Preliminary Task - Can't Feel My Face

Preliminary Task Changes

I was forced to change my preliminary task as the other members of my group didn't get back into Sixth Form. As a result of this, I had to do a different video to what I had planned. I found this quite difficult given the fact that I had an extremely small amount of time in comparison to my Lil Wayne and Eminem video. As a result of the time constraints, I did not have enough time to construct a storyboard or a shot-by-shot, instead I decided I would have to simply observe the video.

I found a relatively simple music video opening in The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" which can be viewed above. I filmed this in a green screen room. Here is a recce shot of the green screen room:

Recce shot of the green screen room.

My new props list was as follows:

- Green screen

- Light

- Lyrics sheet

- Tripod

- Video Camera

- Microphone Stand

- Microphone

As I was forced to do a separate idea from what I planned, the lyrics also changed:

And I know she'll be the death of me, at least we'll both be numb

And she'll always get the best of me, the worst is yet to come

But at least we'll both be beautiful and stay forever young

This I know, (yeah) this I know

She told me, "Don't worry about it"

She told me, "Don't worry no more"

We both knew we can't go without it

She told me you'll never be in love oh oh oooh

Location Recce: Preliminary Task - "No Love" - Eminem feat. Lil Wayne

Here's a list of pictures that depict the locations which I will use to mimic the locations which feature within the first minute of Eminem's "No Love" featuring Lil Wayne which can be seen above.

School hall:

School corridor with lockers on each side:

Bedroom:

Storyboard: Preliminary Task - "No Love" - Eminem feat. Lil Wayne

Here is the storyboard for "No Love" by Eminem featuring Lil Wayne.

Lyrics: Preliminary Task - "No Love" - Eminem feat. Lil Wayne

These are the lyrics which can be seen during the first minute of the music video for "No Love" by Eminem featuring Lil Wayne which can be seen above.

[Intro] ("What Is Love" sample)

[Verse 1: Lil Wayne]

0:30 - 0:33
ON SCREEN, LIP SYNC REQUIRED Throw dirt on me and grow a wildflower

0:34  -0:37
ON SCREEN, LIP SYNC REQUIRED But it's "fuck the world", get a child out her

0:37 - 0:40
OFF SCREEN Yeah my life a bitch, but you know nothin' 'bout her

0:40 - 0:44
ON SCREEN, LIP SYNC REQUIRED Been to Hell and back, I can show you vouchers

0:45 - 0:48
OFF SCREEN I'm rollin' Sweets, I'm smokin' sour

0:48 - 0:52
ON SCREEN, LIP SYNC REQUIRED Married to the game, but she broke her [vows (off screen)]

0:52 - 0:55
OFF SCREEN That's why my bars [are full of broken bottles (on screen)]

0:56 - 1:00
ON SCREEN, LIP SYNC REQUIRED And my night stands are full of open Bibles, Uh

Shot By Shot: Preliminary Task - "No Love" - Eminem feat. Lil Wayne

.

Shot by shot:

0 - 0.25: Blackout
0.25 - 1.5: Close-up of bruised afro kid.
1.5 - 2: Blackout.
2 - 3.25: Establishing very wide shot of black and white, red ball is the only colour visible, blur effect.
3.25 - 3.5: Blackout.
3.5 - 5: Wide shot showing row of 3 boys throwing dodgeballs, again red ball is the only colour visible, blur effect.
5 - 5.25: Blackout.
5.25 - 6: Pans right slightly, mid shot, boy cowering getting hit by dodgeballs, blur effect.
6 - 6.25: Blackout.

