Research into chosen music genre

Research into chosen music genre.

For our music video we have decided to use the song Stay Awake by Example. This falls into the genre of Dance. 

Two of the music artists that I have decided to analyse are Calvin Harris and Tinie Tempah. Both of these artists are in the dance genre, the same as Example. Its interesting because even though all three of these artists are placed under the same genre they are all different in their own ways, whether this be their choice of songs or the way that their music videos are produced. However Calvin Harris's Feel so close and Tinie Tempah's Pass out are similar to Example's Stay Awake, they all include the usual conventions of a dance music video and song. However out of all of the artists Calvin Harris is the one who sings rather than raps (like Tinie and Example). 

Tinie Tempah - Pass Out.

The first shot that the audience see is a close of the artist Tinie Tempah, first of all he is just looking down at the floor, he slowly moves his head up towards the camera, this is done to the beat of the song which gives the effect of the music video looking professional and flowing.

The above shot gives of a scientific vibe, with the sparkly ring around his face, this could have reference to a planet in space. During the video there are close ups used of Tinie's lips as he mimes the song. This helps the video be seen as a performance based one rather than just a concept based music video, like most dance videos are. There is a clear link between the sound and the visuals, we see this when Tinie is rapping, the shots are changing in time with the beat that we hear. The music video has a range of different shots to mix it up so that its not all the same and boring. Below is a shot of the speakers that are shown they are vibrating, this gives off the effect that the music is really loud and relates to a party theme, which associates itself with the genre dance. 

During the rest of the video, some of the words that the artist raps, come up on the screen in words that are held by people in the background, which the audience cant see. The shot below is of Tinie Tempahs name written in a chain, this relates to the iconography of rappers and the conventions of a music video. The chain and his name are in a bright blue font, which connote the ideas of being relaxed and chilled. The idea of using the chain is so that it shows of his lifestyle and being rich. 

Tinie Tempah also has an another artist Labrinth featuring in this music video , during this part both of the artists are wearing jewlerry and sunglasses, this is again to show their lifestyle and that they are exclusive and famous. Lighting is used throughout and even blinding white strobe lights are used this is to connote the idea of being in a club. We are then reminded of the speaker again, however there is a slight difference there is glitter placed on the speaker so that when it vibrates the glitter flies into the air, this adds to the scientific feel, it could represent the stars. 

Throughout the video the costumes that both artists are put in, mainly concentrating on Tinie Tempah are very plain, mainly black colours. This goes against the usual conventions of a dance music video, however he makes it work with the colours used with the lighting, the words that pop up on the screen, to give of the impression they are at a club of some sort. Towards the end of the music video a lot of close ups are used of glass being smashed and there are lots of colours used, there are also people dancing with Tinie Tempah, which shows that he has a lot of friends and gives off the impression they are all in the club having a good time.

Calvin Harris - Feel So Close.

The first shot that we see is a long shot of Feel so close in a graffiti style font on a large rock, made in neon colours. this is conventional of a dance music video, this is because it is associated with the fun vibe dance gives off. 

Throughout the video there are various shots shown of Calvin Harris driving a truck as what it looks like, he is driving through a place that looks warm, and there arent many people around, this is appealing to who is watching and gives off the idea that he is relaxed and calm and is stress free. As the audience we then start to see shots that include speakers, similar to what we saw in Tinie Tempahs music video, they are being carried by people, this creates the atmosphere of a party and also the conventions of a music video. A close up is used of a girl turning up the radio, everyone then starts to dance and everyone looks happy, these are the typical conventions of a music video. 

The pace of the song starts to build up, everyone in the video are starting to enjoy themselves more, they are on a journey to a place, as they get there the party beings and people are socialising and having a good time. There is a clear connection between the lyrics and the visuals we see this through 'Feel so close', people start to physically come close to each other, for example a man and woman start to kiss. The editing becomes fast paced with the shots, at the same time to give the effect that they have a link and to make the video flow. 

The song starts to kick in and the chorus plays again, there is a strong connection between the lyrics and the visuals, for example there is a girl who is dancing in the street as she starts to turn and she comes back round she is in a ballerina outfit, this shows her connection with music she feels so close to it, Calvin Harris is saying that feel so close relates to any sort of relation whether it be sexual, friendship, family or even an object. E.g. for this particular part the girl has a relationship with the music. 

Overall from analysing the two music videos, I have learnt that in dance music videos it is commonly seen that there is slow paced editing,bright colours, people looking happy, people dancing and the use of speakers and radios. This has given me huge amounts of inspiration for filming our own music video for Examples Stay Awake.