A2 Level Media Studies

4Minute - Muzik

This video and song is performed by a Korean Pop Artist Group called 4 Minute, the song is called 'Muzik'.

The genre of this music video is definitely pop, portrayed with choreographed dance and the fact that they’re wearing fashionable (and similar) clothes.
The video is very simple in style; just some choreographed dancing on different sets with different outfits and make-up. What makes this video interesting however is the quick-jump editing, the bright lights and the dance moves themselves.

In this music video, there is a lot of sexualisation; this is shown with the provocative dances moves and the short skirts that the band members wear. To me, this shows that the band are perhaps trying to attract a male audience and trying to sell their music this way. However, the choreographed dance moves, the stylish girls and the use of catchy music could also appeal to a female audience too.

There is also quite a bit of materialism in this video. At the very begining the girls walk around an expensive looking car (A Nissan 370z coupe) which is also seen the background at times while they're dancing, and during the video they're seen wearing designer clothes and accessories. To me, this shows that the director of this video wanted the audience to think and assume that these girls were 'High class' and perhaps 'high maintenence'. This could make them appealling to all audiences (though maybe just the shallow people!).

I think that this music video is a fun one, that doesn't take itself too seriously but still has an underlining message of wealth and sexuality which shows through the products and choreography used. I think this music video is mainly to perhaps advertise the band rather than the music itself as the music (despite the title!) isn't as important as the band's image.

Spice Girls - Viva Forever

This song is performed by the British pop band The Spice Girls. The video was directed by Oscar winner Steve Box of Aardman Animations. Box was the key animator on Aardman's film Chicken Run, which also used stop motion animation.

In the video it starts with a storybook that opens and shows two boys running around the woods when they encounter a pod that opens and reveals a toy chicken. The two friends chase the chicken until they see another pod, which opens by itself, and five fairy-style Spice Girls come out. One of the boys run away and the second boy stays and the fairies play with him. Then they fly the boy to another place in front of a giant Rubik's Cube. The fairies dance on the cube to the song, until the middle of the cube opens and the boy climbs inside.
The younger boy sees the fairies about to close the cube but by the time he gets to the it his friend is gone inside the cube, and it becomes toy-sized. He then sees a giant coin-vending machine which contains other pods. He puts the solved Rubik's Cube inside a case and throws it in the coin vending machine and walks away.

Although technically the genre of this song is Pop, the video doesn't seem to follow the typical codes and convention associated with pop videos. There isn't any feature of the actual band (though they are portrayed in puppet form) there isn't any choreography and none of the actors or band members are wearing particularly fashionable clothes.

This music video is very symbollic and full of meaning (which is very unusual for a pop band). According the the director this video can be interpreted as one about coming to terms with the loss of a friend. Whatever the cause for loss, the person struggles with their emotions (represented by them trying to solve the Rubik's Cube). By the end, they have placed the cube in a case and placed it in a giant vending machine, which symbolizes that they will keep "forever" these memories as they move on.

Compared to other Spice Girl Muisc Videos such as Spice up Your Life and Too Much which involves a lot of sexualisation and materialism, this video is very down to earth and different. I think that this video is very well done

Marina and the Diamonds - Oh No!

This song is written and performed by Marina and the Diamonds (Marina Diamandis). The video was directed by Kinga Burza. It's influenced by 1990s cartoons and the old "zany neon" MTV graphics. The concept of the video follows the lyrics of of the song which references being obsessed with success, money and fame.

The genre of this video is very obviously pop. This is shown through the dance routines, use of colour, use of graphics and style. Marina is seen wearing many different outfits throughout the video, and joins in with the choreographed dancing. There is also many different cuts to a 'Pop art' style graphic.

There is quite a bit of materialism in this video. Many times Marina is seen surrounded by many possesions and wearing lots of different outfits (one styled on the American Dollar) and coloured nails. despite this, the materialism cancelled out by the lyrics. I think that the director is trying to convey a sense of irony and hypocrisy related to consumerism and materialistic behaviours by showing an opposite image to the lyrics.

This music video is very different but still has a recognizable sense it and so makes it appealling to most audiences. I however feel that this video is mainly aimed at young girls with it's use of bright, feminine colours and 'empowering' lyrics. Overall, I really like this music video & I think it's fun and cute but doesn't overdo the graphic effects and bright costumes.

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