Music Videos and Online Media
do now-
1) to make money
2) to promote the artist and the song
3) to convey meaning, showcase talent
4) performance and narrative
5) lip syncing, direct address, a range of shots
- narrative
-it presents a life of a stereotypical man
-
-pop
-narrative
-its a music video to help black people feel empowered and show that they are just as equal and successful as everyone else
-performance
-shows clips of a young boy getting into a gang or criminal affiliated activity, and another in a toxic relationship
NOTES--
THE MAN--TAYLOR SWIFT
-"WONDERING IF ID GET THERE QUICKER IF I WAS A MAN"
this shows that men get more opportunities then women do, so by saying that she'd be successful quicker if she was a man
The Music Industry
OVERVIEW
-in the uk music contributes billions to the economy
-the uk exports a lot of music around the world
-due to the changing way we consume music the industry has faced many challenges
-most people download music and don't buy physical copies
-streaming accounts to 805 of the of the music consumption
-the technological development that once threatened the music industry has allowed it to generate revenue
TAYLOR SWIFT
VINYLS AND CDS
STORMZY
CASSETTES, CDS AND VINYLS
OWNERSHIP
-record labels are companies that make contacts with artists and release their music
-they will have separate production teams
-a single release will be accompanied by a music videos
-
there are only three major record labels : Warner music group, universal music group and Sony music
these three are apart of a major conglomerate and are horizontally integrated
they invest large sums of money into artists that are, or are likely to be, commercially successful
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21/03/2025
TLC: Waterfalls
do now-
1) niche
2) star persona
3) digital technology
4) personal identity and social interaction
5) buy merchandise
OVERVIEW
-TLC is an all girl r&b/hip hop group
-waterfalls is a track from their second album CrazySexyCool (1994) and achieved international success
-formed as a fusion of hip hop and R&B
-TLC had more of a rock and roll image, in the media they were honest about their individual battles with addiction, police arrests, abusive relationships and their spot with each other
-2002 lopes died in a car accident
MEANING
-waterfalls is an episodic song
-several different scenes are depicted in the lyrics, each plot-line unfolds as a cautionary tale against various vices
-the first one, a young boy resorts to unorthodox methods to make money--leading to his death
-the second scene follows a story of a man with a different 'waterfall' which is physical desires leading him to getting HIV (the 'three letters')
MEDIA LANGUAGE
-waterfalls blend three types of music videos (performance, narrative and conceptual), there are two narratives with characters and situations that directly relate to the lyrics of the song
-there is clear illustration of the lyrics, where the images show the literal meaning of the words
-intercut with those narrative sections are shots of the group performing the song and dancing in sync
-there are more abstract elements in the video, the band members being liquid versions of them selves (an intertextual reference to the terminator 2)
MISE-EN-SCENE
-FIRST SCENE-- typical inner-city sets and locations have connotations of a ghetto and the costumes connote a dangerous urban environment
-SECOND SCENE-- iconography of the romance genre is used. attractive semi-naked actors, silk stockings, tangled sheets, large mirrors, these swiftly became threatening and horrific to show symptoms of the disease
SYMBOLISM
-symbolism is used to communicate meanings throughout connotations
SPECIAL EFFECTS
-SFX are also used to balance the gritty realism of the narratives with something almost magical
–opening shot looks as if we are falling from space
–the mother/son appears as a 'ghost'
CONTEXT
-many R&B videos focus on romantic narratives and, often, hip hop videos feature groups of men flexing their riches/wealth achieved through crime. waterfalls reference these genres conventions by showing the temptations of both sex and crime its overall message isnt glamorised but warned
-1990s there was a lot of public concern and coverage of the songs
-TLC is the second biggest girlband after the spice girls but TLC was far more socially aware rather than glamorising the damaging lifestyles
REPRESENTATION
AGE-- mainly young adults (stereotypical)
GENDER-- men were presented as irresponsible (stereotypical), however in the HIV storyline the woman is presented as the irresponsible one (anti-stereotypical)
THE BAND-- represented as being almost supernatural beings
SOCIAL ISSUES-- represented sympathetically. ethnically too, the young black man is not a 'typical' gangster but represented as someone who is trying to make easy money.
