What directors need to consider when making a music video

• Budget
• The time they have to plan/shoot it
• Styling of the artist
• Genre of music
• Narrative element or not
• Theme
• Target audience - age, gender, interests
• Props or people they want in the video
• Conventional/controversial video
• Lyrics
• Setting/filming location
• TX Rating - when and where will it be distributed
• Artists input - anything inparticular that they want the video to show

Why do bands/artists like music videos?

1. Promotion - music videos are promotional tools
2. Band are seen as well as heard
3. Artists are recognisable - star status/ star image
4. Bands/artists may develop a personal image/theme/personality through their music videos
5. Fun - experience working on location/acting etc. (vanity element, they nearly always look good in music videos)
6. It offers another way to express or emphasise the emotions and feeling of the song
7. The video can include visual narrative or visual metaphor that enhance the meaning of the song
8. Promotion for the label as other artists/bands from the label may appear in the video, e.g. Decaydance and Fueled By Ramen
9. Audience can identify with characters in music videos (especially during narrative elements)
10. Music videos are highly stylised representations of the band - the look, styling, hair, make-up is carefully considered and managed by the band and record label

Cute Without The 'e' (Cut From The Team) - Taking Back Sunday

The first shot you see is pretty unconventional for a music video, this pulls in the attention of the audience as they want to see what it's about because they don't get any clue from the establishing shot. I really like the editing of this video which is very dark and the bright light behind the singer is the only real light, this really draws attention to the members of the band. The way it cuts quickly to another shot makes it interesting to watch. Another thing I really like is how words come up such as "this is not what you think" and you have to really pay attention to read them quick enough. It makes them seem like there's things we don't know that we need to find out which fits with the lyrics of the song "don't bother trying to explain angel, I know exactly what goes on." The live performance that's typical for most music video also appears in this video but in a different way. It flashes up within the narrative part of the music video, which makes it more interesting than the usual smoothly edited cuts of the band performing. The attitude of the lead singer is obvious by the way he acts in front of the camera and the way he's styled which are both something that will appeal to fans of this genre of music. The harsh editing really works with the strong beat of the song and helps emphasise the drum beat. There's a lot of close-ups in this video because with the lighting conditions it's needed for you to be able to tell what's going on. It also gives a more personal view of the band which is something very popular for music videos, because the artist wants to create more of a connection with their fans. This doesn't have a strong narrative element but it does have something else going on other than the live performance of the band. The quick cut editing and the lighting conditions make it hard to make out the story that is going on in the video, which again links with the lyrics of the song.

It's Not Your Fault - New Found Glory

I really like the editing in this video and how the narrative is backwards; the video starts at the end of the story and then you follow the couple back in time. I think this makes it interesting and different from many of the usual music videos, which is good because it's obviously used as publicity for the band so they want it to stand out amongst other videos in this genre. I like how the band appear alongside the characters in the video, instead of just in the typical live performance shots. They use some interesting shots such as extreme close-up of items of clothing which again make it interesting to watch. They also use shots where you're looking up at the lead singer which gives the feeling that he's of importance. The styling of the band is very typical of the genre of music and the characters in the video seem to be similar to the fans of the band. They live the kind of lifestyle the fans of New Found Glory would enjoy from the storyline portrayed in the video. The ending is different from many typical music videos as it's quite abrupt and you're not really sure how it's ended, which is partly because the narrative is backwards. I quite like this as it makes the video stick in your mind, and as a band trying to promote their song I think this is what New Found Glory intended to do.

Dirty Little Secret - All American Rejects

I really like the idea behind this video and how they're used secrets from PostSecret which is an art project which is very popular with the audience who are likely to watch this video. I really like the way the people are revealing their secrets and how this fits perfectly with the meaning of the song and the song title of Dirty Little Secret.
The fast cut, almost flashing images of the secrets at the very beginning of the video it quite an unconventional way to start a music video and something I really liked. I think the editing in this music video is really interesting and the way they've blurred out some of the people to make the secrets stand out gives the sense that you're finding out a secret not a lot of people know, which really grabs your attention especially since some of the secrets are a bit shocking. The way you can relate to some of the secrets makes the video even more effective as you sit there thinking "that's me" to some of them. This is also the case with Tell Me I'm A Wreck video by Every Avenue, which has a similar concept to this video but about something different.
I really like how the band are in an empty building with all the secrets on the wall behind them, it makes the typical band shots that most music videos have a little different. The bright flashing lights used in these shots gives the sense of a live performance which would appeal to the person watching the video.
The styling of the band is again quite typical of the genre of music but they don't look as smart as Fall Out Boy because they wanted to give a different impression. They seem quite laid back as they're just in jeans and t-shirts which makes the audience see them as ordinary people instead of famous singers.

Dance Dance - Fall Out Boy

I like this video because it fits with the song. I also like how it has a strong story line which links to the lyrics. It's typical of the band who usually make video that are quite humorous and different from the music videos of other bands from their genre of music.
They use typical camera shots ranging from extreme close-ups of the lead singer to long shots of the hall the band are playing in. I like how this makes it feel like you're actually there as you would focus on different things from time to time.
I like the editing in this video as it chops from the band to the band members playing characters at the dance. It shows another side to the musicians, it makes them seem more approachable and real, not just four boys on stage. Which is something typical of music videos because the band want their fans to relate to them a bit more.
The styling of the band is typical for a band of this genre when they're on stage performing but when they're playing characters in the video they break the usual conventions of a rock video. They are all dressed as geeks with sleeked back hair and trying to impress girls who don't even notice them. This makes us see them in another light and again adds a humorous element to the video.
I really like how well the video fits in with the song especially when the lead singer draws a heart in the air when the songs says 'love'. The editing of this section really interests me and makes the video a bit different from bands similar to Fall Out Boy. I like all of Fall Out Boys video because they all have a certain feel that makes them seem like Fall Out Boy. Their music videos have become a huge part of their popularity and are almost like a tradmark. Another video of their's I really like is A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More "Touch Me".

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