Research Paper
I have decided to focus on the evolution of the music video in accordance with MTV. Music videos can be looked at like advertisements. They help to sell the artist, cd, or a certain genre of music. The original music video was just live footage of the band in concert, but they have come a long way since then (mostly with the aid of MTV.) As time elapses, the videos have gained more hidden meanings and intent with the better graphics and editing techniques. I will be trying to trace the evolution of the music video and their importance to both MTV and art in general. I will also be trying to decipher the future of the music video, since MTV has moved past playing music videos nonstop.
I have found a lot of research regarding the music video in general, mostly from the time when they first began (the early ’80’s) I have also found some things about MTV and its importance to pop culture. One book Rocking Around the Clock: Music Television, Postmodernism, and Consumer Culture by E. Ann Kaplan focuses on MTV and their relationship with the music video. She describes a music video as “rock promos” for the record company and artist. She discusses how showing music videos at all hours of the day is just like pelting the audience with advertisements over and over again. She also discusses how MTV itself has changed, like how in the beginning it was ultra-conservative about the videos and artists it would endorse. She also discusses the advertising of MTV and the subliminal messages behind their ad campagin (ex the man on the moon, I want my MTV! etc.) This information fits in nicely with tracking the evolution of both the channel and the works. By showing MTV’s conservative beginnings it is interesting to try to figure out how MTV became the provocative channel we know of today.
Another source I used was a book titled Experiencing Music Video: Aesthetics and Cultural Context by Carol Vernallis. She focuses on the process of how the music video was born, and how it is created. She looks at things like editing, the song lyrics, the setting and the artist itself and it’s affect on the video. She discusses the two types of video, narrative and antinarrative and how they get their point accross. This information will help in unmasking the real message behind the music video to figure out what they are really selling.
I still have a couple of books to check out, as well as some articles. There are also some movies that I might watch, particularly one documenting Spike Jones’ work on music videos. These things will further help me to figure out the art of the music video and its importance to MTV.
Siobhan Dannaher said,
November 15, 2006 at 11:33 pm
Good job presenting your argument-it is crystal clear what you intend on doing. It sounds like you have a genuine interest in your topic and you have already started to really dig in to some research. Your sources sound really reliable and I picked two books for my research as well. I would definetely like to read your project when it is done because it sounds like a really fun, provacative topic. Kudos(it means good job in latin…I think, something like that).
kwadkins said,
November 15, 2006 at 11:42 pm
Dearest kathy, I think that you have Done and excellent job presenting your argument and that you have Done a gooD amount of research alreaDy. It seems like other people have been interesteD in your topic as well. I like the iDea and i think that it woulD be a interesting paper to read. It is Definitely a unique topic. Love, Kyle
P.S. I capitalizeD the D’s because i felt they were unDerrepresenteD.
khj1202 said,
November 16, 2006 at 12:00 am
First of all, I like to watching MTV. So I’m so interesting on your research project. I think your argument is pretty clear and you’ve found something good! I didn’t check library yet, I just used in online database. I would go check some books too.
I think resourses that you found is good. Also, It sounds like fun!!!
Good job and good luck too!!
acrerie said,
November 16, 2006 at 5:06 pm
Wow, this is a bangin’ idea! I’m actually excited to see what you come up with. I’m surprised that you found a book about music videos… mad props on that one. You seem like you have a good idea of what you’re doing / where you’re going with this. Maybe you could find out why MTV stopped playing music videos as much… b/c it kinda pisses me off. Good work, buddy.
Oh, and “kudos” is Greek, not Latin.