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25/03/2025
Taylor Swift: The Man
do now-
1) performative, narrative and conceptual
2) R&B and hip hop
3) CGI, diegetic sound
4) expressionistic
5) gender, age and social issues
COVENTIONS
-breaks usual music video conventions-- it doesn't show the artist singing/lip-syncing the song in any form
MES
-linear narrative-- follows the mans typical daily activities in various locations
+to show those everyday settings where women may experience sexism
+the tennis court and the yacht-- represents wealth and the pay difference between men and women
PROPP
the man is the false hero, Taylor Swift at the end is 'unmasked' to be the real hero as we find out she was the man
INTERTEXTUALITY
-Taylor Swifts album names were on the subway wall
-The Wolf of Wall Street
-John McEnroe, broke his racket out of anger during a match (plenty of others do that too)
-the sign with the line through the scooter references the fact that Taylor had to fight fir the right of her music from Scooter Braun, hence why her songs now have (Taylors version) next to them
-clothing codes and props
+the man wearing a suit--connotes wealth and importance (links to the wolf of wall street)
+women in bikinis-- objectifying them, since they're wearing all the same colour they could connote that women all all the same
+cigars--
+tennis racket-- shows mens anger over little things (like sports)
MEN-- represented as being arrogant and self-centred, shows that they have an easier time progressing in day to day life because of their gender. used to make a statement about misogyny and male privilege through the over-exaggeration of male stereotypes
WOMEN-- objectified by 'the man', in the yacht scene they are all seen wearing the same bikini possibly connoting that men think or assume that all women are the same. but women are also presented to be desperate to be chosen
TAYLOR SWIFT-- show to have the wealth and status of a man but it has taken longer because of her gender, by saying "wondering if id get there quicker if i was a man?" may be referencing not only her career but all women showing the inequality of the workplace and wanting to challenge patriotic views
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28/03/2025
Stormzy: Superheroes
do now-
1) the artist doesn't lip syncing the song
2) the wolf of wall street and John McEnroe (tennis player)
3) the suit and the man is always in the centre of the frame
4) false hero
5) male and Taylor Swift
OVERVIEW
-superheroes was released in December 2019, however the video didn't premiere until a year later (September 2020) and was shown in schools in large cities like Manchester, Glasgow and Dublin
-was directed by a British filmmaker, Taz Iron Delix and produced by Argentinian animation studio 2Veinte. the video was dedicated to Chadwick Boseman following the actors death in august 2020
-in 2020 stormzy donated £500,000 to the black heart foundation to provide educational scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds
CONVENTIONS
-subverting music video conventions superheroes does not include the artist performing the song--it is entirely narrative based.
MES
-has a linear narrative
-the pastel colour palette suggests positivity and optimistic feel throughout the video
-the feel to this video subverts the stereotypes of the grime music genre and stormzy himself
PROPP
-stormzy is the hero of the music video, and also he could also be classed as the donor-- giving the other people in the music video the push to become heroes themselves
INTERTEXTUALITY
-NAUGHTS AND CROSSES—
-TOY STORY— buzz lightyear
-THE MATRIX— magical power sense
-references other artists like LITTLE SIMZ
ICONOGRAPHY
-the iconography is associated with black empowerment and the signs with the fist on them symbolises black power
-when Stormzy places the world in the young boys hands, sending a clear message of optimism— telling young black kids that they have to power to change the world
MEDIA LANGUAGE
LIGHTING— Stormzy is presented as light himself. Always with light or showing light in the video, sending a message of clear optimism and a pathway to success for younger generations of black people. (Motif of light)
REPRESENTATION
MEN—
WOMEN—
STORMZY—
INEQUALITY—
FAMILY—
___________________________________________________________________________________
HOMEWORK (WIP)
the TLC Waterfalls music video reflects the time it was made by using media language. The links to the Terminator 2, with the liquid versions of themselves nearing the end of the video. That intertextual detail reflects what was popular at the time, also giving an abstract element to the video.
