Tuesday, 16 September 2014

Analysis of Music Genres- Miss Georgiou

Music videos can appeal to several audiences in a way that entertains them and allows for the audience to have insight to the artist lifestyle. There are different genres to music which means that that each genre of music will differ in their music video. Rap genre will include things such as expensive cars, money and chains, for example. These things may attracts the target audience into watching the video as it may be interest to them and therefore the popularity of the video is widened. On the other hand, dance, for example, will include elements such as flashing lights, dancing and promote a jet-set lifestyle which particular audiences may be attracted to and be be inspired to do. The next genre that differs from these is pop. Pop has conventional characteristics in which the audience may be attracted to. For example, back up dancers, dance routines and a performance based concept.



The first music genre that I will be analysing is Rap with the song Over performed by Drake. Throughout the music video at several points, we are shown two images of the artist, Drake. This is called a two shot. The two shot shows clearly whom the artist is and it creatives a narrative concept as it shows what he is thinking and expresses his emotion. The creative side to this video shows the type of artist that he is and this will build a relationship with the intended audience as they are able to see his emotion and sympathise with him. This is a conventional element in which is seen in the rap genre as the two images we are seen gives the impression to the audience that the artist is the most important and should be the centre of attention. There is also use of a close up within the video that is noticed at the beginning of video when he first looks into the camera. This shows to the audience that he is emotional and that he wants to share his story with the audience and this would therefore build the relationship with the audience. This is because we feel as if that he is talking directly to us. With the use of the close-up, we are able to see the clothing the clothing in which he is wearing which is a basic grey coat and as it seems, a black top. This represents to the audience that he is down to earth and doesn't need expensive clothes to portray his wealth. This subverts the rap genre as the clothing makes him seem humble and one who doesn't care about the money and does his job because he loves to do so. The next element of Drake's music video is the use of fast pace editing in which is used when the backgrounds changed. The fast pace excited the audience as it matches the lyrics and his previous life before fame and leading up to the limelight. This ultimately informs the audience that his life is moving quickly and rapidly and which also establishes his style of music being fast pace and up beat. This is stereotypical of the rap genre as the fast pace editing shows passion and that his life is dramatic. Fading in and out is another editing element that is used when Drake moved to a different location. This helped the audience that the song had developed and and that the artist was explaining another point in his life. This is important as it shows the audience the main point in his life which is conventional as Rap artists like to tell their background story. A typical mise-en-scene element is location and within this video the main location is the bedroom. This is a domestic and everyday setting and makes the song more personal to himself. As this is a relatable setting, this allows for the target audience to relate to him and the song in more detail.





The next genre of music video is Dance with Flo Rida's song Can't Handle Me. Flo Rida is a Rap artist but with the David Guetta feature, this turns it into the dance genre. Throughout the video it is noticed that there is use of fast pace editing. This use of editing is conventional to the dance genre as it represents the beat of the music and resembles the fast pace of the music. Wihtin this video, the fast pace editing represents the lifestyle of the club, and the jet-set lifestyle of Flo Rida. It also matches the people dancing and having fun. This allows for the audience to enjoy what they are seeing and ultimately wish they were doing the same. This builds the relationship with the audience as they will aspire to be like the artist and live the life in which he has. Another editing element seen within the video is a split screen. The left side of the screen shows people having fun and dancing in the club and the right side of the screen shows an empty street at night time. This contrast in setting shown gives the audience a contrast of the artists lifestyle and the average lifestyle outside of the club. Thus, this ultimately makes the audience chose his lifestyle over the average lifestyle as his is presented as more glamorous and much more appealing. This build the relationship between the artist and audience as they want to be like him and aim to achieve his lifestyle which is conventional of this genre as the artist will always want to show off their lifestyle and they way in which they live. There is notice of a zooming in shot, resulting to a close up. When the camera zooms in we are able to see that the artist is stood on a platform with people dancing below him. The platform that he is on shows the importance of himself, it represents that he is more important compared to others and that everyone should focus on him. The close up allows for us to focus on him and what he is doing. Both these camera shots are conventional of the dance/ rap genre as the artist likes to be center of attention and likes to show himself of as more important than the people he is surrounded with. This can make the audience be more intrigued about him and want to find out more. There is also a high angle which is noticed during the club scene. From this angle, is shows everyone as happy and having fun. This follows the dance genre as it shows people dancing and having a good time in which dance music allows people to do. The setting in where the majority of the video is set is in the club which is seen throughout the majority of the video. This element is highly stereotypical of the dance genre as it is where the artist may spend a lot of his time and therefore wants to show off his lifestyle and so, people aspire to be like him.

The next genre is a genre in which I get to chose. I have chosen the pop genre with the song 'Baby I' performed by Ariana Grande. As the video begins we are shown a close up of the artist singing into the camera. This falls into Goodwin's theory as the notion of looking and the frequent request of close ups. The close up in this video allows for the audience to feel as if she is singing to them. As the target audience are teenagers and younger children, the audience feel as if she is singing to them and ultimately builds the relationship with the audience and makes a personal connection between the audience and her. This is stereotypical of the genre as close ups within music videos allow for the relationship to build which this video successfully does. The next cinematography element is the use of a long shot. From this camera angle we are able to see the dancers in the background dancing behind her to the music. This makes the artist seem that she is center of attention and that she is more important than everyone else. This is highly conventional of the pop genre as it creates a happier atmosphere and makes the artist the focus of the video in which she wants to do so people notice her. 



Drake
Flo Rida
Own Choice

1 comment:

  1. This post demonstrates some understanding of how a variety of music videos appeal to an audience. You have started to consider three different genres and have started to analyse the cinematography and editing styles well. But further discussion of the mise-en-scene is needed, to develop your understanding further.

    Your third analysis is a bit weak and this needs to be relooked at. Also aim to include still images, to support the points that you have made. Also you need to include the summary points from the lesson to complete this post.

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