Common motifs within music videos

Common Motifs Within Music Videos

Fragmentation of the body Fragmentation of the body is a common motif within music videos. Fragmentation of the body is when:• The body obscured by objects• Close ups of the mouth, eyes, body

etc. Fragmentation of the body is used to draw the audiences attention to one particular part of the artist.

The image to the left is an example of fragmentation of the body, it shows a close up of the artists lips. This image is a print screen of the music video for Dizzee Rascal – ‘I Luv You’.

Horror

Horror is another common motif within music videos. A lot of music videos have aspects of horror in them such as: • Extreme violence • Hell• War• Satan or Monsters. Horror aspects are used as they can be seen as controversial, they could also upset certain religion which will bring publicity to the song.

This image is a print screen of Eminem & Lil Wayne – ‘Drop The World’. This image shows the artist Eminem standing on a platform with a post apocalyptic city as a background.

Intertextuality Intertextuality is also common within music videos. Intertextuality is basically art recognising itself as art, examples of Intertextuality are:• Shots of cameras/sets/directors

etc.• The musician looking at

him/herself sing• Reflections (Mirrors, glass, water)• References to other music videos

This is a print screen of Beyoncé – ‘Best Thing You Never Had’. Beyoncé is using Intertextuality in this music video as she is looking at herself in the mirror.

Ritual CelebrationRitual Celebrations often take part in music videos as well. Ritual celebrations are things such as parties. In music videos with ritual celebrations the black artists are usually happy where as white artists are usually demonic.

This is Pitball ft. Neyo – Give me Everything. This video features party scenes as this print screen shows. This is an example of ritual celebration within music videos. This video also fits another aspect of ritual celebration as the black artist (Neyo) is happy, however the water artist (Pitball) is not demonic.

Film Reference

Some songs are featured in films, some of these songs which are featured in a film may use clips from the film in/as their music video.

This print screen is the opening of the music video ‘ We Own It’ by 2 Chains & Wiz Khalifa. This song was featured in the film fast and furious 6 and this is a clip from the film.

Cross Cutting From Narrative to Concert

A lot of music videos also cross cut between the narrative of the song and concerts performed by the artist(s).

These are print screens from the music video ‘Don’t You Worry Child’ by Swedish House Mafia. The narrative is about the band splitting up. The print screen on the top is of the narrative, the print screen on the bottom is a cross cut to a concert which the band performed; which is also in the music video.

Other Common Motifs There are some other common Motifs within music videos, they are:• Shots into bright

lights/sun/fire.• Fast/Slow motion• Special Effects• Animation• Breaks in the narrative

for the artist to sing• Mythical & Mysterious

Places

These print screens show a break in the narrative for the artist to sing. This song is ‘All of The Lights’ by Kanye West, Rhianna & Kid Cudi. The image on the left is a print screen of the narrative and the print screen on the right is a break from the narrative to show Kanye West rapping.