Over the years the idea of music videos and the convention of them has moved on massively. There importance in the industry has become more vital in order to represent them, advertise and alternate ways to get recognition. So much that if you consider that 50 years ago a music video was extremely optimistic, and now just 50 years later every charted song, you expect to see a video of some representation for them. They of course need directors and actors and this has enabled major responsibilities and roles for the crew, this of course is all paid for by a budget given that will maximise the recognition the video can give. A music video can massively effect the impact of a song, a good one will be remembered for a very long time, give the artist more advertising so songs will be downloaded. All eventually resulting in money, and lots of it....
There are many purposes of a music video, they all revolve around the main headline which is to promote the artist/band and give them more recognition for the song and the future. To promote it the music video will usually contain the artist, not all the time, but predominantly it will have the artist in the video to help promote them so the viewer sees there faces. In ones that don't necessarily use the artist or band in the song, they will use generally use either actors to portray a story, or other times such as Star Guitar - Chemical Brothers, they will have immensely wacky and impressive ideas. For the Chemical Brothers one, Michel Gondry uses a general trip on a train bus incredibly he has edited so everything you see on the outside represents a part of a instrument.
HISTORY OF MUSIC VIDEO
However all this would have never come about if the idea of a music video hadn't come up in the early 60's when it first came to prominence (Despite the first recognised video being "Jail house rock by Elvis himself) bands like The Beatles The Rolling Stones, realised the idea they could use a video to represent the song, and as the equipment to do this was although limited available they had one done. The other major plus was they could use this to represent the song on TV programmes or other areas, before the only way they could promote the song was to go and perform it everywhere, this would become incredibly tiresome, but now for example; The Beatles could just play there music video to an audience to play the song, meaning saving travel and energy. The recognition of the band and the appeal could grow further without them having to be there. A simple but very worthwhile idea. So they could go on shows and wouldn't need to perform the song. Shows that in the 70's would become top of the pops.
The first place they were being portrayed was the first ever visual Jukebox in which country French singers played videos with music and put them on, so you could say this is where it originated on screen. First famous video was a "hard day's night" by 'The Beatles' it was shot in black and white such was the budget and featured back then revelation exciting shots of the band and people, with interesting camera angles.
Going into the 70's as the idea of a music video became more popular and it was working, the idea went to new extremes. They became more creative using effects and used better cinematography. It became more popular that all the best songs had music videos, and they became more relevant to the song and the band or Artist. Big 70's acts such as The Jackson 5, Queen, ABBA, Roxy music etc... were all getting in on the act and finding they could get publicity from a video. Locations became more extreme, and all the while as video's were going on the ideas were competing after each idea. Videos were now being shown on TV shows such as top of the pops, another way of recognition for the band. Music videos were fast becoming the latest phenomenon in the world of music every artist was using it and the effects of using one were majorly paying off. Nearly everyone even if they weren't born has seen the Jackson 5 with little Michael Jackson performing "I want you back" This has become an iconic video, this was performed in the 70's, portraying how quickly in just a matter of years how far it had progressed. If there was just a song with no musical video content, would the song have become as famous? The answer i think is definitely no. This proves the effect of the music video even just 10 years after it's big conception. Other videos that are recognizable from back then is Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody, often mistaken as the first ever music video and one of the most famous ever. It was shot all on video tape and premiered on top of the pops in 1975. Yet again illustrating the coming of the music video. As the 70's started TV shows were definitely the place to put the videos, they made the performer(s) more visually attractive to the audience. As the 80's approached so did the mainstream the videos and more music videos. Not just music videos were used but promotional videos were used, to do what they say on the tin really promote them, the masters of this were ABBA who used the most successful one's. All these were portrayed on TV. Media companies such as the biggest in the UK BBC were taking music videos under there wing, and using them to put on there stations. This is another point that shows how far it has come in 10 years. In the early 60's it was a one off you found a music video and the idea was still being conducted. But yet just 10 years later massive companies were investing into it. Music was going through a huge Transition...
