The changing purpose of music videos

You have been asked to comprehensively explain of the purposes of music videos in a web-log.

To do this you will have to make reference to a range of music videos and show how the purpose of the music video has developed over time.

Your research should allow you to gain this knowledge and understanding and the web-log will allow you to present your findings in a creative way.

What was the first music video?

This is a contentious question and you may find differing answers.

Look at a range of 'landmark' videos and the artists who used them to market their brand.

Abba

Queen

Did the music video really begin with the birth of MTV ?

This is Buggles and the first video shown on MTV. Were his words prophetic?

Research the history of MTV and outline the impact it had on the music industry and the purpose of the music video

The 1980's and the rise of the 'music video' bands

Duran Duran

A-Ha

Michael Jackson "Thriller'

No history of the music video is complete without this one.  You need to explain why this was such a landmark video. Spend some time using this as an example in your web-log.

TASK

Choose a music video from this period to analyse in some detail.

Explain the purpose, style and conventions of the music video in this era.

For example,