Monday, 4 January 2016

Genre Signifiers

The convention of a music video depends on the beat, rhythm, pace, costumes, make up, artist, lyrics of the song, etc. These things are what make up the genre of a particular music video. 

Pop:
Pop songs normally consist of bright colours, energetic performances and dance routines. For example in katy Perry. The band or artist also tends to lip-sync the lyrics so they can keep up with the pace of the song. Pop songs also tend to follow a narrative story line. They consist of a varity of camera shots. For example a close up of katy Perry looking innocent but this could also come across as a sexualised action. But there is also a long shot to project there costumes and perfom the dance. The location is very utopia, this fits the pop genre because they are trying to create a feel good music video. In this particualr music video it is fillied with candy and ice cream.


Rap:
The example i am using for this genre in 679 By Fetty Wap. Unlike most a narrative is set up fort his song. A shot reverse shot is used at the begginging to connote who Fetty is talking about. A women is used and she is being shows as a male gaze which supports Laura Mulvey. There are also two women in a path together. Fade shots are also being used which also goes against keeping up with the pace of a normal rap song. Fetty Wap is wearing a gold jacket which signifies he is rich and powerful. The location used is at a house of a party this enables the rapping to keep up with the pace of the beat.  Money is being used as a prop in this music video this does follow typical conventions of the rap genre.



Grime:
Grime music videos do not tend to have a narrative for the music video. Where as the lyrics regularly do have a narrative. Grime music is  much like rap music this is because the pace and beat to rap and grime is very similar. Conventionally the beat used will be one just repeated throughout the song this is because the grime artist can get used to the beat and use the beat so rap the lyrics in the correct place. Lighting always seems to be dark this could signify the mood. Ambient lighting is conventionally used as well this could attract the audience because they could feel like producing grime music is more or a reachable goal. Which leads me on the my next point, locations of most grime music videos are in ware houses, estates or a small music studio. This could make the audience feel more related to these grime artists. 

R&B: 
Costume, most men in music videos tend to be topless or wear minimal clothing this is to attract the teenage audience. following from that point, if the men are conventionally topless then they would normally be wearing jeans lower then there waist to show off there designer boxers and designer belt. By doing this they are becoming a sexual icon for there target audience. Women also tend to wear minimal clothing (this supports the Madonna theory and over sexulising women)  this makes these female artists to be seen as objects of desire. Conventionally female R&B artists wear heavy eye make up and bold lipstick. This is to show power and and independents. Females featured in the music video generally wear very high heels to enhance the shape and length of there legs. 
Slow pace R&B songs conventionally use  grey scale  editing or a sepia tone. By using the dark colours it evokes the emotions from the audience. As well as wearing minimal clothing the women are conventionally seen as goddesses. Conventions for R&B come from both ends of the scale but from research in R&B songs being seen as a "goddess" is only when the song is a love, song. In a fast pace R&B song there is conventionally expensive, popular cars. Props will also include other expensive things like champagne, outstanding jewelry.    


Country:
Country music conventionally follows a narrative story line. A montage of shots is conventionally used to signify this, medium shots are also used for the audience to establish the location.  And will generally have a soft melody. County singers conventionally wear cow boys boots, located in the country side with trucks. 

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