6.25 - 8: Long shot behind one boy, boy can be seen hit by balls, blur effect.
8 - 8.25: Blackout.
8.25 - 8.75: Row of 3 boys throwing dodgeballs, again red ball is the only colour visible, blur effect.
8.75 - 8.85: Blackout.
8.85 - 9.5: Mid-shot of afro kid dodging ball.
9.5 - 9.75: Blackout.
9.75 - 10.75: Close-up of bruised afro kid.
10.75 - 11: Blackout.
11 - 13: Tilt upwards on eminem and Lil Wayne posters, fade.
13 - 14.5: Wide-shot of afro kid sitting dejectedly on beanbag cushion in the corner of his room.
14.5 - 15: Blackout.
15 - 16: Establishing wide shot of lockers, bench down the middle, afro kid takes out hoodie
16 - 17: Fade into mid-shot, afro kid putting on hoodie.
17 - 19.5: Fade into medium close-up of afro kid putting on snapback.
19.5 - 21: Fade into camera panning upwards birds-eye view shot of afro kid sitting on bench.
21.25 - 22: Blackout.
22 - 23.75: Greyscale, boys surrounding afro kid in birds-eye shot, blur effects.
23.75 - 25: Greyscale, mid-shot, afro kid being pushed in the back while sitting down, blur effects.
25 - 26: Greyscale, wide shot, pushing of snapback, blur effects.
26 - 27: Mid-shot of Lil Wayne on green screen, smoky effects behind him.
27 - 28.5: Heavily blurred greyscale birds-eye shot of them holding the snapback away from him bullying him.
28.5 - 29: Medium close-up shot of Lil Wayne, smoke comes from mouth briefly, on greenscreen, smoky effects behind him.
29 - 30: Re-establishing wide shot of lockers, bench down the middle, holding the snapback away from him bullying him.
30 - 33.5: Medium close-up of Lil Wayne, on greenscreen, smoky effects behind him.
33.5 - 35: Mid-shot of Lil Wayne, on greenscreen, smoky effects behind him.
35 - 36.5: Lil Wayne moves back from medium close-up.
36.5 - 38: Mid-shot of afro kid up against lockers, greyscale, kid bullying him up in his face.
38 - 40: Fade to mid-shot of afro kid looking down, earphones in, bruised eye.
40 - 43: Medium close-up of Lil Wayne, on greenscreen, smoky effects behind him.
43 - 44: Lil Wayne arms folded, mid-shot.
44 - 47 : Worms-eye shot looking up at Eminem getting out of a car, fade to black.
47 - 49: Start from black, mid-shot of Eminem opening door.
49 - 51: Fade to medium close-up of Lil Wayne, zoom out to mid-shot of Lil Wayne.
51 - 52.5: Mid-shot of Eminem, now through the door, walking.
52.5 - 54: Mid-shot of Eminem walking towards darker in passage.
54 - 55: Fades to medium close-up of Lil Wayne, on green screen, smoky effects behind him.
55 - 55.75: Mid-shot of lil wayne, on greenscreen, smoky effects behind him.
55.75 - 58: Zooming slightly medium close-up of Lil Wayne, on green screen, smoky effects behind him.
58 - 58.15: Medium close-up of Lil Wayne, on greenscreen, smoky effects behind him.
58.15 - 58.75: Mid-shot of Lil Wayne, on green screen, smoky effects behind him.
58.75 - 59: Mid-shot of Eminem walking through into a kitchen.
59.25 - 1:00: Lil Wayne medium close-up (torso up), making a blowing up gesture from mouth.

Props List: Preliminary Task - "No Love" - Eminem feat. Lil Wayne

Here are all of the props which we need in order to make the music video above:

1. Makeup
2. 3 red dodge balls
3. Snapback
4. PE Kit x4
5. Gym mat
6. Poster of Lil Wayne
7. Poster of Eminem's "8 Mile"
8. Small posters of Eminem x10
9. Eminem's "Not Afraid" Poster
10. A globe
11. A bean bag
12. Rucksack
13. Hoodie
14. Chain
15. Chain on jeans
16. Sunglasses
17. Green screen
18. Earphones
19. Black Car
20. Skateboard

Star Profile: Kanye West

Kanye West was recently featured
as one of the top 100 most influential
people on TIME magazine.

Introduction:

Kanye West is a 38 year old rapper, songwriter, record producer, fashion designer and visionary. 

He was born on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. 

From his first album to his most recent album, West's image has changed on several different occasions throughout the years. 

Kanye West is currently in the process of completing his seventh studio album 'SWISH."



Biography: Rise To Fame

Kanye's parents got divorced when he was three and he moved to live in Chicago.

His father, Ray West, was a former Black Panther, a black nationalist and revolutionist group. After which he was one of the first black photojournalists at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Later on, he became a Christian counselor, and in 2006, Kanye West paid for his father to open up his own cafe in Lexington Park, Maryland.

His mother, Donda West, with whom Kanye was mostly raised, was a professor of English at Clark Atlanta University. When Kanye was ten, him and his mother moved to China as part of his mother's job.

Kanye before and after his near-fatal car crash which inspired his
launch into stardom.

Kanye began writing poetry when he was just five years old, rapping when he reached the third grade and composing music when he reached the seventh grade.

