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Tuesday, 24 June 2014

Sexuality and the Music Video

Sex sells.  Although some may dispute this fact, looking at the majority of successful music videos this is the case.  From the very start music videos had a sexual presence.  Artists like Duran Duran to Miley Cyrus use sex and nudity to sell their music and get their videos seen all over the world.

Duran Duran
In the 80s Duran Duran were one of the favorite pop-pin-ups of the time.  Known and loved for their iconic videos and sound they rose to fame with their sexual video for their song 'Girls On Film'.  Ranging from nudity, innuendos and mud wrestling their video was even banned by MTV and they were forced to create a cut final version suitable for daytime television.  

Miley Cyrus
 
The new Queen of shock, Miley Cyrus's video for 'Wrecking Ball' quickly grew in popularity and became the most viewed videos in 24 hours and broke the Vevo record.  One of its major themes is nudity and sees Miley swinging on a large wrecking ball totally naked, this added to its appeal and helped it to become a viral video.

 Lady gaga 
Lady Gaga's video for 'Love Game' featured a dirty and dark, sexual video.  With its sexual references in its lyrics and risque dance moves and outfits (body gems and glitter) the video helped to raise Lady Gaga to her superstar status.  Her unreleased video for 'Do What You Want' was extremely sexual and due to this and a number of different reasons has still not been released and probably wont be for the foreseeable future.


Kylie Minogue
 
Kylie Minogue's latest video for her song 'Sexercise' is set in a hot and sweaty gym.  Proving she still has it Kylie is known for her risque and sexy music videos and her love of hot pants.

Madonna
 
Known as one of the first female superstars to use her sexuality, Madonna raised eyebrows with her song and video 'Like A Virgin'.  She again raised eyebrows with her sexual song and equally sexual video for 'Justify My Love', she even released a sex book.  Madonna has always used her sexuality and always will, from her very early days to the infamous Britney kiss from the 2003 VMA awards and now to posing with Katy Perry for V magazine.  

Britney Spears
Britney Spears used her childlike innocence and schoolgirl outfit to propel herself to super-stardom.  Using her sexuality matched with her school girl looks her video for 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' caused outrage and delighted fans across the world.  

Christina Aguliera
Trying to shake off her childlike image from the Disney Playhouse, Christina's 'Dirty' shocked the whole globe.  Her raunchy moves and lack of clothing led to a hit.  

Mason Vs Princess Superstar
 
Again like the Kylie Minogue video, this to involves exercise balls and tight leotards.  

Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj uses her physical assets in all her videos

Rihanna
Rihanna is always in the world press for her racy antics.  Her song 'S and M' had an explicit video filled with innuendo, they song was heavily edited with half of the lyrics missing to be played on Radio 1.  Very recently she was spotted wearing a sheer Swarvoski dress with little else.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood
'Relax' caused major uproar and controversy in the mid 80s,  a ban from the BBC led to this song cracking the charts.


Monday, 23 June 2014

Music video inspirations

From the 1980s music videos have gained popularity among fans and music executives.  Allowing the fans to watch their favorite artists perform in their very own video, it also gives the artist free promo and also allows them to use product placement to their advantage and charge large companies to have the products involved and seen in the video.

New music videos are made everyday so their is a wide choice to inspire the audience.  

Lady Gaga-Telephone
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVBsypHzF3U
 
 
Lady Gagas' video for Telephone has a film like quality and a narrative.  Featuring Beyonce it continues from Lady Gagas' other video 'Paparazzi'.  With high energy dance scenes and an interesting narrative it stands out as not just a music video but a short film.    

Lily Allen-Shezus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kPQiAJv4f
 

Green screen was used for all the effects in Lily Allens video for Shezus.  A cartoon overlay was used to create the unique look of the video.  Bright colours and styles help to create this simple yet effective music video.  I really like the concept of the video but I feel the look would take a lot of technology to create (technology I don't have access to)

Lady Gaga-Applause
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pco91kroVgQ
 
 
A video driven by concept and dance alone it switches very quickly from many different scenes.  Created by photographers Inez and Vinoodh it is described as a fight between black and white and colour.

Little Mix-Salute
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjpa0SMOug0
A dark and dingy video with a strong dance presence, it uses fast and sharp movements to create an original and entertaining video.

Natalia Kills-Mirrors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4By_cfI_1g
   
A dark and provocative video, it uses mostly concept but with a hint of narrative to creative an emotive music video.  With dark lighting it helps create a supernatural feel.

Janet Jackson-Rhythm Nation
 
A strong dance presence helped to create this iconic video.  Sharp movements and almost robotic synchronization create a strong and lasting image.

Neon Jungle-Trouble
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMIy_PNlAcE
 
 
 A fast paced and energetic video, it introduces each of the members of the band.  Using slow motion and fast forward effects it creates a strong image.

Natalia Kills-Zombie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e-J7nViJU8
 

A mix of concept and narrative, Zombie uses key lyrics and highlights them with extreme close-ups of Natalia Kills mouth.  This video also uses the idea of public censorship to create a supernatural and mysterious video. 

 Christina Aguilera-fighter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PstrAfoMKlc
 
 
Using a narrative this video uses bold and beautiful looks to create a well rounded music video.  Moths are used in this video to create an unusual image of beauty.

   Beyonce-Run the world (Girls)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBmMU_iwe6U
 
Beyonce uses dance to create and exiting female anthem.  The hot setting helps to create a hot looking video.

Britney Spears-Work B**ch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pt8VYOfr8To
 
 
Britney Spears uses many looks, settings and symbolism to create a fast paced and energetic video.


Pet Shop Boys-Axis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDCU17wXktY
 
With the new upbeat and electric sound of the Pet Shop Boys latest album they created an equally electric concept video for their latest single.  Using symbolism and lasers it creates an interesting and bright video, although not suitable for those with epilepsy.

Scissor Sisters-Filthy/Gorgeous
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlO4FWrVE2I


                                     
with their raunchy lyrics and equally raunchy and outrageous video the scissor sisters caused a bit of a stir when it was first released.

Cyndi Lauper-Boy Blue
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbLdomO4iZg
 
Cyndi Laupers video for Boy Blue shows how good live performance music videos can get.

Kylie Minogue-Sexercise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3VjJKKVNew
 
Kylie shows how simple movements and quick close up shots can create an extremely sexual video

Christina Aguilera-Not Myself Tonight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt-tHcQR67Y
Christina uses symbolism and costume to create an entertaining music video.  Looking back at old concepts and modernizing them help to create an iconic video.

Lady Gaga Alejandro

 

Gaga's video for Alejandro uses a monochrome colour scheme and dance routines to create an epic music video.