Onto the 80's and by now the music video was getting to be an established part of most hit songs, they were moving onto using effects and music channels such as Australian one Countdown were being brought on. Music videos and music itself was going mainstream, it was now getting to be all about money and fame. The biggest ever music channel MTV was first aired in 1981 this would go on to be one of the main outlets for artists success. The first song they played was ironically "video killed the radio star" by ' The Buggles. As the rise of the video came as did the equipment that could be used. Bands like Adam and the ants and solo artists such as Madonna owed a lot to this new found equipment that could be used. There's like many other became the first of the seductive videos, and before as they were just to represent the song. Artist were using this to promote themselves. This on the other hand went against some people's beliefs that it wasn't music anymore, simply anyone rich enough could make a seductive video put it on MTV and have instant success and it wasn't about talent. Hence why The Buggles made the song video killed the radio star, group member Terry Horn said "it was an end of an era that needed to be illustrated".
As the decade went on so did the style of the video, it was now getting quick and easy to make a video with the supplies on offer for the user. And basically every big song had some form of a video. As this was happening parallel to this was the introduction of new more sophisticated effects such as mixing the video or adding a narrative and a story-line to the video. They were no longer there as an experiment and a bit of fun it was now a big and established part of the music video. Special effects such as editing the lights and using speed difference to make it look a bit abnormal. This is used all the time now, but Peter Gabriel with his song Sledgehammer, was the first recognizable and one no less than 8 MTV music awards for it. Videos were all over the place as they were being made quick and easily, this was until the most iconic and influential music video ever was made. In 1983 Michael Jackson made the song Thriller with a view to shake and change the music world he did that with a 14 minute video showing himself as a monster/zombie, on of the most eye catching videos ever and known worldwide, it was banned by some music channels until before 9 because of the scariness of the video. The video itself set massive new standards for the cost, and Jackson's team spent an unheard of, a massive US$500,000 to film it. It was a risk because if the video had not been a success they would've lost out on money big time, however it did and the rest of the success for the video and M.J himself is history, and this shook the world of music and gave it a whole new dimension, and money spent on videos shot up. Just heading into the 90's music channels especially MTV were massive just a decade or so after it's conception MTV now had 3 American channel, a European one, an Asian one. And it's own very popular award show. Now everyone in the world was getting a taste for the music video and it was now very much part of the furniture in the music industries house. During the 80's it was mainly the British acts that first caught on to all of the music video trend, hence giving them more fame and recognition, and then allowing the "Brit Invasion" of the US charts.
So then 90's came about and with it so did the Directors, they were seeing music video as a way to develop there careers thorough music videos. Established and well known names in the music industry such as Gondry, Williams and Jonze were making music videos to promote there respective artists. the artists would use them as they could get the best shots and video types to best promote them. So it worked for both parties.
Following on from Thriller, naturally the cost to make music videos was going up and up, but still the king of pop held the record with his sister Janet. There song "scream" still remains the most expensive video ever made at 7 million dollars, because the equipment at there disposal was not up to the scratch it is now and they paid over the limit to get the best out of it. This was closely followed by the Queen of pop Madonna when she made 'Bedtime Story' for 5 million dollars.
As this was happening yet more Music channels were being made, MTV announcing up to 7 more channels and were now becoming the main outlet for any global artist. As a new Millennium began so did a whole new generation of music.
Into 2000 and music videos were being used to promote left right and centre, and now it was being played on many other platforms. Gone were the days where music videos could only be seen on TV channels. With the Internet coming in and users seeing opportunities to set up sites that could enable the user of there site to have exclusive access to a video. Naturally loads of people used it. Sites like Napster were set up, this is a file sharing site that could be used so that files of music videos could be passed to one and other for free at any time anywhere. This naturally meant many More people had access to music videos and publicity was becoming massive for the artist on the video. Then in 2005 the massive break through for every music artist and for the world. YouTube was founded, this was a site that allowed a video of more or less any kind to be uploaded, obviously the music business jumped on it and music videos were loaded up everywhere, to give publicity, and to make the viewer know about the song and give it essentially chart sauces leading to more money.
