In films and music videos, props (properties) are objects used on a set. Props can be large or small. Anything moveable on a set, distinct from the actors, scenery, costumes and electrical equipment is a prop.
Warner Bros Studios, London
Warner Bros Studios in London contains the sets and props used in the Harry Potter movies. Examples of props include the Triwizard Cup and the Golden Egg
Prop Manufacturing
While many props can be purchased or hired, many have to be designed from scratch (especially if they need a specific theme like those featured in Harry Potter). Props can be crafted using a number of techniques including carving, sculpting and moulding, together with the latest in manufacturing technology in order to transform the concepts from the art department into real, touchable, three dimensional objects.
Intertextuality and Cinema:
It is not surprising that so many music videos draw upon cinema as a starting point, since their directors are often film school graduates looking to move on eventually to the film industry itself.
Directors who started with music videos:
David Fincher
Spike Jonze
Michael Gondry
Video reference in music videos comes from a range of sources including cinema, TV, fashion, and art photography:
'California Love' by 2Pac takes inspiration from Mad Max:
Video games also became an influence for the visual style of music videos in the early 2000s. Characters were give a more plasticised look: 'Let Love be your Energy' by Robbie Williams is an example of this:
Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics (eg. stage performance in rock videos, dance routines, etc)
Relationship between the lyrics and the visuals
Relationship between the music and the visuals
The demands of the record label will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist, and the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work (a visual style)
There is frequent reference to the notion of looking (screens within screens, telescopes, etc.) and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body
There is often intertextual reference (to films, TV programmes, other music videos, etc.)
Since cinema was invented, we have had the ability to bring songs to life in the form of music videos. However, music videos were not always how they are today. Advances in technology have shaped the modern music video. The Early Years:
Music videos have been around since the 1920s, however they were mainly just footage of the band as they played.
Many Jazz musicians such as Bessie Smith created short films to accompany their songs, however they lacked the special effects that are commonly seen in modern music videos.
Bob Dylan: Bob Dylan created Subterranean Homesick Blues in 1965 as a segment for D.A. Pennebaker's film "Don't Look Back". This is widely credited as one of the first modern music videos.
Pop Music TV Shows:
In 1970, the record industry discovered that TV shows were a great way to promote their artists. Short 'promos' were created which acted as early music videos which began to replace the live performances of artists on TV.
Bohemian Rhapsody:
In 1975, Queen released their music video for Bohemian Rhapsody. The video was groundbreaking as it was one of the first to include digital effects, marking the beginning of the music video era, and setting the structure for modern music videos.
By the mid 1980s music videos had become a standard feature included with most songs. Technical Codes: Camerawork:
As with any moving image text, how the camera is used and how images are sequenced has a significant impact on the meaning.
The close-up shot of the singer predominates in music videos as they make the song feel more personal and attempt to make viewers fall in love with the artist.
The introduction of portable video camerasmade music videos more common.
Editing:
The most common editing style in modern music videos is the fast-cut montage. This usually encourages multiple viewings as the viewer wants to make sure they haven't missed anything.
However, slow paced editing may also be used to establish mood for a sad or emotional song.
Digital effects such as split screens, colourisation and CGI can be used to enhance the viewing experience, as well as green/blue screens with chroma keying to enhance the backgrounds of music videos.
Dance music is composed specifically to encourage or accompany dancing, rather than to tell a story.
Genre Conventions: - Mise en Scene
Casual Clothing
Focus on dance moves
Bright lights
- Origins
Late 19th century Western ballroom and social dance music
Gained huge popularity among the working class in the 1920s
In the 1930s Swing music was the most popular form of dance music
Rock and Roll became a very popular form of dance music during the 1950s
The 1960s saw the rise of Soul music, as well as RnB
Dance music became most popular among the general public in the early 1970s with the rise of Disco
By the late 1970s electronic dance music was developing. This is commonly played at nightclubs and raves, and many subgenres have evolved such as, House, and Dubstep
