PREP Explain how music videos use media language to promote their artists. Refer to the pair of music videos you have studied from the list below in your answer.
Our music videos are Wheatus Teenage Dirtbag Avril Lavigne Sk8ter Boi
HOW TO ANSWER: Media language points to consider:
the prioritising of the star / the group; the privileging of the star / the groups in the frame
authenticating the star's performance / the band's performance to show their skills
the use of close ups; lip syncing to camera; eye contact with the audience
In the Wheatus Teenage Dirtbag music video, there is a clear narrative as the song is part of
the story line. There are cuts between the actors and the band throughout the video. A panning shot is
used in the video to show the whole of the band although there are many close
ups of the lead singer who lip syncs and makes direct eye contact with the
audience. He tells the story through his
expressions and is very engaging and captivating. It is clear that it is his voice and that his band are genuinely skilled at their instruments which authenticates the bands performance. Furthermore, there are close up shots of the teenage dirtbag so the audience is aware the song is following his character. This allows the audience to empathise with him and fully understand his story. At the end of the music video, the band and the characters finally
meet at the prom to create a euphoric end to the video as we see Wheatus’s adoring
fans surrounding them in awe which accentuates the bands popularity.
In Avril LSk8ter boy, the editing is fast paced to create a sense of chaos and rebellion. Avril Lavigne is given a lot of screen time because she is the star. Therefore, there are many close ups of her singing and gazing deeply into the camera to draw in her audience. Her skill is also authenticated because we can see it is really her singing. The colours of the music video are desaturated which enhances the grungy tone. Towards the end of the video, the camera seems to be held by one of the fans which encourages the audience to fully immerse themselves in the video, as if they are there at one of Avril Lavigne's concerts.
Good subject knowledge and understanding shown.
ReplyDeleteWheatus – Teenage Dirtbag (TD) and Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi (SB)
• SB’s use of lip syncing to camera promotes Avril Lavigne as the artist as she is singing to the audience directly
• SB’s use of multiple close ups of Avril Lavigne, further emphasising her status as the artist and her distinctive grungy ‘look’ which she is known for
• SB’s use of a range shots of Avril Lavigne looking directly into the camera to connect with her audience
• Avril Lavigne’s dominance of screen time allows for the audience to understand that she is the artist.
• TD’s sweeping use of pans to show the band performing as a collective emphasising their musical skill and to promote this to their audience
• TD’s use of MCU of the individual band members playing their instruments to further emphasis their status as the main artists
• TD’s increased pace in edit as the video reaches its climax, accompanied by the adoring fans, promotes the band to the audience as we see them being appreciated by fans.