Codes and Conventions Lesson notes

- Bessie Smith 1920's is a good example for one of the first to use a music video to show their single http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Who6fTHJ34

- Bob Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues 1965 is considered to be one of the first modern music videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_ujAXxNxU0

- In 1970, the Record Industry discovers TV shows as a great opportunity to promote their artists. They focus on producing short 'promos'.

- Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody 1975 is considered to be one of the first to use advanced visual effects http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ&ob=av3n

Technical Codes

• Camerawork: How images are sequenced will have a significant impact on meaning, i.e close-up shots predominate and create a sense of intimacy for the viewer.
• Editing: fast cut montages are used for multiple viewing. Others use slow pace etc. to establish mood.

Green/Blue Screen = Chroma-key

Wiley - Money in my pocket. The music video was very different and would have enticed viewers with its sense of reality. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6bNKS8QAjM

Andrew Goodwin wrote in 'Dancing in the Distraction Factory':

1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics.

2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals.

3. There is a relationship between music and visuals.

4. The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work.

5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.

6. There is often intertextual references.

Intertextuality:

- Adverts i.e. Orange http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbtlv2cImxM

- TV shows i.e. Simpsons with reference to politics, film and stars

- Non-fiction i.e. soap storylines as 'News'

• Stylistically: film/TV genre, videogame etc. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5rRZdiu1UE&ob=av2e The Beastie Boys make a parody of a typical police show.
• Theme/Narrative: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwZAYdHcDtU&ob=av2e George Michael wrote this song after he was arrested for indecent exposure in public toilets.
• Content: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CQHIP-38jA Madonna is being 'Marilyn Monroe' in this video, the archetypal Hollywood blonde who gets what she wants.

Questions to consider:

How is the artist being represented?

What evidence is there of input from the record label?