PREP Explain how music videos use media language to promote their artists. Refer to the pair of music videos you have studied from the list below in your answer.
Our music videos are Wheatus Teenage Dirtbag Avril Lavigne Sk8ter Boi
HOW TO ANSWER: Media language points to consider:
the prioritising of the star / the group; the privileging of the star / the groups in the frame
authenticating the star's performance / the band's performance to show their skills
the use of close ups; lip syncing to camera; eye contact with the audience
Music videos can promote artists by privileging of the star. For example in the Sk8ter boi music video, the camera follows Avril Lavigne around and she tends the main focus of the video. In Wheatus video, the camera focuses on each member of the band. In both Sk8ter boi and Teenage dirtbag, the artists are presented to be singing along to the words of the songs thus authenticating the artists' performances. Audiences like to know that the artists are talented and are really singing their songs. Wheatus use their facial expressions to show the emotions they feel and the emotions the lyrics express. this is good it tells the audience that the song is relatable. In sk8ter boi Avril Lavigne is often crouching above the camera and this displays her punk attitude, which reflects her music.
Good subject knowledge and understanding shown, but aim to write in a bit more detail.
ReplyDeleteWheatus – Teenage Dirtbag (TD) and Avril Lavigne – Sk8er Boi (SB)
• SB’s use of lip syncing to camera promotes Avril Lavigne as the artist as she is singing to the audience directly
• SB’s use of multiple close ups of Avril Lavigne, further emphasising her status as the artist and her distinctive grungy ‘look’ which she is known for
• SB’s use of a range shots of Avril Lavigne looking directly into the camera to connect with her audience
• Avril Lavigne’s dominance of screen time allows for the audience to understand that she is the artist.
• TD’s sweeping use of pans to show the band performing as a collective emphasising their musical skill and to promote this to their audience
• TD’s use of MCU of the individual band members playing their instruments to further emphasis their status as the main artists
• TD’s increased pace in edit as the video reaches its climax, accompanied by the adoring fans, promotes the band to the audience as we see them being appreciated by fans.