However so amazing YouTube was for the music industry, it wasn't just known artists that used it to promote there songs, as any video could be uploaded on it amateur artists put there videos of them singing or performing on there in the chance it gets noticed or gets lots of views, this way word of mouth gets round about them and they can get views publicity and on rare occasions even approached by a company for a contract. Artists such as Soulja Boy (Now a big hip hop star) His first song (Crank DAT) was released in 2007 however got very little recognition, he then made a video of it with a dance, and it became a massive song reaching Number 1 in 8 out of the 10 major charts. This shows the success one website in this day and age can bring someone. Some see YouTube as a brilliant way of free advertising and allowing every person who has talent a shot at doing something with it. However others see it as bad mainly the labels who would have made the video for a very high amount of money only for it to be watched everywhere for free. Also with a site like YouTube any video can be posted it is very easy for a video to be leaked early, this can damage the reputation of the music industry. It has mixed reviews, but the fact it has made the music video industry bigger is of no doubt. MTV is still expanding all the time and even at the moment is setting records, and its awards remain prestigious every year.
At the moment music videos are everywhere and can be watched anywhere at any time for free, still for the same reason to give publicity and recognition of the artist. In 40 years it has seen the development of it to it becoming a competition to get awards and the best video. It is almost now 50% of the package a good video to develop and help the song improve it's popularity. Essentially this is what it is all about more popularity more money.
There are many purposes of a music video, they all revolve around the main headline which is to promote the artist/band and give them more recognition for the song and the future. To promote it the music video will usually contain the artist, not all the time, but predominantly it will have the artist in the video to help promote them so the viewer sees there faces. In ones that don't necessarily use the artist or band in the song, they will use generally use either actors to portray a story, or other times such as Star Guitar - Chemical Brothers, they will have immensely wacky and impressive ideas. For the Chemical Brothers one, Michel Gondry uses a general trip on a train bus incredibly he has edited so everything you see on the outside represents a part of a instrument.
HISTORY OF MUSIC VIDEO
However all this would have never come about if the idea of a music video hadn't come up in the early 60's when it first came to prominence (Despite the first recognised video being "Jail house rock by Elvis himself) bands like The Beatles The Rolling Stones, realised the idea they could use a video to represent the song, and as the equipment to do this was although limited available they had one done. The other major plus was they could use this to represent the song on TV programmes or other areas, before the only way they could promote the song was to go and perform it everywhere, this would become incredibly tiresome, but now for example; The Beatles could just play there music video to an audience to play the song, meaning saving travel and energy. The recognition of the band and the appeal could grow further without them having to be there. A simple but very worthwhile idea. So they could go on shows and wouldn't need to perform the song. Shows that in the 70's would become top of the pops.
The first place they were being portrayed was the first ever visual Jukebox in which country French singers played videos with music and put them on, so you could say this is where it originated on screen. First famous video was a "hard day's night" by 'The Beatles' it was shot in black and white such was the budget and featured back then revelation exciting shots of the band and people, with interesting camera angles.
Going into the 70's as the idea of a music video became more popular and it was working, the idea went to new extremes. They became more creative using effects and used better cinematography. It became more popular that all the best songs had music videos, and they became more relevant to the song and the band or Artist. Big 70's acts such as The Jackson 5, Queen, ABBA, Roxy music etc... were all getting in on the act and finding they could get publicity from a video. Locations became more extreme, and all the while as video's were going on the ideas were competing after each idea. Videos were now being shown on TV shows such as top of the pops, another way of recognition for the band. Music videos were fast becoming the latest phenomenon in the world of music every artist was using it and the effects of using one were majorly paying off. Nearly everyone even if they weren't born has seen the Jackson 5 with little Michael Jackson performing "I want you back" This has become an iconic video, this was performed in the 70's, portraying how quickly in just a matter of years how far it had progressed. If there was just a song with no musical video content, would the song have become as famous? The answer i think is definitely no. This proves the effect of the music video even just 10 years after it's big conception. Other videos that are recognizable from back then is Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody, often mistaken as the first ever music video and one of the most famous ever. It was shot all on video tape and premiered on top of the pops in 1975. Yet again illustrating the coming of the music video. As the 70's started TV shows were definitely the place to put the videos, they made the performer(s) more visually attractive to the audience. As the 80's approached so did the mainstream the videos and more music videos. Not just music videos were used but promotional videos were used, to do what they say on the tin really promote them, the masters of this were ABBA who used the most successful one's. All these were portrayed on TV. Media companies such as the biggest in the UK BBC were taking music videos under there wing, and using them to put on there stations. This is another point that shows how far it has come in 10 years. In the early 60's it was a one off you found a music video and the idea was still being conducted. But yet just 10 years later massive companies were investing into it. Music was going through a huge Transition...
