Analysis of music genres - Miss Georgiou

Music videos appeal to audiences in a range of ways. This can be to show the storyline of the video, and this then helps to build a stronger relationship between the audience and artist. People can also see it to see their idols current trend, such as fashion, room interior etc. Music videos are important to help make an artist and their song successful. Different genres include different characteristics in order for it to be relevant to the type of song and help to engage particular target audiences more effectively.

One of the songs I have analysed is the song 'Over' by the artist Drake to explore different media elements which are used to help make the video successful. This song is categorised in the genre of hip hop and R&B. There are a range if micro elements used in order for it to be a successful music video. The micro element of miss en scene was used in a variety of ways. Costume is an interesting and important element within this music video. Generally, in rap and hip hop videos, the artist and main character is generally wearing very materialistic and expensive clothing. This is done due to the target audience mainly being in the teenage range, and they are in which stereotypically known to be very interested in designer and nice clothing, as they are labelled due to their appearance during the ages varying from 13-25.

Costume is extremely important. He also has a lot of change of clothing throughout the video, which suggests that he can afford to be wearing lots of different and expensive clothing, this then allows the younger audience to look up to Drake and start to idolise him. Involving this type of clothing allows males who watch his music to respect him and to dress and act like him. As he seems powerful due to the amount of money he is making, shown through his type of clothing and then allows female audiences to fangirl over him as he can seem attractive to that particular type of audience. This is essential towards the genre of rap as it allows the artist to feel respected and dominant as he is presented his wealth from his success through trends of clothes. Audiences are able to look up to him as he is show to be wearing extremely expensive clothes which can go up to thousands of pounds/dollars. They can then idolise him as it shows how much of a successful artist he is. The rap genre is all about good presentation and having an extraordinary element about you which makes them seem cool. Clothing helps the artists doing so as it shows they are dedicated to look presentable and attractive. There is also an example of cinematography all throughout the music video. The artist is shown in a mid shot in with a dark background. This was used to allow the audience to see clear expressions within the face whilst also showing body language to him dancing to his upbeat song. The black background also allows no distraction from the bond forming between audience and artist as the audience are able to completely focus their attention onto the artist performing. The audience are also able to see the artists costume which is effective as clothing trends are extremely essential within the industry of rap. If you dress badly, viewers are less likely to idolise the artist due to fashion being such a big part within this genre. Mainly because it's target audience are mainly at teenagers to young adults, and that is the stereotypical age where they only want to buy expensive, branded clothes in order to impress people and gain attention and respect. 

Costume is also used with the other female character within the music video. She is shown very provocatively with very little clothing whilst dancing in the background. This reflects positively upon the artist Drake as he is then seen to be successful in ways of business and pleasure. Showing that he gets girls that will have very little respect with themselves when around him. This is something that teenage boys typically admire. This is effective for the genre of rap as it shows to the audience that he has many admirers and women that will do anything for his attention, such as degrading themselves with minimal amounts of clothing whilst dancing. This shows him as respected and wanted, which audience notice and then wish to copy certain styles in order to gain such respect. This then leads towards the boy watchers carrying on watching more of his videos to almost mimic his charm, confidence in body language and type of trend. This then shows that Drake is a successful artist within both of his songs and music videos. Having extras who are of the opposite sex allow audiences to understand that he is appreciated and valued.

Another element of mise en scene within the music video is body language. The artist performs showing lots of confidence which then allows the audience to not feel uncomfortable or awkward whilst observing the music video. This shows that he is a courageous character that is not afraid to speak his mind. His body language is shown to be confident through him constantly moving about to the beat of the music with a lot of passion. This is conventional towards the genre of hip hop as the performance is usually very fearless and self-assured when reassuring the audience that they are dominant and vigorous.

Editing is used all throughout the video. It is all very quick to suit the rhythm of the song. These editing styles include replicating the scene into three different sections. This is shown throughout the video in a range of different scenarios. I think this is effective as it is appropriate for the song and can allow the audience to understand more about the artist. They can learn that he is a fast person, never slow, which can interpret that he is interesting and never says no to things which may sound fun. Another interpretation could be that he is a very busy person, due to his lifestyle. His career causes him to always be busy and having to do things quickly, but has benefitted him as he is now a successful rapper with a lot of money, shown through iconography of multiple cars of Range Rovers, and branded clothing such a Nike. 

The second music video I analysed is 'Intoxicated' by Martin Solveig and GTA. The genre of this music video is dance and house music. This is a successful music video as there are a range of elements used within it to help make it seem different, positive and alternative. There are bright colours and energetic characters used throughout to help set the mood of the video, allowing the audience to be in a good mood whilst watching the video.
There is a range of mise en scene used to help make a successful dance video. Costume is distributed throughout the video to show the mood and the characters personalities through the way they are dressed. The still image is an example of some characters dancing whilst wearing bright colours. The type of clothing is also very abstract, such as silk suits with umbrellas as walking sticks. The background is seen to be fake mountains whilst doing lots of walking dance moves, which suggests that they are walking over mountains. This shows that they are motivated and feel good about themselves, which only reflects positively upon the audience watching. This is relevant towards the genre of dance as setting a good vibe from the music video allows the audience to want to dance to the song. The target audience is mainly the younger generation as they are more energised, specifying in 12-28 year olds. As the younger generation are very inspired to go through strange phases within their appearance, such as experimenting with different trends, wearing very strange clothes allows the audience to know that it is fine to be different, as artists were and now they are very successful; with the music video getting 47+ million views.