After graduating from high school, Kanye went to the university his mother taught back in Chicago. However, at the age of twenty. Kanye decided to drop out and follow his musical aspirations.

From 1996-2002, Kanye began his production career.

In 2000, West managed to start producing for artists on Roc-A-Fella Records. Kanye revitalised Jay-Z's dying career with work on Jay Z's 'The Blueprint.'

In 2002, Kanye's breakthrough moment came in the form of a car crash in California which he was part of. The crash was near-fatal and left him with a shattered jaw. His jaw was wired shut through reconstructive surgery. Two weeks later, with his jaw still wired shut, Kanye recorded "Through The Wire", which was the foundation for his debut album The College Dropout.

The picture above represents how 'Ye has changed throughout the years, not just stylistically in his music but fashionably too.

Album Covers

Kanye West hasn't just evolved musically, his album artwork has evolved to suit his image.

Get Well Soon (2003):

At the time of this mixtape, West was only known for being a producer. Kanye's strong ties to his home city of Chicago are clearly present on this mixtape cover - an air-brushed mural of the Chi-town skyline with the Roc-A-Fella logo cover the wall. At the time it was the trend for rappers to wear the clothes of the sports teams they supported, however on the front cover of this mixtape, Kanye does not do this as he can be seen wearing oversized jeans, a black t-shirt and his Roc chain.

No music videos were released for the Get Well Soon mixtape as Kanye West was not very well known as a rapper at this time.

The College Dropout (2004):


College dropout was the Kanye's debut album. For The College Dropout cover, the soon-to-be iconic Dropout Bear mascot sits on a set of bleachers inside a golden frame, which is meant to symbolize art, elegance and style, according to one of Kanye West's art directors. There are also cherubs on the right and left sides of the frame, which closely resembles the cherub in the G.O.O.D. Music logo.




Here is a music video for a song which was featured on The College Dropout:

Stylistically, this music video depicts Kanye West as a holy figure. He can be seen dressed in all-white, with a light above his head in the shape of a halo. His image depicts him to be different from what most people would consider a typical hip-hop star to be like. Notice how in this music video, Kanye West is shown to be powerful, with fire surging behind him and displays determined facial expressions and is presented as confident and strong through his actions. Kanye attempts to give himself an ambassadorial image for the fight for equality.

808's & Heartbreak (2008):

808's & Heartbreak was the first album not to feature Dropout Bear of whom had featured on his previous three albums.The stripe of colors on the left of the album resembles the color palette from Graduation (which is his third studio album), except these are visibly more pastel, which suits Kanye's feelings at the time as his mother had recently passed away and he had split up with his girlfriend at the time. The album documents West's heartbreak and sorrow caused by his losses. The album is considered by some to be Kanye West's most influential album.

Here is a music video for a song which was featured on 808's and Heartbreak:

In this music video, Kanye can be seen to be much less powerful, instead he is stripped back. While still in all-white, he is much more reserved. His actions are slow and he can be seen singing which is considered more timid and less intimidating than rap music. In this music video, Kanye creates himself a pure and refined image, he is uncomplicated and plain. He attempts to give himself an emotional image.

Yeezus (2013):

Ten years on from the "Get Well Soon" mixtape, and 5 years on from the completely different "808's & Heartbreak", Kanye released his 6th studio LP, Yeezus. Yeezus was a minimalist, sonically experimental album and has been described as 'abrasive' by critics. For this album Kanye decided to go for a minimalist sound. The album artwork also suited this image. With no cover, each physical copy of the album only had red tape on the case.

Here is a music video for a song which was featured on Yeezus:

In this music video, Kanye West begins with three hooded figures, similar to KKK members but instead dressed in black. This holds connotations to black power and freedom which is a common theme in Jesus Walks, created 9 years beforehand. This shows that Kanye has stayed true to his common beliefs. In this video, Kanye West is depicted as a computer generated image and often his face is obscured by darkness. This presents his image as dark and mysterious and intimidating; a complete change from the image he creates in the 808's and College Dropout music videos.

In Conclusion:

Kanye West has changed a lot throughout the years he has been within the music industry. He has gone having no image, to having six studio albums with a different image to go with each one; and with a seventh on the way his image is likely to change once more. Kanye has managed to successfully present his emotions through his image, from presenting himself in a way to show what he stands for; to a stripped-down heartbroken character, and most recently to an aggressive angry body of power.

