Music Video Questions

1) What would you consider to be the main purpose of a music video?
To promote the song and the band so that they can make more money from sales and so on thanks to more people being aware of them.

2) What other purposes might there be of a music video?

To give video editors a chance to experiment with effects so they can move onto bigger work.  Chris Cunningham, auteur music video directors. Spike Jonze.

A song with a story could use a narrative music video to help tell the story. For example, Baby Mario & Papa Yoshi by Brentalfloss uses an animated music video to tell the story of Yoshi finding a baby and then after deciding to not eat it, he raises it instead and the baby grows up to be Mario.

Another use could be to deliver the message the band is trying to convey. This can be like a political message, for example, White America by Eminem.  What is the message is video trying to get across? Why use a music video to convey a political message?  http://flavorwire.com/404594/10-great-music-videos-with-a-political-message/


Another purpose can be to gain more exposure through controversy. This means that not only people will talk about the song, but also media will cover this song to seem relevant. This means not only more people are likely to listen to and buy the album, but also if it's on YouTube, the band can also get ad money.

3) How might an artist extend their income through having a music video?
On websites like YouTube, they can get ad money from views. They can also use annotations to advertise gigs and merchandise.

4) Describe how and why music videos have been used to fill in for bands on tour or when otherwise unavailable?
If for some reason they can not show up to perform, a music video can help promote them. This was something that was done on Top of the Pops.

5) Thinking back through history and presently... how have music videos enabled an 'extention of outlets' (opened up ways to get music to the masses?)
In the earlier days, people could use devices called Soundies to watch small clips with music. As TVs became more common in the 50's, people could watch music videos from home. In the 60's, Scopitones where found in places like pubs and could be used to play music videos. 
In the 70's, a show called Top of the Pops was a show that featured popular music. While at first they had a dance performance if the band can't make it, that was fazed out and replaced with a music video. 
In the 80's, MTV started and was a major music video channel. In 2005, YouTube was launched and was a place you could find music videos people uploaded. At this point, anyone could make a music video to promote their music and after a few years, record companies started officially uploading their music videos.