Onto the 80's and by now the music video was getting to be an established part of most hit songs, they were moving onto using effects and music channels such as Australian one Countdown were being brought on. Music videos and music itself was going mainstream, it was now getting to be all about money and fame. The biggest ever music channel MTV was first aired in 1981 this would go on to be one of the main outlets for artists success. The first song they played was ironically "video killed the radio star" by ' The Buggles. As the rise of the video came as did the equipment that could be used. Bands like Adam and the ants and solo artists such as Madonna owed a lot to this new found equipment that could be used. There's like many other became the first of the seductive videos, and before as they were just to represent the song. Artist were using this to promote themselves. This on the other hand went against some people's beliefs that it wasn't music anymore, simply anyone rich enough could make a seductive video put it on MTV and have instant success and it wasn't about talent. Hence why The Buggles made the song video killed the radio star, group member Terry Horn said "it was an end of an era that needed to be illustrated".
As the decade went on so did the style of the video, it was now getting quick and easy to make a video with the supplies on offer for the user. And basically every big song had some form of a video. As this was happening parallel to this was the introduction of new more sophisticated effects such as mixing the video or adding a narrative and a story-line to the video. They were no longer there as an experiment and a bit of fun it was now a big and established part of the music video. Special effects such as editing the lights and using speed difference to make it look a bit abnormal. This is used all the time now, but Peter Gabriel with his song Sledgehammer, was the first recognizable and one no less than 8 MTV music awards for it. Videos were all over the place as they were being made quick and easily, this was until the most iconic and influential music video ever was made. In 1983 Michael Jackson made the song Thriller with a view to shake and change the music world he did that with a 14 minute video showing himself as a monster/zombie, on of the most eye catching videos ever and known worldwide, it was banned by some music channels until before 9 because of the scariness of the video. The video itself set massive new standards for the cost, and Jackson's team spent an unheard of, a massive US$500,000 to film it. It was a risk because if the video had not been a success they would've lost out on money big time, however it did and the rest of the success for the video and M.J himself is history, and this shook the world of music and gave it a whole new dimension, and money spent on videos shot up. Just heading into the 90's music channels especially MTV were massive just a decade or so after it's conception MTV now had 3 American channel, a European one, an Asian one. And it's own very popular award show. Now everyone in the world was getting a taste for the music video and it was now very much part of the furniture in the music industries house. During the 80's it was mainly the British acts that first caught on to all of the music video trend, hence giving them more fame and recognition, and then allowing the "Brit Invasion" of the US charts.
So then 90's came about and with it so did the Directors, they were seeing music video as a way to develop there careers thorough music videos. Established and well known names in the music industry such as Gondry, Williams and Jonze were making music videos to promote there respective artists. the artists would use them as they could get the best shots and video types to best promote them. So it worked for both parties.
Following on from Thriller, naturally the cost to make music videos was going up and up, but still the king of pop held the record with his sister Janet. There song "scream" still remains the most expensive video ever made at 7 million dollars, because the equipment at there disposal was not up to the scratch it is now and they paid over the limit to get the best out of it. This was closely followed by the Queen of pop Madonna when she made 'Bedtime Story' for 5 million dollars.
As this was happening yet more Music channels were being made, MTV announcing up to 7 more channels and were now becoming the main outlet for any global artist. As a new Millennium began so did a whole new generation of music.
Into 2000 and music videos were being used to promote left right and centre, and now it was being played on many other platforms. Gone were the days where music videos could only be seen on TV channels. With the Internet coming in and users seeing opportunities to set up sites that could enable the user of there site to have exclusive access to a video. Naturally loads of people used it. Sites like Napster were set up, this is a file sharing site that could be used so that files of music videos could be passed to one and other for free at any time anywhere. This naturally meant many More people had access to music videos and publicity was becoming massive for the artist on the video. Then in 2005 the massive break through for every music artist and for the world. YouTube was founded, this was a site that allowed a video of more or less any kind to be uploaded, obviously the music business jumped on it and music videos were loaded up everywhere, to give publicity, and to make the viewer know about the song and give it essentially chart sauces leading to more money.
