Introduction to music videos

Introduction

1) What are the key conventions of music video?

     -fast-paced movement (actors, editing, camerawork)

     -may contain a narrative or performance element

     -visual effects and intertextuality

     

2) What is intertextuality?

    Intertextuality occurs when one media text references another through genre, conventions, mise-en-            scene, or specific cultural references.

   Music videos often use intertextual references – often to classic films but also to television, popular           culture, news, videogames or even other music videos.

3) When did music videos first become a major part of the music industry?

    Music videos first became a major part of the music industry when a platform for music videos, MTV,        was launched in 1981. In the 1980s and 1990s, big budgets were spent on these music videos.

4) What launched in 1981, and why were music videos an important part of the music industry in           the 1980s and 1990s?

     In 1981, the first music channel on television was launched, called MTV, which was specifically made       for music videos. This was a very important part of the music industry, as artists used music videos to         represent their music, so they needed MTV to release the videos as a way to sell and advertise them.

5) How are music videos distributed and watched in the digital age?

    In the digital age, music videos are distributed and watched through a platform called YouTube, which        was launched in 2005.