ADVANCED PORTFOLIO
Music Video Project - A2 Media Studies - Alana, Lauren & Maddie
The Music Industry
The first music video was broadcasted on MTV’s first day August 1st 1981. The first music video aired was ‘video killed the radio star’ by The Buggles. However ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen is generally regarded as the first ‘music video’ in 1975.
How are music videos made?
A music video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are created now with the intention of promoting the sales of their music recording. Music videos use a wide range of styles and contemporary video making techniques, including animation, live action filming, documentaries and non narrative approaches such as an abstract film. Some music videos interpret images and scenes from the lyrics of the song.
A music video is made by the song already pre-recorded in a studio, then while they are filming scenes for the music video they play the song in the background so that the band/artist can act out to the song whilst lip syncing the words, then the song is silenced out and the pre-recorded track is added on top over the filming so you never hear the actual audio from the shoot of the music video.
Where can you find music videos?
The main place where you can find and watch music videos online is YouTube, with over 2 billion subscribers and 100hours of videos being uploaded every minute it is almost impossible to not find a music video that you are looking for on there. Also ‘Vevo’ what is a video hosting service launched in 2009 offers music to be shown on YouTube from two of the big 3 major record labels. These are Universal Music Group (UMG) and Sony Music Entertainment (SME). As Vevo is partnered with YouTube Vevo’s official videos are allowed to be shown on YouTube for everyone to view although they do have their own website where they can be viewed too also.
What are the main companies that show music videos?
The main companies that show music videos are Vevo, YouTube, MTV and Itunes. Mtv are the main company that you would use to watch a music video on TV as they have their own channel which are regularly showing chart music and official previews for new songs that are going to be released soon. Itunes are a company where you can buy music videos that can be downloaded straight on your apple product for example, iPod, iPhone or iPad. Once paid for and downloaded you can view these as many times as you would like wherever you are on the go. If you are looking to just watch the music video for free and not have it saved onto your phone you can use YouTube and/or Vevo where you can search and watch any video you choose.
What is the purpose of music videos?
The main purpose of a music video is to sell the song and invoke a reaction from the audience so it leaves you remembering the song and to also entertain the audience, a music video can show off other talents of the band or artist for example they may also be particularly good at dancing or acting. However the main reaction an artist would want form the audience watching their video is for you to then go out and buy their album, increasing the sales of their albums and therefore making them more popular and increasing their income.