Music Video Analyses

What camera angles, shots, movement & position are still used today from the ‘hard days night’ performance music video?

In the start of the music video we can see an added scene with dialogue on a train before any singing has began. This can be seen in other music videos as ways to tell the story for example in Sias ‘Cheap Thrills’ where an interview on an old TV is shown. This music video also takes on the Black and White of the Beatles ‘hard days night’, although this wasn't a choice for them due to the technology of only black and white cameras modern day artists like Sia have the option to do this. This may be because she wants to create the old feel of experimental music videos, therefore appealing to a wider audience. 

 When comparing it to a classic music video, Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ we can see that shots such as close ups are used much like the Beatles. This is done during the performance of Michael Jackson singing, revealing the make-up used to turn him into the character of the zombie. Much like in the Beatles music video this also helps to tell the story and also help with the element of performance although in the “hard days night’ music video there was no miming of the words. Tracking shots are also used in both music videos as Michael Jackson is singing whilst following the girl and also following the Boy Band through the town and climbing over fences.

Discuss what the appeal was of MTV in the 1980’s 

 On August 1, 1981, MTV launched at 12:01 in the morning, ushered in by John Lack (then the Executive Vice President of Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment) saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.” This was famous for music videos and therefore was very popular among the music industry. As it was a TV channel it was widely accessible and therefore made watching music videos easier and more popular. This was a large break through for the music industry as it meant that artists could reach a wider audience. 

 Similarities between Monroe's musical and Madonna's 'Material Girl'

In Madonna's material world music video we are able to see clearly the similarities between hers and Marilyn Monroe's ironic musical theatre piece.

The first thing we can compare is the use of set. In Monroe's musical she uses a red block
colour background and nothing else. Madonna uses the exact same background as well as the same background as well as the same use of red heart cut outs as props carried around by the all male backing dancers.

These dancers also share similarities in the 2 videos. For example the use of costuming on the men. In both they wear black tuxedos with stripy red and white ties. However these stripes are in different patterns in each video, this maybe the directors attempt to avoid complete copyright although it doesn't really seem to have an effect. Similarly Madonna adopts Monroe's choice of silk pink dress and matching gloves. Again they use a slight difference with Madonna's being slightly lighter in colour. In addition she recreates the use on Monroe's jewellery again slightly adapted in design perhaps Madonna trying to make it her own.

      

Finally the use of body language in both music videos share similarities. For example in both there's a flirtatious feel, both stars performing for the camera. Although Madonnas was a music video, she even copies the musical feel of Monroes. I think this is one of the reasons both videos give a very similar feel, because in a way Madonna is either trying to be Monroe or treats it like she is playing a character.

Documentary Analyses; Louis Thoroux

In the opening of the documentary we can see a fade in from black being used as part of the post editing. This is used to take us to an establishing shot of san quentin prison which allows us to understand exactly what the documentary is based around. However the idea of a soft, slow fade in reflects on Louis Thoruos interview style, ie calm and laid back. As this is unusual when paired with a prison it can give us the idea that we will gain a large amount of information about the place as he won't be scared away from the danger. Added to this there is a logo edited into the scene showing the well known 'BBC' logo. As this is a world wide large and trustworthy production company the audience will therefore be supplied with the reassurance that the information they are about to hear is accurate because the company will have the capital and ability to get access to more than any other production company. 

The sound used in the documentary consisted of a voice over and background music as well as the dialogue of the key interviews. The background music was a track with an urban like feel which can reflect on the people within the prison, their personality and background. It also contrasts with Thoruox nerdy look and personality showing him as a vulnerable person within a place like San Quentin. Therefore this adds to the idea of danger in the documentary, furthering the 'hook' which entices the audience. The 'hook' is something that is said/ shown in the documentary within the first few minutes of the documentary in order to grip the audience and make them want to watch the full piece. We can see this in the dialogue of Thorous programme as it shows a clip from later on in the documentary when he interviews the famous David Silva and goes onto say 'the things that thrill me don't get me 500 years in prison'. For the audience members who were unaware of this and even those who were will be alarmed by this statement and therefore get 'hooked'. To further the impact of the hook, the BBC do not shoe the interview with David Silva until the end of the documentary, this will therefore mean that the audience have to watch the full documentary in order to get to the main part that interested them. Thorous as the interview also uses extended dialogue that he doesn't necessarily need to use for himself however uses it to give the audience a detailed insight. For example the use of obvious questions such as 'and what is this for' as the stab vest was being put on. Although obviously he knows himself what it is for he is asking the questions that we want to ask through him. This is useful within documentaries as it allows the audience to follow along with the show, gaining knowledge and insight as they would expect to from a documentary.     

In this documentary they play on the idea of stereotypical prison life by showing the things that we would assume is involved in every prisoners life; pumping iron, basketball, Orange uniforms. This gives in a way helps to give the audience what they want to see, the idea that prison life is just like the American movies we see. As  a result of this not only do the BBC satisfy their audience but it also gives more of a danger feel to the documentary as compared to the strong, masculine prisoners, the interviewer stands out as being a weakling. This adds to the idea of a 'Hook' as its almost as if we want to see if Thuroux will survive to the end. The scene with David Silver presented the fence separating the interviewer and prisoner to be made up of thick metal wire, emphasising the safety procedures the prison has to take to contain the inmates. This gives us the idea that they are being caged like animals which then leeds us to think of how dangerous they must be to have to be contained like this. As this is shown at the start of the documentary it also adds to the hook with in the first minute of the hour long episode meaning the audience want to continue to find out why this treatment is necessary. 

During the documentary within the prison doors, hand held shots are used behind Thoroux and the guards, this creates the idea that we are in the prison with him and therefore when we see the corridors lined with cells it adds to the adrenaline of the viewing due to giving us the idea we are with them in the prison. This continues to be used throughout the documentary as a way of making sure the audience feel involved and not ignored, a way of addressing the audience without the use of dialogue.