The document analyzes and summarizes three previous student music videos. The first video used a narrative style to switch between performance and storytelling, keeping audience attention. Props like makeup amplified the lyrics. The second followed a similar narrative style and had strong performance and story aspects. Framing, camera work, and locations gave it a professional feel, though the ending had a minor prop inaccuracy. The third was all performance-based, with quick cuts building momentum, though locations and costumes were repetitive. Lessons for the author's own video included paying attention to narrative, performance, detail, and variety of locations.
1. Analysis of previous students A2 work
Firstly, I analysed a music video that was created by Rebecca Smith. Even though her genre
of music video is not the same as mine, I can relate to the narrative style as this is a similar
style which I wish to include in my music video. I feel that the narrative and performance in
the video we very easy to distinguish from each other and the constant switching to and
from the performance back to the narrative kept the audience attention and prevented
them from getting bored. The variation of framing and shot types also put the audience into
different perspectives, for example the extreme close up on the girl applying her lipsticks,
places the audience in an ‘up and personal’ position, making them feel incorporated in the
narrative. Not only this, I feel the props used in the music video were very successful, i.e.
the makeup used in the narrative. Following Andrew Goodwin’s theory, the visuals
amplify/illustrate the lyrics, with the lyrics ‘teenage hormones, young complexion’ being
played over a visual of the girl, who appears to look like a young adult, applying makeup to
her skin, to possibly make her look older. This can then confirm the lyrics ‘Do you want a
boyfriend?’ which is illustrated by the shots of the young girl applying red lipstick to her lips,
connoting lust and love. I feel that all these aspects are what makes the video a great
success and I personally want to keep in mind how she has kept the narrative short and
sharp, allowing the message of the song to be portrayed successfully.
Next, I looked at Faisal Choudhry’s music video, who is also a previous student. Again,
the genre of his music video is completely different to mine, but it follows the narrative style
that I aim to have in my music video. Both narrative and performance were both strong,
with the narrative consisting of a heartfelt, emotion provoking story of a young girl
preparing for her dad to come home from the army. However, I feel that without the
performance aspect, the video would not have been as strong, and would have lost the
audience’s attention quite quickly. Furthermore, this has highlighted to me that having both
narrative and performance aspects in my music video is quite important, and if done well
like in this music video it can be successful. Not only this I feel that the use of framing and
camera work i.e. shot types and movement fabricates a professional feel; with the locations
also being an advance to the music video. For example the urban locations tie in with the
urban/rap genre of the song. (Goodwins theory – Visuals illustrate the lyrics). The only
weakness about this music video can be found right at the end of the music video; when the
two army personnel arrive at the little girl’s home to inform her that her father has died
whilst at war. The two men are dressed in American Army uniform, when they are supposed
to be officers from the British army. This miniscule weakness has made me think about how
being specific with props is quite key, and that I should pay attention to detail when filming.
Lastly, I analysed Jordon Monckton’s music video to Rihanna song ‘We found love’,
which was all performance based. The genre of this music video is of similar nature to the
2. genre of my song. I feel that the performance by the girl in the music video was very
persuasive and it genuinely did look like that she was singing the song due to the energy she
was putting into her acting, therefore making the video credible and professional. As well as
this I feel that the use of quick cuts that cut in time to the music (when there are no lyrics
being sung) are great as it portrays the fast pace nature of the song to the audience,
building momentum. However, I do feel that the party/dance nature of the song could be
portrayed a little more, for example she could of included shots of the main performer with
a group of her friends at a party or club, jumping and dancing around to the song.
Moreover, I feel that the locations and the costumes used were quite repetitive and could
be varied a lot more. This is something that I am going to take on board when filming my
music video, as I feel that location is just one of the key aspectsin a music video that helps
keep the audience’s attention.