Mise en scene through iconography is also seen in the video, the brands shown in this video are expensive and shows the lifestyle that the artist has. This will also appeal to the audience as they want to see his lifestyle and replicate it. Finally a high angle is used on Drake when he is sitting at the end of his bed, this puts him in a weak and innocent position which is not normally represented in the rap genre, which normally makes the artist look powerful. This would appeal to the audience as it brings attention to the artist and is different from other rappers and will help the audience take pity on the man as he is in such a vulnerable position. The setting being his bedroom is also a very personal place, he is not in a mansion or in a club like other rappers, he is in his bedroom almost like he is inviting the person into his life. This will bring another sense of pity for the rapper as he seems vulnerable and weak.
We can also see the emotions of the video and how Drakes video conforms to the rap genre, it does this through the editing that is used in the music video, one example is the colour tints used when he is rapping in his bedroom which links to the lyrics that he is rapping at the time. When Drake starts rapping about how emotional and lonely he is the screen turns red and white light starts going around the room and across his face. This is showing his emotions particularly his anger when he is rapping about his past experiences which is often featured in rap videos, this will make his audiences want to watch more of the video as they want to hear what he raps about. Also this is the music and videos linking together with them both being about his emotions towards his life. Finally through editing we can see that when the rap gets more serious with Drake rapping about his emotions when he is standing up the editing gets faster. This shows that the rap has more meaning to the artist and he is angry and lonely due to the speed of the editing , which would be slower if he was calmer. This is a characteristic of the rap genre as rappers often rap about past experiences which are often about emotions and feelings which change the editing speed.
The music video by Flo Rida is Club "cant handle me" is in the dance genre of music. Through cinematography we can see that there are many close ups of the artist in the video. This is because the record label wants to show new audiences who the artist is, and to publicize the artist as much as possible . Furthermore this is used to show the emotions of the artist at the time, which is Flo Rida having a good time in the club. This is typical with dance music which always has people having a good time in the videos. Furthermore there is a low angle used in the video which makes the artist look bigger and more powerful than the other people in the club. This is a characteristic of dance music as they try to make the artist stand out as much as possible, and making the artist seem impressive to the audience. A part of mise en scene is another way that the video has the characteristics of a dance video is that it is set in a club and in a abandoned building, this i again frequently used in videos. This is frequently used as dance music is about having a good time with friends and dancing, and clubs is where this happens. It would be very unconventional if the video was set in a place such as a house or a street as it would not show off the lifestyle in which they want to portray.
The iconography which is a part of mise en scene is also very typical of a dance video, Flo Rida for example wears a big gold chain and a gold watch, furthermore he is drinking expensive champagne and arrives at the club in a Lamborghini. This is to show the lifestyle of the artist and the wealth that he has and how he flaunts it, this could also be used to promote it as a desirable lifestyle to their audience. This is a characteristic of dance videos as being wealthy is seen as a good thing and having a good time is what dance music is centered around. Finally through editing the strobe lighting that is used continually throughout the video, this is a characteristic of the dance genre. This is also used as it makes the scene more relatable for the audiences and creates the sense of realism when watching.
Why do you only call me when your high is a rock song released in 2014 by the Arctic Monkeys in their album AM. The video features the lead singe of the Arctic Monkeys Alex Turner walking home trying to get a reply from a girl. This is different from most of the other Arctic Monkeys songs.
Through iconography there are many thing that can be seen as conventional. There is the main item of a phone which is not usual of a rock, however there was alcohol which is typical of a rock song. This may be relatable to the audience as alcohol is part of every day life for people. The clothing that the artist wears is also very typical of the rock genre , he is wearing a leather jacket with a black t shirt and jeans. This may appeal to the audience as it is another way that they can relate to the artists. The artist also stands out as other people are wearing brighter colour clothes whereas he is dressed in black, this is very typical of the rock genre.Furthermore mise en scene can be seen in the setting in that it is the street and a pub , this is very conventional to the indie rock genre and brings across the lifestyle they want. For example if they were to set it in a expensive hotel it would not have the same rock feeling as a pub, this would also be unrelatable to fans of the Arctic Monkeys.
Editing is also a way that the rock characteristic of the genre can be seen, for example things change in the video such as the clock becoming a smiley face. This could be as he is either drunk or high, which is very typical of the rock genre as the point of the genre is doing whatever the artist wants. The audience may also like this as it changes the normality found in other music videos. Slow editing is used throughout the video however as the song is about a girl not replying and the artist is annoyed and depressed about it however the camera shots constantly change which keeps the audience interested in the video. The lifestyle that is portrayed in this video is one of drink,drugs and girls which creates a lifestyle that the audience wants to replicate whatever the consequences that may occur. However the video does not use expensive locations such as a beach or a mansion, just a normal bar and a road which keeps it relatable to the audience.
Overall I now have a much clearer understanding of the specific conventions of different genres , and what I need to include in my own. My own genre would be indie rock which is most similar to the Arctic monkeys and now I know some of the conventions which I can take inspiration from. Such as using a setting which is relatable to the audience , and having themes of relationships, women ,drugs and alcohol. If I stayed conventional to the genre I could use these things , furthermore I could take inspiration from the surreal things that go on on the video such as the clock going backwards. Furthermore I know how to make my music video different and unconventional to the genre by changing the setting or making the artist wear bright clothes.