Reflection on Dry the River Task

As a class we listened to the audio for the song "No Rest" by Dry the River. Individually we had to try and identify the genre, whether it was a band or a solo performance, the target audience, important lyrics and pace of the song. As a group we reflected upon the song and put across our ideas of what the song was about, we then looked at the actual lyrics and worked out the actual meaning of the song. We then was given the task of coming up with a concept for the video in two groups of three.

The lyrics for "No Rest"

One of my group's ideas were:

• An isolated couple within a snow globe, living inside their own bubble. When things get turbulent in their relationship, the snow globe is shaken and the flurry of snowflakes intensifies.

Another of the groups' ideas were:

• A man walking alone through a desert, as he goes animals follow him. The man is pursuing what he thinks is a beautiful woman but at the end of the song when he reaches her, she disappears as she is in fact a mirage.

I personally liked Jack's idea of the mirage in the desert as it fitted with the lyrics of the song and was an interesting concept.

What did you learn from the process:

From this process I learnt that it was important to have a clear idea for a music video as that can really help with the construction of the music video, and the overall aesthetic.

We then watched the music video at the end to see what the actual video looked like, which can be seen below:

30 Second Music Video Deconstruction - Multiply

A$AP Rocky - Multiply

Multiply is about A$AP Rocky reminding people that he shifted the sound, look, and trends in the culture when he and the A$AP Mob first broke out.

A$AP Rocky's "Multiply" was directed by Shomi Patwary and A$AP Rocky himself. The original music video can be seen above.

Here is my analysis of the first 30 seconds of the music video:

Other notable things about the video which are not featured within the first 30 seconds:

The music video contains many illustrative references to the lyrics. The screen which Juicy J is seen on is used further in the video many times to give illustration to A$AP's lyrics. A couple of the visual representations of his lyrics can be seen below.

A$AP mentions 'accident' and a picture of a car accident can be then seen.
This is an example of illustration of the lyrics.

The music video also contains many close-up shots of A$AP Rocky. This enables him to create a recognisable star image and a recognisable brand associated with gold chains, diamond grills and a good taste in clothing.

A$AP Rocky shows off his diamond grill, establishing himself as wealthy. This is part of his star image.

Analysis of Radiohead's "Street Spirit (Fade Out)"

British alternative rock band, Radiohead released a song in 1995 called "Street Spirit (Fade Out)" and the music video made its debut in February 1996. The music video was filmed over two nights in a desert near Los Angeles. The black-and-white music video was directed by Johnathan Glazer.

• Radiohead's "Street Spirit" is a heavily edited music video which is of typical Radiohead style. 

• The video is in black-and-white possibly due to the song being about life and death, which is simplistic, as are the black-and-white visuals. 

• The colour illustrates the sad lyrics. 

• The sky can be seen lighting up with lightening. This image shows the turbulent nature of the song and illustrates the emotion which Yorke feels.

• At the beginning when Yorke is falling from the camper van, the video jump cuts to him laying on a car roof, this creates a disorientating effect.

• Near the beginning of the video Thom Yorke can be seen missing an arm and you cannot see his other hand. This is disjunctive of the lyrics, "I can feel their blue hands touching me", as it references colour and the video is without colour and the video references hands and you cannot see his hands in that shot.

• There are many close ups of the lead singer, Thom Yorke which helps create a star image through the prevalence of Yorke. 

• The video is layered and textured when Yorke is on camera to give the video an unnerving feel.

• The music video features several ballet dancers wearing black. The dancers all leap at the same time, linking to a flock of birds taking off. The fact that the dancers and the birds are linked shows how Yorke is trying to express that everything in the end, eventually, ends the same.

• As the song continues in length, Yorke's lip syncing becomes out of time with the visuals. This is done deliberately and creates disjuncture which helps enhance the unnerving quality of the music video. 

• The song is illustrative of its lyrics when the birds are referenced in the lyrics and feathers can be seen in the video. Yorke is also seen at the start laying spread-eagled on a car roof, his hands look to be touching the doors which makes him look like he has wings.

• The only other time where the music video is illustrative of its lyrics when the video fades to the lyrics of "And fade out again and fade out."

• In the music video there's a shot where a mosquito is bearing down upon Thom Yorke. First of all, this is a generally unnerving and uncomfortable experience. However, within 24 hours of a bite,  a female mosquito will give birth to her brood and then die. So this could also possibly be an image reflecting upon self-sacrifice and willingness to make an ultimate sacrifice. The music video has themes which present to us the life cycle.

