Alternative ideas- documentaries

Documentaries can be divided into four modes;

Observational- This is where the documentary maker follows the person around to observe their life. Hand held camera can be used and long takes are used. In observational documentaries, no voice overs are included. Examples of this is '16 and pregnant', 'teen mom' or 'big brother'.

Expository- These are documentaries that expose peoples life and are well known for having a commentator that explains the story. It includes; a commentator, rhetorical questions, facts, opinions and persuasive techniques. An example of a expository documentary is 'Cheaters'.

Reflexive- in this documentary, the film maker acknowledges their presence in front of the camera and provides a narrative in the documentary. A good example of someone who makes good reflexive documentaries is Louis Theroux as he appears in front of the camera as a interviewer. An example of a reflexive documentary is 'CatFish'.

The three longest music videos ever made

1. "Ghosts" by Michael Jackson Length: 39 minutes, 31 seconds

Topping out at nearly forty minutes in length, Michael Jackson's "Ghosts" remains as the undefeated, crown-wearing champion of long music videos. Directed by special effects legend, Stan Winston, "Ghosts" tells the tale of a fearsome and all-powerful supernatural Maestro who's presence isn't welcomed by a small town and its authorities. "Ghosts" is packed with an onslaught of dance numbers by Jackson and his ghoul family. The songs featured in "Ghosts" were taken from Jackson's "Blood on the Dance Floor" and "HIStory" albums. Be on the look out for an early Mos Def cameo.

2. "MTV's 25th Birthday Celebration" by The Streets 

Length: 20 minutes

In order to celebrate MTV's 25th birthday, Mike Skinner from The Streets, director Alastair Siddons, and a group of 25 people from the United Kingdom piece together an epic record breaker of a music video which depicts five individual stories that were created by different people whom had only one week, a video camera, and bare creativity. Kidnapping, police trouble, childhood memories, local myths, stolen cars, freak accidents, and even Bigfoot participates in this video.

3. "Bad" by Michael Jackson Length: 16 minutes, 23 secondsMichael Jackson teams up with film director Martin Scorcese to bring this "West Side Story" inspired classic music video which has Michael Jackson playing a private school student who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time when he arrives in a derelict subway station where he is influenced by a local troublesome gang and their adversaries.

The purpose and development of music videos

The purpose of music videos
There are many different reasons as to why an artist may choose to create a music video. Some of these reasons could include;
-They may be trying to express their feelings
- To gain publicity through awards
- To entertain the audience
- To gain more fans from being creative
-for charity purpose or to show a political message

The main reason they create music videos is to increase the sales of the music videos. Most music videos can be viewed on the internet (especially youtube) which can be accessed internationally. 

The development of music videos
Music videos started in the 1930's when the TV show 'MTV' was launched the first video was by the 'Buggies' - 'Video killed the radio star' 

Youtube has enabled people from the public to put their own videos up, creating publicity and the chance to become 'youtube famous'. 
As technology is always improving, that means the quality of music videos today are much better than when they first came out, making it easier for artists to gain publicity.

First ever music video

The first music video to appear on MTV was 'Video killed the radio star'. However, ueen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is considered the first "real" video-clip, in the sense that it was directed and edited for that purpose.

Laura Mulvey- Male gaze homework

TASK

§Q: How many different types of ‘gaze’ can there be in a media text?
The spectator’s gaze

§the intra-diegetic gaze

§the direct [or extra-diegetic] address to the viewer

§the look of the camera

§the gaze of a bystander

§the averted gaze

§the gaze of an audience within the text

§the editorial gaze

·Q: Who controls the ‘gaze’ in each case?
The person who is in control of the camera is controlled by the gaze

·Q: What other power relationships can be defined by the ‘gaze’ – or who is looking at whom?
The mutuality of the gaze can reflect power structure, or the nature of a relationship between the subjects.

·Q: How is this expressed in the music videos you have been analysing
The gaze builds tension and suspense in music videos by focusing on the eyes

TASK
Does this translate from magazines to music videos? Find visual examples of each type of ‘look’ from music videos, or explore ‘looks’ of your own, whether male or female, or from other groups eg. By age, ethnicity, power relationships