Drakes music video over is in the rap genre which is about the topics of love in the rappers life and his feeling and emotions. This can be seen in many ways such as through cinematography the camera shots used, a close up is used many times throughout the video especially when he is sitting on his bed. This shows the emotion of the video and the emotions of the artist, and it shows how the whole theme of the song revolves around his feelings and what his life is like. This also connects to the lyrics at the time being about how he is alone at the time. This would make audiences want to listen to him as it is telling them about his past experiences. We can also see the lifestyle of the artist through the camera shots of the video, there is a mid shot used and we can see his bedroom and the clothes he is wearing and again when he is standing up in jeans and a jacket. Mise en scene through iconography is also seen in the video, the brands shown in this video are expensive and shows the lifestyle that the artist has. This will also appeal to the audience as they want to see his lifestyle and replicate it. Finally a high angle is used on Drake when he is sitting at the end of his bed, this puts him in a weak and innocent position which is not normally represented in the rap genre, which normally makes the artist look powerful. This would appeal to the audience as it brings attention to the artist and is different from other rappers and will help the audience take pity on the man as he is in such a vulnerable position. The setting being his bedroom is also a very personal place, he is not in a mansion or in a club like other rappers, he is in his bedroom almost like he is inviting the person into his life. This will bring another sense of pity for the rapper as he seems vulnerable and weak.
We can also see the emotions of the video and how Drakes video conforms to the rap genre, it does this through the editing that is used in the music video, one example is the colour tints used when he is rapping in his bedroom which links to the lyrics that he is rapping at the time. When Drake starts rapping about how emotional and lonely he is the screen turns red and white light starts going around the room and across his face. This is showing his emotions particularly his anger when he is rapping about his past experiences which is often featured in rap videos, this will make his audiences want to watch more of the video as they want to hear what he raps about. Also this is the music and videos linking together with them both being about his emotions towards his life. Finally through editing we can see that when the rap gets more serious with Drake rapping about his emotions when he is standing up the editing gets faster. This shows that the rap has more meaning to the artist and he is angry and lonely due to the speed of the editing , which would be slower if he was calmer. This is a characteristic of the rap genre as rappers often rap about past experiences which are often about emotions and feelings which change the editing speed.
The music video by Flo Rida is Club "cant handle me" is in the dance genre of music. Through cinematography we can see that there are many close ups of the artist in the video. This is because the record label wants to show new audiences who the artist is, and to publicize the artist as much as possible . Furthermore this is used to show the emotions of the artist at the time, which is Flo Rida having a good time in the club. This is typical with dance music which always has people having a good time in the videos. Furthermore there is a low angle used in the video which makes the artist look bigger and more powerful than the other people in the club. This is a characteristic of dance music as they try to make the artist stand out as much as possible, and making the artist seem impressive to the audience. A part of mise en scene is another way that the video has the characteristics of a dance video is that it is set in a club and in a abandoned building, this i again frequently used in videos. This is frequently used as dance music is about having a good time with friends and dancing, and clubs is where this happens. It would be very unconventional if the video was set in a place such as a house or a street as it would not show off the lifestyle in which they want to portray.
The iconography which is a part of mise en scene is also very typical of a dance video, Flo Rida for example wears a big gold chain and a gold watch, furthermore he is drinking expensive champagne and arrives at the club in a Lamborghini. This is to show the lifestyle of the artist and the wealth that he has and how he flaunts it, this could also be used to promote it as a desirable lifestyle to their audience. This is a characteristic of dance videos as being wealthy is seen as a good thing and having a good time is what dance music is centered around. Finally through editing the strobe lighting that is used continually throughout the video, this is a characteristic of the dance genre. This is also used as it makes the scene more relatable for the audiences and creates the sense of realism when watching.
Why do you only call me when your high is a rock song released in 2014 by the Arctic Monkeys in their album AM. The video features the lead singe of the Arctic Monkeys Alex Turner walking home trying to get a reply from a girl. This is different from most of the other Arctic Monkeys songs.
Editing is also a way that the rock characteristic of the genre can be seen, for example things change in the video such as the clock becoming a smiley face. This could be as he is either drunk or high, which is very typical of the rock genre as the point of the genre is doing whatever the artist wants. The audience may also like this as it changes the normality found in other music videos. Slow editing is used throughout the video however as the song is about a girl not replying and the artist is annoyed and depressed about it however the camera shots constantly change which keeps the audience interested in the video. The lifestyle that is portrayed in this video is one of drink,drugs and girls which creates a lifestyle that the audience wants to replicate whatever the consequences that may occur. However the video does not use expensive locations such as a beach or a mansion, just a normal bar and a road which keeps it relatable to the audience.
Overall I now have a much clearer understanding of the specific conventions of different genres , and what I need to include in my own. My own genre would be indie rock which is most similar to the Arctic monkeys and now I know some of the conventions which I can take inspiration from. Such as using a setting which is relatable to the audience , and having themes of relationships, women ,drugs and alcohol. If I stayed conventional to the genre I could use these things , furthermore I could take inspiration from the surreal things that go on on the video such as the clock going backwards. Furthermore I know how to make my music video different and unconventional to the genre by changing the setting or making the artist wear bright clothes.
This post demonstrates some understanding of how music videos appeal to an audience. You have made a start in identifying three different music genres and explaining the conventions that were included well. However, the points that you have included on the micro elements need to be adapted and explored in further detail, especially the mise-en-scene elements as this is too vague.
ReplyDeleteAlso aim to include still images and a summary to complete this post.
The still images that you have included, helps to support the points that you have made. Your summary, also helps to demonstrate an understanding of the type of music video that you would like to create and this is because you are starting to consider your own product and the various conventions that you would like to include.
ReplyDeleteHowever, you still need to include further points on the mise-en-scene and this is because you have not covered all the five area in enough detail.