Good & Bad Music Video Techniques

Green Screen:

Good example:
This music video by Seether highlights an over exaggerated view of how green screen is used and because the audience can see how and when this technique has been used it doesn't have the same effect in a conventional sense. Although this video is about exposing fakes, so in that sense it works well to convey the message to the audience whilst also adding a touch of humour by simplifying the actual process.



Bad Example:
This video shows how if the technique is not done correctly it can cause the video to lose any effect it may have had and unintentionally encourages the audience to mock the group/band as well as the music genre as a whole. A bad example such as this is usually easy to spot as around the edges of the person(s) in shot a green border will appear, this is due to the green background not being completely replaced by the intended image.



Special Effects:


Good Example:
This music video is completely computer animated and the way in which they depict the lyrics of the song makes it appeal more to the audience as it isn't a person being promiscuous but a dog doing what it is biologically programmed to do and eventually suffering the consequences. The style of the animation is different to the conventional cartoon as some aspects seem quite realistic as well as the sharp features of the characters and the fact that they are blue.


Bad Example:
In this exert from the Terminator movie it is clearly visible that when the eye is pulled out it switches from being Arnold Schwarzenegger to a robotic model. This is clear to the audience not just from the change in skin texture but also by the sudden change to jerky stiff movements from the fluidity of a human actor.
http://youtu.be/E2oTXjAB-8o


Cutting to the Beat:


Good Example:
This video by The Prodigy is a great example of cutting to the beat, this gives even more emphasis to the drums throughout the song. Although there isn't a lot of camera movement in this video the different angles and shots used break the song up and help to add to the chaotic feel of of the song.



Bad Example:
Although some of the cuts are on the beat most are irregular and off the beat, this may distract the audience's attention from the song but could provide more emphasis on the actual video. As the majority of the cuts aren't on the beat the audience may lose track of the song or not listen fully to the lyrics.



Large Number of Cuts:


Good Example:
There are loads of cuts in this song by Slipknot which helps to add to the violent and psychotic feel of the video. This will help to keep the audience's interest as the screen is constantly changing showing a variety of camera angles, shots and movement. It also helps to highlight the instruments that are most prevalent in that section of the song.





Bad Example:
There are no cuts in this song by Bruno Mars which could result in the audience losing interest and makes it seem less professional. Although this is a bad example of cuts in a music video the lack of cuts emphasises what the song is about and makes it feel more like a home movie that some friends have filmed which is essentially what it is.



Camera Language:


Good Example:
This video has a lot of camera movement such as zooming in, panning, and tracking. The tracking and panning movement methods are used in this video to try and keep the performers in shot for most of the time they are moving around the warehouse. This helps to keep the audiences focus on that individual as at that point in the song they are a crucial element. Also the camera zooms in on specific elements such as the shoe to focus the audiences attention on what will be a vital element of the videos story. 



Bad Example:
This music video by Weezer has ver little camera movement in it, this could cause the audience to lose interest in the song. Although there are some panning shots, in the majority of the video the targeted individual is in the middle of the shot. The song has some very unusual lyrics which are backed up with an apparently random mixture of video clips.




Lip-synching
Good Example:
This video by Nickleback is a great example of lip-synching  as non of the people shown in the video are band members and so have to be lip synching. This video is a compilation of many other videos of people lip-synching the actual song, This helps to give a visual representation of the songs lyrics such as "We all just wanna be big Rockstars".



Bad Example:
In this video the young boys lips are out of synch with the lyrics from the song, this is clearly visible in some parts but in others his timing improves. This can make it hard for the audience to concentrate on both the lyrics and what the video is about.