• Toward the end of the music video, the video features more cuts and at a faster rate. This shows intensity and exemplifies Yorke's emotions.

Carol Vernallis' Theory

Carol Vernallis' music video theory revolves around 4 key aspects:

- Narrative:

• She believes that a video is a response to the music. The video suits the style and genre of the music and the look of the artist. It also cuts in time and rhythm with the soundtrack. 

• There's not necessarily always a balance between narrative and performance.

• The narrative is not always complete- it may be a partial, fragmented narrative. 

• The structure of the video may appear disjointed. 

• Something drives the video forward, but often it is not the narrative. It could be the music, the performance, a mixture, or some other element. 

• There may not always be a clear resolution (closure) at the end.

• The video may pose questions that it doesn't actually answer. 

• There may be a narrative or theme running through the video, but in a montage style. 

- Editing:

• Editing may match the musical phrases or the beat.

• The video may disrupt/break many of the 'rules' of continuity editing- this is a clear convention of music video editing.

• Editing may become 'foregrounded'- the edits may be really obvious, to draw attention to themselves as opposed to invisible, continuity editing.

• A style of editing that runs through the video and is distinctive to that video.

- Camera Movement:

• Extreme close up shots are common, however aren't as common as mid shots and close ups, familiarising the audience with the face and look of the artist.

•  The style of framing and movement may run through the video and be distinctive to that video.

• The camera may move in time with the music.

• The camera may move on the lyrics.

• The master shot (or other establishing shots) is used frequently, as are the close-ups.

- Diegesis:

• The diegesis may be revealed quite slowly.

• Actions are not necessarily completed- they may be disrupted or interrupted in some way.

• Character or object movements may move to the music.

• They may be gaps in the audience's understanding of the diegesis- in time and space, music, performance and narrative.

• Some frames may be more important than others.

• There be many repetitions e.g. Musical phrases, the beat, other musical elements, themes, lyrics, performance, colours, images, camera positions.

What Music Means To Me

I was asked to select three music tracks that are in some way a reflection of my life. I was expected to choose a song from my early childhood, a song from when I began high school, and finally a song from now.

Childhood Song:

A song from 2003, when I was 5, which I remember is "Year 3000" by now disbanded boy band, Busted.

Beginning of High School Song:

A song from 2009, when I was 11 and just beginning high school was "Empire State of Mind" by Alicia Keys and Jay Z. This is when I fully began to appreciate rapping and hip-hop. Jay-Z, Eminem, Rihanna and Kanye West were amongst my favourite artists.

A Song From Now:

A song which I like at present day is "100" by The Game feat. Drake.

From a very young age I really enjoyed listening to music and my parents encouraged me to listen to a wide range of tastes, from Green Day to Duffy. I think this helped me shape my music tastes and develop an interest as currently I like a wide range of music.

As I grew up and got older, I began to understand the lyrical meaning behind songs, I found the lyrics of songs really interesting. I think this is what made hip-hop my favourite genre. I find it interesting reading about the meaning of lyrics and what artists infer through their songs. Hip-hop represents a socio-political movement which I find interesting. Hip-hop provides a voice for the people. With songs such as Kanye West's "New Slaves" which details the full spectrum of racism which Kanye has encountered and the stereotype of a black man.

ScHoolBoy Q - Hell Of A Night

Another music video which comes to mind when trying to think of good music videos is ScHoolBoy Q's "Hell Of A Night", where Q ingests a green slurry of drugs in a drink and everyone at the party is as messed up as he is.

The music video was directed by Jon Jon Augustavo.

Here are some examples of what I noticed:

1) ScHoolBoy is commonly seen wearing a bucket hat, he has his "Q" tattoo on show a lot and smokes marijuana a bit in the video. This portrays his persona and brand and helps viewers to recognise ScHoolBoy.

ScHoolBoy with his "Q" tattoo. bucket hat and exhaling smoke. Typical ScHoolBoy Q.

2) Voyeurism is a concept in the video.

These two women suggestively suck ice lollies, creating a voyeuristic image.

3) In the video when ScHoolBoy Q raps "Get up off your feet, you can be my freak, let me see you jam", an old lady can be seen dancing and partying. This is a weird image that illustrates ScHoolBoy's lyrics of being a freak.

ScHoolBoy's lyrics are illustrated by this imagery.

