Analysing Music Videos

Advanced Production

A2 Media Studies

Learning Outcomes

Be able to…• Use prior knowledge to establish what elements

of a music video need to be analysed.

• Analyse and assess the example music videos.

• Evaluate the success of each video through group discussion and feedback.

Recap - Types of Music Video

Music videos can be divided into a number of different categories…

• Animation• Live Action• Narrative• Abstract• Any of the above…

For each category, try to explain why a band or artist would choose that type of video. What effect would / could it have?

Starter - Bob Dylan and OKGO

Watch the following extracts from two music videos and answer the following questions.

1. What category / genre of music video are they?

2. What is similar about the two videos?3. How do they attract an audience?

Analysing Music VideosYou’ll need to consider…

• Camera (shot, angle, movement)• Mise-en-scene• Editing (cuts/transitions, SFX/CGI, editing to the

music)• Representation• Lyrics (and how the link to what is in the video)

REMEMBER – Don’t just say what, say why!

Your Task• Working individually, analyse

the three videos. Try and cover all the points mentioned on the previous slide.

• Feedback into your group (table) on each video. Some groups can use the sheet to assist them.

• Nominate a member of your group to feedback.

Plenary - Feedback

Feedback on the following points:

1. Use of camera2. Use of mise-en-scene3. Use of editing4. Evidence of representation5. Links with lyrics

Plenary – Questions or Answers?• Thriller• Name a type of music

video.• Computer Generated

Imagery• What does USP stand

for?• And why is it important for

music videos?• Tracking shot• Name an example of a

music video linked to a film.

• Abstract

• What is verisimilitude?• Narrative• When was MTV

launched?• The Beatles• Animation• How is a music video

classed when it features shots of the band playing?

• ‘Video killed the radio star’

• Spike Jonze