Information about Music Videos

• They follow specific genre conventions
• ..OR they are experimental/abstract
• The video lasts the length of the music (sometimes even longer)
• Can be performance, narrative or concept based
• Music and moving images have long gone together

Some people believe they are a distinctive art form which can allow directors to create really interesting, creative opportunities.

In the 1920s & 1930s there was a lot of experimental film.

The 'Soundies':

• early US jukebox
• allowed the first time for people to see the artist perform

In the 1960s music video promos were produced, which were used on 'Top of the Pops' in the 1970s. They were used as a substitue for when the band was on tour.

When MTV was produced there was a boom of promo videos in the 1980s. Spin-off music channels were also produced, such as 'Smash Hits' and 'Q'. There are now separate music channels set up in order to specialise in one genre of music, i.e, 'MTV Base' and 'MTV2'.