Taylor Swift - Bad Blood (Remix) ft. Kendrick Lamar

Yet another song that came to mind is relatively new. Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood (Remix)" featuring Kendrick Lamar is a good music video which uses parts of Andrew Goodwin's Music Theory.

This action hero inspired music video was directed by Joseph Kahn and features a handful of models such as Cara Delevingne, Lena Dunham and Jessica Alba.

Here's some examples of what I saw:

1) In the music video, Taylor Swift is featured in many close ups which enables viewers to come to recognise her and her brand.

Swift is portrayed as strong and independent in the music video in many close ups by her looking directly at the camera

2) The music video encourages voyeurism as many of the women are wearing short clothes and small tops.

Taylor Swift is wearing a bralet which is revealing and encourages voyeurism

3) The Bad Blood music video resembles a scene from Mission Impossible at the beginning of the video, making an intertextual reference.

Cartwheeling, Taylor Swift in an action scene similar to that which can be seen in Mission Impossible

Logic - Under Pressure

Another music video which came to mind when tring to think of other good examples of an interesting music video was "Under Pressure" by Logic.

The 'first person shooter' style music video was directed by Stephen Wayne Mallet where Logic and his team pulls of a perfectly planned heist.

Here's some examples of what I noticed:

1)  Genre-related style and iconography is present through this visual as the song is about being "Under Pressure" similar to how you'd be under pressure on a diamond heist. The lyrics are also being illustrated through the video as well.

The fast paced song is related to the gritty point of view style of the video

2) Thought beats are present; when Logic begins rapping, the conflict within the video begins, the lyrics are illustrated by the visuals.

When Logic shoots the first security person guarding the diamonds, the beat becomes more layered.

3) At the end of the video, at the same time as Logic raps "Every diamond in my chain, yeah, that's a milestone", diamonds can be seen in the visuals. This shows how the music video for Under Pressure illustrates the lyrics.

The diamonds illustrate Logic's words.

Action Bronson - Baby Blue ft. Chance The Rapper

Another video which I thought was good was Action Bronson's "Baby Blue" featuring Chance The Rapper.

The video was directed by Lil Chris.

Here's some examples of what I noticed:

1) Chance The Rapper wears his logo on his apparel. This enables people to recognise his brand.

Chance wears SOX apparel to give himself a recognisable identity

2) Chance raps "I hope you get a paper cut on your tongue", the imagery illustrates the lyrics.

The woman's mouth begins bleeding, this imagery illustrates the lyrics

3) Near the beginning of the video there are several women dressed in swimwear, this creates a voyeuristic image.

The women are scantily clad which encourages voyeurism

A$AP Rocky - L$D

Another song which comes to mind when thinking of good music videos is A$AP Rocky's "L$D (Love x $ex x Dreams)".

The psychedelic video was directed by Dexter Navy and co-directed by A$AP Rocky himself.

Here's some examples of what I noticed:

1) The music video for L$D features A$AP Rocky wearing gold jewellery and smoking marijuana which is part of his brand. It helps Rocky create a recognisable brand image.

A$AP Rocky can be seen smoking a blunt and wearing lots of heavy gold jewellery which helps A$AP promote his image.

2) In the music video, when A$AP is singing about love at one point, he kisses the woman. This imagery illustrates the lyrics.

A$AP Rocky kisses the woman when he is singing about love, illustrating his imagery.

3) The psychedelic genre is shown through iconography. The animation and manipulation of the music video display this.

A$AP is singing about the drug LSD, the video shows the effects of LSD.

Kanye West - All Of The Lights ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi

Another song which comes to mind when trying to think of a good music video is Kanye West's "All Of The Lights" ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi. The video contains visual references to the 2009 film 'Enter the Void.' The video garnered some controversy as it caused seizures with epileptic viewers, a discretionary warning had to be added before the video began to warn viewers.

The video is a visually bright, strobe-lit masterpiece directed by Hype Williams.

Here's some examples of what I noticed:

1) The video makes an intertextual link to the 2009 film 'Enter the Void.'

The text in the music video is similar to the film text from 'Enter the Void', making an intertextual link.

2) The video is voyeuristic, Rihanna is wearing exposing clothing. 

Rihanna is frequently seen wearing exposing clothing in the video.

3) There is a relationship between the visuals and the lyrics, as Kanye raps "cop life", he can be seen standing on top of a police vehicle.

The visuals help illustrate the lyrics.

