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.