However so amazing YouTube was for the music industry, it wasn't just known artists that used it to promote there songs, as any video could be uploaded on it amateur artists put there videos of them singing or performing on there in the chance it gets noticed or gets lots of views, this way word of mouth gets round about them and they can get views publicity and on rare occasions even approached by a company for a contract. Artists such as Soulja Boy (Now a big hip hop star) His first song (Crank DAT) was released in 2007 however got very little recognition, he then made a video of it with a dance, and it became a massive song reaching Number 1 in 8 out of the 10 major charts. This shows the success one website in this day and age can bring someone. Some see YouTube as a brilliant way of free advertising and allowing every person who has talent a shot at doing something with it. However others see it as bad mainly the labels who would have made the video for a very high amount of money only for it to be watched everywhere for free. Also with a site like YouTube any video can be posted it is very easy for a video to be leaked early, this can damage the reputation of the music industry. It has mixed reviews, but the fact it has made the music video industry bigger is of no doubt. MTV is still expanding all the time and even at the moment is setting records, and its awards remain prestigious every year.
At the moment music videos are everywhere and can be watched anywhere at any time for free, still for the same reason to give publicity and recognition of the artist. In 40 years it has seen the development of it to it becoming a competition to get awards and the best video. It is almost now 50% of the package a good video to develop and help the song improve it's popularity. Essentially this is what it is all about more popularity more money.
MAIN PURPOSES OF MUSIC VIDEO
PROMOTIONAL
Obviously the main thing and artist needs and wants is recognition and fame, they can do this from promoting there song through a video. It shows the artist on the video, and therefore people remember there faces. As it can be seen basically anywhere for free, people will See and recommend it to people. Therefore getting it more views and more popularity as if a chain reaction.
A video is a visual representation of the song, if you can only hear the song you will not see the visual of someone performing it. And if it is a good video and watchable people will want to see it and download it giving it more chart success. It represents the song, and gives it another way to be recognised. The artist is on the video so if people know his or her face they will remember if they see him again.
A video gives the viewer another way of listening to the song, if it was just a track without a video you would only be able to hear it over radio, rather than having more opportunities through a video.
As well as this they can promote the artist through what they are wearing or doing, for example if they are wearing expensive posh suits it suggests they are rich and people may respect them more.
Or if they have released and album with three or four tracks being released from it, usually there are three a or four tracks that are the main ones, so they can all be promoted at the same time, and boost album and chart sales.
EXTENSION OF INCOME
Obviously with a video comes more chance for money, despite the video costing to make, it will give more ways of publicity and therefore sales. The artists’ main aim after all is to make money.
After a video is released of a big song you will often see the performer or performers in the public eye a lot and there will be stories about them. This will boost there image and give them even more publicity, meaning people more likely to download songs, more fans etc.. Maybe even advertising or interview contracts, giving the artist, record label and video team extra money. As i said the video will cost to make and it will cost a lot but with the money it can make through boosting sales of the song. It is a risky strategy because as Michael Jackson did spending $7 000 000 on a video, it's going to be a massive task for the song to recoup that money. As he is such a big name and it was such a good video it was a success. But it is finding the balance between money spent on a good video and the money you can make back.
EXTENSION OF OUTLETS.
Of course there is no good making the video if it cannot be put out and displayed to the public, so outlets to the artist and business are essential. Also they have to be sure they put it on to the best ones, with the best viewers, so the outlets who get the most viewers, will generally get the better artists. They can display it on TV, music channels, the most popular being MTV, VH1, the Hits, or national ones such as 4 music. This is if one genre of music is more popular in one country. Over the last few years Internet has become prime for music videos, many sites dedicate themselves just for music videos, as it's free more people will watch and they rely on that publicity and people downloading the song. Internet sites such as; VodPod, video cure etc... The major one however is YouTube since it's conception in 2005 this has been a massive source for music videos. Anyone can go on it select a video and watch it, leave comments and feedback. This will lead hopefully for the artist to downloads, they can be downloaded from places to everyday devices such as phones and IPod appealing to people so they can have it with them whenever they want. Keeping the viewers interested and entertained is an essential part of the process.