Kid Cudi vs. Crookers - Day 'n' Night

Another song which came to mind when trying to think of a good music video is "Day 'n' Night' by Kid Cudi vs. Crookers. The video features Scott Mescudi, aka Kid Cudi, working in a shop. When he is left to his own devices, the video implies him getting high, then a medicated craziness ensues.

The video is directed by French director So-Me, who previously directed Kanye West's "Good Life", features aspects of Goodwin's "Music Video Theory."

Here's some examples of what I noticed:

1) The song video indicates Cudi has smoked marijuana, which is part of his brand, promoting a recognisable brand image.

In this shot Cudi can be seen coughing out smoke, smoking weed is part of Kid Cudi's brand image

2) The song video plays on voyeurism. Kid Cudi, when he's high, imagines the women in their underwear or scantily dressed.

In this screenshot, Kid Cudi can be seen looking at the barely-clothed woman, this implicates that it's okay to look at her because he is looking at her.

3) In the music video, when Mescudi sings "the lonely stoner seem to free his mind at night", what seems to be a good looking woman turns into an old lady. This imagery amplifies and illustrates the lyrics.

In the screenshot, the woman amplifies and illustrates the lyrics being sung when this is screened.

Tyler The Creator - F*CKING YOUNG

One song video which came to mind when trying to think of a good music video is "F*cking Young" by Tyler The Creator. This video is a double header video which features two songs off Tyler's most recent album, Cherry Bomb. The first song outlines a weird and twisted love story.

 

The video, directed by Tyler himself, features aspects of Goodwin's "Music Video Theory."

Here are some examples of what I noticed:

1) The video makes an intertextual link to The Simpsons, which features a frequent skateboard-using character, Bart Simpson's catchphrase 'Kowabunga.'

Tyler holding his skateboard, exclaims "Kowabunga", a nod to The Simpsons.

2) There are multiple and frequent close-ups of Tyler wearing his brand which promotes a recognisable brand image.

GOLFWANG... Tyler and his friends can be seen throughout the video wearing their own clothing apparel.

3) There's a relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, whenever Tyler is talking about the girl who is too young, she often appears on screen.

Tyler The Creator's young admirer appears on screen when he mentions her.

Andrew Goodwin's Music Video Theory

Andrew Goodwin's "Music Video Theory" states that there are five key aspects to a music video.

1. A relationship between the lyrics and the visuals, which illustrates, amplifies or contradicts the lyrics.

In Maroon 5's "Sugar", the band visits various weddings which amplifies the song's connotations of love which it's lyrics are trying to express.

Maroon 5's "Sugar"

2. Thought beats: seeing the sounds (seeing what they mean or represent in your head).

There are three ways visuals are used to promote a song:

Illustrate: Music videos use certain images and shots to illustrate/explain the meaning of lyrics to their songs and the genre.

Disjuncture: In this situation, the meaning of the song is completely ignored in the music video.

Amplify: This is when the images and camera shots are manipulated and shown repeatedly throughout the music video and is drummed into our vision.

In Swedish House Mafia's "Don't You Worry Child" featuring John Martin, when the beat drops the video cuts in time with the music's rhythm which creates further meaning to the experience of watching and listening to the song video.

Swedish House Mafia's "Don't You Worry Child" featuring John Martin

3. Genre-related style and iconography present.

Kanye West's "Only One" is influenced by a dream which Kanye had, in which, Kanye dreamed that his mother gave him knowledge on how to raise his daughter, North. North West can be seen in the video and is a metaphor for Kanye's "Only One." Kanye's frequently stands in a posture where his wedding ring is visible which implies that he is bound to his wife, Kim Kardashian. His wedding band is an example of iconography.

Kanye West's "Only One" featuring Paul McCartney

4. Multiple close-ups of the main artist or vocalist: the creation of a star image to promote a recognisable brand image.

Most of the video for Kanye West's "Homecoming" features close-ups of Kanye, this promotes his recognisable brand image through what he's wearing for example.

Kanye West's "Homecoming"

5. Voyeurism often plays a major part, especially in relation to females.

Rita Ora's "Poison" is about a love so bad, that it's bad for her. For no reason other than male gratification, Rita can frequently be seen scantily dressed.

Rita Ora's "Poison"

6. Intertextual references to other media texts may be present, especially, in humorous videos.

The screenshot below, taken from Michael Jackon's "Beat It" is an intertextual reference to the 1961 American musical, West Side Story.

Michael Jackson's "Beat It"