An example of editing has been used throughout the music video. This is fast editing. I think this was used to show relevance towards the rhythm of the song, making visuals and the song link together nicely. This is effective for the dance genre as it shows a fast pace, making audiences want to get up and dance. Using slow editing would be ineffective as it could make the audience feel down and not want to get up and dance. The song itself is very upbeat with loud sounds which make audiences feel positive. Using this editing style can also interpret to audiences that time flies when you have fun, which is why everything is going so fast. When you get up and dance, it is easy to loose track of time due to all the stress and worries being lifted of your shoulders and you are just able to have a nice time with your loved ones. 

Long shots are used throughout the video to show the characters dancing in a frantic motion. This type of camera shot is effective as the audience are able to see particular dance moves from head to toe, which allow audiences to copy dance trends if they wish to. They are also able to see the bright coloured costumes and bright background scenery clearly. This is effective as bright colours represent positivity and happiness, especially neon colours. All the colours within the music video are very diverse, ranging from colours such as orange, yellow, green, pink and more. These colours are very effective as they can represent a happier time, such as in summer. Audiences are able to think about good memories, which will then remind them of the song. This type of camera shot is effective for the genre of dance as it makes audiences want to get up and dance to the song, not only because it is catchy but also, as audiences are able to watch the characters dance and want to dance along. 

The third music video I analysed was 'Blue Jeans,' by the artist Lana Del Rey. This music genre focuses more in slow indie. This is a successful music video as it portrays a very sad and emotional experience with the artist telling a story which relates towards the lyrics and ryhtme of the song. Throughout the whole duration of the video the colour is altered and is edited as the generic colours of black and white. This portrays a very clear and simple meaning for the audience. There is no complexity towards it, except a rough time within a relationship. These two colours also show a depressing time, as the lighting is quite dim except from when the sun reflects from the pool onto the characters skin. This relates back to the music genre of indie as it shows a sad time. Indie characters usually range from elements which h can also relate to the soul genre or hip hop genre, depending upon the storyline and the narrative of the song. This indie song is more sad, causing it to have grey style fitter elements like soul music genres would have to set a mood for the music video in a consistent manner.

Cinematography, specifying in close ups are used in a variety of time throughout the music video. This is to show the characters face and only their face in more detail, without being distracted by irrelevant background scenarios. This is used to show the artists facial expressions and to see through these expressions how they are feeling emotionally. This micro element is usually used whilst the artist is performing to sad lyrics within the song to make it seem more upsetting and make the audience sympathise for the artists dispear. This is effective for this type of music genre as it adds more emotion to the song as a whole and adds a sense of vulnerability, as the artist is opening up about a sad topic towards the audience, which helps to build a relationship quickly as it can be a relatable emotion for the audience. This relates back to the genre of indie as audiences are able to see in high levels of detail the artists appearance, mainly showing particular hair styles and makeup trends.the audience are able to capture her level of beauty and admire it, and also wish to copy how they physically portray themselves.

Editing is also used in an effective way. The micro element of 'dissolve' is used to mimic the sun reflections from the pool used in the scene upon the male characters body. This makes it hard for the audience to see clearly, which then leaves an interpretation that he is no longer around in the artists life and is hard to see or get in touch with, like a metaphor that he is disappearing from her life, in a physical performance. This is effective for the genre of slow songs, as it is showing emotion in a physical way. This is effective to the genre if indie as the audience are able to see her emotion through the use of editing. Using dissolve to enter from one scenario to the other is an effective way to take out the sudden clip of a new scene, but doing so in a soft manner.

Mise en scene of costume is used in an effective way to make an effective music video for this genre. The artist Lana Del Rey is wearing a swimming costume, which is seen all throughout parts of the video. This relates to one of Goodwin's theory points to make a successful music video. This is 'voyeuristic treatment of the female body,' this is effective within this genre as it showing her in a vulnerable state, not only mentally but physically due to very little clothing she has on and has so much of herself revealed. This is effective for indie as it is almost showing a 60s style bikini. This shows her alternative clothing trends which audiences admire as they are shown as different and interesting. Audiences can also admire her amount of flesh covered up considering it is a swimming costume, as bikinis in trend now include most skin revealed as much as possible. 

There are a range of different music videos with particulate in different genres. All these different genres use different techniques and uses of micro elements towards their advantage to ensure it is acceptable and effective for the particular genre. By including these different elements benefits the video towards being successful due to the enjoyment from the audience. As different music videos have different target audiences, adding things in such as energetic dancers in a dance music video can encourage the audience to get up and dance more than only just listening to the song, putting them in a good and excited mood which was intended for. Researching different genres has helped me to gain ideas towards what would be the most effective genre is for my music video. I was very inspired by the genre by Lana Del Rey, very slow and full of meaning. I think coming up with ideas towards this particular genre could potentially be most effective.