History of music videos
Intro
How have modern day music videos changed from traditional music videos? Think about audience appeal, what videos can now be used for, the impact they can have etc.
Music videos have changed over the past several decades which has influenced modern music videos and audience appeal. From the first black and white music video to Top of the Pops to movie influenced thriller to modern day high budgets music video. Over time music videos have appealed to more audiences which has help artists to sell more albums. Not only that there is more synergy involved when making music videos since this has helped sold even more albums. Music videos are now as used not only a way of promoting the artist music it also an advertising tool as well.
Timeline
1929
In 1929 Bessie smith appears in a short film called, Saint Louis Blues in 1929. The song at the time was hit and the short film was about a dramatized performance. This could be considered the first music video. However, it was in a film so it depends on your interpretation.1940
In 1940, Disney released “Fantasia” which was an animated movie that was very based on several different classical music. This is considering a music video. However, in my opinion; it doesn’t first it doesn’t have lyrics and then doesn’t confirms to any conventional music video. It’s just a music that was included in a film.
1940 – 1950
Various films during this time were accompanied with moving images and animations and also had background music. They are not music videos since these were literally added during editing.
1950 – 1960
Tony Bennet “Stranger in paradise” filmed his song in London by walking through Hyde park. This is considered one of the first music videos since the content was mostly about the song rather than the film itself. Another reason is that this is considered one of the first music videos since it was distributed on UK and US Television.
1964
Another key moment is The Beatles. Not only it promoted music videos it also set out a conventional standard for music videos which is used today. It also influenced various musicians including adding moving images to accompany music as well as making the music.
1966
The launch of Top of the Pops. Which was made by the BBC. Top of the pops main purposes to promote various single artists which later on became bands. They had to compete air time since the original program ran for 90 mins.
Additional information – 1950, 1960 & 1970s
During this period, more music videos started to use various techniques that were featured in movies at the time. This included dramatic lighting, Cinematography which included camera angles as well as rhythmic editing. This has led to various music videos starting to look more like films at the time since music videos didn’t have it own distinct style during this period.
The era of modern music.
1975
Queens ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was one of the first modern music video which was innovative. The music was originally planned to be a live performance however unfortunately they couldn’t make the live performance, therefore, they decided to release it as a music video. Bohemian rhapsody was the first music video made to played on the TV. Moreover, this was made for a “video” format. Therefore it would sensible to say that this is the first music video. Since it was made for video. And shouldn’t be confused with the “first promo film”
1970 – 1980
During this period, another key feature that is seen in most music videos was the recording and editing got cheaper and a lot easier. It meant you film higher quality of films on videotape recorders and portable videos cameras. Which enabled many pop acts to record promotional videos for their upcoming music rather than using film which was considerably more expensive and which required larger and more cumbersome cameras.
1981
The launch of MTV. Which Heralded a new era for music videos since it meant that it became more accessible to watch music videos. The first music video to aired was the Buggles “Video Killed the radio Star” During this time music videos also sophisticated effects in the music videos. Also, they were an increase of adding a storyline or a plot the music videos to appeal to a larger audience.
1984
Miachel Jackson’s Thriller
This was another interesting point since; thriller was more than a music video it was more of a short movie rather than a music video. This is because thriller had a beginning, middle and an end.
However, another interesting development was Top Of the Pops had to start censor videos. Which led to censoring music video, therefore, some artists started to exploit this by making music videos more and more controversial which have led them to getting banned. To increase publicity and promote the release. An example of this tactic was Duran Duran “Girls on Film”
The 80s onwards.
Music video was starting to attract a larger and a large fan base which lead to a major role in popular and niche music marketing. An example of this success would be Madonna. The reason for her success was the skilful construction as well as the seductive appeal in her music videos.
MTV success was the start of the rush to make various music videos and was the golden era in regards to music videos. Because of its success, it became a new artform in popular culture however some people saw the death of the true musical artist. Because it became the physical appeal became critical to be successful in the music industry rather than the music
2005
The launch of YouTube which users to watch videos online allowed music videos to became more accessible to a larger audience. Instead of having to wait for a music video to appear you could now watch instantly online which allowed more and more people to watch music videos. Which also led to increasing earnings for artists since this was a new way to watch music videos.
How has music video changed over time?
Music videos has evolved over time from the humble beginnings of Bessie smith to the on-demand services of YouTube. They have been various influences such as the use of more film techniques in music videos. And the move from live performances to music videos. The audience has changed over the years reaching a wider range of audiences. Music videos can be now applied to most if not all genres currently compared backed to the 80s in which it was several genres only had music videos. The technology has changed as well from live performances to music videos on DVDs. To Music video channels and then finally on-demand services like YouTube. Along with the technology that has changed to watch it the technology the technology and techniques to film it has changed as well. With the introduction of lighter camera equipment and then High definition camera equipment as well as Dolby sound and various film techniques and then editing techniques. It has revolutionised music videos.
Conclusion
While researching the history of music videos, I could find out how music video developed over the past 40+ years moreover I have learnt about techniques that were used in the music videos in the past and how various artists such as Michel Jackson and the Beatles as well as Top of the Pops. Their work various has allowed music videos to develop for example thriller was the first music videos to use various degrees of techniques from films and the music video was more of a short film rather than a music video. The technology behind music videos has changed as well how the audience watches them. All of this can help me to understand what is behind a music video.
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