Monday 29 September 2014

Researching early music video's

When researching the history of music videos I found that early music videos where called promotional films. MTV was a large part in the development in music videos it emphasised the importance of music videos in the 1980’s, promotional films where often films of gigs. The first music video that premiered on MTV was;
The Buggles; ‘Video killed the radio star’:


David Bowie “Ashes to Ashes” ; 


This was aired in 1981 creating the beginning of the 24 hour music television.
The development of music videos after MTV moved onto BBC’S Top of the Pops which began playing music videos in the late 1970’s. The iconic music video of “Ashes to Ashes” allowed David Bowie scored number 1 in 1980.

Michael Jackson’s "Thriller" ;

One of the most significant music videos/promotional films was Michael Jackson’s thriller; this eared in 1983 costing a total of $500,000 lasting approximately 12-14 minutes, directed by John Landis,  this self aware horror,music video consisted of 3 levels of diegies;
1. Film within a film
2. Normal world
3. Dreaming
 This has become a popular aspect to music videos allowing narrative within them.
Throughout the video there are various uses of cinematography, with close ups, medium close ups and long shots; The use of make-up and costume upon the cast to make them look like "zombies" helps to build upon the diegises, the use of the typical boy meets girl (The linearity of cause and effect within the overall trajectory of enigma resolution)

The Beatles - Hard Days Night (1964) 

This music video uses various aspects of cinematography such as close ups of feet running matching to the beat of the song, enabling the intensity of the chase to draw in the attention of the audience. The use of tilts to show the girls within the video enable the audience to understand the emotion upon the girls faces, expressing the passion towards the Beatles.
When watching the video there are various cut aways and shot reverse shots which allow the audience to understand the intensity of the running and hiding in which the Beatles must overcome daily. The basis of the song is the fact that the Beatles are tired, this is showing their everyday life and struggles with escaping from girls and their fans.






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