Controversy
Controversy, despite being what it is, is one of the most powerful devices in music video production. The more the better in most cases, as it will gain attention from almost all media outlets as to why they hate it. This instant gain in attention makes views and sales skyrocket. This way of video production has increased in recent years since the invent of YouTube, which has become a new media platform as well as method of income.
As an example, the song "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke was surrounded by controversy in both the video and the song itself. The song is heavily sexist and promotes an inappropriate attitude toward consent, and the video not being much better, with almost completely naked women with three men "goofing" around them.
As an example, the song "Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke was surrounded by controversy in both the video and the song itself. The song is heavily sexist and promotes an inappropriate attitude toward consent, and the video not being much better, with almost completely naked women with three men "goofing" around them.
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Styles and Techniques - Narrative
Narrative music videos are that have a story to it, i.e. a beginning/middle/end. Two examples are Centuries (Fallout Boy) and Emperors New Clothes (Panic! At The Disco). Centuries is about a group of Gladiators, in ancient Rome, that are fighting in an arena against a far superior fighter. It fits well with the lyrics talking about being remembered, as beating this foe would be a far greater achievement than their foe beating them. The viewer is engaged through the tension of whether they will when the fight and if they will break the shackles of enslavement from the higher power (the Roman Emperor). Though it seem that attention would be more drawn to the video, this isn't quite the case, as the fight is synced up well with the beat and lyrics and the song. Emperors New Clothes is different, as it is suggested that the song and video is a continuation from one of his previous productions. Upon dying, he is sent to hell and scrawls around the dark amongst skulls and bones whilst violently transforming into a demon. The video is edited in such a way that it looks to be a continuous shot and is very jumpy, with bones cracking in his body in time with the music. The audience is very well engaged and feels quite tense, with his transformation from innocent to evil being violent and quick leading to some interpretive meaning. More focus will most likely be drawn to the video than the song though, despite the editing fitting very well with the tempo and beat of the song.
Centuries (Fallout Boy) Emperors New Clothes (Panic! At The Disco)
Centuries (Fallout Boy) Emperors New Clothes (Panic! At The Disco)
Styles and Techniques - Parody
Parodies are when the video, using iconography, mimics another person's work. This is done in a comedic way and makes sure to not infringe on any content. People like watching these because the references thy make are quite funny and people like being reminded of the things they are parodying. Two examples are Sabotage (Beastie Boys) and Learn To Fly (Foo Fighters). Sabotage is an almost direct parody of the 1970's crime drama Starsky and Hutch. It doesn't seem to link to the song in any way and doesn't contain any footage of the band playing. There isn't a very clear reason as to why they made the video this way, other than that they though it'd be funny and would make the music sell better due to people liking the reference. Learn To Fly is a parody of the film "Airplane", and is about a flight full of people about to crash and the band save the day. It is pretty much the exact plot for the film and also contains the band members of Tenacious D, Jack Black and Kyle Gass. The reason the video was made they way it was, other than a mickey take of the film, was to gain more notoriety due to how unique it was.
Sabotage (Beastie Boys) Learn To Fly (Foo Fighters)
Sabotage (Beastie Boys) Learn To Fly (Foo Fighters)
Styles and Techniques
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