RELATING THE AUDIENCE
If the artist can relate to the audience then naturally they will pay attention for example sometimes they will pay celebrities and famous names to appear on the video to boost the appeal of the video to the audience for example Kanye West did this with Pamela Anderson in his song 'Touch The Sky'. Or a well known film clip in there then the audience can relate to it and more people will watch it.
PRODUCERS STRATEGIES
As said in previous post about Joseph Kahn Directors are vital when it comes to how the video will be set, and how it will look, appeal to the audience etc... He will sit down with the producer and artist before hand and think of an idea and see what he can do with the video. The producer will look to get the best Director he can in, so he can produce the better video, better video, more viewers, more viewers more interest, more interest more money. That will be the Producers plan anyway. They can be they key factor to whether the video succeeds or flops and will use the budget wisely. Thinking of the best shots, actors they can use. They will hope to attract attention. Since the 90's Producers and Directors have become vital in the music process since it has been more about fame and publicity than recognition.
The music video is a massive part of the music industry and over the years has become more essential by the year, back in the 60's the idea was seen as a breakthrough but only big artists had one. Now however everyone seems to have one, and they are easier and cheaper to make. They are a key part of the music industry and the public eye, there are awards for them. Publicity in music would not even be half without a video, because there is no visual effect of the song. The music video will live on, and continue to improve the music industry.
Obviously with a video comes more chance for money, despite the video costing to make, it will give more ways of publicity and therefore sales. The artists’ main aim after all is to make money.
After a video is released of a big song you will often see the performer or performers in the public eye a lot and there will be stories about them. This will boost there image and give them even more publicity, meaning people more likely to download songs, more fans etc.. Maybe even advertising or interview contracts, giving the artist, record label and video team extra money. As i said the video will cost to make and it will cost a lot but with the money it can make through boosting sales of the song. It is a risky strategy because as Michael Jackson did spending $7 000 000 on a video, it's going to be a massive task for the song to recoup that money. As he is such a big name and it was such a good video it was a success. But it is finding the balance between money spent on a good video and the money you can make back.
EXTENSION OF OUTLETS.
Of course there is no good making the video if it cannot be put out and displayed to the public, so outlets to the artist and business are essential. Also they have to be sure they put it on to the best ones, with the best viewers, so the outlets who get the most viewers, will generally get the better artists. They can display it on TV, music channels, the most popular being MTV, VH1, the Hits, or national ones such as 4 music. This is if one genre of music is more popular in one country. Over the last few years Internet has become prime for music videos, many sites dedicate themselves just for music videos, as it's free more people will watch and they rely on that publicity and people downloading the song. Internet sites such as; VodPod, video cure etc... The major one however is YouTube since it's conception in 2005 this has been a massive source for music videos. Anyone can go on it select a video and watch it, leave comments and feedback. This will lead hopefully for the artist to downloads, they can be downloaded from places to everyday devices such as phones and IPod appealing to people so they can have it with them whenever they want. Keeping the viewers interested and entertained is an essential part of the process.
RELATING THE AUDIENCE
If the artist can relate to the audience then naturally they will pay attention for example sometimes they will pay celebrities and famous names to appear on the video to boost the appeal of the video to the audience for example Kanye West did this with Pamela Anderson in his song 'Touch The Sky'. Or a well known film clip in there then the audience can relate to it and more people will watch it.
PRODUCERS STRATEGIES
As said in previous post about Joseph Kahn Directors are vital when it comes to how the video will be set, and how it will look, appeal to the audience etc... He will sit down with the producer and artist before hand and think of an idea and see what he can do with the video. The producer will look to get the best Director he can in, so he can produce the better video, better video, more viewers, more viewers more interest, more interest more money. That will be the Producers plan anyway. They can be they key factor to whether the video succeeds or flops and will use the budget wisely. Thinking of the best shots, actors they can use. They will hope to attract attention. Since the 90's Producers and Directors have become vital in the music process since it has been more about fame and publicity than recognition.
The music video is a massive part of the music industry and over the years has become more essential by the year, back in the 60's the idea was seen as a breakthrough but only big artists had one. Now however everyone seems to have one, and they are easier and cheaper to make. They are a key part of the music industry and the public eye, there are awards for them. Publicity in music would not even be half without a video, because there is no visual effect of the song. The music video will live on, and continue to improve the music industry.
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