Genre Representations - Electric/Drum and Bass

• These music videos usually feature crowds and concerts - to show the reaction that their music has on their audience.
• Fast paced editing is a common factor in this genres videos, and although the videos rarely feature a narrative (with some exceptions) the editing and location (concerts) keep the audience interested.
• These videos are usually performance based, with little to no narrative, and feature the artist with their music equipment and therefore showcasing their talents as a DJ.
• A good example of a drum and bass music video with crowds is Daydreamer - Flux Pavillion ft Example

• An example of a drum and bass music video with a narrative is Crush - Pendulum

The Technical Codes in Music Videos - Lighting

• Lighting is an important aspect of any music video and can make the audience feel different things. For example, naturalistic lighting may help the audience to connect to the music video, because the lighting isn't considered 'out there' and unrealistic.
• Lighting can portray different moods among the audience, or how the artist is feeling. This can link to the lyrics, the speed of the song or the location that the video is set in. Artifical lighting is also used to achieve a desired effect, or used for creative flair.

• The lighting in Disturbia by Rihanna is always dark. This is reflected in the lyrics of the song and the link to mental illnesses. This music video really stands out from Rihanna's other videos, where she is over sexualised and seems very 'pop' genre. The lighting really brings out the darker elements of the video, making everything seem shrouded in mystery and shadow.
• The colour of the music video seems to have been darkened at every possible opportunity, with no bright colours and nothing to stand out ultimately - all colours are grey, black and an orange hue.
• The music video as a whole is represented as dark not only through her lyrics and the editing techniques, but literally dark in reference to the lighting. The audience will be intrigued by this because of how different it is to her other music videos - and so because of that, this video is a success.

The Technical Codes in Music Videos - Editing

• The pace of editing can determine what genre and what speed the song is. Fast pace editing usually follows a faster paced song, and slower pace is usually a slower song. For example, fast editing can create excitement and suspense for the audience and will keep them interested in the music video. The editing can also emphasise the beat or the lyrics of the song.
• Frequently used in narrative based videos is the shot-reverse-shot, usually to follow conversation or to follow the emotions of the characters and the lyrics of the song.
• Fades, dissolves and straight cuts are the most commonly used editing techniques in music videos. Fades and dissolves aren't as frequent in the modern day music video industry, but are still used for stylistic effect or as a brand of an artist.
• A shot can also be reversed for stylistic effect, such as playing it forward and then rewinding in backwards again - or simply rewinding it and never playing it forward.

• We Disappear - Jon Hopkins ft Lulu James is a music video that has very intricate editing that fits in time with the song itself. The song has varying speeds; such as when 'the beat drops' the editing pace quickens, and when in the verses it slows again. This technique is used to keep the audience calm while the song is, and then when the song quickens and becomes exciting the editing is supposed to transmit that into the audience as well.
• The rewinding of shots is definitely used for stylistic effect in this music video. The forward play and then rewinding really shows the artistic flair of the artist and the song; this technique is very modern and isn't used very often - because if not done to absolute perfection the video would not have the desired effect on the audience and therefore the video wouldn't prove successful.
• The video is full of straight cuts and doesn't have any dissolves or fades, although this is not uncommon amongst modern day music videos and so cannot be judged because of it. 

The Technical Codes in Music Videos - Mise en Scene

• Mise en scene in music videos can range from outfits to make up and hair styles to the use of props. It also features the use of lighting and location. These different aspects of mise en scene can contribute to how the artist is represented and perceived by the audience - and it can give the audience an idea about what genre this artist and song is in.
• The colour of the music video can also be accounted as mise en scene; for example, if a video is in full colour (Taylor Swift - 22), black and white/monochrome (The 1975 - Chocolate) or with a tint of another colour (Britney Spears - Gimme More).

• The use of mise en scene in the song All The Small Things - Blink 182 is very effective to the humorous video that they were after. The video itself is in full colour, but the use of props and costume is very evident in this video. The costumes that are worn by the band members are featured in other pop videos that were fashionable at the time - for example, The Backstreet Boys. The costumes where they are themselves feature band t-shirts and jeans, giving a more casual effect (a normal effect). 
• Props were also used in this video, props can make a video seem more realistic to the audience if it's something that they recognise, and so they may enjoy the video more due to the familiarity. Or the prop in question may be something from another well known music video - in this particular video (All The Small Things - Blink 182) a telescope is used, and a similar telescope is also seen in one of Britney Spears' music videos.
• The location that is used in this music video varies along with the costume changes - they're in a bathroom, an airplane hanger, the beach and a rehearsal room (where they are simply themselves). This mise en scene will keep the audience interested in the video because the changing location will give them something newer to watch and keep their interest piqued.

