Marcus Collard

Unit 29: Music Video Production

Task 1: Report on the Purpose, Styles, Conventions and Techniques of Music Videos

Video 1: "New Divide"-Linkin Park

Purpose:

The label that signed Linkin Park, Reprise Records, is owned by the major label Warner Music Group. Linkin Park released New Divide as a single for Michael Bay's film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and serves as the main theme tune. By working in synergy with this installment of the transformers franchise, their song was promoted in many countries around the world, allowing them to sell millions of copies and attain multiple gold and platinum records.

Styles:

The song falls under the Nu Metal, Industrial Rock genre because of the way music is styled
 and the instruments used. the lyrics give an interpretation of a couple going through a rough patch or even a break up in their relationship. The imagery that Linkin Park used for the film, gives the audience a visual of what the film is like, drawing them in to the story line. The imagery in the video gives the impression of surrealism, in that alien robots have chosen Earth to continue their seemingly endless battle, when there are millions of other planets out in the universe.

Conventions:

The lyrics give an interpretation that the song is about Sam and Mikaela and the troubles in their relationship that they are trying to overcome, throughout the second transformers film. The song could also allude to a message or warning, or even the lead singer, Chester Bennington's relationship troubles. The imaging seem to consolidate the songs meaning, because we don't see much about a couple in a failing relationship, making us focus more on the lyrics and less on the video.

Techniques:

The video is shot in the Egyptian cave where the bodies of the Dynasty of the Primes and the Matrix of Leadership are hidden. Green screens are used to implement CGI into the video. The director decided to use a thermal imaging cam to make the girl dancing in the video to look more like Megan Fox. They also used food parts to create texture around them in the thermal imaging cameras.

Video 2: "Weapon of Choice"-Fatboy Slim

Purpose:

Weapon of Choice was sold as part of Fatboy Slim's third studio album, Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars, along with Star 69 as a double A-side single. Skint Records, an Independent label, have endorsed Fatboy Slim and his records since the start of his career and still do to this day.

Styles:

Fatboy Slim's Interpretation of the video is that Christopher Walken is tiered of acting serious and decides, that since there is no-one around, he acts how he feels on the inside, occasionally checking to see if anyone is around. The narrative being that when he is alone he embraces his inner child and does things that would be unacceptable in the adult world.




The chorus of the song "You could go with this, or you could co with that..." is a homage to the Black Sheep song "The Choice Is Yours(Revisited)". And the line "Walk without rhythm, and it wont attract the worm", is  referencing to the novel Dune.

Conventions:

The interpretation of the lyrics are, Christopher Walken has a choice to make, but he is not sure which to take. "You could go with this, or you could go with that...""...Or you could go with us." gives the impression that someone is tempting him in with an offer that is too good to be true. "Walk without rhythm, and it wont attract the worm."

Techniques:

The video has been directed so that whenever there is a change in tempo or pitch, the video will cut to the next shot. the video is cut in a way that it seems to flow flawlessly, but there are clear moments during the during the beginning where he suddenly jump to a new position.


The movement of the camera consists mostly on tracking and static shots, giving the effect that the viewer is following Christopher around the "deserted" hotel. When he jumps over the banister, the camera pans round from different vantage points to make it seem as though someone is watching him fly around the room. From what I can see, there don't appear to be any special effects, which allows the viewer to focus more on the music and the story.