1. Music videos demonstrate genre characteristics
The above music video Eminem - The Monster demonstrates the generic concepts and characteristics seen in many of today's hip hop/ rap genre music videos. An example of which would be the costume (mise-en-scene) Rihanna is seen wearing which audiences can perceive as provocative. Rihanna reinforces the modern hip hop genre characteristics by being made to appear provocative through her use of costume. This appeals to both make and female audiences; the male audience will see Rihanna as provocative and flirtatious which will entice them to watch the video and enjoy it, also females will see Rihanna as a role model due to the way she dresses and acts throughout this video.
2. There is a relationship between lyrics and visuals
Throughout the music video rapper Eminem makes numerous references to his past as he reflects on it within the video, this is seen during the intro where he is watching himself performing some of his songs on the TV. An example of the lyrics is "I wanted fame but not the cover of Newsweek", "save me from myself" and "the vary things that i love are killing me". Eminem is referring to his past and how his music and its success is 'killing' him. This is why he is seeking consolidation in the video, he is seen with a therapist (Rihanna) in the intro as well as another when he is in a straight jacket which can be seen in the bellow image. This presents Eminem as quite a crazy character in the video, this is accompanied by the visuals which makes the video and song more understandable for audience which makes it more enjoyable when watching it, this is typical of the rap genre as most rappers have had a bad past to rap about.
3. There is a relationship between music and visuals
There is a close relationship between the music and visuals as the music switches between fast to a slow pace as it switches from verse to chorus, as this happens the visuals change from Eminem to Rihanna so you can see the artist singing, this makes the video realistic and makes it performance based as it shows the artists singing which is appealing to the audience. These changes in tone and speed are a reference to the ups and downs in his life and his career as an artist which makes the video more appealing and exciting to the audience as it is a reflection of real life experiences for Eminem and allows the audience to get an insight to these experiences.
4.The demands of the record labels will include the need for lots of close ups of the artist may develop motifs which recur across their work.
Close ups are conventional within the hip hop genre and they appear regular throughout this music video. However one close up by Eminem was interesting as it proved to be a motif amongst his work, this image can be seen bellow and it shows Eminem in the same outfit and place where the 'Lose yourself' music video was filmed (which can also be seen below). These two close ups are unique to other close ups in the music video as they are both identical and show the setting which is obviously close to Eminem as there is a film about his life with the same name '8 mile'. This could be seen in a positive or negative light, either that Eminem is trapped in his past with bad memories, or that no matter how far he has come he still remembers his past and where he has come from, both ways entice the audience and give an insight to Eminem's life and past as an artist making the video more meaningful and exciting.
Eminem - The Monster
5. There is frequently reference to notion of looking (to films, TV programmes, other music videos etc). and particularly voyeuristic treatment of the female body.
Rihanna is sexualised within the music video 'Monster' in order to reinforce the stereotypes and characteristics of females, this is typical of the rap/hip hop genre as the music videos belonging to this genre usually include a provocative female to add an exciting element to the video and to attract the male audience. As shown in the picture bellow Rihanna has her breasts inappropriately on show, this however is common for many Hip-hop artists to be shown in a flirtatious way such as Katy Perry and Beyonce. Male artists such as Justin Bieber show off their muscles and tattoos to attract the female audience to watch the video.
6. There is often intertextual reference
Throughout the music video I couldn't identify any intertextual reference. Eminem and Rihanna had little contact with one another and when ever they where together there was no sexual reference made. This is unusual for a song that could be categorised under hip-hop, I would say that this is because the song and its context didn't require any sexual reference as the visuals wouldn't match the lyrics, also Eminem's music videos rarely have any sexual references within them, they seem to focus more on him and the music to publicise him more as an artist.
7.Whether the video is primarily performanced based, narrative based or concept based
This video seems to have a combination of all three; concept, performance and narrative. It is performance based because Rihanna performs to the camera and dances in the video, while Eminem provides a narrative through the visuals and the lyrics reveal a concept of Eminem's past as a rap artist and what he has done is his past.
Your analysis of Goodwin's theory demonstrates some understanding of the music video theory and how it can be applied to your chosen music video. You have identified the seven points well, by considering some well chosen examples, but you need to ensure that you have fully explained how the theory enables the audience to build a relationship with the artist.
ReplyDeleteAlso aim to include a summary to explain how your research will assist you with creating your music video, by considering what theory points you would like to include within your own production.