Aspects Of A Music Video

Common motifs used in music videos are:

• Fragmentation of the body• Mythical and mysterious• Horror• Intertextuality• Ritual Celebration• Other features• Impossible sequences

Fragmentation of the body

• Frequently used fragmentations include:• Close ups, such as eyes, mouth, breasts etc.• Body obscured by objects etc.

This is a screenshot from Beyoncé's music video 1+1. It shows a close up her lower face and shoulder. This shot is objectifying Beyoncé as it is emphasizing her lips and hair.

Mythical and mysterious

• Mythical and mysterious aspects in music videos usually include things such as:

• Gothic Mansions• Make believe place• Post apocalyptic etc.

This is a screenshot from Jessie J’s music video Nobody's perfect. It is a shot of a gothic mansion. As this is a make believe place it makes it seem larger than life and it shows that the artist is eccentric.

Horror

• Aspects of horror frequently used in music videos include:

• Extreme violence• Hell• War• Satan/monsters

This is a screenshot from Tempa T’s music video Next hype. It shows someone being pulled out of a car

Intertextuality

• Intertextuality in music videos often includes:• Shots of cameras, sets, directors etc.• Musician looks at him/herself• Mirrors, glass, water etc.

This is a screenshot from Take That’s music video Rule the world. It show the band in a recording studio, they have microphones and are in booths so you can tell they are artists recording a music video

Ritual Celebration

• This usually involves things such as:• Parties on the beach, streets etc.• Black artists are usually happy• White artists are usually demonistic etc.

This is a screenshot from Chris Brown’s music video Yeah 3x. It shows a party in the street where the black artist is happy.

Other features

• Examples of Other features used in music videos are:

• Shots into bright lights, sun, fire• Breaks into narrative for the artist to sing• Clips from the film that the song is featured in

This is a screenshot from Nickelback’s music video Hero. The shot shows a clip from the film that this song relates to which is Spiderman.

Impossible sequences

• Examples of impossible sequences used in music videos include:

• Fast/slow motion• Special effects• Animation etc.

This is a screenshot from Paula Abdul’s music video Opposites Attract. It shows animation where she is sitting with an animated cat