ANALYSING MUSIC VIDEOS

Today we looked at three examples of narrative / performance music videos and identified common elements:

1. Busted 'What I Go To School For'
2. Wheatus 'Teenage Dirtbag'
3. She + Him 'In The Sun'
4. Britney Spears 'Baby One More Time'

The common elements included generic signifiers such as dancing, gestures, instruments, performance, lip synching, use of close-ups, stylised gestures.

The format provides pleasure for the audience through close contact with the stars / performers, recognition of their style, reassurance about their musical ability, familiarity with the treatment, intertextuality.

Music video is very different from film as it is NOT primarily a narrative treatment but a more fluid and open-ended approach allowing a more idiosyncratic and elliptical style.