1. RESEARCH INTO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
How are music videos made?
Music videosare made differentlydependingontheirtype.Performance basedmusicvideos include
the artist,oftenwithlip-syncing.Conceptbasedmusicvideosvaryhugelyandnarrative basedones
alsovary but can be baseduponanothertextand the narrative oftencorrespondswiththe lyrics.In
termsof (vague) productionprocessof musicvideos,astoryboardiscreatedtoshow the typesof
shotsto make a visual representationof ideas.Then,propsare gatheredalongwithlocationsand
the people involvedfilmittoa schedule. Inpost-production,editingisdone where effectsare often
addedto improve the video.
• What is the purpose of a music video for the companies / artists that make them?
The main purpose ormost commonpurpose of musicvideosistopromote the artist,expanding
target audience. If the musicvideoispopular,itmay leadsome people tolike the songbecause of
the video.Then,the albumcontainingthe songisreleasedafterwardsinthe hope thatmore
popularityhasbeengainedforthatsong. Ultimately,the more popularthe video,the more popular
the artist and more moneyismade.
Who are some famous music video directors and why are theirvideos so well-known/
successful?
DavidFincher– DirectedvideossuchasMadonna’s‘Vogue’.Thisvideoissuccessful due tothe
reflectionof the artistandthe intertextualityinvolvedsuchasreference toMarilynMonroe and
classic,timelessconceptsthatare so recognisable.
Michel Gondryis the AcademyawardwinningFrenchfilmmakerwhohasdirectedfilms.He hasalso
directedmusicvideosforBjorkandDaftPunk,Foo Fighters,Chemical BrothersandRadiohead.Main
successisthe artistsinvolvedandtheirlevelof fanfollowing.
Hype Williamsisundoubtedlythe mostfamoushiphopmusicvideodirectorof all time.Whenmusic
videobudgetswere still large he directedthe music videosfornamessuchas TLC, BustaRhymes,
Usher andmany more.
How much moneyis usuallyspenton the average music video? Have any beenmade very
cheaplyor are there any that have had huge budgets?
Average studiomusicvideobudget:$200,000 – $500,000 (2010). Anexample of amusicvideowitha
huge budgetis Michael Jackson& JanetJackson“Scream”: $10,000,000.
A musicvideomade withareallylowbudgetis‘InBetweenDays’ –The Cure
• How do audiencesaccess music videos? Where can theybe seen?
Music videoscanbe foundon manywebsitessuchasYouTube,Vimeoandthe artists’website.
Alongside this,musicvideoscanbe boughton iTunes howeverthishasdeclinedinrecentyearsdue
to free accessto them.Music videoscanalsobe watchedon TV on channelssuchas MTV and other
musicsteamingchannels.
