How Music Video Has Changed

 there are 3 different types of music video -

> Performance: when you can see the band/ singer performing, usually involves close-ups and shows power.

> Narrative: fragmented displays of a storyline.

>Concept: ideological power and distinct themes.

1975 - Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody 

This is possibly the earliest music video made, it is a performance style the entire way through, with no hint of storey whatsoever. The close-up shots and the overall performance make it clear that this video was made to promote the band, the video's purpose was to allow fans to watch the video as if it were live. Bands didn't do much touring back then so it would be very difficult to see them live.

1980 - The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star 

This music video also contains performance as well as concept. Close-ups of the band are overlaid onto the background images. This is still to promote the band and their performance, however the conceptual aspects highlight the meaning of the song, and their concern that video will 'kill the radio'. The futurism of the mise en scene further conveys this. 

1984 - Madonna - Material Girl  

This music video is a great example of the distinct change in music videos, it incorporated narrative with performance. Before the song even begins, there's a small scene to begin the narrative - this was something completely new that has continued. The performance includes choreography which matches the music and is highly voyeuristic. The narrative also fits with the lyrics well, about a girl who only likes rich men and ends up with a poor one that she actually loves. 

1999 - Backstreet Boys - I Want It That Way 

This video highlights the rise of the boyband era. The video contains a minor narrative with the airport, but is mostly performance, seen with the close-ups of the singers and the matching choreography. This is done to promote the band and to please fans, in this era of music, fans all loved members of these boybands and obsessed over them. Therefore, videos showed close-ups for girls to go crazy over. 

2009 - Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé - Telephone

This video starts with a fairly long scene for a music video, the music doesn't start until almost 3 minutes into the video, there are a few short scenes like this throughout the video. Other parts of the video contain both performance and concept. It is extremely voyeuristic to attract certain audiences, and the choreography matches the music well. The video also contains intertextuality, with allusions to Kill Bill, Michael Jackson and Thelma & Louise. Their car in the video is the 'Pussy Wagon' from Kill Bill, Beyoncé wears shoulder pads like Michael Jackson and they do the 'Thriller' dance, and at the end they drive away from the police while holding hands like Thelma & Louise. 

Half-term Photography Work

Close up shots show details and emotion in the face, this closeup shot is not very serious as you can see by the pose and it has social, cultural context being satirical of teenage boys who do that pose - unironically - as a means of flirting. 

Medium shots are good at showing facial expressions with posture and actions, this shot shows a smiling girl with her hand playing with her hair, giving an element of playful movement. This also showing some of the background, it was taken under a bridge where you can see dark colours and graffiti, which contrasts the models bright clothing and smile.

Longshots show the whole person in the frame which reveals much more than a medium shot. This longshot depicts movement as the model is crouching on a ledge with her arms outstretched, it shows childish and fun behaviour with the big smile - the arms suggest that she's about to fall and is trying to keep her balanced. This also has social context around the graffiti and dirty area.