The Technical Codes in Music Videos - Camera Movement

• The movement of the camera is used to track the artist, usually whilst they perform but can also be used to follow them in a narrative. The most commonly used camera movements in music videos are pans, tilts and tracking shots. All these allow performance elements, as well as appreciating the surroundings and the outfits of the artist.

• Single Ladies by Beyonce is a good example of tracking shots. The whole video tracks Beyonce and two backing dancers in a white room, doing a dance routine for the whole length of the song therefore the whole length of the music video. To stand out, Beyonce has a one shouldered black leotard and a metal glove that she wears throughout the video, as well as always being in the middle of the three dancers and therefore holding all the attention.
• Beyonce also lip sings in the video, and the camera tracking allows the audience to see that she always sings throughout the whole video. This can add to her performance element of the video. Her dancing and the dancing of the other two dancers are greatly emphasised through the lack of noticeable editing - it seems as though the whole video was filmed in one take.

The Technical Codes in Music Videos - Camera Shots

• Camera shots are used for different effects in music videos; they're used so the audience can see an outfit or landscape, or used to allow the audience to relate to what is happening in the music video. This can also be done through the lyrics, where the audience can relate to what the artist is going through or feeling.
• The three most commonly used shots are long shot, mid shot and close up. All these provide different effects and give off different vibes to the audience - whilst still being simple and easy to create. Long shots are used to show surroundings or the clothing that the artist is wearing; mid shots are used to create emphasis on the artist themselves and close ups are used to portray emotion or to show the artist lip syncing to the song up close - making the audience feel more involved with the video.

 

• The varied camera shots used in this music video set the location - although with the pink lighting, smoke, Victorian lampost and New York style fire escape it gives the surroundings a timeless feeling - where she can't be placed into one space or time period and so the video can be considered 'fresh' for a long time, because it's not filled with modern day criteria.
• The close ups and extreme close ups let the audience see the extensive detail that has gone into her make up, with the dark and angular eye liner in particular. They also allow for her to be seen singing up close and to the camera - this will make the audience feel more involved with the video and will also allow the focus to remain on her.
• The use of medium shots are mainly used to show off her dancing talents and her outfit - although they are occasionally used to present the surroundings to those watching the video. Medium shots also allow for the audience to see her expressing herself through the lyrics of the song in time with the beat and the video editing.

Love on Top - Beyonce ; Analysis

 

Beyonce is well known for her fashion statements, such as in Crazy in Love with the orange dress, and the black leotard in Single Ladies. This is reflected in this video as well, with her outfits being current and good looking. They all emphasise her assets but not so much that it's the only thing the camera focuses on - this is appreciated by the audience as Beyonce has a lot of younger fans too.

In Love on Top, Beyonce is represented as very happy and joyous - this is shown through her facial expression which is emphasised through the close up camera shots on her face. The dance as well is very bouncy with big movements, this connotes that she is carefree and happy in this moment - this will hopefully transmit into the audience as well, making them listen to this song when they want to feel happy and excited.

The camera makes a note of Beyonce's outfits as well, where they give a full body shot (long shot) to show the full outfit to the audience - this way her fashion expertise is recognised and the audience will recognise her for it. All the outfits are very current and 'in' - this suggests that she is on top of the latest fashion and therefore can be seen as a fashion icon or inspiration. This focus on her and her clothing can suggest she is successful as an artist (with her singing and dancing talent) and successful in the fashion industry as well (with the focus on her clothing changes).

Links to Beyonce's past videos can also show her fashion and artist recognition and success. For example, in Beautiful Liar ft Shakira both artists show their talents for dancing and singing - it is very popular for successful female artists to be skillful in both areas - and their dark outfits are easy to move around in and still show off their assets (their toned bodies and curves).
Beyonce's more recent release Drunk in Love shows not only her talents as an artist, but also as a woman. Beyonce has been renowned for becoming famous through little over the top sexualisation, until her newest album. In Drunk in Love she rolls around on the beach and wears her wet clothing whilst she dances - this sexualises her in ways that were very subtle in her previous videos - this has given her a new audience and yet she still keeps her original one by the talent from the music itself. The video is in black and white and this represents her as mysterious and seductive - something she hasn't emphasised before.