Also, TLC was the second most popular girl band behind the spice girls, but instead of glamourising the unhealthy lifestyles they present in the video, like drugs and sex, they attempt to bring awareness to the damage it may bring. Bigger artists, especially men, at this theme would brag about getting money in unsavoury ways, but by using the drug story line in this video it highlights the damage it can do to a person or people
___________________________________________________________________________________
01/04/2025
MV: Industry and Audience
DO NOW-
1) no lip syncing, animated
2) toy story and the matrix
3) settings and lighting
4) stormzy
5) inequality and gender
PERSONAL IDENTITY-- people can relate to the message of the song
ENTERTAINMENT-- its a music video
SOCIAL INTERACTION-- people can connect with each other through liking Taylor Swift
PREFERRED READING-- a female audiences to feel empowered by the feminist message which would be used to campaign for gender equality, mocking stereotypes of men
OPPOSITIONAL-- might come form a male audience, may feel that the negative representations of the man is misrepresenting them
PERSONAL IDENTITY-- people may relate to feeling discriminated against and will gain empowerment from this video
INFORMATION-- it was first shown in schools, teaching them about racial inequality
ENTERTAINMENT-- its a music video
SOCIAL INTERACTION
PREFERRED READING-- his young black audience to feel empowered and embrace their own identity, sending hope in this message
OPPOSITIONAL-- people may not understand the discriminating actions black people have to face on a daily basis
Music: Websites and Socials
to help promote a new album or tour
a place to sell merchandise
to direct fans to their social media accounts
to help promote their brand
to let fans communicate with each other
___________________________________________________________________________________
04/04/2025
Music: Websites & Socials CONTINUED.
do now-
1) hyperlink
2) in a more personal way
3) entertainment and social interaction
4) entertainment and personal identity
5) opposed, preferred and negotiated
TAYLOR SWIFT
TO DIRECT FANS TO THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
-one important reason for musicians to have a website is to direct fans to all of their social media accounts.
TO PROMOTE A NEW ALBUMS AND TOUR
-as soon as the website loads their is an option to stream/download her latest release. however, there is no current tour-- but the website would be a place to promote it
TO HELP PROMOTE THEIR BRAND
-
A PLACE TO SELL MERCH
-you are able to visit her store and purchase merchandise
STORMZY
TO DIRECT FANS TO THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS
-
TO PROMOTE A NEW ABLUM OR TOUR
- he has a place to promote his new and old albums and is currently promoting his tour
TO HELP PROMOTE THEIR BRAND
-
A PLACE TO SELL MERCH
-has a store you can visit to purchase merchandise like CD's and vinyls
U&G
TAYLOR SWIFT
PERSONAL IDENTITY-- people can identify with the messages she gives in her songs, e.g The Man
INFORMATION-- can get information on tour dates and when a new album is released
ENTERTAINMENT-- can access music videos, and are able to purchase physical copies of her music
SOCIAL INTERACTION-- people can interact with other that are fans with her through social media
STORMZY
PERSONAL IDENTITY-- people could
INFORMATION-- can get information on tour dates and when a new album is released
ENTERTAINMENT-- can access music videos, and are able to purchase physical copies of his music
SOCIAL INTERACTION-- people can interact with other that are fans of him through social media
SOCIAL MEDIA
-promote new songs
-release tour dates
-teasers/trailers to new music videos
-to interact with fans
-self promotion
-highlighting achievements
1) release tour dates and promote new albums/songs
2)
3) a pinned post is a post that stays at the top of your profile so its the first things people see when they click onto it, so it could be their latest album and/or tour dates
4) can allow them to express what their brand is about
5)
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