Here is my previous summer homework on The Cure, which I will now redo for the band we are creating a music video on - Blink-182.
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Activity One: Music Video Analysis.
PART ONE: GENRE
PART ONE: GENRE
What elements does your artist use to identify themselves in their videos?
Originally, The Cure were a band with very little identity. They were average looking and uninteresting, relying solely on their sound to be recognised. Their first video is entirely performance based, so they used no sort of storyline to create interest or capture the audience. This soon changed as The Cure found a certain amount of style and demeanour that suited their genre of Gothic/Alternative Rock. I’d say that nowadays, The Cure are known more so for their appearance than their music, as they are notoriously very striking to look at.
Originally, The Cure were a band with very little identity. They were average looking and uninteresting, relying solely on their sound to be recognised. Their first video is entirely performance based, so they used no sort of storyline to create interest or capture the audience. This soon changed as The Cure found a certain amount of style and demeanour that suited their genre of Gothic/Alternative Rock. I’d say that nowadays, The Cure are known more so for their appearance than their music, as they are notoriously very striking to look at.
1978
How has your artist changed over time?
Following their first single, The Cure started to adapt more toward their genre in terms of the way they performed and with regards to their looks. Their second single “A Forest” was very similar to their first, in the way that it was mostly performance based and their look still hadn’t really changed from the norm. Shots of a forest were taken in order to link with the song and perhaps create a more dark and interesting feel that suited the gothic genre.
Following their first single, The Cure started to adapt more toward their genre in terms of the way they performed and with regards to their looks. Their second single “A Forest” was very similar to their first, in the way that it was mostly performance based and their look still hadn’t really changed from the norm. Shots of a forest were taken in order to link with the song and perhaps create a more dark and interesting feel that suited the gothic genre.
1980 1985 2008
After this, they really began to look into creating an iconic look. Within 5 or so years, they had gone from being ordinary, slightly moody individuals, to unmistakable gothic icons – a look they continue to develop and wear to this day, despite their age. If anything their look has intensified recently and their music has fluctuated over the past 30 years, experimenting with new sounds.
What generic conventions are evident from their videos?
In certain ways, The Cure are a band that try not to take themselves too seriously within their genre. Because of this, many of their videos are humorous and fun to watch – not something that is to be expected from a gothic band. Examples of this are seen in the videos for “Lovecats” and “Why Can’t I Be You?” For certain songs however, their music videos have conformed very well to their genre. Dark, grimey locations have been used to reflect mood as seen in “Lovesong”. Scary characters have also been created in certain videos such as “Lullaby”, giving a clear representation of the dark sound that The Cure are known for.
In certain ways, The Cure are a band that try not to take themselves too seriously within their genre. Because of this, many of their videos are humorous and fun to watch – not something that is to be expected from a gothic band. Examples of this are seen in the videos for “Lovecats” and “Why Can’t I Be You?” For certain songs however, their music videos have conformed very well to their genre. Dark, grimey locations have been used to reflect mood as seen in “Lovesong”. Scary characters have also been created in certain videos such as “Lullaby”, giving a clear representation of the dark sound that The Cure are known for.
Lullaby Why Can’t I Be You? Lovesong
Has the film style changed over time? If so, why?
I believe in recent times their music videos have become more sophisticated and perhaps less humorous in an attempt to become slightly more serious. Perhaps this change has come with age. Obviously the effects and quality of their videos has dramatically changed since their first music video in 1978, where they were still quite rare and technology was not to the same extent as it is today.
I believe in recent times their music videos have become more sophisticated and perhaps less humorous in an attempt to become slightly more serious. Perhaps this change has come with age. Obviously the effects and quality of their videos has dramatically changed since their first music video in 1978, where they were still quite rare and technology was not to the same extent as it is today.
PART TWO: VISUAL STYLE AND IMAGE.
“Just Like Heaven” & “Lullaby”
In “Just Like Heaven”, we have an entirely performance based video. The mise-en-scene relates to the narrative in the song however, and I think this is an effective technique that makes this video successful. On the other hand, in “Lullaby” there is less of a performance present. Instruments are still played and the singer performs vocals, but both are done within the narrative of the video. There is a storyline to “Lullaby” that is lacking in “Just Like Heaven”, making it different but not necessarily more effective. There are aspects of mise-en-scene in “Lullaby” which relate to the genre in which The Cure fit in to. There is a dark and eerie setting with cobwebs and strange characters which tie in nicely with the song and the conventions of a gothic rock video. In the case of “Just Like Heaven”, the song is a lot more positive anyway, so the conventions of gothic rock would probably not fit very well with the direction in which the song takes. This video is set up on a cliff side near the sea, fitting with the lyrics of the song. The costume and look of the band still stands to be their signature look – this is something that is apparent in almost all of their videos, as it is what they are known for. Likewise, in “Lullaby” the gothic look is very strong and dominant.
In “Just Like Heaven”, we have an entirely performance based video. The mise-en-scene relates to the narrative in the song however, and I think this is an effective technique that makes this video successful. On the other hand, in “Lullaby” there is less of a performance present. Instruments are still played and the singer performs vocals, but both are done within the narrative of the video. There is a storyline to “Lullaby” that is lacking in “Just Like Heaven”, making it different but not necessarily more effective. There are aspects of mise-en-scene in “Lullaby” which relate to the genre in which The Cure fit in to. There is a dark and eerie setting with cobwebs and strange characters which tie in nicely with the song and the conventions of a gothic rock video. In the case of “Just Like Heaven”, the song is a lot more positive anyway, so the conventions of gothic rock would probably not fit very well with the direction in which the song takes. This video is set up on a cliff side near the sea, fitting with the lyrics of the song. The costume and look of the band still stands to be their signature look – this is something that is apparent in almost all of their videos, as it is what they are known for. Likewise, in “Lullaby” the gothic look is very strong and dominant.
Activity Two: CD Covers
PART ONE: Analysis
PART ONE: Analysis
The Cure – Disintegration
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Peep Show
Joy Division – Closer
The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Peep Show
Joy Division – Closer
The Smiths – The Queen Is Dead
On each album cover there is minimal information given – usually just the artist’s name and the title of the album. The text is very understated on each, drawing attention more to the image rather than the name of the album itself. They all have very interesting images – Joy Division and The Smiths have very simple and recognisable covers that appear to link with the titles to their albums. On the other hand, The Cure and Siouxsie and the Banshees have odd, somewhat surreal covers that are intriguing to say the least. They’re more art based rather than simple portraits/photographs.
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