Steve Archer How to study a music video

Steve suggests five essential criteria which should give you necessary help so
that you can evaluate you music theory. Steve Archer and Pete Fraser then
together presented their top five best music videos.
Five important things to look for;
Step 1 - Thought Beats- or seeing the sound in your head. The basis of
visualising images which have come from a psychological process called
synaesthesia this is where you picture sounds in your minds eye.
You then need to ensure that you start your music video the best way possible
suited to the song. The lyrics need to be introduced with a general feeling or
mood. It is also key to create a subject matter.
Step 2 Narrative and performance
the song rarely tell complete narratives. The fuzz in songs is used to tell stories
in the music video which represents songs meanings. Which can unfold some
sort of drama.
Another important reason why a music video should avoid classic relist narrative
is because it is their role to advertise. Within a music video there needs to be
repeatability. Also presenting a cut between a narrative and a performance to
show the band/artist.
Step 3 The star image
the music industry relies on big named artists to fund activities. However about
only one in ten acts put by the industry actually makes any money. Metanarrative is a team that describes the development of the star image.
Step 4 Three ways in which the music video relate visuals to the song.
Identifying three ways in which the music video works to support or promote the
song. These are illustration, amplification and disjuncture. These are useful as
they generalise the effects of individual music videos.
Illustration means analysing the meanings of the lyrics and genre. Amplification
is the mark of a true music video auteur and the director artist. Disjuncture is a
term used to describe those music videos that seem to work by ignoring the
original song and creating a whole new meaning.
Step 5 Technical aspects of the music video
1.Speed, is visualised by the movement of the camera, fast paced editing
(montage) and digital effects. Camera movements include motivational
movement from walking, dancing or running. Fast cutting and montage editing is
used to visualise decentred experience necessary for music video consumptions.
2. Meat The meat of the music video basically means the cut to the close-up of
the singers face.
3. Beat This will be used to represent the music through the cut to go with the
beat or rhythm of the song.
4. Lighting and colour
5. Mise-en-scene The main settings for the video to guarantee the authenticity
of the video.
Averts or art are used to help get the artist image and music out in the world but
it is also for good promotionally benefits to help get more viewers and sell more

records.

Andrew Goodwins six feature of a music video

He simply points out characteristics and features which can be found in music
videos.
1. Representation of genre characteristics. For example stage performance in
metal videos.
2. The relationship between the lyrics and visuals. Alongside the lyrics are
images to help represent. (E.g. illustrative, amplifying or contradicting).
3. The relationship between the music and visuals. By the tone and atmosphere
of the visuals reflect on the music. Again using the example of, illustrative,
amplifying or contradicting.
4. Demands of the record label including the need for lots of close ups of the
artists and the artists they may develop motifs which could be included with
their work.
5. Frequency reference of the screen within screens, mirrors, stages etc.
Particularly voyeuristic treatment of females bodies.
6. Often intertextual references to films, TV programmes and other music videos.